San Andreas is a high action American disaster film with stunning visual effects and heroic action from “The Rock”

The summer of blockbusters is upon us. From Avengers: Age of Ultron to Jurassic World, competition is tight for the title of 2015 blockbuster of the year. One film trying to make its mark is San Andreas, an American disaster film starring the Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Directed by Brad Peyton, San Andreas tells the story of Chief Ray Gaines (Dwayne Johnson), a Los Angeles Fire Depa...

Downtown Funk by Ministry of Sound is the ideal funk album to get your groove on

The sound of funk has had a huge pop resurgence over the past 12 months. From Mark Ronson’s hit Uptown Funk to Meghan Trainor’s All About The Bass, funk looks set to be one of the sounds of 2015. No surprise then that Ministry of Sound has released new 3 CD box set full of Downtown Funk classics.

Available in CD format or digital download, Downtown Funk is a brand new collection of disco, funk tracks from arti...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Following its successful run in the West End starring Robert Lindsay, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels embarks on its UK tour with a new cast and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Based on the 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels tells the story of two con men (Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson) who try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of $50,000 first.

Smoo...

Take That’s creative spark remains fully charged for 2015 Tour

When Jason Orange waved goodbye in September 2014, many fans have questioned whether Take That could really work as a three-piece. The pressure was on for the remaining trio (Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald) to prove that they still have what it takes to captivate and entertain an audience. Thankfully, the boys haven’t lost any of their appeal!

Following the spectacle of the Progress tour which saw Robbie Williams rejoi...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t love Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The Pulitzer Prize winning novel, which was made into a film in 1962 starring Gregory Peck, still continues to capture the hearts and imagination of people across the world. No surprise then Christopher Sergel’s award-winning stage adaptation received a rapturous reception on its opening night at The Lowry.

Set in the American Deep South in...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Marc Camoletti’s frantic French comedy Boeing Boeing is brought to life in a hilarious new adaptation by Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

Based on the classic farce written by French playwright Marc Camoletti, Boeing Boeing tells the story of playboy bachelor Bernard and his love life to three different fiancées from three competing airlines...

Paul Weller on electrifying form with Saturns Pattern

Since turning his back on trad rock in 2008, Paul Weller continues to add a fresh sound to his palette with the release of his new album Saturns Pattern.

Often referred to as The Modfather, Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter best known for his work with punk rock/mod band The Jam and pop jazz-soul group The Style Council...

Spooks: The Greater Good is a slick spy drama that’s worth a watch but disappointingly struggles to fill the big screen

After ten impressive series, 86 cracking episodes and an average of around 6m viewers in the UK, I’m certainly not alone in thinking that Spooks was one of the greatest TV dramas ever made...

Earth’s mightiest heroes return in Avengers: Age of Ultron

We’re only in April and already Avengers: Age of Ultron has claimed its stake as the blockbuster movie of the summer. The epic follow-up to the biggest superhero movie of all time has opened to rave reviews and taken a hefty $201.2M on its opening weekend.

For those who have been living in hibernation for the past 3 years, Avengers: Age of Ultron is an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

There’s no mistaking the unique vocal style of Ruby Turner. The soul and R&B singer raised the roof of the Quay’s Theatre when she visited The Lowry as part of her UK tour.

Regarded as having one of the greatest voices the UK has ever produced, Ruby Turner is a Jamaican soul, gospel and R&B singer-songwriter. Best known as one of the main vocalists for Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, the prolific singer-songwriter has an ...