MARCH REVIEWS

 What I've Been Reading

The Golden House by Salman Rushdie - I have not read any of Rushdie's fiction before and I saw this in talking book and thought I would give it a go. It is a complex story written simply. The narrator of the story is Rene, a filmmaker who lives in a complex in New York observing life around him. He mostly watches (cue a lot of Hitchcockian references) the Golden family, a mega rich family with three sons, headed by Nero. So the narrative is a mix of what is actually happening and what Rene imagines is happening. This is initially confusing to read but once you get into the rhythm of the book it becomes simpler to follow. 

Golden House follows the Golden family over 8 years, the same 8 years Barack Obama was president. It also tracks the character called The Joker, who is obviously Donald Trump. And Nero Golden, married to a Russian, also displays traits of Trump. The Golden family are Indian and have chosen new names when they immigrated to America, and in New York try to reinvent themselves. Golden House is ultimately a novel of identity, can you change who you are, escape your past, get away with ridiculous behaviour. It is also about destiny and how you may be able to change your identity but possibly not your destiny. 

Rushdie writes what he knows, an Indian living in New York, and it is a rollicking read once you get into it's groove. Rushdie also seems to want to offload his pop culture knowledge, incorporating a lot of his knowledge by lists throughout. This sometimes feels a little lazy, padding if you will. But ultimately I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't a great read, but it was a really good one.

A Year at the Chateau by Angel and Dick Strawbridge - I love this show with all my heart. An eccentric English couple buy an old chateau in France, move their very young family there and do it up. Angel and Dick are amazing, there is nothing they cannot do. He is an engineer with Navy and media background, and a chef, she is an interior designer, dreamer, and ideas chick. They run a tight show, business, and the chateau is stunning. Some years in, this book covers their first year. Having watched the show I thought I knew it all, I had no idea. This fills in soooo much more than you see plus delves into their lives pre chateau and pre meeting each other. It is told by both of them which at times is hilarious as their memories differ at times, as you can imagine if you watch the show. Loads of pics, great stories, and old friends, I loved this book.

Happiness Becomes You: a guide to changing your life for good by Tina Turner - a lot of celebs have written similar books during COVID, but Tina has been 'changing' her life for many decades, overcoming bad relationships, ill health, and money problems. She goes into the ways she overcomes stress and anxiety with various new age therapies and what works for her. This is a fascinating insight into the grand lady with life stories potted throughout.

In Pieces by Sally Field - I listened to Sally read this on talking book. Oh my! What a read! This is no usual Hollywood memoir, although I guess it is. It mostly goes into her private life and that is sadly one of abuse, continual and awful abuse by multiple people on and off for most of her life. She does tell stories about on the set of Gidget, The Flying Nun, and her movies, but they are most definitely secondary to her personal life. I cannot say I enjoyed the book, but it was phenomenal. Honest and soul stripped bare, I could not admire this woman more. When you read the book, you get the sentiment. I do recommend the read, but warning for triggers.

What I've Been Watching

His Dark Materials S1 & S2: Been slowly watching this wonderful fantasy series based on the popular books by Philip Pulman. It had been attempted as a movie with Nicole Kidman and was very good, but this is absolutely stunning. The casting is perfection with the two young leads holding their own amongst the older actors, Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, James Mc Avoy, and Andrew Scott. The longer length for television gives us a chance to really flesh out the story of multiple worlds and the people who cross between them. The sprawling vistas and steampunk machinery, the cinematography is outstanding. It takes some brutal turns, and has humourous moments, this is really superb television.

Michael Palin: travels of a lifetime - I loved this meander down memory lane from Michael Palin as he looks back at all his big travel shows starting with Around the World in 80 days. Palin has always been my favourite Python, and I always adored those travel shows. I didn't realise how ground breaking they were until this series of shows. It had Palin reminiscing of course, and a lot of other travel presenters that came after him talking about how he set a new standard in realistic travel presenting. He also was younger than I am now when he first started, which was a weird reality. But affable and lovely, human, and hilarious he traversed these wide and often less trod upon spaces and showed us the world. What a wonderful gift. And this - perfect for covid - series is really worth watching.

Rear Window - another rewatch of this classic Hitchcock film. It has been a while, but always a delight. The attention to detail in the set design is outstanding, and groundbreaking. The story is simple, action photographer, Jeff Jeffries has broken his leg on assignment and is stuck in his NY apartment and is bored. He takes to watching his neighbours in the apartment complex as he can see through their rear windows, often using binoculars and he becomes obsessed with one couple and when the wife disappears he believes the husband has knocked her off. 

Jeff has visits from his sassy nurse, played by the always wonderful Thelma Ritter, and his girlfriend, Lisa, a society queen that is played perfectly by Grace Kelly. Her costumes are divine. Lisa wants to settle down, but he still wants adventures. Both ladies dismiss his ideas of murder and tell him he is bored and should keep out of trouble, but he cannot and in true Hitchcock style things escalate. This has real tension in it and is quite thrilling as Lisa comes in board to help him investigate (given he is stuck in a wheelchair in his apartment).

It doesn't get better than Hitchcock in his Hollywood period, with James Stewart and Grace Kelly. This is a clever script, well acted, tense and humourous, beautifully scored. One of his best, and the film I always show Hitchcock first-timers.

Time Warp: the greatest cult films of all time - was a fabulous 3 part documentary series. Hosted by a panel of cult filmmakers including John Waters, Joe Dante, Illeana Douglas, and Kevin Pollack, they dissect a range of cult films, including but certainly not limited to Rocky Horror, Big Lebowski, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Eating Raoul, Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Eraserhead, Holy Grail, Bladerunner, A Clockwork Orange, and Showgirls. The series had someone from each film talking about it and the panel discussing it. Fabulous and entertaining, it was a sheer delight to watch, a  great walk down memory lane, and a few new films to add to my to watch list.

Gattaca - I haven't seen this film since it first came out and it has appeared in some reading a few times lately so I thought it would be nice to revisit. Plus it features two of my favourite (and I think underrated) actors, Jude Law and Ethan Hawke. As remembered it is a highly stylised film set in an unknown future where astronauts where lovely three piece suits into space. It is the story of a young boy (Hawke) with heart issues who wants to be an astronaut and therefore has no chance. He gets hooked up to someone (Law) who could have been an astronaut but is now in a wheelchair and through advanced scientific means, takes on his persona and more importantly exceptional physical state. But how long can he keep up the act? Will he make it to space before being found out. This is a simple story told beautifully with heart, and with the aspect of a thriller. it is sci-fi, but you almost forget that, it feels so realistic. Great cast including Uma Thurman as Hawke's love interest (they famously fell in love IRL and married after this), also Gore Vidal, Xander Berkeley, Blair Underwood, Ernest Borgnine, Tony Shalhoub, and Alan Arkin. I really enjoyed this rewatch.

The Personal History of David Copperfield - this was a really great version of the classic by Dickens. Huge cast of British actors, unusual telling, with Dev Patel as our main character/hero. It was funny, and dramatic, and worth a looksee.

Three Identical Strangers- fascinating documentary about triplets who were adopted (and separated) at birth. They all knew they were adopted but had no idea they were triplets. They all met in their late teens. One moved colleagues and met friends of his brother on campus, and the arranged a meeting.The story hit the papers and relatives of the third let him know. From there the story has many ups and downs. How did the brothers get on, were they similar,how did their families cope, who were their parents and why did they adopt them out separately? There are a lot of spoilers I would love to discuss in this film.

