David M. Brown's Blog, page 29

This Week’s Books (09/02/14)

Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom (1995)

The book that inspired the major new motion picture Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time: an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of his country. Since his triumphant release in 1990 from more than a quarter-century of imprisonment, Mandela has been at the center of the most compelling and inspiring political drama in the world. As president of the African National Congress and head of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, he was instrumental in moving the nation toward multiracial government and majority rule. He is revered everywhere as a vital force in the fight for human rights and racial equality.

LONG WALK TO FREEDOM is his moving and exhilarating autobiography, destined to take its place among the finest memoirs of history’s greatest figures. Here for the first time, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela tells the extraordinary story of his life–an epic of struggle, setback, renewed hope, and ultimate triumph.

Verdict: Fascinating account about the life of one history’s greatest leaders. 5/5

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David Mitchell – Cloud Atlas (2004)

A postmodern visionary who is also a master of styles and genres, David Mitchell combines flat-out adventures, a Nabokovian love of puzzles, a keen eye for character, and a taste for mind-bending philosophical and scientific speculation in the tradition of Umberto Eco and Philip K. Dick. The result is brilliantly original fiction that reveals how disparate people connect, how their fates intertwine, and how their souls drift across time like clouds across the sky.

Verdict: A challenging read but the contrasting quality of the narratives hinders the overall novel. 3/5

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Randy Shilts – The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk (1982)

Known as “The Mayor of Castro Street” even before he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Harvey Milk’s personal life, public career, and final assassination reflect the dramatic emergence of the gay community as a political power in America. It is a story full of personal tragedies and political intrigues, assassinations at City Hall, massive riots in the streets, the miscarriage of justice, and the consolidation of gay power and gay hope. 

Harvey Milk has been the subject of numerous books and movies, including the Academy Award-winning 1984 documentary, “The Times of Harvey Milk. ” His life is also the basis of a 2008 major motion picture, Milk, starring Sean Penn. 

Verdict: Excellent account of Harvey Milk’s life and battle for gay rights. 5/5

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Bill Bryson – A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003) 

In Bryson’s biggest book, he confronts his greatest challenge: to understand — and, if possible, answer — the oldest, biggest questions we have posed about the universe and ourselves. Taking as territory everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bryson seeks to understand how we got from there being nothing at all to there being us. To that end, he has attached himself to a host of the world’s most advanced (and often obsessed) archaeologists, anthropologists, and mathematicians, travelling to their offices, laboratories, and field camps. He has read (or tried to read) their books, pestered them with questions, apprenticed himself to their powerful minds. A Short History of Nearly Everything is the record of this quest, and it is a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and always supremely clear and entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge, as only Bill Bryson can render it. Science has never been more involving or entertaining.

Verdict: Bryson’s book is both interesting and very funny in equal measure. 4/5

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Sebastian Faulks – Charlotte Gray (1998)

From the bestselling author of Birdsong comes Charlotte Gray, the remarkable story of a young Scottish woman who becomes caught up in the effort to liberate Occupied France from the Nazis while pursuing a perilous mission of her own.

In blacked-out, wartime London, Charlotte Gray develops a dangerous passion for a battle-weary RAF pilot, and when he fails to return from a daring flight into France she is determined to find him. In the service of the Resistance, she travels to the village of Lavaurette, dyeing her hair and changing her name to conceal her identity. Here she will come face-to-face with the harrowing truth of what took place during Europe’s darkest years, and will confront a terrifying secret that threatens to cast its shadow over the remainder of her days. Vividly rendered, tremendously moving, and with a narrative sweep and power reminiscent of his novel Birdsong, Charlotte Gray confirms Sebastian Faulks as one of the finest novelists working today.

Verdict: Decent enough WWII tale from Faulks but inferior to the brilliant Birdsong. 3/5

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Dave’s Odyssey #9

In May 2008, I went travelling on my own for the first time and was out of England for a month. Along the way I took in Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand before coming home. I kept a journal of my time on the road, so here’s a day by day account of my trials and tribulations that has the undeserved title of Dave’s Odyssey. 

Day 9 – Queenstown – Fox Glacier

View from Arrowtown

A 6.00 a.m. wake-up call heralded the start of a new day. These early starts made me feel like I was back at work sometimes. Our entire group was reunited as we bid farewell to Queenstown and made the long journey to Fox Glacier. Our first stop was Arrowtown, which is a nineteenth century settlement and many of the buildings still look that way. They have a bizarre tradition where all new housing has to be a close to the nineteenth century version as possible. The mind boggles!

From Arrowtown we pressed on until a brief stop at Kawarau Suspension Bridge. This is the one used for the first commercial bungee jump back in 1988. Strangely enough, one can pay extra for the privilege of having their head dunked in the water when jumping! The continually cold weather would probably have ensured there were no takers on this day.

Lake Hawea

Our next stop was at Lake Wanaka, which was overlooked by the aptly named town of Wanaka. Wanaka was a miniature version of Queenstown and didn’t take long to walk around. The town did have the privilege of selling me my first souvenir. The highlight of the town was a stroll down one of the piers stretching out into Lake Wanaka. The water was clear enough for you to see to the bottom and in the depths swam a group of black trout that were simply huge.

Two more photo opportunities came at Lake Hawea and then at Thunder Creek Falls. There was then a slight delay as a handful of our party went on an optional outing on a Shotover Jet, which carried them down a nearby river at high speed. Our coach drove alongside until the daring bunch reached the end of their outing. Before you ask, no one fell off!

Thunder Creek Falls

While this was going on I got chatting with two friends – Linda and Angie – who were travelling together. Despite being a passionate Liverpool fan, Angie showed no malice when I revealed my blood ran Barnsley red. Linda, on the other hand, tried to advise me on my career dilemma back home using the example of a friend’s son. He joined the army after school, dropped out, came to New Zealand, and now works at Wanaka as a skydiver. I was told to emigrate and start afresh. One big step at a time methinks.

Having collected our fellow travellers, we pressed on for Fox Glacier. The scenic route was a winding road through sumptuous rainforest. The occasional break in the foliage allowed us sight of the Tasman Sea which, at one point, must have been ten yards from us at most. Wonderful.

Fox Glacier (from a distance!)

Before reaching the town of Fox Glacier, we took a detour to have a look at the glacier itself. We were given around fifteen minutes to have a wander and take some photos. A notice detailed two journeys – one was to a hill offering a good, but distant, view of the glacier which took five minutes, the other was all the way to the glacier itself and took an hour. When the tour group made the short walk to grab a picture, one of our party – Alison – wandered farther ahead than any of us and kept going!

