JANUARY REVIEWS

What I've been Watching

 

Nashville - totally sucked into this soap opera of sorts and loving it. Set in Nashville and about Country (well alt country) music. Rising Diva (a Britney Spears/Taylor Swift cross) Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) goes on tour with Fading Star Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) and the pair don't exactly hit it off. It is full of great original music (everyone sings themselves and are awesome), loads of affairs, backdrop of politics, and a bit of greed. It actually reminds me of Dallas, but with country music. I whipped through S2 and it left us a zinger of a cliffhanger...JR would be proud!

 

The Fall - oh my, this is excellent. Gillian Anderson (Scully!) is a complex detective working on a case she believes is the work of a serial killer. The great thing about this is that we all know everything about 1 or 2 steps before the police and detectives. We don't know motives or anything like that, but we know who the serial killer is and watch them hone in on him. It is a disturbing but wild ride. Utterly compelling, a must watch. I really need S2 stat!

 

Smash  - finally finished S2, it was axed not long after, and you can see why. This show started with such potential - behind the scenes of putting on a Broadway show about Marilyn - but never quite lived up to it. With Angelica Huston, Jack Davenport, and Debra Messing in main parts I was always going to stick with it, but it could have been so much better!

 

Jonathan Creek S5 - I've always loved the oddness behind the mysteries on Jonathan Creek (ok, I have always loved Alan Davies), but this season lacked something, possibly his marriage to the chick from Coupling. I don't buy it, and the stories were a bit tired. Maybe it's time to end this one.

 

Grand Designs - I cannot remember which one I am up S11 I think. This was a great series as usual, odd houses, overblown budgets, and the ever divine Kevin McCloud tsking away at the owners.

 

The Code - this is by far the television series highlight this month. An Australian political thriller, with two brothers (a genius hacker and an online reporter) stumbling across a huge environmental cover up. It's a race against time to find the information they need before they get into more trouble from varying sides of politics and the media. Outstanding cast and acting, and really on the edge of your seat stuff!

 

Railway Man - Great story about Eric Lomax (Colin Firth), a WWII veteran, interned in a Japanese POW camp and tortured. He is a lost man, until he meets Patti (Nicole Kidman) on a train. She helps him face the memories and regain some sense of self over the horrific past. This is a true story, based on Eric's memoir of the same name. Firth is outstanding.

 

Begin Again - this was disappointing. Ruffalo plays a down on his luck music producer, who meets a young singer/songwriter (Keira Knightley) and thinks he will make it big. There are ok moments in the film, but ultimately it left me cold.

 

Winter's tale - really loved this fantasy romance set over many centuries. Colin Farrell is Peter Lake, a conman who is on the run from his former employee (Russell Crowe). He meets the beautiful Beverly, who is ill, and he tries to move heaven and earth for her wellbeing. There is magic at hand, a little but of supernatural, a stunning white horse, and much romance and mystique. I knew nothing of this film and was quite pleasantly surprised.

 

it boy - this is ultimately a French farce gone wrong. A stitched up fashion magazine editor, Alice, meets the young and gorgeous Balthazar, through a comedy of errors. Her work colleagues she them and thinks she is having an affair with the much younger man. This makes her more interesting in their eyes and she goes along with it to get a promotion. Things of course immediately become complex and confusing. Amusing at times, this only works due to the chemistry between the main characters, otherwise, it is a little lame.

 

Rust and bone  - this was a remarkable film. Marion Cotillard is Stephanie, a killer whale trainer who is recovering from a horrific accident. She meets Alain (Matthias Schoenarts), who has left Belgium with his young son in tow. The down on their luck pair meet, and become firm friends, helping each other out of the depth of their despair. This is an outstanding French drama with superb acting from both the leads, in particular Cottillard.

 

Wadjda  - is the uplifting story of a young girl in Saudi Arabia, Wadjda. She is fearless, a tomboy, and uninterested in how she should behave according to the Koran. She is constantly getting in trouble at school, despite being a top student. Her family show love and support, in a way that supports and boosts her confidence. Her longing for a bike, so she can ride with her best friend - a boy - is close to taboo. The film shows her trials and tribulations and was extremely joyful. A must see.

 

 

What I've been listening to

 

Prince - the simultaneously released TWO Prince albums are superb, funky, dance, ballad and rock. He just gets better with age!

 

Kate Miller-Heidke - oh that sweet expressive voice, I do love her so. Operatic pop, sensational ballads, witty lyrics. Oh Vertigo is all of that and more, pure perfection!

 

Sinead O'Connor - this was my album of the year last year and still not tired of it. A huge return to form, simply stunning stuff!

