Netflix has released the trailer for the upcoming live-action Japanese original and fans are already obsessed with the epic action-packed series
The series is based on manga of the same name(Image: NETFLIX)
Netflix enthusiasts are already going wild over a forthcoming live-action series set in the late 19th century.
The Japanese Netflix original, which is also adapted from the novel of the same name penned by Shogo Imamura, unfolds during the Meiji period.
The synopsis states: “During the Meiji era, 292 fighters came together at Tenry-ji Temple in Kyoto after sunset, drawn by the chance to win a grand prize of ¥100 billion.
“The challenge was clear: take each other’s wooden tags and make it all the way to Tokyo. The winner would get the prize. One of the warriors, Shujiro Saga, joined the dangerous contest with a personal mission: to help his sick wife and child.”
The programme in question is Last Samurai Standing, and Netflix has just dropped a trailer, reports the Express.
Junichi Okada plays the aforementioned Shujiro Saga, alongside Yumia Fujisaki as Futaba Katsuki.
Netflix posted the trailer on X, formerly Twitter, declaring: “An epic battle royale. 292 samurais. One point per life. Last Samurai Standing premieres November 13.”
The trailer depicts Shujiro caring for his ailing family, reluctantly admitting he would be prepared to raise his sword once more to earn some cash.
He vows he will return, as he learns of the brutal rules of the competition.
Packed with spectacular fight sequences, the trailer has already captured the interest of genre enthusiasts.
Responding in the comments, Temilade simply declared: “I am definitely watching this.”
Tryp expressed their excitement, saying: “Kinda stoked for this,” while MidLifeCrixix chimed in with: “Can’t wait for this. Looks like the next big hit.”
Akin was equally enthusiastic, stating: “Oh my days, my kind of series,” and @mikaelvelli added: “I like what I see. Definitely can’t wait to see this.”
The show also features Junichi Okada, who not only stars but also serves as the producer and action choreographer.
The six-part series boasts a cast of nearly 300 actors, each donning their own unique costume. The original story was described on Amazon Reviews as “incredible” and “set us up for the series beautifully”.
Last Samurai Standing is set to premiere on Netflix on November 13.
Castle Combe in Wiltshire is often called “the prettiest village in England” – a title it has held onto for decades thanks to its honey-coloured cottages, winding streets and setting beside the By Brook
Castle Combe had a registered population of 356 at the 2021 census(Image: Getty)
A Wiltshire village is frequently dubbed “the prettiest village in England” – a accolade it has maintained for generations thanks to its golden-hued cottages, twisting lanes and location alongside the By Brook.
Castle Combe, roughly 10 miles north-east of Bath, appears precisely as one might envision a quintessential English hamlet to look.
It boasts a population of merely 356, according to the 2021 census, and astonishingly, no fresh properties have been constructed in the historic heart since approximately 1600.
Consequently, the street scene today remains virtually identical to how it appeared centuries ago.
Two further factors – or more accurately, their lack – contribute to maintaining that fantasy, reports the Express.
In Castle Combe there are no TV aerials and no street lights.
These absent features might seem trivial, but without contemporary mess cluttering rooftops and no glaring illumination disturbing the darkness, the location preserves an appearance that could effortlessly belong to a different era.
The settlement derives its name from the 12th-century castle that formerly dominated the north.
Only earthworks survive, but during medieval times Castle Combe developed into a thriving community.
The wool industry proved crucial, and by the 14th century a market was operating here – the 14th-century Market Cross still stands where the village’s three main streets meet. Just a stone’s throw away is St Andrew’s Church, with parts dating back to the 13th century.
Inside, visitors can marvel at one of the country’s oldest working clocks, believed to have been crafted in the 15th century. This unique timepiece lacks a face and instead marks the hours with a bell.
The unspoilt charm of Castle Combe has made it a darling of film and telly producers over the years. Its first brush with Hollywood came in 1967 when crews descended on the village to film the musical Doctor Dolittle.
Despite weather-related delays and local objections to set changes, the film firmly established Castle Combe as a prime filming location.
Since then, directors have flocked back repeatedly. In 2007, Matthew Vaughn’s fantasy flick Stardust transformed the quaint village into the fictional town of Wall.
