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BookReviews
Teatime for the Traditionally Built: Alexander McCall Smith
 The latest in the No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series provides the usual mix of humour, delightful characters and low key plot. In this book, just released in paperback, there are all the familiar places and people. We discover what Mma Makutsi’s old rival is up to, what’s happening on and off the football pitch and the fate of Mma Ramotswe’s faithful white van.
With chapters called “Walking is good for you, and for Botswana” and “Tea with Mma Potokwani”, regular readers of Alexander McCall Smith’s detective series will know they are in for their usual reading treat. This is one of his best. No sex (unless you count the exploits of that “ruthless Jezebel”, Violet), no violence, no swearing, just good story-telling.
Verdict: A delight - as usual - a gentle, sympathetic portrait of life in and aroundBotswana’s No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. If you’ve read any or all of the previous books in the series, you’ll love this one; if you haven’t, I urge you to give it a try. Wonderful*****
Directions For the Gardiner: And Other Horticultural Advice by John Evelyn, edited by Maggie Campbell-Culver
Something very different this month. A newly published hardback with source material written in the 17th century. The author – John Evelyn - is best known for his diary, which ranks along with Pepys in terms of observation.
Comprising three works, Directions for the Gardiner(sic), the Kalendarium Hortense, a guide to the gardening year, and Acetaria, on salad and herb crops, this is part gardening history and part “how to” guide, supplemented by advice on food preparation.
At first glance, it appears a serious, almost academic work, but delving more deeply it is clear that Evelyn's preserving hints and recipes could give Mrs Beeton a run for her money; his method for growing salad leaves in two hours is certainly worth considering, although I would advise against trying any year-old pickled asparagus.
Given the current interest in traditional, locally grown food, if this book catches on you should expect to see cowslips and “Herb pudding” in all the best restaurants in 2010. Meanwhile, it's time to plant hotbed melons, cucumbers and nectarines, transplant carnations and keep your bees inside their hives.
Verdict: An ideal gift for someone interested in both history and gardening. This book was not what I expected from the cover and, despite my limited interest in gardening, I am really enjoying it. It's one of those books which makes you want to read out snippets to whoever is near at hand.
My advice is to open it at random and read a page or two at a time - a book to savour when the weather is unsuitable for getting one's hands dirty and just the thing if you want to impress your friends with unusual home grown food, freshly prepared. ****
 Two murders, a country house, family secrets and a well known detective; it sounds like a classic whodunit. But, darker and more serious than the majority of murder mysteries, PD James’ writing is worlds away from the cosy domestic crime novels of Agatha Christie.
Few of the people in this book have any softening characteristics, most being deeply flawed. That could make for a pretty dispiriting read, however, a well thought out story, strong on atmosphere and which builds tension almost to the end ensures readers get exactly what those familiar with James’ detective stories have come to expect.
Verdict: A quality read for those who like their books strong on psychology and a bit more cerebral than the average.***
From February, my copy of the books I review will be available at the Harbour Club in Portscatho to be sold in aid of Air Ambulance.
Simon’s cat by Simon Tofield
 Simon's Cat is based on an amalgamation of the author’s three cats. His everyday adventures will be familiar to anyone with a passing knowledge of cat behaviour.
Fresh from a starring role in four YouTube cartoons, Simon’s cat is every bit as amusing and full of personality on the page. The book is full of witty and wonderful drawings, which manage to be both simple and detailed, always amusing, sharply observed and, very often, laugh out loud funny.
Although it’s tempting to sit down and read it all the way through, it’s worth rationing it to a few pages each evening, just to spread the treat over a longer period.
