The Penguin review: HBO batman spin-off series is criminally good September 27, 2024 The streaming feeding frenzy that consumed Covid-era Hollywood may have died down, but studios still make big bets on familiar names. The latest is HBO’s The Penguin, a TV spin-off of 2022’s The Batman which continues the story of Oswald Cobb, played by Colin Farrell. In the aftermath of the film’s events, Gotham City’s criminal [...]
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is hellishly good September 26, 2024 Mike Mignola’s Hellboy stories have an odd legacy in the comic book movie boom. Guillermo Del Toro’s brace of 2000s adaptations, starring Ron Perlman as a monster-busting demon, were cult favourites but never quite blockbuster material. A 2019 reboot starring Stranger Things’ David Harbour was a notorious flop; now the creator of the comics wants [...]
A Face in the Crowd at Young Vic: Elvis Costello musical hits a dud note September 26, 2024 How do you satirise populism, a system that seems beyond satire, that exists on a plane divorced from embarrassment, where no gaffe is too big or lie too outrageous? A Face in the Crowd just sort of muddles through, referencing events without dissecting them, pointing out problems but offering no hints at a solution. It’s [...]
The Substance review: Demi Moore in best film of her career September 19, 2024 The Substance | ★★★★★ There were plenty of standing ovations at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, but one film in particular had everyone buzzing. Coralie Fargeat, who came to prominence with her 2017 thriller Revenge, blew audiences away with her latest piece, The Substance. Set in a garish, 80s-style Hollywood, Demi Moore stars as Elizabeth [...]
Abigail’s Party review: Mike Leigh drama brought sensually to life September 13, 2024 Abigail’s Theatre at Stratford East Theatre – ★★★★☆ In Mike Leigh’s early play Abigail’s Party, almost nothing happens: even the titular shindig takes place next door. Instead, saucy old soak Beverly – impeccably, outrageously played by a sensual and sozzled Tamzin Outhwaite – has gathered a smattering of neighbours for a far more intimate soiree. [...]
My Favourite Cake review: Heartening and heartbreaking September 12, 2024 There are lots of movies about people finding love later in life. Iranian comedy-drama My Favourite Cake asks what happens when that love itself is an act of rebellion? Lily Farhadpour is magnificent as Mahin, a 70-year-old widow living a lonely life in modern Iran. Spurred by a recent meeting with friends, she takes the [...]
The Critic review: Ian McKellen shows his dark side in twisty thriller September 11, 2024 After 25 years as a major Hollywood star, and many decades of stage success before that, Sir Ian McKellen shows no sign of stopping. Fresh from reports that he may play Gandalf one last time in the forthcoming Lord of The Rings spin-off The Hunt for Gollum, the 85-year-old stars this week in British thriller [...]
Mallory Court in Warwickshire is an outstanding retreat September 9, 2024 Mallory Court, a country estate near Leamington Spa, is the perfect weekend retreat, says Harry Owen THE WEEKEND: Founded by IT entrepreneur Sir Peter Rigby, Mallory Court is part of the Eden Hotel Collection, which also boasts Dartmoor’s five-star Bovey Castle. What was once a Manor house set deep in the Warwickshire countryside, Mallory Court [...]
Firebrand review: Alicia Vikander and Jude Law in royal flop September 7, 2024 At the beginning of historical drama Firebrand, a title explains how history often tells only of “men and war”, leaving the rest to our imagination. Adapted from Elizabeth Freemantle’s novel The Queen’s Gambit, Firebrand offers an alternative history of Catherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), the last wife of Henry VIII (Jude Law). Taking a hands-on role [...]
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review: Tim Burton back to his best September 7, 2024 In the last few years, almost every icon from 80s cinema has been revived. Top Gun, Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop and others have been brought back to varying levels of success. Now, one of the most beloved 80s hits, Beetlejuice, is getting a sequel 36 years in the making. It’s the movie that propelled both [...]