Visiting Professor Jim McGuigan’s talk on ‘cool capitalism’ promised to demonstrate that there is still space left for rebellion against the seductive power of the free market economy. The crux of his critique borrows from Thomas Frank’s idea of ‘the conquest of cool’, which McGuigan argued is at the heart...
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At the moment, I feel more confused than an obsessive Gary Glitter fan circa 1997. I thought that my relationship with BBC comedy was strong. The Office was funny. I love Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Outnumbered is laugh-a-minute hilarious and I am a big fan of The Mighty Boosh and...
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The 37th novel in Pratchett’s “Discworld” series has been nervously awaited. Long-standing fans feared a decline in his writing after last year’s announcement of the author’s diagnoses with Alzheimer’s disease, and I know more than one person that has chosen not to read the book, wanting to remember Pratchett “at...
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Promoting itself as the first and only show to be shot in ‘real time’, 24 was more than original when it hit our screens in 2001. It’s plot is simple. Jack Bauer works for America’s Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU to the regulars). He’s a maverick agent who refuses to play...
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Prostitutes, drink-walking and insuring terrorists: Matt Cassells considers an innovative account of economics outside the classroom
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The last rape of Michael Jackson’s memory? Georgi Lavers finds this footage from his last ever tour lacking in many ways, but to his fans, a fitting epitaph to the King of Pop
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Shot on a camcorder for $15,000 and hyped to high heaven, it smacks of a Blair Witch rip off, but Paranormal Activity turns out to be satisfyingly terrifying
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The truth of their Occupation during World War Two has always been, and remains, a bitter pill to swallow for the French. The treatment of the most shameful period in their history in the films of some of France’s great directors (Melville, Malle, Ophuls) has been subject to extensive criticism...
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Although we haven’t decided on an absolute Game of the Year, a few of the writers for the Games section have each chosen a game that they feel is worthy to be on your Christmas list this year… ### Jordan Erica Webber: **The Sims 3** When most people think ‘Game...
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_Assassin’s Creed 2_ is the definition of a perfect sequel, improving the original in nearly every way while still retaining what differentiated the franchise from its competition, primarily the huge cityscapes and the ability to climb and explore nearly everything you can see. However, what elevates _Assassin’s Creed 2_ above...
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Gamers certainly have had to wait a hell of a long time for a new Mario side-scrolling game to arrive on a home console. 18 long years have been and gone since _Super Mario World_ was released on the SNES, along with three console generations and four Presidents of the...
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There’s been a recent plague of things in our culture that want to bite us. You can’t wander through your local town without feeling uneasy at the sheer number of imaginary werewolves and vampires staring down from posters, eyeing our more edible bits. ‘What can be done about this? I...
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