Billie Holiday - I'm A Fool To Want You

I had completely forgotten about this song until I saw the Audrey Tautou Chanel advert. Recorded towards the end of her career, when her voice was a shadow of its former self, the song is dripping with undeniable emotion.

Composer Ray Ellis says of the track:

'I would say that the most emotional moment was her listening to the playback of "I'm a Fool to Want You". There were tears in her eyes...After we finished the album I went into the control room and listened to all the takes. I must admit I was unhappy with her performance, but I was just listening musically instead of emotionally. It wasn't until I heard the final mix a few weeks later that I realized how great her performance really was.'

Ellis also tells of how Holiday drank vodka throughout the recording of the song. The pain, the pathos, it's all there. Originally recorded by Frank Sinatra, this is a prime example of a cover being better than the original.

I've been listening to this track a lot lately. It's one of those moments when music just clicks with you. It breaks me, every time.




'I'm a fool to want you
I'm a fool to want you
To want a love that can't be true
A love that's there for others too

I'm a fool to hold you
Such a fool to hold you
To seek a kiss not mine alone
To share a kiss that Devil has known

Time and time again I said I'd leave you
Time and time again I went away
But then would come the time when I would need you
And once again these words I had to say

Take me back, I love you
...I need you
I know it's wrong, it must be wrong
But right or wrong I can't get along

Without you'

Rihanna - Hard (Aka: Things I love about this amazing video)

RiRi doing her best 'Full Metal Jacket' impression.

BREASTS

Rihanna's dildo arms just won't let up.

CROTCH GRAB

I lick the gun when I'm done.

Only smile in the video.

Like 'Dip It Low' Just 100% better.

'Run through your town. I'll shut it down'

Poker Face (sorry)

These need no explanation, really.

Bit hot in here.

Growl.

Mickey never looked this good.

No idea what this is, but I love it.

Say hello to my little friend.

'Where them bloggers at, where them bloggers at?'

'Where they at, where they at, where they at?'

This is clearly amazing.

All in all, this is one of the videos of the year.
Well played Rihanna, well played.
'G4L' next, yeah?

Karen O and The Kids - Where The Wild Things Are

As soon as I heard that Karen O would be recording the soundtrack for 'Where The Wild Things Are' I was both excited, and a little bit worried. Would O's (admittedly brilliant) theatrics prove too much for one my most beloved stories?

Even though I have yet to see the film (somethingI hope to rectify in the next couple of days) I needen't have worried. O's vocals are kept on the right side of erratic, and she wields a sort of guileless charm throughout. Be it the soothing lullaby of 'Worried Shoes' or the frenetic chanting of 'Capsize' O bristles with the innocence that exists at the core of the story. Another lovely thing is that you can tell where each of the songs would fit within the narrative of the film.

What is also somewhat surprising is even though there are a large number of collaborators (lumped together under the moniker 'The Kids') the album is incredibly cohesive. Granted, a lot of soundtracks are, but this sounds like it was organically created by one or two people. I would be quite happy if this was just a Karen O album.

I defy you to listen to it and not be moved.

Birthday Weekend

I will write more on this when I have the time. But for now I leave you with this. I loved it.

A Pictoral Representation Of My Birthday

Hot Mess

I Should...

...be playing this. But my neighbours are stealing cunts.

Everything...

...seems to have gone from quite good, to unbearably shit in the space of a day. I just want to go to sleep and not have to wake up. Urgh.

Self Explanatory

Altered States

A collection of images that sum up my brain quite well at the moment.

Sebastian Monroe

Absolute perfection. Filthy, too.

Lady GaGa - Bad Romance

One of the best videos of the year. This woman is simply amazing.

Word Vomit

I just talked someone into getting Twitter, then realised that in doing so I would lose somewhere to vent. RATS.

Cheryl Cole - 3 Words

I'll get round to fully reviewing this soon, but early indications are that this is a solid 3.5/5 affair. Standouts on first listen include the title track, and 'Parachute'

It won't set the world alight, but it could have been a hell of lot worse.

Annie - Don't Stop

After a tortuously long wait through the debacle that was 'The Island Years" Scandinavian pop princess Annie returns with the definitive version of her sophmore album. And, boy, was it worth the wait. I haven't listened to version one for a long time, so that the album will hopefully feel fresh. I'll write my thoughts down as I listen. Here we go.

