The Brown Note Movie Review

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023) Movie Review

Guy Ritchie's latest still isn't doubling down on the career high of The Gentlemen, but whilst the luminescent Aubrey Plaza or an irascible Hugh Grant are on screen, this appallingly rote spy-flick is elevated.

Tár (2023) Film Review

One of this years major Oscar contenders is a total tour de force, with an already well celebrated lead actor. It is also an unexpected foray into the world of post #MeToo and cancel culture.

Fever Ray - Radical Romantics (2023) Album Review

Sweden's The Knife alumni turns in by far their most compelling solo album (out of three) and the best new album I've heard this year.

Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You (2023) Album Review

Probably this years most acclaimed album so far, is, for me decidedly mid, lackluster, dated and often boring, oh dear.

The Last Of Us: Episode 9 - Look For The Light (2023) TV Review

Perhaps an ironic title for this crushingly bleak finale to probably the TV event of the year - and a fitting strong episode that is centered on a massive moral question - would you sacrifice the person you love the most to save everyone else in the world.

All Quiet On The Western Front (2022) Film Review

I suspect that Ukraine played a big part in the awards success of this German anti-war film, which even the Germans called "Shallow, cynical and horny for Oscars", because other than the awards-worthy cinematography, sound and score - everything else is decidedly mid-tier. Almost as basic and trite as a modern war film could be without being directed by Steven Spielberg.

The Oscars 2023 Round-up

Exactly what it says on the tin, my yearly round-up of the Oscars.

Orbital - Optical Delusion (2023) Album Review

After a righteous victory lap with last years 30 Something celebrations, where would one of the all time greatest and most important electronic music acts go? For me they've successfully welded their past and modern electronic music into a highly political album that hits a surprisingly sweet spot.

The Last Of Us: Episode 8 - When We Are In Need (2023) TV Review

After the middling episode 7 the series roars back into life, with one of the most powerhouse and satisfying episodes (perhaps alongside Ep 5) and also the darkest and most brutal. Bella Ramsey has her finest hour as Ellie and an excellent Scott Shepherd as preacher David, is the lowest humanity has sunk so far. Great stuff.

John Cale - Mercy (2023) Album Review

The Velvet Underground legend's fine seventeenth solo album makes the unexpected detour into Yacht-rock/pop and electronica with a raft of contemporary artists. I wouldn't mind a bit of trimming over its occasionally duller first half but it's and album that grows through its duration and also repeated listens.