My God!

Keanu Reeves can act! :)

I watched A Scanner Darkly last night: a superb film from Richard Linklater which, I suspect, will achieve much greater appraisal while on dvd.

Probably the best adaptation of a PKD story yet - though Bladerunner is still my favourite PKD film. Linklater lifts entire scenes from the book, and treats the material with almost religious reverence.

Visually, it's stunning to watch - the "scramble-suit" works considerably well, and after only a minute you don't notice it's animated: there were times when I thought I was watching "live action" then did a quick double-take.

As I stated, Reeves is very good - but Robert Downey Jnr steals the show has Barris. On the whole, the cast for the film is nigh on perfect - no doubt helped by the fact that many have, or did have, an affinity to certain narcotic substances.

I can see the film receiving three Oscar nominations next year, but it won't win any: best adapted screenplay; best supporting actor for Downey Jnr; and, best visual effects.

If you have missed the cinema release, and until the dvd comes out, then I recommend you read the book.

In other news, I received the dvd of Beasts on Friday, and watched the first two episodes: "Baby" and "Buddy-boy". Being the mid-70s, it has dated a little bit - check out those flares and leather-elbow pads - but so far the tales are incredibly atmospheric; I was a little disappointed with the latter (Martin Shaw as a porn baron was very good, but the music really spoiled it) but the former tale scared me shitless, and that last image will probably remain with me for a long time...

Well, that was my weekend - next Friday should be fun: the launch of Rhys Hughes's At the Molehills of Madness in Swansea. The alcohol and book selling situation has been agreed, so all there's left to do is ask: will you be there - and if so, make sure you buy a sodding book. :)