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FILM OF THE WEEK: DUNKIRK
Two decades after Private Ryan was saved, we’ve been conditioned to expect World War 2 to be handled with sacral gloves. Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, of course) here spares the greatest generation any speechifying, delivering instead a film of almost unbearable intensity with absolutely no Brexity jingoism. It feels odd to describe this as minimalist, given the scale of what we see, but minimalist it is – there’s barely any dialogue, zero backstory on any character, and we don’t even see any Germans. Instead, we’re trapped on the beach and on the water with an ensemble democratically split between stars and unknowns who scramble for survival through three converging timelines – there’s a matter-of-fact-ness that feels almost radical, given the subject matter, and in Tom Hardy’s clipped professionalism as a Spitfire pilot, we have a portrait of what real heroism is. F*ck me, this is a masterpiece. Times & trailer
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MONEY CAN BUY YOU (VIRTUAL) HAPPINESS
It takes remarkable amounts to get us out of a beer garden during sunshine hours. But into the Custard Factory's new VR gaming suite we did go, and we couldn't be more delighted. Having donned mask, earphones and motion controllers, Longbow was the game and defending a castle through archery our mission. Immediately addictive, the simple sounding scenario has been praised for its precise controls and range of motion by people who know a lot more about VR than us. What we can definitively tell you is that the experience is beam bringing, and second only to the joy of videoing whoever you attend with completing their make believe mission, then using it against them. Get 25% off by entering "MATRIXVR25" at checkout. The Mockingbird is your half-time thirst-quenching neighbour.
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KIWIS, CORKS & CANAPES
It's Champers in London, Lambrusco in Chorley and Sauvignon Blanc in Brum. That's the cities where the highest proportion of each grape variety is sold. And with most of the Sauv B coming from New Zealand, you're probably already thinking on getting a ticket to Hotel Du Vin's kiwi wine dinner, because it's sort of in your blood. You'll try eight exemplary examples of grape juice from the country's key regions, including McKee Vineyard's 2015 Grüner Veltliner from Marlborough (vineyard pictured) — one of two wines you'll contrast while enjoying your starter — stir fried monkfish cheeks and diver scallop, pickled beetroot and peach textures. On August 18, tickets are £79, also including an SB aperitif, dessert wine and canapés, which we just don't think get enough credit in this god damn crazy world.
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