Cinema
Books Podcast: Charlotte Rampling
A few years ago, Charlotte Rampling signed a contract to write her autobiography – and then, the project not long…
Why we need to cancel the Oscars to save the Oscars
Oscar has a problem, and I say that as a fan. If I could, I’d take one of those famous…
This luvvies’ letter warning against Brexit isn’t worth the paper it’s written on
Politicians from across the spectrum have had their say on Brexit. So, too, have various business leaders. Spy chiefs have…
What a tawdry piece it is: Met Opera Live’s Les pêcheurs de perles reviewed
Les pêcheurs de perle Met Opera Live This is the first production at the Metropolitan of Bizet’s early opera for…
Citizen Brand
So it turns out the revolution will be televised after all. ‘Brand’, a full length documentary about the comedian turned…
Lauren Bacall — a true great
As so often, no one put it better than Papa. Here is Ernest Hemingway talking of all the movies made…
What’s your favourite Robin Williams one-liner?
Mr S was saddened to hear of the death of Robin Williams — a man who contributed to the gaiety…
Bullingdon Club: the movie
At first glance Mr S thought that he might be watching Labour’s latest class-war party election broadcast: rich kids at…
Does Country Life know their derrière from their elbow?
Fun times for our country cousins over at Country Life: they have compiled a list, drawn up with the help…
Russell Crowe and Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Noah’ is thoroughly weird
The Archbishop of Canterbury has had himself photographed with Russell Crowe, after attending the screening of Noah in which Russell…
Televising theatre and opera will not attract new audiences. It will repel them
Always try to get the worst seats for the opera. Upper circle. Foyer. Toilet. The nearest bus stop. The further…
Arise, Kermit, Freefrog of the City of London
Move over Dick Whittington and his cat, the City of London has a new folklore hero. Yesterday Kermit the Frog…
Matt Damon’s monumental diet
Mr S doesn’t usually notice A List waists, but he wasn’t totally surprised when he heard that Matt Damon was…
Shirley Temple, 1928 – 2014, remembered in The Spectator
Shirley Temple has died in California at the age of 85. She was known as America’s little darling after she…
Spectator Play: The highs and the lows of what’s going on in arts this week
The latest adaptation of one of Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh’s books is Filth – a film so filthy that Deborah…
Bond, progressive Bond
Film fans look away now. Last night the latest author to add to the Bond legacy said that he did…
Vinnie Jones does not do irony
Thuggish footballer turned terrible actor Vinnie Jones has gone all man-down-the-pub over the state of the nation. Speaking from his…
How long until novels are published with video inserts?
In Charlie Kauffman’s Bafta lecture (a startlingly honest reflection on film writing, and well worth a listen), the screenwriter, producer…
Elmore Leonard dies aged 87
Elmore Leonard has died aged 87. Leonard began his career as a hack and ended it as a modern master. His rule was:…
Two film stars watch some tennis. World goes mad!
The first Briton in 77 years won the Wimbledon championships on Sunday, but this is perhaps incidental; did you spot…
Benedict Cumberbatch takes over the world
What do you do if you wake up to discover your colleagues implying that you have it easy? If you’re…
Chin chin, my dear friend
It was a heavy weekend for actor Richard E Grant. Toasting the life of his old friend and Withnail and I…
Lurhmann, Baz Lurhmann
Baz Lurhmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby (above) may yet enrage purists; but it seems that the Australian director already has…
When art imitates Wee Dougie Alexander
Is Labour MP Douglas Alexander paranoid or very candid? The Shadow Foreign Secretary told a group of luvvies and great…
The Last Days of Alfred Hitchcock
For the last 40 years it’s been impossible to interview Anthony Hopkins without him doing his Tommy Cooper impression. He’s…
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