To begin with, Lauren Beukes had an idea so perfectly simple it sounds like an elevator pitch: "time-travelling serial killer".

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Video: Pilot season gets a very modern makeover

First Netflix created its own on-demand drama series, now Amazon-owned LoveFilm is piloting 14 would-be shows. Are we watching the future?

Saif Ali Khan in Go Goa Gone

Go Goa Gone: Bollywood makes slew of zombie movies

Bollywood is branching out from its traditional song-and-dance dramas and slapstick comedies with its first zombie films which filmmakers hope will entice younger crowds back to Indian films from Hollywood's living dead.

The Village: Grace (MAXINE PEAKE), John (JOHN SIMM), Young Bert (BILL JONES), Joe (NICO MIRALLEGRO)

The Village writer Peter Moffat: It's vital not to imbue period dramas with a Ready Brek glow

One of the country's most prominent screenwriters has complained that British period dramas too often disregard the lives of ordinary people.

What's worse than finding a mouse in your flat?

Student houses aren’t always in the best nick, but vermin aren’t the only things you need to worry about. Eleanor Doughty discovered the one thing worse than finding a mouse behind her dresser...

Film review: Neighbouring Sounds (15)

The Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho has made a haunting and enigmatic feature debut in Neighbouring Sounds. For much of its running time it plays like a weird soap opera without a plot. Set in the middle-class suburb of Recife on the northeastern coast of Brazil, it casually depicts routines of humdrum domestic life that nevertheless imply some sinister meaning beneath. What it is will not be revealed until almost the last scene.

DVD review: Room 237

Was The Shining Stanley Kubrick's way of admitting that he faked footage of the Apollo moon landings?

Auti-Sim’s distorted images and sounds attempt to show what it’s like to live with autism

What it’s like to live with autism: new simulation Auti-Sim gives mother a sense of her daughter's life

I spend a lot of time wondering what life is really like for my daughter, who has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. Watching her navigate the day-to-day is one thing: comprehending the sources of her meltdowns and frequent distress from the inside is something else entirely.

Last night's viewing: Louie, Fox; The Following, Sky Atlantic

For most British viewers, Louie’s reputation will have long preceded the thing itself. It runs something like this: groundbreaking low-budget comedy, impeccably free of interference from the suits and trading on the poor schlub candour of its online begetter – Louis CK, a comedian of cult standing.

Simonsig is set for a first test on heavy ground at Ascot today

Simonsig faces 'horrible' debut in transition to Festival fences

Conditions could hardly be more inimical to the brilliance that identified Simonsig as the outstanding novice hurdler of last season when he turns his attention to fences at Ascot this afternoon.

Manchester Police target 'Mr Bigs' of organised crime in dawn raids

Police have launched a series of early morning raids against the “Mr Bigs” of organised crime.

Not such a green and pleasant land after all...

New film Sightseers shows rural Britain at its creepiest, says Ellen E Jones

Not such a green and pleasant land after all...

New film Sightseers shows rural Britain at its creepiest

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James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats
Giro d'Italia: The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

As the Giro d'Italia tackles the brutal climb, Simon Usborne takes on the snow and switchbacks – and soon realises what the fuss is about
National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

Sent down at the Old Bailey

A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal

British football scores an own goal

Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again