Essential October '10

Essential viewing this October:
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World has been mentioned before on this site and it turns out for good reason. Finally released on these shores this month, and it is truly something unlike anything you’ve seen before. Brit director Edgar Wright has been given a sizeable budget and has worked hard to put as much of it as possible up on screen. This is a comedy spectacle that despite some skepticism stateside should prove to become a massive cult hit. Based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley it is a perfect fit for the ever so brilliant Michael Cera. Known for his awkward and deadpan style, this is a different role for him. As Scott he is both hopeless and helpless and altogether simply irresistibly funny as he struggles to seduce the girl of his dreams while occasionally having to throw a punch or two. The supporting cast is also terrific with standouts from Kieran Culkin, stealing every scene he’s in, and newcomer Ellen Wong, charming her way to what will surely be bigger roles in the future. It’s fast, intense and delightfully original. And as we enter November this is destined to be one of the finest comedies of the year.

- Leaves of Grass is an independent American feature from actor and director Tim Blake Nelson and features not only one, but two great performances from Edward Norton as he plays both sides of twins Bill and Brady Kincaid. The film was given a limited US release which is a shame because this is an interesting and enjoyable comedy. Its change in tone and genre along the way may be surprising, but Nelson makes it work and by the end it has become a moving film well worth remembering. It struggles a bit to keep its rhythm through the final act, but with a terrific central performance from Norton and a script filled with fun scenes and sharp lines, this effort would have deserved to find a larger audience.

- On television this month we find An Idiot Abroad on British Sky1, a different travel show from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. I’ve sung their praise before and this experiment is both entertaining and well made. The idea is to send their mate Karl Pilkington, known from their podcasts and the occasional sketch on one of Gervais’ stand up DVD’s, around the world to see the Seven Wonders of the World. Needless to say, it will not be your average Sunday night travel special. Pilkington’s views have been the subject of many laugh-a-minute podcasts and interviews and when facing the magnificent destinations of his travels the hilarities are never far apart. If the early complaints and frustrations of the explorer do not amuse you, you will struggle to find any value in this series, but for the rest of us, this is a refreshing take on the whole idea of travel as television entertainment.

Essential listening this October:
- American singer/songwriter Joshua Radin impressed me with his first two albums and even though his third outing The Rock and The Tide might not be as strong, it is still a well made and well written record. There are many out that there that fit this genre, but Radin to me still appears to have more on offer than the majority of his colleagues. The songs are not amazingly original but Radins approach to his music just seems more honest and simple. The voice, accompaniment and lyrics all suit each other very well and the resulting songs are very easy on the ear. This does not make the music forgettable but makes you appreciate it even more. This is a decent third album but there is a feeling that Radin may have to come up with something more next time around.

- Swanlights is the new album by Antony & The Johnsons and even though I’ve at times struggle to really enjoy their previous work, this album struck me as a very sober and poetic record. Singer Antony Hegarty without a doubt possesses one of the most sore and remarkable voices in music and this comes out perhaps even more on this fourth album than the previous ones. It is both simple and stripped but never less artful or ambitious. The collection of tracks here may be more various than usual, but the quality of the album is very strong.

- The Airborne Toxic Event delivered one of last year’s finest debuts and before releasing the sequel they have produced a live album, recorded at the massive Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. All I Ever Wanted naturally focuses on the songs of their self titled first album but there is also some new material and the occasional cover song. The performance is superb and to get the full experience you might wanna check out the DVD as well. The band has a terrific acoustic rock sound and also combines an indie pop feel, surrounded by a very strong vocal. Backed by The Calder Quartet, a tremendous orchestra, this is a great live album that does more than whet the appetite for that much wanted second studio album.
Here is a performance from the show which gives you an idea of the playful style of the band, as well as their ability to write great pop songs. This is one of the finest tracks of their debut album.

Photograph # 7

"the bridge to church"
/AMATEUR/

"In Between"

confront this silence with well spoken words
heavy footsteps on cold wet leaves
this shot up house is out of room
it all comes out when night falls

this mountain side does not have a sign
words that sound raw are still valid
two steps back but still closer to home
desire always runs in circles

with these skies who needs sunlight
a fool’s defense lies in the gutter
it sounds fake but tastes like the real thing
the blessing got lost somewhere in between

Great Trailer

One of the most anticipated films of next year is 127 Hours, the new flick by Danny Boyle. A teaser for the film has been around for a few weeks now, but yesterday the first proper trailer for the film arrived. And boy is it terrific. If this sort of trailer doesn't make you wanna go to the movies, I'm afraid nothing ever will.
The best bits: that killer shot falling into the water about a minute in, the little kid when he mouths "wow". Oh, and that Band of Horses song.
January 2011 can't get here soon enough!