This month Director of Studies at Communicate School, Chris Tabor, tell us his top picks…
“It’s very difficult to talk about your favourite book, music or film as your favourite can change over time and is often governed by where you are and who you are with at the time. This especially applies to music as the effect of a song can influence your emotions depending on the setting you are in.
Here are some of my favourites from the last 50 years or so:
Books
A couple of books of notable mention are Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally and the Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Both these books were subsequently made into films but by reading the book first, you can create your own cinematic imagery in your head making it more personal to yourself. I usually always find reading the book is much better than watching the film.
Films
There are so many films that I could talk about here, but I will narrow it down to two. Memento starring Guy Pearce And directed by Christopher Nolan. The second is Pulp Fiction with its massive cast and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Both films jump around in time piecing the plot together like a jigsaw. These are my two favourite directors.
Music
This category is the most difficult to pinpoint a favourite! Musical taste can change with age and experience, and I find it impossible to talk about one favourite song. I’m going to give you a playlist of 10 songs/arrangements that I think you should listen to. Taste in music is subjective and personal and there are hundreds of songs that should be on this list, but in no particular order… (Please don’t judge me! 😊)”
- The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (2008 Remaster) – YouTube
- The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Official Video) – YouTube
- Foo Fighters – On The Mend – YouTube
- Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings – YouTube
- U2 – Bad (Live Aid 1985) – YouTube
- The Stone Roses – Love Spreads – YouTube
- Niall Horan, McFly, James Arthur, Olly Murs – Shine A Light (Live Performance) – YouTube
- Depeche Mode – Home (Official Video) – YouTube
- Queen – Somebody To Love – Milton Keynes 1982 – YouTube
- Labelled With Love – Squeeze Lyric Video – YouTube