I've been a little occupied by the arrival of my new baby son shortly before Christmas! But check back in a few days for my New Year update.
WOIM
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Night at the Museum (PG)
What’s it about?
Dreamer Larry (Ben Stiller) needs a job, any job so that he can keep on having access to see his son. Only he didn’t bargain on duties as a security guard on the graveyard shift at the local Museum of Natural History, literally being so lively.
Highs n lows
This is a great kids movie, with laughs a plenty for little and big kids alike. Well-known comedians such as Ben stiller, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais both captivate and keep the action moving.
Scenes to watch out for:
*The monkey slapping scene (after the Bacardi ad you might think this one’s been done to death – think again)
*T-Rex playing fetch, you’ll never look at the skeleton in the Natural History Museum in the same way again
Is it any good?
4 out of 5 - out in time for Christmas, so take the kids they’ll love it.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Islamic rape law quashed by Pakistan
In a landmark step forward for the rights of women in Pakistan, rape has been taken out of the sphere of religious law and put under the penal code as part of an amendment to the country's controversial rape statute, making it easier to try sexual assault cases.
This change has come about as a result of a 4 Year fight by Mukhtar Mai who instead of keeping silent in shame, fought and won her case against neighbours who gang raped her on the orders of a council of elders in June 2002, as punishment for the alleged dishonourable conduct of her then 12 year old brother. In the past rape was dealt with under Sharia law, where a rape victim could be prosecuted for adultery unless 4 male witnesses could testify to her ordeal.
The case sparked international outrage when it first came to light and has made Mukhtar Mai an international figure. Mukhtar has used her compensation to open a school in her village in the hope of changing attitudes, as she says “I believe education is the key to ending the cruelty I see around me every day".
Her story In the Name of Honour is to be published in February 2007.
This change has come about as a result of a 4 Year fight by Mukhtar Mai who instead of keeping silent in shame, fought and won her case against neighbours who gang raped her on the orders of a council of elders in June 2002, as punishment for the alleged dishonourable conduct of her then 12 year old brother. In the past rape was dealt with under Sharia law, where a rape victim could be prosecuted for adultery unless 4 male witnesses could testify to her ordeal.
The case sparked international outrage when it first came to light and has made Mukhtar Mai an international figure. Mukhtar has used her compensation to open a school in her village in the hope of changing attitudes, as she says “I believe education is the key to ending the cruelty I see around me every day".
Her story In the Name of Honour is to be published in February 2007.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Déjà vu (12A)
What’s it about?
ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) agent investigates a terrorist bomb explosion using a 4 day window into the past.
Highs n lows
Some I know have been a bit critical about this new offering from Director Tony Scott, but you know what, I liked it. Okay you have to suspend belief, especially when it comes to the time travel part, but it’s a clever storyline following several time perspectives at once, with the action revealing just enough in each scene to keep you captivated. Denzel we know is used to playing cops, and doesn’t let us down as Carlin, and there’s enough explosives and special effects to keep the action junkies happy.
Is it plausible? Well, you’ve got to dream it first, ask Trekkie fans where the idea for the ipod came from …..
Is it any good?
3 out of 5. Out 15 Dec
ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) agent investigates a terrorist bomb explosion using a 4 day window into the past.
Highs n lows
Some I know have been a bit critical about this new offering from Director Tony Scott, but you know what, I liked it. Okay you have to suspend belief, especially when it comes to the time travel part, but it’s a clever storyline following several time perspectives at once, with the action revealing just enough in each scene to keep you captivated. Denzel we know is used to playing cops, and doesn’t let us down as Carlin, and there’s enough explosives and special effects to keep the action junkies happy.
Is it plausible? Well, you’ve got to dream it first, ask Trekkie fans where the idea for the ipod came from …..
Is it any good?
3 out of 5. Out 15 Dec
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Birds and other stories – daphne du maurier
What’s it about?
Compendium of short stories starting with the Birds, the story which inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s chilling film of the same name. where after a harsh Winter birds start attacking humans. Other short stories are: Monte Verita, The Apple Tree, The Little Photographer, Kiss Me Again Stranger, and The Old Man.
Book vs film
A great idea and I can see why it appealed to Hitchcock. Being a short story there’s only so much that can go in, and in this case I’ve got to go for the film which is a lot meatier and scarier (although the characters aren’t the same). A classic Hitchcock horror, great in its day, but not of the ilk of other similar offerings like Psycho or Cujo for suspense.
As it’s only a few pages long I’d read the story out of interest. It has Du Maurier’s absorbingly evocative description and great character development. Combined with the slow but steady pace, the successful build up of tension climaxes in what for me was an unsatisfying ambiguous ending.
The rest of the stories are in a similar vein, a Twilight Zoneian mix of dark, supernatural tales. She is for good reason a classic writer and I wasn’t disappointed by the quality of the writing - highly atmospheric, and absorbing with well-rounded protagonists whose heads you literally climb into. However, as a group I ended up feeling the tales were a little too formulaic and I admit got a bit bored with the unfailingly steady pace of each story. I guess I’ve been spoilt with more modern writing which also relies on other techniques, like changes in pace and view point to keep a story moving.
