Culture Vultures

Just watched the latest episode of 'Underbelly' on the teev here in Sydney. And i wonder why we are replused, at at the same time intregied, about these show about heavy criminals?

I read a review today of “The Letter” staring Bette Davis. It’s a movie set in Singapore, though filmed entirely in California.

That got me thinking – what other movies have been set in China (or Chinese-speaking regions)?

Recently “The Painted Veil” was filmed in Guangxi Province, mainland China and “The Kite Runner” was shot, in part, in Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Presumably there’s been a slight loosening of the rules and red tape that have kept filmmakers out before. I have a theory…

I dug up my old vinyl copy of White Mansions last week and gave it a spin. I'm not real big on concept albums but this has some thought provoking tunes on it and I quite like the Waylon Jennings narration on it.

Then, as I was fossicking through the sales bin at the DVD shop the other day, you wouldn't wanna know, Ken Burns' - The Civil War Volumes 1-9 jumps out at me, and on sale for $14.95. Great viewing with some amazing photographs.

I just saw the film. An interesting story (I haven't read the book), but the way it was made, I thought it had its flaws - a bit too heavy handed, especially the music at times was too overpowering, almost disturbing.

A couple of questions:
I read in a article that there was a rape scene. It must have been cut out from the version I saw. When did it happen?
How does the book compare with the film version?

Do you think they missed something by not building on Viggo and Naomi's attracton for each other??

tonight is kraftwerk! and by pure fluke, just found out klaus dinger recently died. a founding member of kraftwerk, he was perhaps better known as the drummer for Neu! a nice article can be found at
aquarium drunkard you have to scroll down to #13 or 14 or so to hear a few Neu! songs.

in other news, they played autobahn on the radio which I haven't heard for years. listened to that on the way to my fav local record store. if you are not aware, today is the 1st annual national record store day!

Hi all,

Can you guys recommend demanding movies displaying "African-American" issues and stories. Recently, I was watching a couple of Spike Lee movies (Clockers, Do the Right Thing) which were exactly to my taste. I'm also interested in biographic movies about Black American personalities (Malcom X was great. A Spike Lee movie again though).

Thanks

I'm" proudly Australian and enjoy the odd flop, but how many thong wearers are there out there.

If anyone tunes into this message, please post, post ha'st.

Hi guys,

I started a travel blog on the Philippines that I hope to turn into some sort of an online travel magazine (crossing my fingers here..)

Here's the link - travelcentral

Both the weekend broadsheets I read are hailing it as REM's return to form - punchy, fast & focused

I've just had a listen & agree it's punchy, fast & focused - but I still think most of their best songs were on Document and Life's Rich Pageant

This latest offering just re-affirms to me that they've run out of good tunes