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Movies

Disaster Films as Appropriated Refugee Stories

I am not sure if it’s the current situation or just a morbid fascination, but I have been binge-watching disaster films for the past few months. The disaster film is arguably one of cinema’s oldest movie genres, from the stories about Pompeii to giant monsters, there is no shortage to be found. But what really constitutes a disaster film? There are so many variations, with the relatively new-to-the-stage environmental disasters, the too-close-to-home disease and pandemic outbreaks, and the creature-from-another-world invasions. Often all housed in different categories such as thrillers or science fiction, they are all cut from the same cloth.…

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Music

The Black History of Sea Shanties

The incredibly catchy tunes and lyrics, these folk songs have garnered so much attention. But like with all things on this blog, it’s the story behind sea shanties that interests me the most. Specifically, the black history and influence on the sea faring tunes.

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Videogames

My Favourite Games I Played in 2020

It seems like an endless loop to keep hearing how much 2020 was a write-off in so many ways to so many people. And while undeniably true, I am a big believer of New Years inspiring us to look back at the year past rather than just looking forward and moving on.  In that vein, where 2020 left me quite socially deprived, it did give me a lot my time to engage in activities that  I previous considered luxuries; Things that could only be done as a reward for getting work done, or in those few and far between moments…

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Lifestyle

How to Plan for 2021

Changing tune today for today’s post, I want to look at how we even begin thinking about planning for the new year after a year like 2020. Everything we have ever known about planning went out the window this year, and one thing was left clear: No matter how much you plan, life will get its way.  So, how to go about thinking about what we want to accomplish in the new year? I will be the first to admit that I felt utterly lost this year, unsure how to measure my productivity and successes when I was struggling to…

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Reflections

The Arts in a World of Scandals

Separating the Art From the Artist The last decade has seen more accountability and increasing calls for public and celebrity figures to be held responsible for their actions and statements. Recently, Johnny Depp was removed from his role as Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beast franchise after he lost his libel case against a UK tabloid that labelled him a wife-beater. This is not an isolated case but rather, the latest of a long line of celebrity scandals just as Kevin Spacey was asked to step down from his notable role in the political drama show, House of Cards. Similarly, Hachette Book Group…

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TV Shows

Non-English Shows I Binged on Netflix

Growing up in a non-English speaking country, I was exposed to multiple languages from a very early age. Because of that, films and TV in different languages is something I have been exposed to all of my life. But, perhaps ignorantly on my part, I did not realise that language was something that would turn people off from watching certain things. Maybe because they do not like the idea of subtitles or that some shows or films do not have dubbed versions (not my personal preference but to each their own). However, there have been so many excellent, binge-able shows…

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