top of page
Search


FILM REVIEW: THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE (PG) ESP RATING: 3/5
Yes, there’s definitely more fan service than you can squeeze into the Milky Way – but it still hits the spot when it comes to the target demographic. The uber-successful 2024 animated original didn’t thrive on its script, and this is absolutely no different. This definitely won’t bother the Best Animated Film nominations at the Oscars next year, that’s for sure. But it still does two massive things right: once again the world is a colourfully zesty palate of luscious eye-can
Gavin Miller
4 days ago3 min read


FILM REVIEW: THE DRAMA (15) ESP RATING: 4/5
A slow-burning relationship piece that thrives on tension, secrecy – and one very bad decision. The marketing for The Drama was, quite simply, perfect. The first I heard about this film was when a rather amateur-looking photo of Zendaya (Dune) and Robert Pattinson (The Batman) appeared in the wedding announcements section of a newspaper – as if it were a genuine engagement notice. Naturally, the internet went into meltdown. Was it real? Was it a stunt? What was going on? Then

ESP Online
6 days ago2 min read


REVIEW: WE WILL ROCK YOU
Cast phot: Red Wellies Photography We’re going ‘ga ga’ for PODS latest production of We Will Rock You – a killer of a great night out if you love Queen and musicals. It’s not easy to scale a West End hit to local theatres but they’ve put their stamp on it and so far we haven’t been disappointed by a PODS production yet. We have some amazing local talent here and the opportunities groups like this provide for local performers is to be applauded. The casting is great with every

ESP Online
6 days ago2 min read


FILM REVIEW: THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE (U) ESP RATING: 4/5
A colourfully chaotic adventure that truly earns its ‘fun for all the family’ badge. The Magic Faraway Tree brings Enid Blyton’s beloved classic to the big screen in a vibrant, big-hearted adaptation directed by Ben Gregor, with a screenplay by Simon Farnaby. Having previously worked on family favourites like Paddington 2, Farnaby brings that same warmth and humour here, while also giving the story a noticeable modern polish – updating the tone and dialogue just enough to mak

ESP Online
7 days ago3 min read


FILM REVIEW: PROJECT HAIL MARY (12A) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
The first major blockbuster of the year is a truly impressive spectacle – even if it does get a little repetitive along its route. This sci-fi adventure – from author Andy Weir (The Martian) – signals an impressive return to live-action from the directors behind the Spider-Man: Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie franchises. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller had well-chronicled issues bringing the Solo: A Star Wars Story to the big-screen, but venture back into the galaxy to empha
Gavin Miller
Mar 263 min read


FILM REVIEW: READY OR NOT 2 – HERE I COME (15) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
A blood-soaked sequel that knows exactly what it is – and has a lot of fun with it. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come picks up right where the first film left off – quite literally. We once again find ourselves with Samara Weaving’s Grace, covered head to toe in blood, sitting outside the smouldering remains of a crime scene, calmly puffing on a cigarette. It’s an iconic image, and the sequel wastes no time throwing us straight back into the chaos. For those who haven’t seen the or

ESP Online
Mar 252 min read


FILM REVIEW: HOW TO MAKE A KILLING (15) ESP RATING: 2.5/5
A fun premise that runs out of steam well before the film runs out of victims. Writer-director John Patton Ford – who previously made a strong impression with the gritty 2022 crime thriller Emily the Criminal – shifts gears into dark comedy for his latest outing. Though this time the results are far more scattergun. Glen Powell – still trying to move up the Hollywood ladder after headlining last year’s divisive The Running Man remake – stars as Becket Redfellow, a man disowne

ESP Online
Mar 192 min read


FILM REVIEW: THE BRIDE! (15) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
A bold, stylish monster movie that almost stitches together something truly special. Reviews for The Bride! have been all over the place. I couldn’t help but notice that both The Times and BBC handed out four-star ratings, while Empire Magazine gave it just two. Having now seen it myself, I can honestly say I understand both sides of that debate. The film is written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (star of The Dark Knight), following her acclaimed directorial debut, The Los

ESP Online
Mar 163 min read


EXCLUSIVE FILM REVIEW: HOPPERS (U) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
This definitely won’t trouble the Disney/Pixar animation greats – but there’s still much to enjoy with this eco-adventure. In the town of Beaverton, young Mabel Tanaka (Piper Curda) spends time with her Grandmother (Karen Huie) in the local forest glade, home to an eclectic range of wildlife – including a colony of beavers – and develops a deep love for the natural world. Years later – after her Grandma has passed – Mabel attempts to rally the community after popular town May
Gavin Miller
Mar 83 min read


FILM REVIEW: SCREAM 7 (18) ESP RATING: 2.5/5
The classic horror franchise plays it incredibly safe with this fan-pleasing helping of nostalgia. This seventh instalment moves from the original playground of Woodsboro – via New York for the sixth movie – to the quiet home town of Pine Grove, where legendary original teenage survivor Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life. Here we get a stereotypical (and unfortunately quite monotonous) mom and daughter angst sub-plot to proceedings – after a commendable ope
Gavin Miller
Mar 42 min read