Verdict: If you are one of the 25 million who have seen the wonderful Simon’s cat on YouTube, you won’t need any encouragement to buy this book. If you haven’t checked out YouTube, but if you like cats, you’ll love the book anyway*****
Film Reviews
 'Avatar' starring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver & Michelle Rodriguez, directed by James Cameron - Just when you think five-star filmmaking is a rare creature, two come along in one month! Proves the point, I guess. But it is with no exaggeration that I award this film accordingly. It's not so much the story - a sci-fi, other-world, boy-meets-girl - as the execution and drama. The action scenes are superbly shot and hold you on the edge of your seat for the full 2 1/2 hours, hardly noticing the soreness of your derrière, and the CGI (computer Graphic Imagery) is astoundingly good. It's been twelve years since his epic, 'Titanic' but director James Cameron, as then, hasn't let up on his attention to detail. The story is set in the future where we (humans) have travelled to a distant world to mine it. Naturally, the peaceful natives are unhappy about the invasion of their otherwise organically synchronized lifestyle, so we have to bring in the big guns to shake them up. In a last ditch attempt to see them off, the respectful scientists - headed by Weaver's character - let their minds be synchronized with 'avatars' of the species, but needless to say, they are unsuccessful, allowing the red-necks to have their dastardly way with the natives. As standard fare as this may seem, don't be put off by this synopsis; this is an excellently executed film. I even endured wearing the 3D glasses to sit with my Godchildren to watch it, and I can only say it enhanced the experience. Another must-see Cameron hit that will undoubtedly have financiers falling over themselves to fund his next epic.
Verdict: Everything you need in a modern epic... superb! *****
DVD Reviews
 The Soloist; Directed by Joe Wright and starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. This emotionally soaring drama – and true story – is about the redemptive power of music. Journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr. – don’t you just love this guy!?) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavours to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives.
I'm a big fan of Downey Jr., and this is another great movie by the acclaimed actor. He adds so much humour to his roles, whether serious roles, like this, or playful, like ones 'Ironman'. Jamie Foxx, too, is a superb actor, so it is of little suprise that this was going to be a winner... and it was. It's a simple story of 'buddy love' but well portrayed and well directed... enough said!
Verdict: A lovely film that entertains and has a feel-good factor... break out the popcorn and the tissues! ***1/2
See trailer here. This film will be shown at the Portscatho Harbour Club on Monday 22nd March.
 Surrogates: Directed by Jonathan Mostow and starring Bruce Willis. FBI agent (Bruce Willis) investigates the murder of a student linked to the man who helped create a high-tech surrogate phenomenon that allows people to purchase unflawed robotic versions of themselves, enabling people to experience everything from the comfort of their own homes.
Well, it sounds confusing, but isn't. However, it isn't a top notch Willis movie, either. Somehow the film never really gets started and the idea that everyone is a clone, doesn't help the forward movement. If you're a die hard Willis fan (did you see what I did there?), then it's worth checking out, but I wasn't blown away. That said, it's not the worst 90 minutes I've spent in front of the box this year, either.
Verdict: Missable, but entertaining. **
See trailer here. This film will be shown at the Portscatho Harbour Club on Monday 29th March.
 Time Traveler's Wife: Directed by Robert Schwentke and starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. The Time Traveler's Wife is based on the best-selling book about a love that transcends time. Clare has been in love with Henry her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated. Henry is a time traveler - cursed with a rare genetic anomaly that causes him to live his life on a shifting timeline, skipping back and forth through his lifespan with no control. Despite the fact that Henry's travels force them apart with no warning, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love.
As bizarre as this premise sounds, this film, as the book, is absorbing and well made. Films made from bestselling novels always carry the burden of comparison (it's terribly hard to compress 500 pages into just 90 without losing somthing of the former - believe me, I know!) but veteran screenplay writer Bruce Joel Rubin (Ghost, Jacob's Ladder) has done a great job. Admittidley it's been a couple of years since I read Audrey Niffenegger's novel, but it seems to have been a success and, judging by the full house at Portscatho Harbour Club's screening, a popular choice.
Verdict: A solid movie that successfully transcends a slushy mire to deliver an enjoyable film. ***1/2
 The Invention Of Lying: Written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson, this hilarious comedy takes place in an alternative reality in which lying does not exist. Everyone, even politicians and advertisers, speaks the truth (and nothing but the truth). But when a loser named Mark (Gervais) discovers lying, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. In a world where every word is assumed to be the absolute truth, Mark succeeds in lying his way to fame and fortune. But things soon get out of control, as people start to treat his lies as gospel; he has the entire world hanging on his every word - but can he win the heart of the woman he loves?
