DECEMBER ROUND UP

The month started beautifully with a trip to Maitland Art Gallery. It is my favourite gallery to visit and always has amazing exhibitions. The main exhibit by Rosemary Valadon, Textures of Desire featured lush tables of fruit and vege and flowers. There was also a great exhibit of Aboriginal Art called Finding Country. Such beauty and colour. Also a great display of JFK photos, from childhood to assassination and beyond.

I then met Jenny for lunch at Morpeth Pub, we always have a great meal there, but they had changed the menu and really upped the ante.

The following day I had lunch with the gals at Foghorn and then farewelled The Towers by seeing Bohemian Rhapsody again. It was a bittersweet day. You can read about The Towers here.

The following week was incredibly stressful and all about my health...again. I had a small procedure to biopsy my kidney. Not painful but uncomfortable, but things ended up ok. I only had a secondary infection, my kidneys were a-ok, and the infection would disappear in time! What a relief!!

The family celebrated Dad's birthday at the local pub and had a lovely meal and time as always.

I finally returned to choir and we celebrated Christmas with yummy food and drinks, and sang Happy Christmas by John Lennon.

Work finished on a high, with one project finished and highly praised, and another well on the go.  We had Christmas drinks at LM Art Gallery which was most enjoyable.

I celebrated Christmas and birthdays with Vince, Nole, and Kathy. We had a lovely long afternoon tea of laughter and chatter.

I bought an electric keyboard, and whilst I really cannot play properly, I can fiddle a little and it will be fun to play with. Maybe I will get some lessons in the new year!

The first week of my holidays had a lot of rest and napping. I ate out at the Mary Ellen, went to the beauticians, finished my Christmas shopping, visited the Newcastle Art Gallery, drove around the beach, and saw Fantastic Beasts at the movies.

Mary dropped by for drinks, and Cathy and I had brunch at Awaba House, followed by a trip to LM Art Gallery.

My lovely sister returned home for Christmas and we had a BBQ to celebrate.

Jayne and I caught up with Mark for drinks at The Wicko and we enjoyed the joy and charm of Fish Fry and our company and chatter of course.

Christmas Eve and Day were spent on my sister's property with my family. We had a great time. My brother in law's Christmas present was a proper pool table so a lot of challenges were had. We ate, drank, laughed, and just chilled out. My sister Amanda came home with me for Christmas night and we sat and watched The Bruce Springsteen on Broadway show. 

Boxing Day is my birthday so she took me to Espresso 1 to brunch after a lovely sleep in, and we spent the afternoon chilling and watching The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, easily my favourite show of the year. In the evening we went for a drive into the beach before meeting the family at The Mary Ellen for dinner.

Between my birthday and New Years I was pretty chilled, I slept, watched tele, worked on my end of year blogs, caught up with friends for my birthday, worked on the Saturday, and had a farewell dinner for Amanda at Newcastle Yacht Club before she headed back to Melbourne.

New Years isn't as fabulous as last year, on the beach in Hawaii, it is much more low key. I have a lot to be grateful for, a lot to reflect on, and I am keen to get this year behind me. I'll stay at home and potter about, it is just another night. I am still not 100% recovered and I will celebrate accordingly when that happens.

Here are my reviews for the month.

And some extra pics...

DECEMBER REVIEWS

Books I've been Reading

The Land Before Avocado by Richard Glover - this is a fun and at times disturbing memoir of 70s Australia. After a conversation with his son, explaining there were no Avocados in Australia when he was a kid, Richard decides to look back at his youth during this time and see if it was better or worse than being a youth now. Loads of fun, load of information, some sobering statistics and thoughts, but as always beautifully put together. And he finds out there were Avocados, but not in as regular supply as today.

The Power of Hope by Kon Karapanagiotidis - Kon is a laywer, activist, and founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. This is a story of his life with information about his work, working with refugees, and his own personal struggles and how he overcome them. It is a powerful and uplifting read. His stories are important to Australia and ones everyone should read. Whilst some are rough to hear, he writes with such passion and love and hope, you feel great and positive about the future with people like him fighting the good fight.

