reviews
Reviews of books, articles, publications, music, film, events and culture.
The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane
Aspiring to reveal the long roots of 20th century America’s fantasies of itself, Lehane’s new book nails some while reproducing others. Boston Mendacity Party.
Boston Mendacity Party. Book review - Tom Jennings
Gomorrah, directed by Matteo Garrone (2008)
Capturing the corruption of a criminal organisation as de facto government, this film lets the real state off the hook.
This Toxic Thing of Ours. Film review – Tom Jennings
Jar City, directed by Baltasar Kormakur (2007)
Jar City juggles the clichés of police procedurals and conventions from Icelandic myth to suggestively modern effect, finds Tom Jennings
Hardboiled and Hardwired. Film review – Tom Jennings
Linha De Passe, directed by Walter Salles & Daniela Thomas (Brazil, 2008)
Walter Salles returns to Brazilian social realism with “the best football film ever”, says Tom Jennings (with tongue firmly wedged in cheek)
Nils All. Film review – Tom Jennings
Somers Town, directed by Shane Meadows (2008)
Tom Jennings appreciates Shane Meadows’ sly cinematic commentary on our changing times in Somers Town’s low-key coming-of-age tale.
New Wave Goodbye. Film review – Tom Jennings
Standard Operating Procedure, directed by Errol Morris (2008)
In addition to its revealing ‘worm’s eye view’ of the Abu Ghraib scandal, Tom Jennings sees Standard Operating Procedure as a more general fable of modern governance.
Telling Tales of Torture. Film review – Tom Jennings
Gone, Baby, Gone: novel by Dennis Lehane (1999); film directed by Ben Affleck (2007)
Essay on contemporary US crime fiction comparing Dennis Lehane’s 1999 novel Gone, Baby, Gone with Ben Affleck’s 2007 film adaptaion.
Public Service Denouncement. Book and film review – Tom Jennings
The 3rd World, by Immortal Technique and DJ Green Lantern (Viper Records 2008)
The new release from Immortal Technique, hip-hop’s most implacable class warrior, thoroughly links local and global struggles. Tom Jennings nods his head enthusiastically
Globalising Ghettocentricity. Music review – Tom Jennings
Couscous, directed by Abdellatif Kechiche (France 2007)
Tom Jennings is captivated by Couscous and its sympathetic but unflinchingly honest portrait of an extended family struggling to make various ends meet.
The Fine-Grain of Community. Film review – Tom Jennings
The Ghost, by Robert Harris (2008)
Tom Jennings chuckles at a recent New Labour rat leaving the sinking ship.
A Groupie’s Revenge.
