Punch 2002

Dennis Clegg is in his thirties and lives in a halfway house for the mentally ill in London. Dennis, nicknamed "Spider" by his mother has been institutionalized with acute schizophrenia for some 20 years. He has never truly recovered, however, and as the story progresses we vicariously experience his increasingly fragile grip on reality.

Two Classic Edwin Starr Albums, from 1968 and 1969, Released on One CD. All Tracks have Been Remastered and Packaging Includes a Full Color Slipcase, Rare Photos, Track Annotations, Release Info and Original LP Artwork.

This triple-pack is excellent value, featuring the first three (& best) albums by Psychedlic Furs: 1980s eponymous debut, 1981's Talk Talk Talk & 82's Forever Now. The Psychedelic Furs is one of the fine debut albums of that era- up there with Crocodiles, The Affectionate Punch, Kilimanjaro, The Modern Dance & 3 Imaginary Boys. Here The Furs presented their original sound- Richard Butler's cracked Iggy Pop in hell vocals, minimal drumbeats, sinister sax, leftfield pop. It opens with the epic India- which builds up from a swirling post-punk equivalent of Led Zep (see also Echo & Bunnymen's Going UP) to a pulsing new wave rocker- a great sense of drama & the ultimate opening track (Richard Butler's almost trademark rap appearing).

A young boy and his father live in a dull, lonely house with the shadow of mourning hanging over them both. The boy misses his mother but gets no comfort from his father's ascertains that she went peacefully. This tragedy is added to by the family dog which is looking increasingly unhealthy.
The challenge of a short in some cases is to try and get a lot across enough story in a short time to make the film work in some way. That is the case here - the film is very short and has a lot of back story to tell us, indeed the back story IS the story. The background is delivered so well it's amazing. The final punch is the least subtle but up till then it's sublime. Little details, little expressions, little movements tell so much about the inner feelings. Even if it's pretty depressing it's still worth watching for the skill.
Did I mention these are not people but steel framed puppets? Puppets with fixed expressions? Yet they still manage to emote so very much and fill us in on the story. The only character I didn't like was the dog itself as I felt that it was made to look too desperate, to much at the end of the road! Though that may have been the point.
Overall this short and (bitter) sweet. It's not cheerful and is the exact opposite but the level of detail that is brought out through minor things should be seen to be appreciated - I've seen plenty of actors who could take a lot from this short.

"Bitches Brew" is a studio double album by American jazz musician, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis, originally released in 1970 on Columbia Records. It marked his continuing experimentation with electric instruments that he had previously featured on the critically acclaimed "In a Silent Way". With these instruments, such as the electric piano and guitar, Davis rejected traditional jazz rhythms in favor of loose, rock-influenced arrangements based on improvisation.

Get ready for a red-hot Christmas collection, taking some classic holiday tunes and revving 'em into the 21st century in Rockin' big band style. Setzer and his multi-platinum 16-piece orchestra have recorded what is destined to become an all-time favorite for the holiday season!