Closer

Finally got the chance to see the film I'd been going on about for months... and I was not disappointed, not in the least. Various criticisms of the film in recent reviews encouraged me rather than put me off, and the proof in the pudding demonstrated clearly why this is a film that will divide audiences and critics: firstly it depends on how you feel and relate to the subject matter; secondly it depends on what kind of moviegoer you are - if you like escapism, abc storytelling or indeed realism it may not be your thing, but if you like well scripted, beautifully acted drama with an arthouse sensibilty and an overwhelming sense of cinema (like me) then this will blow you away. Yes, it is stylised and shows unmistakable signs of a stage translation, but to say it is unrealistic and/or has unsympathetic characters is missing the point. The issues and scenes created here are very disturbing, and they are so because on some level they are things we all think, do or are terrified of, what can be more real than that? All four actors are on sparkling form, Natalie Portman especially deserves the accolades she is getting, a coming of age indeed! Filled with a banquet of beautiful moments and a stella ending, it is the kind of film from which you never forget the way you felt as the credits roll. Classy and essential, even if you end up hating it. Kx

The Best of REM

Have been swimming in a sea of music the last three evenings, taking advantage of the unlimited streaming trial on Napster. Have experimented with some new and newish albums, of which more later, but mostly have been revisting old stuff I love but don't have in my hard copy collection. Oddities such as Genesis, Laurie Anderson, Flaming Lips, Nick Drake and Massive Attack have been prevailent, but most of all I enjoyed a 10 hour retrospective of REM's back catalogue, starting in the IRS years but lingering lovingly on their first 3 Warner albums, some of the best music ever let loose into the world! Decided to make a playlist as I went of the absolutely indispensible songs I can't live without and ended up back at the heavily criticised Around The Sun (see earlier post) with a list of 42 tracks - putting to shame the 18 track list they compiled themselves for the recent In Time greatest hits CD. Not many bands can claim a body of work that good, and there were at least another fifty tracks that would not be out of place either. Awesome! But will they ever rise again to produce a decent tune? Kx

Cup Exit

Man Utd 3 Boro 0 - A game that was always going to be hard to get anything from considering the endless injury list and an expected backlash from Utd's defeat by Chelsea in midweek, from the start it didn't look promising. Tactically Boro went hoping for a bore draw, playing with Jimmy on his own up front, a mistake that led to an early goal from a hungry looking reds team on ten minutes. For the first half hour we looked awful and the treat of getting an outing on live TV didn't look like too much of a blessing. From then on though at least we competed, bringing on Job after the half and pushing forward for an equaliser with some promise. Then up steps M. Rooney with two fine fine goals maybe only a handful of players could have pulled off and it was goodnight to the cup for another year. If you absolutely have to lose then losing to moves from such a genius is not so bad. Moving on without distractions into league and Uefa glory then. Kx

Troy

Oh dear! Proof, if any were needed, that money and a galaxy of stars alone do not make a good film. Avoided this at the cinema because I suspected this might happen. Wolfgang Peterson has a lot to answer for in a film that looks stunning (production design, esp. costume for which it is rightly oscar nominated, is the only winner here), but fails in every other area - too slow to be exciting, too moronic to be educational; the script is risible, and you have to feel sorry for Brad Pitt and Eric Bana who look pained by some of the lines they were forced to say. At least they came out of it with dignity mostly intact, which cannot honestly be said for Orlando Bloom, who was simply awful! Brian Cox and Sean Bean were also made to look bad despite their gallant efforts, and the only member of the cast to rise above it all was Peter O'Toole, who had obviously seen it all before and went his own way. Homer will surely be spinning in his pyre for a few years yet till the memory of this dies away. 3.5/10 Kx

Ring 0

The story of Sadako gets a literal telling in the final film of The Ring cycle, that goes back to her life and misery before the well and before the video of the first two films. I've watched the series of three spread over two years because they freak the hell out of me, and even writing about it now gives me a chill. The American version with Naomi Watts was better than I had anticipated but the Japanese do it best - so otherworldly and disturbing in ways you can't describe. Chapter three then contains all the right kinds of weird and creepy, making you sit very still and wish the lights were on! Some good early scenes gave way though to an ever more bonkers storyline that confuses rather than clears up the mystery. If I was to recommend The Ring to someone who hadn't seen it I would say watch the first one and leave it there: the impression of mystery will stay with you forever. A great character and a very sad story that completely takes care of halloween (see picture). 6.5/10 Kx

