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Amaze

Time Out02-07-2025
The British conjurer Jamie Allan (iMagician), a Houdini aficionado who has made his reputation by infusing newfangled technology and emotionally charged storyelling into old-school tricks, appears at New World Stages for a limited run. This latest showcase is directed by Jonathan Goodwin and co-created with Allan's longtime partner in illusions, Tommy Bond.
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I have to warn you after watching 'heart-stabbing' Netflix film My Oxford Year
I have to warn you after watching 'heart-stabbing' Netflix film My Oxford Year

Metro

time2 hours ago

  • Metro

I have to warn you after watching 'heart-stabbing' Netflix film My Oxford Year

Netflix has just released a new film that has fan up in arms about its ending, questioning its classification as a rom-com – and I'm afraid to say, is also just a bit crap. Fans have swarmed social media to reveal they are 'speechless', 'devastated' and generally crying their eyes out over the movie, while others have taken it to task for being 'so boring' and leaving them 'feeling nothing' for any other characters. And I wholeheartedly agree. Not only does My Oxford Year take a very long time to introduce any stakes, but before we get there it's a painful watch for British fans not particularly interested in the film's tourist porn shots of the titular city and university. And while they do at least cast English actors in English parts (Corey Mylchreest, Dougray Scott, Catherine McCormack), some of the schmaltz could not more obviously point to American involvement – we just don't mix well with unnecessarily twinkling and dramatic music underscoring even the most mundane of teaching scenes. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The 'rom-com', loosely based on the book by American author Julia Whelan, who attended Oxford herself, concerns ambitious working-class New Yorker Anna (Sofia Carson), who is attending the University of Oxford to study Victorian poetry as a postgraduate. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While there she falls for charming local Jamie (Queen Charlotte's Mylchreest), who also happens to be teaching her classes, and the pair begin a very tedious, chemistry-free flirtationship before a secret he's been hiding threatens their burgeoning romance. (Also warning you that, despite Bridgerton raising our expectations in this department, there are no steamy sex scenes to be found here, and even their tiringly clichéd kiss in the rain gave me nothing.) *Spoilers ahead for My Oxford Year* This is where My Oxford Year takes a sharp left into cancerbait territory, revealing that Jamie is doomed to succumb to an unspecified form of the disease, just like his late brother, despite looking and acting like the healthiest, liveliest rake in the room – plus, y'know, Mylchreest. Obviously, they are reminding us that not everyone fatally ill looks or acts that way (and nor should they have to), but it's a clumsily made point when the film decides to give Mylchreest his first topless scene while receiving chemotherapy. And then they belatedly whack out the greyish face make-up for one scene later on. My Year at Oxford's ending reveals that Jamie does indeed die after catching a critical case of pneumonia, sharing the news surprisingly subtly as Anna lies in bed with Jamie, narrating the stops of the grand European tour they intended to go on. While the montage initially shows the couple happily together exploring Amsterdam, Venice, Paris and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion in Greece, the camera then swings around to reveal Anna on her own taking the trip instead – and fine, yes, okay, I got a little burning behind the eyes at this, but it is not a high bar to pass for a film to manipulate me intro crying. It proved even more emotionally effective for others though. 'Did I finish the movie or did the movie finish me?' asked fan Agnes on X over My Oxford Year's traumatic conclusion. 'Thought I was signing up for a chill romantic movie with a few clichés. Instead, My Oxford Year wrecked me emotionally, stabbed me in the heart and walked away like nothing happened. That ending?? RUDE. Yeah. I'm not okay. Not even a little bit,' ranted user @_httpSea_, echoing a lot of the shocked reaction to the film. 'My Oxford Year is the biggest Trojan horse ever seen. I thought I was watching a silly romcom and I just got depressed with the ending of it,' tweeted @JENNIEDEMIE. 'Why did nobody warn me that it ended like that and why am I bawling over a movie I thought would be a cute and silly rom com,' complained Lily-Rose, while Mel shared: 'Netflix really thought the book My Oxford Year wasn't sad enough, so they proceed to change the ending to send us in therapy.' Critics have not been kind to My Oxford Year, with it sitting at a dismal 29% on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes at the time of publication. Collider criticised it for having the 'plot and character development out of a Wattpad novel written by a 15-year-old One Direction fan', while The New York Times called it 'a limp attempt at being this generation's About Time'. 'An uninspired yet competently assembled trifle,' mused The Guardian's two-star review, with critic Benjamin Lee saying the cancer twist will be 'met with a sigh of disappointment' for being so hackneyed. Other viewers agreed, with one saying it was 'pretty pointless' and another that it was 'worse than mediocre'. Noga E described it as 'a painful failure' in comparison to the book while Nina B complained: 'There's no spark, no soul – just two hours of hollow stares and fake chemistry.' 'It's as if A Walk to Remember and Me Before You had a very, very odd cousin that no one wants to hang out with,' added Teresita G. I knew what I was in for when the film mentioned how much it rains in the UK after barely a minute, and Carson began her narration as Anna by quoting poet Henry David Thoreau. Literature references are always the sign of an overly earnest film as you'd never catch a normal human going around quoting poetry, including out loud and at somebody (which also happens later in the film) to make a comparison, even if you were studying it at university (and I did). More Trending That sort of thing is far too intense and emotional, control yourself… which I guess may prove the film's point about British people being repressed and not wanting to talk about their feelings, which is what drives a wedge between Jamie and his father, played by Scott. So I'll give it that, I guess. My Oxford Year is streaming now on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Netflix fans declare 'weekend is sorted' as addictive TV series drops 6 new episodes MORE: 17,000,000 Netflix users risk £1,000 fine for watching WWE SummerSlam MORE: 'I'm a TV critic – I'm convinced Netflix's August thriller will blow me away'

