VOD film review: Cracks

Director: Jordan Scott Cast: Eva Green, Juno Temple, Maria Valverde Certificate: 15 Watch Cracks online in the UK: Apple TV (iTunes) / TalkTalk TV / Prime Video (Buy/Rent) / Google Play

Cracks is the debut feature film from Jordan Scott … Read More

Amazon Prime Video UK TV review: Vikings Season 4, Episode 2 and 3

The ground is covered in snow. The wind is battering the trees. A man strides against the natural elements, clutching his fur coat to his tired body. No, this is not The Revenant: this is Vikings Season 4. Just how … Read More

UK TV recap: Arrow Season 4, Episode 10 (Blood Debts)

Warning: This contains spoilers.

It suddenly occurs to me that I never actually wrote about Episode 9’s mid-season finale – I’m going to blame, uh, Christmas. Yeah, that’s it. Christmas. – so here’s a quick recap recap. Short version: Oliver … Read More

Amazon Prime Video film review: Persepolis

Director: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi Cast: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Sean Penn, Iggy Pop Certificate: 12 Watch Persepolis online in the UK: Amazon Prime Video

Related in a stark monochrome flashback, Marjane’s story is a familiar coming-of-age tale. But look … Read More

Netflix UK film review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

Director: Yuen Woo-ping Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Harry Shum Jr. Watch Sword of Destiny online in the UK: Netflix

In 2000, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon dazzled audiences around the world. The masterpiece won four Oscars and became … Read More

UK TV review: Agent Carter: Season 2, Episode 6 (Life of the Party)

This is a spoiler-free review. Read on at the bottom for additional, spoilery analysis.

“I have a terrible idea.” This season has been subverting expectations from the off, with Peggy’s adversary-at-large Dottie Underwood being apprehended in the space of a … Read More

Netflix UK TV review: Fuller House

Inspired by a particularly egregious joke in the Ace Ventura franchise, “Mr. Monopoly Man Humour” refers to empty pop cultural references that elicit laughs on recognition alone. With little risk and small gains, it’s a lazy crutch for writers, and … Read More

Louis C.K.’s Horace and Pete review: Episode 5

Warning: This contains spoilers.

In my review of Episode 4 of Louis C.K.’s Horace and Pete, I suggested that, based upon the ominous way in which that episode ended, perhaps Uncle Pete (Alan Alda) would die, having been shot. Uncle … Read More

Netflix UK TV review: House of Cards Season 4, Episode 1 (spoiler-free)

Opening with a foreboding scene displaying the grey area between degradation and survival, the sombre tone and dim lighting may be trademark House of Cards fare, but the tension feels higher than ever in the fourth season of Netflix’s … Read More

Netflix UK TV review: Better Call Saul Season 2, Episode 3

“You and I both know you can do this job, but you have to do it right.”

Better Call Saul continues to put the relationship between Kim (Rhea Seehorn) and Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) at the heart of Season 2 … Read More