Film Review: The Debt (2010)

'The Debt' (UK Release: 30 Sept '11) // Words: Saam Das

In 2007, an Israeli film called 'The Debt' was released, a fictional tale of the cover-up of a failed Mossad mission to extract a Nazi war criminal from Germany. Fast-forward to 2011 and an English language remake has emerged. I'm not inherently against remakes - one of my favourite films is 'The Departed', which is based on the Hong Kong 'Infernal Affairs' franchise - but unfortunately, 'The Debt' is an underwhelming thriller.

Surfacing: Shura

Words: Saam Das

I've found myself quite entranced by Shura's self-described "night folk", having stumbled upon her work in collaboration with Hiatus, who we've praised in the past for his "moody electronica". In fact, I think I'm going to be on the radio this evening talking about the project, so tune into Now Playing on BBC 6Music from 7pm, if you dare.

Small Screen: The Fades [TV Blog]

BBC iPlayer: 'The Fades' (UK Airdate: 2011) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

Television has been desperately, desperately in need of a teen-centric supernatural drama series that doesn’t revolve around sparkly vampires or inexplicably lovestruck werewolves for quite some time now – and thankfully 'The Fades' has arrived to fill this bloodthirsty void.

Album Review: Wilco - The Whole Love

Wilco - 'The Whole Love' (UK Release: 26 Sept '11) // Words: Simon Opie

By their own amazingly high standards Wilco’s last album - 2009's 'Wilco (The Album)' - was somewhat disappointing, so I am pleased to report that 'The Whole Love' is a really fine effort and a return to form. Rather than simply replay the successful Wilco formula, the album embraces an experimental approach that explores new sounds and textures, putting their collective creative talents to good use.

Album Review: Kill It Kid - Feet Fall Heavy

Kill It Kid - 'Feet Fall Heavy' (UK Release: 19 Sept '11) // Words: Emily Arc

Bath based Kill It Kid released their self titled debut in 2009 and now, after leaving the violin behind, they’re back with follow up 'Feet Fall Heavy'. This album sees the band further showcasing their love for the Deep South with snippets of field recordings from renowned folklorist Alan Lomax, adding all round authenticity to the record.

TV Preview: The Walking Dead Season Two

'The Walking Dead' Season Two // Words: Jake Tobin

After the success of the first season of 'The Walking Dead', including a renewal after only one episode (the feature length pilot) had aired, anticipation for the second season has been high, but events behind the scenes have been as much a topic of discussion in the press as the show itself. The show returns to US and UK screens in October, but will it be the same show we enjoyed for six short weeks last autumn?

Listen: Cold Specks - Old Stepstone [New B-side]

Words: Jack Thomson

Al Spx, aka Cold Specks, first appeared on the radar with the incredibly dark, yet strangely beautiful 'Holland'. It has since been announced that 'Holland' is to be released as a limited 7" single on October 17 with a rendition of 'Old Stepstone' as the b-side.

Film Review: Drive (2011)

'Drive' (UK Release: 23 Sept '11) // Words: Alicia McBride

'Drive' is continuously being hailed as the "coolest film of the year", an accolade that’s being banded around frequently due to its quotability and universal appeal - who doesn’t like ‘cool’ things? – but for once here’s a film that lives up to its ubiquitous trademark status. It is effortlessly stylish, ultra-violent and soundtracked by synth-heavy electropop from the likes of Kavinsky and Chromatics. Cool barely begins to cover it.

Album Review: Kasabian - Velociraptor!

Kasabian - 'Velociraptor!' (UK Release: 19 Sept '11) // Words: Rajan Lakhani

For a city whose musical heritage had consisted previously of Showaddywaddy and Englebert Humperdinck, Kasabian were a huge blessing. I went to their concert at De Montfort Hall, Leicester in 2006 and their connection with the locals was extraordinary. Their last album, 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum', was my album of the year in 2009, with its weird yet entrancing blend of hip-hop, electronic and psychedelia.

