[rating=5]
US: 94 min • Miramax • DVD

The classic tale of boy meets girl set against the cut-throat world of ballroom dancing. It’s Baz Luhrmann untainted.

Everything about Strictly Ballroom is vibrant; the strong lighting and use of extreme close-ups, the mix of traditional and modern music, the heart pounding choreography, the vivid colours of the sets and costumes, and the energy of characters themselves, whooften flirt with caricature but are never so outlandish that they become unbelievable.

[rating=3]
US: 94 min • TLA Releasing • DVD

Teen angst, self-discovery and homosexuality with a love of Stevie Nicks thrown in.

Even though at times the film gets rather clumsy, jumping from one encounter to the next with often predictable results, it is an engaging film due to some very good performances from the central and supporting cast.

[rating=5] (ironically scattered stars)
US: 152 min • TLA Releasing • DVD (2 Disc)

If Sunset Beach was over-run with sex-crazed ineffectual vampires with a penchant for same sex proclivities, you would have The Lair. What’s not to like?

It’s a ‘Class A’ Guilty Pleasure which is incredibly addictive and has scene after scene of ‘wtf?’ moments such as the Sheriff’s reaction to the discovery of yet another dead body in the ongoing murder case. His deadpan assessment of the situation is, “We got a young John Doe. Naked… Dead… Makes a good looking corpse”.

[rating=5]
Released on January 26th, 2009

Franz Ferdinand on superb form and moving in a “slightly new” direction.

There is evidence in some of the new tracks of their moving in a slightly new direction – let’s say a slightly more experimental, slightly more mature, & slightly sexier Franz Ferdinand. Note the heavy use of the word ‘slightly’.

[rating=5]
Released on February 16th, 2009

This collection only serves to confirm how greatness of St Etienne.

While the term ‘perfect pop’ gets bandied around a little too often these days it really does apply here. See, what you get with ‘London Conversations’ are 35 of the most peerless pop moments from the last two decades.

[rating=4]
Released on March 16th, 1984

A ‘difficult’ third album that is both courageous and satisfying.

Putting aside its deliberately lo-fi sound – heck, some of it was even recorded in mono – what you had in your grubby little, nail-bitten hands was an exemplary set from a band who’d always taken a walk on the wild side.

An interview with Darren Hayes.

An interview with Darren Hayes about the album This Delicate Thing We’ve Made, the DVD This Delicate Film We’ve Made, and the issue of gay rights.

I definitely come from a generation where my first sexual awareness was based in shame. It wasn’t like I put on my ruby slippers and headed off to the magical West End.

[rating=4]
UK: 135 min • Really Useful Group • Adelphi Theatre, London

Gareth Gates is a revelation in this production of Joseph.

What can be said of Gareth Gates is that if he’s given half the chance, he could not only keep the show afloat, but he could breathe fresh life into the production and take it to new uncharted heights.

[rating=3]
192 pages • IDW Publishing Horse • March 15th, 2008 [PB]

In the third collection of the Season Eight comic series Buffy finally gets in touch with her inner lesbian. Nerds worldwide mourn that this is not televised …

Both the girls are naked and just about everyone who matters – even twinkster Andrew – interrupt their post-coital embrace.

136 pages • Dark Horse • March 5th, 2008 [PB]

[rating=5]
378 pages • Public Affairs • October 2nd, 2008

A fascinating collection of journalism from 2008 that marks the end of the Bush era.

To understand what America has become, what it can become, and why Obama is the ideal candidate to bring about change, this is essential reading.