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Film Reviews – Lincoln & Zero Dark Thirty

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This week I took to the airwaves with esteemed colleagues Janice Forsyth and Paul Gallagher to review Friday’s big, Oscar-nominated releases: Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, starring Daniel Day Lewis, and Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty starring Jessica Chastain.

You can hear them at the top and bottom of the show, streaming here, with lots more great content in the middle including Ian Hoey on the film to digital transfer, and Pasquale Iannone on the Filmhouse’s upcoming Roman Polanski season.

You can stream the show via the BBC website, or download the BBC Movie Café podcast.

Have you seen Lincoln or Zero Dark Thirty? What did you think?

Top 12 Films of 2012

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I’m generally not one for Top 10 lists. In fact, I’ve abstained from the collective Top 10 with The Skinny the past 2 years. But since I wrote up my Top 12 Books of 2012, I decided I might as well do films too.

These are in no particular order.

Young Adult


Young Adult is a story that proved Diablo Cody’s worth and blew the lid off the Plutonic ideals of being a writer. Something about its representations of the lazy and casual acceptance of shallow high school drama and reality television really worked for me, and Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt were fantastic. Full review here.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

I don’t know if “psychological thriller” is a label that is applied to this film, but it’s certainly my idea of a good one. Compelling and spooky, it’s a film that asks more questions than it answers, and it really stuck with me. Another great performance from John Hawkes, who has quickly become one of my favourite actors.

Tiny Furniture

If the mark of a good movie is equal or greater enjoyment on second viewing, this film fails. I initially watched this at Glasgow Film Festival 2011, closer to my graduate ennui/doing a Masters and languishing at my parents’ house period. Rewatching it a year later – and after having seen Girls season 1 – it had lost much of its bite. In context, though, it’s fantastic, and I’m a huge Lena Dunham fan, so it makes the cut.

Looper

I do love Rian Johnson’s films. This was one of the big releases of the year for me, and although it was somewhat overhyped it didn’t disappoint. Original story, great performances, and it’s been great to see a filmmaker spend months deflecting alleged plot holes…

Marley

An epic documentary from Kevin Macdonald with fantastic interviews from sparkling subjects, gorgeous shots from Jamaica’s Trenchtown, and an absolute avoidance of hagiography. Full review on the BBC Movie Café podcast. Click here (right click, save as) to download. [Offline]

Wild Bill

Easily the British film of the year. Western meets kitchen sink, with real flair from a long-time actor and first-time filmmaker. Full review here. Interview with director Dexter Fletcher here.

Tabu

The film of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012 for many; myself included. Part silent film, part meditation, this 2-part drama has everything a pretentious film fan could ever want. In a good way.

The Descendants

Family drama, dark humour, and George Clooney. What more could you possibly want? Full review on the BBC Movie Café podcast. Click here (right click, save as) to download. [Offline.]

Ruby Sparks

Ever seen a film that you loved so much, and that was written so much towards you and your sensibilities, that you almost wanted to hate it? Ruby Sparks was that for me. Simple filmmaking, the struggling second-time novelist trope, and a great take-down of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Probably my film of the year, and I kinda wish writer and co-star Zoe Kazan and I could be friends.

Your Sister’s Sister

Another gem from Glasgow Film Festival, breaking its long-held tradition for having a disappointing Opening Gala pick. The final 10-15 minutes and closing scene caused some debate, but it’s a neat wee indie film nonetheless.

Wreck-It Ralph

This fantastic new animation from Disney isn’t released in the UK until January, but it makes my list. Aping video game characters old and new, this touching story is spectacularly well-cast (John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, and Jack McBrayer) and has borrowed all the best bit from the Pixar filmmaking process.

Chasing Ice

Long-listed for the Academy Awards, Chasing Ice is probably the best issue documentary you’ll see for several years. Where Al Gore showed graphs and projections, environmental photographer James Balog gives undeniable visual evidence for climate change. Remarkable, worldview-altering stuff. In UK cinemas this month, find local screenings here.

What are your films of the year? Which films are you looking forward to in 2013?

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Read my Top Books of 2012.

Top 12 Books of 2012

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Every year I challenge myself to read 52 books. Some years I win, some I lose, but the point is to read and enjoy as many books as possible, to remember to get my nose out of my laptop and into some great writing for a few hours each week.

