OSCAR WATCH 23/24 - how it went!

It always seem to take forever to arrive, but comes and goes so quickly!

Oscars 23/24 was not too bad.

Jimmy Kimmel has grown on me, he is a solid host. Not spectacular, like Billy Crystal, but what you see is what you get and he keeps things moving, and that is sufficient.

First off the bat, I noticed an acknowledgement of country prior to the ceremony, which I have never noticed before let alone anywhere in the US. So that made me smile, a perfect move.

So the 96th Academy Awards, I cannot wait for year 100, now that is going to be spectacular. 

And as a film buff, especially a classic film buff, I love to see old Hollywood and nods to those that came before. Of course, there are not many classic film stars left, but there are moments to be had. And this year had some.

Jimmy mentioned it was 48 years since both Jodie Foster and Robert De Niro were nominated for Taxi Driver and here they were nominated again! Of course, he added an awkward joke about age, but what are the Oscars if tropes are not rolled out...sigh.

Bringing out those that work behind the scenes was a masterful move, very classy.

And having Messi the dog from Anatomy of a Fall sitting in the audience was just wonderful.

The presentations I loved the most were the acting ones, where they had 5 previous winners talk about each nominee, They did this once before and people said it took too long. My response then and now, is really? If that is your commentary why are you even watching? This is exactly why you watch the Academy Awards. Bizarre.

So this year it was wonderful to see a range of superb actors and actresses welcome the newest member into the club. I found it moving and wonderful. But then, this is exactly what I want when I watch this show!

There were other memorable moments in terms of presentation. Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling exchanging barbs over their respective movies and the whole Barbenheimer rivalry. Very funny.

Danny De Vito and Arnold Schwarzenegger giving Michael Keaton some grief about how badly Batman treated their villains (Now Keaton wasn't AS's Batman, but that is a-ok), also funny.

And Kate McKinnon and American Ferrara talking about Dinosaurs, Jeff Goldblum, and Steven Spielberg, incredibly funny. Jon Cena's naked joke and John Mahoney's Field of Dream monologue were both good.

The songs this year were mostly great.

I really enjoyed seeing Barry Corbin (from Killers of the Flower Moon and Northern Exposure) in the song from that movie. The whole performance was powerful.

Billie Eilish and Fineas were all class delivering what would be the winning Best Song. I love that song so much, it was just great to see, as was their winning speech. 2 Oscars in 3 years at such a young age. Brilliant.

But the moment of the evening, was Ryan Gosling performing I'm Just Ken.

OH MY GOODNESS!

I didn't think he would even do this, so it was unexpected and even better than what I would have thought had I expected it.

Ryan's Kenergy was legendary in the lead up and after the movie, he just got into it and had fun. I love that. And his performance was next level Kenergy. Where is his recording contract, he can bloody sing (and dance). He was a Disney child but still. The presentation was perfection including some Marilyn Monroe (Madonna) AND Busby Berkeley choreography which was equal parts inspired and hilarious! Add in some work with the audience, showing the whole thing was live (they usually are) and some guitar genius from Slash. This goes into my top 10 Oscar moments! 

Other moments of note were Paul Giamatti escorting Da'Vine Joy Randolph right up the stairs to the stage when she won, and shedding a visible tear in a cutaway after her speech. What a classy guy!

Sean Ono Lennon up on the Oscar stage with the directors of the Best Short, Animated WAR IS OVER! and giving 91 year old Yoko a shout out. Tears of course!

Now to the winners, and how I went.

Each year there are some categories I am emotionally attached to and I either let my emotions push my choices (usually a mistake) or like this year I ignore my emotions and just choose what I think the Academy will chose, and this year the Academy loved Poor Things as much as I did, which I didn't think they would!

So the 4 awards for Poor Things, including Emma Stone for Best Actress were bloody amazing and well deserved and exactly what I hoped would win, but not what I choose to win...sigh. I lost in Sound and Animated Film too.

So 6 incorrect BUT 17 correct, which is not bad. I have done much better, but I have also done much worse.

I loved all the acting and big speeches, it was a great year for film. 

And now the fashion:

Best Dressed

Faves

The Rest

Unsure

OSCAR WATCH: The predictions 2023-24

I have been doing this for a long time, decades actually and it is still difficult.

And this year, I genuinely loved most of the films, which makes it even more difficult.

Here is a link to my reviews of these films.

So, as always, I try to predict what will actually win. There is a lot to take in to do this, but please - amateurs - the Golden Globes has NOTHING to do with it, lol!
You need to have a knowledge of how the Academy works, past winners, and who won key awards that are voted for by the same people that vote for The Oscars, eg, the SAGS. But even then it can be a crapshoot.

And I so pick my personal favourite in some categories, which is often different to what I think will win.

Best Picture

This is a difficult category, as all the films I have seen are absolutely brilliant, and I pretty much loved them all.

I loved Poor Things the most, closely followed by The Holdovers, Maestro and Barbie.

Next level is American Fiction, Past Lives and Anatomy of a Fall.

Killer of the Flower Moon and Oppenheimer I really enjoyed but also thought they were both masterpieces, albeit a little too long. 

I have not seen Zone of Interest.

Oppenheimer will win because it is a remarkable film. Great casting and acting, amazing cinematography, an important subject matter historically, compelling and just all round perfect.

My personal pick is Poor Things, easily my favourite film of the bunch. So I would love that to win.

Best Director

Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer will and should win this award, simply as it is a great film, a masterpiece, beautifully imagined and shot. And this goes for all his films, so he is overdue.

Best Adapted Screenplay

This one is difficult but I think American Fiction will win. It is a tight script from a beloved book

But I really want Barbie to win. Why this was in Adapted I will never know, a totally bizarre move from The Academy. I think Greta deserves something.

Best Original Screenplay

This is easy, Anatomy of a Fall is a phenomenal script and has won everything. It will and should win.

Best Actor

Cillian Murphy will win, and understandably so. Without him there is no Oppenheimer, he is Oppenheimer.

However, I would be absolutely thrilled if Paul Giamatti won, he is so good in The Holdovers, and everything he has done prior.

Best Supporting Actor

I am 99% certain Robert Downey Jnr will win for this performance, for his career turn around, for not getting the nod for Chaplin (he should have won!) And I want him to win.

However, if something odd happened and Ryan Gosling or Mark Ruffalo won, I would be thrilled for them. Consistently great actors in really amazing and out there roles.

