| |
|
Oh, for God's sake. If we're going to do this, let's do it properly.
Stupid White Men by Michael Moore - a blistering work, exposing the LIES of the capitalists and the Republicans. Did you think Bush was elected with a majority? Or that Clinton was a left-wing socialist? YOU HAVE BEEN LIED TO. Moore strips away the hypocrisies and LIES of American society, to reveal a sick world in which black people and women are STILL second-class citizens.
Quite hard to find, but worth it.
The Bhagavadgita - Various Artists.
This is THE BOOK; when backpacking around India I found it (and the Lonely Planet Guide) invaluable to understanding the REAL PEOPLE of India.
Quite hard to find, but worth it.
Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson
If you are only going to read one sci-fi book this year, MAKE IT THESE THREE. Gibson's bleakly compelling vision of a world in which the Internet is very important indeed is EERILY PRESCIENT. WHO IS JACKING ON YOUR INTERTRODES?
Tricky to find, but there are rumours of a reprint.
Vurt by Jeff Noon
AND THIS ONE. A lot like Gibson, but with WEIRD SHIT as well.
Best looked for in Charing Cross' rare bookshops.
The Wasp Factory, by Iain Banks
BEST SCOTTISH NOVELIST EVER Iain M Banks' bleakly compelling vision of Scottish family life is scarily detailed. Look out in particular for the clever twist ending. Also, under the cunning pseudonym of Iain M Banks (like Judi Dench), he writes Sci-fi novels where the Culture sex each other. With cocks and everything.
Incredibly rare, but can be replaced with The Crow Road, Song of Stone, Whit or any of the other ones with the black and white covers. Probably. I haven't read them.
Everything by Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams and Robert Rankin.
Really funny writers, but with a dark side. Better than normal writers, because they are both really good *and* make you laugh. Did Moby Dick do that? DID IT?
Rarely released in paperback - check Amazon for second hand copies.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
The exception to the rule above. What's better than TERRY PRATCHETT? TERRY PRATCHETT AND THE LEATHER-JACKETED SANDMAN. Together they spin an intricate web of fear, laughter, tears and love. Watch out for the cunning twist ending.
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman.
Without Neil Gaiman, there would be no Death. And then the planet would get really overcrowded and old people would just keep getting more and more cantankerous. Do you see? Death isn't such a bad thing after all. Do you see? If you don't, then you may as well not bother grappling with this DENSE TAPESTRY OF IMAGINATION AND INVENTION. Good to have somebody writing about MAJYCK who really KNOWS THEIR ONIONS. Better than other all books, except arguably Pratchett, Rankin and Adams, because it is a real book, but with A COMIC IN AS WELL.
The Matrix by the Wachowski Brothers
ARE YOU INVISIBLE? MORPHEUS is. Not Morpheus in the Sandman (which is a clever word for Dream, that clever people understand, which is extra clever because in the song the Sandman is supposed to bring people dreams), but Morpheus in the MATRIX. And not invisible in the sense that you can see through him (although he probably COULD BE), but as in this being the FILM VERSION OF THE INVISIBLES. Look out for a performance of rare subtlety from Carrie Ann Moss.
Occasional screenings in art cinemas.
MEMENTO
A clever way to spell MOMENTO, this film sees another brilliantly assured part nailed by Carrie Ann Moss. But you probably shouldn't start with this one - it's a bit confusing.
DVD release rumoured to have more special features than the human mind can associate with a single film.
BILL HICKS - REVELATIONS
Bill Hicks TELLS THE TRUTH, and is BETTER THAN MICHAEL MOORE. This is because he SWEARS MORE, LOOKS COOLER, WAS IN PREACHER and IS DEAD. There aren't enough capital letters in the world to describe how important he is. Anyone not agreeing with BILL's (I can use his first name because I have bought all his films and tapes and as such am officially his friend) eerily compelling vision of a world without barriers or hate must be VIOLENTLY EXCLUDED.
Almost no records of Bill Hicks' performances exist, but rumour has it that Jay Leno has a bunker containing his work in Almagordo. Well worth a recce. |
|
|
