NOVEMBER REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

Glora Steinem: on integrity, empathy, and authenticity/Nelson Mandela: guiding principles/Great Thunberg: on truth, courage, and saving out planet - these are part of a series of books on leaders, their story and their thoughts on the topic in the title. They are small in length but huge in ideas and ideals.

Howard Stern Comes Again -  I have finally finished this one, I have been reading it on and off for a long time but it keeps getting reservations, so I take it back to work, and get it again when others are finished with it. It is a book of printed conversations Stern has had on his radio show over the years with some introductions and thoughts by Stern himself. The interviews are mostly big stars like Letterman, McCartney, GaGa, Madonna, Sia etc plus various conversations with Trump over the years. It is a fascinating and humourous book!

Quest in Paradise by David Attenborough – a spoken word version read by the man himself (that voice!) of his early journeys to New Guinea and his quest to see the infamous Birds of Paradise doe their special song and dance. He meets a lot of interesting characters and films rituals and animals. Fascinating stories.

The Morbids by Ewa Ramsey - this is the debut novel by local author and is a solid read. I liked the realistic depiction of depression and anxiety, which is a rare to find in fiction. The story itself is probably more suitable to teens, or could be described at chick lit, or rom com, or a beach read. Nothing wrong with that, but I prefer depth in my fiction.

Couture by Megan Hess is another stunning book on fashion my illustrator/writer Hess. Her illustrations are stunning and full of whimsy, and always make me smile.

Heart Berries: a memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot - this was an intense memoir by an indigenous Indian American. It goes into her breakdown, mental health, and institutionalisation during that time. It is intense, but also funny at times.  

What I've Been Watching

The  Bookseller – this movie felt like it was made for me, about the booksellers of New York. Oh my! I grinned and wept in equal measures through this documentary. The passion this eclectic group of people have for books is outstanding. It features a range of people including singular booksellers, and those that are running institutions. It follows a couple of book fairs also. And like all good docos about New York features some great pieces from Fran Lebowitz. And some of the books featured will make you weak at the knees. This is a must see film.

Vinyl Nation  - another doco made for me, about the resurgence of vinyl. Amazing and fun, full of quirky peeps, my type of peoples! Shows the decline of vinyl, the advance of CDs then digital, and then the full circle back to vinyl. Also the people - like me - who never went away from vinyl and hung in there. It goes into the history of Record Store day, and how albums are pressed these days. fascinating, fun, and uplifting. A must see film.

Laurel Canyon is a great documentary about the music scene in LA in the  late 60s and 70s. It features loads of amazing footage including music from Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, The Doors, The Monkees, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, Mamas and the Papas, Bonnie Raitt and many more. It is really interesting the intertwining relationships throughout this era. In terms of who was in what band and also relationships. A lot I knew but watching it really consolidated the information. But essentially this is about the music, and what great music it was!

Brock: over the top – this is a no holds bar documentary on the motor racing great, Peter Brock. I grew up in a motor racing family and Brockie was God! I heard about his wild ways in recent years, and his abuse of his first wife. It is a hard pill to take but it sounds like he had a lot of issues and whilst some improved over the years, some did not. That withstanding, this is really a great film. So much amazing footage and his passion for safety and his advertisements for 0.05 drinking. Loads of interviews with family and colleagues add to the perspectives. I really enjoyed this one.

I Am Patrick Swayze - this was a great documentary about an extraordinary man. Loads of footage throughout his life, including before he was famous, and loads of interviews with those who new him best. Buddy was the name he went by, and he was gifted in everything he did, but there was a dark side to him too. This was no holds barred and real, but also lovely. 

Greg Davies Live: the back of my mum's head - this is from 2013 but hilarious. I am such a fan of Greg, he never fails to make me laugh. His stories are ridiculous but obviously real. Adore him and this is 90 minutes of side splitting laughter.

Lazy Susan – is an unusual film about an unusual woman stuck in her middle-aged humdrum life who decides to turn things around. I probably wouldn’t have made it through the film if it wasn’t for Sean Hayes playing the lead of Susan. He also wrote the script. I wanted to love this, but it was only ok…just.

Downhill – this is a very very poor remake of a French black comedy. Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are completely miscast in this. In the original the couple are struggling but on a ski holiday with their family. They play it straight, it is the characters around them that are funny and the situations that they get themselves in. Ferrell and Louis-Dreyfus tried but it just did not work.

I May Destroy You is utterly compelling. A high-concept drama/comedy series from the UK. It is based on real-life events that happened to writer/star Michaela Coel. Coel pretty much plays herself, a internet sensation for keeping it real especially in terms of feminism, has written a best selling book and is beloved. she returns home from working on her second book overseas and catches up with friends. When she wakes the next morning, the evening prior is foggy, she has a cut on her forehead and some bruising on her body and believes she has been drugged and raped. The series covers an entire year of her life as she tries to make sense of things she simply cannot remember. It turns realities on it's head, and gives you a whole range of perspectives to look at. Michaela is charismatic, hilarious, and deeply broken about this. It is not something you can binge, it is heavy, but also very funny. It is one of the best things I have seen all year. Remarkable stuff and makes you think. Up there with Fleabag. 