 

Lenny Kravitz - ooh I love this, funky and another return to form, his last few albums have left me cold, but not this one. Funky, rocky and sexy, just how I like Lenny. A Smokey cover and a cool Happy Birthday song - something for everyone!

 

Augie March - lovely new album, I do love these guys, exactly as you would expect, melodic and cool.

 

St Vincent - love this too, pop and cool, sophisticated and hip. I love her work, this is no exception.

 

Pink Floyd - this is my album of the month, wow, what a masterpiece. Released as a 'final' album and a tribute to the late Richard Wright this is a stunning selection of unreleased tracks. They are mostly instrumental and of course feature Wright at his best. I cannot say how much I love this beautiful meditative album. You can hear shades of various periods of Floyd within each track. It is comforting, soothing, and haunting all at once, which - to me - is Pink Floyd. They are one of my all time favourite bands, and I could listen to this album forever.

 

What I've been reading

 

A little history: photographs of Nick Cave and cohorts 1981-2013 - this is a gloriously dark coffee table book of sorts. Heaps of photos and the stories behind them from this thirty year or so. My favourite was a picture of Nick and presumably Dylan, though his face is obscured. Apparently after, Nick was all like, wow, he was very much like Dylan...but it was Dylan...or was it!

 

Here and there: collected travel writing by A A Gill - this is a great collection of ripping tales from around the world by the ever witty and engaging Gill. He transports you to the place with wonder and a pondering tone that amuses and informs in equal parts. Whether it's grand cities in Europe or the deepest parts of Africa, Gill always delights.

 

Springtime: a ghost story by Michelle De Krester - this spooky novella is a wonderful read that entices you from the very beginning. It is the story of Frances and Charlie and their relationship. They move from Melbourne to Sydney and Frances has an uneasy feeling about everything around her. Has their move, and indeed their relationship, tipped things over in the world around them. She starts to see things from different perspectives, and feels haunted by what she begins to see. Highly recommend

 

Entertain Us: the rise and fall of alternative rock in the nineties by Craig Schuftan - this is a very detailed look, year by year, at alternative music through the nineties. It delves into not only the popular bands taht everyone remembers, but little ones we realise we have forgotten. He adds in popular culture and politics and how it all fits and evolves together and asks questions as to why it rose as it did - in the mid to early 90s indie music was king - and why it feel equally as quickly. Schuftan doesn't have all the answers, but it is a fascinating read, alongside being a wonderful walk down memory lane. 

Gerald Durrell  - I am still working my way through a large pile of talking books, some better than others, but always charming and funny stories!

OSCAR WATCH 2015: Wild, Still Alice, and Into The Woods

 

Wild

I admit to being a little unsure about Wild prior to seeing it, but was completely hooked as soon as it began. Reese Witherspoon portrays Cheryl Strayed, a woman with a mixed up past, on a journey of redemption. The movie is about her solo hike 1100 miles over the Pacific Crest Trail. The film also weaves in her life prior to the trek and what made me embark on such a crazy idea.

 

Both strands of the story and indeed her life - this is a true story, another biopic - are complex and harrowing. Cheryl's life prior to this adventure is less than exemplary. She suffered heartbreak and went on a trail of self destruction. This trek is part running away and part self help, to be alone with herself and mend her broken heart and life.

 

I am not a huge fan of Reese Witherspoon, though I did love her in Election and Walk the Line, but she is simply astonishing in this film. Every inch of physical and mental pain, and there is a lot of it, you are right there with her. So many films have made me cry this Oscar season, and Wild can be added to the list. And that's fine by me. There is a melancholy, along with empowerment, that aches through this film, especially in regard to her mother.

 

Laura Dern plays her mother, and how she shines. In the early 90s Dern was the indie queen, in every second film, her angst as real as that glorious smiling face. I missed her, and didn't realise how much until I saw this film. She is simply stunning, as a down on her luck, but sunny natured single Mum, refusing to dwell on the horrors of her life, and instilling light and happiness in her children. These flashbacks to Cheryl's childhood are laced literally with golden frays of sunlight, Dern's face explodes across the screen. We are all the better for this.

 

But it is Witherspoon's story, the trek is gutsy, stupid, contagious ( I wanted to go on a similar trek...well, for a couple of minutes!), ill thought through, and yet totally empowering. The cinematography is beautiful; those mountains, and the snow scenes are worth entry alone. And the most lovely soundtrack, including Simon and Garfunkel.

 

This is an uplifting and engaging film, both actresses up for Best and Best Supporting Actress at The Oscars, and in any other year the statues should be theirs. But alas, not this year. If you had  any doubt in your mind about seeing this film, shake it off and get to the cinema immediately, you'll be pleased you did.

 

Still Alice

I was in two minds about seeing Still Alice, I had read the novel and it left me completely undone, surely a visualisation of this would be worse?

