Reading / Watching / Hearing... June 2007

Thought I might try a monthly run down of what I've been reading, watching and listening to for you to comment on, take recommendation & inspiration from or simply point out what a fool I am!

Not yet been to the cinema to see any of the big blockbusters of the summer (Transformers, Fantastic Four, etc...) but we did hire out a few DVDs in the last week of June:

Hot Fuzz was everything the hype led me to expect, being fun, silly, action packed, corny, rude and violent in a grand Brit-Com kinda way. The cast were a good mix of British actors, seen in several comedy shows on the box who all seemed to translate well to the big screen. The overal film kept me watching start to finish, despite some predictable plotline... It wasn't really about plot, more about the jokes both verbalised and observed. Highly recommended!

An Inconvenient Truth has been advertised as a must see and as far as documentaries go, it was a pretty good one. Kept me interested, though I've a leaning towards green issues and I am a sucker for any statistic that backs up the arguements pointing towards global warming. Does Al Gore have a point? Well, you could argue that he's simply trying to get back at America for failing to elect him President but there's gotta be some truth to his story for it to have gotten as much publicity and support as it did! I'm on board!

John Tucker Must Die was predictably naff. yes, Jessie Metcalfe is sexy (pre-binge / rehab / binge again of late) but that's not necessarily enough to carry a film and wasn't in this case. Not something I'd go out of my way to watch again, or even pick up in a bargain bin but enough to while away a few rainy hours! (It would seem the film is so bad they've removed the official myspace website! Whoops!)

The Devil Wears Prada is simply a big screen Ugly Betty but not as funny and without such likable characters. Kinda wanted to just get to the end, knowing the outcome before the opening credits had begun! I'd heard it had killer lines and amazing wit but it didn't. Again, something to fill a few sodden hours but nothing to write home about!

Book wise, I've read a few yarns recently, most notably Garth Nix's Lady Friday, the Fifth in his Keys to the Kingdom series and annoyingly, the latest one to be published. These kids books work well for a fantasy adult readership looking for something unusual but light and I'm longing for Superior Saturday and Lord Sunday to pop onto the shelves asap!

I'm currently making my way through Mark Haddon's latest novel, A Spot of Bother. His first mainstream book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time was bloody marvellous and this second effort, though written in a different style, still retains the descriptive elements and fun that were captured in the first book. Whilst I'm only getting through a few chapters at a time (mainly due to caffeine withdrawal and the overwhelming urge to sleep!) I'm enjoying every moment! I do need to know however, am I the only one who relates to his description of watching out of train windows, imagining you're flying alongside the train, soaring over the trees and hedgerows...?

Finally music... Can't say that I caught much of the Diana Memorial Concert the other night and I'm working on the day of the Madonna, save the planet concert too but I've been listening out for anything to catch my attention and would have to rate Hellogoodbye's Here in My Arms as a top tune right now... I have several mixes on the good ol' ipod and tend to play and replay regularly! Not sure why I love this so much but it's certainly invaded my musical consciousness. Check out the video!

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Before I go, I'll draw your attention to my latest links... I've added 'Wooley Sound & Vision on the sidebar, listing various download sites, YouTube videos, Podcasts by friends, etc... That you may 9or may not) find of interest! Let me know what you think! Jxx