It's not very flattering to compare an actor to a condiment, but Ricky Gervais, like Marmite, is someone you either love or hate. Personally, I think he's a British comedic icon - which is why I loved this film on many levels, albeit not as good as 'Ghost Town' - but, as I discovered in the pub on Friday night, he also
inspires venomous distaste in the minds of others. Why that it, I can only imagine (and certainly don't want to get into here - although I'd love to hear your views for the letter's page) but 'The Invention Of Lying' - if you are a fan - is typical Gervaison fare, and one which I, at least, would recommend to everyone.
Verdict: Not his best, but certainly very amusing, with an interesting topic for discussion... namely; are white-lies really all that bad? ***
See trailer here.This film will be shown at the Portscatho Harbour Club on Monday 22nd February.
 The Taking Of Pelham 123: In Tony Scott's re-make of the 1978 classic thriller, Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is a New York City subway dispatcher whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. Ryder (John Travolta), the criminal mastermind behind the hijacking and leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train's passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there's one riddle Garber can't solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape? This is a great 90 minute escape and full of action that unfortunately lets itself down with the 'coperate' ending. Sometimes a film feels like a bunch of studio execs have sat around, discussing how a film should leave us with the all important 'feel-good' factor, and this is one of them. I understand why the do it, but despair when it's been so obviously sliced around with a machete by editors and corporates. Nevertheless, an enjoyable romp with some nice imperfect heroes.
Verdict: A high-energy romp on the circle line, but some unexpected cancellatons due to corporate interference. ***
See trailer here.This film will be shown at the Portscatho Harbour Club on Monday 1st February.
 ‘This Is It - Michael Jackson’ is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts at London's O2 Arena. And an exceptional insight it is, too. The extraordinary way his producer, entourage, musicians and dancers not only – but understandably – idolise the man, but walk around on eggshells whenever he is present, is a sight to behold. However, his clarity of vision and dance and musical prowess, belies the innocence and complexity of this man’s legendary character. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be absorbed from the first moment to the last at the artistry, brilliance, childlike phenomenon that was Jacko. One thing’s for sure, his schizophrenic persona.
Verdict: A must-see film which portrays the complexity of character of the ‘King of Pop’. ****
 The Age Of Stupid - Oscar nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in 2055, looking back at old footage of 2008 and asking, “why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?”. This engaging film cleverly intertwines between several documentaries whilst Postlethwaite narrates over the footage, skipping backwards and forwards, slowly revealing the horrific results of climate change. I left feeling challenged, angry and empowered to make a difference and I cannot recommend this film highly enough to anyone wanting to see the possible outcome of our environmental apathy and indecision.
Verdict: An important film that will shake the foundations of our combined consciousnesses. *****
This film will be shown at the Harbour Club, Portscatho on Monday 18th January.
 Home – This stunning documentary by world renowned areal photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand is a mesmerising piece of work. Combining exceptionally stunning moving images of the earth from above - a trademark that has seen street exhibitions of his photography please the public and critics alike throughout the world – with the mesmerising voice of actress Glenn Close, we are taken on a journey from the birth of planet earth, to the rise of humanity and the latter’s effects on the ‘home’ we all inhabit. Unlike ‘The Age Of Stupid’, however we are left with a mix of awe and hopefulness as we leave the cinema. I think both have their place in the environmental movement, but where ‘Stupid’ whips us into action, ‘home’ will appeal to those who to be led down the environmental path with a rod of candy... but the route, nevertheless, will lead those who take it to Rome.
Verdict: A soft and ‘eye-candy’ induced trip down the environmental ladder. ****
This film will be shown at the Harbour Club, Portscatho on Monday 11th January.
 Sunshine Cleaning, starring Amy Adams, Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! This light dramedy (Comedy Drama) sees two down-on-their-luck sisters drift into the murky world of ‘crime scene cleanups’. Blunt (Young Victoria, Devil Wears Prada) plays a rebellious sibling who can’t hold down a job. Her sister (Adams - Enchanted) desperately wants to be accepted by her old school friends whilst trying to earn enough to re-school her troubled son. But just as the sisters’ long-lost mutual closeness reawakens, the troubles of the world pound even harder, leading them from disaster to disaster. This is a chick-flick with a masculine kick... one where you can’t help but feel empathy for their unrelenting fight against the odds, but one that will guarantee you a positive feel-good glow by the end of the movie.
Verdict: Another superb hit from the makers of ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. ****
This film will be shown at the Harbour Club, Portscatho on Monday 4th January.
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