Latest news with #PaddingtonBear
Graziadaily
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Netflix's Too Much: Why Criticism Of The 'Sexual Chemistry' Feels Barbed
A week after Lena Dunham's second major TV project since Girls landed on Netflix and critics have, for the most part, been surprisingly ungenerous. Aside from claims that Too Much is an 'underbaked disappointment' and 'not as good as Girls ', plenty of reviews have referenced the protagonists', Jessica (Megan Stalter) and Felix (Will Sharpe), distinct lack of chemistry. Given that the romantic comedy – which is loosely based on co-creators Dunham and Luis Felber's own romance – tracks Felix and Jessica's relationship from their first meeting to their wedding day, and that they have sex in almost every episode, this criticism rings alarm bells. What exactly do they mean? What were they hoping for? In what ways did Stalter and Sharpe, or indeed the directors, fall short on this front? The Hollywood Reporter , for one, accused the Netflix series of having 'intimacy issues', admitting that there is plenty of 'enthusiastic sex' and 'confessional conversation' but too few 'lingering gazes' or 'intense close-ups'. This seems fair. Their critic called Jessica and Felix's romance 'sweet enough to like but too cool to fall head over heels for' and writes that 'for a whirlwind romance, Too Much feels awfully dispassionate'. This I might question. Meanwhile, The Atlantic wrote that 'romance on-screen has never been colder'. The review reads, 'Two years ago, on a New Yorker podcast lamenting the modern state of the rom-com, Alexandra Schwartz noted that the most crucial quality for any romance is this: 'You have to believe that these two people want to be together, and you have to buy in.' On this front, Too Much barely even tries.' Adding that Felix and Jessica have 'almost negative chemistry', they claim the pair stay together 'out of what feels like inertia'. Let's put a pin in that one too. Elsewhere in a Reddit thread discussing the Netflix show, one user wrote that the scene where Jessica gets an Uber to join Felix's protest on the M25 and confess her love for him 'fell totally flat' and made them realise 'they really had no chemistry'. Another review for The Arts Fuse called Jessica 'an infuriating heroine who is very difficult to root for' – surely penned by someone unfamiliar with Girls – and adds, 'I wondered what Felix saw in her, especially since their romantic chemistry is sorely lacking (a point underscored by their many cringeworthy sex scenes).' Lena Dunham, Megan Statler and Will Sharpe at the Too Much UK screening. (Photo by) 'I wondered what Felix saw in her, especially since their romantic chemistry is sorely lacking.' The Arts Fuse While it's unlikely any of these critics had ill intentions, the suggestions that Felix and Jessica have 'negative chemistry', that their romance is 'dispassionate' or that their sex scenes are 'cringeworthy' feel suspicious – and familiar. In ten episodes we see the protagonists stay up all night talking about everything from their childhoods to Paddington Bear , we see them get jealous of one another, we seem them argue, we see them look after each other, move in together and slowly surrender themselves to their expansive and overwhelming feelings. In any sense, it's hard to imagine how this could be deemed dispassionate. Both Felix and Jessica are hapless, chaotic people with a distinct lack of order and purpose in their everyday lives. The fact they are drawn to each other against all odds can only be explained by the inexplicable – as is often the case in real life. Their connection is largely inconvenient and illogical, which is exactly why it's so romantic. We saw similar critique crop up after the hotly anticipated release of One Day on Netflix last year. A review in The New Statesman called the series 'a romcom without any chemistry' and decried the adaptation as 'unconvincing'. Meanwhile The Times called out 'the slightly lacking chemistry between the two main actors', Ambika Mod (who played Emma Morley) and Leo Woodall (who played Dexter Mayhew). We saw it again when Nicola Coughlan's character Penelope Featherington was announced as the romantic lead of season three of Bridgerton . Starring opposite Luke Newton's Colin Bridgerton, it didn't take long before some disparaging think pieces concluded that Coughlan does not have what it takes to be a leading lady. 'Reader, she is not hot, and there is no escaping it,' reads a particularly mean-spirited review in The Spectator. 