Essential 2013

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS YEAR:

1. The Place Beyond the Pines

Derek Cianfrance's third feature is a superb drama that offers raw emotion without ever being sentimental. Beautifully shot, scored and put together it is one of the best American movies in ages, and without a doubt the best picture of the year.

2. The Master

Paul Thomas Anderson has yet to produce a poor film, and his latest stands up to any of his previous work. A disturbing, yet deeply moving drama that also features the finest acting of the year from Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

3. Berberian Sound Studio

The most fascinating film of the year. Writer/director Peter Strickland has created a stylistic and gorgeously weird masterpiece, strengthened by a career best performance from Toby Jones.

4. Mud

Jeff Nichols is probably the most interesting and exciting filmmaker working in America today, and his latest south set drama is another fine addition to his rapidly growing filmography. A wonderful screenplay with some of the best dialogue of the year and a cracking breakout performance from youngster Tye Sheridan.

5. Gravity

The finest space adventure since Kubrick’s 2001. Alfonso Cuarón’s uses technology both to amaze and entertain to produce arguably the finest example of 3D filmmaking to date. It’s both claustrophobic and epic at the same time, and warrants another viewing even before the credits have rolled.

Top three runners-up: Captain Phillips – Man of Steel – Blue Jasmine

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS YEAR:

1. The National, Trouble Will Find Me

The sixth studio album from the Ohio outfit is arguably their finest to date. An absolute treat from start to finish without any weak links. Despite endless spins it manages to grab hold of you every single time, and it will haunt both your heart and mindset forever.

2. Sigur Rós, Kveikur

Iceland’s most famous only seem to get better by each record. Their seventh studio album ranks up with their earlier masterpieces and will most likely grow even stronger with repeated visits. A terrific collection of music, bound to make an impression on anyone, regardless of preferences in genre.

3. Daughter, If You Leave

The debut album from a London trio that showed great promise via two terrific EPs. The full record is a near perfect example of emotional pop music; modern in style while vintage in desire. An absolute gem that deserves to find an even larger audience.

4. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Push the Sky Away

The Australian veteran never fails to impress and surprise, and his latest album with the Bad Seeds is a modest masterpiece. Sober and eclectic, but full of the anger and emotion that you come to expect from every Cave release.

5. Okkervil River, The Silver Gymnasium

In the year marking the 15th anniversary the Texans release their seventh album, a strong achievement for any band. This one is more playful in its approach, but still demands your full attention. The beauty is in the details and for an album packed with subtle moves, it is probably their most enjoyable album so far.

Top three runners-up: Arcade Fire, Reflektor – Justin Timberlake, The 20/20 Experience – Tired Pony, The Ghost of the Mountain

Essential November '13

Essential viewing this November:

Much was said about Gravity, the suspense drama featuring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney literally being lost in space. In the wrong hands this surely sounded like a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Thankfully, director Alfonso Cuarón proves himself the perfect man for the job. With previous films like Children of Men (2006) and Y tu Mama támbién (2001) he’s explored disaster and intimate drama both which are key elements in this terrific and highly realistic space odyssey. Clooney does little more than playing George Clooney, but it does not matter as this is Bullock’s show. The actress suffers from very variable performances over the span of her career, but this is without a doubt her finest hour. However, it is director Cuarón and in particular DP Emmanuel Lubezki who deserve the glory. You’ve never seen anything quite like this before, and if you’re able to catch it in 3-D this marks the exception where it is well worth those silly glasses.

After his acclaimed Oslo-trilogy Schpaaa (1998), Hawaii, Oslo (2004) and De Usynlige (Troubled Water, 2008) director Erik Poppe has moved out of his native Norway for his fourth feature Tusen Ganger God Natt (A Thousand Times Good Night). And it will prove a valuable effort as this is his strongest work to date by far. Featuring a superb central performance from Juliette Binoche, who in the most sober and effective way handles every word and motion with both grace and vulnerability. It is indeed one of the standout leading performances of the year. Binoche plays Rebecca, one of the world’s top war photographers (a trade occupied by Poppe himself in his earlier years) who struggle to maintain a healthy family life while chasing the photographs she feels a responsibility to show the rest of the world. The dramatic storyline may not shatter any boundaries, but the film is a moving and comprehensive piece of work that is bound to have an impact on its audience.

The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman slipped under many people, including this writer’s radar at this year’s Berlin film festival. This is a shame because it is one of the most refreshing independent films of the year. The feature debut from director Fredrik Bond stars Shia LaBeouf, who has made some interesting career choices over the past years, desperately trying to escape his Transformers legacy, and is only the third screenplay by writer Matt Drake. In other words it is a trio of hungry and talented filmmakers who have all gone their own ways in trying to impress. LaBeouf is Charlie, the American tourist who stumbles into dangerous love while travelling in Romania. Nothing mind blowing, but what the film lacks in its story’s originality it gains tenfold in style, music and performance. In addition to a terrific leading performance from LaBeouf there is amazing support to be found in Evan Rachel Wood and Mads Mikkelsen (the coolest cast ensemble of the year?). It’s intensity and occasional desire to show off may require some patience, but in the end this is a delicious surprise and one of the coolest indies of the year.

Essential listening this November - Norwegian edition:

Norwegian singer and songwriter Stein Torleif Bjella received tremendous reviews for his first two albums Heidersmenn (2009) and Vonde Visu (2011) and he’s grown a notable group of fans by performing memorable live shows all across the country. This month he is back with his third record Heim For å Døy and there is no reason this will slow down his continued rise in popularity. Bjella has expanded his sound a bit for this one, and it is a welcome addition to his somber and delicate tunes. The tracks are still recognizable as his own and there is no musical poet like Bjella performing in his native tongue and dialect around. The album is not flawless, there are parts that get a little too cautionary to fit in the mix of his desire to elaborate from his first two outings, but they become minor details to a report that can conclude that this is another triumph from Bjella.

