timothyjs

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.