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How to write a film review? A brief note by Arun Prasad R, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Sree Narayana College, Kollam, Kerala

Introduction Writing a film review involves careful observation, appreciation, drawing key insights and formulating the insights into writing. Just as appreciating any work of art, involves varying shades and levels of comprehension and appreciation, one can discern the fact that to review a movie, one can perceive two varying levels of perception- the one of the outer periphery of the movie, and the next that of inner or metaphorical levels of meaning. A successful film review aims to subtly etch both these spheres or levels of meaning, thus facilitating a better appreciation of a movie. Significance of movie reviews Movie reviews holds a significant position in the development of a sharp perception related to a movie. Movies are complex with underlying themes and artistic representations, which require deep insights. A review in this regard aims to successfully bring to light the underlying significance of themes and cinematic representations. Reviews highlight the significant values...

A Short Introduction to African Literature

A Short Introduction to African Literature By Arun Prasad R The following thoughts would enumerate on what qualifies it to be the body of African literature, and what we can expect from the African literature landscape in the coming years.   African Literature, refers to the literary works that are created by African writers, that are centred around African themes, experiences, perspectives, culture, geography, experiences, histories and societies. It refers to the written literature, it can also encompass oral traditions, story telling,  performance traditions, histories and societies found around the African continent. Qualifying itself to be African literature depends on certain factors: Author-Firstly, African literature is usually identified by an African author, someone who is from Africa or somebody with an African descent. Themes and settings-Secondly, the material must explore themes which reflect social political and cultural aspects unique to Africa or someth...

Major Thoughts in Isadora Duncan’s The Dancer of the Future

  The following is an enumeration of the major thoughts as presented in Isadora Duncan’s essay, The Dancer of the Future. by Arun Prasad R, Department of English, Sree Narayana College, Kollam, Kerala Isadora Duncan’s essay “The Dancer of the Future”, forms part of her book , The Art of the Dance (1928) .  Duncan was an American dancer and choreographer, who gained reputation through her life devoted to dance. She was a solo performer and her narratives and writings on dance would later become the foundation for contemporary dance. She begins the essay by pointing out the rich harmony of movement existing between the natural phenomenon of the waves, the winds and the earth, which is synchronous with each other and do not vary or differ at a later point of time. Similarly is the harmonic rhythms as seen between the birds, animals and our Mother Earth. This harmony with nature exists for the civilised human beings too , though we had strayed away from nature. Just as the earth...