Dear Santa edited by Samuel Johnson - this is a lovely little publication by the Love Your Sister Cancer Charity. It is a collection of Dear Santa letters from various Australians, well known and not so well known. The letters are funny, dramatic, and well worthy of a read. Plus proceeds go to charity! A really important one! #FuckCancer

J.D. Salinger: The Escape Artist by Thomas Beller - A shortish but comprehensive and entertaining biography of the great man. Beller visits a lot of New York locations featured in Salinger's life and writing, which gives a different spin to the story we all know.

Hotel California by Barney Hoskyns - The Story of the west coast music in the late 60s and 70s. James Taylor, The Mamas and the Papas, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles and so forth are included in this book. How they all fitted together, worked with each other and brought music from California. Not a bad read, but no real new ground broken.

Off the Cliff: how the making of Thelma and Louise drove Hollywood to the edge by Becky Aikman - I wasn't sure if there was a book in this, but it was great and compelling. A fascinating lead up to how they go this classic movie made, the players, what it meant for feminism and the aftermath. This is a great read!

The Ocean at the End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman -  I have already read this book some time ago, but this was the talking book as read by the author...sigh. If you haven't heard Neil Gaiman's voice, especially his reading voice, you simply must, it is perfection and dreamy and everything. So listening to this fabulous fairy tale for adults was a sublime thing! Highly recommend.

What I've Been Watching

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel - This is the best show I have seen all year and boy, there have been some good ones. It is written and directed by Amy Sherman- Palladino of Gilmore Girls fame. And like that, this is sassy and brilliant, in fact it is possible better! It is set in the 50s and the set design is sublime. The costumes swoonworthy, also great music. The cast is excellent and funny and wonderful. The show is about a young Jewish woman 4 years into her marriage. She is gorgeous and funny and everything. Her husband, a budding stand up comic, leaves her for his secretary and her life changes. She (and the kids) move in with her very Jewish parents and by accident she finds herself on stage at the club where her husband used to perform and she is a hit. Susie (the brilliant Alex Borstein, Lois on Family Guy), who works at the club takes her on as a client. Every shot is a postcard, loads of popular culture references of the time. I love the differentiation between Mrs Maisel's day life and her night life as a fast talking comical broad, she is still her, just a lot more bawdy. It is set is New York, it is glorious and pure joy. You can see why it has won so many awards. Rachel Brosnahan as Mrs Maisel is the most charming, joyous, feminist, funny, and gorgeous character I've ever seen on screen, I love her!!!

Counterpart - this is easily one of the best shows I have seen this year. Set in a modern day Cold War. JK Simmons plays Howard Silk a low grade employee of the UN in Germany, totally oblivious to what the organisation actually does until one day when everything changes. He meets a man who looks exactly like him, but is not him, even though his name is also Howard Silk. He finds out this new Howard Silk exists in an alternate world that was accidentally made after experiments in 1997 which completely replicated the world as we know it. The portal to the new world is under the UN building, but things over there have not progressed as the original world has and they are trying to infiltrate it.

This slight sci-fi premise is beautifully executed and completely believable. The story lines are fast and clever. It is complex, but relatively easy to understand. The cast (including Stephen Rea, Olivia Williams, Richard Schiff and Jacqueline Bissett) and acting are superb but Simmons' performance is extraordinary. Playing two characters with distinct and yet subtle differences. This is definitely must see TV.

Castle Rock - a series based on Stephen King Novels and set ups. The fictional town of Castle Rock is where the Shawshank Prison is and one day a strange amount of weirdness happens in the town that gets people very uncomfortable. A prison guard commits suicide in a very brutal way and a young seemingly mute boy turns up out of nowhere and only utters a name, a name of someone long gone. As things unravel is seems that this is not an unusual occurrence for a town that has quite the history of eerie and mystery. Where this is going, I am not entirely sure, but it is compelling, and well cast.

Master Of None - this was quite good, funny, sweet, and an interesting take of love and life from Aziz Ansari. I was in two minds about watching it after the hoo-haa around Ansari, but gave it a go anyway.

