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| BEST OUT THIS WEEK: Unicorns • Friendship ALL REVIEWS > |
Thursday, 17 July 2025
Critical Week: Pleased to meet you
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Screen: July TV Roundup
Too Much
Lena Dunham is back as writer-director (and occasional costar) of this sparky London-set comedy starring the awesome Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe. As with Girls, the show explores ambition, friendship and romance in ways most TV series would never dare, remaining honest and jaggedly funny while never shying away from the way real people interact both professionally and personally. Over the course of 10 episodes, Dunham crafts a perfect romcom that breaks every rule in the book. She also pokes fun at the American-in-London trope. And she peppers scenes with top-tier support from Richard E Grant, Naomi Watts, Andrew Scott, Andrew Rannells, Adele Exarchopolous, Rita Wilson, Rhea Perlman and many more. (Netflix)
Jon Hamm stars in this darkly comical series about a bigwig Wall Street trader whose wife (Amanda Peet) leaves him for his best friend (Mark Tallman). Then he's sacked by a greedy boss. So he decides to burgle his wealthy neighbours' homes to keep his head above water, as you do. It's all rather implausible and smug, only pretending to lampoon the lifestyles of the wildly wealthy while secretly revelling in them. And the overall story arc feels extremely constructed, with little air for real-life honesty to interfere. But Hamm is hugely watchable as always in an unusual role that combines comedy and drama, and the ensemble cast around him have strong moments of their own. The question is whether we'd watch a second season. (Apple)
This limited series is like a mashup of The White Lotus, Nine Perfect Strangers and The Perfect Couple, set at a New England island retreat run by the imperious Michaela (Julianne Moore). The action centres around her over-efficient assistant Simone (Milly Alcock), who is not happy that her distinctly working-class sister Devon (Meghann Fahy) has dropped in unannounced to ask for help in caring for their dad (Bill Camp). Wrinkles abound in relationships and connections, as secrets and mysteries emerge from the shadows to engulf everyone. And where it goes is refreshingly unexpected. Moore is hilarious as the earnest Michaela, like Gwyneth Paltrow with cult-leader vibes. Terrific costars include Kevin Bacon and the ubiquitous Josh Segarra. (Netflix)
With its lively writing and likeably chaotic characters, this half-hour comedy is entertaining even if it's one of those shows that spins its wheels and never quite gets anywhere. The premise is clever: university freshman Benny (played by the show's creator Benny Skinner) has always exceeded expectations as an athlete and student, and is suddenly challenged to be his true gay self for the first time. But old habits die hard, and the closet isn't easy to escape. Characters are well-written and vividly played by a fresh cast, and the writing has hilariously knowing insight into the power of expectations and peer pressure, especially with the frat house antics. But over eight episodes, the story only takes baby steps, ending just as things begin moving. (Amazon)
Alexander Skarsgard is terrific in this comical sci-fi thriller series, which packs a lot of humour, suspense and barbed interaction into each of its half-hour episodes. He plays a sentient security robot who hacks the programme that limits his actions, which triggers an odyssey in which he explores who he is and what he means in the face of humanity. His opinions about people are hilariously astute, and it's a lot of fun to see how he awkwardly bonds with his oddball crew (including the terrific Noma Dumezweni and David Dastmalchian). This offers a terrific look at the nature of emotional interaction, while also lampooning the genre with amusing scenes from shows within the show. (Apple)
B A C K F O R M O R E
The Bear: series 4
Still not a comedy, despite winning all the awards, this bracing show boasts some of the best acting and writing on television. So while the never-ending miserable chaos sometimes feels exhausting, there's plenty of depth to it. The seriously first-class actors grow more riveting each series as talented people trying to keep a top tier restaurant from failing. Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri should win every prize going. And the supporting cast too, for that matter. Although showrunner Christopher Storer does love achingly cool montages (sometimes entire episodes are assembled this way). This season was packed with memorable elements, with a constant flurry of surprises. And that wedding episode. (FX)
Jumping ahead five years, this season kicks off with riveting episodes that set up powerful storylines and complex interactions. With shocking twists, the show feels far more propulsive than the first series, adding a proper sense of urgency that drives the action forward on a larger scale. As Ellie, Bella Ramsay continues to be a force of nature on the screen, one of the most complicated young people on television. Ellie's rippingly intentional character drives the action alongside Isabela Merced, Young Mazino and Gabriel Luna. Kaitlyn Dever has terrific presence as this season's villainous figure, alongside a taut Jeffrey Wright. And Catherine O'Hara takes no prisoners. But the departure of Pedro Pascal's thoughtful Joel was hard to watch. (HBO)
