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Movies

“Woman of the Hour”: Gender Norms and Hidden Horrors

The gripping psychological drama Woman of the Hour delves into a chilling intersection of societal gender dynamics and true crime horror. Directed with acute precision, the film presents a nuanced narrative that goes beyond the surface-level terror of its central serial killer plot. The true horror lies not just in the heinous acts of violence but in the persistent undercurrent of systemic dismissal and mistreatment of women—particularly how their desires and autonomy are continuously undermined. The film follows Sheryl, a young woman navigating the turbulent 1970s backdrop of societal expectations and gender norms, as she becomes unwittingly entangled in the…

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Books

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

A Deep Dive into Fantasy, Introspection, and Storytelling Title: The Starless SeaAuthor: Erin MorgensternPublisher: VintageThemes: speculative fiction, Storytelling, Fate, Identity, Love, Memory, Mystery, Time, Choice, Discovery, Imagination. Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea is a masterful journey through narrative itself, blending the imaginative intensity of a modern fairy tale with the layered introspection of literary fiction. Set in a labyrinthine underground library filled with stories, symbols, and secrets, Morgenstern’s world-building is profoundly symbolic, with each level of the library acting as a metaphor for the deeper layers of human introspection. The further the protagonist, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, delves into the underground…

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Reflections

I Joined a Bookclub: And Why you Should Too

At the end of 2024, I joined a bookclub! Actually, I joined two! A couple of years ago, I remember having the conversation with a few friends about whether or not reading, specifically physical books, was a dying hobby. It seemed like fewer and fewer people were readers and finding a group of people who enjoyed loosing themselves in a fictional world for hours at a time was a challenge. When I did go around looking for bookclubs, either I struggled to find friends who read fiction (at least the same kind of fiction I read), or, as was the…

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Reflections

LGBTQIA+ in Media: A History of Struggle & Progress

Throughout history, literature and film have served as mirrors to society, reflecting the complexities of human identity, love, and struggle. Within this vast cultural landscape, LGBTQIA+ voices have long fought for visibility, often facing censorship, discrimination, or erasure. Yet, these voices persist, shaping narratives that challenge norms, inspire activism, and provide a sense of belonging for countless individuals. LGBTQIA+ in Cultural History LGBTQIA+ representation in literature can be traced back centuries, albeit often hidden in subtext or coded language due to societal restrictions. Writers like Oscar Wilde, whose novel The Picture of Dorian Gray subtly addressed themes of queerness, and…

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Reflections

Oscars’ Glow Fading? Why the Academy Awards Might Be Overdue for an Exit

Another Oscar Sunday has come and gone and year after year, I sit with the same questions. We’ve all been there, sitting through the glitzy, high-pressure spectacle of the Academy Awards (the Oscars), eagerly awaiting the results, trying to predict who will take home the golden statue. For years, the Oscars have been the ultimate measure of success in film, a night where everyone gets dolled up, takes their turn on the red carpet, and for some, their one shining moment in the spotlight. But lately, it’s feeling like we might be watching a relic in slow decline. So, what’s going on?…

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Academic

Understanding Modernism: Books That Shaped a Literary Revolution

Alright, let’s talk about modernism—one of the boldest, most experimental, and mind-bending literary movements in history. If you’ve ever picked up a book and thought, “Wait, what did I just read?” chances are, you were deep in modernist territory. It’s the era that shattered traditional storytelling, embraced chaos, and gave us some of the most challenging (but rewarding) books out there. Modernism in literature, which roughly spanned from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, was all about breaking the mould. Writers rejected the neat, linear storytelling of the past in favour of fragmented narratives, unreliable narrators, and experimental…

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