Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson looks at the latest UK box office figures, noting that World War 1 Oscars favorite 1917 is set to smash records while Will Smith's latest blockbuster Bad Boys for Life fails to live up to its predecessors. Bombshell and Just Mercy both give strong showings. For home viewing, James recommends comedy-drama The Farewell.
Guests: James Cameron Wilson
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Steve Caplin asks whether we should be worried about Chinese telecom manufacturer Huawei's plans to build part of the UK's 5G network following a warning from the US. Steve also takes a closer look at the latest car tech - something that's helped Elon Musk's Tesla to a whopping $100 billion valuation.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses ONS figures showing that non-EU exports are growing five times faster than those heading to the EU. He also turns his attention to the Middle East, wondering what might be the result of recent events involving Iran and looks at Oman, broker to the Iran nuclear deal, where the modernising Sultan has just died after ruling for 50 years. Lastly, he assesses the importance of the recently-deceased philosopher Sir Roger Scruton.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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James Cameron-Wilson examines the UK box office where the new #1 film is the awards-laden 1917 from Sir Sam Mendes. Little Women climbs to #2 while James also highlights Kristen Stewart's new film Seberg at a lowly #19 in the chart. He also reviews Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems although, being a Netflix movie, it has no chart ranking. For home release, he discusses Pedro Almodovar's Pain and Glory starring Antonio Banderas before touching on the staidness of the Oscar nominations.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: The Week That Was and The Week Ahead
Ian Forrest of The Share Centre looks at the recent GDP and inflation figures. He also examines company news from Associated British Foods, Whitbread, Boohoo and Persimmon. He then looks ahead to what we might expect from Easyjet, Burberry and Marston's.
Guests: Ian Forrest
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Steve Caplin looks at some of the weirdest ideas at the CES, including Segway's 24 mph armchair, augmented reality windscreens, a robotic chef that can't open the fridge and a loo-roll-fetching bear. He also covers a lung kit for snorkelers powered by the swimmer's legs; the Fingerbot for pressing buttons on dumb devices; the headphones that turn into loudspeakers; and how to get a VR theatre experience without leaving home.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator and author of the Groucho Tendency blog Mike Indian talks to Simon Rose about the political ramifications across Europe of the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. He looks at the various candidates vying for leadership of the Labour Party, how the process works and how the party might recover from its election defeat. And he discusses the different nature of Parliament with a new Speaker and a Conservative majority.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Steve Caplin looks at a lavatory intended to discourage employees from sitting there for long. He also covers Facebook banning deep fakes for the US election (but not shallow ones); Microsoft's new Xbox; breathalyser strips to test the skin rather than breath; robots painting white lines on motorways; how to stop your drink freezing while ice fishing; and reducing water use in showers.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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James Cameron-Wilson looks at the latest UK box office figures, finding grounds for optimism in the state of Britain's cinemas. In the charts, the new Star Wars film still rules the roost. Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen enters at #3 while Hitler satire Jojo Rabbit debuts at #5. For home viewing, James recommends Norwegian drama Phoenix.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: The Week That Was and The Week Ahead
Ian Forrest of The Share Centre looks at the impact on the stock market of the tensions between Iran and the United States. He looks at recent company news from Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Gregg's. Looking ahead, he tells us what we might expect from Boohoo, Taylor Wimpey, Whitbread and Associated British Foods.
Guests: Ian forrest
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