1. 'Hey Annie'

Very obvious Epworth influence running throughout this. The synths and drums work very well with Annie's voice. The melody progression in the chorus is lovely. The singing/spoken word arrangement works well. Love the bells in the chorus. RAVE WHISTLE. Not overly keen on the chanting, although it reminds me a bit of 'Block Party' by Lisa Left Eye Lopez for some reason. Big fan of the way it ends. 8/10

2. 'My Love Is Better'

Again, this is very obviously Xenomania, although unlike in 'Hey Annie' I'm not sure it's a good thing. The chorus would have benefitted from Girls Aloud's vocals, as the call and response bits lack the punch that I would have liked. Some nice synth work throughout, but ultimately sounds like something that should have been on 'Chemistry' Some of the lyrics are good, quite sharp, but it's not really Annie. Not sure on this being the second single. 6.5/10

3. 'Bad Times'

This is probably my favourite of the Xeno tracks, as it seems to suit Annie's voice better. Still unmistakably Xeno though. Great melody in the chorus. Production is relatively sparse, which again, works well with her voice. Really like when the drums kick back in after the middle eight, it makes the whole thing a bit more epic. Love the echo on her voice towards the end. 7/10

4. 'Don't Stop'

Lovely intro! Really feeling the drum beat throughout this. Also love the synth that sounds a bit like a hairdryer. Lyrically beautiful, as is the way that they are delivered. The bits before each chorus are amazing. Synth breakdown works brilliantly. Also sounds a bit like it's underwater. Final chorus is suitably epic. Another win for Epworth. 8/10

5. 'I Don't Like Your Band'

WOW. Amazingly old school intro. Annie's voice sounds great here. Double layered vocals! Oh my god, the chorus. Brillant name checking of Kraftwerk & Giorgio Moroder. Love the way she says 'I like you' THE CHORUS! THE MIDDLE EIGHT! If this isn't a single I may spotaneously combust. 9/10

6. 'Songs Remind Me Of You'

Even after 2 and a half years, this still sounds amazingly fresh. Possibly one of Annie's best songs ever. It's interesting that this is the only song she didn't co-write. Whatever though, Annie/X is always a winning combination. Brilliant synth work, again. Lots of little swizzles everywhere. Actually quite dark. Great breakdown/buildup near the climax. Lovely cymbal to close. 8/10

7. 'Marie Cherie'

One of my favourites from the original version, and I played it to death when I got it. The orchestral arrangements are hauntingly beautiful, as are Annie's almost ethereal vocals. Everything about this just works so well, especially the violins in the bridge. It's quite menacing in a way. I'd like to see her do an old school Bond theme. Very nice. 9/10

8. 'Take You Home'

Thank god they got rid of the 'U' Another of my favourites from the original, it's also one of the songs that would fit quite easily on 'Anniemal' Brilliant lyrics. Slutty Annie! Again, the sparse production really elevates this song. Like 'Marie Cherie' it's quite menacing and dark. Love the drum breakdown. Tempo picks up nicely towards the end. Love the opera-esque singing in the background. 8/10

9. 'The Breakfast Song'

I've got a bit of a love/hate relationship with this one. It's brilliantly mental, and totally Annie, but incredibly annoying. It's a bit jarring after the darkness of the previous two tracks. However, by the end 'Coffe and TV' bit, it has kind of won me over. There's just so much going on! I'm going to shout 'What do you want for BREAKFAST?' all the time now though. 6/10

10. 'Loco'

Annnd, back to the Xenomania tracks. This is probably the most obviously Girls Aloud reject, and J was right in comparing it to 'Long Hot Summer' It's a pleasant enough song, but it just doesn't seem like Annie to me. That bloody guitar is annoying me a bit. Make that a lot. Annie sounds...uncomfortable. The chorus is nice though. 5/10

11. 'When The Night'

LOVE this. Definitely up there with 'Bad Times' as my favourite Xeno track. The lyrics are beautiful, and Annie sounds wistful throughout. One of the rare occasions they haven't overproduced the backing, and it really works. Very 80's, but not in a tacky way. Chorus is lovely. Well played. 7.5/10

12. ' Heaven And Hell'

Really surprised they decided to end the album with this. It's pleasant enough, in a Sunday morning kind of way, but I would have preferred either 'Take You Home' or Songs Remind Me Of You' Annie sounds great though. Like the 'Tell me where did I go wrong' bit. Like the fade out. 6/10

Well, that was great. Still a bit mystified as to why they chose 'Heaven And Hell' to close after the kinetic opening of 'Hey Annie' but it works. The album flows a lot better than before, and the inclusion of the Epworth tracks really elevate the album into something special. I will get round to reviewing the 'All Night E.P' and I'll post it here soon.

