Cell film review: Dull dialogue kills this film that’s co-written by Stephen King about smartphone zombies August 25, 2016 Cell hopes to do for smart phones what Jaws did for beaches, but it’s unlikely anyone will be wary of their devices after seeing this messy adaptation of the Stephen King novel. John Cusack competes with Samuel L Jackson for the most bored looking star, playing two men desperate to survive a zombie holocaust instigated [...]
Julieta review – Pedro Almodóvar’s story of love, loss and grief is compelling and beautiful August 25, 2016 After the high-camp of I’m So Excited and the queasy body-horror of The Skin I Live In, Pedro Almodóvar returns to his roots with a story that shines a light into the dark recesses of grief. It initially appears to be a modern noir, a detective story complete with moody jazz soundtrack, albeit one drenched [...]
The Purge: Election Year review – this take-down of Donald Trump’s politics is a joyous satirical juggernaut August 25, 2016 The Purge franchise, now on its third iteration, takes a simple, silly premise – that for one night every year all crime is legal – and holds onto it like a rottweiler on a toddler’s arm. The first instalment, starring Ethan Hawke, was a straight-forward home invasion thriller, Panic Room by way of The Strangers, [...]
War Dogs review: This true story of a pair of Miami tweens turned international arms dealers lacks bite August 25, 2016 A bro-comedy based on the true story of a couple of stoners who sold guns to the US government, War Dogs casts Jonah Hill (from lots of things) and Miles Teller (from the film where he can hit a drum really quickly) as the two plucky young Miami dweeblings turned arms dealers to the Pentagon. [...]
They Drink it in the Congo at the Almeida Theatre review: A witty, gritty exploration of post-colonial guilt and privilege August 25, 2016 From the fluorescent paint-splashed posters of They Drink it in the Congo, you’d be forgiven for thinking this new production was a warm up show for the Notting Hill Carnival. In fact, Adam Brace’s second play is a dark, unflinching look at a troubled country and the poster is just one of many misconceptions shattered [...]
Manchester City and Manchester United account for nearly 40 per cent of all Premier League transfer spend following Claudio Bravo arrival August 25, 2016 Manchester has accounted for well over a third of all Premier League transfer expenditure this summer as City and United have engaged in a transfer arms race for their new managers. With Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho taking the reins at the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford respectively, the two clubs have spent more money than ever [...]
Premier League clubs break spending record for fourth year running August 25, 2016 Premier League clubs have broken their spending record for a summer transfer window for a fourth year in a row, with almost a week to spare. England’s top-flight teams have already shelled out £880m on new players, including £89m man Paul Pogba, during the current close season – £10m more than they did last summer. [...]
Football betting: Blunt Hammers can hold up Manchester City – but not for long August 25, 2016 Pep Guardiola couldn’t have asked for a much better start to life at Manchester City. His four games have seen four wins, 12 goals scored and only two conceded. The Spaniard has taken to English football like a duck to water. West Ham, City’s opponents on Sunday, haven’t had quite as smooth a start to the [...]
Football betting: History repeating with Spurs and Liverpool set to share spoils August 25, 2016 For both Tottenham and Liverpool fans, the wait for a league title is long overdue. It’s been 55 years since Spurs were champions, and the most recent of Liverpool’s 18 wins came in 1990. Neither have won since the formation of the Premier League. Both have come close in recent years – Liverpool narrowly missing out [...]
US Open 2016 prize money: Richest tournament in tennis offers huge earnings boost to Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and co August 25, 2016 The biggest prize in tennis has grown to record levels this year, with the US Open offering $3.5m (£2.7m) to its men’s and women’s singles champion. Tennis stars can come away from Flushing Meadows flush with cash after the US Open cemented its position as tennis’ most generous tournament by adding $200,000 to the pay cheque handed to [...]