9/11: Control the Skies- this documentary shows what happened in the skies on 9/11. Most planes were re-routed and grounded in Canada, to a smallish airport in Gander. This talks to pilots who were in the air, how they felt, and what happened. An absolutely remarkable docmuentary.  

How can you mend a broken heart - this was a great documentary on the Bee Gees, dealing with their rise, their heights, their falls, the deaths of 3 of the 4 brothers, and the now. Incredibly comprehensive, this was a great insight into a very remarkable band. I didn't realise they had actually split at one time and it was quite horrendous for them and How can you mend a broken heart was written about that period in time! And of course there is the music!

Echo in the Canyon - is a great look back to the artists that came out of the "Canyon" in California in the 60s. Jakob Dylan (Bob's son) explores the music, and talks to some of the greats that are still around to find out what made that time, that area, and that music special. He talks to David Crosby, Michelle Phillips, Tom Petty, Brian Wilson, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and many more about the scene, with loads of clips from then. He also works with Regina Spektor, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, Beck, and Cat Power on the music for a concert they are putting on. Wonderful all round.

Caitlin Moran: more than a woman - this was a live stream from the Sydney Opera House and had Moran streaming from the UK in a conversation with Yumi Stynes. It was a great hour as Moran talks to Yumi about her latest book, More Than a Woman, feminism, and the world today. It was a fun, enlightened talk. Moran is sharp and witty,  and I love her observations on life. This was pure joy.

What I've Been Listening To

Tones and I – the kids are coming!

Ricki Lee Jones -  this is the stunning debut album From Ricki Lee and is a sublime jazzy, poppy, bluesy listen. There's her signature tuen, Chuck E's in love, and and my fave, Danny's All-Star Joint. Always a great listen, and as fresh as when it was released in 1979.

The Cure - just been in a Cure mood, listening to lots, loving it. 

Doobies picked up a best of at my fave vinyl store and been loving it.

Nick Cave - got a fresh copy of Abattoir Blues and The Lyre of Orpheus, which is one of my favourite Nick Cave albums, a wonderful double, so been flogging that on the turn table. Also, the covid release, Idiot Prayer has been getting quite the play. Just Nick and a baby grand, alone at Alexandria Palace in London. Haunting, clear, stunning, it is perfection.

Joshua Tree -U2 - haven't heard this album in a long time, it still holds up well.

Podcasts

Smartless - is Jason Bateman, Wil Arnett, and Sean Hayes and a guest and hilarious banter ensues, especially when that guest is George Clooney. He is such a raconteur, and this is no exception. His stories about the pranks he played on his friend, Richard Kind, when they lived together before he hit it big are hilarious.

WTF- Marc Maron has been knocking it out the park. The ones with Sam Neil and Jodie Foster were particularly good. WTF is THE original podcast, and never fails to be outstanding, but some guests lift things better than others, and this pair certainly did. 

Clear and Vivid with Alan Alda had Sanjeev Bhasker on talking about the joy of late blooming, a really interesting conversation to listen to.

Unspooled - a fabulous chat about The Princess Bride, totally worth listening to.

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.

OCTOBER REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton  - I loved Trent’s first book, Boy Swallows Universe, it took me a while to get into (2 goes in fact) but once I did it was a wild and brilliant ride. I loved the ending, I loved the pathos, I loved the love. The follow-up was going to be a difficult and it came much sooner than we expected. I went into it with excitement and great trepidation, but I need not have been worried. It was another masterpiece, initially I proclaimed it better than the first, but with time it as good for sure, better, I am unsure. 

It is the story of Molly Hook, the gravedigger’s young daughter, with the backdrop of WWII in Darwin. After a series of awful events, Molly – who believes her family and life is cursed – embarks on a quest into the outback to overturn the curse. With her is Greta, a saucy actress with big dreams, and Yukio, a Japanese Pilot. It is so beautifully written, so descriptive you can see everything in your mind’s eye, and so very much full of Dalton’s huge heart. It is funny, dramatic, romantic, and a little bit magical. There were times during the outback quest that felt a little forced or too unrealistic and could have been pared back a bit, but really that was minor for me. It doesn’t pack the punch of Boy Swallows Universe, but it is still endearing and stays with you days after reading. That is a testament to fabulous  writing!

More Than A Woman by Caitlin Moran – this is the follow up to the best seller, How To Be A Woman and is outstanding. Moran has a quick and sharp wit, but also a lot of heart. The book is divided into the times of the day with a particular subject matter. It is mostly about being a middle-aged woman and how it is not all it is cracked up to be. Dealing with teenagers, ageing parents, job frustrations, keeping romance alive, and the ever changing body of a woman. I loved her chapter that directly addresses men, and wept at her chapter on her teenage daughter’s eating disorder. She also hilariously spoke about the silly names given to the parts of an overweight or ageing body. I’ve loved Moran since I read her essay on libraries about a decade ago, she called libraries, “Cathedrals for the soul” and that’s good enough for me. I always feel like I am listening to a good friend when I read her books. I am sure you will too.

Gotta Get Theroux This: my life and strange times in television - Louis Theroux- I like Louis, and him reading his own memoir is great. It goes into his childhood, his upbringing, commencing documentary work and television in the UK and the US, getting his start on TV Nation with Michael Moore (I had forgotten about that, I also didn’t realise his father IS Paul Theroux and his cousin is Justin!). Then getting his TV show up and running, with a lot of behind the scenes detail. It was all fascinating, but he spends a hell of a lot of time on the subject of Jimmy Savile. I feel he is trying to make up for giving this monster air time. It is uneven, too much, and quite obvious he had no idea who Jimmy really was, as did many. There is much about his personal life, and long suffering partners. I found it interesting, just way too much Jimmy.

The Serenity Passport: a world tour of peaceful living in 30 countries by Megan C Hayes – this was a fascinating insight into how other countries relax and chill. From different types of yoga, to sleep, fiestas, and meditation, and much more. I found this was wonderful to read during covid, it made me feel calm and comforted.

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid – this is the story of Emira, a young African-American babysitter, and Alix her employer, a privileged white woman. On the surface it is an easy fun read about a young girl’s coming of age, working, romance, friends. But it is really a story of race relations, the complexities and confusions. I don’t really want to mention the plot as there are too many spoilers. This is a worthwhile read, I quite enjoyed it.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Yuong  - this is the stunning debut novel from Vietnamese writer, Ocean Yuong. It is written as a long form love letter to his mother. Little Dog, as he is called, retells his own life story and family history in his words. It is expansive in the subject matter, but spare in word count. It has a few twists, and some sad turns of events, but is ultimately uplifting with some humour along the way. Highly Recommend.

What I've Been Watching

Succession S2  - wow, S2 upped the ante on this despicable family that you cannot stop watching. The acting is phenomenal, the stories outlandish but watchable, the sets out of this world. There is a yacht so big in one episode they land helicopters on it. S2 picks up where S1 left off, the kids are still vying for Dad’s approval and the Number 1 position on the board. There is more to acquire, or swindle. This show is delicious and I just gobbled up S2. Look out for some new supporting cast members, amazing performances there too, but no spoilers.

