Monday, December 13, 2010
Literature: Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle
Mindless acts of violence and destruction, by young Irish children, pervade the book, but by the end (I finally finished it yesterday!) you begin to feel that this violence is an 'acting out' in response to the almost inevitable, but unofficial/unformalised, broken homes to which these Catholic children belong.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Vultures - a play by Roy Williams
Vultures - a play by Roy Williams
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead 2010
Stars Nadine Marshall as Yvette and Sean Gallagher as Sean.
An angry young man hates the fact that people assume he’s just another white working-class waster, and sets out to feel like somebody.
Lacked any real depth or suspense for me. Though there were aspects that rang true it did seemed very run of the mill/predictable.
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead 2010
Stars Nadine Marshall as Yvette and Sean Gallagher as Sean.
An angry young man hates the fact that people assume he’s just another white working-class waster, and sets out to feel like somebody.
Lacked any real depth or suspense for me. Though there were aspects that rang true it did seemed very run of the mill/predictable.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Novel: The Last of the Mohicans
Novel: The Last of the Mohicans
After reading Mark Twain's 'Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses' I began to read The Last of the Mohicans. I'd seen the Daniel Day Lewis film but never read the novel. Could Twain be right about Fenimore Cooper?
After four chapters I'm, still enjoying the novel, not all all noticing the 'offences' Twain referred to.
After reading Mark Twain's 'Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses' I began to read The Last of the Mohicans. I'd seen the Daniel Day Lewis film but never read the novel. Could Twain be right about Fenimore Cooper?
After four chapters I'm, still enjoying the novel, not all all noticing the 'offences' Twain referred to.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Novel: Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost (2000)
Happily, after a series of disasppointing reads, I've settled on this novel. True, I'm only on p18, but I've been captivated from the start. Long may it continue.
The novels follows the life of Anil Tissera, a native Sri Lankan who left to study in the United States on a scholarship, during which time she has become a forensic anthropologist. She returns to Sri Lanka in the midst of its civil war as part of a Human Rights Investigation by the United Nations. Anil, along with archaeologist Sarath Diyasena, discovers the skeleton of a recently burned victim in a government area. With the help of Sarath, Anil sets out to identify the skeleton, nicknamed Sailor, and bring about justice for the nameless victims of the war.
The novels follows the life of Anil Tissera, a native Sri Lankan who left to study in the United States on a scholarship, during which time she has become a forensic anthropologist. She returns to Sri Lanka in the midst of its civil war as part of a Human Rights Investigation by the United Nations. Anil, along with archaeologist Sarath Diyasena, discovers the skeleton of a recently burned victim in a government area. With the help of Sarath, Anil sets out to identify the skeleton, nicknamed Sailor, and bring about justice for the nameless victims of the war.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Novel: Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan 1954
Bonjour Tristesse (Hello Sadness) was published when the author was only 18. It was an overnight sensation. I can't think why.
Thankfully it was very short.
I found it cold, calculting and empty.
Thankfully it was very short.
I found it cold, calculting and empty.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Film: The Kite Runner (2007)
The Kite Runner is based on the 2003 novel by Khaled Hosseini.
It reminded me of Persepolis (Iran Revolution) and The Lemon Trees (Jews vs Palestinians)
I cried my eyes out!
Powerful stuff!
It reminded me of Persepolis (Iran Revolution) and The Lemon Trees (Jews vs Palestinians)
I cried my eyes out!
Powerful stuff!
Film: Hancock (2008)
Hancock is a 2008 American action-comedy film directed by Peter Berg and starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize Theron. The story was originally written by Vincent Ngo in 1996.
The film tells the story of a vigilante superhero, John Hancock (Smith) from Los Angeles whose reckless actions routinely cost the city millions of dollars. Eventually one person he saves, Ray Embrey (Bateman), makes it his mission to change Hancock's public image for the better.
An excellent film! Good job Will Smith!
