feels

CLAYFACE

(18) 108mins

★★★★☆

YOU don’t need to be a DC Universe superfan to have heard of many of Batman’s nemeses.

The Joker, The Penguin and Catwoman have each been cultural references for decades.

But even the most ardent Detective Comics devotee may not have heard of Clayface, who first popped up in 1940 drawings.

In 1992, a two-part Batman TV series introduced Matt Hagen, a disfigured actor dependent on an experimental cream that restored his appearance — but this turned him into a shape-shifting monster.

Now, 34 years later, this brilliantly terrifying origin story shows us exactly why Clayface is who he is.

DULCIE PEARCE

Austin Abrams turned a tough gig into a compelling story with Whalefall

DULCIE PEARCE

One Night Only has huge plot holes & a flat ending that become a turn-off

Handsome actor Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) has risen from Gotham’s streets to become one of the world’s most sought-after stars.

We meet him at the height of his career — working non-stop, featured on the cover of every glossy magazine, and even nominated for an Oscar.

On top of that, he seems like a decent bloke who looks out for his mates and treats everyone with respect.

But soon, a sexy run-in at a nightclub leads to him having his face horrifically disfigured by a Gotham gangland boss, who puts out a smear campaign on his character.

With his career collapsing and his reputation in tatters, Matt turns to experimental scientist Dr Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), who is practising with various AI treatments to put right such disfigurements.

While she explains her research is in its early, undeveloped stages, Matt feels he has nothing to lose — and so they give it a try, naturally.

It restores said good looks, but it also begins to affect Matt other ways, giving him mind and face-altering abilities. Quite the combination for someone hell-bent on revenge for those who betrayed him.

This thrilling horror has experience at the helm, with Speak No Evil’s James Watkins directing and The Haunting Of Hill House’s Mike Flanagan writing the screenplay, along with Hossein Amini.

With a bevy of British talent playing Americans in the supporting cast — including Eddie Marsan as a dodgy lawyer and Max Minghella as a good cop trying his best in a corrupt city — this is a high-quality psychological thriller that often feels grittier than anything DC has done before.

Not to mention it’s also a superb introduction to a new DC character, who makes a great nemesis.

GHOSTS: THE POSSESSION OF BUTTON HOUSE

(PG) 97mins  

★★★★☆

IT’S three years since BBC sitcom Ghosts shut the dusty doors on Button House and its crazy residents after five series of the show, which originated with the comedy troupe that created Horrible Histories.

This film sees series director Simon Hynd bringing back the spirited company of characters including disgraced Tory MP Julian (Simon Farnaby), Edwardian matriarch Fanny (Martha Howe-Douglas) and World War Two captain James (Ben Willbond).

The gang bicker and reminisce about the former living residents, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who they miss dreadfully. So bored are the friendly ghosts that they learned a takeaway menu that was pushed through the door.

But soon a new crew enters their home – kids who want to play Ouija.

This kicks off an outer-and-inner-body adventure for the ghosts, who seek out Alison and Mike to help them keep their abode.

There’s gentle thrills and some rubbish local-cop car chases. Watch for funny cameos from great British comedians and nods to coming-of-age shows like Stranger Things.

Fun for the whole family.

ALI G: WHO IZ I?

(15) 89mins

★★★☆☆

ON hearing that Ali G creator Sacha Baron Cohen was revisiting the character to make a film, I did a sharp intake of breath.

It feels like a dangerous climate for a white actor to play a character who claims to be black.

But the film addresses this early, with Slough-born Ali discussing cultural appropriation in the only way he can.

He reflects that many of his haters claimed he wasn’t black, and decides to head to America with his eight-months pregnant girlfriend, Julie (Morgana Robinson), to get back in the spotlight.

This brings together a fascinating, hilarious cast of characters who, like the successful original comedy show, are not in on the gag.

Having given them a good kicking in his Borat films, Baron Cohen again makes the endlessly ridiculous and terrifying right-wing Americans his targets, as well as the ultra-woke liberals.

And while I laughed out loud many times, some jokes felt tired. But the stunt at the end works brilliantly, and this formerly much-loved character just about gets away with it.

It’s in cinemas this weekend only.