Film Review: Bernie (2011) [London Film Festival]

'Bernie' (UK Release: TBC) // Words: Saam Das

Richard Linklater's latest film 'Bernie' sees the director team up with former collaborators Jack Black ('School Of Rock') and Matthew McConaughey ('Dazed And Confused') for this pseudo-documentary on the tragi-comic tale of larger-than-life Texan funeral director, Bernard Tiede. The most bizarre thing being that 'Bernie' is based on a true story.

Live Review: Slow Club @ The Kazimier

Slow Club & Stealing Sheep live at The Kazimier, Liverpool (23 Sept '11) // Words: Emily Arc

The Kazimier. Potentially one of Liverpool’s best music venues, so where else to house the fantastic Slow Club, right? Right. Set out like a theatre, with wooden beams and balconies, hundreds of cans of Red Stripe flying around, a backstage that was upstairs and a huge glittered gold drum kit, the scene was set, and the atmosphere was positively buzzing.

TV Review: Doctor Who - Closing Time [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Twelve: 'Closing Time' (SPOILER-FREE) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

SYNOPSIS: “Sci-fi drama. The Doctor's final days are upon him - but when he drops in on an old friend, the Cybermen are waiting.” (bbc.co.uk)

The amount of enjoyment you’ll get from this episode is probably directly proportional to how insufferable you do or do not find James Corden, who returns (quite triumphantly) as Craig Owens, last seen in episode eleven of the previous series, 'The Lodger'.

Album Review: WATERS - Out In The Light

WATERS - 'Out In The Light' (UK Release: 19 Sept '11) // Words: Simon Opie

From the ashes of much admired alt-folk band Port O’Brien, frontman Van Pierszalowski has fashioned WATERS (like FADED GLAMOUR, it’s in capital letters), a band of sympathetic souls he found in Oslo, turned up the ‘Rawk’ control and cut loose. 'Out In The Light' is the result and it’s quite simply terrific, being both oddly familiar and refreshingly new. It sounds somewhat like how I imagine REM might have sounded if they had started (rather than ended) in 2011.

London Film Festival: 2011 Top 8 Must-See Films

Words: Saam Das

The 2011 London Film Festival is but a mere blip away and today sees the opening of public booking of tickets at 9.30am on the BFI website. I'm sure you've already planned your purchases but I've scoured eight different outlets from The Guardian to your average joe blogger to compile a ("crowdsourced") list of the Top 8 Must-See films at the London Film Festival 2011. Just in case you've missed anything.

Film Preview: Real Steel (2011)

'Real Steel' (UK Release: 14 Oct '11) // Words: Ced Yuen

Summer may be over, but it doesn’t mean that we’re done with the mindless blockbusters just yet. 'Real Steel' is a film about robots and boxing - a quick search on IMDb will turn up comparisons to 'Rocky' and 'Robot Wars'. I think it looks like a film version of the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em.

Listen: Paper Crows - When Friends Survive

Words: Saam Das

Well, well, well. It turns out Paper Crows' new single sounds almost nothing like the old atmospheric Paper Crows recorded material. But having mentioned their "club beats" after seeing them live almost a year ago, perhaps it's surprisingly unsurprisingly that 'When Friends Survive' is almost Paper Crows gone europop.

Competition: Win 3 Copies Of 'Tomorrow When The War Began' On Blu-ray

Paramount Home Entertainment released the Australian hit 'Tomorrow When The War Began' (click away to check out Paul's review) this week and they're being ever so kind by letting us give away three Blu-rays for FG readers. Find out how to enter below.

Comment: The Great Vinyl Hunt

Words: Geraint Ellis (guest contributor from The Midweek Mixtape)

On my ninth birthday, I got a Sony Walkman. The shiny black discus became my sole and trusted accomplice – everywhere I went, battling through the rain and gloom, that little machine whirred and overheated and filled my ears with the snarl of Oasis, the gentle thrashing of Sum 41 and, once or twice, the factory produced pop of Blue. It devoured batteries in milliseconds and ruined every CD I owned, but in return it let me listen to music everywhere I went, and that made everything just perfect.

Small Screen: Torchwood - Miracle Day Series Finale [TV Blog]

'Torchwood: Miracle Day' (UK Airing: 2011) Words: Sundeep Patel

So we reach an end to the latest season of 'Torchwood', and just when I thought things were just getting started! Since my last review of the first few episodes, various political machinations, and mostly behind the scenes plotting, have lead to the internment of all ‘terminally’ injured patients into overflow camps.