Back at the coach the allotted time to set off came and went. We were all back except Alison. She did show ten minutes later and lucky for her the coach waited. If only I’d been so fortunate in Singapore! The lack of punctuality at the Night Safari has had some benefits. I’m the butt of jokes in the group, which is fine by me. Whenever we make a stop one guy – Alan – always ensures I can recall where the coach is and how much time we have left before departure.

Fox Glacier (as close as I got!)

We reached the town of Fox Glacier around 5.30. Dave had informed us the place was small and he wasn’t joking. It took me five minutes to walk round the town and that included a browse through the souvenir shop! Fox Glacier is just a road with a couple of shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and a garage on either side. A smaller road leads off from the main one to some housing but that’s pretty much it. Think of that pub in Cheers where everyone knows your name, well, I imagine this town is similar.

The hotel is akin to the peculiar as well. The shower and toilet are in one room, while the bathroom sink is next to the television and fridge. Maybe it’s common to wash your hands and brush your teeth while watching television, I don’t know! Tomorrow we say farewell to the cold, south island of New Zealand and hello to the warmer, north island. Improved weather won’t go amiss. I had three layers on today!

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This Week’s Films (03/02/14)

All That Jazz (1979)

Part tragic, part comic, this outrageous look at life in the fast lane in the Academy Award-winning musical about Bob Fosse’s excessive life in show business. Played by Roy Scheider, Fosse’s alter-ego drives himself over the edge and soon finds he is caught between a recurring fantasy about his death and the reality of a near-death experience. Dazzlingly presented, this electrifying story about the perils of pushing yourself too hard is filled with Fosse’s legendary song-and-dance choreography.

Verdict: A lavish spectacle with a fantastic leading performance from Roy Scheider. 8/10

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Last Night (2010)

Joanna (Keira Knightley, Never Let Me Go, Atonement) and Michael (Sam Worthington, Avatar, Terminator Salvation) are a married couple in Manhattan who face temptation when they spend a night apart. Michael is away on a business trip with his colleague Laura (Eva Mendes, The Other Guys), where each moment together brims with escalating sexual tension. Joanna bumps into her past love Alex (Guillaume Canet, Tell No One), who is still madly in love with her.

Verdict: Interesting depiction of a fragile marriage and temptation but the ending is anti-climactic. 6/10

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Moneyball (2011)

Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in this baseball drama co-written by ‘The Social Network’ (2010) screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Based on real events in 2002, the film follows the unconventional tactics employed by Billy Beane (Pitt), general manager of the cash-strapped Oakland Athletics baseball team, to rebuild his club after losing a few key players to the Major League. Beane enlists the services of Yale economics graduate Peter Brand (Hill) to devise an unorthodox player selection system based on a sophisticated statistical analysis of each player’s skills. As Billy and Peter start to build their team based on computer-generated data rather than the traditional scouting methods, they meet with resistance from old hands such as team manager Art Howe (Hoffman). But when the club begins a winning streak with its roster of inexpensive ‘wild card’ players, the naysayers are forced to admit that the scheme appears to be working. 

Verdict: Fascinating sports drama with three great leading performances from Pitt, Hill and Hoffman. 8/10

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X-Men: First Class (2011)

X-Men: First Class brings together the epic scale and action of a classic blockbuster with a character driven story that unveils the beginning of the X-Men saga–and a secret history of the Cold War and our world at the brink of nuclear armageddon. As the first class discovers, harnesses and comes to terms with their formidable powers, alliances are formed that will shape the eternal war between the heroes and villains of the X-Men universe. The British dream team behind Kick-Ass–director Matthew Vaughn and writer Jane Goldman–are joined by a stellar cast including James McAvoy (Wanted), Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds), Nicholas Hoult (A Single Man) and Jason Flemying (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) in one of the biggest comic book blockbusters. 

Verdict: The effects are outshone by a memorable cast in this impressive prequel to the X-Men movies. 9/10

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Parked (2010)

Irish drama in which a middle-aged man returns to his homeland with nowhere to live but his car and strikes up a friendship with a couple of fellow outsiders. Fred Daly (Colm Meaney) returns from England to Ireland with very little going for him. At the midway point in his life he has no home and few apparent prospects. However, when 21-year-old Cathal (Colin Morgan) parks beside him, things abruptly begin to look up for Fred. A friendly and laid-back dope smoker, Cathal reawakens the spirit of life in Fred and even helps him seduce Finnish music teacher Jules (Milka Ahlroth). The trio form a close bond – one with the power to change their lives forever.

Verdict: Moving drama about an unlikely friendship between two homeless men from contrasting backgrounds. 7/10

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Smashed (2012)

Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and alcohol…especially the latter. When Kateʼs drinking leads her to dangerous places and her job as a school teacher is put in jeopardy, she decides to join AA and get sober. With the help of her friend and sponsor Jenny, and the vice principal at her school, the awkward, but well-intentioned Mr. Davies, Kate takes steps toward improving her health and life. Sobriety isn’t as easy as Kate had anticipated. Her new lifestyle forces her to confront a troubling relationship with her mother, as well as the necessity of facing the lies she’s told her employer. She also must question whether or not her relationship with Charlie is built on love or is just a boozy diversion from adulthood. 

Verdict: Ponsoldt’s drama benefits from a strong central performance from Winstead. 7/10

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Attack the Block (2011)

Attack the Block is a fast, funny, frightening action adventure movie that pits a teen gang against an invasion of savage alien monsters. It turns a London housing estate into a sci-fi playground. A tower block into a fortress under siege. And teenage street kids into heroes. It¹s inner city versus outer space. 

Trainee nurse Sam is walking home to her flat in a scary South London tower block when she’s robbed by a gang of masked, hooded youths. She’s saved when the gang are distracted by a bright meteorite, which falls from the sky and hits a nearby parked car. Sam flees, just before the gang are attacked by a small alien creature that leaps from the wreckage. The gang chase the creature and kill it, dragging its ghoulish carcass to the top of the block, which they treat as their territory. 

While Sam and the police hunt for the gang, a second wave of meteors fall. Confident of victory against such feeble invaders, the gang grab weapons, mount bikes and mopeds, and set out to defend their turf. But this time, the creatures are bigger. Much bigger. Savage, shadowy and bestial, they are hunting their fallen comrade and nothing will stand in their way. The estate is about to become a battleground. And the bunch of no-hope kids who just attacked Sam are about to become her, and the block’s, only hope.

Verdict: Not the best horror comedy but a fun one all the same. 6/10

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Lawnmower Man 2 (1996)

Sequel to ‘The Lawnmower Man’. The hapless Jobe (Patrick Bergin, inheriting the role from Jeff Fahey) returns from the first film and convinces his doctor to hook him back up to the computer system that gave him a virtual alter ego. The doctor wants Jobe to create a mammoth computer city/system in cyberspace thus bringing him many riches. However, Jobe has plans of his own and wants the use of a special chip to decipher an encryption code which will allow him to control the world from inside cyberspace.

