Be prepared to feel emotionally gutted after watching this excellent thriller that successfully combines compelling writing, convincing acting and gleaming photography.
This is an inventive thriller in 10 episodes from Danish Radio TV Drama. In the course of 20 gripping days we follow leads and observe the consequences of a heinous crime that sees intense ramifications throughout Copenhagen. The Danish capital unfolds to reveal secrets and power struggles that are astounding.
It all starts when head of investigations in the homicide department has her last day at work before embarking on a new chapter in her life.
An all but normal family at Vesterbro are minding their everyday life and contemplate moving, when the parents are suddenly thrown into their worst imaginable nightmare. At the same time a top politician is involved in a ruthless but promising election campaign. They all become part of the same story as the police follow the leads. A homicide case begins and so does the hunt for the perpetrator, which changes the lives of everyone involved forever.
Very different people are bound together in the same fateful story as the investigation intensifies. The wide-reaching consequences touch bureaucrats at town hall, the blocked surrounds affecting immigrant circles, high school students’ concealed plan and those involved in ruthless election campaign.
This three-DVD set uncovers an emotional drama that’s not only character-driven with insights into their personal lives, but a crime drama with an absorbing mature intelligence.
Jim Hutton as 'Ellery Hutton' is out on DVD from Madman Entertainment.
Ellery Queen: The Complete Series, 7 DVD Set, (Madman Entertainment)
By Rama Gaind
What an amazing way to interact – by matching wits with a great detective from the past – Ellery Queen!
Set in 1946-47 New York, Jim Hutton takes on the title role of the mystery writer and helps his Police Inspector father Richard (David Wayne) to untangle the clues and solve the cleverest of crimes. Ellery has astonishing powers of observation, dwelling on minute details and a brilliant mind.
In recent years we’ve seen similar mystery formats unfold in such television series as Murder, She Wrote and Columbo. A long list of clues follow a mysterious murder and, in these cases, many suspects from an array of weekly guest stars, not to mention some red-herrings to challenge viewers to guess whodunnit!
Hutton makes a decent Ellery Queen, convincingly lost in his own thoughts, matter-of-fact in his pronouncements and he’s a likeable man who’s also modest.
David Wayne is perfect as the proud father who manipulates his son so he can be king of the crime division. Wayne appeared in The Adventures of Ellery Queen (1951-54) and The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen (1959). Their relationship isn’t full of banter or as intricate as the 1970s team of Jim and Rocky Rockford, but the running gags about Ellery’s poor driving for one help lighten the mood.
The attention to period detail is impressive from long sedans to the taxi cabs. There are certain charms around Ellery, but it will appeal only to those who look at murder mysteries as a puzzle to be solved and not a crime-based reality show to appreciate. Some may say it’s an old fashioned way, too tedious, of solving a crime.
It was a wholesome period series that that put the focus on investigation and deduction, not chasing suspects, hip action and interrogations as seen in Starsky and Hutch.
However, there are some interesting guest stars, some of them suspects and others victims. Look for people like Betty White, Larry Hagman, Ed McMahon, Sal Mineo, Cesar Romero, Dick Sargent, Bill Dana, Troy Donahue, Vincent Price, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Victor Buono, Norman Fell, Bob Crane, Carolyn Jones, Tom Bosley, Eve Arden, Tab Hunter and Gary Burghoff.
Never before available on DVD, this seven-disc collection of the complete 1975-76 television series presents all 22 episodes of the classic mysteries including the rarely seen feature-length pilot movie Too Many Suspects. Another bonus is the original 1971 Peter Lawford TV movie Ellery Queen: Don’t Look Behind You.
Each episode begins with a voiceover from a radio-style announcer who invites viewers to “Match wits with Ellery Queen and see if you can guess . . . who done it!” Then, we’re introduced to the victim (still alive) and the suspects, as the voiceover proceeds to ask several questions about the killer. Before the big revelation at the end of every episode, Ellery Queen asks, “Have you figured it out? Do you know who the murderer is?”
The pilot offers Magnum, P.I. regular John Hillerman as radio star Simon Brimmer, who writes the mystery scripts that he and a cast perform for a popular radio serial.
Twenty-three episodes are included on six single-sided discs, which are housed overlapping in a fold-out cardboard-and-plastic case that tucks inside a cardboard slipcase with a ‘viewing notes’ booklet.
Here’s a brief summary of the first six episodes:
1) ‘Too Many Suspects’: Ellery Queen tracks down the killer of noted fashion designer Monica Gay.
