After Jose Mourinhio’s recent departure from Chelsea there’s been a bit of chatter in the sports media about whether new manager Avram Grant can cut it.
Most people have come up with the answer, ‘naw’.
Of course the results throughout the season will provide the real answer, but a guy with no managerial experience outside his native Israel was never going to satisfy the success-hungry Chelsea support.
Would anyone be excited at his appointment at their club? If Grant took over at one of the Old Firm, supporters would be up in arms. I can’t think of one club in the Premiership or the Championship whose fans would be pleased if Grant took over at their club.
Grant doesn’t just match up to The Special One, his reputation can’t even touch that of the last four Chelsea managers. (I exclude caretaker-manager Graham Rix).
Claudio Ranieri, before Chelsea he had bossed Fiorentina, Valencia and Atletico Madrid. Afterwards he went back to Valencia and he now gaffers Juventus.
Gianluca Vialli, 59 caps for Italy. One of the few players to have won a full house of European trophies - the European Cup (with Sampdoria & Juventus), UEFA Cup (with Juventus) and European Cup Winners’ Cup (with Chelsea).
Ruud Gullit, winner of the 1988 European Championship with Holland. 2 European Cups with a Milan side rated one of the best footballing teams of all time.
Glenn Hoddle, 53 caps for England. 2 FA Cups and a UEFA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur. A French Title with Monaco before managing Swindon to promotion to the Premiership
Grant has won trophies as well. The Israeli Premier League four times.
Grant’s appointment screams ‘Yes Man’. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich seems like a Dad who has a bought his kid a copy of Football Manager, then when he’s saw how much fun the game looks has pushed his kid aside and started taking turns on it himself.
However the tabloids today are saying that Gullit’s former teammate Marco van Basten will shortly be appointed Chelsea’s new manager and he’s exactly the kind of pedigree that fans there should expect. He’s by no means a yes man, so it will be interesting to see what his relationship with Abramovich will be. Although Chelsea were not long in denying the story.
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
The Real Radio Renegade
As I left the flat this morning in order to sign on I stopped at the post box at the end of the street to post a letter. I then crossed the road. At that point I heard someone shouting “Excuse me,” so naturally I turned around.
The guy, in his mid-twenties, then excitedly asked me, “Are you the Real Radio Renegade?” somewhat confused I replied, “No I’m not.” The guy stood staring at me unconvinced. Now I’m going through my Rolodex of mental images to see if this guy is a match for anyone I might know. He wasn’t. But still he stared at me. “How you doing?” I said not wanting to offend anyone who might think they know me, though still baffled as to why they would want to greet me in this manner.
By now the guy realised that whatever prize he thought he was claiming, it would not be forthcoming. “Thanks anyway,” he said as he finally turned away from me. Funnily enough I couldn’t help feeling as if it was me that had bothered him.
Apparently the Real Radio Renegade is 'a man travelling all over Scotland with a bounty on his head. When he contacts Real Radio in the morning he gives a cryptic clue as to where he might be and tells the audience how much is on his head today. All you have to do to win is find him by asking everyone you see in the area he might be hiding "are you the REAL RADIO RENEGADE?" if you are lucky he will pass you a mobile to contact the station and your in the money. Remember if you don't ask you can't win is the catch phrase for this game.'
Aye, not annoying at all. Well done Real Radio. The station for bams. Encouraging folk to embarrass themselves by running up to strangers in the street and asking if they are ‘The Real Radio Renegade?’ Is listening to Real Radio not punishment in itself?
The guy, in his mid-twenties, then excitedly asked me, “Are you the Real Radio Renegade?” somewhat confused I replied, “No I’m not.” The guy stood staring at me unconvinced. Now I’m going through my Rolodex of mental images to see if this guy is a match for anyone I might know. He wasn’t. But still he stared at me. “How you doing?” I said not wanting to offend anyone who might think they know me, though still baffled as to why they would want to greet me in this manner.
By now the guy realised that whatever prize he thought he was claiming, it would not be forthcoming. “Thanks anyway,” he said as he finally turned away from me. Funnily enough I couldn’t help feeling as if it was me that had bothered him.
Apparently the Real Radio Renegade is 'a man travelling all over Scotland with a bounty on his head. When he contacts Real Radio in the morning he gives a cryptic clue as to where he might be and tells the audience how much is on his head today. All you have to do to win is find him by asking everyone you see in the area he might be hiding "are you the REAL RADIO RENEGADE?" if you are lucky he will pass you a mobile to contact the station and your in the money. Remember if you don't ask you can't win is the catch phrase for this game.'
Aye, not annoying at all. Well done Real Radio. The station for bams. Encouraging folk to embarrass themselves by running up to strangers in the street and asking if they are ‘The Real Radio Renegade?’ Is listening to Real Radio not punishment in itself?
Night Class
I started a night class last night at Glasgow Uni. I’m doing Popular Music: An Introduction. I wasn’t really sure what it involved having read the blurb in the handbook, but the first lecture indicates to me that it’s a more heavyweight subject than I was probably anticipating.
Running for 12 weeks it features a wide range of subjects including censorship and freedom of musical expression, gender and sexuality and musicians and the musical career. There’s also a 2,000-word essay that needs to be done within the month as well as a written exam in January of next year.
Over the weeks we’re promised a guest lecturer from the music industry as well as a discussion with music industry panel. The class seems to be pretty popular as there were 30 people in a class that should only have 25 people signed up to it.
The class seems mainly to be made up of full-time students. There’s probably only one other person there older than me. Though I could be wrong. I’m also one of the few people in the class who doesn’t play a musical instrument. There were such a sea of hands that went up on that question that I may in fact be the only person in the class who doesn’t play a musical instrument. One of the few people in the class I spoke with was a guy who used to transcribe the NME into Japanese.
Among the things we did in class was try to work out the lyrics to Louie Louie. Matt, the lecturer, pointed out that the song was once investigated by the FBI.
It’s not the only night class I’m taking. More tomorrow.
Running for 12 weeks it features a wide range of subjects including censorship and freedom of musical expression, gender and sexuality and musicians and the musical career. There’s also a 2,000-word essay that needs to be done within the month as well as a written exam in January of next year.
Over the weeks we’re promised a guest lecturer from the music industry as well as a discussion with music industry panel. The class seems to be pretty popular as there were 30 people in a class that should only have 25 people signed up to it.
The class seems mainly to be made up of full-time students. There’s probably only one other person there older than me. Though I could be wrong. I’m also one of the few people in the class who doesn’t play a musical instrument. There were such a sea of hands that went up on that question that I may in fact be the only person in the class who doesn’t play a musical instrument. One of the few people in the class I spoke with was a guy who used to transcribe the NME into Japanese.
