The Lost City Review

Posted by RCNTV on April 1, 2022 · Leave a Comment 

The Plot

A bereaved romance writer gets reluctantly thrown into an exotic real life adventure alongside her handsome cover model when an eccentric tycoon becomes convinced her latest novel is the key to uncovering real life treasure in the ruins of a mythical lost city on a remote private island.

The Good

The Lost City is unapologetically silly fun of the highest calibre that delivers consistent laughs thanks to a perfectly playful script and a terrific line up of acting talent.

Hollywood icon Sandra Bullock successfully adds yet another memorable romantic adventure to her glittering cinematic cv. This latest romp as an introverted author dragged into an adventure quite literally ripped from the pages of her own book, takes its place proudly alongside Bullock’s most beloved work. She pairs effortlessly well with the films embarrassing riches of leading men, with Daniel Radcliffe, Brad Pitt and most especially Channing Tatum.

Channing Tatum has spent much of his career perfecting his unique brand of legitimately handsome swagger and amiable idiocy. It’s an absolutely ideal fit for this role. There’s endless joy to be found in Tatum’s surprisingly sweet natured male model and his enthusiastically fumbling attempts at real life dashing heroism. Tatum’s brilliant buffoonery makes him quite literally the butt of many of the film’s best jokes. Routinely sacrificing his own dignity to ensure audiences’ get the greatest giggles.

Brad Pitt indisputably remains one of Hollywood’s most compelling leading men, but in The Lost City he is on astonishingly good ‘scene stealing’ form. As the ruggedly heroic Jack Trainer, Pitt injects some authentic action into proceedings and serves as an absolutely perfect comedic counterpoint to Tatum’s hapless but well intentioned model. Pitt’s own uniquely golden aura as a Hollywood superstar gives his character an even more hilariously impressive charisma. Making the absurd contrast between his ruthlessly efficient Special Forces vet and Tatum’s fumbling well-groomed wannabe even more entertaining.  In truth, not since Tom Cruise’s infamous appearance in Tropic Thunder has an unexpectedly A-List supporting turn so magnificently improved an already great comedy.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe clearly also delights in embracing his darker side as he revels in providing the film with a suitably grand pantomime villain. Bearded and immaculately suited his treasure hunting tycoon is an effective blend of well-spoken awkwardness and sneering intensity. Providing just enough genuine menace to propel the plot convincingly. A clumsier comedian would likely have taken the role too far and drowned out other performances by being too suffocatingly flamboyant. But Radcliffe wisely plays the part with enough sincerity to allow him to still play the ‘straight man’ when the film requires.

The end result of this smorgasbord of acting greatness is a film that exceeds expectations as a delightful does of hilarious high adventure. Poking gentle fun at pulp fiction page turners The Lost City captures many of the very best qualities of the eternally popular romance genre. The film is affectionate rather than acerbic and sincere instead of sarcastic, allowing audiences to revel in the good natured glee.  Making it a delightful rare treat with truly re-watchable charm.

The Bad

Much like the guilty pleasure romance novels the film playfully mocks, there is a certain level of predictability to its’ plot. The film treads mostly familiar paths towards obviously expected conclusions. However that really shouldn’t diminish the joy most audiences will undeniably have along the way.

It’s also fair to say that this is a romantic comedy that leans heavily upon its’ comedic charms rather than offering any especially steamy romantic chemistry. Even when the film does deploy Tatum’s famously well chiselled physique it’s exclusively played for laughs. Likewise the playful banter between him and Bullock tickles funny bones but rarely comes close to tugging meaningfully on any actual heartstrings. Providing plenty of giggles but little opportunity for those who want to be swept of their feet with swoon.

The Ugly Truth

The Lost City is a riotously funny ride that takes full advantage of an amazing a-list cast on top comedic form. Self-aware, sharply satirical and satisfyingly silly it’s the perfect antidote to the real world woes of 2022. Packed with memorable moments it’s a glorious haul of comedy gold that deserves to be enjoyed on the big screen.

