Essential April

Essential viewing this April:
- Clint Eastwood is 78 years old. And he is still making some of the finest movies around. If you need more to be impressed, go look somewhere else. “Gran Torino” is his latest piece and it is indeed another one to be cherished. The script might be crippled by a simple plot with a few cliché attachments, but this is still terrific storytelling. Pure human drama where Eastwood once again proves he is a master of the genre. It is rumoured that this might be Clint’s final performance in front of the camera and if so, it is a worthy swansong for a true screen legend.
- After being stuck in distribution hell, Tom DiCillo’s “Delirious” has finally arrived. Reuniting with his old pal Steve Buscemi, DiCillo delivers a crude look at America’s need for stardom and even showcases some decent acting from Michael Pitt. A refreshing antidote to the upcoming blockbusters, a true Hollywood independent shows us all is not gold that glitters. And it has some of this year’s best dialogue in it too.
- After releasing his Bush impression onto the Saturday Night Live audience a few years ago, Will Ferrell must have known he was bound to make an impact. Now, after a successful run on Broadway, his one-man show “You’re Welcome, America – A Final Night with George W. Bush” has seen the light of day. For us Europeans it is only available the illegal way for now, but do keep an eye out for it. Ferrell proves himself worthy the praise and as a true genius of improvisation he has created a portrait that is not only hysterically funny, but with a surprisingly moving punch. Believe it or not, it might stand as quite a relevant show, looking back at the past eight years of the US government.

Essential listening this April:
- “Loyalty to Loyalty” is the title of American rock band Cold War Kids’ second album. And what wondrous terrific music it is. With thirteen tracks, the album covers quite a bit of ground but all together it might be one of the tightest and most honest releases to come out of California in a while. And the single “Something Is Not Right with Me” is already on my shortlist for coolest song of the year.
- The Setting Son is one of my favourite Danish rock bands, and with their second full length album “Spring of Hate”, they have proven themselves worthy my endless cheering. Part pop, part psychedelic rock, they are the sweetest thing to come out of Denmark since… Carlsberg? Take your socks off, go out in the rain with you favourite t-shirt and enjoy the soundtrack of spring 2009!
- The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart should score high just for their irresistible band name, but they are so much more than that. With their self titled debut album finally hitting the stands of our northern record stores, there is no turning back. Catchy pop tunes with great lyrics, there is no need to ask for anything more. These are romantic sounds for true music lovers. And it might even turn the heads of all those non believers out there.