Notebook Letters 7.

Brokeback great weepy

The ending of Brokeback Mountain is one of the best scenes in film history. I defy anybody to watch that and not be in tears. Bex, Grantham

The fights in Fight Club and Eastern Promises are brutal but the nastiest fight in history is in Borat! Dave, Widnes

Best end fights: Steve Seagal and Tommy Lee Jones at the end of Under Siege. Ian, Newcastle

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 24th of October, 2008; 5/6.

They Live great fight

Not an "end fight" scene but They Live had a decent brawl between Keith David and Roddy Piper. No wire work or martial art, just old school knuckles. Dave, Stockport

Re: Lance, Manchester. Legend Ultimate Edition is out on Region One. It contains two versions of the film, the Director's Cut and the US theatrical release. Also extras. Awesome film. Jonny, Yorkshire

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 24th of October, 2008; 6/6.

AC/DC's new album is ace. I love the fact that it's shooting to No 1 when it wasn't as hyped as much as the rubbish from Kaiser Chiefs and Keane. Whaley

I loved Rich's rundown of golden-era rap bands. Oh, the memories! I had an awesome cassette collection back then, with the likes of 3rd Bass and LOTU, who you never hear of now. I loved Das EFX, Fu Schinkens, Boss, Ed OG and Da Lynch Mob. They wipe the floor with what passes for hip hop now. Kyle Servera

The Void; Teletext page 827; 25th of October, 2008; 1/7.

It's superb taht AD/DC look like having the No 1 album. Ha to all the radio DJs who laugh at older bands, especially Scott Mills, who's like a '70s DJ himself. Who would you rather see at No 1: Scouting For Girls? No, ta. El

Thanks to Earls for the demo review of The Incredible Flight of Birdman. They should have their own incredible flight up the charts, if a label does the obvious thing and signs them. Goranoia

The Void; Teletext page 827; 25th of October, 2008; 2/7.

Someone suggested that Razorlight would be the big losers in the battle of the major albums, but I'd say Oasis have been the biggest losers.

First, they lost out on No 1 single to Pink before it fell down the chart. Then comes the ignominy of losing No 1 after a week to Keane. Now, Oasis are prevented from regaining No 1 by AC/DC. The days when they stayed at No 1 are long gone. By their standards, they've failed dismally. Indiegirl

The Void; Teletext page 827; 25th of October, 2008; 3/7.

As much as I love Later, aren't there more worthwhile British acts in need of exposure than Cage The Elephant, Katy Perry, Akon and co? I can't remember the last time The Music or Tom McRae were on. Two underrated acts who need more airtime. Sort it out, Joools. Ramsay

The new guns'n'roses song isn't bad, but it sounds like something Velvet Revolver managed in six months. Why did it take axl rose 16 years? Jo Walsh

The Void; Teletext page 827; 25th of October, 2008; 3/7.

I'm very impressed by the title track of chinese democracy. After the years of waiting, it's fresh, exciting and heavier than guns'n'roses. Even though slash isn't here any mire, you can hear slashesque riffs. I'll definitely be buying the album next month.

I haven't followed a band around but, in the summer of 2000, every gig I went to had Taproot as a support act. Were they stalking me? Tyler Durden

The Void; Teletext page 827; 25th of October, 2008; 5/7.

The attacks on Paul McCartney are often less to do with his music than some people's silly need to hate him to validate their own attempts to be credible. It's spiteful conventional thought to make John Lennon a saint by comparison for his attitude.

It's like Daz's comment that Macca "sells fans short". Who cares that he doesn't have an orchestra? His gig wasn't Beethoven. Plenty are satisfied with his shows. Rob Hunt

The Void; Teletext page 827; 25th of October, 2008; 6/7.

I've just got back from holiday and I'm devastated to learn of the PS cutbacks. Losing half of PS will be like losing my left arm. In these days of the web, it's impressive for Teletext to remain the best information service for music. Thanks, Earls. Ollie Holtam

It's typical. In order to save some space, Teletext hack down the pages people read, yet have a section saved for Big Brother. Priorities, eh? Tyler Durden

The Void; Teletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 1/7.

I'm appalled at the speed with which the credit crunch has hit PS. I've read the pages for years and generally agree with Earls' reviews. Best wishes to all the staff. It'll come good. Eventually. mondo

It's sad that metal won't be getting the coverage it deserves and to lose the demo pages. But, as long as we've got The Void, we can discuss past, present and future music whenever we please. Long live PS. David McMillan

The Void; Teletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 2/7.

