BBC iPlayer: Grandma's House (2010) Episode Four

Words: Paul Dean

'Grandma's House' Episode Four: 'The Day Simon Decided He Was Forlorn'

SYNOPSIS: "Simon is having a life crisis and is depressed. The situation is exacerbated when a guest he interviewed on his show attacks him in the press. Tanya moves into Clive's house, much to Simon's irritation. Meanwhile, Grandma and Grandpa plan a cruise."

It's been pointed out to me that so far I've largely avoided writing about the plot or finer details of 'Grandma's House'. Much as I detest spoilers and the ruining of good jokes by quoting them out of context, I must admit that I've only avoided mentioning specifics simply because I never thought they were going to matter all that much. I now find myself alert to all the subtle details in this show, the quips instead of the quarrels, the asides much more than the arguments. No matter how brash or blatant they might seem, both the plot and the characters are largely built from very fine parts, the latter shaped so that they can never really fit together but will forever be jarring.

Surfacing: Run On Sentence

Words: Simon Opie

Released earlier this month, 'You The Darkness & Me' (sadly not a concept album about an obsession with Justin Hawkins) is the second album by a ‘band’ called Run On Sentence.

Film Review: Salt (2010)

Words: Ced Yuen

'Salt' (2010)

Director: Phillip Noyce
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski

“Who is Salt?” ask the posters. “You think everyone’s who they say they are?” ask the trailers. The point being that this is a character of ambiguity. But at one point, even the filmmakers themselves didn’t know. The project originally placed Tom Cruise in the eponymous role, but he backed out to do action-romantic-comedy 'Knight And Day'. Cue a series of rewrites: Angelina Jolie was signed up, male became female, and Edwin became Evelyn. So – who is Salt?

BBC iPlayer: Grandma's House (2010) Episode Three

Words: Paul Dean

'Grandma's House' Episode Three: 'The Day Simon Announced That He Was in Control of the Universe'

SYNOPSIS: "Simon has fallen in love. He’s also read a book which leads him to believe that he might be able to control the universe. The family aren’t very impressed with either. Grandpa has invited Deborah Adler to visit, Grandma doesn’t like her and is less than happy. Liz has had to take extreme measures to try and get her son Adam into a new school."

I think I'm beginning to warm to 'Grandma's House', particularly if I decide I should see it more as a dysfunctional drama with comic elements, rather than simply a comedy. Its characters certainly benefit from the growth and the depth they gain by having a few episodes behind them and, although he may be the central figure, Simon Amstell is probably the least entertaining of the lot. Then again, I suppose its mostly his role to suffer and to be bounced around between their various arguments and demands, a sort of helpless pinball at the mercy of their whims and moods.

Buried Treasures: Fuckintosh

Buried Treasures is a feature 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: Simon Opie

Artist: Fuckintosh

According to Fuckintosh's bio, Fuckintosh is "more than a disturbing name - Fuckintosh is a disturbing artist, a disturbing sound and a disturbing hairstyle." According to Rough Trade, Fuckintosh, the Brooklyn based computer artist, is midway between old school cut-up (e.g. Negativland) and modern mash-up (e.g. 2 Many DJs) cultures.

BBC iPlayer: Grandma's House (2010) Episode Two

Words: Paul Dean

'Grandma's House' Episode Two: 'The Day Simon Decided It Might Be A Nice Idea To Surprise His Mother With A Gift'

SYNOPSIS: "Simon brings his mum Tanya an extravagant gift which she refuses to accept. He also tries to convince her that maybe she shouldn't marry Clive. It's Liz's birthday, but nobody seems to care, and Grandad has news from the doctor about his cancer scare. When Simon decides he might write a play for the theatre, the family aren't impressed."

Whatever it is that's missing from 'Grandma's House', I still can't quite put my finger on it. I can't find it. I can't place it.

It's not the characters or the cast, certainly, as the former are wryly-written and are forever bouncing off each other, perfectly choreographed in what seems like an endless ballet of bitterness. The latter represent some of the best on British television and give good performances with some fine comic timing.

EP Review: Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea - I Watched It From The Roadside

Words: Simon Opie

Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea – 'I Watched It From The Roadside' EP

Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea hail from Brighton and a music scene that has consistently produced great bands from The Levellers and Clearlake to The Kooks and Brakes. So they have a lot to live up to. 'I Watched It From the Roadside' is the band's new EP and has already attracted some deservedly good reviews. Whilst it’s clear that the Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea sound is still developing, the foundation - which reminds me of And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead... - is hook-laden storytelling overlaid with an alt-rock sensibility.

Album Review: Sky Larkin - Kaleide

Words: Kieran Toms

Sky Larkin - 'Kaleide'

Sky Larkin release their second effort, 'Kaleide', the follow up to last year's debut 'The Golden Spike'. It starts off very brightly with 'Still Windmills', a recently released single. One of the record’s highlights, a song which is no departure from the previous release, being a well-crafted three minute pop song.

