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Based on the book by Witi Imaera and directed by Niki Caro. This is a beautiful story of clash between the traditional and the modern. It is hard not to fall in love with this film explaining some of New Zealand's Maori culture. After the line of male descends is broken, a search is undertook by Pai for next leader. A young girl played by an amazing performance by Keisha-Castle Hughes on her first performance, trying to deal with her grandfather's rejection and her struggle to fur fill her destiny. This is an astatically pleasing piece of work and considering that it was done on a shoestring budget one cannot but be awed by a thoroughly wonderful, uplifting spiritual, magical story. Niki Caro lovingly strands and weaves Witi Ihimaera's story. Along with Lisa Gerrard's hauntingly beautiful accompanying soundtrack this is a joy to watch. If you cannot fall in love with this film, I would imagine you either have no concept of the word or will never know such things.

 

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Gilda

Starring sex bomb of the time Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford in intertwined narrative between Gilda, Jonny and Mr. Mundson. That sizzling, dazzling performance from Rita as she sings "Put The blame on me" along with the strip tease to annoying Jonny more than anything. The story is complex and both Jonny and Gilda's past come back to hunt them (in the form of each other). Both tell Mr. Mundsone that they are "No past and all future!" Jonny is angry to see Gild back on the scene breaking up his somewhat homosexual toned relationship with Mr.Munson. Gilda and Jonny have a love hate relationship and as Mr.Mundson points out that "hate is a powerful emotion can you feel it Gilda" Again this is essential for anyone interested in film (or obsessed with Rita Hayworth) and is a reminder how great she was till she went blonde and married Orson Wells.

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Some Like It Hot

A bordering on camp, tempo screwball comedy that lives up to its name. When two musicians witness a mob style killing they go on the run as to woman in an all girl jazz band. Already they are in a jam. To make things worse one of our heroes falls for the lovely Josephine (Marylyn Monroe). It is nearly fifty years old, but still packs quite a laugh and perhaps Marilyn Monroe's best work. She seemed to nail that ditsy comedy needed for the film, all adding to the screwball nature of it. Throughout history there have been many attempts at comedy, screwball style (there it is again) and no one has ever came close to Some Like It Hot. This is an essential in every DVD collection.

 

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The Lion In Winter

An Academy award film, yet it needs no trophies to justify its greatness. A film literally at the "cutting" edge of dialogue along with performances from some of the best actors. Set in Christmas 1183 around the rule of Henry II he is about to announce his successor. However the ever-scheming Elonor of Aqatine played by the great Katharine Hepburn does her up most to see her favorite son Richard to the throne .A cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton and Jane Merrow is quite some ensemble. This is a film to thoroughly enjoy and a feast to the senses. The sparring that takes place is cutting, witty, backbiting ad very enjoyable. The only thing to say is sees it!

 

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Lost In Translation

To pick one of Bill Murrey's films was a nightmare they are all good and very hilarious. He seems to have mastered a niche and place where no there actor exists. Almost dry, self-mocking wit. Other films like The Life Aquatic and The Royal Tenembaums where on my list but I just had to pick Lost in Translation. The feeling of being in a foreign city, massively build up with millions of people the feeling of isolation and identity crisis. That is something most of us at some stage of our lives can relate to. Bob and Charlotte make a connection in the busy modern city of Tokyo. The thing is there is no actual sex or such like it is all in the glances that they exchange. Charlotte tells Bob she does not know what to do with her life … Bob responds, " You'll figure it out". The sense of being lost is really underlined. Anyhow if anyone has figured out what bobs whispered to Charlotte in the final scene please for the love god let me know.

 

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Goldfrapp

Goldfrapp- Supernature
I can honestly say I have been following the exploits of theses guys all the way back to felt mountain. Black cherry was an orgasmic piece of stiletto, sexy, seductive electronic joy. Supernature does not let down. Looking back, Goldfrapp have evolved a lot. From slow songs such as horse tears to the glam beat 0n this album of Oh La La. This is such a pleasurable album. There is a good mix of the electronic to the glam. However in an area not renowned for too much intelligence, Allison comes across as very cleaver, likeable, sexy and very appealing. The beats of "Wide A White Horse " just makes you jump up onto the table and bob. With an electric tweaking of slide in and the infectiously enjoyable clob of satin chic. Not to mention one of the best if not the best track ending in Number 1. Okay so this probably will not make album of all time but it sure is great fun.