Verdict: The effects aren’t bad but everything else is dreadful. 2/10

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The Stuff (1985)

Amalgamated Dairies hires David Rutherford, an FBI man turned industrial saboteur, to investigate a popular new product called “The Stuff,” a new dessert product that is blowing ice cream sales out of the water. Nobody knows how it’s made or what’s in it, but people are lining up to buy it. It’s got a delicious flavor to die for.

Verdict: A terrific concept isn’t pushed as hard as it might have been in this quite good horror flick. 5/10

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Asterix Conquers America (1994)

Caesar has had enough when another legion is hacked to pieces by the damned single indomitable village in Gaul because of the druid’s magic potion, so he decides to tackle the problem at the root before conspiratorial senators exploit his humiliation. 

Verdict: Not Asterix’s finest hour but a good little adventure. 6/10

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I Heart Huckabees (2004)

Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin lead an all-star cast including Jude Law, Naomi Watts and Mark Walhberg in this outrageous comedy from director/co-writer David O. Russell (Three Kings). Kindhearted but confused activist Andrew Markovski hires a pair of screwball “existential detectives” (Hoffman and Tomlin) to help him find the meaning of life. All the while, a sexy, French author (Isabelle Huppert) is trying to throw a wrench in their plan by seducing andrew’s mind and body.

Verdict: Unusual but thought-provoking and entertaining comedy. 8/10

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Truth About Kerry (2010)

A young American woman (Stana Katic, TV’s Castle) travels to a remote village in Ireland to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding her best friend Kerry’s death. She realizes that the village may be hiding more secrets than she thought, and it isn’t long before she develops an obsessive belief that her friend’s death may have been no accident. A stunning, suspense film with a shocking conclusion!

Verdict: Pretty good murder mystery but the ending isn’t difficult to predict. 6/10

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Wings of Desire (1987)

In WINGS OF DESIRE, director Wim Wenders’ (Paris, Texas, Alice in the Cities) most metaphysical work, a guardian angel desires nothing more than to be human. Every day, Dammiel (Bruno Ganz, The American Friend, Downfall) listens to the thoughts of mortals who play their lives out on the streets of West Berlin. He finds himself entranced by a trapeze artist (Solveig Dommartin, Until the End of the World) whose eloquent expression of her doubts and fears makes him yearn for a life where he can feel happiness and love. Like Michael Powell’s A Matter of Life and Death, the afterlife in WINGS OF DESIRE is a world in monochrome. Only the living can see in full colour and it is their lives, with their moments of sorrow and joy, that Wim Wenders captures so eloquently in this singularly original film that was co-written with Peter Handke (The Goalkeeper’s Fear of the Penalty Kick, Wrong Move). Winner of the Best Director prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, WINGS OF DESIRE is both a paean to Germany’s capital and a rumination on human existence, and remains one of the most vital films ever made. 

Verdict: Beautifully filmed and gently paced tale of an angel that longs to be human. 10/10

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This Week’s Books (02/02/14)

Stephanie Dalley – Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh and Others (2000)

The ancient civilization of Mesopotamia thrived between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates over 4,000 years ago. The myths collected here, originally written in cuneiform on clay tablets, include parallels with the biblical stories of the Creation and the Flood, and the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, the tale of a man of great strength, whose heroic quest for immortality is dashed through one moment of weakness.

Recent developments in Akkadian grammar and lexicography mean that this new translation–complete with notes, a glossary of deities, place-names, and key terms, and illustrations of the mythical monsters featured in the text–will replace all other versions.

Verdict: Decent collection of myths and tales with the Epic of Gilgamesh being the undoubted highlight. 3/5

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Donna Tartt – The Secret History (1992)

Richard Papen arrived at Hampden College in New England and was quickly seduced by an elite group of five students, all Greek scholars, all worldly, self-assured, and, at first glance, all highly unapproachable. As Richard is drawn into their inner circle, he learns a terrifying secret that binds them to one another…a secret about an incident in the woods in the dead of night where an ancient rite was brought to brutal life…and led to a gruesome death. And that was just the beginning….

Verdict: Started well enough but the found the narrative to be slow in places and it just didn’t grab me as much as the book blurb did. 3/5

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Foundation (1951)

For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Sheldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future–to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire–both scientists and scholars–and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. Mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and be overrun–or fight them and be destroyed.

Verdict: A well-written opening instalment to a legendary series. 4/5

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The Satanic Verses (1988)

 Just before dawn one winter’s morning, a hijacked jetliner explodes above the English Channel. Through the falling debris, two figures, Gibreel Farishta, the biggest star in India, and Saladin Chamcha, an expatriate returning from his first visit to Bombay in fifteen years, plummet from the sky, washing up on the snow-covered sands of an English beach, and proceed through a series of metamorphoses, dreams, and revelations.

Verdict: Although I found this more accessible than Midnight’s Children, Rushdie remains an author I really struggle with. 2/5

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Dave’s Odyssey #8

In May 2008, I went travelling on my own for the first time and was out of England for a month. Along the way I took in Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand before coming home. I kept a journal of my time on the road, so here’s a day by day account of my trials and tribulations that has the undeserved title of Dave’s Odyssey. 

Day 8 – Queenstown – Milford Sound

Mirror Lakes

The 5.45 a.m. wake-up call wasn’t necessary as I’d already woken up long before. We set off before 7.00 while it was still dark and, worryingly, there had been frost during the night. Thankfully, the coach soon warmed up and we only had to wait for dawn before the journey could really begin.

In the darkness we proceeded through the Remarkables Mountains, which were covered in low-lying mist. Along the route we traversed the “Devil’s Staircase” named after the founder of Queenstown, William Rees, lost 39 cows he was walking back along the pass. One is said to have slipped over the edge and its cries caused the others to panic and unfortunately join their friend in its sad fate.

It took more than two hours before we reached the Fiordland National Park. This route is a winding road passing between mountains, through forests, over bridges and alongside lakes. There were numerous scheduled stops along the way to take advantage of the lush scenery.

Earl Mountain Range

The mist was still around but only served to augment the quality of the snapshots. We were so high up that some layers of mist appeared to be almost touching the ground. Our first stop was where the road made between the Earl Mountain Range and Livingstone Mountain Range. The Earl Mountains were enveloped in mist but just visible were the snow-tipped peaks above the thick layers. The Livingstone Mountains were covered in trees, a characteristic that was typical of this area and along Milford Sound.

