Mon 01/08
Spiral, series 1-3, DVD/Blu-Ray
Viscera, pathos, police corruption and complicated sex: these are the cornerstones of French cop drama, Spiral. More entertainment and less po-faced than The Wire, Spiral ticks all the boxes a satisfying euro-thriller should. The best part is, if you haven't seen any of it yet, you can OD on 3 series' worth. One more thing, did I mention how good looking most of the cast are?
Fountains of Wayne - Sky Full of Holes
This US power pop quartet seem to have been around forever, existing on the periphery of our musical awareness since time began. In reality, they come in at around 15 years, and that's including their period of hiatus (following being dropped by Atlantic Records in '99). Still melodic, still catchy as hell, perhaps it's time to invite them in from the periphery, it's cold out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-bikVt01L0
Crystal Stilts @ The Static Gallery, £7
Brooklyn based five-piece Crystal Stilts bring their form of new-wave shoe-gaze to the Static Gallery this Monday. If you're unfamiliar with them, second album In Love With Oblivion was released to glowing reviews earlier this month, and with good reason. But don't take our word for it; check them out tomorrow night in the flesh in the salubrious surrounds of Static.
http://www.myspace.com/crystalstilts
Thurs 04/08
Memory of a Hope @ Ceri Hand Gallery
Devised by artist Matthew Houlding, Memory of a Hope is a response to a key text by sociologist Henri Lefebvre and the autobiographical writings of JG Ballard. Featuring a smorgasbord of contributors, expect rich and varied works from one of Liverpool's most reliably consistent galleries.
http://www.cerihand.co.uk/exhibitions/31/memory-of-a-hope/
Fri 05/08
Super 8
Self-styled Steven Spielberg protege, director J.J. Abrams reaches a logical landmark of his career with his latest. Executive Produced by Senor Spielbergo, Abrams' latest movie tells the story of a group of friends playing with a super 8 video camera. They capture the derailing of a train, a crash causing a mysterious and dangerous 'presence' to be unleashed on the town. Echoing many themes used throughout early periods of Spielberg's career, this could prove a watershed moment in the career of a man many believe is better suited to TV.
http://www.super8-movie.com/intl/uk/
The Double Negative
thedoublenegative.co.uk is coming...
Sunday 31 July 2011
Sunday 24 July 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 25/07/2011
Mon 25/07
The Go! Team - Ready to Go Steady
A band who seemingly receive less media coverage with each release, it's a wonder The Go! Team keep bashing on at this. And it's to our relief they do; should you give the new single a listen on reading this, you'll find pure pop perfection, the type of which the likes of Simon Cowell are content to see wiped off the face of the earth if it means making an extra dollar. Coming in at under three minutes, this gem is a reminder of what pop should be capable of.
http://www.myspace.com/thegoteam
Fri 29/07
Harvest Sun Promotions @ Mello Mello, 7:30pm, £5
"Oh ambassador, with these bands, you are spoiling us." Is probably what we'd say if Harvest Sun wanted to film an advert, Ferrero Rocher style. For this Friday sees a typically strong line-up assembled by the local aficionados showcasing some of the best music from anywhere and bringing it to Liverpool. Headlining are Mitchell Museum, a band compared to Mercury Rev, and creating gloriously eccentric psych-pop. But they aren't the only draw, you can also expect Scots anti-folk in the shape of Esperi and the Liverpool based Terra Alpha for your money.
http://www.mitchellmuseum.co.uk/
Captain America
For what it's worth, we believe we're living through something of a golden age of comic book conversions. At worst they offer the perfect pop-corn, blockbuster experience. And at best have the potential, on occasion to transcend this and be considered on their own merits as serious films dealing with serious issues. We don't expect Captain America to fall into the latter category, but that's not to say we're not champing at the bit to go and see the latest in Marvel's fine Avengers series.
http://captainamerica.marvel.com/
The Go! Team - Ready to Go Steady
A band who seemingly receive less media coverage with each release, it's a wonder The Go! Team keep bashing on at this. And it's to our relief they do; should you give the new single a listen on reading this, you'll find pure pop perfection, the type of which the likes of Simon Cowell are content to see wiped off the face of the earth if it means making an extra dollar. Coming in at under three minutes, this gem is a reminder of what pop should be capable of.