As done once or twice before, it is always with great joy this writer gets to shine the shoes to some local talent. The Northern Lies is a relatively newly formed trio from Tromsø who play great folk and country rock tunes and this month sees the release of their debut album Midnight Medicine. The band may wear their inspirations on their sleeves but they are also more than capable of creating their own expression and take on the genre. The album’s eleven tracks may have benefitted from a slightly more strict production touch, but over all this is an incredibly promising debut from any band of any genre, from anywhere! Here’s hoping they get the attention they deserve and thereby implicating themselves to making even more records sooner rather than later.

Another impressive Norwegian debut to arrive this month is Boy from the North by singer / songwriter Monica Heldal. The album features ten impressive tracks, all dipping their toes in genres such as blues, country and folk pop. Despite having been around for some time this is the songbird’s first full-length album and it is bound to stand out as one of the finest releases of its genre to come out of Norway this year. Heldal is not only an accomplished guitar player, her voice is both rugged and sharp in all the right places making her tunes both enjoyable and encouraging to future visits. Boy from the North is a lovely album that arrives at an ideal moment for Heldal to make an impact on a so far only partially aware audience.
Check out this live performance of I Don’t Mind to get an idea of the talent behind the name.

Essential October '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS OCTOBER:

Director Jeff Nichols is firmly on the way to establishing himself as one of the most exciting filmmakers working in America today. After his previous and shamefully overlooked Take Shelter (2011) this month sees the release of his new drama Mud. Set in the deep south of rural America the plot spans around two impressive young performances from newcomers Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland and a close to career best turn from Matthew McConaughey. The atmospheric scenery and tense relationships make for terrific encounters between everyone featured in this outstanding ensemble. It is an absolute triumph for Nichols, a superb piece of storytelling that deserves not only to reach a larger audience after its theatrical run, but also come award season in a month or two.

One of the finest suspense films to come out of Hollywood for years is this month’s Captain Phillips, based on the true story of freight ship captain Rich Phillips who alongside his crew came under a pirate hijacking outside the coast of Somalia in 2009. Director Paul Greengrass re-invented the genre of realistic action thrillers with his two Bourne films, and this time around he makes even more out of a limited backdrop and storyline. Featuring another award worthy performance from Tom Hanks (his final scenes will tear your heart apart) and an ensemble of unknown young Africans it is one of the most truthful and compellingly played out dramas of this past year.

After his first trip outside native Britain with Scott Pilgrim vs the World in 2010, Edgar Wright now returns to his home turf for The World’s End, the third chapter of his Cornetto trilogy. Co-written by and starring a Simon Pegg on top form (arguably his finest work of the trilogy) and an outstanding comedy ensemble featuring Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan. Both stylistic and comedy wise this is familiar stuff that fits in well alongside its two previous chapters, but Wright takes even more risks this time around challenging his audience to come along for the ride. It does not come without its flaws, but as far as laugh-out-loud comedies go this is easily one of the finest of the year.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS OCTOBER:

After a seven year hiatus it was no surprise that the return of Justin Timberlake the musician would be a popular one with both critics and audiences. The 20/20 Experience released earlier this year was a delicious collection of pop music with a modern and stylistic approach that made for terrific company this past summer. This month sees the announced second part of the album surface under the modest name The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2. Timberlake in a recent interview teasingly called the second outing “a little more slutty” than its prequel and he is not really wrong. Where the first release was a more determined and mindful record set to re-establish him as a musician this goes all the way to ensure everyone what they already should know, that there is only one Justin, and that is a superstar.

Despite having been formed in 2006 and releasing their sixth album this month, White Denim has gone by unnoticed by this writer. Thankfully their brand new record Corsicana Lemonade has changed all that. An album a year is an impressive achievement for any band, and to keep improving upon each release an even greater one, particularly in the modern music industry. Their new album offers a wide range of exemplary rock tunes, with clear inspirations from both modern and classic punk. The album is put together perfectly with a great amount of energy and precision throughout. The band’s impressive catalogue allows for many new encounters, and their newest record serves as a terrific introduction.

After the enormous success of their third album The Suburbs (2010) which finally accompanied their critical acclaim and Grammy Awards with sales figures Arcade Fire are now looking to take their game even further. And with their fourth and most ambitious record yet they succeed with Reflektor. They are still highly recognizable but with a lavish and fully packed double album they are certainly putting a lot of eggs in their basket. Their raw elements of alternative rock are mixed with both a soft punk rhythm and traces of 80’s disco. The album should almost come with a guide book to achieve its full effect, but however you decide to take it in, there is an absurd amount of quality and enjoyment to be found. At this moment, there is nothing quite like Arcade Fire out there.

The title track also offers a terrific video from acclaimed director Anton Corbijn.

Photograph # 30

"first snow part II"
/AMATEUR/

Essential September '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS SEPTEMBER:

At 77 Woody Allen is not showing any signs that he is planning to slow down his production rate. A year rarely goes by without a new Allen movie and when you look at his newest Blue Jasmine, it should be considered nothing other than a blissful event. Match Point (2005) proved to be somewhat of a comeback for the director, both critically and commercially and even though there have been some misfires over the past years like Scoop (2006), Cassandra’s Dream (2007) and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010) there have also been Oscar-winning beauties like Midnight in Paris (2011). After the disappointing To Rome with Love of last year it is both reassuring and endlessly enjoyable to see the veteran back on track with this one. Blue Jasmine also features one of Allen’s finest ensembles in ages, with superb supporting turns from a delightfully mixed cast that include Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Sally Hawkins and Bobby Cannavale. The film is recognizable through Allen’s trademark sharp dialogue, but it also marks a darker turn for the director which will probably both surprise and enlighten audiences. A delicious treat!

