Raffles Reviews

Commentary, Features, Go Where?, Raffles Reviews

The City Of Others: Asian Artists in Paris
Reading Time: 10 minutes

By Ariann Khoo (26S06B) and Jaden Lum (26S05A)

Walking into City of Others, City of Migrants: Art in Paris, 1920-1940s at our National Gallery feels less like entering the closed doors of a museum, and more like stepping into the hidden alleys of history, a world of intricacies of its own. The exhibition, which was held from April to August, turned our gaze toward the quiet sufferings faced by Asian immigrants as they explored the city of love—a city sadly not their own. Their stories reflected here are fragments of their memory: faded photographs, sculptures and landscapes, like whispered recollections of their lives. To walk through City of Others, City of Migrants: Art in Paris, 1920-1940s is to be confronted with the idea of remembering Paris through the eyes of Asian migrant artists. 

“The speakers will examine how artistic consciousness shifts when Asian artists encounter a new city and culture while rediscovering the cultures of their origins.”

National Gallery Singapore
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Music Reviews, Raffles Reviews, Rank It!

Every Beatles Album, From Worst To Best
Reading Time: 13 minutes

By Jaden Lum (26S05A) and Sonia Chang (26A01A)

Thirteen studio albums and half a century later, the Beatles remain the most influential act in music ever. From revolutionising songwriting and production techniques to solidifying youths as a dominant cultural force, they would dramatically alter the course of world history—all in just seven brief years.

But as the sheer magnificence of their discography towers over and peers down at us, which of their works are truly demanding of our time? Technically, the answer is all of them, but regardless, here is our take on the definitive ranking of every Beatles album, from worst to best: 

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Opinion, Raffles Reviews, School Life

The Phone Fast Challenge: 9 Years On…
Reading Time: 8 minutes

By Koh Shin Robbie (26A01A)

In 2016, Raffles Press first attempted the Phone Fast Challenge. The rules were simple: for five days, participants were allowed no more than two half-hour periods of smartphone usage daily. During the challenge, they struggled greatly in resisting the temptations of social media, but ultimately pulled through, even engaging in more meaningful conversations and relationships when phones were kept away.

Almost a decade has passed since then, so how would this challenge feel like today? For that, I recruited four friends to join me in this challenge— Wong E Vee (26S02A) and Clara Yen (26A01B), who sought a chance to ‘lock in’, as well as Lee Zhi Ying (26A01A) and Liu Zhishan (26S05B), who sought to resist the temptation of their TikTok pet.

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Features, Go Where?, Humour, Multimedia, Nature Features, Raffles Reviews, Videos

Where To Touch Grass
Reading Time: < 1 minute

By Tok Kai Xue (26A01B)

As the September holidays arrive, many of us are cooped up at home to lock in. But resting your mind is equally important, and what better way to recharge than by reconnecting with nature?

If you’re new to touching grass, watch this video for a list of parks and trails to check out!

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Movie Reviews, Op-Eds, Opinion, Raffles Reviews

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Review: Reheated Nachos
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Nithilan Balachander (26A01C)

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe enters its 18th year, begins its sixth phase, and releases its 54th project, The Fantastic Four has a lot riding on it. With superhero fatigue taking hold, the MCU is desperate for something fresh to break free from its string of stale box office disappointments. Who better for the job than Marvel’s first family?

The Fantastic Four is ambitious—with a 1960s-inspired sci-fi setting, a world-eating Galactus as antagonist, and a storyline spanning time and space, the film is clear in its desire to deviate from the 37 MCU films that came before it and its poorly reviewed and regarded F4 predecessors. 

Yet, despite all its spectacle, grandeur, and ambition, the film fails at being much more than formulaic and forgettable.

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