Listen, read, watch & wander. #1
So, I thought i'd start this new little feature, which came to me on the train of all places (I told you I spend far too much time on trains!) I had the idea to share every so often, my most listened to, my must read, my must watch and my must visit. I'm thinking maybe monthly? If this is an utterly rubbish idea, please let me know but we'll give it a go anywho...
Listen: Temples
I saw this band back in early November when they supported The Mystery Jets on their Radlands tour, they've been a regular on my iPod ever since! They look and sound as if they've beamed straight in from the ninteen sixties, all fringes and retro sounding psychedelia although they actually describe themselves as 'neo-psych'. Theres more than a nod to The Beatles in their debut single 'Shelter Song' that was released back in November, so if retro guitars and (as The Guardian put it) hallucinogenic pop are your thing, this is the band for you. They've attracted praise from none other than Johnny Marr...frankly what more could you possibly need to convince you?! In my humble opinion, they're brilliant, a breath of fresh, if a bit retro air, if they can even be put in the same sentence, and they are definitely my one to watch. Have a listen here: facebook.com/templesofficial.
Read: The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Now, as anyone who knows me will testify, when it comes to this book and Sylvia Plath as a writer, I am completely biased. She absolutely fascinates me, in fact i'm currently in the middle of my dissertation that is wholly based on her work. I'm on my second copy of it as my first copy was so annotated and thumbed through it was practically falling apart at the bindings! This book is 50 years old this year and by the looks of a lot of bookshops i've browsed recently, it's having a bit of a moment again, which I think is fabulous as I would one million percent recommend everyone to read it.I was recommended to read it by a few people, it basically follows the story of the protagonist Esther as she deals with her severe depression, attempted suicide, treatment and recovery in a time when electro-shock treatment was considered a pioneering method of mental health treatment. I know that it doesn't sound like the most uplifting book in the world, and I won't sugar coat it, it's not. But, what it is, is an incredible piece of writing and a book that will stay with you long after you read it. I'll stop there because I could go on literally all day, but really, it's worth a read. Get it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bell-Jar-Sylvia-Plath/dp/0571226167
Watch: Like Crazy
I'd heard about this film in a random tv interview with Felicity Jones quite a while ago, i've only just got around to watching it, but i'm more than glad that I did. It's brilliant. It's a really low budget film, filmed on a DSLR camera with a mostly improvised script, so if you're into no frills indie type films then this is perfect. The whole film has an almost home video kind of quality to it, so it almost feels like the characters have made it for themselves. The film follows the story of Anna (Felicity Jones of Chalet Girl fame), a British exchange student, studying in LA, who falls for American student Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and the film charts their intoxicating relationship, which leads to Anna overstaying her student visa and they are (in an emotionally charged scene) torn apart when she is refused entry back into the US. They then attempt to maintain a transatlantic long distance relationship over weeks, months and years and we see the trials and tribulations that this brings. The chemistry between the two is so natural and genuine and it makes the story seem utterly believable. It's heartbreaking at times, but the whole film is beautifully executed. It's romance for the real world, away from the hearts, flowers and fuss of your typical rom-com. I know i'm rambling again, and it may be because I empathise with the characters having (somehow!) managed to maintain a long distance relationship myself for the past 4 and a half years, but it's a brilliant film and I urge you to watch it! Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ZV-bwZmBw
Wander: The Orange Tree, Leicester
I've been wanting to watch Like Crazy for ages, I can imagine it'll be one of them films to make me cry.
ReplyDeleteHannah
x
www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com
It's so, so good! And yes, definitely get the tissues out... i'm really not one to get over emotional about films but this one was definite Kleenex territory!
ReplyDeleteSophs xx
Oh my word the Orange Tree was my second home when I lived in Leicester. I used to work round the corner so spent a lot of time in there drinking Bay of Passion cocktails :) x
ReplyDeleteIt's fab! I've walked past it so many times, it was about time we went in and the cocktails were lovely! xx
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