It would be easy to declare political comedy dead in the era of America’s parody-proof commander-in-chief, but master satirist Armando Iannucci proves there are still laughs to be extracted from the corridors of power in this jet-black Kremlin-com. Wilfully absurd, but scarily plausible, it chills and tickles while exploring the …
Read More »Goodbye Christopher Robin review
One of the most famous children’s characters of all time, the honey-stealing bear Winnie-the-Pooh is beloved the world over. Far less is known about his creator, A.A. Milne, whose life was shaped by trauma in the trenches and drama on the home front: Milne had difficult relationships with his wife, …
Read More »Knack 2 review: “If it aint broke, its Knack(ered)”
They say that the last entry in any series anyone makes is the one that fails to make money. This means that, despite receiving a lot of lukewarm reviews – as well as some pretty scathing ones – the first Knack (opens in new tab) managed to find an audience. …
Read More »Absolver review: “Theres always the promise of more, if you can surmount the challenges it throws at you”
Absolver is the type of game to make me wonder if I need to take anger management therapy. I nearly broke my hand playing this game; and I’m not being cute or funny here, I literally pounded my clenched fist into my chair’s armrests so hard that at one point …
Read More »F1 2017 Review
Real-world Formula One is often criticised for being too complicated. Like it or loathe it, the fuel-saving, tyre-managing, pit stop strategising tomfoolery is simply part of the modern sport, and isn’t going away any time soon. F1 2017 doesn’t even attempt to downplay all that. Instead, more than ever, it …
Read More »The Hitmans Bodyguard review: “Give it a miss and rewatch Midnight Run instead”
Whatever tolerance you have for snarkiness, indiscriminate collateral damage and Samuel L. Jackson yelling “Motherfucker!” will be sorely tested by this obnoxious action brom-com. Basically a jacked-up do-over of The Bodyguard, with Ryan Reynolds in the Kevin Costner role and Jackson as Whitney Houston (he even sings), it throws together …
Read More »The Red Turtle review: “Aching with tender beauty and awed by natures extremes”
Did the Oscar presenters double-check the envelope? With no disrespect to Zootropolis (opens in new tab), this collaboration between Dutch animator Michael Dudok de Wit and resting-but-not-really Japanimation house Studio Ghibli was the real standout in 2017’s nominations for Best Animated Feature. And it’s also a stand-out in modern animation …
Read More »Prey review: “A playground for creativity where you control the variables”
I never thought a building could be arrogant until I arrived in Talos-1. Wood-panelled walls stretch high above me, golden metal struts outlining each edge. A smug voice lulls through the PA system reminding employees to congratulate one of the scientists on winning a prize. Yet bodies are strewn across …
Read More »Miss Sloane review: “Chastain stalks the corridors of power with steely aplomb”
Arriving in US cinemas just as Trump swept to office, this left-leaning story of a ruthless Washington DC opinion-former who takes on the might of the gun lobby didn’t misjudge the prevailing wind so much as miss the boat entirely. Dismal box office duly ensued, a fact gleefully interpreted by …
Read More »American Gods S1.02 review: “A phenomenally clever bit of writing”
I should really stop expecting American Gods to be predictable. Hearing jazz music bleed through the fetid hold of a 15th century slave ship is certainly something. As is a god of death who’s only mildly intimidating, with a love of checkers and cigarettes. Still saturated with colour and style, …
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