Itâs a close call, but The Red Shoes is my favourite Kate Bush album; a record which really is all killer and no filler. This is her most pop-sounding album, not that necessarily being a bad thing as pop music is an art form itself, while the album still has Kateâs stamp of unusualness. The back cover of the album shows an array of fruit which is appropriate as The Red Shoes contains some of her most rich compositions. Bush was going through emotional turmoil at the time of the recordâs production with a series of personal bereavements and it shows on the album. The album has both the happiest and saddest songs of her career with songs of both despair and hope.
To discuss the happy side of the album, the lead single Rubberband Girl feels very distant from the grace of Running Up That Hill or The Sensual World; instead, this is probably the most danceable song Kate Bush has ever done. If Kate Bush was going to do at least one song which echoes a mainstream pop dance song, at least it still has her trademark weirdness. Concurrently, If Kate had to outdo the epic nature of This Womenâs Work with another haunting cinematic in nature ballad then she certainly achieved that with Moments of Pleasure; a song about the journey of life itself with every lyric being a piece of powerful imagery. Thereâs no point even identifying any single examples, all the lyrics to this song are so majestic. Â Eat the Music is her most erotic song, loaded with sexual imagery in a seemingly innocent tune. Constellation of the Heart on the other hand, what a jam! This regularly appears on lists of worst/least best Kate Bush songs, but sorry, I absolutely love it. Why Should I Love You? features Prince on back vocals, and itâs clear he definitely had a part to play in this songâs evolution with the final product feeling like something out of Paisley Park; not that thereâs anything wrong with that. I highly recommend listening to the un-Princed demo; I find both are excellent in their own way. The vocals on the demo are haunting even if the song does meander a bit; the album version tightens it up. Big Stripy Lie is the least pop/most avant-garde song on the album, one which isnât pleasant to listen to but itâs not supposed to be; it is, after all, Kate taking on organised religion. The title track of the album continues the line of Kateâs Celtic-infused songs, and in my view one of her most energetic; I donât know about you but this song gets me pumped every time I hear it.
Moving away from Happy Street to Depression Alley, this selection of sad songs on The Red Shoes contains some of Bushâs most powerful vocal performances from the impassioned plea in Top of the City (a song which may be about literally about suicide) to The Song of Solomon (her only song in which she curses). But if you think The Song of Solomon is sad bastard music then you ainât heard Youâre the One. What strikes me about this song is that there is no hidden meaning; the lyrics and obvious and direct. Right from the first line, âItâs alright Iâll come round when youâre not in, and Iâll pick up all my thingsâ, you know what youâre in for. Itâs such a desperate song and she sure saved the most tragic track for the end of the album. Every song on The Red Shoes is a fascinating piece of work; a rare album in which I can say I find every song memorable.
The songs on The Red Shoes were given more of a live band feel as it was proposed Kate would tour the album. Sadly this never materialised but what we got in its place was a 40-minute film featuring a selection of songs from The Red Shoes. This short film, directed and starring Bush herself would be  The Line, The Cross and The Curve. For anyone who is a fan of Kate Bush and her Kate Bush-isms, this film is pure nirvana. Granted Kateâs acting isnât the greatest but it's still Kate, I could watch her in a feature-length film and still be completely entranced even if her acting is dodgy (ok, Iâll try and keep the fanboy sentiment aside). It seems hard to believe this is Kate Bushâs first (and only) foray as a film director as the direction itself is superb. Itâs a low-budget film but that doesnât get in the way. Ok, the shot of her legs moving uncontrollably is a rather poor special effect and unintentionally funny but you could see it as part of the filmâs camp appeal which has always been an element of Kate Bushâs work (dancing devils anyone?). The film is full of breathtaking imagery and recaptures the warm and soft colours reminiscent of Powell and Pressburger and even the ending is suspenseful. Itâs a shame this was Kate Bushâs only foray into filmmaking; she later dismissed the film as âa load of bollocksâ. How can an artist create such a powerful piece of work but for them to think little of it themselves? Unfortunately, this would be the last weâd see of Kate for 12 years.
I'm currently working on a new project and maybe you could help me out.
It's pretty simple.
You just need to click on the link underneath and provide your 10 favorite movies.
www.listal.com/list/listals-100-films-see-before-614
Thanks in advance! :)
And out of all what film did you enjoyed the most?
I'm really interested in Broadway Bill since I saw it on your list. I really admire Warner Baxter. He just appeals to me. Would you tell me more about it?
please check my new poll
www.listal.com/list/listals-greatest-movies-performances
I just assumed (correctly) that she was some kind of weirdo who doesn't mind being covered with bees, so I watched the scene with a dread fascination wondering "What the HELL is she doing and why the hell isn't she freaked out???"
By the way, bees freak me out too!
