Entertainment Round Up: March 2022

Welcome to the Entertainment Section’s ‘Entertainment Round Up’!  Each month, Empoword’s Entertainment journalists share the entertainment that they’ve been loving (or not, as the case may be!). If you’re looking for your next page-turning thriller, binge-worthy show, or thought-provoking podcast, you have come to the right place.

Here, our contributors discuss the things they just couldn’t get off their minds in March 2022.

TV

“I didn’t even manage to finish the latest season.”

‘Netflix’s Drive to Survive has been wildly successful and has massively increased the interest in Formula 1 and motor racing as a whole. The series has been controversial to fans of the sport since the initial release because of its dramatization of the drivers. I think Drive to Survive has been hugely beneficial to the sport and is the reason that I, myself, started following it. It’s a great introduction to an otherwise dauntingly technical sport. However, I didn’t even manage to finish the latest season. Some of the rivalries that Netflix manipulates are exasperating and they have a tendency to spin quite a one-sided perspective of the season. Current championship winner, Max Verstappen, has refused to be in the series because of how they portray him. In future, I can see more and more drivers pulling out of the series, which will only intensify the one-sided narrative. The show is an excellent crash course to Formula 1 but as the seasons go on and the more you follow the sport, the more infuriating and ridiculous it seems.’ Ella Gilbert

‘The Jeremy Kyle Show: Death on Daytime aired on Channel 4 this month. Featuring ex-employees of The Jeremy Kyle Show and some previous contestants, the deep dive uncovered never-before-seen secrets. Kyle’s disrespect and condescension of people who came to him for help – and the lies and manipulation tactics used to create the most dramatic scenes – shocked viewers and sparked outcry. Of course, the show had always been accused of classism and exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit. But this new exposé gave evidence and refuelled the anger surrounding it. It’s so important to unveil disgusting secrets like this, so that offensive and immoral entertainment isn’t released, and so stigmas surrounding certain groups aren’t reinforced.’ Faye Minton

Literature

I recently read the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, and it would be an understatement to say that it’s one of the best books series I’ve ever read. I know I’m late to the party with this one, but I was unsure, to begin with – I usually require some romance in a novel to keep me interested. I am pleased to say it was never lacking in that area. As just one part of the Grishaverse, you’re thrust into a pre-established world but you’re able to pick up on it rather quickly and discover such a fun found family. The characters have depth and their interactions are always done to perfection. The plot is ever-evolving and there are twists and turns throughout that simply don’t allow you to put the book down because you just need to know more. When I finally finished it, I was thinking about it for weeks, I still am! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading, I genuinely think it has something for everyone. Clare Sellers

Music

‘‘Who Cares?’ is an orchestral take on pop music. It’s refreshing and unique, using 23-year-old Alex O’Connor’s eminent collaboration of genres. From classical to hip-hop, the album reflects what O’Connor does best – rhythmic beats and catchy lyrics. ‘Who Cares?’ opens with ‘Keep it up,’ his most recent single. The track begins with an orchestral melody before it transitions into a captivating bop. The syncopating beat is joyous, in stark contrast with the solemn message of the song, and the album generally. The initial lyrics discuss O’Connor’s  depression and convey distress about who he’s become. However, the upbeat instrumental meets the notion of ‘keeping it up.’ This album shows O’Connor’s upbeat consistency in his songwriting, perhaps with a more cynical twist. The discography of work is uplifting and pleasant despite the pessimistic lyrics, and these tracks are balanced out with a message of optimism with the likes of ‘Open a Window.’ The album has a great indie-pop sound, and the use of instrumentals distinguishes it from any other. The tracks are catchy, however, their resemblance to one another is apparent. Rex could have taken more risk with the record to avoid this. Overall, the album is a great listen, with a unique symphonic ambiance.’ Ashleigh Poole

Video Games

‘If you’re looking for a Ratchet & Clank-esque fix to tide you over until the next Ratchet & Clank instalment, then you’re in luck! Lo and behold, Retro Machina! The unnamed robot is a dead ringer for Clank from the Ratchet & Clank franchise. Just like the series, Retro Machina is set in the 5000s. Unlike the Ratchet & Clank series, the game is set in a dystopian future. I’m still disappointed about the lack of Ratchet & Clank references. Similar to Ratchet from Ratchet & Clank, Robin from Iconoclasts, Ada from Sparklite, Rodney Copperbottom from the tie-in licensed games that share the same title as the film they are based on called Robots, etc, the unnamed robot wields a wrench as a weapon to clean the clocks of the menacing robots roaming through the barren, post-apocalyptic locations. One of my main gripes with Retro Machina is how the checkpoints are placed. For example, the gate locks me in which means I can’t backtrack to collect the remaining collectibles and I have no choice but to face the final boss. The checkpoint should’ve been in the room before the final boss. What makes for it is the mystery which left me wondering what happened to the humans. The more clues (leaflets, newspaper articles, documents, blueprints, posters etc) I pick up along the way, the more they urge me to carry on and find out.’ Fiona Li

Podcasts

“This short summary provides a window into how interesting, original and thought provoking this and indeed every episode of the podcast is”

‘‘Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett’ is a podcast that simultaneously inspires and gets you thinking. Hosted by the former CEO of one of the UK’s fastest growing companies and youngest Dragon the Den has ever welcomed, the podcast charts the journeys of ‘the people that have defined culture, achieved greatness and created stories worth studying’. A particular stand out episode is Bartlett conversation with Johann Hari, author of ‘Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention’ (which I am now eager to read!). They discussed how social media, the food we eat, a lack of sleep and many more factors affect our concentration ability; this short summary provides a window into how interesting, original and thought-provoking this and indeed every episode of the podcast is.’ Isabelle Osborne

‘This month I have been loving the ‘Nourish and Gain’ Podcast hosted by nutritionist, Jess Bloom, and personal trainer, Geoff Hill, a couple from Cardiff. They have recently launched a brand-new health and fitness coaching platform and with that came this weekly podcast, released every Monday morning. On the podcast, they offer advice on leading a healthy lifestyle while having a laugh along the way. The podcast is divided into segments in which the hosts talk about their highlight of the day, what they’ve been watching on television, educational topics, bug bares that they would banish, and set a challenge for listeners. Their first season is drawing to a close this coming Monday but there are nine other episodes to catch up on on the Apple podcast app or Spotify, covering topics such as female fat loss, progressive overload, answering embarrassing girl/guy questions, and myth-busting in the fitness industry. So, if you want to improve your knowledge while having some great banter, head to the Nourish and Gain Podcast!’Eve Davies

If you are interested in contributing to next month’s ‘Entertainment Round Up’, please send a 50-200 word summary of what you discover in April, whether this be a book, film or any form of entertainment, to empowordentertainment@gmail.com.

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Featured image courtesy of Jakub Sisulak on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.