Notebook Letters 6.

Best end fight scene

Best end fights? What about Biao Yuen Vs Ching-Ying Lan in Magnificent Butcher, Kar-Yan Leung Vs Chang Li in The Victim or Sammo Hung Vs Lau Kar Wing in Odd Couple, just for starters? Gav, Chatham

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 21st of October, 2008; 1/6.

Excited about 007?

I agree that The Last Shadow Puppets should have done the James Bond theme. It's the only thing I am looking forward to seeing on October 31. Have booked my tickets already. Can't wait. Bond is nearly back. Josie, London

Best end-fight? Any film by Seasonal is a winner, but among their gems I'd have to say King of The Kickboxers nails it. "This is for my brother!" John, York

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 21st of October, 2009; 2/6.

Chaplin's weepie

Catch the end of Chaplin's City Lights where he realises the blind girl he loves can now see, if you want a good cry. Gets me every time. Sean, Welling

The scene in Stand By Me where River Phoenix fades out of the picture is unbearably moving, especially in light of what happened to that magnificent young actor. Paul Wilcox, Sheffield

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 21st of Occtober, 2008; 2/6.

Devil May Care

Why would the Bond producers say that Devil May Care couldn't be turned into a screenplay? Because it is based in the '60s: Casino Royale. It was Fleming's novel of the '50s and it was changed for the film. The producers should look at the novels of Raymond Benson for a 007 film. Colin Lloyd, Lancs

For weird check out Vampyr, The Orphic Trilogy (Cocteau) and the grandaddy of weird, Un Chien Andalou from 1929. adam, Sunderland

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 21st of October, 2008; 4/6.

dracula an allegory

The original dracula novel is an allegory about the love of money being the root of all evil. Harker the estate agent brings disaster on those he loves through his greed, this being symbolised by the count shedding gold coins when pierced.

The puerile "Love interest" and cheap gore-fest by producers/ directors is a distortion, but predictable. They are without a moral compass, and catering for a shallow audience. J Gear, Devon

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 21st of October, 2008; 5/6.

A message to Ricky

Ricky Gervais is one of the unfunniest comedians on TV. I love The Simpsons but his episode was rubbish! Stay in the USA, we don't want you. Ian, Wolverhampton

At last somebody has given The Great Ecstacy of Robert Carmichael a mention. The best Brit flick since Alan Clark left us. Si, Sheffield

Vortex: Which is your favourite Bond film and why?

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 21st of October, 2008; 6/6.

A Voider recently asked which of the big albums would flop this autumn and predicted Razorlight. I've never liked Razorlight, but their performance of Wire To Wire on Jonathan Ross was sublime. Beautifully performed, and better than the recorded version. Aaron O'Neill

The new Travis album Ode To J Smith is amazing. I can't believe it didn't do better in the chart. I urge anyone and everyone to buy it. Beth Rowlands

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of October, 2008; 1/7.

People seem unaware that the finest punk bands were American. Husker Du, Bad Brains, Minutemen, Minor Threat. All made landmark albums and, what's more, in the '80s. The British punk scene was, for the most part, over-hyped and uninspired. Kevin Kavanagh

Words can't express how excited I am at seeing Far in London soon. I've waited nine years for this, as I never got the chance first time round. It's shocking how overlooked they are. PG Superman

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of October, 2008; 2/7.

I too have followed an unsuccessful band around the country. I'm 51 and have been a fan of Stray since I was 15. In Del Bromham, they boast one of the all-time great guitarists. I've seen them in pubs and city halls, and the result is always the same: a top night out. Michael Boyle

More great charity shop albums: Pieces of You by Jewel, what a voice. Oh, and Beat The Clock by Sparks for 10p on vinyl. Nice. Negative Creep

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of October, 2008; 3/7.

I lived near Heaton Park for all my youth. As Europe's biggest municipal park, it always had a share of old hangers-on, weird chancers and fools knocking about. But Oasis, The Enemy and Kasabian on the same day? Can't we just have Elbow? Rob J

Russ is right. Oasis' The Rapture uses The Doors' 5 To 1, plus the riff from Cold Turkey and a Trew song. But it's still a great tune that they've made their own. Shakermaker, anyone? Taz

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of October, 2008; 4/7.

To answer Phil, Paul McCartney is so derided because he's sold his fans short for 25 years with his gigs. His supposedly big recent Liverpool show had no orchestra or backing singers, the bare minimum of musicians. I won't even mention the meagre stage production involved. He is a legend, he has the songs. So why does Macca sell himself, the music and the fans so short time after time? Daz Nelson

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of October, 2008; 5/7.

