Films

Lately I've seen quite a few films that I'd like to reccommend. Last night Heather and I went to see Batman. 

I've never been a huge fan of comic book movies (superman aside), they're always too predictable, too CGI stunt filled and plot light, but I'd read some good things about Batman and we fancied a trip to the cinema. It's the opening weekend so we booked tickets and arrived early to queue. I haven't been to a blockbuster opening weekend film for so long, I remember queuing for an hour to see Jurassic Park, and the sense of anticipation when sitting in a packed cinema is well worth the wait.

I haven't seen Batman Begins because it didn't appeal so I don't know how the two tie together but my verdict on The Dark Night is - great. Go see it. 

I was blown away - it's complex, believeable, full of great (non cheesy) dialouge and one particular breathtaking stunt which had the whole audience gasping. A lot has been written about the late Heath Ledger and it's all true. He steals the shoe and is mesmerising, just like Daniel Day Lewis in there will be blood. He comes accross as amoral, psychotic in a scary, but compulsivly fascinating way. See clip below for an example. 

It's dark, brooding and wonderful. I could watch it again right now, and there aren't many movies I would say that about.

Last week I saw KNOCKED UP. 

Not as good as Juno but very funny and enjoyable.

The week before that I saw another film which really stands out - CLOVERFIELD. The trailer is possibly one of the best ever made and the film was gripping from start to finish. Shot completely from a hand held camera it captures the sense of fear, terror and confusion of a group of friends in New York fleeing from a disaster/emergency and trying to find a separated friend. What really impressed me was the clever way the plot developed, through clever dialogue - very difficult to do when it all comes from one camera.

Its from the creator of LOST, which I'm also a big fan of and his creativity is evident throughout. I'm about to watch War Of The Worlds now which I don't expect to be impressed with but who knows.

Counting Crows tour

I didn't think much of their latest album - Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings, but Counting Crows have been one of my first musical loves and a favourite live band. So it's a pleasure to find they're touring the UK. Supporting will be Ben Folds and Melee.

December

2nd - Newcastle, Arena

4th - Nottingham, Arena

5th - London, Wembley Arena

7th - Manchester, Apollo

8th - Cardiff, Arena

10th - Bournemouth Arena

11th - Brighton, Centre

13th - Birmingham, NEC

14th - Sheffield, Arena

18th - Glasgow SECC

Tickets are available at a price of £35 for London and £33.50 for all regional shows. Ben Folds also performs at all dates bar Glasgow.

Recipes for the recession

With food prices soaring, TIME magazine has an article on how to gourmet cook without spending top dollar. Click the link for the lot but below is my favourite recipe.

Spaghetti With Pancetta and Chili Flakes
Recipe by David Myers, Sona, Los Angeles
Ingredients:
• 6 quarts of water
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 4 ounces pancetta
• Chili flakes (to taste)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 lemons (juiced)
• Salt and pepper

Directions:
1. Salt the water and bring to a boil.
2. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
3. While pasta is cooking, dice pancetta in 1/4-inch pieces.
4. In a large saut� pan, cook pancetta until crispy.
5. Pour out all excess fat and add cooked pasta to the same pan.
6. Add chili flakes to taste.
7. Evenly mix in the olive oil and lemon juice.
8. Season with salt and pepper.

CD Review - Golden Animals

GOLDEN ANIMALS - FREE YOUR MIND AND WIN A PONY
(HAPPY PARTS RECORDINGS)
Release: 4 AUGUST 2008



Golden Animals are Tommy Eisner (guitars) and Swedish born Linda Beercroft. They found inspiration from old fashioned rock'n'roll- The Doors, Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Eisner, speaking about early blues records claims "in 200 years people will find new ways to create from those rules". Perhaps, but Golden Animals haven't managed. There is nothing here you haven't heard before. Eisner has a fine baritone (think Jim Morrision) and Linda provides sweet backing vocals but each blues flavoured track trudges around the 12 bars as uninspiring as the next, musically and lyrically.

For fans of: The White Stripes; Rolling Stones
Download: The Steady Roller, My My MY
Rating: 5/10