Entries Tagged 'film' ↓

Little Boots was quite good.

This gorgeous, breathy cover of TI’s gently epic  ‘Whatever You Like’ was featured on this week’s ‘controversial’ US episode of Gossip Girl.

Sung by San Diego singer-songwriter Anya Marina, it’s almost like a goofier version of something you might expect from Nouvelle Vague. She’s also got a song on the new Twilight soundtrack. Zeitgeist her face off.

I might know a lot of random music trivia but ask me anything about film and I’m generally have a blank face. I’m a bit rubbish at going to the cinema and have never seen ‘cold stone classics’ like ET, The Godfather, Star Wars etc. This complete lack of knowledge was further compounded this week when The Times released their list of 100 Best Movies of the Noughties and I had seen precisely 25. It could be worse I guess.

I’ve been making a bit more of an effort in the last month taking in a few at the London Film Festival (’Cold Souls’ – 4/10; ‘Cracks’ – 7/10; ‘Kicks’ 6/10; ‘Capitalism a love affair’ 6/10; ‘Scouting Book for Boys’ 8/10) and forcing myself to go and see the delightfully silly ‘Julie & Julia’, the weepy ‘Up’, the disappointing ‘An Education, and the truly awful ‘The Boys Are Back’. To add to this, after many years of wanting one, I’ve just bought myself a Cineworld Unlimited card. Next up, Jennifer’s Body.

Anyway all this is leading up to me being delighted to find out that my very local independent cinema Rio, Dalston today showed my favourite film slightly inappropriately in their monthly golden oldies matinee slot. The film is 2004’s (slightly romanticised) Cole Porter biopic ‘De-Lovely’. I originally saw it in the cinema in Whitely’s where I bawled my eyes out, and have since played the soundtrack endlessly – Sheryl Crow’s ‘Begin The Beguine’, Vivien Green’s ‘Love For Sale’ and Lara Fabian’s contribution to the intense ‘So In Love’ are particularly special. Anyway I say inappropriately because I’m not sure a film with quite a substantial gay plot was the best thing to show the 70+. The actual ‘gay action’ is very tame – there are two kisses, but it was enough for the whole crowd to react in a shocked, loud jeering way. It was quite odd. The other noticeable moment was during John Barrowman’s scene where the ladies behind me shouted really loudly ‘THAT’S THAT BARRYMAN’. Amazing.

The film screening was absolutely full and free, even for me. Not only that but they provided everyone with free cakes and tea in the interval & it’s all done without a sponsor – they just asked for donations at the end. I hardly see anyone who isn’t 24 with a wonky fringe in Dalston but this is a great little get together for the older generation. Hurrah for the Rio.

So yes, see De-Lovely. Even if you don’t really dig the film, you’ll be introduced to Cole Porter’s music and snork at the various pop star cameos. Mick Hucknall even gets to say a line.

This is my favourite scene. My tears started three minutes into the film today but this is the time when I absolutely cry so hard I could vomit. It’s up there with Billie being sucked into the vortex.

**SPOILERS SPOILERS**

I’m a bit rubbish at seeing films. I always think ‘oooh, I’ll see that’ but more often than not come up with something more fun (i.e. sitting at home on the internet) to do than go to the cinema. Anyway the last film I got giddy about seeing was Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day with the gorgeous Amy Adams and knee trembling Lee Pace. Swoon your way through tearjerker ‘If I Didn’t Care. Ned! Pies!

Now only a year later, there’s another film I’m quite into seeing. Well done me. I obviously have something for posh accents and London in bygone ages, as this time it’s ‘An Education’.

The story is based around a relationship British journalist Lynn Barber had as a teenager with an older man. It’s detailed in her new memoirs of the same name, but only takes up one chapter of the fascinating book. I had to read it very quickly last week at work to prepare an interview for her (an interview for the queen of interviewing!) and can hugely recommend as both an insight into the world of journalism and the very real tale of a girl growing up. The trailer seems to romanticise the relationship much more than the book does, but perhaps that’s a trailer impression.

There are also two proper SCREAM (if you’re a geek) castings in that trailer. I stared at Jenny (Lynn) for a while before realising she was modern day Doctor Who idol Sally Sparrow from ‘Blink’. And who is that familiar voice saying ‘Go to Oxford, no matter what – you’ll break my heart’? It’s a far from glamorous looking Adelle from Dollhouse. Plus how gorgeous does Beth Rowley look?

‘An Education’ is out in October. Make way for me, Mr Cinema