Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
TV
If you only watch one, make it…
Evolution
BBC iPlayer; available now
Included in the sentence Stories about our evolutionary journey that are amazing and fascinating will make you feel like a kid again.
What our reviewer said “Evolution reigns supreme. With this new five-part BBC environmental drama, presenter Chris Packham has been chosen as David Attenborough’s successor. And deservedly so, I think many would agree.” Lucy Manga
Another reading ‘We don’t have heads until we turn into arses. I like this’: Chris Packham’s history of evolution
Choose something else
Ride or Die
A great movie; available now
Included in the sentence Hannah Waddingham stars in the comedy about a 50-year-old serial killer who goes rogue – and has to reveal everything to her best friend.
What our reviewer said “It’s the perimenopausal comedy thriller caper of your dreams, but one that everyone can enjoy.” Lucy Manga
Another reading ‘Overnight success after 25 years? Delicious’: Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham on sex, obsession and fame at 51
Ann Droid
BBC iPlayer; available now
Included in the sentence Diane Morgan stars as a robot caregiver to a reluctant elderly widow in her new, hilarious comedy.
What our reviewer said Seeing a robot looking at the minutiae of a human mind like this is painful. Not that things stay miserable for long. Hannah J Davies
Another reading ‘Suddenly I was a celebrity. I didn’t want to be!’ Sue Johnston on fame, loneliness and a new robot companion
Jesy Nelson: Changing Lives
A great movie; available now
Included in the sentence The Little Mix singer records, and the cameras capture the most difficult time in her life – the diagnosis of her two children who have a muscle wasting disorder.
What our reviewer said “Sometimes, we feel like we’re intruding on what few people would choose to have in the world.” Frances Ryan
You may have missed it
Trust me
ITVX; available now
Included in the sentence A dark but gripping drama about the victims of John Worboys’ black truck – and their fight for justice.
What our reviewer said “The sharp, witty writing makes it a compelling and non-violent drama that others would do well to learn from.” Lucy Manga
Books
Once you read one, make it…
Brexit Effect 2016-2026, by Anthony Seldon
Reviewed by Fintan O’Toole
Included in the sentence The great and the good give their verdict on Britain’s break with the EU.
What our reviewer said “The nature of Brexit was that it was going to be an immediate loss – a disaster that ended as soon as it came close.”
Another reading Two Prime Ministers resign, 10 years apart: ‘Brexit represents a crisis in British history’
Choose something else
First House is Avni Doshi
Reviewed by Daisy Hildyard
Included in the sentence Relationship management and marriage intervention, from the Booker brief.
What our reviewer said “The experience of a woman involved in the painful practice of withdrawing from her marriage is common, but Doshi’s story stands out. His voice is instrumented, thick and alert. “
The Red Mouth by Sheila Armstrong
Reviewed by Ruth Gilligan
Included in the sentence The body is removed from the Irish author’s second novel.
What our reviewer said “Mysteries are set to remain unanswered: but such uncertainty, interpreted clearly, is enough to sustain us to the end.
Up Night All by Imogen Willetts
Reviewed by Rebecca Nicholson
Included in the sentence New record out.
What our reviewer said “Dancer Anita Berber is one of the most interesting people here: she danced on Morphine and Cocaine, and dipped herself in a blood urn before spinning in the air.”
Hidden Creatures by Dino Martins
Reviewed by Luca Turin
Included in the sentence Amazing insect research.
What our reviewer said “In many of Martins’s words, the parasite makes the reader feel like he’s harboring a clever, creative criminal: admiring the subtlety of the deception, disgusted by the detail of the sting, determined to put an end to it.”
You may have missed it
Let’s Feed the King by Rebecca Perry
Reviewed by Melissa Harrison
Included in the sentence A beautiful box set for the classic Waterstones’ award-winning book of modern-day fiction.
What our reviewer said “Reading this book is very entertaining but forced to sit down in frustration: we want information, we want certainty, and Perry refuses it, instead he makes us look at our thoughts, and we are forced to combine the tools of the past.”
