David M. Brown's Blog, page 107

Book review: After the Fog – Kathleen Shoop

About After the Fog

[image error]Source: I received a copy in exchange for my fair and honest review

Rose Pavlesic is a straight-talking, gifted nurse who is also controlling and demanding. She has to be to ensure her life is mistake-free and to create a life for her children that reflects everything she missed as an orphaned child. Rose has managed to keep her painful secrets buried in her past, away from her loving husband—who she discovers has secrets of his own—their dutiful children and their large extended, complicated family.

But, as a stagnant weather cycle works to trap poisonous gasses from the three mills in town, Rose’s nursing career thrusts her into a conflict of interest she never could have fathomed—putting the lives of her loved ones at risk. As the fog thickens, Rose’s neighbors are dying; thousands of people in the community are becoming increasingly ill. Rose is faced with decisions that can destroy her carefully constructed House of Pavlesic and reveal its true character.

Amazon US  Amazon UKReview: After the Fog

Rose Pavlesic is a very together woman – on the surface. Devoted to her role of Community Nurse, Rose finds the problems of the townspeople quickly overwhelm her thoughts. Luckily, her family are all headed in the right direction so there’s nothing there to worry about… or so she thinks. However, Rose is about to find that pre-emptive care doesn’t only apply to nursing – and sometimes you need to look after your own above anyone else.

Set against the backdrop of the real life tragedy of the Donora Smog (1948), After the Fog tells the story of Rose and her family – ordinary, hardworking people, trying to make their way in a town where obstacles are rife. From the huge disaster of the Donora Smog, to lack of funding in the town, to general prejudice and misunderstanding, the challenges are many.

I thought After the Fog was an excellent read and the amount of research that Kathleen Shoop must have put in is evidenced by the excellent attention to detail within the story. Shoop must have researched the Donora history, the 1948 smog event and mid-twentieth century nursing thoroughly to have produced such an excellent piece of historical fiction.

In addition, Shoop shows great skill in writing a main character – Rose – who is not entirely likeable, yet who still elicits a great deal of empathy. It’s easy to judge Rose as being absorbed in her work, taking her family for granted and so forth. Yet by the end of the book it seems impossible not to care about Rose and we have a much clearer understanding of the character.

If I dealt in half scores, this would – without doubt – be 4.5. As it is, it’s certainly a very solid and well deserved 4 out of 5. This is a great book, with a wonderful story and Shoop is certainly a writer to keep an eye on in the future.

Book review: After the Fog – Kathleen Shoop | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Film Review: Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

There have been some brilliant prison dramas in film history, the best probably being The Shawshank Redemption (1994), but there are many other notable ones I have yet to see. Mrs B recommended Stuart Rosenborg’s 1967 film Cool Hand Luke and having read the synopsis I was intrigued both by the film and how it would stand up today.

The film begins with Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) arrested after being found drunk on the streets and cutting the heads off parking meters. Luke is sentenced to time at a rural prison camp where the inmates are watched over by the ruthless Captain (Strother Martin) who incidentally has the film’s most famous line. Luke is initially scorned by Dragline (George Kennedy), the leader of the prison inmates, but over time Luke’s refusal to conform to the prison system and his daring escape attempts make him something of a folk hero amongst his peers but does he escape for good in the end or is Luke eventually broken by prison?

After his early arrest Luke is quickly taken to prison along with a group of other newcomers and in an amusing opening we hear the list of rules the inmates have to abide by. For every rule we learn that transgressors “spend a night in the box,” a harsh solitary confinement with a pot and tin for toiletry requirements being a prisoner’s only company. Luke is revealed to be a war hero, which initially sees him mocked by the other prisoners especially after his first day away from the prison working on the roads. Gradually, Luke begins to win over the other prisoners with his good humour and defiance of the prison authority. His biggest challenge is winning the respect of Dragline who challenges him to a fight one Saturday – this is the designated day of the week when prisoners who have grudges and arguments to settle can do so with their fists and the guards won’t intervene unless it gets serious. Dragline is superior in strength to Luke and proceeds to give him a fierce beating but every time Luke is knocked down he simply stands again to have another beating. Dragline reaches the point where he walks away with a bloodied Luke still on his feet having now gained admiration from the other prisoners.

