Between going to That London, editing my latest novel (which I've now decided is finished, bar the tinkering, and will be much shorter than originally planned, but hopefully much better for it), writing stories for Friday Flash and Thoughtballoons, and setting up a fake Twitter account to take the piss out of the most annoying man on telly (don't tell anyone it's me)... I've gotten a little behind on my usual blogging subjects. So here's a quick catch-up of some of the things I've seen, done, read and listened to lately...
You know when you see a film and you LOVE it, even though you know it could be much better? RED is the best could-be-much-better film I've seen all year. It's a little slow in places. A little corny. And Helen Mirren is - surprisingly - not very good. But... it has real heart, which is rare for an action movie. The opening sequence is exceptional. Bruce Willis really underplays it - not a smirk in sight. Mary Louise Parker is both hilarious and beautiful (and unlike a lot of women in Hollywood, seems to be maturing without the aid of botox). Malkovich hams it up like he's in panto. Karl Urban proves Bones wasn't a one-off scene-stealer. And amazingly for a film adapted from a Warren Ellis comic, this is the least cynical Hollywood movie I've seen in years. It's a heartwarming feel-good action romp like they don't make any more. No, it's not perfect, but it's a lot of fun. And a damn sight better than The Expendables.
Slightly less feelgood, though still enjoyable in its own way, is the "Lesbian Moms" flick The Kids Are All Right. Mark Ruffalo steals this one with his laidback manchild routine. Much as I admire Julianne Moore and Annette Bening, there's something insufferably smug about their characters that almost tips this film into annoying. Almost, but not quite. It's an adult relationships comedy that does some amusing things, though I really can't credit the Oscar buzz. And it has been saddled with the rubbishest film title of the year - what, they just put The Who on random play and picked the next song up? What was wrong with "My Two Moms"?
Lloyd Cole's new album Broken Record is garnering some of his best reviews in years. I suspect it's down to the fact that Lloyd's dragged a full band along with him this time rather than playing the acoustic troubadour card. I've seen him do that one-man-and-his-guitar act quite a bit over the last few years and it never grows tired... but seeing him perform his greatestest hits (plus the best of the new stuff) accompanied by two other fine musicians really was a treat. Some of the best guitar work I've heard in a long time. No drums though, he hates taking drums on tour - far too much hassle! I don't love Broken Record quite as much as I did 2003's Music In A Foreign Language, but it does feature Lloyd at his literate, world-weary best. Highly recommended, particularly if you get the chance to see it performed live.
I've mentioned the Ben Folds / Nick Hornby collaboration before, but it's worth another plug as it's fast becoming one of my favourite records of the year. Particularly their tribute to veteran songwriter Doc Pomus...
Finally, Comic of the Week comes from my sometime PJANG #4 collaborator, Ryan Taylor. The Grinning Mask is a fun tribute to the old EC horror comics, down to its Frederick Wertham-inspired title. Childhood hi-jinks meet scary monsters - excellent work from Ryan on story and art. Find out more about The Grinning Mask here.
Speaking of PJANG... issue #5 will be heading to the printers shortly, with not one but TWO covers by Nige Lowrey. Here's the first, based on the strip 'The Ex-Men', illustrated by Kelvin Green, to whet your appetite. Second cover to follow soon...