Erik Skjoldbjærg is one of Norway’s most acclaimed filmmaker of recent years. After his breakthrough feature Insomnia in 1997 (which earned a Hollywood-remake by Dark Knight Trilogy director Chris Nolan five years later) he has proved an impressive range both in genre and scope with titles such as Prozac Nation (2001), En Folkefiende (2005) and Nokas (2010). With this month’s Pioneer he goes for full-on action-thriller mode with a grandiose and gritty feel. Set in the 80s at the beginning of the booming Norwegian oil industry this plays both a as a traditional cat and mouse suspense piece and a well-crafted character drama centered on leading man Aksel Hennie. It is by far Skjoldbjærg’s most ambitious work to date, and it is a genre that fits him well both in style and storytelling. The film also offers one of the finest final frames ever seen on film, which further the evidence of a director still developing as an artist. The best from Skjoldbjærg is probably still to come.

The third, and most likely to be, final chapter of Richard Linklater’s beloved trilogy about Jesse and Celine who met on a train bound for Vienna back in 1995’s Before Sunrise arrives this month. After the superb follow-up Before Sunset in 2004 Before Midnight marks another turn of events as the history of our two lovers has developed alongside their age and maturing relationship. It fits in perfectly with its predecessors and the storytelling elements are still the same (long takes, playful and improvised dialogue) and the sparkling chemistry between the two leads is nothing short of phenomenal. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy play their parts with unparalleled knowledge of each other that earn the impact of every scene an emotional punch unlikely to have been seen anywhere else. If this is your first encounter with the two lovers it is highly recommendable to go back and take in the first two outings in advance, it will only make the laughter and tears even sweeter to take.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS SEPTEMBER:

The fifth studio album from Arctic Monkeys builds on the band’s continued strive to grow bigger by each release. AM features more heavy and complicated arrangements, a deeper groove and an ambitious attempt at the difficult trick of sounding independent on the biggest stages. And even though they do not hit the mark perfectly, this is a successful record that proves that the Sheffield outfit is far more than the snarky brats who first appeared in 2006. They deserve massive credits for trying to evolve with each album, and even though there is no mistaking them or their sound, there is still an impressive amount of new influences to take in. Making this their most accomplished album to date, with a terrific sense of that there is probably even more great stuff to come.

Ingrid Olava has proved herself one of Norway’s most popular and gifted singer / songwriters through her first two albums Juliet’s Wishes (2008) and The Guest (2010). This month sees the release of her third album Summer House and even though one might have hoped for a more significant development from the previous two records, there is still plenty to enjoy in these eleven tracks. Olava’s biggest attribute is her ability to make her own style and personality heard through the familiar format of this genre, and add a much welcome touch of originality. Both lyrically and vocally Olava offers a significant sense of ambition and desire in her songs, perhaps not available to any listener but fans of her will definitely appreciate the talent on display on this wonderful record.

Despite being involved with several projects and collaborations, Okkervil River has remained very productive as a sole band as well. Eleven years after their debut this month sees the release of their seventh studio album. An impressive achievement for any band regardless of fate or genre. The Silver Gymnasium is another superb record from the Texas indie rockers. There is an ease and comfort in the formula Okkervil River draw their inspirations from, and it comes across to the listener as truly well composed and engaging music. The band’s tone and atmospheric folk rock vibes are all present here, but even more than before there is a playful and eclectic recipe that sort of comes together as each tracks rolls along, making this one of the most pleasant experiences so far this year.

The first single from the album, Down Down The Deep River is a perfect example of all this.

Photograph # 29

"memorial"
/TRAVEL/

Essential August '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS AUGUST:

After the both critically and commercially successful District 9 in 2009 the expectations to see how Neill Blomkamp would follow up his feature debut have been gigantic. With Elysium, the South African director remains in sci-fi territory with a continued social message beneath the surface. Starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, this is as expected both bigger and bolder in budget, scope and ambition. Blomkamp handles the action well and there are some truly memorable set pieces involving anything you can imagine of futuristic vehicles. One could argue that the film runs dangerously close to the familiar trappings of style over substance, but it still walks a fine line that manages to keep the audience challenged and on their toes, as well as splendidly entertained throughout. It will be very interesting to see what Blomkamp does next.

The biggest treat at this month’s Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund was without a doubt Berberian Sound Studio. The second feature film from British outsider Peter Strickland is a marvelous piece of stylish entertainment, with a close to career best performance from Toby Jones. He excels as the shy and quiet English sound engineer who travels to Italy to provide the sounds to a horrific and violent film that ends up haunting him to awful effects. It’s tempting to compare this to Lynch or even some early work of Coppola, but Strickland has created a unique and powerful style of his own that is both admirable and wonderfully creative. It gets dark, but there is a delicious sense of even darker humor all the way and the supporting characters create one of the most memorable ensembles seen on film for years. Berberian Sound Studio will never reach a wide audience, but here’s hoping that true lovers of original film get a chance to see this absolutely terrific piece of work.

After his feature breakthrough The Squid and the Whale in 2005, director Noah Baumbach didn’t quite manage to excite neither critics nor audiences with his subsequent two films Margot at the Wedding (2007) and Greenberg (2010). The latter would bring its future blessings though, both professionally and personally as it united Baumbach with Greta Gerwig. After a series of supporting roles on both the small and big screen, Gerwig finally gets to center stage in Frances Ha both as the leading lady and co-writer of the screenplay. Shot in glorious black & white and set in New York City it draws obvious comparisons to the early work of Woody Allen and his partnership with Diane Keaton, with its quirky humor and common themes of friendship, love and relationships in the big city. The script is not breaking ground to anything you haven’t seen before, but its superior strength lies in capturing the self-conscious and lazy approach to life from today’s generation of the 20-something American adolescents and, fronted by an intelligent script and superb central performance from Gerwig.


ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS AUGUST:

Compilation albums rarely achieve the same status among fans as a wholehearted studio record. But since it has been a long three years since the last release from Scottish indie darlings Belle & Sebastian I am sure that many will appreciate The Third Eye Centre. Filled with B-sides and rarities, nineteen in total, it is certainly a treasure chest for any fan. But there is also plenty to enjoy for anyone not too familiar with the band. In fact, it comes across as a perfect introduction to anyone discovering the band nearly twenty years after their debut, the still unsurpassed Tigermilk (1996). There are some obvious misfires amongst the group that could only be exposed on this type of album, but overall it is a sublime collection of music, that both bubbles with energy and seduces with emotion.