I’ve been blurbing the titles I read over here, but in the end-of-year spirit I wanted to share 12 books that I loved this year and why you should read them.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander

Nathan Englander is a new discovery for me. Holy shit, this man can write. Billed alongside Junot Díaz at Edinburgh Book Festival, I had no idea what I was getting myself in for with this book. I can’t do it justice – just know that I went straight out and bought his first short story collection and debut novel after reading this amazing volume.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Bloody Nora. Sadly for me, it took this great woman’s death for me to get to grips with her work. A sour tale of adultery and general jiltedness (I know that isn’t a word), this is memoir dressed as fiction. But that much is clear from the beginning. The story is smattered with recipes, and those aren’t the only parts you’ll want to tear out. Cutting remarks and cunning insights from a woman who’s seen all there is to see. Nora Explains it All.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck, man. Dude knew how to write a fucking book. A masterful novel in prose, dialogue, subject matter, and beyond. If you were looking for a time to read this book, there’s no time like the present; especially as its themes are as prescient as they’ll ever be. History repeats itself. Novels like this one don’t have to.

Travels With Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck

What did I just tell you? I actually read this one before Grapes, but it’s true. This one was written late in Steinbeck’s career, and is a memoir of his travels across the country in an RV accompanied by his poodle, Charley. It’s a charming recollection of 1950s America and a meditation (although not at all what that word suggests) of life in general. Everything I expected and more – and how often can a reader say something like that?

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

When I appeared on the New Year 2012 edition of the SBT Book Talk podcast I said I was looking forward to reading this book. It took me until Autumn to get around to it – but the middle of baseball season is as good a time as any. If you’re put off by it being a “baseball book” – don’t worry, it isn’t. It’s a book about life. Like baseball, Harbach’s is prose with rhythm. It has gravity and wit, tragedy and intelligence. It even has a great female character.




The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

John Green is an author recovering from a Manic Pixie Dream Girl hangover. This ain’t no Looking for Alaska or Paper Towns – though all 3 are great novels. You’ll have seen this book on just about every Top Books of 2012 list out there. If you won’t listen to TIME or the rest, why would you listen to me? I have a spare copy, you can borrow it if you want. In fact, here’s a link. Laugh, cry. Enjoy.


Divergent by Veronica Roth

Although I try to convince myself that 1. I’ve read enough YA to be getting along with and 2. I prefer contemporary fiction, anyway – this one was a lot of fun. If you’re looking for the next Hunger Games, I think you’ll have a good time between the pages of this little number. Plus, Veronica Roth is, like, my age, and is probably definitely going places. Give her a boost and this book will give you one back.

Rin Tin Tin: The Life and Legend by Susan Orlean

If Veronica Roth is the writer you’d like to be in your present, Susan Orlean is the writer you definitely want to be in your future. Orlean blends biography with memoir, non-fiction with prose, and it’s an absolute delight to read. If you love a good documentary, this is one in paper form that you won’t want to miss. Film fans, get on it.


Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Speaking of films, I picked this up primarily because I was due to watch the film and, well, I can’t trust myself to review adaptations of classics without getting my hands dirty. This is the original YA novel, I’m sure of it. But at the same time, of course it isn’t. Either way it’s timeless, sumptuous, and utterly compelling.

This is How You Lose Her Junot Díaz

Do you know Junot? Do you know that I recommend his novel to EVERYONE, ALL OF THE TIME? A dark and compelling take on life – equal parts Central American machismo and perspective-changing prose. My words won’t do it justice, so let it speak for itself.

A Song of Ice and Fire – A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin

I never expected to enjoy this series but I’ve been lapping it up. It’s a masterclass in fantasy writing: thrill and suspense that leads sometimes to payoff, other times to dashed hopes. You’ve probably heard this all before. Above all else, it has characters you’ll care about despite yourself. I’m afraid to finish this series and even more afraid of anywhere spoilers may lurk. Come share my joy and pain.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Remember what it’s like to be 12? Me neither. Not until I read this. Beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated, I suggest you seek this out at World Book Night 2013.

What have you been reading this year? Give me your recommendations!

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