Movie Review - Hamnet

Director: Chloé Zhao
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 125 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson, Jacobi Jupe, Noah Jupe
 
Description: In late 16^th-century England, Agnes (Jessie Buckley), a healer sensitive to the world around her, builds a home with William (Paul Mescal), a local tudor and aspiring playwright. As their lives fracture, they are tested by distance, silence, and grief.
 
Review: The film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel “Hamnet” by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao is a rare example of an adaptation that not only understands the soul of the source material but also amplifies it. It is a visually stunning and emotionally devastating portrait of grief, love, and the transcendent power of art.

Although Paul Mescal portrays a fragile yet powerful William Shakespeare (never named until the very end), this is unmistakably Jessie Buckley’s film. As Agnes, she is the emotional anchor; a woman with a powerful connection to nature. Zhao wisely chooses not to show the rise of the famous playwright in London, but to focus on the raw reality of family life in Stratford. The chemistry between Buckley and Mescal is palpable and makes the impending tragedy all the more painful.

The cinematography by Łukasz Żal is nothing short of sublime. He captures the English countryside in 1596 with a sensory richness that immediately transport the viewer into the mud and sunlight of the Elizabethan era. The scenes in which the plague slowly creeps into the household are portrayed with a suffocating tension. Max Richters’s music enhances the melancholic atmosphere.

The absolute highlight is the finale, in which the film shows an indescribably personal loss – the death of eleven-year-old Hamnet – is transformed into the universal masterpiece Hamlet. Zhao succeeds in giving familiar monologues from the play a new, deeply moving meaning that will bring even the most stoic viewers to tears.

“Hamnet” is a tearjerker of the highest order, but its more than that. It’s a story of loss and the aftermath of this, how people grief differently. The narrative structure of the middle section is somewhat uneven, but the emotional impact of the final scene more than makes up for it. I have only just read the book (which I gave a 5-star rating) and it always makes me happy to see a director succeeding into translating it to film. Beautiful film and a well-deserved Academy Award for Jessie Buckley.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark

Title: Ring Shout
Author: P. Djèli Clark
Genre: Horror/ Historical Fiction
Published: 2020
 
Description: In 1915, “The Birth of a Nation” cast a spell across America, swelling the Klan’s ranks and drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of white folk. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even Ku Kluxes can die.
 
Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet, and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan’s demons straight to Hell. But something awful’s brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up.
 
Can Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world?
 
Review: “Ring Shout” by P. Djèli Clark is a devastating novella that completely blurs the lines between historical fiction, folklore, and cosmic horror. It is a rare kind of book that is both an adrenaline-pumping action thriller and a razor-sharp social commentary.
 
Clark makes a brilliant artistic choice by portraying the Ku Klux Klan not only as an ideological threat, but as a literal infection. In this story, the “Ku Kluxes” are monsters from another dimension on hatred and fear. By turning Klan members into physical monsters, Clark exposes the inhumanity of their ideology without trivializing the horrific historical reality. It shows that racism is not an abstract concept, but a force that distorts people into something unrecognizable.
 
The story is set in 1915, the year the film “Birth of a Nation” was released. Clark masterfully weaves this historical fact into the plot: the film serves here as a form of dark magic, a “shout” that propagates hatred and empowers the monsters. He contrasts this hatred with the Ring Shout, a deeply rooted tradition of enslaved Africans. As a result, the race issue becomes not only a struggle for survival, but a spiritual war in which culture and shared history are the most powerful weapons.
 
The horror element in “Ring Shout” is in a league of its own. Clark draws from the tradition of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror, but strips it of Lovecraft’s biased worldview. The descriptions of the Butcher Boys and the transformations are visceral and terrifying. Here, the horror serves a higher purpose: to visualize the trauma inflicted over generations. It is bloody, imaginative, and at times deeply unsettling. The story reminded me of a mix of “Sinners”, BlacKkKlansman” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.
 
Maryse, the sword-wielding protagonist, is one of the most compelling characters I have read about in a while. Her struggle against the monsters outside her and the rage within her gives the story an emotional depth. “Ring Shout” is a masterfully written book that proves horror is the perfect medium for exploring the darkest pages of history. The book is short, under 200 pages, but packs a punch.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Book Review - Penpal by Dathan Auerbach

Title: Penpal
Author: Dathan Auerbach
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Published: 2012
 
Description: A man investigates the seemingly unrelated bizarre, tragic and horrific occurrences of his childhood in an attempt to finally understand them. Beginning with only fragments of his earlier years, you’ll follow the narrator as he discovers that these stranger and horrible evens are actually part of a single terrifying story that has shaped the entirety of his life and the lives of those around him.
 
Review: In “Penpal” we see a series of short stories, told by our narrator. These seemingly unrelated stories are part of his past and he is beginning to realize they might have a link.
 
