As Denzel Washington leads The Equalizer 3 we ask: Why are all the action heroes so old? August 31, 2023 Liam Neeson disarming two cops, cuffing them together and knocking them unconscious in Taken 3; Denzel Washington smashing a mobster over the head with a teapot in The Equalizer 2; Tom Cruise jumping off a cliff on a motorbike in MI7. What do these men all have in common, apart from being the kind of [...]
The First Slam Dunk is a flawed but affectionate basketball movie August 31, 2023 Coming from Japan, where it became one of the most successful anime films of all time, The First Slam Dunk tells the story of a high school basketball team who must overcome painful memories ahead of a pivotal match. The film tries to mirror the all-or-nothing mentality of sport and the personal struggle faced by [...]
Maigret film review: Gerard Depardieu has still got it August 31, 2023 Movie legend Gerard Depardieu steps into the trench coat of Jules Maigret, the famous French literary detective who has been adapted many times across the world, most recently as a UK TV movie starring Rowan Atkinson. This French language adaptation of the novel Maigret and The Dead Girl sees him on the trail of a [...]
A Mirror at Almeida review: Jonny Lee Miller shines in totalitarian satire August 31, 2023 There are times when the Almeida’s new production A Mirror feels a little like – whisper it – immersive theatre. You enter the stage through a flower arch to find a pretty believable facsimile of a low-key wedding. There are tables filled with cocktail sausages and bowls of crisps and plastic glasses of wine. There [...]
The Equalizer 3: Can Denzel Washington continue to defy expectations? August 30, 2023 Barbie’s success is perhaps a herald of change in Hollywood after years of superhero dominance. However, one thing we can rely on is that audiences will always turn up to watch an older actor beat up some bad guys. Denzel Washington’s The Equalize is the 80s remake that became an unlikely franchise, cashing in on [...]
13 amazing things to do in London in September that prove summer’s not over August 30, 2023 The days following the August long weekend can seem a little bleak, with the evenings drawing in and no more bank holidays until Christmas. But fear not: London has plenty to offer over the coming month. Here are a few of the top events and festivals to keep your spirits up. PUB IN THE PARK [...]
Donald Trump mugshot rated: How does it compare to other celebrity mugshots? August 25, 2023 Donald Trump is nothing if not an innovator in the field of politics, this week adding “first ever mugshot of a former US president” to his list of dubious accolades. Clearly knowing the shot would be broadcast around the world, Trump has struck a fairly typical pose, glowering into the camera, right eyebrow slightly cocked, [...]
Death Note the musical review: A strange but brilliant show August 24, 2023 One of the most successful manga series (Japanese comic books), then anime shows (Japanese animation) of all time, Death Note has jumped from medium to medium, chasing that sweet nerd dollar. This includes a lacklustre live action movie, various spin-off animations and a well received musical, the latter of which arrived in London this week [...]
Scrapper film review: Touching London film with great cast August 24, 2023 High rise council estates have provided the setting for many independent British gems, like Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank or Joe Cornish’s Sci-fi Attack The Block. Scrapper does not scale those heights, but it brings fresh ideas to the formula. It’s the story of Georgie (Lola Campbell), a 12 year old recently orphaned and managing to [...]
Mob Land film review: John Travolta crime thriller lacks originality August 24, 2023 John Travolta’s streak of ropey cinematic output continues with Mob Land, a crime thriller set in America’s South. Down on his luck in a crumbling small town, family man Shelby (Shiloh Fernandez) is talked into robbing a pharmacy by his brother (Kevin Dillon). The seemingly straight forward job goes awry, and soon Shelby finds himself [...]