The Expression Hub

  • A living space?

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay,Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers,Tom McCamus,William H.Macy

    Directed by: Lenny Abrahamson

    Genre: Drama

    “My room was a real way of expressing myself. It was like a little nest that I could settle into.”

    Chloe Sevigny

    Well, before I jump into the latest pick of this week, a disclaimer- the pick which has been selected by me this week is way too sensitive and can be disturbing for some people. Viewer discretion is necessary. So, if you do intend to watch the same, do watch it at your own risk. This is because though the movie has content which can be disturbing in nature but it also has a powerful message. I , as a responsible blogger always try to ensure that the viewer has an informed choice and is able to have an experience which can be memorable in the right sense and not trigger any feelings of trauma, anxiety or stress which can be triggered due to some stimuli present in the pick which I might be endorsing. After all, an experience needs to be one which is happy which is thoughtful and which gives food to your brain .Isn’t it ?

      So, keeping that in mind, I will try my level best to be as emotionally sensitive I can be because if we put ourselves in the shoes of the characters, you do find that it can be an experience which can be really disturbing to us as well after all we are supposed to have emotions and emotions can be of all sorts . It is high time that we try to accept emotions of all sorts and be human as possible though sometimes the outburst can be too intense to digest and can be really disturbing to process. And I do hope that the viewers or the readers will ensure the same while making the choices in their lives while having their picks. 

    Story line: This week’s pick revolves around a 24 year old woman and her son who live in a filthy shed which they call the ‘Room’. The room consists of all their basic needs- a kitchen, a bed, a toilet and a bath with a window on the top which is a skylight. They are captives of a man they call “Old Nick”, who is supposed to be the biological father of the woman’s son. Though the woman tries to be optimistic for her son but in reality she is suffering from malnutrition and depression. However, one day the mother decides to free her son and herself from the Room and venture out in the real world so that her son has interaction with real things. Will she be able to escape the Room and finally venture into the real world? Will she be able to face the outside world with full courage or will she falter? Also, will the man who held them captive will be free or will justice be served to the mother-son duo?

    Scrutiny: This is a movie which can be very disturbing in nature yet has a very powerful message . This is because of the portrayal of the main character who has been held as a captive for the last 7 years and is repeatedly abused physically . The impact which that has on her has led her to being malnourished and being depressed. But the only thing that is keeping her going is her son who adds color to her life by his vivid imagination and the activities which they undertake together in that small room . The movie has highlighted as well as very well portrayed the issues of mental health. The movie has also captured beautifully the essence of freedom and the cost one has to pay to obtain it. Realistic and agonizing histrionics of Brie Larson as Joy Newsome just bleeds your heart while Jacob Tremblay as Jack brightens up your day . He is shown to be a symbol of hope and optimism who despite the difficult circumstances tries to be a support to his mother. I believe what is being portrayed is that love does has that ability to protect as well as heal the people. Also, the risk which a mother takes for her son is a thing which one undertakes only in love. Or else why would she even bother to live when she considered her life meaningless?It was that ray of hope in her somewhere distant which seemed elusive but gave her the will to take life as it came.

    The Sentiment: This is a movie which I will not call a movie which entertains but a movie which gives food to your brain. This is because it is no fun but is instead an experience which is pretty draining in nature. This one can keep you thinking for hours as to what the mother would have endured. But at the same time, this is also a movie which holds a mirror to the society; and also awakens empathy for issues which are not discussed widely. Do watch it if you are into thought provoking movies and love giving some food to your brain. Else if you are someone who do find these things disturbing and always want the picks to make you feel good avoid it . After all, everyone has different choices and it is okay not to have the same choices. But on the other hand, if you are the one who is interested to understand the nitty-gritty of life then maybe you can consider this provided you don’t end up being disturbed.

    Rating: *** and a 1/2 stars

    The beautiful mother-son bond captured in a frame

    Que: What is the name of the pet dog which Joy’s mother’s partner has?

    a. Seamus

    b. Jack

    c. Peter

    d. Leo

    Quote-Unquote : “No one is strong alone. You know, you and your mom, you help each other through, don’t you?” (Joy to Jack)

    Continue reading →: A living space?

