On Newsnight Review tonight
- 13 Jun 08, 12:01 PM
We're planning to review The Incredible Hulk. Ang Lee's art-house version of the Hulk story in 2003 was not a hit with the fans. Will this one be? It'll be interesting to get our panellist (and comic book fan) Natalie Haynes' view.
Coldplay's latest album is out. Our panellist, the music critic John Harris, is a "Coldplay Cynic". Will he be won over by this more experimental album? And have you been?
Michael Frayn once again draws inspiration from 20th Century history in his latest play, Afterlife which opened at the National Theatre this week. He links the turbulent tale of the life of German theatre impresario Max Reinhart with the narrative of the play he famously directed - Everyman. And he makes the bold decision to write half the play in verse. What will the historian on the panel, Tristram Hunt, make of it?
And Bob Dylan is another musical legend who has turned his hand to visual art. An exhibition of his paintings has opened in London? What will our panel make of it?
Do leave your own reviews below - or suggest other things you'd like us to look at in the weeks to come.
Comment number 1.
At 13th Jun 2008, WXMMatty wrote:John Harris is pure stupid. I you slate their lyrics because you don't understand them? They didn't make music for you to understand it they make music because they enjoy it not to sell to boring people like you. As for the Coldplay trying to do 20th century rock, since when did coldplay say 'we want to make 20th century rock? If you want to pay me and a bunch of mates to sit on tv having ago at band we dont even know about feel free to email me at [Personal details removed by Moderator] in sure we can do a better job than you. As for the 大象传媒, shame on you airing this. I pay for a TV license as you give us this. Not many people care about views especially when there from people with no reasoning. Im only 18 years old and im old enough to realise that was the worst analasys I have ever seen. What wage are these people on, I realy do need a job and as these people are jokes just give me a message if you have any work comming up. Thanks for reading, Matty
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Comment number 2.
At 13th Jun 2008, quitemooky wrote:This smug, spotty teenager review is a snoringly familiar muso-aren't-I-brilliant rant.
Lets remember John Harris and his waxy haired chum are reviewing a band who've outsold their brain cells by a ratio of 10 to 1.
He's clearly someone who only loves 'cool' and that in itself is disgustingly crass. Popular does not mean 'bad' and I'm sick of non-creative critics bashing entertainment giants.
Viva La Vida is very good. Ignore the dullard nay saying.
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Comment number 3.
At 13th Jun 2008, taStone wrote:Coldplay is music to put on when I don鈥檛 feel like listening to anything. It sells because they have a monopoly on the dinner party soundtrack. They are uncreative. Their lyrics and melodies have been stewed to death. Sonic Youth they are not.
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Comment number 4.
At 13th Jun 2008, diamonddailewis wrote:after watching newsnight review I was prompted to make a comment on Coldplay's new album. Coldplay, like most bands stick to a formula based on the production of money. Chris Martin has probably got something to say but the record company doesn't want to rock the boat so he, like many other bands produce work with poor lyrics and diction but with a catchy hookline that hopefully people will sing along to.
If you want to hear something with a bit of bite and words you can understand all the way through go here:
listen to: We are Murderers
Oh yes you can find the video by going here:
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Comment number 5.
At 13th Jun 2008, grimviewer wrote:One criteria I occasionally use for judging an art work is simply changing the context of it's presentation and imagine viewing the object/painting at a car boot sale.Looking at Bob Dylan's paintings,I think they would fit in quite well,and would probably go home with the person who took them there in the first place.
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Comment number 6.
At 14th Jun 2008, diamonddailewis wrote:yes I agree with grimviewer - lol. I'd also like to put Tracy Emin's drawings into the car boot pics that would probably be brought back home or burnt at the end of the day.
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Comment number 7.
At 14th Jun 2008, WahWahMan wrote:I think Mr Harris may have been fence-sitting with his views on Coldplay; he knows full well they are pure pap.
Also, the only reason they have not been sued by Kraftwerk or Sigur Ros is probably because they want no connection with such drivel.
(Vampire Weekend are crap too btw.)
:))
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Comment number 8.
At 14th Jun 2008, diamonddailewis wrote:The only Bob painting I would appreciate would be the one of him being a peace activist and then selling out. I'm not too sure how it would look, but I'm sure Bob would know.
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Comment number 9.
At 14th Jun 2008, diamonddailewis wrote:Oh yes he could do a good painting, perhaps he has, based around these lines, 'There's a battle out side and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. The times they are a changing' This work I would like, but pictures of girls and being on the road doesn't do it for me.
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Comment number 10.
At 14th Jun 2008, diamonddailewis wrote:I said 'only' in comment 8 but thinking about some of his lyrics that's not true. He's got some good pictures based around some of his good song lines, especially the older stuff. These would be the images I would like to see more so than the brief glimpse of his work on Newsnight review.
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Comment number 11.
At 14th Jun 2008, NeilBoom wrote:I defend John Harris's right to tear Coldplay apart, but what irritated me immensely (and prompted this blog post) was his constant interruptions and talking over the top of Natalie Haynes. She was politely waiting her turn to contribute, while Mr Loudmouth was only prepared to allow her a few seconds to get her interesting thoughts out. Better chairing is called for...
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Comment number 12.
At 14th Jun 2008, grimviewer wrote:David Hockney has been palying the guitar in his spare time over the past few years,he can play the open position C major,F major,Gmajor,Dmajor,A major and E major chordsas wellas E7 and C7.He will be holding a concert at the Barbican in the summer.
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Comment number 13.
At 14th Jun 2008, Inherent wrote:Coldplay might play" tunes" to whistle along to but to call them playing music well thats another thing
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Comment number 14.
At 14th Jun 2008, tavella wrote:Last night's programme was not so much a a discussion as a shouting contest.
John Harris in particular liked the sound of his own opinions and repeatedly spoke over the comments of the other contributors. It's a pity he didn't say anything worth listening to.
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Comment number 15.
At 15th Jun 2008, dennisjunior1 wrote:COLDPLAY: I have listen to there music, in the past and sometimes now from to time.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK: I hope it gets good reviews.
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Comment number 16.
At 17th Jun 2008, hotstatic wrote:Coldplay have successfully managed to establish their own destinctive sound and creative style. I've been impressed with all four of their albums and feel they have produced some of the best material of the last decade. They have demonstrated that they share the endurance and consistency of seminal artists such as Weller, The Smiths, The Small Faces, Bowie and Morrissey.Their latest offering is in many ways their greatest to date and should be recognised as such, regardless of personal tastes. I myself, am not a huge fan of Coldplay, but recognise their obvious talent for song writing and originiality in an age of crass, manufactured, monotonous sheeet.
viva la Coldplay = )
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Comment number 17.
At 17th Jun 2008, dursun wrote:Don't know who Coldplay is, but I heard someone say they were Radiohead for dumb people.
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Comment number 18.
At 17th Jun 2008, Sarah wrote:I own all of the Coldplay albums and enjoy most of their songs. I hadn't felt the need to see them live as to be honest I didn't think that they were entirely worth it. I have also bought their new album and once again enjoying it so far I still didn't think I should buy tickets to see them.
Having said that, I came across two tickets for the 大象传媒 Radio1 gig last night and went along to enjoy it but not expecting much. Chris Martin, who seems to be the root cause of most people's anti Coldplay feelings, may come across as whiny and weird in the media but I found him to be anything but.
He commands the stage, is extremely energetic, he laughs and jokes and shares banter with the audience which is not always the case with some frontmen.
I have a feeling that the excellent title track, Viva La Vida, will be played for many many years to come, and for me was the highlight of the intimate gig last night.
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