Schitts Creek S6 – I love this show so very much. This was the final season and it was perfect. The Rose family have come a long way and their growth is at the heart of this show. There is so much to remember with these 4 main characters and all the amazing supporting cast too. The fashion, the music, the humour, the inclusivity, the love. The things I loved the most was David and Patrick’s stunning relationship, everyone should be so lucky. David’s fashion and facial expressions, I just adore him. Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose, stoic, proud, and just a beautiful man. Alexis and her growth and her performance of A little bit Alexis and Moira! Oh Moira, the accent, the clothes, the wigs, the shoes, the singing, the crow, her babees. What a utterly original and fabulous and hilarious character. I also loved Stevie and her stunning performance in Cabaret, and her beautiful friendship with David. The supporting characters, every single one, shone. But it was the Rose family that made me smile the most, after all the show was about them. If you have yet to discover this, give it a go. It takes a couple of seasons to reach its height and warmth, but it is more than worth it. Those first 2 seasons are not bad, they are really good just they get exceptional from there on.

Secrets of the Museum – this is a fabulous series which delves behind the scenes of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It looks at various items from the collection in each episode. Some are in need of repair or mending. Some paintings get touched up, some taken down for reframing or to loan to another gallery. Some items are new and being accessioned, one episode featured a stunning large piece of photography of Bowie as Ziggy from the Hunky Dory sittings. Other episodes show the teams looking for pieces to add to their collection for a particular special exhibit, eg Costumes, cars etc. All of the history of the pieces or artists are discussed with inside stories. This is such a treat, I hope they do more.

Staged – this was a COVID show, with a simple premise. David Tennant and Michael Sheen were meant to do a play together and then COVID hit, so the director suggested they practise via Zoom and be ready for when theatres open back up. This is obviously loosely scripted and they are playing accentuated versions of themselves, but ultimately it feels like an intimate look into both of their lives. Their partners feature and presumably the more intimate aspects, eg Sheen’s neighbour are for real. Other actors – no spoilers but absolutely hilarious – appear, but it is the bromance between Sheen and Tennant or is it Tennant and Sheen that just makes you smile. It was a sheer delight to watch, it made my month!!! And there is going to be another season!!!

Anh Do’s Brush with Fame – this was an outstanding season with Anh chatting to and painting Todd Sampson, Father Bob, Jack Thompson, Sophie Delezio, and Michelle Payne amongst others. There were the usual tears and laughter and stunning portraits. Anh is a National Treasure, may this show continue as long as there are interesting and inspirational people to paint.

Trip To Greece - this is meant to be their last hurrah, it was the weakest series of the 4, but still very good. I love Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on these travelogue shows, funny and melancholy versions of themselves. Greece was stunning of course. Still better than anything else you will see.

Mission Galapagos – a fascinating show on the magical Galapagos Islands, with footage for the first time from a submersible machine. It delves the real depths of the ocean around the island discovering some animals for the first time. It also shows how the animals there evolve over time. The sea monitor lizards are growing smaller as El Nino changes the habitat. The smaller they are the less food they need and the more agile they become. 

Top Ten Treasures of Egypt - this was a great documentary about some of the known and unknown treasures in Egypt. Bethany Hughes takes us on the journey and her simplicity in presenting the knowledge is what makes this documentary stand out. She takes us into places unseen by cameras and regular people, like right up into the pyramids. I have seen a lot of docos of Egypt, but this was excellent.

Hillary - this was a great four part documentary about the great woman. It goes through her history with interviews from then and now. Many others are also interviewed. It was absolutely fascinating, especially when we get to Bill's misgivings, oh boy, she is still shirty (understandably) about that, Similarly, when Bill was asked about that, he pretty much breaks down. But there is more to Hillary than Bill, and there is much to love within. She is not perfect, but I really admire her.

Once were brothers: Robbie Robertson and the band – a documentary about The Band, but featuring Robbie Robertson mostly. I feel like it was a little one sided and he was trying to make amends. It is a difficult one to point, but ultimately was an engaging and enjoyable watch, mostly due to the early comradery of the boys and their great music.

The Eulogy: the untold story of Australia's Greatest clasical pianist  - this is the documentary of Geoffrey Tozer, a piano prodigy who was not that well known, mostly due to his self-sabotage nature.  A fascinating insight into the man, the people around him and how things went wrong. Paul Keating and Richard Gill feature as supporters.

Half the Picture is a great documentary about women directors and the lack of them in Hollywood. Featuring a lot of women directing today, looking at the very short list of predecessors, and looking to the future.

Akashinga: the braves ones – following a fierce group of women who have been trained as an elite group whose job it to protect wildlife across Africa. The women include single mums, victims of domestic violence and rape, and abandoned wives.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood - this was a sweet film with Tom Hanks as the supporting role of Mr Rogers, who befriends a cynical journalist played by Matthew Rhys (The Americans). I wasn't sure what to expect, and it is hard to describe, but well worth a watch.

What I've Been Listening To

Homegrown – Neil Young – NY keeps churning out good, solid albums and this is another.

Is Thomas Callaway – Ceelo Green – I really enjoyed this fun, soulful album. His voice is sublime.

When we all fall asleep, where do we go – Billie Eilish – I really appreciated and liked this album, but I have to say, I don’t get the hype. I like the experimental tones, but that is mostly the instrumental parts. Her voice is actually great, when she sings…as opposed to talking/whispering. I guess it is different and I think – for me – it is a slow burn, and is growing on me.

One World by Billy Ocean – this is a very easy album to listen to, a little bit reggae, a little bit calypso, a little bit R&B. Billy has aged well and sounds great. No real pop hits here, just a nice solid album.

This Dream of You by Diana Krall – a collection of covers from studio recordings over the year. Diana is laid back and soothing as always, her piano playing ever divine. This is a quieter album and less jazzy but really lovely. I’ll never tire of Krall.

Podcasts

Butterfly Effect by Jon Ronson – this is a short one off (as such) podcast by Ronson on pornography, specifically free online porn. I love Ronson and his ability to find beauty in every odd or strange thing in this world he engages, learns, and presents without judgement. There we all should go! Please don’t let the porn factor put you off. His stories are about those sidelined or swept up or effected by the industry and it is quite a relevation.

Marlon and Jake: Read it Forward – this is a podcast about books in The Canon, by Booker Prize winning author, Marlon James and his editor Jake Morrissey. They pick a topic, eg Desert Island Reads, Fantasy, Memoir, Trashy Novels, Myths and Legends etc. The books they discuss have to be by dead authors and classics. It is interesting and funny, they often don’t see eye to eye and hilariously debate the differences. If you love the classics and don’t mind your favourites possibly taking a hit, this is for you. There is a lot of love for most of The Canon, but there are some weaknesses in their eyes. Loved this one soooo very much.

Smartless -  is a new podcast with Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman. Long time friends, it feels like you are eavesdropping in on dinner or drinks. The premise is one of them organises a guest but doesn’t tell the other two, so no prep from them. It is funny, crazy, and interesting. Guest thus far include Melissa McCarthy, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Robert Downey Jnr, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler, you get the picture.

WTF with Marc Maron -  Maron is prolific as ever despite COVID and his partner passing unexpectedly. He’s working through his grief and anxiety (as always ) through his podcast. For those that do not know he has been pumping out solid 70-90 minute interviews for about a decade. He really established the podcast and what he doesn’t know about popular culture isn’t worth knowing. He started interviewing comedians (he is one himself) and then branched out and has interview just about everyone from Obama to his neighbour. And this month he is on fire with guests such as John Cusack, Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Coyne, Patti Smith, and Matthew McConaughey. All of which were utterly brilliant. All his interviews are great, but some just transcend (especially if he has real chemistry with the interviewee. Patti and Wayne really did that, it was utter joy to listen to.