Best Actress

This is such a strong field and it is neck and neck for Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone. Both very powerful roles but in so very different ways. I think both deserve to win but I think if Lily won it would be a very overdue and very important moment, and for that I think she will win. Her performance was mesmerising and she stole every scene from Leo and De Niro which is quite the feat.

Having said that if Emma Stone got up I would be equally as happy. I would love a tie, I want them both to win.

Best Supporting Actress

This is another certainly, Da'Vine Randolph, one of my faves (she is so funny in High Fidelity and Only Murders). She is the heart of The Holdovers and her dramatic scenes really showcase her amazing acting and she is still very funny.

Best Animated Feature

I have not seen any of these, but I think Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will win.

Best Cinematography

Cinematography and Best Film almost always go hand in hand, and Oppenheimer's cinematography was amazing, part of the genius. Especially the bomb scenes.

Best Costume Design

This is between Barbie and Poor Things, both are worthy and deserving. So it is really difficult and all my sources are divided too. I think Barbie will win, and I am happy with that.

Best Documentary Feature

Again, I have not seen any of these, but I believe everyone is putting their money on 20 days in Mariupol, so I will go with that.

Best Documentary Short

For the shorts I go to key reviewers and see which averages out, so in that case, The Last Repair Shop should win.

Best Film Editing

Oppenheimer, that is all.

Best International Feature Film

Zone of Interest is the frontrunner and from what I have heard, sounds good to me. It is the one film I really want to see but have not.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Maestro is the front winner and therefore my prediction. But Poor Things would be my preferred choice.

Best Original Score

This is easy, Oppenheimer, an elegant and perfect score for the film.

Best Original Song

Another easy one, What Was I Made For by Billie Eilish will win. Because it is a perfect song and it suits the film beautifully but is universal and a great song without the movie although it was written specifically for the film.

Look, it would be divine if I'm Just Ken won, because it is so good too. But Fineas and Billie have written an instant classic, it will win.

Best Production Design

Barbie is the frontrunner an deservedly so. The attention to detail requires multiple viewing, they nailed the Barbie aesthetic in the most incredible ways.

Best Short, Animated

All sources point towards Sean Lennon's, WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the music of John and Yoko. Cue tears from me if it does.

Best Short, Live Action

My money is on The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a beloved Roald Dahl book and by Wes Anderson, what's not to love!

Best Sound

The majority of my sources say Oppenheimer and I will go with that.

Best Visual Effects

This appears to be between The Creator and Godzilla Minus One. I have seen neither but am putting my money on Godzilla Minus One. No idea really lol!

OSCAR WATCH 23/24

2023/2024 has been phenomenal for Oscar films. I saw all the top contenders for The Academy Awards bar one - Zone of Interest - which is a first for a long time.

I know Zone of Interest is at the cinemas right now, but the local cinema showing it has it in their regular cinema and it has the most uncomfortable seats and I just cannot do that to my body! Not even for Oscar.

At the end of each Oscar season, I say I think I am done doing this - especially with some of the crazy that has appeared in recent years - and come February every year, I get sucked back in. The caliber of the films this year makes it impossible to ignore.

And look, as I have said before, The Oscars are my religion, lol!

There has been changes to the academy over the past few years and deservedly so. Which makes it a little more difficult. But more on that in my predictions blog which will be out later today.

OK, here are my reviews.

American Fiction

I loved this movie so much, it had a wonderful dry wit to it. Jeffery Wright is Monk, a writer of literary novels, which are critically acclaimed but they do not sell. When his latest title is rejected for not being black enough he is infuriated. So he decides to write the kind of book he hates but everyone seems to want.

His mother is declining with Alzheimers so he visits her and his sister, Tracee Ellis Ross, who is a doctor. His estranged brother, Sterling K. Brown, turns up to add to the chaos, and Monk falls in love with a neighbour. And there is more, but that would be spoilers, but suffice to say, he has a lot going on.

In the meantime, his publisher loves his new book, but is not aware it is Monk. His agent convinces him to make up this crazy persona to help 'promote' the book. This is hilarious. But when he is asked to be a on a panel to judge a literary prize and his joke book turns up on the long list, things get really complicated and hectic.

I loved this really well written and tight story. The story moves swiftly with all the moving parts working beautifully. Mostly due to Wright's great performance, and the great supporting cast. Tracee Ellis Ross and Issa Rae as a fellow writer are utterly brilliant as always. As are the remaining cast. I am unsure if this will win any Oscars, but it is well worth watching.

Anatomy of a Fall

Anatomy of a Fall really sucked me in. I didn't know much about it going in, other than Sandra Huller's performance was extraordinary, and it was. The movie commences with Sandra (played by Sandra) trying to give an interview about her writing to a young journalist. You can see they live in the French alps, in a lovely house but are very isolated. As the interview progresses very loud and disjointed world music begins to play. Sandra keeps up appearances despite being obviously irritated by the music which is being played by her husband. The interview is cut short and the journalist leaves. At the same time the son, who is legally blind, goes for a walk with his guide dog, Snoop.

Aside: Snoop is the most gorgeous good boy and an extraordinary actor, but I cannot say why as that will be a spoiler!!

Then tension builds, you know something is going to happen and indeed something has. When Daniel and Snoop return they find his father in the snow surrounded by blood and dead. He calls for his mother who eventually comes out and calls an ambulance etc. This then leads into investigations and Sandra is the key suspect despite her claims he must have fallen from the top floor where he was working. 

The film is essentially a trial with some flashbacks and you just do not know what to believe, but when Daniel is called upon as a 'witness' things get very intense. He is wonderful, but it is Sandra who just knocks it out the ball-park, what a tremendous performance. She will not win, but it is a mesmerising performance. One that will leave you guessing until the very end...and then some. Though it may win Best Original Screenplay.

Barbie

What can I say. I never had a Barbie (which I have always said would be my autobiography title) and happily so. When I heard my hero, Greta Gerwig was making a film about Barbie, I was initially disgusted but then curious. When the reviews came out and were very positive, I had to see it. I didn't get to see it until a while after its release. 

And I bloody loved it.

What an intelligent, clever, and hilariously funny take on this doll. I loved the feminist and intellectual take on Barbie having an existential crisis. The production design was extraordinarily clever and fun. The casting was next level. Margot Robbie was Barbie, and Ryan Gosling was a scene stealer as Ken. His Kenergy during the promos after the film was next level dedication and a reason why we love him so much. And he was having so much fun. 

