The Boar at Flatpack Festival: Paul McGann presents Doctor Who The Movie
From Sam Ripley at a Q&A with The Doctor himself, Paul McGann
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Sam Ripley
Ranking, rating, logging: How tracking films affects how we watch them
As the prevalence and development of technology affects the landscape of contemporary filmmaking, so too must the nature of contemporary cinephilia develop. With its iconic logo, blissfully simplistic system of film discussion and discovery, and membership reaching tens of millions, perhaps the most prescient reflection of these developments is Letterboxd....
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Navigating the greatest television finales
Television finales are a peculiar beast. It seems, regardless of the quality of a programme overall, its finale cannot help but elicit criticism. Take Stranger Things, for a recent example: for a show that has received countless plaudits from critics and fans alike, its finale disappointed many, myself included. However,...
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Stranger Things 5: The last adventure begins
Following its humble beginnings in 2016, Stranger Things has emerged as one of the most popular television programmes of the 20th century. Despite varying tones and often criticised lengths between seasons, its popularity has endured and now, with the release of its fifth and final season, appears to be at...
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Cosy TV: A warm hug in episode form
Is there any better television than cosy television? After a gruelling shift at work, a day of seminars, or an interminable trip home on a U1 that was 38 minutes late, there’s nothing more gratifying than settling down and watching something that invokes not only escapism but comfort. With the...
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Looking back on the life and career of Diane Keaton
The Godfather. Annie Hall. Twin Peaks. Finding Dory. These landmarks mark a truly unique life and career and today, we’ll take a look back upon just that in order to discern what made the late Diane Keaton so special. Born Diane Hall in 1946, Keaton was the eldest of four...
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The times are changing: Film faves that offer new beginnings
Three writers at The Boar share their movie recommendations… Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) dir. Hayao Miyazaki By Nikolai Morton Nothing evokes new beginnings to me more than Studio Ghibli protagonists finding their feet in fantastical worlds. Any film in the fabled anime giant’s canon could go here, but my pick...
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War and Peace – is it worth reading?
More often than not, War and Peace is the work that comes to mind when one thinks of a long book. When editions often total over 1,400 pages, this is hardly surprising; it is a mammoth work, as difficult to physically hold as it is to endure. Ever since I...
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Something needs to change for Doctor Who
“I’m born. I die. I’m born,” announces the 15th Doctor. It’s an optimistic statement, speaking to both the famous regenerative capabilities of the character but also the programme’s almost immortal quality, returning in 2005 following cancellation in 1989. However, Doctor Who has recently been haunted by rumours concerning its dwindling...
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Your guide to post-exam gaming
In theory, the next few weeks at the University of Warwick should be spent hunched over a laptop in the undesirable solace of Floor 5 of the Library to churn out those last few essays. However, once this unfortunate spell of my life has passed, I will be exchanging one...
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The mad titan of cinema: Looking back on the MCU
Ever since the release of Jon Favreau’s Iron Man in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has dominated and influenced the contemporary cinematic landscape, provoking both praise and scrutiny in equal measure. However, more or less since the release of the earth-shatteringly successful Avengers: Endgame in 2019, the MCU has received...
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A place both wonderful and strange: looking back on the films of David Lynch
Sam Ripley remembers the extraordinary and influential films of David Lynch
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Venturing back into Twin Peaks: A retrospective
“It is happening again,” utters the Giant in his eerie omen to Dale Cooper. However, the Giant’s now-iconic dialogue not only reflects the narrative events of Twin Peaks repeating themselves, but speaks to the way in which the events of Twin Peaks continue to impress themselves upon the cultural consciousness....
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