For all that a quality read if you like something a little sinister.
Is it any good?
3 out of 5 for the book overall.
Compendium of short stories starting with the Birds, the story which inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s chilling film of the same name. where after a harsh Winter birds start attacking humans. Other short stories are: Monte Verita, The Apple Tree, The Little Photographer, Kiss Me Again Stranger, and The Old Man.
Book vs film
A great idea and I can see why it appealed to Hitchcock. Being a short story there’s only so much that can go in, and in this case I’ve got to go for the film which is a lot meatier and scarier (although the characters aren’t the same). A classic Hitchcock horror, great in its day, but not of the ilk of other similar offerings like Psycho or Cujo for suspense.
As it’s only a few pages long I’d read the story out of interest. It has Du Maurier’s absorbingly evocative description and great character development. Combined with the slow but steady pace, the successful build up of tension climaxes in what for me was an unsatisfying ambiguous ending.
The rest of the stories are in a similar vein, a Twilight Zoneian mix of dark, supernatural tales. She is for good reason a classic writer and I wasn’t disappointed by the quality of the writing - highly atmospheric, and absorbing with well-rounded protagonists whose heads you literally climb into. However, as a group I ended up feeling the tales were a little too formulaic and I admit got a bit bored with the unfailingly steady pace of each story. I guess I’ve been spoilt with more modern writing which also relies on other techniques, like changes in pace and view point to keep a story moving.
For all that a quality read if you like something a little sinister.
Is it any good?
3 out of 5 for the book overall.
More controversy for OJ
So OJ Simpson’s back in the news and Rupert Murdoch’s fortunes have taken a bit of a dip courtesy of OJ’s new book ‘If I did it’ which was supposed to be released in the states before Christmas. Billed as a hypothetical story about how OJ would have committed the crime, if he had done it, it has been judged of poor taste by the American public. So much for innocent when proven not guilty.
The fierce media and bookshop backlash forced Murdoch to cancel the publication, interviews, and pulp stock. So I wouldn’t hold our breath waiting for copies to wing their way to the UK via Rupert Murdoch’s HarperCollins publishing arm.
As for OJ – he’s still got his fee and his face is back in the papers, I wonder if he sees the whole debacle as such a bad thing??
The fierce media and bookshop backlash forced Murdoch to cancel the publication, interviews, and pulp stock. So I wouldn’t hold our breath waiting for copies to wing their way to the UK via Rupert Murdoch’s HarperCollins publishing arm.
As for OJ – he’s still got his fee and his face is back in the papers, I wonder if he sees the whole debacle as such a bad thing??
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Hard Candy (18)
What’s it about?
School girl goes after internet paedophile to avenge a fellow student’s death.
Highs n lows
You’ll have to make an effort to stick with this one, it’s very slow to build to a climax and didn’t keep me gripped throughout. Told in short sections that take you from one unpalatable truth to another, climaxing in a hard line ending. This isn’t a blood soaked action packed movie, more disturbing suspense that relies on an intelligent script and character led development. If you are looking for a dose of gratuitous violence, forget it, but use your imagination and you get enough from the characters’ detailed descriptions of what they are doing to have you cringing without seeing so much as a knife.
Both lead characters Ellen Page (Haley) and Patrick Wilson (Jeff) come across as twisted as each other – no matter the rights and wrongs of their motives. Page is suitably sweet and chilling as the vigilante Hayley Stark, and Wilson is extremely convincing as her rational persuasive victim Jeff Kohlver. Your loyalties to the characters will be left in the balance until the end.
This will raise serious questions about the rights and wrongs of vigilanteism, corporal punishment, and underage sex. Personally I can’t condone the actions of either of the main characters, but watch it with friends – it’s sure to start a debate.
Is it any good?
3 out of 5 – moderate violence
School girl goes after internet paedophile to avenge a fellow student’s death.
Highs n lows
You’ll have to make an effort to stick with this one, it’s very slow to build to a climax and didn’t keep me gripped throughout. Told in short sections that take you from one unpalatable truth to another, climaxing in a hard line ending. This isn’t a blood soaked action packed movie, more disturbing suspense that relies on an intelligent script and character led development. If you are looking for a dose of gratuitous violence, forget it, but use your imagination and you get enough from the characters’ detailed descriptions of what they are doing to have you cringing without seeing so much as a knife.
Both lead characters Ellen Page (Haley) and Patrick Wilson (Jeff) come across as twisted as each other – no matter the rights and wrongs of their motives. Page is suitably sweet and chilling as the vigilante Hayley Stark, and Wilson is extremely convincing as her rational persuasive victim Jeff Kohlver. Your loyalties to the characters will be left in the balance until the end.
This will raise serious questions about the rights and wrongs of vigilanteism, corporal punishment, and underage sex. Personally I can’t condone the actions of either of the main characters, but watch it with friends – it’s sure to start a debate.
Is it any good?
3 out of 5 – moderate violence
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