Among the things we did in class was try to work out the lyrics to Louie Louie. Matt, the lecturer, pointed out that the song was once investigated by the FBI.
It’s not the only night class I’m taking. More tomorrow.
Monday, 24 September 2007
Penalty!
For no real reason other than it came into my head, here's a famous penalty taken by Johan Cruyff for Ajax in December 1982.
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Call Now
I've mentioned before how much I hate these late night 'quiz' shows that pollute the commercial channels most nights. On his blog Dave Gorman has outlined his own complaints about such shows.
"If you went to your local pub quiz and Question 1 was "Name a female singer with an 'M' in her name?", you'd think it wasn't a very good question because there could be so many right answers. If when the marks were being handed out you found your answer, Madonna, didn't score a point because it wasn't one of the answers they were looking for, but that the table next to you did score a point with Kylie Minogue, you'd probably feel a bit pissed off."
"If you went to your local pub quiz and Question 1 was "Name a female singer with an 'M' in her name?", you'd think it wasn't a very good question because there could be so many right answers. If when the marks were being handed out you found your answer, Madonna, didn't score a point because it wasn't one of the answers they were looking for, but that the table next to you did score a point with Kylie Minogue, you'd probably feel a bit pissed off."
Some Superbad Guys
Here's an interview from the New York Times with Saturday Night Live and Superbad's Bill Hader.
Hader also appeared in Knocked Up and here is the New York Post's excited review of the Knocked Up DVD.
Below is the stars of Superbad appearing on the Rove McManus talkshow in Australia.
Hader also appeared in Knocked Up and here is the New York Post's excited review of the Knocked Up DVD.
Below is the stars of Superbad appearing on the Rove McManus talkshow in Australia.
England Go Out
I was disappointed to see the England team get knocked out of the Women's World Cup yesterday. With there being no Scottish team at the tournament it's fair to say that I was supporting England.
Yes, you read right I was supporting England. I was supporting England for exactly the reasons I'd like to support them in the men's game but just can't. I like some of their players and I enjoy the fact that their continued involvement makes the whole tournament a bit more interesting. But what always holds me back from wishing the men's team well just wasn't a factor here. That is the overwhelming media bias and unfounded belief that England will win it. Although the Women's World Cup is being covered live on the BBC, there's nowhere like the amount of national interest the men's tournament would enjoy.
Here I could watch an England team without the nagging feeling that if they win it'd be mentioned in every single football commentary from that day forward. I could cheer them on safe in the knowledge that if they get beat there would be no town squares wrecked. And I could support them feeling like I was rooting for the underdog, as without the hyperbole of an overexcited media we all knew their chances of a win were slim.
As for the women's game itself, while technically nowhere near as good as the men's it's still pretty entertaining. England's 6-1 win over Argentina had it all. Crazy mistakes, long range goals, penalties and a red card. Sweden and North Korea also served up an end-to-end encounter on Tuesday. Certainly there are more unforced errors than you see in the men's game. Attacks break down as passes inexplicably go astray, poor ball control often means teams lose possesion and keepers seem to have a bit more difficulty getting across their goals for long range efforts. But watch a professional men's game and you'll see similar errors if perhaps with less frequency.
David James writes a good article in today's Observer about women goalkeepers and the women's game in general.
Below is England's win over Argentina, kickstarted by Argentina captain Eva Gonzalez's Terry Butcher-like own goal.
Yes, you read right I was supporting England. I was supporting England for exactly the reasons I'd like to support them in the men's game but just can't. I like some of their players and I enjoy the fact that their continued involvement makes the whole tournament a bit more interesting. But what always holds me back from wishing the men's team well just wasn't a factor here. That is the overwhelming media bias and unfounded belief that England will win it. Although the Women's World Cup is being covered live on the BBC, there's nowhere like the amount of national interest the men's tournament would enjoy.
Here I could watch an England team without the nagging feeling that if they win it'd be mentioned in every single football commentary from that day forward. I could cheer them on safe in the knowledge that if they get beat there would be no town squares wrecked. And I could support them feeling like I was rooting for the underdog, as without the hyperbole of an overexcited media we all knew their chances of a win were slim.
As for the women's game itself, while technically nowhere near as good as the men's it's still pretty entertaining. England's 6-1 win over Argentina had it all. Crazy mistakes, long range goals, penalties and a red card. Sweden and North Korea also served up an end-to-end encounter on Tuesday. Certainly there are more unforced errors than you see in the men's game. Attacks break down as passes inexplicably go astray, poor ball control often means teams lose possesion and keepers seem to have a bit more difficulty getting across their goals for long range efforts. But watch a professional men's game and you'll see similar errors if perhaps with less frequency.
David James writes a good article in today's Observer about women goalkeepers and the women's game in general.
Below is England's win over Argentina, kickstarted by Argentina captain Eva Gonzalez's Terry Butcher-like own goal.
Duckman
I once had a flatmate who loved Duckman so much that he once forced another of our flatmates to watch an episode with him literally at knifepoint.
Running on US TV in the mid-90s Duckman was a cartoon about an incompetent duck detective played by Seinfeld's Jason Alexander.
On NetworkLive's YouTube channel there's a lot of complete Duckman episodes. There's also a lot of 9/11 footage and news stories, but it's Duckman I'm encouraging you to go look at.
Below is an episode from season one called 'American Dick'.
Running on US TV in the mid-90s Duckman was a cartoon about an incompetent duck detective played by Seinfeld's Jason Alexander.
On NetworkLive's YouTube channel there's a lot of complete Duckman episodes. There's also a lot of 9/11 footage and news stories, but it's Duckman I'm encouraging you to go look at.
Below is an episode from season one called 'American Dick'.
Monday, 17 September 2007
In Search of Steve Ditko
WARNING: It's another post about comics from the guy on here, who's not into comics. Last night I watched In Search of Steve Ditko on BBC4.
It was a fascinating documentary wherby Jonathan Ross looked at the career of, and attempted to track down artist Steve Ditko. If you missed it and don't know who Ditko is, then he co-created Spiderman. Or he was the artist who worked with Stan Lee on Spiderman. Depending on whose version you want to believe.
The fact that he's not univerally credited as being the co-creator of Spiderman was a big feature of the film.
I was a big Spiderman fan when I was young and what I noticed from the panels they showed in the doc, was that Ditko's artwork was what I most associated with Spiderman. I had these early stories in paperback book form, a long time before the term 'graphic novel' was widely known, and I read them cover to cover numerous times.
Ross talked to a lot of big names in comics including Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Mark Millar. They discussed the reasons why Ditko suddenly, amid rumours of acrimony with Stan Lee, got up and left Marvel Comics.
There was also an interview with Stan Lee, who was put on the spot as to whether he believed Ditko was the co-creator. Lee was very diplomatic and suggested Ditko could have co-creator status if he wished, but when asked if he believed that he was, just couldn't bring himself to say so.