BBC iPlayer: Grandma's House (2010) Episode One

Words: Paul Dean

'Grandma's House' Series 1, Episode 1: 'The Day Simon Told His Family About His Important Decision'

SYNOPSIS: "Sitcom written by Simon Amstell and long term collaborator Dan Swimer. The series stars Simon Amstell playing a version of himself - a television presenter searching for something more meaningful to do with his life. Each episode takes place at his Grandma's house, where Grandma welcomes her family, desperate to see everyone happy.

When Simon tells his mum Tanya that he's quitting the entertainment show he presents, she is less than happy. While Simon struggles to make his mum realise that her new boyfriend Clive might not be the right man for her, Grandpa has discovered something that will leave Grandma in a panic. Meanwhile, Auntie Liz is struggling with her son Adam, who appears to be starting a teenage rebellion."

I'm not entirely sure what the normal register of Simon Amstell's vocal range is. From what I remember from shows like 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks', he speaks within a fairly standard range for an adult human male, but in 'Grandma's House' he sounds unusually shrill, possibly verging on the soprano. This might be because many of his lines, I assume, are supposed to be delivered with a sense of shock, surprise, shame or some other manifestation of severe discomfort.

Live Review: The View at The Doghouse

Words: Rise Read

The View at The Doghouse, Dundee (12 Aug 2010)

It was supposed to be a secret. It was supposed to be an acoustic set but somewhere between teatime and 9.30pm, The View's evening performance became a full-on gig at the new Doghouse.

Used to the usual ploys by venues to get punters in, many were sceptical of the hushed whispers expecting the same story since forever if they turned up: "Oh....so and so in the band couldn't be found/is drunk/has had a fall out/lost his keys/lost her mind/lost the dog/kettle/plot". This after you’ve paid for the ticket at the door. But tonight, there’s no one on the door, you walk in and there’s the band going about their business, setting up gear. It’s a good crowd but it’s not heaving. There are no gangs of schoolkids, no screaming groupies. The background music isn’t so loud you can’t hold a conversation. In fact, it’s easy to forget why you’re there in the first place.

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock Episode 3 - 'The Great Game'

'Sherlock' Episode 3: 'The Great Game' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "A strange clue in an empty room, a blood-soaked car, a priceless Old Master, a deranged bomber. With the clock ticking, the curtain rises on a battle of wits between Sherlock, John and the shadowy stranger who seems to know all the answers..." (bbc.co.uk)

At the end of my middling review of 'The Blind Banker' (the second of this three part mini-series), I stated my cautious optimism that 'The Great Game' would be a return to form. And so it was, although perhaps not quite as brilliant as the opening episode.

BBC iPlayer: There Will Be Blood (2007)

Words: Saam Das

'There Will Be Blood' (2007)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J O'Connor

SYNOPSIS: "Oscar-winning American epic directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, set in early 20th-century Texas. Daniel Day Lewis plays oilman Daniel Plainview, a shrewd, self-made tycoon who will stop at nothing to expand his control of the developing oil industry - despite eliciting contempt from his nemesis, local preacher Eli Sunday." (bbc.co.uk)

Surfacing: Air To Achilles [New Music]

Words: Saam Das

Newcastle's Air To Achilles had a single out last year. It wasn't the greatest thing I've ever heard. Thankfully, they've stepped up their game and they're giving away a new track, 'If My Heart Stops Beating', that's much better. Download below.

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock Episode 2 - 'The Blind Banker'

Words: Saam Das

'Sherlock' Episode 2: 'The Blind Banker'

SYNOPSIS: "A mysterious cipher is being scrawled on the walls around London. The first person to see the cipher is dead within hours of reading it. Sherlock plunges into a world of codes and symbols, consulting with London's best graffiti artists. He soon learns that the city is in the grip a gang of international smugglers, a secret society called the Black Lotus." (bbc.co.uk)

Episode two of the BBC's new contemporary take on 'Sherlock' could have and perhaps should have built upon the impressive foundations of the opening episode, 'A Study In Pink'. Unfortunately, despite a solid premise (wherein two men are killed by someone who can walk through walls, with a mysterious code/cipher connecting the killings), 'The Blind Banker' was somewhat of a lukewarm offering.

Festival Review: Field Day 2010

Words: Saam Das

Field Day, London (31 July 2010)

There's always been a love/hate relationship with Field Day - love the bands, hate the weather; love the location, hate the organisation; and so on. But to be fair to the organisers this year, I think Field Day 2010 went well.

