Film: Insidious Chapter 2
Director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell were the minds that created the Saw series, that annual horror movie offering that embodied more and more the torture porn sub-genre that came with it. The Oz pairing’s 2010 Insidious junked this approach in favour of creeps and chills, and it pays dividends again here.
Following on straight from the initial movie, in which Patrick Wilson’s Josh ventured to ‘the Further’ to rescue his son from another astral plane filled with possession-eager demons and the like, it seems all is not well and good, and that ‘something’ has come back with him. Cue loads more creepiness, things going bump in the night and jump-out-of-your-seat moments that will have you peeking at the screen through firmly held together fingers.
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne | 15 | 105mins | Out Sep 13
Film: Rush
Thor himself (Aussie Chris Hemsworth) stars as British racing driver James Hunt in Ron Howard’s (A Beautiful Mind) biographical film about the 1976 Formula One season, in particular Hunt’s rivalry with Austrian driver Niki Lauda (played here by Daniel Brühl). An uplifting racing drama that has some stunning track sequences but is not just for the petrol heads either.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl | 15 | 122mins | Out Sep 13 |
On general release September 13
Film: White House Down
Hollywood has a tendency to double up: A Bug’s Life and Antz, Deep Impact and Armageddon – each pairing came out within touching distance of each other. This year it is rival terrorists-take-the-White-House movies. First up was Olympus Has Fallen, and now it is Roland Emmerich’s (Independence Day) turn with Channing Tatum saving Jamie Foxx’s president.
On general release September 13
Theatre: Blue Stockings
This new play tells of four female students at Cambridge University in 1897. Although allowed to attend lectures, women couldn’t graduate and it took considerable determination to complete the courses without the reward of a degree. Mixing historical figures with the fictional quartet, it’s an engaging and informative evening. LK
Shakespeare’s Globe New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT.
Until Oct 11. £5+
Tube | Blackfriars
shakespearesglobe.com
Theatre: Bonnie and Clyde
Put together by the team who added songs to The Great Gatsby last year, this musical adds little to the story of the infamous Thirties outlaws. Although some attempt has been made to get inside their heads, we never get a sense of Bonnie and Clyde’s life on the road and the only casualties we see are their gang members. LK
King’s Head Theatre Upper Street, N1 1QN.
Until Sep 21. £10+
Tube | Angel
kingsheadtheatre.com
Comedy: Laurence Clark – Inspired
Laurence Clark is a comedian and presenter with cerebral palsy, and in this properly ace show he sets out to smash the ill-informed presumptions about disability. All his life he has been told he is inspiring just for performing everyday tasks, so Clark is out to set the record straight. Hilarious and thought-provoking.
Canada Water Culture Space SE16 7AR. Sep 21. £10
Tube | Canada Water
canadawaterculturespace.org.uk
Exhibition: Superposition
In the eastern ice well beneath the London Canal Museum is this contemporary art installation collaboration between artist Lyndall Phelps and physicist Dr Ben Still. Just as impressive as the work is the 19th-century venue – which was once used by an enterprising Swiss immigrant to store ice for sale – in which it is housed.
London Canal Museum N1 9RT.
Until Oct 24. £4
Tube | King’s Cross
canalmuseum.org.uk
Photos: Manuel Harlan