I'm a big fan of the New York is a shithole subgenre of 70s films - Dog Day Afternoon', 'The Taking of Pelham 123' etc.

I love that these two films play like stories of clean cut Americans thrust into decadent Europe. And that in 'Superman 2' old decadent Europe comes to them.

That's a great description. I thought of Jodorowsky too. It also reminded me of 'Apoclaypto' with its weird fever dream intensity.

I thought this was pretty awful. Over-long and pretty dispiriting watching the actors trying to wring some laughs from a threadbare script. Banks direction is pretty lousy too: one potentially fun montage sequence in which various countries perform 'Any Way You Want It' in their national style is totally fluffed by…

I went to see an acoustic concert by Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone of the Zombies at the Union Chapel, Islington, North London - this is a real chapel with amazing acoustics. I was expecting a warmly nostalgic night, but it was fucking great. Blunstone's voice is a thing of wonder still, and they brought a string…

Don't disagree with any of this review necessarily, but I think Mulligan and Sheen's great performances take it up a notch: B-.

It's boring, I'm afraid. Wait to see 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.

I still prefer Liam's musings on Elvis Presley for their combination of randomness and sublime stupidity:
'My fascination with Elvis? Just the wiping his arse with Gooses' (sic) necks does it for me, man. That just kills me. That's what he did apparently. He'd have a big fuck off box of or bucket of gooses' necks that…

She does a nice little turn in the otherwise boring 'Bel Ami'.

On this side of the 'pond' I would say 'The Hour' sported a Mad Men influence (crossed with 'Broadcast News') with its female protag trying to make her way in a male-dominated world, and the suits and all.
Has anyone said Donnabe yet?

The Specials live version of 'Man at C&A' on the 'Dance Craze - The Best Of British Ska…Live!' album / film sounds suitably apocalyptic. In fact, the whole album, especially The Selecter's 'Missing Words', has this really intense, oppressive, but exciting quality. Except maybe the Bad Manners stuff.

On Thursday I went to see FKA Twigs at the Roundhouse, London. It was very much a show as opposed to a gig with loads of admittedly impressive dancing, although I thought it didn't quite sustain the 90 minute duration - she only has about an hour's worth of material really.
Friday, saw D'Angelo at the Hammersmith…

I think this site is weary of offending a supposed geekish, genre fan readership so gives films like this an easy ride. This review is weird though: I read it to see what the reviewer liked about it but he seems to know it's shit.

He came across as a right cock in an interview with The Guardian last week - but I like what I've heard so far.

As a huge Plush (and Todd Rundgren) fan, I will certainly be checking the new Liam Hayes album out. Thanks for the tip.

I came to it via numerous Greatest Albums of All Time lists, and as Lyman indicated, The Damned cover.

Watched latest two episodes of 'Spiral' the French police series on BBC4 - back to its best with lots of 'How the fuck are they going to get out of this?' moments.

Agree with both of above.

I've just finished the first part of Modernity Britain. Familiar recipe by now now but fascinating stuff nonethless.

I like the way she almost growls 'king of girl'. The Darth Vader robot rat thing in the video is cool too.