documentary
Inside John Lewis, BBC TwoWednesday, 10 March 2010![]() There must have been gnashing of teeth and the rending of heavily discounted garments in the marketing departments of Marks & Spencer, House of Fraser et al, when they realised that their commercial rival had been granted a three-hour... Read more... |
The Lure of Las Vegas, BBC TwoSunday, 07 March 2010![]() “The Mob made Vegas,” says its mayor since 1999, Oscar B Goodman. And he should know, having defended plenty of mobsters in his time when - he and I are equally quick to point out - he was a defence attorney and didn’t know what they were really up... Read more... |
Capitalism: A Love StoryTuesday, 23 February 2010![]() If Michael Moore's new film were a person, it would be diagnosed with a severe case of Attention Deficit Disorder. His Cook's Tour through the ills of capitalism spans, inter alia: forced repossessions; worker lock-ins; the breadline salaries of... Read more... |
The Great Offices of State, BBC TwoThursday, 18 February 2010![]() That title has been troubling me. The Great Offices of State is so stolid and dull, like an illustrated Ladybird children’s book from the 1950s - The Flags of the Commonwealth, or some such. And then you start trying to think of alternatives, a play... Read more... |
Generation Jihad, BBC TwoTuesday, 09 February 2010![]() For a number of years I used to live opposite Abu Hamza. You didn’t see him much. I remember a Mercedes spilling devoutly robed football fans who had come to watch the game round his place when Iran played the USA in the 1998 World Cup. After 9/11,... Read more... |
OcéansMonday, 01 February 2010![]() Who doesn't like watching funny-looking fish? There are some doozies in Océans, the new film from Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzard, the duo that brought us Winged Migration. There's one creature with a mug like the Elephant Man and another which... Read more... |
Movie Gallery: OcéansMonday, 01 February 2010![]() To accompany Anne Billson's review of Océans, the new documentary from the men behind Winged Migration, we present a line-up of fishy customers from the film, including the two directors, the Jacques Cluzaud and Perrin. Real or fake, verité or... Read more... |
Interview: Liz Mermin on HorsesThursday, 28 January 2010![]() Whoever first made the observation - some say Winston Churchill, others Ronald Reagan - there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man, and a woman. On stage these noble beasts have inspired some highly... Read more... |
DVDs Round-Up 3Saturday, 09 January 2010![]() There's a strong distaff presence in theartsdesk's third DVD round-up. The headline film is Kathryn Bigelow's superb war thrillerThe Hurt Locker, currently mopping up awards in the US and a hot favourite for the Oscars. Also in the mix: Audrey... Read more... |
Mugabe and the White AfricanTuesday, 05 January 2010![]() He thought he owned his property - he had the title deeds to it, after all - but suddenly the ground shifted under his feet and there came an aggressive bid to snatch his home away. His savings became worthless in the economic chaos; the social... Read more... |
Storyville: Simon Mann's African Coup, BBC FourWednesday, 02 December 2009![]() It always used to be said that boarding school prepares you for every hardship. Whether that includes prison in one of the most impenitent dictatorships in Africa is not a question that was put to Simon Mann in last night’s edition of Storyville.... Read more... |
The Posters Came From The Walls, Clapham Picture HouseTuesday, 01 December 2009![]() In a pirate television (pirate television!) broadcast from 1992, a large group of Russian youths in flat top haircuts and leather jackets discuss Depeche Mode's appeal. “It's romantic style,” suggests one with absolute assurance, “it's music for the... Read more... |
