BOOK REVIEW: Highway to Hell: The Life and Times of "AC/DC" Legend Bon Scott - Clinton Walker

If you're any sort of AC/DC fan at all I'm sure you'll know that Bon Scott was the first singer in the band. Before Brian Johnson who sings for them now. He's also the guy who most fans would most identify with, I think, although that is not to detract from Brian Johnson's efforts to front the band which are excellent also.

Clinton Walker who is the writer of this book is an Australian music journalist who has been writing since the late seventies. He has done a remarkable job in this history of AC/DC by achieving an enjoyable read with obvious skill in extracting information from what appears to be the VERY close-knit world of AC/DC.

Bon Scott died in London in February 1980 and this work covers AC/DC up until that time. Bon appears to have been loved by everyone who knew him. He also appears to have been a bit of a mystery too. Even after reading this one is still left with missing gaps in his story..mostly down to the whole band being slightly disfunctional owing to age differences (Bon was really a lot older than his peers...Angus Young was 17 when he started playing for AC/DC!) plus the fact that Bon was always disappearing to do his own thing often turning up only minutes before the gigs were due to start! This book certainly changed my perception of the band..I assumed they would always have been very close and very one tight unit. The reality was certainly a different case!

Although a little dry at times, perhaps owing to the fact that Mr Walker is Australian and naturally a lot of the references are to Australian culture which will be alien to the average English reader, the book is definitely worth reading for a valuable insight into the hard life of a band constantly "on the road".

"It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!!"


Review by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Film Review - La Haine (Hatred).

Boy....Paris ain't all it's cracked up to be! Not if this film shows anything of the truth which I strongly suspect it does. Filmed in black and white documentary style director Mathieu Kassovitz captures the seething tensions of the rioting we have experienced several times around Paris on the news in recent years.

Three characters, the young and excitable Sayid, the hot-headed Jew Vinz and the level-headed but cynical black boxer Hubert, are followed during 24 hours of riots in Paris. A young man Abdel has been beaten so badly whilst in police custody that his life hangs by a thread.

Feelings of pure hatred now exist between the poor inhabitants of the Parisian projects and the tough and racist police. Following the previous nights riots an officer has lost his handgun. Vinz finds it and now feels empowered - he boasts that should Abdel die he will in turn shoot a policeman.

What follows is 24 hours in the lives of the three who have very little to lose.

Hubert tries to keep things in check using his superior intellect and muscle - he realises that fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred, hatred leads to suffering...sorry, I've gone all Yoda on your asses. Ultimately the gang are bonded by their misfortune in being involved in the whole scenario. None of them asked for it and all try to take any opportunity to lighten the burden of their lives. They smoke dope, gatecrash parties, steal cars..all to relieve their boredom. What can they lose?

The final scene provides a great and shocking end to what is a hard hitting and fast paced film.

Even if you weren't interested in the violent plot I'd wager that lovers of cinematography would enjoy what is a fantastic looking movie. Each frame cries out to be framed and hung on a wall.

Highly recommended. 8/10.

Review by Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com, 2008.

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Above photo reproduced thanks to Olivier Laban-Mattei/AFP/Getty and The Times Online,UK.

Film Review: In the Mouth of Madness.

Director: John Carpenter

Earlier in the week I watched "Quatermass and the Pit" (see my previous review) and the name "Hobbs' End" stuck in my head. I was sure I'd heard it before. A quick google later and I realised I'd heard it mentioned in "In the Mouth of Madness" by John Carpenter. It's been ages since I'd seen it - about 15 years - so time for a revisit.

"Hob", with or without the second "b" is an old folk name for the Devil. He who casts no shadow. The one who walks backwards. Old Nick. You get the picture..this guy's got many names. He also appears in quite a few films which may explain why Hobb's End does too. This is the fictional location for this film.

Sutter Cane is a fictional worldwide miracle in the world of horror publishing. His books are read by EVERYONE. It's becoming a problem..fights are breaking out at bookstores if demand cannot be met. Those who read his work are oddly affected...they seem to be losing grip with reality.

Sam Neill plays an insurance investigator who is hired by Charleton Heston no less to find out what really happened to Cane who has gone missing. The publishing house has loose ends that need tying one way or another.