The charming streets served as the backdrop for the start of the magical journey featuring Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro.
In 2010, the village made its way onto the silver screen again in The Wolfman, a gothic horror starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins. The medieval character and narrow lanes of Castle Combe perfectly complemented the film’s 19th-century setting.
Perhaps its most notable appearance was in 2011 when Steven Spielberg selected Castle Combe for pivotal scenes in War Horse. The World War I drama, adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s novel, used the picturesque village to depict early-20th-century Devon.
More recently, Castle Combe has appeared in the Apple TV+ espionage thriller Slow Horses, with producers rechristening the village “Upshott” for the Gary Oldman-starring series.
Despite its tranquil facade, Castle Combe is also the location of one of the West Country’s most celebrated motorsport destinations. Castle Combe Circuit, constructed on the grounds of a former RAF base, has been welcoming racers and spectators since 1950.
The circuit now plays host to a diverse range of activities from motor and motorcycle competitions to rally championships and driving experiences, drawing enthusiasts from throughout the UK.
Most visitors start their journey at the hilltop car park before making their way down into the settlement. The bridge spanning the By Brook provides the quintessential picture-perfect vista – terraced stone dwellings cascading towards the water’s edge, framed by forested slopes in the distance.
This remains amongst the most captured locations throughout the Cotswolds.
At the heart of the village stands the Market Cross, St Andrew’s Church and two traditional drinking establishments. The Manor House Hotel, an impressive countryside estate boasting 365 acres of grounds and an 18-hole course, provides upmarket accommodation for overnight guests.
Castle Combe remains compact, with much of its appeal stemming from its resistance to commercial development. High street brands and major tourist shops are nowhere to be found.
Rather, villagers occasionally offer homemade treats, blooms and confectionery from their doorsteps, relying on trust-based payment systems. The village’s reputation as the “prettiest in England” is supported by numerous reviews from visitors.
One tourist described it as “a place that feels as though it has stepped straight out of a postcard,” whilst another said: “Every corner looks like it’s waiting for a film crew.”
Many have praised the lavish costume drama with a twist
The costume drama had a playful tone (Image: APPLE TV)
Viewers who love a cosy period drama to watch as the nights draw in should check out this series on Apple TV+, which has received rave reviews, after others have enjoyed a compelling historical movie and some have been blown away by a dazzling period drama.
The drama came out in 2019 and has been praised by audiences on IMDb.
One person posted in their 10/10 review: “I watch it and, re-watched it again. I understand this may not be for everyone. However, as far as myself, I wish there was more show like this. I enjoyed every character [sic].”
As a second declared in their top-rated review that the show was “incredible” and “a triumph”. The user continued: “I can not comprehend why this has such a low rating on here. I was mind blown. Tore through the series in a day [sic].”
A third viewer gave 10/10 and described the show as “fantastic” and added: “I am 3 episodes in and this show is a hilarious, anachronistic romp! Loving every second of it.”
Someone else added in their top-rated critique: “It’s so good. But not for everyone!
“This show is really great. I love the mix of old & new. The jokes are funny and characters are enjoyable. The actors are doing tremendous job too.”
Someone else added: “Really really really Love this show. Honesty the best comedy in a while. Silly but respects and reflects her poems with dignity. She would be proud to be such a part of pop culture.”
The user concluded: “The mix of Drama and Comedy is perfect.”
Get Apple TV+ free for a week
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
TV fans can get Apple TV+ free with a seven-day trial and stream acclaimed shows like Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses, plus films including The Gorge. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends and you won’t pay a penny.
Meanwhile, a review of Google read: “My favourite show! I was unsure about watching this because I had watched the first episode before and wasn’t the biggest fan of the odd soap opera/over dramatic feeling to it but I rewatched about a year later and was completely blown away by absolutely everything!
“I love the way it depicts the supposed romantic relationship between Emily and Sue and the struggles they face trying to hide their affection from one another. Don’t watch expecting a history lesson or a biography of Emily’s life.”
Dickinson debuted on Apple TV+ on and reimagined the life of celebrated American poet Emily Dickinson (played by Hailee Steinfeld) at the start of her journey as a budding writer.
