Another Earth

This is what is going to be an uncommon occurrence - a film review.  For the simple reason that advertisement of films is an easy and immediate process; you see a trailer and know whether you want to watch it.  So good films get watched by a lot of people.  This isn't necessarily the case with music (as many great albums take several listens to make an impact) and even less so with books. A blurb is a pitiful excuse for a word trailer.  However, if I know of a great film which I believe to be under-valued I will give it a mention - such as now with this one. 

Another Earth was released in 2011 and won awards at the Maui and Sundance Festivals that year.  On the face of it, it's a sci-fi centring on the discovery of a nearby planet identical to Earth; not only host to intelligent life but an echo of our world - same cities, same people, same lives and events.  This element of the film takes a back seat however, to make room for the story of Rhoda Williams.  

Brit Marling plays the young woman whose prospects are shattered by a horrific accident in which her mistakes lead to the deaths of a woman and child.  Four years on we rejoin her life, freed from incarceration but forced by anxiety, depression and a criminal record to take on a cleaning job at her former school.

She seeks out the man (played by William Mapother) who's wife and child were killed because of her and - by an unusual but believable series of events - takes a job cleaning his house, whose dingy interior and state of disrepair reflect clearly that his life too, has become empty and miserable.  The four years have led to acceptance of his loss, but made it no less painful.

Throughout the film, the two become closer and their hesitant friendship brings some brightness to each of their lives. This relationship and its journey towards inevitable complications and heartbreak makes for a compelling human drama, set against the constant backdrop of 'Earth 2' and the inescapable news coverage of its discovery.  Beautiful cinematography and the constant image of the mirror planet hanging in the sky contrasts with the bleak reality of the two main characters' lives.  

The unsteady, sometimes blurry handheld camera work which marks this out as a low-budget independent film - as well as the extremely subtle acting by the two leads - creates a strong feeling of realness which lays the tragic subject matter bare.  

This film is extremely affecting.  Its themes of pain and loss really bring home the randomness of the universe and how everything can change in an instant. And the fact that a lot about the newly discovered Earth is not revealed keeps the viewer's interest alive.  You can't help but be intrigued by the idea of a parallel planet and its implications.

Another Earth is a beautiful, engaging story of pain, dark truths, love and relationships.  Maybe not suitable if you're looking for an evening of light viewing but it's wonderful and you should watch it.

The Dresden Dolls

I absolutely effing love the Dresden Dolls.  They are sublime.

Amanda Palmer's wailing vocals and off-key piano playing may not be for everyone but to me they embody everything I love about 'weird' music.  Weird means different, means like nothing you've heard before.  It means original and unique, and that's what I look for in a band.

Their début album - my favourite - ranges from the manic silliness of Girl Anachronism and Coin-Operated Boy to the sad, soulful vulnerability of Half Jack, with Palmer's fun and poetic lyrics often touching on something deep, dark and disturbing - like in the troubling Slide.

Brian Viglione's drumming is punchy and imaginative, keeping the songs strong and surprising. The two elements of the band work together perfectly and it's a testament to their genius that they can achieve so complete a sound without guitar or bass players.

Dresden Dolls' mix of cabaret, twisted classical crescendo and punk makes for fresh and beautiful listening.  Their self-titled first album is one of those records that comprises brilliant songs but also comes together as a whole to create a work of art; a sepia-toned, Plath-inspired, pain-tinged, musically accomplished masterpiece that never fails to touch and engage me.

I know a lot of people won't like this album - it's definitely a grower - but I think it's awesome and everyone should give them a listen.

This is a song from their second album, which is creeping ever closer to the first's top spot the more I listen to it, as it has some wonderful songs on it.  Delilah has been a favourite for a while.