Brit tourist, 38, dies after £1,500 hair transplant op in Turkey as heartbreaking tributes pour in
Brit tourist, 38, dies after £1,500 hair transplant op in Turkey as heartbreaking tributes pour in

Scottish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Brit tourist, 38, dies after £1,500 hair transplant op in Turkey as heartbreaking tributes pour in

The Brit is said to have suffered complications while undergoing the hair transplant procedure OP TRAGEDY Brit tourist, 38, dies after £1,500 hair transplant op in Turkey as heartbreaking tributes pour in Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT tourist has tragically died after undergoing a £1,500 hair transplant operation in Turkey. Martyn Latchman, 38, flew to Istanbul to have a five-hour operation on Monday at Dr. Cinik's clinic in the city's Besiktas district. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 First pictures of Brit Martyn Latchman, 38, who died following a £1500 hair transplant operation in Turkey Credit: Enterprise 5 Mr Latchman suffered complications after undergoing hair replacement surgery at the Cinik clinic in Besikitas Credit: Enterprise 5 He was rushed to the hospital but tragically died Credit: Enterprise But shortly after the surgery, he became seriously unwell and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, according to Turkish outlet OdaTV. He is said to have suffered complications while undergoing the hair transplant procedure. His body was later taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy before being repatriated to the UK. Police have launched a probe, treating the case as a possible 'reckless homicide'. Staff at the clinic — including the surgeon who performed the hair transplant, the anaesthesiologist and nurses — have already been quizzed by officers, it is understood. An FCDO spokesperson told The Sun: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities." Tributes are now pouring in from friends and family for Mr Latchman, whose body has since been flown home. Yashley Latchman posted a picture of keen athlete Mr Latchman on Facebook with the pair working out in a gym. The caption read: "Rest in peace my brother. You will forever be my source of inspiration and motivation. "Thanks for everything. We will miss you loads." Love Island's Ben reveals hair transplant at just 22 years old with before and after video Other family members turned their profiles black in a sign of mourning for Mr Latchman, who was originally from Bridgend but lived in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. According to Dr Cinik Clinic's website, it has treated "more than 50,000 patients" since setting up almost 20 years ago. The website says the clinic has "cutting-edge technology" and is a "centre of excellence in this specialised field". It adds: "Every patient gets personalised care in English, plus access to cutting-edge techniques. "The combination of surgical experience and patient support has made him the go-to specialist for people worldwide." 5 Brit underwent a five-hour operation at the Dr Clinik's clinic (pictured) The tragedy comes amid a boom in 'medical tourism' to Turkey, which now accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the global hair transplant market thanks to its cheaper, high-quality procedures. Turkish Healthcare Travel Council says more than one million people travel to the country each year for hair restoration treatments. According to Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic, numbers are expected to climb to 1.1 million in 2025, the Daily Mail reports. It follows the shocking death of 58-year-old British mum Anne Towlson, who passed away last year after a botched cosmetic surgery trip to Istanbul. Mrs Towlson, from Leicestershire, had flown to Turkey in April 2024 for a pre-planned tummy tuck and liposuction at Green Park Hospital in Pendik. When she arrived, doctors persuaded her to also undergo an arm tuck in a 'last-minute decision', her inquest heard. But she quickly developed alarming complications. BOTCHED OP Meanwhile, a British man was left scarred and with bald patches after a botched hair transplant in Istanbul. Luke Horsfield, then 26, paid £1,250 for the surgery at the Clinic Centre — around half the cost of a UK procedure — but said the results were disastrous. 'I did everything they told me to do as aftercare once I had the operation. But after four months, I saw literally no growth,' the IT technician from Bradford said. 'I was left with scars and bald patches.' Luke claimed the surgeons barely spoke English and had removed too many follicles from the back of his head, leaving him worse off than before. Despite the clinic's promise of 'transplant after care', he said he struggled to get hold of anyone once the operation was over. After months of disappointment, the clinic eventually offered him a £400 refund — barely a third of what he had paid — and a second procedure at half price. Luke later had the damage repaired at a Yorkshire clinic.

