skasiewicz

Fantastic five: the Scots in Serie A

Between the departure of Graeme Souness and the arrival of Liam Henderson 32 years passed without a single Scottish player in Serie A. This season a record breaking five Scots have been flying the Saltire in the Italian top flight. Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour (both Napoli), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Che Adams (Torino) and HendersonContinue reading “Fantastic five: the Scots in Serie A”

I, the Executioner 베테랑2 (2024)

Director: Ryoo Seung-wan Starring: Hwang Jung-min, Jung Hae-in, Jang Yoon-ju, Oh Dal-su, Jin Kyung, Jung Man-sik, Shin Seung-hwan Country of Origin: South Korea Running Time: 1hr 58m Any film that begins with an undercover drugs bust on gambling grannies set to the tune of Baccara’s classic “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” is a winner. AContinue reading “I, the Executioner 베테랑2 (2024)”

Crisscrossing California: Hollywood Walk of Fame

There’s nothing like stepping on the stars. The names of the Hollywood glitterati were almost obscured by a horde of dirty footprints. Imagine working your way up from small theatre roles to television fame and movie stardom, and then the prestige of a coveted place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame only for a clumpContinue reading “Crisscrossing California: Hollywood Walk of Fame”

Crisscrossing California: Among the Ocean dwellers

A frenzied squadron of pelicans swooped down and danced across the surface of the water on their tiptoes. They congregated in a massed huddle, squabbling amongst each other for a prized piece of scran. From the captain’s tone of voice, it was easy to conclude that this was not an everyday sight. He said itContinue reading “Crisscrossing California: Among the Ocean dwellers”

Cinemania (2002)

Director: Angela Christlieb, Stephen Kijak Starring: Jack Angstreich, Eric Chadbourne, Bill Heidbreder, Roberta Hill, Harvey Schwartz Country of Origin: USA/Germany Running time: 1hr 23m Following five cinema obsessed New Yorkers may not be the most obvious choice of subject matter for a documentary, however far less interesting people have already been profiled on film. DirectorsContinue reading “Cinemania (2002)”

The Zone of Interest (2023)

Director: Jonathan Glazer Starring: Christian Friedel, Sandra Huller Country of Origin: United Kingdom, Poland, United States Running time: 1hr 45m It’s hardly a glowing recommendation to acknowledge the impact of a few scattered scenes in a film which has already been showered with waves of indulgent praise. I neither liked, disliked nor enjoyed the slowContinue reading “The Zone of Interest (2023)”

Conte leads Napoli back to the top of Serie A

From the ignominy of a mid-table finish to league leaders Antonio Conte has initiated an incredible turnaround at Napoli. The Partenopei sank to 10th in Serie A after one of the worst title defences in the history of calcio last term. A horrendous season marred by three managerial changes, lamentable defensive collapses and misguided signings left theContinue reading “Conte leads Napoli back to the top of Serie A”

The Happiness of the Katakuris カタクリ家の幸福 (2001)

Director: Takashi Miike Starring: Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Tetsuro Tamba Country of Origin: Japan Running time: 1hr 53m As a premise it sounds ridiculous. On screen it is nothing less than sheer bedlam. Yet the ludicrously comic tale of the Katakuris is splendidly escapist, entertaining viewing. It also comes as something of a shock thatContinue reading “The Happiness of the Katakuris カタクリ家の幸福 (2001)”

Victory 빅토리 (2024)

Director: Park Bum-soo Starring: Lee Hye-ri, Park Se-wan, Lee Jung-ha, Jo Aram, Hyun Bong-sik Country of Origin: South Korea Running time: 1hr 59m Cheerleading is a curiously American phenomenon. From harsh try-outs, jealous competition, bitter in-fighting and comical tumbles the dancers with pom-poms have been depicted in limited stereotypes on the Hollywood big screen. CheerleadingContinue reading “Victory 빅토리 (2024)”

Escape 탈주 (2024)

Director: Lee Jong-pil Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Koo Kyo-hwan, Hong Sa-bin Country of origin: South Korea Running time: 1hr 34m Defections from North Korea to South Korea have deteriorated sharply as tensions between the divided nations worsen. Those that survive the miraculous journey out of the hermit kingdom, especially after the North Korean regime fortified itsContinue reading “Escape 탈주 (2024)”