Star Wars

Star Wars
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

Well, what a surprise, the new Star Wars film isn’t pants. It turns out to be a hugely entertaining and engrossing film.

Okay, there is still the clunky dialogue, but it didn’t seem to grate quite as much this time. The parallels to Bush and the war in Iraq are clumsy but still fun – perhaps Lucas is trying to wrestle his baby back from the Right in the US after suffering Reagan using ‘Star Wars’ and the ‘Evil Empire’ in the 80s.

Leaving that aside, the film rattles along to the conclusion we all know is coming – Anakin Skywalker becoming Darth Vader. This is pretty gruesome (12A?) but extremely compelling, and when Vader awakes to discover that his wife has died, the very thing he was trying to avoid, is it (almost!) moving.

I say this of course as a lifelong Star Wars fan with fond memories of the original films and of playing with my Star Wars toys as a kid. Little did I know I’d still be excited by it in my early 30s!

Harold Budd - Brighton Dome, 21 May

Well, this was Harold Budd's farewell concert and I'm sorry to say it was pretty dull. By far the best bit was the opening section featuring the Balanescu String Quartet, who I'd never heard before.

The second half was one long improvisation featuring Budd, Jah Wobble, and Robin Guthrie amongst others. I've just found this quote from Guthrie about the event:

"I've no idea what to play or who I'm expected to play with. It's somewhat vague, for sure but, well, with a day or two to rehearse, if we can't come up with something wonderful we should't be there.."

Unfortunately, they didn't. The result was very dull, not helped by dreadful feedback which the sound man seemed unable to control.

What a shame.

Chungking

Chungking
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

I like Chungking too.

Photo by S.

Mini rally

Mini rally
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

I like Minis.

Photo by S.

Embassy Court

Embassy Court
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

Went on a tour of Embassy Court as part of the Brighton Festival. It was really interesting to see inside, but this view from the roof was the best bit. Photo by S.

Anagrams

Delighted with the following anagrams of my name:

Immense Strop

Mr Top Nemesis

Pisser Moment

Have fun yourself - clicky.

Changed Priorities

Changed Priorities
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

Went to see a play last night called Changed Priorities upstairs at Polar Bar Central, what used to be The Lift of course.

It was what I believe is called 'physical theatre' (as opposed to cerebral theatre?), and the three cast did a great job of playing over ten different characters and it was all very entertaining. Only 8 people in the audience though, eek.

Having not been to any theatre since I think seeing Tape at the New Venture Theatre years ago, it was good. Looking forward to seeing Spacey at the Old Vic next month though, more on that soon.

The Life Aquatic

The Life Aquatic
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

Well, what a strange film The Life Aquatic is, but hugely enjoyable. With Bill Murray in a bobble hat you can't really go wrong, but it's all the little incidental touches which really work. Probably a bit too long, the film was in danger of outstaying its welcome, but great fun nonetheless.

Sideways

Sideways
Originally uploaded by powerfulpierre.

What a great film Sideways is. Saw it on a plane earlier this year, which isn't the best way to appreciate it's subtle charms of dialogue and character interplay. Seeing it again last night made me realise how good it is. And it's out on DVD next week!

General Election ZZZzzzzz....

Well, Labour held my constituency of Brighton Kemptown, no surprise there. Labour majority of 2,737 on a 60% turn out. I voted Lib Dem, and they got 6,560 votes, a 16.5% share. Would have liked to see the Lib Dems do better nationally, oh well. Looks like what most people wanted - a Labour government but with a reduced majority - is what has been delivered. Maybe our electoral system does work relatively well after all, I dunno.

Surprised to hear that so many people I know stayed up late to hear the results. As a true Politics graduate, I went to bed...

Martha Wainwright - Komedia

I'd seen Martha Wainwright before, supporting her brother Rufus at the Dome, but for this gig she had her own band and a much more intimate venue. I haven't heard her album yet, but I did recognise some of her songs, some of which had a weird tendency to stop just as other songwriters would shift gear (would 'Modulate!' be the most anoraky heckle of all time?). Other songs sounded like the 'this is the first song I ever wrote' kind - although having a great drummer and guitarist can hide these things somewhat.

This gig reminded me of two others in the same venue - KT Tunstall who went down a storm despite being pretty average (the same reception was given to Martha), and Hem, who were wonderful. Unlike Hem, who held my attention the whole time, Martha was boring by the end. As she started a cover of the Stones' 'Street Fighting Man' (why?!), we left.