WHEN you picture Wetherspoons, you probably think of cheap pints, even cheaper food, colourful carpets, and a lively Friday night.

But your night out at Spoons doesn’t have to end with an expensive taxi home – with dozens of hotels across the UK and Ireland, the budget pub chain is quietly offering some of the best value city breaks around.

I headed to Dublin to see exactly what a night spent in a Spoons hotel really entails.

Spoiler alert: this particular Spoons hotel feels like staying overnight in a museum, and the rooms are nicer than you might think.

There are 56 Wetherspoons hotels across the UK and Ireland, so I decided to try out a stay at Keaven’s Port, a unique convent-turned-hotel in Dublin.

Keaven’s Port sits on Camden Street, which is where you’ll find crowds of locals out for drinks in Dublin – away from the expensive pints of Temple Bar.

Read more on cheap hotels

TOP MARKS

Dirt cheap hotels in 7 top holiday destinations that guests actually RAVE about

QUIDS IN

Crazy cheap holidays you can book right now with £16 hotels and £21 flights

This well-positioned pub hotel puts you on the same street as popular nightclub The Camden, which you’ll find buzzing on the weekends.

And as for daytime sightseeing, here you’re only a 20-minute walk from popular attractions like Dublin Castle and Trinity College.

Wetherspoons are known for repurposing unique historic buildings including former opera houses, corn exchanges and banks.

Not only does this guarantee some decent square footage for all those restaurant tables (as well as a prime spot in the town centre) but it makes for a pretty unique overnight stay.

This one I found to be particularly unique. Keaven’s Port hotel is made up of eight old Georgian townhouses as well as a chapel.

The collection of buildings used to belong to Ireland’s Little Sisters of the Assumption, a convent established in the 1890’s.

Now, the chapel has been restored and is part of the bar and restaurant area. I must admit, sitting in a confession booth under stained glass with a bowl of chips and a pint is a tad surreal.

Getting to the rooms takes weaving through a series of corridors and lounge areas, each of which are packed with historical artefacts that made this stay feel more like a trip to the museum.

Lining the walls were old dresses and textiles, painted portraits and more belonging to historic residents of Camden Street Upper, as well as information boards telling you all about the history of the building.

One lounge area sees a giant Guinness-style harp, cosy sofas and a chessboard, while another sees antique furniture, Renaissance paintings and a collection of battered books packed with fascinating old stories.

After making your way out of the maze, you’ll reach the main bar and restaurant area (which thankfully has its own entrance, too).

Everything about the restaurant screams Spoons – tiled floors, a very long bar, plenty of high tables with stools as well as booths and larger tables for groups.

Just when you think there’s more than enough space, a spiral staircase decorated with mirrors leads you down to an even larger restaurant, as well as courtyard for the summer beer garden months.

We all know Spoons pubs in the UK offer some great-value deals on food and drink, but can you get good value over in pricy Dublin?

It turns out you can. An Irish spice bag with a soft drink costs €10.50 (£8.86), and a small cooked breakfast is an unbelievable €2.95 (£2.49).

You can grab a pint of Abbott for €2.60 (£2.19), wine by the glass starts from €4.30 (£3.63), and cocktail pitchers from €9.95 (£8.39).

A hot drink will only set you back €1.70 (£1.43), and it’s free refills from then on all day.

But what are the rooms like? Once you make it out of the busy bar area through to the elevators, the noise of the bar soon disappears.

If I’m totally honest, I went in expecting a cramped room with stained furniture and some strange marks on the walls.

Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw when I stepped in.

First of all, these rooms are very spacious. The large double bed had crisp white sheets, and there was plenty of room surrounding it to open up your suitcase.

The spacious desk was laid with the usual tea and coffee facilities. Here you also get posh shortbread biscuits and water cartons decorated with pictures of Irish poet W.B. Yeats (I kept mine as a souvenir).

The bathrooms were pretty glam too with black marble, a large mirror and a surprisingly spacious tub and shower. All in all, not at all bad for the price point.

Inspired by the local history, I did a bit of my own research. Namely, I wanted to know, who actually was St Keaven?

The name supposedly comes from St. Kevin, a sixth-century Christian hermit and saint, with a church named after him in nearby Camden Row.

