Watching - October 2022

Stewart Lee: Tornado (2022)

The companion piece to Snowflake wasn't as funny. Lee's show is basically about himself - or about his character, "Stewart Lee", anyway - and although there's plenty of amusement, I mostly chuckled rather than anything else.

Death on the Nile (2022)

A sumptuously filmed, expensively cast, melodramatic mess. The bare bones of the original, elegant plot are buried underneath a hodgepodge of unnecessary characters, needless activity and pointless scenery. Poirot is barely recognisable as Christie's "little Belgian", as all his original characteristics are presumably considered the antithesis of a real detective (which was actually kind of the point) and therefore removed, and we're left with a cliched star vehicle for Kenneth Branagh, who runs around, shouts, broods and accuses everyone, but exhibits no sense of discovery or intellect, merely a magician's reveal at the end that comes out of nowhere. Since any film is a massive team effort, it seems unfair to blame Branagh for this hopeless misreading, but since he's the director and star, that's what I'm going to do. Other than that though, it's not a completely awful film, just generic and a bit dull.

Gattaca (1997)

A striking, stylish piece of sci-fi that has stayed with me for a long time. The setup is pretty straightforward but then it's combined with a murder mystery that gives the story some structure. As always, some of the minor plot points don't bear thinking about too much, but it doesn't spoil things, and the score is superbly evocative.

Turning Red (2022)

The female members of my household think this film's headline metaphor is offensive ("so you're saying that when a girl starts her period, she literally turns into a red monster??"), which I can kind of understand. But having actually watched it, I think it's a little more nuanced than that: I think it's an allegory about how it feels to start adolescence and puberty, rather than menstruation specifically or solely. And, as such, I found it funny and relatable. It's not a Disney or Pixar classic but it's perfectly decent, it's good to see female central characters, and the animation is superb, of course. And the 4*TOWN songs are very good!

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Watched with Z, who seemed to enjoy it.

Wimbledon (2004)

Comfort viewing.

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

I've been meaning to watch this for a while, as it's supposed to be a valuable historical artefact that documents the US west coast's punk scene at the turn of the 80s. I'm pleased I watched it, and it's a chance to see footage of some of the iconic bands of the time (notably Black Flag, The Germs and X). The music is a disappointment though. It's crude, but to some extent that was point of punk and perhaps they improved (much as, say, The Clash did) - and if it sounds clichéd, well perhaps it didn't at the time. Now, however, this is as dated as 50s rock and less interesting.

Reading - October 2022

This New Noise by Charlotte Higgins (2015)

I found this because it contributed its title to Public Service Broadcasting's concert this year at the Proms (which I was at!) This is not a history of the BBC, although that's not obvious until well over a third of the way through the book. Instead, Higgins uses stories from the formation of the organisation to inform a discussion about its place in British society and its many detractors over the decades. In a way, it's heartening to see that the kind of idiotic comment made recently by Jacob Rees-Mogg (who questioned the BBC's impartiality in a pathetically transparent attempt to avoid an awkward question) has been going on for almost as long as the BBC has been in existence, and that many of the newspapers - particularly the Daily Wail - have always been against the BBC, probably initially through worry over competition and then latterly just because they'll moan about anything. Sadly, although I don't think the BBC should change, it probably will, because in a subscription world, it's very hard to justify a license fee. 

Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie (1933)

I always like a good whodunnit, from back when I first started reading Poirot stories. At the time I wouldn't have noticed how dated they were (given that this book would have been already fifty years old at the time!) but now it's glaringly apparent. Still, it doesn't spoil the ingenuity of the plot. Simple, easy reading. (Although what I wanted to read was Death on the Nile, as I had just watched it, but for some reason I don't own that)

Open by Andre Agassi (2009)

This is the first autobiography I've read that really articulates the struggle, hard word and pain that surely all world-class athletes (and probably greats in other fields) go through. Most play this down or just don't mention the hours, weeks and years spent tortuously refining the skills that put them at the top - presumably because they think it wouldn't be interesting. Agassi's book disproves that theory, but then it has a slight flavour of misery memoir about it that means all the pain is part of the story. And, of course, the story has redemption and a happy ending, as Agassi learns to love the game he was forced to play as a child and finally gets his dream girl. Indeed, this does also seem like a very extended love note to Stefanie (not Steffi) Graf, which is very sweet. Superbly written (with someone else, who is credited at the back), moving and insightful.

Foundation's Edge by Isaac Asimov (1982)

Great story-telling, maybe a little clunky in places, but never dragging. However, perhaps it's a bit over-familiar, so even though I chose it because I wanted something easy to read, it was a little unsatisfying. Which is a shame, because it's a classic.

