Mirai is a beautiful film about the trials and tribulations of childhood November 2, 2018 Many a coming-of-age tale about a plucky tween has been told in animation. The growing pains of a four-year-old brat, however, make for a less appealing subject. Who better to give it a shot, though, than Mamoru Hosoda, anime’s patron saint of families? In films like Wolf Children (2012), Hosoda used folkloric characters and fantastical [...]
Peterloo film review: Mike Leigh’s best since Secrets & Lies is a stunning piece of filmmaking November 2, 2018 First, a history lesson: on August 16th 1819, at a pro-democracy demonstration in Manchester, a skittish militia charged with keeping the peace rampaged with sabres drawn into a crowd of some 70,000 unarmed people, killing 15 and injuring hundreds. Though the crowd’s central demand – equal votes for all men – went unmet, Peterloo was [...]
Ollie Phillips: Eddie Jones goes physical as England name exciting but inexperienced side to face South Africa November 1, 2018 We knew there would be changes in England’s first squad for the autumn internationals, but Eddie Jones has still managed to spring a few surprises in the side to play South Africa on Saturday. I’ve been critical previously of the England head coach for not picking on form, so it’s pleasing to see some of [...]
Sri Lanka v England: Tourists risk being undercooked for first Test after insufficient warm-up matches November 1, 2018 As the oft-quoted adage goes if you fail to prepare then you are preparing to fail. Due to circumstances largely beyond their control there is a sense England are heading into Tuesday’s first Test against Sri Lanka undercooked and at risk of flaunting the Scouts’ most cherished motto. A two-day game against a Sri Lanka [...]
Arsenal v Liverpool preview: Goal machine Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might have the combination to crack Reds’ air-tight defence November 1, 2018 There is no doubt that Unai Emery has guided Arsenal to an exceptional start to the post-Wenger era, but Saturday's clash with Liverpool will be an acid test of how far his side have actually come since opening the season with defeats. Arsenal have gone 13 games unbeaten since being undone by Manchester City and [...]
Red Dead Redemption 2 review: Rockstar’s cowboy sim is the most impressive game world ever created November 1, 2018 Never have I inhabited a video game like I have inhabited Red Dead Redemption 2. It's a mind-boggling achievement in open-world game design, to be mentioned in the same breath as The Witcher 3 or Breath of the Wild, setting a new high bar for immersion and visual fidelity. The sheer scale of human endeavour involved is [...]
Four things we learned from the EFL Cup: Chelsea’s stuttering defence, Son’s welcome return, Guendouzi’s recklessness and Palace’s rut October 31, 2018 Given none have received regular minutes this season, it was hardly surprising that Chelsea’s second-string defence might look off the pace against Derby. Gary Cahill, given the captain’s armband, was at fault for the Rams’ first goal, playing a poor pass into Cesc Fabregas before slipping over to allow Jack Marriott in to finish. Alongside [...]
What next for Lewis Hamilton? Michael Schumacher’s record is in range for better-than-ever Brit October 31, 2018 What is there left for a man who has accomplished it all? After becoming the joint-second most successful Formula One driver ever, Lewis Hamilton has etched his name in the history books alongside some of the sport’s all-time greats. There is only one milestone left for the 33-year-old to strive for following his fifth world [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka Test series can be fresh start as England look to replicate one-day side’s success October 31, 2018 England have one more warm-up game before they begin their Test series against Sri Lanka and I hope they can build on the success of the one-day side and use it as a fresh start. With Alastair Cook retired, Jonny Bairstow fighting for fitness after injury and conditions making it necessary to change tactics, the [...]
Lottery players support music-making projects nationwide October 31, 2018 Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, a national charity investing in music-making projects for children and young people, explains complementary fundraising. At Youth Music we believe that everyone should have the chance to make music regardless of who they are, where they live, or what they’re going through. We’re currently reaching 89,000 children and young [...]