Mel Brooks

BBC4 retrospective of Mel Brooks last night, with the highlight being a run of The Producers, probably his best ever work. The man has had a hit and miss career, his humour not always translating well, but The Producers and Young Frankenstein are enough to make him legendary. He looked and sounded as sharp as ever, being interviewed by Alan Yentob for BBC, who also did a documentary on him 20 years ago (also shown last night). He surely owes a lot to the genius of Gene Wilder, who sparkles in the aforementioned movies - I was in stitches over his comic timing and characterisation last night; it has been a long time since I'd seen it and it struck me as so ahead of it's time - Brilliant. Kx

Tribute To Tanni

If you're talking about sporting courage and acheivement over a long career then tanni Grey-Thompson has to be one of the biggest superstars of all time. BBC Wales did a short tribute program, shown on BBC2 today, looking back on so many triumphs both on and off the track. A terrific ambassador for sport and an inspiration to so many people, it brings a tear to the eye to recognise what a big deal it is for British and world sport. You can talk about Lance Armstrong as being the greatest, or a handfull of others, but this remarkable woman has done tenfold. A London marthon to look forward to, but she will have to do a Redgrave to make Beijing - however, you can never rule her out. Hats off Tanni! Kx

Ivansxtc

Whilst balled up on the sofa letting my body recover from the excess of the last three days I watched a film which touched on a life filled with excesses: Ivan's Life, from Bernard Rose's Ivansxtc, based on Tolstoy's Life and Death of Ivan Illyich. It uses a loose variation of Lars Von Trier's Dogme 95 approach to film-making (click title if unfamiliar) and manages to convey the impression of something truly original and of great depth without ever laying it on a plate for you. I thought it had a sad beauty almost impossible to capture, but I need to see it again to know if it's really great or if it was the hangover that was impressed. I will rate it a tentative 8.5/10 until I can rewatch it. Kx

The Best Album Ever

Another 3 day binge of cigarettes, alcohol, music and movies - and a rare visit by a couple of old university friends - led us to conclude, after much debate that Joni Mitchel's Blue is the best album ever made, and as close to perfection as it's possible to be. Taking into account that the tastes of the 3 of us take in almost every genre of music out there, then this is quite something. We also tried to nail down the best 10 movies but could not reach a unanimous decision - some films that did make 2 out of three lists though were The Godfather (1&2), Amelie and The Deer Hunter. There just weren't enough hours in the day to listen to everything, watch everything and talk about everything that we could have done, but what a time! I hope it happens again sooner rather than later - it's good for the soul... Kx

Lemony Snicket

The books are already wrapped and under the tree so we thought we'd check out the film tonight too. The idea and the stroies are such a good idea for bloodthirsty kids, like mine, I love the whole thing: the non-specific period, the style, the macabre, the humour, and so expected quite a lot from the movie. And it was perfectly fine, hard to find substantial fault with, but it just wasn't very inspirational; not a classic. The design was great, but still lacked something Tim Burton might have given it; the kids were fine, if not exceptional; and Jim was Jim, reliable as ever, but you felt a little roped in at times. It also went along with something that really bugs me in films: a mix of periods - old dress, old cars, old buildings, but then the baby says things like "Bite me", just not necessary and pandering to dumb American audiences to try and buy approval. Could have been so much better if they'd pushed the idea to it's darkest limits - having said that, my daughter adored it. Kx

Kings Of Leon

Listened to this album, interestingly titled Aha Shake Heartbreak, twice in a row straight after buying it, which is always a good sign. There are a bunch of bands out there with this kind of vibe - heavy but not afraid to be gentle or indeed tuneful - since The Strokes (arguably) set the ball rolling a few years back, and The Kings Of Leon might be the pick of the bunch on this evidence. The serious music press have been going mad over this album and I'm beginning to see why - it is layered with originality, energy, attitude and beauty, and who can argue with that. It beats the shit out of Franz Ferdinand too - strong words living in Scotland, I know, but if you like them try this then tell me I'm wrong. Their website is almost as exquisite as their music too (click title to see)! Kx

Late Night With Dave

I do like to indulge in a bit of true Americana late of an evening, if nothing else tickles my fancy, and Mr Letterman is a reliable source of distraction if you can bear to switch your brain into full yank mode. Tonight was a winner with Jim Carrey as the main guest - boy that guy is so naturally funny, I love him! His humour seems a notch or two ahead of his peers, and poor old Dave struggled to keep up with the sarcasm and pseudo-ego, which was great. You get so much ass kissing and kooky morality on this and shows like it, it can be an eye-opener - also tonight they celebrated one year of Saddam Hussein's capture with 10 comedy treats he could expect for Christmas: weird and just a little sick, I thought, but an element of perverse brainwashing emmanates from US TV and this is all normal folks... Kx

