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Published by Mason Oldridge, 26 September 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Kara Tointon, Will Mellor and Emmett J Scanlon lead on this standalone new series of Channel 5’s popular drama. The series opens with a class going on a school trip. Teachers Dani and Jimmy leave the pupils unattended to have sex, returning to find student Zac dead in the lake. Things escalate when it is revealed Zac didn’t drown but was murdered and a photo of Dani and Jimmy is posted online. Dani is informed by the police that she is criminally liable for Zac’s death as she was in charge of his safeguarding at the time. Instead of making the wise choice of keeping a low profile, she attempts to solve the case herself, questioning the other students and frequently visiting the school despite her suspension. For a short four-part series, the pacing is somewhat slow. Not much is revealed in the first three episodes; it is mainly the fallout and aftermath of Zac’s death and attempts to uncover the truth, as well as suspicious behaviour from some of the characters. There seems to be a lot of adults asking children questions and frustratingly getting no response. Nevertheless, these episodes are still easy to watch as viewers will likely want to follow the progress and discover the truth. The final episode doesn’t disappoint as discoveries and revelations lead to explanations. When Dani first discovers Sienna was pregnant by an adult, it shows the headmaster opening Sienna’s locker. This suggestion is a clever red herring as it would’ve made a good twist itself. Tointon portrays the caring nature of her character well whereas Mellor, whose roles can be hindered by him being a household name, delivers a strong performance as the unsuspecting villain. Overall, the series is an enjoyable quick-watch mystery with a satisfying twist that ties everything up neatly by its conclusion. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 24 September 2024 The indie rockers are back with their fourth studio album. Smitten is said to be influenced by lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie’s teenage diary and touch upon the themes of mixed emotions experienced during early relationships. Indie music bordering between rock and pop, the coherent sound throughout the album is dreamy, almost like a new age version of The Pretenders, the main difference being the clean production heard on this record. Unfortunately, there is little variation between tracks, at least sonically. Lead single Perfume has a slightly catchier hook than the others but surpassing all the singles as the standout is Kiss Me Again, mainly because it is the most memorable. No more than one track should’ve made the final cut however, due to the glaring similarities to each other. This disappointingly reduces the songs to mere background music. The band clearly have talent but need to branch out with their instrumentation to create an array of different sounds in order to produce a complete sounding album. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 23 September 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! 36 years on from the original film, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and Michael Keaton as the leading man himself are all back for this next gen sequel to the Tim Burton classic. This second instalment sees Lydia, now a mother and paranormal talk show host, forced back into the land of the afterlife in order to save her teenage daughter Astrid. They return to Winter River following the death of Charles, where social outcast Astrid meets a potential love interest in Jeremy. However, it turns out Jeremy is a ghost who murdered his parents and is actually plotting to take Astrid’s life to get his back. After he tricks her into visiting the afterlife with a ploy to see her deceased father, Lydia must face Beetlejuice once again, who still wants to marry her. Elsewhere, Delia passes away from a snakebite and enters the afterlife, looking for Charles. Beetlejuice, hiding from his soul-sucking ex-wife Delores, helps both Lydia save Astrid and Delia find Charles in exchange for a contract and assistance in finding and marrying Lydia. Fans of the original will be delighted at the returning cast members and the new ones are bound to please too. Jenna Ortega is perfect for the role of Astrid, having already established herself as a Scream Queen, while Justin Thereux and Willem Defoe also join the new additions. Furthermore, Danny DeVito has a bizarre blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo as an undead janitor. In comparison to its predecessor, the film feels a lot more polished and clean, while still keeping true to the spirit of the original. Once again a fantasy-comedy-horror mashup, both returning fans and new viewers are likely to be left satisfied with this new outing for the ghost with the most. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 September 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! We say bonjour to Emily and the gang again for more romance, heartbreak and marketing! The new season starts shortly after where the previous season finished. As Camille and Sofia begin a relationship in Paris, so do Emily and Gabriel. However, it is clear that both Emily and Sofia are uncomfortable with how close Gabriel and Camille still are due to their past and their plans to co-parent their baby. Things reach boiling point when Gabriel abandons Emily when skiing to follow Camille and she breaks up with him. The second half of the season sees Emily attempt to move on from Gabriel by beginning a new relationship with Marcello, the Italian who rescued her on the slopes. Furthermore, there is a new villain in town as Sylvie’s stepdaughter Geneviève arrives from New York to stay and work in Paris and, originally shadowing Emily, shows an interest in Gabriel, falsely translating Gabriel’s argument with Emily to allow herself to get closer to him. Inappropriate behaviour in the workplace is tackled this season as Sylvie is approached by a newspaper planning to expose Louis’ abuse. Fallout from these revelations include losing the funding for her husband’s club and Mindy’s relationship with Louis’ son Nicholas as he attempts to take over the family company, though also results in Julien, who decided to take the job at JVMA, quitting and returning to Agence Grateau. The visuals are once again stunning as always. This time, we are treated to a Christmas episode in which Paris is transformed into a Winter wonderland. The decoration is truly stunning. Later on, Emily visits Marcello in Rome as a change in scenery presents us with some Italian wonders including the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. There are less sweet moments this season though one that stands out is freshly-heartbroken Mindy’s impromptu performance of her song Beautiful Ruins. Ashley Park’s talent is too impressive to not showcase throughout the series. There is less comedy too but there are still some funny moments from Luc, particularly his excitement over Krakow when Emily pretends she is visiting and his disappointment when he discovers she has actually gone to Rome. The season ends at an interesting point as Emily begins her new life in Rome with Marcello following her appointment running the newly founded Italian office, while Gabriel, elated at finally getting his Michelin star but disappointed to not have shared the moment with Emily, asks Mindy where exactly in Rome she is. Will Emily return to Paris with Gabriel or is this the start of Emily in Rome? Either way, the fourth season delivers more romance from Emily, music from Mindy, sharp-tongued comments from Sylvie and comedy from Luc. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 12 September 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s new murder-mystery thriller has some big names in its cast list but the latest novel adaptation from the streaming giant has its imperfections like the titular couple. The middle child of the wealthy Winbury family is getting married but things don’t go to plan as the maid of honour’s body washes up to shore on the morning of the wedding. The suspect list is a long one as there are secrets aplenty. Greer has a secret brother tied to the Turkish mafia. Tag has been having an affair with Merritt, who is pregnant by him. Amelia and Shooter have feelings for each other. Thomas is having an affair with Isabel. Despite all the motives and secretive behaviour, the series struggles with pacing as the investigation is a slow burn. Shooter is arrested earlier on in the series and the secrets gradually spill out but it isn’t until the last episode when things speed up as one arrest triggers a chain of others.   However, the secret which almost runs as a separate subplot is how Greer and Tag are publicised as ‘the perfect couple’ despite all the lies and deceit. It is an interesting aside how their personal life is marketed to the media this way for Greer’s book launch. Furthermore, following Tag’s drunken stagecrashing, the publicists work quickly to forge a narrative about Tag being an alcoholic and going to rehab, to which the family applaud Tag’s statement rehearsal. Although this may be some clever social commentary, the anti-capitalistic message that the wealthy are morally corrupt is a somewhat overused statement. Nevertheless, the ending doesn’t disappoint as we learn Abby drugged and drowned Merritt as the birth of her child would’ve delayed the release of her husband’s $2.5 million trust fund by eighteen years. Overall, the series ultimately delivers on a satisfactory conclusion, though be prepared to go into the series with some patience. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 10 September 2024 London Grammar are back with a new batch of indie tracks on their fourth studio album. The trio opens the record with lead single House, set to a drum and bass backing, followed by Fakest Bitch, an artistic, stripped-back piece with honest lyrics. Most recent single Into Gold acts as a ballad and is the standout track on the album. A slow burner, it gradually builds up towards a techno break with psychedelic influences. It also serves as a pleasant prelude to the title track, a Florence and the Machine-esque close to the record with gentle piano that gives way to heavier guitar, and higher vocals that create a more sinister atmosphere. Elsewhere, the rest of the songs in the middle of the tracklist are more typical indie music. On the whole, we are met with matched expectations of the genre. Reid provides beautiful vocals which are paired with clean instrumentation. Easy listening, nothing groundbreaking but an iron-clad talent demonstrated nonetheless. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 September 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The Deliverance is essentially an African-American 21st century remake of The Exorcist, though unfortunately isn’t as fresh a take as you may have hoped. Somewhat based on the true story of the alleged paranormal activity of the Ammons haunting case, it follows abusive alcoholic mother Ebony who lives with her three children and her mother as supernatural events occur in the house. It turns out the demon-possessed previous tenant murdered her family and now Ebony’s children are possessed, in which an exorcism is performed to save them. The film undeniably fails at pacing. Almost the first hour of the film is primarily physical and verbal abuse, spoken in foul-mouthed urban slang that practically requires an English translation, all the while in a visually dark setting. Viewers are likely to be left wondering if anything explicitly haunting is going to happen. When something does finally happen, we discover the film fails at originality too. A reverend who identifies possession. A mother first in denial but then believes. A possessed child. Walking up the wall backwards. Uttering offensive insults. An exorcism carried out to free the child. Religious undertones. It is as if a possession movie checklist was followed and ticked off throughout the narrative. Also, the exorcism itself is so slapstick that suspension of disbelief is impossible. Furthermore, the plot reads better on paper than it does on screen, suggesting poor creative decisions and directorial choices are to blame. In conclusion, the film is severely weak on multiple levels and in no way an enjoyable watch. 3/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 August 2024 After a long wait, Aaron Bruno and his band are finally here with what is likely their final album. You can tell it’s AWOL from the opening harsh vocals of Bruno playing over dancing keys on opening track and single Jump Sit Stand March, a duet with Emily Armstrong of rock band Dead Sara. The sharing of the vocals works well as Armstrong’s equally aggressive voice matches the abruptness of Bruno’s. There is a well-balanced mix of heavier and calmer songs on the record from the energetic Party People and the short and brash Bang Your Head to the hands swaying side to side lead single Panoramic View and the chilled out A Letter To No One with beautifully dreamy guitar. There’s also a nice inclusion of electronic sounds across the album too. I Am Happy features a rap from Del the Funky Homosapien set to an epic beat while When I Was Young contains distorted sounds and a post-chorus dance melody. Finally, the aptly titled closing track Outta Here feels like a typically AWOL goodbye thanks to its doom-ridden lyrics and lengthy outro. Overall, The Phantom Five succeeds with its harsh vocals, heavy instrumentation and clean production. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 26 August 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s new teen comedy film about four freshmen’s first week of high school lands just in time for the back to school season. Incoming feels like a Gen Z version of cult classic Superbad, albeit less funny, as it similarly follows unpopular highschoolers attempting to improve their social status by attending a cool party. Benj is infatuated with his sister’s best friend, Koosh attempts to live up to his older brother’s reputation, Eddie despises his mother’s new boyfriend and Connor is trying to shed his new height-based nickname Foetus. At the party, Benj makes good strides in attracting his crush Bailey, though later has to win her over when he succumbs to peer pressure and takes ketamine with other popular kids. Koosh uses his house’s surveillance to target a girl and forges an elaborate plan to fake getting locked in the spa with her. The scheme initially works until he dislocates his shoulder and has to come clean to get help. Meanwhile, Eddie and Connor don’t even get into the party as Koosh is only allowed one friend and instead steal Eddie’s mum’s boyfriends’ beloved car and inadvertently end up looking after a catatonic Katrina, the most popular girl at their school, after she mistakes them for her taxi. This proves to be a disaster filled night as Katrina binges junk food and has a toilet-related accident in the backseat, leading the horrified friends to clean up after her. In addition to all this, popular teacher Mr Studebaker attends the party, teaching the underage attendees alcohol-fuelled science lessons and ends up getting severely burned, having accidentally set himself on fire and getting electrocuted. There are undoubtedly funny moments throughout the film, notably the gross-out events in the Tesla and a red raw Mr Studebaker on the Monday morning, though on the whole it feels a little underwhelming. Despite this, if you can manage your expectations, Incoming is an easy-watching ninety-minuter. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 25 August 2024 Former Disney star Sabrina Carpenter is all grown up and establishing herself as a pop princess. Short n’ Sweet is her sixth studio album and concludes a summer of dominating the charts with singles Espresso and Please Please Please. However, the pop heavy focus also welcomes touches of other genres as there is a pleasing variation between tracks. Latest single Taste opens the album with a rock feel whereas Please Please Please is much more dreamy. Good Graces adopts a R&B aura before Sharpest Tool provides a more stripped back offering. Coincidence contains acoustic guitar, Bed Chem offers chilled funk vibes and lead single Espresso takes centre stage with its bubblegum pop. Dumb & Poetic flips the mood as a slow song with haunting emotion, Slim Pickins incorporates a country influence, while Juno features some sexually explicit lyrics. Lie to Girls is heavenly with some unique instrumentation before Don’t Smile closes the album nicely with its dream-like sound. Overall, Short n’ Sweet is an album of clean production and strong vocals, a recipe for success. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 3 June 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Human cloning is happening again in this next gen sequel to the original Canadian sci-fi thriller. Set in 2052 in the Orphan Black universe, a woman awakes with no memory of who she is. Two years later, as Lucy, she has built a life for herself with boyfriend Jack and his daughter Charlie, before her past comes back to haunt her. We learn she was printed by a now adult Kira Manning, who is working as a scientist. Viewers of the original series will know that Kira should know better than anyone the unethicality of human clothing, which begs the question: why has Kira printed someone? The answer comes in the fifth episode as we are given the backstory of Kira and her wife Eleanor, who eventually succumbs to dementia. Heartbroken over her death, a desperate Kira uses her scientific equipment to print a younger copy of Eleanor to allow her time to find a cure. The younger copy, Lucy, has no long-term memory, though Kira is able to print a same-age copy who lives unaware she is a print-out. Horrified at the distress caused to Lucy, Kira dismantles the machine, though later learns her evil billionaire employer Paul Darros had the machine rebuilt and printed a teenage copy of Eleanor called Jules, as well as a younger copy of himself called Xander. Kira, Eleanor, Lucy and Jules then fight against Paul as his team attempts to capture the printed duo to live in his compound. In the final episode, we discover Paul’s wider plan. He has in fact printed copies of twelve exceptionally gifted children to unleash their full potential free of outside influence, one of them being Jules. In the final minutes, Paul shoots Jules dead in front of Lucy and introduces her to a more polite and submissive copy of the teenager. The open-ended close suggests a second season as so much is left unresolved. Krysten Ritter excels in her heroic role of Lucy and rising star Amanda Fix is perfect as the rebellious yet goodhearted Jules, yet we are ultimately left with just another series focusing on human clothing and its immorality in which the clones, this time called print-outs, must fight against corporate evil, this time without elements of religion and suburbia. In conclusion, the series feels somewhat unnecessary and isn’t as compelling or thrilling as the original. Lacking in originality, perhaps a series as brilliant as Orphan Black should be left alone? 