'Coughlan is an actress of great value, and might be adored, but she is simply not plausible as the friend who would catch the handsome rich aristocrat Colin Bridgerton's eye in that way.' The difference between the latter critique and the former is that it is not so thinly veiled. What all three shows have in common is an unconventional romantic pairing as their leads, whether in terms of race, body shape or beauty standards at large. It is hard to distinguish the shared 'lack of chemistry' criticism leveraged at all three shows from this fact – even if, thankfully, it remains in the minority. Instead, it shows what actors, producers and casting directors are up against. As a forward-thinking society, we claim we want to see more diversity on screen, and for it not to become the sole focus or storyline. However, three big budget Netflix shows that have attempted to do just that have been labelled unconvincing and unromantic – perhaps the worst thing a romcom can be called. Someone who has thought about this dichotomy a great deal after experiencing it first hand is Mod herself. 'You have a double whammy in this adaptation where a lot of people who know the story and read the book or watched the film probably didn't picture an Emma who looked like me,' she told Glamour . Speaking about the wildly different receptions she and her co-star Woodall received from fans, she added: 'The romance genre can be a double-edged sword at points. For a long time, it has not been a genre that's been respected because it's mainly for women, and now it's having a sort of resurgence. But it always seems to be the male characters and the male protagonists and the male actors who are elevated from having done a rom-com, and it's the female characters who don't get the same recognition, who don't get the same elevation, who don't get the same moment.' The comment about Stalter being 'an infuriating heroine' springs to mind. As does the widespread adoration of Sharpe since the show aired. To tackle this pattern, which has in turn become a problem, it seems like society's gripes with unconventional, complex and diverse female leads is a good place to start. Until we can not only accept but embrace these characters, TV creators will be hard pushed to convince audiences that their romances are worth rooting for. Let's hope the viewing figures – an area where all three shows triumph – continue to successfully drown out the negativity. As Jessica, Emma and Penelope serve to prove, there's great power in numbers.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grand Central's 100 ways to summer - your ticket to the ultimate day out
Grand Central is bringing back 100 Ways to Summer - your ticket to building the ultimate day out in the capital. 1. Get inspired From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, foodie favourites to adrenaline highs, Grand Central have mapped out 100 incredible ways to enjoy summer in the capital. 2. Build your day Keep checking Grand Central's 100 Ways to Summer page – fresh ideas are added all the time to help you plan your perfect day out. 3. Make it happen Whether it's a pre-theatre nibble or some free family fun, your next adventure is just a Grand Central train away. Here are just a few ideas to kick off your summer adventure with Grand Central: Cruise Canary Wharf in a floating hot tub Captain a hot tub boat through the heart of Canary Wharf with Skuna. Make friends with a very polite bear Join the marmalade-loving bear on a magical immersive adventure at The Paddington Bear Experience. Survive Squid Game: The Experience Test your instincts in this immersive challenge - where the line between game and reality blurs fast. Enjoy a brew with a view Hop aboard an iconic London double-decker bus for Brigit's Bakery's delicious afternoon tea experience. Go back to the 1940s at a secret underground cocktail bar Head to Cahoots for spiffing cocktails and rationed snacks in a 1940s-inspired speakeasy with underground charm. For more details and ideas, visit Grand Central's website and social channels (@grandcentralrail). Fresh inspiration will be added to the page frequently so check back to explore your way to summer. Download the Grand Central app and book directly for up to 80% off advance tickets.* *One-way fares. Subject to availability. See for details.
ITV News
22-07-2025
- ITV News
Man receives fine for causing damage to Paddington Bear statue in Penrith
A 56-year-old man from London has received a fine for causing damage to a Paddington Bear statue in Penrith. Anil Puir, aged 56 of Stanstead Road, London appeared before Carlisle Magistrates Court on Tuesday 22 July after being charged with criminal damage. The statue and surrounding flower beds were damaged on Monday 2 December 2024. Community Beat Officer, PC Stewart Green said: 'Eden NPT will continue to target those who seek to commit offences such as this within our local community, including through Operation Enhance - our operation dedicated to tackling antisocial behaviour and violence in hotspot areas including in Penrith town centre. 'I hope this conviction serves as a reminder to other offenders that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated by Cumbria Police."
