What are you watching tonight?

[William the White]

This afternoon went to Manchester... I bought shoes... she bought shoes... both had cream teas at John Rylands on Deansgate, then to Cornerhouse for what turned out to be - for both of us - our favourite film of the year so far...

Looking for Sugar Man tells the story of the all-but-unknown Sixto Rodriguez, who had two albums released in 1970/71 to almost no sales... This despite carrying in his voice and lyrics and guitar work a slice of Dylan, or Cohen, or - perhaps most obviously - Woody Guthrie. The film features a dozen or so of his songs - all interesting - some brilliant - and loads of interviews saying 'How come no one ever bought his records???'...

Then a recording lands in South Africa in apartheid-ruined late 70s and a real burn starts, and he becomes the background music for discontented white liberals, starting with (I love this) dissident, anti-apartheid AFRIKAANS youth. In South Africa he is bigger than Elvis... But he doesn't know, and no one gives him the royalties...

In the meantime, back in Detroit, he's living in poverty, doing casual and demolition jobs, running for Mayor, involving himself in community activism... when his daughter spots a blog - over in South Africa they are trying to find him...

This is a fab, fab documentary (same director that did Man on Wire. It is heart-warming, uplifting, a simple joy. And, if you like Dylan, Cohen, Guthrie - well, unmisssable, and be eternally grateful that I pointed you this way. Go and see!

[a1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4bjRh2uGuE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ^^

i watched this on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtjC0G3mIYs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bruce Rioja]

Nice one, General. It's ont' list. Happy-go-Lucky's just turned up.

you will most likely fall a little bit in love with Poppy, either that or want to garrote-wire the bitch!

Just watched it now, General. Pure Mike Leigh - well in touch with everyday lives and characters. Funny, tragic, though-provking and violent.

As regards Poppy - both is the answer. Great insight into her overall character comes early on when she see's she's had her bike nicked. No "WTF?", no anger, just a "Awww, I never got chance to say bye-bye".

Marsan's development of Scott? En-Ra-Ha indeed.

[General Mannerheim]

he's a very angry man!

[Bruce Rioja]

Forgot to mention, General. Last week I was out for scoops and a nosebag with a chap called Nick Whitfield, who wrote and directed a film called Skeletons. A really nice bloke he is too. Have you seen it? I've just put it on my list.

[General Mannerheim]

nope. looks decent tho. will hunt it down!

[William the White]

Getting back to LF after a little while, tonight we watched Almodovar's most recent The Skin I live In. Spanish, sub titles.

A world-leading plastic surgeon loses his daughter to suicide, and decides to recreate her... (The best I can do without spoilers, this is a heavily plotted movie)...

The maestro takes up the Frankenstein motif, mixes it up with a revenge thriller, and adds his own particular contribution to the horror genre.

Lots of sex (it's Almodovar, that happens), and cruelty (ditto), and cleverness and - even - some humour...

Almodovar fans will enjoy... Others may be puzzled... some infuriated...

[General Mannerheim]

i cant often concur with Bill but 'The Skin I Live In' is a brilliant film.

[William the White]

i cant often concur with Bill but 'The Skin I Live In' is a brilliant film.

I think we agree pretty often, myself...

[General Mannerheim]

yeah sorry, i just meant you see a lot of stuff that i probably never would, so i cant second them.

[General Mannerheim]

been to see Ted tonight, thought it was ace. completely unoriginal romantic comedy type narrative but with a talking swearing beer drinking teddy bear with the voice of Peter Griffin. just plenty of immature toilet humour, LOL's galore. typical Seth Mcfarlane.

Wont be everyones cup of tea, in fact where i was sat there was a bloke behind who was literally screaming with laughter, and a girl in front who just folded her arms and shook her head at the gags! but i loved it.

[boltonboris]

Early dart from the summer party? Must've been bad!

[General Mannerheim]

ha yeah was a bit cliquey n'that, and im not one for idle small talk - especially with all these dead posh graduates in their chinos and deck shoes. started at 4.30 though and i frigged off at half 7, so was well oiled watching Ted!

[William the White]

Not watched yet... Has anybody?

but it seems that HBO may be working towards another piece of excellent TV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16K6m3Ua2nw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Prufrock]

Looks like the West Wing on acid. I was with it until the piano backed last minute.

[hi there, i'm chris]

Not watched yet... Has anybody?

but it seems that HBO may be working towards another piece of excellent TV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16K6m3Ua2nw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seen the first two episodes, it's fantastic. The opening speech from Jeff Daniels that's featured in that video is the best start to a TV show that I can ever remember. Daniels as a whole is brilliant in it.

[Annoyed Grunt]

been to see Ted tonight, thought it was ace. completely unoriginal romantic comedy type narrative but with a talking swearing beer drinking teddy bear with the voice of Peter Griffin. just plenty of immature toilet humour, LOL's galore. typical Seth Mcfarlane.

Wont be everyones cup of tea, in fact where i was sat there was a bloke behind who was literally screaming with laughter, and a girl in front who just folded her arms and shook her head at the gags! but i loved it.

So if you like Family Guy,, Ted will be right up your street?

[General Mannerheim]

absolutely

[Annoyed Grunt]

Nice one.

Can't be arsed looking back through the thread...anyone seen The Dark Knight Rises? Any good?

[General Mannerheim]

Not watched yet... Has anybody?

but it seems that HBO may be working towards another piece of excellent TV...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16K6m3Ua2nw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

yeah, saw the first one, got eps 2 & 3 on my planner.