How to make a perfect romcom – an expert explains the recipe for romance

By Christina Wilkins, Lecturer in Film and Creative Writing, University of Birmingham

Picture the scene: it’s a dreary weeknight evening, you’re tired from work, and you want to watch something that will pick you up. My guess is that some of you – perhaps more than would admit it – would pick a romantic comedy.

Over the years the romcom has been designated as “chick flick”, dismissed at awards ceremonies (the best picture Oscar primarily goes to drama films) and frequently panned by critics. Yet, critics are not the only ones buying cinema tickets or watching…

Read complete article

~	Tempted to turn on the aircon? Science says use fans until it’s 27°C

~	India and Pakistan are on war footing. Can they be brought back from the brink?

~	Jordan: Informal Camp Residents Displaced

~	Brazilian trans women parliamentarians categorized as ‘male’ on their US visas

~	Game change Canadian election: Mark Carney projected to lead Liberals to their fourth consecutive win

~	What Liberal Mark Carney’s projected election win in Canada means for Europe

~	How do the Coalition and Labor plans on housing differ - and what have they ignored?

~	The government plans to regulate carbon capture technologies – but who will be the regulating agency?

~	Echidna ancestors lived watery lifestyles like platypuses 100 million years ago – new study

~	‘I’m always afraid for the future of my family’: why it’s too hard for some refugees to reunite with loved ones