Madonna has always been resolutely Madonna, bitch. From 2024, this documentary directed by Michael Ogden follows her early career trajectory like a tracking pigeon. It’s extremely insightful, like a scrapbook bursting to life, full of interviews with those who knew her back in the day, like late brother Christopher who became one of her backingContinue reading “Film Review : Becoming Madonna”
Tag Archives: Lorna Irvine
Archive Review : Butterfly
Arts:BlogTheatre Review: Butterfly ****Posted by Across the Arts on January 29, 2015, at 11.01pmLorna Irvine A visually ravishing evocation of pain and loss, Ramesh Meyyappan’s Butterfly is truly special. Ashley Smith as Butterfly, a kite maker, is so fragile, innocent and graceful that it is nothing short of devastating when she is attacked. She isContinue reading “Archive Review : Butterfly”
Theatre Review: Educating Rita, Dundee Rep Theatre
Dundee Rep Theatre, May 28th, 2026. In a week that saw a bitter row erupt within the BBC regarding men taking on women’s stories (four hundred female writers signed an open letter against Jeff Pope doing a dramatisation of Sarah Everard’s murder) questions still remain about the authorship of female experience. But there’s no suchContinue reading “Theatre Review: Educating Rita, Dundee Rep Theatre”
Big Bogan Energy!
There’s something really heartening about the term bogan being used as a positive, finally. For too long, Australian and Kiwi working-class people, as with “chavs” in England and “neds” in Scotland, have been characterised as uncouth, stupid and a menace to society at large. Stereotypes persisted, of drinking, vandalism, prison tattoos and mullets, and notContinue reading “Big Bogan Energy!”
Half Man Is Half-Baked…
In his trailblazing novel ‘1984’, George Orwell wrote, “Imagine a boot stamping on a human face-forever”. Well, now we don’t have to imagine, we’ve got ‘Half Man’. Yay. Hot on the heels of the success of his drama series ‘Baby Reindeer’, writer and actor Richard Gadd announced the release of a follow-up drama series, whichContinue reading “Half Man Is Half-Baked…”
Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!
Series 1 of Smoggie Queens was brilliant: surreal, hilarious and touching. Focusing on a queer family in Middlesbrough, creator Phil Dunning, who also plays main character Dickie, crafted a loveable, silly bunch of misfits with recognisable quirks and – most importantly -a strong working -class sensibility. Series 1 set up the rivalry between Dickie andContinue reading “Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!”
Overlooked Classic: Von Sudenfed- Tromatic Reflexxions
Or rather, MES and Mouse On Mars’ gnarly side project. Mark E Smith never liked to be second -guessed, and he had of course worked with Coldcut, so his collab with electronic pioneers Jan St Werner and Andi Toma was another delightful surprise. Smith added his addled poetry to their thick, distorted beats and itContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Von Sudenfed- Tromatic Reflexxions”
Lost In Music: Maceo and The Macks- Cross The Tracks
Maceo is the real deal, funkier than the funkiest cat. A sax player with James Brown, this is his signature tune in his own right. If you don’t wiggle to this, what’s feckin’ wrong with you? Parker is still going strong at eighty three years old, bless him. It’s the weekend so treat yourself toContinue reading “Lost In Music: Maceo and The Macks- Cross The Tracks”
Vintage Film Review: How To Marry A Millionaire (1953)
On the surface, the classic 1953 Hollywood comedy How To Marry A Millionaire directed by Jean Negulesco, is the usual sexist nonsense, very much of its time, focusing as the title suggests on three models each of whose sole purpose in life is to be an attractive gold digger, dedicating all their time to seekingContinue reading “Vintage Film Review: How To Marry A Millionaire (1953)”
Overrated Crap: The Piano 💩
What nonsense Jane Campion’s drama The Piano is. A steaming pile of horse shit, masquerading as meditation on love, the transcendental nature of music, and disability. An elective mute, Ada, portrayed by Holly Hunter, moves to New Zealand with her young child Flora, and emotes using only her piano. That’s it. That’s the entire film.Continue reading “Overrated Crap: The Piano 💩”
Hit The North 