By Romke van der Veen There are certain regions of the world, which have historically been at the convergence point of conflicting cultures. Ukraine has been one of these frontiers; a place of tensions between powers, not unlike the Balkans, Caucasus or the Arabian Peninsula have to an even greater degree. In Mackinder’s ‘Heartland Theory’…
Blue Thunder – The Foregone Era of Smart Popcorn Flicks
By Romke van der Veen Many today might associate older action films with the cheesy, cliché and overly loud schlock that appeared in the 80s with Rambo, Die Hard and Commando. It isn’t inaccurate, the trend of the loud and violent action blockbusters, which have remained a staple of action and even some thrillers alike….
Keanu Reeves: Acting Hero or Action Hero
By Romke van der Veen With the release of Matrix 4 this winter, we could say this decade marks the return (of sorts) of Keanu Reeves into the limelight as our beloved action star. He is a celebrity that has amassed immense notoriety and fame for what is, in fact, only just a handful of…
The Conflict of Historical Filmmaking
Romke van der Veen When you’re depicting history in movies, or portraying a historical event, making a biopic or period-piece, you are always confronted with walking the line between drama, historical accuracy, or even documentarian type filmmaking. A great example of this conflict is the 2008 German film, Baader Meinhof Complex. Now, German historical films…
The Poetics of Prose
By Lua Valino de Jong The following is a review of two literary pieces, Autobiography of Red (1998) and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (2019). Even though it is not necessary to have read these to grasp what is written here, I would recommend doing so, as these genre-transcending works speak for themselves. The recent…
Toxic Pillows and Potatoes
By Gabrielle Gonzales Understanding modern art is a difficult undertaking – and contemporary art is more challenging still. It’s no surprise, then, that a visit to a modern and contemporary art museum or gallery can seem a daunting experience for many. It’s not exactly like the national gallery or encyclopedic museum where you know exactly…
Vulnerability in Love: Relationships in Call Me By Your Name
By Iris Vergeer ’I liked you from day one, and even when you’ll return ice for my renewed offers of friendship, I’ll never forget that this conversation occurred between us and that there are easy ways to bring back summer in the snowstorm.’ Ever got so struck by someone’s words that they took over your…
When Painters Flip: Art, but Make It Weird
By Alice Fournier It’s that time of year again, when everything-pumpkin is on the menu. Pumpkin soup (yuck), pumpkin candies (moderately passable), pumpkin seeds… and of course pumpkin carving (definitely passable)! Halloween season means that I inevitably double-check with myself and map out the things that scare me – reasonable and unreasonable. In fact,…
‘Roma’ by Alfonso Cuaron: A Review
By Andrea Undecimo Alfonso Cuaron’s new movie, ‘Roma’, which has earned him the Academy Award for Best Director, and has won the Best Foreign Movie and the Best Cinematography Award, is a stunning, touching and delicate film that stretches back into Cuaron’s childhood and gives us a beautiful and intricate portrait of Mexico in the…
A ‘Reviewflection’ of Stukafest
By Liam McClain, Aron van Os and Mieke Pressley Another edition of the student-oriented culture festival Stukafest has come and gone. Once again, we were treated to a variety of artistic performances on a small, intimate level. Give-or-take a week after the festival seems like a perfect time to reflect on some of the acts…
Legally Blonde: The Musical Spectacle
By Joëlle Koorneef and Nora Westgeest People are trickling down Middelburg’s cobblestoned paths as the clock nears eight. Whilst friends, parents, and classmates are forming a line in front of the entrance to De Spot, a hushed excitement fills the air. When the doors finally open, the group nervously moves forward, knowing that there are only…
“Girlboss” (2017): Funny, Yet Uninspiring And Narcissistic
The past couple of weeks, the Internet, audiences, Selena Gomez-fans and young adult psychologists have been under the spell of Netflix hit series 13 Reasons Why. Now, if you ask me, there are 13 reasons why and why not the watch the show, which is a story for another time. Today, we’re talking about the latest…
Going to the gym: an honest review
A critical account of a self-proclaimed lazy person Let me start out this critical account by saying the #fitgirl does not, in the slightest, apply to me. I don’t own a pair of Sweaty Betty leggings, I don’t take pleasure in the aesthetics of avocado on toast and I am unfamiliar with the rush of…
Updike’s In the Beauty of the Lilies – A Reader’s Review
John Updike’s In the Beauty of the Lilies (1996) may not be new, but this has in no way infringed on its ability to ring true. Through the format of a multi-generational saga, Updike tells the story of a changing America. While an accurate historical timeline of events is interspersed throughout the text, the dramas…
La La Leaks: An Honest Review
Admittedly, the husky voice of the minor key song that is so prominent in the trailer had me whistling to the movies; but much to my regret, the melody flattened out along with its melancholia throughout the screen performance. By the time the film had ended, I knew that all these mourning tones and gaudy…
Adiga’s Selection Day – A Reader’s Review
Aravind Adiga’s Selection Day (2016) takes on the challenge of expressing an entire culture through literature, and it does so admirably. The novel, which is set primarily in Mumbai, explores social identity, family relations, and individuality through the medium of cricket. Adiga, who has previously been awarded the Man Booker prize for his lauded 2008…
“Doctor Strange”: Putting the Psychedelics on the Screen
The fourteenth instalment of the Marvel cinematic universe is here! As always Dr. Strange (2016) is a fresh and colourful piece of cinematic enjoyment. This time Marvel introduces us to neurosurgeon Stephen Strange and the world of magic. After the name drop he got in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), doctor Stephen Strange comes…
Cuisine Machine 2016: Bitterballs, beer and bouncy castles
Maybe you’ve noticed the bright yellow posters hanging all around Middelburg or perhaps you’ve read Yonna’s recommendation here at Tabula RASA, but last weekend Cuisine Machine took place. One of the biggest food truck festivals of the Netherlands popped up in the Machinefabriek in Vlissingen, an industrial landmark situated right in the harbour. For three…
“Spectre” (2015)
Bond with the latest and (perhaps) best installment of the franchise By Eden van der Moere I’m not really a true James Bond fan. I’m more a “new” James Bond fan. Ever since Sam Mendes rebooted the franchise in 2006 with “Casino Royale”, I have immensely enjoyed Bond films. Daniel Craig in a suit, truly…
“The Scorch Trials” (2015)
A-maze-ing or a total crank? by Kirsten Kapteijns AFTER a year of waiting, the time was here; the second instalment of “The Maze Runner” series was re-leased. Cinematically, the success they achieved with “The Maze Runner” is seen through the quality of the set of “The Scorch Trials”. The film is visually appealing and stylized…