Buried Treasures: Don't Look Now (1973)

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially. We encourage you to seek these moments out and hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Words: Paul Dean

'Don't Look Now' (1973)


If you have an interest in cult cinema or in films that are just plain strange, then you might well be familiar with 'The Man Who Fell To Earth', in which David Bowie walks around being a slightly-out-of-place alien, a role he probably wasn't reaching far for at all. This was directed by British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg some time in the mid seventies and I worry that this space oddity will remain will remain his most famous film, the title that he is remembered for. This is completely unfair, because the same period also saw Roeg direct one of my favourite horror flicks and what is surely one of the best British contributions to the genre, 'Don't Look Now'.

BBC iPlayer: The Incredibles (2004)

Words: Saam Das

'The Incredibles' (2004)

Director: Brad Bird
Voice cast: Holly Hunter, Jason Lee, Samuel L Jackson, Craig Nelson


SYNOPSIS: "Superhero Mr Incredible receives a mysterious invitation to a remote island after spending the last 15 years living a humdrum suburban existence working for an insurance company. He and his family are forced into action to save the world." (bbc.co.uk)

Live Review: Bombay Bicycle Club at The Roundhouse

Words: Kieran Toms

Live: Bombay Bicycle Club, Stephen Fry and Everything Everything at The Roundhouse, London (18/07/10)


Everything Everything opened this installment of the seemingly everlasting iTunes Festival in a pleasingly competent fashion – though the majority of the crowd seemed to be fairly unfamiliar with the band to start with, their expansive songs seemed to fit the large venue, and I wouldn’t be surprised if in the future they themselves were headlining venues the size of the Roundhouse.

Trailer Catchup: Monsters, Buried, The Company Of Men etc

It's been a while since I did a trailer round up and I've been umm-ing and aah-ing about whether to include stuff from San Diego Comic Con 2010, which has just finished. In the end, it turns out there have been enough interesting trailers to keep everyone occupied for the time being. Including a particularly NSFW new trailer for 'Machete'.

On the subject of 'Machete', Lindsay Lohan has been noticeably absent from promotional materials. UNTIL NOW. She might not be topless or even remotely naked in this new poster but gun-loving-nun is still pretty controversial. I guess, anyway. Trailers after the jump, with new offerings from 'Tron Legacy' and 'The Social Network'.

EP Review: Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukelele

Words: Simon Opie

Amanda Palmer - 'Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele'


Amanda Palmer, of the on-hiatus Dresden Dolls and following a long struggle, formerly of Roadrunner Records, has released a new EP featuring Radiohead covers played mostly on the ukulele. So is it a novelty record?

Film Review: Inception (2010)

Words: Ced Yuen

'Inception' (2010)

Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Marian Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe


The annual batch of blockbusters is upon us. What do we have this year? 'Iron Man 2', 'Toy Story 3', 'Shrek 4', 'Twilight 3', and so on. What do you think we'll get next year?

I’m not against franchises, I've even seen 'Iron Man 2' three times. I understand that it makes sense for Hollywood, because repeating a successful formula has a better effort-profit ratio. The problem is that every time a follow-up film is successful, originality dies a little. What was the last original film you saw, that wasn't a sequel, or a remake, or adaptation of a book, comic or TV show; something that tries to make it on its own merits without relying on gimmicks like “THREE DEE”?

Once in a while someone dares to make something different. Some get on with it, some don't - but those who do get a kick out of it. It happens, but it is rare. Enter 'Inception', a sci-fi-espionage-thriller that has been bouncing around in Christopher Nolan's mind since around 1999.

Surfacing: CYMBALS

Words: Saam Das

If there's one superficial musical trend in 2010 that's left me cold, it's the attempt to shroud new acts in secrecy. There's been iamamiwhoami, Summer Camp, Silver Columns, WU LYF, Islet and probably many more. I can now add CYMBALS to that list.


I was one of the umpteen bloggers to receive an email from the band entitled "THE EXHIBITION IS AVERAGE AT BEST", with simply a link to a Bandcamp page and about six words. Had they not written "Hey Faded Glamour" in the opening line of the email, it would be swimming round in my email trash right now. Which would have been a shame, as this initial glimpse into their work is enticing.

BBC iPlayer: Eastern Promises (2007)

Words: Saam Das

'Eastern Promises' (2007)

Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl


SYNOPSIS: "Thriller set in the underworld of London's Russian mafia. When Anna, a midwife, sets out to discover the truth behind the death of a young prostitute, she finds herself snared in the deadly world of sex trafficking." (bbc.co.uk)

Buried Treasures: Larsen B - Marilyn

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially. We want to share these wonderful moments with you.

