The year was 1973. The lights of the Houston Astrodome glared down on a tennis court that had become more than just a playing field — it was a stage for a cultural revolution.

Cameras flashed, tension buzzed in the air, and two players stepped onto the court — one a confident showman, the other a determined trailblaser carrying the hopes of millions.

As the first serve sliced through the air on that September evening, millions around the world weren’t just watching a tennis match — they were witnessing a fight for equality, respect, and change.

Billie Jean King is a legendary American tennis champion and advocate for gender equality whose career and impact extends far beyond the court.

With 39 Grand Slams titles and a historic victory in 1973, “Battle of the Sexes” match, she not only proved her athletic ability but also challenged stereotypes about women within the world of sport.

As a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and a leader behind equal prize money, King became a powerful force for fairness and inclusion, later emerging as a voice for LGBTQ+ rights.

Her legacy as both a world class athlete and a fearless activist changed the game for generations to come.

The “Battle of the Sexes” was a famous match, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a former men’s champion who was adamant that men were superior athletes.

The match was played in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and watched by roughly 90 million people worldwide, the event was a both a sporting spectacle and a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.

Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), this proved that women could compete in the highest level which inspired greater respect and opportunities for female athletes around the world.

The event’s impact was immediate. Women’s tennis surged in popularity, drawing new audiences, sponsorships, and media coverage. King used the momentum to push for lasting change.

This helped the US Open to become the first major tournament to offer equal pay. Her win also empowered a new generation of female athletes to come out and code and what was rightfully theirs.

More than five decades later, the Battle of the Sexes remains a cultural milestone.

It symbolised more than just a tennis match, it was a statement about equality, perseverance, and the power of sport to challenge societal norms.

If something looks perfect from the outside does it mean it actually is?

That’s the concept that director Jay Roach brings to life in the new movie The Roses released in August 2025.

The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses which was originally based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.

Although unlike the novel the characters instead are shown to struggle with their different careers either rising or falling.

It has been adapted, in my opinion, to make it resonate with women a lot more as in both the novel and first film the women were stay at home mothers who felt unsatisfied.

This appears to be one of the main reasons for the divorces with Barbara (Kathleen Turner) eventually turning to a catering business.

However, within the new modernised version Ivy’s (Olivia Colman) successful career is a point of contempt for Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch).

While it starts off with a more realistic depiction of parents struggling with the loss of a career and a start of a new one, it slowly divulges itself away from the typical divorcee movie.  

I watched this movie at the Everyman (luxury I know!) and the grip it had on me as an audience member was outstanding.

With the selection of actors involved in this movie it’s no surprise that there is a mix of comedy and drama making it a satirical black comedy.

While it was delightful to watch, I feel that some audience members might criticise the realism of the movie.

Yet I go to the cinema to be transported from real life so the mix of realism and shock factor was highly entertaining. 

A contrasting mix of comedy and darkness

The performances from the actors was exactly what the movie needed.

The chemistry, or lack thereof, between Colman and Cumberbatch was so believable that you would think that they were married in real life.

Their delivery of both the comedy and the rage was again so believable that it sucked me as the audience into what was the “dirty laundry” of their personal lives.

With a supporting cast including Andy Samberg, Allison Janney and others their characters mostly brought the comedy relief needed in to break the movie up.

They also gave us a contrast to the main relationship being shown which helped us recognise how some of the actions were exaggerated for our benefit. 

However, some critics online have noted that while it is undeniably a satirical dark comedy, the dark comedy seemed to be held back some times, therefore not always giving it the edge it needed.

I think that for a 15 certificate movie it had just the right amount to stretch over its wide audience.

Another criticism that The Roses received was that the contrast between the comedy and cruelty was sometimes so abrupt that it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.

At some points the comedy seemed out of place which almost gave the film a sort of jarring feel as they changed between the emotions.

The ending is ambiguous which can have mixed reactions from the audience.

Some may like to have the movie tied up neatly at the end whereas others like that they can believe what they want to believe.

I am the latter in the case of this movie as I enjoyed the fact that I could believe either the more macabre ending or not.  

To me the ending, without giving any spoilers, had me on the edge of my seat with a real 360 turn.

Again it had the perfect amount of shock factor and comedy which highlighted the overall tone throughout.

I felt that it drew the entire film together nicely especially with the ending performance from Coleman and Cumberbatch. 

Despite recent reports suggesting that university students may be drinking less overall, a new survey by WINOL reveals an unsettling reality for students navigating campus drinking culture.

With alcohol consumption remaining prevalent, the findings paint a complex picture: while alcohol continues to play a central role in student life, there are significant gaps in knowledge and support regarding its dangers.

Pressure to Drink and Social Expectations

A striking 63% of students reported feeling pressure to drink to fit in at university.

This statistic highlights the critical role alcohol plays in socializing, particularly during key events like Freshers’ Week, themed parties, and club nights.

For many students, these social settings come with an unspoken expectation to drink, and for those who choose not to, the pressure to conform can lead to feelings of isolation or judgment.

This sense of social pressure is compounded by the fact that 90% of students feel that binge drinking is normalized on campus.

Drinking games, pre-drinks, and excessive alcohol consumption are often seen as a standard part of the university experience.

This normalization of binge drinking may contribute to students’ reluctance to speak out or resist the social pressures associated with alcohol consumption.

The Reality of Excessive Drinking

Beyond the social expectations, the survey data reveals that drinking to excess is a reality for many students:

• 58% of students have taken part in a drinking competition or challenge.
• 50% of students have blacked out from drinking at university.
• 79% have had to assist someone who was dangerously drunk.

These figures suggest that excessive drinking is not only common but often dangerous, with significant consequences.

Blacking out is a serious concern, as it indicates a level of intoxication that could lead to health risks or accidents.

The fact that so many students have had to intervene to help others who were dangerously drunk further underscores the seriousness of the issue, making it clear that binge drinking extends beyond individual behaviour to affect the wider student community.

Lack of Awareness Around Alcohol Dangers

Despite the evident prevalence of heavy drinking, the survey reveals a concerning lack of awareness among students about the risks of alcohol:

• 73% of students don’t know how to recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning.
• 70% don’t know where to seek help for alcohol-related issues at university.

These gaps in knowledge are troubling, as alcohol poisoning can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Students may not even realize when they or their peers are at risk, and with many unsure where to turn for help, the consequences could be severe.

In addition, 85% of students feel the university could do more to educate students about responsible drinking, suggesting that current efforts may not be as effective as intended.

Are Universities Doing Enough?

Many universities, including Winchester, have resources in place to address these concerns, such as:

• Student support services
• Sip Safe and Smart initiatives to combat drink spiking
• Sober Student Union craft events

While these programs are valuable, the survey data raises questions about their reach and effectiveness.

If students are unaware of where to seek help and continue to feel pressured into excessive drinking, these resources may not be addressing the underlying cultural issues.

The question arises: Are universities providing sufficient support, or do they need to take a more proactive approach to change the drinking culture?

What Does This Data Actually Tell Us?

The survey findings highlight a significant gap between the high levels of alcohol consumption and students’ understanding of the associated dangers.

While alcohol remains central to social life at university, students appear to lack the knowledge and resources to drink responsibly or recognize the signs of alcohol-related health risks.

Despite the existence of educational initiatives, many students feel that the university could be doing more to equip them with the tools needed to make informed decisions about alcohol.