The film tells the story of a vigilante superhero, John Hancock (Smith) from Los Angeles whose reckless actions routinely cost the city millions of dollars. Eventually one person he saves, Ray Embrey (Bateman), makes it his mission to change Hancock's public image for the better.
An excellent film! Good job Will Smith!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Film: In Bruges (2008)
An excellent Colin Farrell & Brendan Gleeson film. The only spoiler for me was Ralph Fiennes who, I felt, over-acted. He doesn't do low-class characters very well. Ray Winstone would have been too obvious but it needed someone other than Fiennes.
Film: Swimming with Sharks (1994)
Reminiscent of 'The Player' with Tim Robbins.
'Swimming with Sharks' is an excellent film except for the ending. I do not believe that Guy would have killed Dawn and spared the Kevin Spacey character.
'Swimming with Sharks' is an excellent film except for the ending. I do not believe that Guy would have killed Dawn and spared the Kevin Spacey character.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Film: The Reader (2008)
The Reader (Der Vorleser) is a novel by German law professor and judge Bernhard Schlink. It was published in Germany in 1995 and translated into English by Carol Brown Janeway in 1997. Schlink's book became the basis of a 2008 film adaptation directed by Stephen Daldry with Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz.
It was an excellent film, more concerned with the ironies of life, than with the holocaust.
The terrible irony is that if Hannah had learned to read she'd never have been lonely enough to have an affair with the 15 year old Michael. If Hannah had learned to read she'd never have been ashamed enough to leave her job with the bus depot, which resulted in her taking up a post with the Nazi SS. Her shame of illiteracy led her to accept the blame for the actions of the team of six guards, of which she was a part. The other five women, out of shame of their actions, put the blame on to her. But, perhaps, her hidden illiteracy, had made her seem autocratic and overbearing?
The young actor who played Michael (David Kross (b. 1990) was very impressive. He had such a range to convey and did it splendidly.
It was an excellent film, more concerned with the ironies of life, than with the holocaust.
The terrible irony is that if Hannah had learned to read she'd never have been lonely enough to have an affair with the 15 year old Michael. If Hannah had learned to read she'd never have been ashamed enough to leave her job with the bus depot, which resulted in her taking up a post with the Nazi SS. Her shame of illiteracy led her to accept the blame for the actions of the team of six guards, of which she was a part. The other five women, out of shame of their actions, put the blame on to her. But, perhaps, her hidden illiteracy, had made her seem autocratic and overbearing?
The young actor who played Michael (David Kross (b. 1990) was very impressive. He had such a range to convey and did it splendidly.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Film: Deliverance (1972)
Deliverance is a 1972 American thriller film produced and directed by John Boorman. Principal cast include Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox, and Ned Beatty. The film is based on a 1970 novel of the same name by American author James Dickey, who has a small role in the film as a sheriff.
I can't have watched it before as I didn't recall a thing. But it's not the film I thought it was.
The film I'm looking for ends with the protagonists being surrounded by some kind of faction who set fire to an enclosing circle, just as the protagonists thought they had escaped. I thought the Burt Reynolds featured in it, but perhaps it was David Carradine?
I can't have watched it before as I didn't recall a thing. But it's not the film I thought it was.
The film I'm looking for ends with the protagonists being surrounded by some kind of faction who set fire to an enclosing circle, just as the protagonists thought they had escaped. I thought the Burt Reynolds featured in it, but perhaps it was David Carradine?
Film: The Mexican (2001)
Stayed up way past bedtime to watch this film on TV.
I didn't have high expectations - esp. of Brad Pitt - but it was a good film. Pitt was the weakest link - as usual - but Julia Roberts and everyone else more than made up for him.
Highly recommended, quirky film.
I didn't have high expectations - esp. of Brad Pitt - but it was a good film. Pitt was the weakest link - as usual - but Julia Roberts and everyone else more than made up for him.
