A newsletter for arts and culture coverage across New Zealand and the world, including journalism, reviews, and essays by Sam Brooks.
Latest
Nov
14
How I Review: Erin Harrington
In the first edition of How I Review, an interview with academic and arts critic Erin Harrington, founder of the
13 min read
Nov
12
Critical Corner: Hoods Landing, Life on a Loop
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of a fantastic debut novel and a moving show about aged care.
7 min read
Nov
10
How I Review: A New Series
The introduction for a new series (for paid subscribers only!) of in-depth interviews with New Zealand critics.
A few months
3 min read
Oct
29
Critical Corner: Ilang-Ilang
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Ilang-Ilang, a new Filipino ghost story play debuting at Basement Theatre.
5 min read
Oct
21
Critical Corner: Boots
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Netflix’s muddled new gay-slash-military-slash-coming of age drama, Boots.
It took
5 min read
Oct
15
The Celebrity Traitors finally converted me
... or how I learned to love the show that is apparently super easy to love.
The past two years have
4 min read
Oct
10
Critical Corner: Roofman, The Ghost of Yōtei
In this edition of Critical Corner, reviews of Channing Tatum's new film Roofman and new PS5 exclusive Ghost of Yōtei.
6 min read
Sep
30
Critical Corner: One Battle After Another
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, which continues a near-unparalleled reign of "so much"-ness.
5 min read
Sep
22
Critical Corner: The Monster in the Maze
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of New Zealand Opera’s The Monster in the Maze, an adaptation of the Greek Minotaur myth.
4 min read
Sep
08
Critical Corner: Bic Runga with Auckland Phil; The Paper
In this edition of Critical Corner, reviews of Bic Runga performing with Auckland Phil and The Office spinoff The Paper.