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
Vandal dumped shrub over statue of beloved Paddington bear, causing outcry
A VANDAL who sparked a public outcry by damaging a popular Paddington Bear statue in Penrith town centre has been punished by magistrates. Anil Puri, aged 56, was caught by CCTV as he committed the crime in Little Dockray on December 2 last year. The Paddington Bear figure has become a huge hit with town residents and visitors alike since it was unveiled in October, 2024. It was one of around two dozen similar statues installed on benches in locations across the UK prior to the release of the film Paddington in Peru, and the only one in Cumbria. Prosecutor George Shelley told Carlisle Magistrates' Court this morning (Tuesday) the Paddington Bear figure, belonging to a film company, was maintained by the Penrith BID (business improvement district) group, which also owned surrounding planters. CCTV captured Puri causing the damage. 'He pulls a shrub from the planter and dumps it on to the figure's head,' said Mr Shelley. Puri then shoved a shrub between Paddington's arms, which are clasped around his trademark marmalade sandwich. There were scratches caused to the figure, which was damaged to the tune of £40. Around £250 damage was caused to the planters. 'The next day there was a public outcry on social media,' said Mr Shelley. Puri, of Stanstead Road, Lewisham, London, said in the aftermath he had been suffering from mental health issues. Appearing in court remotely today over a video link, Puri admitted causing criminal damage to the statue and planter. A man with no previous convictions, he apologised to all concerned for what he had done. Magistrates fined Puri £50. He must also pay £290 compensation to Penrith BID, along with £85 costs and a £20 mandatory surcharge. Penrith mayor Doug Lawson said in response to Puri's vandalism: 'Since Paddington arrived in Penrith, he has been a constant source of entertainment and joy for young and old alike. At one stage my Facebook feed was full of pictures of friends and family with the statue. 'I said at his unveiling that he was a symbol of the welcoming and generous culture of Penrith. 'With all that in mind, I am deeply saddened to hear that someone would attempt to damage the statue; obviously, any vandalism is wrong, but this act seems particularly heartless. 'I can only hope that having been caught, the person responsible reflects on their actions and the upset they have caused.'
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Mum invented the Wombles but devastating event was her inspiration'
A beloved children's TV show is getting a 2025 rebrand with a new interactive experience - and The Wombles creator's son says his mum would be thrilled Underground, overground, The Wombles are once again wombling free. The furry eco-conscious inhabitants of Wimbledon Common are staging a comeback with a brand-new interactive exhibition that brings their world to life for a new generation. WOMBLE MANIA opens his weekend in the Peak District and charts The Wombles' journey from book to screen. New episodes featuring the creatures who gather stuff 'every day folk leave behind' are also in the pipeline for later this year. According to her son, Wombles creator Elisabeth Beresford would have been thrilled that Great Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory, Madame Cholet and the rest of the gang are once again back in the limelight. 'Mum would have loved the fact they are making a comeback. They hold a special place in British culture after all," says Marcus Robertson, who as a child was the inspiration behind the character of Orinoco. He believes that the message conveyed by the loveable rubbish collectors, who emerge from their burrows under Wimbledon Common to litter pick, is as crucial today as it was when his mum started to write the books back in the late 1960s. 'The Wombles were really ahead of their time in terms of ideas about caring for the environment, picking up litter and recycling - their motto is 'make good use of bad rubbish' and that says it all. 'But it's more than just about looking after your surroundings and nature. They have values of kindness, mutual respect, generosity, community; there's no violence. These are all the things we should be embracing here in 2025.' Marcus, 69, who lives in Surrey and has two grown up sons, is adamant his mum never set out to preach to her fans. 'For her, The Wombles were never 'being' green - they just were green. That's how they lived their lives. 'Remember, Mum was 13 when the war started and that's how she was brought up - to never waste a thing.' Elisabeth Beresford was born in 1926 into a literary household. Her Godparents included the poet Cecil Day-Lewis, while George Bernard Shaw and DH Lawrence were family friends. It was almost inevitable, then, that she would become a writer and journalist. She married the BBC tennis commentator and broadcaster Max Robertson in 1949 and penned her first children's book in 1957. But it was an afternoon stroll with her two children on Boxing Day in 1966 which changed the course of her life and gave the world The Wombles. 'She'd written lots of stuff for kids by this time and had been asked by her publisher to come up with an answer to Paddington Bear, which had been hugely successful,' remembers Marcus, who worked in sports marketing and now runs a luxury steam train business. 