Chatterbox - still talking nonsense

Adolescence  ( Series, streaming on Netflix ).  This one made a huge splash but luckily I saw it early on so didn’t know what to expect.  I wanted to watch because of Stephen Graham’s involvement and it definitely delivered.  Each episode was one take, following the arrest of Jamie, a 13 year old boy accused of the murder of Katie, a girl at his school.  The young actor playing Jamie (Owen Cooper) is amazing, particularly in the long scene in episode 3 with the psychologist (Erin Doherty - who is also stunning).  But every actor in this is bringing their A-game.  Over four episodes we see the arrest, then the investigation which shows a pretty depressing but what felt realistic depiction of teenage lives lived half on line, and with uncomprehending adults missing what is under their noses.  It’s particularly focusing on misogyny and toxic masculinity, alongside a clear eyed look at the gulf between parents and children, failures of parenting, fath...

 Film Grand Theft Hamlet     I have never played a video game properly but I do love Hamlet and the idea of a mashup grabbed me.  This film is ridiculous and often had me laughing out loud, but it is somehow beautiful and even moving in places.  During lockdown, actors Sam and Mark had been playing Grand Theft Auto and came up with the idea of staging Hamlet within the GTA world.  The result of the 16th century smashed into the 21st century virtual world is full of shocking violence but also great intelligence, wit and charm.  The film documents the process using only footage from the game; they hold auditions, rehearse and then finally run a live performance.  Moments of sublime beauty play out, whilst in the background, (or sometimes in the foreground) people are shot, or fight, or crash a blimp or a car.  In the same way as  Staged  seemed sometimes to capture something profound in amongst the messiness and stupidity of huma...