Babel (15)

What’s it about?
A heart wrenching tale of four families whose lives are suddenly intertwined by a rifle. A bullet fired irresponsibly by a young boy unleashes a tragic chain of events that has a significant impact on all of their lives.

Highs n lows
Although a great idea and meticulously crafted, for me this was a very slow storyline that never really got going. The story is told in vignettes, starting from the present looping back through the past and finishing where you started. The script very cleverly and minutely links four families from very different walks of life: a Moroccan goat herd, an illegal immigrant to the USA, a Japanese businessman and an American couple. But to my mind it could have been cut by a good half hour, which would have sped up the action without losing any of the detail vital to the plot.

Unsurprisingly, having been filmed on location in Mexico Morocco, the US and Tokyo, it has a very authentic feel with extremely well-rounded characters that you can largely empathise with. Add to this impressive performances by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett as the American couple Richard and Susan, whose relationship is shown in brief but telling scenes, dissolving from brittle animosity to touching and achingly close shots that grab you by the gut, in one of the most believable performances I’ve seen since Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of Idi Amin. Mix in the realism of a couple of non professional locals as the two Moroccan brothers and the determined and loving portrayal of Mexican nanny Amelia, played by Adriana Barraza, and you have a telling multicultural cocktail that makes a strong statement about the irresponsible use of guns, and the impact of the excesses of the US authorities. The only down side was the over long scenes involving the deaf mute Japanese girl (did someone got carried away with the cinematography there ??)

One quick health warning, I wouldn’t watch this if you’re feeling down, it’s likely to make you feel worse.

Is it any good?
3 out of 5. Note: some nudity. 2006 Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture - Drama

Golden Globe Award Winners 2006

In another step towards this February’s Oscar ceremony, half of last night’s Best Performance awards at the 2006 Golden Globe ceremony, were taken by black actors:

Forest Whitaker took Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, for Last King of Scotland
Eddie Murphy was awarded Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, for Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson got Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Dreamgirls

It remains to be seen if this is a trend we’ll see repeated at Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony next month.
In a nod to two doyens of the big screen, let’s not forget to raise a glass to Helen Mirren who took the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, for The Queen.

50 Cent in Book Deal

In yet another change of direction, 50 Cent has added publishing as another string to his multi-million dollar business empire. In a joint venture with MTV/Pocket Books, his new line of "gritty and true-to-life," hip-hop novellas launches this month under his G-Unit Books label, with 3 titles: Death Before Dishonor by Nikki Turner, Baby Brother by Noire and The Ski Mask Way by K. Elliot.

In 2005 the rapper turned actor earned almost $41 million dollars (£21,037,724), from record sales and branding deals that include a clothing line, a line of sneakers, a video game and his G-Unit line of clothing.

Costa Book Awards Category Winning Authors

The work of five authors based in Britain and Ireland was recognised this week when the Costa Book Awards 2006 (Formally the Whitbread Book Awards) announced their category winning authors. They were:

2006 Costa First Novel Award winner

Stef Penney - The Tenderness of Wolves

2006 Costa Novel Award winner
William Boyd - Restless

2006 Costa Children's Book Award winner
Linda Newbery - Set in Stone

2006 Costa Poetry Award winner
John Haynes - Letter to Patience

2006 Costa Biography Award winner
Brian Thompson - Keeping Mum

Established in 1971 by Whitbread Plc, the Awards celebrate the most enjoyable books from the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. The overall winner will be named at a ceremony in London in February.

The Pursuit of Happyness (12A)

What’s it about?
Will Smith and his son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith bring to life the true story of Chris Gardener; a Salesman who overcomes serious odds including homelessness, jail time and a broken marriage, to train as a stockbroker whilst taking care of his 5 year old son.

Highs n lows
This is real inspiration for anyone who’s having a hard time of it, and is
as much a testament of the relationship that Will Smith has with his son, as of his acting abilities. The pair make the film, the other roles including Thandie Newton’s are really just bit parts. The relationship is as enthralling as the story which is the epitomy of the American Dream.

I saw this with two fellas and they both admitted to ‘slight moisture around the eyes’ at the end of this one. Dads out there this is one for you.

Quote to note:
“Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something … You got a dream, you gotta protect it … If you want something, go get it. Period.”

Is it any good?
4 and a half out of 5

Tipped for 2007

I realise you’ve probably had a belly full of best of worst of 2006 so as we’re now well into 2007, I won’t go there, so instead here’s a quick don’t miss list for the first quarter of 2007.

Best in Film
I Feel privileged to have seen such a wide range of films over the past few months, some well before their UK release dates. But if I had to choose just one must see for this Winter? I’d have a hard time choosing between Dreamgirls and Last King of Scotland. Dreamgirls left me with serious goose bumps, bedazzled and with aching feet from the amount of tapping they did throughout the film. On the other hand Forest Whitaker’s performance as Idi Amin really blew me away and just has to get my top vote.

Last King is out in the UK in January, Dreamgirls in February.

Also out first quarter of 2007 and worth a look if you can spare the time are:
Venus
Blood Diamond
Fast food nation
Babel
Bobby
Bamako (didn’t catch it during BFI but will be seeing it)

Check out my reviews on this site for more on these.

Best in Books
So that’s the best in film, what about the best in books? Well I have to say my top tip for 2007 if you’ve not already got it has to be Bernadine Evaristo’s Emperor’s Babe – if you didn’t’ check it out back in October, do it now and let me know what you think.

If it’s the best sellers you’re more interested in, the top UK best sellers at the end of 2006 were:

The Sound of Laughter – Peter Kay
Why don’t penguins’ feet freeze
The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger

Let me know if you think any of the above’s worth reviewing.

Did I say a few days? I think I meant a couple of weeks!

Okay, I hold my hands up I massively underestimated the amount of time it would take to get myself vaguely back on track whilst also looking after a new baby. For anyone who took me at my word and checked back every few days thank you for your patience and your messages of congrats.

I hope 2007 has been good to you all so far and has plenty more good in store. Filmwise there’s definitely some treats to look forward to, so check back this week for my top picks to catch this Winter. Book fans I hear there’s rumours of a couple of big launches this year, mum’s the word (no pun promise) for now but all will be revealed soon.

WOIM