On My Headphones...

What’s been on the headphones recently.

Super Mantis (Blackmass Plastics Mix) by Scorn.
A huge, terrifying slice Electronica, with shades of Ambient and Dubstep. This track is ominous and ponderous, with the sort of rumbling bass to instill fear at fifty paces. Scorn is the alter ego of Napalm Death drummer Mick Harris.

Anger (Rare Force Meg Mix) by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Another taste of Electronica, with a muscular break beat underpinning some swirling synths and industrial effects. Moody yet energised – a really great toe-tapping track.

The Four Of Us Are Dying by Nine Inch Nails.
Regular readers of this blog will not be surprised to see a NIN track up here. This new track from the album The Slip has tensely taut, minimal percussion, overlaid by the distorted, squalling, muted guitar sounds so familiar to fans of Mr. Reznor. An instrumental, it could easily find a home on some brooding soundtrack.

Saboteur by Amon Tobin.
Another moody (see a theme developing here?) atmospheric track from the Brazilian cut n’ paste noise merchant. He mixes a Latin feel in to this stealthy, slinky down tempo number. After 120 seconds of this track you’ll not know whether to sign up to a samba class or start dusting off your old break dancing moves.

Music is Math by Boards Of Canada.
A glacial and unnerving track from the Scottish duo. Creating a feeling of tension in the first minute, when the beats kick in it’s almost a relief. Using one very simple vocal sample the track builds subtly and manages to sustain with usual forlorn, sombre timbre that Boards Of Canada have made their own.

Nine Inch Nails - In Rehearsal

My fellow music appreciator, banner designer (see above!), Titan colleague and all round urban ninja Russ put me on to this very cool link for Pitchfork Media.

Check it out.

The line up of Nine Inch Nails features Robin Finck (sporting a fairly horrendous haircut), and the bassist from Beck, Justin Meldal-Johnson. You can find out more about this very talented guy here

As if this wasn't enough, Nine Inch Nails have released a new EP through their website.

Thanks for the heads up Russ!

Whispering Corridors - Film Review

Whispering Corridors
Dir. Park Ki-hyung
Tartan Asia Extreme

When a past Alumnus of a private all girls’ school returns as a teacher, she discovers all is not as it seems. With the suicide of another teacher already putting everyone on edge, can the girls and teachers alike make it to the end of the semester?

Whispering Corridors is a Korean film with many of the hallmarks of typical J-Horror – a female ghost, the attempt to build psychological tension and muted colours.

However, after the opening dispatch of one of the characters, the viewer must then sit through over an hour of, well, not a great deal happening. In fact, you could almost end up wondering if boredom will kill the cast before the ghost does. Whispering Corridors spends too long establishing characters and relationships and some of the characters serve no purpose to progressing the plot.

To make matters worse the sound mixing is rough, the dialogue is either badly translated (or just plain pedestrian), and the blood is garish and cheap compared to the de-saturated tones of the rest of the film.

You’ll not lose any sleep from watching this supposedly chilling J-Horror; in fact it may even cure insomnia.

Verdict
3 / 10

Happy Father's Day?

Fight Club has to be one of my favourite films for a variety of reasons: Brad Pitt and Edward Norton give the kind of performances that cinephiles like me die to see: what David Fincher does with Chuck Palahnuik’s book is nothing short of breathtaking and there is a certain nihilistic joy to this film that manages to be empowering without ever having to apologise for its swaggering masculinity.

Admittedly, I’m not one for going out and getting into fights on a whim, or brawling with friends to rediscover that ‘I’m alive’ and not just some Ikea-worshiping drone with a white collar. I find running is quite good for that – and sex. This film, however, has particular resonance for me when our two protagonists, Tyler Durden and the unnamed ‘narrator’, have a heart-to-heart in the bathroom of their dilapidated house on Paper Street. Tyler sets forth his philosophy on leaving your mark on a world where beneficent patriarchy is a rare thing:

"Our fathers were our models for God. If our fathers bailed, what does that tell you about God? Listen to me. You have to consider the possibility that God does not like you. He never wanted you. In all probability, he hates you. It's not the worst thing that can happen to you. We don't need him. Fuck damnation, man. Fuck redemption. We are God's unwanted children, SO BE IT! First you have to give up. First, you have to know, not fear, that someday, you're gonna die. It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."

If you are reading this and you have a son: a son who challenges you, a son who is perhaps a reflection of the things you find difficult to deal with about yourself, a son who has ‘failed’ to live up to your expectations, a son you conveniently forget to call, year in, year out – then why not pick up the phone? Take an interest. Give some encouragement. If you really can’t act like a father then at least act like a friend.

And, if you’re one of the many people who won’t be sending a card to your dad this Sunday, or making a slightly awkward phone call to wish ‘the old man’ a happy Father’s Day, bear this in mind – you don’t have to model yourself in anyone’s image.
You have free reign to make yourself as you see fit.

It’s only after you’ve lost everything that you’re free to do anything.
Fuck damnation.
Fuck redemption.

Appleseed: Ex Machina – Film Review

Appleseed: Ex Machina
Dir. Shinji Aramaki
Producer John Woo

In the year 2135, the city of Olympus provides a seed of hope to the survivors of World War Three. However, even a peaceful utopia has it enemies. Deunan and Briareos must find out who is behind the recent wave of mysterious terrorist activity.

Appleseed: Ex Machina continues on from Director Aramaki’s previous 2004 outing. However, fans will notice a move away from the more iconic manga look – the over large eyes and cartoonish features have been toned down for a more realistic aesthetic. And it doesn’t stop with the character designs – body and face motion capture, shaky camera and lens flare, all combine to make Ex Machina feel like a real film. Many of the shots and visuals in this film are literally jaw dropping – it really is a tour de force of animation.

Aramaki and John Woo have created a perfect hybrid of a film that transcends the usual pitfalls of traditional anime, and manages to be both groundbreaking and accessible at the same time.

In fact, it’s not all just lovingly designed hardware and awesome mecha (although they are there in abundance!) – Ex Machina has real heart. With a well-executed love triangle to contend with, Deunan and Briareos have to deal with internal, as well as external conflicts. The voice talents really lend the film weight, and coupled with a well-translated script really help to make this an anime westerners can really relate to. As ever the set pieces are spectacular, and John Woo’s guidance has clearly paid off tenfold.

Not just a fancy 3D anime outing for hardened Otaku, Appleseed: Ex Machina is a fine film in own right, able to stand up alongside more conventional science fiction with ease.

9 / 10