Critique
Nicole Kidman’s Performance in Babygirl Could Ignite Oscar Buzz
Nicole Kidman is making waves with her performance as a tech CEO who embarks on a relationship with a young intern (Harris Dickinson) in Babygirl, a provocative film delving into themes of desire and power dynamics within a consensual affair. This role could potentially secure her second Academy Award for Best Actress, following her win in 2003 for portraying Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
By The Academy Awardsabout a year ago in Art
The Rise and Fall of Internet's Original Random Chat Pioneer . Content Warning. AI-Generated.
In an era where social media platforms carefully curate our connections, Omegle stood out as a digital wild west of random encounters. From its meteoric rise in 2009 to its final farewell in 2023, let's explore how this platform revolutionized online interactions and left an indelible mark on internet culture.
By Briana Faheyabout a year ago in Art
Year-end review: The Best Movies of 2024 & What I'm Excited for in 2025
As I sit alone in my quiet apartment, reflecting on 2024, it is difficult to recall the events that took place in my life this year. Is this an inexorable effect of aging? Each year seems to fly by so quickly that the only evidence I have that a whole year has passed are the deepening smile lines around my mouth. I have had to start breaking up my year into “eras.” Each era is divided into whatever I was obsessed with for that particular period. For example, the second half of January was my beloved princess-on-a-mission-with-her-hot-protective-guide era, after I watched Fena: Pirate Princess and Yona of the Dawn (and read the manga). While I dabbled in - and swiftly gave up on- various activities like crocheting and studying a foreign language, one thing that remained constant was my engagement with film. I attended numerous film screenings and even volunteered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) where I saw the Tilda Swinton. Yes, she looks just as otherworldly in-person as she does on-screen. To commemorate the art that has defined my year, here is a list of the top 10 films I’ve seen this year, as well as a list of 5 movies I look forward to seeing in 2025.
By SM Reviewsabout a year ago in Art
The first art gallery in the world open non-stop - My encounter with art from Bucharest, Romania
I found the first art gallery in the world open non-stop in Romania. Right in the center of Bucharest. About myself, I can tell you that I am a traveler who lives her life exploring cities and cultures, always looking for hidden beauty in unexpected places. This is how I arrived in Bucharest in December 2024. The city with the crowded streets, the old buildings that harmonize perfectly with the modern ones, the friendly people - all this impressed me pleasantly. It had been some time since I wanted to visit this city.
By Oliver Jones Jr.about a year ago in Art
Roman and proud of it
Wasn't going to write a review of the feature film Conclave, and this was not intended to be one. Rather, this piece highlights some of the moments in the movie that I found particularly moving. I guess this amounts to a review but I have not weighed up the good and the bad. Just saying what I liked, and that the experience was much more enriching than anticipated. You can make up your own mind, if and when you go to see it.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Art
Adele's "Easy on Me": A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Developments
Adele's "Easy on Me" is one of the most popular songs of 2021, and it continues to be a force to be reckoned with in 2023. The song was released as the lead single from Adele's fourth studio album, 30, and it quickly became a global hit, reaching number one in over 20 countries.
By Nivard Annaabout a year ago in Art
Sweet But Psycho: How Ava Max's Anthem Captured a Generation
Sweet But Psycho: How Ava Max's Anthem Captured a Generation Ava Max burst onto the global music scene with her electrifying single, Sweet but Psycho, a track that transformed her from an emerging artist into a household name practically overnight. Released in August 2018, the song not only dominated international charts but also cemented Ava Max as one of pop music's most promising stars. Behind its infectious melody and intriguing lyrics lies a story of empowerment, duality, and the complexities of modern relationships. Let’s dive into what makes Sweet but Psycho such a compelling phenomenon.
By Nivard Annaabout a year ago in Art
Oscar Watch: A Look at This Year’s Top VFX Contenders
The Oscar for Best Visual Effects is notoriously hard to predict, and this year is no different. The nomination process unfolds in three stages: first, the executive committee selects 20 eligible films. Then, this list is narrowed to 10 semi-finalists, which were announced on December 17. In January, the Academy hosts a virtual screening of these films, where VFX professionals can discuss their work, leading to the announcement of the final five nominees on January 19. The entire Academy membership then votes for the winner.