The story starts of strong and manages to draw the reader into a nostalgic yet ominous childhood. The book greatest strength is its atmosphere. There are a number of genuinely creepy moments that gave me the chills. Dathan Auerbach managed to turn eeryday situations into something sinister.
 
Still, I was left with mixed feelings after finishing the book. The structure of the book is sometimes confusing. Because these were originally standalone stories, the chronology often feels fragmented. Additionally, the plot holes become increasingly noticeable as the story progresses. Some of the decisions made by the parents and the authorities are hard to swallow and only feel logical within the plot, not in reality. Although the climax hits hard emotionally, the gaps in logic leave a sense of dissatisfaction. It’s worth a try because of the chilling moments, but as a cohesive horror/ thriller, it falls short.
 
Rating: 2,5/ 5

Book Review - Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Title: Hamnet
Author: Maggie O’Farrell
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Fiction
Published: 2020
 
Description: Warwickshire in the 1580s. Agnes, a woman as feared as she is sought after for her unusual gifts. She settles with her husband in henley street, Stratford, and has three children: a daughter Susanna, and then twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet dies in 1596, aged elven. Four years  or so late, the husband writes a play called Hamlet.
 
Review: With “Hamnet”, Maggie O’Farrell delivers an absolute beauty of a book that approaches history not as a dusty archive, but as a living, breathing, and painfully relatable human drama. Although the name Shakespeare is never mentioned, his shadow hands over every page, even though he not the protagonist here. The honor belongs to Agnes.
 
What immediately stands out is O’Farrell’s unparalleled writing style. She employs an almost compelling present tense that places the reader right in the heart of late 16^th-century Stratford-upon-Avon. Her prose is lyrical and vivid.
 
At the heart of the novel is the death of eleven-year-old Hamnet and the devastating impact it has on his family. O’Farrell describes the grieving process with a precision that is almost physically painful. The way Agnes tries to make sense of the world as her child slips away from her is heartbreaking. The author ingeniously connects this personal loss to the eventual creation of the world-famous play “Hamlet’, several years later. The book transforms the tragedy from a footnote in history into the beating heart of a literary genius.
 
The characterization of Agnes is the book’s greatest strength. She is portrayed as a mysterious, strong woman with a deep connection to nature, in contrast to her husband, who flees to London to live in words. Their marriage, marked by distance and deep affection, feel surprisingly modern and believable.
 
“Hamnet” is an ode to the forgotten women in history and a universal story of love and loss. It is a rare kind of book that both intellectually stimulated and emotionally unravels you completely. Even for me, who is not a mother and never will be one, the book was very emotional. For fans of historical fiction with a deep psychological layer.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Book Review - Twee Prinsen by Splinter Chabot

Title: Twee Prinsen
Author: Splinter Chabot
Genre: Fiction/ LGBTQ+/ Romance
Published: 2026
 
Description: When Richard flees to colorful, sunny Rome, he meets the angelic Matteo. As the twenty-somethings explore the city and get to know each other, Richard tries to come to terms with his past.
 
Freed from his strict conservative parents and the drab countryside, Richard seems afraid of nothing and no one, but his toughness soon turns out to be a pose, a shield with which he tries to hide his insecurities. It is the love of the playful, sensual Matteo that helps him overcome his fears.
 
For a short time, Rome is heaven on earth, until Richard and Matteo must hide there too from the stares, opinions, and fists of others. This time, Richard won’t let it go.
 
Review: “Twee Prinsen” (Two Princes) is the new novel by Dutch author Splinter Chabot (not translated into English). It’s a must-read for anyone who loves stories that go straight to the heart.
 
We meet Richard, who grows up in a conservative, religious family. At a young age, he realizes he is gay. We follow the story of him as a young boy in a strict family, and of him as a twenty-something in a romance with Matteo in Rome.
 
Splinter Chabot has a unique gift for creating, through his enchanting writing style, a world that feels both relatable and magical. Every sentence reads like a painting; it is so colorful, vulnerable, and written with passion.
 
What makes this book so powerful is its beautiful portrayal of LGTBTQ+ themes. Chabot captures the uncertainty, the euphoria, and the pure essence of the search for oneself and love for another with integrity. The story of the two princes is not just a fairy tale, but an important ode to the freedom to be who you are and to love whom you choose.
 
A beautiful, hopeful book that will linger in your mind for a long time. And that will definitely make you cry.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Tropic Thunder

Director: Ben Stiller
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Bacl, Jay Baruchel, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Tom Cruise, Matthew mcConaughey, Bill Hader

Description: Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.

