TV REVIEW: PARADISE - Season 2

3.5/5

Paradise Lost

8 Episodes. Starring: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Krys Marshall, Charlie Evans, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, Enuka Okuma, Thomas Doherty, Cameron Britton, Shailene Woodley & James Marsden. Created By: Dan Fogelman. On: Hulu & Disney +.

Ready for another season in 'Paradise' on Hulu and Disney Plus? This eight-episode wonder of a second series, from the 'This Is Us' creator/actor team of Dan Fogelman and Sterling K. Brown, will leave you thinking it's some sort of 'Lost' and 'Wayward Pines' hybrid. Or 'Prison Break' in reverse. And if you thought you heard that cover of the classic Phil Collins (there's even a President that looks like him, here, now the Cyclops of James Marsden has stepped down) song too many times, wait until 'The Final Countdown' of an epic, 'Exodus' end. Under the dome of the first season, we got to see the divide between the haves and the have nots, reflected back to the turbulent times we live in right now, like a mirror to the future. But this season, those locked below decks in the Titanic are coming up from the bowels of the ship for air.

Cliff-hangers rarely literally throw you out of a plane, but that's where Sterling K. Brown ('The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story', 'American Fiction', 'Black Panther') left us, out of 'Paradise', to end the first season. Now, the multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner has to leave his kids (great performances from Aliyah Mastin and Percy Daggs IV) as he looks for their mother and his beloved, Enuka Okuma. The great Brown, knows how to bring 'Waves' of lump in the throat emotion, even to more straight-forward scripts, and it's this nuance that helps propel a narrative that's anything but linear. Meanwhile, there's a power struggle inside the bunker, now the great Marsden is reduced to a recurring role. His son, Charlie Evans, isn't, mind you, maturing before us. Julianne Nicholson's Sinatra wants things done her way, but Sarah Shahi is determined to make her think about what she's done and the consequences of her actions. Meanwhile, agents Krys Marshall and a livewire Nicole Brydon Bloom, could give Eva Longoria in 'The Sentinel' or Taye Diggs in 'The West Wing' a run for their guns.

Flashbacks and more back story than the notebooks of 'Wonder Man', for a show sandwiched between the marvels of that and the second helping of the Disney 'Daredevil' from Hell's Kitchen, 'Born Again', help with depth and the introduction to some welcome guest stars. All whilst seemingly setting up more in a stepping stone of a second season, which takes tricks and tips from 'Prison Break' in extending its sentence. 'Mindhunter' and 'The Umbrella Academy' star Cameron Britton ('A Man Called Otto', 'Mickey 17') can bring a mix of sweet and sinister, like no other, and here he plays a postman that compels like Costner. Whilst Thomas Doherty's (a 'Descendant' of many a Disney movie) Dylan gives more life to the outside in this post-apocalypse that looks like ides this March. That's where he meets superstar Shailene Woodley ('The Fault In Our Stars', 'Divergent', 'Big Little Lies') on horseback, holed up, with people storming the gates of Graceland, as an Elvis tour guide. The scene-stealing best in show has barely been better, too. 'Paradise' find even more, with another way to turn trouble into television drama of the highest third season order. Ready to go deeper underground? TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Lost', 'Wayward Pines', 'Prison Break'.

DUAL REVIEW: BTS - THE COMEBACK - LIVE/THE RETURN - A DOCUMENTARY

4/5 (The Comeback)

4/5 (The Return)

Back To Seoul

62 Mins (The Comeback) / 93 Mins (The Return). Starring: RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, Jung Kook & V. Directors: Hamish Hamilton & Cameron Whitelaw (The Comeback) / Bao Nyguen (The Return). On: Netflix.

Switcheroo. Last week, Flea, candid and compelling, offered moving stories about his late, great guitarist bandmate in the Netflix documentary 'The Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel'. The same time RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, Jung Kook and V of South Korea's very own leading K-Pop act BTS made their long-awaited after their mandatory military service. All for 'Arirang', their highly-anticipated, brilliant, brand-new album, featuring the streaming single 'Swim' and the 'Body To Body' opening dancefloor number. Giving us 'The Comeback' live on Netflix in the same weekend. Much like how fellow boy band phenomenon Harry Styles gave the streaming service 'One Night In Manchester' to coincide with his solo release, 'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally'. This New Music Friday, Flea blew the trumpet on his first ever solo album, 'Honora', in honour of the bassist's family. All on the same day we got ready for 'The Return' of BTS again, in their new Netflix documentary film. Don't call it a comeback...that was so last week.

Netflix may have lost out to Paramount when it came to the acquisition of Warner Bros. (thanks a lot, Trump), but look what else they've picked up. Most recently, not only being the only streaming provider to televise this year's World Baseball Classic, they also gave us the MLB opening night between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. But it's the N x BTS deal that may just get an ARMY of new subscribers following. Disney used to be the Kingdom of BTS. From the 'Monuments: Beyond A Star' series detailing their hiatus, alongside the 'Permission To Dance' swan song live in LA, to all the documentaries about the solo work of J-Hope ('J-Hope In The Box') and Suga ('Road To D-Day'). Not to mention the hugely popular 'Are You Sure?!' travel series by Jimin and Jung Kook, which just sky-dived its second season in Switzerland. Yet that was the past and the best to come that was promised. And kept, as we see the future now, live on everybody's favourite streaming service that belongs to their best friend.

Now, what better way to debut their return record than with a homecoming in Seoul, South Korea, like no other...live? How about in the heart of the city, live from Gwanghwamun Square? The iconic temple that feels like a gate to the city featuring brushstrokes of projection mapping, added on to it for the effect at night, similar to what the digitally iconic TeamLab Borderless did to Kanazawa Castle and more, here in Japan. Classic, like the traditional dress of women singing the album title name's folk song as they sway in love, sorrow and endurance. Yet when the silhouettes of the magnificent seven appear on the map of the heart of Seoul, you just know it's on, like one of their biggest hits. Performing powerhouse records like 'Mic Dop', 'Dynamite', and other smooth like 'Butter' numbers, to go along with instant classic choice cuts off the new album. "Swim...swim." All as RM coolly took a seat, like this was a 'Yet To Come' performance, thanks to his going hard in rehearsals leaving him down on one knee, in matrimony with the Boyz II Men ballad seat.

In the engaging 'The Return', a documentary directed by Boa Nguyen ('Live From New York!', 'Be Water', 'The Greatest Night In Pop'), BTS debate whether they are using too long a sample of 'Arirang' in their album lead off track 'Body'. But as they sing, "my beloved/Who leaves me behind and departs/Your feet will tire/Before mine ever do," it's clear to hear that in-yun in 8,000 past lives, these boys would still be together. Most break...not this bulletproof squad. Candour and conviction are matched with a camaraderie that shows even the military couldn't tear apart what was already an army. And when they reunite on a beach, live online for their legions of fans, BTS behind the scenes like when Jimin asked Jung Kook if he was sure, you just know this one is more than just seven strong. Sealed with viral moments and a labour of love and trust of the process in a studio setting in Los Angeles, California. All the way back home across the shore and a live, studio plugged version of 'Swim'. A new lap for a group that has already taken its victory one and is about to run, run, run together again. The return has come all the way back. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'BTS - Monuments: Beyond The Star', 'BTS - Permission To Dance: On Stage - LA', 'Are You Sure?!'

REVIEW: MERCY

3/5

The Mercy Seat 

100 Mins. Starring: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers & Kenneth Choi. Screenplay: Marco van Belle. Director: Timur Bekmambetov. On: Amazon Prime Video.

Just mercy. That's all that 'Guardians Of The Galaxy', 'Jurassic World' and 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' franchise face, Chris Pratt wants in this A.I. sci-fi movie (I promise this review wasn't composed by Chat GPT...it wouldn't have this many errors) that speaks to the changing, terrifying times we live in. 'Project Hail Mary', the new Phil Lord and Christopher Miller space movie, based on 'The Martian' novelist Andy Weir's book, starring Ryan Gosling, just gave Amazon MGM Studios it's biggest opening ever. See it in all its big-screen, IMAX glory, as Gosling tells us it's their (moviemakers) and not our (the audience) jobs to get us back in theatres. I must admit, if I knew it was a Prime movie going in, I may have waited for streaming (we see you...or wait to see you, Chris Hemsworth's 'Crime 101'), because I sympathize with his bicycle riding (not for health) teacher. But I'm glad I didn't. On the other hand, Chris Pratt's 'Mercy' is worth the home viewing seat wait.

Not quite, the 'War Of The Worlds' Ice Cube franchise melting bad, 'Mercy' is a pretty decent movie. Captured with that 'Searching' screenlife genre that doesn't completely sap the life out of storytelling when done correctly. Pratt's ('Passengers', 'The Tomorrow War', 'The LEGO Movie') cop character has been accused of murdering his wife ('Peaky Blinders' star Annabelle Wallis...'The Immortal Man', Cillian Murphy, may have something to say about all this), and now he is literally at the mercy of 'Mission: Impossible' franchise star Rebecca Ferguson's (who actually is in 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man', on Prime Video's Netflix rival, this week) A.I. judge. He's got 90 minutes, or around this film time, to get his guilt level below 90%. Otherwise that digital courtroom chair he's sitting in will turn into an electric chair. With shades of 'Minority Report' and all those Philip K. Dick science-fiction stories that came before, Timur Bekmambetov's movie (off a slick, Marco van Belle script) has something to show and tell. Even if it comes at you more like the algorithms of modern-day pop-ups you just want to block.

