the painted veil

while not exactly a chinese film the location totally is that
which was the main appeal for me - see some of that country
i was also curious to see how the husband/wife acting team would go
naomi watts (kitty) in a leading role and liev schreiber (charlie) as her lover
i also admire the acting skills of edward norton who plays a doctor (walter)
and then as a final teaser diana rigg is mentioned in the cast
the film opens with kitty and walter dumped in country china
then cuts back to explain how they have ended up there
he is a bacteriologist briefly in london where he meets kitty
she is from a rich family with a mother keen to be rid of her
so kitty decides to scarper and accepts walter's proposal
and hi-ho hi-ho it's off to china we go - shanghai
i was looking forward to some scenes of 1920's china
but mostly what we see is a bored kitty with her new man
hubby finds out and gives her a choice of a divorce
or a trip to the country to deal with a cholera outbreak
take the divorce i was thinking - she being in love with charlie
but seems as a woman that is not the done thing
so then it's off to the country with a grumpy husband
this gives the director the opportunity for some impressive shots
plenty of scenes featuring china's unique mountain ranges
upon reaching their destination kitty is totally isolated
walter won't touch her and barely speaks to her
so she befriends the mother superior (diana rigg)
and finds some solace in her work with orphaned children
eventually after a drunken night they reconcile
fall into bed and she finally in love with her husband
gets pregnant, they live happily ever after, etc, etc
well not quite he gets the dreaded disease and snuffs it
which is about the most unpredictable part of this film
the rest is just too obvious - even boring in places
i found myself too aware that this is just a film
and not transported as film can do when done well
the costumes were grand (how many suitcases did she take?)
the acting was ok but naomi watts tends to rely on her beauty
i don't think this one will pick up any prizes for directing
of maybe the editing is at fault as it felt very jerky
a lot of scenes but not flowing very well
you could almost sense the one scene a day feel to it
all very well set up with totally unbelievable lighting
literally that is - bright spot lights used for dramatic effect
silhouetting characters or showing off beauty and/or dress
the chinese actors given or giving very wooden roles
some things going on that lacked explanation
or seemingly there because the budget allowed for it
which made me think - should have read the book first
but somerset maughan is not someone i am drawn to
ok - enough panning - not a bad film
just not a great one

the edge of heaven

or it's original german title - auf der anderen seite
cannes slapped a few awards on this one including best screenplay
though i was not aware of that until after seeing it
the attraction for me was a continuing run of luck
having seen a number of foreign (read sub-titled) films lately
each providing a great sense of enjoyment and satisfaction
so on this night the stars named time, location and appeal all lined up
the edge of heaven is a german-turkish collaboration
though the opening scene looks like something out of an american road film
the action then cuts to hamburg with no explanation of that scene
an elderly widower turkish immigrant takes in a prostitute for company
much to the chagrin of his caring university professor son
who learns that his father's companion has a long-lost daughter
an unfortunate brain-snap sees the death of the prostitute come companion
with the father sent to prison and the body back to turkey
the son wants to make amends so also returns to his ancestral homeland
to search out the lost daughter and pay for the education her mother wished for
in the meantime the daughter is a part of an illegal political organisation
flees the country and heads to germany in search of her mother
so there is a very appealing father-son, mother-daughter storyline
the daughter is lost in germany and befriends a university student
their relationship develops and this time to the chagrin of the student's mother
eventually the police catch up with our illegal immigrant and she is deported
and herself ends up in prison in turkey for her political activities
her new german friend then heads to turkey to try and help her
takes lodgings with the young professor now book-store owner
then naively gets caught up in a bad situation leading to her death
allowing the director to neatly portray another body being transported
her own mother then comes to istanbul to understand her daughter's death
meets the professor and so a tantalising situation is set up
we the audience know of the 2 degrees of separation of these people
but frustratingly they themselves do not know the connection
(and i suspect my explanation is even more disguised than in the film)
putting all that aside this film has so much to offer
beautiful cinematography showing the allure of turkey and istanbul
the simple kindness and empathy of humanity is highlighted
as is the danger of gross nationalism and religious fervour
but in the end it is forgiveness and enlightenment that wins out
leading the professor son to travel to find his banished father
and thus explaining the opening scene now shown in context
with a final scene that had me glued to my seat
watching the credits roll over the top
i think i need to see it again
stunning film-making

