Arcane (2021-2024) – Article by Ariana Lani

Arcane has quickly taken over the world through its stunning mix of 2D and 3D animation and captivating story narrating themes of classism, evolution, and forgiveness. As the audience, we watch every character individually grow from their mistakes and navigate a world that makes everybody a ‘villain’ from some point of view.

With a budget of 250 million USD, it’s the most expensive animated series ever, and it’s very clear. From the carefully planned storytelling and complicated and well-developed characters to the unique animation. Even though the show is meant to be a prequel to the hit game League of Legends, you need no knowledge of the game to thoroughly understand and enjoy the story.

It’s clear from the start that this was going to become an international sensation, with its diverse cast and discussions of socio-economic issues, a topic that is of heavy debate today. The amazing soundtrack, featuring some of the most renowned global artists, has taken over many people’s playlists. Arguably, its most popular song from season two, Ma Melileure Ennemie, was even played in Paris for the New Year’s fireworks showcase.

Even though its second and final season has ended, this is not the finale of the Arcane saga. Riot Games has announced three follow-up shows, each based on a new region, giving more background to the world of Arcane and its characters.

The Dark Knight (2008) – Article by Njabulo Maseko

The greatest film the superhero genre has ever seen. This is a film I’ve seen four times (and counting), and I’ve loved it so much every time. My interest in the film came first when I saw Batman Begins and was absolutely blown away by just how good a Batman film could be. I knew immediately that I had to watch The Dark Knight, but it took me two years to watch it. At that time, I had the trailers downloaded on my YouTube channel and watched them when I had no Wi-Fi. I also researched the film quite a bit. Then finally I watched it

And wow.

For all the hype around Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker, I was not ready for how spectacular it was. Heath’s Joker still electrified me on my fourth viewing, but that first time, I had NO idea whatsoever what he would do (the trailers were misleading). Few films or series can match that level of thrill. But of course, there were some other amazing performances in the film. Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart…the list really does go on! Everybody brings their a-game to a dark, powerful script that’s incredible and really pushes Bruce to his absolute limits in a way that hasn’t been surpassed (though 2022’s The Batman came close), and the noir look to this realistic Gotham is gorgeous. The IMAX adds to the scale of this epic, and the stakes couldn’t be higher, even if it’s the only film in the trilogy that doesn’t threaten Gotham’s livelihood. Honestly, it was robbed of Best Picture and is a film that has had an impact on films like Black Panther (2018) and really cemented Christopher Nolan and his cast as artists. What a film.

Amaran (2024) – Article by Suzanna Millason

This film is a Tamil action biography about an army officer, “Major Mukund Varadarajan”, of the Rashtriya Rifles 44. One of the Heroes of India fought against a huge terrorist in Kashmir, India.

Let’s talk about the casting first because of the selection of actors, Sivakarthikeyan as Major Mukund and Sai Pallavi as Indu Rebecca Varghese, which couldn’t get better. It is a true story, so knowing it happened invoked a lot of emotion from many people. 

The story starts with how they met—a Malayali girl and a Tamil boy—and how they fell in love. He then joined the army and trained because of his love for India. He did not get to see his family much and had his wife worry every time due to the dangerous work environment. 

He is so close to death but still fighting to protect the people, and when he finally manages to achieve his dream of killing Asif Wani(the terrorist), he finally passes away from a gunshot. His last words were, “Sorry, Indu Ma.”

Mukund has said to never shed a tear in front of anyone when he passes away. 

When Sai Pallavi holds her tears as she receives her husband’s badge, even though she doesn’t cry, she makes all of us cry. I’ve never choked as much as I did while watching this film. And in addition to that, the most beautiful background score invokes so much emotion. 

200 words are not enough to explain the emotion of this movie, so please watch it for yourself. You will not regret it.

The acting, the casting, the music, the script, and the story of “Major Mukund Varadarajan”.

“The distance between the ocean and the sky, is the distance between me and him, yes, I am forever in a long distance relationship with my love” – Indu Rebecca Varghese

Director: Rajkumar Periasamy

Producer: RajKamal Films ( Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan)

Music Director: G.V Prakash

Actor: Sivakarthikeyan Doss & Sai Pallavi

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – Article by Eva Houtwipper

Guardians of the Galaxy is a big-league batter that scored the home run straight through my heart—for whatever reason… Maybe it was the Pratt, the Saldaña, or the Bautista. The Cooper, the Diesel, even the Rooker? Regardless, every piece boils down to an electrifying base: the Gunn.

Some films win me over with stunning visual effects, defining cinematography, or compelling storytelling. Guardians of the Galaxy won me over through a killer soundtrack, found family, and humorous writing—my face hurt from smiling so much!