http://www.myspace.com/thegoteam
Fri 29/07
Harvest Sun Promotions @ Mello Mello, 7:30pm, £5
"Oh ambassador, with these bands, you are spoiling us." Is probably what we'd say if Harvest Sun wanted to film an advert, Ferrero Rocher style. For this Friday sees a typically strong line-up assembled by the local aficionados showcasing some of the best music from anywhere and bringing it to Liverpool. Headlining are Mitchell Museum, a band compared to Mercury Rev, and creating gloriously eccentric psych-pop. But they aren't the only draw, you can also expect Scots anti-folk in the shape of Esperi and the Liverpool based Terra Alpha for your money.
http://www.mitchellmuseum.co.uk/
Captain America
For what it's worth, we believe we're living through something of a golden age of comic book conversions. At worst they offer the perfect pop-corn, blockbuster experience. And at best have the potential, on occasion to transcend this and be considered on their own merits as serious films dealing with serious issues. We don't expect Captain America to fall into the latter category, but that's not to say we're not champing at the bit to go and see the latest in Marvel's fine Avengers series.
http://captainamerica.marvel.com/
Saturday 16 July 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 18/07/2011
Mon 18/07
Little Dragon - Ritual Union
Riding a wave in-part generated by a winning Glastonbury performance, Little Dragon aren't exactly an overnight success. Released Monday, Ritual Union, the third long-player from this Swedish electronica outfit should see the former high school friends onto steadier, higher ground in the public's consciousness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6AEdc-sZQ
Tue 19/07
Museum of Liverpool - Opening
It's been a long time coming, but this week sees The Museum of Liverpool open its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled to take place at 10am. Opening in several phases, and with the remit to showcase the city's history and urban culture, phase one includes a life-size Liver bird, the stage on which Lennon and McCartney first met, and a 10-metre long Ceremonial Chinese Dragon. The only way you'll know whether it's been worth the wait (and the fall out from its contentious design) is to head down and have a look for yourself.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/whats-on.aspx
Thur 21/07
Beginners Preview @ FACT
Graphic designer, video and film director, Mike Mills (not he of REM fame) has worked on sleeve design, music videos and movies. His newie, Beginners, is a semi-autobiographical tale of Ewan McGregor's Oliver, coming to terms not only with the recent death of his mother, but also with revelations of father Hal's (played by Christopher Plummer) sexuality. To accompany the screening, FACT have an exhibition of Mills' illustrations in the bar area and invite local illustrator Will Daw (http://willdaw.com/index.html) along for some live art action.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/beginners-preview-in-association-with-volkswagen?listing_id=2097
Fri 22/07 until 24th July
Liverpool on the Waterfront
To mark the opening of The Museum of Liverpool and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Liver Building, this Friday sees the beginning of three days worth of events along our internationally renowned waterfront. Beginning on Friday with the Liver Building throwing its doors open to the public and ending with a spectacular digital performance by Czech artists, The Macula, telling Liverpool's history with the use of projections onto the buildings, it promises to be a fine few days of Liverpool-centric entertainment.
http://themacula.com/
Little Dragon - Ritual Union
Riding a wave in-part generated by a winning Glastonbury performance, Little Dragon aren't exactly an overnight success. Released Monday, Ritual Union, the third long-player from this Swedish electronica outfit should see the former high school friends onto steadier, higher ground in the public's consciousness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6AEdc-sZQ
Tue 19/07
Museum of Liverpool - Opening
It's been a long time coming, but this week sees The Museum of Liverpool open its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled to take place at 10am. Opening in several phases, and with the remit to showcase the city's history and urban culture, phase one includes a life-size Liver bird, the stage on which Lennon and McCartney first met, and a 10-metre long Ceremonial Chinese Dragon. The only way you'll know whether it's been worth the wait (and the fall out from its contentious design) is to head down and have a look for yourself.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/whats-on.aspx
Thur 21/07
Beginners Preview @ FACT
Graphic designer, video and film director, Mike Mills (not he of REM fame) has worked on sleeve design, music videos and movies. His newie, Beginners, is a semi-autobiographical tale of Ewan McGregor's Oliver, coming to terms not only with the recent death of his mother, but also with revelations of father Hal's (played by Christopher Plummer) sexuality. To accompany the screening, FACT have an exhibition of Mills' illustrations in the bar area and invite local illustrator Will Daw (http://willdaw.com/index.html) along for some live art action.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/beginners-preview-in-association-with-volkswagen?listing_id=2097
Fri 22/07 until 24th July
Liverpool on the Waterfront
To mark the opening of The Museum of Liverpool and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Liver Building, this Friday sees the beginning of three days worth of events along our internationally renowned waterfront. Beginning on Friday with the Liver Building throwing its doors open to the public and ending with a spectacular digital performance by Czech artists, The Macula, telling Liverpool's history with the use of projections onto the buildings, it promises to be a fine few days of Liverpool-centric entertainment.
