Better late than never

Whoops. I forgot to post to my blog this year. 

To start us off, here's a waterfall in Iceland from my recent Arctic trip.

My Top Ten Movies of 2023

1. Killers of the Flower Moon

2. Cat Person

3. Asteroid City

4. Saltburn

5. In the Land of Saints and Sinners

6. Sanctuary

7. Haunting in Venice

8. Poor Things

=9. Dungeons and Dragons  

=9. The Crime is Mine

10. Guardians of the Galaxy 3

And just missing out...

Napoleon

The Critic

Caravaggio

Oppenheimer

Hello Dankness

Babylon

Blackberry

My Cat's Top Ten Movies of 2023

1. Asteroid City - saw it twice at the cinema. Loved it - the story, the acting, the charming visuals.

2. Oppenheimer - three hours passed so quickly, visually brilliant, fascinating story, not only of the genius of these scientists, but the evolution of their understanding and consciences in relation to the dangers of nuclear power, and the 'cancel culture' of the 1950s McCarthy era

3. Killers of the Flower Moon - sobering, disturbing, but brilliantly told and acted

4. Linoleum - independent, beautifully moving, whimsical film

5. Tetris - saw this on streaming due to very limited cinema release - love the game, and loved this intriguing story of the development of the game

6. A Man Called Otto - great cast, heart- warming story of loss, grief, resilience, community, told with humour and sensitivity - also best cat actor

7. Babylon - loved the fast moving scenes of hedonism, audacity and entrepreneurialism, in this depiction of early Hollywood, and the impact of the evolution from the silent era to the talkies

8. Marcel the Shell With Shoes - super cute, philosophical tale of loss, grief and community - snail version of A Man Called Otto, but with less grumpiness

9. Blackberry - cannot get enough of these films about 1980s / 1990s evolution of the digital age - enjoyed the vibe

10. Dumb Money - based on the true story of the GameStop buying frenzy - a wild ride

Honourable mentions

11. Poor Things - Emma Stone is brilliant, and whilst I think that Lily Gladstone should win best actress for Killers of the Flower Moon, Emma would be my next choice. Joyful and hilarious story about sexual awakening, with dark references to social and gender inequality, animal experimentation and the evolution of medical science

12. Renfield -- Nicholas Hoult and Nicholas Cage are both brilliant in this amusing version of Dracula in the modern era

13. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed - superb documentary about activism against the Sackler family's production of Oxycontin and denial of its addictiveness, and the damage this caused - this was also well covered in the fictional streaming series Dopesick with Michael Keaton

14. Hello Dankness - 

My Cat's Top Ten TV Picks for 2023

=1. Succession - the final season :( enthralling and brilliantly acted by the ensemble cast

=1. Slow Horses - Jackson Lamb is the wittiest character on screen

2. Murders in the Building - fun, and great New York scenery

3. Utopia - cannot get enough of this ABC satire on the public service; it is so accurate

4. The Great - final season, not quite as funny as the earlier seasons, but still brilliant

5. The Marvellous Mrs Maisel - also the last season - again, not quite as entertaining as earlier seasons, but still enjoyable

6. Rogue Heroes - hilarious and tragic story of the emergence of the SAS in World War II, including characters based on the actual original SAS members

7. Good Omen (season 2)  David Tenant and Michael Sheen are always great together - if you haven't watched it, try their COVID lockdown series Staged

8. Fargo - still watching the latest season, superb so far

9. Ghosts - also, and sadly, the final season... I'll miss these characters, Robin, Pat...

10. What We Do in the Shadows - amusing take on vampires in the modern era

Honourable mentions

11. Boston Strangler - gripping

12. Miracle Workers - End of Time - best of all the seasons so far - loved the references to the Terminator series, etc

13. Happy Valley - final season also, moving and tragic

14. Annika - Nicola Walker (also brilliant in the crime series The Unforgotten) breaking the fourth wall

Favourite TV of 2023

Here are my highlights from a year of viewing.

=10. Doctor Who

=10. Fargo

9. Platonic

8. Colin from Accounts

7. Good Omens

6. Poker Face

5. Succession

4. Only Murders in the Building

3. The Great

2. Slow Horses

1. Silo

My Cat's Top Ten TV Treats of 2022

 

Stranger Things

Set in the 1980s - roller skating, Kate Bush, love the recreation of the ear

The Afterparty

A lot of fun, using various genres, to tell the story of a murder from various perspectives

Russian Doll

Brilliant again. 

Only Murders in the Building

Love the scenes in New York, engaging characters

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel

Set in New York, funny, inspiring characters

Slow Horses

Surprising.  Gary Oldman is superb.  Great plot.

