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Alice In Wonderland - Source: ONE News -
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You might have caught a story earlier this week about News of the World critic Robbie Collin, who slated Tim Burton's new film Alice in Wonderland.
Ignoring the small fact Collin works for one of the most sensationalist, tabloid publications in the world - whose aim in life is to stir controversy where there is none - the question remains, is he right?
It would be easy to write off Collin's opinion for the above reason. Or as a cheap - but highly effective - publicity stunt.
But the man may just have a point.
I need to clarify now - I have not seen Alice in Wonderland yet. The New Zealand premiere is on Wednesday night and yes, I will be in attendance.
(Shameless plug: You can see my review on Breakfast on Thursday at 7.50am...)
But I have met the lead actress Mia Wasikowska. And I've seen every trailer, clip and interview to have come out of the Disney promo camp.
And I have to admit, I can kind of see where Collins is coming from.
Wasikowska certainly didn't ooze charisma during our meeting. Sure, she was sweet enough... in a slightly skittish, bird-like way.
(Note to aspiring actors: When you're in a film with Johnny Depp, people are going to ask you about him. Make sure you have a better answer than "he's really nice".)
But she didn't radiate the warmth and charm one might expect from the star of a multi-million dollar blockbuster - especially one based on one of the most beloved children's tales of all time.
Hollywood may be in a spin, lumping the young Aussie in with a host of rising stars on the cover of Vanity Fair's "New Hollywood" issue. But you only have to cast an eye over past "up-and-comer" issues to realise, they can't pick 'em all.
Fair to say, only one in every three or so starlets are still around the year after such cover shoots.
So while I'm not writing Wasikowska off yet - she has an ethereal quality that could well appeal to some people - I don't think Collin's opinions are completely without basis.
Happy tracks
There is a lot of rubbish music in the world. And a lot of it seems to end up on my desk...
At times, it can get pretty disheartening.
But every now and then, I stumble across something which reminds me just how much I love music, of its restorative, almost medicinal qualities.
I've had two such experiences this week - and while they may not grip you quite as they did me, I thought I'd share them all the same.
Firstly - Serj Tankian's Elect The Dead Symphony. This is his collaboration with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and it is, quite simply, beautiful. It swells and soars with lush, rich power.
Admittedly, I am slightly under the spell of Mr Tankian right now, having met the musician last week . Warm and engaging, he could certainly teach Wasikowska a thing or two about people skills.
He has an utter lack of pretension and is willing to give anything a go. Which is pretty cool when you consider he fronted a band that has sold more than 10 million records worldwide...
Secondly - and apologies if you already sat through me raving about this on Breakfast this week - Blur's reunion tour DVD, No Distance Left To Run.
Perhaps it's my age - Blur and Brit pop was probably the first musical movement I was really aware of so it holds a special place in my heart. But good God, I would give my right eye to have been at that concert in Hyde Park last year.
The best thing about the DVD is the feature-length documentary which accompanies it. It puts the whole concert in context as it takes you through the band's tumultuous history, in the boys' own words.
But more importantly, it reminds you of all the bloody great music Blur made. And if you're a fan, as I clearly am, it will make you genuinely, stupidly, dizzyingly happy.