Highly recommended, quirky film.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Angel by Merle Collins 1987
Wednesday 25th August 2010
The novel relates a familiar story: thanks to Doodsie’s determination and sacrifices, her daughter, Angel, born of an impoverished provincial family receives a college education and returns to her family alienated by her inevitable politicization, her own growth mirroring the struggles of Grenada to gain political autonomy. The rise of a dictatorship and its overthrow by a socialist government, led to the American invasion of the island. Angel had returned home to teach but enters the struggle against the dictatorship and eventually the American invaders.
Collins's characters think and speak in patois but the strain imposed by the language didn’t abate for me. It came across as irritating, and it was not as though anything of worth was being said. The feminist and political themes overshadowed any sense of a story.
I began reading this book on 24th August 2010. I found the early chapters interminably dull and clichéd in their depiction of Caribbean life. The work became of greater interest once Angel had began at High School and then at University - but it is still rather run of the mill. Still, I've got about four chapters still to read, so it may improve.
Saturday 28th August 2010
Finished the book this morning, before I got out of bed, and it did not improve.
Unconvincing, irritating drivel!
The novel relates a familiar story: thanks to Doodsie’s determination and sacrifices, her daughter, Angel, born of an impoverished provincial family receives a college education and returns to her family alienated by her inevitable politicization, her own growth mirroring the struggles of Grenada to gain political autonomy. The rise of a dictatorship and its overthrow by a socialist government, led to the American invasion of the island. Angel had returned home to teach but enters the struggle against the dictatorship and eventually the American invaders.
Collins's characters think and speak in patois but the strain imposed by the language didn’t abate for me. It came across as irritating, and it was not as though anything of worth was being said. The feminist and political themes overshadowed any sense of a story.
I began reading this book on 24th August 2010. I found the early chapters interminably dull and clichéd in their depiction of Caribbean life. The work became of greater interest once Angel had began at High School and then at University - but it is still rather run of the mill. Still, I've got about four chapters still to read, so it may improve.
Saturday 28th August 2010
Finished the book this morning, before I got out of bed, and it did not improve.
Unconvincing, irritating drivel!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Always Coming Home (1985) by Ursula Le Guin
I've just given up on my second attempt (in over 20 years) to read 'Always Coming Home' by Ursula Le Guin (1985). It is the title that transfixes me. I also like the look of the book, its shape, its size, its weight, the feel of the paper, the type of font used, the illustrations and charts. But I find it unreadable. It consists of over 500 pages of imaginative detail but I can't relate to it.
The content seems so pointless and empty. I find myself thinking, 'Had the writer nothing better to do with the time and energy?'
javascript:void(0)
This novel is about a cultural group of humans—the Kesh—who "might be going to have lived a long, long time from now in Northern California." (p. i) Part novel, part textbook, part anthropologist's record, Always Coming Home explains the life and culture of the Kesh people. The bulk of the book is a mixture of Kesh cultural lore (including poetry, prose of various kinds, mythos, rituals, and recipes), essays on Kesh culture, and the musings of the narrator, "Pandora".
It is set in a time so post-apocalyptic that no cultural source can remember the apocalypse, though a few folk tales refer to our time. The only signs of our civilisation that have lasted into their time are artifacts such as styrofoam and a self-manufacturing, self-maintaining, solar-system-wide computer network. They use such inventions of civilization as writing, steel, guns, electricity, trains, and the aforementioned computer network.
I just didn't care about the information I was being presented with. I couldn't get in to the spirit of the book.
The content seems so pointless and empty. I find myself thinking, 'Had the writer nothing better to do with the time and energy?'
javascript:void(0)
This novel is about a cultural group of humans—the Kesh—who "might be going to have lived a long, long time from now in Northern California." (p. i) Part novel, part textbook, part anthropologist's record, Always Coming Home explains the life and culture of the Kesh people. The bulk of the book is a mixture of Kesh cultural lore (including poetry, prose of various kinds, mythos, rituals, and recipes), essays on Kesh culture, and the musings of the narrator, "Pandora".
