In the days leading up to the release of Crazy Rich Asians, I was fascinated by how the reviews were framing the film. There was plenty that remarked on how historically monumental it was, given its contemporary setting and all-Asian cast. Indeed it was. And yet, there were some that mused on the fantastical aspects […]
I had the fortunate opportunity to attend a TEDx event this past Saturday in my hometown. I can’t remember when or how it was that I first discovered TED, but the talks, in its various incarnations as TEDx, TED-Ed or other localities provide a valuable resource which I use in class for students. Criticism of […]
To the outside world, Malaysia, despite its various problems with government corruption on a global scale, is a considerably moderate and multicultural society. For decades, various ethnicities have learnt to live with each other harmoniously. And truth be told, this is something that is very visible, particularly in Borneo where the hometown is situated. It’s […]
My first episode of The X-Files, which I discovered on an unassuming Wednesday night in my first ever dingy little ground floor flat in Perth, Western Australia, was The Host, coincidentally written by series creator, Chris Carter. My fascination with the show’s subject matter, and particularly with the characters, prompted a weekly ritual of unplugging […]
Funny thing, activism. I’ve spent the last few days observing how responses to the terrorist attack in Paris evolve from horror to full-on condescending admonishment. All that’s left at the end of the day isn’t forgiveness or feelings of solidarity; it’s confusion, it’s anger, and an even greater sense of hopelessness because I see friends […]
*This paper was presented at the 6th Annual Conference of the Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand, held at Massey University, Wellington from 29 June – 1 July, 2015.* On 21st March 2015, Rogue Events, the event company that organises Supernatural conventions in the UK announced the inclusion of actor, writer and producer […]
I have not really touched on fan fiction in my works in any significant ways, but I want to put this in the “work in progress” folder as I think through the realities and practicalities of continuing this vein of thought. In my academic work, I’ve written a fair bit on fan labour, arguing for […]
When I accepted a lucrative job offer to return to my hometown, it meant relocating my entire life and that of my cat’s halfway across the world. Accepting academic jobs – or any jobs, for that matter – in a different country to that you were trained in was always something I accepted as part […]
Earlier today Mashable published a features piece that looks at the ‘phenomenon’ of fans clamouring for the attention of their favourite celebrities by aiming to be the first person to respond to their tweets or Instagram post. The article points out that social media has created the illusion that fans can foster an intimate relationship […]
Last night, I was catching up on CBC’s new hour-long Western drama set on the border between Montana and Alberta in the 1860s. I’m not normally a fan of the Western genre, but the show features compelling female characters – in fact, it centres on the women and their struggles for survival after the men […]