What I've been Reading
Berserker by Adrian Edmondson
This is a wonderful memoir from Adrian Edmondson. It mostly delves into his childhood, family, and schooling. His father was a teacher and their family moved around a lot. He didn't have a great relationship with his father and was sent to boarding school quite young, which was not ideal. Reading this section of his book you can see where this lovely, gentle man became known for his very physical and mad comedy. This part of his life looms large through the whole book, and it is rough going at times but speckled with his lovely humour
Once out of that system and in college he meets Rik Mayall and the rest is history. His description of meeting his friend and their early days honing their humour has so much love and admiration. So much so that decades later when they fall out, it is very upsetting to read. You can feel his pain, but also understand the circumstances. But no spoilers.
Adrian delves into his comedy and reluctantly includes The Young Ones. He spends a lot of time explaining that it was such a very small section of his life, it seems he feels equally pleased and burdened by the show. He goes into depth and yet also glosses over some of his career. But it is all so very fascinating. There isn't much about his life with Jennifer and their children, but that is to be expected.
This is one of the best autobiographies I have read in a long time. It was totally different to what I expected, but as I read it, it was exactly as it should be. Adrian is an excellent writer, and very honest and real. If you are a fan you will love it, it you are not, I think it will still draw you right in.
ai weiwei: making sense
Presented as a coffee table style book with load of amazing photos of weiwei's work, it also contained many essays and a few Q and A's with the artist himself. It included a lot of his works, especially the layouts of his collections with backgound on the installations, and his other work. I thought it would be a nice entry into his art, which is always very political (even if you do not realise this at first), but always absolutely beautiful. I loved immersing myself in his unique world.
Pilgrimage: the great pilgrimage routes of Britain and Europe by Derry Brabbs
This was a beautiful coffee table book following some of the great pilgrimage routes. I am not at all religious and my osteo arthritis prevents me from long walks, but I am somehow drawn to pilgrimages. I have read a lot of books about them and watched many shows and TVs. There is something very peaceful and meditative about a pilgrimage which I find very attractive. The book told many stories but also had the most beautiful photography from the routes.
Retro Sydney by Nathan Mete
Another coffee table book, showing photos of Sydney through the decades. It was a lot of fun looking at favourite places from the city and seeing how much they have changed...or not.
The Golden Maze: a biography of Prague by Richard Fidler
I listened to this on talking book, with Richard "I drove him in my car once" Fidler reading it. It is basically a history of Prague interlaced with Richard's own travels in the great city. I have always had a bit of a love affair with Prague (one day I will get there) and whilst I know bits and pieces of its history, once I got into this I realised I knew nothing. It is a wild ride, but oh boy, really really depressing stuff. So much hurt and bad, it took a lot to process. But it was great to know, presented and written beautifully. Must have taken some time to research and write. I think this is a book for those interested in Prague, and history.
A Feather on the Breath of God - Sigrid Nunez
I have fallen in love with Sigrid Nunez after a friend recommended a title a few years back. I am finally working my way through her titles from the beginning. This is a semi-autobiographical novel. It follows a young girl with immigrant parents, living in New York. Her parents are elusive, and she escapes into her dreamworld and into the world of ballet. The book is divided into sections, about her mother, her father, ballet, her relationships. It is beautifully written and incredibly engaging. Sigrid is definitely a new favourite author.
Love: a curious history in 50 objects by Edward Brooke-Hitching
This was a beautiful book with short essays about love and the objects being written about. They include stories/books about love, love stories, paintings (eg The Kiss Frida Kahlo), The Kama Sutra, Items of love, The Taj Mahal, the Unicorn Tapestries and so forth.
Consent Laid Bare - Chanel Contos
Consent Laid Bare is an important book and should be read by everyone. I actually listened to it in the car, and it was read by Chanel herself. It was a deep and difficult read/listen, but very much worth it. It is about why consent is so very important and talks in great detail about abuse and rape. The depth, details, and statistics are absolutely gut wrenching. But if we walk by this we will never resolve this issue. I also think it is a must read for parents of teenagers. Tread carefully but tread towards.