the colour

a novel based in the 1860's in the south island of nz
the colour being the term ascribed to the precious metal
that drove men and women to join in the goldrush of those days
the main 2 characters are a couple of unhappily married uk migrants
joseph blackstone has left behind a past he wants to forget
harriet has a sense of adventure that sees her accompany her man
they have his solitary mother lilian for company as they start their new life
buying a few acres of land and building the simplest of homes
then trying to survive off the land at the mercy of nz's harsh weather
joseph discovers a few grains of the colour in their creek
and soon is obsessed by this discovery and wants more
he acts secretly but fails and so decides to join in the rush
that sees him on a very risky boat journey to the west coast
leaving harriet to tend to the farm and his ailing mother
their wealthy neighbours providing the company she needs
befriending their young son who has a secret visitor
being a maori lady who nursed him while young
but banished after an accident that continues to haunt them
at this stage of the book i was well and truly hooked
rose tremain the author has a way of providing excellent insight
so that all the characters she introduces are easily understood
the weather and beauty of the south island are deftly described
with pare the maori lady in the mix a spiritualism is also present
explaining the at-one relationship between maoris and environment
back in the story and lilian finally succumbs and passes on
joseph is unaware as he is mired in the desperation of the goldrush
so harriet takes to her horse to find him and break the news
she longs to be in the mountains and heads there on horseback
looking for a way through to the other side where joseph is
but her sense of survival is stronger than her sense of adventure
so she resorts to the risky boat-trip and arrives in hokitika
finds joseph and then assists him in his part in the goldrush
i don't recall reading about or studying this time in nz history
but the last part of this book provides such an insight
cleverly describing the conditions, desperation and determination
using the story of these 2 totally different people
the climax to the book is actually quite moving
as harriet finally finds what she didn't know she was looking for
and joseph's pays his penance as his past finally catches up with him
some books i read i get to the ending with a sense of relief
in this case i didn't want to part company with it
just so totally engrossing and satisfying
would make a great film
go peter jackson

paris

the continuation of the viewing of films based in paris
inside paris, je t'aime paris, 2 days in paris and now - paris
starring romain duris the down on love brother from inside paris
a similar role in this film but in this case his heart is also physically sick
requiring a heart transplant and some tlc from sister is also needed
she played by juliet binoche - the other big appeal of this film for me
the opening credits gave some indication of the style of the film
lots of them and everyone it seems gets a mention
there are about 10 main characters mixed in the plot
all living, working, socialising in central paris
some close relationships but others more tenuous
in the opening scenes it's a case of hold on as best you can
as all the characters are quickly and fairly randomly introduced
meaning the eyes are rapidly moving between scenes and the sub-titles
but once past that it's a case of settle in and enjoy the journey
reminisce on time spent in paris as familiar territory pops up
then give in to the fact that really the city is the star of the film
for it feels like the director is not trying to illuminate anyone
though juliet binoche inadvertently does that effortlessly
there seems to be a real intent to show these people as typical
for they all have idiosyncrosies that seem very real
in one case a respected history professor blocks his parents
cannot believe that his own brother cries at their fathers funeral
then has a shrink in near laughter as he casually mentions this
soon after he is seen wooing an attractive student via mobile texting
then delivers up a hilarious mime-dance scene a-la tom cruise
relationships are never far from the spotlight in this film
it's easy to start out thinking the city of love is the cause of this
but before long and after some quite unlikely couplings
it becomes apparant the director is pointing to another cause
desperate loneliness, lack of fulfillment, the need for affection
the city's reputation then justifying the flinging together of bodies
and not only odd couplings but very odd settings
the meat section at the city markets had me squirming
there are parties thrown in a blatant attempt to resurrect friendships
a not too subtle jab at the right-wing direction of france is there
and not too far away is the case of the fragility of life
as the most dominant character struggles with his illness
and his lovely sister (jb) supports and also indulges
as expected there is no happy ending to this film
no conclusion, no revelations, no hidden message
just a great slice of many lives in this city
2 hours went by very quickly
still want to go there again
ah...paris

