Anora: Exoticism as Empty Currency
Sean Baker’s Anora drapes itself in the glittering veneer of social commentary, but at its core, it struggles to engage meaningfully with the very systems it critiques. Anora "Ani" Mikheeva, played with quiet resilience by Mikey Madison, navigates the hostile labyrinth of Brighton Beach’s underbelly, where survival is a dance of compromise. Brighton Beach itself hums with authenticity, a backdrop pulsating with the chaotic beauty of immigrant life. Yet, the film’s gaze—intent on humanising its protagonist—falls into familiar traps, reducing Ani to a cipher, a lens for exploitation rather than an agent in her own story.
Chants of Sennaar Speaks in a Language of Its Own
There’s a certain magic in the moment when a foreign language starts to make sense—when random sounds and symbols begin to form meaning, creating connections where there was once confusion. This feeling is at the heart of Chants of Sennaar, a beautifully crafted puzzle game that uses language as its core mechanic. After spending time in Corsica with family who speak only French, I’ve been noticing how much of my own experience in trying to learn French reflects the journey players take in Chants of Sennaar. You struggle to decode unfamiliar symbols, but the payoff when you understand even just a piece of the puzzle is immense.
Uzumaki’s Spiral into Chaos
Uzumaki Fans Spiral into Disappointment as Animation Quality Takes a Nosedive Just when it seemed like Junji Ito’s nightmare-inducing world…
Exploring the Poetic Journey of Gris
A Palette of Emotions Painted in Silence. Written by Calypso Morgan Imagine a young girl perched on the hand of…
BLACKSTARKIDS’ “SOULMATEZ!”: A Sonic Rebellion Wrapped in Nostalgia
BLACKSTARKIDS’ “SOULMATEZ!” is a neon-hued love letter to a chaotic world where nostalgia and modern angst collide. In the ever-evolving…
Style Savvy: The Nostalgic Dress-Up Game for the Nintendo DS
With the resurgence of digital dress-up games online, one game had surprisingly been ahead of its time… Written by Hafsa…
Dave The Diver: Plunging Headfirst into New Worlds
Too scared to play Subnautica, but want to traverse a deep sea environment? Meet Dave The Diver, developed by studio Mint Rocket, a cosy, yet challenging experience as the player inhabits Dave, a diver returning from his vacation, as he gathers different types of fish for the renowned Bancho Sushi. Pact full of incredible animations, dynamic boss battles and quests, Dave The Diver is easily one of the best games I’ve had the pleasure to play this year.
CupcakKe’s Dauntless Manifesto: More Than a Meme
G.URL takes a bite out of cupcakKe’s latest album; Dauntless Manifesto It is always difficult to pinpoint a tone that…
Little Kitty Big City: The Warmth of Cosy Gaming
Proof That Sometimes the Purr-suit of Happiness Is as Simple as Being a Cat Written by Rose Renaud The mainstream…
Strange Horticulture: Unraveling Mysteries One Leaf at a Time
In this botanical whodunit, the only thing sharper than your shears is your wit. Written by Janelle Hyde Strange Horticulture…