I am getting pretty excited about the release of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy in the UK on September 16th. And I'll tell you why...
Cast:
Gary Oldman
Mark Strong
Tom Hardy
Benedict Cumberbatch
Colin Firth
Ciaran Hinds
John Hurt
THAT'S why! Great big British acting brilliance! There is quite literally nothing wrong with that cast. And if you don't know who they are, shame on you. Google them all this instant!
Here's the trailer for you to enjoy...
TinkerTailerSoldierSpy (YouTube link)
Friday, 1 July 2011
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Music: Aloe Blacc, Good Things
I like that Aloe Blacc has given his album such an upbeat title. You might even be fooled into thinking that the songs are all about, well, good things. Oh well done Aloe. In fact, with his gorgeous melted chocolate voice, Aloe Blacc speaks his piece on unemployment, homelessness, alcoholism and twisted politicians. Good things! With the recession still resonating with listeners here and across the pond, the anthemic and tragic single, 'I Need a Dollar,' has been a huge hit all over. It's vaguely reminiscent of an old spiritual - a soulful protest song. 'Politician' is a funky fight song, while 'Hey Brother' features a wicked wah-wah slap bass. Good Things is a sort of homegrown, rootsy old-school funky soul record, which is safe enough not to ruffle too many feathers when you play it in your car.
With all of this in mind, I wasn't tempted to drown my sorrows or crawl back under the covers after listening to the album. Blacc's delicious voice, accompanied by some funky bass, cheerful trumpets and class-A 'shoopers', makes this a joy to hear. If anything, I was moved to utter a few 'amens' in solidarity with Blacc's struggles. He even borrows from Buffalo Springfield's 'Stop Children What's that Sound,' if you're a fan.
My rating: **** 4/5 stars
Reccommendation: Preach it, Aloe! You'll love this if you're a fan of soul, funk or the 50s-esque stylings of Amy Winehouse and friends.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Theatre: The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps
Cast: Andrew Alexander (understudy), Laura Rogers, Dermot Canavan, Sean Kearns
"4 cast members play 139 characters in 100 hilarious minutes!"
This is a gem of London theatre. Full of humour, excellent staging, wonderful voices and brilliant storytelling, this show had me quite literally crying with laughter from start to finish. It really is a ripping ride from London to Edinburgh, jumping from moving steam trains, darting through windows and never consuming more than a thumb of whisky.
Based on the Alfred Hitchcock classic, the unintentional hero, Richard Hannay (who Andrew Alexander plays uncannily like the dashing Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride...swoon!) must travel from his lonely bachelor pad in London to discover the 39 steps, aquit himself of murder and save England from a strange man with four and a half fingers. Hannay is charming, quick-witted, rather athletic and cut from very noble cloth. The other three cast members between them play more than 100 other bizarre and brilliant characters, sometimes simultaneously in one scene!
The dialogue is pacey. The staging is faultless. The sound effects are hysterical. The finale is quite simply ridiculous. I loved it.
My rating: ***** 5/5 stars.
Recommendation: See it. Then see it again. Then see it again. I defy you not to laugh every time.
Cast: Andrew Alexander (understudy), Laura Rogers, Dermot Canavan, Sean Kearns
"4 cast members play 139 characters in 100 hilarious minutes!"
This is a gem of London theatre. Full of humour, excellent staging, wonderful voices and brilliant storytelling, this show had me quite literally crying with laughter from start to finish. It really is a ripping ride from London to Edinburgh, jumping from moving steam trains, darting through windows and never consuming more than a thumb of whisky.
Based on the Alfred Hitchcock classic, the unintentional hero, Richard Hannay (who Andrew Alexander plays uncannily like the dashing Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride...swoon!) must travel from his lonely bachelor pad in London to discover the 39 steps, aquit himself of murder and save England from a strange man with four and a half fingers. Hannay is charming, quick-witted, rather athletic and cut from very noble cloth. The other three cast members between them play more than 100 other bizarre and brilliant characters, sometimes simultaneously in one scene!