An excellent documentary the only disappointing thing about it for me was that a couple of newspaper previews said that there would be an on-camera interview with Ditko. In fact one preview I read said that it was 'moving'. Unfortunately Ross can't quite convince Ditko to appear on camera.
Jonathan Ross writes about it here in Friday's Guardian.
So, for more about the man himself, Canadian writer Blake Bell provides some stories of Ditko from the 1960s. Here he discusses his own visit with Ditko in 2001.
Bell also has his own Steve Ditko website.
From one of the best sources of information on comics on the net, Mark Evanier's News From Me comes these two pieces on Ditko relating to the documentary. In the first he discusses Ditko's alleged recluse status. In the second he provides a link to a 1968 interview and writes about Ditko's departure from Marvel. Here's Mark Millar on his own forum talking about the doc after he had watched it in June.
Finally Ditko's Wikipedia page.
If you missed it, it’s repeated at 12.30am on Wednesday night on BBC4.
UPDATE: Here it is on YouTube. This is the first of seven parts.
Sunday, 16 September 2007
The Funniest Film of the Year
I saw Superbad (*****) over the weekend, and as the Tom Stars rating suggests it’s one of the best films of the year. When I posted the trailer back in April my expectations for it were high. Usually when you highly anticipate a film that much it lets you down. At least a wee bit. Superbad doesn’t.
Bringing up to date films like Porky’s and Weird Science with a little touch of Dazed and Confused thrown in, it’s the story of three geeks out to get laid on the last day of High School.
Gag-packed it crams in cracking line after cracking line, squirming incident after squirming incident. If you don’t like hearing a hundred variations on the act of lovemaking then it’s probably not for you.
I couldn’t get enough of that brilliantly baffled look on Michael Cera’s face as George Michael in Arrested Development and the character he plays here isn’t a million miles away from that.
It’s a film similar to things like Anchorman and Dodgeball that will probably improve on repeat viewings.
Bringing up to date films like Porky’s and Weird Science with a little touch of Dazed and Confused thrown in, it’s the story of three geeks out to get laid on the last day of High School.
Gag-packed it crams in cracking line after cracking line, squirming incident after squirming incident. If you don’t like hearing a hundred variations on the act of lovemaking then it’s probably not for you.
I couldn’t get enough of that brilliantly baffled look on Michael Cera’s face as George Michael in Arrested Development and the character he plays here isn’t a million miles away from that.
It’s a film similar to things like Anchorman and Dodgeball that will probably improve on repeat viewings.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive
Go listen to Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive on the BBC's Real Player Listen Again service. It's there until Sunday. The guests on this episode include Dave Gorman and Lucy Porter and it's worth listening to for Iannucci's suggestion that the UK and the US share the same relationship as Paul and Jonathan Ross.
Kelman's Early Days
Nicola and I are going to see James Kelman at the Mitchell Library this evening. So I thought I would link this good piece from The Guardian from last month. In it Kelman discusses his early days of writing and his attempts to get his books into bookshops.
Some of what I encountered in those early days prepared me for later struggles. But the blatant elitism encountered by so-called working-class writers still surprises me. I can never predict it. I assumed that anybody who thought about art and writing would know that my finished work was hard won.
Some of what I encountered in those early days prepared me for later struggles. But the blatant elitism encountered by so-called working-class writers still surprises me. I can never predict it. I assumed that anybody who thought about art and writing would know that my finished work was hard won.
Fact Checkers Unit
If you've ever wondered how Bill Murray gets himself off to sleep at night, this video should end your days of wondering.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
A Grimly Compelling Story
Over on the Guardian's blog Jonathan Freedland has written an intelligent and balanced article on the Madeline McCann case.
"Even to conceive of them as the suspected killers of the daughter whose loss they have been grieving is to experience cognitive dissonance.
Which is why people don't know how to react. Suddenly we have to hold two entirely contradictory thoughts in our head at the same time."
"Even to conceive of them as the suspected killers of the daughter whose loss they have been grieving is to experience cognitive dissonance.
Which is why people don't know how to react. Suddenly we have to hold two entirely contradictory thoughts in our head at the same time."
The History of British Comics
On Saturday The Guardian's Guide magazine featured a history of British comics in cartoon form by Bryan Talbot. It was to promote the show Comics Britannia, which aired on BBC4 on Monday night. If you didn't see it it's worth a peek below.
Films
Here's my round up of some of the films I've seen over the last week or so.
Year of the Dog (****)
From Mike White, the writer of Chuck and Buck and The School of Rock, comes a story of one woman's descent into madness. Molly Shannon turns in an understated performance, totally different from her manic turns in Saturday Night Live, as a woman whose life revoles round her little dog. When he dies she struggles to find something to cling to, but when she meets Peter Sarsgaard, she thinks she's found it. It's really downbeat and it's not for everyone, but it's charming and a strong supporting cast helps it along.
Two Days in Paris (****)
July Delpy writes, stars, directs and edits this film about a French photographer taking her insecure boyfriend back to meet her insane family. It's entertaining stuff. Delpy and Adam Goldberg make a good couple and a lot of the bickering and jealousy rings true. It's been compared to Woody Allen and Diane Keaton's comedies and that's not a bad comparison.
Hallam Foe (***)
Jamie Bell stars as the eponymous peeping tom, convinced his stepmother offed his mum. A lot of this is pompous middle-class folk I couldn't really give a toss about, but enough humour and intrigue pokes through to make it worth the time.
Run Fat Boy Run (***)
Far funnier than you may expect, Run Fat Boy Run, is certainly corny, but there are a good number of laughs in it. Simon Pegg turns in a terrific comic performance and co-star Dylan Moran has a few funny moments himself. David Schwimmer's directorial debut and co-written by Pegg and Michael Ian Black it tells the story of an overweight loser trying to win back his former sweetheart. As a love story it's not really believable, but as a comedy it works. Pegg has a lot of charm and there's enough laughs to make it worthwhile.
Atonement (*****)
A big sweeping epic set in the lead up to, and during, the Second World War. I found it completely compelling from the get-go. James McAvoy and Keira Knightley are both great in the lead roles, though the entire cast is strong. I chose not to read too much about it before I went in, having never read the Ian McEwan novel, so the twists and turns were surprising to me.
The film also looks gorgeous and the 5 minute continuous take on the beach at Dunkirk is stunning. One of the best films of the year it's the kind of film that while you're watching it, you're thinking about seeing it again.
Year of the Dog (****)
From Mike White, the writer of Chuck and Buck and The School of Rock, comes a story of one woman's descent into madness. Molly Shannon turns in an understated performance, totally different from her manic turns in Saturday Night Live, as a woman whose life revoles round her little dog. When he dies she struggles to find something to cling to, but when she meets Peter Sarsgaard, she thinks she's found it. It's really downbeat and it's not for everyone, but it's charming and a strong supporting cast helps it along.
