Apocalypse in the Tropics to Clipse: the week in rave reviews
Summed up in a sentence A painstaking account of a journalist's investigation into the deaths of users of a suicide forum, and the identity of the person selling them lethal poison.
What our reviewer said 'If you can get through this two-part documentary without sliding down on to the floor in despair – well, you're a better viewer than I.' Lucy Mangan
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BBC iPlayer; all episodes available
Summed up in a sentence A staggering reality TV hate-watch about the entitled guests staying at luxury rental properties – and the histrionic staff looking after them.
What our reviewer said 'Imagine that The White Lotus's characters were real, but worse, and that none of them – increasingly unbelievably – ended up murdered.' Lucy Mangan
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Now TV; all episodes available
Summed up in a sentence The unbelievably dark tale of a US crematorium owner who began jamming multiple bodies into his incinerator to make more money.
What our reviewer said 'Joshua Rofé's three-part documentary about California cremator David Sconce is a feat of construction, patiently doling out larger and larger transgressions until the whole thing becomes swamped in unimaginable horror. It's the kind of documentary where, when the credits roll, you realise that you haven't drawn breath for several minutes.' Stuart Heritage
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In cinemas now
Summed up in a sentence Documentary outlining how Brazilian politics succumbed to rightwing fundamentalism as screeching evangelical Christian leaders have become kingmakers to all politicians.
What our reviewer said 'The tone is set by televangelists like the always angry Pastor Silas Malafaia, interviewed at some length here; he is a man clearly thrilled and energised by his own national celebrity and wealth, though irritated by questioning about his private plane.' Peter Bradshaw
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Further reading 'God chose you, Jair Bolsonaro!' Is Brazil now in the grip of evangelicals?
In cinemas now
Summed up in a sentence Witty uncoupling comedy from Spain finds Alex and Ale marking their separation with a party – but not everyone thinks it's a good idea.
What our reviewer said 'Right at the beginning, the pair lie in bed, mulling over the party idea. Ale isn't convinced. 'It's a good idea for a film, but in real life …?' And here The Other Way Around gets meta; Ale is busy editing her new film, which turns out to be the film we're watching.' Cath Clarke
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In cinemas now
Summed up in a sentence Brilliant grifter classic from Argentina from the late Fabian Bielinsky, whose questions about greed, cynicism and the human condition remain evergreen.
What our reviewer said 'It is confidence trickery perpetrated on the victim in parallel to narrative trickery perpetrated on the audience, who are invited to assume that however hard the fictional characters on screen are falling, the rug under their own feet is perfectly secure.' Peter Bradshaw
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In cinemas now
Summed up in a sentence A talking tree leads a study of European exploitation of the Congo's natural resources in Sammy Baloji's experimental film.
What our reviewer said 'Though perhaps leaning a little heavily into an academic visual experiment, The Tree of Authenticity offers a fascinating look at how extraction can take many forms.' Phuong Le
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Mubi; available now
Summed up in a sentence Beautifully acted film in which a man returns to the Japanese seaside town where he met and fell in love with his wife, in a glowing reverse love story with echoes of Before Sunrise.
What our reviewer said 'Nairu Yamamoto gives the performance of the film as aspiring photographer Nagi: funny, scatty and earnest. She plays it so naturally, so true to life, that Nagi feels like someone you might have actually met.' Cath Clarke
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Reviewed by Chris Power
Summed up in a sentence A short-story collection set in Northern Ireland from a brilliant new voice.
What our reviewer said 'Ní Chuinn's stories almost entirely lack the resolution provided by that familiar trait, the epiphany. Rather than accounts of revelation, these are reports from the knotty midst of things.'
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Reviewed by Alexis Petridis
Summed up in a sentence A warts-and-all memoir from the Dexys Midnight Runners frontman.
What our reviewer said 'It makes for a picaresque story, albeit one that you occasionally read in a state of dread – oh God, what's he going to do next? – and Rowland tells it with an impressive lack of self-pity'
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Further reading Kevin Rowland looks back: 'Trying to calm myself down never even occurred to me'
Reviewed by John Simpson
Summed up in a sentence An impeccably sourced look behind the scenes at the CIA.
What our reviewer said 'No one has opened up the CIA to us like Weiner has, and The Mission deserves to win Weiner a second Pulitzer.'
