Things I like 2 - Paddy Considine

Until a few years ago, my favourite actor was Bruce Campbell. Now, this wasn't really down to his acting ability per se, he only actually plays one character, and were I to meet him I expect I'd find his real life personality surprisingly familiar. I just like the man. Can't help it. He's a B-Movie actor, he knows he's a B-movie actor, he's where he wants to be in life. That's the impression I get, anyway.

But then, a few years ago, I watched 'Dead Man's Shoes'.

If you haven't seen it, go buy a copy now. Buy it new, you won't find it in charity shops. I know, I'm cheap, I tried. Anyway, although it's fantastically written and directed, it's fair to say that what makes the film such a powerfully emotional one is Paddy Considine. His performance is so believable, I automatically assumed he was one of those 'people from real life' that directors like to pepper their films with to give some kind of gritty authenticity to proceedings. Shane Meadows is a dab hand at this, and successfully as well - look at Thomas Turgoose. But that wasn't the case. He's just bloody good.

After 'Dead Man's Shoes' I bought 'A Room For Romeo Brass', Considine's first feature length film, and....

I told you I'm rubbish at writing about things I like. I just reread the above and it's turgid rubbish. I'm still posting it, I've written it now.

To summarise what I have and was going to say. Paddy Considine is a consistently brilliant actor. His directorial debut 'Tyrannosaur' is one of the best films I have seen, full stop, and along with 'Nil by Mouth' one of the few films to convincingly portray the actual aftermath of violence in the domestic world. His next film has something to do with boxing apparently. It will be brilliant.

The only way the Christopher Nolan 'Batman' films could have been better is if they'd sacked off Gary Oldman and made Paddy Considine Commissioner Gordon.

Things I like #3 - Daphne and Celeste

Does anyone remember Daphne and Celeste?

For a few months in 2000 (it was the turn of the century, the Millenium Bug hadn't happened, people were wigging out a bit) Daphne and Celeste were everywhere. This was before the days of Youtube fame, where any teenager who should have reached puberty by now but hasn't can gain instant fame because every other teenager of a similar ilk wants to live through them vicariously and dream of getting rich by doing absolutely sweet F.A. No, Daphne and Celeste were your actual proper created pop sensations.

The thing about Daphne and Celeste, right, is EVERYONE hated them. Someone was buying their records, yes, but everyone hated them. The music press regularly found excuses to slag them off, the mainstream press had articles on how they showed the sorry state the music industry had become. Even your Grandma wrote me a letter telling me she thought they were shit.

And here's the thing. They didn't give a shit.

They turned up at Reading Festival. They were on the main stage, 2 bands before 'Rage against the Machine'. To put that into context, imagine Westlife thinking 'I know, let's do a turn at Download'. Daphne and Celeste knew what would happen, and they didn't give a shit. 15 minutes they did, 15 minutes of being showered with a rain of bottled piss not seen since Clare Sweeney turned up outside my house (then she caught on fire, so I stopped).

My theory at the time, and one I subscribe to now, has never been very popular. Daphne and Celeste were the last true punk band. They galvanised opinion like nothing since the lazy hazy days of '77. Their music was shockingly bad, but they made sure everyone listened to it. They went exactly where they weren't wanted, and they stayed there.

I don't know where they went, but I hope they're happy. They worked for it :)