To the Voider disappointed by the new Metallica and Anon Amarth album, I suggest trying Daylight Dies' Lost To The Living for some growlingly epic, but still soaringly epic metal. I can't stop playing it.

For something even heavier and avant garde, check The Maniacal Vale by Esoteric for terrifying metal with a strangely ambient twist. Think Silver In Blood Neurosis, but more insane. Miki Ogawara

The Void; Teletext page 827; 22nd of October, 2008; 6/7.

The Cure/ 4:13 Dream

By John Earls

Since their self-titled album four years ago, life has appeared rum in The Cure.

Perry Bamonte and Roger O'Donnell left, with Porl Thompson back for the third time, 12 years after leaving.

This at least has reinvigorated them, as anyone lucky enough to see one of their sporadic shows can testify, fabulously sprawling nights that justify their three-hour length.

1/6.

The Cure/ 4:13 Dream

More worryingly has been Robert Smith's public unhappiness at Universal mucking the band about over the tracklisting.

First, this was due to be a double album. Then, it was a single album of 80 minutes, with Smith hinting the albums' darker songs will be released as a separate album early next year.

So, is this a stymied album of their fluffier songs? Not exactly.

2/6.

The Cure/ 4:13 Dream

To generalise, Cure albums are either pop like Wish or bleak like P*rnography and, on that basis, this is the former.

Smith is not only celebratory but disturbingly erotic on the likes of The Only One and With You.

While maintaining the musical awe and wonder of Close To You, Smith now growls about "sliding into you". The Hungry Ghost also has the wistful beauty of a Catch.

3/6.

The Cure/ 4:13 Dream

The manic euphoria lets Thompson show why he's been missed, with his scratchy post-punk writ large on Switch and Freakshow.

Both are great, distilling the defiance at the heart of the unique music and image they've had for so long in fangs-bared rock, a nod to their metal love.

Jason Cooper has never sounded better either, combining his most demented drums to complement Thompson's vocals.

4/6.

The Cure/ 4:13 Dream

But to typify this as Happy Cure would be to miss the remarkable songs that bookend the album.

Underneath The Stars is a brooding, near-trance hymn that builds and churns with menace, something of a red herring for the glee that follows.

Better still are The Screen and It's Over, the former a fantastic shuffle of claustrophobia like Lullaby, while the latter strops furiously into the dawn.

5/6.

The Cure/ 4:13 Dream

Far from the compromised record Smith unwittingly implied we might be in for, it's vintage Cure.

Only the ho-hum bland arrangements on Sirensong misfire and, 30 years after their debut, it's remarkable just how intense it all is.

While Smith is being self-aware on suicide drama The Reasons Why, he's guided them into a powerful affair. Now, where are those other songs? 8/10

6/6.

Teletext page 825; 22nd of October, 2008.

* Eighty-two million people play Farmville.

* The name "scrumpy" comes from a word meaning small and shrivelled.

* Rudyard Kipling turned down the Order of Merit- twice.

10 things we ddidn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 26th of March, 2010; 1/3.

* In The Wizard of Oz, Toto was played by a dog called Terry.

* Pine that is grown in a cold climate has greater durability.

* The Bill began as a one-off drama called Woodentop.

* The world's most complex mathematical problem is called the Poincare Conjecture.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 26th of March, 2010; 2/3.

* There are only about 10 Pagini Zonda S supercars produced each year.

* Teachers sometimes get lavish gifts from their pupils like a Tiffany bracelet.

* Over 260 species of marine wildlife become entangled in litter or mistake it for food.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 26th of March, 2010; 3/3.

Snow Patrol/ A Hundred Million Suns

By John Earls

While it's not the sharp reinvention of much of Keane's new album, nor are Snow Patrol coasting on the success of their last two albums.

If anything, it's more of a natural follow-up to pre-fame album When It's All Over than an overhaul.

The motoric pulse of Take Back The City is also present in Lifeboats, their oddest song to date, which nods to their love of Super Furry Animals.

1/6.

Snow Patrol/ A Hundred Million Suns

The Disaster Button is also unusually (harsh)-sounding, Gary Lightbody's self-lacarating lyrics given appropriately itchy, paranoid soundscapes.

The highlight is What If This Storm Ends, the opening part of the closing 16-minute Lightning Strikes suite.

On an album much concerned with man's place in the universe, Lightbody has never sounded so bare or more beautiful over subtle, just-so orchestration.

2/6.

Snow Patrol/ A Hundred Million Suns

The only problem is with Lightbody's loved-up lyrics.

More used to heartbreak than new love, Shutters and Set Down Your Glass are so innocent in their declarations they sound too gauche from a grown man, and the music is similarly a touch queasy.