drop city

a book coming recommended from one of those 1001 list things
from an author touted as 'one of america's most valuable storytellers'
but that is on the cover of the book so to be taken with a grain of slight
t c boyle being the author in question - or thomas coraghessan boyle
this book is a back to basics tale about life on the land
it starts out on a hippy commune in california in 1970
giving an almost nostalgic insight to life in those times
free sex, drugs aplenty, music, apathy, eeking out an existence
take it as it comes, no rules, no expectations, no demands
in parallel there is also a couple living in deep alaska
also back to basics and at the mercy of the weather
meaning life has to be very structured and planned
summer spent earning cash from hunting and trapping
growing vegetables, catching fish, preserving food
winter spent in lockdown in survival mode
things get out of hand on the hippy commune
the author seems to enjoy documenting a decline in ideals
meaning jealousy, possessiveness, envy, distrust take their toll
the straights seem intent on destroying their lifestyle
or at least forcing them out so they flee the bulldozers
and head north to alaska where their leader has a claim on some land
which of course is next to the couple living in blissful isolation
and so we are witness to a serious clash of cultures
hippies being unheard of and not welcome in redneck alaska
but they are here to stay and some friendships are formed
demonstrating that character traits override ideals
so a hippy with bad scrupples can befriend a like-minded redneck
and an isolated housewife can enjoy the company of other women
i enjoyed the way the book was set up to this point
but towards the end i was looking forward to a conclusion
and the more it went on the more i felt uncomfortable about it
it kind of dawned on me (eventually) what the author's intent was
best summed up by suggesting he would be a g w bush supporter
or at least a member of the national rifle association
guns are never far from the action in outback alaska
animals are purely there for killing, eating and/or stripping
a woman's role is to be housekeeper, cook, subservient
minority groups to be sneered on and not helped
free sex leading to an outbreak of an std amongst the hippies
except for the devoted couple who befriend the local man/wife
who become expectant parents along the way
the token african americans are dealt with ruthlessly
their names appropriated for new dogs in the sled team
the hippy leader abandons the flock when the going gets tough
just too many such happenings at the end of this book
which led to a feeling of relief when it finally comes to an end
no big climax - certainly no encouragement for alternative lifestyles
much better to give in to a traditional way of life
him - armed to the teeth and out there taking them down
her - at home alone, baking bread and getting pregnant
makes you wonder what really killed the hippy culture

ten part invention

i used to live about 3 minutes walk from the sound lounge
at the moment it's about a 3 hour trip - each way
involving lots of walking and a long train trip
but this band plays so rarely it has to be done
a modest crowd at start of set meant a choice of seats
so well positioned centre stage second row as they started up
ripping into a roger frampton tune titled jazznost
that does everything to confirm the strength of this outfit
a rollicking number of very many different styles and sounds
seeing everyone contributing on their respective instruments
or giving way to a gentle drum/bass/piano section
john pochee as drummer/leader then back-announcing the tune
and seemingly in fine form as on-stage m c and story-teller
a trio of tunes composed by sandy evans were then played
including a new tune that surely means recordings will follow
sitting as close as i was meant total absorption was possible
and with 10 excellent musicians on stage there was plenty to observe
not least the camraderie and respect given and received
my feeling with this outfit is that it is an absolute pinnacle
each musician totally dedicated to their role in the band
giving their all musically and soaking it up equally
closed eyes, nodding heads, tapping feet, smiling faces
all in evidence as other musicians took the spotlight
and when all 10 of them are hard at it
i cannot imagine a more glorious jazz sound
loose but tight, melodic but shambolic, loud but gentle
any rhythm, style, beat or speed in their easy grasp
tunes counted in and the band then just so together
which in any other outfit would indicate lots of playing or rehearsing
but i suspect given the difficulty of uniting 10 highly prolific musicians
in this case means connection, intuition and feel is at play big time
then when a classic such as blues for clancye is rolled out they let rip
adding to the mixture a fallback to a very well known piece of music
but still played with unchecked passion and enthusiasm
10 part invention have played together for over 20 years
i have had the great fortune of seeing them only a handful of times
and now have them on the not-to-be-missed list
making me part of a small but growing club
judging by the reaction at the end of the performance tonight
loud, long, appreciative and deserving applause
best band in australia?
put them up there