Our next stop was at the Mirror Lakes. A careful shot and steady hand could capture the reflection of the mountains in the still, clear water. The peaks of the Earl Mountains were more visible at this point, aided by the gradual receding of the mist. Next we stopped off at the unfortunately titled Knobs Flat. Ignoring the innuendos, the area gave us an improved view of the mountains flanking the road. Further shots of the mountains came at our next stop – Monkey Creek.

View from Cleddau Valley

Our stop at Homer Camp was for the purpose of taking pictures of a group of birds known as kea. They were similar to parrots, extreme friendly, and by no means camera shy. The route leading on from Homer Camp was through a tunnel so long that traffic lights on either side were operating at fifteen-minute intervals!

The final stops before Milford Sound were in Cleddau Valley and further down at the Chasm. This is a short walk you can take across Cleddau River that flows from its source in the surrounding mountains. It was about this time that fellow tourists on nearby coaches began to rankle my tour group. They’d been with us since we entered Fiordland National Park. Our rival tourists were primarily from East Asia but the majority of my group was adamant they were all Japanese. What followed was some less than flattering remarks about the rudeness of the Japanese. One thing is true, some of the other tourists were extremely rude. Their motto was clearly to ensure the best photo at all costs, which includes pushing other tourists out of the way.

Milford Sound

I escaped the bulk of this, save on my way back to the coach from the Chasm. Two lads were inspecting a donation box and looked to be trying to find a way in! Despite my obvious approach one of them proceeded to position himself in such a way that he blocked the entire path and I had to wander amongst the undergrowth to get past. I can’t complain much. This supposed Japanese mentality of every tourist for themselves is prevalent amongst many in my group, which explains why some of my photos contain people’s heads in the way when I just wanted a shot of the scenery.

On reaching Milford Sound we were given some helpful but strange advice by Dave on how to tackle the other tourists. As they are prone, apparently, to pushing we were told to push back because some of us are taller than they are! As it turned out the coach parties with the East Asian tourists were on different boats so I’m unable to confirm if they’re as bad as some people seemed to make out. From what I’ve observed thus far the majority of tourists all have the same competitive streak when it comes to taking decent photos. Nationality is irrelevant.

Miford Sound

The voyage on Milford Sound was the highlight of the tour so far. We were each allocated seats but had the option to head for the top deck and enjoy the view at its finest. I went topside straightaway and didn’t return to my seat until the trip was over. Despite the cold it was more than worth it.

Though called a sound, Milford is actually a fjord that Captain Cook somehow missed when claiming New Zealand. His loss it seems. On either side the mountain faces were covered in trees that grew close to the surface of the water and ascended almost to the peaks. Bare patches on the mountainsides were testament to the tree slides that had scarred the mountains.

The width of the fjord narrowed in places and each time we negotiated a thin pass we would see even more extravagant mountains flanking the water. If that failed, you need only turn around to see another view of the narrow pass the boat had just made its way through. Milford Sound was worth dozens of photos.

We reached the halfway point as we left Milford Sound and headed briefly out into the Tasman Sea before turning back. On the return journey we were privileged to see a trio of seals relaxing close to the water while further down our boat moved rather clumsily towards a huge waterfall for the benefit of the opportunist photographers. Presumably those eager for a snapshot had waterproof cameras as the spray from the falls proceeded to blow straight towards all of us. Soon enough the journey was over but I’m glad I chose the optional outing to Milford Sound.

Lake Te Anau

The way back was long but we could once more take in the spectacular scenery. We had a brief stop on the way back at Lake Te Anau. It was here that I quizzed Dave about rude tourists. I’d seen a Japanese translation on a notice about jewellery and was curious as to whether they were the main tourists in New Zealand. Dave insisted that none of the groups we’d seen today were Japanese at all, despite the claims of many in my group. He mentioned, of all the East Asian tourists, the Japanese are treated the best in New Zealand while the Koreans are sent to the inferior places and charged extensively. I’m not sure why. It was a real eye opener to hear such a thing from one of the locals and I can’t say I approved!

We returned to Queenstown just after 7.00. Another long day but no time to rest up. Tomorrow we leave Queenstown and make the long journey to Fox Glacier. It sounds a sight to behold but will it top Milford Sound? Difficult to say but if it’s as beautiful as the rest of New Zealand we’re in for a treat tomorrow.

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This Week’s Films (27/01/14)

The Kid with a Bike (2011)

Twelve-year-old Cyril (Thomas Doret), all coiled anger and furious motion, is living in a group home but refuses to believe he has been rejected by his single father (Summer Hours’ Jérémie Renier). He spends his days frantically trying to reach the man, over the phone or on his beloved bicycle. It is only the patience and compassion of Samantha (Hereafter’s Cécile de France), the stranger who agrees to care for him, that offers the boy the chance to move on. Spare and unsentimental but deeply imbued with a heart-rending tenderness, The Kid with a Bike is an arresting work from the great Belgian directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Rosetta), masters of the empathetic action film.

Verdict: Well-acted story of an unwanted boy at an important crossroads in his life. 8/10

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Beginners (2010)

When graphic designer Oliver (Ewan McGregor) meets free-spirited Anna (Melanie Laurent) shortly after his father (Christopher Plummer) has passed away, Oliver realizes just how much of a beginner he is when it comes to long-lasting romantic love. Memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife of 45 years, came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized and wonderfully tumultuous gay life, encourages Oliver to open himself up to the potential of a true relationship.

Verdict: Moving drama with great performances from McGregor and the Oscar-winning Plummer. 8/10

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Tideland (2005)

A young girl (Jodelle Ferland) lives in a terrifying and gruesome world. When her father (Jeff Bridges) takes her away to a rural farmhouse, she finds herself in a bizarre fantasy world where only her dolls’ heads keep her company. When she meets a mentally damaged man and a tall ghost-like woman, the line between her imagination and reality quickly disappears. Tideland is a spine-chilling tale from the visionary mind of acclaimed director Terry Gilliam.

Verdict: Arguably Gilliam’s most challenging film but sadly, for me, his most disappointing. 2/5

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Livid (2011)

Within a vast, desolate and slowly decaying mansion an aging woman lies in a coma, kept alive by a life support machine. Assigned to look after her, a young care worker named Lucy discovers that the old woman is Madam Jessel, previously a ballet teacher of some repute and rumoured to have hidden great riches inside the house. 

Determined to find the treasure, Lucy and two of her friends break in at night and uncover a darker secret that will throw them into a deadly labyrinth of hell. 

From the directors of Inside, Livid will have you reeling with fear. 

