James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
Releases: This week sees the release of the incredibly controversial new film from the pen of Brass Eye's Chris Morris. Four Lions acts as a satire on terrorism by telling the story of four hapless Muslims on their hapless quest to become suicide bombers during the London Marathon. The rest of this week’s releases are remarkably tame in comparison. The remake of Nightmare on Elm Street sees the light of day with Watchmen’s Jackie Earle Haley taking the centre stage of the reinvented version of Freddie Kruger.
The latest viral success story Hot Tub Time Machine, possibly the greatest film title since Snakes on a Plane, starring John Cusack also hits the big screens this week. This film about a group of friends who inexplicably end up in the 1980s after a stint of hot-tubbing (yes this film is that straightforward) has received surprisingly high box office intakes in the States and is set to be one of the big cult breakouts of this year.
News: This Easter graced us with plenty of ammo for this week’s film news. The top news has to be the reports of a new Kurt Cobain biopic starring Twilight’s Robert Pattinson in the lead role with rumours saying that Scarlett Johansson will be cast in the role of Courtney Love (she certainly has the lips for it).
In terms of sequels there is great news all round with the announcement of a sequel to The Dark Knight in the pipeline for a 2012 release. Christopher Nolan has yet to be officially attached but if the film studios don’t actively give him everything possible to make him stay it is their loss. Also, Sylvester Stallone has come out saying that it is highly unlikely that Rambo V will ever see the light of day.
News: For any fans of More4 drama Brothers & Sisters, get ready to jump forward through time...possibly. The rumour mill is buzzing that the show, needing a new shot of life and having to work around writing out Kitty’s husband Robert, is planning to go a few years in the future next season. Also, for any Gleeks out there, you’ll be happy to know that cheerleader duo Santana and Brittany (played by Naya Riviera and Heather Morris) are due to be promoted to full-time series regulars next season. We know we can’t get enough of those Brittany one-liners (“When I pulled my hamstring I went to a misogynist").
The recent cull of characters in Eastenders continues apace, with Lacey Turner and Gillian Wright, who play on-screen mother and daughter Stacey and Jean, joining the list of those leaving this year. Speculation is rife about who will replace Adrian Chiles on The One Show, with rumoured candidates including Richard Madeley, Richard Hammond and last year’s Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris Hollins.
Listings Highlights: There’s a choice of overnight election coverage this year. BBC1 and ITV1 both begin their coverage at 9.55pm on Thursday and run through until 6am. Channel 4 are offering their very own Alternative Election Night with David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Lauren Laverne and Charlie Brooker from 9pm until 1am, which will include a Come Dine With Me special.
New Series: The latest in a long line of maverick British TV detectives comes to BBC1 this Tuesday at 9pm in the form of Luther, starring The Wire’s Irdis Elba and rising star Ruth Wilson. And for fans of less complicated and rather more cuddly detectives, there’s a new episode of Midsomer Murders (Weds 8pm, ITV1).
I would ALSO like to point out that Series four premiere of Lewis aired last night on ITV. And no, I am not middle aged, I just like Oxford-set detective dramas.
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