Bill Bryson' African Diary: a short trip for a worthy cause - Bill Bryson
I was so excited to see a new Bill Bryson, but it is barely 70 pages. It is about a trip to Africa for charity he made. It is a very quick and witty read, and I am hoping a larger tome more to his usual stylings will come out later.
Mixtape: stories and essays about the 1980s - Simon Castles
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Every time I see something like this I sigh as this is the kind of book I would like to write. Then I read it and see it is nothing like I would actually write, so my idea is safe lol. It is a mix of autobiographical essays about all things 80s, film, music, television etc. It was funny and interesting, but not great.
Poetry Unbound: 50 poems to open your world by Padraig O'Tuama
Loved this book about poetry. O'Tauma has selected 50 poems and written a little essay about them with each selection. Mostly modern poetry and it was glorious, I really enjoyed this.
What I've Been Watching
Boy Swallows Universe
Oh my goodness, I don't know where to start. I was very apprehensive about one of my all-time favourite books being made into a series. I need not have been. This was so bloody good I was often in tears watching this. Trent Dalton was very hands on with the filming and you can tell. He also appears in the series, he was the voice on the red phone - which he says was very emotional and meta, given he was talking to the young actor playing himself - and as a hospital patient walking by towards the end of the final episode.
It is pretty true to the book, although there are some changes and the series is much lighter in tone than the book. But it didn't matter. The attention to detail of the set, Brisbane in the 80s, was so stunning, and so much to take in, I didn't know where to look. The soundtrack, was also superb. They nailed the feel of the book. Things and people were exactly as I imagined them!
And then there were the actors.
Felix Cameron as Eli Bell was everything. An actor wise beyond his years, much like the character he is playing. Every scene he was in, you were drawn to him. It is a remarkable performance. I do feel sorry for the guy who steps in as older Eli, he was good but he was no Felix. Lee Hailey as Gus was also superb. He pulls off the initially mute character beautifully. Bryan Brown, Simon Baker, Travis Fimmel, and Phoebe Tonkin were also perfectly casted. Simon Baker was also everything as the gorgeous Dad, and by gorgeous I mean a gorgeous heart, not looks, lol. I have never seen casting so perfected.
The final episode goes off the rail a little (this is an expansion from the book) but I can forgive that slight miss-step. This was one of the best Australian series I have seen in a long time. Its worldwide popularity showcases how stunning it is. This is truly must-see television, you don't have to have read the book to enjoy this. There is so much I want to say, but I really do not want to spoil things. This is as close to perfection as you will see.
The Larkins S2
I do love this remake of the Darling Buds of May starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan as Pa and Ma. S2 is a lesson in class, with the upper class snoots setting Pa up for a terrible fall. The humour and love is still there though. A new and young Reverand is in town causing issues for the Vicar (played beautifully by Peter Davison - Doctor Who and All Creatures Great and Small). Primrose falls in love and Marigold returns from her honeymoon. That house The Larkins live in still makes me weak at the knees and the food, oh the food!!! Perfect comfort watching.
Doctor Who Christmas Special
This introduces us properly to the new Doctor and his companion, Ruby. It was a cute little Christmas special with a lovely nod to Tolkien. Gollumishly gnomes snatching babies in a pirate ship. Lovely storytelling, simplistic and easy to follow, courtesy of Russell T Davies. Ncuti Gatwa, as expected, was wonderful. Bright and happy, and marching to the beat of his own drum, he took the reins in the most confidant of ways. Watching him, made you feel like he had been doing it for years. This is great. Cannot wait for the series proper.
Call the Midwife Christmas Special
A large snowstorm causes problems for our Midwives, doctors, and friends. I love this show, I love the characters, it is just one of those feel-good, comfort shows. About to enter its 13th season, they never seem to run out of stories, and I guess babies are born every day!
The Lovers
This was a fun British comedy about 2 people who meet under extraordinary circumstances and fall in love. They are from different worlds, and have a lot of hidden baggage that unfolds as the series progresses. What will happen, will they ruin the romance or will they make it. I quite enjoyed this one.
Nolly
A powerhouse performance from Helena Bonham-Carter as Noele Gordon, a real actress from the British soap, Crossroads who was unceremoniously sacked after years of service. The 3-part series follows the story and the public who were very upset about their favourite character being sacked. Helena is amazing - as always - as the eccentric Nolly, the supporting cast were great.