 

It is the fictional story of a 50 something academic, who is diagnosed with very early Alzheimer's Disease. The novel tells the story from the character's point of view, what is going on in her head and is utterly devastating. The movie pulls back a little from this and I am unsure it does the story justice.

 

It is still an upsetting story, but loses the impact of the novel, and I think lessons the severity of how destroying it is to Alice. Having said that, it is still worth seeing, it just - to me - feels light.

 

Julianne Moore is outstanding as Alice, especially as the disease starts to strip away her independence and then humility. And there is no doubt she will receive The Academy Award, but I feel she has acted better in other roles in the past. This is not her strongest role. I adore Moore, I'll watch her in anything, she deserves an Oscar, and maybe this one, but I am not completely sold.

 

The supporting case is lovely, Alec Baldwin as her husband, Kristen Stewart and Kate Bosworth as her two daughters. Stewart in particular is quite good.

 

This is a really good film, worth seeing, maybe I am judging too harshly because of the book. Of all the sad films I have seen this season, it made me cry the least, I think I am using that as a rating!!!

 Into the Woods

 

I am not a fan of Stephen Sondheim, but love musicals. I am also sick of Johnny Depp playing OTT characters, but I love Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep. So I had mixed feelings about Into The Woods prior to seeing it/

 

So Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep were outstanding, particularly Streep. She obviously relished in playing the witch and singing and hamming it up. Depp is only a cameo, and the songs were sickly awful, but that's ok, those kind of things are meant to be.

 

The story is a fractured fairy tale about a young couple Blunt, and some other dude, who cannot have children. This is due to something the dude's father did to the last next door, Streep. And the three work together to collect components to make a concoction to brew and overturn the spell. Or something like that.

 

Whilst I didn't love this, I did like it's sense of humour and the fact the women didn't really need the men to survive, so it was a teensy bit feminist.

There are many witty quips and lines, referring to other fairy tales etc, and this made it quite funny.

 

The women were strong and unsure about lives as princesses and queens. The men were a bit dopey, obviously so, and a dance off in the waterfall between the two princes was particularly hilarious.

 

The ending was unexpected, I quite liked that. This is a family film, I think you could safely take upper primary kids to it, and a nice example for young girls. It's not quite my cuppa tea, but that doesn't mean it's bad.

 

Streep is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, she's done better, but it's a worthy nom. Take the family, leave your brain at the door, and just head off to fantasy land with Into The Woods.

OSCAR WATCH 2015: The Theory of Everything, The Imitation Game, and Foxcatcher

The Theory of Everything

 

The Theory of Everything is a biopic about the early years of Stephen Hawking, specifically prior to his illness and the marriage to his first wife. The first 20mins or so of the movie are like a magical, romantic movie, except you know what happens next, and there's a jolting feeling at the back of your mind waiting for things to fall apart.  

 

I guess we all know - or think we know - the story of Stephen Hawking, and presuming this was all authentic, there was much I didn't know.

 

It was a close to perfect film, not a moment wasted, nor a shot unnecessary, much like the great man's life. The cinematography was poetic and beautiful but often harsh, it represented what was happening within the story.

 

And what a story of resilience, beauty, love, genius, and devastation. I admit to pretty much crying through the entire film, but don't let that put you off. It IS emotional, and at times very sad, but it is such an uplifting story of humanity at it's very best, this film simply MUST be seen.

 

The acting is more than superb, Eddie Redmayne has jumped the field and will, without a shred of a doubt, win Best Actor. He transforms himself and becomes Hawking, so much so at times it is like watching a documentary. And Felicity Jones was also outstanding, seeing both of their transformations on screen is nothing short of amazing. Also Charlie Cloud, as Jonathan, a family friend, lends another strong piece of acting to this already outstanding film.

 

There is a scene towards the end of the film that is so clever I want to mention it, but it's such a lovely surprise, you just need to wait for it. This little nod is one of many clever pieces of cinematography that ensures this film is top class entertainment and Oscar worthy.

 

Imitation Game

 

The Imitation Game is a cracking story of triumph over evil and it's straight from the history books. Alan Turing is the forefather of invention, code breaking, and computers. He designed a machine to crack the Nazi code machine known as Enigma. Without this invention, who knows what our world would be like. This we all know, how he came about to get in this position is lesser known and his life after the war ended even more so.

 

The Imitation Game superbly shows us this and more. It had great pace and flows like a thriller, with the viewer on the edge of their seat hoping that the code can be cracked before Turing is tossed aside. See the powers that be just didn't believe in the monstrous machine Turing built. The movie also delves into Turing's personal life, with devastating effects. Turing was a homosexual and during that time it was illegal to be so.