It is set in a time so post-apocalyptic that no cultural source can remember the apocalypse, though a few folk tales refer to our time. The only signs of our civilisation that have lasted into their time are artifacts such as styrofoam and a self-manufacturing, self-maintaining, solar-system-wide computer network. They use such inventions of civilization as writing, steel, guns, electricity, trains, and the aforementioned computer network.
I just didn't care about the information I was being presented with. I couldn't get in to the spirit of the book.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A Weekend at Blenheim by J.P Morrissey
I lost the novel 'Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha' by Roddy Doyle, on the train into Bham on Tuesday. Just as I was getting in to it.
My only hope is that it becomes a 'Found Book' and is not just binned.
I began 'A Weekend at Blenheim' by J.P Morrissey, but it was so dire, that, by the start of chapt 2, I began flicking through, reading random paragraphs, to see if anything sparked my interest. No joy, so I turned to the end and read the last few pages. It turned out to be even more dire than I suspected. Why in God's name had I bought it? Oh well, it was only £1 or so from a charity shop, but even so!
I hate to abandon a book but life is just too short.
My only hope is that it becomes a 'Found Book' and is not just binned.
I began 'A Weekend at Blenheim' by J.P Morrissey, but it was so dire, that, by the start of chapt 2, I began flicking through, reading random paragraphs, to see if anything sparked my interest. No joy, so I turned to the end and read the last few pages. It turned out to be even more dire than I suspected. Why in God's name had I bought it? Oh well, it was only £1 or so from a charity shop, but even so!
I hate to abandon a book but life is just too short.
Film: Advise & Consent (1962)
Advise & Consent is a 1962 American film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Allen Drury, published in 1959. The movie was adapted for the screen by Wendell Mayes & was directed by Otto Preminger.
It was the first time I'd ever seen this film. I'd not even heard of it before. It was truly amazing, magnificent, compelling!
The cast features Henry Fonda (oh too briefly!), Charles Laughton (excellent!), Don Murray, Walter Pidgeon (magnificent!), Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith (poor babe!), Eddie Hodges, Paul Ford, George Grizzard, Inga Swenson, Betty White & others.
The film follows the consequences in Washington, D.C. when the President surprises the United States Senate by nominating a man with a hidden past for Secretary of State.
It was the first time I'd ever seen this film. I'd not even heard of it before. It was truly amazing, magnificent, compelling!
The cast features Henry Fonda (oh too briefly!), Charles Laughton (excellent!), Don Murray, Walter Pidgeon (magnificent!), Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney, Franchot Tone, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith (poor babe!), Eddie Hodges, Paul Ford, George Grizzard, Inga Swenson, Betty White & others.
The film follows the consequences in Washington, D.C. when the President surprises the United States Senate by nominating a man with a hidden past for Secretary of State.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Revolutionary Road - Film based on Richard Yates' novel
excellent film which reminded me of John Osbourne's 'Look Back in Anger'
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle
The novel begins with the accounts of mindless acts of violence and destruction performed by young Irish children, below the age of 10. It's frightening to see that violence and destruction seemed 2nd nature in such young children.
In my early childhood I recall making things, growing things, looking after thing, learning things.
Could the differences really be caused by the 'place place's fault'?
In my early childhood I recall making things, growing things, looking after thing, learning things.
Could the differences really be caused by the 'place place's fault'?
A Bottle in the Smoke (1990) A. N. Wilson
I had such high expectations, after chapt 1, but the novel turned into whingeing, repetitive, unconvincing, over-blown drivel.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Little Prince (1974) film based on de Saint-Exupery story
Loved it to pieces!
I hadn't even known that it existed (as a film). I came across it by chance, in the 'previously owned' DVDs for sale bins at my local Blockbusters. Only £3. And when I saw, from the cover, that it starred Bob Fosse, well!