Accept these cookies though, Bekmambetov ('Night Watch', 'Wanted', 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter') is the master of his screenlife domain ('Unfriended', 'Searching', 'Profile') no matter what you think of last year's 'War Of The Worlds' ("it's you...IT'S YOU!"). At least there isn't much Amazon product placement here, even if there are cool drone bikes, although it feels like they're resisting temptation as best they can. The real stroke though is the theatre between the charismatic Chris and Ferguson, serving looks and intelligence that is anything but artificial as she excels in playing a non-human in this art with smarts. Staring straight at you and boring holes in us at a thousand yards. There's also great support from 'True Detective: Night Country' partner Kali Reis, the Taserface of 'This Is Us' star Chris Sullivan, and the generations of Marvel Morita's, Kenneth Choi. Yet it's 'The Whispers' of young star Kylie Rogers ('Miracles From Heaven', 'Collateral Beauty', 'Beau Is Afraid') who offers more heart for this digital age. But what about the questions of how dependent we are on artificial intelligence these days, and how this assist could end up stealing our personal information if we don't take care of our privacy settings? The 'Mercy' seat is waiting for us. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Minority Report', 'Searching', 'War Of The Worlds'

REVIEW: PROJECT HAIL MARY

4/5

The Rocky/Grace Picture Show

156 Mins. Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz & Lionel Boyce. Screenplay: Drew Goddard. Directed By: Phil Lord & Chistopher Miller. In: Theatres & On: Prime Video.

Come with me for the best Hail Mary play since a football pass, or 2Pac song. We already knew mainstream, but nuanced, novelist Andy Weir is right with the teen dreams of Ernest Cline to be today's Philip K. Dick and Isaac Asimov when it comes to science-fiction writing. Making movies with Ridley Scott and Matt Damon's 'The Martian', surviving life on Mars by harvesting food from farm fertilizing farts. That big blockbuster, is met with this beautiful one, 'Project Hail Mary', as Weir brings more realism to a potential extinction level event, like he did maintaining meal prep on the red planet. Yet this Drew Goddard ('Cloverfield', 'World War Z', 'Daredevil' (see you tomorrow)) adapted screenplay is a lot more fun than the real-world implications of our end of days. Thanks to the lovable directing duo of 'The LEGO Movie', '21 (and 22) Jump Street' and the 'Spider-Verse' chronicles, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. And their kaleidoscope of versed images.

Cloudy, with a chance of asteroids, this project follows the legendary likes of the inspired 'Interstellar' and the cerebral 'Ad Astra' in its, "in space no one can hear you scream...because they've become a 90-year-old in what for you, was nine minutes", ideas. Yet it shares more in common with Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey', or Denis Villeneuve's 'Arrival'...but we will get to all that. The ninth highest-grossing film of 2026, so far, it's just been out a weekend, and it's only March, is also the best Amazon MGM Studios movie since the 'Air' of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck recruiting Michael Jordan to Nike really took off. Come fly with this, mind you, on the biggest interstellar IMAX screen of space before it goes to Prime Video streaming war with Netflix and Disney Plus. With Paramount out the bag Netflix was about to offer it, it's anyone's game now and, Amazon has already come prime with Chris Pratt's 'Mercy' and Chris Hemsworth's 'Crime 101'. Forget about the 'War Of The Worlds' product placement debacle.

Yet this is not a Chris (although he has a Lebowski cardigan to rival the cable knit of another Marvel man, Chris Evans in 'Knives Out'), but Ryan Gosling ('La La Land', 'Drive', 'Barbie'). A handsome Hollywood heartthrob playing way too good looking everymen (or Ken), like 'The Fall Guy' stunt, now he's happy and settled down with actress Eva Mendes (meeting on their best movie, 'The Place Beyond The Pines') and their family. Here, 'The Notebook' and 'Blue Valentine' star is a teacher like 'Half Nelson', wearing a yellow slicker that's a drain away from being grabbed by Pennywise. But he's already had 'First Man' astronaut experience. Let alone, science-fiction pedigree, with the brilliant 'Blade Runner 2049' sequel before his very own Star Wars vehicle. He'll need it, as he wakes up alone, like Chris Pratt on 'Passengers', with no memory of who he is, how he got here, or why? Looking like Jesus, and all set to be a saviour. He could pull a Pratt 'Passenger' move and rudely wake the rest of his crew up, but they now belong with the stars.

Heart-breaking, healing and hilarious, 'Project' will leave you crying with longing, and then so, with laughter. And the great Gosling plays it all perfectly, with heart, and the new trademark family movie fury, a la, Tom Hanks. There is a cast and crew, to go with the hot topics from his space storage closet, however. 'Anatomy Of A Fall' and 'The Zone Of Interest' star Sandra Hüller is just incredible after her own year, three years ago, in 2023. Best karaoke since Bill Murray in Tokyo. Whilst there's a buddy Costco comedy brewing with the always great Lionel Boyce, of 'The Bear' and Odd Future fame. But the real scene-stealing star of the show doesn't even have a face (hey, it worked for that dog (was it?) in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'). All credit to the puppet mastery and voice work of James Ortiz (soon to be the Andy Serkis of his collective craft) as the cute character creation Rocky, and a performance that will have you jumping for joy with your hands in the air at the top of the theatre steps. These two won't only try to save the world together, they'll also remake 'La La Land' promotional posters, with a dance just as iconic. Now, that's a sequel I want to see. Make that another 'Hail Mary' that lands. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Martian', 'First Man', 'Interstellar'.

REVIEW: PEAKY BLINDERS - THE IMMORTAL MAN

4/5

The Fallen Son

112 Mins. Starring: Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle, Barry Keoghan & Stephen Graham. Screenplay: Steven Knight. Director: Tom Harper. On: Netflix.

Blood is blind, as the sins of the father are visited on the son for 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man', in cinemas and on Netflix. The Steven Knight classic creation (directed by Tom Harper), that has inspired more barbershop crewcuts and flat caps than an old man's pub, getting the BBC Films treatment, much like Idris Elba's 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' in 2023. And akin to that tweed coat and red tie, the suited and booted in the face crime drama feels more like the series it is and always will be, but is great to be shown on the big-screen. 'Peaky Blinders' left our screens about the same time we stopped wearing masks, after six seasons and just over a decade. The last we saw of '28 Days Later' franchise face, Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby, he was an MP for the Labour Party. Since then Murphy's law ('Batman Begins', 'Inception', 'Dunkirk') saw his win a Best Actor Oscar for Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', by order of the Oscar Academy. An immortal man, indeed.

Yet Cillian returns to the character we know him best for, the Birmingham city gangster, taking out the trash. Albeit looking a little salt and pepper different under that cap (like I can talk). Tooling around his home like Christian Bale's Batman in 'The Dark Knight Rises', writing his memoirs, dressed to the pistol like Daniel Craig, or a Bond audition he swears he's busy for. Crafting character confliction like no other (that used to be his 'Inception' co-star Leonardo's art), haunted to those old blue eyes by the crimes he's committed and the mistakes he's made. The Howard Hughes exile won't last long, mind you, as he's brought back into the fray. And what an entrance to the bar top, as The Garrison is back open for business. Stick a pin in this explosive scene being one of the most epic entrance's in the franchises formidable fire and brimstone run. But what would bring the iconic Tommy Shelby back? How about a dynamite Barry Keoghan? Who is he? The trailer already tells you, but if you're saving it, I'm mum, like the late, great Helen McCrory.

Polly, Arthur and all the Shelby's before are more than missing in action in this big-screen bluster. Yet Keoghan ('The Killing Of A Sacred Deer', 'The Banshees Of Inisherin', 'Saltburn') makes up for all of that like the actor of the moment that he is. A wowzah of a wild-card shooting from the hip, and a big-name who has already shown he's about to hold all the cards as The Joker in 'The Batman' sequel. But this livewire is just like the 'Eternals' star joining Thor and Hulk (AKA Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo) as a blonde bike bomber in 'Crime 101'. Barry looks born to don the cap, and his chemistry with Cillian was already set with what they shared on a boat to 'Dunkirk'. Thick as thieves, or thick as pig s###? As these two get down on the mud before Murphy's Shelby rides through the city on the back of a horse, caked in it, and covered with the reaching palms of his constituents. Now, that's how you look like the legend that you are. Barry may bring it, but Cillian has cultivated it for a decade now. And when he dons the military fatigues you know he's bringing a war with him. Armed or not.

