Watch Channel 4 Tonight

Tonight, at 10 o’clock Channel Four are showing 2 films back to back, both starring George Clooney. The first is O Borther Where Art Thou? which everybody except me seemed to love. I didn’t catch the fim at the cinema but I bought it on DVD in good faith, safe in the knowledge that it was more Big Lebowski and Fargo than Intolerable Cruelty. Supposedly a comedy, I counted a grand total of zero laughs. I have tried to watch it at least 5 times but hav yet to make it all the way through.

Solaris, on the other hand, is some of George Clooney’s best work. A much underated film which the critics wrongly panned and the studio, pannicked by the reviews, decided to sell as ‘the film where you can see George Clooney’s bum.’ It is in fact a very clever, thought-provoking piece of sci-fi about ideas, which I know are not particualry fashionable nowaddays, but that shouldn’t be enough to stop you.

All I’m saying is give yourself the chance to make your own mind. I’m not going to tell you what to think… On this occasion I’m feeling too lazy.

In recent months I have developed a rather bad habit of starting a book, not finishing it, then starting another one.

Currently on my reading list:

The Book of Dave – Will Self

Neuromancer – William Gibson – not nearly as mind-blowing as I remember it being when I was 15. Left on pause 50 pages from the end.

Atonement – Ian McEwan – Not started this one yet, but I’ve bought it so it goes on the list

Rip it Up Start Again – Simon Reynolds – just started this one, and early indications are that I might actually finish it having become partially obsessed with the subject matter

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed – Jared Diamond – Very heavy going. I think I’m on chapter 4

Robert DeNiro Biography – John Baxter

David Bowie biography: Loving the alien – Ziggy just met Iggy

Johnny Cash – Not nearly as gripping after 20 pages as the film with Joaquin Pheonix

The Drowned World – J G Ballard

Having made my problem public I hope this will act as a reminder and a spur to finish the books I start!