Dopesick

Brilliant drama about the opiod crisis in America.  Michael Keaton is impressive. 

The Great

Hilarious

Staged

David Tenant and Michael Sheen are hilarious

Five Days at Memorial

Drama based on a true story of a hospital, abandoned by authorities, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans

Favourite TV of 2022

 After wasting countless hours staring at my tv screen, I'm eminently qualified to rate my favourite shows of the year. 

1. Severance

2. Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power 

3. The Sandman

4. Stranger Things

5. The White Lotus

6. Slow Horses

7. Irma Vep

8. From

9. For All Mankind

10. Archive 81

And just missing out on the top ten:

The Outlaws

Five Days in Memorial

House of the Dragon

The Peripheral

Wednesday

The Staircase

My Top Ten Movies of the Year

In reverse order: 

10. The Road Dance - moving Scottish historical drama, set a century ago

9. Bodies Bodies Bodies - clever murder whodunnit, slightly ahead of Glass Onion

8. Farewell Mr Haffmann - German WWII drama about betrayal and loyalty

7. The Northman - Viking epic

6. Emily - Brontë's life story

5. Top Gun Maverick - despite Tom Cruise

4. The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour - poignant Aussie comedy, set in a garage in suburbia

3. The Banshees of Inisherin - loses marks for the fate of the donkey 

2. Living - Bill Nighy in 1950s British bureaucracy

1. Liquorice Pizza - I must rewatch this 70s coming of age drama/comedy set in LA

And my honourable mentions in random order:

Benedetta

The Grey Man

Thor Love and Thunder

Bullet Train

Psycho

Frenzy

Bassandream

See How They Run

My Cat's Top Ten Movies of 2022

As is the end-of-year tradition, here are my cat's favourite films of the past 12 months. Note that this list used to be compiled to be submitted to the SBS Movie Show (with David and Margaret), as part of their viewers' top ten list. But with the demise of that show, the list lives on.

The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour – unexpected Australian joy 

Bullet Train – hilarious action The King’s Men – excellent fun scenes with Rasputin and goats

Everything Everywhere All at Once – unexpected but excellent performance from Jamie-Lee Curtis, funny, complex

The Banshees of Inisherin – hilarious, tragic, beautiful scenery

Amsterdam – loved the first half, second half not so much, as the story doesn’t maintain the same level of interest, but great casting

White Noise – hilarious, stream of consciousness 

Belli Ciao – hilarious Italian film 

Kompromat – brilliantly suspenseful

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent – Nicholas Cage at his hilarious finest

Lost Illusions – great story, costumes, period piece, and  satirical commentary on the media that is as true today as it was for the era depicted

And some honourable mentions:

Fire of Love – documentary on a couple studying volcanos, romantic, visually brilliant

Spencer  - under-rated

The Drover’s Wife – feminist take on Australia’s colonial, racist past

Freaks Out – funny and surprising

Navalny – compelling documentary 

Emily – moody period piece

Comfy Cat

On yet another 40 degree day in Perth, one cat is keeping cool on his water mattress. 

(This is not a paid endorsement !)

Gizmo's Favourite Recent Tv

[Luke's note: Gizmo was asked to supply a top ten tv list for 2021, but being a sleepy cat, his perception of time is a little hazy. So technically some of these shows are actually from 2020.]

• The Mandolorian - who doesn't love 'baby yoda'?

• Mare of East Town - Kate Winslet and brilliant storyline

• Futureman - hilarious time travel series for fans of the Terminator, Back to the Future, the '80s (think Miami Vice)

• Only Murders in the Building - Steve Martin and Martin Short and a fun New York vibe

• Frank of Ireland - crudely funny

• The Looming Towers - brilliant rendition of the lead up to 9-11 with great cast, including Jeff Daniels, Alec Baldwin

• Cardinal - good storylines and wonderful scenery in this Canadian detective series

• Anneke - love her monologues and to camera asides, not your run-of-the-mill crime series

• Chernobyl - moving and inspiring

• True Detective - loved all three series - clever dialogue, great acting

• Halt and Catch Fire - love this insight into the 1980s computer industry

• Valley of the Boom - as above, but with more crazy, fascinating

 

My Cat's Top Ten Movies of 2021

 As is traditional, Gizzie cat likes to share his favourite films for the past year.

