APRIL REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

Identity Crisis - Ben Elton - This is the latest novel by Ben Elton, and it’s a cracking read. I’ve had it on my stack for a little while and started to read it as a lead up to seeing Elton Live back in April. Identity Crisis is a satire of identity politics and the online world. It covers a range of modern political and societal topics against the backdrop of a murdered transgender woman, Sammy. Matlock is the investigator, he’s a decent bloke but a little old school and keeps saying the wrong things at press conferences and to others regarding the nature of Sammy’s identity and other modern faux pas.

At first I wasn’t sure what Elton was trying to present or where he sat within these issues. Was he on the side of Matlock thinking all of this is a bit weird and over the top or was he using Matlock to show how uneducated some people are. It left me uncomfortable. It made me think. As it turns out a little of both, Elton is the rebel he always was, even more so. He is all over all the sexuality, trends, online culture, and change and extremely progressive, but he is also saying it is ok to be a bit confused. All this change is coming thick and fast and it is difficult to keep up with it, so it is ok to feel a little bamboozled but you have to educate yourself and do the decent thing and be a decent human.

There are competing storylines: an actor about to commence a one man show and he’s a supposed pro ME TOO spokesperson but he has acted quite badly with female actresses in the past. This comes back to deliciously bite him. A young media savy trends predictor in over her head with her older boss who appears to have ties with Russian incel. A producer on a reality show that goes wrong. Groups that are pro hate speak, groups that are influencers, and twitter hashtags coming faster than they are typed. And each world is fascinating and educational, Elton has done his homework on what is woke and what is not. As the book progresses the storylines collide, surprises arise, and the murder count gets out of control, there are a lot of murders. Is a serial killer out there or a copycat killer or multiple people working together. Matlock has to work it out without upsetting any of the minorities.

This is a page turner, really well researched and written; and hilariously funny. It rattles at a break neck pace and has you on the edge of your seat, wondering how this will all be resolved by the final page. And it is a great ending, definitely not disappointing.

Pride and Prejudice/Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen – my bookclub has been reading Jane Austen, whatever book you like. When I added this to the list for programming I had intended to read EVERY piece of Austen writing in order. Unfortunately I was way too busy to even read anything. The best I managed were spoken word reads of the above. Pride and Prejudice was read by Juliet Stevenson and Sense and Sensibility read by Kate Winslet. They were so enjoyable as you can imagine. Really nothing beats Austen and I WILL commence my little project at some stage, probably when my study as been completed!

Midnight Confessions by Stephen Colbert – an easy read of Colbert’s most intimate ‘confessions’ in the form of memes or a few sentences. Hilariously funny and punny, a little political but always on the money.

What I've Been Watching

Oscar films – you can read about these here.

I Am Greta – this was a really eye opening documentary about the young environmentalist from Sweden, Greta Thunberg. Early on it is footage of her, shot on her parent’s phones. You see her walk to her first, solo, protest outside of government with her sign. After some time a small, young, crowd forms. When it is one or two people, Greta seems proud and happy to have attracted like-minded people, as they crowd grows she gets increasingly agitated. Her father comes to her and she won’t talk to him, you can see the worry in his stance and hear it in his voice. She eventually gets up, leaves the crowd to get on with it, and walks away. But she is back the next day. I guess we all know her story and admire her tenacity and intellect. But seeing it all unfold over 90 minutes is incredibly powerful. She pushes her mental health concerns and Aspergers aside and gets on with her passion. There are some really amazing scenes of her on the yacht travelling, and standing her ground amongst many politicians at rallys and conventions etc. This is a must see, you will learn a lot, and gain even more regard for this astonishing individual.

A Mighty Wind - I revisited this lovely gem early on in the month with Andrew. I am such a fan of Christopher Guest and his mockumentaries. Starting with Spinal Tap of course! A Mighty Wind probably has the most heart. Follows a bunch of different folk acts from back in the day reforming for a reunion concert. It stars the usual group of people who all act together in these films, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, Parker Posey, Bob Balaban, Jane Lynch, and the incomparable Harry Shearer. The movie is filled with folksy tributes, cute and cutting. The acts have aged and yet not moved on, some get on, some do not. The biggest excitement it around the reforming of duo, Mitch and Mickey (Levy and O'Hara at their best). When they finally perform it is genuinely beautiful. The music is great, the acting is superb, it is hilarious but has a lot of heart. Almost 20 years later it still feels as fresh as seeing it in the cinemas.

