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 [...]
Ched Evans cites mob rule as Oldham withdraw offer January 8, 2015 Convicted rapist and former Wales forward Ched Evans last night blamed “mob rule tactics” after Oldham Athletic caved in to widespread pressure and abandoned plans to sign the controversial footballer. Oldham said they had been prepared to accept criticism for the move but had pulled the plug due to concerns that the loss of sponsors [...]
Mourinho faces misconduct rap following latest referee outburst January 8, 2015 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho is at loggerheads with the Football Association once again after being charged with misconduct for claiming there was a “campaign against Chelsea” following his side’s draw with Southampton last month. The Portuguese, who was fined three times for outbursts last season, faces further punishment for criticising the officials after referee Anthony [...]
Alan Pardew: Top six the aim if Crystal Palace survive their relegation dogfight January 8, 2015 Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew insists his side can gatecrash the Premier League’s top six next term if he masterminds a successful top-flight survival bid in the remaining months of the campaign. Pardew succeeded the sacked Neil Warnock last week, signing a three-and-a-half year deal at Selhurst Park, after leaving Newcastle and swapping the relative [...]
Sport Comment: Why size isn’t everything for Pardew when choosing clubs January 8, 2015 WHEN word got out that Crystal Palace wanted to take Alan Pardew from Newcastle back to his old Selhurst Park haunts to replace Neil Warnock, there was much chin-scratching and shaking of heads. Why oh why would the Premier League’s second-longest serving manager give up his job in charge of the Geordie nation’s beloved club [...]
Tea For Two to extend Williams’ successful record in the Lanzarote January 8, 2015 IT IS a fairly low-key weekend of racing, but there are some competitive handicaps to get stuck into at Kempton and Warwick. The William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40pm) is the highlight at Kempton and I am confident that the in-form Nick Williams can improve his impressive record in this race with TEA FOR TWO. Williams [...]
Wiggins unveils team and plots bid for Rio gold January 8, 2015 FORMER Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins has launched his own professional cycling team, named simply Wiggins, as part of preparations to become the most decorated British athlete in Olympic history. The squad will race primarily on the road although the ambitious aim is to equip four-time Olympic champion Wiggins and team-mates for a [...]