Film review: Mood Indigo July 31, 2014 ★★★☆☆ Mood Indigo is a return to form for the tirelessly creative French director Michel Gondry, albeit one with some rather large caveats. The surreal, densely-packed opus combines the DIY aesthetic of his Be Kind Rewind with the darker, more psychological tone of the sublime Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (and, thankfully, nothing at [...]
Film review: A Promise July 31, 2014 ★★☆☆☆ Director Patrice Leconte’s A Promise is an implausible, often ridiculous period drama revolving around a predictably doomed love affair. Richard Madden stars as brooding Friedrich, an ambitious clerk in a steelworks in early 20th century Germany. He catches the eye of the boss Herr Hoffmeister, played by an austere Alan Rickman, who recruits Friedrich [...]
Film review: Guardians of the Galaxy July 31, 2014 ★★★★★ The Guardians of the Galaxy marketing team have been flogging their horse so long and hard it’s a wonder it’s not already dead. With hype so merciless and protracted, the latest Marvel movie seemed destined to disappoint. Factor in that it’s based on a relatively minor branch of the Marvel comics universe and stars [...]
Theatre review: A Streetcar Named Desire July 31, 2014 ★★★★★ Is there room in that hot, sweaty, studio-flat for more than one great performance? Gillian Anderson runs away with it in this, Benedict Andrews’ brilliant, sultry, disorientating, modern dress production. There are strong supporting turns from Vanessa Kirby and Ben Foster but Anderson owns the stage with a captivating interpretation of the fantasist Blanche [...]
£28m Lukaku quits Chelsea for Toffees July 30, 2014 BELGIUM striker Romelu Lukaku last night revealed that he jumped at the chance to leave Chelsea and rejoin Everton on a permanent transfer for a club record £28m. Lukaku, who scored 16 in 33 games on loan last term, said signing for the Toffees “felt right” because the coaches had faith in him. He only [...]
Kingman on track to bow out at Ascot after dethroning Toronado July 30, 2014 KINGMAN is likely to be aimed at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October after underlining his status as the leading miler with victory in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood yesterday. The John Gosden-trained three-year-old won his Duel on the Downs with Toronado, beating last year’s winner by a length in a [...]
Rutherford repeats London triumph as England jump top of medal table July 30, 2014 OLYMPIC long jump champion Greg Rutherford shrugged off fitness concerns to win Commonwealth gold at Hampden Park last night before insisting there are more titles to come. The 27-year-old leaped 8.20m on his third jump to beat South African Zarck Visser, as England went top of the medal table on day seven of the Games. [...]
Anderson celebrates his birthday with five-for as hosts near victory July 30, 2014 ENGLAND bowling coach David Saker insists James Anderson is hitting top form as England go in search of the six wickets needed to level the series on the final day of the third Test at Southampton. Birthday boy Anderson finished off India’s tail to complete a five-wicket haul – his 16th in Test cricket – [...]
Referees’ vanishing spray gets green light from top flight July 30, 2014 VANISHING spray will be introduced to the Premier League this season following its success at this year’s World Cup in Brazil. Top flight chiefs previously said there were no plans to do so but revised their position after consultation with clubs and referees. The spray, which will also be used in the Champions League, was [...]
Brass Ring value to spring a surprise in Goodwood Cup July 30, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS DAY THREE OF GLORIOUS GOODWOOD THE ARTEMIS Goodwood Cup (3.10pm), part of the QIPCO British Champion Series, has been a good race for punters in the last 10 years, with seven favourites obliging. The Queen’s horse Estimate is set to start as market leader this afternoon, but the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup [...]