Two Days in Paris (****)
July Delpy writes, stars, directs and edits this film about a French photographer taking her insecure boyfriend back to meet her insane family. It's entertaining stuff. Delpy and Adam Goldberg make a good couple and a lot of the bickering and jealousy rings true. It's been compared to Woody Allen and Diane Keaton's comedies and that's not a bad comparison.
Hallam Foe (***)
Jamie Bell stars as the eponymous peeping tom, convinced his stepmother offed his mum. A lot of this is pompous middle-class folk I couldn't really give a toss about, but enough humour and intrigue pokes through to make it worth the time.
Run Fat Boy Run (***)
Far funnier than you may expect, Run Fat Boy Run, is certainly corny, but there are a good number of laughs in it. Simon Pegg turns in a terrific comic performance and co-star Dylan Moran has a few funny moments himself. David Schwimmer's directorial debut and co-written by Pegg and Michael Ian Black it tells the story of an overweight loser trying to win back his former sweetheart. As a love story it's not really believable, but as a comedy it works. Pegg has a lot of charm and there's enough laughs to make it worthwhile.
Atonement (*****)
A big sweeping epic set in the lead up to, and during, the Second World War. I found it completely compelling from the get-go. James McAvoy and Keira Knightley are both great in the lead roles, though the entire cast is strong. I chose not to read too much about it before I went in, having never read the Ian McEwan novel, so the twists and turns were surprising to me.
The film also looks gorgeous and the 5 minute continuous take on the beach at Dunkirk is stunning. One of the best films of the year it's the kind of film that while you're watching it, you're thinking about seeing it again.
Buckfast Cocktail
One of the things I thought I would like about Katie writing a column in the Evening Times, was that I could read about some of our mutal friends in the newspaper. Today's column is one of those occasions. The photo above is from the Buckfast tasting experience that Katie writes about.
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Giant Plum Davidson At It Again
'Pish regular and everyone's favourite cheeky-chappie racist Jim Davidson has been in the news again and guess what? Its not because he's come up with a cure for cancer.
No, its because once again, the fact that its not 1975 anymore has bitten him roundly in the ass.
So, what's he done this time?
Well, it would seem that Jim has managed to add homophobia to his already impressive repertoire after verbally abusing Brian Dowling on the set of daft ITV moron sedative "Hells Kitchen".
Considering Jim is a racist, a drunk, a wife beater and a bankrupt, one has to wonder if adding homophobe to the list makes JD Britain's most versatile living embarrassment?
The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories
The Perry Bible Fellowship is my favourite cartoon strip and since I first blogged about it, about three years ago, it features in the Guardian as well as many other newspapers.There is now a book. The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories. It's a crazy £6.65 from Amazon.
I kind of agree with Mark Millar. This is my favourite cartoon strip since Calvin and Hobbes. Go buy it.
Saturday Night Fry
I spent a big chunk of Saturday night watching BBC4's repeats of their series of programmes on Stephen Fry.
It led me to look for a few things online. One of those things was Saturday Night Fry.
A radio series which parodied the media, it went out in 1988 and featured Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Emma Thompson.
All the episodes are available for download here.
Also on that link you can get the entire run of the Absolute Power radio series.
It led me to look for a few things online. One of those things was Saturday Night Fry.
A radio series which parodied the media, it went out in 1988 and featured Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent and Emma Thompson.
All the episodes are available for download here.
Also on that link you can get the entire run of the Absolute Power radio series.
Monday, 10 September 2007
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Sunday, 9 September 2007
Fears Grow For Branson's Balloon Friend
Here's Armando Iannucci's column in today's Observer. Worth reading for the bit about Richard Branson alone. What the online version offers that the print version can't of course, is an enormous amount of bickering comments.
Who Really Wrote Shakespeare?
A number of actors including Sir Derek Jacobi are questioning who really wrote the works of William Shakespeare. Along with the Shakespeare Authorship Coallition, they are opening debate about the thoery that Shakespeare's works were written by a group.
Conspiracy theories have circulated since the 18th Century about a number of figures who could have used Shakespeare as a pen-name, including playwright Christopher Marlowe, nobleman Edward de Vere and Francis Bacon.
"I think the leading light was probably de Vere as I agree that an author writes about his own experience, his own life and personalities," Sir Derek said.
The declaration, unveiled at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester, West Sussex, also names 20 prominent doubters of the past, including Mark Twain, Orson Welles, Sir John Gielgud and Charlie Chaplin.
I love the thought that a group of intellectuals could have credited their combined works to a local everyman.
Conspiracy theories have circulated since the 18th Century about a number of figures who could have used Shakespeare as a pen-name, including playwright Christopher Marlowe, nobleman Edward de Vere and Francis Bacon.
"I think the leading light was probably de Vere as I agree that an author writes about his own experience, his own life and personalities," Sir Derek said.
The declaration, unveiled at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester, West Sussex, also names 20 prominent doubters of the past, including Mark Twain, Orson Welles, Sir John Gielgud and Charlie Chaplin.
I love the thought that a group of intellectuals could have credited their combined works to a local everyman.
Similarities
Without wanting to get into any discussion or speculation on the Madleine McCann case, I just thought it might be worth pointing out (though I'm probably not the first) that what's happened has a lot in common with the case of Azaria Chamberlain.
Friday, 7 September 2007
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Inside Frasier
Ken Levine has a good little inside story from Frasier up on his blog. Who would have thought regular John Cassevetes collaborator Ben Gazarra would be insane?
Football Wars
In 2004 Ioan Viorel Ganaea, while playing for Romania against Scotland, broke Celtic player John Kennedy's leg in a tackle.
Well now he's made the headlines for some first class bammery. Recently, while playing for FCU Politehnica Timişoara he attacked an assistant referee after he was sent off for violent conduct.
Have a look at the incident here.
Well now he's made the headlines for some first class bammery. Recently, while playing for FCU Politehnica Timişoara he attacked an assistant referee after he was sent off for violent conduct.
Have a look at the incident here.
Stranger than Fiction
This is quite the odd story from The Guardian.
Polish author Krystian Bala was sentenced to 25 years in pokey for the murder of a man who was sleeping with his ex-wife. What makes it remarkable is that he wrote the story of the killing and published it in his bestselling novel 'Amok'.
The police had no clues until an anonymous tip-off suggested they read the book.
Polish author Krystian Bala was sentenced to 25 years in pokey for the murder of a man who was sleeping with his ex-wife. What makes it remarkable is that he wrote the story of the killing and published it in his bestselling novel 'Amok'.
