Film review: Mistress America August 13, 2015 Cert 15 Three Stars “Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere,” croons David Bowie in Golden Years, the song that bookends Noah Baumbach’s last film While We’re Young. We could well take this as a maxim aimed at Baumbach’s characters – at least in his cautiously optimistic later films, which all follow [...]
Opera review: Carmen August 13, 2015 Soho Theatre Four Stars This pioneering OperaUpClose production of Carmen is raw and unpolished, and that’s why it works. The DIY set, inventive costume design and earthy, enthusiastic performances conspire to revivify this staple of the operatic repertoire. Carmen is the tale of a sexually liberated woman killed by a culture of machismo. OperaUpClose has [...]
Film review: Paper towns August 13, 2015 Cert 12a Two Stars There was a time in the not-too-distant past when teenage films were a mindless cluster of fart jokes, jock posturing and boobs. But now there’s a new kind of teen film on the block – ushered in by novelists like Nicholas Sparks and John Green – that’s all about feelings. Gushing [...]
Perfect Saturday August 13, 2015 BRUNCH OF CHAMPIONS PROVIDORES You’ve heard of Continental and full English, but Kiwi? New Zealand restaurant Providores in Marylebone offers one of the best brunch menus in London. Forget bubble and squeak and margarine on toast, go for the grilled chorizo with sweet potato and miso hash. A luxurious start to the weekend. Visit theprovidores.co.uk [...]
Almeida’s Bakkhai is a stirring but wayward production August 7, 2015 Almeida | ★★☆☆☆ The Almeida’s stirring new production of Euripides’ Bakkhai begins with a promise. “I will thrill you,” says Ben Wishaw as Dionysus, clearly enjoying the rapt attention commanded by his shamanic appearance. His look: Jesus in drag, or a beardy Ophelia. Movement-wise he’s like Madonna, sporadically voguing throughout his opening monologue. He’s got [...]
Film review: Fantastic Four? More like a fantastic bore August 7, 2015 Cert 12a | ★★☆☆☆ Even in this superhero-obsessed age, the latest incarnation of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four represents something of a risk, given the franchises turbulent recent history. There’s the 1994 version, made to retain the movie rights and infamously shelved without ever reaching cinemas. Then there are the dreadful noughties films starring Jessica [...]
Theatre review: Bakkhai August 6, 2015 Almeida Theatre Three Stars The Almeida’s stirring new production of Euripides’ Bakkhai begins with a promise. “I will thrill you,” says Ben Wishaw as Dionysus, clearly enjoying the rapt attention commanded by his shamanic appearance. His look: Jesus in drag, or a beardy Ophelia. Movement-wise he’s like Madonna, sporadically voguing throughout his opening monologue. He’s [...]
Film review: The diary of a teenage girl August 6, 2015 Cert 18 Four Stars Fifteen-year-old Minnie starts her diary with a confession; “I had sex today. Holy shit”. When her lover is revealed to be her mother’s 34-year-old boyfriend, Monroe, it begs the question: is she doing something bad or is something bad being done to her? It’s a dilemma the film revels in, depicting [...]
Theatre review: Utopia August 6, 2015 Roundhouse Two Stars If sleep deprivation, breakfast lager and Rolf Harris prove anything, it’s that things that are good at Glastonbury aren’t necessarily good in real life. The same goes for Penny Woolcock’s Utopia, the immersive sound installation that enjoyed a highly praised run at the festival last month. What was trippy fun in a [...]
Film review: Manglehorn August 6, 2015 Cert 12a Three Stars After years of scenery chewing, Al Pacino has entered an exciting phase in his career. We had this year’s surprisingly adept Danny Collins and now comes another thoughtful role for Hollywood’s favourite elder statesman. Manglehorn sees the Oscar winner play an elderly locksmith wrestling with the mistakes of his past. And [...]