Over three seasons, viewers followed the angst of Emily for her love of her brother’s wife Sue Gilbert (Ella Hunt).
The show saw Emily trying to exist within the confines of the 19th century, looking at sexual identity, gender roles and the socio-political climate of the era.
The cast also included Halt and Catch Fire’s Toby Huss, Adrian Blake Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov of Manchester by the Sea fame, Ally McBeal actress Jane Krakowski, Amanda Warren from The Leftovers, and Silo’s Chinaza Uche.
The show ran for three seasons and was filled with anachronisms and pop culture references, giving a new lease of life not only to Dickinson but the period drama genre as a whole, falling into a similar playful vein as The Great and The Favourite.
The film saga has many fans, who’ve previously lauded the series on IMDb.
One person titled their 10/10 review: “One of the all time great seafaring adventures!”
The user added: “It ranks up there with the original Mutiny on the Bounty,The Sea Hawk and Master And Commander as one of the greatest of its kind.”
Another person said in their 10/10 review: “This is one of the most realistic historical dramas out there.
“Everything in Hornblower is played to perfection, from the sets (fantastic, towering ships) to the costumes to the cast. The actors are all so believable in their roles that it’s hard to pull yourself out of that world. I had only flicked onto it by accident on TV, but I couldn’t pull myself away.”
Robert Lindsay starred in the historical films (Image: ITV)
A third described the drama as a “True Swashbuckling Adventure” and added: “A great cast and the sight of the beautiful sailing vessels in full rigging — I’d forgotten how much I love them.”
Someone else commented: “Storytelling at its best!” and elaborated: “The first in the Horatio Hornblower series, this installment is absolutely stunning. After watching this, you will find yourself longing for more. There is enough action, drama, and humor to satisfy just about anyone [sic].”
Yet another person hailed the show as “top notch entertainment” and said: “I viewed this show with some trepidation, as the name Hornblower to me (as with many others) is synonymous with Gregory Peck.
“But this is a different Hornblower and the magic is very much the same – fancy uniforms, good guys and bad guys, lots of sailing ships and lot of blood and thunder. What more can one ask for?”
The film series focuses on the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars(Image: ITV)
Hornblower was a series of historical films led by Hollywood star Ioan Gruffudd and was based on the three of the 10 novels written by C. S. Forester.
The drama followed the fictional title character Horatio Hornblower, a Royal Naval officer during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
The films ran on ITV from 1998 to 2003, and there were eight in total.
Other cast members included Robert Lindsay, Paul McGann, Paul Copley, Sean Gilder, and Jamie Bamber.
The historical TV films have been praised by audiences (Image: ITV)
There were also some other big names who made appearances, including Denis Lawson, Ian McNeice, Samuel West, Cherie Lunghi, and Greg Wise.
Prior to the ITV films, there were other adaptations of Forester’s novels, with Hollywood star Gregory Peck taking on the character in the 1951 movie Captain Horatio Hornblower.
While David Buck starred in an American TV series as the character in 1963 and Michael Redgrave appeared in a radio adaptation in the 1950s
SHOPPERS are going wild after spotting a Primark outfit being crowned as the ‘easiest’ Halloween costume yet.
The outfit has been hailed “perfect” for fans of a hit TV show.
2
Shoppers have spotted the easiest halloween outfit in PrimarkCredit: Tiktok/@malikiss1
2
The outfit has been dubbed a “perfect costume” for Sue Sylvester, from Glee
The budget retailer has been praised for stocking a bright red tracksuit that fans say is a dead ringer for Sue Sylvester, the fierce cheerleading coach from Glee.
TikToker @Malikiss1 filmed the outfit in-store and captioned it: “Run to Primark for the easiest Sue Sylvester Halloween costume.”
The clip quickly racked up comments, with shoppers writing: “I love this,” “I need this,” and “Omg they have them in the kids section too so can match with the kiddos.”
Another added: “I bought it just for this!”, proving the tracksuit is already flying off shelves as a fancy dress hack.
Halloween deals
And with Halloween only a month away, bargain hunters are also snapping up spooky deals from other high street favourites.
Among the stand-out items is a £4.99 pumpkin disco dome and a £1.79 cowboy ghost ornament called Gloria.