Little is known about the Irish saint, other than that he appears in Seamus Heaney’s poetry and that he is associated with the glacial valley of Glendalough in nearby County Wicklow.

If you fancy, you can actually take a day trip from Dublin city centre into Glendalough to walk beside its glacial lakes with Wild Rover Tours (from €43). If you want to see some of Ireland’s rolling green hills and sparkling lakes away from the city, I’d highly recommend giving it a try.

But if you’d rather stay in the centre and make the most of the cheap pints in the bar below your room, it’s a great place for pre-drinks before rocking up to The Camden.

Rooms start from €86 (£72) per night, or £36pp based on two sharing. Click here to book.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

TV presenter Matt Baker appeared on BBC’s The One Show ahead of his brand new TV series, Matt Baker: Our Barn in the Dales

He used to be a familiar face on The One Show.

On Tuesday, October 13 Matt Baker made a return to the famous sofa to talk about his latest project. The Countryfile presenter caught up with his former co-star Alex Jones alongside Roman Kemp to chat about his new series for More 4, Matt Baker: Our Barn in the Dales.

Viewers will see how Matt and his wife Nicola are turning part of his family’s farm into a stunning new home. On Instagram, Matt explained: “We’re deep in an epic adventure which will be spanned across 2 series. The first starting in a couple of weeks is all the building and conversion stuff and another series next year will be the interior bits and bobs.”

Matt made a permanent move to the farm following his mum Janice’s tragic accident back in 2021, and he has made a number of changes since in order to make his family’s life easier.

During his appearance on The One Show, Matt explained why now was the right time to embark on the ambitious barn renovation. He said: “Work and life gets in the way and things get put on hold and last year Nicola and I were like ‘right, it’s time’ Our children are at the age now where they’re off to university and theyre going to go off and fly into their lives.”

He continued: “We knew it was going to be so full on, it’s such a beautiful place and yet it’s so dramatic some of the stuff that we’re doing but it feels so right. And it’s home for me and I feel so happy with what we are doing.”

Matt shared his plans for the barn which has sweeping countryside views and Alex told him “you’ve made the right decision” when he said that he’s decided the new hexagonal extension would house the kitchen rather than his living room.

“The trials and tribulations of what we’re doing,” he laughed as he opened up on the plans and running the farm at the same time. “Well it’s just what you do on farms,” he explained when Roman asked how he managed his time. “You’re just constantly busy. That’s why I love that life. I’m always on the go Roman. I never stop. This is life, this is what I’ve grown up with. It’s where I feel at home.”

Matt and Nicola’s farm is a 100-acre organic sheep farm in the Durham Hills, part of the wider Durham Dales in County Durham. Back in 2015, Matt wrote an article for the Countryfile website about what he loves most about the area, sharing: “You never ever know how good something like this is until you leave it.

“Now this area is like a magnet for me. I come up here with my wife and kids and to stay with Mum and Dad whenever I can. I feel at my happiest here; it’s where I’m meant to be.” The article was written before his mum’s incident, which prompted his permanent move to the farm.

During his appearance on The One Show Matt also discussed his lifelong love of dogs which has inspired his new book, My Dogs & Me. Matt also revealed that he has another string to his bow away from TV presenting and farming – he’s a professional dog trainer.

He fondly spoke of all the dogs he’s had in his life including his first dog, Cromwell, and Meg, the pet who was by his side during his Blue Peter years.

The One Show is on BBC One weekdays at 7pm and on BBC iPlayer

Scared straight.

Faced with a reality check, the Dodgers got real. Confronted with the end, the Dodgers are just getting started.

Stepping warily into Atlanta’s Truist Park with their five-game division series tied at one game apiece and Braves’ ace Chris Sale waiting for them on the mound Tuesday, the Dodgers marched out three hours later on the verge of another champagne shower.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was brilliant, showing everyone that they were focusing on the wrong ace.

The Dodger bats were reborn, showing everyone that they still know how to hit in October.

And, yes, the Dodgers finally have a closer, Edwin Díaz entering the ninth and allowing a leadoff double to Ozzie Albies before retiring the next three hitters for the biggest save of his brief Dodgers career.

In all, the Dodgers drowned out that horrible tomahawk chop with some mighty hacks of their own, winning 3-1 while finally displaying some of the desperation that had been missing.