After two smash hit records, including a semi-classic self-titled debut in 2004, Franz Ferdinand hit a bit of an unexpected speed bump with their third album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand in 2009. It’s been four years and the Glasgow band has clearly spent the time returning to their original successful recipe. Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action has obvious parallels to their earlier work and the after experiencing a little too much for their fans’ taste in 2009 they seem very conscious that the fun factor is back in the driving seat this time around. The ten tracks present on the album released this month are all great company for a terrific night out and should come with a mandatory demand to be played very loud. And it is great fun. Franz Ferdinand are back to doing what they do best, and if their original supporters are willing to reinvestigate them this year, they should be headed on the safe and steady road back to the top of both charts and festival bills.

When Tired Pony released their debut album The Place We Ran From in 2010, people who took the album to heart were worried that it would serve as a onetime offering. With band members already busy with the likes of Snow Patrol, R.E.M. and Belle & Sebastian to name some there was suspicion that this was only a side project that would only serve to allow the crew to blow off some creative steam. So for fans, this writer included, it is great to see that they in fact have returned this month with their follow-up album The Ghost of the Mountain. The sequel continues in its predecessor’s style, steadily footed in soft rock and genuinely well written pop tunes. There seems to be an even lighter hand to this production, perhaps provided by the ease that follows a successful debut, and it serves the band well, making them accessible and easy to like, but the strong and experienced line-up on stage should demolish any suggestions that these are simple solutions. There is depth and skill in both orchestrations and lyrics, making this a very pleasant return for the very talented musicians who unfortunately can’t help to be labeled a supergroup.
Enjoy the lovely All Things All At Once and it’s equally lovely video.

Photograph # 28

"manhattan"
/TRAVEL/

Essential July '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS JULY:

One of the most moving and impressive animation film in years comes from France and directors Stèphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner. Ernest et Célestine is an incredibly well told story between the unlikely friendship between the bear Ernest and the mouse Célestine. With its old fashion animations it is a delicious and much needed breath of fresh air into the genre. With a simple and clear message, mixed into a perfect blend of craft and entertainment, this is an absolute gem and one of the best pictures of the year so far, regardless of genre.

Norwegian cinema distribution is not always easy to understand, and one of the most surprising moves in years has to be that Trance, the latest feature from Danny Boyle will not be receiving a release date. It is available on demand though, where the reaction from this writer originates. The masterful director of classics such as Shallow Grave (1994), Trainspotting (1996), and more recently Sunshine (2007) and the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire (2008), returns to his native England this spring. An intricate and suspenseful treat, Trance features a superb and surprisingly well functioning trio in James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel and Rosario Dawson, all trying to solve the mystery of where McAvoy’s Simon placed a valuable piece of art before losing his memory, and at the same time playing each other for personal gain. It may be confusing at times, but it’s never not engaging. It will not be for everyone, but will definitely satisfy those who invest themselves in it. And it’s a welcome return to the streets of London for Boyle.

The first season of The Newsroom was an interesting experience. Hailed for its writing and entertainment value, but also criticized for being too smart and slick. The ladder was certainly to be expected considering this comes from the creator of The West Wing, one of the all-time greats in the history of television drama, and the Academy Award winning writer of The Social Network. With the second season, Aaron Sorkin seems to have been taking notes. Three episodes in, it is already clear that this will be a more concrete and to-the-point season, with closer attention to detail. With a terrific Jeff Daniels, on his way to create what could become the character to define his career, leading a wonderful ensemble cast, this is guaranteed to be one of the standout shows on the small screen this year.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS JULY:

The fourth album from the highly emotional and grandiose sounding Editors arrives this month, and after the slightly disappointing third outing In This Light and On This Evening (2009), The Weight of Your Love is a welcome return to form. Their approach is still recognizable and familiar, but there is enough fresh takes on their well-worn genre to inspire and impress. The range of their spectrum is also larger this time around, with a surprisingly various menu on upbeat pop, hard hitting rock tracks and their trademark somber melancholy. It may not strike a chord with first time encounters, but for fans of Tom Smith and company, it is another great collection of music.

The hype surrounding your first release is not always a blessing, something I am sure the 22 year old British singer / songwriter Tom Odell has experienced. The young musician has been praised both for his piano playing and vocal skills, but it is not until this summer one has been able to feast ones ears upon his highly anticipated album debut, Long Way Down. Perhaps the title itself is a nod to the hype surrounding him for the past year. However, it is a pleasure to say that in this case the saying ‘where there is smoke, there is fire’ rings true. It is still a fairly modest album, consisting of ten tracks all centered around the intimate presence of its maker. It is not flawless, by any means. Odell occasionally struggles with his own ambitions it would seem, but there is still no camouflaging the talent and passion behind each key he hits. The superlatives have already been dropped, so suffice to say that an encounter with young Odell could benefit you in the future.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros third and self-titled album is one of the biggest surprises of the summer so far. The mellow and recognizable indie rock sounds of their previous outings have received a significant tune-up for their third record. The band’s past still echoes in many of the tracks, but this has to be considered a major shift in both gear and direction. It still pops with confidence, but this time there are elements of gospel and psychedelic rock throughout with a clear tipping of the hat to the crowd pleasing sounds of the 70’s and 80’s. It may throw their most easygoing fans off base for a second, but there is too much to be enjoyed on this album to let it slip by as anything less than another solid record. It may not last, so just make the most of it for now. Enjoy Better Days, which comes with a slightly bizarre video.