The Last Man on Earth S 2-4 - What fun this binge was. Last Man on Earth is a comedy about the aftermath of a virus that has wiped out most of the earth's population. The small group that has somehow managed to survive are a mixmatch of personalities and the show is about their survival. It is not a complex show but a lot happens, set in the US, the group travel around looking for a safe environment to live. They come across other survivors, an astronaut falls from space, there are deaths and births, they live in Cher's house for a while (Cher did not survive), and find themselves on the run from a psycho and then nuclear melt downs (no one is looking after them so they begin to catch on fire and leak - quite a scary thought if you think about it). It is a great cast and just laugh out loud funny. 

Silicon Valley S5 - Pied Piper lives to see another day...again, and the more things change, the more things remain the same. Always hilarious, this show gets better and better.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt S3 - this is a fun show, great humour and a great cast. I personally think Titus is the star of the show!!

Younger S3/4 -  I am loving this great series set in the NY publishing world. The premise is a 40 something girl tries to get back into the business after years away and finds she is too old, so pretends to be a 20 something and gets away with it. Mostly this is a pulpy show, and I love it. Funny and sex with publishing stuff thrown in.

Bojack Horseman S1 - great animated show about a washed up star from 90s television who happens to be a horse. In this world people and animals exist equally and it really works. A great comic cast voicing these characters really make it work, Will Arnett as Bojack, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul and many others make this a delight. Oh and it is adult humour, not animation for kids!

Safe Harbour – Intense Australian drama about a group of friends holidaying on a yacht and they come across an overloaded and broken down boat of asylum seekers. They decided to tow the boat to safety, yet the next morning the boat is gone and it looks like it was cut free. When one of the group comes across one of the refugees some years later the truth begins to come out. Excellent cast, acting, and storytelling.

In The Fade – Diane Kruger is excellent in this as a grieving mother and wife after her son and husband are killed in a bomb attack. The trial, which starts to accuse her husband of wrong dealings and she decides to take justice into her own hands.

The 15:17 to Paris – this is the true story of the 2015 terrorist attack on a train bound for Paris. It tells the back story of the heroes and in an interesting twist, Eastwood cast the actual real life heroes in the main roles, playing themselves. This was a slow burn, but fascinating.

The Forger – one of those last heist films to help a friend. Travolta plays a  forger who paints a famous Monet for a switch. This was ok but a bit of a cliché.

Unsane – creepy thriller from Steven Soderbergh starring Claire Foy who appears to have mental health issues and ends up in a temporary institution against her will. But is she really mentally ill?

I Feel Pretty – I have a love/hate thing for Amy Schumer, I find some of her work great and other stuff too much. I wasn’t even going to watch this but I am glad I did. It was light and at times a little silly but the message of loving yourself and not getting hung up on the fleeting nature of aesthetics was pretty amazing. Also Michelle Williams as the head of a cosmetic company was brilliant, I had absolutely no idea it was her. This is worth having a look at!

Aurure - delightful French romantic comedy about Aurure in her early 40s and divorced and struggling enough and now her eldest daughter is pregnant, making her, quelle horreur, a grandmother. What will she do!?!?

Descent into the Maelstrom: The Radio Birdman Story – excellent doco on the Aussie punk rock band. I didn’t really know much about their background, and this was a detailed no holds barred look at the band. Plus loads of live footage and music, which was brilliant and intense as you can imagine!

Armistice Day: Live at The Domain, Sydney – this is a great live concert by Midnight Oil from their recent The Great Circle Tour in 2017. As edgy and sharp as they ever were. Perfection!

Beside Bowie: the Mick Ronson Story - great doco on Bowie's early sidekick, how they met, their friendship, his other work. It is ultimately a sad story, but what a great guitarist. Bowie fans will love this, and anyone interested in great music.

What I've Been Listening To

Gratitude and Grief by Elixir featuring Katie Noonan with Michael Leunig - whimsical album with poetry read by Leunig and songs to match. Lovely and sweet.

Bottle It In by Kurt Vile - great indie rock by the great man. Love this guy.

Far From earth by Stonefield - another thrashy and gutsy album from this fab all girl group

Elephants on Acid by Cypress Hill – laid back, stoney trip hop, love it!

44/876 by Sting and Shaggy – a bit cringeworthy on paper, but ok to listen to, laid back Jamaican style reggae.

Solo Anthology: the best of Lindsey Buckingham by Lindsey Buckingham – mix of great and ordinary, all his non Fleetwood Mac work

The Capitol Studio Session by Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra - divine live album of standards and jazz!! LOVE!!!

