Sunday 28 February 2010

Coraline

Typically the Baftas gave the award to Mr Fox rather than this for the best animated movie category for 2009. Grrr!
My copy of the DVD is 2D cos I have a visual impairment affecting my left eye that makes 3D movies and Magic Eye books a pain to view.
Although a bit scary in parts for younger children it is a tale of courage in defeating the deceptive other version of her life on the surface 'better' life on the other side as they try to trap her.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Ocean Waves


This entry is a bit late as I've had the dvd since it's release over here one that wasn't without being put back a few times. It's also worth noting that this title isn't and will not be released in North America because it was not part of the deal done by Disney who distribute Studio Ghilbi there.
This offering was one that Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and the director of many highly regarded Ghibli titles played no part in. This has left this title which gives younger staff members an opportunity to shine to be neglected in the West
Ocean Waves is a story impacting only on three characters, Taku and Yutaka who are joined by Rikako (a transfer student from Tokyo), locked inside their own small little world. It's a story covering the journey towards adulthood of three high schoolers, where the friendship of two is damaged by the one thing besides hate that can destroy bonds - love.
It is a moving story which I enjoyed although the characterization revealed in the story for Yutaka was too short and we only see the selfish side of Rikako rather then the mature woman she became.

Monday 15 February 2010

Sade: Soldier Of Love.


















It seems so long from the groups last releases Lovers Rock Live never mind the Lover's Rock itself.
In that time much in the World has changed and not necessarily for the better.
The good thing I would say about this album is just that - it's basically the same vibe - just updated with lyrics that match our needs today surrounded as we are by conflict and mutual misunderstanding.
As ever Sade have come up with sophisticated pop, with heartfelt lyrical themes and lithe acoustic guitars often played against snappish synthetic beats. The lead single Soldier Of Love is aurally ornate, with military-issue snare drumming. Be That Easy is feathery country soul, and In Another Time waltzes slow to a minor key. There’s no big-beat single, nor is their any of the all too prevailing auto tune. Strongly recommended.

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Gloves

Well it had to happen to a girl, eh?
My fawn gloves I from Accessorize @ Monsoon (I think that's how you spell it) when I plucked up the courage to go in their in person, developed a hole. So as many of you in the UK know it's been kind of cold lately I had to get a replacement pair sharpish and got a pair of white 'thermal ones from McColls Newsagents of all places in one of their bargain clearout bins. McColls have branches in most parts of Cheshire including the poor districts like what I live in (we're not all Millionaires) although when next go to the City I may pay Monsoons another visit.

Friday 5 February 2010

Kanon


This was a four disc region 1 dvd set I got for Christmas and have been watching recently.
The story is narrated through Yuichi who hasn't seen his cousin Nayuki in years. Upon his return seemingly all his knowledge of ever visiting has vanished. He senses something vaguely familiar around his surroundings trying his best to adjust but his memory gaps haunt him as time grows ever short.
He sees in time the pieces of this puzzle, the mysterious girl with the winged backpack, a sword wielding dragon slayer and an eerie silent beauty with blazing tresses but it's up to Yuichi to discover how all these pieces of the puzzle fit together.

Monday 1 February 2010

The Sea























No! We're not going to the seaside although that would be rather fun but it's the name of Corinne Bailey Rae's new album issued in the UK on Virgin today.It's been a good while in the making from S/T which sold four million copies world-wide and picked up several awards through the untimely death in 2008 of her partner. Many of the songs such as the opener 'Are You Here' are built on insistent bass riffs and another 'The Blackest Lily' is driven by heavy bass and rock guitar solo a reflection of her past involvement in rock.Stylistically many of these songs are slow reflective pieces with some uptempo numbers added to avoid the drift toward the maudlin.'I Would call It Beauty' is a gorgeous slow piece.
Of the ballads 'The Sea' a piece inspired by the downing of her Grandfather, has lush beatlesque qualitys and closes the album on a high. My copy was the digipak but really it's more a mini lp style gatefold sleeve minus a inner sleeve.
I'd grade it three and a half out of five which may sound low but this album is heads and shoulders above much of what R&B divas come up with lyrically and stylistically and is a slow grower.