America Ferrara also shone in the most wonderful way. Her feminist speech made me turn to Andrew (who also loved the film) after and say Oscar Nom. All the Barbies and Kens were great, especially Kate McKinnon's Weird Barbie.  And Michael Cera was born to play Allan. 

I loved the little small jokes, that were literary and film related, that not everyone would get. I know we were in a moderately full cinema (with quite a lot of children, WTAF!?!) and Andrew and I were often the only ones laughing. I loved the unexpected (spoilers!) actors that popped up. The writing of this film is absolutely superb.

And I couldn't love the resurgence of one of my all-time favourite songs more. Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls is such a feminist anthem and was set perfectly into the film. What I Was Made For by Billie Eilish is perfection and a sure thing to win Oscar for Best Song. It is so perfect for the film and stands along also.

As for other wins, possibly costume and Production. 

The Holdovers

What a joy the latest Alexander Payne film is. Firstly, I have loved Paul Giamatti since Private Parts, he is one of the greatest character actors and satirists. Set in the 70s at a boarding school/college. Giamatti is an odd character, a tough history teacher with malice for the privileged students he has to teach. Older, never married, cantankerous, the students do not care for him, and quite possibly a lot of his colleagues. He is chosen to stay over the Christmas period with students unable to go home. The only other adult is his friend, Mary the cook (played beautifully by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - who I have loved in High Fidelty the TV series, and Only Murders in the Building). Mary is grieving her son, who was recently killed in Vietnam. 

The acting is phenomenal, and like all Payne films, it is a dark comedy with a lot of melancholy. There are a lot of 'unknowns' playing the students, and they are great. The film becomes a two-hander when Paul and a student head out of the school on some errands, and layers upon layers are unravelled. How has Giamatti never won an Oscar, this would surely be his year, but oh boy he has some competition. Da'Vine's beautifully nuanced comedy/dramatic turn will surely nab one. This is such a beautiful film AND a truly lovely Christmas film.

Killers of the Flower Moon

The movie is confronting AND it is 3.5 hours (I do think it could have been shaved/edited down a bit) however it was worth it.

Based on a book about the investigations into multiple murders in the Osage County community in the 1920s, Scorsese had originally planned to shoot the film directly from the book. But then he spent time with The Osage, and met some descendants of the players and he knew he had to flip the screenplay to come from the 'characters' pov, not the investigation.

YES, this film (and others like it) should have been written, directed etc by First Nations peoples. Absolutely, but would that have really happened in this racist world, probably not...sadly.

I learnt so much from watching this film, so much I didn't know or have any idea about, and I found it incredibly moving and absolutely heartbreaking. We both did.

My hope is that this will 'allow' American First Nations to tell and film their own stories, because I want to learn and see more.

Lily Gladstone who played Mollie (A real life person) in the film is just perfection. She gives a formidable and mesmerising performance. And remember she is acting mostly with Leo and DeNiro and she leaves them for dead. There is something hypnotic about her, her beautiful face, the cadence of her voice, I really hope she wins the Academy Award. I also keep thinking about Marlon Brando, and what he might have thought about all of this.

Other than Lily, I do not think this film has much of a chance of winning any Oscars, but the fact it exists is enough for me, and the hope it will pave the way for more indigenous stories

Maestro

Bradley Cooper's film about Leonard Bernstein is a masterpiece. I could tell it would be from what I read and saw prior and as a huge Bernstein fan, I had high expectations. What I loved the most about this film, is he didn't attempt to throw everything Bernstein in it, he picked a theme - his relationship with his wife - and stuck to it. Of course music is featured, heard, seen, and it is tremendous. Bradley himself spent the best part of a decade preparing for this, and it shows. He embodies Lenny perfectly, at first you do still know it is Cooper, but as the movie progresses you forget and that is something else!

Carey Mulligan is superb as his wife, the wonderful Felicia Montealegre. She lights up every scene she is in, and gets some great heavy duty scenes to show her skills as well. The supporting cast as also wonderful, especially Sarah Silverman, Maya Hawke, and Matt Bomer.

The film is beautifully shot, every shot feels like a retro postcard, the use of black and white really solidifies the story. The set design specifically of their homes is impeccable. And then there is the music, handpicked by Cooper to showcase Bernstein's genius. It is sublime and dreamy, much like Bernstein himself. I cannot rave enough about this movie, I guess it is niche, but it is remarkably beautiful and most definitely a masterpiece. Sadly I think it will come home empty handed.

Oppenheimer

It took me a while to get to this, but boy it was worth the wait. We know the basic story, but this is so insightful and full of detail. It is obviously a terrible part of our history, but the complexity behind the story is heart breaking. Christopher Nolan is a genius film-maker, this goes without saying. The cinematography is always outstanding, and this is no exception. He uses black and white on and off throughout the film and it is a great thing. The film looks so very elegant, and so were the performances.

Cillian Murphy is everything as the conflicted Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jnr, is impeccably restrained as Lewis Strauss, a man on the downward spiral. Emily Blunt is mesmering as Oppenheimer's wife. The cast is full of amazing character actors, as someone recently said, when Remi Malik only gets one line, you know this is a great film.

I could see a lot of cross-over from Asteroid City, which amused me, but this film is not a comedy. I remember only too well the fear of nuclear war. I guess this film is not for everyone, but it is an important film. I should win Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Robert Downey Jnr is probably one of the biggest shoe-ins in Oscar history. and it should also take home a handful of technical awards. Oh and the Soundtrack.

Past Lives

This was such a lovely heartfelt little film. Na Young and Hae Sung are living in Seoul in 2000, they are 12 and good friends, Hae Sung is a little bit in love with Na Young. Her family are creatives and about to emigrate to Toronto. Her mother wants to leave her with a great final memory, and organises a 'date' for the children. Hae Sung is bereft.

2012, Na Young is now Nora Moon and living in New York, and Hae Sung is out of military college and decides to track Na Young down to no avail. Nora finds out this via facebook and contacts him under her new guise. They fall easily back into their friendship. More changes happen over the years (spoilers) and in 2024 and Hae Sung decides to visit Nora.

This rocks her very safe world. And I will leave it there.

Past Lives is such a lovely understated film with so much heart. I really loved this. Beautifully acted, lovely to watch, genuine chemistry. Stayed with me for days.

Poor Things

I cannot begin to express my love for this film! What a remarkably original take on the Frankenstein's monster trope. Emma Stone is simply astonishing in it. Her supporting cast, especially Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe, are also amazing.