“We’ve gotta treat every game like an elimination game and go out there and play with urgency,” said Freddie Freeman about the lesson learned.

Seemingly moments after staring the Dodgers down with a thrilling Game 2 victory, the Braves have essentially been consigned to their rearview mirror.

Historically, the team that wins Game 3 in a best-of-five series wins that series 72% of the time, but the Dodgers don’t need some fancy stats to tell them what they know.

The Braves can’t beat the Dodgers in two straight games, and they can’t do it with one of those games at Dodger Stadium if necessary, and they can’t do it with Tyler Mahle pitching in one game and the bullpen handling the other game.

The Dodgers have Tyler Glasnow on their mound in Wednesday’s Game 4 and Tarik Skubal waiting for a possible Game 5 and this thing feels over.

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during a 3-1 win over the Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS on Tuesday.

(Mike Stewart / Associated Press)

“I think I was most proud of we played tonight like an elimination game,” said manager Dave Roberts, later adding, “Tonight I think collectively it was probably one of our better performances.”

It started with the Dodgers’ offense against Sale, who shut them out in a 1-0 victory over Yamamoto just last month.

This time they were patient. This time they were smart. This time they worked him for 24 pitches in the first inning, 18 in the second, 20 in the third.

All of this set up the 37-year-old Sale for a fourth-inning beatdown with some familiar Dodger postseason magic.

With Andy Pages on first after a ground-ball single — he’s breaking out of his two-year postseason slump! — Kiké Hernández drove in a hanging changeup 406 feet over the left-field wall for a two-run homer, and where have you heard this before?

Highlights from the Dodgers’ 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS.

Hernández is arguably the most consistently unlikely postseason hero in Dodger history. During the regular season he struggles. During the postseason he shines.

This was his 17th postseason home run, fourth in Dodger history, and remember the three home runs he hit that night in the 2017 National League Championship Series in Chicago?

He’s been doing that sort of thing ever since, and his Dodger teammates can only stare in amazement.

“I wish there was a recipe for that so we can all take it from him, he’s incredible, he shows up when you need him,” said Freeman, later adding,“He’s a Swiss Army knife and he’s ready to go at all times.”

This time Hernández was followed two batters later by another familiar October bat. It’s safe to say that Freeman has broken out of his slump, as he homered for the second time in two nights after hitting one in the previous 66 games. It was the first time Sale had given up more than two runs in an inning in three years.

That made the score 3-1 and considering Yamamoto was 33-0 with at least three runs of support in his career, this game felt over. And it was indeed over.

In notching a postseason-high 10 strikeouts over eight innings, Yamamoto showed why he — and not Skubal — is the ace of this staff.

Making his first start in 13 days, he gave up just one run on four hits in seven innings in a continuation of his postseason mastery. He now has an 8-0 career postseason record with a 2.14 ERA and that doesn’t begin to illustrate his impact.

“Wow, what a performance,” said Roberts. “He just has a way to just make pitches, calm his heartbeat.”

Yamamoto was held back for this game while Skubal started the opener, but he shouldn’t take a back seat to anyone anymore this postseason. He should pitch early, often, every day if possible, because he is darn near unhittable.

Unhittable in a different sense was struggling Shohei Ohtani, who was moved down from the top of the order to the fifth spot, and it didn’t do him any good.

He failed to get a hit in four plate appearances, reacting so badly to one of Sale’s changeups that he foolishly called for an ABS challenge that he lost.

Ohtani is still lost. But on a turning-point night in Atlanta, the Dodgers found themselves.

AN island in the UK is soon to close for the season – and won’t reopen until next year.

Ulva is home to just 16 people – but saw an ‘unprecedented’ increase in visitors over the summer thanks to its beautiful landscape, wildlife, and a new TV show.

Found in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, you can only reach it via a small passenger ferry from the Isle of Mull which has daily crossings.

However, Ulva will close to visitors completely on October 31.

The island is open seasonally with people able to visit between Easter and the October – however it did have a change in its schedule this year.

Ulva saw a surge of popularity after the airing of a BBC series called Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel.

