Strange, isn’t it, that there are no male equivalents in the lexicon for the word ‘groupie’, even now? Perhaps groupies aren’t a thing anymore, or simply a more covert concern. Maybe it’s more likely there are more female artists making headway now- and about time,too. The GTOs fascinate me, simply because they’re a time capsuleContinue reading “The Ghost of The GTOs”
Category Archives: Film
DVD Review: The Sparks Brothers
Edgar Wright’s The Sparks Brothers is more than a traditional rock doc. A visually glorious pop art paean to the shapeshifting nature of pop music, Ron and Russell Mael, aka Sparks, represent longevity, invention and playful erudition. From their LA childhood on the beach, absorbing their artist father’s paintings, and being driven by their motherContinue reading “DVD Review: The Sparks Brothers”
TRAINSPOTTING AND GLASGOW
We all know Irvine Welsh’s classic novel, play and film Trainspotting was set in Leith in Edinburgh, but for Danny Boyle’s film adaptation of the mid- nineties, a couple of pivotal scenes were shot in the Maryhill area of Glasgow. One infamous shot of the pub where wee ned psychopath Begbie (Robert Carlyle) casually tossesContinue reading “TRAINSPOTTING AND GLASGOW”
Overlooked Classics: Wisconsin Death Trip
James Marsh’s masterful Wisconsin Death Trip is not like most documentaries. Based on the 1973 book of monochrome photographs by Michael Lesy, it focuses on a decade of bizarre events in and around Black River Falls, Wisconsin in the late 19th century. There’s suicide ; teenage elopement, religious lunacy, errant eccentric opera singers, window smashing,Continue reading “Overlooked Classics: Wisconsin Death Trip”
Pink Flamingos at 50
Nothing- now or ever- arguably, will be as outrageous as John Waters’ Pink Flamingos. Celebrating its half century, this film from Waters and his team of miscreants, AKA the Dreamlanders, tackles every taboo you care to mention. Ostensibly a mockumentary gone rogue, the deranged masterpiece still holds up with its questionable mores centring around theContinue reading “Pink Flamingos at 50”
Techno Tinkerbell: Bjork at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 1997
This film marks Bjork’s transition from the “shy girl” from Debut, as she put it, to the bolder, almost cartoonish Techno Tinkerbell ( my term) of the Post tour. The whole band are on fire here. From Leila Arab mixing, Ed Handley and Andy Turner on keyboards to Guy Sigsworth making ambient sound, to CobaContinue reading “Techno Tinkerbell: Bjork at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 1997”
The Enduring Appeal of Wings Of Desire
A lovelorn, sad-eyed angel, Damiel, played by Bruno Ganz, longs to be mortal. Marian (Solveig Dommartin) a trapeze artist in a small circus could be the answer. Wim Wenders’ masterpiece owes a little to Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life as it’s almost an inversion of the story, but it owes more to the rebuilding ofContinue reading “The Enduring Appeal of Wings Of Desire”
Overlooked Classics: Behind The Candelabra
Wladziu Valentino Liberace, known as Lee to friends , was simply one name only- Liberace: the consumate showman, charming comic, and world- renowned pianist, dripping in furs and diamonds. He was also a narcissist. Steven Soderbergh directs Michael Douglas in the lead role, with Matt Damon (“MATT… DAAAMON!”) supporting as Scotty Thorson. It’s a brilliantContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Behind The Candelabra”
Overlooked Classics: Le Boucher (1970)
Written and directed by French thriller auteur Claude Chabrol, Le Boucher is in many ways, something of a curio. Is it accurate to define it as a thriller when the murderer is no mystery to the viewer? After all, the film’s main focus is that of the two leads who dominate most of the screenContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Le Boucher (1970)”
Dance Film Review: Rambert 2- Block Party
Canadian choreographer Megan Lawson has worked with Adele, Madonna and Katy Perry amongst others. Her new short film created in collaboration with the young dancers from Rambert Dance Company, Rambert 2, is called Block Party. It’s an eye-popping, vibrant and surreal film, with the colourfully attired ensemble rippling as one like a snake and topplingContinue reading “Dance Film Review: Rambert 2- Block Party”
Hit The North 