Summer Reads in Sixty(ish) Seconds

I love the summer holidays because you can sit and read a whole book in one sitting and not feel bad. Except for the inevitable numb bum, but it's sort of an okay pain.

First up this summer;

Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

My rating: ***** 5 stars

I'd been recommended this book for a long time. Perhaps my friends all think I need to get my priorities sorted! Anyway, as much as I'd love to prove them wrong, they totally hit the nail on the head. This is a challenging and very very readable book, asking us to take a look at the things in our lives which all too often take the focus away from God - the only God who deserves our time, money, enthusiasm, respect, pursuit, dedication and love. Keller deals with all the main contenders for our attention; money, relationships, status, approval. And it's an eye opener.

Next to be curled up in a beach bag and filled with sand;

Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls

My rating: **** 5 stars

Make no mistakes, I am a big big fan of Bear Grylls, but I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up his autobiography. Would it be all about his rise to fame as an extreme survival expert, or a how-to-survive book? Actually, I was pleasantly surprised as I read a very honest, sometimes very funny account of Bear's childhood and formative experiences growing up. From tales of evading a lashing at school, to climbing on rooftops, failing at getting girls and travelling on the long and painful road back from a serious spinal injury, this book is jam packed with stories and lessons which completely explain how Bear Grylls can do what we see on our TV screens today. The guy is a nutter, a gentleman and a true inspiration.

And finally, for a change of direction;

Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo

My rating: **** 4 stars

Yep, it's another kids book. You'd be silly to think it's an easy read though. Morpurgo has done it again - successfully writing a children's book that had me enthralled from the start and sobbing by the end. Inspired and shocked by the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, the Iraq war, and the rising problems of deforestation and illegal animal trade, Morpurgo tells the story of one boy who finds himself at the centre of all of these huge issues. The jungle comes alive through his brilliant descriptions, and the characters (including that of the wonderfully maternal Oona the elephant) are vivid. For me, the ending came too abruptly, though I understood why he did this, and that is certainly not enough to put me off recommending this book to Morpurgo fans and newbies!

And that's all my summer reading so far. Just over 2 weeks left, and I'm sure I'll fit some more in!

Films: 127 Hours (2010)

Dir: Danny Boyle

Cast: James Franco

Who doesn't love a movie based on the real life story of a triumph of the human spirit over adversity? Remember the Titans, Freedom Writers, Chariots of Fire. They're all great. Now, for me, 127 Hours joins that esteemed hall of fame.

Franco is joined by a handful of other actors throughout the film, though none gets more than a few moments of screen time. After all, the majority of the film is spent in one place - with Franco's character, Aron Ralston, wedged between boulders in a Utah canyon. Despite this, the film does not become boring or 'samey'. Under Boyle's direction, Franco is charismatic, likeable, and completely three dimensional. He goes through the full gamut of emotions from anger, to sadness, disbelief and deep regret.

Now, those who know about the story will of course know how Aron Ralston eventually freed himself and returned to civilization. It is not pretty, but it really happened, and Boyle pulls no punches. So, though graphic, it certainly conveys Ralston's desperation to survive and willingness to do so at any cost.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Recommendation: If you liked Tom Hanks in Cast Away, or Colin Farrell in Phone Booth then you'll love this!

For Aron Ralston's own story go to his blog here.

Films: The Eagle (2011)

Dir: Kevin McDonald
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland

It's a swords and sandals road movie. Of course!

In a nutshell, this film is about the treacherous journey which two young enemies undergo in order to regain lost honour. The men must cross Hadrian's Wall into the unknown and unforgiving northern territories of Britain in search of the lost golden eagle standard of Rome.

What I loved about this film was that it didn't try to be Gladiator, 300 or Ben Hur. Yes, there are some incredibly intense and 'epic' battle scenes. And yes, the guys all run around in skirts and sandals. But at it's core, this film is about the relationship between the two protagonists and it is wonderfully applicable and contemporary.

Tatum and Bell are two incredibly talented young actors and they hold your attention for the entire film. Their relationship is gripping, tense, uncertain and eventually very heartwarming. They both deliver incredible combat sequences as well as poignant emotional moments perfectly. And, lets face it, they both look great on screen too! Accompanied by some breathtaking landscapes, and a smattering of kooky characters speaking rustic languages, the film has a a great authenticity about it. McDonald made a conscious decision to limit the use of CGI and I think it really paid off.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: A gripping and heart-felt movie about respect, honour and friendship, that takes itself a little too seriously at times, but just about gets away with it.

Films: Limitless (2011)

Dir. Neil Burger
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert DeNiro, Anna Friel

We have all imagined what our lives could be if there was just one quick fix to sort out all of our problems. And that is exactly what Eddie Morra finds in a mysterious clear pill called NZT. The drug instantly activates the entire brain, spilling out facts, numbers, details and knowledge that would otherwise be lying dormant. It makes Eddie a very rich, very powerful man. However, he soon discovers that there is a very dark and deadly side to this life enhancing drug and finds himself on the run from some unsavoury (yet disappointingly stereotypical) underworld characters.