This tale is about the rebirth of a woman in the most pure way, and Emma Stone was utterly fearless in embodying her character, Bella. Everything about her character is unlike anything I have seen on film. It is a very funny film in many ways, slapstick, bawdy, genuinely funny, and dark humour.

The sets were so divine, I declared early on, I wanted to live there. The mad animal creations, the horse carriage, and other similar things, blew my mind. I love films with whole worlds created in them, and this was one. 

But I guess this film is not for everyone, this is usually the case for films by Yorgos Lanthimos. I imagine it would be quite confronting for some for many reasons. The medical/surgery aspects, sexuality, language, and so on. But the film wouldn't be as wonderful without those aspects.

This is a dramatic film that makes you laugh...a lot. I am unsure how it will go at The Oscars. I feel it should win production, hair and make-up, costume, script. And Emma Stone should win Best Actress but I think Lily Gladstone will tip her at the post, it will be close. This is easily my favourite film of all the contenders.

May December

I went into this thinking it was a Lesbian long story between Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. I have no idea why, I just did. Disappointing. It was a take on the Mary Kay Letourneau story, the teacher who got pregnant to her under aged student and they are still together. They mix things up and have the boy be the friend of her own child who works in the pet store her husband owns. Julianne Moore is great as the obviously mentally ill, Gracie. Natalie Portman is chilling as an actress who is about to play Gracie in an indie film and is shadowing her to get into character. 

This film was very well written and acted, leaving you feel very unsettled watching it. It is only up for a screenplay. It will not win anything.

Rustin

Rustin is a biopic about the civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. He was working with Martin Luther King Jnr and really pushing him forward. Rustin is quite an important figure in this part of history but has been mostly pushed under the carpet as he was gay. This story rights that wrong as he was instrumental in organising the March on Washington in 1963. This is where MLKJ gave his very famous, I had a Dream, speech.

This film is good and an important historical record and produced as part of the Obama's production company. But it is Colman Domingo's performance as Rustin that makes this movie really stand out and worth watching.

Nyad

I was unsure about this film going in, a 2 hour biopic about a woman trying to swim from Cuba to Florida. But Annette Benning and more specifically Jodie Foster hooked me in. Firstly, the film absolutely flies by, it never feels like 2 hours. Secondly, it really is interesting and rather frightening. Definitely makes you NOT want to swim in the ocean. Benning is absolutely amazing in the role of Diana Nyad, a champion swimmer who comes out of retirement at 60 to do the swim that she never nailed. Her friend, Bonnie, is a retired sports coach. 

Jodie Foster plays Bonnie, and herein is what really drew me in. I have always found Jodie a magnetic and charismatic presence on screen and in her first big film in a long time she is absolutely brilliant. You never catch her acting, she embodies Bonnie, and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I really enjoyed this film, but truly it is worth it for the drama in the waters and for Jodie Foster.

The Color Purple

I was dubious about this remake as a musical but it really worked. The soundtrack is fantastic, mostly spiritual music and they were great songs. The musical numbers were very uplifting and well choreographed. The acting was powerful, Fantasia Barrino as Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, and Taraji P. Henson as Shrug were amazing. There is not much else to say, but it was enjoyable despite the subject matter. I haven't seen the original in a long time so I cannot really compare.

2023 REVIEWS - Cathy's faves

2023 - what can I say you were magnificent and also rather shite.

I have never worked as hard as I did in 2023. This left a lot less time for me personally. In most ways it was worth it, but at times I was very much in need of a weekend doing absolutely nothing and I scheduled such weekends when I could.

I regularly commenced my side hustle, teaching Library at TAFE. I had taught one subject early 2022, but in 2023 all my study and over 30 years of working in Libraries came to fruition. I picked up a regular gig teaching Diploma students on Wednesday nights for Newcastle TAFE and was 'headhunted' by Western digital to teach Cert IV on Tuesday nights. Both were online and so my huge learning curve begun.

To commence a new career, albeit a side career and a topic I know well - Libraries, in your 50s is a really big deal. I didn't really think about it then, but reflecting on this now I can see how huge this was. The teaching side of things came fairly easily, I knew my subject well, and I enjoyed it and my lovely students. I was not perfect and made mistakes, but nothing too horrendous and I was continually learning and getting better as I went. This came from the wonderful support of my students and my amazing colleagues. I still have a long way to go, but I am pleased with my first proper year. 

Teaching is hard - this is the truth, and I kind of knew that, but doing it you really get the enormity of the job. So hats off to all the teachers out there, especially my lovely Andrew, you are amazing. But it such a rewarding vocation, I look forward to what 2024 brings.

I also saw through an enormous project at work. I came up with the idea of having a Comic Con in The Hunter after attending the Sydney one around the same time we were looking at inclusive programming in the library. This seemed the ultra-inclusive event. Under the guise of Pop Bam, I led an amazing group/team of people over many months. It got huge quick, we do not have exact attendance figures, but 800-1000 would be a generous guess.

Our hard work paid off by offering the community a wonderful day out and the chance to cosplay and enjoy themselves, along with exhibitors and wonderful people who work and volunteer in the pop culture and cosplay worlds.

My regular gig at Belmont Library continued along, working with a wonderful team and great community that continue to make me smile.

I know people work much harder than I do, juggling families and study and so forth, so I feel lucky and privileged to have the time to work on all of the above. 

My health gets better and better. The long-term stress that is post-cancer never really leaves you. I am getting a better handle on my menopause. The more I read, the more I realise it has probably been hanging around much longer than I realised and that some of my minor health 'issues' are probably related to this. As a breast cancer survivor, no HRT for me. But I am seeing a fab oncologist gyno who is helping me deal with it all. So despite the menopause and my osteo arthritis, which both can have their moments, overall I feel like I am doing better.

Andrew and i still continue to do weekends between here and Sydney and whilst this is still a temporary thing it works for us.

We both love the escape into each other's world, and we enjoyed a great holiday in Melbourne in October. 

Our year also had a good many great concerts, big and small.

We enjoyed some whale watching, and visiting the beautiful puppies our lovely friends were fostering.

We participated in Wuthering Heights Day and Newcastle Writers Festival and farewelled a fave venue, The Cambridge

Here are my lists for the year.