The dialogue is pacey. The staging is faultless. The sound effects are hysterical. The finale is quite simply ridiculous. I loved it.
My rating: ***** 5/5 stars.
Recommendation: See it. Then see it again. Then see it again. I defy you not to laugh every time.
Friday, 20 May 2011
Books: The Alchemaster's Apprentice
Author: Walter Moers
Success! I have now read all but one of Walter Moers wildly imaginative jaunts in Zamonia, and it was a classic. In short, Echo is a Crat (yes, Crat) who, when faced with starvation, strikes up a bargain with a dangerous and sinister Alchemist called Ghoolion; in exchange for abundant and extravagant food and lodging, at the next full moon Echo must be boiled down for his fat. Of course.
The book is, of course, brimming with Moers' brand of description which so seamlessly blends scientific facts and completely imaginary nonsense. The Alchemaster treats the crat to the most wonderful array of the world's cuisine, as well as providing Echo with some out-of-body experiences under the influence of some rather powerful potions. Though the book seems to trundle along, taking in the sights and sounds of the Alchemaster's laboratory, the threads are gently being woven together and the final climactic scene is quite spectacular.
City of Dreaming Books is still my favourite Zamonian tale so far, but this one is pretty close. Funny, intruiging and mind-boggling bizarre, there really is no other storyteller like Moers.
My rating: **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: As a stand alone this is a great book, not mentioning too much of Zamonia's other stories and anecdotes. Definately start with Captain Bluebear if you want to get stuck into this guy's writing.
Friday, 13 May 2011
Films: The Illusionist (2010)
The Illusionist (2010)
Dir: Sylvain Chomet
Cast: Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin
The premise is simple. The old world of wonder and illusion is being cruelly overpowered by rock and roll, screaming girls and 'The Industry.' Old is good, new is bad.
The Illusionist is a dying breed and finds himself systematically rejected and chucked out of the grand concert halls of his hey-day and into grimy pubs and garden parties. With his grumpy rabbit, he trundles off to Scotland in search of work. Staying in a cosy pub in the highlands, he meets Alice, a little girl who truly believes in his magic. They set off on an adventure to the big city, where the illusionist is forced to beg and borrow in order to keep his little companion's dreams alive.
The film is simultaneously beautiful and tragic. The characters are over-exaggerated caricatures of reality, but somehow believable. However, it is the artwork in the animations which demands the greatest praise. The scenery is incredibly detailed - almost real in many scenes. The film is virtually silent, with very little dialogue and no soudtrack to speak of. But there is great power and storytelling in the movements, actions, colours and images that play out on screen.
My rating **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: This is a genuinely engaging animation, but if you are not a fan of ciné or prefer your characters to garble Sorkin-esque dialogue, then this is probably not your bag.
Dir: Sylvain Chomet
Cast: Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin
The premise is simple. The old world of wonder and illusion is being cruelly overpowered by rock and roll, screaming girls and 'The Industry.' Old is good, new is bad.
The Illusionist is a dying breed and finds himself systematically rejected and chucked out of the grand concert halls of his hey-day and into grimy pubs and garden parties. With his grumpy rabbit, he trundles off to Scotland in search of work. Staying in a cosy pub in the highlands, he meets Alice, a little girl who truly believes in his magic. They set off on an adventure to the big city, where the illusionist is forced to beg and borrow in order to keep his little companion's dreams alive.
The film is simultaneously beautiful and tragic. The characters are over-exaggerated caricatures of reality, but somehow believable. However, it is the artwork in the animations which demands the greatest praise. The scenery is incredibly detailed - almost real in many scenes. The film is virtually silent, with very little dialogue and no soudtrack to speak of. But there is great power and storytelling in the movements, actions, colours and images that play out on screen.
My rating **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: This is a genuinely engaging animation, but if you are not a fan of ciné or prefer your characters to garble Sorkin-esque dialogue, then this is probably not your bag.
Eurovision, baby!
