Post by Salem6 on Oct 16, 2003 12:52:11 GMT
FILM
Kill Bill Vol 1 (18)
The limbs are severed. Heads go flying. Tarantino's back, with his bloodiest film yet, a spot-the-allusion gift to fans of samurai movies, 1970s kung-fu flicks and Sergio Leone westerns. Uma Thurman plays the super-fly assassin who awakens from a five-year coma and goes on a killing spree against a small army of yakuza gangsters, including Lucy Liu. The dialogue is canny, the music (The RZA, Bernard Herrmann) spot-on cool, and Tarantino's technical mastery more dazzling than ever.
Spellbound (U)
This doc about the national spelling championships in America doubles up as a brilliant portrait of the state of the States. Funny, dramatic and gripping, it is total unmitigated joy.
Finding Nemo (U)
This splendid comedy about a clown-fish in the Great Barrier Reef whose son has been whisked off by divers and ends up in a dentist's goldfish bowl has wisecracking dialogue and a fine cast that includes Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres.
Bright Young Things (15)
Stephen Fry's directorial debut is a pleasant but satirically toothless adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies. Strong performances from Fenella Woolgar and Emily Mortimer, though, and Peter O'Toole and John Mills contribute amusing cameos.
Raising Victor Vargas (15)
Set amid New York's housing estates, Peter Sollett's wonderful film is a miraculously shot account of a long, hot summer during which the area's boys and girls fall in love for the first time.
Young Adam (18)
Ewan McGregor gives the performance of his life in director David Mackenzie's superbly dark adaptation of Alexander Trocchi's classic outsider novel. A terrific cast includes Tilda Swinton, Peter Mullan and Emily Mortimer.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (15)
Good luck extracting sense from Robert Rodriguez's crazed slapstick shoot-'em-up - it doesn't make any. Antonio Banderas reprises his Desperado role; Johnny Depp walks off with the movie as a corrupt CIA spook. Intermittently exhilarating trash.
Matchstick Men (12A)
Ridley Scott's loosest film in years is a grifter saga that's never quite dexterous enough in its rug-pulling, but is buoyed well by the adept performances of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman.
Spirited Away (PG)
Chihiro is a small girl travelling with her parents to her new home, but she loses them in a giant theme park. This animated film is utterly magical, and the most popular movie in Japanese history.
MUSIC
Gigs
Bonnie Prince Billy
The artist also known as Will Oldham, this alt-country-folk singer and songwriter looks like a hillbilly with his bushy beard and dungarees but writes and sings sublime and beautifully understated, brooding songs. Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12 (0870 771 2000), Thurs.
Loudon Wainwright III
Loveable American misfit whose songs would seem unbearably bleak if they weren't quite so brilliant and witty. Lowry Centre, Salford (0870 787 5790), tomorrow. Also: Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12 (0870 771 2000), Mon; Glasgow (0141 332 1846), Wed.
Cleveland Watkiss & Nikki Yeoh
This combination of male singer and impressive young pianist will serve up jazz with Eastern, Brazilian, reggae and African flavours. Queen Elizabeth Hall, London SE1 (020 7960 4242), Tues; Kettle's Yard, Cambridge (01223 503333), Fri; and other dates.
Book now
Kings of Leon
Fast-rising Southern boys who shake their long hair a lot and play catchy high-tempo rock tunes with a distinctive thrummy guitar sound. Carling Academy, London SW9 (0870 771 2000), Dec 11; Guildhall, Southampton (023 8063 2601), Dec 13; Carling Academy, Birmingham (0870 771 2000), Dec 14; University, Manchester (0161 832 1111), Dec 17; Rock City, Nottingham (0115 9588484), Dec 18; Carling Academy, Bristol (0117 927 9227), Dec 21; Carling Academy, Glasgow (0870 771 2000), Dec 22.