Pink mason jars and mugs are also on sale, alongside matching disco tea towels and table runners to complete the look.
With Primark’s tracksuit hack, Poundland’s clearance bargains and Home Bargains’ disco-inspired range, shoppers are spoiled for choice when it comes to cheap and cheerful Halloween prep this year.
Halloween is the perfect opportunity to get dressed up, take on a different persona and have fun with your look.
These days, celebrities provide the perfect inspiration for costumes, however, they also have a team of stylists, makeup artists and endless bounds of cash at their disposal.
So how do you make an outfit like theirs work for you?
A lot of stars make their outfits look sexy and your lingerie drawer is the perfect starting point.
You can use anything from a bra, fishnet tights, stockings and suspenders to add to your look, then depending on the look you’re going for add makeup according.
I.e wearing a black bodice and tights, add some red lipstick and dark eyes for a vampy look.
The rest of your wardrobe can be more inspiring than you think too – for example a plain black can be a perfect base for your costume.
If you are however happy to spend a bit of money on your Halloween costume but are running out of time then Amazon is your go too, there are so many costumes to choose from with many sitting under its Prime next day delivery option.
Or if you’re wanting to see what the in store shops have to offer, look to the supermarkets and budget stores such as B&M, Poundland and Primark which are still full of accessories and clothing to fulfil your Halloween wishes.
Finally, last year, a Halloween-daft mum left people stumped after creating incredible optical illusion costumes for her son – with people asking “what one is the kid?”.
The enduring programme aired from 1993 to 2008 and drew inspiration from a collection of bestselling novels.
Numerous fans have previously lauded the show on IMDb, with one viewer penning a 10/10 review declaring the series as “outstanding”.
Another person awarded a 10/10 review and commented: “Amazing Work (almost 30 years later).”
A third viewer remarked: “An excellent war-drama series. Based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell and starring Sean Bean as Sharpe, this is as a series of rollicking adventures, often set against the background of actual historic battles in the Peninsular War.”
The period drama was set during the Napoleonic Wars(Image: ITV)
Sharpe drew from historical writer Cornwell’s book collection, chronicling the titular fictional soldier Richard Sharpe (portrayed by Bean) throughout his exploits during the Napoleonic Wars.
Sharpe also featured Daragh O’Malley as Sharpe’s loyal comrade Patrick Harper.
The programme began with Sharpe serving as a sergeant in the 95th Rifles in Portugal during the Peninsular War in 1809.
Following his heroic rescue of a general’s life, he earned promotion to lieutenant.
The ITV series was praised for its perfect casting(Image: ITV)
The programme has produced 16 films altogether spanning a decade and was shot across numerous global locations, including Turkey, England, Portugal, India and Spain. Sean Bean’s portrayal of Richard Sharpe in the historical drama series has been widely praised, with one fan gushing: “Something awesome to follow the leader of a small battalion of men during Napoleonic war, Sharpie charismatic and physical lead representation by Sean Bean with a perfectly cast support that grow as each episode progress.”
Another viewer chimed in: “The Sharpe series is a very enjoyable piece of historical fiction. Sean Bean is excellent as Sharpe. He is one of the finest actors of modern times.
“Everything he is in is great. His great strength is portraying flawed (and very human) characters either heroic or evil. The other actors in the show are also very good- with some going on to greater fame.”
Sean Bean has been praised for his performance as Richard Sharpe(Image: ITV)
A third admirer declared: “Sean Bean at His Best” and elaborated: “Long before Alec Trevelyan, Boromir or Ned Stark it was the role of Richard Sharpe that made Sean Bean famous.
“In recent years Bean’s portrayal of Sharpe has unfortunately been largely forgotten and overshadowed by his later roles which is unfortunate because it is arguably one of the greatest roles of his career.”
Yet another fan added: “Sean Bean IS Richard Sharpe, the British rifleman whose career mirrors that of Sir Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington through the British campaigns in Europe against the French forces under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
“Even though Bernard Cornell originally had his most famous character sporting black hair, I personally can’t read Sharpe and not think of Sean Bean. That’s how well he owned the role.”
