Articles by Alisha Mughal

Class of 2020: Luna Li Creates Magical Worlds to Inspire Real Change

PUBLISHED Jan 15, 2020

The story of how dreamy Toronto garage rocker Hannah Bussiere got her stage name Luna Li is as magical as her Instagram bio: "ur local moon...

'Just Mercy' Is an Emotionally Taxing Chronicle of Injustice

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton

PUBLISHED Jan 9, 2020

Have you ever listened to the sounds of the labour you perform? Legal drama Just Mercy opens with the sounds of a chainsaw roaring, the str...

'1917' Redefines What a War Movie Can Be

Directed by Sam Mendes

PUBLISHED Dec 17, 2019

In history class in grade ten, we watched Flyboys to get a better sense of what WWI looked like. Mostly, the film showcased James Franco's...

'Queen & Slim' Director Melina Matsoukas Explains Why Her Message Is Clear and Direct

PUBLISHED Nov 28, 2019

Melina Matsoukas's feature directorial debut, Queen & Slim, is not a brave film.   To call something brave is to deify it, to ignore the co...

'Queen & Slim' Is a Revealing Morality Tale that Thrives in Small Moments

Directed by Melina Matsoukas

PUBLISHED Nov 21, 2019

There is a scene in Melina Matsoukas's Queen & Slim that depicts Jodie Turner-Smith's Queen having her braids removed — so as to change her...

Alexandria Maillot

Benevolence

PUBLISHED Nov 19, 2019

Alexandria Maillot's voice has been compared to that of many — Feist, Stevie Nicks and Brittany Howard. I'd like to add my own comparison:...

'The Good Liar' Is More Than a Cat and Mouse Thriller

Directed by Bill Condon

PUBLISHED Nov 15, 2019

Ten minutes deep and on the face of it, The Good Liar is about love.   Indeed, director Bill Condon and cinematographer Tobias A. Schliessl...

iskwē

acākosīk

PUBLISHED Nov 5, 2019

iskwē's sound is a gift. On her latest album, acākosīk, her voice is at times broad and strong, landing like a punch to the face, and at ot...