2) ‘The Adventure of Auld Lang Syne’: Marcus Halliday is murdered at the Hotel Astor on New Year’s Eve, 1946.
3) ‘The Adventure of the Lover’s Leap’: Wealthy heiress Stephanie Kendrick is dead . . . but was it murder or suicide?
4) ‘The Adventure of the Chinese Dog’: While trying to enjoy their fishing trip, Ellery and Inspector Queen are enlisted to solve a small-town murder.
5) ‘The Adventure of the Comic Book Crusader’: Ellery Queen finds himself among the suspects in the murder of a comic book publisher.
6) ‘The Adventure of the 12th Floor Express’: News mogul Henry Manners has been found murdered in the express elevator to the 12th floor of his building.
Colin Firth and Helen Bonham Carter in 'The King's Speech'.
By Rama Gaind
Film:The King’s Speech
Stars: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Geoffrey Rush
Director: Tom Hooper
The King’s Speech is elegantly staged, driven by brilliant performances from Firth and Rush as the most unlikely of friends.
It is based on the true story of George VI’s battles to overcome a dreaded stutter that hampered both his confidence and ability to communicate with the public.
Bravery comes in many forms as the troubled Royal turns to an eccentric Australian speech therapist for help. It is their relationship, though adversarial at first, that understandably develops into something vital and binding.
The film is set during the mid-1930s with England on the brink of war with Nazi Germany. Firth plays King George VI, but at the time he was only the Duke of York and known as ‘Bertie’ by his family. His speech impediment prohibits him from speaking in public or to almost anyone at all, without stammering and freezing up.
Dr Lionel Logue (Rush) comes admirably to the rescue with a set of unexpected techniques. As a result, ‘Bertie’ finds his voice in time to deliver an important speech to the British Empire and boldly lead the country to declare war.
This splendidly crafted period drama has light comic moments and compelling acting. Firth gives his best performance yet, Bonham Carter (as ‘Bertie’s ever-supportive wife) has never been better and Rush is brilliant too.
Other facets of the film were equally outstanding: Tom Hooper’s taut, brisk direction, David Seidler’s incredible screenplay, Alexandre Desplat’s fantastic score, the extraordinarily bright dialogues between Firth and Rush and the elegant compositions of cinematography by Danny Cohen. Those close-ups make you feel as if you’re in the same room with them!
Even the costumes and period set decoration are perfectly on the mark.
The King’s Speech has received seven Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actor (for Firth) and Screenplay. Hopes are high of it being bestowed with many awards in 2011 – and they will be well deserved.
'Mother' is a fine mystery on DVD from Madman Entertainment.'Genova' from Madman Entertainment.'Noodle' from Madman Entertainment is full of surprises.
By Rama Gaind
Mother (Madman Entertainment)
Stars: Kim Hye-ja, Won Bin
Director: Bong Joon-ho
From the director of such classics as The Host and Memories of Murder, this gripping Korean mystery has a slow start and a shocking end.
How far would you go to prove the innocence of your child if he was accused of a horrific crime? Hye-ja is one single mother who leaves no stone unturned.
After a teenage girl is found dead in an abandoned building, 27-year-old Do-joon is accused of her murder.
Hye-ja is horrified when her son is arrested. Do-joon is mentally slow, but she is convinced of his innocence, and sets about finding evidence to set him free, regardless of the cost.
Delivering an excellent performance, Hye-ja treads a fine line between being emotionally delicate and tough.
Stick with the action and you will be suitably surprised.
As well, you will enjoy the special DVD features including the making of Mother, a look at behind the scenes, during the shooting, interview with the film’s director, main and other characters and the first and last days of shooting.
Genova (Madman Entertainment)
Cast: Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, Willa Holland, Perla Haney-Jardine, Hope Davis
Director: Michael Winterbottom
A well-directed drama with passive emotions, this film sees brilliant performances from Firth, Holland and Haney-Jardine.
Firth is Joe, who after the tragic death of his wife, goes to Genoa with his two daughters – Kelly (Holland) and Mary (Haney-Jardine). He has accepted a 12-month university position and meets up with a former colleague Barbara (Keener).
While Mary is haunted with guilt over her mother’s death, Kelly is quite the opposite and wastes no time in joining the social set.
As the family gets around the city, we see a never-ending stretch of Genoa streets but the story is devoid of required sentiments.
British director Michael Winterbottom certainly provides variety: three of his films — Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland and 24 Hour Party People — were nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
BaoQi Chen is lovable in the title role – even though he doesn’t speak English or Hebrew.