David Tennant Does a Podcast  - the affable Tennant is back with a new series, this time featuring Jim Parsons, George Takei, Judi Dench, Dan Levy, Tim Minchin, Elizabeth Moss, Neil Gaiman, Billie Piper and many more. They were all great, but Tennant and Gaiman was so great I thought I would need smelling salts! If you are not listening to this you are really missing out.

JULY REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

The Loudness of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton – this is Hilde’s debut novel and it is a gem. Hilde is the older sister of Samuel Johnson, and knowing their family story I suspect some of it is semi-autobiographical. It is about a young girl, Susie living with her Dad and her Mum is in the 'Mind Hospital'. It delves into the deep and disturbed mind of Susie, riding her beloved second-hand bike through her neighbourhood rating houses out of 10. Hinton writes such an evocative world, that you can see it clearly in your mind’s eye. The story follows Susie as she meanders through life in the most clumsiest of ways. Her mistakes, her failures, and the odd triumph. What will become of Susie? This is so beautifully written, funny and melancholy. I loved entering this world, and I cannot wait to see what Hilde writes next.

You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld – I have been sitting on this book of short stories for a couple of years after it was recommended to me. But with her new novel coming out, everyone was jumping on the bandwagon (grrr, I hate that). So I finally delved into it, and was so impressed. Her writing is great, sharp and observational of modern behaviour. It is inclusive, feminist and political. I laughed out loud a lot, many of the stories were satire, and I knew a lot of the people she was writing about. Her characters are really honest and interesting and insightful. I cannot wait for Rodham!

After Australia edited by Michael Mohammed Ahmad – this is a great compilation of short stories and poetry from a range of indigenous and poc Australian writers. They imagine an alternative Australia in terms of race and other issues. The stories stop and make you think, they make you smile and they make you frown. They are beautifully written, mostly by up and coming authors too. Really worth a look at.

Born-again Blakfella by Jack Charles with Namila Benson – This was a fascinating and honest read. It tells the tragic story of Jack’s upbringing, he was a stolen child. His time in and out of jail and how he got into acting. His like is full of great luck and extremely bad luck, and is utterly enchanting.

Going Back by Munjed Al Muderis with Patrick Weaver – this is the follow up for Munjed’s first memoir, Walking Free. This time he goes into more depth about the people he helps walk again with his amazing T2 technology and prosthetics. Munjed actually operated on and did the prosthetic for my brother-in-law and is a hero in our family, a remarkable and kind man. The stories within the book are heart-breaking but uplifting. He also returns to Iraq to work with soldiers and others who have lost limbs due to war. He finds himself up against the government over there and once again shows what a fierce, determined, and brave man he is! 

Broken Open by Craig Hamilton with Neil Jameson – after ‘working’ with Craig Hamilton on air the other month, I thought it was timely to revisit his memoir from 2004. It is the memoir of his life so far, but it is really about his breakdown in 2000, what led up to it, and how he has dealt with it since. This is a really honest account of a very confronting time and it is an important read, especially for men. Men often ignore their mental health, so this is a great read to show what can happen and that it is ok and you can resolve things. In these Covid times, when everyone is experiencing some kind of change, this is a timely read for everyone.

Notre-Dame de Paris: history, art, and revival from 1163 to tomorrow by Antonia Felix – this is a lovely coffee table book full of stunning photography from over the years. It covers the history of the Notre-Dame, the art within, what is has been and is used for and the recent fire. There are also little stories, and references to movies and songs and other arts that feature the cathedral.

The Body: a guide for occupants by Bill Bryson - I love Bill, I love his dry sense of humour and his interest in the minutiae. I love listening to him read his books even more. So I was very excited to get his latest on talking book, but I had to abandon it halfway. He was Bill, it was dry and it was interesting, but The Body is a challenging subject, and a lot of the information was dire, especially in these Covid times. I simply found it too depressing to listen to. I will pick it up another time for sure. It was interesting and full of amazing detail, but it was just too much.

Growing up Gay in Australia, edited by Benjamin Law - a great compilation of hilarious, and heart breaking in equal measures. Short stories, edited by Benjamin Law, and featuring a wonderful list of famous and not so famous writers. I listened the the talking book and didn't want it to end, highly recommend.

What I've Been Watching

Curb Your Enthusiasm S10 - my love for Larry knows no bounds, and this feels like the best season yet. So much to laugh out loud at, and that is rare generally but especially in recent times. At that beginning Larry - the original social distancer - realises wearing a Make America Great Again cap ensures people stay clear from him and hilarity ensues. There are a lot of cameos this season from a hilarious turn by Clive Owens (Possibly the best episode of the bunch), to Isla Fisher, Sean Penn, Chris Martin, Fred Armisen, Laverne Cox and Jane Krakowski. Jon Ham researching Larry to play a Larry type showed us a buddy comedy we didn't know we needed, and Alan Tudyk's mad German inventor with a dog called Adolph was shades of Dr Strangelove. The supporting cast, as always brilliant. I love that this show is going from strengths to strengths all these years on.

Outnumbered S1-5 – I’ve been bingeing this great UK comedy. It is about a decade old now and one I missed, probably as it is about a suburban family and that isn’t really my thing. But clips of it kept popping up on my FB feed and it always made me laugh so when the boxset came through at work I had to give it a go. It is a simple story of a Mum and Dad struggling with work and 3 children. The eldest, Jake, about 11 when the show starts is probably the most intelligent of the entire family, he is quiet and interested in school and music and just starting to recognise girls. The middle child, Ben, is about 6 and a curly headed, science-mad tornado. Always running about, doing inappropriate things, being cheeky, and absolutely hilarious. But the star of the show is the youngest, Karen, about 4 or 5 and highly intelligent in a kinda bad way, very argumentative and also hilarious. She is a completely unique character, and just steals every single scene. She has a LOT of dialogue and is constantly catching her parents and siblings out, leaving them speechless. 

What I found out about the show, as if it wasn’t funny and clever enough, is a lot of the dialogue is improvised and mostly by the kids. The creators wanted the show to be a realistic portrayal of kids, and that – I think – it is. The adults are given a basic outline of a script with dialogue to learn. The kids are given ideas and what each scene is to be about just before filming, there are some lines they need to land on, but other than that it is up to them what to come up with. The adults also improvise in their reactions to what the kids say. This gives the show it’s realistic feel. It is glorious to watch the kids stump the adults, and sometimes vice versa and see how each of them wrangle themselves verbally out of the situation. 

The first 4 seasons are solid gold, but the final season – which came after a gap of a few years – not so much. The kids had grown up, and no longer really suited the style of the show. Jake was a typical teen, but he had always been a quieter character. Ben had grown really big, tall and hulking, but was still a bit cute with the curls and a deep deep voice, his storyline of playing Spartacus in Spartacus the musical pretty much kept the season going. It is worth it for that! But the most disappointing is Karen, 12 and turning into a sulking dark haired misfit teen. Her argumentative ways going against her in high school and landing her in trouble with no friends. I thought this was such a shame that such a brilliant character ended up this way. I am unsure whether it was the actress changing or the writing, but it was a lost opportunity I think. Either way, I cannot recommend this highly enough. It is a rare show that makes you laugh out loud, but this does in abundance.