Video
If you only watch one, make it…
The Odyssey
In theaters now
Included in the sentence Christopher Nolan combines the classic music of his adaptation of Homer, which shows the true cost of war and creates ambitious films.
What our reviewer said “A great sign, shining, a strange vision of three hours of crazy events that do not give wisdom or satisfaction, but only evil thoughts to continue fighting, to create thoughts of ruined lives, to re-enter the battlefield of destruction.” Peter Bradshaw
Another reading ‘More recent than old’: why the Odyssey is everywhere, from Oz to Westeros
Choose something else
Days That Return
In theaters now
Included in the sentence Korean Hong Sang-soo’s latest film – a study about an actor who has come out of retirement – is as surprisingly popular as ever.
What our reviewer said “It’s got some weird and obscure ideas, starting with the title’s motto.” Peter Bradshaw
The Story of Bread and Death & the Great Shave
In theaters now
Included in the sentence Half-hour Wallace and Gromit shorts, with guest appearances from former Anne Reid and late Sally Lindsay.
What our reviewer said “Nick Park’s stop-motion film Wallace and Gromit has the uncanny ability to deliver an entire film that takes place in just 30 minutes with romantic scenes and beautiful visuals.” Peter Bradshaw
Deep Water
In theaters now
Included in the sentence Renny Harlin’s disaster film brings chaos to the sea as the passengers of the plane fight to survive the starvation.
What our reviewer said “The crash of the plane is very difficult, which starts with people drowning in the holes in the ship and ends with the sea water flooding and 200 or more additional things. Also, as a producer Deep Blue SeaHarlin also knows how to fight a fake shark. Leslie Felperin
Now streaming…
Heartstopper Forever
Netflix; available now
Included in the sentence The end of the LGBTQ+ youth movie is based on Alice Oseman’s books, starring Kit Connor and Joe Locke as teenagers discussing their last year at grammar school.
What our reviewer said “Criticizing Heartstopper for being too healthy is like complaining that your hot chocolate is too rich – self-indulgence is the happy point.” Owen Myers
Another reading ‘It would be weird not to show sex’: Kit Connor and Joe Locke on Heartstopper’s queer teen
Music
If you only listen to one, make it…
Loathe: A stranger to you
Exit now
Included in the sentence The Metalcore experts deliver a mesmerizing twist and beauty, with solid granite riffs colliding with balmy electronics and jazzy piano.
What our reviewer said “The team’s bold vision is so well crafted that it’s so exciting, you never expect what’s to come.” Dave Simpson
Choose something else
Nia Archives: Emotional Junglist
Exit now
Included in the sentence Broken beats and heartbreak combined with a perfect British accent for once, with a drum’n’bass rhythm to underpin his angry odes.
What our reviewer said “It’s a huge and important project for gen Z that puts the forest in conversation with many species, and writes a story in all of them.” Aimee Cliff
Norma Winstone and the NDR Radio Orchestra: Endless Places
Exit now
Included in the sentence The unaccompanied singer sounds great in this 1990 movie with great performances by the band.
What our reviewer said “Even though it’s quiet, this beautiful piece shows the spirit of swimming against the tide – it still resonates in Winstone’s work today.” John Fordham
Robert Laidlow: The Real Eaters
Exit now
Included in the sentence Theoretical and advanced music projects exploring Einstein’s equations, Newton’s universal laws and artificial intelligence.
What our reviewer said “His wonderful, well-fancied work is accessible, even if its main points are difficult.” Clive Paget
Now visiting
Bon Jovi
Madison Square Garden, July 26; touring the UK and Ireland28 August to 9 September
Included in the sentence The pop singer makes a dramatic return to the stage after JBJ’s vocal surgery, with a packed show.
What our reviewer said “By the end of the night he will perform 22 songs from fourteen years – he remains firmly on his microphone, without straining his repaired strings.” Rob LeDonne