Avital plays flight attendant Miri in this Israeli film who unexpectedly finds herself looking after her Chinese cleaner’s six-year-old son. She had only left him with her for an hour, but she hasn’t returned.
Miri carries her own grief and lives with her sister, Gila, who has recently separated from her husband.
Frustration at being saddled with Noodle gives way to a fiercely maternal love and the realisation that she must track down his mother.
It proves to be a heart-wrenching journey with a satisfactory ending.
Here are two DVD titles which are different in subject matter, but are still excellent viewing.
Bronson (Madman Entertainment)
Stars: Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
This is a remarkable story of resilience. Michael Peterson is a hot-headed 19 year old who makes a name for himself by robbing a post office in 1974.
Of the 34 years he has been behind bars, 30 have been in solitary confinement.
During that time the boy in Petersen fades away and his superstar alter ego ‘Charles Bronson’ comes to centre stage, after he was re-named Charles Bronson by his fight promoter.
Narrated with humour, the line between comedy and horror is blurred.
Starring Tom Hardy (Rocknrolla, Layercake), this is the English language debut for Nicholas Winding Refn, director of the acclaimed Pusher series.
DVD special features are noteworthy including an exclusive Australian interview with the director.
Love The Beast (Madman Entertainment)
You don’t have to be a revhead to watch this film. Australian actor and car enthusiast Eric Bana tells a great story with his very own Ford GT Falcon Coupe – The Beast.
The simple story is about him, his first car, a lifetime of ownership and friendship.
Documenting his 25-year-long love story takes us through a gruelling motor race and a little disappointment.
Unwillingly Eric casts himself in his own real life drama as we follow him from inside the race car to the surreal world of the red carpet.
This true story is convincing as we follow Eric’s progress as a car lover and as a person conflicted by what he has done. He directs himself well.
Eric Bana in 'Love the Beast' from Madman Entertainment.'Bronson' is out on DVD from Madman.
As the social and personal pressures increase in the face of re-building his car, he seeks guidance and wisdom from not only his three life-long friends, but also Jay Leno, ‘Dr Phil’ McGraw and Jeremy Clarkson.
Watch out for the special highlights in this DVD pack.
'Prime Mover' from Madman Entertainment.'Eden is West' from Madman.'Camino' (Madman Entertainment) makes for compelling viewing.
By Rama Gaind
Film on DVD: Prime Mover(Madman Entertainment)
Stars: Michael Dorman, Emily Barclay, William McInnes, Ben Mendolsohn, Gyton Grantley
Director: David Caesar
A bittersweet story about the love, responsibility and ambition shared by a man, a woman and his truck.
Australian director David Caesar (Mullet, Dirty Deeds) extracts the best from Michael Dorman (Suburban Mayhem, Daybreakers) and Emily Barclay (Suburban Mayhem, In My Father’s Den).
Worthy support is also given by McInnes (Unfinished Sky) and Mendelsohn (Animal Kingsom, The Year My Voice Broke).
Eden is West (Madman Entertainment)
Greek director Constanin Costa-Gavras gives us a serious theme wrapped up as an enjoyable fairytale with modern overtones.
Tackling the hardships suffered by illegal immigrants to Europe, the film also explores the magical nature of a world where experiences are both full of guarantees and hazards.
The adventures of Elias (Riccardo Scarmarcio) begin on the Aegean Sea: on a trawler packed with men, women and children who covertly approach the beaming lights to an unknown shoreline. They are full of hope for a new life in the west.
How he undertakes his extraordinary journey to reach Paris, crossing the continent, is what gives this odyssey a fulsome heart, wit and amazing complexities.
Camino – An Angel Lives Among Us (Madman Entertainment)
A heartbreaking glimpse into the life of 13-year-old Camino, whose life (along with those around her) is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with a rare cancer of the spine.
Her mother is a devotee of the Opus Dei sect, her father cannot control his sorrow over the impending loss of his daughter and her older sister appears disinterested.
As Camino’s life changes in unexpected ways, her active imagination is her consolation. For this is where she retreats to live out her harmless fantasies of happiness, romance and stardom.
Stars: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Teri Polo, Barbra Streisand, Laura Dern, Jessica Alba, Harvey Keitel
Director: Paul Weitz
Laughs coming furiously our way is sadly lacking in this film. The third installment sees another take in the test of wills between Jack Byrnes (De Niro) and Greg Focker (Stiller). There’s nothing like a little misunderstanding to fuel the fires of suspicion.
