Roma film review: Alfonso Cuarón’s follow-up to Gravity is a meandering, neorealist valentine to the Mexico City November 30, 2018 Alfonso Cuarón is that rare thing, a director who has achieved the holy trinity of relevance, critical acclaim and widespread popularity. His last film, Gravity, was a CGI spectacular with a $100m budget. What better way to follow it than with a meandering, neorealist valentine to the Mexico City of his youth? Roma’s unhurried, ethereal [...]
Disobedience film review: Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams shine in Sebastián Lelio’s lesbian drama November 30, 2018 Chilean-Argentine director Sebastián Lelio chooses an unlikely setting for his first English language film: the austere surrounds of a North London orthodox Jewish community. It begins with something of a mission statement: an ageing rabbi, in what turn out to be his final sermon, asks what it means to be disobedient. The angels cannot deviate from [...]
Why everybody should be doing the conservation work workout November 30, 2018 If we compress human evolution into 24 hours, then for around 23 hours and 58 minutes – over 99 per cent of our existence – we lived, worked and thrived in the great outdoors. In this mostly challenging environment, despite the lack of medicines, technology, communications and our relative weakness to many predators, we became the world’s [...]
Ollie Phillips: Autumn internationals showed that northern hemisphere sides are edging towards becoming World Cup favourites November 29, 2018 The autumn internationals came to their conclusion last weekend and what stood out for me was just how strong the northern hemisphere sides are at the moment. Ireland and Wales won all four of their matches, England claimed three out of four – losing the other by one point to New Zealand – while Scotland [...]
Germany could face a tough draw in the Euro 2020 qualifiers after being demoted to pot two following abysmal year November 29, 2018 With the inaugural Uefa Nations League campaign over for the majority of countries, attention this weekend turns back to the more familiar European Championship qualification process. The Nations League has handed some countries an advantage for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, with group winners Holland and Switzerland now guaranteed to be seeded, but others have dropped [...]
Outgunned: Arsenal head into North London derby with dismal Big Six record and now Tottenham could cement their dominance November 29, 2018 Tottenham’s victory over Chelsea last weekend served as a timely reminder to the red half of north London of the challenge that awaits them when Spurs visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Long gone are the days of Tottenham being pushed aside by their neighbours from N5, or any of the Premier League’s top clubs. [...]
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has seen his biggest teams rejuvenated this season, hinting at a change in approach November 29, 2018 Stan Kroenke has had to become accustomed to criticism from supporters of his under-performing sports teams on either side of the Atlantic. For years, Kroenke’s outfits – among them Arsenal, NFL side the LA Rams and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets – have fallen short of competing for the top prizes, while the 71-year-old has shown [...]
From outcast to linchpin: How Jos Buttler’s brilliant 2018 has helped revive England and redefine Test batting November 28, 2018 When Jos Buttler arrived at the crease with England wobbling and in danger of succumbing meekly in the second innings of the third Test against Sri Lanka last week he had one thing on his mind. His side may have been 39-4, just 135 runs ahead, on day three in Colombo and the hosts’ spinners [...]
Europa League: What Chelsea and Arsenal need to do to win their groups November 28, 2018 Chelsea and Arsenal may have already guaranteed their progress to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, but there is still something to play for in both of their fixtures on Thursday evening. What Chelsea need The Blues can clinch top spot in Group L and, in theory, an easier draw in the last 32 [...]
Chris Tremlett: How England can build on Sri Lanka whitewash to reach the No1 Test ranking November 28, 2018 England enjoyed an excellent Test series in Sri Lanka, winning 3-0 to continue their recent momentum under captain Joe Root. Like the one-day side before them they now appear to be developing a strong, exciting and enjoyable brand of cricket. With eight wins from their last 10 Test matches they are clearly going in the [...]