Keeping tidy has always been an aspiration. One of the downsides of this mild, but I hope, healthy obsession is that on the whole I can find things when I need to but certainly when they go astray mostly they are lost forever. In recent weeks, my bookshelves have been undergoing some attention. Being sensible […]
A Man Called Otto: Grief, Society and Kindness
Posted on by James Woodward
Netflix doesn’t always yield the browsing results that it claims! That is partly dependant on its view of the subscribers viewing history combined with drawing us into their top ten lists. If it is popular then I should watch it ? After a couple of frustrating visits to the site and seeing a recommendation […]
How to write History ? On watching Firebrand
Posted on by James Woodward
I first came across the Midland Art Centre in 1987 through my Birmingham MPhil supervisor, Professor Stephen Pattison, who lived nearby in Mosley. It was a good place to walk after supervisions to ingest both the intensity of feedback and quality of conversation which is always a characteristic of Stephens engagement. It was crystal clear […]
Close ( Film 2022)
Posted on by James Woodward
Gustav De Waele and Eden Dambrine as Rémi and Léo On my post Easter travels I was glad to reaquaint myself with The Midland Arts Centre (https://macbirmingham.co.uk/) – a place of regular visits over twenty years of living in Birmingham.Based in Canon Hill Park, Edgbaston and opposite the Warwickshire Cricket ground it was a happy […]
What shall we make of a frail old age ? On watching Allelujah
Posted on by James Woodward
If I had taken any notice of the reviews then I should certainly not have parted with £12 for a cinema ticket to see this film. Based on the play by Alan Bennett, this slow, intentional and warm the film explores age and care and human nature in the face of pandemic, NHS resources and […]
In Praise of Living
Posted on by James Woodward
From time to time most of us, wonder how our lives might be brought to an end. This isn’t morbid or odd, but part of what it means to think about being human and reflecting on the shape and possible end of this one life of ours. Of course, I don’t feel particularly old, […]
A Monster Calls : Redeeming Stories?
Posted on by James Woodward
One of the great advantages of living in Salisbury is the availability of a well-run mainstream cinema. Friends will know that I enjoy a regular visit to the big screen. Like you I am sometimes captivated by the trailer but in the end disappointed by the film! Last night rather put off by the trailers […]