The searing heat is emphasised greatly at the prison where the men are sweating in their bunks or dripping with moisture working on the roads, where they have to ask permission to remove their shirts. Prison life is depicted brutally here and the lives the men are missing not being free are conveyed brilliantly when a young woman emerges from her house in a short dress and proceeds to wash her car, soap hitting her as much as the car, while the deprived prisoners look on with admiration and longing. While the prisoners are settled into a routine they are given excitement with the masterstrokes of Luke. He gets his name Cool Hand Luke by winning a poker game with a poor hand and even wins the challenge of eating 50 boiled eggs in an hour – it’s agonising watching him go through this challenge. Even more memorable is when the men are working on the road, following a truck spilling tar onto the surface which has to be covered with dirt. What should be a job that lasts all day is completed with a couple of hours to spare thanks to Luke urging the prisoners on. As a result the men are free to do nothing in the sunshine for at least two hours, a taste of heaven for them all. Luke, however, is not content with prison life and after a visit from his dying mother, whose funeral he isn’t allowed to attend, Luke makes some escape attempts, always being brought back. In an unforgettable scene he is chained before the other prisoners and the Captain utters those immortal words, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”

Cool Hand Luke becomes more painful after Luke makes his second escape attempt and is put through severe punishments by the prison guards. Asked to dig a hole in the yard, Luke completes the work only to be asked what all the dirt is doing in the yard. After Luke fills in the hole he is then told to dig again! Eventually Luke collapses and pleads for mercy. His fellow inmates had been watching in admiration up until this point but once he shows weakness they turn their backs on him. After being taken back to join the other prisoners not one will help an exhausted Luke into his bunk and he can only collapse on the floor. It seems Luke has been broken by the prison guards at last but there is still a stubborn fire burning deep within him. The ending is memorable and tragic but rounds off a fantastic film that has a terrific starring performance from Paul Newman with George Kennedy a worthy co-star as the jovial and tough Dragline. The film is a reminder of how in some respects justice was correct in having prisoners work during their sentences and give something back to society but the brutalisation many go through is too much. Such harsh treatment is what has left our prisons in a sorry state today where many criminals enjoy luxuries and are not really reformed. Cool Hand Luke depicts prison life where criminals would be desperate not to go back, a far cry from what we have today.

Cool Hand Luke is a terrific prison drama with Newman exceptional in the lead. Luke is undoubtedly a criminal but you’ll still find yourself behind him as he continually defies the prison guards. Despite some moments that are difficult to watch this film is still a must-see.

Verdict: 9/10

Film Review: Cool Hand Luke | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Inspire Me Monday: May 21st – Welcome to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

[image error] ‘Inspire Me Monday’ is a weekly creative blog hop run by The Paper Princess at Create with Joy.

The prompt question: What’s Inspiring You This Week?

We’ve been inspired to combine our two blogs (Book Bags and Cat Naps run by Donna and The World According to Dave run by… erm… Dave). The end result is Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave!

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We’re very excited to be blogging together and have a joint venture and also hope it will free up some time to cover more books and films. Fingers crossed!

Inspired this week?  Leave me a comment and let me know what by!

Inspire Me Monday: May 21st – Welcome to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Awww…Mondays – May 21st – You talkin’ to me?

This week (and every week!) we’ll be taking part in Awww…Mondays, posting a weekly dose of cuteness.  To find out more about ‘Awww….Mondays’, click here. [image error]

 

This is Charlie in ‘Mob Boss’ mode!

Leave a comment and let us know what made you go ‘Awww’ this Monday!

Awww…Mondays – May 21st – You talkin’ to me? | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Guest post: Music, Magic, and ‘Dancing Naked in Dixie’ – Lauren Clark

I’m delighted to welcome Lauren Clark to the site today.  Lauren is the author of Stay Tuned (and you can read my review here) and new title Dancing Naked in Dixie.

Guest post: Music, Magic, and Dancing Naked in Dixie

There’s something magical about a favorite song or music that creates a flood of memories whenever you hear the first few notes or the first line of the lyrics.

For Dancing Naked in Dixie, which centers on the first blush of romance for Julia Sullivan and Shug Jordan, I’ve put together a list of TOP TEN ‘love’ songs for the Dixie playlist.

First, though, here’s the synopsis of the story:

Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.

With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she’s offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.

Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia’s story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage? 

