Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 11/11/2009
By Michael Goode
Title: Behind Closed Doors: At Home in Georgian England
Author: Amanda Vickery
Pages: 368
Price: £11-15 (Amazon UK)
Rating: ***
Behind Closed Doors pulls you into a different world looking at the everyday worries and aspirations of Georgian people, from the landed gentry to the hopelessly poor, it lets you step into someone else’s shoes and walk about [...]
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 23/10/2009
By Sam Hilton
The English Department ran a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to see two Shakespeare plays ‘As You Like It’ and ‘Winter’s Tale’ in September, and a drama workshop run by the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company).
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 23/10/2009
By Michael Goode
Book: Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World
Author: Niall Ferguson
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 464
Price: Around £5 (Amazon UK)
Rating: ****
I have recently discovered a book that tries to explain the modern world, and what part Britain played in its creation. The book by Niall Ferguson looks at the British Empire and what it created, this conjures [...]
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 23/10/2009
By Oli Gokgol
Game : Halo ODST
Manufacturer : Bungie
RRP £39.99 (you can get it for £28.75 at Amazon)
Rating: *
“Halo ODST” is all I hear as I enter a chat room on Xbox live, and to be honest, it makes me quite sick. I admit the first three Halo games were pretty good, but I didn’t lock [...]
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 21/10/2009
By Kirstie Dyke
Whatever you may call him, Derren Brown has wowed the viewing public through his imaginative and innovative tricks that leave the mind wondering and controversy flowing. This article examines the theories behind his latest television four part series The Events, where Brown attempted what he described as “some of the most incredible feats [...]
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 21/10/2009
by Jamie Leighton
FIFA ’10 Review
Last season’s surprise package, FIFA ’09, saw EA Sport’s trophy cabinet bulging with silverware in the form of gaming awards by the end of the season. Instead of resting on its glory, for FIFA ’10, EA Sports has adopted a new technique for improving on FIFA ’09’s success, rummaging through e-mails and online message [...]
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 19/03/2009
By Emma Ede
Title: Watchmen
Director: Zack Snyder
Rating: ****
“Who watches the watchmen?”
Watchmen is the comic book adaptation that most comic book fans never thought would happen. It has been attempted numerous times, and had been judged un-filmable. That is, until Zack Snyder, following his work on 300, agreed to take the project on.
Posted by: shilton8 on: 19/03/2009
By Samantha Hilton
The award ceremonies were held within a few days of each other in February. Both events had good winners, but some people may think otherwise!
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 11/02/2009
Title: Australia
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Reviewed by Emma Ede Rating: ****
“Just because it is, doesn’t mean it should be.”
When I saw the trailers for Australia, I didn’t think that it would be quite my cup of tea. With a running time of 165 minutes – that’s 2 hours, 45 minutes – I assumed that it would be [...]
Simon Amstell, ‘do nothing’
Posted by: Peter Symonds on: 11/11/2009
By Catharine Baldwin
Review: Simon Amstell
Venue: Oxford Playhouse
Rating: ****
Simon Amstell, the hilariously witty former host of Popworld and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, delved deep into his own insecurities and angst during his new stand-up routine to deliver a very touching and personal performance. Coupled with his own memories and philosophical contemplations the performance was not only [...]