Essential December '10

Essential viewing this December:
- With a budget of 54 million kroner, Kongen av Bastøy (King of Devil’s Island), is the most expensive Norwegian production of all time. So it is comforting to see that it also just might be the best thing to come out of the country in a long time. A powerful and emotional story that is both visually and technically impressive. Strong performances, from Kristoffer Joner in particular, make this a compelling view from start to finish. And in adding this to his already impressive resume, director Marius Holst is proving himself as the finest Norwegian filmmaker of his generation.

- Many were impressed, and fairly surprised, when Ben Affleck revealed his directorial debut Gone Baby Gone in 2007. And with his second turn in the big chair he proves that it was not a fluke. The Town is a fast paced, well acted and precisely executed thriller. A terrific ensemble adds to the films credibility and the action sequences are both exciting and memorable. A very strong effort from Affleck with should earn him plenty more opportunities behind the camera.

- One of the finest American indies of the year has to be Cyrus. Brothers Mark and Jay Duplass have a sharp script and a neat approach to the deadpan comedy in this slightly bizarre flick. Great work from actors John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill (finally showing how amazing he can be when he just turns everything down a notch) makes this a fresh and original movie with so many great moments that you’re just dying to see it again.

Essential listening this December:
- The Doors have been both blessed and cursed with the various quality of releases since their existence came to an end. But the double album Live in Vancouver 1970 is luckily one of the best ones yet. A great setlist and a Jim Morrison on the right side of crazy makes this a terrific experience, and the idea that the occasional tuning deserves its own track number is just hilarious.

- The months before Christmas is the high season for greatest hits and best of-collections and the now dissolved Norwegian band Madrugada (and mainly their label) wants in on it. This double album, simply titled The Best of Madrugada is a strong compilation and another reminder of the bands greatness. It’s disappointing that there’s just one new song on it, but if seen as either a summary or an introduction to the band, this more than gets the job done.

- Many were waiting ready with their axes when Kanye West released his latest album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. But they all have to bow their heads in silence since West has produced his best album since his debut The College Dropout (2004). Thankfully leaving his autotune microphone out of it for most parts, the quality of the music is unquestionable. West is more convincing, more loud and more of everything that he does best. Fronted by the superb singles Runaway and Power, there is enough tracks on this to ensure him a dozen more number ones in the year to come.
And the video to the highly addictive Runaway is a real treat.

Merry X-mas

Merry christmas!
Eat. Drink. Sleep. Repeat.
Enjoy!



Classic.

Essential 2010

Essential viewing in 2010:
1. Inception (Christopher Nolan)
This dazzling display of effects combined with some genuinely original writing proved that blockbuster entertainment can also be art. The best picture of the year.

2. The Killer Inside Me (Michael Winterbottom)
The darkest and most haunting film in years, with a career best performance from Casey Affleck. A remarkable achievement in storytelling and character.

3. The Road (John Hillcoat)
The apocalypse has never been more emotional or beautiful than this. Amazing photography and a very strong performance from Viggo Mortensen. One of the most overlooked masterpieces of the year.

4. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Edgar Wright)
The most original and hilarious comedy in ages, featuring a great soundtrack and some wonderful editing. We’ve never seen anything like this before.

5. The American (Anton Corbijn)
The best looking picture of the year and a terrific turn from George Clooney. This will make Corbijn the most desireable director for every actor in Hollywood.

Top three runners up: The Messenger – Youth In Revolt – Cemetery Junction

Essential listening in 2010:
1. The National – High Violet
Their fifth album just might turn out to be the cornerstone of their work. No contest. The best album of the year.

2. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
After their run as indie darlings these Canadians are finally ready to become the biggest band in the world. The Suburbs is the album U2 has been trying to make for 20 years.

3. Tired Pony – The Place We Ran From
Proof that a so called “super group” actually might work sometimes. A terrific collection of pop music with a sentimental heart.

4. Vampire Weekend – Contra
Picks up where their brilliant debut left off and just keeps going! A sensational mix of every musical emotion there is.

5. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
Bigger and stronger than their first two, and out to send the most important message of all: rock is a positive!

Top three runners up: Surfer Blood, Astro Coast – Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Hawk – The Hold Steady, Heaven Is Whenever

Let's have it, 2011.

Beckham

This weekend David Beckham was honored at the annual BBC Sports Personality of The Year ceremony with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Previous winners include George Best, Bobby Charlton and Pelè to name a few, and despite Beckhams young age it is a well deserved accolade. From 1992 to 2003 he made 397 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 86 goals. He is one of only four to have passed 100 caps for England's national team and is very close to becoming the player who has represented his country more than any other.

To watch the presentation and Beckham's moving acceptance speech, head over to BBC's official website http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/9303339.stm

And to those of you who think Beckham is the Armani model who used to play for Real Madrid...

Wrong.

There's only one David Beckham.

Great Trailer # 2

A new film from director Alejandro Iñárritu is always an exciting thing and next year will see the release of his new feature Biutiful. Gritty, poetic, violent and tender, and with a towering performance from Javier Bardem. It is one of 2011's most anticipated films and judging by its new trailer, it could turn out to be something really special.

"Benjamin"

the warmth of this small cell
a tired heart longing for rest
another glass of poison with ice
whatever you feed me i’m bound to throw up

is there any peace at the end of this day
driving around looking for a light still on
make these old words sound new
you need more than what i’ve got

no cause for alarm says the broken hero
can you see past the dark part of a soul
there is no substitute for this
while i was drinking you grew up

this time it will be different
weak coffee and dried out biscuits
a torn nametag reads “ben” for short
can you learn something from saving me

Bloodbuzz in England

Music:
The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (Live at The Current)
High Violet (Expanded Edition)
4AD Records

November in Hyde Park

I was in London earlier this week, and one morning went for a walk through Hyde Park. It was quite early and on a weekday, so there were not many people around. Mainly my company was the ducks and seagulls, and the occasional squirrel running around hoping to find a crumble of bread left by the tourists the day before, and so far overlooked by their winged colleagues. The weather had been rather harsh the past few days and this morning was no different. With temperatures just below zero and with a cold wind blowing from almost every direction, it was certainly a chilling experience. There were clouds in the sky but every once in a while the sun would fight its way through and supply the park with some most welcome rays of light. The air was crisp and the frozen roads and grass, while awaiting the first flakes of snow, laid welcoming and inviting across the entire park. In between warming my fingers on a cup of cappuccino I managed to snap a few pictures of this wonderful place.


"boardwalk"


"the trees by the crossroad"


"a quiet walk"


"a forgotten friend"