Listen: ANR - It's Around You [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

The newest single from Miami twosome ANR came out at the end of August and would have been a strong contender for single of the month. Except I only heard it today when I saw the new video (embedded below). But I'm really grateful I did as it's a such a brilliant and simple dose of powerpop.

TV Review: Appropriate Adult [ITV Player]

'Appropriate Adult' // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

SYNOPSIS: “The life of housewife Janet Leach is transformed when she is asked by police to act as 'appropriate adult' for a man they have arrested - serial killer Fred West.” (itv.com)

The premise of 'Appropriate Adult' might lead you to expect a certain amount of gratuitous gore or 'CSI'-esque flashback scenes, but (mercifully) it tackles the harrowing subject matter with respectful subtlety, unravelling a story that’s both compelling and disturbing in equal measure.

Split Festival: 2011 Review

Split Festival (17-18 Sept '11, Ashbrooke Sports Club, Sunderland) // Words: Emily Solan

Now in its third year, it shames to me admit that this is my first year at Split. But forgiving me for that, the line-up for this year’s Split was possibly the best ever. Combining not only the best local talent with some brilliant artists from far and wide, they’ve also managed to think of everything including the best local food and activities for the kids too.

Film Review: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011)

'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (UK Release: 16 Sept '11) // Words: Saam Das

John Le Carré's best-selling novel, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' has already been adapted for television and the radio so it was almost inevitable that a big screen version would emerge. Any tension about the film's quality was immediately relieved upon seeing the cast list, featuring three generations of incredible British actors - including John Hurt,Gary Oldman and Tom Hardy. Yet it still arguably fails to live upto expectations.

Download: Daughter - Love [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

The debut EP from folk songstress Daughter came out earlier in the year and we're pleased to report that she's back with another EP, entitled 'The Wild Youth'. Download 'Love' below, to give you a taster before the EP is released by Communion Records in November.

Event: Big Fat Gypsy Gangster Premiere

'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' film premiere at Renoir Cinema, 14 Sept '11 // Words: Saam Das

You might know 'Big Fat Gypsy Gangster' as that film starring Ricky Grover, Omid Djalili, Tulisa from N-Dubz and Rochelle from The Saturdays. Oh and Derek Acorah. Last Wednesday, Ced and I represented Team FG at the film's premiere, which you can read all about below, ahead of its release on DVD today.

Surfacing: Erika Spring

Words: Jack Thomson

Erika Spring-Forster has been playing upbeat keyboard-based electronic pop since 2003 as part of Brooklyn based trio Au Revoir Simone. She has also been involved with Brooklyn’s all-girl covers supergroup Girl Crisis, but it is only now that she is releasing her first track as a solo artist under her own name (minus the –Forster).

Film Review: 30 Minutes Or Less (2011)

'30 Minutes Or Less' (UK Release: 16 Sept '11) // Words: Saam Das

Ruben Fleischer's directorial debut 'Zombieland' was a welcome, witty take on the horror sub-genre and he's once again teamed up with Jesse Eisenberg for his second feature film, '30 Minutes Or Less'. To say that this action comedy has dubious origins would seriously fail to note the significance of the events that loosely inspired the film.

Listen: Van Susans - Get Up, Get Out

Words: Saam Das

I'm pretty rubbish at looking through the FG inbox but sometimes I manage to look back at some old submissions. Van Susans were the lucky lot to capture my attention this time round, with the rousing 'Get Up, Get Out' proving to be the stand-out highlight of their summer EP, 'We Could Be Scenery'. Listen to the track and the debut EP below.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The God Complex [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Eleven: 'The God Complex' (SPOILER-FREE) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. The TARDIS lands in a hotel where every visitor's room contains their deepest, darkest fears. What lies in wait in the Doctor's room?" (bbc.co.uk)

EP Review: Mogwai - Earth Division

Mogwai - 'Earth Division' EP (UK Release: 12 Sept '11) //
Words: Simon Opie

Mogwai really are busy just now - touring, recording and exploring. Last year’s 'Special Moves' was absolutely one of the best live albums of all time, and this year’s 'Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will' was a truly excellent album from a band on top form. Now they have released 'Earth Division', a 4-track EP which explores some quite different avenues.

