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Consecration review – creepy nuns deliver the classic moves of holy terror very effectively

Consecration review – creepy nuns deliver the classic moves of holy terror very effectively

The Guardian11-06-2025
This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a wimple. In this well-crafted horror movie, a young woman called Grace (Jena Malone) finds herself up against a bunch of nuns who may or may not be trying to do something extremely dodgy with an unknown relic, and as with last year's Omen prequel, there's a nice line in casting here from the Ladybird Book of Horror Nuns. There's dotty young nun who pops up going 'peekaboo' (Eilidh Fisher), an arrogant mother superior (Janet Suzman), a hardliner weapon-of-Christ sort (Jolade Obasola), and the rather rarer spooky nun with one eye hidden behind an ominous white bandage (Alexandra Lewis). Their acting is uniformly excellent, as is that from Danny Huston, who plays a priest who introduces himself thusly: 'I'm Father Romero, I'm here from the Vatican,' which announces him as probably up to no good from the get-go.
Grace arrives to identify the body of her brother (Steffan Cennydd), seemingly involved in a murder-suicide, has reasons of her own for being less than a fully paid-up God squad member, and while the reasons may not be much of a surprise if you've seen a few of these kinds of films, this is a very nicely put together example. Sure, it's purest hokum, but real pride has gone into crafting it..
Cocooning the treats of the storytelling in natural splendour, Consecration boasts some gorgeous location work; filmed on Skye and other scenic areas, there are rolling highlands, vertiginous cliff-tops, a tumbledown abbey on the crest of a hill – which you just have to accept as the site of the Knights of the Morning Star, an ancient dark force in the church. The world of the film feels real, a splendid argument for less green screen, more green fields – kudos to veteran British horror helmer Christopher Smith (Severance).
Consecration is on digital platforms from 16 June.
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Britain's top 16 pubs revealed including 300 year old haunt and ‘paradise' for beer fans – did your local make the list?
Britain's top 16 pubs revealed including 300 year old haunt and ‘paradise' for beer fans – did your local make the list?

The Sun

time18 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Britain's top 16 pubs revealed including 300 year old haunt and ‘paradise' for beer fans – did your local make the list?

BRITAIN'S top pubs have been revealed, check to see whether your local is on the list. 5 The awards aim to celebrate the best boozers in the UK, with the haunts judged on atmosphere, décor and quality cask beer, real cider and perry. Now 16 pubs have been crowned the best in their region. They will now battle it out for the chance to be named CAMRA's overall Pub of the Year. The final four pubs in the running for the overall title will be announced in October with the winner revealed in January 2026. In East Anglia, Blackfriars Tavern in Great Yarmouth has been crowned the best in the area. It has been a dramatic few years for the pub, which first landed on the high street in 1865 and but closed in 2008. It then changed hands in 2011, before closing during the pandemic and finally reopening in 2021. This haunt is nestled next to the 13th century town walls and sells a range of award-winning beers and a wide choice of Belgian beers. Meanwhile, in the East Midlands, the Orange Tree, Baldock, has been named the best in its area. This 300-year-old pub has been praised for its "good home-cooked food" and quiz nights it holds for the locals. The Burnt Pig, Ilkeston has been crowned the best pub in the East Midlands. This popular joint opened just 10 years ago in 2015 by local businessman Simon Clarke. Reviews on TripAdvisor describe this pub as "hidden gem". Visitors have also praised its "selection of ale and cider in a proper beer drinker's pub". Another happy customer described it as a "beer lovers paradise". They added: "Not only is there always a great array of beers but some great food lurking in the coolers in the bar. "All in all an absolute must when in town." Meanwhile, in Greater London, The Hope in Carshalton has been named the best of the best. Reviewers on TripAdvisor have praised the pub for "excellent, constantly changing beers, attentive staff, monthly festival, cultural events". Meanwhile, in the West Midlands The Tamwoth Tap has been named the best in the area. Last year, the pub was also crowned the National Pub of the Year by the association. The business has been praised for not only its booze but its efforts to bring the local community together. You can check out the full list of regional and national winners below: East Anglia: Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth East Central: Orange Tree, Baldock East Midlands: Burnt Pig, Ilkeston Greater London: Hope, Carshalton North West: Cricketers, St Helens North East: Station House, Durham North West: Cumberland Inn, Alston Northern Ireland: Dog and Duck Inn, Lisbellaw Scotland: Volunteer Arms (Staggs), Musselburgh South Central: Bell Inn, Aldworth South East: Royston, Broadstairs South West: Hole in the Wall, Bodmin Wales: Rhos yr Hafod Inn, Llanon West Central: Pelican Inn, Gloucester West Midlands: Tamworth Tap, Tamworth Yorkshire: Beer Engine, Skipton Andrea Briers, CAMRA's Pub of the Year Co-ordinator said the group "wants to see these pubs, and thousands of others like them, continue to thrive". It comes as hospitality businesses have been bruised by high costs and tax raids. Government figures show 209 pubs were shut in the first half of the year. That brings the total number of pubs calling a permanent last orders in the past five years to 2,283. Andrea added: "That's why we're calling on the Chancellor to give pubs a fair deal in the Autumn Budget, so they can keep serving their communities for many years to come.' MORE TOP SPOTS IN THE UK There are plenty of other top restaurants and pubs in the UK which are worth trying out. Last week, the English Curry Awards have announced its winner for the top curry restaurant of the year. The overall winner for the best curry restaurant went to Sher Khan in Alnwick. The Northumberland restaurant has a strong 4.7 rating on TripAdvisor, with fans praising its "friendly reception" and "tasty food". Fans of the eatery can tuck into a range of dishes including jalfrezi and tandoori chicken. Elsewhere, Uber Eats has announced 128 of the best takeaway restaurants in the UK and Ireland for 2025. One of this year's finalists is Smokeworks, a casual barbecue restaurant specialising in slow-cooked meats, burgers, and American-style comfort food. Located in Cambridge, customers can devour a menu filled with ribs, wings, pulled pork, and hearty sides. 5 5 5

Horoscope today, August 21 2025: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg
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Horoscope today, August 21 2025: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg

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Sharon Stone, 67, sizzles in daring side-on view 33 years after notorious Basic Instinct film scene
Sharon Stone, 67, sizzles in daring side-on view 33 years after notorious Basic Instinct film scene

The Sun

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Sharon Stone, 67, sizzles in daring side-on view 33 years after notorious Basic Instinct film scene

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