OSCAR WATCH 2022

Dune

I was lucky enough to see Dune on the big screen and what a wonderful experience it was. Beautifully shot with intense detail. I had seen the Lynch version all those years ago and found it a little difficult to follow. This was presented in an easier to understand way. I thought the casting was brilliant, Chalamet and Zendaya were young and yet otherworldly at once, and Brolin and Momoa lent a lot of heavy cred to their roles. I was also thrilled to briefly see the goddess that is Charlotte Rampling towards the end of the film. I hope we see more of her in future films. Villeneuve is such a great filmmaker, especially in this genre; Arrival is a masterpiece. Dune comes close, the 'colour' in those desert scenes were masterful, the set design also just brilliant. This is a film to be seen.

In terms of Oscars, it is nominated for 10 - no mean feat. I think it will probably do well in the tech categories, effects, editing, sound etc and possibly the score for Hans Zimmer.

Cruella

I really enjoyed this, it was pure camp entertainment and the Emmas, Stone and Thompson, looked like they were having a ball. This is the back story of Cruella de Ville, did we need it, probably not, but it was a lot of fun. Really it was all about the costumes!

And that is what it is nominated for, 2, hair and makeup and costume, thinking it should get the later.

Belfast

This is a beautiful film, possible my favourite of the bunch. Shot stunningly in black and white and written with such truth and heart. Based on Kenneth Branagh's life as a child in Ireland amonst the IRA rising. The film is harsh in so many ways, but so full of love in a much more meaningful way. The acting is wonderful, with Judi Dench stealing every scene, as Ken's grandma. But the star, surely, is young Jude Hill as Buddy (Ken). The film revolves around Buddy  and his perception of his surroundings at that time. And then there is the soundtrack...mostly Van Morrison tunes and they help really lift the film. Say what you will about VN these days, but when you hear one of his songs, you smile.

Written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, Belfast is nominated for 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay, Sound, and Original Song for Van. I think it will fair well in Original Screenplay.

Being the Ricardos

I loved this film so much, I had heard mixed reviews of this film, maybe they just don't get Lucy. I have been a fan of I Love Lucy for a long time and know a little bit about behind the scenes. I think the premise was clever, they took a week in the show's history and showed the drama behind it all. Both Kidman and Bardem really embodied their characters, and the supporting cast were equally as good. I just soaked this up. 

It is up for 3 acting noms, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and JK Simmons. I don't think they will win.                                                                               

Don't Look Up

This was an absolute blast. I love Adam McKay movies, they have a lot of heart, and are wickedly funny, but are usually telling a terrible tale about our crazy world. Don't look Up is all that and more, superb cast, great story but possibly a little too long. The Premise is scientists (Leo and Jennifer) find an large asterix hurtling towards earth, if it hits it will wipe the planet.

4 noms for this film, Best Picture, Film editing, Original Score, and Original Screenplay. Possibility for screenplay I think.

Licorice Pizza

This was as great as I was expecting. When I originally saw the trailer, I was thrilled. I loved the vibe, the humour, the music. I thought the young boy reminded me of a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman, when I found out it was his son, I was in tears. His performance is worthy of his father. Everyone is great in this ensemble coming of age film. There are some true moments of hilarity, especially around the Jon Peters character, there is great heart, and an amazing soundtrack. It is very 70s of course, and feels like a lovely companion piece to Boogie Nights. Again, this was a little long, but it was pure joy and one of the best movies I have seen in a while. But then I always love anything by PT Anderson.

Licorice Pizza is up for 3 noms, Best Picture, Directing, Screenplay. Look I do not think it will win anything, possibly screenplay. But it doesn't matter, this is a great film.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

I wasn't keen to see what I thought would be a train crash of a film. But place what you think of the Baker's aside, this was a pretty good. It has gotten mixed reactions but I thought it was a wonderful form of storytelling. Is the story awful, of course it is, but it is told and acted extraordinarily well. ANdrew Garfield - on a serious roll this year - is utterly brilliant portraying Jimmy Baker as the ugliest, most horrid human that he is. But Jessica Chastain is absolutely stunning as Tammy Faye. It shows her in a more human light and there are points you feel seriously sad for her. She got herself into a toxic, cult-like relationship and didn't realise until it was way too late. To humanise and make you feel empathetic towards her character is a testament to Chastain's acting ability. It is no characterisation, she embodies her. This movie is difficult to watch at times, but her performance is mesmerising. I feel the Oscar is hers.

This film is nominated for 2 Oscars, Best Actress, and Hair and make-up. I suspect it will win both!

Coda

This is a remake of a far superior French film, The Belier Family. So there is that, but of course the US being the US, have no idea...sigh. So maybe, if I had not seen the original I would rate this much higher. It is a good story but pretty much the same bar the changed the family from farmers to fishermen. CODA is Child of deaf adults, and Ruby is the only person in her family that can hear. The pressue of this is enormous. Ruby loves nothing more than singing, and she can really sing. but her family will never hear her voice, literally and figuratively. She spends her time interpreting for her family and keeping them on the straight and narrow with their work. With the pressure on Ruby to sing more and attend college away from her family, the pressure to help her family is equally as big. This is filmed well, adn the acting is great. The music also wonderful and uplifting. This is becoming a favourite with everyone, so is definitely a wild card. 

Nominated for 3 Oscars, Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur (the father) and adapted screenplay. It will probably will for Troy but maybe even the other 2!

The Lost Daughter

This is a dark little film. It is about motherhood and the trauma of being a mother. Olivia Coleman delivers, as always, a powerhouse performance as Leda a divorcee holidaying on a Greek island. She is a English professor and is working on the break. When she comes across a Greek family also on holiday and becomes entangled in their world, things start to fall apart. SHe slowly unravels and shows a woman with real regrets in her life. Flash back shows her as a young mum with two young daughters, a brilliant but fragile mum who struggles to juggle her work and motherhood. as a viewer you do not know what went wrong, and you start to form many thoughts. This adds to the intensity of the film. It is well directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, and the cast are great but this is Olivia's (and Jessie Buckley who plays the young Leda) film. There are scenes where Leda is alone and does not speak, she is observing and thinking and you know everything from the stunning acting of Coleman. What she can express physically and from her face without saying a word is a masterclass in acting. This goes equally for Buckley who embodies a young Leda so much, you think it IS Coleman magically de-aged.

