Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Abbatoir Blues & The Lyre Of Orpheus was the only soundtrack to a mad weekend in London. Read an article in The Times about Cave when this came out and I wanted to buy it immediately, even though the only previous tune of his I'd ever heard was the thing with Kylie a few years back. Well, I must have played it back to back 6 times in a row after the first listen, it is just Brilliant! The last time I did that was when I first heard The Bends about 8 years ago. Am absolutely in love with it and all it represents - Soul food, beautifully and lovingly packaged. No need to choose a favourite track because each and every surprising note is perfect. Any one serious about their music, or about being human, should own this - Twice...! Kx

The Piano Teacher

From the novel by the recent Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Elfriede Jelinek, this is one of those deeply strange European "Arthouse" films that divides people like no other genre in cinema. A lot of people wouldn't even give it the time of day, labelling it pretentious or boring, or just warped - and it is all those things, from a certain viewpoint - but I happen to think Cinema that deals with Humanity and difficult issues like The Piano Teacher are absolutely vital: they may not be entertainments or means of escapism but they are challenging, like any good work of art. Like Irreversible, this has the power, the skill (Isabelle Huppert is extraordinary in the lead) and the daring to deeply disturb the viewer and prompt them to question things they normally wouldn't be comfortable confronting. Not everyone's COT is a big understatement - I thought it was exceptional. 9/10 Kx

Twin Peaks

Got tired of waiting for the BBC to repeat the best fictional series ever made so got the first series on DVD. It's almost 15 years since this seminal piece of genius was first aired but it looks as great as I remember it - and still as unsettling. The mix of surreal dialogue, acting style and imagary, together with the weirdest blend of characters you could wish for really shouldn't have worked, but David Lynch's direction and vision make the whole (spookily) much more than the sum of it's parts - it still freaks me out Bigtime! Wonderful! I heard that, as yet, series 2 and beyond have not been released on DVD, as the first series sold poorly. Surely a matter of time, but not sure I can wait. Kx

Snooker Loopy

The UK Championships have reached the quarter final stages with only 3 top 16 players left in the draw and all the really big names long gone (even John Parrott is still in with a shout!). Like a lot of people I suppose, I tend to leave the snooker on in the background whilst doing other things as it's so unobtrusive and you don't miss much by not paying attention. I'm tipping young Glaswegian Stephen Maguire to win it, after seeing off Rocket Ronnie and Steve Davis in the last 2 rounds - no coincidence the Scots are so good at this sport, as it's played indoors away from the pishing weather and there's always a bar nearby... Kx

Rabbit Proof Fence

Phillip Noyce, who I'd always thought of as a very average director (The Bone Collector, Clear & Present Danger) has made a very atmospheric and touching film with this. Beautifully photographed and scored, it leaves you with the same eerie sense of spirituality that both Walkabout and Picnic at Hanging Rock had. Based on true events, it is also thought provoking as it highlights another hidden chapter of colonnial bigotry. Kenneth Brannagh is fine, but it's not about the acting, it's about the mood and the message which both hit the mark. 8.5/10 Kx

Jungle Boogey

Suppose I have to admit that I've been watching a lot of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here on ITV for the last 3 days. Watched most of series 3, with Peter Andre and Jordan, by accident (strange how that happens!) so thought I'd give series four a look. So far the mix doesn't look as dynamic, even the early psychosis of Natalie Apppleton has calmed down., so Insania is a bit thin on the ground yet, but early days. Joe seems like a lovely bloke and always worth a giggle so I'd have to root for him, however the star so far has to be Hogan the koala bear - he is one cool dude... Ahh, it's shit like this that makes modern living so great! Kx

The Return of Bruno

Happened to stumble across one of the best official actor sites out there that I've seen - For Bruce Willis! I loved this guy as David Addison from Moonligthing in the 80's - I never missed an episode and kept telling all my school pals he would be a big movie star one day. They laughed back then, but when Die Hard came out in'88 the last laugh was mine. These days he makes 4 crap films for every half decent one, but you can slag him off in person on his site (click title) as he often goes online in special chatrooms there, if that's your bag... Oh, and while I'm confessing, I bought both his albums too (yeah, not just the first one)! What can I say? He plays a mean harmonica. Kx