 

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Dead Can Dance

Dead Can Dance- Within The Dying Realm Of A Dieing Sun
Lisa Gerard and Brendan Perry have managed to continually make music, That transports cultures, sounds, imagination and possibly any human being how listens. Well okay than probably not everyone. Take for example my sister heard me listen to Dawn Of The Icononoclast and very intelligently said " Switch off that Saddamn Hussein music" Yes I joke you not. I was very unsure weather to laugh (at the ridicules) or to pass a witty comment on the actual origins off the music. Dead can dance make music for everyone crossing borders and thinking (I am be repeating myself)? So it is "within the dying realm" that I shall start. This sees both Lisa and Brendan share vocals. It is a hunting piece and Lisa Gearrd really has found her voice. Brendan's voice continues on the baroque and slightly Irish style vocals. Eastern influences are clearly evidence in the start there is a more familiar nature organic feel At least from a Western Europe tradition. When I purchased this one I still was not a dead can dance fan, having seen the cover which runs the themes that run through I was joyfully not let down. There is hardly apiece from this duet that let me down. However for any dead can dance virgin it is a good starting point

 

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Morrissey

Morrissey-Vauxhall & I
Yes he is still around nearly twenty years after The Smiths. A recent comeback after seven years in the wilderness. Mind you he can still sell out concerts. His Manchester gigs this year proved this not to mention two nights at the Olympia Dublin, Gone in around ten minutes or less. So why has Morrissey survived while everyone else has disappeared. Besides The Loyal And Without Doubt The Most Devoted Apostles in The World, He Has Always Remained An Enigma, He Is Terribly Charming, Funny And More Importantly Intelligent. In a business where there is some much boring music Morrissey still makes music with intelligent qualities. So why Vauxhall & I. This in my has to be his best work to date. Lyrically honest and the most personal work EVER. It starts with my heart is full immediately makes any half intelligent with love, It continues apace hold onto your friends a reminder to how people only consider you one when they need and the peril of falling into this. The more you ignore me the closer I get my well be directed at the press, that a side anyone can follow the implications to such thinking. Lifeguard sleeping, Girl still drowning a lovingly crafted slow piece, he is almost whispering to his audience (you got to love it) Okay so to the last song speedway, Defiantly my favourite, lovely chainsaw ripping at the start, the drumming is hypnotic. "All of the rumours keeping grounded ... I never said they were completely unfounded " Christ how can you not love the man. Once again this is his best work although I suggest starting at " Bona Drag or you are the Quarryman. As soon as you're in this is the best. All I can say if your not convinced of his impended canonisation you will not have read this far.

 

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P.J. Harvey

PJ Harvey- Stories of the city, stories of the sea
Probably the best female artist of the last decade. This is without a doubt her crowning achievement. After the really shaky this is desire and the nick Cave thing, this was like a bucket of water Across the face on a warm day. Bloody brilliant. Duet with Tom Yorke on some these track, probably the weaker ones, not to suggest they are bad. What a start to the album Big exit comes in and straightaway you will feel the urge to jump around like the lunatic you are. It paces nicely along, then into the whores hustle, and the hustlers whore you can hear Her voice echo off on the last line. Then Kamikaze as she dives punk like into this one, Screaming kamikaze it should be piercing but again I am up jumping around, Nice. Then there is the rumbling into this is love I cannot believe life's so complex when I just want to sit here and watch you undress. I can almost see stripping for her. It ends with an easy but we float. If you're lucky get the special edition, which has this wicked tongue. Overall this is a fulfilling rock album, which picked up the first female to win Mercury music prize. Not that it needed the applauded to justify it. A friend though said she found it hard to listen to it post September 11. With that in mind it does have that edgy new Yorke feel. I have always found it hard to like female artists, but PJ Harvey gives woman a good rock icon.

 

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Sigur Ros

 

Sigur Ros- Agaetis Byrjun
Tom Yorke professed to these guys being his favourite band. Then again who cares he likes U2... Avant-garde sigur ros defintaly are. Although they speak in Icelandic or make it up as thy go along, Before () and takk was Agaetis Byrjun. To be honest have no notion what the lyrics mean, but the music is so powerful. After listening to this album one is speechless. They deliberately or not have created a landscape sounds cape, Not unlike Iceland. You can almost feel that glacier Nordic delights. As for the titles of the tracks I am not going to bother. The tracks on this album are quite very long but it is an album I just cannot get bored with. If this album cannot move you, nothing will... CHUMP!