Dancing Naked in Dixie ‘Love Songs’ Playlist

1) “I Melt” – Rascal Flatts
 Romantic Lyric:
“Don’t know how you do it. I love the way I lose it, every time. What’s even better is knowing that forever you’re all mine.” 
From the album Melt

2) “I Still Believe in You” – Vince Gill
 
Romantic Lyric:
“I still believe in you, with a love that will always be standing so strong and true. Baby, I still believe in you and me.”
 From the album I Still Believe in You

3) “I Walk The Line” – Johnny Cash
 
Romantic Lyric:
“You’ve got a way to keep me on your side. You give me cause for love that I can’t hide.”
 From the album The Essential Johnny Cash

4) “No Place That Far” –  Sara Evans Romantic Lyric: “If I had to run, if I had to crawl, if I had to swim a hundred rivers, just to climb a thousand walls. Always know that I would find a way, to get to where you are. There’s no place that far.” From the album No Place That Far

5) “Raining On Sunday” – Keith Urban Romantic Lyric:“Baby whatever comes Monday can take care of itself. ‘Cause we’ve got better things that we can do, when it’s raining on Sunday.” From the album Golden Road

6) “Somebody Like You” – Keith Urban Romantic Lyric:“When you put your arms around me, you let me know there’s nothing in this world I can’t do.” From the album Golden Road

7) “I Fall To Pieces” – Patsy Cline
 Romantic Lyric:
“I fall to pieces each time someone speaks your name.”

8) “I Swear” – John Michael Montgomery
 
Romantic Lyric:
“For better or worse. Till death do us part. I’ll love you with every beat of my heart. I swear.” 
From the album Love Songs

9) “I Will Always Love You” – Dolly Parton
 (or the Whitney Houston version, which I prefer) Romantic Lyric:
“I do wish you joy, and I wish you happiness. But above all this, I wish you love.” 
From the album Love Songs

10) “I Love the Way You Love Me” – John Michael Montgomery
 Romantic Lyric:
“I like the feel of your name on my lips. And I like the sound of your sweet gentle kiss.”
 From the album Life’s a Dance

What do you think? Is there a favorite love song that should be included with this list?

 

About the book [image error]

Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.

With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she’s offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.

Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia’s story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage? 

Amazon US  Amazon UK  Amazon ES  Nook About the author[image error]

Lauren Clark is the author of Stay Tuned and Dancing Naked in Dixie. She writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.

A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

Website  Goodreads  Twitter  Facebook

 

Guest post: Music, Magic, and ‘Dancing Naked in Dixie’ – Lauren Clark | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

New Horizons: Welcome to Tweedling

Whenever I mention Mrs B to anyone I like to emphasise that the two of us are very much a team. Without her I wouldn’t have been able to fulfil my writing dream for she is my harshest critic,  my publicist but most importantly my wonderful wife.

I have maintained my blog, The World According to Dave, for two years and, since September, Mrs B has been working on her own blog, Book Bags and Cat Naps. My focus has generally been on reviews mostly films, but sometimes games and books. Mrs B has always focussed on books and writing, in particular, supporting indie authors of which she does an amazing job.

As an indie author myself I have had some amazing support from authors and book bloggers in the indie community and though I’m always happy to assist others I do feel I could do a lot more. I’ve been considering opening my blog up to guest posts and interviews but then I had another idea.

After much discussion (about five minutes to be honest!), Mrs B and I have decided to combine our respective blogs and to bring you Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave. Our joint venture will cover indie authors, books, films, games and cats.

We’ll remain open to any indie authors or bloggers that wish to guest post, be interviewed or send a review copy. It just seemed right to combine our respective expertise – Mrs B’s support and knowledge of the indie community and my, well…I’ll get back to you on that one.
Sadly, it’s goodbye to Book Bags and Cat Naps and The World According to Dave, but a big hello to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave. The quality and frequency of the content won’t change, just the location!

New Horizons: Welcome to Tweedling | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Film Review #101: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

With prices for cinema tickets now reaching ridiculous heights it's not often I will treat myself to a new release unless it's something I simply cannot wait for. Instead, I'm happy to content myself with a cheap DVD or a film on TV which may have slipped through my critical net and, believe me, there have been far too many. Whether the films featured here are recent or old I'll still be providing my honest opinion on them and, with the benefit of hindsight in many cases, may offer a slightly different take to contemporary reviewers.

 

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

There have been many remarkable writers in history. I remember reading something about Kerouac writing On The Road in a week but then we have ELLE Magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who managed to write a novel following a stroke which left him paralysed save the use of one eye! Julian Schnabel's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, which takes its name from Bauby's book, recreates his life following that stroke and the path that led to him writing an acclaimed novel.

