WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
PG, 81mins (Channel 4 DVD, DVD)

Based on the illustrated novel by Raymond Briggs, author of The Snowman, comes a tale far more disturbing than the festive favourite.
First released in 1986, when the threat of nuclear war was great, it tells the tale of an elderly couple who endure a nuclear attack.
Although the animation reminds us how far we have come cinematically in twenty years, the subject is almost still as relevant today.
It’s refreshing to watch a film that’s making a social point, but don’t watch this if you’re looking for a comforting film.***LB


SHOOTING STARS: DRUGS, HOLLYWOOD AND THE MOVIES
Harry Shapiro
(Serpent’s Tail, £9.99)

In Shooting Stars, Shapiro poignantly highlights the differences and ironies between the reality of the drug world and its silver screen representation. He particularly focuses on the substance abuse that takes place behind the closed doors of the LA hills.
Using startling evidence and citing frightening statistics, Shapiro produces a startling book that is sure to interest fans of Trainspotting and of the Howard Marks biographies.
***



ROWETTA
Rowetta (Gut Records)

It seems that Rowetta was so excited about being able to record a solo album that she just sang her favourite songs, regardless of whether or not that would make for a good album. There are only three originals on this 16 track album.
Some good versions are delivered though, with her rendition of Oasis Stop Crying Your Heart Out being a particular success. As with many covers it allows the true brilliance of the song writing to stand out.
She’d be good in a cabaret but is not going to storm the album charts.
**

Cardiff Afterlife

Well I moved to Cardiff two months ago and so far it seems like a very cool place to live in. Clearly the money that Swansea really needs is being spent here on such things as the £77 million Welsh Millenium Centre. This results in a beautiful and fun city that really means hardly anyone ventures on further into Wales unless absolutely necessary.

I'm trying to think of something intelligent to say but am failing. I have just begun on Cardiff University's Post Graduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism so I'm hoping that my ability to say something intelligent will come soon.

I've just seen the new DVD series of 2DTV, utter brilliance. I am reviewing both that and The Good Shepard for Buzz Magazine. I'm going to find some nice pretty way of presenting my reviews on this blog with the help of technological genius Dan.