Films
Joker: As a comics nerd, it continually frustrates me that DC cannot seem to get a film right. They've had several goes at Batman and still haven't produced anything on celluloid as good as the seminal Dark Knight Returns series of graphic novels by Frank Miller. Suicide Squad and Wonder Woman showed signs of a sense of humour, but they were still clunky. So I approached Joker with few expectations. I was, however, pleasantly surprised as it's dark and grim and really good. They've stolen bits from the scraps of Joker origin stories that exist in the DC Universe and set it in a Gotham on the brink of societal collapse, which nicely mirrors the rise of the right happening in the western world at the moment. The whole enterprise may be a thinly disguised vehicle for Joaquin Phoenix (above) to have a tilt at the Best Actor Oscar, but the movie certainly ticks the box for comics stuff for adults. And Phoenix is still excellent. The 'Like' button is hit on this one.
Music
The Slow Show: The album Lust and Learn is my first experience of the Manchester indie outfit who sound like a low-fi version of Elbow. And that's not intended to damn them with feint praise either. Rob Goodwin's croaky baritone is a thing of beauty, and the beautiful brass, string and piano arrangements that fill this offering are joyous and contemplative in equal measure. I've also had a listen to two of their other Albums, White Water and Brother, and they are similarly wonderful.
New Model Army: These long-time indie folk rock icons remain something of a permanent fixture on my playlist and their most recent album, From Here, is the usual mix of poetry, anger and call to arms. The Weather remains the standout track.
New Model Army: These long-time indie folk rock icons remain something of a permanent fixture on my playlist and their most recent album, From Here, is the usual mix of poetry, anger and call to arms. The Weather remains the standout track.
Podcasts
You're Dead to Me: This is basically Horrible Histories for adults. A guess academic and a guest comedian join host Greg Jenner to discuss potted and very entertaining histories on a range of topics. My fave two shows so far are the episodes on Joan of Arc and Boudica. But there are many other delights on offer.
TV
The Mash Report: I like comedian and telly person Nish Kumar and I adore the political satire show, The Mash Report. It always delivers. The only slightly worrying thing is this show, and the likes of YouTube sensation Jonathan Pie, are increasingly seeming less satirical and more like fair and balanced news commentary. But that's probably a sign of how shit things are in the real world.
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