The police had no clues until an anonymous tip-off suggested they read the book.
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
The Sitcom is Not Dead
Ken Levine says that 'the sitcom is not dead.'
"There is no other genre of television programming that is a bigger cash cow in success. Warner Brothers will make more off of FRIENDS than their big summer blockbusters combined. How much moolah do you think 20th Century Fox has raked in from MASH? It has been paying off jackpots for over thirty years with no signs of stopping or even slowing down. Compare that to AMERICAN IDOL…."
"There is no other genre of television programming that is a bigger cash cow in success. Warner Brothers will make more off of FRIENDS than their big summer blockbusters combined. How much moolah do you think 20th Century Fox has raked in from MASH? It has been paying off jackpots for over thirty years with no signs of stopping or even slowing down. Compare that to AMERICAN IDOL…."
The Squirming Effect
Larry David talks about the forthcoming sixth season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
'He goes after "sample abusers" at ice cream stores and disputes the "law of dry cleaners" — which dictates that you inevitably lose some clothes, but you win some that aren't yours — when it comes to a beloved Yankees jersey.'
'He goes after "sample abusers" at ice cream stores and disputes the "law of dry cleaners" — which dictates that you inevitably lose some clothes, but you win some that aren't yours — when it comes to a beloved Yankees jersey.'
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Glue in Edinburgh
We're back doing You Owe Me Glue very soon. We're doing a short spot at the Ramshorn Theatre on Friday the 21st of September then we've got our own show at The Stand in Edinburgh on Tuesday the 16th of October.
There will be a good bit of new stuff in the October show, though no doubt rushed rehearsals. No idea how much it'll cost cos the whole thing's a wee bit hurried. But why not come along and see us if you're in Edinburgh? We'll be funny. We promise.
There will be a good bit of new stuff in the October show, though no doubt rushed rehearsals. No idea how much it'll cost cos the whole thing's a wee bit hurried. But why not come along and see us if you're in Edinburgh? We'll be funny. We promise.
Cinema Commentary
Audio commentary for films is now pretty much standard on most good DVDs. Screenwriter John August is taking it one stage further. For his latest film 'The Nines' he has recorded a commentary that you can now download, stick it on your mp3 player and play it while you watch the film in the cinema.
It's not a bad idea. Everyone has an mp3 player these days and with cinema loyalty cards, for a lot of people it won't cost any more money to go see the film a second time in the cinema. I think I would give it a go once, to see if it worked.
It's not a bad idea. Everyone has an mp3 player these days and with cinema loyalty cards, for a lot of people it won't cost any more money to go see the film a second time in the cinema. I think I would give it a go once, to see if it worked.
Writers Getting Superbad
Here's an interview with Knocked Up star Seth Rogan and his writing partner Evan Goldberg, talking about the upcoming 'best fucking movie ever' Superbad.
Evan Goldberg: Growing up we were both influenced primarily by Calvin and Hobbs.
Seth Rogen: Yeah, that was probably the first funny thing I ever read when I was like eight.
Evan Goldberg: It was just the in-your-face sarcasm. I'd never experienced anything like that.
Seth Rogen: I went back and read it recently, and it's like he's the most cynical kid in the entire universe. Rereading it again I realized, “Wow, this is where I drew my entire sense of humor.” And then The Simpsons was as influential as anything could get humor-wise. It's been around almost our entire lives.
Evan Goldberg: Growing up we were both influenced primarily by Calvin and Hobbs.
Seth Rogen: Yeah, that was probably the first funny thing I ever read when I was like eight.
Evan Goldberg: It was just the in-your-face sarcasm. I'd never experienced anything like that.
Seth Rogen: I went back and read it recently, and it's like he's the most cynical kid in the entire universe. Rereading it again I realized, “Wow, this is where I drew my entire sense of humor.” And then The Simpsons was as influential as anything could get humor-wise. It's been around almost our entire lives.
Late Summer Movies
I've been to the cinema a couple of times in the last week. While I'm still an unemployed bum I should spend a bit more time in the cinema than I do.
Anyway first of all I saw Knocked Up (****) it's a really solid comedy. Much as you would expect from Judd Apatow, one of the smartest guys in American comedy. It has plenty of laughs, has characters that you can root for and a strong screenplay that has all the right ups and downs. It's a film that I couldn't stop thinking about even a day or two later. It may well be, as some of the reviews state, the summer's best comedy.
The other film I saw was Breach (****). Chris Cooper plays the real life disgraced FBI man Robert Hanssen. That link tells you all about his crimes, but the film starts off by revealing what happens to him, so therre's no shock ending.
Breach is directed by Billy Ray, who also made Shattered Glass, another story of a man living a lie, who was ultimately brought down. This plays out in a similar fashion. It's a strong, absorbing thriller with excellent performances from Cooper, and Ryan Phillippe as the agent sent to bring him down.
Anyway first of all I saw Knocked Up (****) it's a really solid comedy. Much as you would expect from Judd Apatow, one of the smartest guys in American comedy. It has plenty of laughs, has characters that you can root for and a strong screenplay that has all the right ups and downs. It's a film that I couldn't stop thinking about even a day or two later. It may well be, as some of the reviews state, the summer's best comedy.
The other film I saw was Breach (****). Chris Cooper plays the real life disgraced FBI man Robert Hanssen. That link tells you all about his crimes, but the film starts off by revealing what happens to him, so therre's no shock ending.
Breach is directed by Billy Ray, who also made Shattered Glass, another story of a man living a lie, who was ultimately brought down. This plays out in a similar fashion. It's a strong, absorbing thriller with excellent performances from Cooper, and Ryan Phillippe as the agent sent to bring him down.
Patton Oswalt Roasts Flavor Flav
Again NSFW. Patton Oswalt roasts Flavor Flav, but it's Brigette Neilsen that gets the worst of it.
Monday, 3 September 2007
Greg Girlado Roasts Flavor Flav
This is NSFW. Greg Giraldo roasts Flavor Flav. But first he roasts Ice-T, Brigette Neilsen and everyone else on the stage.
Saturday, 1 September 2007
Black Cape #20
A great job from Iain here on this minor milestone edition of BC.
Find all our Black Cape adventures here
Find all our Black Cape adventures here
Friday, 31 August 2007
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Understanding Comics
Here's a rare thing, it's a comic post by me. I spent a large chunk of yesterday at the library, when I was supposed to be writing, reading Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud.
Published in 1993 it's as the title says a book about understanding comics, presented by McCloud and written in the form of a comic. Kind of like Kramer's coffee table book about coffee tables it's a comic book about comics. It's both educational and entertaining.
McCloud himself is a man who never seems to stop thinking and has a number of projects ongoing at any one time. He came up with the idea for The 24-Hour Comic, which led to The 24 Hour Play.
