Happy Birthday, Al Green!

Watership Down

Richard Adams

Astonishingly involving drama about a group of rabbits trying to establish a new warren, Watership Down is a completely stunning piece of modern literature. Written in 1972, Adams' created such a believable world on the Down that it was, deliberately, hard at times to distinguish between the fact that we were reading of the lives of rabbits and not people. Touching on political ideologies and the way they envelop one's life - Capitalism, Communism and Socialism are all depicted - he manages to cleverly avoid having the book becoming a soapbox diatribe leaving one thoroughly touched by the relationships developed. The book has a notoriety of having an incredibly sad ending, however, this reader found it nothing but uplifting. Hazel deserved no less. Exquisite.

Get Him To The Greek

Nicholas Stoller

Given surprising depth by Brand's performance, this is a manic, not totally successful comedic romp about the fickleness of the music industry and life in general. Hill does well with his schtick and Combs is unexpectedly hilarious in a small role but the film belongs to Brand. His turn may now be tired too but the moments of obvious reality - the jonesing scenes - show a willingness to bring a truth to the screen.

Attack On Memory

Cloud Nothings

Development and growth is an interesting thing to consider when looking at any artist’s canon. Obviously when a canon is young that development may not be immediately obvious, however, in the case of Cloud Nothings it’s mind-blowingly immense. From the debut LP to the sophomore effort and now to their third, Dylan Baldi’s baby has gone at a million miles an hour from solo project to fully-fledged rock band, making really great rock music. It doesn’t quite sustain the energy of its opening two tracks but as piece yelling, “Oi!! Take notice,” boy, it does make one do that.