Davin Arul

Associate Features Editor at The Star (Malaysia)

Foodie, Trekker, Warhammer 40K fan, Pokémon Go trainer, avid reader, movie buff, pushed past 50. In another life, I was Dwayne A. Rules

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Articles

'Paatal Lok' review: On solid ground in the netherworld

1 month ago | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

One thing my makan buddies and I agree on, if not always on the choice of eatery or the taste/quality of its offerings, is that the term "hidden gem" has been overused to the netherworld and back by reviewers on social media. Hidden? The joint is usually right there in plain view, only we choose not to notice it. Prime Video's Hindi thriller series Paatal Lok (Netherworld) qualifies as a hidden gem then, in my case. It was always right there on the listings each day, but I just ...
'The Pitt' review: Taut medical drama makes us eager to jump right in

1 month ago | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

Is this the season for ER veterans to pop up in our living rooms again? While Eriq LaSalle traded his scrubs for police blues in Prime Video's On Call, his Cook County General Hospital screen colleague Noah Wyle is back in the emergency room in The Pitt. The ER DNA is strong in this one. Wyle not only stars in it but he's also listed as an executive producer alongside that series' showrunner John Wells and The Pitt creator R.
'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' review: Swing away, Webhead!

2 months ago | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

It is appropriate, arriving on the heels of the just-concluded third (and for now, final) season of What If...? from Marvel Animation, that the studio's latest offering has a fair bit of DNA from that show. For one thing, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man features actor-musician Hudson Thames winningly giving voice to Peter Parker aka Spidey, as he did on What If...?
'The Rig' review: A leisurely swim to eco-Armageddon

Jan 15, 2025 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

Isolated installations, mysterious menaces, possible paranormal phenomena... where have we seen/heard it all before? Everywhere, from the amazing John Carpenter's The Thing to The Abyss to the more recent Kristen Stewart horror-thriller Underwater (which achieved the distinction of actually bringing HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu to the screen without any fanfare).
'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' review: The kids are all flight

Dec 4, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

Cautious optimism is the best one can muster nowadays when it comes to new Star Wars projects. Having viewed the early episode of Skeleton Crew, I'm about ready to dump the "cautious" bit solely on the strength of nostalgia – not so much for Star Wars but for that beloved staple of 1980s cinema, the kids/teens/tweens adventure yarn.
'Cross' review: Solid debut that's a bit of a stretch at times

Nov 27, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

James Patterson's vaunted detective/psychologist Alex Cross – memorably played by Morgan Freeman in two movies (the actor being the best part of those uneven efforts), not so enduringly by Tyler Perry in a reboot that quickly got the boot – now gets the streaming treatment in a series that examines the character at a turbulent time in his life.
'AARO' review: A neat balance between supernatural and superstition

Nov 13, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

When a friend told me about this new Japanese paranormal-themed detective show, I Googled it and found the Wikipedia page for the real-life All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).An agency within the US Secretary of Defense's Office, It's been around since 2022, tasked with investigating UFOs (or by their new inclusive term, UAPs or unidentified aerial/anomalous phenomena). Hurm, 2022? Talk about your Johnnys-come-lately.
'The Franchise' review: Satire comes across as more bludgeon than skewer

Oct 30, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

When you get big, you become a convenient target. When you're successful, there will be just as many people eager to tear you down as those who want to ride on your coattails. And when you inevitably falter, as even the once-infallible Pixar Studios did, better get out that body armour because that's when the knives really come out, all gleaming and sharpened.
'The Penguin' review: Only a bird in a tilted cage

Oct 16, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

The bird who didn't quite fly the coop in 2022's The Batman is back, and feeling just as underestimated and resentful as before. Now in his very own HBO series, The Penguin aka Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell buried in heavy yet strangely believable make-up, the character's name truncated from the traditional "Oswald Cobblepot") takes bold... er, strides towards making his grand criminal ambitions a reality.
'Agatha All Along' review: Merrily down the Witches' Road we go

Sep 22, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Davin Arul

During a perilous moment for herself and her hastily-assembled coven – one revolving around an enchanted rock ballad – everyone's (other) favourite witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) exhorts a comrade: "Stop phoning it in! Play like a witch!" In truth, no one in the cast or creative team behind Marvel's new streaming series Agatha All Along can be accused of phoning it in.

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davinarul @davinarul

25 Aug 22

Petisyen kepada KDYMM Yang di-Pertuan Agong: Najib Tidak Wajar Diampunkan - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/jAXyWtz1vZ via @ChangeOrg_MY

davinarul @davinarul

13 Oct 21

DC just dropped a collection of free NFTs for DC FanDome. I got Harley Quinn. To get your free NFT, register for DC's FanDome event at https://t.co/8ha9THHneA #DCComicsNFT #DCFanDome

davinarul @davinarul

17 Mar 17

RT @BostonGlobe: When Don Davis told HR at his new job that he needed to spend time with his dying wife, his job offer was rescinded https:…