What I've Been Watching
Scandal S3 - this
is a guilty pleasure, but this season was full of political intrigue, murder,
drama, double dealings, twists, and turns. It does feel like each season outdoes
the one previous. The whole Olivia is in love with the president storyline is
the least believable part of the show, he is so meh, I just don't get it. But
the other characters are fascinating.
The
Fall S2 - finally, S1 left us hanging, and S2 takes up right where we
were left off. Gillian Anderson is outstanding in this edge of your seat
psychological thriller. What I love about The Fall is as a viewer you are ahead
of the investigators and know everything that is happening, maybe not why, but
definitely what. So you are waiting for them to catch up or catch the serial
killer. It is rough in parts, but so addictive! Very much worth
watching. Did I say how good Gillian Anderson
is??
The
Real History of Science Fiction - this was a fun series about
everything science fiction, from television to film to books and everything in
between. Loads of amazing interviews, footage, and commentary about everything
including Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, Back to the Future, Neil Gaiman,
Alien, you name it. Highly recommend. My inner geek shone through watching this,
I was in heaven.
Antiques Roadshow -
I do love this show, this particular DVD set was when presenters go on a road
trip for a week, two at a time, and start with 200 pounds. Each day they
purchase 5 items and auction them off in the afternoon, at the end of the week
the presenter with the most money 'wins'. They drive around the Uk, you get to
see stunning scenery, at least one historical building or museum per trip, and
wonderful old pieces.
The Young and Prodigious T.S.
Spivet - about a young boy who is an ace scientist and inventor. T.S.
lives on a farm with his sister and twin brother, and his eccentric parents. The
Smithsonian wants to see him after he sends off an invention, they do not
realise he is a child, and TS escapes on an adventure to get to the museum.
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet of Amelie and Delicatessan fame, this is not as
quirky as them but still unusual. Helena Bonham-Carter plays his mother. A nice
family movie.
Chef – directed and
starring Jon Favreau this is a fun story about a divorced dad who starts up his
own food van for gourmet food after being sacked from his restaurant. Great
music, delicious food, and outstanding cast, it's not a great movie, but it's
pretty good and loads of fun.
Still Life -
unusual little British film about a man who works in a department that sees to
people's affairs when they die and seemingly have no family. He is an
investigator of sorts locating distant family of the deceased. In the middle of
a complex investigation, and grappling with his own dull life, he finds he is
made redundant. He is determined to finish this last investigation. This was a
very quiet film, yet hypnotising, and saccharine. Not for everyone I guess, but
it was interesting.
Healing - I enjoyed
this Australian drama set in a minimum security prison, where some of the
inmates work with large birds and train them. Starring Don Hany, Hugo Weaving,
and a superb cast of Aussie men, this is worth a look.
Camille Claudel - Juliet Binoche is stunning in
this film of Camille's last days at a mental asylum, after her affair with Rodin
goes astray. The film is slow paced and at times painful, in subject matter and
to watch. One for the fans only.
Renoir - about the last
years of Renoir, his last muse, and when his son comes back from war. Lovely
paced and stunning cinematography, each frame was like a work of art.
Predestination - I loved this film so much,
it's a time travel film with a clever premise. The premise is detailed and to
explain it would give away the intricate plotting of the film. And you want to
discover the twists and turns as they happen. At times you feel a little
confused trying to work out what is going on, but by the films end everything is
very easy to understand. It is a wild ride, but hang in there, it is so worth
it! Ethan Hawke is superb in this but the show is stolen by Aussie, Sarah Snook.
There's a name and face to watch for in the future.
What we do in the shadows
- LOVED this fab NZ black comedy. Set in a share house
for vampires in a mockumentary style, every line is a clanger but in the best
possible way, I have never laughed out loud so much in a film for a long time.
This ties with Predestination as a must see and my pick of the month.
Hail, Hail Rock and Roll
- Chuck Berry documentary directed by Taylor Hackford and glorious to watch.
It's about Chuck Berry, from 1987, and absolutely glorious to watch.
Interviews with Keith Richards, Springsteen, Orbison, Little Richard, Clapton,
Jerry Lee Lewis...the list goes on. Keith and Chuck are preparing for a concert,
watching Chuck continually stop a seething Keith at rehearsals to ensure Keith
gets his riffs right is the funniest thing I've
seen. the interviews are interesting and enlightening, and the music superb. I
cannot imagine anyone not liking this!
What I've Been
Reading
Foreign
Soil – Maxine Beneba Clarke – winner of the Victorian Premier’s
Unpublished Manuscript Award 2013, Foreign Soil is a collection of short stories
about African Women all over the world. From Villawood to Sudan to Brixton to
Jamaica to Sydney, the stories are heart wrenching, funny, and unexpected as
they follow strong women trying to live in our world during various time
periods. It is an outstanding collection, and the style of writing changes
depending on the story which really helps shape the book. I thoroughly enjoyed
it and cannot recommend it highly enough.
An
innocent abroad: life changing trips from 35 great writers edited by Don
George This is a Lonely Planet book. A whole range of interesting
writers such as Sloane Crossley, Lloyd Jones, Alexander McCall Smith, Richard
Ford, Simon Winchester, Jane Smiley and Cheryl Strayed and many more share their
stories of adventure from all parts of the globe.
