In the recent hype around the release of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, many have noted the film’s obvious links to Kubrick’s widely renowned masterpiece of the genre, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Along with many Leeds-based film […]
Atlantis: A Greek tragedy turned tragic
BBC One’s new series of the fantasy ‘drama’ (I use that term loosely) Atlantis aired last Saturday night. For those who don’t know, Atlantis is the capital city of a fictional island first mentioned and […]
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is Jennifer Lawrence’s continuing victory
The three films of the lucrative Hunger Games franchise can be understood through colour. If the original Hunger Games was the earthy browns of a woodland arena, Gary Ross’ raw indie sensibility direction and Jennifer […]
Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey? gives us a nice indication of how not to make a Christmas film
Since the beginning of cinema, many films have attempted to capture the unique allure and power of New York City. Manhattan, On The Town, Taxi Driver, and now, Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey, as […]
The Homesman demonstrates Tommy Lee Jones on a late career hot streak
Understated and hopelessly pessimistic, The Homesman falls squarely in the recent trend amongst westerns for quiet introspection shot through with savage violence harking back to Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture winner, Unforgiven. Hilary Swank plays […]
Us, by David Nicholls.
Fans of David Nicholls’ previous books will know he well deserves the recognition of being one of Britain’s best writers, penning many international best sellers, including some that have been turned into blockbuster hits on […]
Babylon: It’s the sound of the police
It’s fair to say that when Babylon debuted earlier this year with a feature-length episode directed by Danny Boyle it came in for a bit of stick. In truth it was a mess, jumping from […]
Dirty Dancing at Leeds Grand Theatre proves it will continue to stand the test of time
Dirty Dancing received a well-earned standing ovation as it began it’s month long run at Leeds Grand Theatre. Closely adapted from the fan favourite eponymous film, the stage show depicts protagonist, Francis ‘Baby’ Houseman and […]
Sex, Drugs and Video Games
When asked to list movies, TV shows or even songs that deal with the issue of drugs in mature and complex ways, we might be able to list a few just off the top of […]
We talk to Oliver Thompsett about ‘jukebox musicals’ ahead of his new show White Christmas
The first time I saw Oliver Tompsett he was in a wheelbarrow. Wearing a red waistcoat and a pair of the West End’s tightest trousers, his swaggering entrance as Fiyero in hit Wizard of Oz […]
Tony Law takes the audience on a journey enriched with audience interaction
Fresh from the Edinburgh fringe festival, Tony Law bought his whimsical show, Enter the Tonezone to the ever cosy City Varieties Music Hall here in the heart of Leeds. Throughout the evening, Law took his […]
The Fall: A seductively dark drama
If BBC1’s The Missing was not enough to fill your quota of creepy crime thrillers for the week, then worry no more. The second series of BBC2’s The Fall airing on thursday nights promises to […]