Both Jessie and Olivia are nominated as is Maggie for Best Adapted screenplay. I don't think this little film will win anything, but both are powerhouse performances so anything is possible!

The Power of the Dog

There has been very mixed reviews about this film but I really enjoyed it. Firstly and I think most importantly, it is a stunning film to watch, the cinematography is outstanding. Then the acting is next level. The four main characters are outstanding. Benedict Cumberbatch (to quote my Andrew, the actor of our generation!) is absolutely lost in his character, Phil, a rugged and nasty cowboy. Phil is the older of two rancher brothers, his younger brother, George (the brilliant Jesse Plemons), is a nicer, softer fellow. On their travels they meet Rose and her son Peter. Phil taunts and teases them. George marries Rose and brings them home much to the annoyance of Phil. Phil slowly and subtly drives Rose to drink, but in time takes Peter under his wing. It Phil being genuine, or is this a mean long play. Phil has a lot to hide and that informs his character. Rose is beautifully played by Kirsten Dunst and Peter by Kodi Smit-McPhee. Peter is an odd, unnerving character. Is he a little slow or is he smarter than he shows, hard to say. All of this characterisation build to a gob smacking twist towards the end. This film is not my favourite but I really loved it, it is a masterpiece.  Don't let the weirder reviews put you off.

This is nominated for TWELVE (12) Oscars. Woah, that is a lot. Best Picture and director - I think they will win. All four actors, Benedict should win, but that doesn't mean he will, ditto for Kodi. Also Screenplay, score, production, sound, cinematography, film editing. I think it will win for cinematography.

King Richard

I didn't hate this film, I didn't love it, it was ok. I can see it is an important story, but again, too bloody long. Will Smith is a powerhouse at the Richard Williams, the king of the title and Svengali/father behind Serena and Venus. Again, it was too long. I think if you love tennis this film is for you.

King Richard is up for Best Picture, Actor for Smith, Supporting Actress for Aunjanue Ellis, Film Editing, Original Screenplay, and Original Song. It appears Will Smith will win Best Actor, I have other preferences but I am ok with that.

Spencer

This is a quirky and odd little film. Based around one Christmas weekend with the Royal family when Diana was at her lowest and seemingly losing her mind. Kristen Stewart loses herself in this role, she is truly amazing. 

Only one Oscar nom for Kristen Stewart, and she has a good shot.

Nightmare Alley

I love the films of Guillermo del Toro. His vision is extraordinary, fantastical with a little bit horror/reality within, and Nightmare Alley continues this vision. The film is set amongst the backdrop of a travelling carnival and the carny folk of the 40s. Stan - played brilliantly by Bradley Cooper - joins a travelling carnival, assisting Madame Zeena (Toni Collette) and her husband Pete (David Strathairn). Pete takes Stan under his wing and teaches him all the tricks of the clairvoyancy trade. He falls in love with Molly (Rooney Mara) and they leave the carnival to use his new founded skills on the road. There they bump into Dr Lillith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) who has her doubts about Stan but they join forces. Ritter gives information to Stan to use to swindle others, but things go horribly wrong.

This is beautifully filmed, the carnival and the art deco building that Ritter works from. The set design so intricate and compelling, it adds to the storytelling. The huge cast is wonderful, great characters and acting. I really loved this film.

4 noms for this, Best Picture (yet no best director...shame), cinematography, costume design, production design...and it may just get production.

Tick Tick...Boom

I thoroughly enjoyed this, based on the story of Jonathon Larson, who eventually wrote Rent! This follows his rise through Broadway, the wins and knock-backs until he gets the idea - after losing many friends to Aids - to write Rent. This of course, changes how a Broadway musical can be, but Larson tragically dies the night before it's opening night. Andrew Garfield is extraordinary as Larson, supported by a firm cast of singers and dancers. The music is glorious and uplifting, especially the wonderful diner scene. There is so much to love in this film, with the great Bradley Whitfield and Judith Light in small supporting roles.

2 noms, for Garfield and for film editing, it probably won't get anything, which is a shame.

Parallel Mothers

Extraordinary film from the great Pedro Almodovar. I am a huge fan of his work, having seen most of his films. He writes so beautifully for women but he also has his axe to grind with Spanish history, understandably so. This is a story about mothers, but it is also about the buried history of the Spanish war. Janis (Penelope Cruz, always outstanding, but especially when she collaborates with Almodovar) and Ana (Milena Smit) meet in the maternity ward as they are both about to give birth. Both are single mothers, with Smit being significantly younger, and bond over their situations. After leaving hospital with their little girls, they both decide to keep in touch, but in time Janis changes her phone number. When they accidentally reunite and Janis finds out Ana's daughter has died of SIDs, she is heartbroken and as the truth starts to unravel, things become very murky. The smaller storyline is Janis is trying to locate her great-grandfather who died in the way, and like many others was buried in a large unmarked grave. Arturo is an archaeologist who is working on locating these graves. Arturo, married, is the father of Janis' baby. There is a lot of twists and turns in this drama, although I saw most of it coming. The women shine, and the story is very dramatic. Also starring the fabulous Rossy De Palma, as Janis' best friend!

2 noms, for Penelope and for Original score, it probably won't get anything, unsure why it didn't get nominated for Foreign Film.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

I loved this rendition of my favourite Shakespeare play. Shot in crisp black and white and up close, you really feel pulled into the story. The set design which is sparse is sharpened by the black and white. The close ups of faces draws you in. Washington is brilliant, but you always know it is Washington. McDormand is so good as the crazy Lady Macbeth. But you do not but the relationship between Washington and McDormand sadly, however that is my only criticism. Great supporting cast also. I have no idea why it was not nominated for more Oscars.

Denzil gets a nom, also Production and Cinematography, I doubt it will win anything.

Drive my Car

This clocks in at 3 hours long and it is long but it is really wonderful. I loved this film base on one a short story by one of my most favourite authors, Haruki Murakami. Yusuke is a theatre director, his wife, Oto, is a screenwriter. She tells him stories while they have sex. She has an affair with her collaborator, the younger, Koji. Yusuke catches them having sex but says nothing. Oto has a cerebral haemorrhage and dies, Yusuke is heart broken. Since the affair and Oto's death, Koji has been acting out in public and gotten a bad reputation. A few years later Yusuke is asked to direct a multiple language version of Uncle Vanya and casts Koji as Vanya. Yusuke has glaucoma and is given a driver to take him to the theatre and back. He insists on the driver driving his own car to make him feel more comfortable. A female driver, Watari is assigned to him.

