Why you can trust 12DOVE
What has Tina Turner ever done to Brenda Blethyn? The question has to be asked after watching Blethyn inflict grievous bodily harm on ‘Nutbush City Limits’ in Cherie Nowlan’s Aussie comedy drama. Then again, that’s the least of the actress’ crimes in this tale of a blousy English comedienne whose disintegrating career on Sydney’s cabaret circuit sees her take out her frustrations on her virginal son (Khan Chittenden) and his retarded brother (The Proposition’s Richard Wilson). Better material would definitely have helped proceedings – and we’re not just talking about Blethyn’s man-bashing stand-up act (which Jo Brand apparently had a hand in writing). No, it’s Keith Thompson’s script that struggles here, his sub-Little Voice histrionics leaving next to nothing for the cast to work with. As for Blethyn... well, let’s just say a little Brenda goes a long way.
The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.

"Should JRPGs be considered a distinct genre?": Lunar icon Kei Shigema reflects on the genre with new remasters on the way and how RPGs have changed 33 years later

24 years later, RuneScape gets its own survival game – RuneScape: Dragonwilds turns the MMO into a co-op game with RPG juice and Valheim energy, and it's out this year

The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and more