 

Benedict Cumberbatch is outstanding as Turing. He has made a career out of playing odd geniuses, but this role has so many layers to it, he knocks it out of the park. Keira Knightley is also rather good as a female code breaker who is close to Turing. I have never been a fan of Knightley, but she managed to do a good job on this one, which is unusual. The supporting case also very good.

 

This is an excellent biopic/historical film, some outstanding moments, and very emotional too. The last 20mins were devastating. It's a must see for the Oscar season.

 

Foxcatcher

 

Foxcatcher was a great film, but it was creepy. The acting, however, was out of this world. If you've seen the trailer, you'll know what I mean. And it was that trailer and those transformations of the actors that intrigued and lured me to see the film and I am glad I did.

 

Without a doubt the film is highly disturbing and you feel incredibly unsettled the entire way through.

 

Foxcatcher is the story of the Schultz brothers, Gold medal winning Olympic wrestlers. Mark, the younger of the two, played by Channing Tatum, is down and out but training for the next Olympics. His brother David (Mark Ruffalo) is doing a bit better, married with a family and coaching. When John Du Pont (Steve Carell) approaches Mark to assist financially and manage the Olympic wrestling team, Mark thinks all his dreams come true.

 

Mark relocates to Foxcatcher, the sprawling Du Pont estate and finds John enigmatic, and rather odd. In time David and his family join him and David is unsure of what he is witnessing. Du Pont is obsessive and possessive, seemingly trying to impress his harsh, elderly mother (Vanessa Redgrave) and there are subtle hints his relationship with Mark is more than just coach and sportsman. And then the story really gets out of control and you are on the edge of your seat.

 

This is a bizarre, but completely true story. I am unsure how well known it was in America, but I was unsettled by it.

 

The acting is quite superb. Every character loses themselves in their roles in the most remarkable and unrecognisable way. Carell is chilling and powerful and suitably impressive. I have always been a fan of his and knew he would make a fine dramatic actor, his impersonations are always impeccable. But this is no impersonation, he simply becomes Du Pont. Ruffalo is also unrecognisable as David Schultz. Both are deservedly Oscar nominated. They won't win, but their time will come. Channing Tatum was robbed of a nomination as his performance was haunting and devastating. 

This is not a film for everyone, but if you like unusual and intriguing stories and love watching powerhouse acting, you will delight in Foxcatcher.

OSCAR WATCH 2015: Birdman and Whiplash

I've paired Birdman and Whiplash together, and if you've seen both you will know why. They are both intense dramas (with some comedy within) about a character and their foibles trying to break through. They feel claustrophobic and are tightly wound. They feature striking tunes with an outstanding story and cinematography...up close and personal cinematography. And of course, Oscar worthy acting.

Birdman

 

I'm still thinking about Birdman, it was an incredibly intense claustrophobic film to watch, and that was intentional, and it made it amazing.

 

Birdman is about Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) a washed up actor who used to be mega famous as Birdman (it's very meta!) and wants to be taken seriously. So he rewrites, acts, directs and produces (along with a friend played by Zach Galifianakis) a Broadway Play, and it isn't going so well. The majority of the film is shot in the winding hallways, small green room, or stage of the theatre.

 

Thomson is overwhelmed by the experience and still haunted by the Birdman character, hence the closed-in feeling. This filming, along with very long takes becomes an integral part of the film. It is clever and works brilliantly, with you starting to feel a little fenced in as Thomson does. Ed Norton and Naomi Watts are also in the play, and are linked to Thomson's past also. They are both wonderful and comedic in their roles on the stage and behind the scenes. Emma Stone shines as Thomson's daughter/manager. I've always been a fan, so it's great to see her in a meaty role. She gets all the best scenes with Keaton and they are magnificent together.

 

Birdman IS funny, but it's also incredibly dramatic, very intense, and has the most extraordinary dialogue. So much so, I felt I needed to watch it again as soon as it finished, a mix of meta, in-jokes, philosophy, and clever; the screenplay for this is king.

 

There are other levels to this movie that are difficult to explain without giving away plot points, they are quite superb, eyebrow raising, and (to me) unexpected.

 

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (21 Grams, Biutiful, Babel) has created the most amazing film, his direction in particular stunning. It is just one of those jaw droppers of a film.

 

But it's really the acting that impresses here, each of the mains are outstanding, and this also includes a teeny part by the always wonderful Lindsay Duncan. But it is Keaton's show. I've always been a fan of Keaton and his eyebrow raising charisma. He strips back to the rawest of his being in parts of this film and is also incredibly funny, balancing between the two is masterful. If only it wasn't for Eddie Redmayne's heartbreaking performance of Stephen Hawking, Keaton would be taking home an Oscar.

