Things that were good in 2003 in no particular order.

Film: Adaptation:

Not really a Nic Cage fan but this film had the genius scriptwriter of Being John Malkovich behind it, Charlie Kaufman. Indeed it is he, who is the central figure in a film that is at times as bizzare and quirky as its sister film. In one early scene we see Kaufman on the Malkovich set, hanging out with the actors, pontificating about his next project. This also means that John Cusack is (if only very briefly) in another great film. We are introduced to the world of Charlie's comic neurosis, as he fails with girls, gets writer's block and cowers in the shadow of his confident identical twin (also played by Cage) Its funny, touching and ends by mocking formulaic Hollywood dross which means its almost got everything a film should have.

Book: Paul Auster:

And rediscovering novels. After years of reading nothing more taxing then the sports section on the 38 bus, I have spent some time with a number of his books. They all explore common themes like relationships, families, traumas and writing but it is the quirky details that really interest. It indicates that there is always an element of himself in everything he writes. His books inhabit his own personal world where strange twists of fate take stories elsewhere. The New York Trilogy is recommended, a metaphysical thriller rife with historical allegries where as Timbuktu is about a dog.

TV: Six Feet Under

Not unlike an Auster novel. The best acting. The best characters. The best stories. The best thing on TV. Or is that The Sopranos?

Album: Rachel's, Systems/Layers

Rachel's make highly emotional and intimate music that wouldn't be out of place on a Michael Nyman soundtrack. They believe in traditional instruments, violins, cellos and pianos played with feeling over virtuosity. This gives the album many mood changes, sometimes just piano, then an ensemble piece rising to a beautiful climax, then a wall of strings, or even experimental field recordings of outside noises. Music for those long lonely winter nights.

Gig: Liars

A link to my friend Andrew's blog, with a review of this gig and many more  ¶ Thursday, January 01, 2004