I should be there. I should be in Dusseldorf right now, drinking some Liebfraumilch and eating Schweinebraten and Spaetzle. But I'm not. No, I am in Hatfield drinking flat coke and eating an Aero lamb. I'm not bitter that at the very we clicked 'Purchase Tickets' some other goon was doing exactly the same thing with, apparently, a milli-second of an edge on us. No, not at all.
And now, just to rub salt in the wound, this is looking to be one of the best Eurovisions for years. Yes, I use the term 'best' lightly. So, for those of you sad enough to care (I am literally like a child going to Disneyland!), here is my list of the top ten to watch out for. Click on the song for a link to the YouTube video. Enjoy:
HUNGARY - Kati Wolf, What about my Dreams?
Kati is very smiley, and she teeters around in a teeny blue dress on big heels. It's a catchy tune, though, and the epitome of Eurovision. Bookies are backing this one!
AZERBAIJAN - Ell and Nikki, Running Scared
Well, the English lyrics are questionable, but the chorus gets right in your head.
ICELAND - Sjonni's Friends, Coming Home
This is a very happy song with brilliant brass and a lot of smiley middle aged men, but actually has a very sad story behind it. No sobbing at Eurovision!
FRANCE - Amaury Vassilli, Sognu
Just for kicks, let's throw a male tenor into the mix! France's answer to Josh Groban seems very sweet and has a spectacular set of pipes, but is Europe ready for opera?
UNITED KINGDOM - Blue, I Can
Things are looking good for the UK because this isn't too bad. I would even bet we'll get more than "nil points!" We can't win, though - we spent all the money on the Olympics and the Queen!
SWEDEN - Eric Saade, Popular
Hello Sweden! It's got a good dance and Eric is, well, beautiful. Completely unsingable tune, though. I'll give him 12 points just if he manages to sing it all in tune live!
FINLAND - Paradise Oskar, Da Da Dum
This cute little eco tune will be on film soundtracks and adverts before you know it. Very sweet and singable, this would be a welcome change from the ESC's usual big hair, big heels, big pyros winner!
ROMANIA - Hotel FM, Change
It's like a new Cliff Richard has risen from the ashes of a Romanian orphanage. No seriously, this band is fronted by a very Northern man called Dave, who moved out there as a missionary (go Dave!!), met his wife and stayed there. It's cheesy, smiley, fun and just made for the ESC.
DENMARK - A Friend in London, New Tomorrow
This is one of my favourites. Not incredibly Eurovision-y but the front man has remarkable hair and it sticks right in your head all day long. It's anthemic pop-rock - what's not to love?!
and finally...
IRELAND - Jedward, Lipstick
I hate that Jedward have tainted Eurovision with their stupid hair, inability to sing, annoying vioces and even more infuriating faces. But, this song was made for the ESC. Dammit.
There you go. I think it's worth pointing out here that there are some other notable acts (Estonia, Russia, Switzerland, Serbia and Georgia all have the legs) ready to camp it up. And, of course, look out for the joke entrants Moldova (wearing enormous hats) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (an old guy and some very suspect dancing). So, get your face paints out, cook up some bratwurst and get ready for the biggest, campest, most star-spangled x-factor bootcamp you've ever seen.
www.eurovision.tv/
www.youtube.com/user/eurovision
And now, just to rub salt in the wound, this is looking to be one of the best Eurovisions for years. Yes, I use the term 'best' lightly. So, for those of you sad enough to care (I am literally like a child going to Disneyland!), here is my list of the top ten to watch out for. Click on the song for a link to the YouTube video. Enjoy:
HUNGARY - Kati Wolf, What about my Dreams?
Kati is very smiley, and she teeters around in a teeny blue dress on big heels. It's a catchy tune, though, and the epitome of Eurovision. Bookies are backing this one!
AZERBAIJAN - Ell and Nikki, Running Scared
Well, the English lyrics are questionable, but the chorus gets right in your head.
ICELAND - Sjonni's Friends, Coming Home
This is a very happy song with brilliant brass and a lot of smiley middle aged men, but actually has a very sad story behind it. No sobbing at Eurovision!
