My Favourite Films of 2023

There are two sections: New in 2023 (new releases, festival films, etc) Older films discovered for the first time Films are listed alphabetically within each section. 1. New in 2023 (new releases, festival films, etc) 20 Days in Mariupol [Mstyslav Chernov, 2023, Ukraine] “20 Days in Mariupol” is one of the most painful films I …

My Favourite Films of 2022

There are two sections: New in 2022 (new releases, festival films, etc) Older films discovered for the first time Films are listed alphabetically within each section. 1. New in 2022 (new releases, festival films, etc) Aftersun [Charlotte Wells, 2022, UK, US] Incredibly impressive: subtle, atmospheric, immersive. One of the stand-out films of the year. A …

My Favourite Films of 2021

A hastily cobbled together list: partly because I'm later than usual (I usually get it out of the way on New Year's day), but also because it's a snapshot of changing opinions and if I wait more than a few days I'll need to update it. Better to just get it down and move on. …

My Favourite Films of 2020

In this strange and frightening year, the importance of art and the sharing of the experience of art has become even more significant. So, although my cinema viewing has plummeted, watching films however I can and meeting people virtually to talk about them, has been both nourishment for the mind and a way of maintaining …

Albums that influenced me: Symphony No 5 by Ralph Vaughan Williams

The third in this series of albums that influenced me. My local library - so prosaic, yet such a glittering palace of knowledge and experience when I was growing up - facilitated my introduction proper to classical music. Just as with jazz, I started fairly randomly, sifting through the stacks of records available to hire …

Albums that influenced me: Salisbury Suite by the Stan Tracey Octet

The second in this series of albums that influenced me. I spent my late teens and early twenties completely immersing myself in jazz. My friends thought I had lost my mind! My guide to navigating this new musical landscape was found in the local public library - my oasis of calm, and a place of …

Albums that influenced me: Trilogy by Emerson, Lake and Palmer

I was challenged to select 10 albums that had an influence on me. This is the first. Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Trilogy still stands up today as a remarkable album. It's breadth of imagination and level of musicianship are astonishing. It holds a special place in my heart because I can clearly remember the powerful …

My Favourite Books of 2019

5/5 All Among The Barley by Melissa Harrison If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor Slaying Brexit Unicorns: The truth about our decision to leave the EU by Edwin Hayward The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead What Do We Know and What Should We Do about Immigration? …

My Favourite Films of 2019

Last year, I stupidly said, "Let’s hope that sense and kindness prevails in 2019." Oh boy!   This year I'll only say, "Let's hope we just make it through 2020".   Anyway, there were lots of films I missed in 2019, but here are my favourites from those I saw, ordered alphabetically within each rating: …

My Favourite Films of 2018

Last year I said "It's been a pretty awful year in politics, so I find looking back at my year in film a pleasant diversion." Well, politics this year has been far far worse. Let's hope that sense and kindness prevails in 2019. Thankfully, there were some great films in 2018. Here's my list of …