Amazing! Amazing!
Why isn't everyone talking about this film?
How come I've just found it by chance, in my 42nd year of life?
Well, at least I did find it. Praise the Lord!
It really is a MUST SEE!
It's made me want to read the book - which I'd owned for decades but never actually opened.
Think Gulliver's Travels. Think Marianna Dreams. Think pure, intelligent bliss!
I hadn't even known that it existed (as a film). I came across it by chance, in the 'previously owned' DVDs for sale bins at my local Blockbusters. Only £3. And when I saw, from the cover, that it starred Bob Fosse, well!
Amazing! Amazing!
Why isn't everyone talking about this film?
How come I've just found it by chance, in my 42nd year of life?
Well, at least I did find it. Praise the Lord!
It really is a MUST SEE!
It's made me want to read the book - which I'd owned for decades but never actually opened.
Think Gulliver's Travels. Think Marianna Dreams. Think pure, intelligent bliss!
The English Language - Robert Burchfield
I'm working my way through my bookcase with a vengeance - a major clear-out is in the offing.
Consequently I've just inspected 'The English Language' by Robert Burchfield. God knows when I bought it but I know it cost a far bit: Hardbark folio edition - London 2006 - brand new.
What a pile of rubbish! Took me less than 5 mins of careful, close inspection to realise that there was not a single thing I wanted to read in fine detail.
I hope that the rest of books on my shelves do not have the same impression on me.
Consequently I've just inspected 'The English Language' by Robert Burchfield. God knows when I bought it but I know it cost a far bit: Hardbark folio edition - London 2006 - brand new.
What a pile of rubbish! Took me less than 5 mins of careful, close inspection to realise that there was not a single thing I wanted to read in fine detail.
I hope that the rest of books on my shelves do not have the same impression on me.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sherlock - BBC TV Series - Episode 1
Wow! I loved it. Brilliant casting, brilliant script, brilliant dialogue, brilliant acting.
I was captivated the whole time!
Cumberbatch was a revelation. I'd never rated him before - except in Small Island - but he's really come of age in this!
Wow!
Can't wait for the next episode.
I was captivated the whole time!
Cumberbatch was a revelation. I'd never rated him before - except in Small Island - but he's really come of age in this!
Wow!
Can't wait for the next episode.
A Bottle in the Smoke - A. N Wilson
Currently reading 'A Bottle in the Smoke' (1990) by A. N Wilson.
This is my first A. N Wilson.
I've only read chapter 1 so far - half of it last night and the rest of it this morning before I got out of bed.
Already I'm gripped. So gripped that I had to go online and find out more about the author. That's when I found out that 'A Bottle in the Smoke' is a sequel to 'Incline Our Hearts' (1989).
It's too late now. 1. I don't have a copy of Incline Our Hearts (1989)
2. I'm already caught up in the sequel.
My favourite quote from chapter 1 of 'A Bottle in the Smoke' comes from p19:
"It's not an accident that human beings provide for themselves the narcotic of drudgery. Those of us who have opted out must pay the consequences. [...] I thought that just being me would keep me going, not realising that for much of the time this is precisely the thing one most needs to escape."
This is my first A. N Wilson.
I've only read chapter 1 so far - half of it last night and the rest of it this morning before I got out of bed.
Already I'm gripped. So gripped that I had to go online and find out more about the author. That's when I found out that 'A Bottle in the Smoke' is a sequel to 'Incline Our Hearts' (1989).
It's too late now. 1. I don't have a copy of Incline Our Hearts (1989)
2. I'm already caught up in the sequel.
My favourite quote from chapter 1 of 'A Bottle in the Smoke' comes from p19:
"It's not an accident that human beings provide for themselves the narcotic of drudgery. Those of us who have opted out must pay the consequences. [...] I thought that just being me would keep me going, not realising that for much of the time this is precisely the thing one most needs to escape."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)