A Room With A Review

Christopher Nolan’s 2017 movie ‘Dunkirk’ is a solid movie, but sub-par by his standards. I briefly discuss where it stands amongst his other movies and war movies, before moving on to a debate about whether memorable ads are automatically effective or not. Then my recommendation and a ‘War and Peace’ update to finish as always.

Clare Atkins’ novel ‘Between Us’ presents us with personal and interpersonal conflict over the top of cultural, gender and socio-economic issues. Great read, and timely too in the wake of the George Floyd protests. Then Ad of the Week, my recommendation and an actual ‘War and Peace’ update.

How is it that the 1961 musical adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the best version of Shakespeare’s play? And I don’t even like musicals that much! Plus a poorly planned ad of the week, fun and light-hearted recommendation, and an update for ‘War and Peace’ (hint- there’s no real update this week).

‘Birdman’ left me as conflicted as its main character, and I wrestle with my feelings about it. As much as I love a good Batman joke, was this film worthy of Best Picture? Plus sexism in deodorant ads, a great recommendation and the usual ‘War and Peace’ update

Ernest Cline’s novel ‘Ready Player One’ is a nostalgia-ridden book that captures the pop-culture of the 80s adeptly. Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation is no different. I rave about it for a little while, and also address some of the flaws, before a Star Wars themed ad of the week, more nostalgic texts in my recommendation, and a ‘War and Peace’ wrap up as usual.

In 2010, two movies produced by Dreamworks focusing on villains becoming good guys were released. One was Despicable Me, which spawned multiple sequels and a minion merchandise empire. The other was Megamind, a movie strangely overlooked and forgotten in the decade since. Yet Megamind has a few areas where it excels that Despicable Me doesn’t. Then the usual line up of segments: Ad of the Week, Recommendation, and War and Peace

Spike Lee’s BlackKKlansman brings to light our (lack of) progress around racism, tolerance and equality, while car ads continue to perpetuate sexism. Plus a new segment where I recommend a fun little game, and War and Peace to conclude, as always.

Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Parasite’ is a ground breaking movie that doesn’t let up. Although I don’t think it will be a great teaching resource, there’s still a lot we can learn from it. Then Ad of the Week and War and Peace to conclude

The 2018 documentary ‘Free Solo’ was gripping and had me on edge! But all puns aside, it is a terrific doco. Then ad of the week and ‘War and Peace’ to conclude.

Covering the four Daniel Craig Bond films, and how incredible “Skyfall” is as a movie, let alone its place as a Bond film. Another ad of the week segment with the usual finish at “War and Peace.”

A master of style, Trent Dalton’s novel “Boy Swallows Universe” is a true page-turner that has a lot to offer. Then, how has Cadbury cracked the Easter egg market with its Christmas-esque ad? Finally, the next War and Peace update.

Cross my heart I’m not crying! Is Pixar’s ‘Up’ an intricate movie, or does it rely too much on some emotional moments? Plus criticism of distasteful companies in Ad of the Week, and War and Peace (as usual).

In the most ambitious episode yet, I discuss my favourite Shakespeare play ‘Othello’ and ask important questions like, “Is Iago the Devil?” and, “why is there no good adaptation of the play?” Plus the usual mini segments Ad of the Week and War and Peace

The nostalgia-filled Kingdom Hearts, one of the greatest games ever, provides a launching point to discuss video games as texts, as well as a chance for me to reminisce and reflect on why I love the series so much. Then, Ad of the Week and the usual update for War and Peace.

Has Sam Mendes entered the elite group of filmmakers? His technically brilliant film 1917 is up for review this week, with a new segment critiquing some truly terrible advertisements, with the usual update of War and Peace

Nigerian postcolonial author Chinua Achebe has written a wide range of texts, including novels, essays, short stories and poems. In this episode, I discuss two of his poems, ‘Mother in a Refugee Camp’ and ‘Vultures.’ And as always, I finish with a ‘War and Peace’ update.

The wonderful film ‘Twelve Angry Men’ continues to have relevance and meaning for our lives. I give a short discussion of its enduring value, and continue to update my ‘War and Peace’ progress.

Nostalgia and cuteness aside, were there any redeeming features of 2019’s ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’? And as always, a ‘War and Peace’ update

Almost as famous as the game itself are the ads shown during the Super Bowl. I break down 6 of the best from the 2020 Super Bowl, including the Doritos Cool Ranch, Mountain Dew Zero, Jeep, Hyundai, Alexa and Google ads. So much intertextuality! And of course, the weekly update of War and Peace

The 2019 film ‘Knives Out’ has a somewhat formulaic plot, but enough surprises to be better than most crime stories. I’ll discuss what I thought of it and it’s place in 2019 cinema. Plus, the weekly ‘War and Peace’ segment.

I discuss four different podcasts that each have a scientific and informative focus, and why they are useful resources. Those podcasts are: ‘Factually with Adam Conover,’ ‘No Such Thing As A Fish,’ ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage,’ and, ‘The Science Show.’

Covering the graphic novel, film, TV show and accompanying podcast, a look at the richness and complexity of the Watchmen franchise

It all changed when the fire nation attacked...I discuss the animated series ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ and why it is more than worthy of your time

Taika Waititi’s film ‘Jojo Rabbit’ satirises Nazism and Germany in WWII. Is it worth seeing? Plus, a brief mention of War and Peace