Blue Valentine

The first thing that needs to be said about this film is that it isn't a comfortable watch. It brings a close to the bone type reality that is all too often shirked by filmakers. Credit therefore has to go to Director & Writer Derek Cianfrance who struggled for years to get the finance together to complete this project. It is to the audiences great benefit that he eventually got this film made for it is an important one. It is in essence a drama centering on the gradual disintegration of a relationship...

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Another Year

I was lucky enough to be given guestlist +1 for this films premiere in Prague on Wednesday night last. Although none of the stars were there we were given a short introduction by the distributors as well as after show refreshments. None of that is important however, the real star is the movie here. I can take or leave Mike Leigh films but this was a standout classic. The usual social commentary and realism feel that you get from Leigh films is here at its devestating best. It will have you laughing...

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Prague Diaries - 2010

After a considerable gap I am back blogging. There is one overriding factor to explain my absence since September, aside from my laziness that is and that is the fact that our new apartment was broken in to and my laptop stolen. It was a frigtening experience and one which left an indelible sensation of shock. It happened on a Tuesday night in mid October. Zuzana had been out with an old university friend and they both made their way back to the apartment shortly after midnight. After a few too...

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Cowen & The Few Pints

I observed from a distance the furor that followed Brian Cowen's Morning Ireland interview. To say I was surprised would be understating it. This wasn't a good interview by any stretch but neither was it deserving of the genuine outrage which followed. Mr Cowen has never been a wonderful orator. He is a man possessed of a strong intellect but his communication skills have all too often been of the gruff and rushed variety. He is always on message however and that it what a citizen would demand of...

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Prague Diaries - Week 6

A largely uneventful week it has to be said. I will refrain from a daily breakdown as it isn't warranted. The weekdays pretty much took the following format; apply for any English speaking jobs in the Accounting sector. I have a stack of emails with the standard rejection template, ie 'We have reviewed your profile and decided that we will not offer you an interview at this time. Please continue to visit our website for future opportunities'. I have some solace in the fact that I am by no means...

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Movie Themes

A selection of some of my favorite themes from movies. Also included are some tracks which weren't main themes. The Bourne Series - Main Theme - Composer John PowellGladiator - Main Theme - Composer Hans ZimmerPirates of The Caribbean - Main Theme - Composer Hans ZimmerHome Alone - Main Theme - Composer John WilliamsHome Alone - Setting The Trap - Composer John WilliamsThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - The Money Train - Composers Nick Cave & Warren EllisAmerican Beauty...

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Prague Diaries - Week 5

Wednesday September 1stSaturday is moving day in a golf tournament. For us it came on a Wednesday and constituted a 10 minute taxi trip across town with all the belongings to our name, in the Czech Republic at least. In this case two large and two small suitcases. We were both looking forward to the move and having a long term residence. The short term rental was fine and all but it never felt comfortable. It was a small space in truth. We arrived shortly before 10am to be greeted by the landlord....

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