housesitting part 1

i'd been aware of this lark via friends, etc
circumstances now dictate that this a viable option
low (no) cost accomodation, flexibility, adaptability
have registered on a web-site specific to housesitting
i.e. pay some dollars, advertise, browse, respond, engage, etc
and in passing mention to a few friends that this has happened
which in this case led to a phone-call - you serious about this?
...because i have some friends about to head off around australia
concerned about leaving their house and i mentioned you, etc, etc
a dinner was organised at the house in question to meet the people
conversation soon turned to - the neighbours are great
come and go as you like, make yourself at home, etc
i.e. no formal do you want the gig? - or - am i suitable?
nothing to sign, no money to change hands - just a set of keys
and so i find myself in official house-sitting job number 1
what a beauty - a house in the central coast hinterland
close to a train station on the main sydney/newcastle line
20 minutes walk along a dark, winding road uphill
to a house perched on a hill surrounded by gardens and bush
a swimming pool, citrus trees, herb garden, solitude
lawns the size of paddocks but a ride-on mower on site
ye olde house (12o years) lovingly restored and extended
large kitchen, rooms to get lost in, privacy, internet (ahem)
and owners now on the other side of this continent
rising at sun-up to do the tai-chi in the back yard
the best way to soak up the many and various bird sounds
while coffee brews on the large and old electric range
then pack the essentials for the commute to the city
a book, the mp3 player, laptop and off down the road
20 minutes downhill to the local train station
and a guaranteed seat (so-far) into the city
do the honours there during the working day
and all the time looking forward to the return journey
back to this oasis of a house i have been charged with
oh what a pleasure - housesitting
weekend 1 coming up
hope i don't get bored
but there are books to read
and lawns that need to be mowed
provisions to be replenished somehow
and a musical outing in sydney
so far...so good

u23d

the musical journey continues
you've got to hand it to the lads
they continue to be the first to deliver
in 1993 they put on the biggest and best stadium rock show
and have ridden the wave since then with stunning live concerts
me - hell - i was there from the beginning - bono is my brother
well at least he should be given the amount of money tossed his way
tonight set a benchmark in ticket prices at $25 for a film
which eclipses what i used to pay to see 'em live
and now i find myself willing again to pay to pray
at the altar that is u2 live and glorious
the imax theatre was almost overflowing
something i have also not seen for a while with a film
took a seat quite low down, stage (screen) left and donned the 3d glasses
watched the opening credits roll with 3d effect and sensed the occasion
speakers cranked up and the concert launches appropriately with vertigo
maybe not unintentionally adding a new meaning to that song
immediately the sensory experience that is 3d is under way
you're just so there - on the stage like never before
it really does feel like you could reach out and touch them
and a conscious acknowledgement that this is totally relevant
delivering an experience centred between film and reality
the hits just keep on flowing and delivered expertly
proving more than ever how good this band is
edge the guitarist is just stunning
bullet the blue sky featuring an unbelievable solo
had the goosebumps pounding and the eardrums ringing
bono in such fine voice and almost operatic and always in control
cleverly engages the camera at times and so making it very personal
adam clayton mr cool bass-player as solid as ever
prowls the stage and cannot be denied his obvious smugness
larry mullen jr as usual emotionless but drumming expertly
the camera hovering above the kit providing a unique 3d view
the hits, all the hits and nothing but the hits is what they do
60 minutes of them churned out in blistering fashion
the crowd going crazy on the screen and surely also in the theatre
ah no actually the 3d effect puts you right there amongst it
but consciousness gives a reminder that this is a film
and we're actually seated not uttering let alone singing a word
a quick glance around confirms the actual reality
lots of people with silly glasses on and not much movement
so much better to switch back to virtual u2 3d world
where the music does most of the talking
these guys are so overwhelmingly comfortably big
and so confident in their material it seems to lack a use-by date
i totally enjoyed this new sensory experience
even better that it was my old mates u2
on a very significant day
happy birthday to me