Reading - September 2022

The Pre-Loved Club by Sue Teddern (2022)

This is a modern romance of sorts, I guess: two people, both separated from their first partners, who gradually realise they want to be together, but only after attempts with other people. It's more realistic and believable than your typical Silhouette romance, but oddly I found it a little frustrating, as it was obvious how it was going to end but seemed to take ages getting there. Still, I quite liked the "he said, she said" format (which reminds me, I would quite like to see that film again!)

One Man and His Bike by Mike Carter (2011)

I think the bicycle is a fantastic invention and I really should ride mine more. This is a feeling only made more intense by this somehow matter-of-fact and yet wondrous recounting of a journey around the coast of the United Kingdom. Part travelogue and part ode to his bike (a Ridgeback) and cycling in general, it makes you realise how big the country actually is - compared to, say, a man on a bike - and how different the regions are. It makes the four miles to work seem trivial but I'd still be nervous about some of the roads!

Watching - September 2022

Miss Americana (2020)

I came across Taylor Swift's Tiny Desk Concert while browsing for more music, and enjoyed it very much, and in reading around the subject (as I tend to), I saw reviews for Miss Americana. I enjoyed it a great deal: I liked the way it managed to compress a view of the madness of celebrity at that kind of scale with a view of the human at the centre of it. Inevitably there's a slight feel of artifice, because do people really film themselves at random moments, and how do we know that wasn't the fifth take? But I don't know how you'd avoid that, and it seemed genuine and heartfelt to me. Towards the end she says that she's very conscious of the saying that famous people get frozen at the age they become famous, and how she's trying to ensure she avoids that. I can't imagine how hard it must be to grow up in that kind of spotlight, just like I can't comprehend the kind of drive it takes to achieve what she has. I'm kind of in awe of it, to be honest.

He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

I read the book back in 2014 (iirc I found it at the book exchange at work - not an obvious book to be found in a very male-dominated environment) and thought it was amusing but over-simplistic, like an attempt to view life as if it was a romcom. And lo and behold, they made a romcom out of it! It's a ensemble cast with multiple stories intertwining and no, not all of them are happy-ever-after, but the overall message still seems simplistic. And if some of the scenes are moving, some are just cringey. Passes the time well enough though.

Working Girl (1988)

Possibly one of the archetypal 80s films, capturing that decade's aspirational sense of destiny and empowerment, plus a whole load of hairspray and shoulder pads. Sigourney Weaver is superb, Melanie Griffith does the Pygmalion-style transformation pretty well (also she's gorgeous, in a very 80s way, which perhaps says something about my age), and Joan Cusack is wonderfully Noo Yoik. And the opening combination of the Staten Island ferry crossing to the New York skyline with Carly Simon's amazing modern day hymn "Let the River Run" playing is just wonderful. Very enjoyable. (Also, I discovered Radio 4's Soul Music via its episode on the song)

Paddington (2014)

Showing on BBC1 while we were having dinner, and natural family viewing. I hadn't seen it for a while. I love the stylised, highly coloured version of London (although it is clearly a fantasy), and also the way the film makes clear that Paddington is an allegory for all immigrants - although I believe Michael Bond's original inspiration were the Jewish Kindertransport children from Germany rather than the Windrush generation that the film implies with its use of calypso music.

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

I do love a good romcom and the genre dates back a long time - and if Rotten Tomatoes is to be believed, many of the earliest were the best. I'm not so sure there isn't a certain amount of rose-tinted spectacles going on here though, as I was distinctly underwhelmed by this. It's silly and far-fetched and I couldn't really get past the one-dimensional characters either. Still, I can say I've seen it now.

Stewart Lee: Snowflake (2022)

Judging by a thread on the guitar forum I frequent, Stewart Lee can be a bit divisive. I personally think he can be hilarious and tedious at different times. There's a point in this where he keeps saying "for example, this actually happened" that had me in tears. Then later he's showing Ricky Gervais attempting to "say the unsayable" where I was hoping it would end soon. My understanding of what he's doing - which isn't "just jokes" - was enhanced considerably by reading his books. Anyway, this was funny.

Broadcast News (1987)

Another classic romcom, it says here, although this is a little less obviously rom or com than I expected, and more of a drama - but a very good one. The script and performances are nicely nuanced - for example, I like the way that it would have been easy to portray Tom (William Hurt's character) as just a handsome simpleton, but it slowly becomes apparent that he has his own skills. Holly Hunter is the centre of the film and spectacular with it, which makes me wonder why she wasn't a huge star after this. But the film does raise other questions: what's romantic about a film where no-one actually gets together? And is Joan Cusack in every eighties film?