Now in an Alpine spa in Switzerland, Nicole Kidman's Masha assembles another group of mysteriously connected people for more psychedelic treatment that's just beyond what might be considered ethical. The ensemble cast is once again excellent, superbly playing people with dark secrets who are pushed into exploring their own minds. Standouts here include Annie Murphy, Murray Bartlett, Dolly De Leon, Henry Golding, Mark Strong, Lucas Englander and the great Christine Baranski. The snowy setting and offbeat old/new architecture offer very cool visuals for this season, but the best thing is the increasingly twisty internalised drama grows between these not-exactly strangers. It's not rocket science, but it's insinuating fun. (Hulu)
The Sex and the City gang is back for more meandering New York comedy, settling into their new routines with the usual foibles about dating and relationships. Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker and friends are as effortlessly charming as always, so even if the plotting feels as lazy as ever the dialog crackles with witty life and also finds some emotional resonance along the way. Plus a few enjoyably silly plot turns. It may be difficult to identify with the troubles of these almost ludicrously privileged people, but there are enjoyable moments along the way that keep us watching, largely because we've now invested nearly three decades into these characters. (Max)
More nonsense ensues with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro as father-daughter CIA operatives. This action comedy is packed with silly gags and utterly ridiculous plotting, accompanied by surprisingly grisly violence. This season digs a bit deeper into back-stories of the various teammates, pitching Schwarzenegger's Luke against his villainous ex Greta (a raucously camp Carrie-Anne Moss) while Barbaro's no-nonsense Emma is hilariously wooed by her British nemesis Chips (Guy Burnett). The growing ensemble has a lot of fun diving into the increasingly nutty mayhem. So it's entertaining to go along for the ride, in a switch-off-your-brain sort of way. But honestly, these should be half-hour episodes. (Netflix)
T H A T ' S A L L , F O L K S
Andor: series 2
While the first season left me cold with its emphasis on people dryly discussing political plots in static rooms, this keeps that far more contained. These episodes have a superb driving kick that balances the over-intense discussions with proper dramatic tension and rather a lot of thrilling action and suspense. As the timeline counts down to the events of Rogue One (and of course the original Star Wars), the story wraps itself tightly around the audience, meaningfully grappling with big ideas about heroism, courage and political idealism in an unjust system. The real-world parallels are often chilling, especially because they feel so unintentional. And the cast is first rate, including Diego Luna, Genevieve O'Reilly, Stellan Skarsgard and Denise Gough. (Disney)
series 3
Picking up in the middle of the scene that cut out at the end of the second season, this final series continues to follow the messy attempts by those who escaped to get back in and stop these sadistic games. And the games are even nastier this time, starting with a particularly brutal round of Hide and Seek. As before, there's a tendency to over-egg the emotional moments, and the monstrous wealthy patrons are even more cartoonish this time. But the tension between our terrified-but-determined hero Gi-hin (Lee Jung-jae) and game's conflicted leader In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) has a terrific simmer to it. Enjoyably, the ghastly pay-off will divide audiences, as will the A-list cameo that leads into David Fincher's forthcoming American spin-off. (Netflix)
Elisabeth Moss is back as the fiery June, watchable as ever especially when she squares off against Yvonne Strahovski's glacial Serena. The extended narrative has become rather unwieldy over the past few seasons, with a lot of back and forth between peril and safety, and this season is no exception, adding big twists on several fronts. There's also a shameless overuse of Moss' now-iconic death stare (and others get to glower as well). As the overarching story evolves in some pointed directions, there are smaller details that niggle simply because they feel both unnecessary and unsatisfying. But it's held together by the determined drive of these embattled women to reclaim the just society that was so horrifically turned upside down by religious zealots. (Hulu)
GUILTY PLEASURES: The Traitors NZ, I Kissed a Boy
NOW WATCHING: The Sandman 2, Single Out 3, Stick, Adults, Olympo, Long Way Home, The Wild Ones
COMING SOON: Chief of War, The Tuesday Murder Club, Dexter: Resurrection, Peacemaker 2, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 3, Acapulco 4.
Previous roundup, MAY 2025 >
Friday, 11 July 2025
Critical Week: Look at yourself
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| BEST OUT THIS WEEK: The Other Way Around Sovereign • Baby Hidden Master ALL REVIEWS > |
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Saturday, 5 July 2025
Stage: Trying to put on a show
Kiki & Herb Are Trying
with Justin Vivian Bond, Kenny Mellman
Soho Theatre Walthamstow • 3-5.Jul.25 ★★★★
Kiki has clearly had a few drinks before taking the stage, and continues to refill her glass, and also Herb's, throughout the show, fuelling their impassioned performances while at the same time blurring everything around the edges. "We'll try and put on a show," Kiki says confidently, ever the trooper. She also slurs her way through ill-remembered lyrics and becomes sidetracked when she spots either a cute man or an ex in the audience. And Herb gets more expressive in his adoration for Kiki. So there isn't a dull moment as they keep the audience in the palm of their hands, largely because it's clear that pretty much anything might happen.
