a space experience at the LA Science Centre

I remember hearing that the final journey of the space shuttle Endeavour was through the streets of LA, after trees had been lopped and telegraph lines and poles temporarily moved. So I was impressed when I realised that the new home of Endeavour, the LA Science Museum, was less than 5 minutes walk from my hotel. Being awake early, I did not need to queue for very long to book my timed visit. We were ushered through an interactive display, and encouraged to watch the video of its journey through the streets before being allowed into the giant 'shed' housing this monster. I was impressive with how educational and interactive the displays were and there were lots of proud parents sharing great stories with their children.

Later I decided to visit other areas of the Science Centre - loved the living kelp forest. A giant aquarium filled with fish and several divers. One diver was having an educational chat with a staff member outside the aquarium, eagerley watched by lots of children! The classic walking tunnel under this aquarium meant that you could see a small shark swimming above you!

And i really loved the flourescence of these jellyfish - there were so many educational exhibits...impressive

Interpreting mexican food in Los Angeles

I guess it is logical that most offical signs and public announcements in LA are in English and Spanish. There seem to be a lot of people who have strong connections with neighbouring Mexico. This is also very evident in the number of Mexican restaurants. It seems that mexican food can be served fresh in a similar process manner to that used by Subway for its freshly made rolls.

Last night I visited the rather hip Freebirds World Burrito eating house just by the USC student village. 60's psychedelic decor, groovy music, hip staff and more choices than I usually make in a typical week shopping for food! So I had to brush up on my knowledge on different tortillas - and then having chosen a quesadilla, I could choose between plain, spinach and tomato. I opted to try the very green spinach and quite enjoyed the eating experience. I then made a direct contrast with another chain Chipotle, who claim to be a gourmet grill for mexican food. Their decor is certainly clean and crisp and their range of choices much more reasonable - they seem to concentrate on burritos and tacos, which makes it much easier to order!

Loving the intimacy of Amour

This film had great reviews, together with slight warnings about its emotionally challenging content. Both strengthened my resolve to see Amour. This was no classic love story - in fact it showed the deeper intimate side of love that is rarely seen in films. An educated and elderley couple were having lunch together in their Parisian apartment, when Anne had her first TIA. As statistics would suggest, she had one and then another stroke. We see Georges caring for her basic daily activities and continuing to manage their household. He agrees to Anne's desperate promise to keep her out of hospital, but at a great cost to himself and without the support and understanding of their only daughter, Eva. The film spirals downwards and inwards, with all activity in the darkened apartment, and often focussed on the bedroom. Despite Anne's expected frustration, Georges is amazingly attentive and respectful of his wife. There is no way this film can have a happy ending, but it is one of truth and integrity which really fits in with the depth and complexity of this insightful movie.

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?

living art - Tino Sehgal in the Turbine Hall

Can something experiential be art, without any longstanding existence? The evidence will only be in people's memories, and to some extent cameras. But they can never capture the whole experience and the uncertainty in the audience about whether what they were seeing was art...British born german artist Tino Sehgal offers the ultimate challenge. When we entered the gigantic space of the turbine hall, there were a few people sitting around on the sloping floor. We walked towards the far end through empty space and as we turned round to return we were faced with an army of 'artists' all walking backwards in unison. We could walk through and round them... but it seemed that the visitors waited along the edges of this space, while the troupe started walking forwards again, at an agonisingly slow pace. We had heard stories about the 'artists' interacting with the public and I observed one artist breaking free from the group and talking to the family beside me. I tried to eavesdrop but he turned his back to me, so I figured his story was for that family only... We walked back slowly disappointed, when we were approached by an older American man, who 'told' us a story about his parents - it was very complete and somewhat scripted - but it was delivered in a soliloquoy and in a way that we were not able to ask the obvious questions or to engage with him in any way! o well Later in the day we saw the 'actors' running around between the visitors, who seemed to be ignoring them. Then they congregated again and began a long and systematic chant which seemed to turn the darkened hall into an old cathedral... It was really a thoughtful experience - how was this art? how do you charge for this? how much creative freedom do the actors have? and finally how will this all be remembered?