16.06.14
film, music and art ALBUMS TO SIT DOWN AND LISTEN TO:
Drifters / Love Is The Devil Dirty Beaches
FILMS I WATCHED RECENTLY: WATCHMEN (2009) Dir. Zack Snyder In 1985, Set against the backdrop of imminent nuclear war, President Nixon has removed the presence of superheroes in public life, but a bitter Rorschach decides to search for the cause of an apparent conspiracy after the death of fellow ExWatchmen ‘The Comedian’. I apologise to fans of the comic, as I have not read Watchmen. I am basing my opinion, for the moment, on the film alone. Firstly, I must say that this film has one of the most beautiful title sequences I have ever seen, bringing me close to tears several times. However... For a film that has been praised for it’s style and critiqued for it’s style over substance, I wasn’t blown away by the visiuals. The slow-motion was naff with the exception of the title sequence, and the fight scenes were pedestrian, lacking the slickness and brutality that had drawn me in initially. Some good iconography was present, like the blood on the smiley face, but they weren’t supported by the further 162 minutes of film. Roschach, who strangely looked like an old Freddie Highmore, was largely irritating and unsympathetic, as Zack Snyder failed to utilise his 18 rating, shying away from any upsetting gore in Roschach’s traumatic and defining moment, a child murder scene. The Comedian was killed off early, but he was interesting. A horrible man, yet asking questions that the film fails to explore about the state of the American dream in the wake of nuclear war. Nite Owl and Silk Spectre were just horribly boring, the latter’s mother having a far more engaging story than herself. Although, their ‘moment’ did boast a great use of Hallelujah which ironically was also used in slow time. Ultimately, a good score can’t save a film from being too long and just not cool. I was expecting a dark and exciting addition to the work of directors who have escaped from the 12Abound comic book-movies of the mainstream, the most memorable of which being Kick-Ass. Film Club: DEAD MAN (1996) Dir. Jim Jarmusch A brilliant western tale, starring Johnny Depp as William Blake. The electrifying score brings colour to the wonderfully monochrome images of a man’s decent into myth, from a scientific world of industry and practicality to the depths of story and legend. ‘It is wise not to travel with a dead man’
‘Who needs drugs when you have Massive Attack’ The same could be said for this psychedelic dream of a record, and it may have topped the weary daydreams of HeligoLand, for Drifters sends you to another dimension. Yet somehow you feel there is a story to this, the bass thumps along like you are being stalked, whilst navigating down escalators that are sending you up to space. Pick of the Bunch: ‘Aurevoir Mon Visage’
Waiting for something to happen Veronica Falls
An altogether different experience, this holds ecstatically lovely tunes and nostalgic riffs and lyrics that have a real honesty that you can feel in your heart; “Driving late at night, I let you listen to the music you like” Pick of the Bunch: ‘Teenage’ FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION! Listen: Love that’s Gone- La Sera Nightcall- Kavinsky Read: Horns- Joe Hill Watch: The Fly- David Cronenberg