Ten Ton Alex

Tomorrow marks the 1000th game in charge of Man Utd (against Lyon) for Sir Alex Ferguson. Love him or hate him, the red faced Scot has been one of the most prominent figures in football for almost 20 years, and the game would be much less interesting without him. I love him for teaching Steve Maclaren a trick or two in his time at Utd, and for not spitting as much as he used to. His after game interviews are always refreshingly frank, and his no nonsense attitude can produce some hilarious results too - kicking a boot into Beckhams face for example. Top Bloke. Kx

The Cooler

Also had a look at The Cooler tonight, starring William H Macy, Alec Baldwin and Mario Bello. A few places had listed it as one to watch, but, despite Baldwin's Oscar nominated turn as an anachronistic casino mogul, it really isn't - badly written and directed by a six year old by the look of it, lazy production values turn a promising premise into a below average mess. Predictable at best, it left me very disappointed: 4/10 Kx

The Incredibles

Took the family to see the latest Disney / Pixar film this afternoon. And we all loved it! 95% of the audiences were over 16, which was surprising, but why should it be, as it has the right blend to keep adults and kids interested throughout. The animation is as awesome as ever, the script is fast paced and very funny, the characters are fully rounded and engaging, but it is the raw imagination that dazzles - ideas per second was very high, almost too much to take in on one viewing. Completely different from their other stuff too; it's too close to call which is the best. 9/10 Kx

Ubiquitous Jude

Watched a bunch of trailers for upcoming films: National treasure with Nicholas Cage looks like good fun and a better idea than when I first heard it described, though it looks like it pinches a few ideas from Dan Brown. The one I'm looking forward to mostly though is Closer, with Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen, reprising the role he played on stage. You just get a feeling from it that it's going to be excellent; sultry, complex, brooding and full of dark emotions - I rate all of the above actors and this could be the pick of the recent Judefest. Also, I really hope Owen redeems himself for King Arthur, which was the worst film I've seen all year. Have a look by clicking the title, as usual. Kx

K T Tunstall

Just to prove that I do get out of the house now and again, went to see the exceptionally talented and all round lovely K T Tunstall @ The Exchange, Edinburgh last night. I can't remember being this excited about a new artist for years - her style isn't really groundbreaking, but her songs are so solid and her voice is so powerful, I'm tipping this wee Scot to go all the way. Black Horse and The Cherry Tree (which she played on Later With Jools Holland earlier in the month) and dreamy ballad Throw Me a Rope, which she ended her set with on acoustic guitar are stand outs, but she left the packed out crowd of about 500 wanting much more. If anything, she reminds me of Codplay (never a bad thing) sometimes, but she oozes so much of her own personality and charm that comparissons are fairly useless. Her debut album, Eye To The Telescope, is out on 13th December. Go and buy it. Kx

Annie Hall

Needed an antidote to Michael Moore, so went for something positive about America and New York : Annnie Hall. God, I love this film! No, love is not a big enough word, I Lerve it! It should be in everyone's top 20, at least. Woody was never better (love Manhatten too, but AH wins by a lobster's tail), the humour is so good I get surprised by the best lines no matter how many times I've seen it and end up with tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. The bit with Christopher Walken is priceless, too - his finest work. Makes me want to live in the Big Apple, move into a brownstone and read Kafka in Central Park. Kx

Fahrenheit 9/11

Didn't see this at the cinema, as it fell in the catagory of "wait for the DVD". Well saw the DVD tonight and am still in shock! If it was pertinent on it's release then it is more so now, as Bush starts out on another 4 year reign of insanity and the war carries on, spitting out more casualties by the day, including those of the Scottish Blackwatch recently. Of course it is biased, yes, but the evidence is so compelling (and backed up - click title) that you have to be of the opinion that most of the arguments are sound. Some of the footage is horrific, God knows how he got his hands on it, but I'd say this is a must see for everyone - if you were non-political before, this might just change your mind. 8.5/10. Kx

Do They Know It's Christmas?