Album Review: Girls - Father, Son And Holy Ghost

Girls - 'Father, Son And Holy Ghost' (UK Release: 12 Sept '11) // Words: Rajan Lakhani

'Father, Son And Holy Ghost' sees Girls truly exploring their ambitions, producing a near-masterpiece of an album. At nearly an hour in length and with many songs over the four-minute mark, this is a record that does demand the attention of the listener but it’s very hard to imagine there will be a more rewarding record released in 2011.

Film Review: Turnout (2011)

'Turnout' (UK Release: 16 Sept '11) // Words: Saam Das

The recent London riots made me feel embarrassed to call myself a Londoner. First time feature director Lee Sales' effort makes me feel similarly morose. For the most part, 'Turnout' is as hapless as its central character George (George Russo) - lost in the mire of drug deals gone bad, relationships gone bad and films gone bad.

Surfacing: Bordeauxxx

Words: Saam Das

Not to be confused with house music production duo with one less "x", Bordeauxxx are a spritely indie-pop collective. Kieran saw them recently at LeeFest, commenting on their "terrific command of melody and song structure". Quite. Read on to listen to and download their 'Mother's Ruin' EP.

DVD Review: Tomorrow, When The War Began

'Tomorrow, When The War Began' (UK DVD Release: 19 Sept '11) // Words: Paul Dean

'Tomorrow, When The War Began' is as much a coming-of-age story as it is a tale of guerrilla fighters. A group of rural teenagers venture into the Australian outback for a holiday, only to return to discover their families have vanished and their homes are deserted. It soon becomes apparent that their country has been attacked and invaded.

Album Review: Astrid Williamson - Pulse

Astrid Williamson - 'Pulse' (UK Release: 22 Aug '11) // Words: Simon Opie

Astrid Williamson has produced a steady stream of solo albums since 1998’s Boy For You' without major recognition, although she possesses a quite exceptional voice and writes really good songs. 'Pulse' is something of a bold change of musical direction, so will it bring a change of fortunes too?

Competition: Win 3x Copies Of The Holding On DVD

Following its recent world premiere at the London FrightFest, we've teamed up with Lionsgate Home Entertainment to give away three copies of "suspense thriller" 'The Holding' on DVD. For your chance to win one of the copies, enter away below. If you're brave enough...

Download: Luke Leighfield + Jose Vanders - Blindsided [Bon Iver Cover]

Words: Saam Das

The words "free download" and "single" put together in one sentence never fail to confuse me. It's one or the other surely? I'll stick with the former. Especially when it's such a wondrous free download. You might remember Jose Vanders from blog days gone by and she's teamed up with Luke Leighfield to deliver a very special cover of Bon Iver's 'Blindsided'. Download below.

Film Review: Troll Hunter (2011)

'Troll Hunter' (UK Release: 9 Sept '11) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

Trolls have traditionally been somewhat neglected in film – the odd cameo in 'Harry Potter' and 'Lord Of the Rings' aside – but perhaps 'Troll Hunter' heralds the dawn of a new cinematic age, a post-'Twilight' era of enlightenment? I live in hope. It is, however, certainly much more than a typical monster movie.

Album Review: The Rapture - In The Grace Of Your Love

The Rapture - 'In The Grace Of Your Love' (UK Release: 5 Sept '11) //
Words: Rajan Lakhani

The Rapture have returned with their first album in five years and it’s a far more intimate record than their previous output. This should be no surprise given the tumultuous personal times lead singer Luke Jenner has experienced since the release of 'Pieces Of The People We Love', which included the loss of his mother, a constant reference throughout the record.

Surfacing: Seize The Chair

Words: Saam Das

Come 2011, the "New Yorkshire" scene seems but a hazy dream of yesteryear, concocted by magazine journalists. These days, the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys are very different bands and the vast majority of the other acts lumped together have fallen to the wayside. It's time for a new set of Yorkshire heroes. Step up, Sheffield-based Seize The Chair.