SO huge plot over numerous years and a little bit of jumping around, but it is easy to follow.  Hence the much needed 3 hours. Could it have been edited to less, of course, but you know I didn't mind. It was a very meditative story, the acting sessions are great, the driving scenes where a lot of the dialogue and stories unravel - there is so much more to the story than I have written, lots of little twists and turns - are really good. It is hypnotic, the acting sensational, the mood and feel of the film very calming, the cinematography lovely. I highly recommend this film.

Nominated for 4 Oscars, Best Picture, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Foreign Film - it should win the later.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading

Yellow notebook: Diaries Volume 1, 1978-1987 by Helen Garner

This is the first in three diaries by the great Helen Garner. I am going to write more about all three at a later stage, but I loved them. I loved seeing the evolution of her writing, and the little insights into her life at the time. I loved trying to guess who all the players were, she calls them by a letter. J is Tim Winton, I got very excited at his first and quite early mention. She is also very hard on herself and her ability, to write, and in fact, anything...which I found endearing and upsetting, in equal parts.

T: the t-shirts I love by Haruki Murakami

This is the latest by Murakami, and in light memoir style. He collects t-shirts, and he has picked a handful by theme and told stories about him that reflect on his life and writing. It is as quirky as he is and as fascinating. I guess one for fans, but boy it is worthwhile.

Throat by Ellen Van Neerven

Stunning poetry from Ellen, an indigenous woman. She writes about sex, and love, and diversity, and equality. Her poems pack a punch but are also light and fun. I made a decision to read more poetry this year and this was a lovely start. If you don't read poetry, I think you will find Throat very accessible, readable and understandable.

Paris: an inspired wander through the city of lights by Alexandra Carroll

This was a lovely small coffee-table style book that I have had for ages. It was mostly photography of various areas of my beloved Paris, with little stories and information to match. Places to go and visit and eat, places to meander, historical and geographical information. It was a nice walk down memory lane.

You're History: the twelve strangest women in rock by Lesley Chow

I am not entirely sure that everyone Lesley Chow writes about in this cite book is really strange, but they are enigmatic for sure. Short chapters about each woman and why they stand out as a little different, Chaka Khan, Kate Bush, Sade, Shakespear's Sister (hence the name of the book), Neneh Cherry, Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift etc. I really enjoyed this.

The Queer Bible edited by Jack Guinness

This was mostly queer celebs writing about queer icons (to them). This is based on the website but the same author. Elton John writes about Divine, Graham Norton writes about Armistead Maupin. They write about the icon and why they are inspired by them. The entries are a mix of humour, and drama and are fascinating. Includes Bowie, George Michael, Quentin Crisp, Ru Paul, Priscilla the movie, Tim Curry, Queer Eye, Pedro Almodovar, and Susan Sontag.

Taste: my life through food by Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci is an Italian American actor, very suave and charismatic. He is also a big foodie, especially Italian food. This is a memoir of sorts of his life through a range of spectacular food spreads. From childhood to his wedding to his second wife, the food he describes is amazing. It is not just the cooking, but the searching for the right ingredient, the preparation of said ingredients and their consumption with loved ones all around. There are some tales of his personal life, and his life in film, but mostly those that link to food. Warning, this book will make you hungry, and crave a big bowl of pasta! Recipes included!

Night Blue by Angela O’Keeffe

This is the debut novel from O’Keeffe and it is stunning. More a novella than a novel 141 pages, Night Blue is the story of Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles, as told by the painting itself. Whilst this may seem an odd choice, it is executed beautifully. The story tells the tale of the painting from its inception through to its controversial hanging at the National Gallery of Australia. The story also divulges other things and people it sees, from its time hanging on walls. It also covers Pollock at the time, and Whitlam’s purchase of the masterpiece. This was a delight, with a few unexpected twists and turns. 

With the Kama Sutra under my arm: an Indian Journey by Trisha Bernard

I listened to this on talking book, and to be honest it was a bit disappointing, sure they carried around the Kama Sutra with them but that was about it. Their journey through India was a but sporadic, 2 middle aged women behaving badly, but not in a good bad way. Some of their stories were funny, some not do much. It was good enough to keep me going to the end, but ultimately not what the title would suggest.

Sweet Dreams: the story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones

This was a huge tome with remarkable insight into the New Romantic period of music in the 80s. It commences in the late 70s when all the players are starting out and follows them on their journey to this period and a little beyond. It talks and interviews directly these people, musicians, singers, journalists, DJs, television personalities, nightclub owners, everyone who was part of the scene. They included The Blitz Nightclub in London, Steve Strange, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Boy George, Roxy Music, Kraftwerk, Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood, Wham, Ultravox, Bowie, Depeche Mode and on it goes. Loads of in-depth information, connections you never realised and a wild ride. Highly recommend.

Embracing the Unknown: life lessons from the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Pema Chodron

This was a stunning but short talking book with Pema addressing a conference/retreat with her wisdom. Absolutely charismatic and beautiful.

Albert Namatjira by Vincent Namatjira

A children's picture book about Albert by his great-grandson, Vincent. Vincent is an artist in his own right, having won the Archibald in 2020, and also illustrating the picture book. It is the most stunning picture book you will ever read.

10 Short Lessons in Space Travel by Paul Parsons

A cute short book with lots of fun facts about traveling in space, from the first astronauts to the space shuttle and International Space Station. Lots of insight, and fascinating information.

Underground Railway by Colson Whitehead

Finally! I have been wanting to read Colson for a while, but so many books, so little time. Underground Railway was absolutely amazing, and no wonder it has won so many accolades. Cora is a young slave in Georgia, and when Caesar arrives and tells her about an Underground Railway that will help her escape slavery, she decides to join him. Their journey is not smooth, authorities are chasing them, they make mistakes, but they are determined. Colson presents a fictional story very much embedded in reality. Whilst it is heart breaking in parts, it isn't too heavy, he constructs a beautiful story that hangs on for many days after you have finished reading. Absolute masterpiece.

