The Picture of Dorian Gray at Trafalgar Studios review January 22, 2016 Trafalgar Studios | ★★★☆☆ This year is the 125th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. When it was first published, its sexual ambiguity and frequent drug use caused outrage among Victorian society – but then, what didn’t? – and the text was hastily censored by the author. This version, adapted by [...]
The Big Short interview with director Adam McKay: “Outrage with banks comes naturally… they’re street hustlers” January 22, 2016 The Oscar-nominated director of financial film The Big Short, Adam McKay, wasn't afraid of throwing the cat among the pigeons when I caught up with him yesterday. On the eve of his latest film's release he launched a stinging attack on Wall Street, branding bankers “street hustlers” and labelling the SEC’s response to the crisis “disgusting”. [...]
Our Brand is Crisis review: Sandra Bullock props up this darkly comic political satire January 22, 2016 Dir. David Gordon Green | ★★★☆☆ Retired political campaign strategist turned kooky pot-spinning hermit Jane Bodine (Sandra Bullock) is coaxed back into the electioneering racket for one last, career-defining escapade. Her mission? Transform the fortunes of a down-in-the-polls Bolivian presidential hopeful, whose previous corruption-sullied term still sticks in the memory of the downtrodden electorate. A [...]
The 5th Wave review: This hollow sci-fi action flick is a weak emulation of The Hunger Games January 22, 2016 Dir. J Blakeson | ★★☆☆☆ Chloe Grace Moretz made her name as Hit Girl, the sweary child assassin in Kick-Ass, who was just as comfortable dropping c-bombs as she was dropping actual bombs. Now, she’s old enough to be getting her nun-chucks into some bad-ass lady roles, but instead she’s stuck with soppy teenagers like Cassie [...]
Fans’ fury at late Arsenal v Leicester fixture change prompts Premier League response January 22, 2016 Leicester fans are planning to boycott the start of next month's Premier League fixture at Arsenal after it was rescheduled with just 23 days' notice. Read more: Supporters' groups given government backing and extra £1m funding from Premier League The match had originally been planned to go ahead at 3pm on Saturday 13 February – but [...]
Jessica Ennis-Hill interview: Jury is out on Lord Coe as world athletics chief January 22, 2016 Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill believes the jury is out on whether Lord Coe is the right man to lead reform of crisis-hit governing body the IAAF and clean up athletics. A damning report into the doping crisis engulfing the sport published last week by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s independent commission concluded that “corruption was embedded [...]
‘World Cup was my lowest point but I never considered quitting’: Chris Robshaw still bears World Cup scars but he is looking to the future January 21, 2016 A new dawn may have broken with the appointment of head coach Eddie Jones but the passage of time has only slightly tempered the regret felt by the much-scrutinised Chris Robshaw over England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign. Excitement and promise quickly turned to despair during the autumn as a Robshaw-led England wilted on home soil to [...]
Ozil and Sanchez set for return as Arsenal bid for title boost against Chelsea January 21, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are set to be unleashed on old foes Chelsea after returning to full fitness as the Gunners bid to showcase their title credentials at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. A toe injury sidelined World Cup-winner Ozil for Sunday’s stalemate at Stoke – Premier League [...]
Arsenal: Arsene Wenger “convinced” there is no doping in English football as FA hits back at UK Anti-Doping chief January 21, 2016 Arsene Wenger has dismissed the possibility of doping in English football, after the head of UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) called for a meeting with the Arsenal manager. Ukad chief executive Nicole Sapstead said she would "value the opportunity" to speak to Wenger after she argued that football may not be immune to doping. “When you’re looking [...]
Football betting: Arsenal and Chelsea to share the points in Premier League derby stalemate January 21, 2016 It says plenty about Chelsea’s dominance of Arsenal in recent years that, even during this nightmare campaign, they still managed a comfortable 2-0 win in September. Chelsea are undefeated in their last eight competitive clashes against their London rivals. New boss Guus Hiddink beat Arsenal 4-1 at the Emirates in 2009 but don’t expect the [...]