Movie Reviews

Movie Reviews, Opinion, Raffles Reviews

‘The Kid from the Big Apple’: Choosing to love, in spite–and because–of it all
Reading Time: 12 minutes

By Chandrasekaran Shreya (24S06A)
This story is the first of a 3-part series focusing on films featured during the Family Film Festival, which focused on family-centered themes and stories.

“I have watched this on the big screen, in the cinema—not on any streaming platform, but in the cinema—19 times before today. And I am not embarrassed to tell you that I have cried every single time.”

Mr Kenneth Tan, Chairman of Singapore Film Society
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Movie Reviews, Raffles Reviews

Should we talk about Bruno? Breaking our silence about Encanto
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Johnathan Lim (23S03M) and Lara Tan (22A01B)

The Spanish word encanto, translated in English, means charm or enchantment. However, you probably don’t take H1 or H2 Spanish, so you most likely didn’t pick up the word from there. 

Chances are you’ve heard about it from Disney’s latest release, Encanto. 

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Commentary, Movie Reviews, Raffles Reviews

Setting Journalism Alight: A Review of “Writing With Fire”
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Faith Ho (22A01A)

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Nowhere is this more apparent than a scene in Writing With Fire, where journalist Meera Devi video-interviews a rising youth political leader who demonstrates pulling out a sword. The blade’s edges catch the straggling lines of light in the dark space as it arcs in the small space. She only looks at him unflinchingly. 

Writing With Fire is a critically acclaimed documentary that delves into Khabar Lahariya, a small independent journalism company in India run by women in Uttar Pradesh, India. It was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2022 Oscars, and is a 2021 Sundance Film Festival Winner. Among its other glowing reviews, it was also chosen as the New York Times’ Critics’ Pick. 

All for good reason—it is an incisive and inspiring look into the power of journalism. 

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Movie Reviews, Raffles Reviews

Hidden Gems: Studio Ghibli’s Coming-of-age Films 
Reading Time: 8 minutes

By Lara Tan (22A01B)

Every so often, when life gets overwhelming and I need a break, I turn to the best remedy available: Studio Ghibli films. 

Source: Reel Rundown

For those of us who aren’t familiar with Studio Ghibli, they’re the masterminds behind lighthearted classics like Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbour Totoro. And for self-professed movie connoisseurs who prefer Studio Ghibli’s more cerebral works, films like Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, Porco Rosso, and Grave of the Fireflies are sure to hit that intellectual sweet spot. 

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