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 Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation
There aren’t many artists who’ve had as long a career as Paul Weller, and managed to keep such a consistent level of quality. Each new album seems to sound fresh and urgent, even when the same basic blueprint is being followed every time – classic soul-tinged rock, with the blood of mod running through its veins. New album Wake Up The Nation happily follows suit. With effortlessly graceful songwriting, and interesting, well-considered production, it’s buy on sight once again.
MGMT – Congratulations
More kooky psych pop from the Brooklyn two-piece as they release their much-anticipated second album. Coming somewhat close to Curtis Mayfield, via Lambchop, the title track does a pretty convincing blue eyed soul impression, while Flash Delerium’s chugging keyboard and drum machine sail close to the sound of their debut Oracular Spectacular. Pete Kember, aka Sonic Boom of legendary psych throwbacks Spacemen 3, is on production duties, but he hasn’t really made his sonic mark as much as you might expect.
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
Already on their fourth album, Broken Social Scene are certainly pretty prolific by many bands’ standards, but they never really seem to go anywhere. If you’ve got their rightly lauded sophomore release, You Forgot It In People, then successors, including solo efforts of various members, are a bit redundant. Forgiveness Rock Record doesn’t really buck the trend, following a familiar slightly left-of-centre indie rock path.
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Cemetery Junction – Directors: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, Cemetery Junction is a British coming-of-age comedy set in the not-so-swinging 70s. Freddie and his two best friends Bruce and Snork spend their days joking, drinking, fighting and chasing girls, but Freddie can’t help wondering if they’re wasting their lives. You can’t really go wrong with the comedy pairing unleashed, the genius that is The Office, and this one doesn’t disappoint either.
I Am Love – Director: Luca Guadagino
Thematically, this sumptuous Italian drama could be one of Shakespeare’s lost plays, featuring all the power struggles and forbidden loves of a wealthy Italian family. Stunning cinematography creates a richly evocative and sensual viewing experience, and gripping performances from the stellar international cast make this a must see for fans of quality drama.
Dear John – Director: Lasse Hallstrom
The writer of classic tear-jerker The Notebook is back with this new romantic drama in which a young soldier, John, is home on leave when he has a chance encounter with idealistic college student Savannah. When Savannah’s bag falls from a pier into the sea, John impulsively jumps after it. This, unsurprisingly, starts a passionate love affair. Have the tissues handy for this one.
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 Jodi Picoult – House Rules
Bestselling author Jodi Picoult seems to produce books at a rate of knots. She must have a team of literary elves slaving away day and night, but when you’re this popular, it makes sense to keep them coming. Her most recent offering centres around teenager Jacob Hunt, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome. When he becomes the key suspect in a murder, even his own mother doubts his innocence.
Andy Stanton – Mr Gum and the Cherry Tree
The seventh book in the wonderful series of children’s books by Andy Stanton, which adults can’t resist falling for. With gloriously vivid and evocative illustrations by David Tazzyman, these books feel like natural successors to the historic work of Rhoald Dahl and Quentin Blake. In this adventure, we follow Polly and Friday on the streets of Lamonic Bibber, while watching out for that dastardly villain, Mr Gum! What’s not to like? |
The Road
In this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s critically acclaimed, post-apocalyptic novel, Viggo Mortensen plays the unnamed man who travels The Road with son in tow. Filmed partly in hurricane Kartrina-ravaged New Orleans, the bleak and barren landscapes that give the story such a heightened sense of poignantly are captured beautifully. If you enjoyed the book, this is certainly worth a look.
Did You Hear About The Morgans?
Another light-hearted and lightweight fish-out-of-water comedy, where Hollywood perennials Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker play a die-hard New Yorker couple who witness a murder and have to relocate to rural Wyoming on a witness protection programme. This is pretty standard, generic Hollywood fare that should be avoided unless you are in love with Hugh Grant.
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