Film of the year

With a super- stellar cast , brilliant direction and editing , superb soundtrack and a fast moving , complex tale of deception and loyalty ,The Departed http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+departed&search=Search http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0407887/01742.jpg.html?path=gallery&path_key=0407887&seq=5 http://thedeparted.warnerbros.com/ is surely film of the year. Every decade that I have been visiting the Cinema , Martin Scorsese , http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800014966/filmography has produced at least one classic film that defines its relative generation. From the creepy noir of Taxi Driver , the stunning bio-pic of Raging Bull and the ultra violence of Good Fellas he always entertains and illuminates. In this Century he has provoked career - defining performances from Jack Nicholson http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800014966/filmography Matt Damon http://www.matt-damon.com/ Mark Wahlberg http://www.markwahlberg.com/ and Leonardo Dicaprio http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/ and even Ray Winston http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935653/ who hasn't really dropped his cockney accent since I was fortunate enough to see him at the Donmar Warehouse http://www.donmarwarehouse.com/ in a play directed by Sam Mendes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Mendes So this extremely violent gangster movie keeps one gripped from start to finish , despite its bum -numbing length . It seems that everyone in Hollywood is involved,,even Brad Pitt is the producer! A must see...

Small fun

Even a Diva cannot get away with making a Manchester audience wait....and after 20 mins of slow hand-clapping .the lights went down at the Bridgewater..and nobody appeared...we waited and waited..then the band came creeping on..and stood around..until Heather Small deemed to make an appearance...it took the band at least 3 songs to get the crowd going...indeed the only time they were "up "and dancing was to M People classics..which cannot , along with Heather's voice,which was superb ,really be ruined. However the solo numbers seemed dreary and slowed down the set... So ,along with the worst lighting I have seen since Faust at The Free Trade Hall in 73 when they deliberately played by the lights of TVs..it was conceptual , maan...it proved a big a disappointment as the resulting snaps above show....Goodness knows what it must have looked like further back... The last time she stormed the Bridgewater..this time she didn't seem to know where she was ...or care..shame

Hammill at the Lowry

Going back in time to the roaring 70s with Peter Hammill..mainman of prog favourites Van Der Graff Generator http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk the audience were "middle youthed ",hairy,silent and appreciative.

Rockerfeller lies

Rockerfeller Centre was the epicentre of Britians spy network in the 1940's...almost unbelievably The British Security Coordination http://www.answers.com/topic/british-security-coordination had more than 3,ooo spies dispensing lies and "black " propaganda about the Nazis in a ...successful ...after Pearl Harbour ...attempt to get the US involved in the war effort against Germany. Many false stories ..mainly about Hitlers intention to invade South America ..and then the US..were taken as gospel in lots of US newspapers and magazines... I seems outrageous that thousands of US spies could be working on Oxford Street now writing propaganda and falsehoods about another country to make us more willing to fight them...but then again...!!

The black Dahlia

My enjoyment of film noir led me to The Black Dahlia and I was glad I did..although somewhat converluted and overtly complex.its well directed by Brian DePalma. http://www.briandepalma.net/ ...evocking classic 40s noir..as well as some of his other masterpecies,such as "Scarface" and esp the "washed out " feel of "Body Double " and "The Untouchables " It also contains some great acting by Josh Hartnett..and esp ,my current fav Aaron Eckart, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001173/ who my friend directed off Broadway many years ago..and who thrilled me in "Nurse Betty " and "The Company of men ".

The future now

Upon entering the AMC Cinema tonight I almost bumped into David Blunkett..and dog.. I was surrounded by a huge amount of fully armed Police..and chanting demonstrators pointing out the 20,00 people killed in Iraq , just in 06.. I subsequently thought of the "Children of men"and its worrying vision of what could be..and wondered if we were already living in the future..

Chidren of the Future...?

I love SF films and Children of men is a worthy addition It reveals a dispeptic future ,with grimy noir scenes..and lots of "sight gags ",such as the Government building in the Tate Modern ,that steals art from around the world..including the Pink Floyd pig..again attached to Battersea Power station. Of course like so many Hollywood films..except hopefully the much anticipated and soon come "Science of sleep " the plot is obvious and laboured.. However it is thought provocking and quite exciting..and Clive Owen is always worth watching..

Cohesion rocks

The cream of Manchester music came together to raise money to fund a Manchester Peace Park in Kosova http://www.eventnorthwest.co.uk/ It was a superb day of music and good vibes...the sun shone and everybody was happy..even though the line for beer was huge and ridiculous..every band put there all into their sets..and the crowd responded with enthusiasm..even the musicians were friendly ..Especially the drummers ..as you can see from the pics.. The numbers were sparse at first as a lot of people seemed to be at the huge anti-war rally in Albert Sq... but a the sun set the park filled with people swaying and singing at the 3 great stages. We strolled between each stage ..and saw 12 bands..!! Afternoon highlights were Toolshed..a free form Jazz Rock band..fronted by Graham Massey from 808 State..and Lou Rhodes, ex Lamb , who provided a lovely , laid back set ..perfect for a sunny Manchester afternoon.With great DJ sets from Andy Rourke and The Doves ,the afternoon climax was , without doubt , I am Kloot who really got everyone up and cheering to their musical genius..why this band is not absolutely huge baffles me... A solo Simon Aldridge from the wonderful Cherry Ghost entertained in the small acoustic tent..and really impressed me. The High Voltage stage provided some great new bands , especially Bureau , The KBC and The Sunshine Underground..who will be big , believe me. Graham Coxon and Bladly Drawn Boy bored me...but their was so much going on one dint need these two over -blown egos. However the best thing of the day and worth the admission alone was Elbow..the band were on fine form and proved my convinction that they are the best contemporary band in Manchester ..no competion at the moment..they stormed the stage and drained me of emotion .esp during " Newborn ". So as the sun set the only thing left to do was to go and party on Canal Street till the early hours...a fantastic Mancunian day..and night