But those are minor concerns, far from an empty U2 copy. It's hard to sound simultaneously so big and so intimate. They pull it off easily.

3/6.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals/ Cardinology

After a long gap since Easy, Tiger, it sounds like Adams is grasping the notion of quality control.

Never has Adams sounded bigger, even on the ballads, on a country-rock album that for the most part outstrips Kinbgs of Leon's recent foray.

In short, it's his redemption record, building up to the heartbreaking finale Stop, one of the heartbreaking finale Stop, one of the best post-rehab songs there is.

4/6.

Ryan Adams/ The Cardinals/ Cardinology

Not that Adams has rejected filthy rock & roll. Magick is a wonderful blast of garage energy, The Cardinals cutting loose behind Adams' howl.

Mostly, however, they earn joint billing because of poise and subtlety, with Fix It built on an elusive bar-room groove and Crossed Out Name so aged and lost you can smell the tracks.

A grower of an album, perhaps, but one built to last for generations. 8/10

5/6.

Pink/ Funhouse

Dear Lord, has there ever been a less fitting title for a record?

Ever since her one real attempt to go punk with Transplants misfired, Pink has returned to her natural realm of fake attitude and risible "honesty" that's as real as Jodie Marsh's chest.

Whether it's vapid pop-rock that are salmonella rewrites of Get The Party Started or whiny, anaemic break-up anthems, it's no fun for anyone.

6/6.

Teletext page 824; 22nd of October, 2008.

What if Connor died?

Speaking of super-computer plots, what if skynet of The Terminator fame had been successful in eliminating its enemy John Connor? How could he grow to adulthood to become the threat that necessitated the trans-time assassination attempt in the first time? Matth Stil, Wakefield

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 23rd of October, 2008; 1/6.

25th Hour mirror scene

Best mirror scene is Ed Norton's in 25th Hour, brill! Best end fight scene is Drunken Master with Jackie Chan. James, Livingston

The subtle chills of Asian horror films are lost in the FX-heavy remake as Hollywood thinks gore equals scares. Dave, Stockport

How could everyone not mention Bruce Lee's famous mirror scene in Enter The Dragon? Classic! Randall, London

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 23rd of October, 2008; 2/6.

A Legend query

A few days ago I bought a three-films-in-one DVD solely for one film in it. The brilliant Ridley Scott fantasy Legendd starring Tom Cruise and Tim Curry and found it contained extra scenes that I had never seen before but also had scenes I remember in the film missing.
Cound anyone please tell me where I can find a Director's Cut of the film or the original released version? Lance, Manchester

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 23rd of October, 2008; 3/6.

dracula boring?

Rosie, if you find Hammer Horror's 1958 version of dracula, and Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, boring, you don't appreciate film! John Hodges, Gwent

The best mirror scene is in John Carpenter's underrated horror flick Prince of Darkness. I suggest all you horror fans give it a rent. Sean, Newquay

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 23rd of October, 2008; 4/6.

A lecture on reviewing

Stop giving away the plot of new films in your reviews and features! You've ruined so many films for me! Joe Purse, Gloucester

Vortex: What plots have we revealed? Some viewers don't understand what a review is. Certain basic plot details must be revealed in order to assess whether the film works or is original. If you don't want to know anything about a film then the best thing to do is don't read the reviews.

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 23rd of October, 2008; 5/6.

Killer mutant persons

Spiderman, Hulk, Daredevil, Fantastic Four: all latent mutants, people whose mutation is triggered by something that would kill a normal human. Chris, Welwyn

Dave, Oldham. I watched Skinwalkers last year and it's the worst werewolf film I've seen. Another werewolf film to stay away from is big bad wolf.

Vortex: Your favourite 007 film is...?

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 23rd of October, 2008; 6/6.

It'll be great to see Goldfrapp at Electric Proms. Alison Goldfrapp is a quirky performer, who throws the conventional dullness of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and their ilk into relief. What a woman. If only she'd put her shoes on. Rob Hunt

I think Liam Gallagher is singing badly in concery because years of booze don't agree with his vocal chords. Many other singers have suffered from it too, like Ian Anderson and Siouxsie. Paul Lowe

The Void; Teletext page 827; 23rd of October, 2008; 1/7.

The recent spate of punk letters led me to recommend Glasgow band The Snipes. They blew me away live. OK, they're veterans, with former members of Revillos, Carpettes and C*ck Sparrer, but it's a new band with fresh songs. Their debut album in December will be a treat. Andy Kline

led zeppelin were bloated and out of ideas by 1975, according to DJ Gordy. That year, physical graffiti went to No 1 in the UK and US. Dev

The Void; Teletext page 827; 23rd of October, 2008; 2/7.