‘The Wheel of Time’ review: A ponderous start before smooth sailings
The Hindu
If only the show were to get away from the shadow of ‘The Lord of the Rings’and become its own beastie, it would be truly great instead of being just good
British fantasy writer China Mieville had some unprintable and apparently anatomically-incorrect things to say about J.R.R Tolkien. In an interview with this writer, Mieville explained that while there are portions of Tolkien’s work he admired, he was against looking at The Lord of the Rings creator as the beginning and end of fantasy.
.
Watching the lavishly-produced The Wheel of Time, based on Robert Jordan’s fantasy series, Mieville’s comments on the Tolkein template for fantasy, ring sharp and true. There is everything from The Lord of the Rings—the shire (Two Rivers), the fellowship (the famous five), Gandalf/Galadriel (Moiraine) Sauron (the Dark One) and Frodo (Dragon reborn). There are even Orcs (trollocs), a version of the night riders and the glowing Eye. Thankfully, the One Ring is absent—must have surely bound all creators in the darkness.
Anchored by a phlegmatic Nawazuddin Siddiqui, director Honey Trehan crafts a mystery that intertwines crime and social commentary. Though uneven in pacing, the film deftly examines the intersection of entitlement and morality in society
Singer Tanvi Shah returns to music with 'Baala Kaale', a Sinhalese song that marks a quiet, hopeful comeback.
The makers of the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Parasakthi have unveiled a grand exhibition at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai that displays the many period sets that were created for the film
The trailer of Vir Das' Happy Patel Khatarnak Jasoos, backed by Aamir Khan and also starring Imran Khan, was unveiled
Filmmaker Prakash Veer just pulled off a major feat with the release of ‘The Devil’, his action-thriller featuring superstar Darshan, all while the actor was dealing with some serious legal drama
Dhurandhar exemplifies government-embedded filmmaking, blending patriotism with a one-dimensional portrayal of Pakistan in contemporary cinema.
Solve The Hindu Sunday crossword no. 35 with intriguing clues across and down for a fun challenge!
In its 10th edition Serendipity Arts Festival foregrounds food-themed projects and commentaries on surveillance, migration, ecology and erasure
Test your crossword knowledge with intriguing trivia and puzzles inspired by their rich history and clever wordplay.
A vacuum cleaner haunted by a ghost is the kind of one-liner which can draw in a festival audience looking for a little light-hearted fun to fill the time slots available between the “heavier” films which require much closer attention. A useful ghost, the debut feature of Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke being screened in the world cinema category at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), even appears so in the initial hour. Until, the film becomes something more, with strong undercurrents of Thailand’s contemporary political history.
Kochi News:Watch: Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025 opens across 22 venues
Sustainability is not an add-on, but stamped firmly into the process: every piece is biodegradable, waste-free and unembellished, free from glitter or beads. “Products should be sustainable and biodegradable so that our planet is not harmed,” says Anu Elizabeth Alexander, a student of Sishya, Adyar. At a recent exhibition, the stars she made sold the fastest, followed by the small diamonds. “I would like people to know about the process, how it is created, and that it is sustainable,” says Anu. Infanta Leon from Kotturpuram developed an interest in crochet as a teenager. It was a hobbyhorse that evolved into a steed that would help her embark on a journey of identity-shaping creative engagement. She started making Christmas-themed decor two years ago, spurred by a desire to craft safe, eco-friendly toys for children. “With a toddler at home, and my elder child sensitive to synthetic materials, I wanted to create items that were gentle, durable and tactile,” she explains. Her earliest creations were small amigurumi toys which gradually evolved into ornaments that could adorn Christmas trees with warmth and charm.
Test your knowledge of Stranger Things with our quiz ahead of the final season premiere!