Things didn't start so well on the day. I did my typical miss-the-early-bands-because-I-like-sleeping-in, which meant managing to catch The Kissaway Trail was going to be touch-and-go. Inevitably, when I made it to Victoria Park, I had to spend ages queueing to collect a ticket that I'd bought online the day before. So I missed the band. I really might as well as have bought the ticket there. The queue was certainly shorter for that.

That wasn't the only bad thing - stage times weren't published online till the morning of the event, it was £4 for a can of unexpectedly horrible San Miguel, it was hard to tell where some of the stages were and which ones were which, and worst of all, THE PEOPLE. Too many twats. However, I don't want to moan too much. There there were plenty of highlights - the bands, the weather, not having to queue to go for a wee, getting home within half an hour of the festival finishing and so on.

Anyway, so this doesn't go on and on and on and on any longer, I've decided to give you the York Notes of my Field Day 2010 experience. In somewhat chronological order. Enjoy.

Film Review: The A-Team (2010)

Words: Ced Yuen

'The A-Team' (2010)

Director: Joe Carnahan
Cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson

Entertainment has changed a lot since the 1980s, and updating a cultural icon is a gamble. Modernise it too much and it disappoints the fans. Make it a strictly fan-service affair and newcomers don’t like it. Did they get the balance right? Yes, sort of.

On paper, the TV series and this new film are pretty similar. There is enough here to satisfy any reasonable fan of the original - the four guys; the cigar; the Mohawk; the explosions; silly stunts; that van.

Film Review: Gainsbourg (2010)

Words: Alicia McBride

'Gainsbourg'//'Vie héroïque' (2010)

Director: Joann Sfar
Cast: Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, Laetitia Casta, Doug Jones

In typical French fashion, 'Gainsbourg' is all about sex and cigarettes. If your idea of a good film is watching a man chain smoke his way to decrepitude alongside a bevy of beautiful and frequently naked women then 'Gainsbourg' has endless appeal. If you like a bit of substance with your clichés than sadly this film is lacking.

Singles: July 2010

Words: Saam Das

July was a bit of a disappointing month for singles. Few, if any, amazing releases and some of the best ones were re-releases ('Stillness Is The Move' and 'Fire Escape'), which I don't like talking about because it might suggest I endorse such blatant cash grabs. Maybe I'm being overly harsh.

In other respects though, I'm being far too lenient giving Adam Lambert (of 'American Idol' fame) a free pass - I have enjoyed watching all his fans comment on the (typically scathing) reviews of his single, which I shit you not, is called 'Whataya Want From Me'. Adam, I would like better spelling and grammar please. Anyway, I'm being a massive hypocrite because Jedward's new single is featured below. Amazing picture this month though, right?

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock Episode 1 - 'A Study In Pink'

Words: Alicia McBride

'Sherlock' Episode 1: A Study In Pink' (2010)

SYNOPSIS: "A war hero, invalided home from Afghanistan, meets a strange but charismatic genius who is looking for a flatmate; it is London, 2010, and Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes are meeting for the first time. A string of impossible suicides has Scotland Yard baffled - and only one man can help."

Let me start by saying that I do not welcome the comparisons between Sherlock (Holmes) and Doctor Who. Admittedly, I was excited to be getting a replacement (albeit for a brief three weeks) to fill the hole that Doctor Who and that hulking great TARDIS left, but that's as far as it goes. You really think the two figures are comparable? Apparently they are both brilliant and maddening. No no, you're wrong. You see, what has made the Doctor so popular is that he's charming, funny, likeable, kind, pretty and has even pulled off wearing a fez....I’d say the only thing that’s maddening about him is that he is unavailable for dates and marriage and stuff. As for this contemporary re-imagining of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes? Primarily, he is BLOODY SCARY.

BBC iPlayer: Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)

Words: Saam Das

'Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel' (2009)


Director: Gareth Carriwick
Cast: Anna Faris, Chris Dowd, Marc Wootton, Dean Lennox Kelly

SYNOPSIS: "Three ordinary blokes hold the fate of the entire world in their hands when they discover a rift in the space-time continuum in the gents' of their local pub."

Live Review: The Cribs at The Garage

Words: Kieran Toms

Live: The Cribs at The Relentless Garage, London (14/07/10)


Perhaps being young is the best time of your life. It’s certainly what some people say. “The Good Old Days”, as one important band of my earlier years sang. Maybe because you see the old days through a gold filtered haze, and you don’t see your troubles or worries and that sort of thing. I dunno, psychologists probably know better.

In June 2005, the day before my 17th birthday, shortly before the release of The Cribs’ second album, 'The New Fellas', I stood, youthful and impressionable, in the Garage in Highbury to watch The Cribs perform tracks off both the aforementioned album and their eponymous debut effort. It was the first time I had properly seen the band, having caught the raucous end of their Reading festival set the summer before and been a fan ever since.