Saturday, November 21, 2015
First Lines: John Mortimer - Rumpole of the Bailey
I, Horace Rumploe, barrister at law, 68 next birthday, Old Bailey Hack, husband to Mrs Hilda Rumpole (known to me only as She Who Must Be Obeyed) and father to Nicholas Rumpole (lecturer in social studies at the University of Baltimore, I have always been extremely proud of Nick); I, who have a mind full of old murders, legal anecdotes and memorable fragments of the Oxford Book of English verse (Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch's edition) together with a dependable knowledge of bloodstains, blood groups, fingerprints, and forgery by typewriter; I, who am now the oldest member of my Chambers, take up my pen at this advanced age during a lull in business (there's not much crime about, all the best villains seem to be off on holiday in the Costa Brava), in order to write my reconstructions of some of my recent triumphs (including a number of recent disasters) in the Courts of Law, hoping thereby to turn a bob or two which won't be immediately grabbed by the taxman, or my clerk Henry, or by She Who Must Be Obeyed, and perhaps give some sort of entertainment to those who, like myself, have found in British justice a life-long subject of harmless fun.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Luis Trenker. Der Schmale Grat der Wahrheit (2015)
While forging and trying to sell Eva Braun's diaries after WWII the South Tyrol filmmaker Luis Trenker looks back to his career within the Third Reich period.
Mildly entertaining TV satire about a controversial celebrity (who remained very popular in post-war Germany) that is suprisingly accurate concerning facts, but the result portraits a more sinister Leni Riefenstahl than the title figure; neverthless, Tobias is great as the rogue Luis Trenker.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Planet of the Apes (2001)
An Air Force astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans.
Great production and visual splendor can't save this superfluous remake of the 1968 classic with its uncharismatic hero and a disappointingly contrived riddle ending.
Halliwell (no star): "Burton claimed this was a 're-imagining' of the original movie; with its glum hero and turgid action, all it demonstrates is the poverty of his imagination."
Maltin**1/2: "Entertaining if forgettable rethink of the 1968...A good yarn with great production design and impressive make-up by Rick Baker. Finale, with Rod Serling overtones, is the major letdown."
Boy A (2007)
The story of a young ex-con, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child.
Subtle but intense study of retribution in an unforgiving world with a great cast and a depressing ending.
Maltin**1/2: "Intentionally bleak and a bit contrived, grim film is still quite involving and well acted."
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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