James Gunn, writer and director, knows how to do it so well. He conducts his work with such passion and love for cinema and comedy that it radiates off the scenes in droves. And when things get serious, they get serious. That’s the most important part: being able to have that balance to hilarity. There are countless scenes where you’ll find yourself gripping the armrest in the battle’s climax or wallowing in sorrow at a character’s lowest of lows. From the heroic to the heartfelt, his scenes hold power.

Additionally, he doesn’t shy away from using awesome slow-mo shots. Sure, they can get a little old, but with this being a superhero movie, nothing feels better than an epic slow-motion jump over a bursting geyser and into the cockpit of your ship as you escape your pursuer. So awesome.

Beyond its endless pros, this film has a very special place in my heart, as it’s also one of my family’s favourites. With iconic tracks my sister and I grew up with and characters’ quips that send us rolling, nothing feels better than a family movie night kicking off with one of the best opening credits ever. No offense, James Bond, but nothing tops Redbone’s Come and Get Your Love.

The Whale (2022) – Article by Rikuto Watanabe 

Charlie lived with regret about leaving his daughter Ellie for the entirety of the film. To me, what sets this character apart from other protagonists is his unwavering love for people. 

‘Do you ever get the feeling that people are incapable of not caring?’

Charlie’s question is ironic because he is incapable of feeling any indifference towards people. The guilt Charlie has had to bear for leaving Ellie and his grief over losing his boyfriend overwhelmed him into a deadly eating habit. He himself believes that he is beyond redemption for the pain he caused his daughter.

Despite this, Charlie never gives up hope of making Ellie recognise that she is an amazing person. He believes that people are amazing and wants Ellie to know this. 

In his eyes, the ‘amazing, honest things’ his College students wrote about his appearance were more important than any assignment. By the end of the film, all Charlie wishes to achieve is to make Ellie be honest with herself. He needs Ellie to know she is amazing for overcoming his absence in her life, but Ellie, because she is human, is unable to not care about her father.

Charlie is an archetype of rudimentary human nature. When at our lowest, all we want to know is that we’ve done one thing right in our lives – Charlie wants to know he has done something for someone before his inevitable death. Charlie is neither a selfless hero nor a heartless villain, just like any real person. He gains personal resolution by making Ellie recognize her true self, but he only wants the best for her. 

‘The Whale’ emotionally resonates with me in a way words cannot describe and puts me to tears.

There is no definitive meaning to this film, but described in Ellie’s words, perhaps ‘The author was just trying to save us from his own sad story, just for a little while’. 

The Shining (1980) by Sara Aso

I first watched The Shining after years of debating whether I should. Based on its reputation, I thought it would be so terrifying that it would scar me for life if I watched it at a young age. Turns out, I was completely wrong. The only thing I could think about while watching the film was its beauty. The symmetrical shots and the striking use of bright colors were unlike anything I’d ever seen before. My eyes were completely glued to the screen. 

From the breathtaking opening helicopter sequence to Jack Nicholson’s chilling performance, I knew I had just found one of my favorite films of all time. Nicholson’s small, subtle eye contact throughout the movie adds unease to the viewer like he’s trying to break through the fourth wall. In addition, the hypnotizing soundtrack lays the foundation for the film, building an eerie tone right from the start. Everything matched perfectly, in my opinion.

I know I’ve been jumping between my favorite moments, but what really pulled me in was the perfect blend of horror and beauty. The Shining didn’t just leave an impression—it allowed me to appreciate the art and beauty hidden within the psychological terror. This is why this will always be one of my favorite films of all time. If you’ve never watched The Shining, you’re seriously overlooking one of the most hauntingly beautiful films ever made.

Matilda (1996) by Yoshino Nakamura 

The film was published in 1996, and it is based on the novel “Matilda” by Roald Dahl, which was published in 1988.

The story is about a smart girl, who loves to read a book from the age of 2. (and finishes reading all the books at the library at the age of 4!) Her father is a car dealer who only thinks about money, and her mother likes to dress up in fancy clothes and accessories. 

Her parents and an older brother are careless about Matilda, she has been treated roughly by them. That was the everyday life for Matilda. 

Matilda enrolls in school and shows her incredible amount of knowledge cultivated through reading. She also has a good teacher, Miss Honey, Lavender and other friends at school. However, there is a terrible head teacher, Miss Trunchbull, who likes to punish kids. Matilda, who is more outspoken and brilliant than the other students, is noticed by Miss Trunchbull without exception. But the clever Matilda doesn’t just sit back and take the punishment. She decides to beat the teacher in her own way.

Matilda confronts ignorant adults to gain what is important to her through her intelligence. This film teaches you the importance of challenging yourself to protect what is important to you and to find a place and people around you where you can be who you are by using your brain.

The film is mainly for kids, and its contents are very straightforward. But anyone can enjoy and learn the importance of intelligence, challenge and family.

I recommend it because it is comical and funny no matter how many times you watch it!