Tea and Honesty by Jules Sebastian

This was a talking book the came through at work and raised my curiosity. Jules is the wife of Guy Sebastian, and has a bit of a career as an influencer of sorts. She seems nice enough, but her stories felt a bit forced and twee. 

What I've Been Watching

Insecure S5 plus The End doco

I love Insecure, it is a great show following the escapades of Issa, a single woman in LA. She is awkward, and funny, is dating and has a great collection of girlfriends. S5 has Issa seemingly on track, a regular boyfriend and her event business is really taking of. She is still as goofy as ever, so you know things will go wrong...or will they. If you like Girls or Sex and the City, you will like Insecure. it is edgier and I really love the LA setting. After the final episode, a doco about it's filming called The End was dropped and it was a lovely insight into the making of the show. Issa writes, acts, directs and produces.

After Life S3

The third and final series by Rick Gervais, this is easily the best thing he has done, and that is saying something. Ricky plays a man grieving his wife deeply. He doesn't understand why she is gone and he is here, and whilst that sounds terribly sad, and at times it is, it actually gives him a wonderful platform to showcase his comedic sensibilities. This show is funny, absolutely, and he has collected a range of odd characters that really add to it. But it will tug at your heat strings. I do think series 2 and 3 could have been condensed into just one series, making it a solid 2 series show, but it is still infinitely better than other stuff out there. Also stars a gorgeous Alsatian.

Curb Your Enthusiasm S11

Curb continues to shine and there are 2 ridiculous over-arcing storylines this season. The minor one is Leon breaks up with his girlfriend after purchasing them tickets for an Asian holiday, so he is on the hunt for a compatible woman with exactly the same name, so he can go on the holiday without losing money. Larry is the producer of a new series, Young Larry, and after an incident with his swimming pool ends up in an extortion racket that leads him to all sorts of trouble. Tracey Ullman stars this season as a truly awful council woman who Larry dates, absolutely hilarious. And as usual the long line of celebs playing bastardised characters of themselves or actual characters. 11 seasons and it still shines and is still one of the few shows that makes me laugh out loud!

Love Me

This was a stunning Australian mini series starring Hugo Weaving. It is about love. It follows his love life after his wife dies from a long illness. It also follows his daughter's love life, when she meets a male model on her street not long after her mother dies. And his son, who is in a relationship with someone not exactly is type. These interwoven stories are melancholy and funny. And, as always, Hugo Weaving is outstanding.                                         

Super Bob Einstein Film

This was spectacular, much like Bob. Bob was Super Dave, an American kinda of Evil Kenieval, but things didn't always got to plan. He was often on Letterman, and many other shows. He is probably best known for playing Marty Funkhouser on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He is also the brother of Albert Brooks. The doco delves into his past and he has done so much, but somehow not as well known as other comedians. There were loads of very respected comedians talking about how much they loved him. This is a must see show!

Framed

This is a ripper of a story, when Picasso's Weeping Woman was stolen from the NGV. Now this painting is probably my favourite Picasso, I never visit Melbourne without popping in to see her. To think someone was so bold to just pluck her off the walls and take here. She was obviously returned, but anonymously, so this series follows where the investigation went wrong and what they think happened. Absolutely fascinating stuff.

The sit in: Harry Belafonte

Another great documentary (easily my favourite genre of film) about the time - one week - Harry Belafonte sat in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. A really important moment in history which is almost lost due to tapes of the week being taped over (as they did back in the day). The year is 1968, race riots are everywhere. Harry was an entertainer and quite beloved but he was also an activist, and quite powerful in the movement. He has a line up of guest Johnny could only dream about, Martin Luther King Jnr, Bobby Kennedy, Aretha Franklin, Sidney Poitier, Lena Horne, and Paul Newman amongst others. The documentary shows soe of the footage and it was powerful, it also interviews people who watched it, celebrities and relatives of those connected to the show. This was so watchable and so wonderful, every one should check it out, a real moment in history.

Harry Potter Reunion

This was absolutely glorious, a reunion of most of the cast of the 8 Harry Potter movies, a 20th anniversary. Think about that! There was so much to love in these couple of hours (definitely not long enough either!) that I go quite overwhelmed and teary. Firstly and most importantly there were 'the kids', well beautiful adults. Those gorgeous little kids we first saw on screen have turned out to be delightful, intelligent and wonderful human beings. 

The stand outs, of course, are Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Daniel never fails to astonish me in the best possible way. Things could have been grim for him, but this never seemed to be the case. he knew/knows the enormity of being Harry Potter, he has consistently embraced it after the fact, and seems a genuinely well rounded human. But not only that, a really individual, interesting, and decent human. Watch him being interviews, he never shys away from Harry, he is funny, a good sport, and just a delight. Emma is simple Hermione personified, and that is such a delight too. And they are bloody great actors.

The supporting cast - mostly a who's who of British cinema royalty - were divine. They all seemed to relish the fun of being in the movies, and depending on the part, how important their role was. They also loved all the kids, treating them as equal and helping them along the way. Truly magnificent. The bond between Gary Oldman and Daniel brought a tear to my eye, and Helena Bonham Carter (always bloody amazing) was hilarious with her love of the universe and Daniel himself.

The directors were interviewed, the sets revisited, behind the scenes stories told, the funniest involved Richard Harris and a faux Phoenix. Notably and understandably absent was JK Rowling (huge sigh), there were a couple of clips of her talking with very specific captioning to explain this was taped prior to the filming of the documentary.

I guess this is for fans and I am definitely a fan, I loved this so very much, one of the most perfect documentaries I have seen in a long time.

British Bake Off

I am not a fan of reality shows, but I do love Bake Off. I mean, what's not to love? Loads of lovely people (they are always lovely) baking cakes and cookies and tarts and bread. The divine 1-2 of Matt Lucas and my beloved Noel Fielding. And the delightful Prue Leith and the sparkly eyed Paul Hollywood. Pure escapism, and makes you think you can bake anything!

Cruella

I really enjoyed this, it was pure camp entertainment and the Emmas, Stone and Thompson, looked like they were having a ball. This is the back story of Cruella de Ville, did we need it, probably not, but it was a lot of fun. Really it was all about the costumes!