'As we walked along Wimbledon Common my sister Kate mispronounced 'Wimbledon' as 'Wombledon'. And that was it. By the time we got home Mum had the fundamentals of The Wombles in her head.' Initially imagined as 'tubby little bats' and later 'teddy bears with claws', many of the characters were based on members of Elisabeth's own family. Her mother - Marcus's grandmother - was Madame Cholet, her brother was Tobermory and Marcus's grandfather Great Uncle Bulgaria. Marcus himself remains hugely proud to have had the character Orinoco - famed for relishing both his food and naps - modelled on him. 'And yes, he and I do share some traits - my wife would say I haven't changed at all!' he laughs. 'Did I mind being the inspiration behind Orinoco? Not at all. Why should I? It's a lovely thing.' The first Wombles book appeared in 1968 and many more followed. But it was the arrival on our TV screen of the iconic stop-motion animated series - 35 five-minute episodes produced between 1973 and 1975 - which cemented their place in the childhood folklore of many. While Elizabeth wrote the scripts, Marcus would help, listening and making suggestions as she read them over the phone to him while he was away at boarding school. The show's success was cemented by a catchy theme tune written by Mike Batt, The Wombling Song, as well as the narration of Bernard Cribbins, who voiced all the characters. 'Having watched Bernard in The Railway Children, he was one of my heroes. When I met him he was exactly as you might imagine - great fun,' says Marcus. 'He captured my grandfather as Great Uncle Bulgaria to a tee. I see some episodes of the show now and look at how the character talks to Orinoco and I find it quite moving, because that's how my grandfather spoke to me; Bernard totally got him. 'My family members are intertwined with The Womble family and always will be.' The Wombles were a worldwide smash. Elisabeth penned more than 20 books, which were translated into 40 different languages. Musically, the band The Wombles, under the guidance of Mike Batt, had eight Top 40 singles including Remember You're a Womble and Wombling Merry Christmas. They appeared on Top of The Pops 17 times in the early 1970s and were even the interval entertainment at the Eurovision Song Contest in1974. There was a feature length live-action movie too, while further episodes were made in the late 1990s. In 2011 The Wombles performed at Glastonbury and in 2021, were the UK government mascots at Cop26 and supported its #OneStepGreener campaign. This year, as well as the new visitor attraction at the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire, The Wombles will return to our screens with a suite of new shows on YouTube. Appearing in both live action and animated formats, the episodes will all have a sustainability message and explore solutions to environmental problems. They will also feature tips and tricks to reduce food waste and upcycle old clothes. The Wombles' ethos has also inspired a good cause, The Wombles Community Charity, which aims to harness their green message to encourage community-led environmental action. It was when Elisabeth received in 1998, however, that the author perhaps understood for herself how far her creations had travelled. 'My mum loved the Monarch and I went to Buckingham Palace with her when she was awarded her MBE," says Marcus. 'The Queen had briefing notes for all those she was receiving - but not for my mum; she just seemed to know a lot about her and The Wombles naturally. We like to think she was a fan.' Elisabeth and her family moved to the Channel Island of Alderney and lived there until she died in 2010, which now has a Womble trail in her honour. Her home also inspired the Womble called Alderney, based on Marcus's wife Marianne, who is perhaps the most green of The Wombles thanks to her love of gardening - mirroring Marianne's own passion. Now the family is preparing for a new generation of fans to meet Bungo, Tomsk and the rest of the crew. Marcus is certain his mum would have been thrilled to see how her beloved Wombles have evolved and, for him, having grown up with the characters, they remain a huge part of his life. 'It sounds odd but I do like to believe they really are out there somewhere, carrying on their work and cleaning up after us humans. 'I would not be remotely shocked if I met one." WOMBLE MANIA is now open at The Heights of Abraham Visitor Attraction in the Peak District. Did you know? By the end of the final book, Great Uncle Bulgaria was said to be more than 300 years old. The Wombles has been voted by the British public as one of the top 10 most popular BBC TV children's programmes of all time. Ivor Wood designed The Wombles for TV with pointed snouts and floppy ears, distinct from the teddy bear-like animals illustrated in the original book. Throughout her books, the author revealed there were several sub-species of Womble; the Loch Ness Monster is written as part o f a clean of water Wombles while the Yeti of the Himalayas are giant snow-white Wombles. The highest chart position for TheWombles was Number 2 for Wombling Merry Christmas on 4 January 1975. It was kept off the top spot by Mud's Lonely This Christmas. In the books, Wombles have a varied diet of plants, fungi, and tree products including moss pie, fir cone souffle and elm bark casserole. They are particularly fond of mushrooms.
