“The Lord of the Rings” on BBC Radio

I love my boxed set of The Lord of the Rings. I’m not talking about the Special Edition DVDs of Peter Jackson’s movies (cherished though they are), nor my rather smart hardback of Tolkien’s novel. No, I’m talking about the radio show. The series was broadcast by the BBC way back in 1981, in 26 … Continue reading “The Lord of the Rings” on BBC Radio

“Kraken” by China Miéville

China Miéville must be good with Lego. Give him a pile of bricks and he'd lock them together in ways you never thought of. That's what he does with words at any rate. In his novel Kraken his skill with language ranges from the deceptively simple - "his tongue flopped over, momentarily meatlike" - to … Continue reading “Kraken” by China Miéville

“Inception”

During the Christmas holiday, I finally caught up with everyone else and watched Inception. What a ride. Another great performance from Leo, and I don't believe director Christopher Nolan dropped the ball once in the execution of his complex storyline. I say complex ... actually, you know, I think it's pretty straightforward. In a good … Continue reading “Inception”

“Horns” by Joe Hill

I pegged Joe Hill as one to watch after reading his wonderful Heart Shaped Box. Now I've read his latest novel, Horns, and the peg ain't moving from the spot. Horns defies categorisation - something I like in a book. Chances are you'll find it shelved under Horror, but it is by turns a mystery, … Continue reading “Horns” by Joe Hill

“The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution

I blame Frank Darabont. It’s like this: I’ve become resistant to new TV shows. I think it’s partly because of the arc. Not Noah’s, nor that of the Covenant, but the one that means there’s no such thing as a series any more – everything’s a serial. I’m old enough to get nostalgic about all … Continue reading “The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution

“Ash” by Mary Gentle

I just finished re-reading Mary Gentle's Ash, having devoured it joyously when I first got the paperback in 2001. The novel is an alternative history of the 15th century, told through the eyes of warrior-mercenary Ash, who's kind of a cross between Joan of Arc and Ellen Ripley. The period detail is compelling, but the … Continue reading “Ash” by Mary Gentle

“Ark” by Stephen Baxter

I first read Stephen Baxter when I picked up Voyage, his first 'alternative NASA' novel. Voyage posits a history in which Kennedy shrugs off Oswald's bullet and the Space Shuttle gets rejected in favour of a manned Mars mission. Voyage tracks that mission in obsessive detail and, along with The Time Ships, remains one of … Continue reading “Ark” by Stephen Baxter

“Moon” — Intelligent Ideas and Neat Twists

I finally watched Moon on DVD last night. Very glad I did. Director Duncan Jones has been true to his old-school influences (Silent Running, Solaris, 2001, Alien et al) yet created something genuinely fresh and thought-provoking. At the heart of the movie is Sam Rockwell's stunning performance as Sam Bell, sole operator of a lunar … Continue reading “Moon” — Intelligent Ideas and Neat Twists

“Ran” — A Samurai Fantasy

I just watched the DVD of Ran, Akira Kurosawa's epic reimagining of Shakespeare's King Lear. It occured to me (between marvelling at Kurosawa's crystal-clear storytelling, epic staging, beautifully defined characters and jaw-dropping art direction and cinematography) that for the average western audience, the Orient is pretty close to being an fantasy environment. No coincidence, then, … Continue reading “Ran” — A Samurai Fantasy

“District 9” — Prawns Rule

I've read several reviews of District 9 that praise its edgy first half and complain that it all goes a bit Hollywood towards the end. I think they're missing the point. I saw District 9 last night and didn't once take my eyes off the screen, or my attention off the tale. It's precisely because … Continue reading “District 9” — Prawns Rule