Category ARTICLES · Tags:

BAFTA TV Awards 2022 Nominations List

Posted by RCNTV on March 30, 2022 · Leave a Comment 

Here is the list of nominees in the main categories at this year’s Bafta Television Awards.

The winners of the Bafta Craft Awards will be announced on 24 April, with the winners of the main Bafta TV Awards revealed at a ceremony on 8 May.

Leading actress

  • Denise Gough, Too Close – ITV
  • Emily Watson, Too Close – ITV
  • Jodie Comer, Help – Channel 4
  • Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown – Sky Atlantic
  • Lydia West, It’s A Sin – Channel 4
  • Niamh Algar, Deceit – Channel 4

Leading actor

  • David Thewlis, Landscapers – Sky Atlantic
  • Hugh Quarshie, Stephen – ITV
  • Olly Alexander, It’s A Sin – Channel 4
  • Samuel Adewunmi, You Don’t Know Me – BBC One
  • Sean Bean, Time – BBC One
  • Stephen Graham, Help – Channel 4

Supporting actress

  • Cathy Tyson, Help – Channel 4
  • Céline Buckens, Showtrial – BBC One
  • Emily Mortimer, The Pursuit of Love – BBC One
  • Jessica Plummer, The Girl Before – BBC One
  • Leah Harvey, Foundation – Apple TV+
  • Tahirah Sharif, The Tower – ITV

Supporting actor

  • Callum Scott Howells, It’s A Sin – Channel 4
  • David Carlyle, It’s A Sin – Channel 4
  • Matthew Macfadyen, Succession – Sky Atlantic
  • Nonso Anozie, Sweet Tooth – Netflix
  • Omari Douglas, It’s A Sin – Channel 4
  • Stephen Graham, Time – BBC One

Entertainment performance

  • Alison Hammond, I Can See Your Voice – BBC One
  • Big Zuu, Big Zuu’s Big Eats – Dave
  • Graham Norton, The Graham Norton Show – BBC One
  • Joe Lycett, Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back – Channel 4
  • Michael McIntyre, Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel – BBC One
  • Sean Lock, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown – Channel 4

Male performance in a comedy programme

  • Jamie Demetriou, Stath Lets Flats – Channel 4
  • Joe Gilgun, Brassic – Sky Max
  • Ncuti Gatwa, Sex Education – Netflix
  • Samson Kayo, Bloods – Sky One
  • Steve Coogan, This Time with Alan Partridge – BBC One
  • Tim Renkow, Jerk – BBC Three

Female performance in a comedy programme

  • Aimee Lou Wood, Sex Education – Netflix
  • Aisling Bea, This Way Up – Channel 4
  • Anjana Vasan, We Are Lady Parts – Channel 4
  • Natasia Demetriou, Stath Lets Flats – Channel 4
  • Rose Matafeo, Starstruck – BBC Three
  • Sophie Willan, Alma’s Not Normal – BBC Two

Drama series

  • In My Skin – BBC Three
  • Manhunt: The Night Stalker – ITV
  • Unforgotten – ITV
  • Vigil – BBC One

Single drama

  • Death of England: Face to Face – Sky Arts
  • Help – Channel 4
  • I Am Victoria – Channel 4
  • Together – BBC Two

Mini-series

  • It’s A Sin – Channel 4
  • Landscapers – Sky Atlantic
  • Stephen – ITV
  • Time – BBC One

Soap and continuing drama

  • Casualty – BBC One
  • Coronation Street – ITV
  • Emmerdale – ITV
  • Holby City – BBC One

International

  • Call My Agent! – Netflix
  • Lupin – Netflix
  • Mare of Easttown – Sky Atlantic
  • Squid Game – Netflix
  • Succession – Sky Atlantic
  • The Underground Railroad – Amazon Prime

