Trying to master The Master

It was an elongated, twisted and repetitive tale of 2 damaged men, dependent on each other to fulfil their own ego needs. Yes it was an impressive relationship that lasted through time but for what purpose? The Master continued to brainwash, manipulate, and re-programme a man that seemed on the surface to show progress, but underneath stayed true to himself, while achieving an improved day to day existence from being the teacher's pet.
Was it really inspired by Scientology - even if it was, it would not seem useful to admit it.. So we are left wondering, but in the end, not caring whether this particular form of brainwashing is one that is in anyway related to that used in Scientology-to me it really does not matter!
So I am still slightly frustrated that I endured 2.5 hours waiting for something profound to happen, I guess it shows persistence and the willingness to trust that there could have been a moral message...guess I was too trusting on this one...

Rust and Bone - passion without emotion

I was ready for a film about misfits connecting amidst the daily drudgery. Rust and Bone is another brilliant french film that has impressed at so many levels. Superb music, great scenery along the southern French coast, superb cinematography and special effects and so many inter connected story lines.

Party girl Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) meets novice security guard Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) when he rescues her from a fight in a nightclub. The next day Stephanie returns to training killer whales and is involved in a tragic accident. Later, depressed and reclusive, she contacts Ali on a whim. Somehow his casual yet frank approach to sex and bare-knuckle fighting attracts and alarms her. It seems that Ali is both interested and indifferent. Themes of emotional damage are pervasive but there is a chance for deep awareness and redemption...

still loving James Bond

Adele's theme song Skyfall impressed me several weeks ago, and even more when I realised that she had written it! I must admit that the hype for this movie is quite over the top and very un-English. Perhaps it is the 50th anniversary of James bond, or the 23rd film in this amazing series that warrants it. I did enjoy the classic chases and stunts - we have seen so many fights on the top of trains, but it was the motorbike race across the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar that really made me laugh.

This time Bond investigates an attack on MI6, or perhaps M herself, by a former MI6 operative, Raoul Silva, played by a very blonde Javier Bardem. It has all the usual elements with beautiful places and people across the globe - but this time there is a very real contrast between the old style of glamorous and international spies with the new computer geek led cyber espionage. Age was a recurring theme and the willingness or not to change strategies was a constant threat for M and James. So it was brilliant when James uncovered his old Aston Martin to drive to his old family home in Scotland (strangely named Skyfall Lodge) via the starkly stunning Glencoe valley. So I shall say no more except that the other big recurring question was could James really trust M?