By The Academy Awardsabout a year ago in Art
From the Oscars to the Olympics: Nine Reasons to Be Excited About Ireland’s 2024
Despite the challenges and tough moments that 2024 brought, there were plenty of reasons to smile and celebrate in Ireland. Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights that made this year memorable. **Cillian Murphy’s Oscar Win** The year kicked off with a thrilling moment for Ireland: Cillian Murphy won his first Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster. The entire country was buzzing with pride. In addition to the Oscar win, Murphy and his wife, artist Yvonne McGuinness, made headlines by purchasing the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle. His performance in *Small Things Like These* also garnered positive reviews, and the film performed well at the box office in both Ireland and the UK. Although Murphy is reportedly taking a break from acting, we can look forward to the *Peaky Blinders* film on Netflix, where he stars alongside Barry Keoghan. **An Incredible Olympics and Paralympics** With the Olympics taking place in Paris this year, Irish viewers didn’t have to deal with late-night broadcasts. Ireland had an impressive presence, with 133 athletes competing in 16 sports and 35 athletes across six sports in the Paralympics. The Irish team made us proud, with gold medal wins from Daniel Wiffen, Kellie Harrington, Fintan McCarthy, Paul O'Donovan, Rhys McClenaghan, and a thrilling near-medal finish by the women’s 4x400m relay team. The Paralympic Games also saw six medal wins from Katie-George Dunlevy, Róisín Ní Ríain, and Orla Comerford. **Seán Ronayne’s Impact** One of the heartwarming stories of the year was the success of *Birdsong*, a documentary featuring ornithologist Seán Ronayne. He used the platform to raise awareness about the importance of protecting Irish nature while also advocating for neurodiversity. Ronayne’s memoir, *Nature Boy*, earned him further recognition, including at the Irish Book Awards. **The Kabin Crew’s Global Success** Who could have predicted that a group of young kids from Cork and Lisdoonvarna would make one of the best songs of 2024? Their track *The Spark* garnered over 50 million streams on Spotify and made headlines worldwide. The collaboration between Cork’s rappers and children from Direct Provision in Lisdoonvarna resulted in a feel-good anthem that was longlisted for two Grammy categories. The kids even found time to release a Christmas song. Truly an uplifting story! **Taylor Swift Mania** In June, Ireland was swept up in Taylor Swift’s *Eras* tour. Swift charmed fans with her three-night stint at the Aviva Stadium, where she praised Ireland for its storytelling tradition and unique accents. The event left fans buzzing for days. **Paul Mescal’s Continued Success** Paul Mescal continued to shine in 2024, starring in the blockbuster *Gladiator II*, which received solid reviews and performed well at the box office. The Kildare native, who was already a star after his Oscar nomination and his work in *Normal People*, has now firmly cemented his place in Hollywood. With talks of potential Oscar buzz surrounding *Gladiator II*, Mescal’s rise shows no sign of slowing down. **Nicola Coughlan Steals the Spotlight** May brought the return of *Bridgerton*, with Irish actress Nicola Coughlan shining as Lady Penelope Featherington. Coughlan was not only recognized for her role, but also for her advocacy, as she raised nearly €2 million for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Her candid approach and humor made her an even more endearing public figure. **Irish Authors Dominate the Literary Scene** Irish authors continued to make waves globally. *Wild Houses* by Colin Barrett made the Booker Prize longlist, and Sally Rooney’s *Intermezzo* became the fastest-selling book in Ireland this year. Additionally, Oprah selected books by Colm Tóibín and Claire Keegan for her book club, further elevating the global presence of Irish literature. **Kneecap’s Groundbreaking Year** West Belfast’s Irish language hip-hop trio Kneecap had a phenomenal year. Their album *Fine Art* was a hit, and their film *Kneecap* made over €1 million at the box office in the UK and Ireland. The trio also won a legal battle over UK government funding and were shortlisted for an Oscar. 2025 is sure to hold even more exciting accomplishments for Kneecap. In a year that had its challenges, these stories show the resilience and creativity that continue to define Ireland. Looking ahead, there’s no telling what incredible achievements the country will celebrate next.
By The Academy Awardsabout a year ago in Art
Anime, Manga and Lightnovels : An experience
I have long been an avid reader of manga, manhua, and their kin. But, as with any passionate pursuit, there came a greater craving—an itch to go beyond the confines of panels and speech bubbles. This thirst for something more nuanced in storytelling made me discover the world of light novels and web novels, which offered a different dimension of depth and immersion.
By Chawngthanmawiaabout a year ago in Art