sailing away...

i have a very good friend who owns a yacht chartering business
boats owned thankfully by others but managed by him
so occasionally the call comes - wanna go out for a sail?
the first time this happened i said yes
had such a wonderful time i then understood
why it is that this activity is so revered
and so now as with a few other things in my life now
the rule is never say no to such invitations
get out on the water as much as possible
enjoy the company and the experience
get back to basics and be at the mercy of weather
turn up or otherwise look down noses at stink-boats
on this day i was asked to crew a boat in a race
gulp - my reaction was that all i could offer was ballast
which in fact was really all that was wanted and expected
and so it was that 4 lads crewed up on the good ship orinoco
a fine vessel designed more for speed than comfort
hoisted the sail and boldly sailed off from the mooring
only to fairly instantly be at the mercy of a gentle breeze
determined to drive us into the wall of the bay of departure
under the watchful eyes of a bunch of landlubbers
though some last-minute leg push-offs saved the day and pride
and out with the motor to get us to the allotted start-line
then a stalled motor as we manoevred for position
20 or so other craft already jostling for a good start
us - becalmed - and well off the pace even pre-start
but then the god of wind gave us a gentle blow
crossed the line just as the starter did his/her thing
waved the other crews goodbye and settled in for the race
race to me has always meant speed, aggression, tension, selfishness
but on this day that word is very much redefined
and coming down to a simple competition
where even the various crews assisted each other
e.g. 'you need to go around the high-water mark'
a friendly wave and chat about respective boats
and back to the serious business of sail-trimming
or in my case adjusting ballast by bum-shifting
we spent a good 4 hours out on the water
negotiating a course around 3-4 specific points
all the while seeing sydney harbour the best way
totally on it and amongst it with fellow sailors
fine weather and a gentle breeze added to the day
we came in third in the race so well satisfied
and then retired to the yacht club headquarters
being the blues point hotel - classic stuff
no pretentious, see-and-be-seen sailors here
just a bunch of people aware of this pleasure
fully aware of the rare enjoyment of the outing
sydney harbour, saturday afternoon, sailing away
exceptional - recommended - no is not an option

