Movie Club - 'The Usual Suspects'

When a man by the name of Verbal is brought in for questioning, he tells an almost unbelievable story. Verbal recounts the story in flashback, of five criminals who meet in a police line-up who decide to band together to perform a vengeful heist, which leads them further into crime.

The Usual Suspects is an intricate film of intense, sometimes superfluous, editing that reveals a plot of mystery and revelations. It is part crime, part mystery part film-noir and relies on plot and post-editing to grip the viewer to the very end.

Full of violent twists, and the mysterious Keyser Soze, the film requires the viewer to watch closely, almost demanding it to be watched a second time over. However the acting is fluid, the plot crafted meticulously and the script witty.

The film won two Academy Awards, one of which was for ‘Best Original Screenplay’,  it also won two BAFTAs for ‘Best Original Screenplay’ and ‘Best Editing’. The film’s intense editing and intense plot will keep you on your toes.

The Movie Club will be screening 'The Usual Suspects' on Wednesday 10 May, 6pm sharp at Narellan Library. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided, BYO snacks are more than welcome. Stay after the screening for a short discussion about the film. See the discussion questions to get some ideas.

Book Review - 'The Lake' By Banana Yoshimoto

A novel of tender love and slow, unfurling mystery, Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto folds readers into the lives of Chihiro and Nakajima.

The Lake is narrated by Chihiro, a painter who was born out of wedlock and raised by her unorthodox parents in a small country town. When her mother dies, Chihiro moves to the city. It is here that she meets Nakajima, her neighbour.  The novel courses the two as they fall in love, however Nakajima hides a secret—a secret that Chihiro needs to know if they want to continue their relationship.

 

 

Yoshimoto’s characters are vivid and nuanced, and the prose is strong in its observant nature, for instance, “Of course, it’s true that sometimes the pink at sunrise somehow seems brighter than the pink at sunset, and that when you’re feeling down the landscape seems darker too – you see things through the filter of your own sensibility. But the things themselves, out there, they don’t change.”

For a relatively short novel there is a great sense of emotional depth at play here.

 

Film Review - The Cobbler - By Tom McCarthy

Starring Adam Sandler, The Cobbler is a unique movie that centres around a bored cobbler who stumbles upon a magical family secret allowing him to literally walk in other peoples shoes and experience their lives.

Answers to his fathers mystery disappearance surface and he decides to please his mother with a special surprise. A very original movie with some great scenes. Anne

Film Review—Gone Girl by David Fincher

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) returns home to find his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing. After he calls the police they come to the conclusion that fowl play is at hand, and Nick quickly becomes the prime suspect. This is compounded by the strain the marriage has been under of late, with lies and deceit on both parts. Add to this a media frenzy that grows with scandal and the continuing mystery of what happened to his wife, and the stage is set for a thrilling, troubling mystery where the story matters more than the truth.

On the one hand the film is an exaggeration of the lengths people go to in order to keep up appearances, in particular the illusion of the perfect life and marriage. But it is also an example of a common theme in American Literature of the corrupting influence and fakery of the city in opposition to the wholesome honesty of the small town Midwest (think Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Welles’ Citizen Kane). We see numerous contrasts between the two, from the salt of the earth citizens of Missouri contrasted with the poseurs at a New York party, to Nick’s real bond with his twin sister in opposition to Amy’s competing with her “Amazing” fictional twin. Like its predecessors, Gone Girl deals with the creating of an ideal life narrative, reworked in an elaborate and effective “he said/she said” dynamic, where manipulation is simply a technique necessary in telling the best story.

In a world where image and story are all, Gone Girl is an arresting examination of the strain of keep up appearances.

Andreas

Book Review - Stay Alive by Simon Kernick

Suspend belief at the number of dead bodies that will litter the landscape and jump on for the ride. A masterly plot, page-turning action and some unexpected twists will keep you up reading this. Amanda is in a safe house as she may be the only witness who can identify a serial killer. When she is targeted and found, her escape gets tangled up with a family on a wilderness outing, an ex-soldier and a local gangster. Excellently escapist.
Wendy

Book Review - A Pleasure and A Calling by Phil Hogan

This is an avuncular story which goes along quietly until you realize that the narrator, Mr Heming, a real estate agent, has kept keys to every house he has ever had dealings with and he indulges himself with visiting the houses and sampling the lives of their occupants. For example, he goes to one house every day for breakfast after the family has left. They are in such a muddle that they wouldn't notice extra toast has been used. Gradually, we learn more of his history, and then learn what he is capable of when he is threatened. He is in danger of losing his carefully acquired poise and good humour, not to mention several clients and employees! Macabre and darkly funny, a very unusual and different mystery which would not be for everyone. 
Wendy