The Sure Thing (1985)

More eighties romcoms, in this case one of my favourites and starring John Cusack this time, instead of his older sister. It's funny, so sweet and, yes, romantic. Cusack looks very young (he would have been about 18 or 19 at the time) but his personality and style are already coming through, and Daphne Zuniga is perfect as a slightly uptight, bookish girl who learns to relax a bit. The clichés are fairly abundant but it doesn't spoil the film for me as Cusack is so cool and Zuniga so cute. Although the dreadful saxophone-laden ballad at the end might just count as the most eighties thing ever.

Watching - August 2022

The Railway Children (1970)

Presumably on iPlayer following Bernard Cribbins' sad recent death, and mentioned a fair amount in his autobiography, so it seemed a nice thing to watch on an afternoon off, as it's a classic I've never seen before. Sweet and sentimental, dated and clunky, and old-fashioned when it was made, no doubt, it was nevertheless a nice film to pass the time with.

You've Got Mail (1998)

Sweet but a little unbalanced, mainly because Meg Ryan's character goes from finding Tom Hanks really annoying to falling in love with him in too short a time, compared with how long she is annoyed with him. But there's lot's of sentimental moments and a nice ending.

Reading - August 2022

For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming (1960)

A collection of five short stories. Three of them have titles that will be familiar: "From a View to a Kill", "For Your Eyes Only" (I always hear Sheena Easton in my head as soon as I read those words!) and "Quantam of Solace", which now seem like classic titles for films, of course, although the plots of the stories here bear no relation to those of the films with which they share their names. And yet the other two stories have terrible titles for films: "Risico" - clearly some sort of South American cop/buddy film - and "The Hildebrand Rarity", which would be a dry, character study of an elderly historian and would therefore be a shoe-in at award season. Anyway, the stories here are entertaining but now essentially period pieces because of their attitude to women, which is now glaringly sexist and borderline off-putting. I don't remember the other Bond novels being quite this bad in this respect.

Bernard Who? by Bernard Cribbins (2018)

I think this would work much better as an audiobook, read by the man himself (although I can't tell if such a thing exists, oddly). The style is very much his, a chatty, anecdotal wander through his life. I found it made for a nice easy read but too many of the stories seemed like they lost something on the page - or perhaps they weren't very funny in the first place. Still, he seems to have had a nice life, and I'm pleased I found this in the library a couple of days after reading his obituary.

Rude Kids: The Inside Story of Viz by Chris Donald (2004)

I was never much interested in Viz: after buying the obligatory couple of issues when I was a student (at its publishing height in the late 80s, it turns out), I found it amusing but repetitive and never bothered again. However, I saw a recommendation for this book by Chris Donald, Viz's founder and editor for just over twenty years, and I'm pleased I bothered. He's frank, funny and acerbic, describing some of the nonsense around the amazing rise of the magazine with an outsider's eye and a keen sense of the ridiculous. I'm also amazed to discover it's still going, another twenty years later. I might go so far as to flick through it next time I see a copy in WH Smith.

Laughter in the Rain by Debbie Macomber (1986)

Potboiler romance that I thought would be more interesting than it is. Very slight and yet too long, as the plot becomes repetitious.

Finding Love at Mermaid Terrace by Kate Forster (2021)

This is better - a more complex (for relative values of "complex") romance with some depth to it. I liked the view from multiple characters' perspectives, casting new light on what had previously seemed like one-dimensional behaviour. The two main people had too many silly misunderstandings, and too much over-reaction to them for my liking, but overall it's a sweet story with a happy ending.

When Harry Met Sally by Nora Ephron (1989)

I'm reading a book about screen writing at the moment, which says you can find plenty of screenplays on the internet. I put it to the test and found this. It's a quick read (less than an hour) and, of course, it just replays the film in my head because I know it very well! I think the book means you should study it more ...

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021)

Sweet but derivative "literary" SF.

Why is Sex Fun? by Jared Diamond (1997)

Similar in content to the equally misleadingly titled The Secrets of Love and Lust, this is not a how-to manual but a popsci guide to human sexuality, wherein it attempts to explain it in evolutionary terms and by comparison with other animals. Diamond highlights some of the unusual aspects of human sexuality and reproduction, such as concealed ovulation and the menopause, but, crucially, doesn't actually answer the book's title. I could attempt an explanation based on the themes (why do humans enjoy sex? Because historically those that did were more likely to reproduce) but I would have been more interested in what the experts think here!