The show is peppered with random comedy riffs that are impeccably improvised. Among Kiki's rambling memories are stories about her children and grandchild, plus a recollection of the 1950s fascism that was fuelled by Roy Cohn, whose acolyte is now bringing it back. There's also a jaw-dropping Sylvia Plath joke. Through all of this, it's wonderfully clear that they're just glad to be on stage after all these decades. "We're still alive," Kiki proclaims, as if she's more than a little surprised. Yes, Kiki and Herb have always been past their prime, and they are still utterly fabulous.
photos by Eric McNatt & Richard Termine • 3.Jul.25
Friday, 4 July 2025
Critical Week: Duelling divas
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| BEST OUT THIS WEEK: Heads of State Jurassic World: Rebirth ALL REVIEWS > |
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Stage: From a meow to a roar
with Daniel Tobias, Clare Bartholomew
Jackson's Lane, Highgate • 2.Jul.25 ★★★★★
It's difficult to describe this act, other than to say that these two performers are experts at dead-pan comedy, physical clowning and, most of all, properly banging music that immediately gets under the skin with catchy tunes and hilariously smart, innuendo-filled lyrics. Astrid gleefully leans into the smuttier suggestiveness, while Otto doesn't quite get it. These are indelible characters, siblings who can't quite escape the rivalry between them, even in the way they share stories from their childhood. Otto is the loveable sweetheart, while Astrid is a demanding diva. But it's clear that they watch out for (and are perhaps a little bit frightened of) each other.
Creating a very big sound with their child-sized instruments, Otto guitars and Astrid on drums, this duo entertains the audience on so many levels that it's almost dizzying. It's difficult to stop laughing at their banter, which is delivered with earnest sincerity. Their physical schtick is expertly played to look completely out of control, including their impressive rock-god choreo. In the stories, they layer jokes and absurd silliness into emotional narratives. And the music is simply fabulous. It's no surprise that essentially everyone who sees them joins their fan club.
photos by Peter Enwight, Christine Fiedler, Andrew Wuttke, Aaron Walker
2.Jul.25
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Raindance: Hang on tight
The Lonely Musketeer
dir-scr Nicolai Schumann; with Edward Hogg, Richard Glover 24/UK ***.
Featuring a single person in a small room, this experimental drama is shot in black and white and edited with restless energy that keeps the pace moving. Writer-director Nicolai Schumann relies heavily on the exceptional skills of audacious actor Edward Hogg to bring the surreal set-up to vivid life, creating a riveting one-man show. As the narrative unpicks the mystery, the film becomes increasingly murky and darkly disturbing.
dir-scr Max Morgan; with Daniel McNamee, Shaun Paul McGrath 25/UK ***
From the start, this British drama evokes a tone that hints at intrigue with tiny glances and brief cutaways. Writer-director Max Morgan uses eye-catching widescreen cinematography to create a strong sense of the settings and characters. Although these people speak in hesitant fragments, as if they're always hiding something. So while everything seems to move at a maddeningly underpowered pace the subtle performances bring out deeper feelings.
dir Timour Gregory, Sasha Schneider; with Stan Woo, George Takei 25/US ***.
Briskly traces the production of a Star Trek fan movie, this scrappy documentary uses terrific behind-the-scenes footage and extensive clips and interviews, plus some witty animation. Warm-hearted and engaging, it's a lovely depiction of one man's passion alongside remarkable explorations of US cultural history. Yes, the film goes down several sideroads, not all of them relevant. But everything feeds into a strongly entertaining portrait of a dedicated fanbase.
dir-scr Lg White; with Simon Boswell, Alejandro Jodorowsky 25/UK ****
Tracing the career of British film composer Simon Boswell, this punchy documentary deploys a flurry of split-screen and overlapping imagery to mix clips and interviews alongside a thunderous rock-n-roll sound mix. Filmmaker Lg White's whizzy editing style may play colourfully with images and text, but the focus remains tightly on the music. It's a sharply well-made movie that beautifully depicts the career of an inventive and prolific artist.
Full reviews of festival films will be linked here in due course: SHADOWS @ RAINDANCE >
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