Whiplash

 

This is a great little indie about a jazz drummer, Andrew (Miles Teller) who enrolls in a prestigious music college and gets into their best jazz band. This is led/conducted by Fletcher played by the magnificent J.K. Simmons. Fletcher, quite simply, is a beast, and his influence over Andrew will challenge and change him in ways he never even thought of. It really is a two-hander between Teller and Simmons who have the most powerful relationship on screen, and feed off each other in ways that just need to be seen. Paul Reiser plays Andrew's Dad, and there's a love interest, and some mates but really it's just Fletcher and Andrew.

 

The acting between them is intense, abusive, and breathtaking. Everyone is raving about Simmons, and he is certain to take home Best Supporting Actor. But Teller is equally as good, yet been missing out on the praises, maybe because he is young and a newbie. But his performance was shatteringly good. I'm guessing he did a lot of the drumming. But yes Simmons is mesmerising, from the moment you lay eyes on him he demands your attention, and watching his rage and deep beliefs in his dreadful actions at work is a thing to behold.

 

I first came across Simmons on Oz, and he was a force to be reckoned with there, but I would say Vern Schillinger might just shake in his boots at Fletcher!! Of course, Simmons is probably more well known as Juno's Dad, and from the Spiderman movies, so his strong character may be shocking to some. But not to me, he was superb.  

 

And then there is the music, this film is all about the music, or rather the beat of the jazz drum. The soundtrack is a heady mix of fat, loud, sharp big band sounds recreating Ellington and Getz, and lighter jazz for incidental and background music. The music keeps the movie rushing, and moving, and supports the angst and terror of what is being played out.

 

When the movie ended, after a few unexpected twists and turns, I felt my body relax, and I realised I had been tensed up the entire time, complete strangers made similar comments to each other. You carried every piece of dialogue, drum beat, and frustration within you. And whilst a supremely intense experience, I also wanted to stand up and applaud at the end too. This is a must see, the sound is outstanding. I cannot wait to see Simmons baldy grinning head up there on the Oscar stage.

 

OSCAR WATCH 2015: Boyhood and Grand Budapest Hotel

I saw both these movies early last year and announced both of them masterpieces and 5 out of 5 films at the time, and thought to myself it's a shame it's so early, these are Oscar contenders. And brilliance of brilliance they were not forgotten and have both gotten up for Best Film amongst other nominations.

 

Boyhood

I am certain I have thought about this film almost everyday since seeing it over 6 months ago last June as part of the Travelling Sydney Film Festival.

 

I originally wrote:

There are not enough superlatives to describe this magnificent film. Masterpiece does seem to be the best description. A coming of age film, shot in such a unique and original way, it defies categorisation. Linklater cast a young boy of 5 and filmed Boyhood over 12 years, waiting for him to age and indeed come of age. This was such a leap of faith on his behalf, it could have been a disaster, but it wasn't.

 

With Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke as his parents, and Linklater's own daughter, you watch these people evolve over 12 hears. And it is pure magic. The film clocks in at almost 3 hours and I could have sat there for double the time. This is simple a film a to be seen, it has been garnering rave reviews and it should. Arquette and Hawke are brilliant and believable and simply stunning in this. But it is Ellar Coltrane, who is the star. His portrayal of a version of himself from 5 to 17 in nothing short of a miracle, from a cute kid to an awkward tween to an almost Ethan Hawke lookalike teen, he simply shines. Without Coltrane this movie simply would not be, and what an extraordinary performance it is. I cannot recommend this film highly enough, it is one of the best films I have seen in a long time.

 

I still hold by that review and more. Never have I felt as emotionally attached to a film as I have this one. I cannot explain it. Since I saw the movie I have read a lot of praise and hype about it, all true of course, and each time I found myself swelling with emotion as if I had made the film myself, lol! I thought more about the Patricia Arquette character and how she really held the film together, something that came to me over time, as I thought of it more. She is winning every award out there now for the role, deservedly so, and a shoe in for Best Supporting Actress. Hawke had the showier performance and is also nominated, but given his competition, not likely to win. Linklater and the film could just go Best Director and Best Film, and if they do, you might need to hand me some tissues.

 

Other things that have stayed with me are the little references to periods in time as they were filming it, this could have dated the film incredibly, but it did not. Linklater was so clever in piecing this together, fashion, music, politics, pop culture are all there, but subtle. Enough to make you nod or smile, but not enough to take away from the drama at hand. In fact some of the pop culture dialogue predicts things yet to happen...correctly, I have no words for that!

