From Funboys to Olivia Rodrigo: a week in rave reviews | Culture


TV

If you only watch one, make it…

Funboys

BBC iPlayer; available now

Included in the sentence This quirky tale of twenty-something friends from a fictional Northern Irish town is back – with a big cameo from Steve Coogan.

What our reviewer said This stupidity shows that there are other interesting things. Rachel Aroesti

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Another reading Alan Partridge is more famous than me – granted


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Queen James

BBC iPlayer; available now

Included in the sentence A fascinating look at the men who loved Britain’s first king from historian Gareth Russell.

What our reviewer said “Russell has a gift.” Jack Seale

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Should I Marry a Murderer?

Netflix; available now

Caroline Muirhead in Shall I Marry a Murderer? Image: Netflix

Included in the sentence The shocking story of a woman who helped the police track down her boyfriend’s killer – only to bring her down badly.

What our reviewer said “We should re-name the true nature of crime: ‘The list of ways that misogynists have set this country up to hurt, shame and destroy us.’ Lucy Manga

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OnlyFans: Inside the Machine

BBC iPlayer; available now

Amber Haque (centre) meets OnlyFans Producers Gia Clarke and Lily Phillips. Photo: BBC Studios/Natahsa Cox

Included in the sentence A very disturbing film about a group of men who have turned a sex platform into a nightmare – it’s a great technology to watch.

What our reviewer said “What this film does well is put all of this in a social context.” Stuart Heritage

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Another reading Bad rise of OnlyFans managers


Video

If you only watch one, make it…

Effi from Blaenau

In theaters now

Splott of bother… Leisa Gwenllian in Effi O Blaenau. Photo: MetFilm Distribution

Included in the sentence A stunning Welsh-language film starring Leisa Gwenllian as a force of nature in Gary Owen’s epic one-woman drama Iphigenia in Splott.

What our reviewer said “It’s a great performance from Gwenllian as Effi, following what seems to be a loose life of irresponsible adulthood, however, when she meets adults who need help from them, Effi reverts to a difficult child-like state.” Peter Bradshaw

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Another reading Sex, austerity and cups of vodka: how the Greek myth Iphigenia became a Welsh language film


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Night and Day by Virginia Woolf

In theaters now

Included in the sentence A dreamy adaptation of Woolf’s novel about a young Edwardian woman on the run directed by Tina Gharavi, with Timothy Spall and Jennifer Saunders among the cast.

What our reviewer said “What comes out is a fantasy, a fantasy, a film with four pages – or five pages; instead, it is well-made and filmed, decorated with an unexpected German romance.” Peter Bradshaw

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Another reading ‘More important now than ever’: how Virginia Woolf reclaimed the cultural zeitgeist

Cactus pears

In theaters now

Included in the sentence The hidden story of the forbidden love between two boys, Anand and Balya, and their humble dreams of happiness in India, in the definitive novel from Rohan Kanawade.

What our reviewer said “The pear-shaped cactus is a gift of shame for Anand of Balya; he has symbolically removed the scars ahead of time, a poignant act that only shows how prickles are not easily removed in any part of their lives.” Peter Bradshaw

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Killing Anna

In theaters now

A secret investigation… To kill Anna. Photo: Keo Films/Dogwoof

Included in the sentence The chilling documentary tells how a Syrian student, Annsar Shahoud created a social network to expose the suspected killer of the Syrian people in Tadamon.

What our reviewer said “It is not known whether he and his colleague, genocide professor Uğur Ümit Üngör, are among the Europeans who inspired last year’s fictional Ghost Trail. Phil Hoad

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Another reading Killing Tadamon: how two students hunted down a war criminal in Syria


Now streaming…

Hokum

A great movie; available now

Shadowplay … Adam Scott is in the Irish horror film Hokum.

Included in the sentence Adam Scott plays a writer who returns to a remote Irish hotel where his parents visited for the holiday in a strange and mysterious way.

What our reviewer said “A thrilling and terrifying story, in which writer-author Damian McCarthy tells the disturbing and shocking story of two hospital stays.” Peter Bradshaw

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Another reading Adam Scott: ‘There’s nothing wrong with being told you look like Tom Cruise’


Books

Once you read one, make it…

Natural Disaster by Lisa Owens

Natural Disaster by Lisa Owens

Reviewed by Diana Evans

Included in the sentence A mother tries to make her last day of maternity leave perfect in this comic rollercoaster of motherhood trials.

