‘Hocus Pocus 2’ review: A Bette-middling Disney sequel

Belissa Escobedo, Whitney Peak and Lilia Buckingham in the movie "Hocus Pocus 2."

By one of those coincidences that leads me to suspect witchcraft — or perhaps just the more banal dark magic of social media — this week has renewed some heated online chatter about the dubious […]

Keith Jarrett: Bordeaux Concert review – a fearless final performance | Jazz

Bordeaux Concert album cover.

In 1975, an idiosyncratic musical odyssey called The Köln Concert became the unlikeliest of multimillion-sellers. On that album, Keith Jarrett revealed how an unplanned, unplugged and uncommercial private meditation between just him and a traditional […]

Despite logistical issues, Portola emerges as phenomenal first year festival [Review]

Despite logistical issues, Portola emerges as phenomenal first year festival [Review]

What can be said about a music festival that books Flume, The Chemical Brothers, Jamie xx, Four Tet + Floating Points, Fred again.., Caribou, Bicep, Fatboy Slim, DJ Shadow, Kaytranada, Charli XCX, James Blake, Peggy […]

Durand Jones & the Indications review – soul revivalists at the top of their game | Music

Durand Jones and the Indications play The O2 Academy in Shepherd’s Bush.

Vintage-sounding soul has been having something of a renaissance of late, from the Chicano low-rider balladry of Thee Sacred Souls to the simmering southern protest of Curtis Harding or veteran crooner Ural Thomas’s remarkable rejuvenation. […]

A Pocketful of Happiness by Richard E Grant review – Tigger and his one true love | Autobiography and memoir

Richard E Grant with his late wife, Joan Washington, at a party in Richmond, London, in 2010

When Richard E Grant’s wife, Joan Washington, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer just before Christmas 2020, she didn’t really want anyone to know. “It won’t cure me!” she said. But Grant and their daughter, […]

‘Hold Me Tight’ review: Vicky Krieps holds drama together

Vicky Krieps in the movie "Hold Me Tight."

“Let’s start again.” The opening line of “Hold Me Tight” hits a little differently the second time around — and the movie, a jagged little heartbreaker from French writer-director Mathieu Amalric, is certainly built for […]

Smile review: A hard-hitting horror movie that puts a grin on your face

A woman smiling at a baby shower while younger children stand horrified in Smile

Polygon is on the ground at the 2022 Fantastic Fest, reporting on new horror, sci-fi, and action movies making their way to theaters and streaming. This review was published in conjunction with the film’s Fantastic […]

‘Catherine Called Birdy’ review: Lena Dunham’s instant teen classic

'Catherine Called Birdy' review: Lena Dunham's instant teen classic

Lena Dunham’s warm, lively adaptation of Karen Cushman’s 1994 historical novel, “Catherine, Called Birdy,” opens with a needle drop that references another classic teen movie. Misty Miller’s cover of the ’90s Supergrass tune “Alright” plays […]