The Trouble with Maggie Cole - I really wanted to love this mini series starring Dawn French. I did enjoy it, but I didn’t love it. Set in a small town, Dawn’s character works as a local historian of sorts and is married to the local school principal. Her son is grown up and married. She is interviewed by a neighbouring radio for a fluff piece but the interviewer gets her drunk and she blabbers a lot of the towns secrets (true and not so much) which gets aired much to the town’s disgust. The fact she holds a large party with all the people she spoke about to listen to the interview didn’t help. She becomes the most hated person in the town and desperately tries to make up for it to no avail. But in time all her gossip forces a lot of change – some for the better – for people so maybe it is not so bad after all…or is it! French is a delight, as are a lot of the characters, but the story felt strung out and forced, especially some of the minor storylines.  For French fans only.

Bad Education – made for tele movie with Hugh Jackman, Ray Romano, and Allison Janney, about a large school embezzlement. The most remarkable story, showing that truth is stranger than fiction. The story was broken by a student reporter, writing a story about a ‘skywalk’ the school was building, and she uncovers more than she bargained for. This was really great, totally sucks you in, amazing ensemble cast, and just a fascinating story.

Quiz – this was a fascinating look into what happened in the UK scandal of cheating on the show, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. It follows a family hell bent on winning the million and going to every length to achieve that. But ultimately getting caught. It has great behind the scenes of the show and some marvellous performances. Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant is remarkable.

Trip to Greece –  I love Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon and together in this brilliant series they are perfection. Greece is supposedly the final in the series, I guess we shall see. I really loved this as I have the others, though I think this is probably the weakest link in the series. That doesn’t mean it is bad, far from it, just not quite as good. Maybe it is the absence of…spoilers…Michael Caine. But the lush landscapes and history of Greece are there, the food, the comradery, the laughter, and the pathos and melancholy. I love it best when they are riffing off each other, trying to make each other laugh. Such a nice escape, especially when travel seems light years away.

Dumbo  - I struggled with this, the animation of the elephants felt wrong. I cannot say why, but it was a little off. I love Tim Burton and his vision and world and this was presented well in terms of the world around the circus and the elephants. Things definitely improved when Eva Green turned up, there is something luminous about her on screen. And whilst I made it through the movie and didn’t mind it, I didn’t love it and wonder why it needed to be remade.

Kalifornia - this did not hold up too well, it feels too aware of itself. The story of a man obsessed with murder, who takes a road trip to some murder sites so he can write a book. He takes 2 locals, an odd couple (Brad Pitt and Juliet Lewis) with him (Duchovny) and his girlfriend, to help pay for petrol etc. They begin to realise the couple have some serious issues and one of them is possibly a murderer. 

Hairdresser’s Husband - rewatched this modern French classic thanks to SBS World Movies. Written and directed by the great Patrice Leconte with Jean Rochefort as the older Antoine. As a child Antonie falls in love with his hairdresser and that is his only wish in life and at 50 he meets Mathilde, a hairdresser, and they embark on a love affair. But all is not as rosy in Leconte’s world. This is a gorgeous, melancholy film with a  twist that haunts…much like many of his films. I have not seen this film in years and it holds up beautifully.

Country Music - this was a long form documentary but the master, Ken Burns, and it was extraordinary, from the very beginning to the mid 90s and everything in between. Lots of appropriate country artists talking about each other and the music, the glorious music. This is for lovers of music, and if you don't like classic country, you will be the end.

Top Ten Treasures of Pompeii – this was one of the best documentaries on Pompeii I have seen. It's number one is people and they show the devastating casts and actual bodies they were made from. It took me straight back to that hot day almost 8 years ago when I visited Pompeii, and was in tears. It is difficult to explain how upsetting seeing those figure was. The doco uses VR goggle to bring the streets to life quite marvelously and the presenter is flown above the city in a heicopter so you got to see the city from above and down into the crater of Vesuvius. The helicopter pilot says I come Napoli, this is my city and - referring to Vesuvius - this is my boss. E very day I need to respect it, my boss!         

Wendy Sharpe: the imagined life – great little documentary about Wendy and her remarkable art. It follows her at home and in the studio, looking at her unique style. Her partner (in life and art – they share a studio space) Bernard is also interviewed. It follows her to Venice and what she paints there, and also a 2013 Archibald entry.

Australia’s Lost Impressionist: John Russell – this was an excellent documentary about the Australian impressionist, John Russell. I have heard of him and when they started to show some of his beautiful works, I had seen them in galleries. It tells his remarkable story with interviews from relatives and art critics and still photography and of course his work. He moved to France and worked mostly there, befriending Monet, Van Gogh, and others. He was prolific and his work as good as his famous contemporaries and yet, sadly, his name isn’t as well known as them, here in Australia or elsewhere. This was a great insight into the man and his work.

Jeffery Smart: master of stillness – this is a short documentary around the 2012 retrospective of his work (just before he died). It talks to those that knew him and features interviews with the man himself. It was a good solid little doco, but could have been much more.

The Leunig Fragments – this is a perplexing documentary, it is obviously trying to get to the bottom of Michael Leunig, but doesn’t quite get there. I don’t think anyone ever will. A thoroughly unique talent and National Treasure, Leunig has challenged thinking all of his life, but particularly so in recent years. So much so, he has really torn apart a lot of the love he has created. I find this difficult to articulate. His recent controversies, and cartoons are definitely upsetting to me, but part within character, part not so much. A man who is estranged from most of his family, and yet seems very hurt and upset about it, but never says why. I think as an Idealist, he lives a vicarious and difficult life. And I think he has given me so much joy, a few brain farts won’t push me away. And I say brain farts, as these controversies happened just before serious brain disease, a tumour found on his brain that needed operating. I am not creating excuses, but maybe, just maybe this was causing mental issues for the controversies to appear. Life is complex, he has annoyed me absolutely with some recent cartoons but he has held my hand, comforted me, and made me smile far more.

The Gospel According to Andre: a film about Andre Leon Talley – Andre is the extraordinary and larger-than-life Fashion Director/Editor/Commentator/Icon for Vogue. Growing up in the South, it tells his childhood and how he got into Fashion and became a superstar. Loads of interviews with fashion insiders, and with the great man himself. This is fun and interesting, and full of delightful design and beauty. Also worth it to see him and Maureen Dowd live tweeting Trump’s inauguration.

PJ Harvey: a dog called money – this is an ‘interesting’ documentary about the process of recording her 2016 album, The Hope Six Demolitian Project. A lot of the songs are political and taken from her travels. The intent and desire is there, and the songs are quire wonderful but there is something empty about the whole process. The footage of Harvey in these countries, mostly third world and middle eastern, doesn’t really show her connecting with anyone despite being there and taking copious notes. She is never really interviewed in why she has written what she has, possibly thinking the songs will speak for themselves. In some ways they do, in others not so much. Her musicians/band do not even seem to be connecting with her, saying on a previous album they were getting close to a tour and hadn’t heard a single song and were getting worried, and she turns up with a  fully made album, leaves them the CD to play, makes a cuppa tea and leaves them alone. I guess this is telling to her personality. It was fascinating to watch, and the music varied and sublime, but there was too much distance.

Camino Skies – this is a documentary about some people walking The Camino, a pilgrimage between France and Spain. These kind of walks really fascinate me and I have watched and read a lot about them. This wasn’t the best example of walking The Camino, and whilst the people were inspiring and interesting, the editing was too choppy and montagey to really show anything of substance.

What I've Been Listening To

Respect All Lifeforms By Custard – this is such a return to form for Custard and possibly their best album yet. Thrasy, funky, poppy, Irreverent, they sound tight and great. Their first single, Funky Again, pretty much sums up the album.

Chromatica  by Lady GaGa – I am not a huge GaGa fan, but I don’t mind her singing, especially when she sings properly – she has a lovely operatic voice. The new album was good, poppy and a good groove, not too over produced.