Narc

Next up, Joe Carnahan's edgy cop tale, Narc. Criticised for being cliched, whilst simultaneously being praised for its performances, it certainly isn't perfect - but what it does have is genuine tension. The under-rated and under-used Jason Patric earns your sympathy with every frame and Ray Liotta does what he does best, but hasn't done so well for years: be mean. The two combine with some potency to convey an interesting morality tale that is far from predictable. Some excellent photography and a few visual tricks (especially the opening sequence) also help to raise this above the crowd of a busy genre. It wasn't hard to pick a favourite from the two tonight. 8/10 Kx

Welcome To Collinwood

First in a double bill tonight was Clooney / Soderburgh produced Welcome To Collinwood, starring George's buddy and the very watchable Sam Rockwell, William H Macy and the late Michael Jeter, who stole the movie with his trademark pathetic bum turn. The premise had potential and there were some funny moments, but the whole was rather limp and quite forgetable. Still, not at all bad entertainment for all that. 6/10 Kx

Sideways Trailer

Low budget film comedy Sideways, starring American Splendour's excellent Paul Giametti has surprised a lot of people by leading the way in the Oscar race by receiving seven Golden Globe nominations, more than any other film and one more than nearest rival, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, which cost about 20 times more to make! Good news for independant film-makers then. It has already won the New York Film Critic's Circle award for best film, so should definitely be taken seriously. The trailer (click title to view) is light and fluffy and looks appealing, but evidence of something above average remains to be seen. Also in the Golden Globe running is Closer, which I have been following (ahem) closely, with five nominations, which together with good reviews for Garden State, which I've yet to see, makes Natalie Portman a stand out flavour of the season. Good... Kx

European Film Awards

New channel ITV3 tonight had coverage of the recent European Film Awards, now in their 17th year and held in Barcelona. Not widely held as one of the major awards ceremonies, it is however very interesting to see the contrast between how the Americans and the Europeans do things. Shody at best in its presentation, the ceremony barely avoided embarassment, showcasing some of Europe's more eccentric "stars" - good job the quality of films outshone the speeches. Penelope Cruz won an award for best European actress, which was not to be confused with the best actress nod, which went to Imelda Staunton, to the biggest ovation of the night, for her turn in Mike Leigh's Vera Drake - haven't seen this film yet, but just know it is going to blow me away. Other awards included a lifetime acheivement award for Liv Ullman, who was looking stunning; what a wonderful ambassador for film she has been. Kx

Kelly Holmes

Sports personality of the year is usually an anti-climax, but never before in my memory was the result so nailed on as tonight. 3rd place going to a cricketer (is that a sport?) was a surprise, OK, but Mr Pinsent for runner up and Kelly Holmes as winner surely decided themselves a few months ago in Greece. Poor lass, she's not really a speaker and she looked a bag of nerves tonight first interviewed (again) about her great achievement and then in a non-scripted (hmm) acceptance speech. I think she simply can't yet come to terms with the fact that this is really happening to her - that she will be forever remembered as one of The best British athletes ever, no matter what happens for the rest of her life - well done girl. Kx

School Of Rock

The perfect Sunday family film right here. In recent weeks to chill out together after Sunday lunch we've tried the likes of Freaky Friday, Van Helsing and The Haunted Mansion (ouch) to do the impossible and please everyone, with varying degrees of success. But this one nailed just the right mood - not too cerebral nor too dumb, plenty of fun and none of it CGI, and a bunch of relatively non annoying child actors to boot. Been a Jack Black fan ever since I saw him listening to the squeek in his sneakers in Jesus' Son with Billy Crudup, and I can't get enough of him with Tenacious D. Well imagine the D with less profanity and that's basically it. Loads of energy, loads of laughs and an upbeat ending that really rocks. 7/10 Kx

The Polar Express

Put the tree up yesterday, did some shopping and to top it off went to see The Polar Express. Is it worth $270m? No - but it is a heck of a ride! The only thing to criticise in the animation is the inability to reproduce believable human expression on the occassionally freaky faces, but it is such a small gripe considering everything else about it visually is astonishing. Could also have done without the sentimental song in the middle, but I am 31 and my daughter loved every second of it. You won't find a better Christmas movie to put you in the mood this year. I can only wonder what it is like on an IMAX screen! The first half hour especially is viscerally thrilling and very stylish. Kx

Christmas Telly

It's one of the most anticipated days of a couch potato's existance: the release of the Christmas Radio times double issue! Everyone knows that the best part of Crimbo is not the presents or the turkey or even the booze, but the movies, old and new(ish) shown round the clock on terrestrial telly. If you're like me you'll end up watching an obscure Japanese horror film at 4 in the morning, or getting up at 6:30 to watch an old classic, there's nothing like it. On an initial scan there's lots of goodies in the schedule, but I'm most excited about the return of The Singing Detective in it's entirety, plus a few other Dennis Potter masterclasses too. It's about six or seven years since I last saw it and I can't wait to enjoy again one of the best TV series ever made. A bit disappointed Transformers The Movie isn't on though - might have to sign up for Sky after all... Kx

Unbelievable!

