Joe Dante loves movies. That’s one of the defining qualities of his filmography. He made his debut 50 years ago with The Movie Orgy, a seven hour compilation film of clips from movies and tv. He later re-edited that film to ‘just’ four and a half hours, but it remains all but impossible to see. His debut proper was Hollywood Boulevard, in which he and co-director Alan Arkush parodied the experience of working for Roger Corman (the fictional company in...

Nigel Farage is among the favourites to replace Henry Bolton following Sunday’s vote of no-confidence for the current UKIP leader. The former leader was back in the limelight recently after he called for a second referendum on EU membership on TV show the Wright Stuff. Some people have taken that to mean that he is eyeing up a return to the political arena, and he's well priced at bookmakers Ladbrokes who have him at 4/1 to take the reins at the beleaguered nationalist party....

A van driver accused of ploughing into a crowd of Muslims leaving one man dead in a bid to kill as many of them as he could told police 'at least I had a proper go' , a court heard today (mon) Darren Osborne, 48, killed one man, 51-year-old Makram Ali, and injured others in Finsbury Park, north London, it was said. Mr Ali had collapsed on Seven Sisters Road and a group gathered to help in the early hours...

A shattered new mum was forced to sit in a hard chair for five hours immediately after giving birth - following 96 hours of no sleep. Saralee Jack, 31, spent four days wide awake struggling with contraction pains before giving birth to little Tommy Davies on 13 January. During the ordeal the full-time mum suffered days of immense pain while waiting for bed until midnight. The diabetic says she was also not given food and relied on the grandmother of...

An iconic blue police box is being used as a barber shop offering free haircuts and beard grooming for men who have been affected by homelessness. The bespoke police box, complete with electricity and running water, is rented from a private individual who gives community groups discounted rates. Customers also get free tea and coffee and gift bags of donated toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste. And Street Barber Edinburgh, which runs from Leith Walk Police Box on...

With dinner at Bob Bob Ricard, three things are almost guaranteed: a ubiquitous sense of occasion, an uncontrollable wave of excitement over the “Press for Champagne” button and all its photogenic glory, plus a cumbersome bill to finish. Just two weeks into 2018, however, it’s already proving to be a tough year for restaurants - with many having already closed or announced imminent closure. Earlier this month Galvin Bistrot De Luxe and Victor Garvey’s Encant announced their closure. The Jamie Oliver...

The presence of top restaurants can indicate an area where everything, including property, comes at a premium. But new research highlights nine options for London homebuyers with affordable property prices and top local restaurants. Research by Emoov found foodie areas in the capital where property is still below the borough’s average for potential homebuyers looking to invest in property near great dining without breaking the bank. Not surprisingly, many of the areas are based in the Southern and Eastern corners...

A wacky broadcaster who installed a 25-foot shark in the roof of his home is set to receive an award - from the council which fought to have it removed. Eccentric American Bill Heine, 73, will be presented with a Special Certificate of Merit by Oxford City Council in recognition of his contribution to the city. His fibre-glass installation in Headington, Oxon., could even be listed after a campaign was launched by a local councillor. Bill is only the fourth...

A desperate dog owner is going to extreme lengths to try and find his beloved pet - including hiring a helicopter and sleeping outdoors in woodland. Determined Stuart Smith, 46, has vowed nothing will stop him finding Kahn - a one year old Leonberger - who vanished in storms three months ago. He and his partner Sharron, 55, have put their life "on hold" until they are reunited with Kahn. In his bid to find his pet Stuart has climbed...