Lost at Sea: the Jon Ronson
Mysteries by Jon Ronson This is an intriguing book of essays about
things people believe in or get caught up in. To investigate this Jon jumps in
the deep in with them. He goes alien chasing with Robbie Williams, goes to far
away places where awful things have happened, cruises with people hoping to be
enlightened on psychic cruises, gets caught up in the minutiae of Stanley
Kubrick's life after his death, invents multiple personalities to get to the
bottom of how people are targeted for multiple credit cards and so on. Some of
the stories are hilarious, but some are quite sad. Ronson opens up and lets you
into these people's lives and what they will do for a little piece of mind in
what they think they believe in. Fascinating, I do love his writing and his
slant on life.
French ties: love, life and
recipes by Jane Webster - this is the follow up to the book I read last
month, At my French Table, about the Melbourne family who packed up and bought
a Chateau in France. They are moving back and forth between both homes now, and
the house is being used at times as a guesthouse, for those wanting to
experience living in country France. it is full of divine photos, tips, recipes
and stories of the grand old place. Totally jealous!
Musings from the Inner Duck
by Michael Leunig - this is the latest Leunig compilation. Full of
melancholy, confusion, delight, poems, cartoons, and politics. Everything you
love about this National Treasure and more.
Vivienne Westwood by
Vivienne Westwood and Ian Kelly Told in the grand dame's words (as such
when there is an other writer listed!) and what a life this magnificent woman
has led. I've always been a huge fan of her work and art, her attitude and her
strength. There was loads of insight into the fashion world, the Sex Pistols,
London during that time, and of course the woman herself. There has been many
biographies about Vivienne, but this was a whopper to read, with a lot of
unknown information. Also a great deal of stories about her activisim, which is
lesser known here, but quite grand overseas, in fact she is more well known for
that these days than fashion. It's truly lovely to read about your heroes and
find more ways to love them.
Not
My Father's Son by Alan Cumming This is the most insightful and yet
dark memoir by the actor and singer. It takes a very dark period of his life and
lays it out bare, with supporting information from his childhood and growing up.
Alan was approached to do the show Who Do You Think You Are, and it unravelled a
whole lot of unknown family history. But what people didn't know was he was
finding out a whole lot of other family history in the most traumatic way at the
very same time. Mostly connected with his relationship with his father, this is
real life twists and turns, and the most remarkable read. It is quite dark in
parts, but so beautifully written, so cannot put it down. One of the best
memoirs I have read.
My
Life and Adventures in Fleetwood Mac by Mick Fleetwood - This was a fun
read, but to be honest told me nothing too much new. Let's face it, everyone
knows the whole incestuous nature of Fleetwood Mac and there is not much left to
tell. It is obvious he has very high regard for each and every Fleetwood Mac
member, especially Stevie, and he writes a lot about them meeting, working
together etc. There is a bit of musicology within in the book, but I wanted
more. When a good muso writes a book, I want music, not gossip, although I guess
it's the later that sells books. But this isn't bad, just not as good as it
could have been.
The
Dress: 100 iconic moments in fashion by Megan Hess - this was so
gorgeous, I cannot begin to tell you. Megan has selected 100 looks, from classic
designs by famous designers, to icons of fashion and the the dresses they wore,
musicians, filmstars, Oscar dresses, wedding dresses. Simply a stunning array of
clothing from history. Megan illustrates each design in the most delightful way
with a page of words describing each piece. This was sheer delight.
What I've Been Listening
To
The Best of the Little River
Band - lol, I guess this is a little daggy, but I do not care. After
seeing Glenn Shorack perform on the APIA tour, I was in LRB mode for a week or
so. Driving along blasting LRB as loud as I could, their arrangements are
stunning, the guitar work perfection, go have a listen before you judge my
friends! It's A Long Way There is a masterpiece. I don't care for Johnny Farnham
much and what a sacrilege when he joined the band in place of Glenn, however
even his songs were pretty good.
Exits - Steve Smyth
- this is nowhere as good as seeing him live, there is something almost mystical
about his live performances that just do not seem to translate on his album. But
the album is still supremely brilliant.
Talk by Daniel
Johns released one week before I saw him live, I had the album on loop
leading up to the Opera Hosue gig. And what a great album it was. I quite liked
Silverchair, but would never have called myself a fan, never saw them live. But
Johns as a solo artist is rather interesting. The album is more dance/pop and it
is obvious he has been listening to a lot of newer Prince, cause a few of the
songs on the album remind me of him. This is really worth listening
to.
First Aid Kit -
everything, they are my new favourite band. Yeah, I am late to the party. My
first experience was hearing their cover of America on one of the final
Letterman shows. This lead me down a rabbit hole of youtube. My friend J says
she played a song ages ago of them, I am sure I loved it but have minimal
recollection. This rabbit hole had originals and amazing covers, including
Chiquitta, Waterloo Sunset, Walk the line and the list goes on. I headed to
mecca (JB) and bought all three albums and have had them on loop ever since.
First Aid Kit are sisters from Sweden, with the most delicious harmonies, a
little bit Simon and Garfunkal, a little bit country, a little bit pop. Shows
how out of it I am, I was telling my day about them, knowing he would like them.
He asked me the name of the band again, I told him. He told me he has heard them
on the radio, and that they've been around a while. Sisters from Sweden he asks
me. Sigh, Dad has always been switched on musically, and yet again he beats me
again.
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