Precious is a new-style weepie but one that is much more bracing than depressing
Precious
Theatre
Ian McKellen is captivating throughout. He delights in the play’s gallows humour, yet is also maudlin and poignant
Waiting for Godot
Theatre
Slight quibbles notwithstanding, this will set the West End’s stock riding high
Enron
Utterly, utterly brilliant. You really are in for a treat
Though 'Trilogy' has won rave reviews, I personally found myself exasperated after about an hour
We went on a quiet sunday evening and the food was excellent, but the experience let down by the service and ambiance
London,
Derek Malcolm's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Paul Weitz.
Cast: Ray Stevenson, Josh Hutcherson, Ken Watanabe, Patrick Fugit, Jessica Carlson, Salma Hayek, John C Reilly, Michael Serveris, Chris Massoglia
Description: High achieving teenager Darren (Chris Massoglia) has devoted most of his time to his schoolwork, scoring straight As to the delight of his parents (Don McManus, Colleen Camp). His best friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) is far less dedicated to academic excellence and suggests the two boys bunk off school for the day. While walking around town, they learn about a visiting freak show and both youngsters slip out late at night to attend the circus run by the aptly named Mr Tall (Ken Watanabe). Loner Steve recognises one of the acts, Larten Crepsley (John C Reilly), as a vampire and begs to be bitten so he can become a bloodsucker too. Larten refuses, in part because Steve has bad blood. When Steve is badly injured from a spider bite, Darren agrees to become a vampire's apprentice in exchange for saving his best friend's life. He fakes his own death then moves to the freak's compound where he shares a tent with Evra The Snake Boy (Patrick Fugit) and falls under the spell of money girl Rebecca (Jessica Carlson). Little does Darren know that Mr Tiny (Michael Cerveris) and his underling Murlaugh (Ray Stevenson) have Steve under the spell and they intend to manipulate him to spark a bloody conflict between rival vampire clans.
Country: US. 2009. 108mins
A mess: Cirque du Freak
When Darren (Chris Massoglia) and Steve (Josh Hutcherson) secure their tickets for Cirque du Freak, which is visiting their town, they are introduced to Larten (John C Reilly), a vampire who offers to turn Darren into a bloodsucker.
Newly undead, he joins the touring show of snake boys, gigantic barkers and Salma Hayek as a bearded woman.
But the film can never quite make up its mind whether it's about the circus or the vampires and ends up a mess of its own making.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Morning:
3°c