Love is here to stay by Tony Bennett and Diana Krall – stunning album of standards from the masters. Their voices sound sublime together and then there is Diana’s unique piano playing. Jazz at its best.

I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This by Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – another fine outing from Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Featuring an eclectic mix on female vocals including Fiona Apple, Miley Cyrus, Sharon Van Etten and Gregory Porter. This album is more fusion jazz and out there than the last but still brilliant!

Ultimate Collection by Katie Melua – a brilliant double album chock full of beauty and all her hits. That voice, like butter and honey mixed, will always bring a tear to my eye. She adds in some lovely covers to round it all out. You really cannot go wrong with Katie. 

Coming Home by Leon Bridges – Bridges takes you back to 60s soul with his debut album and gorgeous  voice. His songs are other wordly, and feel immediately familiar. Some have a gospel feel. This is a great album, but he’s young, so there should be even greater to come.

At Least For Now by Benjamin Clementine – Benjamin was discovered busking on the Paris Metro. He is a mix of soul and blues and jazz and classical with a melancholy feel but cites his influences as Antony Hegarty and Rufus Wainwright which makes sense. His voice is exceptional, this is a great album

Gon’ Boogaloo by C.W. Stoneking – CW is an Australian blues singer in his mid 40s, born in the Northern Territory, but if you listened to him you’d think he was a swampy blues singer from the South in the US in the  30s or 40s. He is remarkable and his voice is so unique and unusual. I could listen to him all day, just a delight.

Alice Cooper’s Vintage Vault – this is a newish ‘podcast’ from Alice. He has had a late night radio show for years, delving into his favourite music and interviewing musicians. This is a pastiche of his faves with interviews and added asides or background information by Alice on the artist. They were all great but stand outs were Debbie Harry, Paul McCartney (Alice worships Paul), Dave Grohl, Suzi Quatro. Added bonus in this world of Podcast overload, they range in time from 15-40 minutes!

The Plot Thickens – this is a new podcast about movies and the people who make them. It is affiliated with TCM, which gives it some cudos. Season 1 is about Peter Bogdanovich and is based on a series of interviews between Peter and TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz, and yes Ben is related to those Mankiewiczs’. It follows Peter through his career, the ups and downs, and delves into his relationships with other directors, particularly Orson Welles. This is a film buffs dream and it doesn’t drag on. Each episode is between 30-40 minutes with no fluff. I thoroughly enjoyed this, with a lot of finite detail and information I did not know presented.

WTF with Marc Maron and Helen Mirren - Marc is still mourning his girlfriend, he is freaked out about Covid, and his long dying cat is still with him. I worry about him, but boy he has been churning out some solid podcasts and this one with Helen Mirren is wonderful. She was generous and warm and funny, as you would expect. You could feel him just heal in talking to her, and maybe even flirt a little. They had an immediate rapport and chewed the fat with ease, they covered a wide range of subject matter and it is totally worth a listen. 

He also interview Jim Carrey, after trying to get him for years, and it also was stunning. Jim also aligns to the melancholy and it was definitely a meeting of the minds. Another one worth listening to.

Julia and Hilary - I am loving Julia Gillard's podcast, she interviews a whole range of fascinating women but her interview with Hilary Clinton was the female partnership I didn't know I needed. Absolutely brilliant, go and listen to it now!

Unspooled Finale - Casablanca and recap -  I have been listening to this podcast for about 2 years now. The premise was to take the AFI (American Film Industry) Top 100, rewatch each film randomly and then review them. Amy and Paul are young, and in the film industry as reviewers and participants. I loved it when they loved films I loved, and got cranky when they got stuck into films I really liked. They looked at things from today;s perspective and they made decisions on whether each film was worthy of being on the list, what they would replace it with and so on. I also loved it when they reviewed a film they had never seen before, especially if they loved it, it almost was like re-discovering old friends. Often they interviewed people involved in the films. and they always looked to The Simpsons for a recreation, lol!  The final film was Casablanca and what a fitting end, my all time favourite film. I have not watched it for a long time and I was actually in tears through a lot of their chatter, they loved it so much. And I was sad to see the end, the very last podcast was a recap on their findings which was also fascinating. If you love classic film, or want to know more about it, this is THE podcast to listen too. They are returning with a new season, looking at the films they would add into the top 100, so that will be fun I am sure. Cannot wait.

JUNE REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

The Love That Remains by Susan Francis – I saw Susan at the Newcastle Writer’s Festival online this year talk about her memoir and was mesmerised by her story and very keen to read the book. In the meantime I also stumbled across her Conversations podcast. I finally got a chance to read it and devoured it in one sitting. It is the story of a recent time in her life where she is tracking her birth parents and also meets the love of her life. Both stories are remarkable and a good example of truth is stranger than fiction. It is difficult to talk about this memoir without spoilers. Susan marries her great love and they move to live in Spain for a year but life can be strange and twisted. This is where the story gets intense and can pack quite a punch. But it is told so well and with such fierce beauty, you just want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Susan lives in Newcastle and should be so proud of this book, it is an incredibly brave thing to put your life our there as she has. I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

Here We Are by Graham Swift - this is a three-way love story set in the 1950s in Brighton. Jack and Ronnie are friends. Jack is the MC of a vauldeville show at Brighton Pier. Ronnie is a magician. Jack persuades Ronnie to find a partner for his show. He finds Evie. They get engaged and yet Evie ends up married to Jack. The story skips around what happened and indeed Ronnie's show until the end. It is beautifully written and has you turning the page with interest. Whilst it is a love story it is more about Ronnie and his removal as a child from The Blitz and London - as many children were - and how he survived. This was such an enchanting novel, I really loved it.

Where’d you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple – I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled with it. I didn’t hate it but it really just wasn’t for me. I am not a fan of books filled with letters or emails etc as this is. I disrupts the flow of the prose and makes it disjointed and annoying to read. I didn’t really like many of the characters ‘reporting’ on Bernadette and found the premise overblown. I get there was a lot of gossip about the main character for her differences, and it may seem like a clever way to record that, but it just annoyed me. The plot is Bernadette was a famous architect (now this part of the plot I LOVED, and wanted more, but they glossed over it, sigh) who peaked early and then had a breakdown, hidden away in suburbia, she decides to flee her life after a long set of convoluted circumstances. You know she flees because there was a lot of media hype (usually a sign a book is not going to be for me) about it.  This doesn’t happen until way into the book, by this stage I could not have cared less.  Sorry to those that loved this, it is just not my type of book.

Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner - to me, this was almost the same book as Bernadette. Given I read them back to back, this didn't make me love Fleishman anymore than I did Bernadette. This needed a solid edit, it dragged on a bit, and similarly to Bernadette the main female character was the most interesting part but they didn't feature that much. These kind of family melodramas or airporty novels just are not my cup of tea.

Generation Friends: an inside look at the show that defined a television era by Saul Austerlitz – I would never call myself a fan of Friends, but I realised reading this book I would have watched almost every episode and enjoyed many of them. Many also irritated me. The book didn’t tell me anything that new, but if you are a fan and you want a walk down memory lane this is for you.

What is it All but Luminated: notes from an undergound man - Art Garfunkel - this is a memoir unlike I have ever experienced. Beautifully arranged, out of order and including stunning poetry, lists of music and book and things. And of course stories of his life, personal and as a musician and actor. Presented in short snippets, it is an easy read and a delight to read.

