List of the Month: March 2010

Song of the Month:

There have been a few contenders, but I'm going to have to plump for Andrew Gold's Lonely Boy. Not only is it absolutely one of the most impressive live recordings I've heard, but it's also just a cracking song. The syncopation gives it an irresistible groove, and the lyrics definitely have the ring of truth about how lonely it can be as the oldest child. The chorus progression is brilliantly original, and there's so much variation on the theme in the chorus/riff. If all else fails, the chorus is so satisfying to belt out, and the song is surprisingly modern and/or timeless (depending on your viewpoint) - you could definitely hear it on a FIFA soundtrack, or a Hoosiers or Scouting For Girls album.

Film of the Month:

I wasn't able to get out and see Shutter Island, the Wolfman, Legion, or any of the other good looking films around last month. I did catch Precious, which was unrelenting, credible, powerful and another in the list of worthier Oscar winners than the Hurt Locker. But it didn't blow me away as a film or as an experience. Nor did Green Zone, which didn't match its billing as The Kingdom meets Bourne - other than uncovering a conspiracy, there was nothing of Bourne, either the character, the style or the plot, to be found. Also, it is not nearly as thought-provoking or intellectually compelling as the Kingdom, which I have discussed before.

Instead, I'll say that, while not a film, LOST is having probably its best season ever. If either Michael Emerson for (Dr. Linus) or Josh Holloway for (Recon) doesn't win an Emmy, I will be flabbergasted. Perhaps it's just because the final season gives the writers freedom to tie up old mysteries (or not, as the choice may be), and who doesn't love a bit of closure? Perhaps it's because we know there's so little time left that we cherish each episode more, in a heightened sense of viewing. But even the episodes I wasn't blown away by (Ab Aeterno and Happily Ever After) have been loved by my fellow LOSTies, so perhaps this really is the season that has something for everyone.

If you, like me (initially) have only seen sporadic episodes of LOST, and dismissed it, I can promise you it is a show that needs to be watched from the beginning, in as many binges as you can manage. The episodic format is a necessary and obvious constraint of commercial and network television, but the joy of DVDs is that you can bypass it. Give the show its due: start from the top, and keep the faith if a couple of episodes lose your interest - I don't think LOST has ever let me down for more than 3 weeks at a time (though many people take issue with the start of Seasons 3). It truly is one of the greatest shows I've ever seen.