Words: Saam Das

Song: 'Marilyn' by Larsen B


Today, the Mercury Music Prize nominations were revealed. As usual, I'm not overly bothered. But I do like the fact that the Mercurys always seem to pluck an album or two out of complete obscurity and provide a platform for it to be recognised. Something that we also try to do here at FADED GLAMOUR, albeit with much less success.

BBC iPlayer: The Damned United (2009)

Words: Saam Das

'The Damned United' (2009)

Director: Tom Hooper
Cast: Michael Sheen, Colm Meaney, Timothy Spall, Jim Broadbent


SYNOPSIS:"The story of Brian Clough's 44-day stint as manager of Leeds United Football Club in 1974. When Don Revie quit Leeds to become the England boss, the outspoken Brian Clough took charge. Determined to impose his own style upon Revie's tough tackling team, Clough soon alienated his players and the board. Based on the book by David Peace." (bbc.co.uk)

Surfacing: Artibella

Words: Kieran Toms


Artibella are a band from Leeds who feature male and female vocals (and another female backing vocalist), a trombone, a violin, spoons, a harmonica, a ukulele, two guitars, a bass and drums. Luckily, many of their members fulfil two or more of these jobs, and they manage to remain a six piece, which I guess is handy for things such as all being able to fit on one stage.

BBC iPlayer: Anvil! The Story Of Anvil (2008)

Words: Saam Das

'Anvil! The Story Of Anvil' (2008)

Director: Sacha Gervasi



SYNOPSIS:"At 14, Toronto school friends Steve 'Lips' Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. Their band Anvil went on to become the 'demi-gods of Canadian metal', releasing 1982's Metal on Metal, which influenced a musical generation including Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax.

All those bands went on to sell millions of records but Anvil's career would take a different path - straight into obscurity. But Lips and Robb never gave up on their childhood dream and kept rocking, always believing that one day Anvil would taste the success that had so long eluded them.

The film follows Lips and Robb, now in their 50s, as they gear up to record their thirteenth album, This is Thirteen. Coping with increasingly impatient families, crippling mortgages and the effects of old age, they know this is their last chance to really make it." (bbc.co.uk)

Album Review: Oasis - Time Flies 1994-2009

Words: Simon Opie

Oasis – 'Time Flies... 1994 – 2009'


Now I am not an Oasis fan – at least not in the diehard sense – and I’ve never seen them live. Although I did get within an hour or so of seeing them at the Rock en Seine festival 2009, when the organisers made the announcement that there had been a big bust-up backstage and Oasis was no longer. Cue Madness for their second (identical) set of the day – from the sublime to the ridiculous...

Film Review: Toy Story 3 (2010)

Words: Alicia McBride

'Toy Story 3' (2010)


Director: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton

A quick perusal of legendary film site Rotten Tomatoes will tell you that currently 'Toy Story 3' has a well-deserved 99% success rate, with only three ‘rotten’ ratings. I’ll let you in on a secret, those three bad reviews are from self-important twats who in their desperation to seem cool and controversial have criticised the film just to be different. They are wrong. And more to the point, their criticisms have little to no substantiation whatsoever.

Film Review: The Twilight Saga Eclipse

Words: Alicia McBride

'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' (2010)


Director: David Slade
Cast: Robert Pattinson (OMGZ!!!111), Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner

That time of year is upon us again. Out comes the summer sun and along with it a horde of sparkly vampires and topless werewolves, ready to fight to save one girl who seemingly has done nothing whatsoever to merit this level of adoration and protection. In the name of research I have kindly sat through 'Eclipse' for you so that you never need to feel left out of this pop culture phenomenon.

New Noise: Converse "All Stars"

Words: Saam Das

"All year long we wait for sun...." sings Bethany Cosentino (of the deservedly hyped Best Coast) in this "all star" jam, arranged by popular shoe manufacturer Converse.

Album Review: The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever

Words: Simon Opie

The Hold Steady - 'Heaven Is Whenever'


The Rough Trade store in Covent Garden was one of the best places to hang out in London. Just before its demise, the store manager (who had by then recognised me for a hopeless addict) said "here listen to this, you’ll like it" and played me 'Boys And Girls In America' by The Hold Steady. I did indeed like it very much and discovered their second album, 'Separation Sunday', was even better. Their live show at The Borderline was terrific and had just a perfect, sweaty-club atmosphere with most of the audience onstage for the closing song, 'Killer Parties'. Here was a band fit to conquer the world. The trouble is, they did – well the USA at least – and now they don’t seem like the band I used to know.

