Solitude 

A few things have bothered me about my film reviews over the last few years. While the format of Film Fight is broadly what I want, in that it allows me to sum up the year in films in fairly handy units, it does have more than a few flaws.

Because it’s at least a month between watching some films and writing that month’s Film Fight, some of the spark for the film is gone. I lose enthusiasm and I fear that my reaction, my writing, gets slowly watered down by further comparing films and analysing them. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, films should stand up to scrutiny over time, but
I also want to capture that initial reaction a little better.

Additionally I’m more than aware that my timeliness with updates can be pretty poor. That’s due, in part, to the fact that writing all the reviews at the end of the month can seem like a burden at times (though one that, ultimately, I enjoy taking on). I’d like to get some feedback out there more quickly.

To that end, I’m trialling mini-reviews on my Twitter feed. As with all Twitter updates, they’re limited to 140 characters so that should make for timely updates that capture my feelings toward a particular film. I’m also adding #FF08 to each update, as a hashtag which should come in useful at some point.

As in previous years, let’s sum up last year with some near meaningless awards that show little change:

• Best album of 2007 - There’s a fair bit of competition here, mostly niche rock stuff. Although there were solid showings from Fighting with Wire, Biffy Clyro and Reuben, I think the album I’ve listened to (and had stuck in my head) most is the lo-fi noise of “Curses” by Future of the Left. It’s not going to find a big following, but the people it finds will be infected with the sharp vocal hooks throughout. A classic.
• Bravest album of 2007 - While it falters in the opening track and the later track about middleweight boxing in the ’80’s, JetPlane Landing’s latest offering, “Backlash Cop”, proves to be a unique masterpiece. Leaving the tight rock of their second album behind, the boys from Derry have done what no-one expected of them: a rap-blues-funk concept album about jazz and blues legends. It absolutely should not work, but track after track deliver strong beats, lyrics and tight rhythm.
• Best new band - no-one. I didn’t really get into any new bands this year that I can think of. If you want some new stuff, I can recommend most people on Captains of Industry. My own fault for focussing on bands I already had.
• Best Use of William Fichtner - The man, the legend. His appearances are growing increasingly rare but he shone as Agent Alexander Mahone, the man sent after the escapees in Prison Break, season 2.
• Best Book I read this year - Although I don’t have too much to pick from, I think “Post Office” by Charles Buchowski is my favourite. A great read.

A lot of similarities with the 2006 awards then, but that’s no great surprise. 2007 seemed like a year for things coming together rather than upheaval. We shall see what 2008 holds.