Film listings - September 2010

Soulboy (certificate 15)

New release Soulboy is a good fun film based around the English Northern soul scene of the 1970s. It has a great 60s soul soundtrack and some excellent dancing. The plot is basically a typical coming-of-age romance story, but the believable acting, interesting backdrops and sub-plots maintain interest. The ending lets the film down slightly, being predictable and rather cheesy, but over all this is an enjoyable film and worth seeing - especially if you have an interest in 60s soul, 70s England or the Northern soul scene.

Soulboy is showing at the Empire Cinema Leicester Square until Thursday 23rd September

Empire Cinema
5-6 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7NA
http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk/

http://www.soulboythefilm.com/

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Metropolis - restored and reconstructed (certificate PG)

Fritz Lang's much-lauded 1920s film Metropolis is currently showing in a restored and reconstructed version - the longest since its first release. Visually, this film is as impressive today as it must have been in the 1920s. The design, filming, special effects and scenery are generally breathtaking. Most of this can be admired early on however, and at around two and half hours in length, Metropolis is hard work and feels rather too long. Much of the acting has dated badly too and borders on the ridiculous at times. What redeems it however, is Brigitte Helm's astounding performance as the Maschinenmensch (machine-human). The film is well worth sitting through just to see Helm take on this exciting and erotic role toward the end of the story. Although the soundtrack has its moments, it does not always complement the action and becomes tedious after a while. It has too little variation, coming back for example to a reptitive Marseillaise-esque theme later in the film. It is definitely worth seeing Metropolis on the big screen though and marvelling at its visual impact that easily puts many of today's films to shame.

Metropolis is showing at the ICA until Thursday 30th September

Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH
http://www.ica.org.uk/

A Swingin' Halloween All-Nighter

Plenty happening this Halloween, but if you're a fan of swing or rhythm & blues, then the place to be is Swing Mon Amour @ Charlotte St. Blues - a lovely, spacious, new venue with wooden floors.

There'll be hot swing from Top Shelf Jazz and I'll be on the decks alongside Tim's Jumpin' Jive (Hellzapoppin') to keep your bones shakin' till 4am to the sounds of r&b, jump blues, rock 'n' roll, swing and hot gypsy jazz from the 1920s-1950s.

So whether you're a Lindy Hopper, jiver, or just a lover of good old vintage music, come along and raise hell on the dancefloor!

Swing Mon Amour - All Night
@ Charlotte Street Blues, 74 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4QH
Saturday 31st October. 11.30pm - 4am
£15 (£10 in advance)

I'll also be DJing at the weekly Swing Mon Amour Tuesday session on 20th October and admission is free. So if you fancy a mid-week dance or just want to check out the venue or get a taste for the sort of music I'll be playing on Halloween, why not pop by?

For full details of both nights, visit: www.johnjohnrecords.com/swingmonamour/

The Story of London @ Tate Britain - Fri 5 June

On the first Friday of every month, Tate Britain presents an after-hours evening of free performances, music, talks and films. Half-price entry is also offered to current exhibitions (no concessions).

This month's Late At Tate Britain takes place on Friday 5th June, and sounds particularly interesting. The theme is London's many histories. Highlights include:

* A walking tour of the Tate's neighbourhood to find out how today's gallery was shaped by an imposing prison, a Victorian sugar baron, a military hospital and abandoned yet ambitious schemes

* Discussion of Black History in London including the 1975 film "Pressure", widely acknowledged to be the first feature film drama to be made by a black film-maker in Britain

* A recreation of William Blake's 1801 Soho exhibition and a talk about Blake's Life

* Explorations of the Tate's archive including rare Blake images, Hogarth engravings, Dore illustrations and other early images of London

* A programme of silent films from a Lost London brought to life with a newly-commissioned score; from the bustle of the Victorian commute to the ordeal of the Blitz

On top of this, The Shellac Sisters will be present playing a selection of original 78s on their vintage 1920s gramophones. They'll be in Room 9 - "Romantic Painting in Britain" - for the whole evening.

The Story of London
Late At Tate Britain
Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Friday 5th June. 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Free admission

For full details visit www.tate.org.uk/britain/eventseducation/lateattatebritain/lateattatebritainjune2009.htm

To find out more about The Shellac Sisters check out: www.shellacsisters.co.uk

New club night from Natty Bo - Sat 25 Oct

Natty Bo - resident at Gaz's Rockin' Blues club and one of my favourite DJs - is hosting a new night called Killer Dillers this coming Saturday 25th October.

Along with DJ Count Sizzle and guests, this is to be a night of "hot music from the 1920s-1950s" all played on 78rpm records. Think jump blues, calypso, mento, hot jazz, swing, cumbia, etc.

The action takes place at KCLSU (King's College London Student Union) and, being a student venue, drinks are super cheap (beer from £1.50, £2 for a vodka). Even better is the fact the night runs til 4am.

Details as follows:

Killer Dillers @ KCLSU (Macadam Building)
Saturday 25 October
10.30pm - 4am. £5 on the door
Surrey Street, London, WC2R 2NS (nearest tube: Temple)