JANUARY REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

Wow, no thank you: essays by Samantha Irby - Samantha is the new, more accessible Roxane Gay. A young gay African American comedic essay writer. This collection tackles being 'married' and in a long-term relationship and is she even up to it. She also gets a dream gig writing with Lindy West on her adaptation of Shrill. Loads of behind the scenes from there. This is a wild ride and fabulous laugh out loud book.

Second Best: the amazing histories of the greatest runners-up by Ben Pobjie - this is a fun book, that I listened to on talking book about people who came second in history. Buzz Aldrin, sporting and politcal runners-ups, and many others get to showcase their skills. 

Dolly Parton Songteller: my life in lyrics by Dolly Parton with Robert Oermann - This is a glorious coffee table style book with the lyrics of Dolly's favourite songs and the stories behind them. It also features pictures of Dolly and Dolly memorabilia. I loved this book, it was like a big warm hug from the woman herself!

Right place, right time: the life of a rock and roll photographer by Bob Gruen - this is the memoir of classic rock photographer Bob Gruen including the stories behind his most famous photos. It begins when his mother, an amateur photography, gives him her old camera and he zips around his neighbourhood taking pics and ends up with a front page photo on the local newspaper after an apartment fire. He sees Ike and Tina Turner perform and his life changes, he takes pictures of Tina twirling about on stage and gives them to her. Ike approves, and he goes on tour with them, get introduced to other rock luminaries and a stellar career is made. His relationship with Lennon and Yoko brings him into genius mode. His pics of Lennon in NYC in the early 70s are stunning. This book is fabulous and tells all these stories and many more. Plus it includes many of the pics within.

Un-cook yourself: a ratbags rules for life by Nat’s What I Reckon - this is a wonderful book by Nat of the Youtube cooking sensation. It covers all of the things he does, as a comedian, online and much more. Nat, for those who have not seen him online, is a heavily tattooed and pierced dude with stunning long hair and a lovely gentle demeanor. He is a bit sweary, hilariously funny, and gives great cooking instruction online. It this world of cookie cutter boring, he stands out as an unique individual with decency and authenticity. The book is part memoir, part self-help, Nat suffers from mental health issues and like to hold a mirror up to masculine culture. In between each chapter is a small graphic novel and recipe showcasing his popular online recipes. The book has depth, is interesting, inspiring, genuine, and funny. Highly recommend.

Peas and Queues the minefield of modern manners by Sandy Toksvig - read by Toksvig herself, this is a great and hilariously dry look at manners today, including technology, dating, child rearing, eating and so much more. I actually learnt a lot amongst the laughs, Sandy has a distinctive voice, and this is all hers. A total delight.

What I've Been Watching

His Dark Materials S1 - absolutely hypnotised by this fantasy series. Two young children from different worlds meet via a piercing in the world's universe. They are both on a quest to find their absent parents, but begin to realise they are destined for more. The worlds are stunningly portrayed, a mix of fantasy, 40s, steampunk and more. The cast is superb, the children themselves holding their own and then some. The show is intense with solid comedic sections. Highly recommend.

The Third Day - this is complex to describe without giving away plot points. Jude Law, stumbles across a young girl in a forest trying to commit suicide. He saves her and drives her home, across to an island that only has access when the tides are low. He finds the small community on the island perplexing, something is not quite right and despite urgent matters he needs to return to at home, he ends up getting caught up in matter on the island. Halfway through the story recommences with a mother an 2 daughters going to stay on the island for a holiday, but they find a community in ruin. What is going on, they find themselves stuck on the island. Will the 2 stories overlap or not. What is with this island. I was sucked in by this story, but felt it let me down in part and yet I cannot stop thinking about it. Great cast, and acting, mysterious story, great scenery, but it bugged me a little. One for you to decide.

The Prado Museum - documentary of behind the scenes of the Prado Museum, in Madrid, Spain. Stunning art and architecture.

The House of Cardin - documentary on the life of Pierre Cardin, his personal life and his art and clothes. Quite a long movie, needed an edit here and there, but ultimately really good.

Doctor Who: revolution of the Daleks - the New Years special was a fun romp including Daleks. Things get grim with the reappearance of Chris Noth, selling his soul unknowingly to the Daleks to take over the UK as robot surveillance. But our friends with the help of the fabulous Captain Jack won't let him get away with it, or can they!!??

Joanna Lumley travels - I love Joanna Lumley travelogues and this is a best of and outtakes selection. Joanna is delightful fubbing lines, being hilarious and showing a little bit of Patsy at times. She goes behind the facade and shows the other side of what you see, not always glamourous, but always fascinating. 

Travel Man best of - another lockdown series with Travel Man (Richard Aoyade) slicing up the episodes into various subjects like outdoors, transportation, food etc. I love this show, so will take it anyway it is presented to me. 

Escape to the Chateau best of - a three piece run with Dick and Angel looking back on their accomplishments so far. This show is always a delight, and I love the chemistry between this pair. Such fun, such envy!

Comedians -  only one series of this show was made and you can see why. Billy Crystal and Josh Gad play fictionalised versions on themselves making a yet-to-be aired comedy sketch show. At times they work well together, but mostly they clash, with the older star indulging the younger one too much and making himself cranky for doing so. There are extremely funny moments within but unfortunately far more moments of cringe. This was ok.

Richard Jewell - great Clint Eastwood biopic about the man supposedly behind the Atlanta Olympics bombings. Great cast with Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, and Olivia Wilde. Even though you know the story, I was entranced by this film, really well done.

Bill and Ted Face the Music - this was not great. Simple premise, Bill and Ted wanted to make music that changed the world, and have not. So they give it a go and fail miserably. Step in their cool daughters, who give it a go themselves. The girls are easily the best thing about this movie. But really, I wish they had let it be.

What I've Been Listening To

Sunset in the Blue by Melody Gardot -  I love Melody and this was a lovely listen, but not as compelling as previous albums.

Live Anthology by Glenn Campbell - put together from live recordings from 1972 to 2001, this is a great collection of Campbell at his best. It not only showcases his versatile voice, but his exceptional guitar playing. On top of his own hits, he tackles a Beach Boys Medley, plus Mull of Kintyre and Amazing Grace.

Batflowers by Megan Washington - this is an excellent return to form with a range of musical stylings. The usual powerful songs her exquisite voice does best, but also some rock and pop.

Hermitage by Ron Sexsmith - I really loved this album, it felt like I knew it instantly as I heard it. Great albums always do it. It is really uplifting in style and the songs are strong and addictive. I can hear McCartney, Wainwright, and many others within. Totally worth a listen

Tea for the Tillerman 2 by Cat Stevens - reworking of father and son and others. Absolutely magnificent!

Infinite Things - Paloma Faith - I love Paloma's voice and her quirky style of music. This album lacked both in parts, the stronger songs were the ones that took advantage of her voice and quirky, but some sounded very Katy Perry and that sort of 'music' which I really don't care for. This one was a bit hit and miss.

Apart together - Tim Minchin - I do love Tim's genius, but in small doses. I find a small amount goes a long way. This wasn't too bad, some very clever stories and lyrics within.

Return to Greendale by Neil Young and Crazy Horse –  a mix of bluesy 60s and a little indulgent but it is Neil, so worth a listen to this double album.