Twelve Films At Christmas - 6 &7

Two contrasting offerings today, both notable in their distinct categories.

Unforgiven has come to be considered the peak of Clint Eastwood's art. He produced, directed and co-starred in the picture, winning Oscars in the first two of those classes. It's underlying tone is bleak (as befits its title, no one is cast in a pure light) but there is a lightness of touch at work and it nicely casts aside and then stunningly rejuvenates Eastwood's Man with No Name persona. In the end all is unforgiven. An important film and an enjoyable one. 86/100. 

Also enjoyable but of far slighter substance is Witness for the Prosecution. It is a visibly over-expanded adaptation of Agatha Christie's stage play but it nevertheless rattles along, commanding your attention. not least because of the brilliance of Charles Laughton giving it his considerable all as the defence barrister. They don't make them like this anymore. 74/100.  

Twelve Films At Christmas - 4 & 5

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. Good book. Good film. I read the novel (a pleasingly tatty second hand copy - I love a bargain, although I suppose this predilection does nothing for the income of the author) almost at one sitting whilst lounging beside the pool in the garden of the house we rented in Noosa. Some things stay with you. It was Queensland winter and the pool was freezing, though the sea was perfectly swimmable to OG, DN1 and DN2. I digress. A film cast in noir shades with Richard Burton never better than as the embittered spy, Alec Lemas. 69/100.

An altogether different proposition but a film as redolent of the 80s as Spy is of the 60s, Desperately Seeking Susan wants to make you laugh at its kookiness. It succeeds. Madonna, though we couldn't have known it, was on the cusp of mega-stardom but would never be seen to such good cinematic effect again. As for Rosanna Arquette, stardon yes, mega-stardom, no, but she is glorious in the lead. 68/100.

 

Advent 24

Door 24 on the calendar. It's an arresting piece of country music, the track that won the Oscar for Best Song. Robert Altman's Nashville is an undervalued bit of cinematic genius and this song is delivered by Keith Carradine in one of the screen's great ironic scenes. I won't try to explain it - watch the film for yourself. So here it is, the latest entry into the pantheon of Doors 24 - I'm Easy.

I hope you've enjoyed the trawl through my musical mind. Not inspiring I suspect, possibly even hard core bland out. But maybe there has been something that has sent you back to your own stereo. Happy Christmas and may your God go with you. 

Advent 23

 

 

Only one day to go calendar wise. DN1 and DN2 will be with us by the end of today. As Noddy so wisely bellowed, IT'S CHRISTMAS.

Castles in the Air by Don McLean is a poetic lament against city life, a cousin, if you will to my favourite Elton John track, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Castles in the Air is from McLean's first album, Tapestry but made perhaps its greater impact as the B side to the later Vincent. Hauntingly good.

Advent 22

 

 

Now this, I believe, is what those of us who are down with the kids might call a chooon. Possibly a banger. Hell, I don't know, I'm hardly down with my own kids, let alone anybody else's. No matter, this track explains to me why people like electro and why loud dance music has its uses. Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl.

Advent 21

 

 

There is a strong Eagles thread running through much of the music I find attractive. Yesterday's Poco track is a good example, Timothy B. Schmit having been a member of both bands. Schmit crops up again today, singing backing on Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band's Fire Lake. Don Henley and Glenn Frey, Eagles both, are also on the track. I rediscovered it recently.

I have the vinyl of the album (Against the Wind) from which the track is taken. I remember I got it from the bargain bin at, I think, Boots for 50p. Nice. 

Advent 20

 

  

I'm a sucker for a bit of country rock and when you listen to an Eagles inspired playlist on Spotify, it won't be long before a Poco track turns up. This my idea of their most memorable song - Rose of Cimarron. Oddly enough, only a couple of days after I had discovered this song, I was out running and some workmen were up a scaffold in Dunton Close, radio blaring out, and this was the track being played. More serendipity.