Now, where is 'Don't Stop' going to go in my albums of the year?

Escape to Twee

This weekend has been exactly what I have needed for a long time. Highlights include (in no particular order)

'We even checked the small drawers'

'I believe the children are our future'

Projectored X Factor at Alice's

Cracked out Whitney

Being pleasantly surprised at Cheryl Cole

Dissecting the mind fuck that was 'The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus'

The Rice, Noodle, and Pie drawers.

Gorgeous Fat Anne

Frankie's screeching, sorry, singing.

The hardworking Thai 2 Go women (NOT the scary father-son slave drivers. Socks & Sandals?)

The absolute silence of Winchester at night.

"Did he say 'Get a haircut?'" "No, he said 'why are you going down there for?'"

Laughing more than I have in a long time.

J's brilliant sleep movements.

The scenic route that was basically a lot of fields and a nice river.

'I had a dream that I won a competition to direct a Sugababes video'

ARMY OF FRENCH CHILDREN.

The obscene amount of food that was consumed. (Fatty fat fats)

'I'm getting a belly from this weekend.'

THE BLACK BARON (And pretty much everything about Madworld, especially Chanelle)

The absolute fail of 'Dry Weekend'

'Bwaa bwaa bwaa'

The cat with opposable thumbs, and messed up hind feet (Aka, slaggy cat)

'Oh! It's a boy!'

'I can't have it without cheese!'

'Standard Leona video...pretty bland...OHHHH!'

'You just dropped her pacemaker into her body!'

My complete inability to cut open a patient. Or suture. Or bandage. Pretty good at draining though.

'They left the medical profession, never to achieve their destiny'

Mental care home women.

MEG GRIFFIN

Picnic at the Cathedral

"He's the biggest gay slut in Winchester. No, wait, that's actually a 12 year old boy."

"I'm going to buy you a present wether you like it or not!"

Finally getting round to re-watching 'I Know Who Killed Me'

Properly reconnecting with my pop roots.

Sleeping in, and it not mattering at all.

The equal opportunity family.

Being in the company of someone I feel completely at ease with, with the added bonus of there being no drama at all.

"I don't like the idea of Game having my address!"

Ripping the hell out of Tim 'blokey bloke' Lovejoy.

JEREMY KYLE

Basically, as you can probably tell, I loved everything. It was exactly what I needed, as things in Bristol were seriously getting me down. It was nice to go somewhere completely alien (at least in the sense that I had never been there before) to me, and not think about Bristol at all. Even though we really didn't do that much, it was so refreshing, and actually felt like I was on holiday.

If I'm honest, the only thing I would have changed was the time I brought stuff up (I'm just going to talk to you now, as you're pretty much the only person that reads this =]) I hadn't been thinking about it all weekend, but I just wanted to ask before I left rather than leave it hanging. However, I'm glad I did, as I left knowing that our friendship is properly solidified, and this makes me extremely happy. You get me in a way that not a lot of people do, and it's so refreshing. You're one of the first people I think of turning to when I have an issue or a problem. I know that we haven't known each other for that long (in relative terms) but I know that you are now intrinsically linked with my life. I can't really explain it in words, but I'm pretty sure you feel the same (I hope?) I just know that I will know you for a very long time, and that makes me feel very good. Any worries I may have had were allayed pretty much as soon as I got into the car on Saturday. Just...I don't know...just know that I am here for you whenever you need me, day or night.

I guess I'm trying to say that you mean a lot to me (what a gay, etc, haha.)

So, in closing, I am feeling 'one million percent' better than I was this time last week, and for that I thank you.

New outlook. Or rather, a return to the old me.

Lovely.

A Retraction

In reference to my thoughts on A, I would like to formally retract my thoughts. Recently he has proven himself to be a kind, genuine guy, and I feel bad for writing him off too soon. Never judge a book, eh?

(This may or may not have been influenced by him going to KFC for me whilst I was at work the other day. That's not the only reason, but still.)

Maybe, Just

Maybe, I should stop being so emo.

This...

...is just getting harder. Tonight was a lot of fun, but the fact remains that I still feel horrible.