Strife
Urgh, if you know me, you know I loathe Mama Fucking Mia, and this is a show based on that and it is as awful as you would expect. I only watched it as I love Asher Keddie, and she was ok, but I felt like I had seen her do this before. Her character is an awful awful person, and her 'business' model is disgusting. This interested me as that is exactly how I feel about the real-life counterpart and her business model, so I was surprised at how 'honest' it seemed. So yeah, I hate watched this, and I am not proud of myself. You have been warned.
Oppenheimer
It took me a while to get to this, but boy it was worth the wait. We know the basic story, but this is so insightful and full of detail. It is obviously a terrible part of our history, but the complexity behind the story is heart breaking. Christopher Nolan is a genius film-maker, this goes without saying. The cinematography is always outstanding, and this is no exception. He uses black and white on and off throughout the film and it is a great thing. The film looks so very elegant, and so were the performances.
Cillian Murphy is everything as the conflicted Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jnr, is impeccably restrained as Lewis Strauss, a man on the downward spiral. Emily Blunt is mesmering as Oppenheimer's wife. The cast is full of amazing character actors, as someone recently said, when Remi Malik only gets one line, you know this is a great film.
I could see a lot of crossover from Asteroid City, which amused me, but this film is not a comedy. I remember only too well the fear of nuclear war. I guess this film is not for everyone, but it is an important film, and I predict many Oscars in its future. At the very least for Robert Downey Jnr...but I will leave all that for my Oscar blogs.
The Holdovers
What a joy the latest Alexander Payne film is. Firstly, I have loved Paul Giamatti since Private Parts, he is one of the greatest character actors and satirists. Set in the 70s at a boarding school/college. Giamatti is an odd character, a tough history teacher with malice for the privileged students he has to teach. Older, never married, cantankerous, the students do not care for him, and quite possibly a lot of his colleagues. He is chosen to stay over the Christmas period with students unable to go home. The only other adult is his friend, Mary the cook (played beautifully by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - who I have loved in High Fidelty the TV series, and Only Murders in the Building). Mary is grieving her son, who was recently killed in Vietnam.
The acting is phenomenal, and like all Payne films, it is a dark comedy with a lot of melancholy. There are a lot of 'unknowns' playing the students, and they are great. The film becomes a two-hander when Paul and a student head out of the school on some errands, and layers upon layers are unravelled. How has Giamatti never won an Oscar, this would surely be his year, but oh boy he has some competition. Da'Vine's beautifully nuanced comedy/dramatic turn will surely nab one. This is such a beautiful film AND a truly lovely Christmas film.
Anatomy of a Fall
Anatomy of a Fall really sucked me in. I didn't know much about it going in, other than Sandra Huller's performance was extraordinary, and it was. The movie commences with Sandra (played by Sandra) trying to give an interview about her writing to a young journalist. You can see they live in the French alps, in a lovely house but are very isolated. As the interview progresses very loud and disjointed world music begins to play. Sandra keeps up appearances despite being obviously irritated by the music which is being played by her husband. The interview is cut short and the journalist leaves. At the same time the son, who is legally blind, goes for a walk with his guide dog, Snoop.
Aside: Snoop is the most gorgeous good boy and an extraordinary actor, but I cannot say why as that will be a spoiler!!
Then tension builds, you know something is going to happen and indeed something has. When Daniel and Snoop return they find his father in the snow surrounded by blood and dead. He calls for his mother who eventually comes out and calls an ambulance etc. This then leads into investigations and Sandra is the key suspect despite her claims he must have fallen from the top floor where he was working.
The film is essentially a trial with some flash backs and you just do not know what to believe, but when Daniel is called upon as a 'witness' things get very intense. He is wonderful, but it is Sandra who just knocks it out the ball park, what a tremendous performance. She will not win, but it is a mesmerising performance. One that will leave you guessing until the very end.
American Fiction
I loved this movie so much, it had a great dry wit to it. Jeffery Wright is Monk, a writer of literary novels, which are critically acclaimed but they do not sell. When his latest title is rejected for not being black enough he is infuriated. So he decides to write the kind of book he hates but everyone seems to want.
