The Arts Desk covers a range of material from comedy programmes to Denzel Washington's latest production and Cheek by Joel's rendition of Jacobean tragedy. The Arts Desk's writers Adam Sweeting, Veronica Lee and Alexandra Coghlan dish the dirt on these different dramas.
Action-packed espionage thriller Safe House left Adam Sweeting wondering what it was that propelled this new film to the top spot in the US box office, as he could find no trace of originality or complexity in either the characters or the plot. The story follows a treacherous CIA agent and an ambitious young CIA officer (who doubles as the custodian of the eponymous safe house) who end up on the run together after a file containing a list of renegade spies is leaked.
The action is well choreographed and nicely shot by director Daniel Espinosa, but this alone is not enough to save a film in which we simply do not care about the characters. Denzel Washington's character is clich-ridden while Ryan Reynolds's has neither depth nor complexity. The impressive roster of actors playing periphery characters (including Brendan Gleeson and Vera Farmiga) goes entirely to waste. Sweeting's verdict? This is an action caper to watch only if you don't want to use your brain.
Veronica Lee considered the BBC Two's new comedy sketch, featuring the great female comics Lorna Watson and Ingrid Oliver, to be one of the best comedy shows around. According to Lee, Watson & Oliver is similar to the wit throughout French and Saunders collaborations, creating high expectations for the duo and programme. A combination of live sketches and those that have been previously recorded, the series also incorporates appearances from celebrities as well as highlighting a well-balanced type of humour that compliments both acts, playing on their strengths as comedians.
The Arts Desk's Alexandra Coghlan considered Cheek by Jowl's version of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore to be the ultimate piece of theatre with very few flaws present. The play, which lasted for two hours, took place at the Barbican Theatre and is a modern take of John Ford's original Jacobean tragedy. There's plenty of debauchery in this teen horror flick filled with gothic flair including adultery, incest vampire tendencies and booze-fuelled sex.
Action-packed espionage thriller Safe House left Adam Sweeting wondering what it was that propelled this new film to the top spot in the US box office, as he could find no trace of originality or complexity in either the characters or the plot. The story follows a treacherous CIA agent and an ambitious young CIA officer (who doubles as the custodian of the eponymous safe house) who end up on the run together after a file containing a list of renegade spies is leaked.
The action is well choreographed and nicely shot by director Daniel Espinosa, but this alone is not enough to save a film in which we simply do not care about the characters. Denzel Washington's character is clich-ridden while Ryan Reynolds's has neither depth nor complexity. The impressive roster of actors playing periphery characters (including Brendan Gleeson and Vera Farmiga) goes entirely to waste. Sweeting's verdict? This is an action caper to watch only if you don't want to use your brain.
Veronica Lee considered the BBC Two's new comedy sketch, featuring the great female comics Lorna Watson and Ingrid Oliver, to be one of the best comedy shows around. According to Lee, Watson & Oliver is similar to the wit throughout French and Saunders collaborations, creating high expectations for the duo and programme. A combination of live sketches and those that have been previously recorded, the series also incorporates appearances from celebrities as well as highlighting a well-balanced type of humour that compliments both acts, playing on their strengths as comedians.
The Arts Desk's Alexandra Coghlan considered Cheek by Jowl's version of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore to be the ultimate piece of theatre with very few flaws present. The play, which lasted for two hours, took place at the Barbican Theatre and is a modern take of John Ford's original Jacobean tragedy. There's plenty of debauchery in this teen horror flick filled with gothic flair including adultery, incest vampire tendencies and booze-fuelled sex.
About the Author:
Catherine McCulloch is an arts writer for The Arts Desk with an extensive knowledge of theatre and film, for more information about the performing arts, visit theartsdesk.com.
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