I feel like I've leapt off a cliff expecting to find water, but instead finding nothing.

Falling.

I don't understand.

Last night was supposed to help, but really didn't. Probably feel even worse.

Falling apart a bit.

Ambush

Bit of a blast from the past the other day. Turns out one of the new film lecturers is Michael, who taught me when I went to uni in London. Apart from it being a bit of a shock to see him, I was hit by all of this other stuff.

It brought with it things that I hadn't thought about for a long time; things that I didn't want to think about ever again. It has made me completely question my motivations for pretty much everything I'm doing at the moment.

I feel lost.

Macrame Hearts

So. Freshers Week.

After general craziness of Summer, I was looking forward to getting back into the swing of education. I thought that Freshers Week would be a breeze. A chance for me to see old friends, and make new ones. It hasn't quite turned out like that.

Don't get me wrong, I have had a really fun time. It's just that this past week has made me completely reassess how I feel about my position within my group of friends. The people I expected not to change haven't. The people I expected to change have. But there are a few people that have completely blindsided me, be it good or bad. (In case anyone stumbles across this, I am going to refer to people by their initials, for their benefit, and also my own)

The best decision I made was to live with S. I have had so much fun with him the past few days, and I just know that he is going to be really good for me. We aren't about the drama (even if our neighbours are scared of us) and I know that he's going to push me on to do work. Housemate Wristbands, innit.

One of the most surprising turnarounds has been with D. At the end of last year, you could say things were strained. well, actually, that would be understating things. We literally couldn't stand to be in the same room as each other. It was both our faults, and it got far too out of hand, but when we broke up for Summer, I really didn't care wether or not I saw him again. And then something really weird happened. We were sat outside the Su in the sun, a big group of us just drinking and talking. Then D came over with N, and sat down next to me. And then we just started talking. There was no animosity, no bitchiness; it was just two friends having a normal conversation. It was as if the past year simply hadn't happened. To be honest, I'm relived. I wasn't up for the drama at all, and it's so nice to be able to go to work and not worry about seeing him. I'm not saying we're going to be best friends, but it's nice to know. (P says she thinks a lot of the arguments last year were because we are so similar. I'm loathed to admit it, but she's probably right)

Another person that has changed is K. If I'm honest, I saw it coming last year when she got the job. She's difficult to get along with at the best of times, but this year has been torture. She's constantly moody, and her whining has been getting a lot of people down. It's getting to the point where the Freshers are beginning to notice and comment, which is terrible. It goes completely against the job. I feel really sorry for J, as it's reflecting badly on him, even though he's doing his side of the position really well.

Forgetting all of the job stuff though, I don't think I'll ever forgive K for last Monday. After having worked 8-4 (and having to listen to her whinge about having to put decorations up) I came back to work for 7pm, expecting everything to be sorted. Was it bollocks. Even though she knew she wanted to do a cocktail party before we broke up for summer, not one thing had been organised. We were out of stock of some alcohol, the staff had no clue what they were doing, the menus that were out were out of date, and no one knew if the prices were correct. It was a nightmare. So, in the space of half an hour, and on 2 hours sleep, I had to pretty much organise the entire thing. Then the bar got packed. Like, Drink The Bar Dry packed. So for her to turn up at 9.30 and say that she was so stressed? She was lucky I didn't glass her.

I was told that my manager has acknowledged my hard work, which is great, but the point is, it shouldn't have happened. Oh, and she took credit for everything. Lovely.

As for the Freshers themselves? To say that they were an odd bunch would be an understatement. L is pretty much L from last year. Loud, brash, sometimes obnoxious, but generally has her heart in the right place. I just hope that she doesn't mess B around.

One of the oddest has got to be A. I still can't really work him out. He's one of those 'I've done everything' types (including being bi for a year before realising men were cocks...right) that you usually find in every friendship group. He seems like he could be a really nice guy, but you have to get through all of that bravado bullshit to get anywhere near it. A massive stumbling block is his constant flirting with me. At first I thought it was a bit of friendly banter, but now I'm not so sure. It's getting annoying to be honest, and I'm not happy that there is a rumour going round that we have pulled. From what I can gather, he started it too. Definitely one to be cautious of.

The rest of them are pretty much interchangeable. Some have potential to be pretty interesting, but I haven't really given them the opportunity. I shall work on that. A lot of them have an awful taste in music though. Last night at work was like having teeth pulled.