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the Torture Garden

Wilde's beautifully poetic description of this materpiece of decadence is the perfect synopsis of this great work of nineteenth century anarchism. Mirbeau's form and style switch between the comic and caustic, as the narrator continues his Heart of Darkness style journey into the Orient. Set against the background of the opening of China in the nineteenth century by the European powers, Mirebau brilliantly explodes the myth of Western ideas of supperiority and insulaity that imperialism spreads. For many, the vivid metaphors of sado-masochism are difficult to stomach, but the juxtaposition of the depravity and exploitation with the decadence of nineteenth century French high society is perfectly pitched. A seminal, crucial work that firmly establishes Mirebau as one of the great French writers of the nineteenth century with Rimbaud and Zola. In these belligerent times, it is even more apt

 

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The Bell Jar

Sylvia Plath is at least bone of the most important literary figures in the twenty century. A person who is distinguished with having a disturbing life, partner of fellow literary figure Ted Hughes perhaps this was a lethal combination ion the beginning. Anyway the bell jar is a fine novel in a world bound by a cold war, sexual war and really general a madness. What I l like about the novel is the pedestrian tone of act of self-hard. Example when Easter slits her wrists in the bath, in obviously casual manner. This is an important and interesting insight into a disturbing topic for some and quite a misunderstood person with stigmas in the world of depressive suicides. Perhaps through the novel the writer was addressing something she knew would be her fate. After reading the book a lot of things made a bit more sense however. Especially some other books I had in fact read (The trick is to keep breathing-Janice Galloway) Maybe it is because it is the basis and the standard for certain books to follow.

 

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Saint Morrissey

Well as you have all guests I am slightly in love with Morrissey, but strictly the music! As with every Morrissey fan even if not approved by him every article or in this case biography one most obtain. So why Mark Simpson's Saint Morrissey. Well here is why it was my first introduction into a biography of Morrissey so naturally it would keep a place in my heart. As the title suggests immediate canonization of them man is demanded. Anyway enough about me. He goes maybe not into absolute detail but comes across as well written It grabs the attention and I had in read in a day. It does give a fine insight into what are the saint- the sinner, the loved -the hated, and the adored. There are not many other artists who command such a loyal fan base and still be relevant over twenty years later. Mark litters each chapter with indroductionary Quotes that stimulate and increase your appetite to read on. A suburb rockumentary, that's witty, adoring, stylish and intellectually watertight whether this is the best biography is open to date but it certainly is worth a read for fans and non-fans alike.

 

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Persian Fire

Okay, how do I begin? This book is beyond just that of any other ordinary historical account. From the man who brought us Rubicon, this book is masterly narrated and goes deep into the battle that shaped the west. Mapping the Athenians charge in marathon to the Spartans heroic stand at Thermopylae to the victory at Salamis against massive odds mastered by Themistocles. What I loved about this book other than I found it hard to put down, Tom Holland presents it in an intelligent in-depth look at the issue from every angle from battles to psychological warfare, In the current political climate between west and east when suspicion between the two in massive, it sows what possibly was the basis of the mistrust for many centuries. Anyone who loves the antiquities, ancient battles, history and a riveting read, this is the best-written historical book I have ever read.

 

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Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

Andrew Collins is now a journalist or an article writer or something. Well he has worked with Q, The Observer, and NME…. Well what makes Haven Know I'm Miserable Now besides the smiths reference. Well some of the stuff recalls a lot of the place we were in the eighties for example the music and the idealistic nature we though we had. This aside it is a pleasant journey someone else's experience of your own through the sheer nostalgia factor. Reading it is rather addictive because it reminds us how shite, but exciting student life was or at least we thought it was the scrounging, the drinking the waking up on someone's floor. I know too well this is guilty pleasure along with the idea ear muffs are "cool", it is written all of us (those old enough but not too old) always state how things were better back then when in fact they were not at all great we just made the best of a bad situation. I really want to dislike this book but cannot with all the nostalgia and am my way of telling all those young scamps how life should be!

 

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