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Reviewed by Christobel Kent
Summed up in a sentence Hi-jinks and hysteria in a crumbling boarding school gripped by Cold War paranoia and a mysterious illness.
What our reviewer said 'Waits mines the rich seam of girls' school fiction to delirious and rewarding effect. There are welcome echoes of St Trinian's, but beneath the comedy lies a distinctly unsettling undertone.'
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Reviewed by Ellen Peirson-Hagger
Summed up in a sentence Captivating fairytale debut about a mother and daughter isolated from the world.
What our reviewer said 'With the book open, you feel utterly transported; once you close it, you see how cunningly it holds a mirror up to reality.'
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Reviewed by Gaby Hinsliff
Summed up in a sentence The former New Zealand PM takes us behind the scenes of her years in office.
What our reviewer said 'Ardern is a disarmingly likable, warm and funny narrator, as gloriously informal on the page as she seems in person.'
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Further reading 'Empathy is a kind of strength': Jacinda Ardern on kind leadership, public rage and life in Trump's America
Out now
Summed up in a sentence Fifteen years after Malice quit, he rejoins younger brother Pusha T for as strong a restatement of Clipse's skills and power.
What our reviewer said 'Let God Sort Em Out offers far more than nostalgia: familiar but fresh, it's one of the albums of the year.' Alexis Petridis
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Out now
Summed up in a sentence Having survived the heights of their much-hyped debut, the Isle of Wight duo return as a fully-fledged band – swapping sardonic comments on parochial indie culture for big fat lurve songs.
What our reviewer said 'Moisturizer does not seem much like the work of a band nervous about following up an unexpectedly huge debut. It's a very confident record indeed, from the leering grin Teasdale sports on its cover, to the big, knowingly dumb garage rock riffs that gust through Catch These Fists and Pillow Talk, to the dramatic shift in its lyrics.' Alexis Petridis
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Further reading 'This weird dream just keeps going!' Wet Leg on overnight success, sexual epiphanies and facing fears
Out now
Summed up in a sentence The US singer's seventh album takes his meta-theatrical style almost into showtune territory as he confronts being abused by a camp counsellor as a child.
What our reviewer said 'Christinzio's inventive, infuriating writing often packs three extra songs into every single track – but this time for good reason. When the chatter falls away on instrumental closer Leaving Camp Four Oaks, he achieves a hard-won, sun-lit sense of peace.' Katie Hawthorne
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Out now
Summed up in a sentence Wonky techno DJ Gwenan Spearing pursues generative electronics and real-time responses on an ambient EP that blurs the lines between electronic and acoustic.
What our reviewer said 'It's a lovely, drifting listen with just the right amount of curiosity and texture to keep you locked in.' Safi Bugel
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Principality Stadium, Cardiff; touring to 23 July
Summed up in a sentence The two US superstars and friends lead the biggest co-headline tour in history.
What our reviewer said 'For Lamar, this tour is about narrative … SZA is here to fight for Glasgow's hearts and minds. It feels like a genuinely historic celebration of their individual achievements and the elevating power of their friendship.' Katie Hawthorne
Read the full review
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The Independent
5 minutes ago
- The Independent
Rachel Reeves inadvertently breached rules on declaring freebies, watchdog finds
Rachel Reeves inadvertently breached parliament's rules by failing to declare gifts on time, the standards watchdog has found. The chancellor was probed by the standards commissioner over free theatre tickets, which she failed to add to her register of interests within 28 days. She blamed 'an oversight' for her initial failure to declare the gifts, which included tickets to an adaptation of the classic children's novel Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre over Christmas. Ms Reeves had only listed the donation in the register for ministers, not MPs. In an email to standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg, Ms Reeves suggested the tickets were received in her capacity as chancellor, but that 'there is often ambiguity as to whether hospitality I receive is purely as a result of my role as a minister, or whether it is additionally received in my capacity as an MP'. 'Therefore, to be as transparent as possible, it is my ongoing intention to declare hospitality of this nature on both registers,' Ms Reeves added. After investigating the entry, Mr Greenberg accepted there had been an inadvertent breach, but told the chancellor she could have avoided the mistake by paying 'greater attention to the rules'. Ms Reeves apologised and promised future gifts would be registered in line with Commons rules. The investigation centred on two donations of tickets by the National Theatre. One was a show and dinner last March, valued at £265, and the other was for the December show, valued at £276. The inquiry came at a damaging time for Ms Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer, as it was announced on the eve of the local elections, in which the party suffered heavy losses. She previously faced criticism from MPs for accepting free tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter performance while outlining plans to cut benefits by £5bn. Last year, she also pledged she would not accept any more free clothes from donors after Labour's first months in power were overshadowed by a row over freebies. It came after the chancellor used her Mansion House speech to vow to 'take the boot of regulation off the throat of businesses', unveiling a bonfire of red tape to boost the economy. She said: 'In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses, choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of growth. 'Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution but to boldly regulate for growth in the service of prosperity across our country.' She told her audience of bankers and investors: 'We have been bold in regulating for growth in financial services and I have been clear on the benefits that will drive with a ripple effect across all sectors of our economy, putting pounds in the pockets of working people.'