Brutal and beautifully shot and slow burning, yet life learning, 'The Immortal Man' plays a blinder for 'Peaky' lore and disorder. 'Dune' and 'Mission: Impossible' series star Rebecca Ferguson ('The Greatest Showman', 'Life', 'Doctor Sleep') is as underused as she is underrated, yet undeniable. Bringing it recently with Netflix's 'A House Of Dynamite and Amazon MGM Studio 'Mercy'. And most of the Shelby clan may be floating down a canal, but Sophie Rundle is still here and leaving her mark. Elsewhere 'Adolescence' Emmy winner Stephen Graham steps in for a recurring big name, similar to Tom Hardy. Giving us a glimpse of the old Liverpool docks in this great British drama of decades gone that also pays tribute to BSA munitions factory female workforce, who refused to go home when bombs were being dropped all around them. 'Peaky Blinders' has always brought the big names and guns. Sam Neill and Claflin, a brutalist Adrien Brody, and Anya Taylor-Joy. The great Tim Roth is no exception either, shooting it out with Shelby. All for an epic end that will live on in the bleak midwinter of immortality like Nick Cave's red right hand. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Peaky Blinders', 'Oppenheimer', 'Luther: The Fallen Sun'.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: THE RISE OF THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - OUR BROTHER HILLEL

4/5

He Was Red Hot

95 Mins. Starring: Anthony Kiedis, Flea & John Frusciante. Director: Ben Feldman. On: Netflix.

Dave Navarro, Josh Klinghoffer, Will Ferrell? California's band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, have had more legendary former members than there are Lakers jerseys in the Los Angeles' rafters. Such is the nature of line-up changes in rock music, that feels like a sport in itself, the Grammy museum being just across the road from the purple and gold home in Figueroa. No past member, mind you, save the returning John Frusciante, was more of an iconic influence than late, great guitarist Hillel Slovak. The man that the great Frusciante based his own freaky styles on. He's here, on record, to tell you as such. One of the great guitar Gods we lost tragically in 1988, when he was just 26-years-young.

Next New Music Friday, Flea will finally give you his own solo project, 'Honora', that we just have to honour and trumpet. Set to be an instant classic like its iconic album artwork of record dedication love in black and white. The first RHCP release we've been peppered with since 2022's double-delight return of 'Love Unlimited' and the 'Return Of The Dream Canteen'. And this documentary, 'The Rise Of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel', directed definitively by Ben Feldman, is the perfect precursor to this. Even though the band's official Instagram confirmed that this doc was actually unofficial, despite testimonials from Anthony Kiedis, Flea and John Frusciante...this was before the great Chad Smith's time to shine on the skins. Streaming on Netflix, for their own big weekend, after hitting a home run with the World Baseball Classic, following their strike-out on the Warner Bros. deal. Giving us not only their long-awaited 'Peaky Blinders' movie, 'The Immortal Man', but 'The Comeback' of South Korean pop juggernaut BTS for 'Arirang'.

Slovak was a sweet, sensitive soul, who was taken far too soon by the influence of drugs. In those LA times he was a rider of the storm, without a shirt, like the murals of the legendary Jim Morrison that open the doors to Venice Beach...wide. Hillel would journal like a beat poet and even scrawl sublime sketches that will remind you of the art of John Lennon...all in his own style, mind you. He had such an inspired impact on others. Especially Anthony and Michael...just wait until you hear the story of how he became "Flea". And why for this rise of the Red Hots is this film the perfect set-up for Balzary's solo set, next week? Because Hillel was the one who told Flea he should pick up a bass and slap it, like Este or Ami. Seeing Flea get emotional will break your heart in an utterly moving and sad story as Kiedis gets candid and compelling, too. Hillel Slovak appeared on four Chili Peppers albums, appearing on one track of the magnificent 'Mother's Milk', and the crosswalk with their sock of c###s out, 'The Abbey Road E.P.', but his memory and impression is still on the strings, punctuating their percussion to this day. The Red Hot Chili Peppers don't rise without their brother. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Devo', 'Keith Richards-Under The Influence', 'Red Hot Chili Peppers: Woodstock '99'.

REVIEW: BLUE MOON

4/5

Born To Be Blue

100 Mins. Starring: Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Jonah Lees, Patrick Kennedy, Bobby Cannavale & Andrew Scott. Screenplay: Robert Kaplow. Director: Richard Linklater. In: Theatres.

Rodgers and Hart's 'Blue Moon', a standard of the great American songbook, sung by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billie Holiday and others, contains words that will leave an indelible impression on your heart. With lines like, "You knew just what I was there for/You heard me sayin' a prayer for/Someone I really could care for." And that's the yearning that burns the back of the lump in your throat, like the bourbon that should have stayed in the bottle, for the barstool counsel of this beautiful and bracing biopic of the same song name. All as the ever-versatile, like 'Hit Man', Richard Linklater ('Dazed and Confused', 'School Of Rock', 'A Scanner Darkly'), off a screenplay from 'Me and Orson Welles' novelist Robert Kaplow, reunites with his 'Boyhood' and 'Before' trilogy frequent collaborator and renaissance man Ethan Hawke ('Dead Poets Society', 'Training Day', 'Moonlight'). Tackling the life of lyricist Lorenz Hart. Straight from the sleeved heart perspective of Hart's own reflections on the night his former colleague Richard Rodgers' and his new partner, Oscar Hammerstein II, became the toast of the town, on Broadway, following the success of their musical 'Oklahoma!' with exclamation.

Ethan Hawke knows when he's beat. At The SAG...excuse me, The Actor Awards last week, you should have seen presenter Viola Davis and then Michael B. Jordan's reaction to him winning the Best Actor award for his dual defining performance in the perfect horror blockbuster 'Sinners'. As Jordan approached the stage humbly, Hawke, in a waistcoat for the ages, just had to stop him after his own loving reaction, as the two men clapped hands and embraced in respect. Ethan nudging him towards his podium like a proud parent so happy to see his contemporary take what is rightfully his. And that's kind of how the Academy Awards should play out with Hawke, and Kaplow, nominated. With all due respect to Leonardo DiCaprio ('One Battle After Another'), Wagner Moura ('The Secret Agent') and Timothée Chalamet ('Marty Supreme'), who may have just derailed his own campaign with those ballet and opera comments, but deserved it more for playing Dylan as 'A Complete Unknown'. The closest to Michael, is Hawke, however, in a perfect performance that is more than just a physical transformation, for an actor who really has been bringing it to his cinematic craft. Especially over the last decade.

From 'Born To Be Blue' to 'Blue Moon', Chet Baker to Lorenz Hart, Hawke now has a knack for playing troubled troubadours in brutal biopics that defy the Hollywood paint by numbers conventions. His conviction has also compelled us to some of his finest work like 'Taxi Driver' writer Paul Schrader's 'First Reformed'. He remade 'The Magnificent Seven', reuniting with Denzel Washington and 'Michael' director Antoine Fuqua. Directed a movie about 'Blaze' Foley. Hunted Billy 'The Kid' as Pat Garrett. Played an electric 'Tesla'. And even left the world behind with Netflix, Julia Roberts and others. But 2025, may have been his, and his 'Stranger Things' starring daughter, Maya's, best year yet. With the one for me, one for you of this and 'The Black Phone 2' Halloween sequel, as a new iconic villain. Not to mention 'The Lowdown' the Emmy's should have got for his "truthstorian." But here, with a barman to client counsel with the great Bobby Cannavale on fine form, he regales us with stories much like the compelling beginning of 'Predestination' when he had the bar towel. Breaking our heart and then touching our funny bone at a turn in equal measure.

Based on the letters between Elizabeth Weiland and Hart's heart, 'Blue Moon' is a lonely night spotlight portrait of a man's charismatic solidarity. You can see it from the lines that shake the beginning of this true story in quotes. Literally making it a Sony Pictures Classic. This comedy and tragedy garnering a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy. The Elizabethan muse in question, played with punch by rising star of our moment Margaret Qualley ('Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood', 'Drive-Away Dolls', 'The Substance' and a couple of Yorgos Lanthimos pictures) in a blonde look set to drop bombshells like her vivid vulnerability. There are big, Hammerstein and Sondheim, names all over the show, but it's Jonah Lees' Morty Rifkin who deserves his introduction for playing piano throughout. Not to mention Patrick Kennedy's 'Stuart Little' writer E.B. White, mostly keeping himself to himself and playing the background. Yet the 75th Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear goes to a sublime Andrew Scott ('Fleabag', 'Ripley', 'All Of Us Strangers') fresh off waking up the dead man, with 'Knives Out'. Now, isn't that just life imitating its art? Still, Hawke, and Hart, will still have their time again, to shine under the bluest of moons. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Maestro', 'A Complete Unknown', 'Born To Be Blue'.

REVIEW: WUTHERING HEIGHTS

3.5/5

In The Heights

136 Mins. Starring: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Ewan Mitchell, Owen Cooper & Martin Clunes. Screenplay: Emerald Fennell. Director: Emerald Fennell. In: Theatres.

