Films and TV

Jeremy Clarkson, the veteran Top Gear presenter, is never far from insulting someone or something on his popular motor show. However, before anyone dare suggest that he move north with the BBC to Salford next year, he has already decided that the place has little to offer ambitious TV personalities such as himself.

Despite coming from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, unless you “do a Dick Whittington” and head to the bright lights of the capital, you are limiting your ambitions and stifling your talent. But what about those who have succeeded in “the north” as he puts it?

Good old Stuart Hall has stuck up for the city as well as the northern way of life, echoing the sentiments of the shadow culture secretary, Ivan Lewis, describing outspoken opponents of the move as having “outdated prejudices” and “negativity about the north”.

If you get chance to see The Lincoln Lawyer, then I would certainly recommend it. Don’t let the presence of Matthew McConaughey put you off. It’s more Ryan Phillipe, if anyone, who is typecast, basically playing the same character as he did for Cruel Intentions all those years ago.

The story is based on a book, written by American crime novelist Michael Connelly, with the author reported to be pleased with the story’s portrayal on the big screen.

It is good to see William H. Macy as attorney Mickey Haller’s investigator, as the character is quite a departure from his previous work.

Overall, I found it to be a well-made thriller, even if the main plot twist is obvious from the movie trailer (as usual these days). Still, the ride is definitely worth it.

I had seen this movie when it came out in the cinema and as a true Coen brothers fan I snapped up the chance to see it again last night on rental from Blockbuster.

I can’t comment on the original as I haven’t had the opportunity to see it as of yet, but this version of the American western, based on Charles Portis’ 1968 novel, is certainly a fine piece of film-making.

With excellent performances from the leading cast, especially Jeff Bridges as US Marshal Reuben Cogburn and Hailee Steinfeld who plays Mattie Ross, life on the frontier is brought to the fore in this incredible story which offers plenty of heart.

Most wannabe boy wizards would be content to see the final instalment of the Harry Potter series at some point during the week it comes out at the cinema (after July 15), but for some fans this just isn’t good enough.

Around a hundred dedicated Harry Potter followers are camping outside in Trafalgar Square to get their wristbands which will give them the chance to see their heroes in person.

The British premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is all set for this Thursday evening and these fans want to be part of the red carpet event when the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson pass by on their way to the screening.

Sleeping it rough for three days is certainly one way of demonstrating your devotion!

If you grew up in the 1990s watching programmes like the Day Today, Knowing Me, Knowing You and Alan Partridge then you will know all about Steve Coogan’s iconic creation. Over the last decade there have been rumours and conflicting reports about the Alan Partridge movie finally happening.

Speaking to various publications it seems like Steve and his long-time collaborator Armando Iannucci have come up with a script. However, as the project is still “in development” on the imdb.com website, it remains to be seen when this will see the light of day.

Partridge fans will just have to be content with watching re-runs for now.

The arrival of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at the Imax cinema in London last night had fans wondering if they were dreaming. The 24-year-old model certainly created a buzz when she took to the red carpet for the UK fan screening of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon.

However, despite the general consensus that the first-time actress stole the show for her looks, first reviews seem to suggest that she couldn’t live up to the hype in terms of her acting skills.

To be fair, the critics usually have nothing good to say when the Transformers franchise is mentioned in any case, and director Michael Bay does tend to be slammed even before his movies are released.

So, we’ll just have to make our own minds up about it (and the new female star’s acting prowess) when it is released in cinemas on June 29.

There are some films that you watch and immediately regard them as a classic. But, then, somewhere down the line you happen to chance on that very same flick on an ITV3 re-run and it happens to leave you in a state of confusion. How could I have rated that so highly?

We have all been there, at some time or other. For me it’s almost anything I loved in the 80s and early 90s when growing up. On the one hand you have the likes of Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, Goodfellas, The Shawshank Redemption and Die Hard which never fail to entertain me; you also have Short Circuit, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Batman and Fletch, which don’t age all that well.

As we approach the final two episodes in the captivating Sky Atlantic / HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones, it seems like the first season of the show has just flown by.

Adapted for TV from George R. R. Martin’s popular book series A Song of Ice and Fire the response has been such that a second season has already been announced.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the eight episodes so far, so much so that I have just started reading the book this show is based on. With such a talented cast and enthralling storylines in the world of Westeros, it seems like HBO have another hit show on their hands.

I was saddened to read that Roy Skelton died yesterday. For those who the name doesn’t instantly ring a bell, in addition to his voiceover work in Dr Who, the actor performed as Zippy and George on the much-loved kid’s TV show Rainbow (between 1972-92).

Recalling the antics of puppets George, Zippy and Bungle as they had fun with presenter Geoffrey Hayes brings back so many childhood memories of mine, as I grew up in the 80s.

Roy was 79 when he died and had put a good stint in, having worked on British TV screens for almost 50 years. Yet he remained almost unrecognisable during this time as a good voiceover artist can blend into society without being noticed.

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