entertainment
Films
Movie of the Month
© studi o ca nal / © 20th century fox / © uni versa l pi ctures
by tom b r ow n e
Double trouble: Tom Hardy as Reggie and Ronnie Kray
■■biopic: legend The notorious Kray twins, who ruled London’s East End in the 1960s, were given the bigscreen treatment in 1990, with the unlikely pairing of Gary and Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet portraying the gangster brothers. This time round, the excellent Tom Hardy plays both the business-minded but brutal Reggie and the unpredictable, psychotic Ronnie. Much like previous gangster flicks such as The Godfather and Goodfellas, Legend excels at depicting a world of seedy glamour that can erupt without warning into violence. And like those earlier films, there are many supporting performances to savour, especially Christopher Eccleston (see interview on p20) as Detective Leonard “Nipper” Read and Emily Browning as Reggie’s disillusioned wife Frances. ■■drama: me and earl and the dying girl The title encompasses
■■thriller: everest
the main players in this charming indie flick. “Me and Earl” ( Thomas Mann and R J Cyler) are firm friends who make amateur versions of classic films, while the “dying girl” (Olivia Cooke) is a classmate whom they befriend after learning that she’s suffering from cancer. The tone switches —or lurches sometimes— from comedy to tragedy, but it tugs at the heartstrings.
The series of avalanches earlier this year highlighted the dangers associated with scaling the world’s highest mountain. This all-star thriller, headed by Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin and Emily Watson, is based on the 1996 Everest disaster, focusing on the survival attempts of two expedition groups. Expect plenty of frost-bitten drama and vertigo-inducing 3D. 09•2015
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e n t e r ta i n m e n t
Music
■■adventure: A Walk in the Woods Based on the 1998 memoir
■■Girlhood
Online: This Is Why I’m Broke Gift ideas from across
MI5 agents used to be one of my favourite shows on TV.
the web. I love the ingenious gadgets that people think up.
Reading: A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
Listening: Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton I’ve been
A charming story about a recovering drug addict who finds a stray ginger tomcat.
a fan for years and grew up with her music. Now I listen to her songs on my iPod.
Fancy appearing in this section? Send your current cultural favourites, along with short descriptions, to readersletters@readersdigest.co.uk 09•2015
Album of the Month
Although very much part of today’s pop revolution, Carly Rae Jepsen’s new album could easily sit in the tape deck of a 1980s American convertible. It’s a surprising direction for the singer associated with school-disco favourite “Call Me Maybe”. Although still comprised of songs about boys, E•MO•TION marks a transition from teenybopper to mature artist. Title track “Emotion” is the most reminiscent of her pop background, but made cool through dream-pop synths, muted guitar and a funky drumbeat. Elsewhere, the songs are minimal—understated melodies lifted by catchy vocals that once again emphasise Jepsen’s mass appeal. Key tracks: “Boy Problems”, “All That”, “Run Away With Me” Like this? You may also like: Solange, FKA Twigs, Lorde
Riveting French drama about a girl who’s seduced into gang culture.*
Watching: Spooks (DVD box set) This drama about
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E•MO•TION by Carly Rae Jepsen
DVD of the month
On Your Radar Gloria Wilding, retired baker
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by ma n di goodi er
* TO BUY DVDS FEATURED HERE, GO TO SHOP.READERSDIGEST.CO.UK
© 20th century fox / © en terta inm ent one
■■big budget: the martian
Director Ridley Scott made his name with the futuristic classics Alien and Blade Runner, so this adaptation of Andy Weir’s sci-fi best-seller is highly anticipated. Matt Damon plays Mark Watney, an astronaut who draws on all his ingenuity to survive when he finds himself stranded on Mars. Kate Mara and Jessica Chastain also appear as two of his would-be rescuers.
by Bill Bryson (played here by Robert Redford), this tells the story of Bryson’s attempt to hike the lengthy Appalachian Trail after returning to the US from Britain. But his plans are spoiled when he’s joined by his overbearing and underprepared friend Stephen (Nick Nolte). Emma Thompson also stars.
Reader’s Digest
Overlooked Record from the Past Talk, Talk, Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Despite containing The Fur’s biggest hit “Pretty in Pink”, 1981’s Talk, Talk, Talk made little impact in the UK. (Although it fared better in the US, which perhaps said more about Britain’s tendency towards singles over albums.) Caught somewhere between punk, pop, new-wave and hard rock, the album encapsulates The Fur’s unique sound, where sax and guitar phase in and out, vying for attention with the snarling vocals. It’s primal and sexy until the climactic “All of This and Nothing”, a sensitive break-up ballad that lists a number of shared items, emptied of all former meaning. listen to these albums at READERSDIGEST.CO.UK/LISTEN
On Our Radar Bo Peep Cider Festival, Sept 11–13, Oxfordshire Sample
over 100 beverages. Rugby World Cup, Sept 18–Oct 31
Twenty teams are competing, with the final at Twickenham. Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, Sept 27,
10K and 5K runs amid stunning scenery.
09•2015
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