In Depth:  film

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The mystery of our fascination with ‘cosy crime’

The mystery of our fascination with ‘cosy crime’

Cassie Martin
Cassie Martin

As October arrives and the nights draw in, there’s nothing we Brits like better than turning to a bit of ‘cosy crime’.

Whether you are looking forward to Season in the 4 of Only Murders Building, avidly keeping abreast of Richard Osman’s filming updates for The Thursday Murder Club, or taking refuge in your Poirot box set, it seems we can’t get enough of murder mysteries.

Blessed are the legend-makers? The Rings of Power, season 2, reviewed

Blessed are the legend-makers? The Rings of Power, season 2, reviewed

Caleb Woodbridge

In the opening episodes of the second season of Amazon’s lavishly-budgeted Tolkien prequel The Rings of Power, Galadriel and Elrond debate using the three magic elven rings. Can the rings be used for good, or are they too dangerous to use, since they were created under the suggestion of villain Sauron?

I couldn’t help but see an echo of the question that I’ve been wrestling with in relation to The Rings of Power, having watched the first six episodes of series two. This is a show created to sate the desire of the great empire of Amazon for a franchise success, for its own Game of Thrones or Harry Potter in terms of cultural and above all financial impact. It might seem from the beginning a cynical exercise, the zombification of Tolkien’s literary legacy into a vehicle for ‘brand extension’ and corporate exploitation of ‘intellectual property’.

Three ways God might be using horror films

Three ways God might be using horror films

Emma Scrivener
Emma Scrivener

I’ve always had a sneaking fondness for horror films. Growing up, my favourites were the old-school ones with dodgy prosthetics, creaking doors, flickering candles, and Indian burial grounds.

There was something cathartic about watching scary things happening to other people, knowing you were safe in your room… or were you? (Hollow laughter echoes). Plus you felt secure knowing that you were smarter than the idiots investigating the creepy noises, in the cellar, by themselves, in their underwear.

Where are all the villains?
culture watch

Where are all the villains?

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

When you were younger, who was the fictional villain that had you hiding behind the sofa? The Daleks from Doctor Who? The child-catcher from Chitty-Chitty-Bang- Bang? Or, if you’re like my husband, the giant called Flesh-lump-eater from the BFG?

I recall being terrified as my mum and dad read to me from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets of the serpent sneaking through the pipes, whispering ‘blood’ and ‘death’.