When the young Focker twins celebrate their birthday, the entire clan including Pam’s (Polo) love-lorn ex Kevin (Wilson) get together for the party.
The cranky former CIA agent Jack continues to be distrustful and loath to accept Greg as head of the family.
When an opportunity to moonlight for a drug company comes his way, the cash-strapped male nurse is again a target of mistrust.
This star-studded offering has lost its shine and drags a bit.
Film:Gulliver’s Travels
Cast: Jack Black, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Chris O’Dowd, T.J. Miller, James Corden, Catherine Tate
Director: Rob Letterman
Black plays Lemuel Gulliver, a newspaper mail-room clerk, who gets a travel assignment to the Bermuda Triangle but washes ashore on Lilliput.
He is a giant on an island that’s home to tiny, industrious people. The ruler is the ineffectual King Theodore (Connolly) whose daughter Princess Mary (Blunt) is being wooed by Horatio (Segel), a feeble suitor, and a pompous General (O’Dowd).
Who else but Gulliver (through Black’s clowning antics) can save them from their miserable fates?
This is not a faithful adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s 1726 novel, but the cast breathe some life into a lifeless story which moderately entertains.
Peter Highman desperately tries to get to LA for the birth of his first child and Ethan Tremblay needs to get there to start his acting career.
However, this chance encounter turns into a cross-country road trip where combining two men – one, a clumsy fool and the other, highly strung – fails to hit the mark. Instead, the journey ends up damaging Peter’s nerves, destroying many friendships and demolishing several cars.
Film:3D Megamind
Stars: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt
Director: Tom McGrath
After Megamind (Ferrell) defeats his archrival Metro Man (Pitt), he is filled with despair.
Since life is meaningless without a rival, he creates a new superhero.
However, trouble soon follows when the new hero also wants to be a super villain.
Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in 'Little Fockers'
Opening week box office collections may have been good, but this Bollywood film is a disappointment with Farah Khan at the helm.
Akshay Kumar is Tarbez Mirza Khan, a trendy conman with attitude. His girlfriend and aspiring actress Anya is played by Katrina Kaif. Akshaye Khanna is the superstar Atish Kapoor of Indian films, hankering after an Oscar.
In his quest to rob a train of its load of valuable antiques, Tarbez involves Anya and Atish, along with the villagers of Dhuliya.
Looks like director Khan got so wrapped up in her star cast that she overlooked the importance of a healthy storyline and strong execution. Instead, we have a mixture of over-the-top characters, a clichéd, unreal script, ridiculous comedy and a lack of genuine emotions. What happened to innovative choreography?
Music directors Vishal and Shekhar make a cameo appearance, but Salman need not have bothered.
A “trickster” he is in this film
Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in ‘Tees Maar Khan’.
, but Akshay should choose more worthy roles befitting his acting capabilities. On the other hand, Katrina still seems very uneasy about her Hindi diction even though she dominated Bollywood during 2009 and 2010. Nevertheless, Katrina sizzles in an item number in this film titled ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’.
Stars: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton
Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Johnny Depp is Frank Tupelo, a maths teacher from Wisconsin on vacation in Europe, who inadvertently becomes embroiled in a thriller about identity. He is the American tourist whose life is seemingly turned upside down.
Angelina Jolie portrays Elise Ward, a British woman, being hunted by Scotland Yard and a non-Russian mob boss.
Elise is being pursued because it’s thought that she knows the whereabouts of her former lover, Alexander Pearce, who has not only stolen money from the mob boss but is sought by Scotland Yard for non-payment of back taxes.
Frank and Elise get together at the start of the film after she gets a letter in a café in France from Pearce, telling her to get on the next train to Venice. In keeping with what she’s told, Elise finds a man of similar height and build to Pearce so Scotland Yard will mistake him for Pearce.
Thereafter starts the chase. The plot is interesting, holds some interest, but the film lacks depth. While Jolie looks beautiful, Depp has some forgettable lines. What’s more, there is no character development and not much chemistry between the two lead actors.
Nevertheless, the film’s location in Venice is glorious: stunning architecture,
Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp in 'The Tourist'.
amazing canals and breathtaking beauty of Hotel Danieli.
All that, and a twist in the tale that’s sure to raise a smile!
Stars: William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller, Mark Strong
Director: Pete Travis
Riveting thriller that does not diminish its impact – with time.
In 1985 South Africa Mandela is in prison, there are discussions to bring an end to Apartheid and ANC and Afrikaner representatives argue over the future of their nation.
