Author: diana

The Imitation Game—Breaking the Code Breaker

Written by diana on January 19, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 3 Comments on The Imitation Game—Breaking the Code Breaker

Benedict Cumberbatch Alan Turing, a pivotal code breaker during World War II, was almost completely unknown until the release of this movie. A hero who contributed a master plan for breaking the German military codes, Turing ultimately sacrificed everything . He committed suicide in 1953 when his homosexuality was called out. Being gay was a crime punishable by imprisonment, not only in Great Britain but in most of the West. For many years, breaking Enigma—the Nazi code believed to be unbreakable—was considered a top security secret under the Official Secrecy Act. The Enigma machine,...

Top Ten Movies of 2014

Written by diana on January 13, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 1 Comment on Top Ten Movies of 2014

With the Golden Globe Awards now announced, I have taken a look back at the movie reviews I have written over the past year. When I counted the reviews posted in 2014 (=28 this year about movies released in 2014), I wanted to see what would be my top ten favorites. Again, it wasn’t easy, as both television and cinema have continued to produce phenomenal story-telling. This list is not ranked –only my top ten for 2014, grouped by genre. These are movies I saw in 2014, not necessarily ones released in 2014. [Full disclosure: I have not seen “Selma”, “Wild”, “Still Alice” or “Foxcatcher” yet...

2015—Year of the Sheep, aka Year of the Goat or Ram (February 19, 2015—February 7, 2016) )

Written by diana on January 5, 2015. Posted in Lunar New Year. 2 Comments on 2015—Year of the Sheep, aka Year of the Goat or Ram (February 19, 2015—February 7, 2016) )

Happy New Year –Chinese Style! Although the Chinese New Year doesn’t officially begin until February 19, many people start thinking of the animal sign on the first of the New Year. [And much of Asia, including Japan, does not wait until Feb 19. Many now celebrate during the first two weeks of January.] According to Chinese Buddhism, before the Buddha entered Nirvana only twelve animals came to pay homage. So, the Buddha honored them by naming a twelve-year cycle (=zodiac) after them. The sheep, the eighth animal in line to honor the Buddha, is recognized as a lucky animal with an artistic...

“Black Mirror”—Dark Reflections of the Mind

Written by diana on December 29, 2014. Posted in Television reviews. 2 Comments on “Black Mirror”—Dark Reflections of the Mind

Black Mirror I’ve just discovered the extraordinary showstopper, “Black Mirror”, a British sci-fi television series that is part “Twilight Zone” but darker and more bizarre. In six episodes in Season One we are let into a dystopian future narratively thrilling yet outrageous, because of its plausibility. The season finale, “White Christmas”, is certainly not full of holiday merriment. This bleak episode showcases the handsome and versatile Jon Hamm (the character Don Draper in “Mad Men”), as Matthew, a charming guy who does not possess any moral tentativeness or empathy for anyone. Great choice...

“The Theory of Everything”—A Brief History of Love

Written by diana on December 20, 2014. Posted in movie reviews. 3 Comments on “The Theory of Everything”—A Brief History of Love

This is a lyrical and magnificent film, adapted from a literary source (a memoir by Jane Hawking). Rich in character and dialogue, “The Theory of Everything” is primarily a romance wrapped around a chronicle of a brilliant and beautiful mind trapped in a malfunctioning body. This film is a narrative of heartbreak, marital and emotional distance, with jagged edges and torn souls portrayed with great subtlety and craft. Focusing on the courtship and marriage of Jane (the riveting Felicity Jones) and Stephen Hawking (a tour-de-force performance by Eddie Redmayne from “My Week with Marilyn” and...

“Peaky Blinders”—A View of Injustice

Written by diana on December 15, 2014. Posted in Television reviews. 1 Comment on “Peaky Blinders”—A View of Injustice

Peaky Blinders This BBC television drama series starring the amazing Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, is Britain’s answer to “Boardwalk Empire”. Netflix released the first six episodes comprising Season One this past September and the next six of Season Two in November. Taking place immediately after the First World War, in Birmingham, England, the story focuses on making one’s way in the world of brutal street rivalries and competition for money through bars, gambling, and horse racing. But this series is more family saga than criminal thriller, although...