Turn The Page: Jafsie And John Henry by David Mamet

From one book of essays to another; from one book which I found essential to another which I found to be the total opposite, and it pains to me say that. I like David Mamet – I like his films and I like the plays that I have read; I’ve enjoyed a couple of interviews [...]

Turn The Page: The War Against Cliche by Martin Amis

When you read a book of essays you are hoping to get an insight into the subjects under discussion that you may not have arrived at by yourself; or you are looking for an opinion on something that you are not knowledgeable about yourself – you seek to educate yourself; or perhaps you want an [...]

Film Hick: Stop Loss (2008)

Directed by: Kimberly Peirce. Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rob Brown, Channing Tatum,    Victor Rasuk. Rated: R. Running Time: 112 Mins.
I have to admit that before this film I was totally unaware of the whole idea of Stop-Loss, where the US Army can extend a soldier’s time in the war thanks to a little loophole [...]

Film Hick: Body Of War (2007) by Phil Donahue Ellen Spiro

Directed by: Phil Donahue, Ellen Spiro. Rated: Unrated. Running Time: 87 Mins.
This is the story of Tomas Young, a veteran who was paralysed by a bullet to the spine during the war in Iraq. It takes us through his coming to terms with his condition whilst presenting a critical look at how the war has [...]

Film Hick: Kurt Cobain – About A Son (2006)

Directed by: AJ Schnack. Rated: 15. Running Time: 96 Mins.
I would think that one thing you would want to ask yourself about a project that you were embarking upon would be what form does this need to take? Namely, is it a book, a piece of music, or should it be a film? I suppose [...]

Film Hick: This Is England (2007) by Shane Meadows

Directed by: Shane Meadows. Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim, Vicky McClure, Joseph Gilgun. Rated: 18. Running Time: 101 Mins.
I’m sure there are other British directors out there doing sterling work; in fact I know there are, but are there any who are exactly like Shane Meadows? Or, rather are there any [...]

Film Hick: The Happening (2008)

Directed by: M Night Shyamalan. Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo. Rated: R. Running Time: 91 Mins.
This is a short film but by the end of it I felt robbed of every second I wasted on it. I loved The Sixth Sense; I thought Unbreakable was great; even Signs was tolerable though by no [...]

Opinion

Do you ever wonder about your qualification to speak about something? If you find yourself wanting does that make you reconsider opening your mouth to let loose what may be that most dangerous of traps, an uninformed opinion? I know I have been guilty of talking about something I am not fully up to speed [...]