Susan Hated Literature

Dir: Simon Hunter
Writ: Philip Eisner

• Thomas Jane … Maj. ‘Mitch’ Hunter
• Ron Perlman … Brother Samuel
• Devon Aoki … Cpl. Valerie Duval
• Sean Pertwee … Capt. Nathan Rooker
• Benno Fürmann … Lt. Maximillian von Steiner
• John Malkovich … Constantine
• Anna Walton … Severian
• Tom Wu … Cpl. Juba Kim Wu
• Steve Toussaint … Capt. John McGuire
• Luis Echegaray … Cpl. Jesus ‘El Jesus’ de Barrera
• Pras … Captain Michaels

See also: IMDb ; Elsewhere

Okay so I knew this was going to be rubbish. But then again look at that cast. How could I resist? And to be honest I was expecting something resembling a plot to show up somewhere. It never did. And without a plot it is pretty hard to have characters that have any motivation for anything they do. Although in fairness these all were such walking stereotypes that you needed no motivation. They even had one of the black guys die first! How clichéd is that?

In case you were wondering the plot was supposed to be about some machine, sent by the “enemy”^[1] which transformed the near dead into mutants who do nothing but kill, and bring back others for the machine to turn. Exposition^[2] tells us that after the last ice-age the machine was defeated, temporarily, by being hidden under ground. But since then, this is the year 2707, man has forgotten what once he knew. Oh yeah, and all the world has been taken over by four corporations who are continually at war with one another. I suppose that is as good a reason as any for soldiers to be milling about.

Anyways thats a whole heap of backstory to explain away a mess of a story that really didn’t need it. They coulda just started off with the machine. But whatever. It is their mess. And boy oh boy is it ever a mess.

Plus, with Irish. A weird-ass version of Ár n-Athair^[3] But still. Irish^[4]

So with all that negativity you can just tell that I’m going to say I hated it, can’t you? But I didn’t. Yes it was pish. Utter pish. But so pish it was fun. And I think it might possibly be incredibly improved by the imbibing of alcohol before watching. So that’d be my recommendation, go get hammered, then watch. You’ll love it.

Oh, I almost forgot, apart from some ropey special effects it does look quite cool. I’m a fan of the whole steampunk look, and while this isn’t quite that, it does have a cool world war one vibe to it. So that’s pretty nifty.

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Author: Cormac McCarthy
ISBN: 9780330447546 DDC: 813.54
Read for the RIP Challenge
See also: LibaryThing ; Darryl’s Library ; Skewed Perspectives ; Cynical Opimitsm ; Bookwomon

When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he’d reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him. Nights dark beyond darkness and the days more gray each one than what had gone before.

This is a novel set at some unidentified point in the future when the world has pretty much come to an end. Something, we don’t know what, has brought society down. There is little food and little shelter left, and for our two main protagonists there is always the danger that they might meet someone on the road, someone who might kill them in order to take what little they have, or maybe someone who might kill them in order to eat them. They travel on, this unnamed man and unnamed boy, constantly on the road, moving trying to find something.

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Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
ISBN: 0571224121 DDC: 823.914
See also: Wikipedia ; Slate review ; The Dish ; stop motion

My name is Kathy H. I’m thirty-one years old, and I’ve been a carer now for over eleven years. That sounds long enough, I know, but actually they want me to go on for another eight months, until the end of this year.

I picked this upon impulse. At home, looking for something for the train, I recognised the author’s name and thought that I may as well give it a go. And I’m so glad I did because I loved this book. The narrator is Kathy H., a 31 year old woman, and the book is her memories of life at boarding school. She and other students lived at Hailsham where they were taught by the “guardians” and brought up in a privileged manner. But all is not as it seems and throughout the novels there are hints at something darker.

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Dir: Alfonso Cuarón
Writ: Alfonso Cuarón, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus, & Hawk Ostby
Based on the novel by P.D. James

• Clive Owen - Theodore Faron
• Julianne Moore - Julian Taylor
• Michael Caine - Jasper
• Chiwetel Ejiofor - Luke
• Charlie Hunnam - Patric
• Claire-Hope Ashitey - Kee

In a previous review at some stage I mentioned that I’m quite a fan of Clive Owen’s. Not in “omg he’s lovely� sort of a way, but in a “he’s a good actor� sort of a way. And he is often in interesting films. Course, he is also in some terrible films, but you win some you lose some.

This may be the first film where he actually lives up to what I’ve always thought he could do, because he is perfect as Theo. Cynical, slightly depressed and weary of life, but he also has flashes of humour and a definite personality.

Theo used to be an activist, that is where he met his wife Julian. But his son died in when flu swept across the country, he and his wife divorced. Not only that, but there is also the fact that no more babies are being born. The human race is dying out. And without the hope that new life brings societies are being ripped apart in violence and chaos.

