Skip to content

LOOKING FOR A NEW ENGLAND

Written By:

Martin Unsworth
new england

Following on from the brilliant Psychedelic Celluloid, author Simon Matthews takes us on a journey through the films influenced by and featuring the seventies and early eighties’ rock stars.

The seventies were a turbulent time socially. Strikes, power cuts, predatory DJs with primetime TV shows – everything seemed bleak. Fortunately, a growing youth movement made listening to music and watching films became more than a beige pastime. Mathews’ book takes us through the various fashions and subjects that formed the backbone of the way cinema reacted and capitalised on what was happening in the music world.

As the book takes us through the years, the UK’s cultural history is put into perspective; musical genres like punk that are posthumously revered are not seen with the rose-tinted glasses some pundits view the era. Everything is presented with interesting facts and geek-like attention to detail (chart positions for the hits, for example). Matthews takes us through the way both pop culture and counterculture defined the output of film and TV. Among the numerous points is how a former Beatle almost singlehandedly saved the British film industry – for a while, at least.

Being led through the decade of the mid-‘70s to ‘80s is dazzling. From the viewpoint of someone who was there, it’s remarkable how many of the titles (of both films and music) are instantly memorable. The mere mention of them in the text brings us back to seeing the movies advertised, or even going to see them. Films that are never usually mentioned and deservedly so (we’re looking at you, The Music Machine) are given some cultural worth even if it’s only as a document of a landscape that has completely changed. The hindsight perspective allows Matthews to filter the fads and make sense of the ridiculousness that we put up with. (We will agree that Slade in Flame is an overlooked classic.) The book provides an informative account of the decline of the British film industry – a victim of government policy – and, in the final chapter that looks beyond the remit of the title, the rebirth of pop and a neutered ‘swinging London’ with the Cool Britannia phase. What comes around goes around.

Anyone with interest in UK film or music will find Looking for a New England fascinating.

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More