Review: We all know the prototype war movie: the brave leader, the cursing black guy with a big heart, the scary newbie and the villainous opponent. We also know the prototype actors: the tough action hero on detour, the lame comedian who only knows to tell one joke in many different ways, the serious Oscar winner and the rapper that wants to explore his acting career. “Tropic Thunder” mocks both of those groups, but also Hollywood, agents, producers and entertainment shows.

The film, that starts after a few fake trailers, is about the filming of war movie Tropic Thunder. It’s the fictive memoire of Vietnam veteran ‘Four Leaf’ Tayback. Director Daniel Cockburn can’t control the actors in his crew. He’s dealing with action hero Tuff Speedman, whose try on more serious acting failed. But also the Australian method actor Kirk Lazarus and the addicted-to-many-things comedian Jeff Portnoy. To control them, they are send to the real jungle, where they unfortunately also have to deal with real drug dealers.

The most interesting and elaborate storyline is the one of Lazarus. An actor who always stays in character and even had a procedure to make his skin darker so he can play the role in Tropic Thunder. It sounds harsh and an easy way to provoke, but it’s deeper than that. The other characters aren’t thought through as much. Jack Black does nothing new, hysterical and over the top. But that doesn’t make it less funny. And Ben Stiller’s character is mocking Tom Cruise, a bit too much sometimes. Tom Cruise himself also shows up, as the fat, bald and cursing producer. Funny? From time to time.

The movie is overall very funny and Robert Downey Jr. is just fantastic in his part. And the many supporting actors, Jay Baruchel, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey and Nick Nolte, are all good. “Tropic Thunder” is always praised and I like it too. But not as much as most people.

Rating: 3,5/ 5 

Book Review - How to Killa Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Title: How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates
Author: Shailee Thompson
Genre: Romance/ Horror
Published: 2026

Description: When Jamie Prescott and her best friend Laurie attend a speed-dating event, Jamie expects to meet a roster of mediocre men and indulge in some street food afterwards. She doesn’t expect one of her dates to have his throat slit at their table during a blackout. After the lights come back on and there are more bodies on the floor, it becomes clear that dating can be a very dangerous pastime.
 
Armed with a makeshift weapon and Jamie’s extensive knowledge of what NOT to do in a slasher, the remaining speed dates try to find an exit while the killer adds to their body count. As the night progresses Jamie comes face-to-mask with the murderer, she beings to suspect they are committing they slayings to woo one of the daters and turn them into a real-life Final Girl. But Jamie has other plans, and as she fights for her life, she can’t help but find herself ensconced in a love triangle with two of the other survivors. Will she make it through the bloodshed to find her happily ever after? Or does this machete-wielding psychopath have another ending in mind?

Review: As a massive cinephile and lifelong movie lover, I found “How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates” to be an absolute blast. It is a rare kind of romantic comedy that doesn’t just follow the rules of the genre – it dissects them while winking at the audience the entire time.
 
Jamie and her best friend Laurie are going out for a night of speed-dates: ten dates in one night. What they didn’t expect is for one of Jamie’s dates to get slashed during a power-out. When the body count starts to rise, Jamie has to use her extensive knowledge of slasher films to survive the night, when she also gets tangled in a love triangle with two other survivors.
 
Two genres that shouldn’t work well together: horror and romance. But in this book, it’s a match made in heaven. The book is incredibly self-aware, playing with the tropes we’ve seen on screen for decades. Many names in the book refer to horror movie characters. To name a few, the leading lady Jamie Prescott; Jamie referring to Jamie Lee Curtis (known for “Halloween”) and Prescott being Sydney’s last name in the “Scream” franchise. Love interest Wes Carpenter refers to horror directors Wes Craven and John Carpenter. And Laurie is obviously hinting at Laurie Strode, the final girl in “Halloween”. And there are many many more of these hints spread around the book. Also fun is that each chapter of the book starts with a quote from a famous romcom (Jamie’s other favorite movie genre), but twisting it to become more sinister. The enjoyment factor of this book really depends on your film IQ. If you don’t get the movie references, you probably won’t like this book as much. The humor and the character motivations are so deeply rooted in cinematic history that the Easter eggs act as the heartbeat of the story.
 
The love triangle in the movie, didn’t really feel like a triangle. Since Jamie is very obviously leaning towards on of the guys. And there a moments in the book that felt a bit too silly, even for this story. Because the last thing I would be thinking about whilst being in the middle of real-life slasher movie is hooking up with one of the dates.
 
Listen to this book on audio when you can, because this is one of the best audiobooks I have I ever listened. We follow the narrative through Jamie, but whenever one of the main men talk, you get a male narrator as well. And there a several sound effects that make this a great listening experience.
 
The ending wasn’t very surprising, but I still enjoyed it. If you’re a fellow movie geek and looking for a romcom and horror combo, this is definitely a good choice. Super fun book to read.
 
Rating: 4/ 5