SNAPSHOTAdapted from Martin’s Targaryen history book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The show will focus on an infamous event in Westeros history known as the Dance of the Dragons. This is a civil war that took place between siblings Aegon II and Continue Reading
Whimsically powerful pop: My 5 favourite Eurovision songs of all time
Like a lot of people I have been watching the Eurovision Song Contest for a great many years. During that time, I have fallen in love with a great many songs – contrary to what the naysayers and trolls say the contest produces far more catchy songs than it does Continue Reading
Book review: Obsidian by Sarah J. Daley
Good fantasy tales often rise and fall on the strength of their world-building. Sure, you need compelling characters in whom you can become invested and a driving narrative that takes you to utterly extraordinary places but none of which really stacks up if the world in which it all takes Continue Reading
Movie review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Let’s be clear from the outset – Marvel makes really great, utterly immersive films for the most part. It helps, of course, that they have compelling characters and fantastical premises; but then so does D.C. and they have yet to consistently turn their characters into movies that enthrall and help Continue Reading
Comic book review: Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown (adapted by Jason Cooper and illustrated by Robert Pope)
Adapting the work of any well-known and much-loved comic strip artist, especially one as iconically revered as Charles M. Schulz who, over almost 50 wonderful years, gave Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and more, must be a daunting undertaking. Especially when you’re seeking to adapt one of the strip’s endlessly Continue Reading
The beginning of one thing can be the rest of everything: Thoughts on Heartstopper (S1)
If you are an LGBTQI+ person of a certain age, then the idea of finding and falling in love with someone super special at high school, and being left alive, metaphorically at least, to tell the tale, seems the stuff of myth and legend. In fact, so badly were many Continue Reading
Weekend character poster art: New series released for Stranger Things 4
SNAPSHOTIt’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new Continue Reading
Road to Eurovision 2022: Week 7 – The Big 5 – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom (grand final)
What is the Eurovision Song Contest?Started way back in 1956 as a way of drawing a fractured Europe back together with the healing power of music, the Eurovision Song Contest, or Concours Eurovision de la Chanson – the contest is telecast in both English and French – is open to Continue Reading
Celebrate the person you love the most: To Mom (and Dad), With Love #Peanuts #MothersDay
SNAPSHOTTo Mom (And Dad), With Love is a sweet Mother’s Day celebration of friendship and family featuring the beloved Peanuts gang. While the other kids are excited to celebrate the special day, for Peppermint Patty it’s just a reminder that she didn’t grow up with a mom. With her good Continue Reading
#Eurovision 2022 – Italian cultural festival book review: The Eight Mountains (Le otto montagne) by Paolo Cognetti
People often define themselves in terms of context and relationships, and both these important markers of human expression are on poignant display in The Eight Mountains (Le otto montagne) by Paolo Cognetti, a novel which explores how both impact the life of one young Italian man who is surrounded by Continue Reading