Sonic the Hedgehog review: Everyone’s second favourite videogame mascot’s gotta go faster than this February 14, 2020 There’s a point about halfway through the Sonic the Hedgehog movie in which Sonic farts unexpectedly, forcing the viewer to reckon with the notion that he has a functioning anus. I’m no prude – farts are one of the most sophisticated forms of humour there is – but being made to conceptualise the sphincter of [...]
Far Away review: Chilling Caryl Churchill drama staged in 45 minutes is a breath of fresh air February 14, 2020 In our current theatrical landscape, where three-hour plays are the norm and two-part, seven-hour epics are the height of sophistication, there’s something thrilling, almost transgressive about the sentence “45 minutes, straight through”. Caryl Churchill’s 2000 play Far Away is a poster-child for short-form story telling, trimming every ounce of fat, wasting not a single word. [...]
Emma film review: Stylish Austen adaptation is lacking in substance February 14, 2020 Not unlike a cabinet reshuffle, Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma follows a group of largely unlikeable people being shunted around in different permutations, at the whim of an aristocratic blonde who’s used to getting their own way. In this case it’s in the pursuit of matchmaking, something in which the titular character, 21-year-old provincial heiress [...]
Adding South Africa into the Six Nations is a controversial move but it makes commercial sense in the long run February 13, 2020 The Six Nations is in a rest week at the moment but there has been no shortage of things for fans to talk about after it emerged that South Africa could join the tournament. The potential introduction of the Springboks in 2024 is an emotive subject and I can certainly see both sides of the [...]
Ben Foakes deserves an extended run as wicket-keeper in England’s Test side after being picked for Sri Lanka tour February 12, 2020 England may still be in South Africa, but the squad for their tour of Sri Lanka was named on Tuesday and the series isn’t far away. The team will fly out next month ahead of the first Test on 19 March and the 16-man squad features some interesting calls. I am happy to see Ben [...]
Leah Williamson interview: England and Arsenal defender on the fortunate timing of her career, studying accountancy and her Olympic dream February 12, 2020 Like many football-mad children, Leah Williamson dreamed of becoming a professional player. The talent was there and she took the first step on the ladder aged nine when she joined the Arsenal Ladies Centre of Excellence in 2006. However, there was one major problem in her way: 14 years ago there was no such a [...]
South Africa v England Twenty20I series preview: Roy, Bairstow, Buttler and Malan set to battle it out for opening role February 11, 2020 A short-format series tacked onto the end of a long tour can sometimes carry little significance, but England’s run of three Twenty20 Internationals with South Africa, starting today, is not one of them. Having won the 50-over Cricket World Cup last year, England’s attention is now firmly fixed on repeating that feat at the 20-over [...]
Dominic Calvert-Lewin my favourite in shoot-out with Danny Ings to gatecrash England’s Euro 2020 squad February 11, 2020 This summer’s European Championship may still seem like a speck on the horizon but, for players hoping to gatecrash England’s squad for the tournament, the clock is ticking. Places are up for grabs among the strikers, where the uncapped Danny Ings and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have played their way into competition with Tammy Abraham and Callum [...]
Helping the Dons return home: AFC Wimbledon aiming to raise £5m through a bond to keep Plough Lane stadium plans on track February 10, 2020 The club may only be 18 years old, but AFC Wimbledon are no strangers to adversity. Having been founded in 2002 by supporters as a protest against the original Wimbledon’s uprooting to Milton Keynes, the Dons have risen through the divisions, winning six promotions in 13 years to reach League One. While there has been [...]
Nick Taylor, Pebble Beach and the importance of a golfer’s second win February 10, 2020 They say that plenty of people can win one golf tournament but that it takes a real player to win two. That’s a sentiment that Nick Taylor will appreciate after the Canadian held off Phil Mickelson to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday, more than five years on from his maiden PGA Tour title. [...]