I first saw Hal Cruttenden on  Mock The Week  and instantly loved him, even though he wasn’t really my type of comedian. Unlike comics who present themselves as the hero of their stories, Hal thrives in the role of the person who is relegated to ‘second-best’ - whether by his daughters, his ex-wife, or the modern world. This vulnerability resonates with me because it feels authentic, not mechanical, especially when it is accompanied by a whining, childlike tone desired to emphasise victimhood and elicit sympathy. It certainly worked! For the unsuspecting audience, Hal’s ‘posh-but-charming’ exterior serves as a handy camouflage. By presenting himself as a self-deprecating, slightly camp, and overly-sensitive ‘luvvie,’ he sets a tone of safety that allows him to execute a far more cynical intent. This friendly demeanour feeds the audience’s comfort, only to reinforce his ability to deliver biting, sometimes uncomfortable, observational truths. He essentially gets to set ...

If you haven’t seen the biopic film tribute to Michael Jackson   yet, forget the critics and make up your own mind about it by booking your seat. This is one occasion where relying on hearsay could deprive you of some superb entertainment Michael , which many critics have labelled “controversial”, is an epic production that defies belief at the astonishing transformation and performance of Jaafar Jackson , Michael’s nephew.  Yet, taken on its own merit, there is nothing controversial about this well-made film. Conflicting, yes, when one remembers the accusations against Michael, but anything negative said about the film itself is not based on professionalism or objectivity., but on a biased conflation of Jackson’s later life with his music - the actual focus of the film. Everyone has a different perception of how they see this creative, musical mastermind. Mainstream reviews often get bogged down in the music or the controversy, but if we strip away the legend that is M...

You, Me and Tuscany  is a much needed lightweight, frivolous movie whose breathtaking backdrop, eye-candy stars, and improbable plot transport you momentarily to a different world; one filled with old-fashioned family values, engaging music, spirited laughter and soothing beauty.  While this movie feels like a modern rom-com classic, entirely predictable in its storyline and happy-ever-after conclusion, it offers something fresh in its perspective, that is powered by the two Black lead actors, whose roles allow them to simply  exist  in a beautiful, escapist fantasy, without the weight of the world on their shoulders. The plot is simple: Finding herself in straitened circumstances, Anna ( Halle Bailey ) yearns for the good life, and even tries to live it through other people by wearing their clothes. She meets a dishy Italian in a bar, Matteo ( Lorenzo de Moor ), who thrills her with tales of his amazing villa in Tuscany, and encourages her to visit the town. Seeing ...