From Jon Snow: a last big story to muse: the week in rave reviews

This week, we look at some of the top culture highlights. Former Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow has made a new documentary about his recent Alzheimer's diagnosis. However, during his filming, he discovered a major story about a catastrophe in Zambia that had not received enough attention. His journalistic instincts kicked in, and he decided to investigate this under-reported event.

The documentary is described as intelligent and gentle, showing respect for Snow's career and personal dignity while honestly addressing the difficult emotions and pain associated with Alzheimer's disease. Critics have praised it as a fitting final piece for the respected journalist, if it is indeed his last major work. Another show highlighted is I Kissed a Girl, a fun and popular queer dating show that the BBC cancelled. Critics argue that shows like this are important for discussing vital topics within the LGBTQ+ community and should be supported by public broadcasters.

In television, the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, is finally finding its feet after a shaky start. The latest season is said to be epic, skillfully mixing large-scale battles with intense personal scenes where power dynamics shift and characters' flaws are exposed. Also, the award-winning show The Bear, about a chef trying to run a chaotic restaurant, has concluded its season with many kitchen disasters and, surprisingly, more comedy than usual. The finale features numerous problems, from bad weather to plumbing issues and staff meltdowns, but the team's success in overcoming them brings a sense of triumph.

In film, Blue Heron is a quiet but powerful debut about a Hungarian immigrant family in 1990s Canada dealing with childhood trauma and oppositional defiant disorder. It's praised for its unshowy approach, confiding its dramatic and tragic events to the viewer with intimacy. On a more action-packed note, Supergirl offers a lively start for the new DC character, and The Furious is an exhilarating martial arts film where a father hunts down his daughter's kidnappers. The classic action film A Better Tomorrow from 1986 is also featured, known for its dramatic moments and spectacular action scenes.

In music, the band Muse has released The Wow! Signal, an epic album about extraterrestrial life. The reviewer notes its blend of dramatic sounds, like organ music and choirs, and calls it scenery-chewingly preposterous yet nuanced. The album is admired for its commitment to its unique, over-the-top style. Other music highlights include Candomblé: Sacred Rhythms in Brazil, which remakes ceremonial drumming for the dancefloor, and Downtown Boys' Public Luxury, a joyful punk album with political messages. Classical music fans can enjoy new recordings of Elgar and Dvořák's Cello Concertos, praised for their thoughtful interpretations.

Finally, in books, Cory Doctorow's The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI offers an urgent warning about the economics of big tech. Other notable books include The Family Man, a detailed study of a shocking murder case, and Awake Awake, a story about unreliable memories. Kin tells the intertwined lives of two motherless girls in 1950s America, and Dangerous, Dirty, Violent & Young recounts growing up in a family of radical activists on the run.