Roman J Israel Esq review: Denzel Washington shines but can’t quite save this messy law drama February 2, 2018 Roman J Israel Esq lines up its ducks – a star actor on blistering form, a timely dissection of racial bias in the US legal system, a distinctive visual style – yet manages to come home empty handed. It’s the second feature from Dan Gilroy, following 2014’s chillingly nihilistic Nightcrawler. And while that was [...]
Ocean Liners: Speed and Style review: A new V&A exhibition is showcasing the glamour days of cruise liner lifestyle February 1, 2018 For about a hundred years ocean liners were the primary mode of intercontinental travel. First they ferried immigrants across the Atlantic in their huddled masses, then became vital troop transport during the First World War, before finally evolving into the luxurious art deco hotels on waves we recognise from our favourite period nautical dramas [...]
Sparking change: Formula E reveals plans to overtake motor sport rivals January 31, 2018 Nothing beats having an original Darth Vader helmet in your office to show you mean business. Alejandro Agag has a sickeningly impressive CV. Revered in his native Spain for political and business prowess, he was an MEP in his twenties before becoming a key ally of Silvio Berlusconi. Meanwhile, Agag continues to dine out on [...]
Early Man film review: Aardman Animations returns to its roots with this prehistoric football fable January 29, 2018 Aardman Animations, creator of beloved duo Wallace & Gromit, rarely puts a plasticine foot wrong. Its stop-motion shorts featuring a northern inventor and his indefatigable hound are classics for the ages, destined to be repeated every Christmas from now until the fiery end of days, passed from adoring parent to amazed child. Then came [...]
12 Strong review: The true story of America’s 9/11 counter-attack is boiled down to a bland horseback war drama January 25, 2018 In the weeks following 9/11, the US sent a covert team into Afghanistan to liberate (and bomb the absolute bejesus out of) a handful of Taliban-occupied towns. The squad joined forces with a local Afghan warlord, and together they traversed the mountainous region on horseback, calling in airstrikes, gunning down Taliban troops and kickstarting [...]
Darkest Hour film review: A fine performance by Gary Oldman, but still an exercise in cosy revisionist history January 11, 2018 Winston Churchill is curiously absent from the opening fifteen minutes of this new Joe Wright-directed study of the tumultuous first few weeks of his Premiership. Instead, we hear political colleagues murmur darkly about the prospect of him becoming Prime Minister in the wake of Neville Chamberlain’s resignation. It’s a clever manoeuvre; with Churchill (played by [...]
FA Cup 2018 third round prize money: How much is winning it worth compared to the Champions League and Premier League? January 5, 2018 In winning last season's FA Cup, Arsenal basked in the glory that only comes with winning silverware, their players popped champagne, fans savoured stopping London rivals Chelsea from winning a double and manager Arsene Wenger made history as the competition's most successful manager. And yet for all that, in monetary terms the triumph was worth [...]
2018 World Darts Championship prize money: Here’s how much Phil Taylor could add to his career earnings in swansong event December 30, 2017 A record prize worth £400,000 is on offer to the winner of the 2018 World Darts Championship, making it the richest tournament in darts. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) boosted its total prize offering to £1.8m for the tournament currently being played at Alexandra Palace in North London, after putting up £1.65m at the 2017 [...]
Hamilton London review: Believe the hype, this American smash has all the makings of a modern classic December 23, 2017 Victoria Palace Theatre Believe the hype: there's plenty of it. Ever since Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-opera made its Broadway debut two years ago, it's been a cult phenomenon, catapulting Alexander Hamilton, previously America's most overlooked Founder, into one of its most revered overnight. Many Brits have been playing the soundtrack on repeat in eager anticipation of [...]
Jumanji review: Not quite a rumble in the jungle, but a good stir nonetheless December 21, 2017 Jumanji, an entertaining enough 1995 film about rampaging jungle animals that definitely exists on a VHS cassette in your attic somewhere, embedded itself into the pop culture fabric thanks to its now-terrible, but then-mind blowing CGI effects. Effervescent clown-person Robin Williams helped too, as did the kitschy cryptic allure of the central board game’s [...]