Madonna introduced a simultaneous broadcast on all terestrial channels of the new video for Band Aid 20. It starts with Chris Martin, who seems to be wearing a disturbing blond wig, followed by the likes of Robbie Williams, Fran Healy and Bono, who sings the same line he did 20 years ago. Of course it's a good cause, all power to it, but you can see from the video what a dirge of talent there is out there compared to 20 years ago - or maybe I'm getting old. Kx

A Design For Life

One of my favourite bands of the 90s, The Manic Street Preachers, were the focus of Planet Rock Profiles (staple of night time TV) tonight. Inspired by The Clash, as are so many great bands, they have re-invented their sound several times, ranging from melodic charm to political rant, they are always interesting. The Holy Bible is one of the best pieces of art from the latter half of the 20th century, I think. Not to be predictable they followed that with one of the best pieces of collected pop - Everything Must Go, which if you leave for a while and then come back to just sounds amazing, every tune tells such a powerful story, but never sacrifices melody just to be different. Their seventh album (not including the greatest hits), Lifeblood, was released at the start of the month. Rock on! Kx

England 0 Spain 1

The only highlight from an otherwise inept England performance, Paul Robinson's brilliant penalty save against Raul @ the Birnabau. Rooney acted like a grumpy teenager, Beckham missed the target on every attempted pass and Michael Owen might as well not have been there at all - rubbish. Still, Scotland lost 4-1 at Easter Road against the rampant Swedes, so a good result for them on recent form (a-hmm). Elsewhere, Arjen Robben was at it again scoring for Holland as well as Chelsea as he fast becomes player of the year so far. Kx

Damage

Just watched Damage from 1992, starring Jeremy Irons, Miranda Richardson & Juliette Binoche. Was Better than I remembered it from back then, when I dismissed it as arty nonsense, but it is still guilty of some of the most bonkers sex scenes ever commited to film - I mean, what the...!? Miranda Richardson comes out on top performance wise (apart from a pubescent David Thewlis in a cameo), I believe, but as a whole it could never be considered a classic. Irons himself has been very quiet of late (quite right after Dungeons and Dragons!), but has 2 biggies coming up with Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven (a crusade epic with Orlando Bloom in the lead) and a remake of Night of the Iguana, which is yet to shoot, directed by Predrag Antonijevic - never heard of him? Me neither. Kx

Is That Mr. Langdon?

Looks like Tom Hanks is going to be busy, but then again when isn't he? Apart from voicing Woody again (see below) he is Ron Howard's first choice for the part of Robert Langdon in the upcoming adaptation of The Da Vinci Code (see below below). They worked together on Apollo 13, of course, and Hanks is reportedly thrilled by the prospect. All that remains is to decide whether a film which is already gauranteed to be huge needs such a big (and expensive) star to launch it. I think it is perfect casting myself. As soon as I heard I thought, yeah, that makes sense. Not quite as important as who they cast for the His Dark Materials films though... Kx

Toy Story 3

Studio politics between Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks execs have thus far prevented the green light on Toy Story 3, but now those issues have been smoothed over we can expect a new instalment from Woody, Buzz and co. in 2-3 years time. Good news, as TS2 was one of the few sequals out there of any genre that managed to be as good as, if not better than, the original. Meanwhile, The Incredibles, Pixar's current baby, has been outgrossing Warner Brother's The Polar Express by 3 to 1 in America - bad news for a movie that reportedly cost $270m to make. Makes you wonder why they chose a date that would put them head to head against Pixar? Kx

