Not Poker

[peterbirks]

OK, I could write about an interesting limit hand that brought something new to my mind, but what about something else for a change? Music and Film. Ja, Kultur ist einschließen.

Great to see Later with Jools back. I have been transferring some of my early videos of this (from 1993 to 1995) to DVD. But the first of the new series was a cracker, with Black Eyed Peas on fine form, plus a sensational new group in Arcade Fire. If this band don't take the Leeds Festival by storm I shall be very surprised. Fantastic energy.

Also watched 21 Grams on DVD. A very brave film in that it takes the concept of fractured narrative to a new level. If you thought that Pulp Fiction's time-line was too confusing, don't even bother with this.

Fracturing the timeline is a good way to get round one of the big problems with films that do not span a short space of time. It eliminates the need to put in the "six months later" accompaniment. So, 21 Grams is about three people, superbly acted by Sean Penn (a far better performance than in his Oscar-winning Mystic River), Naomi Watts and Benicio del Toro. For the opening 20 minutes the casual viewer might wonder what the hell the whole film is about, but gradually it pulls together into a coherent whole. Sterling support from Melissa Leo (ex "Homicide, Life on the Steets") and Charlotte Gainsbourg, whose accent is unspeakably English. Don't the Americans think there is any other accent in England besides Cockney or Upper-class?

Comments

Geoff C - Arcade Fire

[(Anonymous)]

Wasn't that impressed with Black-eyed Peas but yes Arcade Fire were quite special. It's the first time I've actually seen them although they have been the industry's Next Big Thing. They are very different which is refreshing and I think their non-mainstreamness will prevent them being a huge success. It won't stop them being good but then not all NBT's are a big success. Last year's NBT's were probably Bloc Party (mainstream, good and successful) and Rilo Kiley (slightly odd, lyrically brilliant, non-mainstream and still fringe) and I think Arcade Fire will never sell shedloads but will be always worth watching.

Re: Geoff C - Arcade Fire

[peterbirks.livejournal.com]

Well, of course, having daughters you aware of these Next Big Things in a way that I am not. I'd never heard of them.

I though Black Eyed Peas gave a good performance. Yes I know it's non-authentic sold-out LA hip-hop for people, well, people like me. But I liked Elephunk when it came out and I think that their live performance os better than, for example, the execrable No Doubt and Gwen Stefani. Now THAT is "radical" music toned down so that it can appear on the David letterman show without worry.