NOVEMBER ROUND UP

November, like many months this year, was challenging.

My health took a other turn with my leg infection spreading to a kidney infection. I ended up back in hospital for a kidney biopsy. Whilst not painful it was a invasive and uncomfortable procedure laying me low on the couch again. Luckily everything was ok, I did have a secondary infection (from the leg infection, which was from a throat infection, because of my compromised immunity due to radiation from the cancer...sigh) but it should right itself as my legs heal. What a relief.

Work was crazy busy working on my projects, and having them received well.

We commenced the month as we always do celebrating my bil's birthday, this year at the Junction Hotel at Raymond Terrace, always a good feed there. I also had a great burger meal with Julie at 16s.

My lovely niece got to march around with her all girl soccer team prior to the big Matilda's game and we all gather to watch her and the game which was a thrilling 5 Nil win.

This month's One Song Sing was Silverchair's Straight Lines at the Newcastle Museum in the BHP room - it doesn't get much more Newy than that!!!

We celebrated my bestie, Cathy's birthday with Doctor Who and some Thai!

My friend Vince, has a new band, decades after playing keyboard in the Rockmelons and has been writing songs. I took time to go and listen and help critique all the original material and take some photos of them. It was a great afternoon and all they need is a little bit of polish and they'll be out there for us all to listen to! I can't wait!

Our bookclub ended the year talking about Heather Rose's sublime Museum of Modern Love and having a great meal at Talulah.

I ended the month at my beloved Tower Cinemas for a final French Friday before the cinema closes down. We ate from the French market and watched the fabulous French film, The Intouchables and it was a fitting farewell to a place that holds a very special place in my heart.

As usual there was the markets.

Plenty of reviews and some extra pics.

FAREWELL TOWER CINEMAS

Earlier this month the Tower Cinemas ceased trading.

The Towers, as I always knew it, was one of my Newcastle touchstones.

I had been going there since I was a young girl, my grandparents taking me to there to see movies. I cannot remember the movies, but I remember the building. It seemed so large and so grown up to me. I loved the choc tops, I always loved the choc tops.

As I grew older, I could take myself to the movies and this was always my cinema of choice. I loved heading into town, first by bus then in my little blue mini when I first got my license. Once I started work I got a Roster Day, my favourite way to spend that day off was in the cinema. Back then, the Kensington and the Lyrique were still around and I would go through the session times in the paper at work and see how many I could see in a day back to back!

I loved that escape!!!

Around 1992 time I joined Newcastle Film Society, and have been a member every year since. This meant every Sunday evening was spent at The Towers enjoying foreign and independent films. What joy!!

I always loved leaving the cinema by the back of the theatre, and walking down the creepy stairs in the inner bowels of the cinema and coming out to the street, sometimes muggy, sometimes raining. Everyone shuffling out, discussing the film we just saw.

It was there I met my ex, we watched films together and fell in love. Not long after we started to see each other, I remember him taking me to a movie there and then right out the front of The Towers, he grabbed me and kissed me passionately, saying during the time we were not dating he always wanted to do that to me each Sunday night. It was the spot we'd stop and chat after the film, before heading our separate ways. 

I also remember having a terrible argument with the same guy in the same spot some years later after a film...sigh. It was Life is Beautiful, and he was berating me for 'ugly crying' in the cinema and making him embarrassed. I really should have seen the writing on the wall then!

Over the years The Towers introduced many fabulous film festivals, The Travelling Sydney Film Festival, French (my favourite), Italian, Documentaries and so on. And they always showed Foreign and independent films and classics. 

I remember seeing North by Northwest there on the big screen for the first time. Not the first time I had seen the film but the first on the big screen and I was blown away.

I even wrote film reviews for The Towers for a while. My friend Athena, showed Linda and myself the ad and we both applied and each got the job. We scored some free tickets and had to put in reviews. It was a great time and we got to see some interesting films.

You know the thing about The Towers was you always ran into people you knew there. You could turn up solo for an event and there was always someone to chat to and sit with.

I spent loads of time there by myself - during the day and the night - and a lot of time with friends and on dates.

I have so many memories, it is difficult to contain them all.

Every year I do my Oscar Watch, where I try to watch as many films as I can, The Towers are almost always the location of my watching. To me, great movies and film and The Towers go hand in hand.  Oh and a choc top!!!

Sure the toilets really needed a do over, the seats needed replacing, and there were odd smells in certain places. But this was part of the charm. The huge lobby, with the memorabilia, the seats, and the chilly air con (the only part of the building seemingly). 

The carpet is ingrained in my memory and those gorgeous thick red curtains. Sitting up the back of Cinema 3 every Sunday night at Film Society, looking from the top floor down to King Street and the Terraces, or seeing the fairy light in the trees in Crown Street. Having dinner before or after a film. Hanging out at Foghorn pre-movie in recent years.

I fell in love with so many films, it is difficult to even start naming them. I remember seeing When Harry Met Sally on a double with War of the Roses, I fell in love with When Harry Met Sally and saw it a few more times before it finished it's run. It is still a top 5 film for me. I saw Cascablanca - my all time favourite film - there twice. I laughed so hard at High Fidelity I got looks from my sisters, although they did agree John Cusack's character and I were similar. I discovered Fellini, and Almodovar, and my love of Gerard Depardieu and French Film. 

I first met The Dude from The Big Lebowksi there, had my mind blown by Being John Malkovich, fell in love with Ethan Hawke (and Julie Delpy) in the entire Before trilogy, marveled at Night on Earth and the Three Colours trilogy, Held my breathe not once but twice watching Wages of Fear, Met Amelie, Saw Nosteratu with an organ accompaniment, laughed at Chaplin and Keaton, became entranced by Wings of Desire and Paris Texas, was delighted by Cinema Paradiso, and rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody.

These and many more are what makes fond memories and ones I will keep with me forever.

Why money wasn't thrown at this gem I have no idea. It seems so incredibly wrong and dreadful. There are no cinemas in Newcastle at all now, this is such a shame.

The Towers wasn't just any old cinema, it was a special place, that showed special films and offered the more discerning individual an escape, an escape that brought with it the history of a sacred place.

Vale Towers and thanks for the memories!!!!

NOVEMBER REVIEWS

What I Have Been Reading

Bella Figura: how to live, love, and eat the Italian way by Kamin Mohammadi –this was a lovely travel book about a writer suffering creative and life blockage who moves to Florence for a year to make some changes. She learns to live the Italian way and it betters her life. There are lots of lovely sections about Florence, food, and cooking, but ultimately it is the story of her love life which was a bit disappointing.

A letter from Paris by Louisa Deasey – a remarkable book which I enjoyed immensely. Louisa’s father died when she was 7 and never really knew him. She did know he was married previously to her mother to a French lady called Giselle, who was also her godmother. Whilst she had never met Giselle, her presence was strong in her family’s life until one day when she just disappeared. Louisa decides to find out more about her father and to track Giselle. Around the same time she gets a facebook message from the granddaughter of Michelle, another flame or love of her fathers. This gets her search going and the information about her father becomes more overwhelming than she could have imagined. This is beautifully written, compelling, a page turner, and simply a magnificent memoir. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Road to Little Dribbling: more notes from a small island by Bill Bryson – I love Bill Bryson and even moreso love listening to him narrate his own books. Unfortunately the spoken word of this is not read by Bill, but the reader isn’t too bad. This is the follow up to his Notes from a Small Island about Britain, where he has lived much of his life. An older, more curmudgeonly gent he has become over the years as he explores small villages across the small island of Britain. Museums, book stores, small supermarkets, transport and the people that inhabit them are his targets. This is a genuine delight and laugh out loud funny, as you would imagine.

Feel Free: essays by Zadie Smith - I love Zadie's view on the world and her splendid writing. Her essays are my favourite and this collection is no exception. It is a fine mix of art, culture, political and topical views.

Dig if you will the picture: funk, sex, god, and genius in the music of Prince by Ben Greenman Fantastic biography and analysis of Prince’s work. Not a run of the mill biography, but a really in depth look at his music, people he worked with, his musicality, philosophy etc. Totally worthwhile, especially if you are a fan.