His mother is declining with Alzheimers so he visits her and his sister, Tracee Ellis Ross who is a doctor. His estranged brother, Sterling K. Brown, turns up to add to the chaos, and Monk falls in love with a neighbour. And there is more, but that would be spoilers, but he has a lot going on.
In the meantime his publisher loves his new book, but is not aware it is Monk. His agent convinces him to make up this crazy persona to help 'promote' the book. This is hilarious. But when he is asked to be a on a panel to judge a literary prize and his joke book turns up on the long list, things get really hectic.
I loved this really well written and tight story. The story moves swiftly with all the moving parts working beautifully. Mostly due to Wright's great performance, and the great supporting cast. Tracee Ellis Ross and Issa Rae as a fellow writer are utterly brilliant as always. As are the remaining cast. I am unsure if this will win any Oscars, but it is well worth watching.
Past Lives
This was such a lovely heartfelt little film. Na Young and Hae Sung are living in Seoul in 2000, they are 12 and good friends, Hae Sung is a little bit in love with Na Young. Her family are creatives and about to emigrate to Toronto. Her mother wants to leave her with a great final memory, and organises a 'date' for the children. Hae Sung is bereft.
2012, Na Young is now Nora Moon and living in New York, and Hae Sung is out of military college and decides to track Na Young down to no avail. Nora finds out this via facebook and contacts him under her new guise. They fall easily back into their friendship. More changes happen over the years (spoilers) and in 2024 and Hae Sung decides to visit Nora.
This rocks her very safe world. And I will leave it there.
Past Lives is such a lovely understated film with so much heart. I really loved this. Beautifully acted, lovely to watch, genuine chemistry. Stayed with me for days.
Rustin
Rustin is a biopic about the civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. He was working with Martin Luther King Jnr and really pushing him forward. Rustin is quite an important figure in this part of history but has been mostly pushed under the carpet as he was gay. This story rights that wrong as he was instrumental in organising the March on Washington in 1963. This is where MLKJ gave his very famous, I had a Dream, speech.
This film is good and an important historical record and produced as part of the Obama's production company. But it is Colman Domingo's performance as Rustin that makes this movie really stand out and worth watching.
Nyad
I was unsure about this film going in, a 2 hour biopic about a woman trying to swim from Cuba to Florida. But Annette Benning and more specifically Jodie Foster hooked me in. Firstly, the film absolutely flies by, it never feels like 2 hours. Secondly, it really is interesting and rather frightening. Definitely makes you NOT want to swim in the ocean. Benning is absolutely amazing in the role of Diana Nyad, a champion swimmer who comes out of retirement at 60 to do the swim that she never nailed. Her friend, Bonnie, is a retired sports coach.
Jodie Foster plays Bonnie, and herein is what really drew me in. I have always found Jodie a magnetic and charismatic presence on screen and in her first big film in a long time she is absolutely brilliant. You never catch her acting, she embodies Bonnie, and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I really enjoyed this film, but truly it is worth it for the drama in the waters and for Jodie Foster.
Living
This is a very lowkey but utterly beautiful film. Set in the 50s, adapted by Kazuo Ishiguro from the Japanese film by Kurosawa Ikiru which was in turn loosely based on Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Bill Nighy plays Mr Williams, a council bureaucrat, who finds out he has a terminal illness. He has lived most of his life quietly, and not pushing the boundaries in any way, most especially his work.
After initial despair, he takes stock of his life and decides to make his mark and live his life before the illness takes hold. He updates his wardrobe, works with enthusiasm, including ensuring a special project is seen through. He also meets an ex-colleague working at a restaurant, and spends time with her, despite being significantly younger than him. It is not a romance as such, more her positivity fuels this new life he is living. The film is about making a difference in this world, if only in a small way. Nighy was up for Best Actor last year for this performance, deservingly so, he is always great.
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris
This was a sweet little movie, Mrs Harris is played by Lesley Manville. Set in the 50s, Mrs Harris is a cleaner and widowed and loves Dior Couture and after a series of windfalls, decides to head to Paris to buy a Dior gown. This is a simple but very sweet fish out of water. Isabelle Huppert plays a snooty director, as only she can. Look, this was not great, but the fashion and Paris were sublime.
