Thor: Love and Thunder
dir. Taika Waititi (2022)
Most of the film is played for laughs. Chris Hemsworth just about gets away with it but the humour is undercut by consciously hammy acting and ‘unkillable god’ computer-game action scenes. Christian Bale rules the starker moments, channelling his inner Richard O’Brien.
The Barren Author, Series 1
by Paul Birch (Spiteful Puppet, 2021)
Freewheeling, frothy and irreverent. Richard O’Brien puts in a bravura performance as Baron Munchausen, Rudolf Erich Raspe’s famous teller of tall tales—updated here by way of Paul Birch’s outrageous script and unleashed upon the 21st Century. Sophie Aldred offers well-pitched support.
Shock Treatment
dir. Jim Sharman (1981)
Despite some quality songs and strong vocal performances, the artificiality of the society being satirised makes this Rocky Horror Picture Show sequel hard to engage with. The quirky cult appeal is there but — lacking the stage-driven evolution of its predecessor — feels undeveloped.