The Dry

I really enjoyed the book of this despite crime and the outback being two of my lesser interests. It was a great debut novel and packed a punch. Whilst the casting of the movie was great, the film felt perfunctory, maybe it was because I knew the story. I didn't dislike the film but it felt colour by numbers. 

And Just Like That

Oh vey, what can I say. I did not hate this, but I did not love this. Although I think this is the consensus. I loved, loved, loved Sex and the City, but who didn't. Those gals, I wanted to be their friends, I related to some of their antics, and I wanted to live in their NYC. And, intellectually I knew Big was no good, but emotionally, did I love him? Absofuckinglutely!

When I heard they were rebooting, I braced myself. These things do not always end well. I heard stories, saw pics, but just decided to wait and see. No Samantha, oh dear, to me, she was the string that held everything together. Her sharp take on the world stopped the show from being hokey. 

The first episode shook me to my core, I did not expect Big to die, that was pretty brutal. I get it, in terms of storytelling, but it put me offside immediately. I also thought they tried to pack too much 'wokeness' in that first episode. Now I do not have issues with being woke, but it has to be genuine, handled well, and not a tick the box kind of thing. They introduced new characters, this is also fine, but again they felt forced. We haven't seen these gals for a while, so of course they may have made new friends, they should have just had these people there in the background like maybe they had been there for a while and not force it awkwardly.

I hoped the show would settle, it did not. Maybe the last episode was the best, it felt like it had started to get into a nice groove.

So here is what I did not like:

• What they did to Miranda! She was never that stupid.
• What they did to Steve. He deserved better.
• Carrie's boss, I am sure they are a great actor, but boy, that character was not likeable
• Was Charlotte always that annoying?
• Poor Stan, I know he died, but he deserved better.
• Period stains, and uncontrollable wee, really?
• the dialogue
• the overkill
• the wokeness
• Carrie buying that bloody awful apartment
• How they incorporated Samantha, it felt like passive aggressive bullying

Here is what I did like:

• Watching Charlotte struggle to parent, it was genuinely funny
• The clothes
• Carrie, despite Big's death, she was still Carrie
• When Carrie helped her downstairs neighbour
• Carrie on the bridge in Paris
• The blinking lamp
• NYC
• The Bat Mitzvah

I suspect there will be more, will I watch it? But of course!

They are my gals!

I will end with what I genuinely and actually think went wrong. The writing team. This was meant to be reboot for these ladies in their 50s/60s and the new writing team were in their 20s/30s. Nothing wrong with that, except they have no realistic idea of being in their 50s/60s. I love love love Samantha Irby, but she is soooo not this show's demographic. This is where they got it seriously wrong, these writers just didn't have the life experience to do justice to the ageing of our girls. 

What I've Been Listening To

Alan Alda and Max Brooks/Mel Brooks -  Alan Alda's Clear and Vivid podcast is a fave, he focuses on Science and communication with a range of well known celebs and regular sciencey people as guests. He pulled a fabulous 1-2, with Max Brooks one week, his father, Mel the following. Max Brooks, youngest son of Mel and only son of Anne Bancroft, is an author of science fiction and fantasy and most well known for his series, World War Z (made into a movie with Brad Pitt). He had learning difficulties as a kid, and talked to Alan about overcoming them to become a famous author and being the kid of Mel and Anne. It was a sheer delight. And then Mel was something else, 2 International Treasures, Mel, 95 and Alan, 86, sharp as tacks, funnier than ever. Both just riffing off each other and Alda, obviously a fan, just loving it all.

Carnage - Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - This is a great and measured album with the usual darkness that Ellis and Cave conjure. Their partnership and friendship is one of legends, and it shows.

Release Me 2 - Barbra Streisand - this is a great album of her older stuff and she still sounds great. Babs soothes the soul for sure!

Beauty and the Beat by The GoGos - what a great and classic album. Sharp songwriting, great sound, and loads of fun. I really didn't realise how remarkable this band was until I saw a recent doco on them. Groundbreaking and of the punk era, these girls are not pop dummies but kick arse heroes. And the way this album makes you feel when you listen to it, not many albums bring pure joy like this one does.

Cry Forever by Amy Shark - I really love Amy and this is another great album. A terrific mis of pop, folk songs, Amy's sound is maturing beautifully.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga- this is a stunning album, both sound great, especially together. This is probably Tony's last hurrah, given his age and health issues. So very bittersweet. I can take or leave Gaga's pop, but when she sings properly, my god she is remarkable, that voice is a gift.

Today We're the Greatest by Middle Kids - really enjoyed their chill pop/folk sound

The First Two EPs by The Chats - total punk, very raw and very good. Love these guys, also great sense of humour, which really good punk needs.

 

2021/2022

So 2021!

It has taken me ages to write up this!

So here is the year that was, and what a year it was!

COVID

Well this was quite the challenge...again...as I suspected it would be.

I still do not think we are over this, and that it will still linger for a while, but I do think it is easing somewhat.

I also still think we have much to learn from COVID.

For me, there are 2 big things that I think we all should learn from it.

1/ We need to look after our earth and it's inhabitants much better. Because if we were doing that, COVID may not have happened or spread as it has.

2/ We need to learn that slowing down and not being so frantic in our lives is a good thing. To really sit back and enjoy, smell the flowers, watch the clouds, and just be. While I missed my friends and family, and some cultural pursuits, I really didn't miss things anywhere near as much as you would think. So I am being far more choosier with my adventures than in the past. Try not to jump onto bandwagons (which has never really been my thing thankfully) or do that FOMO thing. I think that fucks with people's mental health.

This is fairly similar to what I said at the beginning of this year, but I feel the need to reiterate.

2021: the hopes...

I said I wouldn't think about what I cannot do but what I could do. I did this and it worked! And to appreciate what I had, again yes! I wanted a productive and fun year at work and I definitely had that. And for my health to continue to improve, and slowly it is, still much work to do there.

2021: the reality

It was up and down, being separated from Andrew for many months was not great, but we got through it and are solid, so that is important.

Study nearly broke me, many times. It was difficult to juggle such a labour intensive and time consuming course on top of FT work and COVID, but I got there, so that was great and a huge relief.