Falling for Figaro
Millie leaves the US for Scotland to follow her dream of being an Opera Singer. She enlists in the help of a formidable, former opera singer, played by Joanna Lumley. There is romance, opera, beautiful countryside. Again, this is not a great film, but a sweet little feel-good one.
Marlow
Like most Noir this was style over substance. Diane Kruger looked good as the femme fatale but I feel she was misused. Jessica Lange did better as her mother. Liam Neeson felt miscast as Marlow, he looked good, but didn't pull off the down on his luck detective thing. The story was haphazard, but the set design was phenomenal and the supporting cast was really great.
Renfield
This was a lot of fun, Nicholas Hoult Is Renfield, Dracula's (Nicolas Cage) familiar with special strength after eating bugs. But he has had enough and tries to escape but gets caught up in some real-life drama. It is pure fun and hilarious. Awkwafina also stars, so you know you will get loads of laughs. I bloody love her. Cage is at his craziest best as Dracula also. Loads of fun.
Ghostbusters: afterlife
I didn't mind this at all, it focuses on the kids Ghostbusting, after a long set up. I feel like Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd were very much under-utilised, especially Coon who is such an extraordinary actress. The back story was clever, and seeing the original cast added some gravitas. I did enjoy this.
Dungeons and Dragons: honour among thieves
This was style over substance, but a lot of fun. I enjoyed this action adventure. Chris Pine was good, but Hugh Grant stole every scene.
Between Two Worlds
Juliette Binoche is an author researching a book on poverty. She moves out of Paris under a guise and made up story and gets work as a cleaner with a bunch of feisty but down and out women. She throws herself into her work and becomes friendly with the women, making notes. But then things turn, and she is exposed. This was a good film, Binoche is always great.
My Old School
This was a very bizarre documentary about a man, Brandon Lee, who enrols in a British school, despite being 30, and no one picks up on it. Seriously! He tells a whole load of lies and people buy it. Until he is found out. They say truth is stranger than fiction, and this is a great example. You could never make this up. The film itself, like the man, is a strange hybrid with archival footage, cartoons, and characterisation, and interviews with key players. Brandon agreed to be interviewed but not appear on film, so Alan Cumming plays him. This is something to be seen to be believed.
Gimme Danger
This is a great documentary by Jim Jarmusch about Iggy Pop and The Stooges. Loads of footage and interviews and music. This kicks arse and is funny, I loved it!
The Mission
Another Marc Fennell show about art theft, or is it!? This is the fascinating story of an art heist from a monastery in WA. The story takes him around the world in his quest to find the truth. It uncovers a whole lot more than the art that was stolen. Every time I thought I had worked out what was going on, some other bizarre twist was thrown in. This was truly compelling.
Great Australian Walks with Julia Zemiro
I really enjoyed this meditative series with the always brilliant Julia Zemiro. The premise is simple, Julia takes us on long walks/hikes around Australia. Picking key places with great history, we learn a lot about our indigenous history and tragedies, and meet some lovely characters, and enjoy the stunning scenery. My favourites were Melbourne, Tasmania and the North Coast.
Bill Bailey's Wild West Australia
Comedian Bill Bailey explores WA and has a great time, Interesting, loads of nature, and very funny as you would expect.
The Greatest Night in Pop
What I've Been Listening To
Joanna and the Maestro
I have been loving this great new to me podcast. Joanna Lumley is the Joanna and the Maestro is her husband, Stephen Barlow, who really is a Maestro. Stephen is a conductor and composer and an incredible font of knowledge on classical music. Joanna herself knows quite a lot. The podcast takes a small part of classical music and discusses it in a way that is really accessible for everyone. They talk about styles of music, composers, favourite pieces, and occasionally interview people who love or are involved in classical music. Each episode is usually around 30 mins which I love and they have smaller hybrid episodes where they answer questions that people write in. This is an utter delight. I have loved and studied classical music on and off my entire life so I am i heaven listening to this. Joanna and Stephen are just lovely to listen to. I want to meet them so much!
Dick and Angel's Chat...eau podcast
Devastated the wonderful Escape to the Chateau has finished up, do not worry, Dick and Angel now have their own podcast and like everything they do, it is wonderful. They retell stories we know and keep us abreast of what is happening in their lives since the show ended. Their charisma comes across like old friends. Love this podcast.
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