Book Review - Redemption by Jussi Adler-Olsen

Described as the "It boy of Nordic noir "on the cover blurb, Adler-Olsen does not disappoint in this murder mystery from Denmark. The serial killer here has the most ingenious way of targeting families, extracting money from them and also satisfying his need to control and to kill. All is going well until he makes a fatal error at the same time as the case is given attention by an eccentric cast of detectives in the cold case team. Another terrific Scandinavian mystery.
Wendy

Book Review - Don't Look Back by Erica Spindler

Katherine McCall left town 10 years ago, after having been acquitted of killing her older sister, Sara, who was her guardian after their parents were killed in a car accident. Many townsfolk thought she did it and they aren't pleased she is back. But a series of anonymous letters have driven her to confront the truth and find out what really happened. Assisted by the new cop in town, she faces new dangers as the truth is finally revealed. Competent mystery romance fare set in small town USA.
Wendy

TV Review—Sherlock Season 3

Sherlock is back! Not just for another season but from the grave. After the season two cliffhanger of “The Reichenbach Fall” the internet went wild with speculation about how Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) had done it. The first episode roars into many possible explanations, with doubt cast on all versions. Although stimulating, the lack of full disclosure is a little disheartening, and does make you wonder whether the writers had worked themselves into a narrative corner.

However, the season does add many new twists, turns, and mysteries. There is also Watson’s (Martin Freeman) relationship with soon to be wife Mary (Amanda Abbington) and her secret past that is climactically revealed.  And in place of arch-nemesis Moriarty we have Charles Augustus Magnussen (Lars Mikkelsen), who provides a villain even more troubling and intelligent.

As with earlier seasons it features high paced, ludicrous plots, source material references galore, and many demonstrations of Sherlock’s abilities in brilliant visual flourishes. While enjoyable it is more exhausting than earlier seasons. Perhaps scheduling conflicts took their toll, or perhaps the writers are becoming a little too clever, even cocky. But the final episode is perhaps the best of the series, and the confidence of the writers is well justified, producing some great television in what has become a very competitive market.

Andreas

Book Review - Police by Jo Nesbo

The latest Harry Hole thriller and he is out of the police force and lecturing at the Police college. A number of loose ends from earlier stories are tied up here so it is an advantage, although not essential to have read the earlier novels. Harry's old team are on the hunt for a killer who is targeting policemen and women with a connection to a old crimes which were unresolved or had some difficulty about them.  Harry's personal life is finally getting to a point where he asks Rakel to marry him but will his commitment be derailed by a troubled student seeking to seduce him while he solves another  'unsolvable' mystery?  Red herrings aplenty which is no doubt appropriate for a Scandinavian mystery. Excellent stuff!
Wendy

TV Review—True Detective Season One by Nic Pizzolatto

Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) are part of Louisiana State CID investigating a bizarre murder with occult symbols in 1995. In 2002, after they believe the case closed, they realize that they only scratched the surface, leading all the way to 2012, when a crime with many similarities brings in two new detectives and a difficult reconciliation between Hart and Cohle.

The humidity of Louisiana soaks every scene, and cutting between the three timeline story creates a crucible in which reflections on the past brings it unavoidably into the present. Life becomes a circle where the players are left in a spiral of repetition. McConaughey shines as the philosophical musing Cohle and contrasts well with Harrelson, who plays the morally questionable straight man in the duo.
Well written, supremely acted and perfectly set, True Detective is a prime example of the current Golden Age of Television and one of the greats of the McConaissance.
Andreas

TV Review – Fargo Season One by Noah Hawley

The Coen Brothers much acclaimed 1996 film Fargo has been reinvented into an original television series. Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) is a down and out insurance salesman, pestered by his wife and overshadowed by his younger brother. Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton), a hardened criminal for hire with an impish streak, decides to help Lester by killing his childhood tormentor. But soon the pressure gets too much for Lester, and the body count rises.

Although written and directed by Noah Hawley, the tone of the Coen Brothers (who act as producers) is retained. The chilled, bleak white of the Minnesota winter sets the template for the dry, sardonic humour of the exuberant, colourful cast of off kilter, socially questionable characters. Surprising and thrilling, it will have you saying darn tootin’! with every dropping body.

Andreas

Book Review – Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Agnes Magnúsdóttir is scheduled to be executed for murder, the last person to experience such a fate in Iceland. Due to administrative blundering she is housed on Kornsa, the farm of District Officer Jón Jónsson, while awaiting execution, and given spiritual consul by Tóti, a young, inexperienced assistant reverend. Her time with Tóti and the familiar surrounds of Kornsa make her final year one of reflection and sorrow.

