tv
Code 404, Sky One review - surreal cop comedy presses the right buttonsThursday, 30 April 2020
DI John Major (Daniel Mays) has been dead a year, shot in the line of duty, though we’re far from that series in terms of tone. Now he’s back at the London Met, artificially augmented, but not very intelligently. If anything he’s a bit more shit than he was before, as one of those involved in the shooting observes. Read more... |
Blood, Series 2, Channel 5 review - expertly-crafted thriller turns the screwThursday, 30 April 2020
Veterans of the first series of Blood will be familiar with writer Sophie Petzal’s fondness for leading the viewer up the garden path and round the mulberry bush as the story develops. Get ready to go through it all again. Read more... |
Paul Hollywood Eats Japan, Channel 4 review - Mr Bake Off gets culture shockWednesday, 29 April 2020
“Paul is in Japan to eat,” announced Rebecca Front’s smart-alecky voice-over, introducing this new series for Channel 4, but he was also there to do that very British thing of wallowing in blissful ignorance of foreign customs and traditions. A Very British Travelogue, in fact. Read more... |
The Village, ITV review - the weird and wonderful micro-climate of PortmeirionWednesday, 29 April 2020
Portmeirion, the Italianate village created by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis on the River Dwyryd estuary, might have been designed to provide the perfect surreal setting for the 1967 TV series The Prisoner. But though it resembles an opium... Read more... |
Normal People, BBC One review – adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel evokes the deep cut of first loveTuesday, 28 April 2020
Sally Rooney’s 2018 novel, which was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize, was a psychologically rich, emotive journey into the psyches of two Irish teenagers who fall in love. Only two years on from publication, it has been turned into a 12-part series from the BBC and Hulu. Read more... |
Grayson's Art Club, Channel 4 review - too many clichés and platitudes?Tuesday, 28 April 2020
The national treasure that is Grayson Perry, CBE, RA, is hosting a six-episode national art club on Channel 4 for professional artists, amateur artists and the public. Since Perry came to national attention when he won the Turner Prize he has been happily ubiquitous. Read more... |
Van der Valk, ITV review - can the Dutch detective make a successful comeback?Monday, 27 April 2020
Between 1972-1992 five series of Van der Valk were made for ITV, starring Barry Foster as the eponymous Amsterdam detective. Nearly 30 years later comes this reincarnation with Marc Warren in the title role, no doubt hoping to find a regular home in the juicy two-hour Sunday night slot. Read more... |
Westworld, Season 3, Sky Atlantic review – a cyberpunk triumphMonday, 27 April 2020
In the time since the show’s inception four years ago, arguments have raged as to whether Westworld is a dud or a cult classic. For every dedicated fan, there’s someone out there crying, "The Matrix did it first!" and complaining that the plot didn’t make sense (it did). Read more... |
After Life series 2, Netflix review - Ricky Gervais's study of bereavement continuesSaturday, 25 April 2020
It's interesting to note that this Netflix series – the second of Ricky Gervais's study of bereavement, which he writes, directs and stars in – is broadcast during lockdown. Read more... |
Gangs of London, Sky Atlantic review - bloody terrifyingFriday, 24 April 2020
You might consider equipping yourself with a shotgun and kevlar body armour before you start watching Gangs of London (Sky Atlantic), because this is a bruising, hair-raising ride. Read more... |
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It all started on 09/09/09. That memorable date, September 9 2009, marked the debut of theartsdesk.com.
It followed some...
Album: Doves - Constellations for the Lonely
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Last night was the first time I had heard the 12 Ensemble, a string group currently Artist-in-Residence at the Wigmore Hall, and I was very...
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Album: bdrmm - Microtonic
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Argerich, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Papadopoulos, Barbi...
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Jessica Duchen: Myra Hess - National Treasure review - well-...
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Rats on Rafts, The Victoria review - crepuscular Dutch quint...
An album is one thing, a live show is another. A truism of course, but one which is inescapable during this London date by the Rotterdam-based...