Songs by Don Walker – His words are ingrained in many of us. Their beauty, their rhythm, enrichening and delving into our soul. This is a collection of his stunning lyrics with his thoughts added here and there. I may have sung some of them out loud.

Mother, Sister, Husband, Dog by Delia Ephron - this was a selection of essays by Delia, sister of Nora. Delia is an accomplished writer and essay writer, not quite in the stratosphere, but still worthy of a read. It opens with a stunning tribute to Nora, which will make you laugh and cry. High recommend.

Booked: a traveler’s guide to literary locations around the world by Richard Kreitner – this was a travel guide to all the places your favourite books are set in. Divided by country it features a fascinating range of books, including Harper Lee, Stephen King, Maya Angelou, Jack Kerouac, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Proust, Stieg Larsson, Tolstoy, Haruki Murakami, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Biblio-Style: how we live at home with books by Nina Freudenberger – this is the most stunning coffee table type book about personal libraries. The photography is exquisite and orgasmic! I was utterly swooning reading this book. Each library had words about the people who own it and why they collected the titles they did, arranged them etc. There were some small actual libraries but it was mostly personal libraries and my goodness, I was very smitten.

The Trouble with Women Artists: reframing the history of art by Laure Adler and Camille Vieville – this was quite an eye opener. I can probably count the female artists I know on my hands and this was a lovely coffee table book with a couple of pages on about 60 amazing artists. Quite a lot of early artists too, amazing. I particularly loved Eva Gonzales who studied with Manet and Mary Beale who was the first female portrait painter in England (mid 1600s). Sonia Delaunay was a Fauvist with Picasso. It was lovely to read about these trailblazers.

Women in Design: From Aino Aalto to Eva Zeisel by Charlotte Fiell and Clementine Fiell  - I knew a lot more than I thought I would here, mostly fashion designers. There was a lot of amazing furniture designers too, some architects and ceramics etc. Again, this was a lovely coffee table style book that was lovely to look through and read about these remarkable women

Love is strong as death: poems chosen by Paul Kelly – this was a huge tome I dipped in and out of and chock full of wonderful poetry. It features then usual suspects; Shakespeare, Keats, Homer, Thomas, Donne, Cummings, Blake, Eliot, Plath, Milton, Shelley, Whitman, Byron, and Rossetti. Loads of Australian; Dawe, Murray, Paterson, Wright, Slessor, Harwood, and Larkin. Indigenous poetry, lyrics by Archie Roach and Kev Carmondy. And much, much more. If you love poetry, you’ll love this collection, if you are unsure about poetry this is a great place to start.

When Life is Not Peachy: real-life lessons in recovery from heartache, loss and tough times by Pip Lincolne – sometimes you need to have a refresher on some of these important life skills. Not to be so tough on yourself, and to remember whilst bad happens, a lot of good does too. To refresh all the tools in your mental health and happiness tool box, to add a few more. To remember you are loved and appreciated and to look for the small moments of joy in life. I’ve been ok, but it has been a tough year, so this was a good and timely read.

Planet Earth: inspirations and thoughts from a planet warrior by Bob Brown – this is a lovely book of quotes and thoughts and words about our Planet Earth from the beautiful Bob Brown. It is eloquent and soulful and feels like a warm hug.

Havana: A subtropical delirium by Mark Kurlansky - a fascinating read on the history of Havana, Cuba. It's dark days of slavery and constant civil unrest through to Castro. It is also a social history, including movies and books and music. A travelogue, as the writer has visited there many times and includes recipes and drawings and snippets from other books. Quite a mis-mash of information much like the country and city itself.

The Art of Flaneuring: how to wander with intention and discover a better life by Erika Owen – I have been a Flaneur – or  Flaneuse – for as long as I can remember, before I realised there was a term for it. When I realised there was a word for it, and a French one at that, as a Francophile I was super chuffed! So a flaneur wanders with no real direction in terms of destination but takes in what they see. It could be historical references, nature, architecture, people, the clouds, things you see. Yes, it is still walking and exercise but it has a more interesting purpose. I love Flaneuring in a big city, wandering, looking at the architecture, finding little hidden gems, outdoor art, coloured doors, interesting people and so one. I can walk for hours doing that. This book delves in to the basics of being a Flaneur, nothing I didn’t know but it made me smile to know other like souls are out there doing similar things.

I know this to be True: on sincerity, compassion, and integrity by Waleed Aly - this is a lovely and fascinating insight into Aly's mind. He answers a whole range of questions on his life, morals, religion, politics etc. It was so very well answered and thought out. What an amazing man.

What I've Been Watching

Ride Like A Girl  - we all know the story, the first female to win the Melbourne Cup. I do have issues with horse racing these days. I grew up with it as my grandfather was a SP bookie in his day and we always followed races. Even after he passed, I would still think of him and place a bet but I have not done this for a few years now. This film tells the story of Michelle Payne and her family, a family of horse lovers, racers, strappers etc. Her Mother died when she was a baby and her father brought up her and her other 9 siblings which is rather remarkable. I didn’t know she had had a terrible accident in a race a few years prior to the big race. This is a lovely little biopic, well directed by Rachel Griffiths and it builds the tension nicely. I watched this and just really got involved and very emotional. We all love an underdog story. This is also a great family film and one for young girls to show we can do anything!

Addams Family – I am a huge fan of the original television show and always brace myself when there is a remake. This is an animated version and it is great. Has the right feel and looks wonderful. And creepy and spooky.

Charlie’s Angels – this was a bit of fun, not brilliant but ok.

Knives Out – ooh this was good, not exactly the sort of movie I thought it was. You know who the killer is fairly early on (as such) and it weaves in and out while the detectives catch up. The cast were amazing, but mostly not used well enough. Still I enjoyed this.

Downton Abbey – really this was just an extended version of the tv series, yes the Royal Family visited, but nothing too special plot wise. But oh so lovely to revisit those characters and take in the art and costume design.

Top End Wedding - I loved this great film by Miranda Tapsell, she is such a joy to watch on screen and this lovely romantic comedy about a wedding and family. Stunningly shot in the Territory and outback. A true joy.

Dead Don't Die - I wanted to adore this Jim Jarmusch Zombie film with an all star cast. It was really good, but not great, sadly. But still worth watching for the cast!

Everybody Knows - this is a Spanish film about a kidnapping. Starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. It does drag a bit and at over 2 hrs, could have been a more together 90 minutes films. Twists and turns ensue, but ultimately easy to work out well before the film does.

Glorious 39 - a Stephen Poliakof film set at the beginning of WWII. As a bunch of her male friends and family start to commit suicide, Anne - adopted daughter of a well-to-do family - starts to wonder what is happening. The film moves about in times, but shows the horrifying aspects of war at it's very beginning. 

Inland Empire - this is one of Lynch's more difficult films. Difficult to watch and difficult to understand, but it was my second or third viewing and things started to make a little more sense. I don't really know what to say about this without giving away what very little I know, lol! For super fans only.

Precious - this is a movie that passed me by I am ashamed to say. Wow, what a powerful and beautifully acted film. Precious is a bit of a no-hoper, mostly due to her destructive mother. When she falls pregnant for the second time, her teachers get involved and remove her from her situation and try and set her up with a better life. Devastating and uplifting, this was more than worthy of the attention it got when it came out.