the red queen

throwing caution to the wind in the book reading department
means bypassing normal stringent selection criteria
and in this case taking on this historical, female-oriented novel
the red queen is in fact a real-life korean crown princess
the first part of the book is the telling of her life story
from the point of view of the princess now in spirit form
the author has based the book on historical documents
and so it is a great insight to life in that time and place
the princess is born into an upper-class family and has a happy childhood
then at the age of 10 is married off to the crown prince
and then faithfully stands by him through thick and thin
for her husband is at the mercy of his dictatorial father
the then king of korea who rules with an iron fist
her new husband also has a mental health issue
known today as paranoid schizophrenia
but in the late 18th century has no identity, drugs or cure
and so prince sado lives a wretched and unhappy life
which affects all those around him particularly his young wife
but she has a strong affection towards him and makes allowances
it's very easy to get drawn into this story
ambition, jealousy, politics, entrapment, loyalty are strong themes
brutality and murder is a part of life and comes close to the princess
particularly when her own husband suffers a long, slow death
she turns to writing and documents her sad life in 4 differing volumes
by the time of her own death at old age we know her well
the first chapter (ancient times) is in fact 166 pages long
but it is all just so easily consumed as it sets up part 2
the second chapter (modern times) is in the 3rd person
dr barbara halliwell has mysteriously been sent the books
on the eve of the departure to seoul for a conference
she is drawn to the story of the princess from the past
and upon arrival in korea has some unexpected encounters
that sees her absorb and observe korean culture
including visits to the palaces where part 1 is based
this all results in a great empathy to the princess and her story
for the doctor has suffered very similarly in love, life and loss
this second part of the book covers just 3 days in korea
but again by the end of it we know the leading lady well
and are aware of the spiritual connection from the past
the climax of the book reminds us this is more than a novel
as the author herself cleverly steps into the story
to legitimise the facts of at least the story of the ancient times
and presumably the actual existence of the journals
this is one totally engrossing and entertaining read
or as the book is described on the cover
a transnational tragicomedy
...if not a travel guide
seoul here I come

i served the king of england

or in czech - obsluhoval jsem anglickeho krale
i'd seen the trailer which to me made it out to be quirky
a few reviews i had read were fairly lukewarm as well
i had a desire to see a film on this night and choice was limited
so the decision was made to take it on come what may
the film opens in the early 1960's outside a prison
jan dite is being released after a near 15-year sentence
sent away by the communists at the end of world war 2
1 year for each of the millions he had at the end of the war
having by then realised his dream of being a millionaire
we then travel back in time to prague in the 30's
jan is working as a frankfurter seller on prague railway station
his attitude to work and money does not go unnoticed
and before long he is working his way up in the hotel business
he's a small and solitary man lacking in skills but not confidence
his places of employment are of the highest class
so he is exposed to the opulence of the rich and comfortable
there is no holding back in the displays of this lifestyle
but done in such a stylish way without judgement
food, women, clothing, decor, decorum all beautifully filmed
music and choreography used to enhance the scenes
at times i felt i was witnessing live theatre
other times babettes feast came to mind
the second world war slowly works it's way in
with very effective use of actual radio transmissions
as hitler announces his intentions and czechoslovakia surrenders
so the director then gives us a gentle history lesson
not taking sides but effectively telling us as it was
the film cuts back several times to jan as an older man
now living a life of solitude in an abandoned village
and ruminating on his life that we are now familiar with
these scenes are in total contrast but just as beautifully filmed
cutting back to the war sees jan bid farewell to his wife
she being of german descent and off to join the war
leaving him to run his hotel now used as a fertility clinic
ayran soldiers mixing it with beautiful blonde women
in one of hitler's schemes to ensure the prospering of the master race
i cannot recall ever seeing such beautiful scenes of nudity
as the women frolick in the pool at the grand hotel
but only a few scenes later and the hotel is now a hospital
and we witness disfigured soldiers now enjoying the pool
the war eventually comes to the hotel with force
leading to the eventual incarceration of the now owner
the film wraps up with a simple and effective final scene
other patrons bolted for the door i gathered in dismay
leaving me alone in the theatre after the 2 hour journey
enjoying the last piece of classical music as the credits rolled
a reminder that all the music used was superb
another feature of this beautiful, beautiful film
overuse of that adjective really but...
easiest way to describe this film
one to own on dvd is my thinking
repeat playing totally feasible

