Overlooked Classic: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

There had been much speculation around the titular character of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Who was she based on? Jayne County was mooted, and indeed she herself , having seen the premise, thought the story was hers. Indeed, other lesser known artists also saw themselves in Hedwig. But according to the film’s creator andContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Hedwig and the Angry Inch”

Vintage Film Review: Royal Ballet-Romeo and Juliet

This ballet , first screened on TV in 1977, was choreographed by Kenneth McMillan, and features the legendary pairing of Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev at the height of their powers. It goes without saying that the emphasis was on storytelling, with the onus on the leads, whose movement vocabulary was emotive and dynamic, particularlyContinue reading “Vintage Film Review: Royal Ballet-Romeo and Juliet”

Archive Review: Grimalkin 555, Buzzcut 2017

thetempohouse April 18, 2017 • Spoilt Victorian Child Grimalkin 555: ‘No Demoniacs!’ Govan Parish Church  We are gathered here tonight to bear witness to horror screen misogyny: to torture; mutilation, stabbing, strangulation, asphyxiation, hurtling bodies off buildings.All in glorious monochrome and Technicolor: women in the final death throes, hysterical and helpless, dying, endlessly dying,and all so beautifully.Continue reading “Archive Review: Grimalkin 555, Buzzcut 2017”

Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut

Imagine your favourite film scores, chopped up and put into a blender. That’s basically the ethos of the brilliant second Fantomas album The Director’s Cut from 2001. It’s a millennium mashup like no other. Essentially a bonkers supergroup, comprising Faith No More’s Mike Patton, Buzz Osbourne from The Melvins, Slayer’s Dave Lombardo and Trevor DunnContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut”

Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood

Lucie Caries’ film about Hollywood icon Liza Minnelli is candid and moving, precisely because her subject isn’t afraid to speak openly and honestly about her tragedies as well as triumphant moments.So there’s battles with drugs and drink; unsuitable romances, Bob Fosse, Studio 54, Andy Warhol , Michael Jackson, AIDS activism, and a Pet Shop BoysContinue reading “Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood”

Great Style Never Fades

Some looks are timeless. Here are a few icons providing that some ideas are classic-from really simple, to flamboyant. Top: Prince in his ruffled regal pomp. A still from the film ‘Purple Rain’ in 1984. This was the soundtrack and film that made him a global superstar. Below: this picture features the wonderful Debbie HarryContinue reading “Great Style Never Fades”

Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy”

Flamboyant pianist Liberace was the epitome of Las Vegas: camp, flamboyant and always the most fabulous in the room. He was never subtle, or understated. But this clip is completely next level. Sometimes, mainstream culture, in a completely misguided way, attempts to capture the youth oriented zeitgeist, and in the mid -sixties, that’s exactly whatContinue reading “Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy””

Vintage Film Review: Quadrophenia (1979)

“We are the mods, we are the mods, we are, we are, we are the mods”. Few chants are as iconic in British cinema as Franc Roddam’s peerless Quadrophenia. With a star- making turn from Phil “Park life!” Daniels as frustrated “face” Jimmy, plus brilliant support from the likes of Jamie Winstone, Sting, Leslie Ash,Continue reading “Vintage Film Review: Quadrophenia (1979)”

Film Review : Pavements

When is a biopic about Pavement not a biopic about Pavement? When it’s Pavements. This film, written and directed by Alex Ross Perry eschews a linear rock doc narrative, exactly as you’d expect for an American indie band who are a mass of contradictions: with a sound forever torn between sleepy and frenetic; loose andContinue reading “Film Review : Pavements”

Lost In Music:Prince- The Beautiful Ones

There are many songs I could have picked as a tribute: obvious anthems (‘Purple Rain’, ‘Little Red Corvette ‘, ‘Raspberry Beret’, etc) or the more lascivious songs (‘Get Off’, ‘Cream’, ‘Sister’, ‘Darling Nikki’, ‘Kiss’, ‘Sexy MF’ etc) even his big conceptual songs from the Sign O’The Times era or featuring his Camille alter -ego. ButContinue reading “Lost In Music:Prince- The Beautiful Ones”