Reviews

BBC’s War of the Worlds can hold its own among the best

This new steampunk adaptation of HG Wells’ classic is hardly a first—but it’s well-made, well-acted, exciting—and has a lot of potential, says Gabby Thorpe

Agent Running in the Field—a complex game in John Le Carre’s latest spy thriller

Nat is a not quite 50, not quite on the shelf officer of the Secret Intelligence Service.

Sesame Street—this page is brought to you this week by the number 50

As Sesame Street approaches its 50th anniversary, Simon Basketter looks back at a show that repeatedly broke the mould and upset right wingers

Magic of His Dark Materials is finally done well on screen

It’s the adaptation that lovers of Philip Pullman’s trilogy have been waiting for—and you don’t need to read the books to enjoy it, writes Gabby Thorpe

Cold War Steve creates nonsense scenes of liberal contempt

What on the surface look like send-ups of right wing politicians turn out to be full of liberal prejudice.

Jesse Pinkman makes his welcome return in El Camino

The film follow-up to Breaking Bad brings back one of its best characters—along with much of what made the series so good

Reviews round-up—Joy Labinjo and Roy Lichtenstein

The Hatton Gallery,

Giri - Haji—new crime thriller doesn’t quite live up to ambition

Ambitious is a good way to describe Giri/Haji (Duty/Shame).

Raising Dion—a super-powered mixture of adventure and family drama

Raising Dion mixes superhero staples with life’s everyday problems—and the result is a show that’s pathbreaking for both genres, says Tomáš Tengely-Evans

The Politician—A satire that struggles to find its feet

The Politician straddles high school drama and political satire—and does neither successfully until the end.

Dublin Murders—more than just another detective show?

There are some hard bitten cliches in this hard bitten BBC cop drama, writes Simon Basketter, but the character-driven storyline has depth and potential

We should welcome Joker as a look at the roots of evil

Ahead of Todd Phillips’ highly anticipated Joker, Sasha Simic looks at how controversy surrounding the film may not be giving it the chance it deserves

Ad Astra—a good space film that’s just too male-centric

Visually striking and emotionally raw space adventure Ad Astra takes Brad Pitt on a journey into danger, dad issues and probably the Oscars.

Tim Walker exhibition shows beauty is more than escapism

Amadjar is an epic and exciting journey with Tinariwen

Recorded on the road in a campervan-turned-studio, Amadjar is the ninth album by internationally acclaimed Tuareg nine-piece Tinariwen

World on Fire—a war drama about people, not patriotism

Rarely do we see a war story that focuses on ordinary people rather than the event as a whole

The Testaments—a rich and complex sequel to The Handmaid's Tale

This follow-up novel has been a long time coming. It’s grim, but also exciting and never straightforward

Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of)

This is an adaptation like no othe

Kano grapples with life for working class black people

The veteran grime artist’s new album Hoodies All Summer is the latest offering of an increasingly politically-motivated scene, writes?Paddy Nielsen

Carnival Row—A fantasy drama with good politics, but little subtlety

Carnival Row is a neighbourhood in the fictional, fantastical, steam-punk city of the Burgue. It’s a home to people fleeing the war between the rulers of the Burgue and the Pact—two industrial powers fighting over the riches of a place called fae land.