The Entertainer at the Garrick: Kenneth Branagh is on top form again in this perfect post-Brexit play September 2, 2016 In 1956 the Suez Crisis signalled the end of Britain as a world power, and its demise on the global stage is mirrored in the lives of Archie Rice and his family. Television and rock ‘n’ roll threaten to eclipse the traditional English music hall, and Kenneth Branagh’s Archie, scion of a vaudevillian dynasty, is [...]
Veronica Scanner at Royal Academy: how you can be made into a 3D bust in the RA’s latest exhibition September 2, 2016 This Royal Academy exhibition asks how the latest technology – specifically the new crop of sophisticated 3D printers – fits into the artistic canon. In one of the strangest shows of the year, the RA has borrowed a gigantic 96-camera 3D scanner – it’s come all the way from Madrid – in order to create lifelike [...]
Björk Digital: experience the singer’s Vulnicura album in a new VR exhibition at Somerset House September 2, 2016 Björk’s musical career is distinguished not only by her genre-bending music, but her imaginative visuals; with each album comes stunning, otherworldly imagery, often embracing the latest technology. It is no surprise then that this exhibition of her work is comprised of a sequence of music videos, primarily presented using Samsung virtual reality headsets, the resulting [...]
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping review: Lonely Island’s mockumentary skewers self-absorbed stardom August 25, 2016 Musical comedy troupe Lonely Island’s mockumentary skewers modern pop culture, with Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg playing a self-absorbed, Bieber-esque solo artist ready to unleash his second album on an unsuspecting public. Taking aim at spoilt young mega stars and their ridiculous indulgences, the familiar plot is lifted by the energy of the cast and [...]
Gary Numan: Android in La La Land is a surprisingly touching rockumentary about one of music’s true geniuses August 25, 2016 You don’t expect subjects such as Asperger’s Syndrome, depression and parental bonds to be explored in a music documentary, but then electronic music pioneer Gary Numan has never been one to meet expectations. The disarmingly frank star discusses his career and difficulties with the limelight, and embarks on a daunting transatlantic move with his colourful [...]
Cell film review: Dull dialogue kills this film that’s co-written by Stephen King about smartphone zombies August 25, 2016 Cell hopes to do for smart phones what Jaws did for beaches, but it’s unlikely anyone will be wary of their devices after seeing this messy adaptation of the Stephen King novel. John Cusack competes with Samuel L Jackson for the most bored looking star, playing two men desperate to survive a zombie holocaust instigated [...]
Julieta review – Pedro Almodóvar’s story of love, loss and grief is compelling and beautiful August 25, 2016 After the high-camp of I’m So Excited and the queasy body-horror of The Skin I Live In, Pedro Almodóvar returns to his roots with a story that shines a light into the dark recesses of grief. It initially appears to be a modern noir, a detective story complete with moody jazz soundtrack, albeit one drenched [...]
War Dogs review: This true story of a pair of Miami tweens turned international arms dealers lacks bite August 25, 2016 A bro-comedy based on the true story of a couple of stoners who sold guns to the US government, War Dogs casts Jonah Hill (from lots of things) and Miles Teller (from the film where he can hit a drum really quickly) as the two plucky young Miami dweeblings turned arms dealers to the Pentagon. [...]
The Purge: Election Year review – this take-down of Donald Trump’s politics is a joyous satirical juggernaut August 25, 2016 The Purge franchise, now on its third iteration, takes a simple, silly premise – that for one night every year all crime is legal – and holds onto it like a rottweiler on a toddler’s arm. The first instalment, starring Ethan Hawke, was a straight-forward home invasion thriller, Panic Room by way of The Strangers, [...]
They Drink it in the Congo at the Almeida Theatre review: A witty, gritty exploration of post-colonial guilt and privilege August 25, 2016 From the fluorescent paint-splashed posters of They Drink it in the Congo, you’d be forgiven for thinking this new production was a warm up show for the Notting Hill Carnival. In fact, Adam Brace’s second play is a dark, unflinching look at a troubled country and the poster is just one of many misconceptions shattered [...]