Not Film 2008... but a film review anyway: "Lust, Caution"

Lust, Caution is the latest release from acclaimed director Ang Lee. Set in occupied Shanghai during the Second World War, this is the story of a young woman who is recruited to act as a honey trap in a plot to assassinate a Japanese collaborator. Complications ensue when the honey trap, Wong (played by Wei Tang, by some way the best thing in this movie), falls for the untouchable Mr Yee.

For every crouching tiger on Ang Lee's CV there is an incredible hulk, and this is a mixed bag too. Yes, it is a wonderfully evocative period piece, but what of the plot? Based on a short story, the credits tell us, one cannot help but wish the film had been a lot shorter too - it is either too long (a good 45 minutes over the top) or just too slow to sustain interest over a running time that tops two and a half hours. Much has been made of the graphic sex scenes, as the cinematic embodiment of a desire that is out of control. Well, maybe, but to me they felt cold, evoking not passion but soft porn, albeit beautifully shot and artfully framed. Rather than leaving me pondering the nature of desire, it just left me wondering how Wong had got into that position...

There is a lot to admire in the way this film has been made and how it looks on screen, but there are plenty of problems too - the mah-jongg scenes feel annoyingly plentiful and wilfully studied, and not enough is made of scenes that could serve to illustrate exactly why the resistance felt the need to undertake such a convoluted assassination plot in the first place. Throw in the fact that the pivotal theme in the storyline, that of Wong falling for Yee, just doesn't feel credible and you are left with a movie that left this reviewer feeling little in the way of lust, but sadly plenty of caution.

Lust, Caution is still on general release, so scurry along to your local independent cinema and make your own mind up. It'll be out on DVD soon too.

John Kettley Is A Weatherman

I'd love to write something serious, portentous or optimistic to usher in the New Year but quite frankly, Mr Shankly, I am far, far from in the right mood to write anything that doesn't come out as bitter, twisted and cynical.

Instead then, let me direct you to my favourite music blog, the splendidly named (for Wedding Present fans) Too Much Apple Pie - "putting the pop in unpopular". Every post contains an MP3 which, with questionable legality, is made available for free download for seven days. Right now, your iPod can get its mitts on the 80s classic "John Kettley Is A Weatherman" by A Tribe Of Toffs. This is a work of unparalleled pop genius, and I urge you to download it now! Quickly!

Gigging hell

In a desperate attempt not to talk about more emotional subjects, I'll instead ask this: what do the following music acts have in common: Scott Matthews, The Jam, Travis, The Happy Mondays, Ed Harcourt, Ray Davies, The Wedding Present, The Good Shoes, Squeeze and The Electric Soft Parade? Nothing, other than that they were the headline acts of all the gigs I've been to during 2007. Lucky (skint) me, eh? Noteworthy support acts included Josh Pyke (supporting Scott Matthews), Rosalita (supporting The Jam), Milburn (at the Mondays-headlined Electric Gardens festival), the wondrous Astrid Williamson (supporting The Wedding Present) and the mind-blowing Ida Maria (supporting The Good Shoes), all of whom I recommend to you.

Wonder who I'll see next year? Am already eyeing up tickets for The Cribs...

Ave (Ida) Maria

I went to see a gig last night, The Good Shoes. They were alright - loud, fast, lively... always a good combination. There were two support acts on: The Mules, who I'm sad to say left me cold, and Ida Maria... who completely staggered me! Ida is Norwegian, and has a voice that reminds me of early (Sugarcubes-era) Björk or Bellatrix. And she really gives it some on stage! In addition to the amazing singing, she plays guitar (though lead duties are left to the equally hard-rocking Gustav) and, thankfully in a time of so much bland music, she has genuine stage presence. Or maybe I am just easily impressed... but at the end of one song, as she up-ended a litre bottle of water over her own head and tossed her hair about, sending droplets of water flying everywhere and make-up running down from her heavily köhled eyes, well, it was quite a sight. The intensity of another song was such that she threw herself to the ground afterwards, finishing the number flat on her back with her legs in the air. I think it's safe to say she was feeling the music.... Oh, and the drummer (Ulle?) can really play too.