Essential June '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS JUNE:

Hollywood can be a tough business. Despite grossing over 200 million in 2006 Superman Returns was considered a commercial flop and what was supposed to be a new re-booted franchise ended with the single film from fan boy director Bran Singer. This month Warner Bros. attempts yet another re-boot of the franchise with Man of Steel, this time with Zack Snyder, director of Watchmen and 300, at the helm. And after just a few weeks on release it has already surpassed the 2006 film. And for good reason as this is blockbuster entertainment at the very highest level. Henry Cavill is convincing in the title role, and there is terrific support from an impressive cast including Amy Adams, Michael Shannon and Kevin Costner to name a few. There is a fresh feeling to the origin story of our hero and Snyder has put a both personal and inspiring touch to it. With a running time close to two and half hours it does carry on a bit too long, in particular when it comes to the final fight sequence where Snyder really let it rip. Still, this is top shelf entertainment both for fans of the comic and cinematic spectacle in general. Kal-El is indeed back amongst the living.

With the success of their previous collaboration Drive (2011), anticipations for director Nicolas Winding Refn and star Ryan Goslings new film Only God Forgives where high. And those expecting Drive 2 are in for a surprise. The style, colors and atmospheric pressure is very dark here, even for Refn. The dialogue would probably fit on just a few pages, as these 90 minutes are dominated by slow burning sequences and long looks. However it is difficult to remain unaffected, and even though it hits you hard and challenges your stomach with both violence and scenery, it is impossible to look away. Gosling can add another impressive performance to his resume, and Kristin Scott Thomas has a field day as his mother with, let’s say questionable parenting skills. Definitely not for everyone, but those who dare are likely to be rewarded.

Critics and audiences alike seem to be torn when reviewing The Great Gatsby, the new film from visionary director Baz Luhrmann. The Australian director reunites with his Romeo Leonardo DiCaprio in his epic sized take on the great American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The bling and glamour of his leading man should fit Luhrmann's style perfectly and he does make the most out of every single frame. The style over substance cliché does become a factor; particularly in the third act but never the less this is terrific stuff. DiCaprio reminds us what a massive movie star he is and embodies everything you could desire from Gatsby. The support from Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan is disappointing though, especially Maguire who fails to both convince and engage as our narrator. But with DiCaprio on the top of his game you really don't need much more.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS JUNE:

After a year focusing mainly on his activities outside the recording studio it is very pleasant to be talking about Kanye West for the right reasons again. It's been three years since his previous album, the brilliant My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which surprised many in its dark tone. With this month's Yeezus West continues in the same mood. Where his previous outing, the collaboration Watch the Throne with Jay-Z in 2011 was a nonstop party, it is clear that West is more interested in releasing some of his own demons this time around. The superb Black Skinhead and I Am a God set the bar as the second and third track out of the gates, and thankfully the dark eyes of its creator never looks back. This is a high quality record, both for its genre and time, with West proving that he remains the most interesting hip hop artist working today.

Which other writer would dare to list Kanye West and Ole Paus together in a monthly review? This one! The 66 year old Norwegian legend announced before its release that Avslutningen would be his final album. And if he stays true to his word, it is a powerful and worthy closure to an incredibly impressive career. A three disc compilation that is put together beautifully, with the first one Oppgjøret proving that Paus is still the most original and fearless songwriter in the country. Omfavnelsen is a collection of new material, performed by a group of the writer's most beloved singers. The final and titular act is a moving and powerful goodbye, providing some of the most beautiful lyrics the retiring wordsmith has ever put to paper. For fans of Paus this is an obvious must-have and to others who are still discovering his earlier material it works both as a proper introduction and a fitting farewell to a collection of music that will never be surpassed.

An impressive catalogue grows bigger for Sigur Rós this month with the release of their seventh studio album Kveikur. Where last year's Valtari was a recognizable melancholic and sober experience from the Icelandic post-rockers, Kveikur takes a darker path with more aggressive tunes and an even vaster soundscape. It suits the outfit well, creating a mesmerizing session of music with the beautiful voice of Jónsi always at the core. Another strong release from one of the most consecutive bands of the past two decades. Always conscious of quality in every single track, like the delicious Ísjaki.

Finally online

In 2008 I made a short film called En Hjelpende Hånd (A Helping Hand).

It was shot over two days in Oslo, without a budget. It was made with the help of some very talented friends I met while at film school in Denmark years earlier, and featured two terrific actors who were willing to work for free.

Now, five years later, the film is finally available online. A 5 year anniversary celebration if you will.

Better late then never.

En Hjelpende Hånd

(A Helping Hand)

Written & Directed by John-Kristian Dalseth

Shot & Edited by Anders Nettli

Sound by Ane Helga Lykka

Music by The Considerate Lovers

Produced by John-Kristian Dalseth & Anders Nettli

Angry Dane Productions 2008

Essential May '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS MAY:

After spending decades between his first features, it is great to experience a new Terrence Malick film only a few years after his previous outing (The Tree of Life, named Best Picture of 2011 on this site). To The Wonder holds all the familiarities of a Malick picture; the struggles of love, faltering relationships, beautiful camerawork and poetry rather than dialogue. Leading man Ben Affleck is not given much to work with, but it suits him well as he walks steadily through the motions of the everyday man torn by common emotions of “what if”. Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem both provide fine support, but it is Olga Kurylenko who steals the major honors. Her natural beauty and haunting eyes carry more conflict and heart than all her colleagues put together. It is a mesmerizing performance. To The Wonder is nothing close to Malicks best work, but it is another reminder of what he, and only he, is capable of doing with just a camera and the simplest of stories.

Newly announced director of the upcoming Episode VII, J.J. Abrams, returns “home” as he revisits space for his sequel to 2008’s Star Trek. Into Darkness is bigger and bolder, as sequels of this sort always are, but Abrams has managed to maintain the original spark and realistic approach to the grandiose spectacle that he so carefully orchestrates. The main cast all return with ferocious energy, but it is newcomer Benedict Cumberbatch who sticks out with a horrifying and electric turn as the villainous John Harrison (for now). The visual effects are impressive, though one could have hoped for even more experimental set pieces from such a creative mind as Abrams’. However, this is terrific blockbuster entertainment that is bound to satisfy both the fans and more ambiguous moviegoers alike.