I've been a regular reader since the Blue Suede Views days, and have found many of my favourite albums from your reviews. Johnny Whitesox

I've downsized my mag buying. The only one I still buy happens to be dearest. PS is still my touchstone. Gazzoir

I'm gutted about the downsizing, but it's a sign of the times, I suppose. Sigh. Looking on the bright side, PS will still be with us. Pineapple Head

The Void; Teletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 3/7.

The sculpture on the inner sleeve of Perfect Symmetry, which is supposed to be Tom Chaplin, looks uncannily like Jimmy Carr. Are Keane perhaps planning a change of career? Barnsley Dee

My local music shop is only stocking the basic Kaiser Chiefs album, not the deluxe version with the free CD of them live at Elland Road. Where can I sign a petition about the useless availibility of these Deluxe albums Universal made such a fuss over? Eve's Treasure

The Void; T eletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 4/7.

John Ox's comparisons between Matt Bellamy and Thom Yorke are tired. Critics have said this ever since Muse's debut album, Showbiz.

Ever since Radiohead went non-commercial with Kid A, there's been a void that Muse filled and then took to another level. I agree that Black Holes isn't as solid as Origin of Symmetry or Absolution, but it has some storming singles. Doubters will be blown away by the Wembley live DVD. Pat Palloon

The Void; Teletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 5/7.

Top 10 albums I love, but never play

1) Shame Brad
2) Ah Um Charles Mingus
3) Ben Folds Five Ben Folds Five
4) Surfer Rosa Pixies
5) New Adventures In Hi-Fi REM
6) Suzanne Vega Suzanne Vega
7) Low End Theory A Tribe Called Quest
Eight) Sings The Blues Nina Simone
9) Transparents Mariza
10) Crash Dave Matthews Band

Tthe Void; Teletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 6/7.

New singles by John Earls.

STEREOPHONICS You're My Star 5/10

Hmm. After a good run, this new single for their Best Of is lyrically sweet but woefully under-producers and potters along too inoffensively. A four-epic ballad oddly like Jones on an off-day.

NEW EDUCATION Today 5/10

Raucous enough, but the Stoke lads don't yet have enough hooks to atone for their standard rowdy mix of chunky guitars and iffy baggy. Like The Twang at their worst.

1/6.

New singles out this week

THE VIEW 5 Rebbeccas 7/10

Essentially, this is Oasis' cover of Cum On Feel The Noise, and thus splendid. However, Kyle Falconer's Dundee accent is so impenetrable it spoils a song that could have been as ubiquitous as Wasted Little DJs.

OFFICER KICKS Dirty Sally 6/10

Hardly anything original, but they do a timeless rock & roll momentum like The Skids reawakening and deciding Kings of Leon is the way forward.

2/6.

New singles out this week

SAM TAYLOR-WOOD i'm In Love With A German Film Star

Pet Shop Boys produce their artist friend's first full single. Hardly PSB's most epic production, it glides along with a pretty ambience, but lacks the raunchy oddness of their old je T'Aime duet.

HAUNTS London's Burning 4/10

Pfft. Comically inept mix of goth and post-Libs, it starts like a bumptuous Bowie impression before a chorus like the 2005 region of Doherty rip-offs.

3/6.

New singles out this week

GLENN TILBROOK & THE FLUFFERS Binga Bong 7/10

Although on the surface this is typically amiable Tilbrook, look past the mock Eurovision lyrics and a baleful attack on the Iraq war emerges. That it's played with such a jolly background makes iteven more uneasy.

DANIEL LAND Within The Boundaries 5/10

Though he shows promise for skyscrapic majestic shoegaze, the brief snatch of shimmering vocal is needed elsewhere. Monotonous, rather than monolithic.

4/6.

New singles out this week

TEAM WATERPOLO So Called Summer 8/10

Hopefully the 10-month wait for a second single won't derail their momentum. There are at least five choruses here, all of which have steely determination to get dancefloors in action. A superb pop band in flight.

OPERAHOUSE Change In Nature 8/10

Previously great yob-popsters take a stark about-turn to the epic tuneful gloom The Electric Soft Parade's debut was full of. Fiendishly addictive.

5/6.

New singles out this week

KID BRITISH Elizabeth 7/10

Anyone who remembers The Ordinary Boys' early promise of literate boisterous anthems is advised to investigate. Not all there yet, but the best shouty protests since The Jam and 2-Tone.

SEA WOLF Winter Windows 8/10

Fabulous traditional US indie in The Shins mould from an LA band complete with a drunken accordion and mariachi handclaps.