So, Ida Maria... my favourite new band, and an unreserved recommendation. Their debut single "Oh My God" was out last month, and their next release is in December. Search Amazon for these releases, or check out Ida's MySpace.

Home is where the heart is

I moved house over the weekend. Well, 'house' is a bit strong. I moved from the flat I've shared for most of the last six months into a rented mid-terrace box. My new place is the sort of typical new house where space is at a premium, the walls are thin and from my bedroom window I can see dozens of identical houses...

But it's not the architectural blandness of my new dwelling that drags me down. And it's not living alone, rattling around like a pea in a drum, as I quite like my own company and can always find lots to do. No, what has made this move feel sour is that it means I've left the person I'd previously been sharing a flat with, and I miss her terribly. Home is where the heart is, so the old saying goes... in which case, this new house will never be my home, for my heart is with her.

Ray Davies... a well respected man

I went to see Ray Davies in concert last night as part of the BBC's wonderful Electric Proms. Yes, he's 63, a veteran rocker, but that didn't stop him bringing the (Round)house down. An amazing mix of Kinks and solo work kept the broad cross-section of fans and newcomers alike happy and, much like seeing (two thirds of) The Jam live a few months back, this was a rare and welcome opportunity to hear classic old tracks, in this case by The Kinks, that I never thought I'd witness performed live. Watching Ray perform "Waterloo Sunset", complete with angelic choral backing, is something that will live long in the memory... who knows how many more such shows there will be?

If you missed the edited highlights that were broadcast on BBC2 last night, you can watch the gig, unexpurgated, online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2007/artists/raydavies/.

Just one minor gripe, and it has nothing to do with Ray or the Roundhouse but some of the crowd - if you're going to go to a gig, why on earth would you spend the whole time talking loudly and boorishly to your drunken mates. Don't you want to hear what is being said on stage? Have you even thought that others standing near you might want to hear, at least? Ray is pretty softly spoken between songs, and the three buffoons standing in front of me babbling on with their droning voices became very tiresome, very quickly... proof, if proof were needed, that you can't have everything in life...

Wearing it pink

For the first time in my life, I wore a pink shirt to work today. This is the excellent reason why.

Interstate 5... and relevant lyrics

Some songs are just catchy, others meaningful, others throwaway trash. But now and again, a song comes along that strikes a chord, if you'll pardon the pun, with the listener because of the relevance, the salience of the lyrics. One such, for me at least, is Interstate 5 by The Wedding Present, which I present here as a poem.

I should just get out of here,
And start driving south on Interstate 5.
But I need to stay near,
In case you suddenly remember that I'm alive.
But I have this nagging fear
That sex was all you needed.
I've tried to persevere.
I guess I've not succeeded.
And is it sexist to say
That I thought just boys were meant to behave in this way?
And though you seemed quite sincere
Will you even recognise my face this time next year?
Well I'll remember how your eyes
Sparkled in the moonlight.
You can surely sympathise,
I just wanted more than one night?
And yes, there was one particular glance
That made me afraid,
You were just seeing me as a chance
Of getting laid.

Apologies to all fans and aficionados if I've got the lyrics wrong, they're from memory and drawn from many listens in the car, as I drive south, though not on Interstate 5.

As an aside, The Wedding Present are currently touring, performing an anniversary rendition of their classic 1987 album George Best in its entirety. I urge you to attend if you can, it should be a good night.

Pip, you're playing catch up

Last month I wrote about the shocking situation in Burma. That turned out to be quite prescient, as it has all kicked off over there this month, with great acts of monkish resistance and people power challenging the oppressive junta there. At last! But will the Western world stand up and be counted, and finally show some support? Only time will tell, but so far, not really. In the meantime, shots are being fired, tear-gas is in use and, most worrying of all, huge numbers of monks have been rounded up into the back of vans and 'disappeared'. How I hope a peaceful resolution can be found. How I fear it will not.

