Monthly Archives: March 2005

Sideways

Two friends take a road trip through the wine country of California. One is trying to escape his past; the other is trying to escape his future. They meet a couple of women who open their eyes to the possibility of better things. Will they seize the opportunity, or will they go back to their old ways and dream forever of what might have been? They become a bit annoying as their foibles are revealed, but are ultimately endearing, despite both being losers in their own way.

There are many moments of humour and of pathos in this engaging film, but I was left with one overwhelming emotion: the desire to drink several bottles of fine red wine. If you can find a civilised cinema that serves wine, I would strongly recommend having a glass or two while you watch the film.

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Want One — Rufus Wainwright

The first two songs on this album are so good that I can’t even remember what the rest of it is like.

Rufus Wainwright’s music had never really appealed to me before: what I had heard seemed a bit too earnest and folky. But last year I heard and liked a track from this album on the radio. Intrigued, I read some reviews and finally bought the album.

Want One album cover

The first two songs are magnificent. Oh What a World interweaves its lament nicely with Ravel’s Bolero, building to a stirring crescendo. I Don’t Know What It Is is a lot quieter, with a nice quirky melody and toe-tappin’ rhythm. This was the song that had piqued my interest last year.

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