Superhero supernova...

Spot the superhero: I gatecrash the Avengers party...

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE


For a while now, Marvel Studios have been carefully building towards their star-studded superhero film, The Avengers (retitled Avengers Assemble in the UK, presumably so Brits don't get confused with the 60s TV show).  It draws together characters from across the Marvel comic-book universe, many of whom already have their own individual movie franchises - most notably, Iron Man (which is returning for a third instalment in May 2013).


A lot is riding on this project - not only financially, but also in terms of credibility.  It has to satisfy hardcore fans without alienating newcomers.  Thankfully, it does this - and much more besides.  Co-writer and director Joss Whedon has managed to bring together all the individual characters, without losing their identities in a melee of superhero action:  Iron Man is still brilliantly egotistical, Thor remains thunderously God-like, the Hulk is wonderfully volatile, Captain America is sensitive and sensible, while Black Widow remains dangerously seductive, and Hawkeye is intensely focussed.  They are forced to unite on screen to defeat a common enemy (in the form of Thor's power-hungry brother Loki) and in doing so, their personalities clash to delightful comic effect.



While Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and the rest of the cast play their super-human roles with confidence and charm, the real superhero of this film is surely Joss Whedon, who has cleverly combined huge set pieces with intricate CGI, wickedly funny banter and a cast of A-listers - ensuring viewers have a rollicking good time, whether they're a fan or not.

Russian reverence...

Scarily good: Valery Gergiev

SHOSTAKOVICH & GUBAIDULINA

LSO, Valery Gergiev
Barbican, 27 November 2011


It is always a pleasure to see Valery Gergiev returning to his roots with an all-Russian programme.  This time, he was conducting Sofia Gubaidulina's In tempus praesens (In the present time) and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.


Anne-Sophie Mutter looked radiant as she took to the stage for In tempus praesens – Gubaidulina's second violin concerto, dedicated to Mutter.  The 30-minute single-movement work presents the audience with an extraordinary sound world: an orchestra devoid of violins (except the soloist) yet enhanced by a harpsichord and a variety of percussion instruments - including a giant gong, which leaves your ears ringing every time it's struck.  Mutter showed skill and dexterity, particularly in the cadenza, which was played magnificently.


Gergiev and the orchestra really seemed in their element in the second half.  The first movement of Shostakovich 10 was filled with passion and pathos, while the fiery second movement was never in danger of rushing with Gergiev on the podium.  The brass section were on fine form throughout the work and there were some achingly beautiful solos from the woodwind (including a brilliant piccolo duet).  The piece built in dramatic tension through the eerily upbeat third movement to a breathtaking finish at the end of the fourth.  A masterful performance from Gergiev and the LSO.

Lunar literature...

Bearded brilliance: Wilkie Collins

THE MOONSTONE
by Wilkie Collins


The Moonstone is thought to be one of the first detective novels ever written in English.  So without dear old Wilkie Collins we might not have had Sherlock, Marple or Poirot.  However the genre is a familiar to us nowadays - we are not surprised by the long list of suspects, the red herrings or the celebrated investigator.  Yet reading The Moonstone, almost 150 years after it was written, it still feels fresh.


The book revolves around the theft of an Indian diamond called the Moonstone.  The story is told by different narrators (a method also used in his earlier novel, The Woman in White) all telling the tale from their own unique point of view.  This clever plot device stems from Collins' legal background – in court, various witnesses are called to shed light on a crime.


Collins also drew on his personal experience of opium addiction when creating the character of Ezra Jennings – a doctor's assistant who's got an unusual looks and suffers from an incurable illness.  He takes opium to help control the pain, just like Collins did to relieve his arthritis.


The flowery 19th century language used in The Moonstone can feel long-winded at times, but it never feels tiresome.  Beautiful and humourous descriptions really enhance this book and make you increasingly eager to find out who the culprit was.  Naturally, Collins keeps you hanging right until the last few pages!


INTERESTING FACT:  Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens were life-long friends.

A Marilyn moment...

Blonde bombshell: Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

Playing a screen goddess such as Marilyn Monroe is no mean feat, so credit to Michelle Williams for such a nuanced performance as the troubled young actress on her first trip to England.  The film’s based on the diaries of Colin Clark – a lowly assistant on the set of The Prince And The Showgirl.  He shared a magical time with Marilyn while she was in England shooting the movie in the summer of 1956.


