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Mail & Guardian
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
If Meryl met Herbert: A rom-com fan reads about an architect
The Union Buildings in Pretoria was designed by Sir Herbert Baker Recently, I was listening to a podcast dissecting US writer-director Nancy Meyers' highly entertaining 2009 rom-com, It's Complicated . In the film, Meryl Streep is the apex of a love triangle involving Alec Baldwin — at the peak of his powers, portraying the lovable dirtbag lawyer ex-husband — and Steve Martin, always hilarious, as the architect Meryl meets while remodelling her impossibly large kitchen. Baldwin gives us everything we've come to expect from his excellent comedy performances — fast-paced patter delivered in a husky voice, a deadpan face that never breaks to reveal how aware he is of the ridiculousness of what he is saying, and comedic timing you can set your watch to. Martin is surprisingly neutered, displaying none of his usual high-energy movement or banter, which I think is in an effort to prove just what a Good Guy his character is. And Meryl is Meryl, putting on one of her thousand faces and laughing her way through a wonderful interpretation of what could potentially be a trite and derivative character in the hands of a less-skilled actor. But the quality of the film aside, I mention this podcast for the following reason — at one point, the hosts enter into a vigorous debate about what the best profession is for the Guy Who We Know She's Going To End Up With. Since people in rom-coms seem to live lives only tangentially related to reality, there are a disproportionately high number of people who are professionals of some exotic description and/or extraordinarily talented at their jobs. And so, when the podcasters started throwing out prospective careers, they initially suggested things like 'trauma surgeon' or 'Pulitzer-winning journalist'. But one profession rose to the top of the list very quickly, like cream on Jersey milk: architect. Why architect? Well, it's one of the careers that exists at the intersection of art and science. So, the guy's smart, but also sensitive and creative. And, of course, there's always the potential for a scene where he's wearing a hard hat on a construction site — very masculine and very take-charge. And let's not forget the money that a successful architect can be in line to make. Listen, I say this — I am a big fan of rom-coms, if they're well made. And I have to agree. If the Guy Who We Know She's Going To End Up With is an architect, I eat that up with a spoon. My proclivity for cheesy 'chick flicks' aside, the reason I mention all of this is because a wonderful and enlightening new book has been released, covering the life and times of an architect who is extraordinarily important in our nation's history, Sir Herbert Baker. Now, I love a well-written biography or autobiography more than I love a stupid rom-com. (For the record, my favourite biographical books are all autobiographies: The Second Life by heart transplant pioneer Dr Christiaan Barnard, I Am Ozzy by legendary rock vocalist Ozzy Osbourne and Have A Nice Day! by professional wrestler Mick Foley. But I am well aware of one glaring shortcoming they share — if you are not interested in the subject of the book, it will hold nothing of value for you. And so it is with this big disclaimer that I proceed with my review of Sir Herbert Baker: A Biography by John Stewart — if historical architecture in South Africa is not interesting to you, then this book won't be, either. And I'll be perfectly honest, Dear Reader, historical architecture in my beloved home country is not really my bag. And, as such, I didn't really expect to find much of interest in this book. But I will say I was pleasantly surprised. For those who don't know, Sir Herbert Baker was a renowned and respected English architect who lived and worked in the late 19 th and early 20 th century. While his work was not confined to South Africa, he remains one of the dominant forces in our colonial architectural heritage, having loomed large in it for almost two decades. So pervasive is his work that, even though you might not have heard of him, you almost certainly have driven past or been inside one of his buildings if you've spent any appreciable time in Johannesburg or Cape Town. He counts among his designs multiple government buildings, monuments, prominent exclusive schools and other landmarks. Included in these are edifices as important to our government as the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Groote Schuur in Cape Town. I, myself, shared a street address with one of Sir Herbert's houses for several years. When I was a student and living at Knockando Men's Residence, we resided on land that used to be part of the grounds of Northwards, one of the famous 'Parktown mansions' designed by Baker. I remember being allowed to take a look inside Northwards, and finding myself terribly disappointed that the apartheid-era government had painted many of the interior surfaces that hideous shade of green reserved for so many administrative buildings of the period. And, typical of a colonial Englishman of his time, Baker lived a very interesting and eventful life. From his youth in Britain to eventual professional engagements in or with South Africa, India, Belgium, France, Kenya, Zimbabwe and even Australia, Baker was not a man who failed to live life to its fullest. And Stewart has done extraordinarily well to not only capture the character of the man, but the spirit of his professional and personal adventures. Baker was the proverbial 'scholar and a gentleman', possessing a keen intellect and the droll wit of the English gentlemen of the time. In fact, I do think that, had he lived 100 years later, he would have been the perfect Guy Who We Know She's Going To End Up With for Meryl Streep to swoon over. All in all, this book is a fantastic read for those who have an interest in the subject matter.