Bauby (Mathieu Amalric) suffers a stroke in 1995 when aged 42 and as a result he suffers with "locked-in syndrome," the ability to still think and be aware but with paralysis preventing the ability to express anything through verbal communication. Bauby wakes after his stroke to hear doctors surrounding him and discussing how best to treat him. He begins with the use of both eyes but the right one isn't working properly and consequently it is sewn closed to avoid drying out and to eliminate the risk of possible infection. Bauby is left with the use of just his left eye and remarkably he is able to communicate with people by blinking. The letters of the alphabet are read to him and he blinks whenever the appropriate letter is reached, each turn painstakingly written down so Bauby can communicate. The film deals with the aftermath of Bauby's stroke initially, but then changes between the present and past as Bauby decides to write a book about his life and condition and we see flashbacks of the handsome journalist in his prime amidst a relationship with the mother of his children and in the arms of a mistress.

The film begins from the first person perspective of Bauby as he first opens his eyes and finds himself in hospital. We hear his thoughts expressed but, of course, no can hear him. A speech therapist is called in to help Bauby express his thoughts and the film soon changes so we move out of Bauby's mind and into the outside world where we can see him properly for ourselves. It's an intriguing opening designed to help us feel and understand what it must be like for people who have been struck down by "locked-in syndrome." Bauby's girlfriend is by his side from the start though he doesn't wish to have his children see him the way he is. It seems a good relationship but as the film progresses we learn a lot about Bauby who is an editor for Elle Magazine and prior to his stroke had been contracted to rewrite The Count of Monte Cristo but with a female protagonist. After a self-defined period of wallowing, Bauby decides to get on with life and write a book about his experience.

During the lengthy writing process we bear witness to Bauby's memories, his poignant relationship with his father, a fractious affair with another woman and there are even some fantasies thrown in as his mind and imagination remain very active. The title of the film and indeed the book are beautifully conveyed here. Bauby provides the image of a man in a deep-sea diving suit with a brass helmet hanging on the end a wire in the water, completely immobile and helpless, and this becomes the "Diving Bell" of the title. The "Butterfly" refers to the spirit and mind of Bauby that is alive and well and manages to overcome his prison and express himself through words. It was a long process for Bauby to write his book but the film is never monotonous in its depiction of his journey to publication.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was fascinating throughout and you have to have nothing but admiration for Bauby's achievement. This is not to say he was a good man. In one of the most uncomfortable moments you'll ever see in film history, a telephone call comes to Bauby's room from his mistress with only his girlfriend present to relay his response. After asking her to leave the room for a minute, Bauby hears declarations of love from his mistress before having the mother of his children write his response. Bauby's message is an equal declaration of love for his mistress and the promise he will wait for her even though she has said she can't see him in his current condition. The film concludes with the depiction of Bauby's stroke and the moving moment he learns that the publication of his book has been met with great success and acclaim. Sadly, Bauby died just ten days after his book's release from pneumonia and he had planned to write another.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is an absorbing depiction of the life of Jean-Dominique Bauby. While his achievement is without question and his plight very sad, the film never tries to portray Bauby as a hero and saint. His flaws are all revealed and this makes for a more realistic film. Very moving in places, this is an excellent drama that really makes you feel like you're living in Bauby's powerful mind that managed to overcome the paralysis of his body. Highly recommended.

Verdict: 9/10

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Film Review #100: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

With prices for cinema tickets now reaching ridiculous heights it's not often I will treat myself to a new release unless it's something I simply cannot wait for. Instead, I'm happy to content myself with a cheap DVD or a film on TV which may have slipped through my critical net and, believe me, there have been far too many. Whether the films featured here are recent or old I'll still be providing my honest opinion on them and, with the benefit of hindsight in many cases, may offer a slightly different take to contemporary reviewers.

 

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

I do love the concept of time travel and there have seen many films that have built their stories around this idea. The likes of Back to the Future (1985) and Donnie Darko (2001) are among my favourites but I'm always open to new takes on time travel and even plan to explore it in my own writing. Mamoru Hosoda's The Girl Who Leapt Through Time draws on the wishes of many teenagers at school who wish they could go back in time and change things.