Beginning with Mr Neill's incarceration in a lunatic asylum (not actually named Arkham but anyone who knows Lovecraft who is the inspiration for Sutter Cane will make the natural assumption themselves) we see his story told in flashback. Sam Neil's comedic performance is excellent as the deranged inmate but somehow looses it's impact. I felt it was all to do with the "nameless horrors" and "unspeakable evil" of Lovecraft's Cthulu mythos which is the main theme of the plot. It doesn't really give an actor much to go on....horrified gaping mouths and wild eyes only go so far! When the effects do involve "creatures" they vary from pretty decent to plain silly. Not up to standard of Carpenter's "The Thing" but perhaps the budget didn't allow.

A linear script provides some genuinely creepy moments..the guy on the push-bike. Doesn't sound creepy now but watch the film. You'll know it when you see it!

As for the scene with Mrs Picket....well...that came back to me instantly as I watched it. You know how a really good bit will stick in your mind but you can't remember which film it was in? This did that for me. Perhaps I watch too many films or can't google well enough. It's a great clip anyways.

Without spoiling too much Sam Neill thinks he's sussed the whole shebang. But there's a twist. A real big twist. You'll just have to get a copy!

In conclusion..not the best horror ever but if you like your 90s thrills with a spattering of dodgy animatronics and John Carpenter's distinctive soundtrack (composed and played by the man himself, you know!) you'll enjoy 90 minutes of this.

6/10

Review: Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com, November 2008.

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Film Review: Righteous Kill.

A film with both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, two of my favourite actors, in the old-school style of cop movies....what's not to like?!!

I found this film to be a classic blend of not too complex plot, atmospheric direction and grittiness which, along with obviously fine performances from the lead actors, which satisfied me. There's a clever twist at the end which I was leaning towards but is still enough of a shock to please.

It's nice to see a script which doesn't rely overly on shoot outs and car chases but rest assured there are enough scenes of firefights to keep lovers of the style grinning. The atmosphere of paranoia is well built and keeps the suspense high.

To summarise without giving too much away De Niro and Pacino are two long serving members of the New York Police Department who have 30 years service each under their belts. Fed up with watching the guilty walk from courtrooms on technicalities and finding the injustices too much to bear finally they decide to embark on a vigilante plan of their own to bring their own flavour of justice to the streets. All is not plain sailing however as suspicion descends and defensive shields go up. Fiery personalities and tension give rise to flare ups which are constantly on the verge of blowing the whole show wide open.

You'll have to watch the thing for the ending. I won't spoil it here...Recommended viewing. 7/10

Memorable stakeout quote of the day; "Is it killing time or is he just killing time?".

Reviewed by: Mark Woods, 2008, LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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Film Review: Quatermass and the Pit.

This film was made in 1967...it's now 2008 and so I thought it about time I watched the darned thing!

To be honest I wasn't expecting much. I have read and heard much praise but being a lover of all things horror and science fiction I tend to be a little disappointed when lead by other people's opinions. However in this case I was pleasantly surprised.

The story revolves around the discovery of a mysterious object during renovations of the London Underground at the fictional station "Hobb's End". Without spoiling the plot this necessitates the arrival of the Army Bomb Disposal Squad along with a pacifist professor, his assistants and an army of press reporters.

This area of London has a reputation for strange events dating back hundreds of years in the film. What impressed me most about this seeming deviation for Hammer Horror Films into science-fiction was their ability to use their horror expertise to achieve a truly unsettling mood with a very limited budget. This movie really does begin to get under your skin as the atmosphere builds and the identity of the discovered object is discovered.

Performances are above par for Hammer Horror. Professor Quatermass himself (Andrew Keir) and the very easy-on-the-eye Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) stand out and provide very believable performances. This is impressive in a plot which requires a very healthy dose of "suspension of disbelief".

Even with special effects limited by the age of the filming and an obviously tiny budget this manages to be worth a watch at least once by lovers of the two genres. Give it a go. It really is a classic.

Review: Mark Woods, 2008 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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Film Review - The Bucket List.

This film left me laughing and my missus crying!

A long-time fan of both Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman I went into this film expecting to entertained somehow at least. I also expected it to be bittersweet.

I didn't expect a film about two men with cancer to somehow leave me feeling I'd just watched a "feelgood" film. But that's exactly what this is..

The two lead characters are polarised in their attitudes to life, their success in life thus far and their outlook on their shared news that they have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

What follows is their decision to enjoy their last few months on the Earth attaining as many of their ambitions on their newly devised "Bucket List" before they pop off to join the Choir Invisible.

It's as simple as that but with two fine actors, a great script and an excellent director (Rob Reiner) we are treated to what is simply a magical cinema experience.

Highly recommended. 8/10

Reviewed by Mark Woods, 2008. LordBeanpod@GMail.com

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