V for Vendetta ****

V is more than just a futuristic action thriller. This is an important film. Based on the graphic novel of the same name (which this viewer has not read), V packs a strong political punch.

In the future, England has fallen under the control of a fascist dictator. There is a strict curfew and one government controlled media network. Anyone straying outside the social boundaries set by the government -- say for example a gay talk show host in possession of a copy of the Koran -- is summarily whisked away by the Gestapo-like military police. OK, so far not that much of a stretch. You'll also probably have to feign surprise at the fact that "the colonies" are to blame. The story goes that a viral outbreak and civil war in America leads to all the fear and hate mongering across the pond. Somewhere Tony Blair has mixed feelings about this.

And then along comes V. A mysterious and verbose masked man reminiscent of Zorro or the Count of Monte Cristo, only V is not afraid to spill some blood along the way. The mask is made to resemble the face of a revolutionary who tried to blow up the House of Parliament and was hung on November 5th. V (played by Hugo Weaving of The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings trilogies) is determined to make the 5th of November a date that no one, particularly his enemies, will ever forget. The movie unfolds between two of these red letter days, with several flashbacks providing the backstory.

Natalie Portman plays Evie, an employee of the BTN (British Television Network) unwittingly swept up into V's vendetta when he saves her from some prowling policeman who catch her out after curfew. Natalie turns in a great performance, pulling off a convincing British accent. This leads this reviewer to believe that she was not to blame for her subpar turn in the Star Wars prequels.

The Wachowski brothers succeed at infusing this film with an emotional fire which underpins very relevent political statements about terrorism, gay rights, censorship, and freedom of speech and religion. Stylistically this film is similar to the dark world dreamed up in The Matrix. But V for Vendetta replaces new-agey Neo with a more serious and edgy anti-hero. The "1812 Ouverture" never sounded so good.

Soundtrack available on Astralwerks records. It borrows Cat Power's cover of the Velvet Underground's "I Found A Reason" from her Covers Record (2000), and Julie London's classic "Cry Me A River." "Bird Gerhl," a track from emerging gay icon Antony is also included. It also appears on Antony & The Johnsons 2005 album I Am A Bird Now, which features collaborations with Lou Reed and Rufus Wainwright. Perhaps Larry W put his two cents in on this one.

Ben Lee Returns to HG

This is what a scared American looks like.

No, that's not a still from Brokeback Mountain. That kooky young man taking David Hasselhoff's lips hostage is none other than Australian indie pop rocker Ben Lee. He is returning to Higher Ground in South Burlington, Vermont tonight. Canadian duo Madisen will open the show. Lee opened for Aimee Mann last year, and played a gig at Club Metrome in downtown Burlington a year before that.

Glad to have you back Ben, but don't get any ideas.

See comments for my review of the show.

Todd Blog

Scrubs fans take note, your favorite high-fiving doctor has some blog entries and video clips over at IGN, along with some other Scrubs goodies. Go check it out and get yourself a Todd Blog Five!

Placebo MEDS

Placebo are set to drop Meds, their 5th album proper, on March 13th in the UK (won't be out until April 4th in the US). They have been one of the most successful bands in the UK over the past decade, selling 7 million albums worldwide.

Placebo haven't made much impact Stateside. They are mainly known here for "Pure Morning" and "Every You Every Me" (both from their 2nd album, the latter also appearing on the Cruel Intentions soundtrack). They will be touring Europe through the summer. Look for a North American tour come fall.

There are some interesting guest collaborations on the new album. Alison (aka VV) from The Kills is featured on the title track, and Micheal Stipe from REM helps out on "Broken Promise." Also, Ladytron and Bloc Party’s Russell Lissack have contributed remixes of lead off UK single "Because I Want You." Album closer "Song To Say Goodbye" will be the first single in other territories.

Meds tracklisting:

1. Meds
2. Infra-Red
3. Drag
4. Space Monkey
5. Follow The Cops Back Home
6. Post Blue
7. Because I Want You
8. Blind
9. Pierrot The Clown
10. Broken Promise
11. One Of A Kind
12. In The Cold Light Of Morning
13. Song To Say Goodbye

Limited Edition Disc 2:
1. Documentary - directed by Ewen Bremner
2. Lyrics in 'virtual booklet'
3. Twenty Years - Live From Wembley (video)
4. If Only Tonight We Could Sleep - The Cure and Placebo (video)
5. Backstage at Live 8 (video)

Rockstarter

Create your own slammin rock band with the game Rockstarter available at Miniclip.com. Lots of cool -- and more importantly FREE -- games there. I created a band called Mystic Pizza, consisting of a metal guitarist, a trombone player, "PFunk" on bottles, a bongo drummer, and DJBeeJay on the wheels of steel. Appropriately enough I was able to have them play on the moon. Fresh!