What our reviewer said “Among jokes about marital strife, impromptu writing, the odd tampon and breastfeeding in the bathroom, big questions are addressed about how the modern woman responds to ‘having it all’, and whether true satisfaction can be found that way.”

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With Rowan Hooper

Reviewed by Philip Ball

Included in the sentence A better study of cooperation in nature.

What our reviewer said “Compatibility isn’t about trying to make evolution fun and cute; rather, it’s about improving what we’ve learned from Darwin about how nature works.”

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Edited by Saul Justin Newman

Reviewed by Rachel Clarke

Included in the sentence A fascinating explanation of the pseudoscience of longevity.

What our reviewer said “In 2010 in Tokyo, the legendary Sogen Kato, 111 years old, was found to be a husk in his home – where he had lived for at least 30 years while his family continued to receive a pension.”

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Another reading A disturbing development of longevity fixation syndrome

A Little Bad by Cassandra Neyenesch

Reviewed by Daisy Hildyard

Included in the sentence The sad story of an American woman’s illicit love affair that is also a murder mystery.

What our reviewer said “I loved every page. The plot is made for compelling reading: the two stories are told in interconnected chapters, and when the story begins to cool, the murder mystery begins.

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Disability by David Turner

Disability by David Turner

Reviewed by Lucy Webster

Included in the sentence A revealing new history of disability rights.

What our reviewer said “One of the lowest marks of disability and history is that none of the characters in this book are household names.” Mrs. Billinghurst, who is disabled, deserves to be mentioned in the same terms as the Pankhursts.”

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You may have missed it…

The Matchbox Girl by Alice Jolly

Reviewed by Natasha Walter

Included in the sentence The winner of this year’s Walter Scott prize explores influence and complexity through the eyes of a mute girl being treated by Dr Hans Asperger at a Vienna children’s hospital during World War II.

What our reviewer said “This is a book that walks a fine line between emotion and sincerity, between reality and imagination, and creates something entertaining and memorable in doing so.” Natasha Walter

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Album

If you only listen to one, make it…

Walk when you win… Olivia Rodrigo. Photo: Geffen Records/AP

Olivia Rodrigo: You Look Sad For A Lovely Girl

Exit now

Included in the sentence The genius is back with a smart, witty and sometimes painful album that departs from the classics of his past for a fresh take on 80s music.
What our reviewer said “The actual popularity of the album’s title may not be the most interesting thing about it.” Analyzing the songs to find out information is evident in addition to the fact that: it is a very popular album for the people who have it.” Alexis Petridis

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Another reading If CMAT is ugly for men and Olivia Rodrigo likes them, how should women dress?


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Photo: Seattle Chamber Music Society

Brahms: Violin Sonatas

Exit now

Included in the sentence Violinist James Ehnes and pianist Andrew Armstrong bring assurance and grace to these three sonatas written by Brahms in his creative career.
What our reviewer said “The length of Ehnes and Armstrong’s partnership pays off here in a performance that demonstrates effortless precision.” Clive Paget

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Ibeyi: Giving

Exit now

Included in the sentence The fourth album from the sisters and duo Ibeyi offers a heady sound of songs with strong rhythms, heavenly R&B and vocals that walk the line between some of the mysteries of the world and grinding.
What our reviewer said “Due to their Cuban musician father and upbringing in Paris, the twins sing in multiple languages, calling upon ancient legends of powerful beats, sizzling rhythms and fierce distortion.” Rachel Aroesti

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Joe Lovano: Paramount Quartet

Exit now

Included in the sentence Lovano and his latest quartet album shines brightly with the clear sound of the saxophone, accompanied by guitar, bass and free drums.
What our reviewer said “A long-awaited breakthrough from the tireless saxophone master.” John Fordham

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Now visiting…

LDN call … Lily Allen on stage in Newcastle upon Tyne this week. Photo: Henry Redcliffe

Lily Allen: West End Girl

The tour continues in the UK and Ireland until 8 August

Included in the sentence Allen’s one-woman songs on her zeitgeist-dominating album are full of drama, humor and high camp.
What our reviewer said “It’s a strange show, but as a story about the power in relationships and even the vanity of celebrities, it’s difficult.” Dave Simpson

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Another reading Dead boys and girls of the West End: Lily Allen’s best songs – selected!



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