Little Brittain

Little Brittain has been back with a new series for a few weeks now. The last series was repeated so often I've got in the habit of not bothering if I miss one, because I know I'll end up seeing it 3 or 4 times eventually. I have mixed feelings about it too - some sketches are pure genius, but I think some characters are done to overkill and should have been passed over. I find myself laughing because I want to find it funny sometimes, not because it really is. Saying that, it was, it is and always will be better than 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps, which just confuses me why they bothered. I Know... Kx

London 2012

London 2012: Britain's bid for the Olympic games in 8 years time. Seb Coe and his mates sent in London's official proposal for 2012 today, a 60 page brick documenting how 10 square miles of the East End will be flattened (I hope that includes albert square) to develop new stadia and an olympic village. I personally would love to see the Olympics come to these shores - you couldn't drag me away from the telly during the Athens coverage, it was the best olympics since Los Angeles. To be able to hop on a train and see it live would be amazing. Also very good for the country in lots of ways. Our paralympic team were awesome in Athens, showing that the development of facilities, training and opportunities in this country are right on the ball. Roll on next July when the final decision will be made. Kx

Hello, Hello

Not that I could give a monkey's about the singles charts these days, but hats off to the ubiquitous U2 for reaching #1 with Vertigo - It was all very predictable, as they have absolutely blitzed the media with this song in the last 3 weeks (from playing in the rain outside the Beeb to the iPod ad) and proved that marketing tactics such as holding off the release date until everyone in the world has heard it do actually work. I didn't get the popularity of their last album at all, but their tunes seep into your thoughts against your better judgement and it becomes impossible to deny that they are a pop phenomena above and beyond. Being nominated as founding members of the UK Music Hall Of Fame (channel 4) alongside The Beatles, Elvis, Madonna and Bob Marley says it all. Kx

Rise Of The Machines

As part of Five's Arnie season they managed to get hold of T3 only a year and a half after general release. Even so, I reckon not that many people will have watched it as it was overlooked as a poor cousin to the first two movies. This is a shame, because taken for what it is I think it is a terrific action pic, that suffered against the hype of The Matrix: Revolutions, which is actually an inferier entertainment. In more serious roles, both Nick Stahl (In The Bedroom) and Claire Danes (Igby Goes Down, The Hours) will be around for years. Kristanna Loken is fine but can count herself lucky to be involved as she disappears into Ed Furlong style obscurity, as the only problem I really have with it is Arnie's $30m plus price tag - 10 very decent British films could be made tomorrow for as much. Tut. Kx

The Dude Abides

I now feel exactly like this having spent the entire evening re-posting my entire blog! There must have been an easier way but I re-typed every entry from the cached version I copied from a Google search (many thanks, Big Al). A white russian is now very much the order of the evening as I settle down to watch Patriots Vs Bills on Five. Phew! Kx

Helena Christensen

Apart from being blatantly one of the most beautiful women ever photographed I've never given Helena Christensen much thought. That is until another revealing documentary from BBC3. It seems that she now spends her time and her millions globetrotting, collecting art & antiques and taking photographs of her famous friends. She came across as about as down to earth as a supermodel can be: driving a Morris Minor, rummaging through bins for beautiful objects to hang on her walls and being generally quite humble about her amazing career. And to top it all her happy snaps are actually very good. Above is a beaut of Michael Stipe. Click on the title above to check out some more. Kx

D'oh!

D'oh! a vague release date has been announced for The Simpsons Movie, a project that has been in the pipeline for a while... and will be for a little longer, as the date given is 2008! Now in it's sixteenth season in the US, the good news is we can look forward to another 4 seasons before the movie sees the light of day. It's great to have the re-runs back on channel 4 in the UK, I just never get sick of them. Quite simply: it is The most significant TV show ever. Kx

Fraggle Rock

Another classic 80s flashback from Jim Henson. Have been enjoying the DVD pack with my daughter over the last 2 weekends. It's Great! And a real trip down memory lane - A lot of kids programs have not aged well, but this remains a superb example of how it should be done: colourful, non-patronising, fun never repetitive and the best theme tune ever. If you were a child of the 80s, do yourself a favour and rent it soon. It costs £65 to buy at the moment, so wait a while for that one. Kx

Road To Nowhere

The brilliantly funny Peter Kay, of Phoenix Nights fame, has done it again, having switched to channel 4 with his new sit-com (?), Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere. Hadn't really planned on watching this, but 2 minutes in and I was in stitches - The characterisations were spot on and the writing was equally slick to give the impression of a show that will gain instant cult status. There are only 6 episodes in this first series, but a 2nd must surely be on the cards if it remains this good. Top Telly! Kx

Here's Oscar!