Anyway, before this turns into character assassination 101, back to what I was saying. This week has really taken it out of me. Emotionally, physically, the works. I'm aware that I'm seen as the go-to-guy for parties and crazy nights out, which to be fair, I have perpetuated for the past 2 years. But this year it's not enough. I think I'm going to slowly ease myself out of that, and fully immerse myself into my work. That's not to say I won't go out at all, I have just moved my priorites around. The summer has taught me who my real friends are, and I'm very happy with that. I don't feel the need to be constantly getting drunk any more. Gosh, that makes me sound old!

I don't know though. I've been feeling that there's just something (someone?) missing. Maybe it's just because I'm tired and introspective, but I hope whatever it is sorts itself out. So, from now on, I'm going to be level headed, and not let anything get in the way of my goals. I wonder what I'll think of this in 3 months time...

The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus

This pretty much sums up everything I want to see in this film. So excited.

Erik Hassle - Hassle

This is brilliant.

WET

Really looking forward to this. Wet centers around Rubi (voiced by the stunning Eliza Dushku), a killer for hire. After getting double crossed in a job gone wrong, she sets out to get her vengance. Or something. The truth is, this isn't really a game you play for its story. The action is hyper kinetic, and all kinds of crazy. Wielding Rubi's dual pistols, you dispatch bad guys whilst soaring through the air, running along a wall, or sliding on your knees. And there are a ton of bad guys to kill.

The graphics are pretty decent, but what really sells the game for me is the Grindhouse effect that is applied to the visuals. It really is the Rodriguez/Tarantino double header come to life. Film grain, inter reel signs, jump cuts, it's all there. The celluloid even burns and fails when you die.

Another great aspect is 'Rubi Vision' At certain points in the game, Rubi goes absolutely mental and everything on the screen goes red. From then on you make your way through the area destroying anything that moves. It's like playing The House Of Blue Leaves showdon from Kill Bill Volume One, and it's a hell of a lot of fun.

The one thing I'm a bit concerned about from playing the demo is the controls. Whilst you're flying though the air shooting two yakuzas at once they're great. But when you're not, it feels a bit clunky. Hopefully they'll be improved in the final game.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to playing the whole thing when it gets released. A blast of big, dumb, violent fun.





Also, I love that they got the Machete guy to do the voiceover for this trailer.

(Write it!)

One Art

The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

---Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.

-- Elizabeth Bishop

I saw a trailer for In Her Shoes the other day, and it reminded me of this poem. I always though it was quite beautiful, even though the way Cameron Diaz reads it in the film is difficult to listen to.

I Want To Go Back To Russia

Hopefully I'd remember more of it this time.

Anyone?

Things I need to do for my Dissertation

I want to have pretty much done this by Christmas so that I can spend all of the spring term next year correcting and streamlining. There is no way I want to be doing the Dissertation rush.

By the end of Septmeber:

• Re-watch The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Last House On The Left, An American Nightmare and Night of the Living Dead.
• Finish reading The Vietnam War by Mitchell K. Hall, noting down the relevant points.
• Talk to Gregg about where the focus of the study should be.

Ongoing:

Books I need to read -

• The Wounds Of Nations: Horror Cinema, Historical Trauma and National Identity by Linnie Blake
• The Velvet Light Trap - Number 57, Spring 2006, pp. 42-59 Matt Blake
• The Afterlife of America's War in Vietnam: Changing Visions in Politics & Screen by Gordon Arnold
• The Most Savage Film: 'Soldier Blue', Cinematic Violence, and the Horrors of War by P.B. Hurst
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Companion by Stefan Jaworzyn
• Men, Women and Chainsaws by Carol J. Clover
• American Dream, Global Nightmare by Ziauddin Sardar & Merryl Wyn Davies

It's all a bit broad still, but I'm going to get as much reading done before I go back so that it will be easier to figure out what I want to focus on.

It doesn't rain...

On set today I was offered another job, which is brilliant in theory. Pretty much more of the same, but it's on a studio film (no idea what) which means more money, and a better chance of getting some solid contacts within the industry. Perfect, right?

Well, not quite. If I accept it, it means starting Sunday. As in this Sunday. Crap.

I am completely torn as to what to decide, especially since I have to give an answer before we wrap tomorrow. Penny, being the eternal voice of reason, suggested sleeping on it when I called her earlier. At that point my head was swimming, having just been asked. There are a million different reasons why I should say yes. I mean, it could do wonders for my future career.