Starring Andrew Lincoln and Jack Davenport, This Life was the hit BBC series of the 90s about a group of young lawyers who shared a house and partied hard
This Life started in 1996 and was a big hit with viewers(Image: BBC)
It was the massive TV drama that had everyone talking around the office water cooler back in the ’90s – and now, three decades on, you can enjoy the action once more on Amazon Prime.
This Life started in 1996 and spanned 33 episodes across just two series but was included on BFI’s list of the 100 greatest British television programmes and has been hailed by fans as the ‘best British TV drama ever’.
The gritty BBC drama centres around a group of law graduates in their twenties, embarking upon their careers while sharing a house in south London. There are no courtroom scenes and instead the main focus is on their private lives which features everything from infidelity to addiction.
Among the cast are Andrew Lincoln who’s gone on to enjoy a huge career in Teachers, Afterlife, The Walking Dead and the movie Love, Actually. He will soon be seen in the new ITV series Coldwater. Co-star Jack Davenport has gone on to enjoy success in Matt Damon film The Talented Mr Ripley, Pirates of the Caribbean and TV series like Coupling and Smash.
This Life features five main characters living under one roof – Edgar ‘Egg’ Cooke (Lincoln) and girlfriend Milly (Amita Dhiri) along with party girl Anna Forbes (Daniela Nardini), her university ex Myles Stewart (Davenport) and Welshman Warren Jones (Jason Hughes) who was dealing with his sexuality.
The housemates were embroiled in plenty of drama(Image: BBC)
The cast also features Ramon Tikaram (Virdie) as Ferdy, Natasha Little as Rachel, Steven John Shepherd (Karen Pirie) as Jo and Luisa Bradshaw-White (EastEnders) ad Kira.
The show, which was created by Amy Jenkins, became a popular word-of-mouth hit and was included on BFI’s list of the 100 greatest British television programmes.
In 2007 there was a special episode, This Life: 10 Years On, which reunited the main cast and explored their lives a decade after the series ended. The special episode focusing on the death of Ferdy and the subsequent gathering of the other housemates pulled in 3.5 million viewers.
Despite it being 30 years old and set in the days well before social media, fans are now enjoying streaming episodes and have been rushing to IMDb with their thoughts.
Andrew Lincoln starred as Egg(Image: BBC)
One said: “I still hold firmly to the belief that the last episode of this landmark show is the best 40 mins of British TV drama ever. Any number of storylines coming sharply to a head, the terrific wedding reception with its toilet sex and terrible dancing, darkest secrets coming horrifyingly to light and the legendary punch.
“But how sad! If we’d known then that there would never be another series we would have stormed the BBC ourselves. But think positive. The show is endlessly rewatchable, and its influence has lived on in Queer as Folk, Attachments, Teachers, Metropolis, Tinsel Town and most contemporary drama since. Just please, please publish the damn scripts!”
Fans are hailing This Life ‘the best British TV drama ever’(Image: BBC)
Another said: “Move over Friends this is your more intelligent English big brother. A perfect picture of 90s London through the eyes of young professionals and ordinary blokes and girls. A few cheesy performances by Tikarum but it sort of worked at the time much like the Fonz worked in Happy days at the time. Not a poor performance from a rich cast that all went in to achieve memorable careers. This is a collectors piece for those who lived through and experienced the era in London. Nostalgic and immersive TV.”
A third added: “Watching This Life almost 30 years after its release is an interesting experience. Although its format has been much copied since the late 90s, it still retains the same freshness and vitality that made it such a captivating watch first time round.
“The success of the series stems from the fact that it feels so real. Each of the characters is impressively three-dimensional, with both strengths and weaknesses. They’re at that interesting stage of their lives where they’re finding their way in the world while also trying to find themselves, and each of them makes some understandable mistakes along the way.”
The movie widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi films ever made and is an absolute must-watch for any fans of the dystopian genre
Theo begins the movie as a detached civil servant(Image: Universal Pictures )
This year has seen a significant rise in dystopian thrillers, with series like The Last of Us gripping telly viewers and films such as 28 Years Later set to grace the big screen this June. With an abundance of options, it’s easy to feel swamped, but if you’re on the hunt for a true classic of the dystopian genre, I wholeheartedly suggest Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men.