Blu-Ray Review: Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)

'Breakfast At Tiffany’s' (UK Blu-Ray release: 12 September '11) //
Words: Ced Yuen

'Breakfast At Tiffany’s' is associated with a certain image. Audrey Hepburn in full evening dress, clad in diamonds and pearls, cigarette holder in hand. It is Hepburn at her most iconic, the epitome of style and glamour. It is an image known even to those who have never seen the film.

Album Review: Big Deal - Lights Out

Big Deal - 'Lights Out' (UK Release: 5 September '11) //
Words: Emily Arc (Guest contributor)

2011 seems to be the year of boy-girl duos (see Tennis, Cults, Summer Camp, Best Coast, Cat's Eyes etc) and though Big Deal have already gained comparisons with the folk-rock Slow Club, the duo of Alice Costelloe and Kacey Underwood just seem to be their distant relations in the boy-girl genre.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Girl Who Waited [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Nine: 'The Girl Who Waited' (2011) //
Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

SYNOPSIS: “Amy is trapped in a quarantine facility for victims of an alien plague. Can Rory save her before she is killed by kindness?” (bbc.co.uk)

I advise anyone of a sensitive disposition who has yet to watch 'The Girl Who Waited' to do so with a box of tissues within arm’s reach – this episode is a tear-jerker. More interestingly, it also presents some difficult moral questions.

Download: Los Campesinos! - By Your Hand [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

It's been five long years since I interviewed Los Campesinos!. They're back and are giving away an appropriately melodramatic free download to preview their forthcoming November album, 'Hello Sadness'. The aforementioned download, 'By Your Hand', is a bit good and hence a promising sign for the new record. Download the track below.

Competition: Win Upto £10,000 With Westfield Stratford City

We've been asked to help judge the Create Your Take competition to celebrate the opening of the new Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. If you fancy the chance of winning upto £10,000 and/or A Night Out at the All Star Bowling Lanes - the spot prize which Saam is judging - then enter away on Facebook. T&Cs apply.

Album Review: The Drums - Portamento

The Drums - 'Portamento' (UK Release: 5 September '11) //
Words: Emily Solan

The Drums are a summer band. Picture them and you’ll get summer sunshine, long lost days and, inevitably, surfing. Cliché full indeed. And new album 'Portamento' does very little to change this outlook. But give them credit they do it ever so well, so why change something that’s not broken?

Mercury Music Prize: The FG Alternative Prize 2011

Words: Saam Das

We don't particularly have anything against the Mercury Music Prize but we thought we'd like to offer our own alternative Mercury 2011 winner. With the actual winner PJ Harvey also in our shortlist, we could well have ended up with the same result. Instead, it came down to the third albums from The Horrors and Wild Beasts. Three is a magic number?

Buried Treasures: Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially.

'Heavenly Creatures' (1994) // Words: Matthew Paskins

Two girls are running up a wooded path. The camera comes lolloping after them. They’re wailing and you can’t completely tell if it’s because they’re terrified, or excited. Although, as the roar continues it sounds more ragged and more animal. The film stock changes to black and white, still focused on their running legs, and this time they’re running along the deck of a ship, waving to a behatted man and a smartly dressed woman; the adults turn and we see the edge of his glasses, his pipe.

Comment: A Brief Analysis Of The Mercury Music Prize 2011

Words: Simon Opie

You'll have heard by now that PJ Harvey has won the 2011 Mercury Music Prize, with 'Let England Shake'. The Mercury has a long and somewhat controversial history since it was first won in 1992 by Primal Scream – from U2, Simply Red and others - for 'Screamadelica' (and yes the Scream were young and emerging back then).

Album Review: Thomas Tantrum - Mad By Moonlight

Thomas Tantrum - 'Mad By Moonlight' (UK Release: 13 June '11) //
Words: Jon Sidwell

'Mad By Moonlight' is the second album from Southampton based four-piece Thomas Tantrum. It is the successor to their critically acclaimed self titled debut record which came out in 2008. Led by the rather enigmatic Megan Thomas, the group can count pop mistress Lily Allen as a fan, with her appreciative musings surrounding the band’s quirky ‘indie pop’ debut helping to promote the band far and wide.