FALL IN

Best UK breaks for autumn… cosy cottages to Halloween holidays from £8pp-a-night

BE-LEAF IT

Perfect autumn attractions from £1.95 per kid from pumpkin patches to waterparks

The show followed interior designer Banjo Beale and his husband Ro Christopher who are in the process of redeveloping a stately manor into a boutique hotel – which is set to open next year.

As a result, the island became significantly busier during spring and summer.

The Ulva Ferry team said: “If you’ve visited us already this year, you’ll have noticed how much busier things have been.”

It added: “None of us could have predicted how significant the increase in the numbers of visitors would be.”

Due to the sudden demand, the ferry announced it would close on Sundays over the summer to give islanders “the chance to recharge.”

Banjo and Ro already run The Boathouse on Ulva, a restaurant where visitors can pick up a coffee or local fish dishes.

The island is car-free island with cliffs, moorlands, woodland as well as quiet beaches and bays.

Talking to Sun Travel about the island, Banjo described it as “another world” thanks to its beautiful landscape, and there’s plenty of wildlife to spot too.

Banjo told us: “We’ve got otters, dolphins and seals swimming by, and one ferry you can take from Ulva is called Turus Mara which goes to the Treshnish Isles, it’s home to puffins.

“Often we go there for a puffin picnic just to sit with them, that’s one of our favourite things to do.

“There are more cows than people too so you’re likely to see a lot of them. And you’ve got a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights when the sun goes down.”

IF you love fantastic food and hotels that make you feel like you’ve stepped into Pride & Prejudice, we have just the place for you.

Here’s everything you need to know about staying at The George In Rye in East Sussex.

Where is The George in Rye?

Slap bang in the middle of town, you won’t miss The George in Rye – the Georgian House is painted in an easily-spottable salmon pink.

What’s it like?

The Grade II listed building dates back to 1575, welcoming three previous King Georges.

And the hotel has masterfully toed the line of restoring its heritage while modernising just enough.

Think old wooden staircases and low beamed bars next to trendy cocktail menus.

Read more on hotel reviews

SUPER SM-ART

Artist Residence, Bristol hotel review

PIT STOP & SHOP

Mollie’s Motel & Diner, Oxfordshire hotel review

What are the rooms like?

The exterior of the hotel doesn’t betray the maze of the building which saw me go down stairs, up stairs and through courtyards to find my tucked away room.

Bold pattern wallpapers and vintage furniture were offset by brushed brass lights and DAB radios.

My king-size bed was deliciously sink-into-able, while the lounge area was the best spot for a cup of tea and a biscuit, all complimentary.

The larger rooms – I was staying in their Junior Suite – have roll top baths, so you better believe I hopped straight in, making the most of the free Verbon toiletries.

It even has a tiny outdoor patio and table and chairs for you to have a coffee in the warmer months.

If you’re on a budget, opt for their Cosy Rooms which are more compact but just as gorgeous. Rooms start from £125 a night. See thegeorgeinrye.com.

What is there to eat and drink?

The restaurant is a must, even if you aren’t a guest at the hotel.

The Grill is the epitome of cosiness with deep red walls, low lighting and the perfect level of lo-do music.

And it has a delightfully concise menu – I hate having too many options.

My smoked salmon salsa to start was refreshingly zingy and fresh, and just light enough to line my stomach before devouring their rib eye steak. 

My dessert was the star of the show, with super sweet macerated strawberries offset by kalamata ice cream and marshmallow.

If you want to swap the pudding for a cocktail, The Dragon Bar has a great menu which also includes wines and beers.

Try the drink of the season – a Sarti Spritz – or my favourite, the aptly named Dragon Mojito.

(Come back for breakfast too – my Mimosa and Hastings Kipper went down a treat).

What else is there?

As tempting as it is to stay at the hotel, the town of Rye needs to be explored.

Grab a decadent hot chocolate from Knoops, before walking the cobbles paths of Mermaid Lane, which look straight out of a fairytale.

Beach days aren’t far away either, with Camber Sands beach just down the road too.

Is it family friendly?

The hotel has some rooms that are perfect for kids, with the Luxury Rooms and Junior Suites able to fit kids beds

Is it accessible?

There is an accessible room which can be accessed by the ground floor lift, which can also take you to the ballroom.

However being such an old building, there may be some issues with getting around the rest of the hotel.