The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose - this was my second read of this amazing book, and I loved it even more the second time around. Winner of the 2017 Stella Prize, it was my book of the year. Based around Marina Abramovich's The Artist is Present Exhibit at MOMA in New York, it winds a fictional story of two people that meet at the exhibit - drawn into the exhibit regularly - and form a friendship. Each have their own relationship problems, and are using the art to escape and find themselves. A beautiful story of love, loss, and life and the power of the muse.

Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales - this is an important book about what happens to people on the day of and the day after the worst day of their lives. After some bad times herself, Leigh decided to investigate how others cope with trauma and tragedy. It features people like Walter Mikac, Stuart Diver and others like ambulance people, policeman, hospital staff, those that deal with those going through the worst day of the life. But more importantly this book gives advice to those who know people going through this awfulness, how to cope and deal with them. At times it was rough going, but ultimately it is uplifting and a very worthy read.

What I Have Been Watching

Broad City S4 - these girls!!! I love them so. I love their sass, their clumsiness, their everything. This season up the notches, with some hilarious special guests and a great extra feminist episode (extra being every episode is feminist but this took it up a notch!) where Ilana loses her sexual mojo and goes to a therapist. Also Fran Drescher starring as Ilana's aunt is to be seen. Her banter with the great Susie Essman (perfectly cast as Ilana's Mum) is worthy of their own spin off show.

Mr InBetween - hilarious little Australian Dramedy, part comedy, part drama, follows an affable bloke who just happens to be a hitman. While he is doing his 'job' he also has an everyday life and everyman quality about him. This pathos adds to the humour. Absolutely a 5 star show, great storytelling and great acting!

Big Bang Theory S10/11 - had a bit of a catch up with this show. I sometimes have a bit of a love/hate with this. It can be a bit one note, but the geeky references and science are to be adored.

Pose - this is set in the 80s with Aids and greed as the back drop, it follows groups of Trans whose lives revolve around the Pose Movement which was huge in that scene in 80s New York. Pose is a group of people who dress as a theme (eg Dynasty) and turn up to match against other groups in nightclubs and winners are announced. Whilst this premise was fun, it was the behind the mask stories of each character that made this show exemplary. Great soundtrack too. 

American Horror Story I haven't watched this for a few seasons, as it got too silly. This season which was meant to be a greatest hits of past seasons was indeed a step up, but still ended in a bit of a mess. Whilst I did enjoy a lot of this, I think this show has had it's day.

Travel Man - the fabulous Richard Ayoade is back with another series travelling to interesting cities with another comedian, High point, was his weekend with Jon Hamm in Hong Kong. Easily the best episode he has done, and Hamm as always is absolutely adorable!

Don’t Stop the Music - I loved this 3 part documentary series based around a struggling school just outside of Perth. The principal had a huge goal of all her primary students learning music, and with a lot of help, this is what they did. Watching these kids learn the power and beauty of music was a most remarkable thing to behold. With star power and kindness, Guy Sebastian, James Morrison and others, they help transform the kids into musicians. 

Ideal Home – I loved this comedy with a heart. Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd are an older couple. Coogan a needy  but popular television chef and Rudd his producer, director and partner. Their fighting is notorious. When Coogan’s grandson comes to live with them, it completely changes their lives. This is so very funny, but warm and full of heart without pandering. Coogan (who I adore) and Rudd are superb. I cannot speak highly enough of this great film!!

Solo -  love this cheeky look back to a younger Han Solo. Alden Ehrenreich was a fabulous choice, I could see him grow into Harrison Ford and the role. Entire cast was great, good story, and well directed. I had my doubts with Ron Howard, but he did the franchise well. Loved the female droid and a young Chewie. And how about that Kestler Run!?!

Last Flag Flying – Steve Carell asks his estranged army buddies, Brian Cranston and Laurence Fishburn, to accompany him to collect the body of his young son, killed on a mission. It is a sad story and all the acting was great, but ultimately it left me cold.

The Bookshop – swet but sad little story about a women who opens a bookshop in her little town despite the town frowning upon it. Much like the book it is taken from, I just couldn’t warm to this dreary story.

Avengers: infinity war - what a lark, I love these films. Sooo many heroes in this one, with loads of humour, action and fun. But that ending!!! Woah!!!