I only recently had the pleasure of viewing Children of Men and was riveted from the opening scene. It swiftly climbed the ranks to become one of my all-time favourite films, and I was particularly taken by its peculiar optimism amidst the bleak post-apocalyptic setting.
What Children of Men is about
The movie has a very hopeful message despite its bleak setting(Image: Universal Pictures )
The world has descended into utter chaos as humanity grapples with impending extinction. The United Kingdom stands as one of the few remaining countries still operational, albeit under an authoritarian regime.
Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a disenchanted former activist, has ceased his resistance and now meanders through life as a civil servant. He’s so disconnected from the world that he barely registers the bombings, caged refugees, and public executions he encounters on his commute.
One day, Theo is abducted by his ex-wife Julian, who heads a rebel faction known as The Fishes, battling against the government for refugee rights. Julian implores Theo to safeguard Kee, a young African refugee, and assist her in escaping the country safely.
However, Theo soon discovers that Kee is astonishingly pregnant, carrying the world’s sole known unborn child. Driven by the need to protect this miracle, he risks everything to keep Kee’s condition under wraps and get her safely to the enigmatic Human Project, scientists seeking a cure for the global fertility crisis.
So why should you watch Children of Men?
Despite its stark backdrop, the film’s protagonist embodies hopefulness in his unwavering dedication to the prospect of a rejuvenated world.
The outpouring of support for Kee amidst such turmoil underscores a compelling truth: even in the bleakest circumstances, human kindness endures, proving that we have not strayed from our compassionate nature.
One of the captivating aspects of Children of Men is how palpably real and weathered its universe feels, peppered with background information gleaned from transient news reports, advertisements, and leaflets—a testament to the environment’s rich storytelling texture.
Packed with nuances, Children of Men invites viewers to engage deeply, promising new discoveries upon every viewing.
What critics are saying about Children of Men
This movie quite literally starts with a bang(Image: Universal Pictures )
Boasting an impressive 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating from over 250 critic reviews, Children of Men was also in the Oscar race for three categories (Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing) back in 2007.
Brian Tallerico of UGO hailed it as “feels more relevant than almost every film set in the present day and is better than almost every other film made this year.”
Kathi Maio from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction remarked: “This is one movie that will have a lasting impact even if you are forced to watch it on a ten-inch black and white Zenith.”
Peter Travers, writing for Rolling Stone at the time, placed it as the runner-up in his best films of the 2000s list, commenting: “No movie this decade was more redolent of sorrowful beauty and exhilarating action. You don’t just watch the car ambush scene (pure camera wizardry)-you live inside it. That’s Cuarón’s magic: He makes you believe.”
Where to watch Children of Men
The film can be streamed on Apple TV’s £8.99 monthly subscription or via Now TV’s £9.99 a month Cinema membership. You can also purchase Children of Men on Amazon Prime for £5.99.
Since the Beach Boys are one of the handful of best rock groups in history and this is their home town, it is no wonder they received a series of standing ovations over the weekend at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Though the group played the Whisky a few nights last fall, the Saturday night concert was in a real sense a homecoming for the group that popularized Southern California girls, surfing and other teen-oriented activities during the 1960s.
Along with record producer Phil Spector, the Beach Boys were the most important and permanent force in rock music in the 1960s before the rise of the Beatles and the many other English groups. Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys’ leader, captured teen themes and moods better than anyone since Chuck Berry.
Though Brian watched it all from the wings Saturday (he has not been a regular member of the Beach Boys’ concert lineup for years now), the rest of the Beach Boys went through some of their early hits (such as “I Get Around” and “Good Vibrations”) and some of their more recent recordings for nearly two hours, enjoying it all apparently as much as the capacity audience.
Classic stories from the Los Angeles Times’ 143-year archive
Since then, only The Band, perhaps, has come close to the smooth use of harmony in rock. Similarly, the Beach Boys have an instrumental discipline that allows them to integrate the traditional rock unit (drums, bass, guitar) with piano and a five-piece brass section perfectly. The focus in the Beach Boys’ music is always crisp. The songs move forward with economy and direction. There is no flashy, self-defeating, self-indulgence in the music.