Classical
Kokoro
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has a good record of performing new and unusual music. This season, the concerts by its contemporary ensemble Kokoro have been given a fresh look and a 7.30 starting time. The inaugural programme, centred on an art exhibition by Anthony Green, focuses on music from the countries Green has lived in, with works by Anthony Powers (Britain), Pierre Boulez (France) and Michael Torke (America), together with the premiere of A Stranger Called This Morning by Colin Riley, a former BSO composer-in-residence. Study Gallery, Poole (01202 685222), next Fri.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Italian warmth in a programme of Respighi's The Birds, Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony and, with soloist Lars-Anders Tomter, Walton's Viola Concerto, mostly written in Amalfi. Ayr Town Hall (01292 611222), Wed; Queen's Hall, Edinburgh (0131 668 2019), Thurs; Barony Hall, Glasgow (0141 353 8000 ), next Fri.
SPNM
The Society for the Promotion of New Music marks its 60th anniversary with three world premieres, followed by the Kreutzer Quartet in Sir Peter Maxwell Davies's Naxos Quartets Nos 2 and 3. Wigmore Hall, London W1 (020 7935 2141), Wed.
Hallé Orchestra
Mark Elder conducts a programme of Debussy's Marché ecossaise, Gigues and Rondes de printemps, with contralto Anna Larsson and tenor Torsten Kerl in Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (0161 907 9000), Thurs.
Book now
Inside Monteverdi
A weekend of concerts and talks exploring one of the Renaissance's signal figures, including a performance of his remarkable opera L'Orfeo. Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, London SE1 (020 7960 4201), Nov 1 and 2.
Opera
Manon
An opera focused on one of literature's most teasing and mercurial heroines, portrayed by Massenet in music of rococo erotic charm and unabashed romantic fervour. Swedish soprano Malin Bystrom sings this glorious role for her Opera North debut, with Australian tenor Julian Gavin as the besotted Des Grieux and William Dazeley as her manipulative brother Lescaut. Daniel Slater directs, and Grant Llewellyn and Alistair Dawes share the conducting. Grand Theatre, Leeds (0113 222 6222), Thurs.
The Turn of the Screw and Ariodante
English Touring Opera's autumn season bravely ignores standard repertory to couple less familiar works by Britten and Handel. Richmond Theatre, Surrey (020 8940 0088), Wed (Ariodante); Thurs and Fri (Turn of the Screw).
La Traviata
Peter Hall's fine production of Verdi's tragedy of a maligned courtesan is revived by Glyndebourne for its autumn tour with Majella Cullagh as Violetta. Glyndebourne, Lewes (01273 813813), Tues and Fri.
Sweeney Todd
Sick of The Nutcracker? Try Sondheim's gruesomely gripping musical Sweeney Todd at the Royal Opera House, WC2 (027 304 4000), from Dec 15.
STAGE
Theatre
Anything Goes
Hot on the heels of the National Theatre's production of My Fair Lady, which enjoyed a record breaking run at Drury Lane, comes the transfer of this terrific NT production of the Cole Porter musical, once again directed by Trevor Nunn. Set aboard a luxurious cruise liner, the show is an irresistibly zany delight. Now previewing. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London WC2 (020 7494 5000), opens Tues.
Romeo and Juliet
A sexy young company from Iceland make this over-familiar play seem fresh-minted and exciting by setting the action in a circus complete with acrobats, trapeze routines, and clowns. Young Vic, London SE1 (020 7928 6363).
Pericles
Neil Bartlett imaginatively sets Shakespeare's haunting late romance in a present-day hospital where the eponymous hero takes an interior journey of the mind. An intelligent, deeply felt and highly personal production. Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W6 (08700 500 511).
The Price
Deeply moving play by Arthur Miller about two divided brothers who are finally forced to confront their past, and their motives, as they dispose of their dead father's furniture. Fine performances from Larry Lamb and Des McAleer as the warring siblings, and a tour de force from Warren Mitchell as an 89-year-old antiques dealer. Apollo Theatre, London W1 (020 7494 5070).
The Hotel in Amsterdam
Robin Lefevre directs a superb revival of John Osborne's 1968 play about a group of film industry friends spending a boozy weekend in Amsterdam. The piece is packed with hilarious invective, delivered with panache by Tom Hollander as the Osborne-like anti-hero. Donmar Warehouse, London WC2 (020 7369 1732).
