A miniscule literary review

My short text message which contributed to the debate on Simon Mayo's weekly book panel, BBC Radio 5 Live.

The debate addressed the issue as to whether novellas can still be considered as significant as lengthier novels in the great literature cannon:

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is without doubt his greatest work as well as his shortest. Scrooge has the most influential character development of all time within some of the spookiest atmospheric imagery ever written. Not to mention its good old fashioned heart warming promotion of good values. Our contemporary image of christmas would not be the same without it.

Ben Lamb. Hull

Another Way To Die

My second letter read out on Kermode and Mayo’s Film Reviews, BBC Radio 5 Live:

Dear Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd,

Could someone please explain to me EXACTLY what is wrong with the Question of Sport theme tune; Another Way to Die?

For me it was the highlight of the entire film. The Hendrix of our generation Jack White has successfully written and produced the first ever memorable blues rock Bond song. His innovative collaboration with the very sexy and talented Alicia Keys has gelled together three genres of music and is far more listenable than Chris Cornell's generic You Know My Name. Also let's face it, Amy Winehouse couldn't have done any better.

I have been listening to the song on repeat all day whilst doing my dissertation as it is nothing other than an awe inspiring and ruddy good tune!

Perhaps Mr. Mayo would be more suited to answering my question as his musical knowledge is not limited to the boundaries of skiffle, which would certainly not be suitable as a Bond song!

Ben Lamb.
Hull University, 3rd year film studies student (1st grade degree pending)

The State of Mainstream Horror

Fancy a rant at current horror releases and a brief history of the genre's development? click here

The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival

It has been a while since I attended the press screenings, but my thoughts have finally been published. Click here to take a look

A Month In Film: October 2008

Click here to read my longest cinematic review for the monthly Studentbeans zine thus far.

Roger Corman Collection

The most epic piece of work I have written to date! Click here to read my review of the entire Roger Corman boxset which I watched and wrote in the space of two days intertwined with nine hours of work and some university lectures!

The Edge Of Love

Click here to read my review of Dylan Thomas biopic, The Edge Of Love