Film

1. Everything Everywhere All At Once

2. Asteroid City

3. Maestro

4. Barbie

5. Elvis

6. Aftersun

7. Unbearable weight of massive talent

8. Blueback

9. Wonka

10. Triangle of Sadness

Honorable mentions to some older movies we rewatched:

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Bowfinger

Broadcast News

Pee Wees Big Adventure

The Kid

Television

1. The Bear

2. Succession Final Season

3. Barry Final Season

4. Funny Woman

5. The Sandman

6. The Mandarlorian

7. The Newsreader

8. The Larkins

9. The Cleaner

10. Wednesday

Honorable Mentions:

Call the Midwife S12

only murders in teh building S2

Mother and Son

Hard Quiz

Cunk on Earth

Jury Duty

Docos

1. The Sparks Brother

2. Judy Blume Forever

3. Arnold

4. Kusama Infinity

5. The Last Movie Stars

6. Shatner in Space

7. Keeping the Score

8. Marilyn Reframed

9. Rainn WIlson and the Geography of Bliss

10. Love to Love You, Donna Summer. 

Honorable Mentions:

The ABC of with David Wenham

Dream of Destiny - Richard Linklater

Val

Defending my life - Albert Brooks

MUSIC

1. Fossfora - Bjork

2. Special - Lizzo

3. Palomino - First Aid Kit

4. Australian Carnage - Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

5. The best of Sparks

GIGS 

1. Paul McCartney

2. Devo

3. The White Album show

4. Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets

5. The Cruel Sea

6. Weird Al

7. Henry Rollins

8. Tim Rogers

9. Jane's Addiction

10. ROCKWIZ

Honorable Mentions

David Sedaris, John Cleese, Ita, Judy Nunn

Podcasts

1. Wiser than Me - Julia Louis Dreyfus

2. McCartney: a life in lyrics

3. Joanna and the Maestro

4. All There is with Anderson Cooper

5. The Newsreader 

6. Smartless

7. Imperfects

8. Helen Garner 80 - Annabel Crabb - single episode

9. Pamela Adlon on Alan Alda's Clear and Vivid with Alan Alda - single episode

10. Annie Lennox -on Julia Gillard's A Podcast of Owns Own - single episode

Honorable mentions:

WTF - always brilliant

Bang On

BOOKS

1. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley

2. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

3. Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami

4. Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au

5. Bodies of light by Jennifer Down

6. Did I Ever Tell You This by Sam Neil

7. A Heart that works by Rob Delany

8. Limberlost by Robbie Arnott

9. No Bull by Vika and Linda Bull

10. Everything and Nothing by Heather Mitchell

Honorable Mentions:

Aphrodite's Breath by Susan Johnson

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Dickens and Prince by Nick Hornby

JANUARY/FEBRUARY REVIEWS

What I've been Reading

Berserker by Adrian Edmondson

This is a wonderful memoir from Adrian Edmondson. It mostly delves into his childhood, family, and schooling. His father was a teacher and their family moved around a lot. He didn't have a great relationship with his father and was sent to boarding school quite young, which was not ideal. Reading this section of his book you can see where this lovely, gentle man became known for his very physical and mad comedy. This part of his life looms large through the whole book, and it is rough going at times but speckled with his lovely humour

Once out of that system and in college he meets Rik Mayall and the rest is history. His description of meeting his friend and their early days honing their humour has so much love and admiration. So much so that decades later when they fall out, it is very upsetting to read. You can feel his pain, but also understand the circumstances. But no spoilers.

Adrian delves into his comedy and reluctantly includes The Young Ones. He spends a lot of time explaining that it was such a very small section of his life, it seems he feels equally pleased and burdened by the show. He goes into depth and yet also glosses over some of his career. But it is all so very fascinating. There isn't much about his life with Jennifer and their children, but that is to be expected.

This is one of the best autobiographies I have read in a long time. It was totally different to what I expected, but as I read it, it was exactly as it should be. Adrian is an excellent writer, and very honest and real. If you are a fan you will love it, it you are not, I think it will still draw you right in.

ai weiwei: making sense

Presented as a coffee table style book with load of amazing photos of weiwei's work, it also contained many essays and a few Q and A's with the artist himself. It included a lot of his works, especially the layouts of his collections with backgound on the installations, and his other work. I thought it would be a nice entry into his art, which is always very political (even if you do not realise this at first), but always absolutely beautiful. I loved immersing myself in his unique world.

Pilgrimage: the great pilgrimage routes of Britain and Europe by Derry Brabbs

This was a beautiful coffee table book following some of the great pilgrimage routes. I am not at all religious and my osteo arthritis prevents me from long walks, but I am somehow drawn to pilgrimages. I have read a lot of books about them and watched many shows and TVs. There is something very peaceful and meditative about a pilgrimage which I find very attractive. The book told many stories but also had the most beautiful photography from the routes.

Retro Sydney by Nathan Mete

Another coffee table book, showing photos of Sydney through the decades. It was a lot of fun looking at favourite places from the city and seeing how much they have changed...or not. 

The Golden Maze: a biography of Prague by Richard Fidler

I listened to this on talking book, with Richard "I drove him in my car once" Fidler reading it. It is basically a history of Prague interlaced with Richard's own travels in the great city. I have always had a bit of a love affair with Prague (one day I will get there) and whilst I know bits and pieces of its history, once I got into this I realised I knew nothing. It is a wild ride, but oh boy, really really depressing stuff. So much hurt and bad, it took a lot to process. But it was great to know, presented and written beautifully. Must have taken some time to research and write. I think this is a book for those interested in Prague, and history.

A Feather on the Breath of God - Sigrid Nunez

I have fallen in love with Sigrid Nunez after a friend recommended a title a few years back. I am finally working my way through her titles from the beginning. This is a semi-autobiographical novel. It follows a young girl with immigrant parents, living in New York. Her parents are elusive, and she escapes into her dreamworld and into the world of ballet. The book is divided into sections, about her mother, her father, ballet, her relationships. It is beautifully written and incredibly engaging. Sigrid is definitely a new favourite author.

Love: a curious history in 50 objects by Edward Brooke-Hitching

This was a beautiful book with short essays about love and the objects being written about. They include stories/books about love, love stories, paintings (eg The Kiss Frida Kahlo), The Kama Sutra, Items of love, The Taj Mahal, the Unicorn Tapestries and so forth.