Director Derek Cianfrance created one of 2010’s most memorable and moving films with his previous outing Blue Valentine. For his new picture he once again teams up with Ryan Gosling, who is accompanied by Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes this time around. The Place Beyond the Pines moves within the same atmosphere as Valentine, but the idea and ramifications are both bigger and harder to accept in this one. It is a heartfelt and merciless story of family, in particular fathers and sons, shot beautifully by Sean Bobbitt. The trio of Hollywood’s finest talents provides rock solid performances, in particular Mendes, who has never been better. This is emotional and personal filmmaking at its best, that wears its heart on its sleeve, and instantly captures those of the audience, leaving you struck by something truly special. One of the best pictures of the year so far.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS MAY:

The third album from Vampire Weekend is actually a bit more surprising than most fans probably would have hoped for. The New York quartet are clearly out to explore and their traditional up tempo indie rock formula gets put through many rings of fire on its way towards the end result that is Modern Vampires of The City. It is both refreshing and inspiring to see a band with very little to gain, and almost everything to lose try to tweak the patience and expectations, in order to achieve a record that will stand out rather than cruise to the top. There are still tremendous amounts of fun to be found here, and despite the occasional new route, there is still no doubt what band you’re listening to. Vampire Weekend has not only created their most inspiring album to date, they have also moved their own genre to the next level.

Another New York outfit returning with their third record this month is The Airborne Toxic Event. This alternative rock band may not be too familiar with the top of the charts, but they have established a solid fan base stateside and rumors of their terrific live shows are slowly reaching European shores as well. The difficulties of a third album are present here though, as Such Hot Blood is not the bands finest hour, but still the record is strong enough to stand trial against most other commercially successful outfits that rival their progress. The sound is great and almost larger than life sometimes, and Airborne have a great gift of creating a very easygoing and enjoyable mood throughout the process of listening to their albums. This one may have benefitted from a stricter pen when it comes to the lyrics (the band have never been more blunt and clichéd in their stories) but the melodies and arrangements still make this a terrific album to enter the summer with.

It’s been three years since The National’s previous record High Violet (best album of 2010 according to this writer) but it has been well worth the wait. This month sees the release of the Americans sixth album, which comes with the perfect melancholic title Trouble Will Find Me. The five piece band once again establish themselves as standouts in a music business where heart and emotion most often is absent in run of the mill records. This album does not only come with terrific stories, poetic lyrics and beautiful tunes, but it carries a conscience and responsibility with a desire to move and affect whoever is willing to lend their ear. It is a gorgeous piece of work that carries the weight of the finest songwriters and bands of their generation and reassures us that The National is the ones worth listening to if you really are interested in listening at all. Is Trouble Will Find Me the best album of the year? So far absolutely.

Photograph # 27

"rooney gets ready"
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Essential April '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS APRIL:
Major Hollywood studios have found a new wave of success when it comes to feature animation films, as the filmmaking technology seems to leap forward by the minute. This month Dreamworks release another installment to their impressive catalogue with The Croods. The themes all these types of films have in common are naturally present here as well. Family, friendship, adventure and so on. This one however deserves most of its praise for the cracking dialogue, sublime ideas and all around perfect tone of voice. Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders serve as both writers and directors, and there is a surprising credit for Mr. Fawlty himself John Cleese for story. De Micco and Sanders handle their story excellent as the film travels in a fitting pace, allowing for both laughs and drama when appropriate. The Croods is one of the best American animation features in years.

One of the finest thrillers of the year so far is Arbitrage, the feature film debut from Nicholas Jarecki. Its success relies heavily on a near perfect performance from Richard Gere. It's the veteran's finest turn in years and he has a field day as the scrupulous Robert Miller. Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth both provide solid support, and everyone involved seems to be enjoying themselves tremendously. This is engaging and entertaining drama, which makes expectations high for the next film from Jarecki.

After a bit of a downfall with its third and fourth season, Mad Men returned to its stronger origins for outing number five. Now, four episodes into the sixth season it is pleasing to see that the trend is continuing. The tone of the show has grown darker, with deeper investigations into character and less concern to the entire ensemble. Not always a popular route, but it is what works for the show by this point. So far there have been several memorable scenes in each show, which is more than you could say for entire seasons of other American dramas currently airing. Mad Men has reassured us that its heart, ambition and desire to impress is in the right place, and as always it does so in irresistable style.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS APRIL:
After several years of focusing on his acting career, Justin Timberlake this month returns to his original claim to stardom; his music. His third solo album is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and thankfully it does not disappoint. Timberlake surprised his audience with his second album, the massively successful FutureSex/Lovesounds (2006) and the new one, The 20/20 Experience isn't afraid to experiment either. The sound is vast and travels across genres, with Timberlakes solid voice and unquestionable passion always at the core. This is a terrific collection of music, from an artist that despite he does not have to, still can't help to prove himself.

Kurt Vile has been mentioned on this site before, with his previous album Smoke Ring For My Halo two years ago. This month he is back at it again with the terrific Wakin On A Pretty Daze. And it is another strong record from the Philadelphia born singer. The mood of the album is very enjoyable, and despite some tracks not being as accessible as one might like, this still comes across as a very easy to like album. Vile is a thoroughly professional vocalist, proven both through his ballads and more complicated tracks. He wants to accomplish great things, and the record may have benefitted from a more strict take on some of the albums eleven tracks. But that does not get in the way of a great experience, and Wakin On A Pretty Daze is a guaranteed hit among the fans, and will probably earn Vile plenty of new ones, some who will probably not see it coming.