Drawing on folklore, the sagas, religion and agrarian life we are simultaneously introduced to the culture as we learn the specifics of the murders. The text blends third person narration with Agnes’ reflections, which, although containing some of the more interesting phrasing in the novel, occasionally overflows. This furthers Agnes’ isolation, as although born and raised in the same District, she is segregated, both in the narrative and in the community.

A murder mystery with tones of historical revision, Burial Rites handles the last days of a murderess with sympathy, both for her and the culture that has condemned her.
Andreas

Book Review - An Act of Kindness by Barbara Nadel

Lee Arnold is a white , male ex-police PI. Nothing new there. His partner is Mumtaz Habib, a Muslim female who wears the hijab. Something quite new there. Lee and Mumtaz find many cases that cover both the Asian and the white communities and some cross-overs when their clients run foul of local loan sharks. Their complementary skills are deftly handled in a well plotted many stranded story. Recommended!
Wendy

Book Review - The Highway by C. J. Box

I like C. J. Box and this is a cracker of a rural Montana story. A new sheriff's deputy is involved in finding evidence about a crooked cop, her partner, Cody Hoyt. But the truth is never that simple and she finds herself in a desperate race to find two missing girls with Hoyt her only support. This story had me reading into the early hours to find out how the girls get tangled up with the serial rapist and killer called The Lizard King and, more importantly, did they get away? I am still puzzled by how the different crime fighting jurisdictions in America ever function together with State, city and local forces all with their own hierarchies and political realities, after reading uncounted American crime novels. By now, I just go with the flow and follow the detectives I like!

Wendy

Book Review - Knife Edge by Fergus Mc Neill

This is the sequel to a debut novel, which I reviewed favourably. This is creepy and chilling but is not as much as a page-turner as the first one. It continues the story of the serial killer who successfully eluded police in "Eye Contact", Robert Naysmith. He has fallen in love and thinks it is time to share his secrets with his new love. But is she ready to embrace his history? And is it going to remain history? DI Harland is a competently drawn policeman with not quite enough to do in this book.  It is a good book to explore the "what would I do?" scenario – I think I would be different to his girlfriend in this book but then there wouldn't be so much to write about!

Wendy

Book Review - The Disciple by Hjorth and Rosenfeldt

The second of the Sebastian Bergman Chronicles lives up to the promise of the first one. These two authors have written for TV and have a capacity to raise the levels of tension as the investigative team try to find connections between the four victims of a serial killer. Sebastian, the discredited psychologist and crime profiler begs to get back onto the case and then discovers that he is the link. The working relationship within the murder team is well handled and the reveal of information is paced well.  Just when they think they have solved the mystery, one of their team is taken by an escapee from a secure detention facility.  Then it's a race to discover where and rescue them before it's too late. This is very well done!

Wendy

Book Review - Something Borrowed, Someone Dead. An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M. C. Beaton

M. C. Beaton also writes the Hamish MacBeth series and I wish she would write more of those and less of these because Agatha Raisin is very irritating. The mysteries are good old fashioned cosy mysteries and a good enough diversion if you can deal with Agatha's deplorable love life, petty jealousies and eccentric inner circle. In spite of this I read all of them so she must be doing something right!

Wendy

Book Review - The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

Hank Cooper is a wanderer and has lived the last few years since he left the Army on the move. One of the few ex=Army buddies he has sporadically kept in touch with has died and Cooper comes to Thunder Point to honour his memory and touch base with his last moments. Staying to sort out the property he has inherited from his friend, Cooper meets the townsfolk and finds that Thunder Point might be a hard place to move on from. Elements of mystery, teenage growing up and romance add to a feel good story that is good light entertainment. Cup of tea, a piece of cake, put your feet up and visit Thunder Point.

Wendy

Book Review - The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George

Elizabeth George writes the very densely involved Inspector Lynley mystery series and has always seemed so quintessentially English it is a shock to find out she lives in America and has set this YA fiction in her home town on Whidby Island, Washington State.  This is a lighter offering but one that is engrossing and uses her penetrating depictions of people.  Hannah has a gift for hearing other people's thoughts – she calls them whispers. She is unknowingly used by her stepfather to help him swindle people out of their money and when that is discovered, he threatens her life. She and her mother go on the run in different directions to throw him off their trail. With a new look and a new identity as Becca King, her safe haven evaporates as the person she was to stay with dies unexpectedly. Becca finds somewhere to stay and is starting to feel like she will be OK until her mother can come but then she gets caught up in local troubles. Learning how to survive and who she can trust, Becca is in for an eventful and dangerous few months. The young people she meets have their own maturing to do as they deal with family expectations and the normal teenage issues of fitting in and finding out who they are. Elizabeth George uses the natural terrain of forest, hill and coast to maximum advantage and this is every bit as good as her adult fiction.
Wendy