The Martian opens with a shot of the vast, empty expanse of space, and for anyone with a passing familiarity with cinema, it’ll be instantly evocative of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/horror classic Alien. Even the way film’s title text lingers slightly on screen is a very deliberate call-back to the iconic opening moments of that 1979 … >
Rebooting a much-loved children’s classic is a risky business (just ask Russell T Davies), but thankfully the folks at CBBC have managed to make a rollicking 21st century Danger Mouse. Everything DM fans could hope for is all present and correct in this action-packed opener. The hissing Baron Greenback, the bluff Colonel K (now accompanied … >
How much you enjoy this weekend’s Doctor Who may depend on how prepared you are for old-school storytelling. It may also depend on how much you like very dim green lighting, because there’s a lot of it about. Say what you like about Steven Moffat’s hyperactive episodes, they are far from ordinary. Toby Whithouse’s ‘Under … >
There is an inherent problem with publishing any book that claims to be the “complete” or in this case “ultimate” reference book about Star Wars, especially at this juncture in history with the saga experiencing a renaissance. In less than a hundred days a whole new film will be in cinemas when The Force Awakens … >
Is there a story that’s been adapted more times than the tale of Peter Pan? Since his debut in 1902, Peter has appeared in video games, on stage, radio, TV and of course movies with the most famous being the 1953 Walt Disney adaptation. Hugh Jackman leads the cast of Pan – an origin story … >
Traditionally in This Is England, the latter half of the middle act is usually the most emotionally charged and the most challenging to watch. In ’83 it was the visit to the far right wing meeting when we realized young Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) was being force-fed a belligerent diatribe. It also showed us the unpredictability … >
You can always tell when someone has read Cider with Rosie. You mention it and they get that soft stare in their eyes and start talking in ways that mimic Laurie Lee’s lyrical style, as they recall summers as runny and green as elderflower cordial, and days spent young and easy under the apple boughs. … >
Episode 2 begins with a glimpse of Mr. Mosley ironing the morning newspaper. At least economies haven’t reached to this level. Battle lines are drawn over the ownership of the local hospital, with Cora siding with Isobel while Lord Grantham tries to remain neutral, saying he’d like to avoid “blood on the carpet” when the … >
‘Consider The Doctor’, says Missy. Pause! We’ll consider The Doctor in a (Dalek) sec. But first we need to consider a more important question, which one day may be of universal importance to the show: Does Missy always carry thirty feet of sturdy rope around on her person? Or did she make it, like her … >
So, we are now past the half way point in BBC Two’s new sitcom, Boy Meets Girl. This is reflected in the relationship between Leo and Judy in that now they have decided to take the plunge and sleep together. Pam and Tony are going away on a romantic night together and Jamie (Leo’s brother) … >