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FILM PICK: WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES
Though unlikely to be the last we hear from our new simian overlords, the final entry in the rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy is the bleakest yet, but still gets the popcorn shaking. Andy Serkis's Caesar, having spent the previous film preaching peace, is now on a quest upriver for vengeance on Woody Harrelson's unhinged Colonel. If that sounds a wee bit Apocalypse Now, that's because it is, except in the Rockies. That's a deep pond to step in, but the fact a film essentially about cartoon apes doesn't totally humiliate itself in the process is a real achievement, and another of the pleasant surprises this franchise is adept at delivering. Times
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MAXIMUM DOODLING
We've got a feeling the back of Dan Lloyd's maths textbook packed a rather more impressive punch than our own in the sketching stakes. Fast forward an undisclosed number of years and mose78, as he's known in the Brum art world, has turned graffiti into a full-time endeavour. Part of the Distorted Minds Crew who rocked Centrala earlier this year, the Brummie was commissioned together with VoidOne and Craug to cover an entire studio in doodle style artwork. Over nine hours, the triplet covered the walls, floor, ceiling and even the sofa. Here's how it went down in 3 mins. Find mose78 producing live artwork on July 15.
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WIN: A CANAL TRIP AND DIN-DINS FOR YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES
We're good to you. And by "we" we really mean the people we work with. And by "the people we work with" we really mean the newest bar and restaurant on the Brum scene, The Canal House. The second venue from the New Word Trading Company (the people behind The Botanist) is offering one of you lovelies the chance to be a bona fide office hero. If you win you'll be picked up by barge with 13 of your colleagues, for a trip down the canal with a drinks reception on deck. You'll then be dropped off at The Canal House for a masterclass and slap-up dinner. Aptly based in Brindleyplace at the former James Brindley pub on Bridge Street, by Gas Street Basin (pictured), the new venue will honour the life, work and spirit of the 18th Century master canal engineer. To be in with a chance of winning, head here and enter a valid work email address before July 21. One entrant will be chosen at random and notified by I Choose Birmingham during the week commencing July 31. The prize is valid for Friday, August 11 only and other T&C apply.
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Venue: The Keg & Grill, 52 Upper Gough St, B1 1JL; website
Choice: Lamb chop masala (£10.95) Chooser: Bar man
If you're looking for an old school British pub, with original Victorian features in which to while away a full day's supping, the Keg & Grill absolutely isn't for you. Handsome, this venue is not. However, when the food arrives you'll look past the dated carpet, granny furniture and student union paint job. These minor details matter not when the taste is this tip-top. Though the sizzling grills are the restaurant's headline (you don't need to go large on this, regular will suffice for two), it's a spellbinding main that surprised and delighted us, a rare feat being as we've been eating Indian food for 37 years, three months and 16 days. The lamb chops masala is a dish we're going to bore others about from today right to our death bed. Because doctors like curry too. Landing itself in the Venn diagram sweet spot between saucy and dry, the messiest of meaty experiences was rich and warming and conversation-terminatingly good. We'd rank this alongside Imlees incredible Karrara Gosht as one of the deepest and most delicious desi dishes in the city. Menu
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