Tom's Guide
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro lead Netflix's latest No. 1 movie — and this comedy-drama is full of charm
Netflix's top 10 list is always evolving as fresh titles arrive on the streaming service every month. This time, a charming new comedy-drama starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro has quickly climbed to the No. 1 spot, seemingly capturing the attention of viewers in the U.S. 'The Intern' landed on the platform just two days ago (June 22), and it's already surpassed the new animated original 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and Gerard Butler's action-thriller 'Plane.' It's actually nice to see this comedy-drama getting some love again, especially since it didn't really win critics over back in 2015. For a little context, 'The Intern' follows an unlikely pairing between a successful, driven woman and a seasoned, wise older man who cross paths in a way that ends up changing both their lives. Sounds pretty charming, right? I can confirm that it is. And anyone seeking comfort food in the form of a movie will find something to enjoy in this one. So, if you've seen 'The Intern' suddenly pop up in your recommendations, here's everything you need to know before adding it to your Netflix watchlist. 'The Intern' follows Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro), a 70-year-old widower who finds retirement less fulfilling than he expected. Looking to re-enter the workforce, Ben lands a senior internship at an innovative online fashion start-up run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway), a driven young entrepreneur. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As Ben navigates his new role, he quickly becomes a trusted presence among the younger staff, offering wisdom and a calm demeanor. Jules, initially skeptical about having an older intern, gradually comes to rely on Ben's experience and steady support as she manages the pressures of running the company and balancing her personal life. Throughout his internship, Ben builds genuine friendships with various employees and becomes an unexpected mentor to Jules. His old-school manners and thoughtful advice bring a fresh perspective to the modern office. Meanwhile, Jules struggles with the demands of her expanding business and family, and Ben's steady presence provides quiet strength behind the scenes. While 'The Intern' received mixed reviews from critics, I think it still offers meaningful insights, especially in today's world where older generations are frequently overlooked or underestimated for being out of touch or struggling with new technology. Nancy Meyers, the writer and director celebrated for her women-centered romantic comedies like 'What Women Want' and 'It's Complicated,' delivers a charming and clever movie featuring standout performances from Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. Ben, the widower and retired executive, applies for a senior intern position at About The Fit, a fast-growing e-commerce fashion start-up in Brooklyn. Assigned to work with CEO Jules, Ben's initial role is to assist her with various tasks. But as you can predict, their professional relationship deepens into a meaningful friendship. It's this heartwarming connection that takes 'The Intern' out of average territory. 'The Intern' actually turned out to be more delightful and thoughtful about gender issues than its trailers suggested. There's charm, a surprising amount of visual appeal, and sometimes humorous escapism. As mentioned, this comedy-drama garnered pretty average reviews. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 60% from critics and a slightly higher rating of 73% from audiences. The site's critics consensus reads: 'The Intern doesn't do enough with its timely premise, but benefits from the unorthodox chemistry of its talented leads.' This is something I can agree with. Despite the somewhat mixed reviews, 'The Intern' is an easy watch. Meyers proves once again why she's a master at delivering cozy, polished movies that feel like a warm hug on screen. It's pure comfort food. The story itself moves at a gentle pace, which includes a small adventure to erase a wayward email, a visit to San Francisco, and plenty of moments showing Ben chauffeuring Jules around New York. While none of these events are particularly dramatic, they're all enjoyable to watch. Even though the movie's message feels a bit muddled at times, it doesn't take away from how entertaining the film is overall. You can stream 'The Intern' on Netflix now. Otherwise, see what else is new on Netflix in June 2025.
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The Holiday In Concert: beloved Christmas film to tour UK with full orchestra
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Hans Zimmer's powerful score set to be performed live as The Holiday In Concert comes to the United Kingdom. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This year, why not re-watch the beloved 2005 rom-com The Holiday a little differently? Over 15 different locations over the 2025 Christmas season will get to enjoy the film with Han Zimmer's score performed live by a full orchestra. Here's where the festive favourite accompanied by live music is screening across the UK later this year. It's regarded as one of those Christmas films that almost 'has' to be watched at least once over the festive period, but for fans of The Holiday, this year's screening is different. The Holiday In Concert brings the beloved rom-com starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black to 15 different venues across the UK in December 2025. This time, however, it will be backed by a full live orchestra performing the score – penned by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer – to audiences. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From writer-director-producer Nancy Meyers, known for celebrated films like It's Complicated, The Intern, Something's Gotta Give, and The Parent Trap, The Holiday follows the tale of two women, strangers living 6,000 miles apart. The seasonal favourite The Holiday is set for the full orchestra treatment in locations across the United Kingdom this festive season. | Canva Seeking an escape, they meet online via a home exchange website and impulsively swap houses for the holiday season. Iris (Winslet) journeys to Amanda's (Diaz) sun-drenched L.A. home, while Amanda retreats to Iris's snow-covered English countryside cottage. Shortly after arriving, both women stumble upon the one thing neither expected: a new romance. A mainstay of holiday viewing since its release in 2006 and continually cited as one of the best 'meet-cute' romantic comedies of the 2000s, why not treat yourself to a repeat viewing this year with the full backing of a live orchestra? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Where is The Holiday In Concert touring in the United Kingdom? The full orchestral screenings of The Holiday are set to take place at the following locations on the following dates during the 2025 Christmas season: December 4 2025: Lighthouse, Poole December 7 2025: Eventim Apollo, London (matinee and evening performances) December 8 2025: Brighton Centre December 9 2025: The Forum, Bath December 10 2025: Barbican, York December 11 2025: Valliant Live, Derby December 12 2025: Swansea Arena December 15 2025: Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow December 16 2025: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester December 17 2025: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester December 18 2025: City Hall, Sheffield December 19 2025: Bradford Live December 20 2025: Usher Hall, Edinburgh December 21 2025: Concert Hall, Perth When can I buy tickets to see The Holiday In Concert in the United Kingdom? Pre-sale tickets Those with access to Ticketmaster pre-sales or venue pre-sales will have their first pick of tickets, as they are set to go on pre-sale from May 29 2025 at 10am BST. General ticket sales The remaining allocation of tickets will then go on general sale from May 30 2025 at 10am BST through Ticketmaster. Do you have an event you'd like to share with us? You can now promote your What's On stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The Holiday In Concert: beloved Christmas film to tour UK with full orchestra
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Hans Zimmer's powerful score set to be performed live as The Holiday In Concert comes to the United Kingdom. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This year, why not re-watch the beloved 2005 rom-com The Holiday a little differently? Over 15 different locations over the 2025 Christmas season will get to enjoy the film with Han Zimmer's score performed live by a full orchestra. Here's where the festive favourite accompanied by live music is screening across the UK later this year. It's regarded as one of those Christmas films that almost 'has' to be watched at least once over the festive period, but for fans of The Holiday, this year's screening is different. The Holiday In Concert brings the beloved rom-com starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black to 15 different venues across the UK in December 2025. This time, however, it will be backed by a full live orchestra performing the score – penned by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer – to audiences. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From writer-director-producer Nancy Meyers, known for celebrated films like It's Complicated, The Intern, Something's Gotta Give, and The Parent Trap, The Holiday follows the tale of two women, strangers living 6,000 miles apart. The seasonal favourite The Holiday is set for the full orchestra treatment in locations across the United Kingdom this festive season. | Canva Seeking an escape, they meet online via a home exchange website and impulsively swap houses for the holiday season. Iris (Winslet) journeys to Amanda's (Diaz) sun-drenched L.A. home, while Amanda retreats to Iris's snow-covered English countryside cottage. Shortly after arriving, both women stumble upon the one thing neither expected: a new romance. A mainstay of holiday viewing since its release in 2006 and continually cited as one of the best 'meet-cute' romantic comedies of the 2000s, why not treat yourself to a repeat viewing this year with the full backing of a live orchestra? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Where is The Holiday In Concert touring in the United Kingdom? The full orchestral screenings of The Holiday are set to take place at the following locations on the following dates during the 2025 Christmas season: December 4 2025: Lighthouse, Poole December 7 2025: Eventim Apollo, London (matinee and evening performances) December 8 2025: Brighton Centre December 9 2025: The Forum, Bath December 10 2025: Barbican, York December 11 2025: Valliant Live, Derby December 12 2025: Swansea Arena December 15 2025: Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow December 16 2025: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester December 17 2025: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester December 18 2025: City Hall, Sheffield December 19 2025: Bradford Live December 20 2025: Usher Hall, Edinburgh December 21 2025: Concert Hall, Perth When can I buy tickets to see The Holiday In Concert in the United Kingdom? Pre-sale tickets Those with access to Ticketmaster pre-sales or venue pre-sales will have their first pick of tickets, as they are set to go on pre-sale from May 29 2025 at 10am BST. General ticket sales The remaining allocation of tickets will then go on general sale from May 30 2025 at 10am BST through Ticketmaster.
The Guardian
10-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Tell us: what have you never quite understood about weight loss drugs?
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have burst into public awareness over the last few years, promising dramatic results and stirring up big questions. Originally developed for diabetes, these medications are now being prescribed for weight management. But the science, ethics, and long-term effects of these drugs are still being explored. In a new video series on our It's Complicated Youtube channel, we're investigating the major questions behind some of today's most confusing topics – and weight loss drugs are at the top of that list. What do these medications actually do to the body? Who should take them, and who decides? Are they reshaping how we think about obesity, health, and personal responsibility? We'll be speaking with experts to better understand the science and the social impact, and we want to make sure we're answering the questions you have. What have you never quite understood about weight loss drugs? Maybe you're unsure how they work, or you're curious about side effects, access, or stigma. Maybe you've tried them, are thinking about it, or feel overwhelmed by the hype. Whatever your question, we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below to share your thoughts. Your questions could help shape our reporting and be featured in the show. You can tell us what you would like to know about weight-loss drugs by filling in the form below. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first.