Out of Time by Miranda Sawyer (2016)

In the last chapter, Sawyer explains that this book was written, as much as anything, as a way through her own mid-life crisis. The sub-title - "midlife, if you still think you're young" - kind of gives the game away: it's for people who never grew up, never wanted to or never believed they had or would. Maybe that's more prevalent in certain types of jobs or life-styles, maybe those in the media perhaps? Much of what she has has to say is interesting but I can't feel it applies much to me. It could be that I've missed my mid-life crisis, or it hasn't happened yet, or it's happening right now and I won't realise until five years' time, but not much resonated.

Moonraker by Ian Fleming (1955)

I started reading a copy at work that I had found in the book exchange and remembered what a good story it is - and nice and short too! Of its time, but classic.

Fugutive from the Cubicle Police by Scott Adams (1996)

This book was in an abandoned cupboard at work, and at the back was a printed newsletter dated 1998. This all seems appropriate. However, I should have checked, as I read this eight years ago and found it hit and miss then, so could have saved myself the bother this time round. Scott Adams has developed an odd crush on Trump in recent years and has generally become a bit weird, but sometimes Dilbert hits the mark.

Journey to Cubeville by Scott Adams (1998)

The second of three Scott Adams books I found. Since Dilbert is hit and miss (somewhat understandable for a daily cartoon), repackaging all the strips from two years as a book seems a little pointless. That said, I'm guessing it worked for Adams.

Bounce by Matthew Syed (2010)

Syed examines the idea (probably) first given mass exposure in Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers, the idea of "10,000 hours of practice" that makes an expert, and gives it a more in-depth assessment. The sub-title, "The myth of talent and the power of practice" gives a good flavour of what he's saying. The research findings are quite clear: notwithstanding physical attributes (tall high-jumpers etc), there's no such thing as someone who is inherently good at a given sport, or musical instrument - or, by extension, any activity. Experts are made, first by circumstance and chance - being born at the right time of year, attending a school with a world-class teacher - and then by application, although of course this second factor is heavily influenced by the first. People want to believe that stars - of sport, music, business or whatever - got there because of some innate specialness. People want magic! But there's no magic, which should be inspiring: anyone can achieve greatness.

One Train Later by Andy Summers (2006)

A very readable, first person (and present tense, which I found a little disorienting at first) account of Summers' life up until the demise of The Police in the early 80s, with a two page afterword on his life since then. It's honest and entertaining and gives a real sense of how hard he worked to achieve his musical goal: not just the hours and hours of practice (see Bounce above!) but the decades of persistence. I knew he was a bit older than Sting and Copeland but hadn't realised that he was a contemporary of Clapton, Page, Hendrix and so on during the 60s. Perhaps that makes the brief madness of extreme fame he experienced more sweet (The Police lasted a surprisingly short time, six-seven years); he seems to have taken advantage of it, but come out the other side eventually.

The Joy of Work by Scott Adams (1998)

The third of the Dilbert books I found in a cupboard at work, this is an actual book rather than just a repackaged collection of cartoon strips. Most of the book is a long-form expansion of what you might say is the Dilbert ethos: work is pointless and dull but you can enjoy the ridiculousness in a number of ways. Aside from the section on office pranks, which mostly just seem mean (as do most "pranks" to me), it's amusing. The last section segues neatly into a serious discursion on creativity (and a minor come-back at a critic). It's a nice way of putting serious material into a book that was likely to be widely read.

Klara and the Sun

Kazuo Ishiguro

2021

Sweet but derivative "literary" SF

B recommended this and since I have a couple of weeks off (can you tell by how much I'm reading?), I thought I'd give it a go. I enjoyed it very much, as it was an easy read and a good length (i.e. not too long!) - a sweet book, with a conclusion full of pathos, although the ending came a bit suddenly. The plot was a little thin, but was disguised well by the way important facts are gradually revealed; it can be summarised as Asimov's Robot novels meet Toy Story.

After I finished the book, I had a look online to see if anyone had caught the obvious similarity with Asimov's work, and in particular The Bicentennial Man. I was struck by reviews of the book, which, since Ishiguro writes "literature", appeared to be written by people who had never read any real science fiction (as that's "not literature"). So they burbled on about how imaginative it was, and how it raised fascinating questions about the interaction between humans and robots. I guess they are fascinating if you haven't come across the ideas before - but I feel I should point out that real science fiction has been exploring this area for over sixty years ...