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Iconic LA nightclub to close after 35 years
A star-studded Los Angeles club has announced shocking plans to shutter before the end of the year - marking the end of an era for the iconic city's nightlife scene. The Mayan, which has been a downtown LA staple for 35 years, alerted its more than 31,000 Instagram followers it will being closing in September. While The Mayan debuted as a nightclub in 1990, its history stems way back to 1927, when the historic venue opened to the public as a theater. It was designed by Mexican sculptor Francisco Cornejo and architects, who drew inspiration from pre-Colombian American societies, The Los Angeles Times reported. The 1,491-seat Mayan Theatre started as a space for musical performances, and quickly became a symbol of 1920s Mayan Revivalism architecture. It flip-flopped in ownership several times - spending years promoting Spanish films before become a porno theater in the 1970s and 1980s, according to The Wrap. In 1989, LA made the building a Historic-Cultural monument, as it reflects 'the broad cultural, political, economic or social history of the nation, state, or community,' according to the city. The following year, The Mayan was purchased by its current owners, and has since become an A-lister magnet for its lively events and concerts. Over the years, the club has welcomed its fair share of celebrities, and hosted performances from bands including Panic! At the Disco and Linkin Park. Other artists including MIA, Jack White and Prophets of Rage have also hosted concerts there. While its purpose evolved over the years, The Mayan's architectural integrity has remained - featuring detailed carvings and ancient cultural patterns from Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Another standout quality of the seven cathedral-esque windows surrounding its entrance. In response to the nightclub's closure announcement, hundreds of party-loving patrons - including some prominent names - expressed their grief in the comment section. 'Absolutely iconic venue for LA. It will be missed,' LA-based electronic artist Rinzen wrote. The Mayan's president, Sammy Chao, told the LA Times a slew of 'adversity' had led up to the difficult decision. Ever since COVID, Chao explained, business has been on a downward slope. Rising operation costs combined with wildfire fallout and other broader issues have also contributed to the struggles faced by The Mayan. 'We've done everything possible to stay afloat, adapt and serve, but the path forward has been eroded beyond recognition,' Chao wrote to the LA Times. 'We have given this business everything we have — and more — and come this far, so the decision to close is not so much one of defeat, but of necessity and truth.'