Kill Bill Vol 1 (18)
The limbs are severed. Heads go flying. Tarantino's back, with his bloodiest film yet, a spot-the-allusion gift to fans of samurai movies, 1970s kung-fu flicks and Sergio Leone westerns. Uma Thurman plays the super-fly assassin who awakens from a five-year coma and goes on a killing spree against a small army of yakuza gangsters, including Lucy Liu. The dialogue is canny, the music (The RZA, Bernard Herrmann) spot-on cool, and Tarantino's technical mastery more dazzling than ever.
Spellbound (U)
This doc about the national spelling championships in America doubles up as a brilliant portrait of the state of the States. Funny, dramatic and gripping, it is total unmitigated joy.
Finding Nemo (U)
This splendid comedy about a clown-fish in the Great Barrier Reef whose son has been whisked off by divers and ends up in a dentist's goldfish bowl has wisecracking dialogue and a fine cast that includes Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres.
Bright Young Things (15)
Stephen Fry's directorial debut is a pleasant but satirically toothless adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies. Strong performances from Fenella Woolgar and Emily Mortimer, though, and Peter O'Toole and John Mills contribute amusing cameos.
Raising Victor Vargas (15)
Set amid New York's housing estates, Peter Sollett's wonderful film is a miraculously shot account of a long, hot summer during which the area's boys and girls fall in love for the first time.
Young Adam (18)
Ewan McGregor gives the performance of his life in director David Mackenzie's superbly dark adaptation of Alexander Trocchi's classic outsider novel. A terrific cast includes Tilda Swinton, Peter Mullan and Emily Mortimer.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (15)
Good luck extracting sense from Robert Rodriguez's crazed slapstick shoot-'em-up - it doesn't make any. Antonio Banderas reprises his Desperado role; Johnny Depp walks off with the movie as a corrupt CIA spook. Intermittently exhilarating trash.
Matchstick Men (12A)
Ridley Scott's loosest film in years is a grifter saga that's never quite dexterous enough in its rug-pulling, but is buoyed well by the adept performances of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell and Alison Lohman.
Spirited Away (PG)
Chihiro is a small girl travelling with her parents to her new home, but she loses them in a giant theme park. This animated film is utterly magical, and the most popular movie in Japanese history.
MUSIC
Gigs
Bonnie Prince Billy
The artist also known as Will Oldham, this alt-country-folk singer and songwriter looks like a hillbilly with his bushy beard and dungarees but writes and sings sublime and beautifully understated, brooding songs. Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12 (0870 771 2000), Thurs.
Loudon Wainwright III
Loveable American misfit whose songs would seem unbearably bleak if they weren't quite so brilliant and witty. Lowry Centre, Salford (0870 787 5790), tomorrow. Also: Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12 (0870 771 2000), Mon; Glasgow (0141 332 1846), Wed.
Cleveland Watkiss & Nikki Yeoh
This combination of male singer and impressive young pianist will serve up jazz with Eastern, Brazilian, reggae and African flavours. Queen Elizabeth Hall, London SE1 (020 7960 4242), Tues; Kettle's Yard, Cambridge (01223 503333), Fri; and other dates.
Book now
Kings of Leon
Fast-rising Southern boys who shake their long hair a lot and play catchy high-tempo rock tunes with a distinctive thrummy guitar sound. Carling Academy, London SW9 (0870 771 2000), Dec 11; Guildhall, Southampton (023 8063 2601), Dec 13; Carling Academy, Birmingham (0870 771 2000), Dec 14; University, Manchester (0161 832 1111), Dec 17; Rock City, Nottingham (0115 9588484), Dec 18; Carling Academy, Bristol (0117 927 9227), Dec 21; Carling Academy, Glasgow (0870 771 2000), Dec 22.
