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‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ is a Stylish Throwback to 60s Spy Cinema

It’s the 1960s. The Cuban Missile Crisis is still fresh in memory. Tension between the USA and Russia are at an all-time high. Seems like the perfect time for their top agents to work together, right? Suave former thief and CIA operative Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) infiltrates East Berlin to get spunky car mechanic Gaby (Alicia Vikander) out of there to assist him in locating her missing scientist father.

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The hit-and-miss realms of Brit-grit cinema

This week’s UK release of the critically roasted Blood – a new thriller starring Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham (filmed, incidentally, in my home town) and the significantly more well-received Stone Roses documentary Made of Stone directed by Shane Meadows – who is usually known for his rough and realistic portrayals of working-class misery – …

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How does ‘Sherlock’ work in the US? The answer is Elementary!

  In February, news of an upmost upsetting nature came to light. Barely a month after the second season of Sherlock finished on UK screens, CBS revealed their intention to do a version of the show – Elementary – but based in New York. I’m going to be honest. Quite frankly, the idea may not …

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‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ still has glaring problems, but also a relatively engaging final act

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Written by Michele and Kieran Mulroney Directed by Guy Ritchie USA, 2011 Guy Ritchie’s previous Sherlock Holmes film was marred, especially, by irritating aesthetic choices and an over-reliance on the banter between its leading men. Rather than charming, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s exchanges were instead annoyingly smug, …

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