I did get out to quite a bit of social activity, Julia Gillard, art exhibitions, the markets, dance, catching up with friends, concerts including You Am I, Dave Graney, John Waters, Yes Commissioner, even dancing. I also caught a lot of events on streaming. And I went to my first Supa Nova, what fun!

So 2022, what do I want...

Firstly I finished my course which allows me to teach Library at TAFE and I commenced my first stint at the end of January and whilst it is a bit of work, I am absolutely loving it.

My regular FT gig at Belmont is going from strength to strength.

So I want to be able to juggle both without too much stress and continue to enjoy and feel inspired by both of them.

I want to read more, I need to read more, I missed that last year when study took up so much time,

I need to utilise my creativity more, for the same reasons, writing mostly, but I have also been inspired to think about painting and drawing, so we will see.

I want to balance my social activities, I do not have to go to everything, just choice gigs that are unmissable or to be with friends.

I need to continue working on my health.

My study needs a revamp.

Mostly I want to explore new places, locally or close to home (maybe further if covid allows), enjoy being out and about, preferably with Andrew, take pictures, walk and soak up the world I live in.

So 2022, bring it on!!!!

The best of 2021

 Here are my best of lists for 2021.

I had a busy year with study so my intake of books, viewing, listening was limited but there was still great stuff.

READING

I only read 56 books in 2021. This was due to studying taking up my reading time, and COVID fog/lack of reading mojo. But still some good stuff within those 56. Only 11 were fiction. 27 non-fiction, and 18 biographies. 25 by males and 27 by females so a good split there. 10 by LGBTQIA, 16 Australian, 3 foreign writers, and 4 first nations writers. I can do better there. I like to read a wide range and do not specifically seek them out, but find I am drawn to a lot of these writers, but 2021 was a little different. I have much to catch up on this year. 

Books of 2021

1. How we live now by Bill Hayes - set in the first 100 days of the pandemic in NY. Stunning and poetic.

2. Son of the brush by Tim Olsen - about Tim's relationship with his father, John Olsen.

3. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery - a wonderful book about the Octopus and all their intellect.

4. A lonely girl is a dangerous thing by Jesse Tu - best fiction I read all year about a young girl who had been a child prodigy and decides to take the violin back up, gets asked to play in NY and heads over. A fabulous romp of sex, classical music and the search for love.

5. Soar by David McAllister - the story of his life in and managing The Australian Ballet

6. The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku - memoir of his life, almost 100 and a holocaust survivor, and advice on how to live a happy life.

7. Grandest bookshop in the world by Amelia Mellor - childrens fiction (for all ages) about the family living in Coles Arcade in Melbourne. 

8. Identity Crisis by Ben Elton - fiction, about the murder of a trans-woman, and the detective who is on the case.

9. My Rock N Roll Friend by Tracy Thorn - about her friendship with Lindy Morrison.

10. Old Seems to be other people by Lily Brett - essays about ageing in NY.

11. Shit Actually by Lindy West - hilarious essays, mostly about film

12. Midnight Library by Matt Haig - fiction about a library that lets you try on various lives to find the best suit.

13. Last Chance Texaco by Ricki Lee Jones - amazing autobiography about the early part of her life.

14. The Year of Living Vulnerably by Rick Morton - complex book about looking for love.

15. Right place, right time by Bob Gruen - autobiography about Bob's life as a rock photographer.

16. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss - historical fiction about first nations people and the great flood of Gundagai in 1852.

17. Fathoms by Rebecca Giggs - a whale washes up dead, and Rebecca decides to research why we let this happen. A wonderful tale of whales, the environment, and oceans.

18. The Believer by Sarah Krasnonstein - Sarah meets with people who believe, in god, ghosts, ufos etc, and tells their stories.

19. In Pieces by Sally Field - deep and dark autobiography of Sally's life, in Hollywood and in life.

20. Best.Movie.Year.Ever: How 1999 blew up the big screen by Brian Raftery - fabulously entertaining book on the movies released in 1999.

WATCHING

One thing stood so far above everything I watched or consumed this year that is deserves to stand alone. In fact, this is so brilliant, I do not know that anything else will surpass it in my life.

Peter Jackson's GET BACK

An absolute masterpiece, I am yet to properly review it.
I just keep saying it is the gift of a lifetime, and it is.
Possibly only for fans, I don't know.

All I know is I loved it, unlike anything else I have ever seen.

The Best Television of 2021

1. Succession S3 - outstanding, bombastic, brilliant. A family, not unlike the Murdochs, and their empire, the infighting and manipulation!

2. Mr In Between S3 - Australian drama with heart and comedy, about a man for hire who happens to be a family man.

3. White Lotus - uptight black comedy about a range of awful holiday makers on  a resort in Hawaii.

4. The Newsreader -brilliant period drama set in 80s news in Melbourne.

5. Mare of Easttown - Kate Winslet is the sheriff of a small town where a horrific murder takes place.

6. The Flight Attendant - A young flight attendant gets caught up with a man who ends up murdered.

7. His Dark Materials- fantasy based on the trilogy of books, stunning.

8. Wakefield - drama about the patients and staff at a mental hospital in The Blue Mountains.

9. The Crown S4 - more of the royal family, in the early Diana years.

10. What we do in the Shadows S3 - hilarious dark comedy about vampires in a share house in Long Island.

Special mention: Fisk, Staged, War of the Worlds, After Life, Sandition

The Best of Documentary Television 2021

1. McCartney 321 - Paul and Rick Rubin unpack many of his songs.

2. The Books that Changed Me - Claudia Karvan investigates Australian literature and what we love to read.

3. 100 Years of The Archibald - Rachel Griffiths goes behind the scenes of the 100th year of The Archibald.

4. Travels with my father - Jack Whitehall takes his very dry and particular elderly father on holidays to various continents.

5. Ms Represented - Annabel Crabb presents the history of females in politics in Australia.

6. This is a robbery - the story of the Gardiner Art Heist.

7. Write Around the World - Richard E Grant head off on a travel show around Europe with books from those areas.

8. Parisian Agency - Parisian family of real estate agents who look after high end places in Paris. Swoon.

9. Crikey, It's the Irwins - I love this behind the scenes at Australia Zoo so much. Plenty of animals, conservation, and the Irwin family.

10. Googlebox - my favourite on-going show. A cross section of society looking at television for that week. Trust me, go and check it out.

