Peppa Pig's 'My First Album' Review feat. Tamsyn Chandler

Will Peppa Pig's debut deliver some bangers?

Peppa Pig is the latest pop princess to hit the music scene, with her debut album My First Album hitting streaming services earlier today. In order to unpack the artistry within, I've teamed up with the incredible Tamsyn Chandler. Be sure to load the album and listen along with us as we dissect it track by track before offering our final thoughts.

'Booksmart' Film Review | "Straight As, Zero Fs"

The film for a generation.

I haven't written for this blog in months on account of exam season, so I'm feeling a little rusty. I felt compelled to log back in today, though, because I think Olivia Wilde's theatrical debut Booksmart may be the most relevant and masterful coming-of-age film released in the last few years. The film is rightfully set to attain the acclaim and respect afforded to the thematically similar Lady Bird (which hit screens in 2017 and nabbed 5 Oscar nominations the next year). Unfortunately, Booksmart is receiving neither as much attention as Lady Bird nor as many box office dollars, so I feel it my duty to insist that everyone reading this review go and support this phenomenal indie film. 

'Tucked' Film Review | BFI Flare Festival 2019

This drag race is a marathon, not a sprint.

Tucked, along with the queens in which it presents, exists as an anomaly in the wider drag landscape. Drag recently hit the mainstream thanks to the popularity of RuPaul's Drag Race, but that show prioritizes a very specific type of drag. Because of this, 'drag' as pop culture seemingly focuses on uplifting skinny, white performers while disregarding their equally talented counterparts. It's about time, then, that both old and black queens got the chance to step into the spotlight; Tucked offers this opportunity to both.

'Vita & Virginia' Film Review | BFI Flare Film Festival 2019

Literature, Letters and Lesbians

Back in 2014 (when I originally started JG Review) I would sneakily upload blog posts in the back row of my GCSE computer lessons and hope to one day cover Film as a member of the press. While I haven't (yet) figured out a way to get paid for that, I have managed to get into film festival coverage which is, honestly, still shocking to me. Before I begin my review of Vita & Virginia, then, I want to quickly thank anyone who has ever visited and read something on this blog - your clicks and support have literally opened doors that were too heavy for me to push on my own. To any of my regular readers and supporters: because of you I'm currently covering my second Film Festival, and not for a student paper or magazine but for this blog - thank you! 

You can expect an imminent wave of reviews and features covering films highlighted in this year's BFI Flare Film Festival, an event aimed at uplifting and showcasing the latest LGBTQ+ cinema. I'm hoping to be able to exclusively interview some directors who have brought their films to the festival, but it's about time I spoke about the first I got to see here...

London Film Festival 2018: 'The Favourite' Film Review

This review contains mild spoilers for the first act of 'The Favourite'.

The Favourite (based on Ophelia Feild's novel of the same name) relishes in the royal rumour surrounding England's Queen Anne. The last reigning Stuart monarch allegedly engaged in a scandalous affair with two fellow ladies in her court - a lesbian love affair that isn't widely spoken about in educational establishments.

Yorgos Lanthimos, a director known for his quirky comedies, found himself inspired by this premise and has delivered a wickedly funny film that, annoyingly, left me a bit lost. Here, Emma Stone (Abigail) and Rachel Weisz (Sarah, Abigail's cousin) portray the aristocrats vying for Queen Anne's affection (Olivia Coleman). 

Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. Arrives in London - My Thoughts!

An incredible new experience is arriving in London this year...

The ultimate Marvel Cinematic Universe exhibition is arriving at London's ExCel Centre on November 30th, perfect for any Avengers fanboy or fangirl. Attending the S.T.A.T.I.O.N (standing for Science Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) allows participants to "step inside their favourite films and become part of the MCU"!

London Film Festival 2018: 'Sorry To Bother You' Film Review

The more you watch, the weirder it gets.

Boots Riley's Sorry to Bother You has been hailed by critics and audiences as "Get Out on acid", but I think that description dilutes the brave and insanely creative storytelling on display here. Sure, there are a few sequences that seem similar to 2017's race-thriller, but for the most part Sorry To Bother You tackles completely different aspects of one large topic.

This film is deeply surrealist. This surrealism is first introduced in the form of fun, creative visual flairs but Sorry To Bother You gets more and more insane in a progression that escalates right up until the final scene. While the comparison, then, to Get Out seems slightly patronizing, the "on acid" part was pretty on the money.