Love Simon - this was a delightful teen love story told with humour and a little drama. A lovely 'twist' on a well worn genre, this was a sheer delight!

Maudie - an odd little biopic with Ethan Hawke and the always delightful Sally Hawkins. Hawkins plays Maud, a young woman with debilitating arthritis who has no prospects until she gains employment as housekeeper for Everett (Hawke) a stodgy fisherman. They slowly form a relationship and she begins to paint and forms her pictures from her view of the world. Set in 1930s Nova Scotia, it is a dreary film but becomes uplifting through Maudie and her art. 

Jane Fonda: in 5 acts - great doco about the great woman. Her life and career in 5 acts or 5 stages. Mostly defined by the men by her side, the new Jane is herself, doing exactly what she wants, undefined by men. And it is glorious to behold. Her career is outstanding, those films in the 70s and early 80s are remarkable classics. Plus there was the hilarious memory of her aerobics era, I had completely forgotten about The Jane Fonda Workout videos, of which I followed religiously in the mid 80s, lol!

Batman and Bill - a great doco about the man who really helped invent Batman. Features a young guy who worked out the story and was integral in having the wrongs of the past made right!

Buena Social Vista Club: Adios - loads of music and reminiscing as the remaining members of BSVC go on tour again. Always a delight, great music, and great stories.

The Wrecking Crew - doco about the backing bands to most of the great music from 1950 to mid 1970s. Stories of the individuals, the bands and singers they helped and the music itself. A must see for any music fan.

Mavis - another great music doco, this time about Mavis Staples, still touring in her late 70s and sounding amazing. It goes back to her times with the Staple Singers and singing with her family. Absolute joy and great music.

Midnight Oil 1984  - following Midnight Oil in that seminal year of 1984 when they were just commencing their reign musically and when Peter Garrett ran for senate. Great footage and live music.

Tea with the dames - loads of fun as the Dames - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, Eileen Atkins meet for tea regularly and they are filmed talking about their lives, loves, and careers. Remarkable and hilarious and beautiful!

My Dinner with Herve - another odd biopic about Herve Villechaize, of Fantasy Island fame, and an evening of interviews with a English journalist. It is hedonistic, funny, and disturbing and Peter Dinklage, yet again, shows what an extraordinary actor he is. Jamie Doran is a good foil as the journalist.

Loving Vincent - the most amazing documentary about the great man in animation form, but so very different to any animation you have ever seen. Ever shot was like a Van Gogh painting. It covers his early life, his lovers, his muses, his work, his poverty, his mental illness, and everything in between. Simply beautiful.

What I Have Been Listening To

Wanderer by Cat Power – a good solid album, less angsty and ranty and more mellow.

Egypt Station By Paul McCartney - This is a great album, his most accessible album in a long time. A lot of the songs scream hits. The man still has got it.

Ian Moss by Ian Moss -  really good, very bluesy, sounding great.

Nature by Paul Kelly  - Paul Kelly never disappoints, his lyrics, his storytelling, his music. This is great. 

Full Circle by Bob Evans - a greatest hits double, with rarities. I love Bob and his laidback music and went straight out and bought myself a copy.

Look Now by Elvis Costello and the Imposters – first since he’s been sick, sounds good, a little softer less harsh.

Lior – between you and me – just lovely!!

Remain in Light by Angelique Kidjo – Angelique covers the entire Remain in Light by Talking Heads. Originally it had a lot of groove styled songs and this works beautifully with her voice and the African beats. I really love this.

Last Man Standing by Willie Nelson – very good new album, a bit jazzy/bluesy and lots of humourous lyrics – well they were to me!

Hopelessly Devoted: the hits by Olivia Newton John – I’m over the songs from Grease and Physical but love hearing Xanadu and Magic and her older country styled songs. You gotta love Livvy.

Camp Cope - how to socialise and make friends – cute, a bit angst teenagey, ocker accent but I enjoyed it.

An American Treasure by Tom Petty - an excellent double album of rarities, live recordings and hits. Tom Petty is always brilliant, so missed!

Mass education by St Vincent - Annie continues to work her lyrical magic on this great album. Dance, pop, rock and everything in between.

Beautiful people will ruin your life – The Wombats loved this loads, of rocky fun!