Film review: Trash is Richard Curtis’ best work since Blackadder Goes Forth January 30, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★☆ Trash is a noir-ish political thriller that draws attention to the deep social and economic problems of the developing world without sacrificing on plot. It’s a welcome surprise from the director of Billy Elliot and the writer of Love Actually about children living and working in a Brazilian dump. Pursued by [...]
Film review: Kingsman recalls the days when spy movies were fun January 30, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★★ Kingsman is the best Bond film Roger Moore never made. Gentlemen spies in immaculately tailored suits battling flamboyant villains bent on global destruction; the plot is pure Moonraker, albeit with an origin story, class warfare, better jokes and flashier production values. The team behind Kick Ass have created a pop-culturally literate, [...]
Theatre review: The Ruling Class at Trafalgar Studios January 30, 2015 Trafalgar Studios | ★★☆☆☆ Britain’s poshness obsession reaches new heights in The Ruling Class, a 1968 Peter Barnes play that shows its age in every scoffing caricature and fusty, laboured punchline. Aristocratic power may be super-relevant in today’s poshocracy, but the fact that it’s topical doesn’t mean this play has anything profound to say. Somewhere [...]
Film review: Inherent Vice star Joaquin Phoenix rises to the challenge January 29, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★☆ The trailer for Inherent Vice achieves a rare thing: it perfectly conveys the tenor of the film without giving anything away. In two minutes, we’re introduced to the woozy Californian setting and the entire colourful cast of characters. But as to what actually happens in the film, we’re left guessing. [...]
Something for the weekend January 29, 2015 DRINK MEDCALF TRAITEUR Medcalf Traiteur is the latest foodie destination to open in Islington’s Clerkenwell. The delicatessen specialising in European produce also has an informal chef’s table so you can sample edible goodies in-store. Visit medcalfbar.co.uk BOWL THE BIG LEBOWSKI PARTY Head down to Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes tonight for an evening celebrating the Coen brothers’ [...]
Costa to contest stamp charge as City clash looms January 29, 2015 CHELSEA striker Diego Costa last night confirmed his intention to dispute the violent conduct charge he was served in the wake of Tuesday’s tempestuous Capital One Cup semi-final second leg with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The 26-year-old was charged by the Football Association (FA) on Wednesday for an alleged stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can after [...]
Fan’s view: Lampard ready to run gauntlet on Blues return January 29, 2015 Assuming he’s playing, what I’d like to see is Lampard applauded before the game, ignored during it and maybe applauded afterwards. That seems appropriate. He’s playing against Chelsea, cheering him during the game would be absurd in my view. I can’t see that he’s going to get many boos or jeers. As I say, I’d [...]
Murray on history trail after surging into his fourth Australian Open final January 29, 2015 AUSTRALIAN Open success would not only see Britain’s Andy Murray win a first grand slam since Wimbledon in 2013 but also make history as the only man in the Open era to win the title after suffering defeat in three finals. Murray sealed his place in Sunday’s showdown with a tetchy 6-7 (6/8), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 [...]
Burgess set to stake World Cup claim during international bow January 29, 2015 OPPORTUNITY knocks for rugby league convert Sam Burgess to fast-track his claims for a place in England head coach Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup plans after being named in the Saxons’ side to face the Irish Wolfhounds tonight. Code-switcher Burgess is set to make his international rugby union debut at inside centre for England’s second string, [...]
Sport Comment: Players turned pundits can earn a packet after football January 29, 2015 FOOTBALL pundits: don’t you just love them? Well, maybe you do, perhaps you don’t. They are there to curry debate, adding their professional perspective to TV and radio coverage of our great game. Only yesterday, we woke up to reports that former Spurs and England schemer Danny Murphy was facing a £2.5m tax bill. Now [...]