Only England still stands. Or so the English government adverts would have you believe. But at a high price. Terrorism is common. Suicide kits are advertised everywhere. And every immigrant is illegal. Sheltering, feeding or helping an immigrant in any way is also a crime.

Owen is perfect in his role as everyman turned possible hero in this dystopian England of 2027. And the film itself is very entertaining. In certain situations it isn’t at all subtle. Images of Bexhill, the refugee camp echo the images of torture Abu Ghraib. Images of London mourning the death of “the world’s youngest inhabitant� are strikingly similar to those from around the time of Diana’s death.

But that is the point. To point out the possible future by showing us a reflection of the present.

It also manages to blend the bleakness and darkness of this fascist regime with the odd bit of humour. Michael Caine’s character of Jasper is a perfect example. And the surreal aspect of Theo’s minister cousin going around the world, saving great works of art from destruction, despite the fact that in 40 or so years time there won’t be anyone left to appreciate them.

It does get a little obvious, and there are attempts to hit hard with the emotion, but I think it works. Mainly because it is balanced by the fact that the sentiment doesn’t really win out. There are also a few surprising deaths along the way. Always a good thing.

It also looks great, but we knew from Cuarán’s work on Harry Potter that he could make a scene look fantastic. Overall, well worth the watch.

IMDb | Official Site | Torque Control | The Best Brew | Cinema Blend

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ISBN: 1841492531
DDC: 823.92
The First Parrish Plessis Book
Author: Marriane De Pierres

First line:
If Jamon Mondo touched me one more time I’d kill him.

I almost wish I hadn’t finish this book. I was on the verge of tossing it around two thirds in, but figured I’d read this far might as well see how it ends. But the final third is actually quite good. Not sure if it is enough to make up for the first part, But now I am a little curious about the next books in the series.

When we first meet Parrish she is low on the pecking order, a bodyguard-come-unwilling companion to a local gang leader. And in this is a dystopian Australia of the future if you go against the gang leaders without backup you end up dead. And most likely after a spell of torture.

So when Parrish runs into Dark and Sto she thinks that maybe by using them she can get in with the Cabal, and maybe get away from Jamon. But things are not what they seem, and Parrish soon finds herself in deeper than she could ever have believed.

The basic story itself is vaguely interesting. But the writing isn’t. First person narration often results in supporting characters lacking depth and, well character, but in this book Parrish herself isn’t all that interesting or believable. A fairly typical wise-cracking, but scared underneath it all heroine. There is also a fair amount of future slang that seems clunky and forced.

But, over halfway through and the book seems to shift a gear. Almost as though everything in this book is simply setting the scene. Letting the reader get to know the Tert and Viva. Letting us see how things worked, and then suddenly introducing another plot element that really doesn’t seem to fit with everything that has gone before.

From then on it is readable, and even enjoyable. The question is, is this what the other books or like? Or will they return to the dull story-telling-by-numbers of the previous chapters.

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• Natalie Portman - Evey
• Hugo Weaving - V
• Stephen Rea - Finch
• Stephen Fry - Deitrich

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how good this film was. Then again I had been expecting rubbish, and as we all know low expectations makes it easier to appreciate an “alright” film.

The basic plot involves a future England, one with an authoritarian government, with curfews and Fingermen. An England created out of the fear of terrorist attacks, plagues, and war. An England where the government rule through fear.

So, no subtle messages for us today then

One November 5th, a date no longer remembered as Guy Fawkes night a terrorist, known only as V blows up the Old Bailey, a gesture to show that not everyone is content to let Chancellor Sutler continue in power. The rest of the film takes place over the next year, as V has called on all citizens to assemble and watch as he destorys parliment buildings the following November 5th.

I have never read the comics that this film is based on, so I can’t compare. But I will say that this is a really good film. There are flaws however. Keeping Hugo Weaving masked works on a certain level, but it also creates problems in identifying with the character. Maybe that was the point? Possibly something that works better in the book. Also Natalie Portman’s accent was all over the shop. And I never got the character of Evey, especially at the start of the film. Portman seemed quite wooden, and unbelievable in her portrayal, although this did change later on.

Mention must be made of Stephen Rea. I’ve always loved him as an actor, he has had some great roles, and he is wonderful as the “honest cop in a corrupt world.” His Finch is a character that the audience can clearly identify and empathise with, plus it means we get mention of Ireland

There are two main problems I have with this film. The first is that it is all so overt, and over the top. The parallels with Nazism and fascism do work, but wouldn’t they have been better is made a little subtler. Using the actual English flag would have had far greater impact, in my opinion. The over the top TV presenter Prothero however was perfect. England Prevails! Great stuff. The other problem is one that is a huge spoiler, Show Spoilers ▼

All in all I really enjoyed V for Vendetta. Over the top in places it is still a very effective film.

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