Dexter: Season 3

I was introduced to Dexter about eighteen months ago, being drawn into series one episode by bloody episode, admiring the unique twists and sheer audacity of the premise with relish. That first series was so complete that, at the time, I was hoping the producers would call it a day there and then and leave it alone to go down in cult TV history. But the show was too successful, its fanbase steadily building, the word of mouth spreading, and a second series soon appeared.

It took me a while, then, to accept the presence of series two - and took me some time to accept the story lines they had chosen, always thinking it weaker than its predecessor in the early episodes. Eventually, however, the charm of the superb Michael C. Hall, as our blood-thirsty anti-hero with a killer code, rose to the fore and the climax was irresistible! By then season three had already begun stateside (Showtime), so it wasn't long before I began a weekly quest to find the new episodes as they appeared.

Which means that, currently, it is the only TV show I follow with any real enthusiasm - I've tried a few others but they just don't work as well for me: scripts, acting, humour, tension - all other shows fall behind Dexter in every category. The secret of course is that only we can hear this "monster's" inner thoughts, share his secrets... We are his only friend, we go through every emotion and painful decision with him, and we love him! We want him to kill - need it as much as he does sometimes... And that the writing and central performances are good enough to allow us to feel that is exceptional.

If you haven't seen it yet my advice would be not to simply dip in now in season 3 (available on ITV soon) but to start at the beginning of series one. Dexter's journey is crucial to understanding his plight - the more you know about him and the people in his life the more you will appreciate each weekly dilemma as it comes anew. Right now I am up to speed at episode 9 of 12. If it goes as it has in seasons 1 and 2, the pace is about to be jacked up considerably... and I can't wait! Go Dex!

Waltz With Bashir

What better way to inject new life into The Wasteland than with something of unquestionable quality? Something guaranteed to make it into many people's lists, including mine, of their favourite pieces of art in 2008. And, yes, it most certainly is art, not simply a film... Trust me!

Israeli director Ari Folman's interpretation of events in 1982, of which he was part and struggles in the narrative to recreate his memories of, is a truly original piece of work - it is animation, it is a documentary and it is a feature film, but combined these elements become something so much more... For want of something less pretentious (which does it's anything but pretentious achievement a dis-service) it is... An Experience. To try to explain what it is about or what it is like is totally pointless. Go and see it, let it carry you along and see where you end up. That's all.

I can say this: the animation is superb! At times it appears 3D, taking the breath away, and at others it seems as if new colours have been invented and you are seeing them for the first time! I hear that following its narrow failure to pick up the Palme D'Or at Cannes this year, it has been entered in the best animation category at the Oscars next year. It would not be inappropriate to see it in the best film category, full stop. So as it is in this lesser category, up against much lighter fare, it is another case for me of it either wins or I stop watching the Oscars!

The nature of memory, and of trauma are interesting indeed. I can remember only one other film that has moved me so much this year, and that too was a documentary - the inimitable Man On Wire. Although this film absolutely reinvents the documentary form, building a bridge between dry fact, entertainment and meaning. My end of year top ten is going to look quite different this time, it seems.

Back Again... Maybe.

So, yes, it's been a while. This happens, I find. It all seems like a good idea, and then I get disillusioned and think "Ah, what's the point? Who reads this doggerel anyway...? It's just a waste of my time - get a life!" Then months later I think "Hang on, you are still doing the same things: watching a lot of films, listening to music, reading books, basically wasting time - and the point of this blog was to document that and get a bit of writing practice in at the same time - so why not fire it up again...?"

The problem has always been that it's difficult to keep it up, and once you (I mean I when I say you) fall behind it becomes impossible to catch up. So it was in May, I remember, having a list of about twenty things I wanted to talk about - films mostly - and just getting bogged down to the point of giving up. So this time I'm not going to worry about that... if something goes astray I will just let it go! And yeah, there have been some amazing cultural high points twixt May and December (almost) but so be it: that time has gone and a new year, full of intrigue and promise is just around the corner!

I make no promises how often I will get to jot things down, then, but I hope to keep some kind of even pace. Thanks for dropping by.