I think 'Pish's regular comics guru will agree when I say he's a guy who's worth checking out.
Published in 1993 it's as the title says a book about understanding comics, presented by McCloud and written in the form of a comic. Kind of like Kramer's coffee table book about coffee tables it's a comic book about comics. It's both educational and entertaining.
McCloud himself is a man who never seems to stop thinking and has a number of projects ongoing at any one time. He came up with the idea for The 24-Hour Comic, which led to The 24 Hour Play.
I think 'Pish's regular comics guru will agree when I say he's a guy who's worth checking out.
Katie in the Evening Times
Here is the feature from today's Evening Times on Katie. Be warned though. There is a picture of me as well.
Monday, 27 August 2007
Jack Lemmon on The Charlie Rose Show
Jack Lemmon was one of my favourite actors. Here he is on The Charlie Rose Show. This is the whole show, just under an hour. It begins with Lemmon talking about the time Ving Rhames handed his Golden Globes award to him. There are thousands more complete Charlie Rose shows available for viewing if you click through the links.
The Evening Times' New Columnist
Meet the Evening Times' newest columnist. Or look at a picture of her at least. Our pal and former colleague Katie starts writing a column on Wednesday. If you pick up an Evening Times on Tuesday you should see a feature introducing her to the readers.Katie writes a blog linked over there on the left called Long Ayelander. All about her experiences as an American living in Glasgow it's her writing on there that's landed the new job. Plus I helped a bit.
So be sure to get the Evening Times Tuesday and Wednesday this week then every Wednesday to see what Katie's on about.
In Demand Fizzy
Its fairly common knowledge that I am to good looks what pro wrestling is to genuine sporting endeavour, and that may well be why despite being married, I’ve never really experienced the heightened attraction that is supposed to come from being hitched and unavailable.
But I’m starting to get the picture from a different perspective.
As you may have read on this very blog, I recently managed to land a job, after about 12 weeks of fairly relentless trying.
During those weeks, I barely got a sniff at a job and managed two interviews in the entire time, and that includes the one for the job I'm about to embark upon.
Weirdly though, since accepting the position I have been phoned up and invited to no less than four interviews in the space of a week and offered one job.
I can’t help but think that if I needed the work, these folk wouldn’t be calling, that there is maybe some pheromone you exude when you’re no longer desperate for cash to pay the bills.
Who knows? All I know is that after weeks of being flung the deafy from what seems like every employer in the Western hemisphere, the chance to stick two fingers up to a few of them is predictably gratifying.
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Friday, 24 August 2007
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Thatcher's Children
Again from The Guardian, Ken Loach, has had a go at Andrew Marr over the broadcaster's apparent 'swallowing of the whole Thatcher ideology'.
"Even Andrew Marr talked about the mighty unions and praised the fact that their power was undermined," Mr Loach told journalists.
"That idea about the unions has passed into the liberal consensus but it is the very thing that created the situation we see in this film.
"Does he really think it was a good thing, given the way people have been exploited as a result, working on the minimum wage? If Andrew Marr says that, he's happy with what we see happens in this film."
"Even Andrew Marr talked about the mighty unions and praised the fact that their power was undermined," Mr Loach told journalists.
"That idea about the unions has passed into the liberal consensus but it is the very thing that created the situation we see in this film.
"Does he really think it was a good thing, given the way people have been exploited as a result, working on the minimum wage? If Andrew Marr says that, he's happy with what we see happens in this film."
Steve Coogan on Tony Wilson
This is from yesterday's Guardian. It's Steve Coogan's tribute to Tony Wilson on the day of his funeral.
"Tony was the apotheosis of those baby boomers who wanted to reach beyond their background and find the poetry in this post-industrial landscape. He gave confidence and legitimacy to an army of haltingly insecure men.
Put simply, he showed it wasn't poofy to wear nice clothes and use long words.
But above all he was a true civic champion, who found excitement and creativity on his own doorstep. Under his stewardship, Manchester became, and still is, an alternative metropolis. That is his legacy."
"Tony was the apotheosis of those baby boomers who wanted to reach beyond their background and find the poetry in this post-industrial landscape. He gave confidence and legitimacy to an army of haltingly insecure men.
Put simply, he showed it wasn't poofy to wear nice clothes and use long words.
But above all he was a true civic champion, who found excitement and creativity on his own doorstep. Under his stewardship, Manchester became, and still is, an alternative metropolis. That is his legacy."
Crisis at Ibrox
First we highlighted the desperation of Man U. now it looks like Rangers are in financial bother, as they start a firesale.Or more accurately what used to be the Rangers Shop on Sauchiehall Street has become a pound shop. Only it looks like they cannae be bothered doing anything about the previous decoration.
Monday, 20 August 2007
Breaking into Comics
Since 'Pish has become a hotbed of comics and comic discussion recently I thought I would post this. This is from David at Vicious Imagery.
It's a brief guide to breaking into comics that he has just reposted. He originally wrote it in December 2005.
It's a brief guide to breaking into comics that he has just reposted. He originally wrote it in December 2005.
The Bridge
Over the weekend I saw The Bridge, a documentary about The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. More accurately it’s a documentary about the suicides that occur on the bridge.
There was some controversy about how the film was made. The filmmakers set up numerous cameras at various points across the bridge and recorded all the activity there for a year. They told the authorities that they were making a film about a year in the life of the bridge, but didn't tell them they would be focusing solely on those people who chose to jump from there.
It captures many people jumping to their death and it’s quite a haunting and affecting film. It’s such a picturesque scene it can’t help but look great visually.
There are interviews with friends and family of those who jumped. There’s footage of someone who was rescued by a passer-by and there’s an interview with Kevin Hines. Kevin jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, but survived.
It offers no solutions for the people in the film wondering why their loved one chose to kill themselves. It also provides no suggestions for how San Francisco can stop the bridge staying the World’s no. 1 suicide hotspot.
Early on there’s a fascinating contrast that the location provides. One of the jumpers was found by two guys who were on the water water kiting. They commented on the fact that they used the water as a celebration of life doing something they loved on it, while someone else used it to end their life.
It’s certainly not the easiest film to watch but it’s powerful, moving and totally compelling.
Here's a review of the film from Paste magazine.
There was some controversy about how the film was made. The filmmakers set up numerous cameras at various points across the bridge and recorded all the activity there for a year. They told the authorities that they were making a film about a year in the life of the bridge, but didn't tell them they would be focusing solely on those people who chose to jump from there.
It captures many people jumping to their death and it’s quite a haunting and affecting film. It’s such a picturesque scene it can’t help but look great visually.
There are interviews with friends and family of those who jumped. There’s footage of someone who was rescued by a passer-by and there’s an interview with Kevin Hines. Kevin jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge, but survived.