But the more I think about it, the more reasons not to crop up. There's the obvious time issue, and this month has completely burnt me out, both physically and mentally. I'm not sure I can do that for another two months (at the very least.) I'd also have to take time out from my final year at Uni, something I'm not entirely comfortable with.

I'd also have to find somewhere to live, as I can't stay with Jess. That would be unfair on her, and I'd feel like I was taking the piss slightly. There's also the matter of the flat I've just put a deposit on. I can't leave Sam in the lurch like that, although I would have a month to find someone to take my place.

I'd also be leaving Penny in the shit at the student union. As if having a change of managers wasn't bad enough, she'd be the only supervisor there who knew what the hell she was doing. I can't do that to her.

Ugh, I think, in all honesty, I've made up my mind. But I can't help but think that if I turn this opportunity down, I'll be overlooked for any other jobs. The director has told me that he's going to need me again, and that he'll pass my name on, but I can't help but worry. Besides, I'd actually kick myself if it turned out to be Harry Potter.

In other news, wind machines are officially amazing. We filmed a big fight scene today, and it was set in a howling gale. The rushes look awesome already, so I'm very excited to see what it looks like when it's all put together. Really looking forward to the premiere.

I just don't know what to do.

The XX - XX

Quite simply, one of the debuts of the year. The vocals of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim compliment each other perfectly, and the songs themselves are beautifully crafted tales of the melancholy romance of youth. The lyrics are deep and emotive, and the arrangement of the music is brilliant. This band have completely blindsided me, and are one of my favourites of the year so far. Very happy to be seeing them live soon too.

Stand out tracks include Crystalised, Heart Skipped a Beat, Night Time, and bizarrely, the Intro. Highly recommended.

Things I Like About You

I started out with a list of things that I like about you, but it got stupidly long. I still have the list, if you want to see it, but for now, I'm going to go with this one:

Everything.

The Dreamers

After recently re-watching this, I'm compelled to write about it.

Based on Gilbert Adair's 1988 novel The Holy Innocents, Bertolucci's film is a love letter to cinema, French politics, and the innocence of youth.

It follows Matthew (Michael Pitt), a young American exchange student in Paris during the spring of 1968. A lover of all things cinema, he spends a large amount of time in the Cinémathèque Francaise. When it is shut down after the sacking of Henri Langlois, Matthew meets French (non identical) twins Theo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green). Initially drawn together through a love of cinema, an intense triangular relationship evolves that none of them have ever experienced before.

I'm going to state right here that the sex, when it does happen, is explicit, and it deserves its 18 certificate. But I love the fact that there is so much more going on in this film than the sexual relationships between the three central characters. The tumultuous political upheaval of the time is faithfully recreated here, and you can almost feel the electricity in the air. The tracking shot of the Eiffel Tower, set to the strains of Jimmi Hendrix is brilliantly evocative The closing of the cinémathèque that started a lot of the student riots of the time, serves as the beginning of the friendship between the three main characters.

The relationship itself is another reason why I love this film. Each of the actors fully inhabit their roles; something I was apprehensive about whne I found out they were adapting Innocents. Pitt's particular brand of doe-eyed innocence suits Matthew's sensibilities very well, and he is the emotional core of the story. Louis Garrel is ridiculously smouldering throughout, and is a perfect Theo. As for Eva Green? The fact that this was her first film is simply astounding. The camera adores her, and she oozes sex, but manages to simultaneously be forthright and vulnerable. You completely buy into the friendships, and as a result, when the sex does come whilst still being a bit shocking, is entirely believable.

Another thing that I love about this film is Bertolucci's use of classic cinema within the film. The trio's love of cinema is perfectly accompanied by clips from French New Wave classics like A Bout de Souffle, and Bande a Part (including a re-enactment of the infamous Louvre race) along with films like Queen Christina and. Perhaps one of the most poigniant use of this comes towards the end of the film, where events in the twins' flat are intercut with the climax of Robert Bresson's Mouchette. It makes the film student in me very happy.

Everything about this film screams class, and is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in French politics of the 60's, French New Wave Cinema, or indeed cinema in general. It's a film of many subtleties, that is extremely warm and tender.

And it's bloody sexy.

Also worth a watch is the BBC documentary Bertolucci makes 'The Dreamers' that is included on the DVD.