Weathering and withering the pages of Emily Brontë's first and only novel (her sisters Anne ('Agnes Grey') and Charlotte ('Jane Eyre') had a few more between them) right down to the spine, 'Wuthering Heights' has been adapted and lifted more times than pride and prejudice put together. It's even an epic Kate Bush song that could outrun the one that Max from 'Stranger Things' uses to free herself from Vecna. Now, following the 1992 classic featuring Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes, comes the 2026 version and era, produced, written and directed by 'Promising Young Woman' Emerald Fennell in feral mode. Reuniting with the 'Saltburn' of Jacob Elordi and 'Barbie' Margot Robbie to give us a romantic period drama so loosely based on Emily's 1847 text that "Wuthering Heights" is even in quotation marks. Scrawled on to a pane of glass in painful cursive. Yet there's still so much honour for the past that is prelude. So much so, even the promotional poster is gone with the wind. Arching back to the symbolism and shape of things to come.

Fennell has played with 'The Crown', as none other than Camilla Parker-Bowles, and appeared in period pieces like 'Anna Karenina' and 'The Danish Girl' as an actor. But it's behind the camera, where Emerald shines, and is at her most compelling, like in her classic with Carey Mulligan. The former 'Killing Eve' showrunner puts on quite a show here that she has everybody in a fluster. Some degrading critics are calling this disgraceful, but after the colour and shape of things to come in this art form on screen, people will be leeching off of Fennell's style for years. Sure, 'Wuthering Heights' is not perfect. It's not for everybody. But what is in this world where we want to have it our way like the King? Times move on. Even an older guy like me can't complain that the 'Once Upon A Dream' contemporary of Lana Del Rey isn't on the soundtrack. Because great British bold and beautiful singer Charli XCX, and a vocal range that haunts makes this 'Wuthering Heights' soundtrack her own actual album, going Gaga.

Wuthering with you, these heights are more like when Aussie Baz Luhrmann made a gaudy show of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' with Leonardo DiCaprio, Mulligan and Tobey Maguire before these roaring twenties. It really picks up in the third act, and that's not because of all the sex, but all the actual epic emotion behind it. Save for moments of true ignorant and intolerable cruelty that surely must be in the book, because you'll even wish they were left out, like certain infamous parts of Stephen King's 1000 plus page tome of 'IT'. This will have you all in true tears for all it does. And notes on the author, if, like me, you haven't read this book yet, you could literally get it on your Kindle right now (like me) for 14 pence. That might have been a lot of money back in the Brontë day, but you can come up with it and lint, right now. All whilst critics are still coming up with reasons to hate. Like the ridiculous one of superstar and icon Margot Robbie ('I, Tonya', 'Bombshell', 'Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood') being too old for this part. WHAT?! The Barbie and Harley icon who made her mark in 'The Wolf Of Wall Street', giving us one of her best, since Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen Of Scots' and the ever underrated 'Babylon', is in her prime and perfect here.

Yet, it's Heathcliff that will steal your heart from the margins of this print. The euphoric Jacob Elordi has already played The King, Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla', and he's just garnered an Oscar nomination for haunting as Oscar Isaac's creature in Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' epic on Netflix. Truly understanding the pain behind Mary Shelley's classic novel. And now he gets to do it with another legendary woman's words and work in another English literature epic. Seducing you, this young prince even has the look to show you he could play McCartney, with all due respect to the great Paul Mescal, whom deservingly so, will. The last moment he shares with 'Star Trek: Discovery' star Shazad Latif (The Jekyll and Hyde of 'Penny Dreadful') will break you, but what he does to fellow 'Saltburn' star Alison Oliver is unforgivable. Elsewhere 'The Whale', 'Kinds Of Kindness' and 'The Menu' star Hong Chau ('Inherent Vice', 'Downsizing', 'Asteroid City') steals the show, like she always does. Whilst Ewan Mitchell and legend Martin Clunes really are men behaving badly. Yet it's the 'Adolescence' of Emmy winner Owen Cooper who really reveals Heathcliff's heart. No one else hits those heights. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Frankenstein', 'Mary Queen Of Scots', 'The Great Gatsby'

TV REVIEW: LOVE THROUGH A PRISM

4/5

The Colour Of Love

20 Episodes. Starring: Atsumi Tanezaki, Koki Uchiyama, Megumi Han, Yōhei Azakami, Shogo Sakata, Yuki Kaji, Akari Kitō, Yūko Kaida, Junichi Suwabe, Sumire Uesaka & Hōchū Ōtsuka. Created By: Yoko Kamio. On: Netflix.

Love is the greatest art and early twentieth-century London serves as the compelling canvas for the new Netflix anime 'Love Through A Prism' from 'Boys Over Flowers' author Yoko Kamio (also adapted into a manga in the same month from 'Special A' student Maki Minami). Now, it's brushes over boys, or maybe not one, as a Japanese student from Yokohama heads to the Big Smoke to make her dreams of being the next Van Gogh, Matisse, or Hokusai come true. The voice of Anya Forger from anime megahit 'Spy x Family', Atsumi Tanezaki, plays the plucky lass, Lili, and you'll barely be able to recognize that it's her as she enters a great British school of art on the parental proviso that if she doesn't come top of her class within six months, she's to come back on the next ship heading for the port town that this writer now calls home in the Land of the Rising Sun.

If this all seems a little paint by numbers, then just you wait until you see the sketching pencil thrown into the blue paint works. Lili thought she already had her work cut out for her, from her literal fish pie mornings, to keeping up with a scholar (Hōchū Ōtsuka) who likes to quote Shakespeare more times than the Globe Theatre. But now she's literally met her match in the stoic Kit Church (Koki Uchiyama) who would rather break a pencil than crack a smile. But he'll offer you a piece of bread covered in charcoal, like he was a beggar on the streets running by the Thames he sketches, like the Houses Of Parliament. Now wouldn't it be something if our young Japanese exchange student fell in love with said passion project rival? Wanting Church to call Lili his one and only like The Smashing Pumpkins song for all this melancholy. You'll certainly fall in love with this amazing anime of brushstroke beauty. Big Ben looking bold as such, with some classic Cotswolds countryside takes to deliver you from the big city bluster.

There's even a Marks & Spencer's, like this was Hong Kong, for this Far East hit. Yet, it's when this London creative calling animation heads back home to Japan that things get really traditional for the iconic Japanese art form. Beautiful black and white stroking and serenading you to the pan crackling sizzles of the old film style, sounding like a needle has been dropped on a record. Ending this twenty-episode serial, that never gets old, with a Holy Trinity, heaven sent, big-three. There will be fireworks too, my new city is famous for them, as you'll never know quite where the paint will run in this anything but predictable plot. Voice actor stars Megumi Han, Yōhei Azakami, Shogo Sakata, Yuki Kaji, Akari Kitō, Yūko Kaida, Junichi Suwabe, Sumire Uesaka round out the rest of the cast in the pub that turns this all into one of the modern day's greatest art form's best works. With the blooming 'Star Flower' of Chilli Beans in closing, following Naoki 'naotyu-' Chiba's terrific theme. Through a prism of love, this has all the colours or rich vibrancy and life itself. Hang it in the grandest of galleries to look through. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Violet Evergarden', 'Kids On  The Slope', 'Miss Hokusai'.

TV REVIEW: WONDER MAN - Season 1

4/5

Wonderful 

8 Episodes. Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sir Ben Kingsley, X Mayo, Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed, Byron Bowers, Joe Pantoliano & Josh Gad. Created By: Destin Daniel Cretton & Andrew Guest. On: Disney +.

Acting right, isn't it a wonder that they always say this about Marvel? The Los Angeles Lakers like hated franchise of entertainment. They drop a few duds, more like misfires, and everyone from newsprint to social media columns says that it's over. Only for them to lament the grand return when we see Robert Downey Jr. at Comic Con with a different iron mask, and Cap back on task for a dominant 'Doomsday' trailer that's bringing all the universes together, even those old X-Men favourite's playing original dress-up, like 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. Marvel Television has already had genre bending hits ('WandaVision') with real depth. Let alone inspired instantly bingeable shows, released differently than their usual week-by-week scheduled programming ('Echo'). Because of that, critics were quick to call this one bad, when little hype and nary a trailer accompanied 'Wonder Man' in his Hollywood one. Until, like any young limelight upstart, this different, all the way to the credits, tough act to follow proved everyone wrong with its name in bright yellow lights.

Marvel Spotlight has already shone its gaze on a wider view of their comic-book world of graphic novels in gorgeous black and white. See the Halloween special 'Werewolf By Night', in colour, too, like the forthcoming 'Spider-Noir', starring 'Ghost Rider' Nicolas Cage on Amazon Prime. And a midseason break for this eight-episode wonder brings an actual comic character called Doorman (a brilliant Byron Bowers) to your front one. Even if it is 'Frozen' star Josh Gad who steals the show. He's not the only real actor getting in on the act of things, playing a fictional version of himself with epic exaggeration. How about 'The Matrix', 'The Fugitive' and 'Bad Boys' star Joe Pantoliano really showing you you shouldn't meet your heroes? Because this superhero story, from 'Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' and 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' director Destin Daniel Cretton and 'Hawkeye' producer Andrew Guest ('30 Rock', 'Community', 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine') on Disney Plus, is about the making of one. 'Wonder Man', the classic TV show and the Stan Lee, Don Heck and Jack Kirby character with ionic energy. Ionic Man anyone? We already have a Wonder Woman.

