03/04/2019 by Peter Viney
Review of the 2019 Netflix The Highwaymen starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. This is the story of Bonnie and Clyde told from the law men’s point of view – we only get glimpses of Bonnie and Clyde. A superb feature film, straight to Netflix after a token short theatrical run of two weeks, as is the current fashion.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged John Fusco, John Lee Hancock, Kathy Bates, Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson | Leave a Comment »
01/04/2019 by Peter Viney
Over at the Toppermost website, a three part article on Fleetwood Mac is up (FOLLOW LINK). Part one is by Andrew Shields (the Peter Green era 1967-1970), Part two is by David Lewis (The Bob Welch & Others Era 1970-74) and Part 3 (The Buckingham-Nicks era) is by me. It’s one we discussed for years … was it one band or several bands? The answer was the three part article. If you want to comment, do at the Toppermost site.
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28/03/2019 by Peter Viney
Review of Christopher Marlowe’s “Edward II” at the Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s a play best-known for King Edward II’s grisly ending. Come to think of it, Van Morrison had a backing band called The Red Hot Pokers for a while. I doubt it’s a reference! A lively production with good pace, and surprisingly transparent for a 1592 play you’re seeing for the first time.
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27/03/2019 by Peter Viney
Review added of the National Theatre production of FOLLIES (linked) by Stephen Sondheim. This revival of the 2017 production had universal 5 star reviews. Ah! Not quite universal … But not from me … read and see.
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25/03/2019 by Peter Viney
It’ll be a busy week for reviews, and this is a 2007 film. We rewatched it last night (again) and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is such a favourite that I thought I’d review it while listening to the soundtrack CD today. 31 Beatles songs frame a 1968 story bouncing between Liverpool and (mainly) the USA. One of my all time great musicals. Brilliant choreography too.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bono, Dana Fuchs, Dick Clement, Dylan Baker, Eddie Izzard, Evan Rachel Wood, Ian La Fresnais, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson, Joe Cocker, Julie Taymor, Martin Luther McCoy, T.V. Carpio | Leave a Comment »
24/03/2019 by Peter Viney
Somewhat belated review of Mike Leigh’s film Peterloo (LINKED(, telling the story of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester. I thought the film unbalanced. The beginning and last 30 minutes are brilliant (and unmissable) filming, but it falls flat in the middle for me.
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Review added of the Touring Production of Much Ado About Nothing, from Northern Broadsides and The Young Vic. We saw it in Salisbury but it’s touring through the Spring. It’s set in 1945 with the military nobles as returning RAF officers, and the “locals” as part of the Women’s Land Army. A nice concept.
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10/03/2019 by Peter Viney
Review added of Macbeth at the Watermill Theatre. A thrilling, fast production with lots of music, featuring Billy Postlethwaite and Emma McDonald as a super Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It makes such a difference seeing young, potent actors in the role rather than the usual older pillars of the profession. Brilliant
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Billy Postlethwaite, Emma McDonald, Eva Feiler, Lillie Flynn, Max Runham, Mike Slader, Offue Okegbe, Paul Hart, Peter Mooney, Sally Cheng, Victoria Blunt | Leave a Comment »
27/02/2019 by Peter Viney
The 60s Retrospective series continues focussing on 1968 with cult Hammer Horror film, The Devil Rides Out (LINKED) with Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Patrick Mower. It got the spicier title The Devil’s Bride in the USA. Read about it even if you haven’t seen it. It was towards the end of that genre.
QUOTE: The Devil Rides Out harks back to a time when satanic forces could be defeated by a good sock on the jaw, daylight and the odd silver cross.
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26/02/2019 by Peter Viney
The link goes to a new article on “Anti Songs.” That is songs which protested against the counter culture, protest, long hair and so on. Some vehement stuff there from The Spokesmen on Dawn of Correction to Nancy and Frank Sinatra on Life’s A Trippy Thing. Suggestions welcome for more.
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