 

By far my favourite moment of the film is The Black Album. I remember having to hold myself back in the film from whooping out loud. Ethan Hawke makes a mixed tape of songs The Beatles made as solo artists after the demise of the band. Their best stuff, he talks about it with such passion. It's about music, breaking up, relationships, things getting better and of course The Beatles. It was the best new idea I have ever heard. It came from something Ethan himself did for his kids after he split from Uma. A kinda 'yeah things split, but greatness can still come from that', I could not love Ethan Hawke more than I already do!

 

Again, if you have not seen this film, you simply must. You will be blown away, at it's simplicity and it's magnificence. 

 

Grand Budapest Hotel

 

I wrote about this fabulous film back in April when I saw it, you can read the review here.

Unsure at this stage what it may win, possibly aesthetic awards.

 

OSCAR WATCH 2015: Finding Vivian Maier

Finding Vivian Maier is the most extraordinary documentary. A young guy is looking for photos of Chicago for his work, he goes to an auction and wins a bid on this old trunk chock full of thousands of negatives. They don't work for his needs, but he is overwhelmed at how good they are and begins to investigate the woman who took them, Vivian Maier. He googles her and nothing, he can't believe work so good is not known.

 

There had been other suitcases and trunks in the auction and he tracks down who won bids for them and purchases them. He googles her name for the second time, and he finds she has recently passed. He tracks down people who knew her and they said she was a hoarder and they were going to clear out her storage shed if he wanted to come.

 

He does, hoarder is an understatement, he takes a whole range of boxes and finds the most amazing and ordinary things from her life. He decides this is a good idea for a project and he will do an exhibition of her work and try to find out about her.

 

This is when things get interesting, and I won't give away too much, but Vivian was complex, unusual, eccentric, never married nor had children, and was a nanny. She also had a dark side.

 

John Maloof is the young man who found the photos, is behind their preservation, and directed the film along with Charlie Siskel. His understanding of the significance of the negatives is serendipitous, and his pains to get to the bottom of the story and show the world her incredible art is nothing short of miraculous.

 

I was going to add some of her photos here, but really, you need to see them on the big screen, the impact of them, her style, their magnificence is something to behold.

This film is a piece of art itself, the way it was shot, the interviews with those that knew her, the footage found, the unveiling of Vivian, and the journey across the globe to find out about her is presented in such a beautiful way, I was incredibly moved.

 

In fact, the way the documentary unfolds is wonderful, like a thriller, you are kept on the edge of your seat, wondering, "what next?"

 

It is such a human story, I laughed and I wept, and I wondered about this woman and why she led her life as she did...which of course you need to see the film to understand what I mean.

 

I saw this at The Regal, and unsure if they will show it again, but if you get the opportunity to see this documentary, you simply must, especially if you love photography (as I do)!! 

It is nominated for Best Documentary at The Academy Awards and is one of the frontrunners to win.

ART IN SYDNEY

A couple of weeks back C and I had an Arty day in Sydney. We were there to see two exhibitions, Pop into Popism and Chuck Close.

 

We headed to the MCA to see Chuck Close first. I had heard of Chuck before, in various readings of modern art and knew he did portraits.

 

However, I was completely unprepared for the enormity and magnificence of this exhibition.

For starters, yes he does portraits, but in every shape and form one can make art of portraits. Oh My!!!!

 

He does large tapestry portraits, swirly painting portraits that up close look like nothing but fabulous abstracts but from a distance you see the portrait, portraits in copper, portraits in paper art, portraits in wood blocks, and the list goes on.

 

It was one of the best art exhibits I had been to in a very long time. Here is a selection of photos, I took much more, but these show you his range, and only tip the iceberg of what we saw that day.

This is LOU 2012. I cannot begin to tell you how in love I was with this piece. It was the first piece I saw as I entered the exhibit, a tapestry and it was huge, filled the wall. It was so realistic I wanted to wrap my arms around it and just be with him. The austerity and Louness overwhelmed me and brought me to my knees, I kept going back to it and I was sure I'd be kicked out for nutty behaviour!

BOB 1969-70, Chuck's most famous piece and from the National Gallery in Canberra. It began as a photo and was painted over and then cut with razor blades to build up highlights. A striking piece, Bob was a friend of Chuck.

SELF-PORTRAIT 2014, this is created with woodblock and paint. The further away the more it looks like a painting, or photo.

But up close you can see the amazing detail and colour

I loved these two pieces (in two separate rooms), a series of screenprint type portraits being added to, if you look you will see the reflection on the polished floors, I love this at the MCA. I waited for the people to disappear in the second photo (I prefer clean photos) but when the guy - who was explaining the concepts to the lady - started aping about, I couldn't resist!