Consent Laid Bare - Chanel Contos

Consent Laid Bare is an important book and should be read by everyone. I actually listened to it in the car, and it was read by Chanel herself. It was a deep and difficult read/listen, but very much worth it. It is about why consent is so very important and talks in great detail about abuse and rape. The depth, details, and statistics are absolutely gut wrenching. But if we walk by this we will never resolve this issue. I also think it is a must read for parents of teenagers. Tread carefully but tread towards.

Bill Bryson' African Diary: a short trip for a worthy cause - Bill Bryson

I was so excited to see a new Bill Bryson, but it is barely 70 pages. It is about a trip to Africa for charity he made. It is a very quick and witty read, and I am hoping a larger tome more to his usual stylings will come out later.

Mixtape: stories and essays about the 1980s - Simon Castles

This wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Every time I see something like this I sigh as this is the kind of book I would like to write. Then I read it and see it is nothing like I would actually write, so my idea is safe lol. It is a mix of autobiographical essays about all things 80s, film, music, television etc. It was funny and interesting, but not great.

Poetry Unbound: 50 poems to open your world by Padraig O'Tuama
Loved this book about poetry. O'Tauma has selected 50 poems and written a little essay about them with each selection. Mostly modern poetry and it was glorious, I really enjoyed this. 

What I've Been Watching

Boy Swallows Universe

Oh my goodness, I don't know where to start. I was very apprehensive about one of my all-time favourite books being made into a series. I need not have been. This was so bloody good I was often in tears watching this. Trent Dalton was very hands on with the filming and you can tell. He also appears in the series, he was the voice on the red phone - which he says was very emotional and meta, given he was talking to the young actor playing himself - and as a hospital patient walking by towards the end of the final episode.

It is pretty true to the book, although there are some changes and the series is much lighter in tone than the book. But it didn't matter. The attention to detail of the set, Brisbane in the 80s, was so stunning, and so much to take in, I didn't know where to look. The soundtrack, was also superb. They nailed the feel of the book. Things and people were exactly as I imagined them!

And then there were the actors. 

Felix Cameron as Eli Bell was everything. An actor wise beyond his years, much like the character he is playing. Every scene he was in, you were drawn to him. It is a remarkable performance. I do feel sorry for the guy who steps in as older Eli, he was good but he was no Felix. Lee Hailey as Gus was also superb. He pulls off the initially mute character beautifully. Bryan Brown, Simon Baker, Travis Fimmel, and Phoebe Tonkin were also perfectly casted. Simon Baker was also everything as the gorgeous Dad, and by gorgeous I mean a gorgeous heart, not looks, lol. I have never seen casting so perfected. 

The final episode goes off the rail a little (this is an expansion from the book) but I can forgive that slight miss-step. This was one of the best Australian series I have seen in a long time. Its worldwide popularity showcases how stunning it is. This is truly must-see television, you don't have to have read the book to enjoy this. There is so much I want to say, but I really do not want to spoil things. This is as close to perfection as you will see.

The Larkins S2

I do love this remake of the Darling Buds of May starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan as Pa and Ma. S2 is a lesson in class, with the upper class snoots setting Pa up for a terrible fall. The humour and love is still there though. A new and young Reverand is in town causing issues for the Vicar (played beautifully by Peter Davison - Doctor Who and All Creatures Great and Small). Primrose falls in love and Marigold returns from her honeymoon.  That house The Larkins live in still makes me weak at the knees and the food, oh the food!!! Perfect comfort watching.

Doctor Who Christmas Special

This introduces us properly to the new Doctor and his companion, Ruby. It was a cute little Christmas special with a lovely nod to Tolkien. Gollumishly gnomes snatching babies in a pirate ship. Lovely storytelling, simplistic and easy to follow, courtesy of Russell T Davies. Ncuti Gatwa, as expected, was wonderful. Bright and happy, and marching to the beat of his own drum, he took the reins in the most confidant of ways. Watching him, made you feel like he had been doing it for years. This is great. Cannot wait for the series proper.

Call the Midwife Christmas Special

A large snowstorm causes problems for our Midwives, doctors, and friends. I love this show, I love the characters, it is just one of those feel-good, comfort shows. About to enter its 13th season, they never seem to run out of stories, and I guess babies are born every day!

The Lovers

This was a fun British comedy about 2 people who meet under extraordinary circumstances and fall in love. They are from different worlds, and have a lot of hidden baggage that unfolds as the series progresses. What will happen, will they ruin the romance or will they make it. I quite enjoyed this one.

Nolly

A powerhouse performance from Helena Bonham-Carter as Noele Gordon, a real actress from the British soap, Crossroads who was unceremoniously sacked after years of service. The 3-part series follows the story and the public who were very upset about their favourite character being sacked. Helena is amazing - as always - as the eccentric Nolly, the supporting cast were great. 

Strife

Urgh, if you know me, you know I loathe Mama Fucking Mia, and this is a show based on that and it is as awful as you would expect. I only watched it as I love Asher Keddie, and she was ok, but I felt like I had seen her do this before. Her character is an awful awful person, and her 'business' model is disgusting. This interested me as that is exactly how I feel about the real-life counterpart and her business model, so I was surprised at how 'honest' it seemed. So yeah, I hate watched this, and I am not proud of myself. You have been warned.

Oppenheimer

It took me a while to get to this, but boy it was worth the wait. We know the basic story, but this is so insightful and full of detail. It is obviously a terrible part of our history, but the complexity behind the story is heart breaking. Christopher Nolan is a genius film-maker, this goes without saying. The cinematography is always outstanding, and this is no exception. He uses black and white on and off throughout the film and it is a great thing. The film looks so very elegant, and so were the performances.

Cillian Murphy is everything as the conflicted Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jnr, is impeccably restrained as Lewis Strauss, a man on the downward spiral. Emily Blunt is mesmering as Oppenheimer's wife. The cast is full of amazing character actors, as someone recently said, when Remi Malik only gets one line, you know this is a great film.

I could see a lot of crossover from Asteroid City, which amused me, but this film is not a comedy. I remember only too well the fear of nuclear war. I guess this film is not for everyone, but it is an important film, and I predict many Oscars in its future. At the very least for Robert Downey Jnr...but I will leave all that for my Oscar blogs.

The Holdovers

What a joy the latest Alexander Payne film is. Firstly, I have loved Paul Giamatti since Private Parts, he is one of the greatest character actors and satirists. Set in the 70s at a boarding school/college. Giamatti is an odd character, a tough history teacher with malice for the privileged students he has to teach. Older, never married, cantankerous, the students do not care for him, and quite possibly a lot of his colleagues. He is chosen to stay over the Christmas period with students unable to go home. The only other adult is his friend, Mary the cook (played beautifully by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - who I have loved in High Fidelty the TV series, and Only Murders in the Building). Mary is grieving her son, who was recently killed in Vietnam. 