  • From the start…

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Genre: Romance/Drama

    No. of episodes:8

    Presented by:This One & That One,3 Arts Entertainment, Cinestar and Hello Sunshine

    “Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

    Loretta Young

    Well, its the month of January which always signifies a start of a new year. So, taking this in account into my mind, I decided to dedicate this month of January to new beginnings . After all, shouldn’t the very first month of the year do the same- embrace the new while celebrating the endings. Also, new beginnings means there are endless possibilities to explore new things. And shouldn’t our life be all about making new discoveries?

      With all this in mind, I bring to you a story which was endearing as well as one which could move you to tears. A story which makes you realize the importance of having people who stand like a rock in your life and a story which makes you believe in the power of resilience and hope. Read on to find out more about this one.

    Synopsis : From Scratch is a story which has everything in it – love, hope , friendship, family and resilience. Amy is a young girl who is supposed to be a lawyer but wants to embrace beauty through art. So, she undertakes a trip to Florence, Italy for some soul searching as well as to undertake a workshop in art. There while walking on the streets, she encounters a handsome chef named Lino who is originally from Sicily but has a restaurant in the city. Lino falls for Amy and invites her to his restaurant. From there what begins as a friendship between two people starts blossoming into love. From her time in Florence, Amy too has a realization that she is not cut to be a lawyer like her father but instead can make a career in art something which she has always wanted to. She makes a decision to forego her career as a lawyer and instead make it big in the world of art. Lino too decides to run after his dreams of opening a bigger restaurant. While trying to pursue their dreams, they also solidify their relationship by ending getting married to each other. However, trouble ensues in the paradise when Lino does not feel at home in America as he feels the place has no center. Amy tries to support him and make him feel at home by providing him comfort. But it seems destiny has more tests for the couple as Lino gets diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. What trials do have the two face together? Will they succeed or will destiny play a cruel role?

    Assessment : A series that has everything which appeals to the viewers. It has drama, love , friendship, hope ,family and resilience. This series makes you fall in love with the main characters as they try traversing through the different phases of their lives. This series makes you fall in love with their families who initially are reluctant but as time passes form a strong unit and stand strong . This series attempts to celebrate the fact that it does not matter where a person is from, a person can still win the hearts of the people if he or she puts in the right efforts. This series attempts to celebrate love across the continents despite the roadblocks. The positives of the show: this show captures the beautiful city of Florence and its culture in contrast to the fast paced life of an American. This show also highlights the importance of the time one spends with their loved ones . This show also underlines the importance of hope and resilience for the situations one faces in one’s life.

      The progression that Amy’s character goes through as she goes from being a friend to a lover to a better half is beautifully captured. Another thing that I found interesting was that she had a great support system in her younger sister who has her back no matter what. The same case with her both the mothers who try to make her feel at ease when she experiences tough times. The negatives : way too much sexual intimacy thrown that it feels pretty made up. I mean intimacy is a good thing but you do end up being uncomfortable somewhere that you feel like leaving your seat and run away. Another negative is the gossip which Amy’s mother in laws relatives resort to. Gossiping is a big no in real life especially if the matters are not productive in nature .

    The view: A beautiful show which makes you fall in love with everyone involved. It is a show which captures the fragility of human relationships. It is also a show which highlights the importance of the time one has and how it is important for one to prioritize things in life. This is a show which teaches a lot of lessons in relationships which I think couples or people who want to fall in love will find valuable. Though it has its own share of drama but the good thing is it doesn’t seem over the top. So, do watch this beautiful show and give yourself a treat in human emotions . And if this reason does not sound appealing do watch it for the terrific histrionics of Zoe Saldana and Eugenio Mastrandrea as well as the sass of Danielle Deadwyler.

    Rating: *** and a 1/2 stars

    Baap Dialogue:”Today we start our new lives together. Nothing is holding us back. Only dreams ahead…” [Lino to Amy]

    Que: What is the name of Amy’s mother in law?

    a. Maria

    b. Stephanie

    c. Philomina

    d. Bianca

    Continue reading →: From the start…

  • A modelling sleuth

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Author: Carina Axelsson

    Genre: Thriller/Mystery

    “The best way of successfully acting a part is to be it.”

