Certainly one of the most challenging films I have watched in a long time. Bizarre and confusing, but also beautiful, elegant and circular. The uneasy tension it builds in the first two acts is pierced in the third, and the story is re-told in the mental unravelling of the main character. Or is it? Don’t watch this unless you’re willing to pay close attention for the whole two-and-a-bit hours, otherwise you’ll just go “huh?”
Author Archives: Martin
Robert B. Parker – Widow’s Walk
It’s got all the usual Spenser banter and wisecracks, but no character development for any of the regulars this time. A rich man is murdered, and Spenser is hired to clear his wife. As soon as he starts nosing around in their backgrounds, more people start getting killed. A well-plotted, quick read.
Robert Ludlum – The Bourne Identity
The only thing the recent film has in common with this book is the name “Jason Bourne”, and the fact that he has lost his memory. Everything else is completely different. The book deals with an intricate and highly secret plot to catch an assassin called “Carlos,” and how Bourne comes to learn of the part he has to play in it. Good action thriller.
Hard Boiled (Lashou Shentan)
The plot is paper-thin, and the acting is wooden, but John Woo shows just why he is considered a master of the action genre. The gun fights are beautifully staged and choreographed, and shot in such a way that turns their extreme violence into a lethal dance of balletic grace. Shame about the rest of the film, though.
Die Another Day
Hmm. This started off quite well, with a nice title sequence. It was interesting to see Bond out on his ear and left to his own devices. Unfortunately it gets worse from there. Too much reliance on ridiculous gadgets, rather than on Bond’s wits and a half-decent plot. Even the set pieces and stunts use more CGI (and bad CGI, at that) than one has come to expect from the franchise. A disappointment, overall.
Café Rouge, Frederick St., Edinburgh
Excellent steak frites, and they even offered mayonnaise! Pleasant, continental atmosphere, with great service. Smoking section not sufficiently separated from non-smokers. Very baby (and breastfeeding) friendly–we were surrounded by tiny wee ones!
Mings (Princes Square, Glasgow)
Nice chinese food, but the flavours aren’t as exceptional as I remember they used to be. The restaurant has grown a lot in the last few years, and lost some of its “well-kept secret” atmosphere. Very busy at lunchtimes, and they made a mistake with one of our orders. Not hugely child-friendly.
The Rosebank (Camelon, Falkirk)
Beefeater pub, situated on the Union Canal a couple of miles from the Falkirk Wheel. Old-fashioned atmosphere, modern facilities, friendly staff, and extensive menu with big kids’ section. I had a lovely rump steak with pepper sauce.
The Cockatoo (Old Craighall Rd, Edinburgh)
“Home of Chicken Piri-Piri,” their signs declare. It looked tempting (1/2 chicken marinated in Piri-Piri sauce), but I had a burger instead, which was decent. Enormous desserts. Fine for families, with a nice play area out back.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Enjoyable romp, with nicely executed set pieces. The first half is soggy and slow: a succession of sketches of Hogwarts life that don’t lead anywhere until much later. Branagh hams it up wonderfully as Gilderoy Lockhart. At 2hrs 41 mins, though, it’s far too long.