 

And then there was ROY 2011. After Lou, this was my favourite, I spent a LOT of time just soaking up the atmosphere of greatness in this tapestry. My first view was the reflection above, what a face, what an interesting portrait, and I was transfixed hypnotically towards the piece, closer and closer. I wanted to stroke this nose as it grew out of the piece (which of course it didn't, it just seemed that way), I kept coming back to it, again and again. It haunted me. It wasn't until I was flicking through the Exhibit booklet in the next room I found out who Roy was! Roy Lichtenstein, how serendipitous to see him when I would see his actual art later on that day. I realised, I never knew what one of my favourite artists looked like, but now I have seen him, I will never forget that magnificent face, full of knowing and intellect!

Part of the KARA 2012 series, Close uses a grid of painted circles to form a pixelated look up close, but from a distance it looks like an old style oil painting.

Another self portrait, another tapestry

Two portraits of his daughter. The first using torn pieces of paper stuck together in hues of grey. The second was hardened pieces of paper of light cardboard (I cannot remember) stuck to form a maze that again turned into his daughter. These were haunting and so very beautiful.

A huge floor tapestry, reminded me of an impressionism painting.

Later that afternoon after walking, shopping, and lunch we headed to the Sydney Art Gallery. How I love this building full of wonder and beauty, basking in the sun, looking splendid and showing off it's banners of colour and froth!

 

No photos were allowed in Pop into Popism which is a shame as it was full of amazing. I have seen a Pop Art exhibit before and a Warhol one, both years ago and seen a lot of Pop Art in galleries here, and overseas. So I guess I was a bit disappointed in the selection on display here. Only a couple of Warhols, Lichtenstein's etc. But it was good, don't get me wrong. Quite possibly after Chuck which was so unexpectedly good, seeing what you know and expect was a let down.

We meandered through the maze of colour, comic, and loudness that is Pop Art, marveling at the thought process of the pieces, admiring the beauty of others, and wincing at the ridiculous in some.

 

And then we got to the Australian section, and this was when the exhibition came alive to me. The only artists I really knew was Martin Sharp and Brett Whiteley. But there was some terrific pieces from a whole range of people I had not heard of.

 

The Whiteley piece was one of his huge murals. It covered three walls and we spent a lot of time contemplating it and it's various components. His mind was such a complex beast and his genius outstanding.

 

The final section was new Pop Art or the Popism, with some early Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman and many newer names I've not heard of. This was definitely the more experimental section of the exhibit as you can imagine, but there was much beauty there too. I'm certain that in fifty years time people will be sentimental about these pieces as they are the triptych of the three Elvis's shooting by Warhol early on in the exhibit.

 

As Bansky would say, we exited through the gift shop and spent time purchasing Pop Art products, Andy would be smiling somewhere.

 

Both exhibits are on until early March, if you haven't had a chance and you are curious or love art, you must go and visit them both.

NEIL GAIMAN AT CITY RECITAL HALL, ANGEL PLACE

Last Saturday I had the extreme pleasure of being in the audience to see Neil Gaiman live!

 

Right there!!

 

On the stage!

 

In front of me!!!

 

To say I was beside myself with excitement leading up to the performance was an understatement. Those that know me, know he is one of a small handful of 'celebs' that I do swoon over. He is indeed the whole package as they say, I have prepared something earlier to explain why.

 

And so the day finally arrived and my fabulous gals, A, C, J & L joined me in Sydney for the evening. The performance was to be at the City Recital Hall in Angel Place. Somewhere I had never been. What an amazing place Angel Place is, truly worthy of it's gorgeous name. A little lane just before Martin Place, and very easy to miss. I must have walked past it many a time but never entered. What I had been missing!!!

The architecture is a heady mix of old and new, looking up I could do nothing but smile. There are fabulous cafes and restaurants surrounding the Hall, including the famous Ivy Hotel, with it's Ivy swanking the outside in this little world within Sydney. Just outside the Hall are birdcages hanging, shining in the sun and the moon, and if you listen closely you can hear recordings of birds singing, birds that once frequented the area but no longer do. This just adds the mystical and magical quality of this lovely area.

We had drinks at the lovely old Angel Pub and then headed for an early dinner at Felix, a lovely French bistro inspired restaurant. We indulged in French Martinis...to die for...and the best Steak Frites I have ever had (and I had a lot of them in France!).

But we were really there for Neil, and so we headed to the hall and took our seats.

 

Adding to the excitement, I noticed Jennifer Byrne and Andrew Denton seat themselves four rows in front, my geek-o-meter going off the Richter Scale as you can imagine!

 

Finally Four Play String Quartet came out as Neil's opening act.

 

They, of course, began with the Doctor Who theme and were perfect. They played some more tunes from their new album. If you have never heard FPSQ you must, I saw them live some years back and they blew my mind. A punk/rock/jazz fusion of strings, what they can do with their instruments is no-one's business!