Not to be confused with a DC Amazonian princess played by Gal Gadot, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II ('The Get Down', 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'The Adventures Of Cliff Booth') really is superpowered. After cutting his teeth in blockbusters like 'Baywatch' with The Rock and Hugh Jackman's 'The Greatest Showman', Yahya played Black Panther Bobby Seale in 'The Trial Of The Chicago 7', became 'Candyman' (after joining 'Us' with Jordan Peele) and even channelled Laurence Fishburne perfectly as Morpheus for 'The Matrix Resurrections'. Now the 'Ambulance' star is about to continue his terrific television run, taking over Denzel Washington's role as a 'Man On Fire'. But this hero for hire has already tried on capes on the other side of the street. Whether playing the Black Manta villain for the 'Aquaman' franchise, or pulling a Jason Mamoa Lobo and appearing beautifully in the HBO 'Watchman' show which we still shouldn't spoil. He even fought Captain America himself on 'Black Mirror'...and then some.  Yet through all of this, he was born to play Wonder Man, like this movie's director, played by 'Triangle Of Sadness' actor Zlatko Burić. The same man Hawkgirl dropped to his death in 'Superman' with a sexy look.

Marvel makes mistakes, sure, but the K.E.V.I.N. machine really knows how to pivot, and tie everything back together in a bold and beautiful bow. Because it's still all connected. In the worst example of whitewashing turned on its meta head, the M.C.U. made the legendary 'Iron Man' villain The Mandarin, a classically trained British bloke who loves football...I'm not calling it soccer. Pardon me, that English gentleman in different drapes was none other than the legendary Sir Ben Kingsley ('Lucky Number Slevin', 'Shutter Island', 'Hugo'). The Shakespearean actor who was both 'Gandhi', and a 'Sexy Beast'. Those who hated the 'Iron Man 3' twist found solace in the One Shot 'All Hail The King' with Scott McNairy. All before the one and only Trevor Slattery stole the show in Cretton's 'Shang-Chi' as the perfect surprise. Now, in 'Wonder Man', Kingsley gives more depth of heart and humour to Slattery. You'll never see him coming. And the beautiful bond formed with Mateen makes for the bromance of the year. They did that. Ready for another lesson? This show, with great turns from M.C.U. agent Arian Moayed ('No Way Home', 'Ms. Marvel') and comedian and 'The Daily Show' writer X Mayo, is the real marvel. Wonder no more. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'WandaVision', 'Watchmen', 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'.

REVIEW: BUGONIA

4/5

Kinds Of Alienness

118 Mins. Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias & Alicia Silverstone. Screenplay: Will Tracy. Director: Yorgos Lanthimos. In: Theatres.

The secret life of the bees in your backyard, whose honey makes up one-third of our food, may just tell you the world as we know it is coming to an end. South Korean director Jang Joon-hwan ('Hwayi: A Monster Boy', '1987: When The Day Comes', 'The Running Actress') already warned us to 'Save The Green Planet!' over twenty years ago, and he serves as executive producer here after almost directing this remake of said film. 'Bugonia', however, an ancient Greek term meaning "ox birth", is now helmed by the great Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos ('The Lobster', 'The Killing Of A Sacred Deer', 'Dogtooth'), with a script from Will Tracy ('The Menu', 'Succession', 'Last Week Tonight With John Oliver'), the former editor of The Onion. Tracy, himself, executive produced last year's social scathing 'Eddington', with paranoia running in the same vein here. That epic was directed by the great Ari Aster ('Hereditary', 'Midsommar', 'Beau Is Afraid'), who in turn, also serves this as a producer.

Now, if you thought the 'Sinners', 'Fruitvale Station', 'Black Panther' and 'Creed' combo of director Ryan Coogler and superstar actor Michael B. Jordan was the new Scorsese and De Niro/DiCaprio, then what about Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone? Lanthimos' last four pictures have all starred Stone. This, 'Kinds Of Kindness', 'Poor Things' and 'The Favourite'. And they've been coming out at an alarming clip. The last big-three coming out in successive years. And now, 'Bugonia' brings movies by Yorgos back to 'Best Picture' nominations at the Academy Awards after the criminally underrated 'Kindness' faltered. To be fair, it literally feels like it came out a week after 'Poor Things' which gave Emma Stone ('Birdman', 'The Help', 'Battle Of The Sexes') her second Oscar following 'La La Land'. She can count on another one here, as she bald bears all, dedicating even more of herself than Leonardo eating raw bison for 'The Revenant'. Another muse of Yorgos Lanthimos might just be the great Jesse Plemons ('Killers Of The Flower Moon', 'I'm Thinking Of Ending Things', 'Civil War'), after he also took the lead in 'Kinds Of'.

Is Emma Stone an alien? Here, a perplexed Plemons, nursing grief and an online diet of hate (kudos to the review that gave this movie the tag-line 'Alien vs. Redditor'), believes so. Kidnapping this CEO of immense power, believing she's an even more powerful being looking to bring destruction to planet earth. Barely keeping his conspiracy theories together, like his tied-back hair, or 'X-Files' wannabe suit, Jesse masks his fear of a planet fading to black with what he thinks is righteous indignation. His basement jacked kidnapping going to hog-tying lengths of psycho-babble and torture by electrocution and Green Day's most popular album. What sort of dookie is this? As if we have the time to listen to him whine. Stone, on the other hand, rubbing antihistamine cream into her newly shaved dome, shows us who's really in control with another commanding performance to the powerhouse of her rapidly expanding and type-defying repertoire. One "guess who's coming to dinner" scene will really stick a fork in everything you thought was going to happen.

From cellar dwelling to giving thanks for this meal, the brutal and brilliant 'Bugonia' could even play out on the stage of theatre. But there are some other players in this dialogue that Plemons assures us is not 'Death Of A Salesman'. Jesse's tin-hat character, however, should be less concerned with all he's reading and believing on the internet, and more with what he's doing. Manipulating his autistic cousin to the lengths of confusion and chemical castration. Played with sincere soul by Aidan Delbis. Nominated at the Astra Awards as Best Young Performer, there is sensitivity and not a hint of what was going on with Benny Safdie in that Robert Pattinson movie that in that regard wasn't such a 'Good Time'. Plemons thinks he's doing this all for his mother, played by 'Clueless' and 'Batman & Robin' actress Alicia Silverstone (WHAT?!) to sobering effect. Picking up where she left off in Netflix's 'Reptile' (with Benicio del Toro and Justin Timberlake) and Lanthimos' own 'Sacred Deer'. Add stand-up Stavros Halkias' cop character, with a hinted abusive past as a catalyst, and this wild ox births new ideas about class and social media divides and the power of both. Not to mention the greed of human nature and the environment we think is our own. Be more responsible, honey! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Poor Things', 'Kinds Of Kindness', 'Save The Green Planet!'

TV REVIEW: HIS & HERS - Miniseries

3.5/5

Crime and Punisher

6 Episodes. Starring: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Sunita Mani, Crystal Fox, Marin Ireland, Poppy Liu & Chris Bauer. Developed By: William Oldroyd. Showrunner: Dee Johnson. On: Netflix.

His. He is 'The Punisher'. Jon Bernthal, AKA, Frank Castle. Given a 'Brand New Day' with 'Spider-Man', and a Marvel Spotlight on Disney Plus after being 'Born Again' with 'Daredevil' last year. A superhero show that began on Netflix, like this true detective one. 'His & Hers', a six-episode miniseries on the most successful streaming service. Based on British novelist Alice Feeney's 2020 mystery novel and developed by William Oldroyd (the Florence Pugh 'Lady Macbeth' movie). Show ran by Dee Johnson ('Nashville', 'ER', 'The Good Wife'), the 'His' used to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge carrying a weighted backpack at the crack of dawn on his way to Castle in New York's Hell's Kitchen. After fuelling his 'Fury' acting by the fact that he couldn't see his new-born. All whilst impressing Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese with how he could sell you a pen in 'The Wolf Of Wall Street'. 'The Walking Dead' star is one of the best in the business ('The Accountant', 'The Bear', 'Wind River'), but here he rolls up his sleeves to cop a character that may be closer to this case than he lets on.

Hers. The only match for Marvel's skull and cross bones is the Queen of New Asgard herself, Valkyrie. Tessa Thompson is a terrific thespian, 'Passing' as a blockbuster actress (see, the 'Creed', 'Rocky' spin-off franchise). 'Dear White People', 'Sorry To Bother You'. 'Annihilation', 'War On Everyone'. Her credits are as vast as she is still underrated. But here, the 'Hers' forms a great one-two punch with Bernthal, himself. Husband and wife, yes. But the only thing this his and hers share now is a linkto the case they're both trying to investigate. One with a badge and gun. The other with a microphone and a slot on the 9 o'clock news. There's no his and hers towels. Just hotel ones and towels covering the back seat of trucks, as the only thing more crooked than this case is the cheating that goes on behind the scenes and between the sheets. 'His & Hers' is equal parts hot and horrifying. You'll be scared straight and terrified of who to trust, let alone your own lust.

