Film: Red Dawn
You may think that John Milius’ Cold War-driven Eighties cult classic is an odd choice for a modern day remake, with its small town Americana under siege from marauding Soviet soldiers story outdated and implausible.
Were you to think along these lines, you’d be totally right – this is an unmitigated folly.
Aussie Chris Hemsworth – in a pre-Thor/Avengers role – takes the lead as Jed Eckert, a soldier returning home after a tour on the front line in Afghanistan.
He’s rectifying relations with his younger brother when a load of North Koreans invade, dropping out of the sky, shouting in ‘foreign’ and machine-gunning anyone who stands in their way.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Isabel Lucas, Josh Hutcherson | 12A | 93mins
Good for: A throwaway Sunday afternoon DVD, perhaps, but not a big screen excursion.
Film: The Paperboy
Director Lee Daniels follows up his Oscar-nominated Precious with this starry drama adapted from Pete Dexter’s 1995 novel.
Nicole Kidman is a blonde obsessed with getting John Cusack’s death row-sitting con out so she can marry him, joining up with Zac Efron and Matthew McConaughey’s sleuthing brothers in the process. Critically acclaimed, pulpy drama.
Starring: Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman | 15 | 107mins | On general release March 15
Film: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Steve Carell and Jim Carrey are magicians at war in this comedy from TV director Don Scardino who makes his feature debut here.
Carell’s titular entertainer is on the wane, while Carrey’s David Blaine-esque newcomer is prone to drastic stunts and showboating – Burt quickly sees him become his nemesis. Burt’s dry defeatism is perfect for Carell’s comedic timing.
On general release March 15
Theatre: A Chorus Line
This stripped down musical broke new ground in 1976. Instead of lavish costumes and elaborate sets it goes behind the scenes to give us a taste of the desperation of the audition process.
Though no longer cutting edge, Bob Avian’s revival (he co-choreographed the original) makes for a pleasingly entertaining night out.London Palladium W1A 3AB.
Until Jan 18, 2014. £19.50
Tube | Oxford Circus
achoruslinelondon.com
Theatre: The Tailor-Made Man
Claudio Macor’s peek behind the hypocritical glamour of Twenties tinseltown has been expanded from its 1992 fringe origins into an entertaining musical.
It tells in flashback the real life of William ‘Billy’ Haines (Dylan Turner), the defiantly gay silver screen star who refused to toe MGM Studios’ line and hide his sexuality.
Arts Theatre WC2H 7JB.
Until Apr 6. £20
Tube | Leicester Square
artstheatrewestend.co.uk
Comedy: Andrew Lawrence – Is coming to get you
Cheeky ginger comic Lawrence has been nominated for a bunch of awards – Chortles, Edinburgh Fringes, you name it, he’s been there, rocked the crowds and nabbed the critics’ nods. ]
After a 50-date UK tour, he holes up here in Soho to make your sides split with his sharp and surreal take on the world.
Soho Theatre 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE.
Mar 11-30. £10+
Tube | Tott Crt Road
sohotheatre.com
Exhibition: Lichtenstein – A retrospective
Acclaimed author Douglas Coupland loves him, and after a look at this retro on the American pop artist (the first in 20 years) you will too.
He combined cartoon imagery with advertising aesthetics and a deeply cynical sense of humour that cut through our ‘perfect’ consumerist contemporary lives to show the underlying truth.
Tate Modern SE1 9TG.
Until May 27. 10am-6pm. £14
Tube | Southwark
tate.org.uk
Photos: Emanuel Harlan
