Jack and the Beanstalk review – sass, sparkle and fee-fi-fo fun sock it to the baddies

Mubi has released the official trailer for 'My Father's Shadow,' an acclaimed film by Akinola Davies Jr. that premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a Special Mention Prize. The film, set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, follows two brothers as they navigate Lagos with their estranged father, highlighting themes of sacrifice and identity. It is set to debut in theaters in February 2026.

The Egg theatre in Bath has launched a new festive production titled 'Snow Mice!', featuring the beloved puppet character Snow Mouse, now multiplied for a new adventure aimed at children aged three to nine. This hour-long show continues the theatre's tradition of engaging holiday performances centered around curious animals, following previous successes like 'Midnight Mole' and 'Squirrel'.

The Soho Theatre in London hosted the debut play 'Private View' by Jess Edwards, featuring Patricia Allison and Stefanie Martini. The play explores themes of queer entanglement through a narrative that escalates from a chance encounter to an abusive relationship, reflecting on the complexities of codependence and coercion. Despite its ambition to illustrate entanglement theory, the play has been critiqued for its lack of romance and emotional depth.

The Emerald Storm, co-created by Adam Garcia, showcases a vibrant blend of Irish dance and tap at the Emerald Theatre in London. The performance features notable talents like Tom Ball and Bayley Graham, inviting audience participation through filming and a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a bar setting. The show is characterized by its energetic numbers, including viral songs, creating a dynamic entertainment experience.

Black Bear Pictures has released the first official trailer for the action thriller 'Shelter,' directed by Ric Roman Waugh and starring Jason Statham. The film follows an assassin who, while hiding from his past on a remote Scottish island, rescues a girl from the sea, leading to a series of dangerous events that force him to confront his turbulent history while protecting her. This film is set to be another exciting entry in Statham's filmography, following his recent works 'A Working Man' and 'The Beekeeper.'

Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, a Nigerian-British director, premiered her debut film, Dreamers, at the London film festival. The semi-autobiographical love story is set in an immigration detention centre and explores her experiences fleeing persecution in Nigeria. Gharoro-Akpojotor expressed vulnerability during the screening, feeling exposed as she shared her personal narrative with a home audience after its earlier premiere in Berlin.

A review of the play 'Ms Holmes and Ms Watson – Apt 2B' at the Arcola Theatre in London highlights its attempt to rework Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories with a gender-swapped twist. The narrative follows Joan Watson, played by Simona Brown, who partners with Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Lucy Farrett, in solving cases in a post-pandemic setting. Despite some promising elements, the production struggles with its comedic execution and overall purpose.

Actress Sonoya Mizuno is set to make her directorial debut with a project titled Stages, which is backed by Film4 and A24. The project is inspired by Mizuno's own dance background, having trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and danced in various ballet companies.