Posts by Luke Williamson
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Have to agree on vision I'm afraid. All the National Party stuff sounds like the same old shit recycled. Which I suppose it should be if they have any sort of philosophy they cling to. There just doesn't seem to be any sort of acknowledgment of how the country has evolved in the last 10 years and the exciting prospects of what we could achieve in the next 10. I'm not sure I could encapsulate it in a manifesto either but I "feel" it and I want someone in politics land to package that and sell it back to me. Oops, I'm scaring myself now.
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I think Jacquie Brown might be funny if you are "in" the media circle but for the rest of NZ, I think it is just mildly amusing and another case of our struggle to find any comedy in NZ that works on TV. I got one small chuckle during her interview with Bizzy (or Dizzy or whatever) and that was about it. Mind you, I only find Bro Town vaguely funny so maybe I'm in a world of my own. Loved Flight of the Conchords and can't resist Green Wing, just to place me on the funny map.
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HB Russell.
Wrt the health quackery, I've never been a believer in any of those cures or methods but I think it is best exemplified by that fact that no "health" medicines are supplied with child-proof lids. That's because they know that anyone can gobble as many as they like and there will be little or no effect. -
I can see I'm not the only one who spotted the Shazza O'Neill angle. Adoraable.
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"Um, Luke, I don't know if you're been paying attention but there was actually culture in New Zealand before 1999 -- jus' saying. And I find it rather ironic that people keep citing a multi-national corporate funded adaptation of a fantasy written by an Oxbridge professor half a century ago is cited as some great expression of national identity."
Craig, I was careful to say that it was building on an existing base. And I agree, it's not all about LOTR. However, LOTR has given a huge boost of confidence to everyone connected to the film industry in NZ, that they can have a career in film and it can be of an international standard. Same goes for folks like Fat Freddy's and NZ music in general - yes it existed before 1990 but I don't think there was the same atmosphere of freedom and real belief that you can follow your artistic dream and make a living both in NZ and overseas. It's epitomised by hearing NZ music on the radio and seeing ourselves on TV, e.g. Nick D in "Making Tracks" which I loved. I'm trying to say that I want a Minister in Government who is going to recognise these advances and build on them, not just go into holding pattern so that we can have a tax cut.
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Yes, agreed. That statement is too generalised.
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Wrt Owen Walker, it's meant to be about reform. Yes he needs to be responsible for the results of his actions but this is an 18-year-old man who has enormous potential, given the right direction and signals. Everyone needs to see a way out of the sticky situations in which they find themselves. The police and judge have shown him a way out, and slapped him with some significant penalties for someone of that age.
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Heard Chris Finlayson on Radio B today and I was rather underwhelmed. Spent a lot of time firing off cheap shots at Labour and justifying funding standing still under his watch (should he get to watch). No increase in funding means going backwards relative to inflation. Not convinced by this man yet but that's my first time hearing him. It's about vision for me and what has happened with arts in NZ over the last 10 years is a great thing. We have discovered an identity in film, music, theatre and art, and this has helped NZ build on the standard sport identity. I want to hear someone who is going to tell me how they will capitalise on this wonderful ground work and what they will do to further encourage the arts community. Tell me about the money later.
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Congrats on your sort of anniversary and wonderful stint at Listener Russell. Love your work . . . still!
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Agree that Baggs vid is fascinating. I'm reminded a little of the description (ironically) of friend's son who has ADD symptoms. The symptoms are opposite but he obviously picks up everything going on around him. His difficulty is in filtering out what is unnecessary for that particular point in time - he just gets overwhelmed by the environmental "noise" around him and tries to respond to it all.
Quick note to on the musical influences - fascinating to see Nick Drake turn up on so many lists like these now. Poor bloke could scarcely sell an album when he debuted and ended up committing suicide. My dad had two of his albums and we heard them a lot as I was growing up, then suddenly he was rediscovered in the 90s-2000s. I think that's nice and wish Nick could pop back for a quick concert.