Verdict: Intricate and atmospheric horror though the conclusion leaves more questions than answers. 7/10

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Please Give (2010)

A family looking for some extra space gets drawn into a difficult relationship with the folks next door in this comedy drama from writer and director Nicole Holofcener. Kate (Catherine Keener) and Alex (Oliver Platt) are a couple living in New York City who run a successful store specializing in vintage furniture. Kate and Alex have a teenage daughter, Abby (Sarah Steele) and their apartment is starting to feel a bit small for the three of them; Kate and Alex own the unit next door to them, and once the flat becomes vacant, they plan to knock out a wall and take over the space. However, Andra (Ann Morgan Guilbert), their tenant, is an elderly woman with a poor disposition who doesn’t seem eager to go anywhere soon, and it’s occurred to Kate and Alex that they’re probably going to have wait for her to die, since evicting her would be very awkward. Hoping to make the best of the situation, Kate tries to strike up a friendship with Andra and her fiercely protective granddaughter Rebecca (Rebecca Hall), but Andra isn’t especially interested in making new friends, and Rebecca’s sister, Mary (Amanda Peet), isn’t much easier to deal with.

Verdict: The story feels unfinished by the end but worth watching for an excellent performance from Catherine Keener. 6/10

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1941 (1979)

Steven Spielberg’s monumental comedy, based on a true incident, about the war panic that erupted in Southern California after a Japanese sub was spotted off the coast six days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

Verdict: Steven Spielberg’s weakest film has a great cast but a surprising lack of laughs. 4/10

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30 Minutes or Less (2011)

Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) is a small town pizza delivery guy whose mundane life collides with the big plans of two wannabe criminal masterminds (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson). The volatile duo kidnaps Nick and forces him to rob a bank. With mere hours to pull off the impossible task, Nick enlists the help of his ex-best friend, Chet (Aziz Ansari). As the clock ticks, the two must deal with the police, hired assassins, flamethrowers, and their own tumultuous relationship.

Verdict: Mildly funny comedy that could have done with a longer run-time. 6/10

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Mission: Impossible II (2000)

The world’s greatest spy returns in the movie event of the year, M:I-2. Top action director John Woo brings his own brand of excitement to the mission that finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) partnering up with the beautiful Nyah Hall (Thandie Newton) to stop renegade agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) from releasing a new kind of terror on an unsuspecting world. But before the mission is complete, they’ll traverse the globe and have to choose between everything they love and everything they believe in.

Verdict: The acting isn’t great but the action sequences are top-notch. 6/10

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The Resistance (2011)

In 1937, Japan began their invasion of China by murdering over 300,000 people in Nanking. In Beijing, there are rumours that a masked man is systematically killing Japanese soldiers, working his way up to the top Japanese general. With the world s attention focused on Europe all this carnage is allowed to rage throughout the country almost unnoticed. An American reporter is sent to China to uncover the truth behind the unrest, but what he finds threatens his own life and the very sovereignty of the United States.

Verdict: A poor script, weak acting and unconvincing effects (especially the rain) make this a big disappointment. 3/10

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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

A senator, who became famous for killing a notorious outlaw, returns for the funeral of an old friend and tells the truth about his deed.

Verdict: Well acted and poignant Western from the great John Ford. 8/10

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Arn – The Knight Templar (2007)

Set in the Middle Ages Arn, the son of a Swedish nobleman, must journey to the Holy Land on horseback as a sentence for falling in love with a forbidden romantic partner, Cecilia, who in turn, is banished to spend the rest of her days in a convent. The harsh voyage carries Arn through the heart of the medieval world and into the core of brutal and bloody Crusades. Both he and Cecilia must learn to fight to survive, to confront evil and overcome tremendous suffering and misery, guided by the faith that one day they will be reunited. Arn returns home to fight for his love and his life s mission: to unite Sweden into one kingdom. With an esteemed all-star cast, this epic adventure blends thrilling factual and fictional characters to offer up brave knights, powerful queens and treacherous kings in a tale of war, intrigue, friendship and betrayal.

Verdict: Epic Medieval tale with a moving love story at its core. 7/10

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Mission Impossible 3 (2006)

Ethan Hunt comes face to face with a dangerous and sadistic arms dealer while trying to keep his identity secret in order to protect his girlfriend.

Verdict: A decent cast, especially the addition of Philip Seymour Hoffman make this one of the better missions. 7/10

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Company of Heroes (2013)

During the last major German offensive of World War II, a company of American soldiers is lost behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge and they make a horrific discovery – Hitler has a super bomb in development. The soldiers soon learn about a secret allied mission to retrieve a defecting German scientist in charge of Hitler’s weapons programme. Faced with impossible odds, the company and an escaping POW go on a daring raid into the heart of Nazi Germany in pursuit of the scientist. 

Verdict: Starts well but fades disappointingly in its second half to become distinctly average. 5/10

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This Week’s Books (26/01/14)

Xavier Herbert – Capricornia (1937)

“Capricornia has been described as one of Australia’s ‘great comic novels’ – although Herbert’s humour is often as bitter and as harsh as the terrain about which he writes. Above all, however this is a novel of protest, and of compassion – for the Aborigines and half-bloods of Australia’s ‘last frontier’. 

“Sprawling, explosive, thronged with characters, plots, and sub-plots, Capricornia is without doubt one of the best known and widely read Australian novels of the last fifty years. When it was first published it was acclaimed as ‘a turning point’, an ‘outstanding work of social protest’. Its message is as penetrating today as it was in the 1930s when Herbert himself was official ‘Protector of Aborigines’ at Darwin.” 

Verdict: Not enough interesting characters severely hindered this epic narrative. 2/5

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Garth Stein – The Art of Racing in the Rain (2008)

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn’t simply about going fast. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it.

Verdict: Both funny and deeply moving story of one very special dog and the family he battles to keep together. 5/5

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Brady Udall – The Lonely Polygamist (2010)

Golden Richards, husband to four wives, father to twenty-eight children, is having the mother of all midlife crises. His construction business is failing, his family has grown into an overpopulated mini-dukedom beset with insurrection and rivalry, and he is done in with grief: due to the accidental death of a daughter and the stillbirth of a son, he has come to doubt the capacity of his own heart. Brady Udall, one of our finest American fiction writers, tells a tragicomic story of a deeply faithful man who, crippled by grief and the demands of work and family, becomes entangled in an affair that threatens to destroy his family’s future. Like John Irving and Richard Yates, Udall creates characters that engage us to the fullest as they grapple with the nature of need, love, and belonging.

Beautifully written, keenly observed, and ultimately redemptive, The Lonely Polygamist is an unforgettable story of an American family—with its inevitable dysfunctionality, heartbreak, and comedy—pushed to its outer limits.

Verdict: Some memorable characters but the sometimes stagnant narrative prevent this being a masterpiece. 3/5

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Henry Hill – Gangsters and Goodfellas (2004)

In 1980, my life as a ‘Goodfella’ came to an end…I traded my Brioni and Armani suits for T-shirts and jeans. I became a normal citizen. I became Joe Schmoe,’ says Henry Hill, author of GANGSTERS AND GOODFELLAS and subject of WISEGUY, which was the inspiration for the blockbuster film GOODFELLAS.After a quarter of a century of silence, Hill can finally tell us the rest of the story, Gangsters and Goodfellas picks up where Wiseguy left off, taking readers on the crazy ride of Henry’s life – hiding out in the Witness Protection Programme, doing prison time for drug charges, testifying in high-profile, heavily guarded mafia trials, leaving his wife and children and eventually ending up in the entertainment business. Including an exclusive selection of photographs from Henry’s personal collection, Gangsters and Goodfellas also reveals Henry’s lifelong struggle with addiction, his ‘business’ relationships that have ranged from mob bosses to movie producers and how, through everything, he survived: ‘ Its been a hell of a journey, and if I hadn’t lived it myself, I would never believe it. I survived the mob. I survived the government, now I’m trying to survive Hollywood.

Verdict: Enhances Hill’s story that became famous as Goodfellas (1990), particularly his life in Witness Protection. 4/5

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Eric Metaxas – Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (2009)

WHO BETTER TO FACE THE GREATEST EVIL OF THE 20TH CENTURY THAN A HUMBLE MAN OF FAITH?

As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation, bullied a continent, and attempted to exterminate the Jews of Europe, a small number of dissidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoeffer–a pastor and author, known as much for such spiritual classics as “The cost of Discipleship “and “Life Together,” as for his 1945 execution in a concentration camp for his part in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

In the first major biography of Bonhoeffer in forty years, “New York Times” best-selling author Eric Metaxas takes both strands of Bonhoeffer’s life―the theologian and the spy―to tell a searing story of incredible moral courage in the face of monstrous evil. In a deeply moving narrative, Metaxas uses previously unavailable documents―including personal letters, detailed journal entries, and firsthand personal accounts―to reveal dimensions of Bonhoeffer’s life and theology never before seen.

In “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy”―”A Righteous Gentiel vs the Third Reich,” Metaxas presents the fullest accounting of Bonhoeffer’s heart-wrenching 1939 decision to leave the safe haven of America for Hitler’s Germany, and using extended excerpts from love letters and coded messages written to and from Bonhoeffer’s Cell 92, Metaxas tells for the first time the full story of Bonhoeffer’s passionate and tragic romance.

Readers will discover fresh insights and revelations about his life-changing months at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and about his radical position on why Christians are obliged to stand up for the Jews. Metaxas also sheds new light on Bonhoeffer’s reaction to Kristallnacht, his involvement in the famous Valkyrie plot and in “Operation 7,” the effort to smuggle Jews into neutral Switzerland.

“Bonhoeffer” gives witness to one man’s extraordinary faith and to the tortured fate of the nation he sought to deliver from the curse of Nazism. It brings the reader face to face with a man determined to do the will of God radically, courageously, and joyfully―even to the point of death. “Bonhoeffer” is the story of a life framed by a passion for truth and a commitment to justice on behalf of those who face implacable evil.

Verdict: Interesting account of a man that dared to defy Hitler and the Third Reich. 3/5

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Paulo Coelho – The Witch of Portobello (2006)

How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are?

That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho’s profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all.

Verdict: The weakest I’ve read by Coelho but still an okay story. 3/5

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William Golding – Darkness Visible (1979)

A dazzlingly dark novel by the Nobel Laureate.

At the height of the London blitz, a naked child steps out of an all-consuming fire. Miraculously saved yet hideously scarred, tormented at school and at work, Matty becomes a wanderer, a seeker after some unknown redemption. Two more lost children await him: twins as exquisite as they are loveless. Toni dabbles in political violence, Sophy in sexual tyranny. As Golding weaves their destinies together, as he draws them toward a final conflagration, his book lights up both the inner and outer darknesses of our time.

Verdict: The third part was inferior to the first two but still a good read from Golding. 3/5

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Dave’s Odyssey #7

In May 2008, I went travelling on my own for the first time and was out of England for a month. Along the way I took in Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand before coming home. I kept a journal of my time on the road, so here’s a day by day account of my trials and tribulations that has the undeserved title of Dave’s Odyssey. 

Day 7 – Christchurch – Queenstown

Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie Country

The 6.00 a.m. wake up call began what would be a long day. We left Christchurch before 7.00 and drove through the Canterbury Plains. Host to every form of agriculture you can name, the Plains had pig, cow and sheep farming, vineyards, irrigation etc. The myriad of trees was planted so close together they formed makeshift hedgerows, while manipulating the landscape controlled all the rivers we passed. The Plains provide 60% of New Zealand’s agricultural produce. They were seemingly endless with few buildings in sight for long periods.

The landscape changed as we moved into Mackenzie Country. The lowland of the Canterbury Plains was replaced by sharp rises in the land. This long stretch of hills is named after an outlaw, John Mackenzie, who stole sheep and became something of a folk hero. His sheepdog was said to be so clever that it could round up the sheep and lock them in their enclosure while Mackenzie was down the local pub enjoying a few drinks. We even passed the spot where Mackenzie is supposed to have finally been captured.

Lake Pukaki

Passing through Mackenzie Country we stopped off at Lake Tekapo for the obligatory snapshots. The water in New Zealand’s lakes and rivers is almost turquoise in colour, the influence of the glaciers. On the horizon we could make out the Southern Alps and, most notably, Mt. Cook. Each of the peaks was tinted with snow and the clouds hung lower than the mountain tops and seemed to be descending down the sides. Our next stop was at Lake Pukaki for more photos. New Zealand’s scenery was getting better.

After Mackenzie Country we took the Lindis Pass which runs through a series of mountains and onto Queenstown. The Pass has numerous memorable features. The first was a series of rocks piled up by the roadside. Dave disappointed us by explaining the stone piles were of no significance whatsoever. The story goes that one traveller made the first pile and subsequent travellers latched onto the idea and it’s become a tradition for all backpackers and visitors to the Pass.

Queenstown

Along the Lindis Pass we also saw Kawarau Suspension Bridge that was host to the first commercial bungee jump in 1988 and is still used today. Beyond that were two sites named after prostitutes that operated in the area during the Gold Rush that swept through the Pass. Their names – Roaring Meg and Gentle Annie – presumably say a lot about their business acumen.