Classical
Kokoro
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has a good record of performing new and unusual music. This season, the concerts by its contemporary ensemble Kokoro have been given a fresh look and a 7.30 starting time. The inaugural programme, centred on an art exhibition by Anthony Green, focuses on music from the countries Green has lived in, with works by Anthony Powers (Britain), Pierre Boulez (France) and Michael Torke (America), together with the premiere of A Stranger Called This Morning by Colin Riley, a former BSO composer-in-residence. Study Gallery, Poole (01202 685222), next Fri.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Italian warmth in a programme of Respighi's The Birds, Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony and, with soloist Lars-Anders Tomter, Walton's Viola Concerto, mostly written in Amalfi. Ayr Town Hall (01292 611222), Wed; Queen's Hall, Edinburgh (0131 668 2019), Thurs; Barony Hall, Glasgow (0141 353 8000 ), next Fri.
SPNM
The Society for the Promotion of New Music marks its 60th anniversary with three world premieres, followed by the Kreutzer Quartet in Sir Peter Maxwell Davies's Naxos Quartets Nos 2 and 3. Wigmore Hall, London W1 (020 7935 2141), Wed.
Hallé Orchestra
Mark Elder conducts a programme of Debussy's Marché ecossaise, Gigues and Rondes de printemps, with contralto Anna Larsson and tenor Torsten Kerl in Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (0161 907 9000), Thurs.
Book now
Inside Monteverdi
A weekend of concerts and talks exploring one of the Renaissance's signal figures, including a performance of his remarkable opera L'Orfeo. Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, London SE1 (020 7960 4201), Nov 1 and 2.
Opera
Manon
An opera focused on one of literature's most teasing and mercurial heroines, portrayed by Massenet in music of rococo erotic charm and unabashed romantic fervour. Swedish soprano Malin Bystrom sings this glorious role for her Opera North debut, with Australian tenor Julian Gavin as the besotted Des Grieux and William Dazeley as her manipulative brother Lescaut. Daniel Slater directs, and Grant Llewellyn and Alistair Dawes share the conducting. Grand Theatre, Leeds (0113 222 6222), Thurs.
The Turn of the Screw and Ariodante
English Touring Opera's autumn season bravely ignores standard repertory to couple less familiar works by Britten and Handel. Richmond Theatre, Surrey (020 8940 0088), Wed (Ariodante); Thurs and Fri (Turn of the Screw).
La Traviata
Peter Hall's fine production of Verdi's tragedy of a maligned courtesan is revived by Glyndebourne for its autumn tour with Majella Cullagh as Violetta. Glyndebourne, Lewes (01273 813813), Tues and Fri.
Sweeney Todd
Sick of The Nutcracker? Try Sondheim's gruesomely gripping musical Sweeney Todd at the Royal Opera House, WC2 (027 304 4000), from Dec 15.
STAGE
Theatre
Anything Goes
Hot on the heels of the National Theatre's production of My Fair Lady, which enjoyed a record breaking run at Drury Lane, comes the transfer of this terrific NT production of the Cole Porter musical, once again directed by Trevor Nunn. Set aboard a luxurious cruise liner, the show is an irresistibly zany delight. Now previewing. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London WC2 (020 7494 5000), opens Tues.
Romeo and Juliet
A sexy young company from Iceland make this over-familiar play seem fresh-minted and exciting by setting the action in a circus complete with acrobats, trapeze routines, and clowns. Young Vic, London SE1 (020 7928 6363).
Pericles
Neil Bartlett imaginatively sets Shakespeare's haunting late romance in a present-day hospital where the eponymous hero takes an interior journey of the mind. An intelligent, deeply felt and highly personal production. Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W6 (08700 500 511).
The Price
Deeply moving play by Arthur Miller about two divided brothers who are finally forced to confront their past, and their motives, as they dispose of their dead father's furniture. Fine performances from Larry Lamb and Des McAleer as the warring siblings, and a tour de force from Warren Mitchell as an 89-year-old antiques dealer. Apollo Theatre, London W1 (020 7494 5070).
The Hotel in Amsterdam
Robin Lefevre directs a superb revival of John Osborne's 1968 play about a group of film industry friends spending a boozy weekend in Amsterdam. The piece is packed with hilarious invective, delivered with panache by Tom Hollander as the Osborne-like anti-hero. Donmar Warehouse, London WC2 (020 7369 1732).