Lifeblood

Have been listening to bits and pieces of all sorts of albums lately, such is the modern way of iTunes, without ever hearing the full thing. Since an iPod is too pricey and I could only listen to the tunes I bought on my PC or if I burned a disc, I got myself a cheap mp3 player and switched to Napster. Good move! Didn't realise that for a tenner a month you can stream anything as often as you want - brilliant! Downloading is still 79p per tune but at least you get to listen to the full song and indeed album before commiting. It means I've been able to listen to whole albums I've been curious about, so expect a lot of reviews over the next few weeks. Starting off with Lifeblood, by the Manics: a slight return to form I thought on first listen, with the first five tracks all very respectable tunes. Most similar to This Is My Truth in style, but more upbeat in most places. It does tail off into monotony towards the end, but die hard fans should be very happy. 7/10 Kx

Anatomy For Beginners

Would I have watched this if it wasn't for the morbid fascination of seeing a once living human being dissected from skin to spinal chord to brain to heart to etc, etc? No probably not. Nor half the audience for this four part lesson in basic anatomy showing on channel 4 right now. nevertheless this is fascinating stuff regardless, and once the marcabre novelty wears off you find yourself transfixed by how amazing we humans really are, and by the ingeniousness of our design. It is all done in a very tasteful scientific way in front of a live audience of med students, and even if Gunther von Hagens is a bit creepy (ok a lot; he did go on about meeting these people several times when alive!) you can't help admiring his dedication and pioneering drive behind wanting everyone to learn from his techniques. Only two words for it: Top Telly! Kx

Oscar Nominations

So the nominations are in! As expected following the Golden Globes and other guild awards The Aviator came out best with 11 nominations, including best picture, best director and best actor for Leo. Close behind were Ray, Finding Neverland, Sideways and Closer. But perhaps most significantly Clint's Million Dollar Baby emerged as the only film to be nominated in all of the big five catagories, including a possible acting/direction double from the man with no name (apart from Mr. Eastwood...). There were few surprises elsewhere, apart from the very very welcome inclusion of Kate Winslett in the best actress catagory for Eternal Sunshine, definitely one of my favourite films of 2004. If I was a betting man, and I am, I would go for an even spread, with Aviator grabbing Best film and director (it is just a hollywood fil, the academy will love it), Jamie Foxx getting best actor and Hilary Swank picking up her 2nd gong for best actress. But there are so many I haven't seen yet, so can't pass judgement - better get busy between now and Feb 26th! Kx

In The Cut

Don't know why it took me so long to see this, because I knew I'd like it from the start - knew there had to be a good reason why Meg Ryan took the hump with Parky. Guilty perhaps of style over content issues: it is apparent that the plot is fairly flimsy as serial killer thrillers go. But I don't care about that, because the style is so stylish the content becomes a minor issue. Jane Campion has made a deeply visceral film that is visually among some of the best I've seen, it's impact being strange, dark and discomforting, but altogether compelling. Meg Ryan is great, but the film belongs to Mark Ruffalo, who together with Eternal Sunshine and Collateral (he is completely different in all three movies) has fast become my new favourite character actor. He is seedy but kind, hiding secrets but exuding charm - a multi-layered performance to watch again and again. If you give it a chance it's beauty and depravity will haunt you in a way not quite as good as (what could be?) but close to Seven. Much to like, and too easily dismissed in a lot of reviews I've since read; I believe time will prove this a minor classic. 9/10 Kx

Tigerland

Having only seen him in Minority Report and Phone Booth, two films in which he is good without being great, I thought it was time to investigate why he's getting all the top gigs in Hollywood these days. Tigerland was my first stop, a film I'd passed over many times due to the crowded genre and the name Joel Schumacher on the credits. I was pleasantly surprised to find an original take on the Vietnam story and some decent character performances. As a whole the direction is a little sloppy and commercial and the script becomes a little repetative in places, but at no time is farrell at fault in a really top notch role delivered with charisma, angst and his trademark twinkle. The guy sure has something and he has it in barrowloads. I'm now much more keen to see Alexander, and can look forward to Terrance Mallick's New World without trepidation. 7.5/10 Kx

Open Water

This plays like an extended student film with pretentions for the big screen. The idea is interesting (for a minute) and it does at times have an edge of realism, but any tension that might have been in the second half of its short running time are killed by the fact that you have no sympathy whatsoever for these characters - in fact there aren't any characters just bad actors bobbing around in the water being annoying as hell! Similar to Blair Witch only in that it was cheap, and similar to Jaws only in that it has sharks in it. If this does anything for you then God help you you are watching the wrong movies. 2/10 Kx

Boro Player of the Year 2004

Scorer of Sunday's goal against Everton, Bolo Zenden was named Middlesbrough's player of the year for 2004 by fans and is seen here collecting a lovely vase that he can save for mother's day, put some daffs in and give to his mum - nice! Can't say he doesn't deserve it, being a revelation in a more central role since Stewart Downing came in permanantly on the left. He has scored some terrific goals this season and at times looked like one of only a handful of decent players on the pitch. No doubt Downing would have won if the prize was for this season alone, and will win next year if he carries on in the form he's in. Would have liked to see George Boateng win it, as he has been more consistant than Bolo. Wonder if his recent injury took him out of the reckoning? Anyway, well done to the flying Dutchman. Kx