Even under constant threat and fear, ANC ‘terrorists’ led by Thabo Mbeki and key Afrikaner representatives meet in England. Influential men begin clandestine talks on how they might bring about the end of Apartheid.
This documentary-drama shows that the secret British talks become a valuable arena for airing opinions, arguing consequences and developing a frail trust between the two arch enemies.
That was only possible through explosive discussions, some obstacles and advances.
The peaceful negotiators begin to fear that they might never live to see the peace they have been striving so hard to achieve.
Emotive performances are given by Hurt and Ejiofor as tensions build between the anti-Apartheid terrorists and the ruling South African government.
'Endgame' is out on DVD from Madman Entertainment.
The peace-seeking negotiators are rightly fearful of ever reaching their goals, along with an agreement, to avoid a race war.
Endgame is delivered at a crackling pace, is moving and compelling.
Welcome (Madman Entertainment)
A bold drama from writer/director Philippe Lioret, Welcome is an inspiring film about new beginnings and the power of true love that is focused on two couples, each dealing with dislocation and separation issues in their own way.
The multi award-winning film sees Bilal, 17, who has illegally travelled actross Europe in an effort to reunite with girlfriend Mina. She, in turn, has moved to England with her family.
With all legal options exhausted, Bilal ends up in Calais and resolves to learn to swim and make the dangerous crossing.
A middle-aged swimming instructor Simon (Vincent Lindon) comes to his rescue – all the while reeling from an imminent divorce from his socially-conscious wife Marion. This was an impulsive and uncharacteristic move on his behalf, but many of us can relate to such an action.
Welcome is an extraordinary tale of human bonding that will have you thinking.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway in 'Love and Other Drugs'.
By Rama Gaind
Love and Other Drugs is a romantic film, not lightweight, but one with a moving message about the quality of love – and life.
With complications that raise some valid questions pertaining to relationships, there is some comedic relief as well.
However, a love story about Viagra may not be an appealing idea, but this one boasts some interesting scenarios.
Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a charming and handsome sales rep in a cut-throat pharmaceutical world. He persistently uses his usually reliable charm to attract the ladies and will stop at nothing to convince doctors to prescribe his products. However, he has commitment issues.
Enter Maggie (Anne Hathaway), a radiant, free spirit, who is suffering early-onset Parkinson’s disease. With tremors hindering her skills as an artist, she uses meaningless encounters to ward off her sense of hopelessness.
When Jamie’s career races ahead when the little blue pills hit the market, he is forced to reassess his priorities.
Maggie and Jamie find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug – love – as their growing relationship, and powerful chemistry, takes them both by surprise.
Director Edward Zwick and his co-writers have not just stuck to satire, but offered poignancy as well. It is also endearing.
Gyllenhaal and Hathaway, who worked together in Brokeback Mountain, have enthusiastically embraced their roles, making for a thoroughly credible story that touches you to the core.
This year’s most talked about film – Animal Kingdom – released on DVD by Madman Entertainment has triumphed at the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards ceremony held last week.
The gritty drama received 10 awards out of a record 18 nominations.
The ceremony was hosted by the jocular Shane Jacobson (Kenny) at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne on December 11. Guests included American actor Willem Dafoe, who has recently been shooting a thriller in Tasmania.
Accepting her award for ‘Best Actress’, Jacki Weaver gave a show-stealing speech via videolink from Sydney, stating that after such a long career in the industry “…it’s wonderful to be reassured that you haven’t been barking up the wrong tree for 48 years”.
The Los Angeles Film Critics Association presented the prestigious ‘Best Supporting Actress’ award to Weaver at the 36th annual awards ceremony – held in Los Angeles on December 12. The award is yet another prominent accolade for Weaver on the campaign trail to the 2011 Oscars, who was also awarded the illustrious ‘Best Supporting Actress’ award by the National Board of Review earlier in the month.
The complete list of AFI Awards for Animal Kingdom is as follows.
– Samsung Mobile Award for Best Film – Animal Kingdom
– AFI Award for Best Direction – David Michôd
– AFI Award for Best Original Screenplay – Animal Kingdom, David Michôd
– AFI Award for Best Lead Actor – Ben Mendelsohn
– AFI Award for Best Lead Actress – Jacki Weaver
– AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor – Joel Edgerton
– Reader’s Choice Award – Animal Kingdom
– AFI Members’ Choice Award – Animal Kingdom
– AFI Award for Best Editing – Animal Kingdom, Luke Doolan
– AFI Award for Best Original Music Score – Animal Kingdom, Antony Partos,
Sam Petty
The producer of Animal Kingdom, Liz Watts, said: “We are so very, very thrilled by the wins over the weekend at the AFIs – its topped an amazing year for the film and for everyone who has contributed to it. With Jacki also getting the nod from the LA Film Critics this morning, it really has been an incredible few days. Congratulations to everyone involved with Animal Kingdom!”