FILM REVIEW: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE (15) ESP RATING: 4/5
A chaotic, high-concept sci-fi that feels strangely familiar... There’s something immediately intriguing about Have Fun, Good Luck, Don’t Die, the latest from Gore Verbinski, the lauded filmmaker behind The Ring and the original Pirates of the Caribbeam Trilogy. His knack for blending big ideas with off-beat tone is very much on display here, resulting in a film that feels both ambitious and gleefully unhinged. The story follows a man from the future, played by Sam Rockwell (

ESP Online
Feb 253 min read


REVIEW: THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
Photos: Jack Merriman Photography Lock your tickets in for The Shawshank Redemption at the New Theatre Peterborough this week. The clunk of the doors locking sends a shiver through you as the spotlight hits three half naked new prisoners clutching their clothes close as they begin their stretch inside. The oppressive and imposing set plunges you inside ‘the Shank’ capturing the claustrophobic confines of life in this brutal prison. The lighting and simple set changes are real

ESP Online
Feb 252 min read


FILM REVIEW: GOAT (PG) ESP RATING: 4/5
A visually dazzling, funny, and heartfelt sports romp. There’s something instantly comforting about a classic underdog story, and Goat leans into that idea from the very first whistle. This animated sports comedy follows Will, a small goat with very big ambitions – namely, becoming a professional player in the fast-paced sport of Roarball. When he’s unexpectedly given the opportunity to join a professional team made up of far larger, more physically imposing animals, Will qui

ESP Online
Feb 202 min read


FILM REVIEW: STITCH HEAD (U) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
A gentle reminder that being different is something to celebrate. Every now and then, a family film comes along that feels like it’s been stitched together (pun absolutely intended) from classic gothic storytelling and a big, beating heart. Stitch Head, based on the much-loved books by successful children's author Guy Bass from Peterborough, is exactly that – a spooky-tinged animated adventure that delivers warmth, charm, and a thoughtful message without ever losing sight of

ESP Online
Feb 202 min read


CLASSIC IBIZA SUPPORTING SUE RYDER
Photo: David Evans Photography Classic Ibiza returns to Burghley House on Saturday July 25 and they’ll be sharing the good times with Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, once again raising money for this amazing Peterborough charity. In their latest update on this summer’s new-look show, the concert’s organisers have announced that they will once again be teaming up with Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Peterborough, to help rais

ESP Online
Feb 162 min read


FILM REVIEW: SEND HELP (15) ESP RATING: 4/5
Every now and then, a thriller comes along that reminds you just how entertaining a simple, contained story can be when it’s in the right hands. Acclaimed director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead and Spider-Man) does just that by providing a tense, darkly-comic survival story that’s simply a fun watch from start to finish. The film centres on Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), a hardworking but overlooked corporate employee who finds herself stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash

ESP Online
Feb 142 min read


SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION LIVE
It’s one of the most-loved films and now it’s an incredible play. You can see The Shawshank Redemption at the New Theatre in Peterborough this month featuring an all-star cast. Written by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns, the play is based on Stephen King's 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, which featured in King's Different Seasons collection and was adapted into the beloved 1994 film starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The stage play features Joe McFadden

ESP Online
Feb 143 min read


FILM REVIEW: PRIMATE (18) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
It has been an impressive start to the year for horror-related movies – and this is another effective genre flick from the director of 47 Metres Down. A tropical vacation for a group of teens goes awry when an intelligently-domesticated family chimpanzee (called Ben) is bitten by a rabid animal – and becomes insanely violent. This leaves the sister owners of the pet – Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) and Erin (Gia Hunter) – and pals fighting for their lives as the monkey runs amok acro
Gavin Miller
Feb 122 min read


ROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA
The world famous Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will be performing iconic songs in Peterborough Cathedral by candlelight on Friday March 20 . Pop Goes Classical features the world’s best loved songs reimagined by the iconic Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, orchestrated by the producers of the hit Classic FM albums Pop Goes Classical and Songs Without Words. Performed in the amazing setting of the Cathedral with an intimate candlelight atmosphere, this world-famous

ESP Online
Feb 111 min read


NEWMARKET NIGHTS SUMMER CONCERTS RETURN
Newmarket Nights returns this summer with another amazing season of live concerts held just up the road from us. There’s a fantastic line-up including the return of Kaiser Chiefs with the Brit Award-winning band taking to the stage in the afternoon on Summer Saturday Live, August 22. We predict a riot when these guys take to the stage and Sophie Able, Newmarket Racecourses and International Director, can’t wait to see the band make a return. “Kaiser Chiefs are a firm favouri

ESP Online
Feb 91 min read
bottom of page