Special Mentions: Joanna Lumley travels, Palin: travels of a lifetime, The History of Swearing

The Best Films of 2021

1. The French Dispatch - utter perfection, Wes Anderson, Paris, and Faux French New Yorker style magazine. Huge amazing cast, funny.

2. The Father - Anthony Hopkins is devastating as a man losing his mind.

3. The Sound of Metal - great story about a heavy metal singer losing his hearing.

4. Eiffel - French film about the man behind The Eiffel Tower.

5. My Salinger Year - based on a memoir, this is about a young girl getting a job in a NY literary agency that looks after JD Salinger.

6. Soul - animated film about finding your soul, with a jazz and soul musical background.

7. Dune - new big screen film of the classic sci-fi book, stunning.

8. Promising Young Woman - a woman seeks revenge on her friends death.

9. Minari - a young Korean family tries to make it in America.

10. Supernova - Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci go on one last road trip before Tucci's character disappears into Alzheimers. 

The Best Documentaries of 2021

1. Jim and Andy - the story of Jim Carey becoming Andy Kaufman in The Man on The Moon. Outstanding and surreal.

2. The Centre will not hold: Joan Didion - Joan at the end of her life, formidable.

3. The Gogos - remarkable story of the 80s band, their punk foundation and where they are today.

4. Idiot Prayer - a live concert from Nick Cave by himself on a grand piano in Alexandra Palace, sublime.

5. Three Identical Strangers - spooky story of triplets separated at birth, how they found their way back to each other and how they became separated in the first place.

6. The Hope Documentary Jane Goodall - looking at Jane's work thorughout her life.

7. Firestarter - the story of Bangarra Dance Theatre

8. Happy BIrthday Mr Bean - the history and behind the scenes of Mr Bean. Genius!

9. Too Soon: comedy after 9/11 - how comedy got back on track after 9/11.

LISTENING

Top music of 2021

1. The Dee Gees - Dave Grohl and The Foo Fighters doing The Bee Gees!

2. Idiot prayer: alone at Alexander Palace by Nick Cave - album of the doco, Nick, a piano and solo, sublime,

3. Ok Human by Weezer - as always great and fun.

4. Letter to you by Bruce Springsteen - HIs best album in recent times. 

5. Hermitage by Ron Sexsmith - fabulous rock, very listenable.

6. Soul Soundtrack - overseen by Trent Reznor and excellent.

7. We Are - Jon Baptiste - bluesy fun.

8. Unfollow the rules - Rufus Wainwright - excellent

9. Harry Styles - such fun

10. Still woman enough by Loretta Lynn - she's still got it.

Best Podcasts of 2021

1. WTF - Marc Maron continues to get better and better and his guests are top notch

2. Bang On - Myf and Zan bring us the week in popular culture.

3. Clear and Vivid - Alan Alda, always great, really knocked it out the park this year with interestig guests in science we have never heard of but needed to and some famous people like Brian May, Bill Bryson, Mel AND Max Brooks etc.

4. Ms Represented - companion piece to the ABC show with Annabel Crabb.

5. Smartless - this show was initally hit and miss, but has really grown on me, great guest list this year too!

Special Mentions: 5Ws and Countdown

DECEMBER DIARY

December commenced with a work evening at The Gunyah to celebrate our lovely, newish team. I have been working at Belmont Library for a year now and just loving the experience. It is a busy medium sized library with a great collection of stock and plenty of space for our customers to sit and chill, research, read, and enjoy the space. Obviously COVID puts the breaks on some of this. The customers are wide and varied and mostly really nice. My team are a range of really interesting and lovely part-timers. We are working together well, all learning from each other and having fun. So after a hard year trying to do our best in a pandemic (!!??!!) it was nice to sit back and enjoy the views at The Gunyah and celebrate the festive season and our achievements and look towards a fruitful 2022.

I had a fabulous gals night out at Romberg's, the fancy bar at the top of the old Council Chambers which is know a fancy hotel called The Kingsley. We had a great night of cocktails, nibbles, chatter and splendorous views. 

Andrew and I had a date night and headed to Thai at the rooftops at Kotara and then see Dune. The Thai, the best I have ever had, was a great as always. Dune was epic and stunning. A visual masterpiece and compelling storytelling with a magnificent cast, bring on more!

We also had a lovely pizza lunch at Merewether Surfhouse on an overcast but warm Monday. The food was exceptional, and the views divine. After a walk along the boardwalk and some picture taking was a must.

We had a family dinner out for Dad's Birthday at our fave pub and I finished up work for the year by meeting C at Mawson's Cafe at Caves Beach. Mawson's is a huge cafe in the new complex behind Caves Beach Hotel, great menu and relaxed service and very quiet so you felt safe in these crazy times. It was the perfect start to my little break.

I also caught up with D at Honeysuckle, where we sat near the harbour and caught up after nearly a year apart due to covid and general busy.

Christmas was out usual traditions, spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my sister's property with the family, and Andrew joined us for Christmas Night at my parents.

Being a Christmas Baby, born on Boxing Day, we had a late brunch on Beaumont and Dinner at The Gunyah with the family.

In between Christmas and New Year I finished my final assessment for the Cert IV course I have been doing all year. It was a great feeling to finally finish it!

I had a lovely New Years Eve breakfast with my gals and then went into isolation as a close contact. So my year ended solo and early, but that is ok.

As usual, the markets.

My reviews for the month.

And some photos!

DECEMBER REVIEWS

What I've Been Reading 

Soar: a life freed by dance by David McAllister - this was the wonderful autobiography of Australian Ballet's David McAllister. He wrote about his young life in WA and his dreams of being a dancer after seeing Nureyev dance on his television, and his hard work to be accepted into the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne and his time with the Australian Ballet. What a fabulous story, fascinating with many ups and downs but such a positive spirit, this man can do anything. Once he retired he took up the role of director of the Australian Ballet for 20 years and this was also equally as interesting. If you love ballet, theatre and behind the scenes of art you will love this. If you love a good autobiography, you will also love this. Definitely one of my top reads of the year.

