Tag Archives: film

Come On August, Want Ponyo NOW

As you probably know I’m a massive Studio Ghibli fan. Their last couple of films were sadly a bit disappointing partly due to lower levels of involvement from their (inevitably exhausted) genius director Hayao Miyazaki. [1. Though in truth his colleague Isao Takahata has also produced stranger and more fascinating films] Thankfully, their latest film Ponyo on the cliff by the sea has all the hallmarks of plenty of involvement from Miyazaki and now has a release date of sometime in August, maybe (TBC). I can barely wait.

Anyone looking for an interim Ghibli fix would do well to read over The Ghibli Blog, I really liked this music video in particular.

The day Stylus dies

is tomorrow, ‘sniff.

As a fan of the site, I think it’s only right that I point you at a number of their articles to encourage you to fall in love with the site just before they stop putting up new content.

Why White Town – Your Woman was a one-off moment of pop genius

The audacity, not to mention ludicrous improbability, of “Your Woman” is astounding in retrospect

The non-stop nastiness of “Gotta Get Thru This”: Dom Passantino’s Survey of the New Millenium’s UK #1 Singles – Article – Stylus Magazine:

060410-2000-01.jpg
Madonna- American Pie
[03/05/2000; 1 week]

It takes a bad, bad song to make a man feel sorry for Don McLean, but this is that song. Don’s version, for all its faults, was at least a cryptic crossword that gave dullards something to decode before their next CAMRA meeting. This, on the other hand, is more like The Sun’s coffee break crossword, with the official first appearance of “SHOCKING LESBIAN OVERTONES” in a #1 song (more will follow) of the millennium. Whatever last vestiges of “not-horrid” this song has are wiped out by the backing vocals, deep in the mix, sounding eerily like Terence Trent D’Arby speaking at you through a medium. In the chronology of Madge #1’s, this comes between “Frozen” and “Music.” It’s a trough between those two moderate peaks.
[1/10]


(which runs all the way from the start of 2000 right up to Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy and reminds you of the terror)

A very nasty dig at Jarvis Cocker, which I don’t agree with but still love, if only for comparing him to the singer from Baby D.

Where record collections go when their owners go where they cannot.

And the ultimate and scary triumph of the fanboy.

Also, naturally, they mainly reviewed albums so it seems only right to link to their right-headed review of Caribou’s Andorra, which unlike most annoying reviews managed to pay attention to the last two tracks, Irene and Niobe which I think are easily the most important and interesting on the album.

‘sniff, at least there’s still Popmatters.

Do you use an Oystercard Tony?

Yes, it’s the burning question on Londoners lips, and naturally my (evil Tory) MP has opted to ask it. Is there nothing Blair can give a straight answer to?

Greg Hands (my Tory MP)
To ask the Prime Minister
(1) whether he uses an Oyster Card in fulfilling his official responsibilities;
(2) whether the Oyster Card he was filmed with for television on 27 April is one he uses in fulfilling his official duties.

Tony Blair (Prime Minister)
I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in Chapter 10 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document, “Travel by Ministers”.

Meanwhile he’s also signed an early day motion for the RECOMMISSIONING OF CONCORDE AS ROYAL AIR FORCE ONE (why is all caps still in fashion in Westminster?) and another which has a go at Time Out for failing to include (lovely) Kingston in their London for Londoners guide.

I’m sure he does some real work as well.