But re-reading my post from last month, I had a sudden urge to check back over everything I've written here, and maybe give an update on some of the other stories - to close a few loops, if you like. I'm sure you're not interested, but I am, so here goes:

• In February 2005, in one of my first posts, I discussed the absurdity of trying to identify "the greatest films ever"... and then went on to list a few of my favourites anyway. I'd like to add Amélie, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, and Fight Club to that list.
• In April 2005 I reported on buying a digital camera, but assured my lone reader that the trusty old film SLR would "come out of retirement any time I need to take 'proper' photos." I've only used it once since, and that was whale-watching in Canada when I needed the benefit of a 300mm zoom lens. Think it's time to sell all that old kit whilst it still has at least some monetary value.
• In May 2005 I expressed shock on hearing that Kylie Minogue had breast cancer. Happily, she has been treated successfully and has made a full recovery. Excellent.
• In December 2005 I wrote about the difficulty in settling down. You will be unsurprised to learn that I'm still not settled. In fact, I'm less settled than ever.
• In May 2006 I bemoaned the way we, as consumers, are given plastic carrier bags for everything. It's gratifying to see, then, that retailers are starting to wake up, and are making the act of not taking a carrier bag a positive thing. About time too.
• In June 2006 I recounted the tale of 'Ed' and 'Jenny' and how my advice to Ed may have helped them get together. Last I heard, they're now getting (or may have already got) married. A happy ending then!
• In July 2006 I suggested Danny Wallace as a candidate for 'greatest living Englishman'. Since then he's hosted the latest run of the execrable Castaway, and is Anne Robinson's lackey on Test The Nation, so you'd think I might want to reconsider that... and I do. But he also hosts School's Out... so all is forgiven, Danny.
• In November 2006 I lamented the fact that the talented, intelligent, attractive Myleene Klass had lowered herself by appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!... but since then she's been on our TV screens and magazine covers more than ever, so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing...
• In January 2007 I posed the admittedly dumb question "why are there no beautiful women in IT?" I have had no proof to the contrary, and so can only conclude, sadly, that there are none. The sole woman under 50 in our IT department looks like the back end of a bus. Q.E.D.
• In May 2007 I bitched about Jose Mourinho being a bad loser. Well, Chelsea have given him the boot now... a shame, in a way, the Premiership will be a lot less interesting without him.

I promise I won't do this kind of boring review again for another couple of years, okay? Good.

What is going on in Burma?

With thanks to Miss P...

There can't be many countries in the world with a worse record of repressing democracy than Burma, yet so little is said about it in the Western world. Is this because Burma is one of the poorest countries in the world? Is it because the increasing numbers of tourists that are being encouraged to visit by the state (and even some pro-democracy campaigners) are kept from seeing the hidden truth? Whatever the reasons, it's criminal that the situation there is so ignored.

Here are some facts:

• In 1990, or thereabouts, Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party scored a massive landslide victory in the Burmese national elections, but were denied their place in government by the ruling military junta.
• Since then, the junta have kept Aung San Suu Kyi under almost continuous house arrest.
• Other members of the NLD have been imprisoned for supposed political crimes. Even singing a pro-democracy song can get you three year's hard labour....
• ...and it is this hard labour that is being forced to build new infrastructure to support increasing tourist numbers.
• Aung San Suu Kyi advocates economic sanctions against Burma, and discourages tourism, effectively saying 'come to my country when it is free.'
• The junta, and other factions in the NLD, actively encourage tourism on the basis that bringing the outside world in to see what's happening in Burma can only spread the word. They also argue that sanctions hurt the poorest most, not the junta such sanctions seek to penalise.
• Aung San Suu Kyi's blend of Buddhist philosophy and Gandhian non-violent protest is reliant on national unity for success... yet different ethnic splinter groups are pulling in different directions, demanding freedom through their own independence rather than through democracy for the whole nation.

There's a lot more to it than this. Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts way back in 1991... but she's still under house arrest, and the Burmese (or Myanmar, as they prefer) junta are still in unelected power. I know that such change can take time but have we learnt nothing in recent years? If this was still happening in South Africa, where apartheid postulated similar suppression but on racial grounds, the world would be up in arms. Something has to change in Burma too!

For more information, lots of background reading and ideas on action you can take to support the call for change in Burma, check out The Burma Campaign. I can also recommend Amnesty International. Go on... let's do something about this...