I remember first watching The Hunger Games in 2013, just before Catching Fire came out. I also remember the chills and utter shock I felt at the end of the sequel, when Jennifer Lawrence looks directly into the camera, showing all of Katniss’ anger clear in her face. They’re incredible films, and they make some…
Books, Venue
The politics of dystopia: The Handmaid’s Tale
For the most part, dystopian fiction provides us with a source of escape: it allows us to see alternative universes in which the worst elements of humanity are brought to the forefront. So, how should we as readers feel when the things we are meant to fear begin to crop up in real life? Margaret…
TV
Christmas Highlights
Christmas TV often gets a bad rap; there’s too many repeats, not enough decent films on, and the comedy specials are cringeworthy. So, what is there going to be on the gogglebox this festive season that’s actually worth watching? Watership Down looks set to be the big event on BBC One this Christmas. A co-production…
Film
Her replaces she
Not all dystopias need fascist mega-states or a world ravaged by an ecological disaster to show a version of the future that can be truly disconcerting. Spike Jonze’s Her is one of the finest attempts at showing how, even though the future may make us more connected, it doesn’t mean that people will be brought…
Film
The Man Who Fell to Earth… rather intentionally
The Man Who Fell to Earth poses one of the most terrifying thoughts: despite being one of the most advanced species, having fixed things from cancer to clean power, you can’t stop your planet from dying. It’s up there with immortality, which in some sense is the same thing. The Man Who Fell to Earth…
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