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 18 March 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Guy Ritchie’s action film is adapted into a Netflix series as a new fast-paced crime caper. The series maintains a similar plot to the original film. Aristocratic middle child Eddie returns home as his father lays on his deathbed and the whole family are stunned to learn that he has inherited the estate and Duke title, much to the fury of eldest child Freddy, who reveals being passed over means he can’t pay his debts. Upon learning he owes £8 million to a Scouse crime lord, Eddie is forced into a dangerous world to protect his brother. Furthermore, he learns a weed operation is running on the property, headed by Susie of the notorious Glass crime family, and must work with her to remove his family’s involvement. As Eddie is thrust into a world he is not accustomed to, the series is gripping from its incredible first episode, which culminates in the intense scene of Freddy having to dance like a chicken. Viewers will know they are in for a good run as the verbal abuse leads a high-on-cocaine Freddy to shoot Tommy in the head. High octane drama continues throughout the episodes as Eddie and Susie continue with their dodgy dealings; the chemistry between them can be accredited to the compelling performances of Theo James and Kaya Scodelario. The ending is also strong as Eddie decides to go into business with Susie, eliminating all rivals in the process. Fans are going to want a season two to see the continued business of Eddie and Susie, as well as how Bobby held off The Gospel. There is also a nice sprinkling of comedy throughout the series too, notably Geoff’s excessive nursing of wildlife and the elderly lord’s naked psychotic episode. On a whole, the action thriller is a great blend of dramatic and easy viewing… and we want more! 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 December 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s most watched series of all time gets a game show adaptation amid the original’s long-awaited second season. The real life counterpart to the South Korean thriller stays true to the original for the most part, minus killing the losers of course. The set design is almost an exact replica, featuring notable settings such as the Red Light Green Light playing field, the dormitory, the children’s playground for Dalgona, the residential streets for Marbles and the Glass Bridge. However, some changes were made such as replacing Tug of War with Warships as the third game and adding several psychological and personal tests to eliminate players, often pitting them against each other and creating enemies. With so much effort to maintain accuracy with set design, it’s a shame that wasn’t transferred into the gameplay, even if the tests did make it more interesting. Despite production in England and worldwide casting, the majority of the players were American. Throughout the game, flashback interviews introduced us to notable and memorable players such as Trey and his mother, controversial players Bryton and Lorenzo, eldest contestant Rick and his “gganbu gang”, best friends Bee and Amanda, deaf contestant Jackie, runner-up Phill, and eventual winner Mai. Despite a handful of likeable players, many are manipulative and conniving, untrusting of anyone and overly aware of alliances. It may be the nature of the game but it certainly brings out the worst in humanity, something sad to see. We witness the kind-hearted be eliminated before the cash prize goes to a nasty, undeserving player. Absolute credit to the precision gone into the production but what we’re left with is a toxic environment bred from greed. Still, it’s a nice stopgap while waiting for the new season of the main series. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 12 September 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! We head to Barcelona for Netflix’s latest limited series that’s been taking the Netflix charts by storm. The action-packed thriller follows a British teacher in Spain whose former life returns to haunt her when she and her daughter are caught up in a supermarket robbery… and one of the robbers recognises her. We learn that Erin is a badass from the get go as she attacks and kills one of the robbers in self defence and then the other following a confrontation at the school, as well as that she would do anything to protect her family when she blackmails Penelope. The earlier episodes focus on Erin helping Emilio as she becomes increasingly involved in the criminal world he is investigating, but after so many of these action scenes, it becomes a far-fetched tired trope. However, it turns out we don’t have to wait until the end to find out the answer to the eponymous question as episode 4 is a full episode flashback to Erin’s former life. It is here where the series improves as when we return to the present, we learn of the connection between Emilio, Daniel and Lena, leaving us wondering who the bigger bad guy is. The series culminates in an explosion finale, with Lena sacrificing herself and ending in Erin getting the life she wants with her family. Despite the series bearing a striking similarity to another Netflix thriller Pieces of Her, thanks to the beautiful Spanish setting and the praise-worthy acting of Evin Ahmad and Indica Watson (watch out for this rising child star), this show has, deservingly so, made quite the impact on streaming figures. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 1 June 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s new teen comedy-drama is both heartwarming and heartwrenching, tackling love, deceit, sexuality and family. A spin-off of the To All the Boys film trilogy, the series follows Korean American student and self-proclaimed matchmaker Kitty Song Covey as she travels to South Korea, where she has enrolled in the KISS school to meet her long-distance boyfriend Dae as well as learn about her late mother, who was also a student there. However, upon arrival she is stunned to find that Dae is in a relationship with fellow student Yuri. This initial setup provides the show with a full season of drama. Dae’s fake relationship with Yuri, Kitty falling in love with Yuri, Q and Florian’s relationship, Yuri hiding her sexuality, Min Ho’s hilarious love-hate relationship with Kitty and the history surrounding Alex’s birth parents all contribute towards the interweaving storylines that leave viewers clueless as to where the story is going and how it will end. Love forms the primary concept as Dae and Yuri’s fake relationship and Kitty’s feelings for Yuri sees the creation of a truly complex love triangle. While it is sad to see Kitty’s heart get broken, it is equally as nice to see her develop many bonds with her fellow students and teachers. Anna Cathcart steps up to the plate in the titular role from Kitty’s excitement to meet Dae and find out about her mother’s history to her heartbreak at discovering Dae’s relationship with Yuri and her confusion about her sexuality. The finale leaves a lot of loose ends that will hopefully be tied up in a second season, particularly Kitty’s future at KISS and Kitty’s relationship status following Min Ho’s confession on the plane. There may be no major shocks in the series but XO, Kitty provides a delicate balance of drama and humour while sensitively touching upon difficult subjects too, seeing it excel on its own merit away from the films it arose from. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 April 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s highly-acclaimed new dramedy has got people talking - for both the unique tale it spins and the controversy it has found itself at the helm of. Beef is a truly surreal show, as surreal as the eerie artwork that features in the title cards. It follows down-on-his-luck tradesman Danny and troubled yet successful businesswoman Amy as they are involved in a road rage incident that changes their lives in unexpected ways. In the first episode, Danny is suicidal and reaches the end of his tether when a white SUV honks at him for nearly reversing into them. Enraged, he follows the car, who continues to provoke him. Danny tracks down the owner (Amy) and, posing as a contractor, urines all over her bathroom. The episode closes with Amy chasing Danny down the street and it appears the rest of the series will simply be the two exacting revenge on each other as a result of them being dissatisfied with their respective lives. It is in a fashion, though not as one might think. Amy begins an affair with Danny’s brother and Danny befriends Amy’s husband. Dragging their families into the petty rivalry, with some crossed wires and miscommunications thrown in for good measure, puts everyone in danger, culminating in an epic and tense shootout in the penultimate episode, which features one of television’s most gruesome deaths. The path it takes outshines the assumed timeline tenfold, with an unpredictable ending too following the bizarre final episode. However, slow pacing in the earlier episodes could see viewers zoning out in scenes of character development. Stick with it though and the latter episodes won’t disappoint. Overall, Beef is unlike anything seen before and frankly downright weird in the most enjoyable way, with the leads’ occasional comedic performance strengthened by the uneasy atmosphere. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 16 December 2022 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The new supernatural series based on The Addams Family’s teenage daughter Wednesday lands on Netflix, even beating the new Harry & Meghan documentary to the number one spot. From the enticing first scene in which Wednesday exacts revenge on her brother’s bullies by attacking them with piranhas, viewers will be reeled in. The series then follows Wednesday as she enrols at a new boarding school for outcasts: Nevermore. Throughout her reluctant time there, she attempts to solve a murder mystery surrounding a monster in the woods. The murder mystery plot is told in an entertaining way as the investigation is intriguing throughout without fully relying on the outcome. However, it can be said it is the characters that make the show so compelling. Ortega earns her high praise for the protagonist as she perfectly portrays the cold and hardened yet strong-willed and brave teen while exhibiting some unexplainable likability that ropes both the male cast and viewers in. She is also at the helm of some of the series’ most awesome scenes including the burning of Crackstone’s statue and her impressive dance routine. The inclusive environment at the academy is composed by several other likeable students, particularly Wednesday’s optimistic roommate Enid and friendly beekeeper Eugene. The student cast allows for some meaningful coming-of-age elements as Wednesday grows to care about her classmates, Enid pursues a relationship with Ajax while dealing with conflict with her mother and Xavier develops feelings for Wednesday despite rejection and accusation. Additionally, Wednesday finally hugging Enid in the finale will melt your heart! The ending elevates the quality of what is already an excellent series. After falsely accusing Xavier and Dr Kinbott, Wednesday is horrified to learn her romantic interest Tyler is the Hyde and Thornhill is the master. It is revealed that Thornhill is actually Lauren Gates, seeking revenge for her fathers death and is using Tyler to murder outcasts. Principle Weems uses her shapeshifting skills to retrieve this confession, though is murdered by Thornhill using nightshade poisoning. This is followed by an epic showdown in which Thornhill resurrects Crackstone, culminating in a deadly battle between the town’s founder and the outcasts which sees Wednesday fulfil the prophecy of her saving the school. Furthermore, in an exciting and satisfying shock, Enid finally wolfs out and, in werewolf form, defeats Tyler. Everything about this series is perfect. The plot. The characters. The casting. A finale that outshines any possible conclusion viewers could have predicted. It is a shame Weems dies but all good shows have one unfortunate loss. As Wednesday hints at more mysteries to uncover and Tyler is shown to still be alive, viewers are left impatient for a second season. 10/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 21 October 2022 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Horror, thriller and coming-of-age teen drama all come together in the latest chilling series from The Haunting of Hill House creator Mike Flanagan. The series sees a group of terminally ill teens living in a hospice tell each other stories at midnight while having a pact that the first to die should send them a message beyond the grave. This intriguing premise delivers as both the main storyline and the stories told within it eerily drawn you in. In contrast to previous series, a coming-of-age element is largely present as the group bond over their shared mortality and relationships form among the youngsters. The stories they tell all somehow partly relate to their troubled selves, with particular praise deserved for the heart-wrenching hitchhiking story. However, horror remains at the forefront whether it’s the record-breaking jumpscares in the premiere, the elderly ghosts, the time-jumping or the discovery of the underground chamber that once inhabited a cult. The penultimate episode is arguably the best as protagonist Ilonka discovers the friendly neighbour is actually Julia Jane, the former resident who was cured in the 60s, who attempts to perform a human-sacrifice ritual. The final episode isn’t as dramatic, though explains Julia was misdiagnosed rather than cured but attributed her fortune to the Gods instead of luck and she was performing black magic as she’d fallen ill again. It also wraps up all storylines, with Anya sending a message in the form of fixing her statue, before the final reveal that the elderly ghosts were the original owners of the building and Stanton has a cult tattoo. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 1 October 2022 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Wakey wakey! The long-awaited TV adaptation of the puppetry horror web series has finally arrived and it’s crazier than ever! DHMIS has always been fascinating as its Sesame Street-style puppets start the show like a children’s series before descending into a dark horror with disturbing imagery; an artistic move never before seen in such a unique way. The change to the long-form structure could’ve allowed for more storyline-focused tales though stays in vein of its web origins. However, there is less horror and more comedy involved in its Channel 4 upgrade to pad out the extra time. Family is one of the stronger episodes as the trio meet a pair of twins and visit their unsettling family before discovering the chilling identity of their mother. The final episode Electricity sees Yellow Guy become more intelligent and touch upon discovering the guys’ reality as fictional characters until the final twist ends their opportunity to do so. The creators have stepped up their game with characters as well; the lonely friendship adviser Warren the worm and the elderly and ill Choo Choo Train are truly chilling. Also, the inclusion of a live action character in the final episode makes its plot much more unnerving. Overall, the TV series is not the most entertaining to watch but its creativity and meaning is truly thought-provoking. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 August 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Danny Dyer stars in Sky’s new comedy created, written and co-led by Plebs and Brassic star Ryan Sampson. The series follows mild-mannered carpet salesman Glen Campbell as his quiet life with his fiance Kirsty is turned upside down by the arrival of his estranged brother Lee. Sampson demonstrates versatility as he is miles apart from the empty-headed Grumio in Plebs and the confident Tommo in Brassic, whereas Dyer embodies his typical Cockney geezer role. The comedy falls rather flat, which is quite unfortunate given that’s the genre. Granted, there are some funny moments such as the opening scene of Glen and Kirsty in the car park and Glen and Lee’s dance, but the majority of the comedic material is rather ridiculous and chaotic, specifically surrounding Adrian Scarborough’s character Ian and his newfound obsession with Lee. However, as the series progresses, the plot somewhat saves the show as more of a comedy-drama, with themes of family and masculinity explored. Glen’s erectile dysfunction and Kirsty’s kleptomania, likely a result of feeling neglected. Lee changing his mind about stealing the wedding fund. Glen attempting to stop Lee committing suicide. The series concludes open-ended with Kirsty receiving a photo of her and Lee kissing and Glen and Lee embarking on confronting their father, though whether a second series will materialise is yet to be seen as, where the story is there, the comedy is not. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 6 August 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Emma Myers leads on the BBC’s adaptation of Holly Jackson’s murder-mystery young adult novel. Five years ago, popular schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who then committed suicide. The six-part series follows good-natured teenager Pip and her investigation into the case for her EPQ. The first four episodes soft launch a very basic murder mystery. Pip conducts interviews with persons of interest, which as an amateur sleuth means she determinedly asks them questions and is persistent enough to receive dregs of information. She also teams up with Sal’s brother Ravi, sharing a mutual interest in proving Sal’s innocence. Although this is quite boring and slow-paced, it can be argued this allows the audience to learn the different characters and the personalities they inhibit. Furthermore, the glaringly obvious blossoming romance between Pip and Ravi is a slow burner and their chemistry feels very much scripted rather than genuine, but serves to add a romantic layer to the premise and offer Pip some happiness in the end. However, the final two episodes turn the series around with a vast increase in drama. We learn that Naomi and her friends were involved in a hit-and-run on New Years and were then blackmailed to lie about Sal’s presence with them on the night of Andie's murder, thus hiding his alibi. Pip discovers that her teacher and friend’s dad Mr Ward began a teacher-student affair with Andie and, when Andie’s controlling father cut her money off, she attempted to blackmail Mr Ward for money to run away with Sal. He refused and, in a scuffle, she banged her head and left. Worried he had killed her, Mr Ward murdered and framed Sal. He has also been keeping a young woman he initially mistook for Andie hostage after confessing to her. One final twist arrives when Pip realises Mr Ward didn’t kill Andie as he couldn’t have been the one who murdered her dog Barney and therefore the one threatening her. It is revealed Andie’s sister Becca is the murderer; Becca was drugged and raped by Max and Andie wouldn’t let her go to the police about it as she was the one who sold the drugs to him. Despite the series having a satisfactory ending, it doesn’t quite justify the earlier steadiness when compared to other fast-paced thrillers of today. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 1 July 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix pulls out all the stars but not the stops in its latest romcom offering. The film sees aspiring director Zara disapprove of her arrogant movie star boss Chris’ budding age-gap relationship with her older mother Brooke. Leading the cast is big hitter Zac Efron, along with veteran stars Nicole Kidman and Kathy Bates, while established Netflix star Joey King plays the distraught daughter. While the comedy is far from laugh out loud, there are some moments to make you at least smirk, particularly from Zac Efron as the egotistical Hollywood actor comes out with some chuckle-worthy statements. However, the romantic storyline ultimately falls flat. Credit due for not placing the age gap as the primary issue but there is still a lack of chemistry felt between the twosome. Their dates are not entertaining to watch, risking viewers zoning out in these moments and, in fact, the comical encounters between Zara and Chris are much more enjoyable for the audience than the interactions between the new lovebirds. In conclusion, the film is not necessarily bad but rather somewhat lacklustre. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 June 2024 Kasabian stay on top form with Serge Pizzorno in the driving seat once again on their new album Happenings. The band stated this album is “about pure joy” which is heard on the upbeat and fun singles. Call has been self-described by the band as “dance music” whereas Coming Back To Me Good evokes the cheery tones of Two Door Cinema Club. However, it is the darker and heavier album tracks that stand out as the best. How Far Will You Go is the heaviest on the album thanks to its fast paced electric guitar and pounding drums. G.O.A.T. is almost psychedelic and the light keys in the background add a layer of beauty to the song as Pizzorno cries “love will always find a way”, then Passengers carries weight with its murky guitars and central line “this is what you wanted”.  Hell of It is atmospheric with its sinister sounds, Italian Horror sounds like Kasabian’s take on a Halloween song, Bird in a Cage is electronic and incorporates techno sounds before last year’s single Algorithms sees acoustic guitar take centre stage as it closes the album. Although some may be better than others, this eighth release doesn’t contain a bad song, a sentiment echoed across the tracklist. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 25 June 2024 Camila Cabello trades in the Latin influences of her previous release for a more R&B approach on her new album C,XOXO, presumably named after her signature. This fourth record is a tale of two sides: the poorer R&B tracks and the stronger pop songs. Cabello similarly balanced two genres on her previous album Familia, which also saw the pop offerings come out on top. However, this time the negative aspects outweigh the few delights. For the most part, the album contains messy R&B tunes, often with damaging collaborations from artists of the genre, such as Playboi Carti, Lil Nas X and Drake. However, there are a few stripped back and cleaner tracks that show Cabello’s talent still exists. Twentysomethings is dreamy and features acoustic guitar, B.O.A.T. is a calmer piano song, Pretty When I Cry sounds like a dance hit and June Gloom is a gentle closer nicely contrasted with some funky electronic sounds. Cabello is a unique and talented artist, making it a shame to see the route this album has taken. There’s still potential left, providing she thinks carefully about which genres to explore next! 4/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 24 June 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! You’re gonna need a bigger boat for this French action-horror that has taken the Netflix charts by storm. The film sees a marine researcher team up with the Parisian river police when a mako shark becomes lost in the Seine in the run up to a triathlon in the city. Any prenotions that this is just another entry of the saturated shark attack subgenre following the likes of the Meg and 47 Meters Down series’ can be kiboshed as it maintains enough originality to stand on its own.  First of all, the shark has ventured inland to Paris and therefore is not set in the sea. Also, there are a few shocks in the film compared to the subgenre’s relative predictability, such as when environmentalist Mika leads a group of followers to the catacombs and enters the water, only to launch a scary mass attack resulting in several deaths. Furthermore, the discovery that Lilith is a new breed which can reproduce asexually and is rapidly doing so highlights the growing scale of the issue. However, the best element of the film is the ending as it moves towards becoming a disaster movie. In opposition to the usual closer in which the shark is captured and killed, attempts to do so reignite unexploded ordnance, culminating in a tsunami and consequential flooding of Paris. The film ends with Sophia and Adil atop a building before revealing how the sharks have spread across the world in an epic yet chilling conclusion. There’s some lulls between action scenes but on the whole, Under Paris separates itself from the other Jaws replicas with a unique approach and a terrifying ending. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 21 June 2024 Imagine Dragons follow up their 32 track double album with a mere nine track sixth album Loom. There are a mix of heavier tracks, such as opening track Wake Up and lead single Eyes Closed, which are easily the highlights, and softer tracks like Nice to Meet You and Don’t Forget Me, which can be identified as the weaker tracks on the album. Take Me to the Beach evokes tropical themes and serves as a fun song whereas In Your Corner, set to a consistent drum beat, is more layered and arguably the most well-constructed song of the album. Gods Don’t Pray features reggae undertones in its backing beat, Kid is a Gorillaz-esque energetic and fast-paced tune that opens to a slick bassline and Fire in These Hills is a nice closer to the album with melancholic lyrics. While there is still strength in their music, it is still a shame to see these stadium rockers fully indulge in more commercially-friendly pop rock after their heavier first two albums. Furthermore, the short tracklist leaves the final cut feeling somewhat unfinished. The Dragons have put out another solid release, though the heaviness of their early days is ultimately missed. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 19 June 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix adapts Holly Smale’s young adult novel into a feel-good teen drama series. It follows the story of Harriet Manners, a socially-awkward high school student who is unexpectedly discovered by a fashion agency to become their next top model. This dramatic change affects her life in many ways. She is thrust into a world of which she is very much not accustomed to and struggles with all the eyes on her. This new experience also presents her with new enemies, dealing with both CEO Jude’s dislike and fellow model Poppy’s jealousy. Additionally, it causes a rift between her and her childhood best friend Nat, who always dreamt of being a model. However, for all the snags that come with it, she receives much more positivity on the whole. She is appreciated and respected by others for the first time and comes to find that she actually enjoys the fashion world. She is also given a first taste of dating and relationships as male model Nick takes a shine to her. Furthermore, despite being initially sceptical, her parents are incredibly proud of her and she learns that her stepmother Annabelle does in fact not hate her but rather the opposite. Above all, her venture into the fashion world becomes a journey of self-acceptance as she grows in confidence through the help of both pre-existing and new friends and family. With this, she dares to stand up to her school bullies as well as confront Jude and not let Poppy’s final attack ruin her turn on the catwalk. Following her attempts to change herself, the way she instead finally embraces her geek personality is particularly touching and the reveal that Yugi’s new campaign is called Geek is a nice closer to the series. Emily Carey is stellar in the lead role and the series deserves praise for the way it references the protagonist’s autism without overtly focusing on it or aligning to its stereotype. In conclusion, the series is easy-watching and very heartwarming, with strength in both its characters and storytelling. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 17 June 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Fresh off his success in Anyone But You, Glen Powell leads in Netflix’s new black comedy film based on the unbelievably “somewhat true story”. The film follows Gary Johnson, a university professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for the police department. Johnson is shy and mild-mannered though takes on a much more confident personality when acting as a contract killer, finding he is successful in the role and obtains a high conviction rate. However, one day, when he is 'hired' by Madison Masters, a wife wishing to have her abusive husband killed, he becomes sympathetic towards her situation and instead tells her to take the money to start a new life. This is where the real life aspect ends and a series of chain events follow as Johnson begins a secret, sexual relationship with Masters, remaining in his hitman persona. It is refreshing to see a film with such a different and unpredictable storyline. There is a slight flaw in the ending as Gary fought to keep his connection to Madison a secret, only to eventually go public and start a family, though this can be overlooked in order to maintain the happy ending. Furthermore, it is pleasingly unusual that the film delivers such an ending in which a couple are given their happy ever after, despite being responsible for two murders. Powell excels in his role as it is comical to see Johnson put such detailed effort into his work, researching his 'customers' and creating a tailored persona for each of them, with many of his characters being hilarious to see. Hit Man deserves praise for taking an incredible true story and expanding on it with such originality, something rare in film these days. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 7 June 2024 Following a string of single releases, indie rockers Sea Girls are back with their third album Midnight Butterflies, a sweet metaphor for a vicenarian couple. The third release sees the band continue to utilise their secret weapon which sets them apart from the other indie rock bands in the saturated landscape: lead singer Camamile’s vulnerable vocals, with the single that has received the most airplay I Want You To Know Me highlighting this. Despite this, it is the album tracks that serve up the best talent. Horror Movies is enchantingly eerie, Scream and Shout is an emotional ballad sung over piano and After Hours is a particularly tearjerking closer. However, Superman is the standout. Camamile’s cries and screams along with the music creates a sense of urgency on what is the heaviest track. Overall, Sea Girls offer up a mix of both commercially-friendly indie songs that aren’t particularly memorable and more creative tracks with further texture to them, but all are aided by Camamile’s uniquely delicate vocals. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 11 June 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Good day sunshine! Benedict Cumberbatch leads the cast in Abi Morgan’s new thriller riding atop the Netflix charts. When puppeteer Vincent Anderson’s 9-year-old son Edgar goes missing, he finds his child’s drawings of a new seven-foot tall puppet called Eric and devises a madcap plan to get the creation on his TV show in the hopes that he will see him and come home, set in 1980s New York against a backdrop of homelessness, racism and homophobia. For the most part, Cumberbatch carries the show. Having already proven himself as a versatile actor, he is compelling and captivating as the eccentric and volatile puppet handler with addiction issues, serving as the ultimate anti-hero, drawing comparison with Bryan Cranston’s Walter White. Delicately balancing aggressiveness and vulnerability to which he allows viewers to still emit sympathy towards the character, Cumberbatch delivers one of the greatest performances in television history. The show deserves the utmost praise for the way it cleverly encompasses multiple themes throughout that were present at the time of its setting. Racism is explored as Cecile pushes Letroit to continue pursuing Marlon’s disappearance which results in the discovery of his murder, tying in with the theme of police and political corruption. Homophobia is explored as we see Letroit struggle with his closeted homosexuality, particularly having to secretly deal with the death of his partner from AIDS, as well as the tragic events that were a result of Costello’s hidden sexual orientation. However, the theme that is arguably the most prevalent throughout is homelessness. It is interesting how Edgar chooses to seek refuge in the dangerous underground village over the safety of his home and how the show intelligently links this to Eric’s narrative about being underground when the team is pitching the character. Furthermore, it is genius how Vincent’s speech in Central Park focusing on Edgar deserving a safe home, unintentionally by the character, draws parallels with the homelessness situation and strikes a chord with the protestors. Potentially the most heartwarming part of the series is that, despite being held back by his substance abuse and the imaginary Eric as well as everyone thinking he is going crazy, Vincent’s bizarre plan works. He realises Edgar’s drawings on George’s wall is a map and he follows it to the subway, leading to Edgar’s location which no-one else was able to do. He also manages to get Eric on TV to be seen by Edgar, albeit on the news rather than his TV show, and the plan is successful, reuniting the two following the tearjerking moment in which Vincent says into the camera “Edgar, buddy. If you're watching this, I'll race you home”. Rarely is a show this layered and with Benedict Cumberbatch at the helm portraying such a complex and iconic character, Eric is a truly unique show. 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 4 June 2024 Electronic sounds dominate the new album from singer-songwriter Charli XCX, reminiscent of her early days as a featuring artist on Icona Pop’s I Love It. The album is intended to be a club record inspired by the illegal London rave scene she performed at during her teen years. Techno beats echo throughout the tracklist, though lead single Von Dutch is easily the highlight. Self-absorbed lyrics and grinding, driving electro make for a truly epic dance banger, with credit to producer Easyfun for the impressive production on the track. However, the majority of the songs feel saturated with varying electronic sounds rapidly changing and appearing randomly, making the production sound messy. Tracks such as 360 and Talk Talk follow a more traditional pop formula whereas Club Classics features wobble sounds and Girl, So Confusing contains a dark bassline. Sympathy Is a Knife is another heavier option before I Might Say Something Stupid is a reduction in pace, playing over an ambient backing. Overall, there are some promising sounds on the album, offering up strong potential, but ultimately the record feels unfinished and more like a work in progress. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 7 May 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Jerry Seinfield might have had a hit on his hands in the 90s with his self-titled sitcom, though he crashes and burns with his directorial debut. The plot details the 1960s creation of the toaster pastries Pop-Tarts and the battle between cereal companies Kellogg’s and Post to deliver it to shelves first. Now, in case you can’t tell from the plot that this isn’t a story worth telling on the big screen, the movie proves it isn’t. Despite a star-studded cast including Seinfield, Jim Gilligan, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer and Hugh Grant as well as appearances from Peter Dinklage, Jon Hamm and Dan Levy, the comedy is virtually non-existent. There are consistent jokes throughout, they’re just not funny and painfully don’t land. In fact, the only comical joke in the film, in which the rival companies each have moles with obvious cameras on their apparatus, is the only element keeping this film from not obtaining a 0 rating. The comedy reaches an all-time low with the creation of the alive ravioli formed as a sea monkey wrapped in pastry. SMH. Furthermore, with most scenes it is not entirely clear what is going on and how the current act is contributing towards the goal of getting the product to market. However, this is more likely to occur as the film goes on as viewers are bound to zone out, making the movie feel like it has a much longer runtime than it actually does. Watching till the end will certainly result in a mind-numbing and irritable feeling. It is shocking that a reputable and successful streaming giant such as Netflix would distribute such a terrible project. There is one word that stands out when summing up this film. Embarrassing. 1/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 19 April 2024 If asked to name a French electronic duo, most people would probably say Daft Punk because of their international fame, though Justice, who achieved some success in the 00s   with their Simian remix We Are Your Friends and some singles from their debut album Cross, offer a more unique sound and are out to prove they’ve still got it. Their first studio album in seven years, the boys pair electronic music with disco and funk elements. The twosome have teamed up with Australian psychedelic musician Tame Impala on a couple of tracks, a collaboration that works well, especially on lead single One Night/All Night as Parker’s dreamy vocals play over the electronic beat. Generator is the highlight though as it carries Justice’s trademark heavier electronic sound. Unfortunately, some tracks see the disco and funk influences make for a much lighter sound and it feels as though they are losing grip of the heavier beat that sets them apart from their EDM contemporaries. Justice demonstrate their skill as talented producers once again, but only a handful of the songs could fire up a club. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 3 May 2024 Four years after groundbreaking previous release Future Nostalgia and following on from last year’s success with Dance the Night from the Barbie soundtrack, pop superstar Dua Lipa is here with her long-awaited third studio album. The titular term is referenced in the album’s artwork as it depicts Lipa in the ocean with a shark. Departing the electro pop sound of the predecessor, Radical Optimism incorporates dance and disco, as well as elements of psychedelia, thanks to co-production from Kevin Parker (Tame Impala). Parker’s influence is heard on lead single Houdini whereas follow-up single Training Season produces flashbacks to her sensational performance at the 2024 BRIT Awards. These Walls features an eerie sound, French Exit ironically sounds like Spanish music matched with an irregular drum beat, Falling Forever showcases Lipa’s prolonged and strained vocal abilities, Anything For Love strips the instrumentation back to piano to highlight Lipa’s talent and Maria is one of the catchiest tracks, matching acoustic guitar with epic feelgood flute sounds, before drum-centred Happy For You closes the album. Lipa has it all. The image. The moves. The personality. The voice. Dua Lipa is an artist of a generation. 10/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 25 April 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The Australian teen comedy-drama reboot returns, following up its mediocre first season with a sensational second run. We see the ensemble cast in their various storylines; Amerie is targeted by a new mysterious enemy Bird Psycho while involved in a love triangle between her ex-boyfriend Malakai and new student Rowan, Darren and Ca$h’s relationship is strained due to Ca$h’s asexuality as he fights to leave his old life behind him, Quinni struggles with change in her life, Harper attempts to move on from her ordeal and befriends Ant, who falls for her, Spencer begins a secret affair with Missy, who inspires him to change and become a better person, new student Zoe leads a celibate group, there is a student election between Amerie, Sasha and Spider and returning sports teacher Mr Voss leads a pro-male group the CUMLORDS as a breakaway from the SLTs. Compared to a relatively stale first season, the storylines are a lot more compelling, with particular pick-up towards the latter end of the season as Bird Psycho’s identity is revealed. It is hinted that something happened to Rowan when he was younger and that he had some prior connection to Amerie. In the season finale when Amerie proclaims her love for Malakai in front of Rowan, he traps her and Harper in the AV room while the school is ablaze from an accidental fire set by Mr Voss during a protest and showcases a film revealing that when he was younger, he was in love with Amerie and they bonded over caring for an injured bird, but when they were mocked for giving the bird a funeral, Amerie embarrassed Rowan by claiming to the other kids it was his idea. Rowan lashed out in a rage back at home and his brother was killed in a car accident crossing the road to get their mother for him. Quinni rescues the girls and Amerie saves Rowan as he comes to terms with losing his brother, in truly emotional scenes that highlights Rechner’s incredible performance as the newcomer. However, where every praise is deserved for a dramatic finale, the show is somewhat overshadowed by its desperate wokeness. Most characters are LGBT, offering up an unrealistic representation of high school youth, and it promotes sexual promiscuity and makes light of the difficult subject of abortion as Amerie makes no attempt to consider the pro-life counterpoint. Overall, this second season is a very entertaining and emotive teen series, but needs less reliance on wokeness. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 15 April 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Channel 5 presents this new thriller in which Jill Halfpenny plays a lodger with a sinister secret. Claire Goose and Lee Ingleby star as married couple Jessica and Nick Haynes who move to a countryside fixer-upper, much to the disgruntlement of their teenage daughter Alice. To make ends meet, they take in a lodger Sian. However, the new resident exhibits strange behaviour, developing a close bond with Alice by claiming to understand her teen angst and causing conflict in Nick and Jessica’s already-rocky marriage. Early on, we learn that Alice is Sian’s biological daughter, but surely this can’t be the only reveal in the series? Fortunately, a twist comes at the end as we learn that Sian gave birth to a baby called Alice sixteen years ago, yet the infant died the morning she was born. The grief drove Sian to insanity, and she began looking for adopted girls with the same name and birthday, believing the Haynes’ daughter to be her own and attempting to kidnap her. The series culminates in an action-packed finale in which Sian stabs Nick, before a clifftop showdown, which ends with Sian plummeting into the waters. There is also one final teaser twist at the end as a character resembling Sian turns up at a house, with another teen Alice answering the door, hinting that Sian survived. Lee Ingleby deserves praise for his performance as the frustrated and manipulated Nick and Freya Hannan-Mills demonstrates a multitude of emotions, while Halfpenny excels as Sian, delicately balancing villainy and vulnerability. She showcases her psychotic side particularly well in the shocking scene in which she violently smashes her head into the mirror multiple times to frame Nick for abuse. It may be relatively simple and straightforward, but for a Freeview production, the series is well-paced and rather gripping. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 April 2024 Singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers trades in her heavier, electronic sound for a more stripped-back and relaxed third release. The album was produced in an unconventional way in that it was written across just five days in the winter and the songs were written in the order they appear on the album. Unlike the predecessor, there are no grinding guitars or pounding drums this time. Rogers opts for a more organic approach and succeeds in her goal of creating an album that suits a “Sunday afternoon”. The acoustic guitar takes centre stage as the primary instrument. The album is full of dreamy songs, with I Still Do breaking the pattern as a slow piano-led song, Never Going Home giving off country vibes and the titular album track and lead single Don’t Forget Me playing the record out nicely. On the whole, Rogers continues to demonstrate her multi-skill talent and it is admirable for her to change up from her previous sound, though it must be said that the heavier music she offered up before is dearly missed. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 2 April 2024 The American TikTok star who was discovered and signed by Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds releases his debut album after the immense success of Beautiful Things. Boone carries his strong voice throughout the record with impressive vocals, balancing guitar, drums and piano. The standout is, of course, lead single Beautiful Things. The first verse builds up slowly to the outburst of energy on the chorus as Boone begs God to not take the beautiful things in his life. Be Someone is a fun opener leading on from the intro and follow-up single Slow It Down utilises playful keys on this piano-led track whereas Forever and a Day is a beautiful ballad that grows to a magical ending. My Greatest Fear features acoustic guitar, Hello Love incorporates strings and Love Of Mine is truly chilling. Unfortunately, there are no other songs as heavy as Beautiful Things… until closing track What Do You Want. Boone belts out the chorus over distorted guitar and pounding drums to close the album on a high. With a birth name already sounding like a stage name and his own sound channelled through this release with no bad songs, Boone’s debut is a glorious start to a promising career. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 22 March 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Jason Watkins leads the lineup in this new Channel 5 drama. The plot is straight forward yet nevertheless compelling. Mild-mannered husband and father-of-one Simon Henderson is struggling with mortgage payments and being made redundant. When he is intimidated by youth gang leader Jordan, he lashes out and punches him, landing the teen in a coma. Simon claims to have found him unconscious in the street but the lie soon escalates. The pacing isn’t the best given its four-episode run, but there is decent storyline progression as his wife learns the truth, the police edge closer to what really happened and Jordan wakes up and feigns memory loss in bid to blackmail his attacker, leaving Simon torn between handing himself in and going on the run. The acting plays a major part in keeping the story gripping. The contrast between Jason Watkins’ meek and anxious protagonist and Jonas Armstrong’s threatening and violent father of the victim is likely to keep viewers nervous over what will happen next. The ending is somewhat disappointing, however, as more questions arise than answers given. What happened to Harry? Why did Jordan lie about who attacked him? Why was the detective always rubbing her neck? The latter was a recurring motif that teased a purpose that ultimately didn’t exist. Furthermore, it is irritating that Jordan got to keep the money Simon gave him and that the Hendersons are now fearful to return home given the lifelong threat from Paul. Coma is easy-watching but nothing groundbreaking, only what is expected from a Freeview production. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 19 March 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Lindsay Lohan’s new romcom on Netflix may be a fantasy but it is far from magical. The plot sees book editor Maddie, who is in love with her author colleague Paul despite her best friend marrying him, wish upon an ancient stone while in Ireland for the wedding to be the one marrying him. She wakes up to find the wish has come true, but then begins falling in love with the photographer James. Upon reading this basic plot, viewers should have known exactly what they were in for as the story is entirely predictable. However, credit is due for its few merits. The Irish theme is coherent throughout as Paul is Irish, the wedding takes place in Ireland, the fairy is St Brigid, patroness saint of Ireland, and was released in time for St Patrick’s Day. Furthermore, there is an added layer of meaning via the theme of fate and destiny. The wish gives Maddie the life she thought she wanted with Paul, though through her interactions with James, learns that perhaps she was destined to be with James instead, like Paul and her best friend. While the film isn’t necessarily bad, it feels more like a Hallmark daytime movie in contrast to the high quality we’ve come to expect from the streaming giant. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 11 March 2024 Just a mere five months after the release of her debut album, singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone is back with a follow-up EP. The record contains opening track and single Dive, title track Work in Progress, the upbeat and faster-paced Down Swinging and the acoustic closing track Easy Tiger. The silky chorus of Dive highlights Humberstone’s angelic voice, allowing you to feel like you’re transcending to a higher fantasy world. However, musically and lyrically, Down Swinging stands out from the others. The increased tempo catches your attention and there is a sense of fighting talk, referencing stress dreams and panic attacks before proclaiming “but I’m going down swinging”. Furthermore, Easy Tiger is a beautiful composition, aided by the stripped-back instrumentation. Humberstone’s uniquely gentle vocals continue across this EP in what feels like a continuation of Paint My Bedroom Black. Also like her debut, there is a delicate blend of clean production and dreamy vocals. With her own artistic vision about her and keeping at the same quality as her previous release, Humberstone has done it again on what is hopefully a stopgap between albums. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 October 2023 After a recent few years of success, Holly Humberstone is back this time with her LP debut. An album of downtempo pop, Paint My Bedroom Black is a fitting title for this record of heartbreak and self-criticism. It might give off emo vibes but that doesn’t extend beyond the lyrics. Instead, what we get is a breath of fresh air with balanced instrumentation and clean production met with vulnerable and gentle vocals. Antichrist is a decent lead single though it is ballad Kissing In Swimming Pools that is the highlight. Complimented by an acoustic guitar, it tells of a desire for intimacy. There may not be a great amount of variation between tracks, though this helps spotlight Flatlining as different from the rest, featuring experimental sounds that mimic the beep of a heart rate monitor. Unfortunately, none quite reach the heights of past singles such as London Is Lonely and The Walls Are Way Too Thin, which sadly haven’t been tagged onto this release. Having established her unique sound, Humberstone runs with it on this debut of hers and demonstrates clear talent across the tracks, solidifying her place in the industry. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 10 March 2024 Singer-songwriter Caity Baser unleashes her first full length release, though there may be good reason for a mixtape rather than a studio album. The record is full of energetic pop songs but, while some are rather catchy, the overall end result is let down by chaotic production, overpowering vocals and childish lyrics. Baser has previously mentioned that she doesn’t care about public opinion on her music, and while there is a similarity to Lily Allen about this, the effort to present this attitude comes on a little strong in what feels like a big middle finger to the world. With topics such as pretty boys and polygamy and overly explicit lyrics, the tracks feel more aligned with high-school experiences than that of a 21-year-old musical artist. Compared to her contemporaries such as Mimi Webb and Tate McRae, there is a lack of maturity and artistic vision on the collection. However, this makes Showgirl the standout. Stripped back with a lounge feel to the track, this song of female empowerment is the highlight. Mixtapes and EPs might be the right choice for now as she is indeed “still learning”. Potential is demonstrated though, and with more refined production and a more adult approach, her debut album could be in the pipeline. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 7 March 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Excellent casting and a delicate story combine perfectly to make for a touching romantic drama series as the David Nicholls novel is given the Netflix treatment. Students Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew meet at a graduation party at the University of Edinburgh on 15 July 1988. The series then follows their developing relationship by revisiting them on the same date over the next twenty years. This guides us through Emma’s struggles to become a writer and Dexter’s battle with fame as a criticised TV presenter, as well as their respective relationships with other people as they navigate a friendship. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall are simply sensational in the lead roles, giving them their much-deserved breakthrough in their careers. Their emotionally-charged performances lead audiences to fully immerse themselves in the story and truly believe in the connection the couple have. Every episode is utterly compelling, though notable tear-jerkingly touching moments include the twosome’s catch-up in the maze at the wedding and Emma returning to her flat to choose Dexter in Paris. However, the highlight is when a lonely and intoxicated Dexter calls Emma from the train station after being shouted at by his father, desperate to speak to her, yet to no avail as she is out on a date. A surprise comes towards the end of the series as Emma is hit by a reckless driver and dies in what should indisputably go down as one of the most heartbreaking deaths on television. A devastated Dexter reverts to his self-destructive behaviour, feeling lost and broken, in what is one of the most difficult to watch and hard-hitting scenes of television ever. Rarely is storytelling done this beautifully. The series ends with Dexter taking his daughter to Edinburgh, fading in and out of memories of he and Emma there, ending with their iconic kiss on the city steps. Em & Dex, forever in our hearts. 10/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 26 February 2024 The name might sound lazy but the boys are far from it as they give it their all on their easy eighth album. Weeks after lead singer Ricky Wilson’s hilarious surprise appearance on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, the Yorkshire lads release the rest of their latest record following a string of singles. The album opens strong with Feeling Alright, an energetic feelgood song, and the good vibes continue on uplifting dance track How to Dance. There is a nice variety between tracks to clearly differentiate each one from another, incorporating multiple genres, all the while remaining unmistakably Kaiser Chiefs. The Job Centre Shuffle is ska-esque akin to Madness, Burning in Flames features strings, Reasons to Stay Alive and Noel Groove are heavier options with an epic bassline whereas The Lads is typical indie rock. With a mix of heavier sounds connecting them to their indie rock origins and softer, happier songs likely to appeal to a large mainstream audience, the lads have done it again… and made easy work of it. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 February 2024 Art rock band Everything Everything move away from the digital sound heard on their previous release in favour of a more synthetic sounding concept album. Mountainhead tells of a society focused on building a mountain despite the build resulting in them digging a hole in which they live and acts as a metaphor for capitalism as the labourers sink lower in dangerous conditions so the rich remain at the top. The theme is carried in the songs, notably lead single Cold Reactor and its topic of cold fusion. Buddy, Come Over is the highlight, with eccentric lyrics and a burst of energy on the chorus over haunting guitar. R U Happy? questions the emotional effect on humans set to an ambient background reminiscent of Radiohead’s Kid A work. The Mad Stone is somewhere between enchanting and sinister with its string sounds whereas Canary touches upon nature, with the chorus set to an almost trap-like beat. Everything Everything continue to utilise their unique sound and avant-garde approach to music, paired with Higgs’ impressive and standout vocals to make for another artistic piece that capitalises on their individualism. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 23 February 2024 Swedish pop superstar Zara Larsson is back with an album full of dance-pop bangers, with a couple of slower songs thrown in for good measure. The album opens strong with lead single Can’t Tame Her. Several other catchy pop songs follow, including None of These Guys with a beat that instantly pulls you in, strings-based End of Time and the standout You Love Who You Love. Production values on these tracks are high, ensuring a prominent dance element throughout, and demonstrate Larsson’s impressive vocals. Unfortunately, the album’s quality tails off towards the latter half, with less memorable pop tracks. The slower songs such as Soundtrack and closing piano track The Healing are not the best, which is disappointing having just witnessed some of Larsson’s best work since her 2015 summer anthem Lush Life. Despite being a tale of two halves, Venus contains some of Larsson’s strongest material to date and this 26-year-old pop sensation shows no sign of stopping keeping up with the best pop music going. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 6 February 2024 Declan McKenna leaves behind his heavier electronic rock sound for something lighter in which he attempts to relieve pressure and have fun following his time in California. The musical departure is evident on lead single Sympathy, an experimental yet enjoyable piece. Opening track Wobble inhabits ambient sounds, Elevator Hum features dreamy vocals, I Write the News is artistic despite slipping back into his political and social commentary, The Phantom Buzz (Kick In) carries heavier instrumentation reminiscent of his previous album Zeros whereas It’s an Act is a atmospheric, sinister and therefore fitting closing track, yet Nothing Works is the highlight. A burst of energy, this track is classic Declan. While this third effort doesn’t lack creativity, most tracks don’t quite live up to the excitement of its predecessor. However, this is partly due to the high standards set by prior discography and the unique talent already demonstrated by McKenna. With an impressive back catalogue under his belt, the young superstar, with his exuberant and flamboyant personality, is likely to continue to shine with What Happened to the Beach? 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 31 December 2022 TV: Stranger Things- Season 4 Film: The Bob's Burgers Movie Artist: Sam Ryder Song: Sam Ryder- Space Man Album: Muse- Will of the People

Published by Mason Oldridge, 13 February 2022 AITNTFA provides easy-listening tunes but nothing special in an effort that resembles the band’s self-proclaimed influence Talking Heads. The album starts off promising with funk elements in opener “Am I Really Going to Die” while McVeigh sways between questioning and denying mortality. The titular track serves up a pleasant backing beat but lacks emotion; however, I Don’t Wanna Go to Mars is definitely the standout track. The memorable vocals matched with pounding guitar places this single as the highlight. Unfortunately, Roll December fails to justify its almost 7 minute length, a composition that really requires a rhapsody of multiple sections like Radiohead’s Paranoid Android or Muse’s Knights of Cydonia. Disappointingly, there is not enough variety between tracks to give meaning to the tracklist order; an element important in providing a narrative and turning a random selection of songs into a story-telling vehicle. In a landscape saturated with indie rock, a band has to convey a particular uniqueness to separate them from the rest which White Lies, although provenly talented, appears to lack, running the risk of fading into the background behind more prominent groups. 4/10