JUNE REVIEWS

What I’ve Been Reading

 

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: from A to B and Back Again by Andy Warhol – riffs, reflections and advice on love, sex, beauty, food, fame, New York and his work. -  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this little book by and about Andy. I read it many years ago and listening to it was equally delightful. It is basically Andy riffing on his likes and dislikes as listed in the title with little philosophical thoughts.

 

Himalaya by Michael Palin – I could listen to Palin’s voice read the phone book. He’s my favourite Python and just perfection in my mind. I love his travel stuff, and this was a talking book of his Himalayan trip from almost 20 years ago. Even without the visuals (which of course I had seen) I was transfixed.

 

I haven’t been reading much, lost my reading mojo, thank goodness for talking books!

 

What I’ve Been Watching

 

Getaway of love- cute little French film where a middle aged married woman falls in love with would be assassin and they take off with the police in pursuit!

Rosalie Blum- loved this French film that starts with a middle aged man who keeps running into a middle aged lady, she never notices him, and he becomes a little obsessed. The Lady is Rosalie Blum, with a shady past. When her young niece tracks her down a friendship is formed and she gets the niece the track this strange man who keeps following her. The film is told from different perspectives. It twists and turns, and is funny and poignant. I really loved this.

The Banksy Job – this is a bizarre little doco, about a dude who steals a Banksy sculpture in London and appropriates it as his, only to have it stolen off him.

Fantastic Beasts -  oh, how I loved this Harry Potter spin off. Beautifully shot and directed, set design phantasmagorical, great acting, great beasts. I want more!!!!!!

Nocturnal Animals- this was a spooky tour de force. I felt very uncomfortable watching this. Amazing acting.

Sully – I really loved this, even though you know the story. It was well shot, and left you on the edge of the seat. Can’t say I want to fly anytime too soon after this. Even Tom Hanks was bearable!

Doctor Strange – I did enjoy this new take on the super hero, especially with Cumberbatch. But ultimately it left me a little meh, and I think that has to do with not seeing it on the big screen.

Tony Awards – always enjoy The Tonys.  Bette MIdler in Hello Dolly seemed to be the big winner this year, I reckon it would be quite amazing to see!

Genius – I have been enjoying this National Geographic series about The Man, Albert Einstein. Geoffrey Rush plays him as the older Albert. What a fascinating life, especially his younger years, and it is well filmed and acted.

Doctor Who – loving the new series much better than the last series. The addition of Nardole and Bill is most welcome, but they still are not giving Capaldo worthy material, and that makes me a little cranky.

Shots Fired – this was a great series shot in the south, racial tension, bad cops, the whole deal. I really enjoyed this.

Veep S6 – this show just gets better and better. It takes place a year after Selina lost the presidency and she is hell bent of securing some kind of legacy, and has a book and a library on the go. Still funny, still relevant!

Orange is The New Black S3/4/5 – I binged these seasons back to back and loved every minute of it. Wonderful writing, superb acting, funny and heart breaking. S3 was a continuation on S1 and S2, looking more closely at the girls and why they were there. S4 shows changes within the system for the worse for the girls, with a rather confronting main storyline that ended with a great tragedy and then a huge riot in the complex. S5 is very different to previous seasons, I won’t say why (spoilers) but it was edge of your seat watching, extra joyous and funny, and extra heart wrenching. The creators really took it up a notch and I believe this has divided the fans, but I was super impressed. You really really got to know the girls and the workers from a whole other range. The writing was top notch and the acting was our of the park.

Kimmy S2 – Kimmy Schmidt is lite fun, it’s not the best thing on tele, but it’s a harmless palette cleanser after watching so much drama. It is funny and cute and with Tina Fey behind the creators turns out some great lines. I recommend it!

Twin Peaks – is continuing to amaze and delight. Truly THE best thing I have ever seen on television. I am highly impressed. Yeah, not all of it makes sense, but that is Lynch and indeed Twin Peaks. MacLachlan is outstanding in his multiple roles. Halfway there and looking forward to the second half!

Leftovers finale – Wow, this series has been a wild ride. The first season, based on Tom Perrotta’s book, has the world coming to grips with 2% of the population disappearing. No one knows why, and a few years after the event, the world is struggling to come to terms with it. S1 is set in a small town where Justin Theroux is the cop. It shows various families and their loss, also a group of isolated people, who are really unravelled by the events. The vibe is not great. It was an up and down season, difficult to watch, with tips into fantasy, but totally worthwhile. Damon Lindelof (Lost) with Perrotta worked on all three series, which takes the story beyond the book.

Season 2 moves some of the main characters to a different town – a ‘magical’ town where no one disappeared – the only town in the world in fact, which means many are flocking there. Again, it dips a little more into fantasy with a storyline around Theroux that is to be seen. During S1 Theroux falls in love with Nora (the brilliant Carrie Coon), sister of the local preacher (Christopher Eccleston), and this season has them together, and there is a very odd extended family between them. New characters are introduced, more spiritual, more fantastic, more out there, but a little less of the up and downs of S1, it was settling a little, but still mind blowing stuff.

Season 3 was outstanding and the finale, one of the best finales I have ever seen. It almost (almost but not quite) made me forgive Lindelof for the appalling ending of what was, at the time, my favourite show ever, Lost. The series moves to Australia this season, again the key characters from S2 are in it, and new ones added. This is a much more laid back season, yet it covers the most ‘out there’ material, but by now, it seems normal. It is beautifully shot, and acted, and produced. The finale is something all together. I do not want to spoil anything, suffice to say, the performances of Carrie Coon and Justin Theroux are beyond outstanding. It is equal parts heart breaking, and uplifting. It answers some of your questions, but not the ones you’d expect. It was completely satisfying, and made me cry like a baby. I’d love to say more, and I know this is a clumsy description. The show is very intricate and detailed, but entirely worthy of a watch. Truly one of the best things I have seen. I cannot stop thinking about it, weeks after it was shown. It’s been described as the best show on television that no one is watching...let’s change that, go and check it out!

What I’ve Been Listening To

Mark Vincent – A Tribute to Mario Lanza – spectacular voice spectacular songs. I’m a huge Lanza fan, and often get a little put off by those attempting his work, but Vincent it outstanding.

Madeleine Peyroux  - Secular Hymns – a little more laid back than usual, but still stunning. Peyroux has the most beautiful, almost Billie Holiday style voice. Been a fan for years, and whilst this is less jazzy than usual, it is still great.