Another brief hiatus from blogging is testament to the numerous events, unexpected changes and surprises that have peppered my little life over the past few weeks. As the seasons are in transition, so it seems are the directions in which I am traveling at the moment...some instigated by myself, some it appears driven by fate. Sometimes things seem to align in an effortless timely fashion and everything fits into place...those times make me smile.
I am supposed to be working on some freelance stuff for a friend, but the mood took me to blog so I am going to do a brief sum up of notable bobbins and twaddle:
Films
Shifty: I was very lucky to win a Boxfresh competition a few weeks ago. The prizes being a couple of tickets to the industry premier of Shifty at Soho Curzon and some free clobber from the afore mentioned brand. Great film - The directorial debut of Eran Creevy and made for an amazingly low £100k (tip - blow the actors away with the script, then sweet talk them into working for next to nothing) A 24h story set in an outer London suburb, it documents two friends (Riz Ahmed and Daniel Mays) who's lives were parted by tragedy, then reunited four years later where old ghosts return to haunt them. A refreshing take on drug street life in an average British city suburb, low key but effective in photographic direction, with an utterly fluid and semi-improvised dialogue. The lead actors have a brother like synergy on screen that makes it truly pleasurable to get lost in their journey down a spiral of social disintegration and ultimately absolution from their demons. Social realism at its best - highly recommended. 9/10
In the Loop: Armando Iannucci at his absolute best. The scene: The Labour Party just prior to the UN's investigation in Iraq's supposed WMD's and build up to invasion, it's heartless and chaotic spin doctors, whips and press depts, and fascicle MP's lack of PR skills/rational thinking. Razor sharp delivery, crude beyond words, incendiary delivery - an utterly hilarious dark comedy. Rarely have I seem so many chairs vibrate with hilarity and tears of laughter stream down so many faces in one room. Without doubt the funniest thing I have seen in a good few years. Essential viewing. 10/10.
Cheri: Excellent period romantic drama directed by Stephen Frears. A welcome return to form from Michelle Pfeiffer and the brilliant Kathy Bates. Basic story centres around the son of a famous courtesan, his dalliances with his mum's mates and other unlucky ladies of social standing. Utterly hedonistic, sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming, ultimately redeeming and satisfying. Great soundtrack apparently, though I nearly fell asleep near the end...not through boredom...strange. 8/10.
Somers Town: I have wanted to see this film for ages - it is sooo damn good. Directed by the fantastic Shane Meadows of This Is England fame and a return from the genius child actor Thomas Turgoose. A pure, honest and lovely tale of a brummy runaway and polish immigrant who become unlikely friends, fall in love with the same french girl working in the local cafe and decide to seek her out when she leaves town. Beautiful screenplay and script, with a gritty b&w urban taste to it. Highly recommended. 9/10
I'm on a real good run of cinema at the moment, so a few more reviews to come very soon after my Flickr buddy Mark and I return from the next jaunt. Need to take some photos too...and make more films...Ooo, Raindance soon!
London Marathon
The company I work for sponsor a charity every year and in 2009 it is Help the Hospices. Our offices are bang on the 23rd mile mark and we organise BBQs, face painting, kettle drums, BBC Radio come down with a sound system and we all cheer on those amazing people running for whatever reason it is. I always take photos for the charity which is great fun (they're a lovely bunch of people). So much activity and the atmosphere is highly charged with emotion - this makes for great shots. Great weather for us spectators, but some of the runners were certainly suffering, bless 'em. Top day - loved it.
Tunes
Two bands that I just can't stop playing at the moment, both Scottish, both incredible and I think a few of the songs will enter the 'soundtrack to my life' play list very soon...ah yes, their names: The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit. Brilliant - remind me of some of the Chemikal Underground bands like Delgadoes. Hope they don't get massive and turn into Snow Patrols - they're mine and I want to keep them to myself and safe from the harm of mass commercial appeal!
Book
The Box Man by Kobo Abe. A Japanese man decides to wear a box on his head, visit his mates and go about his day. Anymore would give it away, but rest assured it's brilliant.
Work
It's cool, challenging, stimulating and sometimes just nuts. I based a campaign around a glass of water - works well I think. Someone asked me to airbrush out their wrinkles and double chin on a portrait - I obliged and it made them happy. Someone else asked me to polish some poo (see book review a few posts ago)...it made me chuckle, then sigh.
I can feel those sunbeams getting stronger as they pierce the clouds and shine on my head - must be summer on its way...or something...