'His & Hers' is not just a couple on the brink of divorce and cracking open this case that twist and turns more than extramarital lovers. Just outside of Atlanta, in the small town of Dahlonega, there's been a murder, and there's not enough police tape or newsprint to keep the public from finding out what's really going on. 'The Wire's' Pablo Schreiber captures more than what's on his camera. Whereas Rebecca Rittenhouse reveals even more, as Poppy Liu looks to cause trouble too. There is much darker depth in the heart of family, with Bernthal's sister Marin Ireland, and the moving mothering of Crystal Fox. And it's always good to see veteran actor Chris Bauer, on a 'Thunderbolts*' tear recently. But there's a real 'Glow' to this show that comes from Netflix scene-stealer Sunita Mani ('Mr. Robot', 'The Roses', 'Scenes From A Marriage'), about to solve this case on her own, all the way from Boston. 'His & Hers' woke up a calm January on Netflix with an addictive narrative that kept us guessing until the end. It's a shame that was all there was to it. Never mind. It still made a killing. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Lowdown', 'Black Rabbit', 'The Madness'.

REVIEW: TOGETHER

4/5

'Til Death Do Us Part

102 Mins. Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie & Damon Herriman. Screenplay: Michael Shanks. Director: Michael Shanks. In: Theatres.

Scared of commitment? Then spending time with 'Together' will make your skin crawl. When Dave Franco ('21 Jump Street', 'Now You See Me', 'Night Shift') and Alison Brie ('GLOW', 'Scream 4', 'Promising Young Woman') wed, they became one of Hollywood's best young talent power couples. Now, for better or worse, they star together in Michael Shanks' (also serving as screenwriter) directorial debut. Joining hands in matrimony with a mysterious force for a body-horror, labour of love that strikes anxiety inducing themes of codependecy right at your nervous system. Now, that's a sticky situation to be in. Like falling through a forest into a cave surrounded by ominous bells with no phone service. Just whistles. So sweaty, you almost might not be able to come apart like held hands after a first date with sparks. But that's not mildew and that odor in your new home ain't mould. Do you smell a rat yet? Because the foreboding signs are everywhere, together.

Wannabe a betting man or woman when I say you'll be haunted by a Spice Girls single off their first album...and not because it's on vinyl? Coming a little closer and setting their spirits free, Brie and Franco have never been better. Not even in their first project together, 'The Rental' of Dave's directorial debut, to be frank. It's Shanks turn to get behind the camera and chair for his opening act, however. The 'Off The Air', 'The Wizard Of Aus', and 'The Slot' small-screen wonder could be the next Ari Aster, after this movie, if he keeps it together like this. Just like the indie film production and distributing company NEON, could be the bright new, electric start-up like A24, in all-caps. Especially if they keep making love stories like this and last year's 'Love Lies Bleeding' (also co-starring Franco). Out in the countryside this supernatural hit should scoop all the indie awards, darlings. Who knew a body horror could be so beautiful? Spiritual, not sensual. You'll more than shudder at the sex scene. This is the best explicit look of love since Japan's 'Romance Doll'. Don't be put off by the packaging.

Straining the skin and getting under it like Scarlett, this film will stay with you, to your core. All the way to a conclusion as satisyfing as the one of a wedded Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as 'The Roses'. Oddly the two movies, both available to watch in Japan to begin this year, sharing similair themes of love and marriage. But no matter what Cumberbatch and Colman throw at each other from the kitchen, instead of roses, you'll be scare absolute straight here by the things that go LOOK in the night. With 'Weapons' grade unnerving disposition. It really is the era for new horrors, and this one will have you choking on the hair you hide behind (I wish) as your skin will feel worse than what you couldn't watch with '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'. Brie's brilliant, but at times blind English teacher (they say love is) and Franco's lovesick, but stunted, wannabe musician without a driving license (um) called Tim (erm), act out all of love's twist and turns on one so bright it could burn you. Where no one, and everyone, is to blame. And what of a great Damon Herriman's ('The Bikeriders') concerned neighbour and teacher? I mean, this is a guy that played Charles Manson twice ('Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood', 'Mindhunter'). Contorting and fusing together like a rat-king, this eros in symposium will make purists and Plato proud. The origin and nature of together, forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Send Help', 'The Substance', 'Club Zero'.

REVIEW: THE ROSES

3.5/5

A Rose By Any Other Name

105 Mins. Starring: Benedict, Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao & Allison Janney. Screenplay: Tony McNamara. Director: Jay Roach. On: Disney +.

Coming up, smelling of roses, despite the thorns of divorce, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are bloomin' marvellous as 'The Roses'. The great Brits' delightfully dark, disarming and charming chemistry, in this black comedy, is combustible from their very first electric moment in the kitchen, unaware that they're holding hands, that won't part, together. Reminding us of the 'Together' body-horror, love story, from real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, released in Japan this weekend, now you can also see 'The Roses' on Disney Plus in the Land of the Rising Sun. Benedict's architect can't stand the heat of an insufferable apartment planning dinner meeting, so he goes into the kitchen of Olivia's head of all chefs. She offers him a bite. He can't get enough of the taste. She tells him she's moving to California tomorrow. He suggest coming along. "We haven't even had sex yet", she protests. "Yes, but that's just minutes away", he replies. DAMN!

Jay Roach ('Trumbo', 'Bombshell', those groovy 'Austin Powers' films, baby!) knows a thing or two about making classic comedies with a terrific twist to the genre's plot. See, 'Meet The Parents', 'Dinner For Schmuks' and 'The Campaign'. But here, he really blends his two-pronged attack of storytelling and joke-making. Sticking a fork in, not one, but two classic kitchen scenes that literally throw everything at you...except the kitchen sink (but give it a half hour and some power tools). Even Ralph Fiennes doesn't have this on 'The Menu'. Remaking 'The War Of The Roses', Warren Adler's 1981 novel, aaand the 1989 movie starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and director Danny DeVito, Roach sets fire to everything in sight at an alarming clip. Two of the best of British, when it comes to thespians and pop culture celebrities, Colman and Cumberbatch seem like a cheeky match made in Hollywood heaven. Especially when you see the name of Olivia's seafood restaurant out in Cali'. But just wait until this couple's retreat turns into 'Send Help' and a therapist couch that takes more hits than Billy Crystal's analysing Robert De Niro.

Colman's cuisine is flying. Meanwhile, Benedict's dream of playing house have done more than hit rocks. And there goes the budget...not to mention, the best YouTube remix video since those 'Fockers' did it with Ben Stiller. Because The Internet never forgets. Olivia couldn't be happier with today's special, Cumberbatch, on the other hand, must be forced to eat humble pie, with a bitter pill. It's also hard for Olivia Colman's character to swallow how Benedict Cumberbatch's stay at home Dad has not only turned their two kids into the next Olympic athletes, but also alienated them from her. 'The Favourite', 'The Crown' and 'The Lost Daughter' actress, and 'The Imitation Game', 'Sherlock' and 'Doctor Strange' actor are amazing on their own, but together...they're dynamite. Trading barbs, physical put downs and more one up man and womanship over contract negotiations (yep...that contract) than the most classic of comedies. A scene with the great Allison Janney channelling Laura Dern in 'Marriage Story' has more bite than its bark, tied up in the corner, when she's let off the leash. The perfect (on paper) pair even have an Alexa like home help called Hal, who would probably even open the pod bay doors for one, if the other one was out of earshot. Who gets him in the divorce?

I give it a year...if they're lucky. In this epic ensemble that plays host to some all-stars at the last supper like dinner table on this picture's promotional poster. All appetizer, main course and dessert served on Tony McNamara's script ('The Favourite', 'Poor Things', 'Cruella') until the satisfying toast in conclusion. Andy Samberg, with some of the best lines, plays best friend to perfection, but it's the wonderful Kate McKinnon who really seduces you, like her offbeat talent always does. SNL misses both members of this husband and wife team. The Roses may need more than a therapist, but there's a doctor in the house. Who? The endearing Ncuti Gatwa ('Sex Education'). But it's Sunita Mani who steals the show, like she does in things like, Netflix's 'GLOW' and 'His & Hers'. Jamie Demetriou is as hilarious as he was in 'Fleabag', and Zoë Chao (Providence, Rhode Island's finest) is as crazy as she was in 'Nightbitch', especially when the pair try their hand at British banter. Winning the bread, this dream home that turns into a nightmare is something you can't separate yourself from. This is one rose that doesn't smell like poo-poo-ooh. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The War Of The Roses', 'The Five-Year Engagement', 'We Live In Time'.