Tribe

Shown on Monday on BBC2 this new series following the exploits of explorer Bruce Parry is one of the best, if not the best, programs of its type shown on TV. He's a thoroughly likeable and down to earth chap, Mr Parry, who doesn't make a big deal out of stuff for the sake of the camera but is more than willing to put himself into their lifestyle, however alien, to get closer to an understanding of them. In this first instalment that included hunting barefoot through a dense forrest thick with spikes and barbs, not to mention poisonous insects; eating a tree grub much bigger and much more wriggly than the ones the wusses on I'm a celebrity had to munch; having one in his ear to get the wax out; having a thorn pushed through the soft part of his septum; and most eye-watering of all, attempting to have his penis inverted like the natives! Oh yeah, and they were all cannibals incidendtally... Top Top telly! Can't wait for next Monday when he tries psychotropic drugs with a new tribe. Brilliant. Kx

Cloud Atlas

First book I've completed in quite a while, but what a book! Ambitious in scope and style is an understatement in this vastly rich novel that takes six different narratives in six different styles (past, present and future) and weaves them ingeneously into a philospohical feast. Take each section on it's own and they are still good reads, put them together and you have a bit of genius that covers issues of power, recurrence, self-fulfilling prophecy, reincarnation, altruism and memory. Quite fascinating and always absorbing I would recommend this to anyone, although it does take a little patience to begin with the rewards are infinite! Will be on the lookout for both Ghostwritten and Number9dream, David Mitchell's earlier works as soon as I can. Kx

Golden Globes

The 62nd Golden Globe awards last night came up with a few surprises, but not many: Aviator won best dramatic film, Sideways best comedy/musical, Jamie Foxx won for Ray, Hilary Swank for Million Dollar Baby, which also picked up best director for Eastwood ahead of Scorsese - but of most interest to me were the dual awards for Natalie Portman and Clive Owen in the supporting acting catagories for Closer, which I still haven't had a chance to see, even though it has been out since Thursday. Could this auger the asscendance of Ms. Portman into the elite having suffererd from first a child actress tag and then the whole Star Wars thing? I hope so. What does this tell us about Oscar? Well, the winners are gauranteed a nomination at least, and the smart vote really has to be with Foxx in the best actor catagory now. The rest are still wide open, with Sideways, also a winner in the screenplay stakes (which must be it's secret weapon) remaining a dark horse for the big one. Kx

Orange County

Another Jack Black rampage, this time as supporting actor, plays as a bit of a Ferris Bueller in reverse; plus Colin Hanks in the lead role is more reminiscent of Matthew Broderick than his uber-famous kin. Neither original enough nor funny enough to be a good film, it does have a few moments of laugh out loud gutbusting, courtesy of M. Black, to keep it going. Young Hanks is affable and competant enough and the supporting cast is colourful if a little (well ok a lot) 2D. Despite all of it's drawbacks it somehow comes out the other end as very very likeable and by the time the big cheesy ending came there was a big satisfied smile on my face. And as a bonus it is only 72 minutes long - a good tip if a film isn't great, cut it down to bones and it just might work. 6/10 Kx

The Day After Tomorrow

Very uncomfortable watching this after recent events in the Indian Ocean! Have never thought it would be anything other than one more dissapointing Summer blockbuster, so have left it alone till now. Basically it is a load of bollocks, with enough cheese to keep pizza hut going for a month, but Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid at least make it watchable. The first hour is not half bad for a disaster flick, but once the wave hits NY the pace dries up and by the time the CG wolves arrive you just don't care if anyone lives or dies. Nevertheless, it does give a moment of pause to think that nature is not just something you can send Bruce Willis to stop - global warming and imminent climate change are indeed serious subjects we should all be thinking about. Don't bother watching the film, just click the title and learn the facts. 5.5/10 Kx

The Aviator

Went into this with mixed preconceptions, as I'm sure many people will. Scorsese will never again reach the heights and raw creativity of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, but he can still make films like this, and make them bloody well! It's nice to see something of this scope - grandiose like the ideas of the man himself, sprawling and detailed. Doubts as to whether Di Caprio had the weight to pull off such a serious role must now be dispelled - he will still have his detractors, but here he delivers a sharp, thorough performance that doesn't give in to easy interpretations of mental illness and compulsion: an oscar nod beckons (but I'll hold reservations on whether he deserves to win until I've seen Jamie Foxx in Ray). The supporting cast are excellent too, especially the consistantly brilliant Cate Blanchett who pulls off the best Katherine Hepburn impression ever seen and embellishes it with a believable character to boot. And the whole thing left a lump in my throat, the pressence of which I can't decribe. Yes, Marty's back on form - here's hoping he gets the standing ovation he deserves come oscar night. Kx

