Art review: Fig-2 at the ICA Studio January 9, 2015 ICA Studio | ★★★★☆ Back in 2000, when “pop-up” was still something that only applied to children’s books, curators Mark Francis and Jay Jopling secured funding for a visionary idea. Fed up with the slow turn-around of shows at leading art institutions, they proposed Fig-1; 50 shows in 50 weeks, with consecutive artists exhibiting [...]
Film review: Into The Woods is a star-studded take on Stephen Sondheim’s musical January 9, 2015 Cert PG | ★★★★☆ If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise…. Or so the nursery rhyme goes. But fans of Stephen Sondheim’s musical won’t find anything unexpected in this screen adaptation of the 1987 Broadway musical. The production is over 20 years in the making (Cher, Robbie Williams [...]
Film review: Taken 3 cynically cashes in yet fails to achieve the high standard of knuckle-headedness set by the first two instalments January 9, 2015 Cert 12a | ★☆☆☆☆ Liam Neeson’s late-flowering as an action-hero is thanks in no small part to the menacing staccato he perfected in the first Taken film. He looks. He finds. He kills. But does saying everything. Like this. Amount to. Good acting? Delivered in such a way, even a nursery rhyme would sound threatening. [...]
Film review: Foxcatcher turns a sensational real-life story into an enthralling drama January 9, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★☆ Many sports movies are about self-sufficiency, about succeeding under one’s own steam against the odds. Rarely are they about loneliness. But then, from the bleakly lit opening shots of Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) training in a deserted gym and slurping noodles alone at home, Foxcatcher marks itself out from the [...]
Interview: Testament of Youth director James Kent discusses his Vera Brittain biopic January 8, 2015 First-time director James Kent won rave reviews for his Vera Brittain biopic when it premiered at the London Film Festival. A week ahead of its UK release, he talks to City A.M. Why did you want to direct a Vera Brittain biopic? Vera Brittain is a role model for young people who want to [...]
Something for the weekend January 8, 2015 SEE FOR MILES SKY GARDEN AT 20 FENCHURCH STREET You can drink and dine atop the City’s most controversial skyscraper, the Walkie Talkie, which threw open the doors to its restaurant, bar, viewing platform and sky gardens this week. To book, visit skygarden.london LIGHT UP YOUR WEEKEND WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL Make the most of darkness [...]
Who does the best New year detox lunch? From Leon’s super-healthy vegan quinoa pot to Pod’s “joyless” chicken box January 6, 2015 It’s January again, and your favourite City eateries are flogging super-healthy lunches. We tried them all so you don’t have to… Vital Ingredient Immunity Booster Vital Ingredient Immunity Booster £6.25 Chicken, beetroot, sweetcorn, pomegranate, spinach. Carrot and apple dressing HEALTHINESS: ★★★★☆ TASTINESS: ★☆☆☆☆ Dishes like these give detoxing a bad name. Weird [...]
Drink to your health January 6, 2015 KENSINGTON PLACE Four healthy cocktails are debuting in Kensington, including the Beetroot Blast (non-alcoholic), January Martini and a Light Mary. WRIGHT BROTHERS The Soho branch has created two mocktails to keep you firmly on the wagon known as the Immune Booster (lemon juice, fresh ginger and chilli) and the Mind Cleanser (apple juice, celery and [...]
Car review: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS – could it be the greatest yet? January 5, 2015 The flagship of any car range is rarely the best of the bunch. The sweet spot invariably falls around the middle, where there’s neither too much flash nor cash. There certainly aren’t any duff Porsche 911s lurking in the price lists, but a new addition to the range might just be the one to go [...]
Not convinced? January 5, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE PRICE: £85,000 0-62MPH: 4.0 secs TOP SPEED: 186mph CO2 G/KM: 255g/km THE VERDICT: The home team’s offering is a little cheaper and almost matches the 911 GTS stride-for-stride in terms of performance, but it’s more lairy both to drive and to look at. NISSAN GT-R PRICE: £78,020 0-62MPH: [...]