TV REVIEW: THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY

4/5

The Anthology Album

9 Episodes. Starring: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr. Create By: The Beatles. On: Disney +.

Get back to Disney Plus, if you want to spend more time with The Beatles. Mickey Mouse has given the Fab Four from Liverpool a lot of real estate in Disneyland over the last few years. Almost like the Marvel of superheroes, Star Wars and, cue the clouds, 'The Simpsons'. Now, if you thought Taylor had her era here, and from 'The Final Show' of 'The Eras Tour', to 'The End Of An Era' six-episode docuseries coming at the same time, the biggest musician since John, Paul, George and Ringo really does, wait until you see these lads. 'The Lord Of The Rings' director Peter Jackson's almost nine-hour 'Get Back' documentary, taking a look at the making of their landmark last album 'Let It Be', and their final show on the rooftops of downtown London started it all, saving us in our social isolation, coming out of COVID. But over the last few years, Disney Plus have also given us the remastered 'Let It Be' documentary, thanks again to Jackson, and the year that was, the 'Beatles '64' epic. 

Count on more 'Help!' to come from The Beatles original movies before we get the fabulous four ones from Sam Mendes starring Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan. Not to mention Saorise Ronan and 'Shogun's' Anna Sawai as Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono, respectively. A Starz Original on the streaming service even gives you McCartney's '3, 2, 1', with a little help from his legendary producer friend, Rick Rubin (The Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash's 'American Recordings'), but this is The Beatles 'Anthology' that you've been waiting for, created by the band itself. Nine episodes in the biographical docuseries like no other, not even Tay, Tay, gives us a backstage pass to the life and times and highs and lows of the greatest group of all-time. From studio creation to commercial success. Bowl cut to bohemian look. This Apple Corps series tells the tale of Beatlemania, from the scream of teens, to behind-the-scenes. All restored with love by Peter Jackson's Park Road Post.

The long and winding road of this eight-year band (that was it?!), that will last forever takes you through plenty of twists and turns through their eight day week. But all you need is to come together over the love. From coming to America, The Ed Sullivan Show and Shea Stadium, to causing uproar in Japan when they became the first band to play Tokyo's 1964 Olympic martial arts venue, the Nippon Budokan. Now a regular concert fixture in the city, this writer seeing Norah Jones and The Smashing Pumpkins there in just one-week, last September. But from The Cavern, to the Budokan, these Liverpool lads faced trouble in The Philippines when they didn't make a royal appointment for lunch. Frenzied fans full of tears are bound to break some hearts, and some thought that would be it for the Fab Four, but then 1967 came. And an outstanding output like nothing before, or since. After reloading the 'Revolver', they visited 'Sgt. Pepper's' on a 'Magical Mystery Tour', all whilst giving us 'The White Album' and taking a real trip on a 'Yellow Submarine', before they crossed 'Abbey Road' to 'Let It Be'. And now, a new ninth episode reunites Paul, Ringo and the late George as they try to make new music with old Lennon recordings. One that you can hear, added to the anthology, now and then. Always to return. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Beatles - Get Back', 'The Beatles - Let It Be', 'Beatles '64'

TV REVIEW: TAYLOR SWIFT - THE END OF AN ERA (The 6 Episode Docuseries)/THE ERAS TOUR-THE FINAL SHOW

4/5 ('The End Of An Era')

5/5 ('The Final Show')

Era Redefining

Swiftly, the word "era" has become Taylor's. Even though all of us, not this 40-year-old though, are using it always to describe our everyday life. "I'm in my cream cheese on bagels era." No, you're not, Jack, you're just having a nice breakfast. Enjoy it, whilst we run to work with toast hanging out our mouths. We're in our, "oh DAMN! I'm late again" era. Don't let it go cold for Instagram. Seriously though, Taylor Swift is redefining everything. Music, culture, the economy of some countries. From rerecording her own albums to take back ownership of her masters from the man. To performing all of these albums, or eras, in concert for the biggest tour the world has ever seen on a sold-out stage across the hemispheres. The star who was born to do this is our generations Elvis. And coming out of the cage of COVID, we've never seen a tour quite like this, thank you very much.

I missed it here in Tokyo, but I could still feel the atmosphere outside of the Giants Dome that held Taylor's version two years back. Not sure if I regretted not taking up the offer to digitally pay for tickets from the various X accounts that would be suspended a day later. Anyone in attendance knew they were the lucky ones, mind you. Even the Japanese government reassured the watching world that Taylor would be here just days after she watched her now fiancée Travis Kelce win the Superbowl with his Kansas City Chiefs, like the jerseys that adorned the crowd. If you missed out on a once in a lifetime experience (how does she follow this?), then Disney Plus already has you covered with the concert movie to go along with Miss Americana's 'Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions', behind-the-scenes look at her quarantining to create one of her deepest and best albums to date. But last Christmas, Disney also gifted us with the mammoth three-and-a-half-hour final show of The Era's Tour from Canada's Vancouver, BC.

Now, if that wasn't enough, as a plus, the house of mouse has also given us another documentary to go along with Glen Weiss' great directed showstopper that's available in 4K and Dolby Atmos for all your home cinemas. Featuring, as a treat, the entire set of her album 'The Tortured Poet's Department', that we didn't get from the showgirl's previous set. But the real find for the fans is 'The End Of An Era', 'The 6 Episode Docuseries'. A backstage past to all the inner workings and planning that go into creating and crafting the biggest concert of all-time. Fondly featuring family and friends, this intimate and inspired doc also stars Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Florence Welch, Ed Sheeran, and of course, Travis. Around three quarter of an hour each, these episodes are epic, but they become something else when they introduce us to the cast and crew that Swift states she couldn't do without. Tears will be shed, like when Taylor was deeply affected by the attacks that happened in my hometown of Southport at a Taylor themed dance event for children. And we can't thank her enough for reaching out to meet the families. Purists will love the songwriting process. Fashionistas will say yes to the dress. Yet it's the Emmy worthy, standout episode for Marjorie that gets the most personal. An era to her own. World, welcome back to 'The Eras Tour'. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Taylor Swift - The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version)', 'Taylor Swift - Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions', 'Taylor Swift - Miss Americana'.

REVIEW: SEND HELP

4/5

Colleague's Retreat

115 Mins. Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Edyll Ismail, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang & Dennis Haysbert. Screenplay: Damian Shannon & Mark Swift. Director: Sam Raimi. In: Theaters. 

Help is on the way this weekend, even if it's not coming. Confused? You will be! 'The Help'. 'HELP!' by The Beatles. Nothing cries out quite like 'Send Help'. The new unconventional and uncensored, big black-comedy, horror hit, with severance satire, from deliciously dark director Sam Raimi. You may know the 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness' director for the early 2000's, Tobey Maguire 'Spider-Man' trilogy, like he doesn't know how to find Japan on the globe (peep the promotional video for this help's Japanese release), but we all know that 'Evil Dead' is Raimi territory. And in this survival of the fittest, off a cunningly sly and slick script from Damian Shannon and Mark Swift ('Freddy Vs. Jason', 'Friday The 13th'), if you thought spending a working week with a horrible boss was bad, imagine being stranded on a desert island with them. 

Dragging you to a different sort of hell, this Raimi movie, that will be the talk at the water-coolers come Monday morning, is one of this year's freshest and best. And we've barely left January, let alone the first quarter projections. Being passed up for a promised promotion, 'Spotlight', 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Game Night' actress Rachel McAdams ('The Notebook', 'Disobedience', 'True Detective') needs to be more 'Mean Girl' than sensible shoes, when a new boss, that makes a 'Horrible' Colin Farrell look nice, comes into the office. 'The Maze Runner' lead Dylan O'Brien ('The Internship', 'Deepwater Horizon', 'Bumblebee') would rather perfect his golf swing than be the perfect manager. And that's just the best of his character flaws. Still, a work trip to Bangkok looks to turn the tide and reveal who really is a team player, one way or another. Or a 'Survivor' contestant, as an audition tape for that show goes office cubicle viral. And you thought sharing a toast point with your pet bird was bad...it is.

This movie will get you, get you, get you as the firing line stakes are raised in a plane crash straight out of Tom Hanks' 'Cast Away'. But washed ashore, with no Wilson in sight, these two conflicting co-workers need to get along and make nice, especially when Dylan won't be doing any maze running for a while. The odd couple must play island house on a film that has palm tree shades of everything from 'Misery' to 'The Cabin In The Woods'. O'Brien, ignorantly hilarious, like he was as a great guest star on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', won't be mocking McAdams' survival skills, when he can barely carry water, let alone stand. And forget about chopping wood. Rachel is in her element, bringing home the bacon, and us, back to the star power we know her best for. On fire like the torch she carries as she lets her character's boorish and frumpy hair down. She has the balls. Dylan being the perfect foil for all this, as he fails to do anything apart from make our eyes roll. That is, until, he reveals more of his catalyst backstory as both characters reveal their dark depths and sides of themselves we didn't expect or see coming.