FRANCE - Amaury Vassilli, Sognu
Just for kicks, let's throw a male tenor into the mix! France's answer to Josh Groban seems very sweet and has a spectacular set of pipes, but is Europe ready for opera?
UNITED KINGDOM - Blue, I Can
Things are looking good for the UK because this isn't too bad. I would even bet we'll get more than "nil points!" We can't win, though - we spent all the money on the Olympics and the Queen!
SWEDEN - Eric Saade, Popular
Hello Sweden! It's got a good dance and Eric is, well, beautiful. Completely unsingable tune, though. I'll give him 12 points just if he manages to sing it all in tune live!
FINLAND - Paradise Oskar, Da Da Dum
This cute little eco tune will be on film soundtracks and adverts before you know it. Very sweet and singable, this would be a welcome change from the ESC's usual big hair, big heels, big pyros winner!
ROMANIA - Hotel FM, Change
It's like a new Cliff Richard has risen from the ashes of a Romanian orphanage. No seriously, this band is fronted by a very Northern man called Dave, who moved out there as a missionary (go Dave!!), met his wife and stayed there. It's cheesy, smiley, fun and just made for the ESC.
DENMARK - A Friend in London, New Tomorrow
This is one of my favourites. Not incredibly Eurovision-y but the front man has remarkable hair and it sticks right in your head all day long. It's anthemic pop-rock - what's not to love?!
and finally...
IRELAND - Jedward, Lipstick
I hate that Jedward have tainted Eurovision with their stupid hair, inability to sing, annoying vioces and even more infuriating faces. But, this song was made for the ESC. Dammit.
There you go. I think it's worth pointing out here that there are some other notable acts (Estonia, Russia, Switzerland, Serbia and Georgia all have the legs) ready to camp it up. And, of course, look out for the joke entrants Moldova (wearing enormous hats) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (an old guy and some very suspect dancing). So, get your face paints out, cook up some bratwurst and get ready for the biggest, campest, most star-spangled x-factor bootcamp you've ever seen.
www.eurovision.tv/
www.youtube.com/user/eurovision
Monday, 2 May 2011
Films: StarShip
Starship (Star Kid productions)
Dir: Matt Lang
Cast: Joey Richter, Lauren Lopez, Joe Walker, Joe Moses, Dylan Saunders, Meredith Stepien, Brant Cox, Brian Holden...
The show is about a bug called Bug, who has higher aspirations than being a lowly egg-planter or doomed to serve as 'nutrition' for the Overqueen. Bug wants to be a StarShip Ranger, the coolest, most badass guys and girls surfing through space. But he isn't a human. And that's a problem. However, when a group of rangers end up in BugWorld, Bug finds that he has more in common with his StarShip heroes than he thinks.
It is fair to say that StarKid Productions have certainly kicked it up a notch for this show. That's a joke that you'll get when you watch it. The script, staging and music are all better. Not to mention the puppetry which blends perfectly into the action. The new StarKids are all worthy members of the team, particularly Meredith Stepien, who plays super-cyborg Mega Girl.
Massive props must be given to Joey Richter who has risen from his Ron Weasley days a better singer and actor (I know, impossible, right?!) and, my goodness me, even more hot! My absolute favourites in this show though are three StarKid old timers - Lauren Lopez (who is hilarious as a badass mexican), Joe Walker (he's got no balls, but he's got heart!), and Dylan Saunders (who plays both an insanely sweet simpleton, and a terrifyingly sexy evil super villain. And Saunders gets the shows best songs, with the exception of Bug's anthemic 'I wanna be a Starship Ranger!'
The songs and characters might not be instantly as memorable as those from the Potter musicals, but rest assured, Starship is going to reel in some massive hits on YouTube from its dedicated (and in some cases, oddly obsessive) fan base. Go be one of them!
My Rating: **** A few bum choices for singers (seriously, February?!) but over all, a StarKid marvel!
Recommendation: At 3.5hrs it's a commitment but hang in there for some vintage Joe Walker and Joey Richter in Act 2...
You can read about my slightly unhinged dedication to the starkid cause on my other blog, here.
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