It offers no solutions for the people in the film wondering why their loved one chose to kill themselves. It also provides no suggestions for how San Francisco can stop the bridge staying the World’s no. 1 suicide hotspot.
Early on there’s a fascinating contrast that the location provides. One of the jumpers was found by two guys who were on the water water kiting. They commented on the fact that they used the water as a celebration of life doing something they loved on it, while someone else used it to end their life.
It’s certainly not the easiest film to watch but it’s powerful, moving and totally compelling.
Here's a review of the film from Paste magazine.
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Desperation at Old Trafford
I know Man Utd are having problems up front at the moment, but surely, as this text update from the Manchester derby shows, recruiting from You Owe Me Glue is just out and out desperation.
Cloverfield
Apparently the trailer for the new JJ Abrams (creator of Lost) film is creating a wow in the States.
The film has no name, or plot, only a release date has been announced. Rumours are that it's going to be a monster movie 'America's Godzilla', which doesn't sound all that great. It features his best bud Greg Grunberg, who by now you should all be loving as Parkman in Heroes.
The official website.
Wikipedia page.
An article from today's Observer.
The trailer is below.
The film has no name, or plot, only a release date has been announced. Rumours are that it's going to be a monster movie 'America's Godzilla', which doesn't sound all that great. It features his best bud Greg Grunberg, who by now you should all be loving as Parkman in Heroes.
The official website.
Wikipedia page.
An article from today's Observer.
The trailer is below.
Friday, 17 August 2007
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Embra 2007
Last year I was at the Edinburgh Festival so much I started a separate blog. Not this year. Although I have all the time in the world I have nae money. But yesterday I went over anyway. I started off my day at The Stand with Devlin’s Daily. This is a good start for two reasons. One. It’s free. Two. There are a handful of acts on so it’s a good taster.The highlights of the show were Tommy Sheridan, who seemed quite keen to talk about his recent court case. God’s Pottery were the funniest act on. A parody of a Christian folk group they played a couple of songs and went down really well with the crowd.
Michelle McManus finished the show off. Really she was pretty boring, talking about how successful she was. “My ma and da have got a guid hoose noo. My mammy says it’s Bailleston, but it’s Easterhoose really.” Aye hooray for your ma and da. “I’ve goat nothing tae say against Simon Cowell. If it wisnae for Pop Idol…I’m working wi the BBC noo and the new album’s comin oot an this show I’m in‘s transferring tae the west end. So I’m really happy”. However she was quite amusing when she got onto the subject of Gillian McKeith, who was apparently appalled by how much she eats.
Come 4.05pm I joined a sell-out crowd to see Limmy’s Show. It’s easily one of the most inventive shows you’ll see at the Festival. Mixing videos and character comedy it’s packed with laughs and there’s always something happening. He never lets it go stale as he moves from one off the wall topic to the next.
There’s probably too many highlights to list, but I’ll give it a go anyway. The sketch ‘Double Take’ seemed to be the big hit of his show at Blackfriars in March, but it doesn’t even make my top 5 for this one.
Of the video sketches simply banging his head on a door was hilarious, a parody of Cillia Black’s Surprise Surprise was a big laugh, ‘Swings’ a sketch about growing up was great and there was a clever 5 minute piece on Reporting Scotland, and no it’s not what you would think. There’s no one else who would watch Reporting Scotland and come up with this.
Of the live stuff he had some good sketches about a money lender, what kitchen implements are the hardest and a ‘guy on a permo’. The best bit for me though was Jacqueline McCafferty’s Big Brother audition tape. I literally had tears running down my face as her audition turns into a rant against Davina McCall.
If we’re handing out stars it would get five. Aye there’s probably some stuff that could be tightened but you’ll struggle to find a show that you’ll laugh harder at this festival.
After that I went for a vanilla latte with the man himself as he waved his bundles of bank notes in my unemployed face.
The rain pished down in the evening as I headed up to the book festival. I don’t think I went near the book festival last year, but I enjoyed hanging about it yesterday. I went to see Iain Banks read from and discuss his new book, The Steep Approach to Garbadale.
I’ve always liked Banks when I’ve seen him do interviews on the telly. He seems to have a childlike enthusiasm about him when he discusses his work. He took questions from the crowd for a while as the rain battered down on the tent roof.
In the queue I spoke to a woman who had been to see Norman Mailer there. He even signed her book. Not really that remarkable until you realise he was in America at the time. His appearance at the book festival, where he also took questions from the Edinburgh audience, was via a video link up and he signed books using Long Pen.
Long Pen was invented by Margaret Atwood. ‘The world’s first long distance, real-time, real pen and ink autographing service.’ The woman’s friend asked her, “Does that really count as an autograph?” The woman seemed unsure. I’d go for no. It’s an odd concept, but the woman’s friend speculated on whether or not that would make the book more valuable or less so.
Fot That is What it Means to be Scottish
It's away down the page now but I didn't want anyone to miss the comment on Fraser's ' Mon the Gers ' post from a couple of weeks ago.
Dwarves
I should mention that I went to see The Dwarves at King Tut’s on Friday night. The Dwarves are bone fide punk legends and they provided an eye-opening and entertaining show. It’s not really my kind of thing but I quite enjoyed the gig. It always felt that something was about to happen, although it never quite exploded despite a mild fight with the crowd. With a naked guitarist I won’t put all the photographs up here. I’ll stick them on Flickr soon.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Even More Black Cape
Thanks to Iain, BC even has its own spot on the blogosphere now.
As for todays episode, you must be 18!
As for todays episode, you must be 18!
Monday, 13 August 2007
Black Cape
Rather than do any actual work today, Iain "One Neck" Laurie and I have collaborated on a new ongoing cartoon strip we're calling "Black Cape".
There will be more as and when.
I look forward to talking to big shots about syndication.
There will be more as and when.
I look forward to talking to big shots about syndication.
Tony Wilson 1950-2007
I was sad to hear of the death of Manchester music legend Tony Wilson. I always admired him as a man who tread his own path. I think I first came across Wilson in the late 80s when he was presenting the music and arts show The Other Side of Midnight. I think this was around the time he was flirting with the moniker Anthony H. Wilson.
Wilson is of course credited with breaking bands such as Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays. He was always a man who had something to say and Fraser was quoting him to me only the other day.
As much as he was nicknamed 'twat' by all in Manchester he was always a guy who wanted to promote and get the best out of other people. Steve Coogan's portrayal of him in Michael Winterbottom's film 24 Hour Party People may have been cartoonish, but all in all it's a hugely entertaining film and Wilson himself provides an amusing commentary on the DVD.
Here's the obituary by Paul Morley from today's Guardian.
Below is the two part tribute to him from Friday night's edition of Newsnight. It features an interview with him when he knew he was dying and an upbeat panel who all worked with him including Paul Morley, Peter Saville and Richard Madley.
