Sonic The Hedgehog. Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Maidoub, Neal McDonough, Tom Butler, Frank C. Turner, Melody Nosipho Niemann, Shannon Chan-Kent, Brad Kelly, Elfina Luk, Garry Chalk, Michael Hogan, Peter Bryant, Donna Jay Fulks.

If the subject character is interesting enough, if the obvious flaws in style can be ignored, then there is no reason why a film cannot be found to be entertaining in any circumstances; where a film that relies on fondness for pop culture entertainment, especially one aimed financially at a generation to the one that is being explored, asked to reminisce of the hours spent in pursuit of early gaming, that is where the whole edifice can collapse, come crashing down around the ears of memory.

Sonic The Hedgehog. Film Review. full post

(428 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Simon Mayone, Mayone. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Respect and reverence are two states of mind, of attitudes of grace that for some reason in the 21st Century have become emotions to be sneered at, the case for individualism without tribute or honour seems to have dissolved, dissipated into the ether like mist burnt away by the Sun. Even in the art of a cover or an homage, a section of an audience will either punish the artist for having the temerity to tackle what they see as a sacred idol, an untouchable symbol of their youth or their love, or declare without praising the original author of the piece as they fawn over the latest star to come their way.

Simon Mayone, Mayone. Album Review. full post

(588 words, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)

Iron Mask, Master Of Masters. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Two trains of thought arise when humanity is faced with interesting times, that of seclusion, argumentative fear and dominance on one hand, and on the other the backdrop to the epic, the inbuilt memory of tales handed down throughout spoken and written history, the fine line drawn between heroism and cravenness, the Master of Masters and the individuality we seek.

Iron Mask, Master Of Masters. Album Review. full post

(415 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Johnny Coppin, Midwinter/Live In Concert. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In the bleak midwinter…we can either count our blessings or drown our sorrows to the point where we become numb to the pain we have suffered during the year, or to the thought of what is to come. Even if we don’t look upon the ritual of Christmas as anything other than exploitive, there are moments in which the cold or untrusting heart can be swayed into accepting that the year’s end does not mean finality, but the prelude to new beginnings, to accepting change with a song in your heart and with passion to see you through the darkest days.

Johnny Coppin, Midwinter/Live In Concert. Album Review. full post

(458 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

The Suns, Serve 9. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

In a time when to serve more than just a bubble is a political no-no, to find a thrill in the distribution of one willing, able, passionate enough to Serve 9, then the year with all its faults and Loki like mayhem, is one to be grateful for.

The Suns, Serve 9. Album Review. full post

(409 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Party’s Over. Radio Comedy Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Miles Jupp, Ingrid Oliver, Emma Sidi, Justin Edwards, Rosie Cavaliero, Adam Riches.

You may feel at times like a fish out of water, a nobody masquerading as a human being, attempting to be interesting, trying your best to get through life and not fouling up to the point where you become a social embarrassment, where everybody disowns you or finds ways to shout obscenities at you; even if you did your best to be liked, to be on the side of angels.

Party’s Over. Radio Comedy Review. full post

(464 words, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Black Christmas (2019). Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating *

Cast: Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue, Brittany O’Grady, Caleb Eberhardt, Cary Elwes, Simon Mead, Madeleine Adams, Nathalie Morris, Ben Black, Zoe Robins, Ryan McIntyre, Mark Neilson, Lucy Currey, Johnny McBride.

There are many aspects of university life, especially in the United States of America that leave a bad taste in the mouth, and whilst the truth of further education is a must, that people must have the opportunity to expand their mind and knowledge, the sense of history, tradition and ritual is one that can be cold, fearsome and leave the onlooker questioning the belief of power that arises from such institutions.

Black Christmas (2019). Film Review. full post

(455 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

Little Women (2019). Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothee Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, Jayne Houdyshell, Chros Cooper, Meryl Streep.

Your local popular bus has arguably less chance of being as regular as the constant delivery of one of the most adapted books of the 19th century being yet again remade for cinema or television; the difference being is that the bus might take you where you need to get to, but Little Women under any guise will no doubt charm and leave you nursing a love and a craving to immerse yourself once again into Louisa May Alcott’s novel once more.

Little Women (2019). Film Review. full post

(508 words, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Beans On Toast, Knee Deep In Nostalgia/The Unforeseeable Future. Album Reviews.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Rarely do we get to even get to place ourselves in someone else’s shoes, let alone to see out of the eyes of mythical gods and deities, but for the first time in decades we perhaps can have an inkling of true empathy for another’s suffering, that like the Roman god Janus, we can see the beginnings of our trials and the transition we have undergone as both sides of the divide yearn for melancholy longing and are concerned over what the prospect of tomorrow will bring.

Beans On Toast, Knee Deep In Nostalgia/The Unforeseeable Future. Album Reviews. full post

(546 words, estimated 2:11 mins reading time)