I thought the movie actually was engaging earlier than that, when the crazy shit happened with the train. I've seen stuff like that in plenty of other movies, but it was still a "Whoa!" moment for me. The movie didn't lose me until the bee scene, it actually lost me a little later. =P
What a treat it must have been watching "Queen Christina" and "Ninotchka" all in one day, and what a coincidence that you should experience them so close to my first exposure to the latter. I don't think I could handle both in a single day...just too much awesomeness for a 24 hour period.
I'm currently coming off an emotionally draining second viewing of "Queen Christina", exactly 12 months after the first time I saw it. This just goes to show that some good things are even sweeter when you've waited a long time for them - this applies to your comments on my list too. I was wondering how you'd react to the list and your reaction did not disappoint. Cheers, mate!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C8-MhQk23U
I waited and waited for the "Lullaby of Broadway" scene which had been hyped up by you and others and when it came, I was just as bored by it as the rest of the movie.
I guess at this point I've seen enough of this guy's movies to feel like sometimes he's formulaic in a detrimental way. Also, I officially can't stand Dick Powell, especially when he sings.
This reminds me of how I felt last month after I watched the second part of Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad trilogy. The same formula that worked before is being used, yet somehow, the magic is missing.
This movie felt less inspired to me than than other Berkley stuff I've seen. Maybe I just missed Ginger Rogers. =) Anyway, since you always have so many recommendations...I'm sure I'll see another one that I like soon enough.
You loved it.
We both loved it.
*Raises arms dramatically*
YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU
LOOOOOOOOOOOOVED
IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so pissed that some of her films are lost. It means I'll never be able to get the satisfaction of reading 'You have seen 100% of this person's movies' on listal, since people added films even more lost than "The Divine Woman" to the database.
I've at least seen the couple of minutes of "The Divine Woman" that are available on DVD. Apparently the Swedish Film Institute found more of it in 2011. I want to go there someday and see those as well. Too bad the truly, completely lost ones won't ever be seen by me. Yes, I really wish I had a time machine so I could see them.
I had to stay up ridiculously late to watch "Mister Roberts", but it was worth the trouble. Unfortunately, I was too tired to make it a triple feature and watch "A Big Hand For The Little Lady" at 2:45 in the morning...another day perhaps.
By the way, I think I can now officially say you're the most generous voter on listal ever. You actually voted for a 'Best of' list with "Superbabies 2" on it! You are unbelievable! 99% of the time I just can't bring myself to vote for a list that gives even a little bit of praise to a movie I can't stand.
This is exactly what I want from a movie with an all-star ensemble cast: every actor given a character with good dialogue that plays to their specific strengths as a screen personality.
And I'm pretty sure Cagney in this movie is going to be my favourite angry ship captain ever. Yes, I like him even more than Bogie in "The Caine Mutiny" and Laughton in your beloved "Mutiny on the Bounty".
I guess I shouldn't be surprised because I love Cagney so much, but one can never be sure that they'll love a movie and its performances just because the cast features some favourite familiar faces. Thankfully, this seems to be one that's just as good as it looks on paper. =)
Sorry to hear about your computer. I know what that's like. I've been through excruciating computer problems over the years. I'm definitely going to make it a priority to track down that picture you recommended after I get home.
I edited my comment on your 'watched' list in response to your clarification that 'hate' is overstating your opinion. =) I agree that "Auntie Mame" ran too long.
I'm still interested in seeing "Papillion" because of its cast and reputation, even though several people with opinions I respect have made significant criticisms about it (i.e. you and Ebert).
Saturday promises to be a very cool day. I'm sure hearing from you then will make it even better.
Thanks for the vote and comment on my 'Julyary'. I can sympathize with your irritation towards the kid in "Walkabout", but I think you're exaggerating a bit. There's no way he was as infuriating as Jar Jar Binks. =P
I managed to avoid hearing about the "news" for awhile, then eventually it was unavoidable. I was having lunch with a friend in a restaurant and "the big event" was all over the TVs in there.
I've got a lot of love for "The Gay Divorcee", but not quite as much as you, I reckon. It's funny that you bring up the stalker thing, because I had a similar thought. For awhile I was thinking, "Wait a minute, isn't this behaviour kind of 'stalker-ish'?".
Fred and Ginger somehow made it work, though. I don't know if anyone else could have done that. I feel like Astaire was too sweet to come across creepy. I loved "Night and Day" too. Will discuss it and San Fran with you in more detail soon.
I was thinking of what you said when I watched it again recently and I can see how the early scenes could annoy some people. It gets REALLY good after that, so I say the sometimes overwritten beginning is worth enduring.
Unfortunately, it gets a little sloppy towards the end as well. What a creamy, delicious middle, though! =) I hope you at least enjoy that part. It's one of Miss Stanwyck's finest hours, even if the script eventually lets her down a bit.
I'd like to know what you think of "Elmer Gantry" as well. I had a chance to watch it on television once. Then, I found out about its running time and felt too lazy to give it a shot. =)