The film focuses on student Makoto who is average at school and often late. She's at the age where students are starting to date though Makoto seems to shy away from such concerns, as do her two best friends Chiaki and Kosuke who she enjoys playing baseball with. One day Makoto discovers what appears to be a walnut in an empty classroom which she keeps hold of on her way home. Cycling down a hill, Makoto's brakes fail and she is hurled through the barriers at a level crossing into the path of a train and killed instantly! Seconds later Makoto emerges prior to the accident and discovers the walnut-shaped object has allowed her to jump through time. With the ability to travel back and change a few things, Makoto has many fun ideas ahead but she doesn't realise the impact her actions will have on others.

After briefly setting the scene and introducing us to the key characters we're quickly up and running with Makoto's death at a level crossing but having survived the accident thanks to a spot of time travel she soon finds there is a lot of fun to be had with making a few changes. Makoto improves her grades, engineers her way to arriving on time for school and even relives a karaoke session over and over again. All of a sudden life seems wonderful but complications soon arise. We're left wondering if Makoto has a secret crush on one of her two friends – Chiaki or Kosuke – but she ends up being matchmaker for Kosuke who informs his friends about a girl who likes him but he simply shrugs his lack of interest. This paves the way for Chiaki to ask Makoto out but she persistently leaps back in time to prevent this from happening!

As good as Makoto's life becomes she suddenly finds that her actions have an adverse impact on everyone else. An accident in class originally committed by her befalls another student thanks to her time leaping and the after effects are prolonged bullying for this unsuspecting victim! The film thankfully doesn't have Makoto enjoying unlimited time leaping. One day she finds a number tattoo on her wrist and as she continues to leap the number decreases, signifying how many more times she can time leap. Makoto's insistence on helping Kosuke get a girlfriend but spurning the advances of Chiaki leads to devastating consequences as the film reaches its conclusion and Makoto finally uses up the last of her time leaps.

The underlying message of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is certainly not a new one. Although many of us would like to be able to go back and change things in our past we often forgot about the paradoxes such changes would insert into the timelines. Everything we do will impact on others in one or way or another and the film conveys that really well. Makoto begins in a selfish manner using her gift for her own personal benefit but she gradually begins to realise that helping others is more rewarding and the damage her actions do need to be corrected no matter what price she has to pay. I'm always glad to try out other anime, though Studio Ghibli are the anime gods to me, and I found this particular film to be very enjoyable, especially with the dark twist waiting in the wings for Makoto.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time may not seem the most original of films but it addresses the benefits and issues that time travel brings. The development of Makoto as a character is well depicted and the shocking turn of events at the film's conclusion will be hard to predict for most audiences. This is well worth a look.

Verdict: 8/10

More from The World According to Dave

Film Review #68: The Time Traveller's Wife
Film Review #99: Stranger Than Fiction
Film Review #61: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Other reading you may enjoy:

Review: Blue Blood for Life – Stacy Eaton  (Book Bags and Cat Naps)
Review: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer  (Book Bags and Cat Naps)
Book Review | The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson  (Blue Archipelago Reviews)
Exit Through The Gift Shop: A Banksy Film (2010) – Review  (Custard)

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36 Lives #11

Long ago, in a Yorkshire town far, far away…

Four cats all living in the same house await the moment their two owners (who have their uses from time to time) leave for work so they can gather round and discuss current affairs. Everything from the Reformation to the irony of Cheryl Cole's "limp, lifeless" hair product adverts is covered once a month by the feline quartet. Your dramatis personae are:-

 

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Kain – Chair of the meetings, self-proclaimed leader and feline equivalent of Winston Churchill

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Razz – Perennially sour-faced but lovable rogue with a tendency to pick one too many fights

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Buggles – One-eyed charmer, the fastest eater in West Yorkshire, excited by life's trivial things

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Charlie – A born revolutionary, fiercely abhorrent to authority but always cute in his devastation

 

This month's topic is…

Guy Fawkes

Kain: Good evening fellow felines and welcome to the latest meeting.

Razz: You seem a bit shaky, Kain. Is everything okay?

Kain: Just this time of year. Fireworks are a bit of a menace and they can give you a fright if you're not prepared.

Charlie: Those aren't fireworks you moron. They're my expert troops laying siege to Wakefield. I've been planning the assault all year.

Buggles: I helped too. Charlie even let me hold the map.

Charlie: I told you to keep that to yourself, Buggles. I don't want rumours of favouritism spreading through my ranks. It always breeds dissension.

Buggles: I didn't realise it was the dissension mating season.

Razz: So you said something about fireworks, Kain?

Kain: Yes, as we're approaching November and the fireworks have started to sound I wanted today's meeting to be about a very important figure in history.

Buggles: Mickey Mouse? He's an important figure in history. I can never catch him though like you and Razz do other mice.

Razz: That's because he isn't real, Buggles. You keep clawing at the television!

Charlie: Mickey Mouse is very real, Razz. He's the head of a covert operation in Florida that is threatening to undermine my war effort. My spies initially located him at a military base known as Disney World but it turns out there's a Euro Disney as well. Mickey moves between the bases. Once I have the resources I will launch some missile attacks and hopefully take Mickey out!

Kain: Well, I'm not here to discuss Mickey Mouse, his head of intelligence Donald Duck or the high lord executioner Goofy. I'm here to talk about Guy Fawkes.

Buggles: A  guy called Forks. What a strange name. Utensil man, eh? Hang on! Is this like the four candles, fork handles sketch from the Two Ronnies?

Kain: No it isn't you imbecile. His first name is Guy, Buggles, and his surname is Fawkes. It is spelt F-A-W-K-E-S and has nothing to do with the kitchen utensil.

Charlie: Guy Fawkes must be a codename to confuse people. You arrest a guy and say what's your name so he fires back, "Guy" and you're like, "Whoa! Now I'm confused." I think this Guy Fawkes would make a welcome addition to my army.

Kain: I think that's unlikely.

Razz: Why would you say that?

Kain: He's been dead for four hundred years!

Buggles: It won't be easy for him to enlist in Charlie's army then?

Razz: If he's been dead for four centuries then I imagine it wouldn't be easy at all, Buggles. In fact I'm going to gamble on my next bowl of food now and say it's impossible!

Charlie: Nothing is impossible, Razz. This is why I don't recruit you in my army. You give up too easily. Anyway, tell me more about my future ally Kain.

Kain: Guy Fawkes was one of 13 conspirators that took part in the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.

Buggles: I likes a good plot. I'm confused about how appealing a story about gunpowder might be.

Razz: It sounds like an assassination plot, Buggles, not a bedtime story.

Kain: Correct Razz. Guy Fawkes took part in a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the Protestant King James I of England. Sadly for Mr Fawkes the plot was uncovered and he was discovered guarding the gunpowder.

Charlie: I'm not so sure about this Guy Fawkes for my army now. He sounds a bit careless.

Razz: I'm assuming he was tried and executed.

Kain: Yes. He was tortured first and confessed everything about the plot to kill James I. Guy Fawkes was later executed in January 1606.

Buggles: At least he got to enjoy Christmas.

Charlie: I've no time for Christmas in my army. This Guy Fawkes wouldn't last five minutes in my forces. We don't tolerate members that will break under interrogation. I train them over many months with the likes of Cheryl Cole CDs and audio books of War and Peace.

Razz: Why is this Guy Fawkes so significant?

Kain: Since the Gunpowder Plot it's become a tradition to have bonfires in this country on November 5th in honour of that day. In modern terms it's an excuse for friends and family to stand in a field next to a fire, drink lots of alcohol and watch firework displays.

Buggles: Did Guy Fawkes have a firework display? Is that why they arrested him for disturbing the peace?

Razz: Be quiet Buggles!

Kain: The fireworks are a later feature, Buggles. The tradition was to have a fire and we also now burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes though to begin with it was usually the Pope, a bit of a stab from the Protestants at the failed Catholic plot.

Buggles: They used to burn the Pope on a big fire every year!

Kain: Just an effigy, Buggles, a bit like a doll or dummy to you and me. It's more common for effigies of Guy Fawkes to be burned now.

Charlie: So Guy Fawkes continues to appear each year in the form of effigies and gets burnt a lot. Yet he keeps coming back for more! I've changed my mind, we need people like him in the army.

Razz: So that failed plot became an excuse for an annual celebration?

Kain: That's right and despite many conspirators it is Guy Fawkes that has become synonymous with that plot. There was a 2006 film V For Vendetta which had a rebel wearing a Guy Fawkes mask who planned to destroy the Houses of Parliament. Pretty good film it was too.

Razz: I remember that one. It had that saying.

Buggles: This sounds exciting.

Kain: It goes: "Remember, remember, the fifth of November, the gunpowder, treason and plot, I know of no reason, why the gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot."

Buggles: That's beautiful. What does it mean?