 

And then Neil came out and sang Makin' Whoopee with them, a song he often sings with Amanda. It was marvelous.

 

And bless the Internet...here it is!!!!

 

Then Neil read some pieces from his new book, Trigger Warning, and some old pieces including a wonderful piece I had read some time back.

 

But hearing him read, in his beautiful, lilting voice is something else. Hearing any author read their work, if they are so inclined, is always a treat. You hear it read as they heard it in their head, with the right pauses, the right tone, a little laugh, or growl, all depending on what it is. It is truly something else.

 

This particular piece was written as a present for Ray Bradbury on his 90th birthday, it is superb.

 

This whole section was 90mins but felt like 90 seconds, it went so fast and was such a joy.

 

We broke for an intermission, and then back for another 90mins, which is freaking amazing, for technically one person.

 

The second half began with Neil answering questions written for him during Intermission, which is a much classier way to do a Q and A! He was rather witty and very smart in his answering of these questions. Some were serious, and some silly, he answered them appropriately, and humbled us with his honesty and cleverness.

 

Then more readings, singing, Four Play and on it went, bit by bit, piece by piece, laughter and astonishment abounds. I cannot even recall half of it. Some I had heard before, some I knew of, a lot of it new. Absurd, fantasy, drama, the whole thing, he can do it all.

He also sang his 'torch song' which I adore, I Google you, this version was from 2011.

 

He did a stunning reading of his Australia Day piece, backed by Four Play doing a haunting didgeridoo musical piece. Awe inspiring stuff, you could hear a pin drop.

 

I wish I could remember actual phrases used and words strung together, his turn of phrase is so sublime, it brings me to my knees, and to hear him utter those phrases is rather swoon worthy.

 

He didn't do signings, which is understandable, can you imagine? But most of the books on sale were pre-signed, so I couldn't help myself and pick up some lovely copies on the way out.

 

Lucky I am to have born witness to such a special evening, with my favourite gals too...the rest of the year has a hell of a lot to look up to!!!

NEIL GAIMAN

Neil Gaiman, where do you start in explaining the phenomenon and brilliance of this wonderful man?

 

I have admired him for so long I cannot even remember how it started.

 

He has been writing for many, many years, starting in journalism before moving into comics, then fantasy hybrid styled books through to pretty much everything in between. As much as I love fantasy and sci-fi film and television I have never really been an avid reader of this genre.

 

He writes for children, teens, and adults. He writes in most genres, more often than not writing multiple genres within one book.

 

Neil is also a huge lover and supporter of literacy and libraries. Which, as you can imagine, makes him a guru of sorts to me. And that is without everything else he does! He is prolific generally but specifically online. And whilst I knew of his books, these things are what led me to him and his writing.  

I first read Coraline, a book for tweens. It was essentially light horror, but so beautifully written, like a wicked fairy tale and I was entranced. This led me to Stardust, which remains my favourite title of his to this day. An adult fairy tale, in the vein of The Princess Bride, incredibly romantic but also very sexy and a little bit rude and naughty. Listening to him read this book has got to be one of the most remarkable things I have experienced. His voice is so soft, lilting, lyrical in tone, expressive, cute, and naughty. He really is born to be a reader (as well as a writer).

 

And then there is his online presence, this is what I tend to devour the most, his blog, his tumblr, his twitter account, articles for serials and magazines, think pieces, opinions, and interesting thoughts and advice. He is there all knowing, and all being. He may take breaks from being 'there' to meet a deadline or concentrate whatever he is working on at the time, but otherwise he is available to all, all the time. He is very open to one and all, answering questions, offering up work online for free, asking people to answer his questions to assist in something he is dabbling in. This, as you can imagine, gives him the most loyal and amazing fan-base.

This is my favourite online piece of his.

 

I have not read everything by him...there is simply too much, but I will endeavor to do so.

 

You name it, he has done it, lyrics for songs, screenplays for movies, his books made into television, film, and radio-plays.

Here are his words for the New Year, a sometimes thing he does:

 

I love that he is married to Amanda Palmer, another amazing person I have admired for many years, their coupling blew my mind, and I always say they are the gold standard of relationships, so very different yet so similar and so in touch with each other, witnessing any exchange between them will always make my heart warm and happy.

 

But I guess it is his fierce intellect and that extraordinary mind I adore the most. Because these are the things I look for in people generally - intellect and imagination - without these we are simply vessels of mediocrity. Listening to him speak or reading anything by him will show that his intellect and imagination is of the highest order, and that mix, to me, equates to absolute genius.

 

And you know on top of all of that he remains down to earth, sweet, and kind. A mild mannered English man, who exudes gorgeousness within and without, and he is indeed, swoonworthy.