Paul Wiegard, Managing Director, Madman Entertainment added: “It has been a wonderful experience – from the first day of production to winning International praise at Sundance – then through a successful domestic release. Without a doubt, Animal Kingdom will become a reference film for years to come.”
Several other Madman and SBS DVD releases also picked up prestigious awards at the Saturday ceremony and the December 10 Industry Awards – including ‘Best Children’s Television Animation’ for dirtgirlworld, ‘Best Short Animation’ for The Lost Thing, and ‘Best Documentary Series’ for Liberal Rule: The Politics that Changed Australia.
Awards list
The full list of awards is as follows:
– AFI Award for Best Screenplay in Television – Wilfred II
– AFI Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama – Deborah Mailman, Offspring.
– AFI Award for Best Children’s Television Animation – dirtgirlworld
– AFI Award for Best Documentary Series – Liberal Rule: The Politics that Changed Australia
‘Fair Game’ is an inconvenient truth that had to be told.
Directed by Doug Liman (‘The Bourne Identity’), it is based on a memoir of the same name by Valerie Plame Wilson, the high-level CIA agent who led an investigation into the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Her veteran diplomat husband Joe Wilson gets drawn into an investigation to substantiate an alleged sale of enriched uranium from Niger.
However, Joe writes his conclusions in a New York Times editorial and ignites controversy after the administration ignores his findings. Instead, they use it to support a call to war.
In the wake of the Iraq invasion in 2003, Valerie was controversially ’ousted’ by the Bush administration.
Naomi Watts and Sean Penn play the happily married couple, raising twins, whose friends do not suspect that Valerie works for the CIA.
When the truth gets out, the Wilsons are portrayed by the media as being anti-American and their marriage is threatened. Add to that the devastation felt by Valerie about the end of her brilliant career.
Liman gives us an absorbing film, highlighting the need for accountability by government toward society.
This political thriller, which emphasises the vital importance of truth, also features great performances by Penn and Watts.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
First of the two-part film adaptation by director David Yates is another addition to the Harry Potter series. Whether it’s brilliant or not depends on whether you’re a die-hard fan.
The race is on against time and evil as Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) sets out to destroy the Horcruxes, along with Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson). Along the way they uncover the presence of the Deathly Hallows: powerful objects in wizardry.
Now there will be many impatiently awaiting the release of Part 2 in July 2011.
The American
This dignified thriller about a burnt-out hitman (George Clooney) is a little too slow for comfort.
Learn about the power of words with this new bookThe Magic and Power of Words
THEY’RE often used without a thought, but a deeper look at your choice of words can either make or break your business, finances, relationships and career.
According to Doreen and Grant Virtue, authors of the new book, Angel Words, what you say and how you say it, does have an effect upon yourself and your environment. The words you choose have a certain energy, or vibration, that go out and have the potential to subtly change everything they come in contact with.
In this book, you will discover the hidden power of words and how they can:
Influence child development:
An American medical anthropologist named W. Penn Handwerker found that those who’d received childhood accusations which began with “you” (such as “you are stupid”) are more likely to develop depression.
Speed up or slow down the recovery rate of patients:
A recent study in China supported the need for patients to only hear positive words following surgery. It was found that patients who received all-negative words from their nurses needed the most pain medication and showed other signs of increased pain compared to other groups. Patients who received positive words, however, healed and grew stronger.
Support your dreams
Positive affirmation and words with a high vibration such as, “energy”, “give”, “ask”, “admiration” versus “tired”, “take”, “demand” and “jealously” are shown to attract positive outcomes and experiences.
Doreen Virtue, Ph.D., is a spiritual doctor of psychology and fourth-generation metaphysician who works with the angelic, elemental, and ascended master realms. She is the author of 22 books on mind-body-spirit themes, including Healing with the Angels, Divine Guidance, Angel Therapy and The Lightworker’s Way.
Angel Words by Doreen Virtue and Grant Virtue
RRP: AU $19.95 NZ $25.00
ISBN: 9781401926960
Available in leading bookstores now