dead air

dead air is the buzzword for any time not filled with noise
something to be avoided at all costs apparantly
when you are an announcer on a commercial radio station
which is the job of kenneth nutt the subject of this iain banks novel
told in the first person it covers a year or so of his life
starting at a wedding party in london on september the 11th, 2001
this book is on a 1001 books you must read list i have been referring to
is written by an author whose name i see often in book shops
and the synopsis on the back cover was quite tantalising...
a novel about politics, trust, paranoia and perhaps - redemption
dead air is iain banks at his coruscating best
coruscate - 'be lively or brilliant or exhibit virtuosity'
so i took the plunge and committed myself to this 400 page book
it didn't take too long before i formed a dislike for the man
he is a well-known radio announcer with a very loud ego
lives on a barge on the thames but mostly out partying
alcohol, drugs, sex on demand and devoured feverishly
has few close friends and even those he has cheated on
sleeping with their partners at different times
or close to bedding the young daughter of one of them
conversations he has with friends and acquaintances
are used as the basis for comment or discussion on air
his producer phil and he have a great rapport
there are some quite funny pages of dialogue in the book
as these 2 bounce off each other during the radio show
invariably belittling or insulting some caller or another
about half-way through the book i had just about had enough
it's a very london-centric read with a lot of local references
music companies and dj's are mixed in the plot
but beyond that the promise of an in-depth story was lacking
it's a sure sign of boredom when constantly checking the page count
admittedly though the second half as a crime novel was better
not that i am a huge fan of that genre but something was needed
so through another secret affair things get rather messy
his latest conquest is the wife of a ruthless crime boss
in parallel with this he oversteps the mark on air
his long-term partner dumps him for a band's lead singer
and his best friend finds out about the affair with his wife
so life gets rather complicated and even lonely for him
he makes one big mistake too many and places his life in danger
desperate times call for desperate measures it seems
which also allows the author to have a lot of fun
in the final chapters of the book as our man escapes his fate
...and lives happily every after with the love of his life
all in all not such a satisfying read lacking any substance
i couldn't help thinking throughout there's a film in here
the cad could be played to perfection by hugh grant
it's that kind of book - ok - but....

vantage point

the assassination of the president of the us - potus as he is called here
seems to be a popular choice for the plot of a film these days
in this film it's taken to the extreme with 8 stories rolled into one
each one covering the same brief period of time before and after the event
involved are some big name actors (sigourney weaver, forest whitaker, william hurt)
i can take or leave dennis quaid but the rest meant i was in for the show
potus is in spain for a big summit on international terrorism
but those blasted muslin extremists are also in town to spoil the party
at midday potus is in a town square before a huge crowd to basque in the glory
he is shot, and shortly after a bomb goes off creating pandemonium
the first mini-film is set in a tv network remote studio nearby
and gives a fascinating account of the process of live event coverage
by the end of this one i'm actually thinking this is going to work well
the next few mini-films depict the event from different vantage points
using seemingly innocent crowd members or security force personnel
in each case the director tantalises with a snippet of cross-reference
so that there is connection between action or people seen elsewhere
there's a lovers quarrel in the mix and a mother-child outing
people engage in conversation and a tourist is videoing the event
this all builds very cleverly to reveal more and more of the plot
and interestingly there is an unexpected counter-plot revealed
it's all quite fast-paced, with bright outdoor lighting dominant
technology behind and in front of the camera clearly in use
the groundhog day feeling of constantly revisiting the scene
overcome with the radically different vantage point in each case
but (there has to be one) it all got spoilt as everything peaked
the car chase scene (there has to be one) was just unbelievable
quite literally in this case - up until then i was totally with it
but it went on and on and on and.....and just silly really
there has to be some secret hollywood challenge at work here
see who can come up with the most exciting car chase
how many cars, buses, trucks, cafes, shops can be destroyed
with the hero chaser emerging at the end as the winner (takes all)
i actually decided part way through this to suspend interest in the film
and laugh out loud at the totally unrealistic happenings during the chase
eventually it came to an end and our terminator type hero staggered on
to wrap up the film as the saviour of potus and therefore the world
i felt a bit robbed actually - what started out with promise and interest
ended up being another hollywood block-buster action flick
the goodies emerging triumphant - the baddies now deadies
and u s of a imperialism intact and glorified
get the impression there is more coming
hollywood will milk terrorism for years
still - some good films will come
this one halfway there