The purveyor of an energetic, playful pop, Eugene McGuinness has made a name for himself creating rich melodies, complex harmonies and odd lyrics. Signed to the Domino label at the age of only 22, McGuinness has helped design a sound for young Britain, with influences that go from Scott Walker to his label mates Franz Ferdinand. Perhaps in an effort to be the coolest guy in the room, Eugene McGuinness releases a single entitled ‘Fonz’ on 23 February 2009. He will be playing live throughout January and February, including a London show at White Heat at Madam Jojo’s on February 10. More details on his MySpace and on the Domino website. Here are some movies that have helped shape his life. LUCY HURST
1- Rope (1948)
There are a couple of Hitchcock films that I’ve seen recently, but this one blew me away the most. It felt like I was watching a play in a grand theatre. It is set entirely in a character’s flat and the simplicity of the story only further demonstrates how wonderful the script is.
2- A Room for Romeo Brass (2000)
I’m a massive Shane Meadows fan. Paddy Considine is easily one of the best British actors at the moment. It’s a pretty dark film but its depiction of childhood, friendship and day-to-day adventures in the English suburbs rings true to me.
3- The Last Waltz (1978)
I first saw this when I was about 17 and I’ve barely stopped playing the DVD since – I’ve played it to death! I know every word, solo, facial twitch off by heart. Bob Dylan and Neil Young make appearances, but Rick Danko and Levon Helm are the heart and soul of the film.
4- The Godfather (1972)
It’s the best one, even though Sonny dies. Sonny is easily my favourite character but Al Pacino is a master in the Italian restaurant scene.
5- Get Carter (1971)
I would like a suit like the one Michael Caine wears in this film. I trust it would have the desired effect. There are few cooler scenes than the one in which he walks into a pub in Newcastle and orders a beer, ‘in a thin glass’. The southerner sticks out like a sore thumb.
6- There Will Be Blood (2007)
I watched this in the cinema, drunk. I think that made it even better. It’s a massive film in a very subtle way. Daniel Day Lewis is my favourite actor, I mean you wouldn’t get Mark Lawrenson sporting a moustache in the same way. But that’s beside the point; the cinematography and soundtrack are stunning. Bowling would never be the same again.
7- The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005)
Another gangster film but this actor, Romain Duris, is brilliant. It’s set in the Parisian underworld and it’s all very gritty and seedy but it’s beautifully shot.
8- Factotum: A Man Who Performs Many Jobs (2005)
There are so many brilliant scenes in this horrifically funny and sad film. Henry Chinaski genuinely doesn’t give a shit; it’s all drink, sex and poetry. There is a moment between him and his father that is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen.
9- Jurassic Park (1993)
When I was seven, my dad took me to see Jurassic Park. We’d seen Ghostbusters and Home Alone 2 at the local Odeon in Gants Hill, but as a special treat dad took me to the Empire Leicester Square. It was amazing. Mind you, the scene when the two kids are in the car messed me up a bit.
10- The Deer Hunter (1978)
Chistopher Walken and Robert de Niro are at their very best and the Russian roulette scenes are astonishing. It sends out an extremely clear message about what war actually means. All the characters are so fully formed and real, it gets to the point where it stops feeling like a film and just becomes very sad.