reviews

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews Taskmaster | Daily Mail Online

by

Taskmaster Rating: Billy Monger’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge Rating: Admit it, you had a go, too. And it’s not as simple as it looks. There’s no shame in it — everyone who tuned in as Taskmaster (C4) returned felt the urge to spin a cushion on one finger, like a magician twirling a plate … Read more

When the endgame is just the beginning: PETER HOSKIN reviews Marvel’s Avengers and Gnosia 

by

Marvel’s Avengers (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, £59.99) Verdict: For ever? Never! Rating: Let’s start at the end — because that, in a way, is where Marvel’s Avengers wants us to begin. This is what the marketeers call a ‘game as a service’. The idea is that you bash away at a controller, mastering the combos and … Read more

PATRICK MARMION reviews Adventurous and The Picture Of Dorian Gray 

by

Adventurous (Jermyn Street Theatre; stream.theatre)   Verdict: Lovable stereotypes  Rating: The Picture Of Dorian Gray (Barn Theatre, Cirencester; pictureofdoriangray.com)  Verdict: Not-so-lovable stereotypes Rating: Stereotypes have had a bad rap in this age of woke, but I’ve got a lot of time for them. My only caveat is that someone should make sure they receive a regular refresh. … Read more

PATRICK MARMION reviews Three Sisters and Stevie Smith – Black March 

by

Three Sisters (NT at Home) Rating: Verdict: Wonderful women Stevie Smith: Black March (deadpoets.live)  Rating: Verdict: Audio-visual delight  Back in the day, brimming with idealism at university, I tried to join the Feminist Society.  The woman at the freshers’ fair desk objected on the grounds that I was clearly a man — only to be overheard … Read more

Sitting comfortably? Let battle royale commence! PETER HOSKIN reviews Apex Legends 

by

One is the loneliest number, sang Harry Nilsson. So I can only assume that he was never dropped on to an island with 99 other people, forced to find weapons, and then scrap until emerging as the lone survivor. When that happens, one really is the most triumphant number. This is the premise for battle royale … Read more

Daniel Kaluuya is in electrifying form as a doomed Black Panther: BRIAN VINER reviews

by

Judas and the Black Messiah (12) Verdict: Stylish and compelling  Rating: Locked Down (15)  Verdict: Deserves a health warning   Rating: The inclusion of Daniel Kaluuya in this week’s Bafta nominations will come as no surprise to anyone who sees his electrifying performance in Judas And The Black Messiah. What does seem slightly odd is the category: … Read more

Beware Murphy’s Law: BRIAN VINER reviews comedy sequel Coming 2 America

by

Coming 2 America (12) Verdict: Hit-and-miss sequel Rating: Moxie (12) Verdict: Cliched but smart Rating: At what point does an overdue sequel become an ill-starred sequel? It doesn’t seem to be simply a matter of years. More than half a century after the original, Mary Poppins Returns (2018) yielded box-office numbers to please everyone at … Read more

Alleluia for this fine bromance: PATRICK MARMION reviews Hymn 

by

Hymn (almeida.co.uk)   Rating: Verdict: Sing the praises!  The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (stream theatre)  Rating: Verdict: Genial musical needs a little more charm  The Secret Society of Leading Ladies (barntheatre.org.uk)  Rating: Verdict: Gamey musical jukebox Praise be and rejoice: a new play! They’ve been increasingly rare this past year, so it’s a real treat to come across … Read more

PETER HOSKIN reviews The Sinking City – Deluxe Edition and Persona 5 – Strikers 

by

Town where Lovecraft lurks round every corner: PETER HOSKIN reviews The Sinking City – Deluxe Edition and Persona 5 – Strikers By Peter Hoskin For The Daily Mail Published: 02:05 GMT, 26 February 2021 | Updated: 02:05 GMT, 26 February 2021 The Sinking City: Deluxe Edition (Playstation 5 – £53.99) Rating: Lovecraft? Then you’re going … Read more