M (Judi Dench) is nothing if not pragmatic. Before the opening credits of Skyfall have even rolled, she has allowed not one, but two of her…

According to the Romans, ‘bread and circuses’ were the key to keeping a population content. As long as their immediate physical…

Vincent Van Gogh is now a solid fixture in our cultural vocabulary. I need only mention sunflowers or a bandaged ear to conjure up his life…

Michael Ots considers the question of self-image and asks what is the value of any human being. The talk lasts about 30 mins and is…

In The Writing on the Wall, Maggi Dawn sets about doing what John Stott called "double listening" – "it means that we’re called…

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a very unusual sort of criminal. Along with the pragmatic Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), he is paid to…

Vampires are currently one of the biggest phenomena in popular culture. They are central to hit television series like True Blood, Being…

‘You can live your life without limitations and become anyone you want to be.’ Disease and injury, ageing and ugliness, death…

Big Mike walks as though every step is an effort. Head and shoulders taller and a good few inches broader than everyone he passes, dressed…