Before reaching the end of the Lindis Pass, we stopped off at a remote stall selling fresh fruit. You could get bags with at least 20 apples in, fruit flavoured ice cream, dried fruit or a mixture of fruits at modest prices. It was truly a fruit lover’s paradise.

On the outskirts of Queenstown was a giant hill where Willow was partly filmed in the 80s. Just beyond was Lake Wakatipu whose origin is in mythology. The lake is said to contain the beating heart of a giant slain after stealing the wife of a warrior. The still living heart causes the movement on the water.

The Remarkables

We reached Queenstown late in the afternoon. The group stayed in the A-line hotel with A-shaped roofs and rooms overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown sits on the shore of the lake and rises into the surrounding hills and mountains. Across the lake were the snow-covered peaks of the mountain range known as the Remarkables.

Due to our late arrival I only had an hour or so to see the town before dark. After a quick wander around the shops I headed for Lake Wakatipu and strolled along the shoreline until sunset. It was only a brief tour of Queenstown and will unfortunately be all I have time to see. I rounded off the evening watching a film – The Last Kiss – with Zach Braff. Certainly no Garden State or Scrubs but still worth a look.

Tomorrow is a full-day excursion to Fjordland National Park and on to Milford Sound – considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Let’s hope so as the wake-up call tomorrow is 5.45 a.m.

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Masterpieces #4: Donnie Darko

About Donnie Darko (2001)
In the tradition of Urban Legends and Final Destination, Donnie Darko is an edgy, psychological thriller about a suburban teen coming face-to-face wit his dark destiny. Jake Gyllenhaal leads a star-filled cast (including Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle, Jena Malone, Patrick Swayze and Mary McDonnell) as a delusional high-school student visited by a demonic rabbit with eerie visions of the past – and deadly predictions for the future. This “excitingly original” (Entertainment Weekly) nail-biter will keep you on the edge of your seat until the mind-bending climax.

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, Jena Malone

Directed by: Richard Kelly

Runtime: 113 minutes

Studio: Tcfhe

 

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Donnie Darko (2001)

Sometimes directors reach their peak with their debut efforts and this may well be the case with Richard Kelly. In 2001 his first film, Donnie Darko, was unleashed and although it earned back its budget, it certainly didn’t set the box office alight. I remember my brother and I driving all the way to York to find a sole screening of the film, only to find the damn thing was sold out. UK screenings and we were forced to wait for the DVD. The good news is that the wait was more than worth it.

It’s best to remain on the surface with Donnie Darko otherwise I may risk going over a plethora of spoilers. Suffice to say, the story is a complex one and will leave many scratching their heads trying to fully understand it. Set in 1988 we have troubled teenager, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), who regularly meets with a psychologist and is on medication to keep him mentally stable. One night Donnie is woken by a creepy voice that lures him away from the house and to a golf course. There, Donnie meets a man in a costume with the headpiece being that of a rabbit’s skull. This man is known as Frank and informs Donnie that in 28 days the world will end. Donnie wakes the following day on the golf course and this is dismissed by the locals as another of his sleepwalking escapades. While Donnie has been out, a plane engine has fallen from the skies and crashed into his bedroom. Where it came from is a mystery and for us Donnie’s odyssey begins. At the behest of Frank, he is guided through the next 28 days, meeting new people and learning many secrets along the way but will the world really end?

The opening to Donnie Darko sees our protagonist asleep in the middle of nowhere before hopping onto his bike and making his way home. The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen sounds in the background and in that moment it’s clear we’re at the start of something special. Donnie has a fractious relationship with his parents and older sister, while his younger sister seems to be spared from much of the tension in the family. At school, Donnie has a small clique of friends but isn’t one of the popular students. The arrival of a new girl – Gretchen (Jena Malone) – hints at a possible romance but Donnie is quite preoccupied with Frank guiding him. Over the 28 days a series of bizarre events occur and Donnie ultimately finds revelation as we near the end.

Donnie Darko is one of those films where you not only need to pay attention but you may well need to watch it a second or third time to identify all the pieces of the puzzle and understand how they all fit into place. You don’t need to spot every detail though. Indeed, there are elements that have been pointed out to me that I hadn’t noticed after multiple viewings of the film. Much of the film is open to debate and sole interpretation, especially the denouement but I believe films that keep you talking long after the final credits have rolled are the best ones.

What is impressive with Donnie Darko is the quality of the cast given that Richard Kelly was a first time director. Gyllenhaal is the best by a long way but the likes of Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Holmes Osborne, Mary McDonnell and a memorable turn from the late Patrick Swayze all add weight to this wonderful film. Each and every character ultimately has a part to play in Donnie and Frank’s journey, and whether it’s family, friends or fellow students, many will leave their mark on you by the end.

Donnie Darko also gave rise to a fantastic cover of Tears for Fears’ Mad World which was recorded by Gary Jules and memorably beat Darkness to the coveted UK Christmas no.1 slot in December 2003. Tears for Fears actually have one of their own songs – Head Over Heels – in the background during our first visit to Donnie’s school, while a number by Duran Duran also pops up at one point during a talent contest. Perhaps the only negative legacy from Donnie Darko was the decision to make a sequel, released as S. Darko in 2009, which Richatrd Kelly did not approve of and given how dreadful the film is, it’s not difficult to see why.

I could easily talk about Donnie Darko for hours and never get bored. It’s one of the greatest cult films there has ever been. It benefits greatly from having a fantastic cast, but Kelly’s intricate storyline is one of the most thought-provoking and must have surely led to many hundreds of hours of discussion amongst those who have had the privilege of seeing this. Whether it’s Donnie meeting with Frank, defying the school establishment or having an in-depth discussion about the Smurfs with his friends, every scene in Donnie Darko is well-crafted and it must stand as one of the finest ever debut efforts in film history. If you have yet to see this then why not join Donnie and Frank on their path towards the world’s end?

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This Week’s Films (20/01/14)

Trapped Ashes (2006)

Seven strangers are trapped inside an infamous House of Horror during a Hollywood movie studio tour and are forced to tell their most terrifying personal stories to get out alive. In the twisted tradition of classic anthology horror films such as TALES FROM THE CRYPT and DEAD OF NIGHT, TRAPPED ASHES features five stories of the surreal, erotic and terrifying, directed by five of Hollywood s most unique filmmakers: Sean Cunningham (FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH), Joe Dante (GREMLINS, THE HOWLING), Ken Russell (ALTERED STATES, THE DEVILS), Monte Hellman (TWO LANE BLACKTOP, COCKFIGHTER), and John Gaeta (Oscar winner for Visual FX on THE MATRIX). In addition, multi Academy Award winner Robert Skotak (TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY, ALIENS) is Visual FX Supervisor and acclaimed Japanese composer Kenji Kawai (THE RING, DARK WATERS, GHOST IN THE SHELL I and II) produced the soundtrack. 