10. The Last Leonardo - fascinating documentary about a disputed painting, which some experts believe to be a work of Da Vinci - hilarious but true behind the scenes film about the workings of the international art market

9. The Courier - 'true' story of a British business man recruited by M16 to infiltrate Russia - excellent and inspiring cold war story

8. De Gaulle - richly depicted biographical film, contrasting De Gaulle's love for his daughter, who has Down's Syndrome, with the Nazis' massacre of so many considered genetically impure. Inspiring, though not quite as good as recent films about Winston Churchill.

7. French Exit - Michelle Pfieffer is brilliant. Funny and absurdist comedy set in Paris, with unexpected turn from the cat.

6. Truffle Hunters - beautifully filmed documentary about a small traditional community of truffle hunters, their relationships with their dogs, and the increasing impact of capitalism on their lifestyle

5. Pig - loss and grief saturates this superbly acted film - Nicholas Cage and Adam Arkin are both brilliant

4. Death of a Ladies Man - charming, poignant; Gabrielle Byrne is brilliant

3. Promising Young Woman - powerful, clever and darkly humorous and disturbing story of revenge

2. Don't Look Up - witty comedy about how politicians, the media, the general public react to news of the apocalypse, be it a plant-killing comet, covid19, or climate change - stay for the early credits for final scene  [Editor's note: Gizzie likely intended to write a "planet-killing comet"]

1. Nomadland for the gorgeous cinematography and poignant depiction of life on the road for those with limited economic choices

Top Ten Movies of 2021

A quiet year for movies. Even though the cinemas here were open all but a handful of days, many major releases were held back as the pandemic raged elseswere. So there are more classics and independent films than normal in my list, and only two US productions in all. 

10. The Duke - dramatisation of the events surrounding Kempton Bunton's "borrowing" of a Goya masterpiece in England 1961, starring Jim Broadbent. 

9. The Last Vermeer -  dramatisation of the events surrounding Han van Meegeren's forgery of Vermeer masterpieces in Amsterdam during WWII, starring Guy Pearce.

8. The Night House - mind-warping horror with alternate realities coming together, with Rebecca Hall 

7. Shadow in the Cloud - WWII horror with a gremlin attacking a bomber's flight crew

6. Mothering Sunday - a mix of Downton Abbey and Brideshead Revisited, based on Jonathan Swift's novel

5. Cruella - spectacularly entertaining origin story with Emma Stone. Screenplay by Tony McNamara.

4. Shiva Baby - the best shiva comedy of the year

3. The Lady Vanishes (1938) - not only a wonderful script, but a glimpse into history

2. The Ladykillers (1955) - worthy in its own right, but also historically interesting to see post-war London

1. Last Night in Soho - Edgar Wright's wonderful horror thriller. 

And honourable mentions go to:

The Dry

French Exit

The Royal Tenenbaums

The Life Aquatic

The Suicide Squad

 

Top TV of 2021

A decent year for streaming, with some gems amongst the mediocrity. Here are my favourites so far.

10. Upload - a murder-mystery technology dystopia. 

9. The Enfield Haunting - true 1970s horror.

8. Behind Her Eyes - schlocky thriller with a twist or two

7. Mr Mercedes - Stephen King's series brought to life by Brendan Gleeson

6. The Great - written to Perth's very own Tony McNamara

5. Locke and Key - yes, it's embarrassing to include a YA show in this list

4. Ghosts - consistently laughy

3. Wasted - the more juvenile successor to Spaced?

2. Only Murders in the Building - clever plotting and witty too, with Steve Martin and Martin Short

1. Bridget and Eamon - ridiculous Irish comedy set in the 80s, my decade. An unhappily married couple with between six and eight children.  

And special mentions to:

Brassic

Inside No 9

Mindhunters

Dr Death 

Succession 

The North Water 

What We Do in the Shadows 

Vigil 

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel 

The Walking Dead 

Fear the Walking Dead

Hopefully the Wheel of Time can be added to this list, once I binge through it.

Rainy July

July in Perth broke many rainfall records, as one cold front after another pounded the southwest corner of the state. It rained on all but three days, the highest number of rain days since 1946. The total of 271mm was only 7mm short of the record for recent decades of 278mm in 1995, although the all-time record was over 400mm in the 1940s. 

Favourite Podcasts

Although I do spend 90% of my free time preparing content for this blog, in the remainder of my time I listen to numerous podcasts. Here are my current favourites.