We've already said too much. We don't want to spoil the tide of violence and destruction coming in like an amazing monsoon of blood, guts and wild boar and gore. Popped eyes, scalped domes, tuna fish on the cheek, you'll be grossed out in shock and awe by it all, as Sam works his dark, disgusting magic. But that's nothing on the human horrors on dark display here. Straight out a Stephen King play novel. Edgar Wright, who directed his (or Richard Bachman's) book 'The Running Man', which finally crosses the line in Japanese cinemas, this weekend, has a message for 'Send Help', too. He loves it, calling Sam Raimi the "master of mischief." Other people are involved, too. Even though this 'Help' could work as a thrilling psychological play, minus the physical violence. Australian actress Edyll Ismail is the beautiful and kind fiancée, O'Brien's boss doesn't deserve, and 'Frankenstein's' Xavier Samuel, with braces, and 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Chris Pang are the kind of friends from work that would be fake to your face, all whilst having a gossip dagger behind their backs. Yet, higher up, the 'Major League' great Dennis Haysbert ('24', 'The Dark Tower', 'Sin City: A Dame To Kill For') deserves more than to just be here to smell a finger. Still, 'Send Help' is the end of the shift respite you've been screaming for. Hit send on making this your next movie destination for the perfect weekend getaway. Happy to help. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Cast Away', 'Misery', 'The Cabin In The Woods'.

REVIEW: THE RUNNING MAN

3.5/5

Running With The Night

133 Mins. Starring: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Katy O'Brian, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo & Josh Brolin. Screenplay: Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright. Director: Edgar Wright. In: Theatres.

RUN! After watching 'The Running Man', the Netflix hit 'Hit Man', and the American football, 'Mrs. Doubtfire' like, comedy 'Chad Powers' on Hulu and Disney Plus, it's clear to see (although you can't really see him), that Glen Powell is Hollywood's new master of disguise. Playing priests, business men, and any other hick the Hollywood heartthrob can get his hands on. But it's not like this handsome Dan needs to hide his face, or the 'Twisters', 'Anyone But You' and 'Top Gun: Maverick' star's body of work. Even here, in Japan, when he went shirtless, someone in the audience gave the thumbs up to his partner...it was the husband's thumb. Powell would even be the next face of Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' franchise...if his Mum would only let him do the stunts. C'mon, Mom, the man was made to wear masks. There's enough on hand, here though, in his new star vehicle 'The Running Man'. Based on the faster than a speeding bullet novel by Richard Bachman (you might know him better as Stephen King) and the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, that with an Easter Egg here, is right on the money.

Glen gives this movie, and his latest Hollywood run, all he's got. A blue-collar Carhartt, assembly line worker who just wants to provide for his wife (a wonderful Jayme Lawson of 'The Batman' and 'Sinners' fame) and sick daughter. There's a whole host (with 'Will & Grace's' Sean Hayes, quiff bouffant) of game shows Glen Powell's Ben Richards could try his humiliated hand at, but the one that pays out the most is, 'The Running Man'. And it has nothing to do with the famous Bobby Brown dance. That's not its prerogative. Ben could win a billion dollars, be set for life, and he only has to work for a month. Sounds like a lay-up line milk run, right?! Well, not when there's a price on his head and a bounty of hired goon hunter killers on his tail. And you thought, like Quentin Tarantino, that 'The Hunger Games' was bad. Running up more hills than a kid from 'Stranger Things' in a coma, listening to Kate Bush, everyone with a smartphone in sight can cash in on turning Richards in, to boot. Will he live? Tune in and find out. But what really makes a killing is the hits to reality TV and smartphones (not to mention this day and age of deepfakes), in this science fiction satirical action given to us by 'The Cornetto Trilogy's' own, Edgar Wright ('Last Night In Soho').

Executive produced by human horror maestro, Stephen King himself, who better than the 'Baby Driver' energy of Edgar to deliver this epic? Especially now he has a real action man to pose and play with. Wright even takes a shade swipe at Netflix for giving the game away when it came to 'The World's End'. Speaking of spoilers, one of the coolest characters is the "back at ya", grenade kicking, masked leader of the hunters. We shouldn't reveal who he is, just in case, but it's a nice surprise. Even though this cult favourite elicits more "okays", than "oooh's", he still scene steals. And that's pretty hard when you have the poster boy power of Powell lighting everyone up, from apartment breaks ("Y") to running through the night more than Lionel Richie, in a commanding performance. This movie isn't the biggest hit, man, but that doesn't matter. And like that aforementioned Richard Linklater film, it's different to what you expected it would be. And that's what makes it Rotten Tomato fresh. Despite the mixed reviews and the fact that it was a box office bomb. But who really makes a billion dollars these days?

This man. No, not me, Powell. Amongst a whole host of famous faces and ones making their own name. Wright reunites with 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' screenwriter Michael Bacall ('21' and '22 Jump Street') and another Michael, in 'Scott Pilgrim' himself, Michael Cera (a surprise that really shouldn't have been spoilt in the opening credits), having a whole host of 'Home Alone' fun in his super soaked, with tears of laughter, booby trapped house. There's also a brief, but brilliant, and somewhat beautiful, turn from the great William H. Macy who has been ace acting with aplomb recently (see the 'Train Dreams' he should have been nominated for on Netflix...sorry, Edgar). 'CODA's' Emilia Jones, 'All American' British actor Daniel Ezra and 'Love Lies Bleeding' talent Katy O'Brian ('Twisters', 'Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning'), also make their mark, but it's the greats that have the most glorious time. Especially the forever flamboyant Colman Domingo's ('Rustin', 'Sing Sing', 'The Color Purple') gaudy and great host of proceedings. And the Thanos villainous Josh Brolin, continuing his latest mean streak after 'Weapons' and the 'Knives Out' mystery 'Wake Up Dead Man'. We hope this one doesn't die out in this film's wake, because Glen Powell has what it takes to run this Hollywood game all the way to the bank. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Running Man (1987)', 'Hit Man', 'The Hunger Games'

ANIME REVIEW: CAT'S EYE

4/5

Catwomen

12 Episodes. Starring: Alexis Tipton, Masato Kamiya, Mitsuko Asatani & Toshiro Fuji. Screenplay: Hayashi Moribaith. Director: Yoshifumi Sueda. On: Hulu & Disney +.

The cats are out the bag again. From 1981 to 1985, when this writer was born (feel old yet? Because I sure do), manga writer and illustrator Tsukasa Hojo's 'CAT'S♥EYE' was serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. The manga concerned three sisters, Hitomi, Rui and Ai (here voiced by Alexis Tipton, Masato Kamiya and Mitsuko Asatani), who worked in a local coffee shop, but moonlighted as a trio of catsuit wearing thieves who stole all the art back, 'Monuments Men' meets 'Robin Hood' style, from the corrupt men who took it from the original artist, without so much as an Instagram credit, their dearly departed father. Smartphones and other modern gadgets bring these three French inspired Hepburn's up to date, but this is still as 80s (hello, Tim Burton era 'Batman' grappling hooks) as all the 'Akira's' and 'Ghost In The Shell's' it shared shelves with. And now, after years of science-fiction anime movies, this crime caper finally gets the amazing adaptation it deserves on Hulu and Disney Plus.

Investigated at the same time as those super sleuthing members of the 'SpyXFamily', 'Cat's Eye' looks more to the mature crowd with a dozen delightfully engrossing episodes. But subscriber, beware no more. There is not a trace of misogyny in this throwback animation that feels as fresh as an 80s redux, maintaining its vintage aesthetic. These feminist fashionistas are back in style and showing you more substance to their life and crimes. But their backstory is about as self-explanatory as the fact that Anya likes peanuts. Even if the kinetic plot takes you all over the place and Tokyo (and my new Yokohama home) via fast and furious cool car chases and amazing action heading to an island in the sun. The only one out of sorts, might be Hitomi's detective boyfriend (voiced by Toshiro Fuji). But we'll just blame being a star-crossed lover, with manga hearts in his eyes, for an otherwise outstanding and compelling, just like the real relationship he partners up with, character.

You see, this city hunter (who could just as easily find himself in that anime of the same name), hasn't got a clue to being wise to these sister's act. Even though the big-three cat burglars, with a calling card Paul Allen would be proud of, use the same logo and colour scheme for the coffee shop they work in...also called 'Cat's Eye'. Only the same shop this detective inhabits daily, as part of the furniture, for that damn, good coffee. I mean there's three of them for crying out loud. And this week may be setsubun in Japan, but I don't see many masks, like everywhere outside of the land of the rising sun, post-COVID. Pretty, but dumb, this pretty dumb detective has other street smarts and as my Dad always says, without this plot point it W.M.A.S (wouldn't make a story). And what a great one this is, directed by Yoshifumi Sueda and scripted by Hayashi Moribaith with original due diligence. All the way down to the meows of the terrific theme from My Hero Academia' composer Yuki Hayashi. Especially with the GoPro like eye's perspective of the classy closing credits. Catnip for fans of felines and old school Japanese anime art. When it comes to 80s nuanced nostalgia, these cats have the cream. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Thieving: 'Arsene Lupin The Third', 'Holmes In Kyoto', 'City Hunter'.