entertainment
Films
Movie of the Month
Senior sleuth: Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes
by tom b r ow n e a n d l au r a d e a n - osgo o d
■■drama: mr holmes There’s never
been any shortage of Sherlock Holmes adaptations, with 75 actors donning the famous deerstalker at the last count. This time it’s the turn of Ian McKellen, playing a long-retired Holmes coming to terms with the deterioration of his mind and remembering, in flashback, the events of a past case. Those used to the visual pyrotechnics of the Benedict Cumberbatch adaptations may be surprised (or even alienated) by the deliberate pace of this effort, which was adapted from A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin. But the gradually unfolding plot and the variety of performances (including Laura Linney, Roger Allam and debutant Milo Parker) is well worth the price of admission.
© entertainm en t one / © uni versal p ictures
■■action/adventure: jurassic world It’s 22 years since Jurassic Park
made its dino-shaped mark on the world, accompanied by John Williams’ much-loved score. Several sequels and a lot of technological advancement later, we revisit Isla Nublar, where the scientists have created a whole new breed of dinosaur that’s much bigger and more unpredictable than any before it. What could possibly go wrong?
■■documentary: electric boogaloo
Subtitled “The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films”, this follows the fortunes of Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, two maverick Israelis who shook up the movie industry and launched the careers of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris in the process. Although it makes no claims for the quality of Cannon’s output—which was mostly awful—this hilarious documentary is one of the funniest you’ll see all year. 06•2015
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■■comedy: spy Armed with a host
of British stars, Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) plays a CIA analyst who lives in the shadow of her showy spy partner (Jude Law). When his mission is compromised, McCarthy’s unassuming desk-worker must step up to become a secret agent and head out into the field. Aided by her M-style helper—played by Miranda Hart—she shakes off her office shackles to defeat a frosty villain.
never watched 2010’s animated hit Despicable Me, there’s been no escaping these cute little yellow fellows—and now they have their own movie. Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are in pursuit of a new evil overlord to serve, and when they meet the world’s first female supervillain (Sandra Bullock), they’re recruited in a bid to take over the world.
Watching: ER (Online)
Reading: Slipstream by Elizabeth Jane Howard This
autobiography of the great novelist is the sort of book you want to go on forever.
06•2015
The first dark synthesised note of the opening song lets you know that this won’t be an easy ride. Raw, gospel-style vocals rub up against stark, industrial melody, making for a debut album that’s minimal and loaded with intensity. Algiers constantly refers to social and musical history. The lyrics for “Blood”, for instance, nod to Robert Johnson’s 1937 song “Love in Vain”, but this already painful blues reference is given a twist by replacing the word “love” with “blood”. As with other songs here, it delivers the kind of urgency synonymous with protest—this, after all, is a political album of social unrest brought right up to the present day. Haunting, soulful and incredibly beautiful, this is a record that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. Key tracks: “Blood”, “Black Eunuch”, “Irony Utility Pretext” Like this? You may also like: TV on the Radio, The Temptations, New Order
■■american sniper
Online: Candy Crush I was recently introduced to this game, as well as Pearl’s Peril, by a sadistic grandchild—and it’s addictive! Listening: Songs of the Auvergne by Kir te Kanawa
I’m rediscovering this album and continuing my love of Queen…
* TO BUY DVDS FEATURED HERE, GO TO SHOP.READERSDIGEST.CO.UK
Album of the Month
Algiers by Algiers
Critically acclaimed and controversial war biopic from director Clint Eastwood.*
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by ma n di goodi er
DVD of the month
On Your Radar Bridget Yates, retired teacher With Poldark and Masterchef over, I’m wading my way back through this hospital drama.
Music
■■ANIMATION: MINIONS Even if you’ve
© Twenti eth Cen tury Fox / © uni versal p ictures
Melissa McCarthy gets out of the office in Spy
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Reader’s Digest
Overlooked Record from the Past “¡Demolicion!” by Los Saicos
Do you think punk originated with the Sex Pistols? Or Iggy Pop? Wrong. It really started in 1964 with Peruvian band Los Saicos…arguably. It’s almost shocking that something so vocally aggressive was recorded in the Sixties, but this early example of catchy teen rebellion was far from being outsider music—Los Saicos even had their own TV show in Peru. However, their popularity had begun to wane by 1966, so they disbanded to pursue conventional lives, unaware that their single “¡Demolicion!” would become a protest song for a whole new generation decades later. listen to these albums at READERSDIGEST.CO.UK/LISTEN
On Our Radar Arran Folk Festival, June 5–7, Cèilidhs
and concerts on the beautiful Isle. Udderbelly Festival, until July 19, Live
acts under a giant upside-down cow on London’s Southbank. London-to-Brighton Bike Ride, June 21,
The 40th all-ability 54-mile charity cycle.
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