Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
February 18th, 2006
Big thanks to Nash who took us to see Beth Orton & guests last night in Warwick. I’d not really heard any of her stuff before, and after last night still can’t say I’m a massive fan. Don’t get me wrong, she was good, just need to listen to more I think. In fact, for me, the best bit of last night was the “& guests” who turned out to be a band called Clayhill.
Clayhill are a scissor toting, xylophone playing 5 piece from (by the sounds of the guitarists accent) somewhere in the South West of England. Their blend of acoustic guitar and double bass funk was without doubt awesome. Awesome enough anyway to get me to buy not one but two of their albums in the interval.
Favorite song of the night had to be “So Far Out” (at least I think that’s what it was called), which continued some serious thrash-acoustic (yeah, it’s possible) and well timed silences which seemed to suck all the sound out of the room.
Also just gotta say a word about the bass player. This guy obviously has a real passion for music, and put his all into entertaining the people of Warwick last night. Everyone was Loving both the bass slides and the scissor work.
Anyway, if you get chance, go and check ‘em out. They’re on the whole of Beth’s UK tour.
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May 3rd, 2005
Last Thursday we went to check out James Blunt at the Manchester Academy, which meant not only did I get to go to a big gig (it’s been a few months), But I also got to leave work 2 hours earlier - bonus.
I’ve been listening to this guy’s album for a couple of weeks, and had big expectations and man he didn’t disappoint. Blunt has a real raw talent, and proved not every modern album rely’s on expensive production techniques, I couldn’t tell the difference between the live stuff and the polished album tracks. One song in particular that stuck out for me was ‘No Bravery’ which was my favourite from the album anyway, but absolutely awesome live.
James was supported by Kate Aumonier whose set was superb enough for me to buy the CD. Strong vocals and cleverly written songs - I predict big things for this girl.
More photos when I actually get round to finishing off the photographs section of the site… What? It’s only been a few months.
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April 27th, 2005
After months of waiting, and checking cinema listing in vein, I finally got to see this film. So was it worth the wait? Unequivocally (is that a real word??) yes! I absolutely loved it, but it’s hard to put my finger on exactly why. The last offering from Wes Anderson The Royal Tenenbaums was, and I don’t think I’m being too harsh here, the biggest pile of steaming turd ever to grace the cinema screen. But the trailer for this film looked awesome, and Bill Murray is in it, and after seeing Lost in Translation I though this has got to be good.
The film is both slick and polished while at the same time feeling rough around the edges. It’s filmed with a kind of hazy filter which gives it the look of Jacques Costeau’s films. Which I guess given what the film is about was exactly what Anderson was trying to achieve. The sound track, a mix of crappy keyboard dance and acoustic Bowie, was perfect for this picture - Understated and very refreshing.
So should you see this film? It’s not exactly what you would call a run off the mill Hollywood blockbuster, more of an art house picture, which given some of the crap poring out of Hollywood is a no bad thing. If you’re prepared to give it some time, and appreciated it’s humour, you’ll end up loving it too - trust me. 9/10
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April 7th, 2005
André 3000, what a dude. Lets face it, he was the star of this film. I’m sure there was a plot line in there somewhere, something about Chili Palmer (Travolta) getting out of the film industry and into the music business, oh and Uma Thurman was in it as well.
But that’s not what this film was really about. It was giving the other actors a chance to shine and be funny, and they didn’t disappoint. I was occasionally a little annoyed when we had to get back to the main characters and worry about the plot.
The Rock shone in a role that was a BIG departure from his days as the Scorpion King and proved once and for all that there is no batter place to learn how to act than in the American wrestling arena. André 3000 was just cool (if not a little nuts) all through this movie, I predict big things from this guy.
Other notable performances came in the shape of Cedric the Entertainer as the upper class gangster dad, and Robert Pastorelli as Joe Loop the laid back hit man. Oh, and of course Christina Milian.
Go see this movie, not for the story – ‘Cos lets face it, it’s a bit thin on the ground. But for the understated cool and comedy that sets the tone all the way through. It’s got to be 7/10 from me on this one.
(Rob: now this is worth finding a cinema for!)
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March 25th, 2005
For some unknown reason I thought it would be a good idea to waste an hour of my life last night by sitting through Harold and Kumar go to Whitecastle (aka. Harold and Kumar get the Munches here in the UK). I wouldn’t say this film both sucked and blow’ed, but there was a definite feeling I’d just wasted £4.
I actually liked the actors playing the two main roles, it’s just a shame that this was their first major film role outside Van Wilder and American Pie. It was all just sooo predictable, from the hill-billy with the fit wife, to the sudden change in the characters personalities when they finally get to Whitecastle. Seriously, I wouldn’t bother. Wait till the inevitable uncut version is released on dvd, this film might actually be better after you’ve developed the munches.
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