What's New 3

Hi,

I hope everyone's ok and keeping well during these difficult times.  Just a few squiggles of what I've been watching, listening to over the last few weeks. As always, interaction welcome and i'll be reviewing the new Nothing But Thieves album in the near future. 

AB 

BAND: FUR

Brighton based FUR (not to be confussed with the mid 90s Australian band of the same name, like I did while doing some research!) are a four piece that really started making a name for themselves towards the back end of 2017, after the video for their single "If You Know That I'm Lonely" went viral. It's now amassed over 5 million hits, no small feat and have supported Miles Kane on tour they're also huge in Peru!

As the band doesn't have a Wiki page (helpful) I'm limited to info on them. After a quick Twitter stalk it doesn't look like they've put a album out yet but have released two EP's and a few singles. Where Did All The People Go is the stand out track from their self titled debut. With melodic strings and a kind of swinging 60's, catchy as hell vibe you can almost close your eyes and see the paisley shirts and flares. You a dreamy number from second EP, Facing Home Mixtape has a bit of "Blue Moon" about it, while singles Angel Eyes and Trying are worth a listen. All in all FUR are a great listen, with a chilled out relaxed sound which they seemed to have carved out in a original way.  

PODCAST: FILMS TO BE BURIED WITH  (BRETT GOLDSTEIN)

The premise of this pod is that the guest has died and as they enter heaven (which happens to be film obsessed) they get asked film related questions by host Goldstein. It's a fun and different way to approach a interview and normally things are kept light hearted and (obviously) there's a few movie spoilers which we are warned about in the opening seconds of each episode. 

Guests are like a who's who of 8 out of 10 cats. Mainly comedians, with some broadcasters and musicians thrown in and also Sharon Stone which seems like a bit of a coup for a movie podcast! Goldstein knows his films, infact there's not many films his guests mention that he hasn't seen and is full of fun facts and anecdotes along the way. If you're looking for a easy listening pod and are a bit of a movie nerd on the side this will be for you.   

TV: LOST (SEASON 1)

Yes, I've started to re-watch that nutty tv show. You know, the one with the plane crash, the numbers, the others, the hatch and Driveshaft! If you haven't got a clue what I'm talking about then watch LOST because it's fucking brilliant. First airing in 2004 and finishing after 6 seasons the show follows a group of survivors who's plane crashed on a island some one thousand miles off course appreantly (how's your luck?) As you'd expect not everything is as it seems and in this first season we do have some genuine WTF moments and I'd advise any new watchers to head into the show with a open mind. We're here to be entertained right? So just ride with it for now. Cast wise there's not any real big hitters bar Dominic Monaghan who was in the Lord of the Rings trilogy but there's a couple of great performers among the cast and a few not so.. Terry O'Quinn is captivating as John Lock. At 25 episodes this first season is a bit of a slap and there's a few dud episodes in there but overal this is a great first season. 

If your'e interested in a watch-a-long podcast I'd recomend The Lost Boys. I think they're about 5 seasons in now so plenty of episodes to catch up on and they have some fun banter and honest insights. Twitter handle @LostBoysPod

FILM: YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (NETFLIX)

Joaquin Phoenix stars in this grizzly, often dark movie about a veteran turned law enforcement officer who seems to only work for clients that want people murdered. This is no "Can't Pay We'll Take It Away" gig. Lynne Ramsay directs, she also shot We Need To Talk About Kevin which is excellent and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead composes the score which is how I initially found this movie.

Joe, is hired to find the daughter of a politictian who has been abducted by a sex trafficing gang. He's under orders to bring her back by any means necessary - que a shit load of goons being "whacked" by Joe. One thing I will say about this movie is it's brutal. I wasn't expecting such violence and this continues throughout the movie. Joe and his rescuee Nina know find themselves in the middle of a gruesome conspiracy that if I'm honest never really seems to get solved. Phoenix is playing a clearly disturbed vet who seems to be either suicidal or kicking ass and there's no inbetween. Is any of this real or is it a figment of his warped, perscription drug induced disturbed mind?

I do feel this moive doesn't really hit the heights it could have. Phoenix plays the gruff, mumbling depressant well - we know that but I feel we never really get into his head. There's flashbacks from a abusive childhood and day dreams of suicide but for me the dialouge is missing, especially with Nina which could of been a interesting relationship. That being said any Phoenix movie is worth a watch right?