Blood, sand and oil in Arabia February 23, 2012 Film BLACK GOLD Cert: 12A *** A battle has finished and dead bodies litter the sand, rotting in the unforgiving sun. The victor, Sultan Nesib (Antonio Banderas) demands the sons of the loser, Sultan Amar (Mark Strong), as hostages. Amar agrees, as insurance against future war. Finally, both agree that the wasteland on which they [...]
GOING OUT February 23, 2012 The big launch this week takes place on the site of recently closed Merah on Wells Street, Fitzrovia, an area getting livelier by the week. Project aims to offer the consummate VIP experience for House Music aficionados. Following a multi-million pound refurbishment and with Luca Maggiora (previously of Luxx) at the helm, this 400 capacity [...]
Jacobean tale of incest is a 21st century triumph February 23, 2012 Theatre ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE Barbican **** by Steve Dinneen JOHN Ford’s Jacobean tale of incest and revenge is dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century in this highly stylised and deliciously sinister production. The forbidden love between Giovanni and his sister Annabella is portrayed as a tender but doomed affair – similar [...]
Carling Cup looks to be Anfield-bound February 23, 2012 CARDIFF CITY vs LIVERPOOL SUNDAY – 4.00PM BBC ONE ENGLAND might be on drought watch at the moment, but one of the country’s most high profile dry spells looks set to come to an end this weekend. The last time Liverpool won a major trophy, Steve Finnan, Djibril Cisse, Jan Kromkamp, Djimi Traore and Fernando [...]
Red Dragons have edge in Twickenham thriller February 23, 2012 ENGLAND vs WALES TOMORROW – 4.00PM BBC ONE THIS is the one many of us have been waiting for. Wales at Twickenham always gets the blood flowing, but there seems to be more at stake this year. It’s the first real test for Stuart Lancaster’s new-look England. The interim coach can be pleased to have [...]
Haadeeth and The Strig look good in Sprint Series Final February 23, 2012 THE Blue Square Sprint Series has been a tremendous initiative over the past two months and tomorrow’s £15,000 Grand Final (2.15pm) looks a cracking contest. All the key protagonists from the Series are lining up and any one of the 12 runners could quite feasibly land the prize. What seems certain is that there will [...]
BLUE SQUARE WINTER CARNIVAL February 23, 2012 AS we’ve taken a detailed look at the Blue Square Sprint Series Grand Final already, we’re going to concentrate on the rest of the card at Lingfield. The bluesquare.com Cleves Stakes (2.50pm) is a Listed contest over six furlongs and, on paper, it looks a match between PALACE MOON and Oasis Dream. I find it [...]
Blues stuck in a crisis, admits Cech February 22, 2012 Chelsea keeper says players to blame for Napoli defeat that threatens manager Villas-Boas CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech admits the club is in the midst of a crisis and says “silly mistakes” were to blame for the defeat to Napoli that has nudged manager Andre Villas-Boas ever closer to the sack. Tuesday’s 3-1 reverse in Italy [...]
Vickery urges England to turn on the power by recalling Tuilagi February 22, 2012 FORMER England captain Phil Vickery believes head coach Stuart Lancaster must be bold enough to tinker with a winning team and unleash Manu Tuilagi against Wales in Saturday’s pivotal Six Nations clash. Despite Lancaster’s tenure having commenced with victories away from home against Scotland and Italy, both performances were depressingly reminiscent, despite the significant change [...]
Rampant City to welcome Tevez back into the fold February 22, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY 4 vs PORTO 0 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini is ready to integrate Carlos Tevez back into his first team squad, but the Argentina striker faces an uphill struggle to win back his place on the evidence of last night’s crushing Europa League victory over Porto. The Premier League leaders stormed into the [...]
