Amazing Grace - film review.

Amazing Grace is the story of the abolition of the slave trade through the efforts of the Member of Parliament William Wilberforce and John Newton, a former slave ship sailor who later turned to Evangelical Christianity to help atone for the 20,000 Africans he had transported to America. these he calls his "ghosts". It is set in the late 18th century and the film follows the factual course of events that lead to this great breakthrough in justice.

The director Michael Apted has done a truly wonderful job here in keeping the viewer's interest. Some historical films can end up being either confusing or failing to provide the pathos that the subject matter deserves. This film succeeds in presenting an interesting and important story and keeping it so.

Visually the film is beautiful....the locations are by turns grand and squalid..Parliament or slave ship, the feel of the scenes is very authentic.

The acting is superb - there are many big names here; Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Ioan Gruffudd, Rufus Sewell.......but to single individuals out would be wrong. The whole cast put in fine and moving performances.

The soundtrack swells and compliments the story fantastically. It could hardly fail to. The hymn "Amazing Grace" was written by John Newton and features throughout..

I feel that this film is so strongly made that it would interest even those who at first might feel that they are not concerned about factual historical dramas. I would strongly urge them to "give it a go". They won't be disappointed.

I seem to be watching films with a sombre tone recently...I watched the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in the last fortnight (see my other review - plug!)..Sadly these are true events and it won't do to shy away from them.

Go on.....educate yourself and enjoy doing it!

I know I'll keep coming back to this......a GREAT work of art.

9/10.

Review: Mark Woods, 2009 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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Rainbow Six Vegas - XBox 360 game review.

Having played Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell on the PS2 some time ago (see my previous review) I was not expecting too much from this Xbox 360 title.

My earlier experience was of a repetitive game which had a hard difficulty level which left me less than satified. As this game was in the same franchise I expected to be underwhelmed. I was wrong.

This time the game obviously has a lot more processing power behind it. That doesn't mean it has to be much better but this sure is!!

The plot revolves around Las Vegas being taken over by a well organised terrorist group and held hostage..With the threat of the Hoover Dam being released into the desert city your squad must move quickly! You play Logan, commander of the team, and armed to the teeth with modern technology you're flown into the action........

The game uses the Unreal Tournament engine and this makes for a great game.The visual aspect of a pitched gun battle becomes terrifyingly real (I'd imagine!). Smoke clears slowly after a grenade explosion...your vision is blurred for a few seconds after taking a hit or being around as a flashbang goes off......

The audio is great.....You really are immersed in the action. Explosions, shots, incoming radio chatter..all combine to form a frantic environment in which to fight for your life!

I also had a quick go on the multiplayer online version but to be honest I felt it was a large step down from the story mode (1 player). The graphics weren't as realistic and just felt me feeling I'd been playing Doom. Lots of running around without much happening until you're suddenly "tapped" by some more experienced player. Where's the fun in that?

So, playing in story mode, I would heartily recommend this to lovers of military shooters.

8/10.

Review: Mark Woods, 2009 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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Film Review - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

A remarkable film. Hugely important material to work with, well-written script based on John Boyne's book, great direction from Mark Herman and superb performances from very gifted actors make this an experience as much as a film.

Without spoiling your enjoyment the plot follows Bruno, the son of a high-ranking Nazi during the Second World War. His father has been promoted to Camp Commandant of a newly formed concentration camp and the family must move there in order that Bruno's father completes his work.

David Thewlis is cast in the role of Bruno's father and is an excellent choice. I have liked his work since seeing "Naked" in 1993 and if you are familiar with this film you will know that Mr Thewlis is a fantastically emotive actor. The casting throughout is spot on with particular credit going to Asa Butterfield as Bruno and Jack Scanlon as Schmuel, the Jewish boy whom Bruno befriends.

How does the son of a Commandant befriend a Jewish boy? If I told you'd I'd spoil the suspense! You'll have to see the film.

We are taken through the trauma of the move to the countryside and the boredom that comes with it. We see the exploration that any young man must pursue to become acquainted with his new surroundings and the ferocious conclusion which I promise you will never forget.

We are plunged into the nightmare world of Nazi Germany and, as if this world is not horrific enough, we are forced into a bizarre scenario of double standards and piano-wire tension where the two immiscible worlds of Nazis and Jews are blended together.

Although I have not read the book I understand that there are slight differences which have been made but an interview with the director on Radio Four I listened to explained that this was to further the impetus on screen and not to detract from it. I can imagine what these were and would have done the same myself. The end result is a mesmerising film which will play on your mind for months, I expect.

So it should.

This was one of the most shameful chapters in human history and it surely does us all good to be shocked into thinking every now and then.

Highly recommended. 8/10

Review: Mark Woods, 2009 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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Film Review - Defiance.

Film Review: Defiance. Director: Edward Zwick.

"Defiance" is a tale of resistance to the Nazi invasion of Polish Belarussia in 1941 during the Second World War. It stars Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski, one of three Bielski brothers who fled to the forests rather than allow themselves to be kept in the ghettos formed by the Germans.

Based on a true story the film takes us through the testing conditions of surviving in the freezing forests in a country occupied by deadly enemies. The film looks spectacular with great direction and the actors truly look as exhausted as they are supposed to! Perhaps method acting was employed and they were forced to sleep rough! I don't know if this is the case but the overall feel is certainly gritty and authentic. The acting is superb with fine performances given by Messrs Craig and Jamie Bell (without tights this time!).

Although violence is a necessary part of the plot there is great attention paid to Tuvia's struggle with his own leadership decisions and the constant wrestling of humanity versus survival. There is one scene which brings this to a head. You'll know it when you see it! A grim chapter of human history indeed.

Without spoiling your enjoyment by divulging more detail the film truly gave me a feeling for the hardships endured by the victims of the Nazis. If there is a bright side it is in the strong show of defiance shown by ordinary people with nothing against their well-equipped and motivated oppressors.

You will enjoy this feature if you're at all interested in World history or just the strength of the human spirit.

7/10

Review: Mark Woods, LordBeanpod@GMail.com, January 2009.

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Book Review - Angels of Death; Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire by William Marshall and Julian Sher.

Truly scared. That's how I felt when I discovered my own perception of the Hells Angels and other bike gangs such as the Outlaws, Bandidos, Vagos and Mongols was so completely wrong.

I love my 'bikes. I love my rock music. I like a drink or three. However, any similarities between myself and these "biking enthusiasts" end there I hope. This book demonstrates through documentary evidence and court records the true reason why bike gangs have grown so massively and globally. Drugs provide the main income for them and a rapid absorption across the world of existing business has left the Angels top dogs in a terrifying world. Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamines....these are the guys manufacturing and selling.

They've got their fingers in most pies. Prostitution, racketeering, extortion, murder. If you want to know how wrong your ideas about gangs are I suggest you read this. It's an easy read...the two professional journalists have made a brilliant job of piecing together all the fragments from over the planet into a historically timelined true story. From undercover cops (truly brave guys in my opinion) to car bombs, rocket attacks on clubhouses to dismembered corpses you'll find it here. Closer than you think too.

I'd rather know what to avoid by facing up to the truth of what is going on out there.

I strongly recommend you read these 452 pages.

Review by Mark Woods. LordBeanpod@GMail.com, 2009.

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