Entertainment programme

  • An Audience With Adele – ITV
  • Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway – ITV
  • Life & Rhymes – Sky Arts
  • Strictly Come Dancing – BBC One

Comedy entertainment programme

  • The Graham Norton Show – BBC One
  • The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan – Channel 4
  • Race Around Britain – YouTube
  • The Ranganation – BBC Two

Scripted comedy

  • Alma’s Not Normal – BBC Two
  • Motherland – Channel 4
  • Stath Lets Flats – Channel 4
  • We Are Lady Parts – Channel 4

Features

  • Big Zuu’s Big Eats – Dave
  • Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing – BBC Two
  • Sort Your Life Out – BBC One
  • The Great British Sewing Bee – BBC One

Daytime

  • The Chase – ITV
  • Moneybags – Channel 4
  • Richard Osman’s House of Games – BBC Two
  • Steph’s Packed Lunch – Channel 4

Must-see moment

  • An Audience With Adele, Adele’s surprised by the teacher who changed her life – ITV
  • I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Ant and Dec dig at Downing Street’s lockdown parties – ITV
  • It’s A Sin, Colin’s devastating Aids diagnosis – Channel 4
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, UK Hun? – Bimini’s verse – BBC Three
  • Squid Game, Red Light, Green Light game – Netflix
  • Strictly Come Dancing, Rose and Giovanni’s silent dance to Symphony – BBC One

Current affairs

  • Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin (Exposure) – ITV
  • Four Hours At The Capitol – BBC Two
  • The Men Who Sell Football (Al Jazeera Investigations) – Al Jazeera English
  • Trump Takes On The World – BBC Two

Single documentary

  • 9/11: Inside The President’s War Room – BBC One
  • Grenfell: The Untold Story – Channel 4
  • My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years In Afghanistan – ITV
  • Nail Bomber: Man Hunt – Netflix

Factual series

  • The Detectives: Fighting Organised Crime – BBC Two
  • 9/11: One Day In America – National Geographic
  • Undercover Police: Hunting Paedophiles – Channel 4
  • Uprising – BBC One

Reality and constructed factual

  • Gogglebox – Channel 4
  • Married At First Sight UK – E4
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – BBC Three
  • The Dog House – Channel 4

Specialist factual

  • Black Power: A British Story of Resistance – BBC Two
  • Freddie Mercury: The Final Act – BBC Two
  • The Missing Children – ITV
  • Silenced: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain – BBC Two

News coverage

  • Channel 4 News: Black To Front – Channel 4
  • Good Morning Britain: Shamima Begum – ITV
  • ITV News At Ten: Storming of the Capitol – ITV
  • Sky News: Afghanistan: Endgame – Sky News

Sport

  • The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Sky Sports Formula 1
  • ITV Racing: The Grand National – ITV
  • Tokyo 2020 Olympics – BBC One
  • Uefa Euro 2020 Semi-Final: England v Denmark – ITV

Live event

  • The Brit Awards 2021 – ITV
  • The Earthshot Prize 2021 – BBC One
  • The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance – BBC One
  • Springwatch 2021 – BBC Two

Short-form programme

  • Hollyoaks Saved My Life (Hollyoaks IRL) – YouTube
  • Our Land – Together TV
  • People You May Know – Financial Times
  • Please Help – BBC Three

Writer: Comedy

  • Nathan Bryon and Paul Doolan, Bloods – Sky One
  • Nida Manzoor, We Are Lady Parts – Channel 4
  • Stephen Merchant and Emma Jane Unsworth, The Outlaws – BBC One
  • Sophie Willan, Alma’s Not Normal – BBC Two

Writer: Drama

  • Jack Thorne, Help – Channel 4
  • Jesse Armstrong, Succession – Sky Atlantic
  • Kayleigh Llewellyn, In My Skin – BBC Three
  • Russell T Davies, It’s A Sin – Channel 4

Category ARTICLES · Tags: