The emperor's new face

I'm back at last - blogger.com unilaterally decided my password was defunct and has locked me out for the last week or so. It only relented when I called in Technical Support, who stands no nonsense of this sort. Computers are like horses; they know when you're not entirely in control and take advantage of it. As soon as someone with a firm hand gets on board, they are meekly biddable.

So finally I'm back in the blogging seat, but there's not much to report, as once again deadlines have taken over my life. I did watch a film last night, though - 'The Road to Perdition' with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. Turns out the 'Perdition' of the title is a town where the hero and his son head after his wife and other son are killed. Can you believe anyone would name a town the equivalent of 'Hell'? There are plenty of places that deserve the title, no doubt, but to actually call it that ...

I wasn't expecting to like it much. I thought it would be dark, brooding and violent with that unintelligible gangster dialogue I can't follow. But in fact it was extremely well-acted and a gripping story. Quite an unlikely mix of British and American actors, playing Irish American gangsters. Daniel Craig was the boss's out of control son, and Jude Law an assassin/photographer of dead bodies. Nice bloke. I have to say I have initial doubts about any film Jude Law is in. It amazes me he actually gets cast. As far as I am concerned he is the emperor's new face. Pretty, for sure, but so lightweight I am always surprised he doesn't need to be tethered. He never actually seems to act either, just be Jude Law in different clothes. This was the least irritating I have ever seen him.

I did find the story quite predictable, but I think that's beacuse I'm so familiar with the 12 step story. I could give you a good example of this but it would ruin the film for you, so I'll keep quiet. Watch it for yourself.