The Woodsman, starring Kevin Bacon as a convicted paedophile returning home after a 12 year sentence, has been pencilled in for a Christmas eve release stateside... B-list actors appearing in challenging and controversial roles around New Year? It can mean only one thing: Oscar season again. Well, the script has already won awards, and the subject matter is ripe for a sensitive film treatment. On the plus side, my gut tells me Bacon could just pull it off, and it is from the same production team that helped Charlize Theron win with Monster last year. On the downside, co-writer Nicole Cassell (left) is a first time director, and the academy may find their nerve stretched in backing this one; serial killers are familiar film regulars, fictional or not, but child molesters are quite another thing. Let's hope the film is good enough to make everyone rethink come red carpet time. For a choice as brave as this, Kev deserves it. Kx

Yahoo Sports Attachments

This site is hilarious! (click title to visit) Basically a collection of "what happened next" moments on video, plus some really astonishing bits of skill through the years. Camp Ref. and Darren Anderton's goal have to be my faves. Not so sure about Henrik Larsson breaking his leg though - ouch! Kx

El Bambino

El Bambino - The Babe. Continuing my drive to educate myself more with American sports I recently took an interest in the Red Sox winning their first world series since 1918, thus ending "The Curse of the Babe". Shame that just as I was getting into baseball the season ended. Anyway, it did inspire me to write a short article called "Babe Has Left The Building", so it wasn't all for nothing. If it gets published on the web I'll post a link later. Kx

The Magdelene Sisters

Scottish actor and director Peter mullen made The Magdalene Sisters over 2 years ago, receiving much critical acclaim. It's been one of those for me that you do want to see but constantly pass over for other things, you know how it is? Well, finally saw it, and was a little disappointed. It's fine, but just a little disjointed and uneven, a bit manipulative too, I thought - about a 5.5/10. Nevertheless, it's great to see homemade produce having an impact. Met him once too, for about 20 seconds - seems like a nice bloke... Kx

Dog Ends

It's official - sort of. The Scottish parliament have agreed to push forward the ban on smoking in public places. Good news for me as today marks 3 months without a tab, and the less temptation the better. The bad news is it won't be implemented until at least Spring 2006 apparently, so it should give smokers plenty of time to start practicing freezing to death outside their locals just tae get a quick gasp before going back in for a large Glenfiddich. Kx

The Agony & The Ecstasy

Just heard an old Black Grape tune on the radio and was reminded of a brilliant documentary I saw on BBC3 last week. Richard Macer had spent 8 months with Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays fame (or should that be infamy?). He came across as a real tragic hero - the best bit was when he set his hand on fire on his birthday as a party trick, not realising that lighter fluid was a bit stronger than the aerosols he used to use - he nearly went up like a bonfire, but didn't feel a thing 'cos it takes about a week for any messages to get from body to brain these days. I hope they repeat it. Definitely Top Telly. Kx

Holly Hunter

Holly Hunter. Just watched Broadcast News from 1987 and it made me think what a great actress she has been over the last 2 decades. The Piano, of course, was a highlight (Oscar Winner: best actress), Raising Arizona is my fave. Time and time again she's lifted herself above the average to be one of the most reliable supporting actors in Hollywood. Last saw her in Thirteen (Oscar nominated: best supporting actress), which wasn't bad at all. She could do with another big lead with a good director, though - just know she has another Oscar win in her. Next up, she voices one of the main characters in The Incredibles - watch this space for review (my daughter can't wait to see it). Kx