6/6.

Teletext page 823; 27th of October, 2008.

Asian horror creepier

Dave, I couldn't agree more. Asian horror is more creepy and I'm fed up with the Americans throwing in as many shocks as they can to get a reaction. It's not just Asia either. Seen (Rec)? Chris, Hartlepool

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of October, 2008; 1/6.

Reviewer gave plot away

I agree with Joe Purse (stop giving away important plot points in reviews) and I'm appalled by your rude, childish and arrogant reply. Two recent examples are: revealing the "enemy" behind Eagle is a computer and the entity in Mirrors can communicate through water.

Ruined any surprises for me, so now I won't bother watching the films. Don't be so patronising. Or do you want us to stop reading your pages? It's up to you. Ady, Exeter

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of October, 2008; 2/6.

Reviewer denies charge

Vortex reply to Ady: Most reviews revealed the computer in Eagle Eye and the water thing in Mirrors. The tension of Eagle Eye does not depend on knowing that the voice is a computer. There are other plot secrets that make the film interesting, the computer.

As to Mirrors: the fact the demon can communicate through water is not as important plot revelation. You'd have to see these films to understand what I mean. So stop sulking. (VO)

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of October, 2008; 3/6.

Reviewer attacked again

I agree with Joe. Your review of Eagle Eye gives away a plot point unnecessarily. It might not be the biggest twist ever but the review works just as well if you remove the offending paragraph. Simon, Egham

I don't agree. The computer is not part of a twist. We know the voice is a computer soon into the film. In publicity interviews for the film, the computer is freely talked about. Go see, it's a good actioner. (VO)

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of October, 2008; 4/6.

Live & Let is best

Live And Let Die is the best Bond film. This film, sean connery's, set out to entertain from the get go with its tongue in its cheek.

Who can forget the superb opening "whose funeral is it?" It has the best Bond tune from Sir Paul. The best Bond girl, Jane Seymour. The best Bond villain, the great Yaphet Kotto. A great henchman is Julius Harris as Tee Hee. The funniest character JW Pepper (Clifton Jones). Lee Rawlings

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of October, 2008; 5/6.

Casino Royale supreme

Favourite Bond: Casino Royale. Not since connery's debut did an actor look like he belonged in that. And Daniel Craig has those steel blue eyes fitting Ian Fleming's description.

I love the title sequence, replacing the silhouetted beauties which become a cliché. And as for fight scenes: connery's battle with Robert Love and the vicious fight in Casino where they fight down the stairway. Steve, Devon

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of October, 2008; 6/6.

I see that Beyonce says she has an alter-ego, Sasha Fierce, for her provocative side. Of course, this isn't a cover up for the outstanding hypocrisy of her career, claiming to be a good Christian girl while cavorting around like a thrift-shop stripper. Rebecca Nahid

The best five albums of 2008 are debuts: Metronomy, Crystal Castles, Late of The Pier, Foals and Friendly Fires. Forget AC/DC, they're not worth theiir own T-shirts. Tom Harper

The Void; Teletext page 827; 27th of October, 2008; 1/7.

AC/DC Is that the band where a 60-year-oold bloke dresses up as a schoolboy? Oh, my aching sides. Most people who wear their T-shirts do so in a lame attempt at retro-cool. I think I'll pass. Adam Syntax

REM didn't deserve to be put in Chumpps of The Week for not inclusing their out-takes on the new reissue of Monster. It has a gig from the time on the second CD, and that's a great way to celebrate a 25th anniversary. Neecy

The Void; Teletext page 827; 28th of October, 2008; 2/7.

I agree with Helen that Later is safe in what it airs, only throwing in the odd Friendly Fires and Tinariwen to try to look cutting-edge. It's like we're heading back to the '70s doldrums.

On which, like Derek, I was a teen in the '70s. The "great" bands he mentions show his brain must have seized by '75. The following five years didn't spawn rubbish. Then, as now, the likes of The Ramones, Buzzcocks, Wire and Patti Smith kept the decade alive. Anelan

The Void; Teletext page 827; 28th of October, 2008; 3/7.

I loved the phil spector documentary on BBC2. But, oh my, he's got a chip on his shoulder. spector is undoubtedly a musical genius but, to make disparaging remarks about his peers whiolst putting his own work on a pedestal revealed his delusions of grandeur. ID

Oasis are 2008's big losers? I'm amazed at such a comment. The stadium tour soold out in hours and their album is the fastest seller of the year. Dan D

The Void; Teletext page 827; 28th of October, 2008; 4/7.