The film uses a lot of choppy, fast paced sequences, designed to mimic the effects of NZT on its addicts. However, this is often disorientating and prevents the story from flowing. Similarly, the first half of the film plays out very much like a typical action thriller, with a bit of flashy camerawork and photography thrown in. As Morra delves deeper into the world of addiction, however, the heart pumping action moments are replaced by some fairly gratuitous bloody fight scenes. Of course, we are being shown the seriousness of the situation, and the lengths to which NZT addiction will take its users, but it just didn't seem to fit the rest of the film. I didn't need to see a man being stabbed in the eye with a syringe!

Bradley Cooper (really the selling point of this movie for me) plays a likeable character, who you just wish manages to free himself of his addiction. DeNiro is intimidating as Morra's boss, but does not make such an impact in this film that you would rank it highly among his other cinematic achievements. And Morra's on-again-off-again girlfriend Lindy (Cornish) is flawlessly beautiful but rather incomplete as a character.

In short, the film is interesting and watchable to the end - which offers perhaps the most cunning and well put together scene in the movie. However, it is slightly clunky and self indulgent in its execution.

My rating: *** 3/5 stars
Recommendation: For a fast paced drug-based thriller, it does the job.

Films: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (2011)

Dir. David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes....

It's the end of an era. I can say that because Harry Potter, whether through books or movies, has been a huge part of my life. It might sound silly, but there is so much good to be learned from those stories. Harry is a true hero. He's a real guy with struggles and a whole lot of issues, who ultimately realises that there is no greater love than to be willing to die for your friends, and even those you've never met.

So, slushy nostalgic and philosophical thoughts aside, lets review this as a film.

I think it's fair to say that the films have been getting better and better which each installment, and this one is quite simply brilliant. The actors, now young adults, have become so comfortable in their roles that the relationships, whether between friends or enemies, are entirely believable.

In brief (for those of you living in some kind of anti-potter bubble), Harry Potter and his two best friends Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts in an attempt to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes (portions of Voldemorts soul) and ultimately kill Lord Voldemort. Not your average end of term shenanigans for British school kids. Holding the fort in his absence, Neville Longbottom and the rest of Dumbledore's Army have been taking a beating, and welcome Harry back with open arms. All hell breaks loose, however, as a huge and epic battle breaks out within Hogwarts, the outcome of which guarantees that either Voldemort or Harry will die.

It's pretty gripping stuff, from the rip-roaring break-in at Gringotts bank, to the stirring speech given by Neville (My hero! I told you he would have his moment! *swoon*). Yates uses silences really effectively in the film, as he does the special effects which create the stunning final battle. You can't help but be swept up by the struggle between good and evil. As huge spiders and giants storm the castle, and Hogwarts' suits of armour come to life, it seems the whole magical world is involved in the fight.

There is not a single line that is delivered half-heartedly, as though the cast realised that this would be their last chance to ever play these wonderfully deep and well-loved characters. I shed more than a few tears, particularly towards the end in a scene where Harry comes to terms with the number of deaths that have happened in his name. He hates being 'The Boy who Lived,' but he knows what he must do. Radcliffe's performance is excellent and a far cry from little 11 year-old Harry who was rescued from a cupboard under the stairs and thrust into the spotlight.

So, in short, thanks Harry. Thanks JK Rowling. It has been a wonderful wild ride.

My Rating: ***** 5/5 stars
Recommendation: Don't watch this movie until you have watched all the others. Better still, don't watch it until you have read all of the books. Brilliant.

Films: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

I am getting pretty excited about the release of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy in the UK on September 16th. And I'll tell you why...

Cast:
Gary Oldman
Mark Strong
Tom Hardy
Benedict Cumberbatch
Colin Firth
Ciaran Hinds
John Hurt

THAT'S why! Great big British acting brilliance! There is quite literally nothing wrong with that cast. And if you don't know who they are, shame on you. Google them all this instant!

Here's the trailer for you to enjoy...
TinkerTailerSoldierSpy (YouTube link)

Music: Aloe Blacc, Good Things

I like that Aloe Blacc has given his album such an upbeat title. You might even be fooled into thinking that the songs are all about, well, good things. Oh well done Aloe. In fact, with his gorgeous melted chocolate voice, Aloe Blacc speaks his piece on unemployment, homelessness, alcoholism and twisted politicians. Good things!

With the recession still resonating with listeners here and across the pond, the anthemic and tragic single, 'I Need a Dollar,' has been a huge hit all over. It's vaguely reminiscent of an old spiritual - a soulful protest song. 'Politician' is a funky fight song, while 'Hey Brother' features a wicked wah-wah slap bass. Good Things is a sort of homegrown, rootsy old-school funky soul record, which is safe enough not to ruffle too many feathers when you play it in your car.

With all of this in mind, I wasn't tempted to drown my sorrows or crawl back under the covers after listening to the album. Blacc's delicious voice, accompanied by some funky bass, cheerful trumpets and class-A 'shoopers', makes this a joy to hear. If anything, I was moved to utter a few 'amens' in solidarity with Blacc's struggles. He even borrows from Buffalo Springfield's 'Stop Children What's that Sound,' if you're a fan.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Reccommendation: Preach it, Aloe! You'll love this if you're a fan of soul, funk or the 50s-esque stylings of Amy Winehouse and friends.