First among sequels

The Mummy 3

Yet again, we’re faced with the prospect of another clearly unnecessary sequel. Or, in this case, a sequel to a sequel. The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor is the latest offering from the makers of the Mummy franchise. Is it going to be a load of rubbish? Clearly. Am I looking forward to it? Hell, yes…

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Arena 14/07/08

Hell: The Musical

Mamma Mia

My hands are up. There are many things I’ll never understand. Like, for example, how to ride a bike. Or why people like musicals…

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Arena 9/07/08

The Freeloadin’ Dylan

Bob Jnr

Bob Dylan’s son is playing the famous Newport Folk Festival as a solo artist. Apparently Dylan once upset some hippies by playing an electric guitar at the festival, and now his offspring is performing the reverse stunt, abandoning a more metal-based career to perform folk…

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Creeped out

Thom Yorke

I went to see Radiohead the other night. Having been a fan since I was a teenager, the anticipation of watching them live was like a wet dream. But like a 15-year-old boy heading to the bathroom in the middle of the night, conscious of the damp patch seeping into his mattress, I came away feeling a bit disappointed.

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Dan Poole 26/06/08

No ordinary (Adam and) Joe

'Stephen? Yes!'

Pride of place in any 1990s time capsule ought to be two black T-shirts, one with the word ‘Ad’ printed in large white letters on its front, the other with the word ‘Joe’. The Adam and Joe Show was Channel 4. Now they’re back, but this time, they’re on the radio…

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Arena 23/06/08

Don’t stop believing

Let's rock

Looking around last night’s awesome Journey (rawk!) gig at the Manchester Apollo, it was hard to deny it: some years have passed since this band’s heyday. Arena’s advanced years, in fact, were cruelly brought home to us when we were standing at the back, squinting at the singer, going, “Is that Steve Perry?”

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Arena 20/06/08

Time, gentlemen, please

Del Toro Cannes

Benicio Del Toro – a man who has been crying out for some revitalising moisturiser to dab on those eye bags of his for ages now, someone have a word – won the prize for best actor at the Cannes film festival this weekend. However, my suspicions are that his winning had little to do with his acting ability and more to do with making it through a film that lasts one sixth of a day.

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Dan Poole 28/05/08

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