Michelle could very easily have stolen the show with this film, had it not been for her excellent co-stars.  Kenneth Branagh delivers a thrilling performance as Sir Laurence Olivier, while Dame Judi Dench sparkles (quite literally given all her jewellery) as Dame Sybil Thorndike.  Eddie Redmayne gives a touching portrayal of Colin Clark – with Emma Watson making a delightful return to the screen as his sweetheart, Lucy.  Plus, Zoe Wannamaker has some seriously super specs – so keep an eye out for them!

INTERESTING FACT: Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson but baptised and raised as Norma Jeane Baker.

The Beethoven enigma...

BEETHOVEN SYMPHONIES 2 & 5


Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, Riccardo Chailly
Barbican, 25 October 2011


It's remarkably difficult to perform Beethoven well.  However, conductor Riccardo Chailly claims the Leipzig Gewandhaus have a "secret code" which allows them to get to the heart of his music.  They don't always appear to fully unlock this power though.


They kicked off their International Associate Residency at the Barbican with a rather polite performance of Beethoven's Second Symphony.  The opening chords could've done with a bit more oomph and the woodwind section were slightly out of tune, but overall the first movement was well executed.  The rich string sound came through in the slower second movement, but the scherzo which followed took a while to reach a comfortable tempo.  The fourth movement went at quite a lick, providing the audience with a rousing finish.


The orchestra really went up a gear in the second half of the concert.  They performed Ritratto di musico (Portrait of the Musician) by Carlo Boccadoro - a work specially commissioned by Chailly to precede Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.  With its spirited timpani part and emotional outbursts, the piece was an excellent premonition of the music to come.  And the moment the Leipzig Gewandhaus played those famous opening notes from Beethoven's Fifth, the audience were putty in their hands.  The musicians felt totally at ease with the music, bringing out the beautiful harmonies and melodic lines with finesse.  At last the elusive "secret code" was finally revealed.



INTERESTING FACT:  The Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig performed all Beethoven's symphonies within the composer's lifetime.

Spielberg's ginger-haired hero...

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN


TinTin's first big screen outing was always going to be a big deal.  But when you've got Steven Spielberg directing and Peter Jackson producing,  it's a huge deal.  And with a stellar bunch of British actors and writers, plus music by John Williams, it's hardly surprising this film is one of the most hotly-anticipated of the year.


The opening did not disappoint.  There was superb 3D animation, a delightful score and a nod to creator Hergé in the form of a clever little portrait.  However, as the story unfolded, the use of motion capture technology became increasingly frustrating.  It was astonishing to see Jamie Bell's expressions reflected in TinTin's face, but after the initial marvel wore off it was somewhat tricky to connect fully with the characters as they felt, ironically, rather two-dimensional.

Yet overall the film is great fun - the adventure is gripping, the dialogue's slick and there's some great banter from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as the bumbling detectives, Thompson and Thomson.  What's more, Spielberg proved he's still a movie master, with fast-paced action, thrilling chase scenes and some jaw-dropping special effects.


INTERESTING FACT:  No-one knows TinTin's real name - Hergé never revealed it.

Clooney for president...

(R-L: George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman)

THE IDES OF MARCH


They say men aren't good at multi-tasking, but George Clooney's proving that old adage wrong with his new film The Ides of March.  Not only is he one of the lead actors, but he's also director, co-writer and co-producer.  And he's somehow managed to combine all those roles into one sizzling political thriller.


George stars in the movie as Governor Mike Morris - a US presidential hopeful who meets his match (both in terms of looks and brains) in the form of Ryan Gosling's character, Stephen - the idealistic campaign press secretary aiming to get Morris to the White House.  With back-stabbing and betrayal at every turn, it makes you question just how dirty politics can be.


Throw in some excellent supporting performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood and Paul Giamatti, and you end up with a sleek, sophisticated thriller - proof enough that all George's hard work has paid off.

INTERESTING FACT:  George Clooney initially set out to make a morality tale about Wall Street, but changed his mind after reading Beau Willimon's play, Farragut North.