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside Jennifer Love Hewitt's, 46, secrets to staying 'fit and healthy' amid Hollywood's Ozempic craze
Jennifer Love Hewitt turned heads at the I Know What You Did Last Summer movie premiere this week, as fans lauded her natural appearance on the red carpet. The 46-year-old star wowed in a sleeveless black gown, with many admiring her authentic look, amid Hollywood's obsession with staying young and slimming down on Ozempic. Insiders close the mother-of-three reveal how she's rejected the pressure put on women in Hollywood in favor of having a healthier approach to diet and fitness. 'Jennifer is all about balance when it comes to her daily meals and workout plans,' a source told As for her diet, the the 5-foot-2-inch star 'doesn't ever deny herself anything.' 'Rather than push herself to extreme measures, she takes it all in her stride and feels much happier and confident that way,' the insider added. 'When it comes to working out, she loves mixing things up Pilates and yoga and other forms of strength training.' The source went on: 'She loves exercise that builds muscle, keeping her feeling strong for her kids which is more important than anything else.' And when it comes to her diet, it's all about balance for the star. 'It's all about eating healthy foods that are rich in nutrients. Her secret has been not bowing to any pressure or beauty standard put upon actresses in Hollywood and instead feeling confident and comfortable in her own skin.' Jennifer — who starred in the original 1997 I Know What You Did Last Summer slasher and reprises her role in the 2025 sequel — left many people swooning as she flaunted her physique in a fitted black dress at the Los Angeles event on Monday. Social media users praised her body in droves, calling her a 'real woman' and a 'breath of fresh air.' 'Jennifer Love Hewitt looking absolutely beautiful,' one wrote on X. 'She looks good. I like the fact she didn't mess up her face with fillers and plastic surgery,' another chimed in. 'I prefer this look vs the plastic look of others.' 'Nice to see a celebrity with curvaceous body who is not fighting it with Ozempic.' As for her diet, the the 5-foot-2-inch star 'doesn't ever deny herself anything.' The insider added, 'Rather than push herself to extreme measures, she takes it all in her stride and feels much happier and confident that way'; Pictured 2019 'She looks so gorgeous and refreshed. So sick of seeing skeletal Ozempians!' quipped someone else. 'She should be applauded for looking normal. She doesn't look like a space alien with plastic surgery.' 'She looks better then ever,' yet another person added. 'Representing a real body!!! Love to see this!' another gushed. 'Beautiful and a breath of fresh air in Hollywood!' someone else wrote. In 2014, Jennifer spoke about not being in a rush to her baby weight or go on a diet, four months after she gave birth to daughter Autumn, noting she wanted her little girl to learn how to have a good self-esteem. 'If your priorities are right, the baby's most important. You have to eat to feed your baby. And I have a girl so I want her to see some day why her mom has good self-esteem and good body issues, she told E. The star shares Autumn, 11, and sons Atticus, 10, and Aidan, three, with husband Brian Hallisay, 46. In 2023, the beauty shared one of her favorite 'workouts' was the Emsculpt Neo, a non-invasive body contouring treatment that simultaneously builds muscle and reduces fat via High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic energy and Radiofrequency energy. She posted a black and white snap of the machine on what looked to be her abdomen, writing, 'Getting in one of my favorite 'workouts' before Thanksgiving! This mom of three is a huge fan of #EmsculptNeo for strengthening my core and helping to heal my diastasis recti.' Earlier in January, the star shared a handful of makeup-free selfies and a candid reflection about the aging process as she celebrated her 46th birthday. The Party of Five star shared that she has 'experienced and seen how the world can be cruel to women as they age' in the caption of her Instagram post. The actress started out the post writing that one of her 'besties' hates filters. '46 years old. No makeup and no filter,' she wrote. The Ghost Whisperer star later touched on the subject of aging and how cruel the world can be to women as they grow older. 'I have experienced and seen how the world can be cruel to women as they age and yet seen the women I admire become happier, sexier and more powerful with every added number.' 'I am so deeply grateful for this life. I love all who choose to do it by my side and I am ready to give love today to the younger me and the older me because they are my ride or die's. Sending love to all and cheers to 46!' Jennifer has touched on aging before and expressed how hurt she was when she was branded unrecognizable in late 2023 when she debuted a bob hairstyle. 'Aging in Hollywood is really hard. It's really hard because you can't do anything right,' Hewitt said on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast in December 2023. She went on to explain why the negative comments bothered her so much, noting that the 'only reason those people bother me is because I'm a mother of a girl.' 'It's dangerous what we put on people. It's dangerous, I think, to say to women, "You can't look like you're not 22 to me anymore because I don't know how to take that,"' she said. In 2010, the star advised young girls to 'love the way you look.' 'When I meet young girls, I'm always like, "Just do me one favor." Love what you look like right now – and remember I said it 10 years from now because it's the greatest gift I can give,' she told People. As for her skincare routine, the actress previously told Good Housekeeping that she likes to 'keep it simple' and use an ice roller. 'I don't use a lot of stuff. I really enjoy ice rollers. I'm really into those right now, and my kids are into those.' Fans can catch Jennifer in the newest I Know What You Did Last Summer film at its premiere on July 14th.
