Reviews

I have a guilty secret. I like cooking shows and ones which showcase great food in an engaging format. But "Wine Dine & Stein" is possibly the worst cooking/wine/lifestyle show I have ever seen. It is self-indulgent and pretentious beyond belief, from the twee over commentary from the presenters, Jack and Charlie - even if you're a pacifist, you'll almost certainly feel an urge to bludgeon these two self-absorbed simpletons after watching just a few seconds of this drivel.

This really is complete twaddle, you can even see it on the faces of the poor buggers they "interview" and engage with. This is easily the most pretentious pile of self indulgent clap-trap you'll see in a very long while. The bits of them, that's Jack and Charlie doing "physical activities" along with their soundbites are awful - watching two fat chaps try and do an obstacle course or play cricket, do yoga, etc are horrific beyond words. If you're going to do a cooking show then just cook. We don't want to see a couple of fat guys pathetically try and look cool.

Easily the worst "cooking show" I have seen.

It comes across as complete and utter self-indulgent, pretentious nonsense.

Don't even bother watching.

Les Enfants Du Marais is a wonderful tale not only on account of its evocative imagery, atmospheric scenery and the fact that it is populated by genuine characters you know, once knew, or would like to know - it is a welcome and straight-forward reminder of what is important in life. Friendship and love and the simple but ever compelling pleasure found in physical work and play with a purpose; these are the scenarios in which true happiness is enjoyed to its fullest extent. It's not about tree-hugging, sandal-wearing save-the-world ideas but about true freedom -and what we choose to do with it. We get to witness the futility and sad contrivance of pomp and pride but also the power of change and a spot of kindness. Always without judgement yet never without feeling. This movie is not downright sentimental or nostalgic; it just happens to be good in what might be called an old-fashioned way, and it serves up some great laughs along the way. Above all, this is a movie for movie lovers with their hearts and minds in the right place.

Comparisons are tricky things, however in the case of the Czech film `Dark Blue World', it is worth comparing it with another World War II aviation piece, `Pearl Harbor'. The reason is to show how squillions of production dollars do not a masterpiece make. `Dark Blue World' outshines the Hollywood blockbuster on every single level: script; acting; direction; and, dare I say it, action sequences.

And this is despite the fact that its budget is puny compared with the almost obscene dollars thrown at `Pearl Harbor'. `Dark Blue World' is the victory of the filmmaker's skill over a virtually unlimited budget.

It is based around the story of the Czech airmen who fled their country upon its invasion to serve with the RAF during the Battle of Britain and the subsequent air war over Europe. The tale is actually set in 1950 and told mostly as a series of flashbacks by Franta, who is now a political prisoner of the communist Czech regime. It is a moving story and one which encapsulates a large range of emotions.

Like `Pearl Harbor' it revolves around a love triangle which both connects and separates the main characters. However `Dark Blue World's' take is executed with a freshness and humanity which is genuinely moving. By the end of the movie, the audience is sincerely torn between the two pilot protagonists, Karel and Franta.

Director Jan Sverák (of Kolya fame) effectively gives his characters a breadth which is uncommon in the War genre.

The flying sequences are jaw-droppingly good with a fantastic first person perspective used in some shots which gives the audience the actual feeling of being in the cockpit of a Spitfire. During dogfight scenes the realism is huge with pieces flying off of aircraft as they are raked by machinegun and cannon fire and spent shellcases streaming from beneath wings. And the train-strafing scene is well worth every second as well!

Overall `Dark Blue World' is an evocative film which provides a little something for most people, drama, romance, action, humour.

However it's real strength is its ability to tell an heroic, moving and human story without becoming a contrived, self important and cringe-worthy patriotic affair ala `Pearl Harbor'.

I hope that people make the effort to see `Dark Blue World', not just because it's a great movie but so they can see a war film which doesn't revert to all the tired old clichés.

`Piece of Cake' is one of those exceedingly rare examples of filmed perfection (or as near to it as you're likely to get) that have graced the small screen. Based on the 1983 Derek Robinson novel of the same name, `Piece of Cake' follows the fortunes of the fictitious RAF Hornet Squadron from the outbreak of the Second World War, through the infamous Phoney War and the Battle of France, to climax with the life and death struggle of the Battle of Britain.

Now I must admit that I was slightly suspicious of the filmed version as Robinson's book is, and has been for some time, my favourite novel. However after viewing the mini series I can honestly say it was brilliant. Certainly those who have read the book will no doubt have created pictures in their minds' eyes of what the characters should look like, and question certain events or omissions of events in the light of Robinson's book. However `Piece of Cake' is a stunning series and one which stands brilliantly in its own right.

The characterisation is first rate with Neil Dudgeon's `Moggy' a standout, and the interaction between the squadron members superb. The sometimes hilarious banter between characters which was so prevalent in the novel is, thankfully, here in the mini-series. There are some real gems of dialogue, such as Squadron Leader Rex's address to the squadron prior to their departure to France, good British advice on the French natures of alcoholism and fornication.

Visually `Piece of Cake' is stunning. The flying sequences are breathtakingly good and if, like me, you are an aviation enthusiast, you will be able to ignore the inaccuracies in Spitfire marks used or the fact that no Spitfires where sent to be stationed in France (Hornet Squadron in the novel flew Hawker Hurricanes) due to the simple fact of how good they are. The low flying and dogfights are magically filmed and fleshed out with some outtakes from 1969's `Battle of Britain' produce a visual aerial feast!

The direction and production teams have captured the feel of the era as well, the aerodromes, settings and trappings of the 1930s and 1940s really do seem to take the viewer back to those turbulent times and lend an atmosphere that is totally convincing.

This quite simply is a fantastic mini-series and one which I have no doubt most people would find exciting, engaging, interesting, heart rending and in parts highly amusing.

Without doubt `Piece of Cake' is a `10 out of 10' in my book!

Unfortunately "Pearl Harbor" has to be the most cringe-inducing load of "God bless America" twaddle to come out since "Independence Day". I must admit that I wasn't expecting a war movie of the impact or sincerity of "Saving Private Ryan" but "Pearl Harbor" far exceeded my expectations of mediocrity. The script was acheingly bad, the acting wooden (mind you they didn't have a huge amount to work with) and the underlying Stars and Stripes flag waving was quite frankly sickening. Sure, the action sequences were impressive but produced more of a feeling of watching a computer game.

It really is a shame because as a historical event, Pearl Harbor has the scope to produce a riveting movie. "Tora Tora Tora!" remains the best adaptation of this infamous day in the Second World War, whereas "Pearl Harbor" comes across as an overly long, and quite frankly embarassingly patriotic pile of rubbish. I am sure many people will jump up and down and say that this wasn't meant to be a jarringly realistic portrayal but at the same time all the filmatic elements of "Pearl Harbor" are just plain bad. In my opinion though it just doesn't do justice to the men and women who were a part of that horrific day.