Verdict: A disappointing collection of horror tales, certainly no Creepshow. 3/10

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Grindstone Road (2008)

Young Daniel Sloan has been in an extended coma following a terrible car accident. His mother Hannah (Fairuza Balk) was driving at the time and is now suffering from massive guilt and extreme depression. In trying to put their recent tragedy behind them, Hannah and her husband Graham (Greg Bryk) buy a old farmhouse intend on renovating it but immediately Hannah begins to witness strange and mysterious phenomenon. Concerned with his wife’s supernatural visions and her increasing dependence on anti depressant drugs, Graham turns to Ted and Linda, the older couple next door for support. Their new neighbours appear friendly and eager to help but sinister motives lie behind their outwardly pleasant demeanour as the past comes back to haunt everyone.

Verdict: Uneven psychological horror with many predictable elements. 5/10

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Hurlyburly (1998)

Eddie (Sean Penn) and Mickey (Kevin Spacey) are Hollywood casting directors whose circle also includes Darlene (Robin Wright Penn), Eddie’s girlfriend, belligerent actor Phil (Chazz Palmenteri) and writer Artie (Garry Shandling). Eddie’s relationships with Mickey and Darlene are suffering through his cocaine habit, while Phil is having marital problems. The group’s lifestyles are further disturbed when Artie procures teenage runaway Donna (Anna Paquin) for Eddie, and every attempt the men make to improve their circumstances only leads to further personal disasters.

Verdict: A play translated to the big screen has a great cast but just not for me, despite another great performance from Kevin Spacey. 5/10

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The Towering Inferno (1974)

A huge glass tower block, touted as the tallest building in the world, bursts into flame on its opening night. An all-star cast includes Steve McQueen as Michael O’Hallorhan, the fire chief determined to get the blaze under control, while Paul Newman stars as embarrassed architect Doug Roberts, trapped inside with fellow guests Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain and Robert Wagner. ‘The Towering Inferno’ became the biggest of the Seventies cycle of disaster movies, which began four years earlier with ‘Airport’.

Verdict: Decent disaster movie but far too long. 6/10

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Chico and Rita (2010)

Oscar®-winning director Fernando Trueba (BELLE EPOQUE, CALLE 54) and Spain’s legendary artist Javier Mariscal celebrate the music and culture of Cuba with an epic story of love, passion and heartbreak.

Cuba, 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and desire unite them as they chase their dreams and each other from Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas. With an original soundtrack by legendary Cuban pianist and five-time Grammy®-winning composer Bebo Valdes, CHICO & RITA captures a defining moment in the evolution of history and jazz, and features the music of (and animated cameos by) Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Cole Porter, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Tito Puente, Chano Pozo and others.

Verdict: Delightful animation and a moving love story between two gifted musicians. 9/10

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The Astronaut Farmer (2006)

Comedy adventure starring Billy Bob Thornton. Charles Farmer (Thornton) is a former NASA astronaut who was forced to retire years earlier so he could save his family’s farm. But Charles has never given up his dream of space travel and after facing bank foreclosure, neighbourhood naysayers and a government alarmed by his huge purchase of high-grade fuel, he is now ready to blast into space inside the homemade rocket he built in his barn.

Verdict: The film’s mild charm is superseded by the incredulity of the whole thing. 4/10

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**FILM OF THE WEEK**

Dear Diary (1993)

Moretti’s film diary which follows the idiosyncratic Italian director’s personal experience over 18 months involving spoilt children, American soaps, ‘Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer’ and a friend’s TV addiction. It won him the Best Director Award at Cannes in 1994.

Verdict: Divided into three chapters this is funny, brilliantly scripted and beautifully filmed. 10/10

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Eichmann (2007)

Based upon the final confession of Adolf Eichmann, made before he was tried and hanged in Israel in 1962, this powerful film stars Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong, Resident Evil: The Apocalypse) as the SS Officer who orchestrated the mass murder and destruction of millions of innocent people.

Captured by intelligence operatives in Argentina, 15 years after World War II, Eichmann must be broken down by Captain Avner Less, (Troy Garity) a young Israeli Police Officer. Gradually Avner uncovers the harrowing truth about Eichmann’s role as the architect of Hitler’s plan for the final solution, which killed 6 million Jews including Avner’s own father. 

As the world watches, the two men confront each other in a battle of wills – the result of which will change a nation forever. 

Verdict: Needed to reveal more about Eichmann the man and Eichmann the Nazi. 5/10

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Let Him Have It (1991)

Two teenagers are surprised by police during a break-in. One epileptic with the mental age of 11 and IQ of 66 is arrested, the other, a gun-toting hood refuses to give up his weapon. Shouting Let Him Have It! to his friend, he fires, wounding one officer and killing another. Both boys face the death penalty. Did the boy mean shoot him or give him the gun?

On 28 January, 1953, Derek Bentley was hanged for murder at Wandsworth Prison.The verdict and the sentence passed upon the young Derek Bentley ( Christopher Eccleston) proved to be as controversial as the crime. Both the verdict and the sentence were subsequently quashed, triggering much debate about Capital Punishment. The words on Bentley’s gravestone say:Derek William Bentley A victim of British justice?

This is the story of the case that shocked the nation!

Verdict: Moving account of one of the great injustices in English law. 8/10

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Felicia’s Journey (1999)

Director Atom Egoyan shifts his focus from rural Canada and instead explores suburban Birmingham. Young Felicia (Elaine Cassidy) arrives in England from her homeland of Ireland. She is searching for Johnny Lysaght (Peter McDonald), the man who got her pregnant. She travels to Birmingham, believing Johnny to be working there, and encounters factory manager Mr Hilditch (Bob Hoskins), who befriends her and offers her lodgings. However, as Felicia gets to know Hilditch, she discovers a few sinister secrets about her new housemate…

Verdict: Well-acted thriller that unfortunately runs out of steam a little with the conclusion. 7/10

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Sweet Land (2005)

Inge (Elizabeth Reaser) is a feisty German mail-order bride who has come to Minnesota to marry Olaf (Tim Guinee), a young Norwegian immigrant farmer of few words. But in a post-WWI, anti-German climate, the local minister (John Heard) openly forbids the marriage. Inge and Olaf fall in love despite the town’s disapproval. But when the town banker (Ned Beatty) attempts to foreclose on the farm of his friend Frandsen (Alan Cumming), Olaf takes a stand…and the community unites around the young couple, finally accepting Inge as one of their own.

Verdict: Beautifully filmed but ultimately an average love story in the end. 6/10

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