Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Critique.
From History to Hype: The Decline of Noble Watchmaking
A few years ago, the world of watchmaking was an arena reserved for a class of individuals who, instead of pursuing transient fashions, dedicated themselves to going beyond time itself. Each watch was a laborious piece of art, a testifier to a history, a heritage and a tradition. Swiss, German, or Japanese brands, they were part of a line of continuity that brought innovations, no doubt but ever mindful of the lofty watchmaking spirit: striving for excellence, for precision and respect for century-old know-how.
By Baptiste Monnet3 months ago in Critique
Together Review
I liked this film more than I expected. I think the reason is that, being a body horror film, it raised my eyebrows: if it's poorly made, these types of films tend to be very annoying and unpleasant to watch, and not in a good way. However, in this case, the result was quite the opposite.
By Marcela marin3 months ago in Critique
A Letter to the One
The chair under the canvas awning of the little taverna was always mine, reserved by habit or by hope. I brought books I never finished and letters I never sent, watching the island life swirl and stall. Today, Nisyros shone in that syrupy Greek light, the kind that makes stone shimmer and even the old bicycles look romantic. A breeze stirred the napkin on my table, teasing at the promise of a new beginning.
By Diane Foster3 months ago in Critique
So I watched Allegiant (2016)
Allegiant, released in 2016, occupies a unique and unfortunate position in franchise history: it was designed as the penultimate chapter of the Divergent series, the first half of a split finale that would conclude with Ascendant. Instead, due to poor box office performance and audience apathy, it became the accidental endpoint of a franchise that never received proper closure. This dual identity—intended setup piece and unintentional finale—haunts every aspect of the film, resulting in a viewing experience that feels simultaneously incomplete and exhausting.
By Parsley Rose 3 months ago in Critique
I Sat Down and Watched Insurgent (2015)
Insurgent, the 2015 sequel to Divergent, arrives with the unenviable task of expanding upon a world that was already thinly constructed while advancing a story toward increasingly convoluted territory. Directed by Robert Schwentke (replacing Neil Burger from the first film), Insurgent represents both the best and worst tendencies of middle-chapter sequels: it's more visually ambitious and action-packed than its predecessor, yet it also feels narratively hollow, trading character development for spectacle and coherent world-building for escalating confusion. The result is a film that simultaneously improves upon and regresses from Divergent, creating a frustratingly inconsistent viewing experience.
By Parsley Rose 3 months ago in Critique
I Finally Sat Down and Watched Divergent (2014)
Divergent, directed by Neil Burger and released in 2014, arrived during the peak of the young adult dystopian film craze, following in the footsteps of The Hunger Games but struggling to establish its own distinct identity. Based on Veronica Roth's bestselling novel, the film presents an ambitious world where society is divided into five factions based on human virtues. While the movie demonstrates genuine strengths in certain areas, it ultimately delivers an uneven experience that both succeeds and stumbles in equal measure.
By Parsley Rose 3 months ago in Critique
Waiting for Godot
If you like modern theater, you may very well like this version of "Waiting For Godot" at The Hudson Theatre. Like "A Dolls House" at the same theater, Jamie Lloyd put "Godot" in the modern. Like Ibsen's "Doll House", Lloyd takes Beckett's play and brings it into today's times... no visible tree, only a large cone-like set (Soutra Gilmour). The set to me signify s endless time.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).3 months ago in Critique
