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”
Category Archives: Pop culture
Is Nothing Sacred?! The Karate Kid Musical
And so, the 1980s/ nostalgia bandwagon trundles wheezily onwards into oblivion. We’ve had Heathers, Annie, Hairspray, now it’s the musical that absolutely nobody asked for, The Karate Kid. Bizarrely, Phoenix Nights predicted this would happen years ago, with their own amateur version. Original film posters. Join Daniel and Mr Miyagi as he battles to tackleContinue reading “Is Nothing Sacred?! The Karate Kid Musical”
Malcolm Tucker’s Rough Guide to Lyrical Profanity
Ahhh, Peter Capaldi, the dapper, mild -mannered thespian and for a whole generation, forever ‘Dr Who’. But undercover of darkness, he transformed into Malcolm Tucker, godfather of spin, Beelzebub in a suit, and *wink* not at all based on Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair’s right-hand man. ‘The Thick of It ‘, created by the brilliant ArmandoContinue reading “Malcolm Tucker’s Rough Guide to Lyrical Profanity”
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”
“It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘
Who, prithee, can we count on in times like these? Who’ll be there in our hour of need, when all seems lost? Russell Brand is struggling to find appropriate pages of comforting verse in his bible; Trump is struggling in general, and the world remains as divided- and divisive – as ever. Let us turnContinue reading ““It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘”
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)”
Lost In Music: Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
It may be a one hit wonder, but what a wonderful song. Used in many iconic films, this cat, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, had quite the vocal range. One of my favourites ever. Who could forget Corey Haim in The Lost Boys singing along with this. Frogman joined the great lily pad in the sky, thisContinue reading “Lost In Music: Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry”
Lost In Music: Angine de Poitrine
Seems like everyone has an opinion on oh-so enigmatic Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine at the moment, from Justin Hawkins to outspoken Glasgow comic Limmy. They’re becoming ubiquitous at the moment, possibly with good cause. Styled like a fusion of Tristan Tzara and Strawberry Switchblade with a soupcon of Noseybonk (those phallic noses, ugghhhhh) inContinue reading “Lost In Music: Angine de Poitrine”
Just Step Sideways: Dean Friedman – “Well,Well”, Said the Rocking Chair
Billy Joel , Billy Schmoel. New Jersey legend Dean Friedman is where it’s at, kids. Too funky to be a crooner, too silly to be MOR, he occupied a strange position in the rock music galaxy in the seventies. Some of his music was confessional singer -songwriter, a la Elton John; some was like aContinue reading “Just Step Sideways: Dean Friedman – “Well,Well”, Said the Rocking Chair”
Theatre In Pop Is Back
Back in the seventies, decent pop leaned into the avant-garde, with artists transcending mere gigs. This was pop as theatre. Bowie, Kate Bush and even prog rock charlatans like Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Genesis could be found using stage craft, props and exquisite scenography to boost their strange and otherworldly music. This elevated itContinue reading “Theatre In Pop Is Back”
Hit The North 