Live Performance Review: Laura Marling (Solo Acoustic), Wednesday 25.09.2013 19:00 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Perfect, Perfect, Perfect . 

Film Review: The Artist and The Model (12A) (Spain/France 2012) (Director: Fernando Trueba) (French, Catalan & Spanish with English Subtitles) Saturday 21.09.2013 20:45 The Filmhouse Cinema Screen One, Edinburgh 

I was interested in seeing this for two reasons. The first was that I saw this directors previous film, 'Chico & Rita' (2010) at the cinema and greatly enjoyed it. Secondly the central relationship of this film, focusing upon an older artist and a young and naive model, reminded me of one of my favorite films, 'La Belle Noiseuse' (1991) by Jacques Rivette. 

The film is set towards the end of the second world war, the model having escaped from Spain is hidden by the artist and his wife just over the French border, yet the setting allows all parties a good deal of respite from the troubles. Despite the context always being present, it never sits heavy on precedings. There are humorous moments and a general lightness of touch which does not feel to belittle the times, though to me reinforces the fact that people will always make efforts to have their lives and activities continue as normal whenever possible.     

The film has a languid pace that suits its ruminations on simple yet important elements of life. It is beautifully shot in high contrast black and white. There are shots which achieve a visually intriguing and entirely apt effect of being both crisp and slightly blurry at the same time. 

The central relationship between artist and model is well portrayed with both parties gently easing to and trusting the ways of the other; the model enabling the artist to complete one last piece and the artist assisting the model to find a way of making her way in the world. Each becomes able to be vulnerable and frivolous in the presence of the other. I also appreciate that there is no attempt to play to modern 'shiny' sensibilities in how the model is portrayed in natural unaffected beauty.  

The film felt to be a very gentle yet satisfying watch. Although it did not have the epicness of 'La Belle Noiseuse', it still has a depth and easily stays with me for the two days between watching and writing this. 

I have swithered over the rating and the rating reflects that I suspect that this film will be a bit of a grower and likely to offer greater rewards upon repeat viewing. 

Rating: 10/10.  

        

Film Review: You're Next (18), (U.S.A. 2011) (Director: Adam Wingard), Saturday 14.09.2013 23:00, The Cameo Cinema, Screen Three, Edinburgh

This is a horror film that centres upon a family reunion, that becomes attached by several people wearing animal masks. It is largely a slasher film with a few genuine jolts and surprises. The surprises are not that surprising in retrospect, though still the story development is well managed and the deaths are suitably gruesome. 

I found the film enjoyable, though I have one grumble. The trailer uses Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' which then has not part in the film. I find this practice of uses elements in advertising that are not related to the film to be misleading and unnecessary. 

I suspect this is a film that many horror fans will enjoy, though it is not for the weak of stomach. 

Rating: 07/10. 

Film Review: Upstream Color (12A) (U.S.A. 2013) (Director: Shane Carruth) Sunday 08.09.2013 13:30 The Filmhouse Cinema Screen Two, Edinburgh 

I went to see this as it appeared to be getting near universally high praise and comment suggested it was visually striking. 

I found it to be very disappointing, impossible to follow what was happening and only very occasionally visually impressive. Despite this I did have a sense that the film did have a sense of what it was trying to convey, though sadly it alludes me as to what that may be. 

I also find it very hard to comment on the acting, and I feel this to be due to how difficult it was to follow. There were also elements left without explanation, such as why the central couple developed such a bond so quickly which appeared unsatisfactory.      

I did not find it annoying despite its slow pace and impenetrable nature, & not once did I consider leaving. With what I've said it will come as no surprise that I cannot rate this well. 

Rating: 02/10.  

Live Performance Review: The Staves, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Saturday 07.09.2013, 19:00

There was a male singer & acoustic guitar player in support, though not good enough to warrant further writing. 

The Staves were very classy. Lovely singing & harmonising. The three sisters also had a very comfortable and unaffected rapport with each other and the audience. 

The sisters were accompanied by two other musicians on guitar and drums for some songs. Although these songs were finely performed, I cannot hide that I would prefer if all of The Staves songs were performed by just the three sisters. When you can harmonise as well as they do, I feel it is a shame to add other sounds on top. Though this is a quibbling personal preference. 

They were very impressive and I would be up for seeing them again, once they have released more tunes and can do a longer performance. 

They are doing a performance towards the end of October 2013 at The Queen's Hall in Edinburgh. If you know and like the staves, I recommend going. I'm sure they will do a great performance and it would be a great venue to see them in. 

Rating: 09/10.        

Live Performance Review: First Love produced by Gate Theatre Dublin (Edinburgh International Festival (E.I.F.) 2013), Saturday 31.08.2012 19:00 Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

This, as with Eh Joe on Tuesday past, is a performance of a Samuel Beckett work. Also as with Tuesday's, this was a single-hander, this time for the actor Peter Egan. To my mind this was a portrayal of a bitter and isolated old man whose intelligence fuels his cynicism. 

The writing was complex and stuffed with ideas and paradoxes. The end conclusion/denouncement is that people make a choice to either expose themselves to love and loving or they don't. It appears as though the character has realised that he has shunned opportunities for this richness in his life. I had greatly enjoyed this performance, as I had the one on Tuesday and to think I had been very wary of Beckett expecting it to be very dour and humorless. Both performances were in ways simple, though also profound.

Rating: 10/10.    

Live Performance Review: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (Edinburgh International Festival (E.I.F.) 2013), Thursday 29.08.2012 20:00 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh 

I had first become familiar with the work of this choir about three or four years ago. I had been particularly taken with some acapella singing towards the end of the Shane Meadow's film 'Dead Man's Shoes' (2004). The music did not feature of the soundtrack album and was not listed in the credits at the end of the film. I landed up staying up all night (on a school night) hunting it down on the internet. This resulted, by the end of the night, in my knowing that the hauntingly beautiful music was recorded by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and it was to arrive within days on CD. When I noted them in the brochure, I had no hesitation in knowing I wanted to see them perform.   

The entire performance was acapella. The choir consisted of 27 singers, 14 female & 13 male, and the conductor. 

This was an incredible performance. Phenomenal, in the literal sense. If I had to choose a section that was better than any other, then I would have to say the 'Rachmaninov All-Night Vigil', which was meant to conclude the performance was particularly of note. We were then treated to a lovely bonus encore piece of 'an old Estonian song'. Remarkable and staggeringly sublime, one of the finest performances I have ever had the pleasure to experience. I cannot praise highly enough. Perfect!

This I cannot rate. It was too great for such categorising.