http://themacula.com/
Saturday 9 July 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 11/07/2011
Mon 11/07
The Horrors - Skying
Now onto their third record, Southend's finest (not an intentional oxymoron) come off all epic Human League synths here. Shedding some of their propensity to plunder the best of their own record collections, on the likes of single Still Life, it's as though they've been given a listen to a 'best of John Hughes' soundtrack. In this case, it's no bad thing at all.
www.myspace.com/thehorrors
Essential Killing DVD and Blu-ray
Essentially a high concept chase movie, Essential Killing stars Vincent Gallo (but don't let that put you off) as a man taken captive by US soldiers and whisked away, rendition-style to another country. What follows is an almost dialogue-free, gripping game of cat and mouse, as Gallo takes an opportunity brought on by a crash to make his escape. It's a thrilling, breathless pursuit through some stunning scenery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0CR2N4xbfQ
Tue 12/07
Graduale Nobili @ The Static Gallery
Something of a coup this one, even by the high standards of promotions duo, Harvest Sun. In case you don't know, Graduale Nobili is the name by which Bjork's choir goes when not providing hauntingly powerful backing for the Icelandic superstar. Don't miss the opportunity to see what is sure to be one of the city's more interesting and captivating gigs of the year in the cozy confines of The Static Gallery.
www.myspace.com/gradualenobili
Fri until the 17th
Brazilica - Liverpool International Samba Carnival, various venues
For anyone who was out and about for Light Night earlier in the year, you may have already had a taster of this new festival in the form of Samba dancing and drumming. This coming weekend, starting Friday, sees Brazilica in full effect, featuring a carnival ball at Leaf, a parade and food market on Saturday (finishing up with an after party) and a 'Zumbathon' on Samba Sunday, amongst other events, too many to mention here.
www.brazilicafestival.com/
Fri 15/07
Hobo With a Shotgun
Not one to shy away from 'interesting projects', Rutger Hauer has had what one could describe as an up and down career. From the heights of Blade Runner and The Hitcher, you can also pick out the likes of Goal! 2: Living the Dream and Dracula III: Legacy from his filmography. Starting life as a trailer from Robert Rodriguez, it's unclear which category this exploitation movie homage will fall into, but Hauer is always highly watchable, and you suspect that he and Rodriguez will make for good bedfellows.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CROq3yeqdRo
The Horrors - Skying
Now onto their third record, Southend's finest (not an intentional oxymoron) come off all epic Human League synths here. Shedding some of their propensity to plunder the best of their own record collections, on the likes of single Still Life, it's as though they've been given a listen to a 'best of John Hughes' soundtrack. In this case, it's no bad thing at all.
www.myspace.com/thehorrors
Essential Killing DVD and Blu-ray
Essentially a high concept chase movie, Essential Killing stars Vincent Gallo (but don't let that put you off) as a man taken captive by US soldiers and whisked away, rendition-style to another country. What follows is an almost dialogue-free, gripping game of cat and mouse, as Gallo takes an opportunity brought on by a crash to make his escape. It's a thrilling, breathless pursuit through some stunning scenery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0CR2N4xbfQ
Tue 12/07
Graduale Nobili @ The Static Gallery
Something of a coup this one, even by the high standards of promotions duo, Harvest Sun. In case you don't know, Graduale Nobili is the name by which Bjork's choir goes when not providing hauntingly powerful backing for the Icelandic superstar. Don't miss the opportunity to see what is sure to be one of the city's more interesting and captivating gigs of the year in the cozy confines of The Static Gallery.
www.myspace.com/gradualenobili
Fri until the 17th
Brazilica - Liverpool International Samba Carnival, various venues
For anyone who was out and about for Light Night earlier in the year, you may have already had a taster of this new festival in the form of Samba dancing and drumming. This coming weekend, starting Friday, sees Brazilica in full effect, featuring a carnival ball at Leaf, a parade and food market on Saturday (finishing up with an after party) and a 'Zumbathon' on Samba Sunday, amongst other events, too many to mention here.
