- possible university lecturer/product developer (3/3/09)
Now that might sound bizarre, but even more bizarre was the fact that particular conversation took place between an American professor who specialises in bodily fluids and testing and his German colleague.. in the Linford Diner. A number of times he repeated the words "saliva","fluids","spit" and "phlegm" emitting loudly to the surrounding environment. It certainly diminished my appetite for beef stew. 
Anyway it's been a while since a post and I've a few things to talk about (as per usual).-----------
I've been a fan of U2 for a while now but since i first bought "How To dismantle An Atomic Bomb" I've been less enthusiastic of facing the prospect of their latest fore baring "No Line On The Horizon". The constant almost butt kissing attitude by the BBC lately (which is usually non-biased or fairly non-promotional) didn't really get my wallet opening in anticipation either thinking that U2 are unfortunately going all out to get money out of a perhaps fairly average album, especially with the first single release of "Get On Your Boots" which on first listen to me felt like a dampened down version of "Vertigo" which again i didn't like that much.
However with a few quid left on a WHSmith's card i got the new album, and in conclusion i want to slap myself several times for being such an idiot. I know there's been a fair few reviews out now but i have to say i feel such an idiot for doubint their musical ability for this is by no doubt a very good album, and a very good album in terms of U2 is on equal par with dare i say it.. "Joshua Tree", and already above one of my personal favourites "War".
The thing i like about this particular album is that it seems that the lads have finally put a lot of time and effort into the songs, with my highlights being the title track "No Line On The Horizon","Magnificent"(really catchy riff time),"Moment Of Surrender"(almost blues/gospel and late 90's RnB sound going on which really works for Bono's screaming and whispering moments),"Get On Your Boots"(OK after a few listens i see why this is in, and very wise to be in the middle to break up the other heavier songs with a lighter, rocky number),"Breathe","Cedars Of Lebanon"(a break from the norm, almost country blues style approach which is really refreshing and shows a different side and hopefully a new direction for the band).
I wouldn't normally recommend buying music in the 'popular consciousness' as that's just not me, but in comparison to the rubbish out there today i really recommend you take a listen.
-----------
Gran Torino now, I went to see this particular film last night and shall do a review whilst it's still fresh in my mind. As a piece forgetting any involvement with Clint Eastwood (which automtically makes the film usually good anyway) i have to say i really did enjoy it. Summarising the plot Walt is a seemingly grumpy war veteran who served in Korea during the 50's (Eastwood) and now faces after the recent death of his wife his neighbourhood slowly being overtaken by the various families of Hmong, Vietnamese, Haitian, Mexican and Black people. He then faces greater isolation from his family due to his nature and rejects the idea of moving from his home and from his beloved Ford Gran Torino. Eventually he befriends a family of Hmong living next door despite his highly racist remarks and assumptions, and after various family gang disruption causes him to become a hero to the neighbourhood and so must help in saving not only the town but also his new family from the damage left by the violent groups.
OK i can't describe the plot in a few sentences (just look on imdb for that and for less mild spoilers), but even though the plot is fairly straight forward i was still shocked by the conclusion of the film. This to me was down to the excellent direction as ever from Clint who's simplistic style really doesn't need great action or pace and really compliments even the shoot out scenes (dig the 'hand gun' action). The only thing i can say i didn't like was the lack of music which could've been used as a greater device in order to show an obvious change in location and help structure the time period of the scenes (some of the cuts were too quick to notice a day in difference) and a bit more Jamie Cullum is always a thumbs up for me. Additionally some of the cast were apparently local Hmong actors and i suspect one of the main cast is too (I'll let you guess who) and is similarly lacking in long term coaching. Even though that person makes a stab at the role i feel they could've really done better with it in order to particularly not make me cringe at parts (especially the shouting.. got it now?).
Besides those two instances i thought this was a great film, and if the rumours are true, it is certainly a fitting tribute to the end of an expansive on-screen career such as Mr Eastwoods.
Even though i haven't seen it a friend said he thought "Million Dollar Baby" was slightly better, but I'm not the one for comparing films unless they're obvious sequels. So go see Gran Torino in cinemas in the now and also check out M-D-B which is probably on both DVD and Blu-ray.
----------
Finally the worst bit of news has spread to me today through my home town's local newspaper. The Hairy Bikers.. THE Hairy Bikers of BBC 2 cullinary fame were in Louth today (which is only a few miles from Grimsby) for filming of a brand new series celebrating and discovering various Great British food (mmm traditional lincolnshire food).
“Louth is a real foody Mecca. It is fabulous and we would definitely like to come back. We have been cooking Lincolnshire Red Beef, cutting cauliflowers in the field which was a bit of a challenge, trying haslet and Lincolnshire stuffed chine.”
.. and hopefully i'll be back home instead of many miles away. Especially as it'd be great to pick up a few good recipes for uni.
No comments:
Post a Comment