Can you believe this? What a stunt from the marketing people at Madame Tussards! Only in these secular times of celebrity worship could they get away with this. You have to admire the sense of humour in making Samual L Jackson a shepherd and George W Bush a wise man... Kylie has always been a little angel of course, but Posh as the mother of God - hmmm. Well all in all it must mean it's time to accept that Christmas is almost here, I suppose. Always get a bit cynical about the commercialism of it all, but am actually looking forward to it a lot this year - it helps having an eight year old in the house, I guess. And as long as santa brings me an iPod you won't hear me complaining. Kx

The Good Thief

A nice take on the heist genre that grew on me the longer it ran. Not quite what I expected from the trailer, but pleasantly surprised in the long run. Nick Nolte mumbles his way into a memorable role that oozes from him effortlessly, and Neil Jordan delivers a film less patronising than a full on Hollywood product might have done, even if he utilised a strange jump cut technique, which kept making me think the dvd player was skipping. The themes of addiction and thrill seeking balanced by a romance and poetry of chance have been done better from time to time, but not to take away from a very decent film with a few surprises. 7.5/10 Kx

Reds Sneak It

Two in the last 10 mins put Liverpool through to the knockout stages of the Champions league, joining Man Utd, Chelsea & Arsenal to make it 4 for 4. With Celtic finishing bottom of their group it means no British teams in the hat to potentially face Boro in the next round of Uefa, but the likes of Ajax, Dynamo Kiev and Valencia will be in there - what a prospect! In the domestic league Liverpool et al are enemies for sure, but in Europe I don't see the point in churlishly not supporting the Brits. Am especially pleased for Gerrard, who should definitely replace Beckham as England captain sooner rather than later; he is the best player to wear the three lions at the moment and all power to him. Kx

Around The Sun

Have had this for 2 weeks and have only managed to listen to it all the way through twice! I might need to be patient with it and let it grow on me, or it might simply be that it is rubbish! It breaks my heart that REM have lost their potency, I worshiped them in the 90s, they could do no wrong, but now they are insipid, repetitive and just dull. As Vic & Bob might say: Michael Stipe - The sad demise of a once virile man... Kx

Double Penn

America's greatest living actor (not sure about his directing yet though) had a double bill on BBC2 tonight - first, directing Jack Nicolson, and actually getting him to be restrained, in The Pledge, and then in an acting capacity in Woody Allen's, Sweet and Lowdown. The former bugs me because I really want to like it and think it is a noble attempt at a great idea, but it just doesn't work - it is too long, esp. in the 2nd hour and lacks any backbone or depth ultimately, despite trying very hard to be ambiguous. The latter is a wee gem, where Samantha Morton manages to be the best thing about it without saying a single word! Penn shines in any role he attempts (at least for the last 10 years) and here, as fictional guitar lothario, Emmet Ray, he is sublime, taking on the subtle sense of humour and pathos written in by Allen with aplomb - It's the detail: just watch his face as he plays a tune and notice how that changes as he changes as a character, wonderful stuff. Kx

The Wrath of Khan

It's weird how for years the average punter has considered boxing an outmoded, barbaric misuse of the word "sport". But since the Olympics and emergence of the Bolton wonderkid, Amir Khan, we can't wait for the next opportunity to scream "smack him in the face" at the TV...! He was back today in his first fight since Athens - shown live on the beeb at 7pm, which in itself is extraordinary - and he won emphatically by over 20 points in four rounds. Truth be told, he is magic to watch, and the mouth does water at how good he could be with more maturity, but the best thing of all, I think, is the potential he has as a role model for young kids - a resurgence in the popularity of our nations boxing clubs can only be a good thing in teaching sportmanship, discipline and respect for many whose time might be spent much less productively without such an outlet. Good lad, Amir, keep it up - no, Up, UP...! Kx

Dancer In The Dark

Have had this in the collection, waiting to be watched, for months - because last time I watched it I didn't stop weeping for hours: it has to be the saddest film ever made - man, it is intense viewing. I got a lot more out of it this time around, as on first viewing it was just too strange to concentrate on what it was trying to achieve. Not all the scenes work, and I believe it is about 20 mins too long to be perfect, but, hell, what an experience! The transitions in style from realism to fanstasy musical numbers is extraordinarily striking - if you are prepared to accept the premise it will pay you back forever. A gorgeous achievement, starring a walking, breathing work of art in Bjork, and the most interesting director alive in Lars Von Trier. Kx

Finding Neverland

First blood in this years Oscar race went to Finding Neverland, which scooped The National Board of Review's best picture nod yesterday. I've seen it twice and blubbed both times, so would not resent it being applauded at all. I have wondered though exactly why I enjoyed it so much? It's not the best made or most groundbreaking film ever, nor the most entertaining. In fact it's quite slow and ordinary, but it just does capture that magic at the right moments - the same way the characters care about each other you care about them. Johnny Depp is understated and conveys innocence and gentleness brilliantly. Kate Winslett continues to regain kudos in my book, and the little boy who played Peter, who was also in 5 Children and It, was perfect. In other catagories, Jamie Foxx won best actor for Ray, Annette Benning won best actress for Being Julia (looks awful but... OK), Michael Mann got best director for Collateral (very pleased about that) and a mention for Closer as one of the years top ten, which they have been chosing sine 1929, bodes well. Kx