Razz: I wish you'd been executed in 1606, Buggles!

Kain: It's just a saying about the Gunpowder Plot, Buggles, and how we shouldn't forget about it.

Charlie: Plots to assassinate kings, fires and rhyming phrases. This is the sort of thing my army needs. When do these fires get started again?

Razz: November 5th!

Charlie: This is perfect. There will be fires all over the country. The perfect opportunity for me to strike at Burnley.

Kain: They're safe fires, Charlie, they're not being set by rioters or invading armies from the Dark Ages.

Charlie: Come on Buggles. We have much to do. An invasion to plan and I want Guy Fawkes' CV on my desk by Friday!

Buggles: Once you tell me what a CV is I'll get it!

Razz: Is it even worth the two of them attending these meetings?

Kain: Probably not, but it isn't much of a blog post without them is it?

Razz: Oh yes, I was forgetting about the blog post. Is this being written down?

Kain: Looks like it! Okay. Meeting adjourned before we say anything else embarrassing!

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Film Review #99: Stranger Than Fiction

With prices for cinema tickets now reaching ridiculous heights it's not often I will treat myself to a new release unless it's something I simply cannot wait for. Instead, I'm happy to content myself with a cheap DVD or a film on TV which may have slipped through my critical net and, believe me, there have been far too many. Whether the films featured here are recent or old I'll still be providing my honest opinion on them and, with the benefit of hindsight in many cases, may offer a slightly different take to contemporary reviewers.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

As a writer of fiction I do put my characters through some awful events, ordeals I would not wish on anyone but somehow they forgive me and continue to thrive on the pages. I'm not sure what I would say if I ever met any in person. Marc Forster's Stranger Than Fiction covers such an eventuality, having a writer struggling to complete a manuscript and every event depicted in it affecting someone in real life. It's an intriguing concept but is it any good?

The film follows the story of Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) who spends his days as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service. It's a thankless job as you can imagine but one which Harold devotes himself to. Harold's life changes when his next meeting is with a baker, Anna (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is a tad lax when it comes to her taxes but rather than being ruthless with her Harold finds himself drawn to the young woman. Even worse for Harold is the emergence of a voice that appears to be narrating his life though he has no idea where it is coming from. Things take a serious turn when Harold's watch stops and he has to reset it only to hear the narrator mention how this one event will lead to his untimely death!

Harold's sudden dilemma at having his life narrated is actually an exciting event as well as his meeting with Anna. Prior to this Harold is a somewhat sad character with nothing in his life other than his work so the sudden injection of a love interest shows promise but the narrator's insistence that Harold will soon die leaves the rest of the story on a knife edge. A psychiatrist at first argues Harold may have schizophrenia but offers the alternative suggestion that it could be a narrator. This claim is corroborated by university professor, Jules Hibert (Dustin Hoffman), who informs Harold he must try to locate the author but first he needs to figure out what sort of story the narrator is telling. Harold's approaching death points to a tragedy, his meeting with Anna could promise a romance but there are suggestions that this is a comedy as well.

Despite knowing that he will soon die Harold embraces what life he has left and begins to live a little. Taking time off work Harold enjoys time with Anna and learns to play the guitar. Any hope that he may avoid his death is shattered when by chance he identifies the narrator's voice as the author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson). Jules informs him that he knows Karen's work well and every novel she writes leads to a tragic death for the main character. Though Karen is struggling to complete her manuscript she has an assistant Penny (Queen Latifah) on hand to maintain her focus. With such a revelation Harold has to enjoy being with Anna before the end comes. His life is beyond his control.

Stranger Than Fiction boasts a fabulous cast and Ferrell, Gyllenhaal, Hoffman and Thompson are all on good form. It was great to see Ferrell taking on a more serious turn in this particular film and you'll likely be moved by this man who begins with a seemingly empty existence but has a chance to let his hair down and live for the first time. Does he somehow escape his fate or is destiny unavoidable? You'll have to watch the film to find out the answers I'm afraid. By the end I found myself feeling somewhat guilty at the turbulent lives I write for my characters and certainly Karen's struggles in completing her novel reflect how tough it can be for some of us writers.

Stranger Than Fiction is an enjoyable comedy with a moving romance, some amusing moments and a stellar cast leading us through what is an interestingly different storyline. Certainly not the sort of film that would be the biggest box office draw of the year but they're seldom worth all the hype anyway.

Verdict: 8/10

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