Helldorado is one of the most overlooked Norwegian rock acts of the past decade. Their rough and filthy combination of rock, country and blues make them an exceptionally explosive outfit. Their fifth release Bones In The Closet is further proof that this band deserves to be playing to an even bigger audience. The energy itself is worth the ticket, let alone the quality of most tracks and the superb vocal abilities of front man Dag Sindre Vagle (if there ever was a leading man in need of a rock n' roll nickname...). A great album that will work as the perfect antidote to the light and soulless hits of summer that will soon be upon us. Check out the title track from the album:

Photograph # 26

"view from the garden"
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Essential March '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS MARCH:
In the midst of teenage film franchises about everything from vampires to dance competitions it is tremendously refreshing to take in a loose and intelligent indie flick about the normal troubles of adolescence and young love. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is only the second feature film – and first since since 1995 - from Stephen Chbosky, based on his own best-selling novel. Featuring three terrific performances from some of Hollywood’s most talented youngsters, this is a fun and moving take on something familiar to everyone, but seldom expressed in such endearing terms. This is somber and simple, yet tremendously brave filmmaking.

Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl reveals yet another talent with his debut as a documentary filmmaker. Sound City is the story about one of Los Angeles most legendary recording studios, responsible for several American masterpieces, including Grohl and Nirvana’s Nevermind. Telling tales of the glory days from the studios start in 1969 and also exploring their struggle to keep up with the digital revolution that happened over night. Obviously this is mainly for passionate music lovers and audiences with interest in the industry, but Grohl’s loose and informal interview style make this a personal and including experience for anyone who enjoys filmmaking surrounded by great stories, and really great rock music.

Documentaries about subject matter close to Hollywood are usually both self-indulgent and charmless. This is not the case with Side By Side, a thorough and entertaining look at the film industry’s transition from celluloid to digital filmmaking. Keanu Reeves (who also produces) is the host in Christopher Kenneally’s film and encounters major American filmmakers such as Lynch, Scorsese and Cameron and the finest cinematographer’s working today including Michael Ballhaus, Anthony Dod Mantle and Wally Pfister. By using plenty of examples and getting a vast number of opinions on every detail, this is a very interesting study that does not take itself too serious, even though its conclusion should encourage the opposite.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS MARCH:
David Bowie’s first album in ten years is probably the most anticipated release this year. It’s hard to define expectations for it though. With an artist of this scale they are bound to be high in many circles, but considering the rather anonymous reception his previous few albums got, it is still possible to control one’s enthusiasm. However, The Next Day should be greeted as an all-round success. Flawless it is certainly not, but there is enough quality on show from the now sixty-six year old veteran to declare this his strongest album since the early 90’s. The iconic singer comes off with a refreshing amount of energy and manages to be both sincere and adventurous in his return to the limelight.

It’s always a pleasure to introduce Norwegian bands to this column, and this month it is one from this writer’s own home town. Cazadores have only existed for a mere two years but already they have made a name for themselves through frequent radio rotation and impressive live shows. After releasing two EPs last year, this month we are delighted with the arrival of their debut album, Hyperion Days. The band are in possession of a strong portion of talent in every department, a great sense of addictive tunes and a massive sound that is far bigger than the small town from where they origin. The albums ten tracks make a great collection of songs that should establish them as a major name in the ones-to-watch category, and wet the audience’s appetite for more which should arrive with the ability to impress even further.

The London based trio Daughter has been mentioned on this site before, and their second EP The Wild Youth was named one of the top five releases of last year by this writer. This month they arrive with their first full-length album, If You Leave. If you’re familiar with their EPs there are not too many surprises on here. However the quality of this band lies in the atmospheric sounds and beautiful and meaningful lyrics. An emotional knockout from a band that use simple means to achieve great emotion, and manages to stand out as a breath of fresh air in a time where slick and heartless music dominate the charts. Their latest single Still comes with a rather beautiful video as well.

Photograph # 25

"amsterdam centraal"
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Essential February '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS FEBRUARY:

For true film lovers, the release of a new Paul Thomas Anderson movie is considered a major event. It’s been five years since There Will Be Blood, his most ambitious movie to date. But with this month’s The Master, Anderson shows he is ready to take his filmmaking to yet another level. Driven by three stunning performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams (who all received Oscar-nominations), this is complex and disturbing storytelling taking full use of the format that is grand cinema. It is Anderson’s first collaboration with cinematographer Mihai Malaimare Jr. and together they have created one of the most beautiful American pictures in years. Shot entirely in 65mm (the first film in 16 years to do so) it simply looks stunning, and it is a shame that our digital revolution prevents many audiences to see it in its original format. This is dark and gritty, but personal and undeniable brilliance from the most exciting filmmaker working in Hollywood today.

Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty may not have swiped the table clean during this award season as one might have expected, but considering the source material this film was always going to be a tough sell to an American audience. The ten year long manhunt for the man responsible for 9/11 had to be re-written halfway through when the Navy Seals made their way into that compound. But the drama surrounding the fights that went on in the corridors of Washington and on the ground in the Middle-East still makes for terrific cinema. Featuring a superb performance from Jessica Chastain (surely the most versatile leading lady in Hollywood at the moment), brilliant editing and some impressive camerawork from Greig Fraser, this is wildly entertaining and at times offers edge-off-your seat stuff.

Silver Linings Playbook made history at this year’s Oscar, as it received nominations in every acting category. At the end of the night it was only Jennifer Lawrence who went home happy, and even though one could argue it perhaps was not this year’s strongest performance, she certainly is the one who carries this film. Bradley Cooper also does well in his first proper drama gig, but the main quality in this picture lies in the dialogue and writing. Director David O. Russell has showed an impressive range as a filmmaker, with titles such as The Fighter (2010), Three Kings (1999) and the shamefully overlooked Flirting With Disaster (1996). This is another strong achievement, and even though it may not hit you as hard as the creators would wish for, it is still an engaging watch and a thoughtfully executed piece of work.


ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS FEBRUARY:

The Good, The Bad & The Zugly have received some of the finest reviews for a Norwegian band in a long time, and their debut album Anti World Music is definitely worth praising. It’s a band that is hard to stick a label to, after several EPs and minor releases, but their first full-length record is a solid mix of hard rock tunes wrapped around the ever growing genre that is punk. The band draw inspirations from a variety of older outfits and Turbonegro drummer Tommy Manboy can be found within the production team. The twelve tracks still clock in on less than half an hour so needless to say this moves fast, and there is much fun to enjoy from what is sure to be one of the standout Norwegian rock albums of the year.

The song most played on Norwegian radio last year was called I Spy, the debut track from singer / songwriter Mikhael Paskalev. This month saw the release of his first full-length album What’s Life Without Losers, and it is a very pleasant debut. The album is a great collection of tracks, all in familiar pop and rock territory but Paskalevs style and voice make it all sound fresh and engaging. Featuring both somber ballads and catchy upbeat tunes, this still makes one think that with the talent involved, the best stuff from Paskalev might be still to come.

In today’s music industry, for a band to release anything close to fifteen studio albums is to be considered as a minor sensation. This is also the case for Push The Sky Away which is exactly that, from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. It’s been five years since their previous outing Dig! Lazarus, Dig!!! and the aussies have decided to turn the volume down a bit, which suits them perfectly fine at this stage of their careers. With a modest nine tracks Cave has less than usual on his mind this time around, but he still demands to be taken seriously while uttering every single word. The now 55 year old veteran’s singing is more tender than ever, but still fuelled by passion and conviction. The opening track We No Who U R (yes, that’s how it’s spelled) is a rare gem, both dangerous and seductive as Cave and his magnificent Bad Seeds prepare you for the journey ahead. Push The Sky Away is a powerful reminder of Cave’s unique and necessary presence in today’s music, and a guaranteed candidate for any top lists to be filed come the end of the year.

Photograph # 24

"berlin"
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Essential January '13

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS JANUARY:

The release of a new Quentin Tarantino movie is always an event. Despite a varying degree of success with his most recent features you can always count on the wonderboy of 90's American independents to provide a solid piece of entertainment. And most often something you have not seen before. His latest, Django Unchained, is mostly the first part. With a running time close to three hours it does play on for too long and the final act does become a bit of a mess, but up until that point you will have seen some of the most exciting scenes and sequences Tarantino has ever produced. Relying heavily on his key players as always, Tarantino gets another triumphant performance from Inglorious Basterds’ Christoph Waltz and a truly memorable Leonardo DiCaprio, who has a field day as a villainous plantation owner. The supporting actors outshine leading man Jamie Foxx, who is surprisingly bleak and uninteresting as the title character. However, presented through the terrific cinematography from Robert Richardson, this is thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining stuff all across the board.

After several animation features and working to explore the possibilities within the genre for the last decade or so, Robert Zemeckis’ return to live action is truly welcome. The director of Back to the Future, Forrest Gump and Cast Away is enjoying himself shamelessly with this month’s Flight. Featuring a close to career best performance from Denzel Washington, and great support from John Goodman and Don Cheadle, this is a very impressive piece of storytelling centered on the facts and errors of human beings. The film has been sold using the much talked about plane crash and tremendous visual effects, but that is all over and done within the first 20 minutes.  After that it is all about Washington. The now close to sixty year old veteran once again prove himself as one of the finest of his generation, and does so to compelling and convincing effect. It is a superb study of an understated yet highly emotional performance, which has gone on to earn him praise and nominations from every corner of the industry. In fact, if it weren’t for Daniel Day-Lewis’ Lincoln, this performance would be sure to bank Washington his third Oscar.

A completely different film that made its way under the radar of most is Take Shelter. It had a very limited theatrical release, but can be enjoyed just as much on DVD. The second feature from director Jeff Nichols comes with one of the year’s finest screenplays (also by Nichols) and a pair of truly excellent performances. The always reliable Michael Shannon plays the lead as the tortured soul coming to terms with the possibility of his mental illness, while Jessica Chastain proves herself as one of Hollywood’s finest as his frustrated wife. The film is both disturbing and provocative, but ends up as one of the most moving American films in a long time. After his debut Shotgun Stories in 2007 and the upcoming Mud, Nichols has really made his mark as one, if not the one to watch.


ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS JANUARY:

January is always a bit slow when it comes to new album releases so it is very nice that this month happens to feature two new records from this writer’s home town.

Vishnu received critical acclaim with their debut Outskirts of Love two years ago, but didn’t make an impact on the charts. It is possible that their second outing may suffer the same fate, which is a shame because Nightbeat Love is another strong effort from the rock outfit. They follow familiar recipes but at the same time provide memorable tracks and showcase unquestionable qualities within the band. It does not stray too far away from their debut, but Nightbeat Love covers more ground and contains several more ingredients that should, and hopefully will catch the attention of many.

Another musician from the north who makes his second outing this January is Christer Wulff. The singer / songwriter’s debut EP Until We Meet Again (2009) proved a very talented voice in the making and three years in the making, his first full-lenght album has given audiences a right to expect great things. They are probably not entirely full-filled, but the self-titled album contains plenty of well-crafted tunes and catchy beats. Wulff has broken out more electronics for the album. Where his EP was a quiet and downbeat collection of five soft pop tracks, these ten songs come from an artist excited to prove himself even further. There are elements of both gentle disco and indie, but at heart there is no doubt that emotional and British inspired pop is what Wulff is mostly about. A very promising, and much welcome debut album from a great voice and songwriter.

Despite coming out in April of last year it was not until the release of this month’s single King and Lionheart that this writer became aware of Icelandic folk rock band Of Monsters And Men. Their album My Head Is An Animal is a superb record and a very impressive debut. It is well-produced and put together in a highly skillful manner, but at the same time with a very playful and experimental sound. The six piece orchestra provide a fresh and enthusiastic approach to the wide indie genre, and should be a real treat to experience live. Here is the video for their most recent single from the album.