www.brazilicafestival.com/
Fri 15/07
Hobo With a Shotgun
Not one to shy away from 'interesting projects', Rutger Hauer has had what one could describe as an up and down career. From the heights of Blade Runner and The Hitcher, you can also pick out the likes of Goal! 2: Living the Dream and Dracula III: Legacy from his filmography. Starting life as a trailer from Robert Rodriguez, it's unclear which category this exploitation movie homage will fall into, but Hauer is always highly watchable, and you suspect that he and Rodriguez will make for good bedfellows.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CROq3yeqdRo
Sunday 3 July 2011
Culture Diary, Week Commencing 04/07/2011
Mon 04/07
The Kingdom
Yeah-yeah, we know, Lars von Trier's a bit of dirty word right now. But don't let that put you off what is a strong and challenging (what worthwhile endeavour isn't?) body of work. Monday sees the full release of von Trier's hospital set TV psycho-drama, The Kingdom (or Riget, in the original Danish). The hospital, its patients and its staff, are subject to strange occurrences, supernatural and otherwise, and it is shot in grainy, muted tones - a world away from today's obsession with HD, and all the better for it. Whatever your opinion of von Trier and his misguided, naive attempts at comedy on an international platform, don't deny yourself some of the finest film-making out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJBTD3cPXQ
Mon 04 - Sun 10 July
Liverpool Arabic Film Festival @ FACT
We're a closed-minded lot, humans. Insular and often wary of trying new things, and this, by-and-large, is true of the lot of us. So this week, instead of 'sticking to what you know', why not immerse yourself in another culture's rich film history? Running alongside the city's long-established Arabic Arts Festival, FACT are showcasing a week's worth of classic and new films to provide as broad an introduction as possible to a filmic heritage few in this country can say they are familiar with. Highlights include the UK premier of The Man Who Sold The World.
http://www.fact.co.uk/news/blog/2011/06/15/arabic-film-festival-coming-soon
Fri 08/07
The Tree of Life
Terence Malick's reflection on life's biggest themes won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, and has garnered a bucket-load of 5 star reviews. Using a 1950s family as the vehicle by which he explores the meaning of life, love and loss Malick (not without his critics) has delivered what many consider to be his masterpiece, with some even suggesting this is his 2001: A Space Odyssey moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0
Sea of Bees @ The Scandinavian Church, £7
Julie Ann Baenziger, AKA Sea of Bees, is the latest in a run of great artists to perform at The Scandinavian Church, courtesy of promoters Harvest Sun. Not one to wear her heart anywhere other than squarely on her sleeve, Julie Ann Bee is a singer songwriter drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Sparklehorse. Fresh off the back of high praise for last year's Songs For The Ravens, catch Julie Ann this Friday night along with support from Laura J Martin and Simon Knighton for the sweetest of stings.
http://www.myspace.com/seaofbees
The Kingdom
Yeah-yeah, we know, Lars von Trier's a bit of dirty word right now. But don't let that put you off what is a strong and challenging (what worthwhile endeavour isn't?) body of work. Monday sees the full release of von Trier's hospital set TV psycho-drama, The Kingdom (or Riget, in the original Danish). The hospital, its patients and its staff, are subject to strange occurrences, supernatural and otherwise, and it is shot in grainy, muted tones - a world away from today's obsession with HD, and all the better for it. Whatever your opinion of von Trier and his misguided, naive attempts at comedy on an international platform, don't deny yourself some of the finest film-making out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJBTD3cPXQ
Mon 04 - Sun 10 July
Liverpool Arabic Film Festival @ FACT
We're a closed-minded lot, humans. Insular and often wary of trying new things, and this, by-and-large, is true of the lot of us. So this week, instead of 'sticking to what you know', why not immerse yourself in another culture's rich film history? Running alongside the city's long-established Arabic Arts Festival, FACT are showcasing a week's worth of classic and new films to provide as broad an introduction as possible to a filmic heritage few in this country can say they are familiar with. Highlights include the UK premier of The Man Who Sold The World.
http://www.fact.co.uk/news/blog/2011/06/15/arabic-film-festival-coming-soon
Fri 08/07
The Tree of Life
Terence Malick's reflection on life's biggest themes won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, and has garnered a bucket-load of 5 star reviews. Using a 1950s family as the vehicle by which he explores the meaning of life, love and loss Malick (not without his critics) has delivered what many consider to be his masterpiece, with some even suggesting this is his 2001: A Space Odyssey moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0
Sea of Bees @ The Scandinavian Church, £7
Julie Ann Baenziger, AKA Sea of Bees, is the latest in a run of great artists to perform at The Scandinavian Church, courtesy of promoters Harvest Sun. Not one to wear her heart anywhere other than squarely on her sleeve, Julie Ann Bee is a singer songwriter drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Sparklehorse. Fresh off the back of high praise for last year's Songs For The Ravens, catch Julie Ann this Friday night along with support from Laura J Martin and Simon Knighton for the sweetest of stings.
http://www.myspace.com/seaofbees
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