Jon Snow's documentary 'A Last Big Story' has been named the top TV pick in the Guardian's weekly roundup of the best-reviewed culture. The former Channel 4 News anchor sets out to make a film about his Alzheimer's diagnosis, but discovers a catastrophe in Zambia has gone under-reported, reigniting his journalistic instincts.
Jon Snow's Swan Song Praised by Critics
Guardian reviewer Lucy Mangan described the documentary as 'intelligent, gentle-but-unsentimental,' giving Snow his laurels and dignity while acknowledging the cruelty of the disease. She called it 'as fine a swan song as he could wish for.'
Other TV Highlights: I Kissed a Girl, House of the Dragon, The Bear
Also making the list is the queer dating show 'I Kissed a Girl,' which the BBC axed. Hannah J Davies called it 'ridiculously fun' and a vital container for queer conversations. 'House of the Dragon' season three received praise from Jack Seale, who said the show 'finally comes good' after two duff seasons, balancing big battles with sharp two-handers. 'The Bear' ended its run with more comedy than ever, according to Rachel Aroesti, who noted that when the team overcomes hurdles, 'the relief is almost transcendent.'
Film Pick: Blue Heron and Supergirl
The top film pick is 'Blue Heron,' an autobiographical debut by Sophy Romvari about childhood trauma in 1990s Canada. Peter Bradshaw praised its quietism and refusal to amplify tragedy. 'Supergirl' gets a sprightlier film than the Superman reboot, with Milly Alcock and Eve Ridley fighting an evil intergalactic human trafficker. 'The Furious' is a martial arts epic in the dadsploitation vein, and John Woo's classic 'A Better Tomorrow' is re-released.
Now Streaming: Chris and Martina: The Final Set
Netflix's documentary 'Chris and Martina: The Final Set' explores the deep bond and rivalry between tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Peter Bradshaw called it 'highly watchable,' making the point that real friendship exists in professional sport.
Book of the Week: The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI
Cory Doctorow's 'The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI' is an urgent warning about big tech economics, described by Dorian Lynskey as 'entertaining' with vivid analogies and righteous ire. Other notable books include James Lasdun's 'The Family Man' (a forensic study of a murder case), Fiona Mozley's 'Awake Awake' (slippery story of unreliable memories), Tayari Jones's 'Kin' (intertwined lives in 1950s America), and Zayd Ayers Dohrn's 'Dangerous, Dirty, Violent & Young' (growing up with revolutionary parents).
Album of the Week: Muse's The Wow! Signal
Muse's new album 'The Wow! Signal' is described by Alexis Petridis as 'scenery-chewingly preposterous yet nuanced,' with Count Dracula organ and choirs crying in Latin about extraterrestrial life. Petridis admired its commitment to its preposterous bit. Other albums include 'Candomblé: Sacred Rhythms in Brazil' (ceremonial drumming remixed for the dancefloor), Downtown Boys' 'Public Luxury' (bilingual political punk), and Alban Gerhardt's cello concertos of Elgar and Dvořák, praised for refreshing and illuminating readings.
On Tour: Gorillaz
Gorillaz are touring Europe until 29 August, with Ian Gittins calling their show a 'staggering hi-tech mini-festival' and an 'extraordinary triumph' of ambition and precision from Damon Albarn.