The acting is phenomenal, and like all Payne films, it is a dark comedy with a lot of melancholy. There are a lot of 'unknowns' playing the students, and they are great. The film becomes a two-hander when Paul and a student head out of the school on some errands, and layers upon layers are unravelled. How has Giamatti never won an Oscar, this would surely be his year, but oh boy he has some competition. Da'Vine's beautifully nuanced comedy/dramatic turn will surely nab one. This is such a beautiful film AND a truly lovely Christmas film.

Anatomy of a Fall

Anatomy of a Fall really sucked me in. I didn't know much about it going in, other than Sandra Huller's performance was extraordinary, and it was. The movie commences with Sandra (played by Sandra) trying to give an interview about her writing to a young journalist. You can see they live in the French alps, in a lovely house but are very isolated. As the interview progresses very loud and disjointed world music begins to play. Sandra keeps up appearances despite being obviously irritated by the music which is being played by her husband. The interview is cut short and the journalist leaves. At the same time the son, who is legally blind, goes for a walk with his guide dog, Snoop.

Aside: Snoop is the most gorgeous good boy and an extraordinary actor, but I cannot say why as that will be a spoiler!!

Then tension builds, you know something is going to happen and indeed something has. When Daniel and Snoop return they find his father in the snow surrounded by blood and dead. He calls for his mother who eventually comes out and calls an ambulance etc. This then leads into investigations and Sandra is the key suspect despite her claims he must have fallen from the top floor where he was working. 

The film is essentially a trial with some flash backs and you just do not know what to believe, but when Daniel is called upon as a 'witness' things get very intense. He is wonderful, but it is Sandra who just knocks it out the ball park, what a tremendous performance. She will not win, but it is a mesmerising performance. One that will leave you guessing until the very end.

American Fiction

I loved this movie so much, it had a great dry wit to it. Jeffery Wright is Monk, a writer of literary novels, which are critically acclaimed but they do not sell. When his latest title is rejected for not being black enough he is infuriated. So he decides to write the kind of book he hates but everyone seems to want.

His mother is declining with Alzheimers so he visits her and his sister, Tracee Ellis Ross who is a doctor. His estranged brother, Sterling K. Brown, turns up to add to the chaos, and Monk falls in love with a neighbour. And there is more, but that would be spoilers, but he has a lot going on.

In the meantime his publisher loves his new book, but is not aware it is Monk. His agent convinces him to make up this crazy persona to help 'promote' the book. This is hilarious. But when he is asked to be a on a panel to judge a literary prize and his joke book turns up on the long list, things get really hectic.

I loved this really well written and tight story. The story moves swiftly with all the moving parts working beautifully. Mostly due to Wright's great performance, and the great supporting cast. Tracee Ellis Ross and Issa Rae as a fellow writer are utterly brilliant as always. As are the remaining cast. I am unsure if this will win any Oscars, but it is well worth watching.

Past Lives

This was such a lovely heartfelt little film. Na Young and Hae Sung are living in Seoul in 2000, they are 12 and good friends, Hae Sung is a little bit in love with Na Young. Her family are creatives and about to emigrate to Toronto. Her mother wants to leave her with a great final memory, and organises a 'date' for the children. Hae Sung is bereft.

2012, Na Young is now Nora Moon and living in New York, and Hae Sung is out of military college and decides to track Na Young down to no avail. Nora finds out this via facebook and contacts him under her new guise. They fall easily back into their friendship. More changes happen over the years (spoilers) and in 2024 and Hae Sung decides to visit Nora.

This rocks her very safe world. And I will leave it there.

Past Lives is such a lovely understated film with so much heart. I really loved this. Beautifully acted, lovely to watch, genuine chemistry. Stayed with me for days.

Rustin

Rustin is a biopic about the civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. He was working with Martin Luther King Jnr and really pushing him forward. Rustin is quite an important figure in this part of history but has been mostly pushed under the carpet as he was gay. This story rights that wrong as he was instrumental in organising the March on Washington in 1963. This is where MLKJ gave his very famous, I had a Dream, speech.

This film is good and an important historical record and produced as part of the Obama's production company. But it is Colman Domingo's performance as Rustin that makes this movie really stand out and worth watching.

Nyad

I was unsure about this film going in, a 2 hour biopic about a woman trying to swim from Cuba to Florida. But Annette Benning and more specifically Jodie Foster hooked me in. Firstly, the film absolutely flies by, it never feels like 2 hours. Secondly, it really is interesting and rather frightening. Definitely makes you NOT want to swim in the ocean. Benning is absolutely amazing in the role of Diana Nyad, a champion swimmer who comes out of retirement at 60 to do the swim that she never nailed. Her friend, Bonnie, is a retired sports coach. 

Jodie Foster plays Bonnie, and herein is what really drew me in. I have always found Jodie a magnetic and charismatic presence on screen and in her first big film in a long time she is absolutely brilliant. You never catch her acting, she embodies Bonnie, and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I really enjoyed this film, but truly it is worth it for the drama in the waters and for Jodie Foster.

Living

This is a very lowkey but utterly beautiful film. Set in the 50s, adapted by Kazuo Ishiguro from the Japanese film by Kurosawa Ikiru which was in turn loosely based on Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Bill Nighy plays Mr Williams, a council bureaucrat, who finds out he has a terminal illness. He has lived most of his life quietly, and not pushing the boundaries in any way, most especially his work.

After initial despair, he takes stock of his life and decides to make his mark and live his life before the illness takes hold. He updates his wardrobe, works with enthusiasm, including ensuring a special project is seen through. He also meets an ex-colleague working at a restaurant, and spends time with her, despite being significantly younger than him. It is not a romance as such, more her positivity fuels this new life he is living. The film is about making a difference in this world, if only in a small way. Nighy was up for Best Actor last year for this performance, deservingly so, he is always great. 

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris

This was a sweet little movie, Mrs Harris is played by Lesley Manville. Set in the 50s, Mrs Harris is a cleaner and widowed and loves Dior Couture and after a series of windfalls, decides to head to Paris to buy a Dior gown. This is a simple but very sweet fish out of water. Isabelle Huppert plays a snooty director, as only she can. Look, this was not great, but the fashion and Paris were sublime. 