Pollock

Still catching up on some older DVDs and this has been on the list for a while - one of those you just have to be in the perfect mood for. I knew that Ed Harris had practically poured his life savings into getting this made, directing and starring himself. It's a story worth telling and a character easily as interesting as Picasso. If you like the art then you'll like the film, if not you'll find it slow perhaps - it is slow, and directoral flare is at a minimum, but it has great bohemian charm too, expounding a simple life, simple ideas and genius against a tide of ennui and anguish. As performer here Ed Harris is great, you can tell from every scene how much this project meant to him, giving it a rare energy and integrity; he'll be remembered for other stuff from better director's perhaps, but to him I'm sure this is his life's work and all respect for that. 8/10 Kx

Jets Go Wild

Congratulations to the New York Jets, who I have followed as well as I can (despite only one game being covered by channel five), for firstly reaching the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, having lost their final game in overtime but having results elsewhere go their way. And secondly for overcoming an underdog status against the San Diego Chargers last night to emerge 20-17 winners, again in OT. They are certainly doing it the hard way, and now may have reached the pinnacle of expectation for one season, as they now face the winner of the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, two of the strongest teams this year. Two defeats in two attempts this season against the Patriots may strangely make them their favoured opponents, as at least they will have learned a lot about them through experience. Either way, the season cannot be called a failure now, even if the superbowl doesn't beckon. Kx

Girl With A Pearl Earring

Now that's more like it. A film which exceded my expectations tenfold. The British trailer made it look like a sentimental love story and nothing more, but this is a finely crafted study of passion, repression and humanity I highly recommend. The detail is immaculate, each frame is a painting in itself; the use of light and framing, combined with costume, very impressive acting and a patient script all combine to make a genuinely moving piece that surpasses a narrow minded chick-flick tag. Following up on Lost In Translation, Scarlet Johansson delivers a completely different yet equally impressive performance, and Colin Firth does what he does very well - be quiet, intense and standoffish, yet vulnerable and deep. The score deserves a mention too - it hightened the mood perfectly; a beautiful central theme is right up there with the classics. If in two minds as to whether this is your COT give it a try, because I had avoided it for ages and now can't wait to see it again. 9/10 Kx

Confidence

I like Ed Burns, he's OK, and Dustin Hoffman is far better in character cameos these days than as a lead, as is Andy Garcia; Rachel Weisz I'm not so convinced about, and even less so after this misfire. It has promise throughout but is derivative and tries to be different for the sake of it, often at the expense of the story - which thinks it is smart and subtle but in truth is profane and clumsy: the sting in the tale can be seen a mile off, ultimately leaving you very underwhelmed. There were a few nice scenes in isolation and more than once I felt as if it might redeem itself, but alas, no. Again, not a bad movie, just not really a good one. 4.5/10 Kx

National Treasure

Last day of the school holidays so a trip to the cinema had to be done. We all groaned that there was nothing better on that we hadn't seen yet, and then had to go with the Jerry Bruickheimer thing in the hope it might at least be fun. Well - yeah, sort of... Taken as a throwaway action pic, then I've definitely seen much worse. It's not that bad really; not that good either - the ABC of cryptology that would make even Dan Brown blush, the cheesy one liners and the under-developed characters, esp. Sean Bean's bad guy, Ian, and a distinct lack of action or thrills. Despite everything it still survives as quite a watchable romp, thanks to Cage mostly, but also thanks to Diane Kruger being absolutely gorgeous. The 8 year old reaction was one of apathy - not bowled over, nor bored rigid - and that's the best that can be said. Kx

Peter Cook

Channel 4 deliver another top 50 run down, this time of the comedians' favourite comedian. 200 trusted comedians and critics were polled, resulting in a pretty comprehensive list of the funniest people ever, from any period. Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy & Groucho Marx all ranked highly; Eddie Izzard was a little low for me at 19; Vic & Bob garnered a very pleasing 9; my tip for number one came fourth: Eric Morcombe. The top two are hard to argue with, John Cleese being number two (Python and Fawlty Towers!) and The winner being Peter Cook who posthumously is considered a writting and performing genius by almost everyone. The program was followed by a documentary on Derek and Clive, which whilst not being that funny taken as snippets out of context is fascinating for it's historical place in the change of attitudes and styles, and for Cook's relationship with Dudley Moore. A more fascinating and tragic man than even Peter Sellers (if not funnier) RIP Peter Cook! Kx