BBC iPlayer: The Diving Bell And The Butterfly (2007)

Watch until Sun 11th July, 11.59pm (UK users only)

Director: Julian Schnabel
Cast: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Max Von Sydow


SYNOPSIS: Poignant drama telling the real-life story of a man left paralysed in the prime of his life who went on to show incredible reserves of spiritual strength to author his memoirs. The editor of France's Elle magazine, Jean-Dominique Bauby was struck down in his 40s by a stroke that left him unable to move a muscle, yet did not affect his mental reflexes. He went on to write his autobiography just by blinking patterns - the only physical activity he could still perform - which followed an alphabetical code. (bbc.co.uk)

Festival Review: Glastonbury 2010

Words: Kieran Toms

Festival: Glastonbury (23rd-27th June 2010)


Memories of Glastonbury 2010 - the unusual and extraordinary always seeming correct, appropriate. I remember walking around and seeing a man riding a piano-cycle sideways, playing an old-fashioned tune and people glancing for second or two and after a moment’s wonderment thinking - this is normal for Glastonbury.

Film Review: Black Death (2010)

Words: Paul Dean

'Black Death' (2010)


I've seen people try to come up with a variety of classifications for this film, ranging from art-house to noir to "independent" (whatever that is) to low-budget horror. That's quite a spectrum and if I was the director I might find all those assessments rather flattering. They'd make me sound diverse. The truth is that 'Black Death' doesn't really fit into any of those categories but also, thankfully, doesn't fall between any stools either. It's simply a rather horrid story about rather horrid people doing rather horrid things in rather horrid times. The title tells you when and from this you can easily guess what the subject matter will include: plague, horrible death, witch-burning, religious extremism, unpleasant stabbings etc.

Live Review: The Strokes at Dingwalls

Words: Kieran Toms

Live: The Strokes at Dingwalls, London (09/06/10)


About half way through this "secret" gig, I step out of the mass of jumping bodes at the front, and stand a little further back to try and regain some energy. Cool liquid drips onto me from behind. I presume it must be from a spilt drink of someone on the raised level behind me, but am pleased for how refreshing it is. It happens again. I turn round but can see no likely spillers. It happens again, and eventually I realise that sweat is dripping off the ceiling.

BBC iPlayer: Doctor Who (2010 Series Finale)

Words: Alicia McBride


Following 'The Big Bang', Matt Smith and Steven Moffat have just completed their first run together at the helm of the TARDIS and I would deem it a success overall. For the most part anyway. The finale was a perfect blend of complicated time travel, scientific theory and human interest. I wonder how many pairs of eyes across the country teared up a bit at the end? I know mine did. However, before getting into the good bits I am going to get my negative feelings about the finale out of the way first because, to my surprise, I seem to be harbouring quite a lot. While the two-parter was an engaging, fast-paced, fitting end to the series it was not without its faults.

Singles: June 2010

Words: Saam Das

I must have missed all the mindblowing pop singles in June. But luckily there were still plenty of great singles around, and in an unlikely turn of events, British dance legends Underworld are my single of the month. I also resisted the temptation to write "needs more vuvuzela" on each and every review. Which, if you're familiar with my attempts at humour, took A LOT of effort.

In other news, BBC 6Music was saved today! I'm especially glad as I spent a bloody age filling out one of those public consultation forms in an effort to stop cuts. Shame about the Asian Network but hopefully Klaxons' new album artwork can go some way to help cheering them up.

Short: The 100 Greatest Movie Insults Of All Time

They should rename this as "the short that launched a thousand bullies". If you're offended by strong language, then this isn't for you, you <"insert insult from 'In The Loop' here">.

Pajiba have a list of all the films that appear in the compilation. Someone needs to make a random insult generator out of this. It would be gold.

Live Review: Pavement at The Zenith

Words: Simon Opie

Live: Pavement at The Zenith, Paris (07/05/10)


The last time I saw Pavement was on June 17th 1999 at Irving Plaza in New York. The concert was remarkable for Stephen Malkmus’ lack of voice and the inescapable feeling that all was not well in the Pavement world. Sure enough, by November they had played their last gig – and one of the most underrated bands of all time had imploded, a breakup beautifully described in the Preston School of Industry song, 'Whalebones'.

Trailer Catch Up: The Social Network, Harry Potter, The Green Hornet etc

I've been feeling a little under the weather so this post has taken me a couple of days to get together. Which is pretty weak. Admittedly, I did get considerably distracted by the videos on Failblog, particularly this gem. And Wimbledon. And the World Cup.

Anyway, we've got here eventually and there's been some interesting new trailers recently. 'The Social Network' is my pick of the week, which you might have heard of as the "Facebook movie" but also features the newly announced 'Spiderman' actor Andrew Garfield. It has an amazing poster too.