Ben Whishaw goes off the deep end in tense debut feature Surge May 27, 2021 Debut features from new directors are exciting prospects. They can be unfiltered, rough and ready works that jump out of the screen and smack you across the face. They can also be derivative junk whose name you forget before the credits have even rolled. For Aneil Karis, an award-winning short filmmaker, Surge falls firmly into [...]
First Cow movie review – pure cinematic moo-phoria May 27, 2021 For European fans of independent filmmaker Kelly Reichardt, it’s been a long wait for the director’s first film since 2016’s Certain Women. Released at the beginning of March 2020 in the US, we’ve had to wait over a year longer because… well, you know why. Nevertheless, First Cow is a pleasant period piece that is [...]
This new pasta delivery service might help you live to 100 May 26, 2021 “Blue Zones” are those parts of the world where the people have unusually long life expectancy. There’s the Greek island of Ikaria, which has the lowest middle age mortality in the world; Japan’s Okinawa tropical island, which boasts the world’s longest lived women; California’s Loma Linda, where Seventh Day Adventists rely on a biblical diet [...]
Cruella is a fabulous origin story for Disney’s most enduring villain May 26, 2021 “Cruella de Vil, Cruella de Vil, if she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will…”. This ditty in Disney’s 1961 animation 101 Dalmations leaves little room for nuance as it introduced one of its most enduring villains. Whether hand drawn, or in the form of Glenn Glose’s 90s portrayals, Cruella de Vil is a narcissistic, [...]
Vanquish film review – a dreadful John Wick knock off May 26, 2021 There are certain stars that draw a reaction when they become involved in a project. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman is one of those names, with the Shawshank Redemption and Bruce Almighty star’s gravitas lending something to any film he appears in. Sadly, all the prestige in the world can’t save his latest action-thriller, Vanquish. Ruby [...]
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In is a personal tale of greatness May 26, 2021 In the world of football, few men have dominated quite like Sir Alex Ferguson. Even if you are a supporter of one of the teams his Manchester United side made miserable, the numbers speak for themselves. Thirteen Premier League Titles, 2 Champions Leagues, 5 FA Cups, and a lifetime of memories for those whom he [...]
Flight is a touching, socially distanced diorama play May 25, 2021 As lockdown one bled into lockdown two, which quickly became lockdown three, theatre companies realised they were going to have to do something drastically different to keep audiences engaged and bring in a little income. For some that meant socially-distanced recitals that could open and close without an outlay on sets and ensemble casts. Others [...]
Why the Isle of Man is the new hotness for small-batch spirits May 25, 2021 In an old milking shed at Ballakelly Farm in Andreas on the Isle of Man, a new F&B scene is being created. The Manx Outlier movement even has its own manifesto, written by two gentlemen from Surrey. “We are based at an outlying point of the Isle of Man, which is itself an outlier of [...]
Ferrari 812 GTS review: the ultimate V12, now in surround-sound May 25, 2021 The Ferrari 812 GTS is a glamorous GT and a scintillating supercar. And its naturally aspirated V12 sounds even better with the roof removed.
Culture Corner: The City’s back – here’s what’s on in June May 24, 2021 It’s happening! Culture has exploded and doors are finally open! Six million pounds has been allocated by the Mayor’s office to support ‘Let’s Do London’ and industry is contributing a further £1m. The campaign will include a major advertising push supported by London & Partners and TfL, alongside new content on the Visit London website [...]