Kermode and Mayo's Film Review - self-explanatory

Monster Talk - scholarly chat about unexplained creatures

The Prancing Pony Podcast - analysing Tolkien's writings, chapter by chapter

St Elwick's Neighbourhood Association Newsletter Podcast - from Mike Wozniack, this is of interest even if you're not a resident of St Elwick 

Beef and Dairy Network - not suitable for vegetarians

Dr Karl - Science talkback

Must Watch - BBC radio 5 review of the best on tv and streaming

The Skewer - stream of consciousness news comedy 

The Sword and Laser - science fiction and fantasy book club

The Talking Dead - for fans of the Walking Dead

 

Autumn Vineyards

 Although Perth's autumn colours are subdued compared to those of North America, Europe and New Zealand, there are still beautiful pockets. Last weekend I visited the Perth Hills, for an emergency purchase of wine, and to appreciate the change of seasons. Here are the views from Fairbrossen, and Myattsfield Wineries.

Garden Tiger

 My young cat (age 100 in human years), spends plenty of quality time guarding his back lawn. Here he is, busy at work.

Apocalypse over the Flozza

 A couple of months ago, prescribed burns led to smoke smothering the metropolitan area. This was the apocalyptic scene from the upper deck of the Floreat Forum car park, reminiscent of the classic film These Final Hours.

Thanks to the Guardian

 I'm proud of how many Guardian newspaper articles I've managed to read on my little iPhone recently. Of course, they're trying to guilt me into subscribing, and I happily would do so if they offered a printed version, but an online news site is simply a way for me to waste my time. And they should be pleased that they're producing so much free content that's of interest to me. In fact, they should be awarding me a prize for most dedicated customer !

Getting my vaccination

I'm now officially immune from COVID 19. Okay, technically I've only had my first jab, but still, it's a wonderful feeling to know I'm on the path to the other side (and I don't mean dying).

A few weeks ago, I happened to be browsing the state government's vaccination website, and found that the online bookings page was now open for business. I knew it was due to be launched the following day, but it seems that they went live early. So I excitedly booked myself in for a few days later, for the earliest slot at the Claremont showgrounds mass vaccination site. That explains the lack of people in this snap:

 

I went into my little cubicle with the nurse, had a little chat and it was over in no time. Then I immediately booked my second jab for 10 weeks later, and sat around for 15 minutes to make sure there was no immediate reaction to my injection. I was offered a free fruit juice or bottle of water, and then was on my way.

 

My Cat's Top Ten Films of 2020

As is traditional, Gizzie cat has ranked his favourite films of the past twelve months. Interestingly, there are only a couple of American movies amongst them. Few US films were released in 2020 so the cinemas mostly showed international and independent films. Here they are in reverse order:

10. The Personal History of David Copperfield (UK)

9.   The Current War (US)

8.   The Booksellers (US)

7.    Burnt Orange Heresy (International)

6.   The Gentleman (UK)

5.   The Furnace (Australia)

4.    Radioactive (UK)

3.   The Trip to Greece (UK)

2.    Dark Waters (US)

1.   Mank (US)

And an honourable mention to Belle Epoque (France).

Top TV

My favourite tv shows for 2020, streamed or otherwise.

The Queen's Gambit

Normal People

Lovecraft Country

Succession

The Witcher

Cardinal

The Great

What We Do in the Shadows

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel

Devs

Top Classic Films

 And with so many classics reappearing in the cinema, here's a bonus list of my favourite oldies seen in the past year on the big screen:

5. Lawrence of Arabia

4. Mr Smith Goes to Washington

3. North by Northwest

2. Casablanca

1. Philadelphia Story

Top 10 Films for 2020

It was a decent year for films. Despite an absence of blockbusters (I certainly didn't miss the three hour Superhero movies that have proliferated recently), the smaller indie films and international films were entertaining enough.

10(=). David Copperfield - it was a toss-up between this and Emma for this spot, so I'm including them both, however David Copperfield's quirky humour appealed to me more.

10(=). Emma - thanks Jane Austen.

9. Summerland - WW2 romantic drama

8. Blithe Spirit - very entertaining adaption of Noel Coward's comic play featuring seances and hauntings

7. The Lodge - a horror story set in the snowy wilds of Massachusetts featuring gaslighting and insanity

6. Midnight Sky - George Clooney's apocalyptic space drama had a short run in the cinema before switching to Netflix, and I'm lucky to have caught it on the big screen. 

5. Colour Out of Space - insane (literally) adaption of H. P. Lovecraft's short story, starring Nicholas Cage. 

4. Belle Epoque - is it possible to time travel by faithfully recreating a scene from the past? A quirky French romance.

3. The Burnt Orange Heresy - an art crime thriller

2. 1917 - for the cinematography alone, this is unforgettable

1. Tenet - worth seeing multiple times (and in reverse) to understand the many layers. 

And some honourable mentions, for films that could easily have made the top ten if my mood differed slightly:

Trip to Greece

Mank 

The Father