Blown away by Dorset October 13, 2013 Head to a hotel on the south coast for wholesome activites, fresh salty air and inexpensive fine dining OF ALL the pastimes that governments enjoy, most involve splashing our cash around, telling us what to do, and chucking in a dose of mild nationalism to make it seem a bit more palatable. Little surprise, then, [...]
Entertaining troublesome toddlers in the New Forest October 13, 2013 A three-year-old and a one-year-old and one of the UK’s top country-house hotels nestled on the edge of the New Forest. What could possibly go wrong? Chewton Glen – just a 20 minute drive from Bournemouth – is highly recommended for a luxury break with children. In fact, boutique travel guide Mr & Mrs Smith [...]
Wikileaks flick struggles to tackle big questions October 13, 2013 FILM THE FIFTH ESTATE Daniel O’Mahony, Cert 15 Three Stars TWO YOUNG idealists defy warnings and threats from the powers-that-be in the relentless pursuit of journalistic truth. Is this film All The President’s Men for the information age? The answer: unfortunately not. This cinematic rendering of Julian Assange’s Wikileaks organisation doesn’t manage to scale the [...]
Lofty characters fail to lift musical’s acrobatic spectacle October 13, 2013 THEATRE THE LIGHT PRINCESS Xenobe Purvis, The National Theatre Three Stars THE NATIONAL Theatre turns to fairy tale in its latest production, The Light Princess, written by songwriter Tori Amos and playwright Samuel Adamson. The musical elaborates on George MacDonald’s story of the same name; this version finds two kingdoms grieving for lost queens, and [...]
Le Weekend of laughter, angst and lingering love in Paris October 13, 2013 FILM LE WEEKEND Daniel O’Mahony, Cert 15 Four Stars IN THIS funny and moving film written by Hanif Kureishi, Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan play a fifty-something couple trying to rejuvenate their ailing marriage on a weekend sojourn to Paris. Kicking off with a fraught Eurostar journey, it’s clear things won’t be that simple. Nostalgia [...]
Knives are out for Rodriguez’s Machete Kills October 13, 2013 FILM MACHETE KILLS Simon Thomson, Cert 15 Three Stars MACHETE KILLS hits you like a shot of tequila. It’s a frantic, stupid, cartoonish mess and that’s what makes it so fun. In this sequel to Robert Rodriguez’s 2009 film Machete, Danny Trejo returns as the former Mexican federale and cleaver-like knife enthusiast, Isador “Machete” Cortez. [...]
No wow factor in R&J remake October 13, 2013 THEATRE ROMEO & JULIET Simon Thomson, Cert 15 Two Stars THE LATEST adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is the tale of two young, star-crossed lovers who, despite the enmity of their families, will not silence their desire to… fight crime! Only kidding – this is another paint-by-numbers remake of the same Romeo and Juliet you [...]
Foodie heaven in Moroccan town October 9, 2013 Philippe Agnello, head chef at Momo, explains how to make an authentic pigeon pastille I was in Morocco visiting a very good friend of mine, Omar, who returns to his hometown every summer. His family lives in Kebdani, a small remote village near Nador in northern Morocco where few tourists stray and it is rich [...]
Cheers, it’s Cocktail week — here’s five of the best October 9, 2013 London Cocktail Week is taking place in Seven Dials between 7th-13th October. For more information visit Sevendials.co.uk/events Champagne style: Bellini 2 shots peach puree 1/2 shot creme de peche de vigne liqueur 1/4 shot freshly squeezed lemon juice Top up with Prosecco sparkiing wine Shake first three ingredients with ice and fine strain into chilled [...]
Meander through London on the trail of great Italian food October 8, 2013 London Restaurant Festival’s Ciccheti Trail is a foodie’s dream THE PUB crawl, once a concept that filled my youthful soul with an inordinate degree of excitement, nowadays seems somewhat antiquated. Is this my fault – is it simply that I have grown into a dour 30-something severely lacking any kind of alacrity? Or is the [...]