The Undoing is a brilliant mystery/thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. They are a high profile New York couple, but things fall apart when a mother from their son's school is brutally murdered. The woman was having an affair with Grant, and he is the main suspect. The story twists and turns and has you on the edge of your seat. I kept changing who I thought did it in every episode and it catches you out everytime you make an opinion. Well worth a watch!

Raised by Wolves - this is an ambitious sci-fi show about two androids raising a family of children on another planet after Earth is destroyed. But the initial utopia starts to fall when most of the children do not survive and they are attacked by others escaping to this planet. Beautifully shot, with compelling characters, this starts brilliantly (the first two episodes are directed by Ridley Scott) but then loses it a bit in the middle before things get back on track by the end. I enjoyed this, but it needed a bit of an edit. Unsure if there will be second series, but I am keen to see where it goes.

Awafina is Nora from Queens - I loved this comedy with Awafina as Nora, a 30 something still living at home with her father and grandmother. She smokes a lot of pot, plays computer games all night, and is unemployed. But she is hilarious, as is her grandmother. This is a sweet show, funny, a bit out there, and clever. It reminds me of Broad City and Girls.

Difficult People -  is a dark comedy featuring Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner, two struggling comics in New York. They get a lot of opportunities but due to their harsh personas usually end up upsetting someone and getting sacked. Loads of other comedians feature in the 3 seasons, and the stories are hilarious. Very New York, Amy Sedaris and Deborah Harry feature as a lesbian couple, this is the spin off we all need, lol. Fred Armison as Billy's brother is brilliant, as is the always wonderful Andrea Martin as Julie's mother. I loved this so much, hilarious, and often brutal, these guys are awful but in the best possible way. So many favourite moments, I cannot even begin to list them. If you haven't seen this, you must! It is on SBS On Demand.

Zoo Quest - This was a two part documentary about the first series David Attenborough was involved in. Shot on colour film but shown in black and white. The original colour film was found and they have now shown it for the first time in colour within this doco. The colour is striking as it was colour from the 50s and look hyper surreal. There are interviews with Attenborough and the boys - now elderly men - who filmed with him. They showed the original footage and told the behind the scenes tales. Some of what they did was quite dangerous, but being young didn't really realise. Obviously taking animals from Africa and New Guinea was not the right thing to do and they were strong to say that things changed in terms of conservation as time went on. But utterly fascinating, I was in awe of what I saw.

Come Fly With Me was an interesting 3 part documentary about the history of Australian Aviation. With loads of interviews of people involved in the industry, especially the women, the first women who took to the air. Hosted by the ever gorgeous Justine Clarke, this was a lot of fun.

What I've Been Listening To

Sign O The Times by Prince - got the remaster of this in peach vinyl and it sounds terrific. Easily Prince's best album and my favourite. Been blasting it!

Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon - this is the remastered Greatest Hits as chosen by Yoko and Sean, it sounds divine and is a mighty tribute for Lennon's 80th.

Young Americans by David Bowie - another remaster in gold vinyl and also sounds great. The title track I always loved but has deeper meaning for me as it was the first Bowie played on the radio after hearing he had died. big sigh...

Hoodoo Gurus - been spinning the early stuff, Stoneage Romeos and Mars Needs Guitars, two more perfect albums I'll never know. The pop holds up so beautifully today and the sound is wonderful. 

Three Chords and the Truth - Van Morrison - Van has been pumping out some great albums of late and this is one of them. Jazzy and compelling, he sounds great, the band is tight, it makes you want to dance. Go Van!

Van Morrison - been listening to his greatest hits in the car, always holds up, always a delight.

A New World Record - ELO - my favourite ELO album with my favourite ELO song, Rock Aria. But the entire album is wonderful, always great to listen to.

Child in Reverse - Kate Miller-Heidke - this is the new KMH in pretty pink vinyl. I love her so much and this is stunning, loads of operatic vocalising and pop tunes. She never ever disappoints, her storytelling within the song always brilliant.

Black Pumas – really enjoyed this debt album with a real soul feel. It felt instantly easy to listen to and had smooth grooves.

Imploding the Mirage – Killers – I always enjoy this band, their rock/pop has a nice clear sound to it and this is no exception. A couple of 80s inspired rock anthems within.

An Evening of New York Songs and Stories – Suzanne Vega – this is exactly as it is titled, a fabulous laid back live recording of Vega telling stories and singing all her great songs. Lifting and wonderful.

Valve Bone Woe – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble – Chrissie sings jazz!!! Yep, this is quite unusual and it sounds a bit odd on paper but it really works. Her signature rock attitude comes across brilliantly interpreting these standards and other tunes in her own way. Sinatra, Beahc Boys, Hoagy Carmichael, Mingus, Coltrane, Nick Drake and Ray Davies – this is really worth a listen. I loved it.

Alicia – Alicia Keys – a lovely laid back mix of light hip hop and r n b, Alicia always sounds sublime, her piano playing brilliant. To me, this is a return to her original style when she first appeared. Really enjoyed this.

Brightest Blue – Ellie Goulding – I love Goulding’s ethereal voice and this is lovely and light and laid back in tone. There is a mix of styles, some electronic and dance within, along with her signature chill vibe.