While the early songs continue to receive the greatest audience response (there were audience requests for “Surfin’ U.S.A.” all night), the Beach Boys have moved forward steadily since the mid-1960s when their “Pet Sounds” album became a mini-classic. The group’s current “Sunflower” album was named one of the year’s best by several rock reviewers.
But the group continues to have an identity crisis. The problem is that a large share of the rock audience continues to think of the Beach Boys in the past tense. Most of the post-”Pet Sounds” work has gone unheard. The group’s last top-10 record was in 1966.
In recent months, the Beach Boys (Dennis and Carl Wilson, Alan Jardine, Mike Love and Bruce Johnson) have begun an active campaign to upgrade its image. They recently toured Europe, have scheduled some key U.S. concerts (including New York’s Carnegie Hall on Wednesday) and plan some further promotion of the “Sunflower” album. If the rock community (which often tends to pay more attention to new acts and trends than to established talents) will give them a chance, the Beach Boys may make it to the top once again.
It should be pointed out, however, the Beach Boys were guilty of some sloppiness Saturday. They should stick to business between songs rather than slow down the pacing by unnecessary chatter. And, there’s no reason they should waste time allowing Bruce Johnson to sing Elton John’s “Your Song.” The group has too much at stake now not to make every moment on stage count.
The BBC is set to deliver a Regency drama that’s certain to leave viewers weak at the knees, reports Surrey Live.
Audiences have lavished praise on the period piece, with one eager fan sharing their Rotten Tomatoes review: “Seen this in a movie theater elevates it to another level.
“The top of the top in the romance/drama/comedy genre, and one of the best movies of all times [sic].”
Another elated watcher wrote a glowing second review: “I would have to say, personally, this is the greatest movie I have ever watched.
“The story was so compelling, the characters like no other.”
Further praise came from a third delighted viewer who admitted: “I love every single minute of this movie.”
Netflix will be remaking Pride and Prejudice(Image: FOCUS FEATURES)
Joe Wright’s cinematically gorgeous 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice is slated for arrival on BBCiPlayer this month, just in time for its 20th anniversary celebrations and synchronising with what would have been Jane Austen’s 250th birthday.
This cinematic rendition sparked debate among die-hard Pride and Prejudice aficionados, especially as it followed a decade after the BBC’s much-cherished 1995 series featuring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as the definitive Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
Firth’s embodiment of Mr Darcy transcended the pages when he later mirrored the iconic role in Bridget Jones’s Diary, amassing an even wider fanbase and solidifying his portrayal as the ultimate Mr Darcy for many.
However, Matthew Macfadyen stepping into the prestigious shoes of Austen’s beloved hero for the 2005 film did stir some dissent among admirers, especially as the actor was known then for his work on Spooks.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) featured an all-star cast(Image: FOCUS FEATURES)
However, his performance alongside Pirates of the Caribbean and Bend It Like Beckham star Keira Knightley, who played Elizabeth Bennet, managed to win over even the most doubtful critics.
Wright’s Hollywood rendition boasted stunning cinematography, featuring expansive shots of the English countryside, including a memorable scene of Lizzy perched on a cliff in the Peak District.
Complementing the striking visuals was the enchanting score by Italian composer Dario Marianelli.
For those unfamiliar with Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice follows the spirited Lizzy and her sisters as they navigate societal expectations to secure their futures through marriage.
Despite their mother Mrs Bennet’s, portrayed by Brenda Blethyn of Vera fame, frantic attempts at matchmaking, several of the Bennet sisters do find a match.
Amidst all this, Lizzy defies convention by seeking a marriage based on love rather than wealth.
Her initial awkward interaction with Mr Darcy sets them both on a transformative journey that challenges their preconceived notions and changes them irrevocably.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) remains a firm favourite(Image: FOCUS FEATURES)
Pride and Prejudice boasted an impressive cast including Rosamund Pike, the late Donald Sutherland, Carey Mulligan, Talulah Riley, Jena Malone, Tom Hollander and Rupert Friend.
The film is certainly worth revisiting before Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which will feature Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy and Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet.
Netflix has assured that the upcoming series will be a true-to-source, classic adaptation of the novel, with Dolly Alderton, author of Everything I Know About Love, handling the scriptwriting.
Filming for Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice is set to take place in the UK this year.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) will be streaming on the BBC iPlayer from May 26
