1999 / Ebook / 112 pages / UK
****
I haven't read Ballard's novel to rate it against Cronenberg's damaged film (curiously unarousing even at thirteen), but when the academic write-up has more artistry than the selected quotes, Sinclair's Crash wins. I hope the BFI made a habit of hiring proper writers to bang on about films they like, they're on to a winner.
2005 / Ebook / 88 pages / UK
***
It's always good to go into films blind, but when the background is clearly more interesting than the content, to the point of distraction, you're better off skipping to the "what I was doing there..." and appreciating retrospectively on principle so you don't have to actually sit through the thing.
2005 / Audiobook / 158 pages / USA
****
Aspirational lifestyle drama in the throbbing vein of American Psycho. High-octane neon noir thrills all the way, until it slows down at the end and reality catches up to spoil the fun.
2012 / Audiobook / 147 pages / USA
***
Drive leaves you wanting more by design, so I carried on to the customarily unnecessary sequel. Older, slower and paranoid, I enjoyed the change of pace. More reckless thrills would have been boring.
2006 / Audiobook / 161 pages / USA
***
Biographical background and speculations about a bunch of songs. It's not something you really need a guide to help you appreciate, but they even have ones for Andrew W.K. and New Kids on the Block, so it'd be weird to skip him.
