If you are following me on twitter (you lucky people ;) ), you may have noticed that I've spent a lot of time recently tweeting about U2. And why would I not? They are my favourite band, after all. (Apparently they are described a lot these days as "your dad's favourite band" and, since I'm old enough to be someone's dad, I suppose that's accurate). I am going to spend this entry talking about them because I can, and because my mood is fucking foul right now, and U2 (mostly) make me happy.
To that end:
I watched Killing Bono earlier because I've had it on DVD for years and never touched it. A friend recommended it to me ages ago after she'd seen it, because she thought I might find it entertaining, if nothing else. The internet says it's hilarious, and I kind of side-eyed the internet, but they were right! (And the laughter isn't derived from the main character being an epic failure of a human being, though he is that for sure).
The story is based on a book by Neil McCormick, who had the misfortune to be at school with Bono. I say based, because the book's way more truthful about what actually happened. A lot of stuff in the film is either exaggerated, or outright fabricated (though I can see why; a certain spoiler being what actually happened would not work for the purposes of the narrative). I'm going to get the book so I can read it - I would have done eventually. I will buy books about U2 regardless of content, so I'm sort of surprised I haven't managed to pick this up somewhere before now.
Anyway, it's a good film, and it's not demanding. And it's OK if you're not into U2, because you don't need to know anything about them except that they got famous, Neil's band didn't, and Neil thinks that's a travesty. It feels very much like a British film to me (one user on the imdb described it as being like "a made for TV movie", but I get the impression they've maybe not seen many British films? We make shit differently over here, son). I liked that. Would easily watch it again.
~
I also tried to pick my twenty favourite songs by U2, and it went badly. There are seven honourable mentions, and I do not feel this is enough. I'm not even happy with what I've got in the twenty. I may shuffle it in the future. I have put it under a cut because it's a list. There are Youtube links where available.
Some of these videos have flashing lights/rapidly moving imagery, so please take care if you have epilepsy.
( Read more... )
If any of the links are wrong/broken, please let me know! Hope you enjoy!
To that end:
I watched Killing Bono earlier because I've had it on DVD for years and never touched it. A friend recommended it to me ages ago after she'd seen it, because she thought I might find it entertaining, if nothing else. The internet says it's hilarious, and I kind of side-eyed the internet, but they were right! (And the laughter isn't derived from the main character being an epic failure of a human being, though he is that for sure).
The story is based on a book by Neil McCormick, who had the misfortune to be at school with Bono. I say based, because the book's way more truthful about what actually happened. A lot of stuff in the film is either exaggerated, or outright fabricated (though I can see why; a certain spoiler being what actually happened would not work for the purposes of the narrative). I'm going to get the book so I can read it - I would have done eventually. I will buy books about U2 regardless of content, so I'm sort of surprised I haven't managed to pick this up somewhere before now.
Anyway, it's a good film, and it's not demanding. And it's OK if you're not into U2, because you don't need to know anything about them except that they got famous, Neil's band didn't, and Neil thinks that's a travesty. It feels very much like a British film to me (one user on the imdb described it as being like "a made for TV movie", but I get the impression they've maybe not seen many British films? We make shit differently over here, son). I liked that. Would easily watch it again.
~
I also tried to pick my twenty favourite songs by U2, and it went badly. There are seven honourable mentions, and I do not feel this is enough. I'm not even happy with what I've got in the twenty. I may shuffle it in the future. I have put it under a cut because it's a list. There are Youtube links where available.
Some of these videos have flashing lights/rapidly moving imagery, so please take care if you have epilepsy.
( Read more... )
If any of the links are wrong/broken, please let me know! Hope you enjoy!
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