James Bond star unrecognisable from 007 days as he transforms into boxing legend in new trailer
James Bond star unrecognisable from 007 days as he transforms into boxing legend in new trailer

Daily Mirror

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

James Bond star unrecognisable from 007 days as he transforms into boxing legend in new trailer

The new sports film has been executive produced by Rocky legend Sylvester Stallone and is based on the true story of 'Prince' Naseem Hamed A legendary James Bond actor looks completely transformed from his suave secret agent persona in his newest film project. ‌ Set to become one of next year's most compelling sports dramas, the trailer for Giant dropped this week to considerable excitement. ‌ With Rocky icon Sylvester Stallone serving as executive producer and Rowan Athale of Gangs of London acclaim both writing and directing, the preview delivers spectacular boxing sequences and gripping emotional moments. ‌ County Louth native Pierce Brosnan takes on the character of Brendan Ingle, the celebrated Irish trainer who guided British-Yemeni fighter Prince Naseem "Naz" Hamed (portrayed by Amir El-Masry) to championship glory. The film's official description states: "Charting his inspiring rags-to-riches underdog tale from his humble beginnings in Sheffield to becoming champion of the world and a global sporting icon in the 1990s, the film explores the unlikely and tender relationship between Naz and his Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle; and the instrumental role that Ingle played on his road to success", reports the Express. ‌ "With exhilarating and visceral scenes in the ring, coupled with deeply moving and intimate moments behind the curtain, GIANT is an inspiring biopic of one of the greatest showmen the sporting world has even seen - the untold true story of the boy behind The Prince." Brosnan delivers what appears to be a deeply emotional portrayal in the fresh footage, as he motivates Naseem to overcome challenges and silence his critics. In a dramatic departure from his iconic suave Bond image, the Irish actor has undergone a transformation, now sporting long, white hair with a bald patch and donning spectacles. Meanwhile, El-Masry, known for his roles in The Night Manager and SAS: Rogue Heroes, is set to become a familiar face as he secures one of his first significant film parts. ‌ As the buzz builds for what might be the year's standout sports movie, film enthusiasts have flocked to the comments section to express their thoughts on the trailer. One boxing fan enthused: "I love boxing movies. Especially one based on one of my fav boxers ever!!" ‌ Another concurred, saying: "Prince truly deserves to have a biopic of him." A third shared their excitement: "I'm so proud and excited can't wait to watch this masterpiece." "About time they made a movie about him," another chimed in, "He is the wildest boxer of all time." And one more added: "Anyone who grew up with Prince Naseem, knows he was one of the most exciting fighters the sport has ever seen." With the backing of none other than Sly Stallone, this boxing flick is sure to deliver a knockout experience. Giant will be released in UK cinemas on 9th January, 2026.

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