Waiting For Guffman - this is another Guest mockumentary, and this time revolving around small town musical theatre and it's 'star' Corky St Clair (Guest). St Clair is one of the most hilarious and classic characters created. The title is a spoof on Waiting for Godot, with Guffman being the theatre critic who is meant to come and review the show. Loads of laughs, and the usual team.

Staged S1/2 -  This is the lockdown series starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen, or is that Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Basically a Zoom TV series with them playing loose versions of themselves and supposedly working on a play they were to open on West End before COVID messed everything up. I have watch S1 again, but they re-ran S1 before S2 and I loved it so much it was worth a re-visit.

Wellington Paranormal - I felt the most recent season of his paranormal cop spoof from NZ lacked a little. Having said that it is still infinitely funnier than most things on tele.

Fisk - I really enjoyed this simple Australian comedy about a cantankerous lawyer, Fisk (Kitty Flanagan) moving back to Melbourne and joining a small wills and probate firm, Gruber and Gruber, run by brother and sister (Julia Zemiro and Marty Sheargold). The first season, shot during Covid, was 6 episodes and quirky and funny. Lots of local comedians turn up as clients and friends. I look forward to seeing more if they decide to do so.

The End - Another Australian show, this was a dramedy or black comedy. Set on the Gold Coast, it is a complex family drama about the end of life. Kate is a doctor specialising in palliative care and is very much against euthanasia. Her mother is elderly and keeps trying to kill herself. She is flown to Kate from ENgland and Kate places her in a retirement village. The retirement village is full of colourful personalities which rubs her the wrong way. Kate's husband is in jail for white colour crime and her kids are a handful. Will her mother give up her wish to die and get on with being a grandmother etc, or will she continue to be dark and dismal. There is so much more to this series than this, but it would be giving too much away. I understand it is not for everyone, it tackles a lot of issues, and really makes you think and can be quite confronting. BUt I really appreciated what it was doing and it gave me much to think about. Outstanding cast and acting.

Gogglebox – there is not much to say about Gogglebox that I haven’t already said before! I bloody love this show, the people on it, and there is something comforting about it. If you don't get it or are judgy about this in any way, it is obvious you have never watched it! 

What I've Been Listening To 

Harry Styles – I cannot believe I even listened to this album let alone liked it, but I did. I have been watching Harry’s evolution for a little while, there is something quite enigmatic and magnetic about him. I haven’t listened to him at all – I don’t really care for, what I call, children’s music – and then I saw him cover Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer on a clip from the Howard Stern radio show. It was absolutely brilliant, he nailed it and he had a mixed gender band which was really cool. So I got my hands on his solo album and really enjoyed it. It is a mix of strong rock and pop, he has a great voice and his charisma really shines through. So there, you may judge away…

Soul Soundtrack – this is the soundtrack to the Pixar movie and is mix of Jazz and orchestral soul. The orchestral is written by Trent Reznor and his partner, Atticus Ross and the Jazz by Jon Baptiste and it is wonderful. Worth a listen.

Travelling Wilburys – finally got a copy of this on vinyl and been loving it. I loved this band when they first came out but I don’t think I really got the enormity of it all. I mean Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, AND Roy Orbison in ONE band. Woah! They seemed so old at the time but really they ranged from 37 to 52…think about that!!!! And all were well and truly legends prior to that time. The album is pure magic, the songs divine. I have no idea if they ever did any live gigs, I suspect no, but just imagine. If you’ve never listened to this mega band, go now!

Hothouse Flowers – Home/People – also replaced these with vinyl and they also hold up well. Great Sunday chills albums.

Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave alone at Alexandra Palace – I bought this new ages ago but not had a chance to listen to it. I knew it would be magnificent, so I wanted the right time. When I finally played it on a lovely Saturday afternoon, I sat and listened and wept. The singular voice and piano will always do. The selection of songs are divine, Nick sounds amazing, the piano sounds amazing. There is really nothing more to be said, this is a must have and must listen.

Hall and Oates – just been spinning their greatest hits, always fun and upbeat, never ages, well produced. More familiar songs than you’d imagine.

Mamas and Papas – those harmonies will always suck me in. This has been on high rotation since I bought it. Best $5 I ever spent! I have always found their music soothing and uplifting, so it has been a good study buddy

Podcasts

Unspooled: A league of their own - The Unspooled podcast as been delving through their favourite films and I really enjoyed their take on A League of their own, a film I had honestly forgotten about. It was well worth listening to their thoughts and the behind the scenes of the film. I really must rewatch it!