Just when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio. Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys--the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a ...
Based on Irish writer Roddy Doyle's novel and lovingly directed with admirable restraint by the sometimes bombastic Alan Parker, this quirky 1991 tribute to the enduring and universal power of American R&B took some cynical criticism for its reliance on Baby Boomer-era classics such as "Mustang Sally", "Take Me to the River", and "In the Midnight Hour". But that sword cuts two ways: by casting a ...
Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote the music for this film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The scene in which Andrews crests a hill with her arms spread singing the title track is one of the greatest in American film. Hearing that song forever fills the listener with that image, and remains as fresh and even chilling as it was initially. Unfortunately much of this has been co-opted by ...
Largely, er, "inspired" by German director Wim Wenders' classic fable Wings of Desire, this heavenly melodrama features a high watermark for overwrought modern pop-song scores. U2's "If God Will Send His Angels" might just certify their on-the-sleeve spirituality as moribund, while Alanis Morissette's radio hit "Uninvited" conjures the frightening spectre of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" ...