Falling for Figaro

Millie leaves the US for Scotland to follow her dream of being an Opera Singer. She enlists in the help of a formidable, former opera singer, played by Joanna Lumley. There is romance, opera, beautiful countryside. Again, this is not a great film, but a sweet little feel-good one. 

Marlow

Like most Noir this was style over substance. Diane Kruger looked good as the femme fatale but I feel she was misused. Jessica Lange did better as her mother. Liam Neeson felt miscast as Marlow, he looked good, but didn't pull off the down on his luck detective thing. The story was haphazard, but the set design was phenomenal and the supporting cast was really great. 

Renfield

This was a lot of fun, Nicholas Hoult Is Renfield, Dracula's (Nicolas Cage) familiar with special strength after eating bugs. But he has had enough and tries to escape but gets caught up in some real-life drama. It is pure fun and hilarious. Awkwafina also stars, so you know you will get loads of laughs. I bloody love her. Cage is at his craziest best as Dracula also. Loads of fun.

Ghostbusters: afterlife

I didn't mind this at all, it focuses on the kids Ghostbusting, after a long set up. I feel like Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd were very much under-utilised, especially Coon who is such an extraordinary actress. The back story was clever, and seeing the original cast added some gravitas. I did enjoy this.

Dungeons and Dragons: honour among thieves

This was style over substance, but a lot of fun. I enjoyed this action adventure. Chris Pine was good, but Hugh Grant stole every scene. 

Between Two Worlds

Juliette Binoche is an author researching a book on poverty. She moves out of Paris under a guise and made up story and gets work as a cleaner with a bunch of feisty but down and out women. She throws herself into her work and becomes friendly with the women, making notes. But then things turn, and she is exposed. This was a good film, Binoche is always great.

My Old School

This was a very bizarre documentary about a man, Brandon Lee, who enrols in a British school, despite being 30, and no one picks up on it. Seriously! He tells a whole load of lies and people buy it. Until he is found out. They say truth is stranger than fiction, and this is a great example. You could never make this up. The film itself, like the man, is a strange hybrid with archival footage, cartoons, and characterisation, and interviews with key players. Brandon agreed to be interviewed but not appear on film, so Alan Cumming plays him. This is something to be seen to be believed. 

Gimme Danger

This is a great documentary by Jim Jarmusch about Iggy Pop and The Stooges. Loads of footage and interviews and music. This kicks arse and is funny, I loved it!

The Mission

Another Marc Fennell show about art theft, or is it!? This is the fascinating story of an art heist from a monastery in WA. The story takes him around the world in his quest to find the truth. It uncovers a whole lot more than the art that was stolen. Every time I thought I had worked out what was going on, some other bizarre twist was thrown in. This was truly compelling.

Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro

I really enjoyed this meditative series with the always brilliant Julia Zemiro. The premise is simple, Julia takes us on long walks/hikes around Australia. Picking key places with great history, we learn a lot about our indigenous history and tragedies, and meet some lovely characters, and enjoy the stunning scenery. My favourites were Melbourne, Tasmania and the North Coast.

Bill Bailey's Wild West Australia

Comedian Bill Bailey explores WA and has a great time, Interesting, loads of nature, and very funny as you would expect.

The Greatest Night in Pop

Oh my goodness!!

14 year old Cathy was absolutely losing her shit within me.

I have always loved a spectacle, and my world was absolutely blown when this came out. I bloody loved watching that clip and seeing all my faves and then some in one room.

So this blew my mind.

For music fans, this is a MUST SEE.

I learned so much I didn't know.

I had no idea Bob Geldof was there for the whole thing, guiding them.

I had no idea it was filmed DIRECTLY after the American Music Awards.

The awards Lionel Richie had just hosted and won heaps of awards.

He led the project with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson - I knew that.

The Doco delves into how it all came together - a logistical nightmare.

The writing of the song - equal parts genius, crazy and hilarity.

And, of course, the filming...and therein lies the gold.

I won't spoilt much more.

However, the Waylon Jennings and Sheila E stories will blow your mind.

AND the Dylan arc actually had me in tears.

A few more thoughts.

Michael Jackon...genius and generous.

I know he is kinda cancelled these days, but we both think how things ended up for him is a huge tragedy.

Because he is at the height of his brilliance (IMO) here, before things got too whacky.

And it is something to behold.

Lionel Richie - not a fan, but he really kept things together at the busiest moment of his life.

Excellent leadership.

There are a lot of amazing stuff with Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.

Also Harry Belafonte and Smokey Robinson.

To me, those who came out looking most brilliant - Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis - they were absolutely phenomenal - just watch!

The group also sing another song, we wish had been properly made, would have been a great b-side - again, just watch.

Also quite beautiful watching some of our most wonderful musicians who have passed performing at their prime!

This was such pure joy, I cannot recommend it enough.

The Grammys 2024

This year The Grammys were superb. I always love the performances, but the past few years have been a bit meh. This year took it up a few notches. I surprised myself by really enjoying Miley Cyrus and Oliva Rodrigo. Both songs are great. Billie Eillish was perfection. The memorial, specifically Stevie and Annie was remarkable and moving. Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell brough old school back with lovely performances.

But it was Tracy Chapman who brought the house down with a great duet of Fast Car with Luke Coombes. There is nothing that hasn't already been said, except it was perfection and her smile could light the world forever.

What I've Been Listening To

Joanna and the Maestro

I have been loving this great new to me podcast. Joanna Lumley is the Joanna and the Maestro is her husband, Stephen Barlow, who really is a Maestro. Stephen is a conductor and composer and an incredible font of knowledge on classical music. Joanna herself knows quite a lot. The podcast takes a small part of classical music and discusses it in a way that is really accessible for everyone. They talk about styles of music, composers, favourite pieces, and occasionally interview people who love or are involved in classical music. Each episode is usually around 30 mins which I love and they have smaller hybrid episodes where they answer questions that people write in. This is an utter delight. I have loved and studied classical music on and off my entire life so I am i heaven listening to this. Joanna and Stephen are just lovely to listen to. I want to meet them so much!

Dick and Angel's Chat...eau podcast

Devastated the wonderful Escape to the Chateau has finished up, do not worry, Dick and Angel now have their own podcast and like everything they do, it is wonderful. They retell stories we know and keep us abreast of what is happening in their lives since the show ended. Their charisma comes across like old friends. Love this podcast.