Thirty Thousand Bottles of wine and a pig called Helga by Todd Alexander - this was a fabulous sea or tree change tale. Todd and his partner Jeff up sticks from the corporate world in Sydney and move to a farm with a vineyard on it in the Hunter Valley. The book is a snapshot of their journey, and it is hilarious. Whilst it was obviously a lot of hard work, there are many funny tales along the way. This was an absolute joy to read.

Thirsty by Joel Creasey - this came through work as a talking book, read by Joel and I thought this will be fine and it bloody was! It was also far more fascinating than I thought. Joel has achieved a lot in his young life and is very open and honest about his 'celebrity'. I loved this, and laughed a lot. 

What I've Been Watching

Get Back - I am going to review this properly in a separate blog, but it is easily the best thing I have seen this year and quite possibly the best thing I have ever seen in my life. I am obviously a fan, but Peter Jackson has simply gifted us with perfection, and insight into what being a Beatle is, their genius, their sense of fun, their concerns, and their music. I don't know I will ever be able to think about this without weeping.

McCartney 3, 2, 1 - this works well alongside Get Back. Rick Rubin and Paul McCartney chat over a soundboard looking at the musicality of random McCartney songs from The Beatles, Wings, collaborations, and his solo career. Shot beautifully in black and white, Rubin knows his stuff, and is comfortable enough not to go all fanboy, but you can also tell he is a fan. He pulls songs and gets McCartney to talk about writing and recording it, tidbits we have not heard before, some we have, but mostly new ground focused on musicality. This is for music fans only, and I bloody loved every minute of it. And the 6 episodes barely touch the surface. I love Rubin, sitting cross legged and barefoot on the floor at the feet of McCartney, like a student soaking up everything he is saying. I would be the same, hanging on his every word and just reveling in the music. This is a class act show!

Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace a beautiful and haunting performance. Nick at a grand piano alone. It was filmed for a streaming event due to tour cancellations because COVID. It was shot in one take with two cameras and is stunning. I love Nick pared back and it is such a gift to fans and indeed anyone who loves music.

George Fest: celebrating George Harrison a mix of musicians playing songs by George Harrison in celebration of his life. Filmed in LA in 2014 is starred Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Norah Jones, Wayne Coyne, Conan O'Brian, Weird Al, Perry Farrell, and Dhani Harrison amongst many more. And it was sheer joy.

Succession S3 - this show, this show! It is easily the best show on tele right now, each season outsmarts the previous and S3 is no exception. It takes up exactly where S2 ends and twists and turns until the magnificent ending. There is so much to say and yet I really do not want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't caught up. The writing is as magnificent as ever, the acting just a masterclass. There are some scenes in the final episode that made me shout just give them all the Emmys now. It truly is a stellar cast, right down to the bit players and the guest stars. There is more backstabbing and recoil than JR Ewing would ever be able to handle. The sets as always as expansive, but even this season ups the ante. The ending was truly shocking and unexpected but yet as you realised what had happened you realised it had been shown to you all along, you just were not looking when you were meant to. Utterly brilliant, bring on S4.

Ted Lasso - it didn't take long to get into the groove of Ted, I think it is a really likeable and enjoyable show, but possibly not as amazing as the hype. It IS well written, tight, rarely a dull or editable moment. And not just well written but cleverly written. The ensemble cast is layered and remarkable. I felt good watching it, and was genuinely entertained. I particularly love the female characters and their layers. Looking forward to S2.

Fires- this was utterly gut wrenching and I am unsure I can recommend it. Each episode pretty much broke me. The series features true stories from the awful fire season we had in Dec 19/Jan 20. The storytelling was tight and remarkable, the acting superb, but by god, it was difficult to watch. I went through a LOT of tissues. This does deserve a watch, but boy it was trying.

Escape to the Chateau S7 - this show is like snuggling under a warm blanket on a cold day with a beautiful cup of hot chocolate. I love the Strawbridges, and their stunning castle, I am certain we would be firm friends. There is nothing this couple cannot do in terms of renovations and decorations. With the world in lockdown, there are no events to prepare for, they get some well needed down-time and can get to some of the projects they keep putting off due to lack of time. simply magical!!!

Step into paradise - was a great documentary about designers, Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson. It retells their early years, their friendship and their fame. It was really good and fascinating.

The  Books that changed me - this was 3 episodes of magic, hosted by Claudia Karvan and about the great Australian novels. My only criticism is they only briefly touched on the books listed and there were even more books that could have been added. This series could have been 10 episodes. Totally worth watching.

The French Dispatch - I adore Wes Anderson films, I wait with anticipation for each and every one. Even his 'lesser' films are genius. And this one was a homage to The New Yorker, one of my favourite magazines, but not just The New Yorker but a French version of it. So as a Francophile, you can imagine how many boxes this film ticked before I even saw it. So it risked me being very disappointed, but I wasn't. Wes is a genius, in every way, not just his unique design. This was superb, divided into vignettes or magazine pieces from various writers (based on real-life New Yorker writers over the years).The cast, as always, diverse and amazing. Tilda Swinton has never been more amazing. The cinematography is stunning, using so many techniques, your mind starts to spin. Every inch of it is perfection. I cannot wait to see it again, as I know I missed so much, as so much was happening, it was difficult to take it all in in one sitting and really do it justice. If you have never watched a Wes Anderson film, shame on you, this may not be the one to start with, it is definitely niche Anderson, more than he ever have, but boy I love him so much for this!

Supernova - this was not as great as I expected and I was a bit disappointed. Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth play a long term couple and Tucci has dementia. So they take one last road trip across the UK. It has funny moments, but is mostly melancholy and is quite lovely, but it just didn't grab me as I thought it would. Still worth watching though.

What I've Been Listening to

Tomorrowland by Bob Evans - a very laid back but listenable album. 

Medicine at Midnight by Foo Fighters - I know a lot of people are bagging this one, but I don't mind mellow Foos. I thought it was a good solid album

0202 by The Rubens -  I really like these guys, but found this a little ho hum.

OK Human by Weezer - I love Weezer, with this they have moved from their pop sensibilities to more anthematic pop/rock but I quite enjoyed it.

My sister thanks you and I thank you: The White Stripes Greatest Hits - The White Stripes - what a grand collection of eclectic songs. I do enjoy The White Stripes, but prefer Jack solo.

Herald by Odette - I saw Odette at Womad last year and she was spectacular, what a divine voice and this album does not disappoint. A lovely soulful album.