Pride - I loved rewatching this lovely little uplifting gem about a group of gays and lesbians raising money for striking Welsh miners in the mid 80s during Thatcher's regime. Based on a true story, with a great cast, a bond of 2 underdogs is formed. I rewatched it for a lift and to have a look at a young Andrew Scott (The Hot Priest from Fleabag)  who plays one of the older gays (adorably of course) in the film. It was more powerful than I remembered, and solidifying the film is a great performance from Bill Nighy.

Avatar - Ok, I have never seen this film. I am not a fan of James Cameron and when it came out it felt irritated by it all. Anyway, I watched it and really liked it, but I didn't love it. I can see what it was trying to do in terms of race and environment. I loved the characters but found the production tinny and clunky. I am aware it was mostly green screen filmed and I think the movie is poorer for it. But I do think I would have liked it more had I seen it on a big screen.

Greenberg - this was a lovely re-watch. I prefer Ben Stiller in his melancholy state as in this movie. He is house sitting for his more together brother's family house after a stint in a mental institution. He falls in love with the family's nanny, played by the wonderful Greta Gerwig. It is a typical Noah Baumbach film, with interesting characters and a meandering storyline. Love it!

Mapplethorpe – starring Matt Smith at Robert Mapplethorpe this was a very basic movie of his life. I quite enjoyed it and thought Smith didn’t do too bad a job, but it definitely could have been a harsher and more authentic movie than what it was.

Suzi Q – this is a great documentary about Suzi Quattro and I was super impressed. I have always loved her from Countdown and Happy Days and recently saw her live and was pretty blown away by her performance. It tracks her early years singing with her sisters in a 60s style girl band but with that Detroit edge. And then follows her rise, independent and unique and hell bent on making it big, she was remarkable. This is a gritty tale of one determined gal and I loved it. Loads of interviews with girl rockers and guy rockers of the era. This is worth your time.

Run – I was keen to check this one out as I love the main actors, Merritt Weaver and Domhnall Gleeson. I wasn’t sure they would have chemistry but they do. They play ex-lovers who have not been together for many years. When they were together they had a pact that if they were not happy in their life one would text the other run and if the other felt similarly they would respond with Run and meet at Grand Central Station and catch a train across America. And that is how this started, both leaving awkward lives, but do they want to throw it all in for each other. And so the journey begins, and a lot happens on that train ride. It has a real Hitchcock feel, very North by Northwest. Weaver and Gleeson are brilliant and note perfect  and the supporting cast remarkable and great. It is very funny and very dramatic and has a couple of twists to keep things fresh. This is must see tv for sure!

Killing Eve S3 – S2 was nowhere near as good as S1 but still good and I found this season very much hit and miss in parts. There was a great episode where you met Villanelle’s family which was key to her character and her series. It is hard to explain the good and the bad of S3 without spoilers, except to say if you love this show you will still watch it and enjoy it. It is still better than a lot of the dirge out there.

High Fidelity - I love this so very much. I was worried, I will admit. Zoe Kravitz is equal parts cool and equal parts clumsy. i get her so very much it is scary. I always said Rob - as we knew him - was the male version of me and barring the smoking and tatts female Rob kinda is me, shitty relationships and hooked on music all the way. The first season - for the most part - follows the book/film carefully but updated. all the main characters are superb and Rob's 'love' interest perfect. The music - goes without saying - soooo perfect! I sit there and drool, I just want to be in that show, hanging and listening to the music and making up Top 5s. Also huge shoutout to Debbie Harry for guest starring as Rob's muse (Springsteen featured in the book/film). I cannot wait for more.

Insecure S4- this show - it just gets better and better. I adore Issa Rae's Issa so very much. The vibe of the show is so great, it makes me want to go to LA (previously uninterested. There are some amazing tracking shots over the suburbs (a pool in every backyard) and dusk shots of the streets and bars. It is highly romantic in its atmosphere. It is about Issa, her life, her work, her friends and her love life; most of which is usually in flux. This season it appears that Issa is getting her shit together, but her relationship with her best friend Molly is not in good shape. This story arc is so beautifully executed, it is really fascinating to watch. Everything is so clever and smart in this show, I just love it.

Stateless - wow, this was exceptional viewing, Australian Drama at its best. About a fictional refugee camp and the people held within and the staff working there. Very emotional to watch and anger inducing. The treatment of these poor people, who are only escaping untenable situations, is rotten to the core. This was a rough watch but worthwhile.

Deadwater Fell - in a small, peaceful Scottish Village a fire breaks out in a house and a mother and three young children perish. The devastated father is left in hospital after trying to rescue them. It appears the whole family were drugged, who in this little village wanted them all dead. David Tennant stars as the bereaved father. This is a small 4 parter that keeps you hanging on with every twist and turn.

Miriam Margolyes, Almost Australian - Miriam goes Grey Nomad and drives around the country to get to the bottom of what it is to be Australian. Miriam is always entertaining in her very abrupt and honest way. This was great to see, at times cringe worthy - cringe worthy in some of the people she came across - but ultimately very interesting.

What I've Been Listening To

Thanks for the Dance by Leonard Cohen – this is the final album, released posthumously, with many musicians helping Leonard’s son complete the album. It is a very gentle and soothing album, and quite emotional to listen to.

Tell Me Why by Archie Roach -  Stunning double album of reworked classics, some favourites, some new work and just so lovely to listen to his beautiful, haunting voice. This was released to go with his memoir, which I am yet to read. 

Australian Halloween by Youth Group – I really enjoyed their new album, it had a Belle and Sebastian feel to some of the tracks, very bouncy pop!

Womad 2020 – includes a range of acts I saw at Womad, Blind Boys of Alabama, Laura Marling, Ifiqiyya Electrique etc. Nice memories.

Everything is A-OK – Violent Soho  - I haven’t heard much of these guys, but they are thrashy and a bit grungy and I quite enjoyed bopping along to this.

Future Nostalgia – Duo Lipa – I really like this chick, sassy and cool, great pop, funky and jazzy in parts. Well worth a listen.

American Standard - James Taylor – this is a lovely album of standards, show tunes etc and they work really well in Taylor’s folk stylings. Lazy Sunday afternoon listening at it’s best.

The Sweetest Taboo – Katie Noonan – this is really gorgeous and soulful and operatic as you can only expect from Katie. She covers a range of favourite tunes, including True Colours, Don’t Dream It’s Over, Take On me and many more. I really really loved this one.

The Dangerous Age – this is a collaboration between Kate Ceberano and Steve Kilbey, with Sean Sennett and it is utterly divine. Definitely the best thing either have done in a long while. Beautifully produced and has a real golden and lush sound and feel.

Podcasts

Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette are great friends, who would have known!? and thus a great, fun chat on her podcast.

Clear and Vivid with Alan Alda - did a special Covid catch up with Lorette Swit and Mike Farrell and it is everything you would think it would be. Utterly delightful chatter between very good and close friends. These guys have been close since the show - most of the cast have - and you can hear it in their voices. They spoke about the real heroes in hospitals and as pretend heroes on hospitals felt they needed to help in whatever way they could. Brilliant!

Michael Moore and Roger Waters from Pink Floyd are great friends and had a long chat on Moore's podcast about politics and music and everything in between. Utter brilliance.

Strong Songs  did God Only Knows, one of the most perfect songs you can hear and it was brilliant to listen to.

Unspooled  has been podcasting about the top 100 AFI Films and are up to the last 5. They did one of my favourite films, Chaplin's Modern Times and I was in heaven hearing 90 minutes on Chaplin and silent film. It is a film that still, sadly, holds up today. They also did an outstanding review of Streetcar Named Desire. Both are just brilliant, perfect films and our podcasters agreed.