So the mail wasn’t running yesterday and my girlfriend had the day off so I sort of also had the day off to hang out with her. I managed to post to this blog, hand in a column, edit an article, and meet with an editor, but I also managed to go for a drive, do a bit of shopping, take a walk on a gloomy winter afternoon across an abandoned airfield, and grab some oysters and beer at a cozy bar. I’m not sure how we started talking about it, but the subject of Michael Winterbottom’s genius 2002 sort-of-rockumentary came up. I’ve got the DVD, but it’s currently in storage, but by the time we got home I was determined to find it online. Luckily, some good folks have posted the movie to YouTube just in time for us to celebrate its 15th anniversary. This movie is mostly a biopic of Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, but the continuous speaking to camera makes this musical/drama feel like a documentary. Add in cameos by many of the actual people being portrayed in the film and you’ve got a mixed up, druggy, dance-able classic of a rock film. This movie celebrates the great city of Manchester and the rise of rave culture, and it’s also one of Steve Coogan’s funniest films. Let’s have one last party before we end the holidays? Here’s 24 Hour Party People…

Stay Awake!

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