Eleanor Catton, «Τα Φώτα»
Τα Φώτα είναι ένα υπέροχα ογκώδες βιβλίο που θυμίζει τα τεράστια κλασικά μυθιστορήματα, όχι μόνο στο μέγεθος αλλά και στο ύφος. Η Catton αφηγείται τη ζωή του Σκοτσέζου Walter Moody, ο οποίος καταφθάνει στη Νέα Ζηλανδία σε αναζήτηση χρυσού, την εποχή της χρυσοθηρίας. Με το που αποβιβάζεται στο νησί, μέσα σε μία καταιγίδα, αναζητά καταφύγιο στο τοπικό ξενοδοχείο. Εκει 12 άντρες έχουν μία συνάντηση για … Continue reading Eleanor Catton, «Τα Φώτα»
Μπαχ, «Γαλλικές Σουίτες», Perahia
Είναι δύσκολο να πει κανείς ότι κάποιος ερμηνευτής προσεγγίζει την ψυχή της μουσικής του Μπαχ στο πιάνο – κι όμως για μένα αυτό κατορθώνει ο Perahia. Οι ερμηνείες του αγγίζουν την τελειότητα και δεν αναφέρομαι μόνο στον Μπαχ αλλά επίσης στους Μπετόβεν, Σούμπερτ, Λιστ. Ακόμα και οι ελάχιστες ήχογραφήσεις του σε έργα Ραχμάνινοφ είναι, για μένα, μοναδικές. Μετά από 43 χρόνια, έχει αφήσει πίσω τη … Continue reading Μπαχ, «Γαλλικές Σουίτες», Perahia
The Bell Jar
Title: The Bell Jar Author: Sylvia Plath Originally published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas If Aliens were ever to visit us (if they haven’t so far) they might think that our everyday lives are simple and easy. They wouldn’t know (or maybe they do) how difficult it is to cope with problems that might seem trivial to some. I once met a counsellor friend of mine … Continue reading The Bell Jar
Argerich’s Rachmaninov 3rd
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3 Martha Argerich (piano) Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin / Ricardo Chailly Released remastered for Philips 50 series (2001) I remember being a student in London and entering one of the record stores with the largest classical music sections. As soon as I stepped in and walked along the aisles, a feeling of happiness overwhelmed me. The speakers were playing a recording of the Rachmaninov … Continue reading Argerich’s Rachmaninov 3rd
Tokyo Story
Title: Tokyo Story Director: Yasujirô Ozu Released: 1953 One of my favourite film reviewers, Dennis Schwartz claims that, “This very well might be the best film ever made.” I concur. While this could be true for most of Ozu’s films, Tokyo Story is a uniquely mature work of art. Shot in the director’s trademark tatami style (the camera is placed and locked 3 feet above the ground … Continue reading Tokyo Story
Irrational Man
Title: Irrational Man Director: Woody Allen Released: 2015 It is indeed difficult to write about something that has left you cold. This being a recent Woody Allen film, is the only reason for writing this review, and only because of this I have decided to provide two different grades at the end. The first will be my fair assessment of the film had it been directed by … Continue reading Irrational Man
Cemetery of Splendour
Title: Cemetery of Splendour Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul Released: 2015 Well, this film is impressive in its ability to seem completely unimpressive, as is the case with most of the Thailandese director’s films. Unimpressive, that is, in a superficial way, since you leave the cinema feeling a sort of catharsis. For it is very difficult to explain what really happens in Weerasethakul’s latest film. Its simplicity … Continue reading Cemetery of Splendour
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