    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    Since its the last day of the month what better way to end this year but in a fashionable manner. After all December is also supposed to be a month of Dressember. For those who are unfamiliar with the same, you are supposed to bring out the fashionista inside you on each day of the month. This was a movement which started in 2009 and blossomed into an international movement to fight human trafficking. And as far as the statistics as regards to the human trafficking is concerned, it is supposed to be an industry that is worth $150 billion. And this supposedly looking silly challenge is an attempt to fight against it.

        So, taking the theme into consideration, this week’s pick revolves around the same. This is supposed to be somewhat of a chic category novel with a dose of fashion which might not sound appealing to some . But hold your horses tight, before you pass a judgement because sometimes what might not sound appealing or look appealing might surprise you. Not that I detest fashion or chic novels but I prefer other categories more than these types. But since I wanted to write a review about something which revolved around the same, so I decided to go with this one.

    About the book: Model Undercover:Paris features Axelle , a teenage girl whose family has sent her off to cover the Paris Fashion Week as a punishment. You might be wondering how come such a fine opportunity might be a punishment for someone? Let me answer this by posing a question which will give you a better answer. Imagine if you are asked to do something which you completely detest or do not want to do ever yet are forced to do how would you feel? The same was the case with Axelle when it came to fashion. Even though her mother and aunt were people who obsessed about fashion, this wasn’t her thing. She was more into solving mysteries and always dreamt of becoming a detective.

       However, it seems that her wishes do come true when she lands up in the city and a famous designer who goes by the name Belle La Lune disappears just days before the launch of her bag. After learning about the same, Axelle realizes that in order to get to the bottom of this, she will have to embrace the thing that she has detested and ends up being a good model who receives a lot of offers thanks to her long legs and her aunt Venetia’s connections. In the process, she ends up befriending a famous model named Ellie and Sebastian who is the son of a police officer. Together, they try to put the pieces of the puzzle together as the stakes increase and two more members of the family disappear. Who is involved behind the disappearances of the family members? What is the motive behind the same? Will Axelle with her friends be able to solve the mystery before her time ends in the city of Paris?

    Analysis: This is a book which is supposed to be a novel for teenagers with a tinge of chic to it. But believe me even if you are an adult and more into the serious stuff you will not be disappointed by this one. This is especially true if you have been someone who has ended up devouring mystery books in their childhood like me. A book which is slow in pace initially but builds up the pace as the story progresses. The story is gripping as you end up racking up your brains in finding out who might be behind the mystery. Also, you get to imagine the beautiful city of Paris which is somewhat scary as well. After all, it is supposed to have the catacombs as well. What are these and why do I call the city a city a marvel as well as a scary. Read the book to find out. In addition to that, you will also familiarize yourselves with some fashion terminology which might come handy in the future if you come across something related to fashion. Another great thing to highlight is that its heartening to see a female protagonist who is intelligent and not just someone who has good looks. After all it is high time that we start incorporating characters who are not just looks but also has intelligence.

    Verdict: This is a book which you will enjoy if you have been a big fan of the genre. Though this might be a book for teenagers but believe me this is a book which will be enjoyed by adults too. A book which was a delight to read and did end my year just on the right note. A huge thank you to Carina Axelson for that. Definitely one to be included in your reading lists.

    Rating: ****

    Cite Bite:”Come on, Axelle, focus, focus. Ignore your sidekick’s broad shoulders and killer smile. Easier said than done.”

    Que:What is the name of Axelle’s booking agent for modelling assignments?

    a. Dominic

    b. Sebastian

    c. Herve

    d. Phillip

    Continue reading →: A modelling sleuth

Hello,

I’m Roshani

Welcome to The Expression Hub! I’m Roshani, who loves to express herself through the medium of writing. This blog is my little corner of the internet where I dive deep into the world of movies, books, and web series—reviewing, analyzing, and sometimes just ranting about the stories that make us laugh, cry, and question everything.

Beyond reviews, you’ll also find my personal musings—random thoughts, life reflections, and the occasional deep dive into the things that inspire me. Think of this as a space where art meets emotion, and where honest opinions matter more than star ratings.

Join me as we explore incredible stories together, one post at a time. Have a recommendation? Let’s talk—I’m always up for discovering something new!

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