Below that he introduces The Stone Roses on TOSM in 1989.
Wilson is of course credited with breaking bands such as Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays. He was always a man who had something to say and Fraser was quoting him to me only the other day.
As much as he was nicknamed 'twat' by all in Manchester he was always a guy who wanted to promote and get the best out of other people. Steve Coogan's portrayal of him in Michael Winterbottom's film 24 Hour Party People may have been cartoonish, but all in all it's a hugely entertaining film and Wilson himself provides an amusing commentary on the DVD.
Here's the obituary by Paul Morley from today's Guardian.
Below is the two part tribute to him from Friday night's edition of Newsnight. It features an interview with him when he knew he was dying and an upbeat panel who all worked with him including Paul Morley, Peter Saville and Richard Madley.
Below that he introduces The Stone Roses on TOSM in 1989.
Friday, 10 August 2007
The Hoax
The Hoax is the story of struggling author Clifford Irving, who, after his latest book is shelved, in a fit of bravado tells his erstwhile publishers that he has ‘the book of the century’. While thinking what that book might be, he remembers an article on the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes.Hughes, an eccentric, hasn’t spoken in public for 15 years and communicates only by hand written memos. Hand written memos that are published in the media. Memos that Irving feels confident that he can forge.
So he tells the publisher that he’s been collaborating with Hughes on his autobiography. As no one could contact Hughes, no one could prove Irving wrong. The more ludicrous Irving’s supposed instructions from Hughes, the more plausible they sound.
It’s a true story (for the most part) and you can read about it at Clifford Irving’s website. Although Irving says that really it's a hoax about a hoax.
The film directed by ABBA the Movie director Lasse Hallstrom is one of the best I’ve seen this year. Richard reminds us that actually he is a very good actor. Alfred Molina gives able support as his right hand man.
Every time the heat gets too much Irving cranks it up a notch. The greed though is all over the place as everyone involved gets excited about landing a book that would ‘sell more copies than The Bible’.
The film sags a little bit as Irving descends into paranoia and madness, but it’s never less than a fascinating study of greed, obsession and arrogance.
You can download some chapters of the hoax autobiography in PDF format from Irving's website.
The Crime Library has a good article on the story of how the hoax autobiography came into being.
There's also an article on the saga at Time magazine.
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Comics, Comics, Comics
When it comes to recommending which comics people might like, it’s a bit like telling them about stuff to watch on the tele.Except of course, pretty much everyone has a fair working knowledge about what’s already out there in TV land.
I mention TV because so many people make the mistake of thinking about comics as if they are a genre rather than a medium.
Mention comics to some normally intelligent people and you’ll often get daft remarks about children’s entertainment, or a form restricted to the exploits of spandex encased super heroes.
Comics are wide open - that’s the first thing to get across. There are comics about pretty much everything.
There are those who don’t buy superhero books and those who wont buy anything else, but I’ll read anything as long as its well done and there is tons of extremely good stuff of all kinds out there.
And that’s the other thing to get across. The general standard of writing is extremely high.
Your appreciation of the artwork in a comic book will be swayed by subjectivity, but you are highly unlikely to be reading something that isn’t at least well developed and executed.
Anyway, onto what I’ve found most enjoyable since returning to the medium.
For beginners:
If you’re just starting out reading comics, you should pick up “Watchmen” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons and “The Dark Knight Returns”. By Frank Miller. I would describe these two books as the pillars on which modern age superhero comics are built.
If these tales of caped crusaders leave you cold, you may still enjoy the slice-of-life humour of Peter Bagge’s “Hate”, the dark surrealism of Daniel Clowes’ “Eightball” and the gorgeously observed romanticism of “Love and Rockets” by Gilbert and Jamie Hernandez.
What I would say to anyone coming to comics for the first time is try a lot of stuff out.
You can do so at no expense by visiting your library, which will have a bunch of trade paperbacks or “Graphic Novels” are they are contentiously known in chattering circles. I discovered a bunch of things I liked by just picking up stuff on spec and trying it out.
If you know comics but haven’t read anything in a while, here are some recommendations:
Note that some of these titles will be ongoing, and some will be no longer running but available in collected editions.
I’ll make a note regarding genre next to each title as well, if that helps.
Preacher - Supernatural thriller
The Invisibles – Action Adventure/intellectual intertexual mind fuck
Ex Machina – Superman meets the West Wing
Y - The Last Man – high concept adventure about the last man on earth
Runaways – very fun teen superhero romp
Top Ten – a world where everyone has superpowers
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – a "super-team" of pre-existing fictional characters such as Jekyll and Hyde and Captain Nemo band together to fight the good fight for jolly old Blighty.
Daredevil – superhero adventure
Criminal – crime thriller
The Ultimates – revamped version of the Avengers
The Goon – zombie humour
Scalped – crime thriller set on a Native American reservation
Welcome To Tranquility – what could possibly go wrong in a retirement village for elderly super heroes?
The Other Side – The Vietnam war from both sides of the conflict
Street Angel – the adventures of 12 year old vigilantess Street Angel, martial artist and worlds greatest homeless skateboarder
Rising Stars – If you like “Heroes”, see where they nicked most of the story from.
Truth Serum – dark idiosyncratic humour
Ultimate Spiderman – Sort of like Spiderman 90210 – lightweight but bubbly fun
Powers – following a police unit who deal with superhero related crime
The Nightly News – featuring a very striking and original design and layout style, this has a very “fight club” tone to it.
Scott Pilgrim – Slice of life romantic humour meets Magna? Mmm, yes. Yes sir.
There are just a few of the titles I’ve been enjoying lately.
To close, it’s pretty safe to say that while we’ll all have our ideas about who the best artists are you can’t really go wrong with any of the following writers:
Grant Morrison
Alan Moore
Garth Ennis
Mark Millar
You’re highly unlikely to go wrong with:
Brian K Vaughan
Brian Michael Bendis
Ed Bruebaker
Greg Rucka
Peter Milligan
As for who to avoid – we all have our own ideas on what sucks – if you are unsure about something, try to get it out the library before buying it.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Reaper
Kevin Smith has directed a newish TV pilot called Reaper, and having watched it I can tell you it's pretty funny.
Basically, a slacker finds out that his parents sold his soul to the Devil and when Satan comes for him on his 21st birthday, he hires him as a bounty hunter, chasing down souls that have escaped from Hell.
Sounds silly, it is and that's the fun.
It's kind of Quantum Leap meets Clerks meets Ghostbusters. And the "best mate" character is obviously based on the casting note "Jack Black Type Required".
As far as I'm aware, its looking good for being picked up as a series and should start in the States in September.
You can find out more about it
here.
And here's a trailer.
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