I Believe In You

I believe in you...? Not so sure I do, or ever did really. Apart from the fact that she still looks amazing well into her 30s, she has been a bit annoying of late. Well just saw Ms. Minogue's new video for I Believe In You, penned by the Scissor Sisters - and it's not merely annoying, but annoyingly catchy, and I can't get it outta my head, la la la - um-hmm... Kx

Robbo's Return

It's great to see the former Boro boss return to the top flight. He's got a really tough job on at The Baggies, but remembering how he turned his former club into a force to be reckoned with in the first few years, I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled it off. Kx

Revenge Of The Sith

Speaking earlier of Mr Christensen, I have just seen the teaser trailer for Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith - and I have to say, I am now Very excited about it again. the first two films, for me, represented varying degrees of letdown, but speaking as a child of '73, who's founding memory of cinema was Episode IV: A New Hope in 1977, this has rekindled some hope that the final instalment of the prequels will be up to scratch. There are Wookies, as promised, lots of explosions and lots of deep breathing... I cannot wait. Click on the heading to see for yourself. Kx

New York Jets

Up late about to watch Monday Night Football on Five. This is something I've only just refreshed an interest in this year. I remember watching NFL games on channel 4 in the 80s, when kids where either a Miami Dolphins or a Washington Redskins fan. I was always a Jets fan, seeing as that was the team Flash Gordon used to play for (blush)! This season the Jets are doing OK, going 6-2 after a narrow defeat on Sunday. Still have a lot to re-learn about the in-form players and the advanced rules, but think I will persevere all the way to the Superbowl - unless I finally get a job - ha ha. Kx

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Read this book (like everyone else and their dog) about 2 months ago now and was so hooked I had to try his other books too. Angels and Demons is just as riveting at first, but shows some naive choices in the later chapters - just going too far into the realm of fantasy; and Deception Point, whilst not as exciting, is far more plausible and probably a better book on the whole - although I wish he wouldn't bother with the romantic sub-plots, he's just not very good at them. Haven't tried Digital Fortress yet. Think I'll probably give him a rest for a bit and come back to it later. Interested to see what he does next though, after such blanket success. P.S. I live 6 miles from Roslyn Chapel, and yes, it is everything you would hope, and more... Kx

Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger will face charges of conduct unbecomming for calling Ruud Van Nistelrooy a cheat after the match against Man Utd last month. The interesting question about this is what ever happened to freedom of speech? Just because a manager is in a position of responsibility does that mean he can't speak his mind? Imagine the late Brian Clough being accused of this! and if Wenger is found guilty, surely Kevin Keegan should go to pokey for life... Kx

Shattered Glass

Shattered Glass, starring Haydn Christensen (AKA Anakin Skywalker) in his first serious role: having been recommended this film by the only truly reliable filmsource, Empire Online, I have to admit being skeptical after his poor effort in Attack Of The Clones. However, it's true: The guy can act! In fact his performance shows real promise for the future (esp. for Revenge Of The Sith). The film itself was OK - an above average 6.5/10, I'd say - well made, coherant and tense, but the subject matter left me a little cold. Only H.C.'s portrayal of a man driven to lie and then defend that lie at all costs left me really impressed. Not everyone's COT, but worth a look. Kx

Welcome To The Wasteland

Welcome indeed to The Wasteland. Or welcome back if you had a look prior to Sunday 14th November when I accidentally deleted the entire page! (old posts have been recreated now) I hope that my content willl be interesting to a wide variety of people, as it will cover a wide variety of eclectic subjects, from my home team Middlesbrough FC's progress in this years English premiership & UEFA cup, to reviews of movies I've just seen, gigs I've just been to, TV I've just watched, books or articles I've just read, etc. etc. As the title says, any aspect of popular culture I waste my time on that seems worthy of note and comment. I enjoy a good argument about this stuff, so if my opinion is not yours - bring it on...! Kx