[Sgt Pepper]

INDUCTION

Memory is a landscape,
Shaped from a soul or sun and
Wind gathered at an ocean’s eye.
Then see that uncertain sleep
When shoals of thought penetrate bone
And navigate dust towards the risen scope
Of the conscious hour;
Carved and tilled, sown and scaled,
Until the very blood and augury
That birthed us paints us new again.
Yes, as our music and sometime majesty,
Our very word-vision rebels aloud
In neo-utero to the lonely,
Loving eversong of a creator.
Yes, towards all creators.

Oct. 2008

[Sgt Pepper]

How hard is it to criticise a poet?

[Sgt Pepper]

Deeply saddened to hear this :sad:

A true gent and good mate over the years.
Some brilliant banter.
Fantastic guy.

Brave soul.
Rest In Peace.

[Sgt Pepper]

For the Dearly Departed.

And for those who mourn.
Truly.
Together in loss.
In knowledge of death.
Because Oh what a life.

Sincerity has no shame.

For..
Cath
Langy
Ruby
Terry
Toy

I hope I can count myself among you.

I hope Pamela brought you to that wonderful somewhere in between place like she did me.

Hey..
I know she did.

SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN

And that’s that.

Goodnight Mum x

[Sgt Pepper]

Hum.

By Esmeralda

The poppies are swaying
and whispering bees
scoop pollen, pulped pabulous on thrashing winds
bearing peregrines and rain.

After the time
when I am only breeze,
stoop low by potentilla
to a recollection of kisses nearly taken,
borne on an insect paean.

©

From her collection Camas Nan Gaell posted here on these boards.

[Sgt Pepper]

Never ever forgotten.
Sleep safe x

[Sgt Pepper]

Bump.

[Sgt Pepper]

Such sad news.
My deepest sympathies Tin mate.
Alas you and I don’t get much time to talk these days, but we had some great laughs in our day huh?
Great memories.. That will always last.. Just as the positive influence and impression dear Snugzzz had on so many here will.
An extremely warm and engaging lady who always greeted me with a smile.
That smile is eternal now.
May God be good to her.

X

[Sgt Pepper]

THE IMPOSSIBLE

Two initial impressions piqued my interest in this one upon hearing of it’s impending release.
Firstly, I was still somewhat baffled as to why, after almost a decade, the world of major film had not really addressed one of the worst natural disasters the world itself has ever faced in any relevant detail or scope? Granted, there have been a few independent works that merit mention and indeed high praise for their limitless courage in the face of limited resources and backing – yet most of these were in documentary format. Then there was Clint Eastwood’s HEREAFTER, another brave but laboured affair that only touched on the 2004 tsunami in an incidental if visually effective way.
So, I was pleased to hear that a big screen, decent budgeted treatment was on it’s way.
Secondly, when I learned that it was to be directed by the young and extremely talented Spanish director J.A. Bayona (who had so impressed with 2007 horror THE ORPHANAGE) I was plenty pleased.

So, is it any good?
Absolutely.

One hears plenty of publicity blah and press junket arseholery with regard to this movie or that demonstrating the “triumph of the human spirit” and “miracles can happen in the strangest of places” and “against all the odds” and blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda.. More often than not such promise falls flat on its face for a range of insufferable reasons.
It’s a great relief to say that THE IMPOSSIBLE, in its non-indulgent, modestly competent way, delivers on all the essentials here.. and then some.

Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor play Maria and Henry Bennett, an unremarkable young couple holidaying with their three young sons in Thailand for Christmas. Thankfully we are not given too much time for any overladen exposition, just one or two sequences of normal family stuff and a few remarks providing brief glimpses of the couples working lives, with his job in Japan under threat and her considering a return to the medical profession if finances begin to become stretched. It is to the credit of all involved here that the temptation of laying material wealth and comfort on thick before the wave hits is avoided. The urge to set up any prospective sledgehammer juxta posing is not given any time thanks to Sergio G. Sanchez’s sleek script, Bayona’s measured, minimal fuss direction as well as commendable, understated performances from the two leads.
In truth, we know feck all about these people prior to the disaster, which is the perfect template really as the devastated landscape to come provides the perfect backdrop to fleshing them out. Suffice to say that when the tsunami hits its a terrifying thing of awesome power made all the more effective by the total ordinariness of the moments that immediately precede it. This visceral, jaw dropping sequence is a thing to behold and to be humbled by.. Nature simply swatting away those in front of it. Yet again Bayona’s cinematic brush is all over this, taking us with the monster wave as opposed to stopping here and there for fancy destruction clips or emphasis on gore and death. This decision in no way takes away from the sheer horror of it all, in fact it enhances it.. as anyone who dreams of drowning will testify to. There is violence, there is pain, there is fear and utter devastation.. but never in any explicit way. Nature’s ultimate power has no time to stop for set pieces.

Post apocalypse is where THE IMPOSSIBLE truly begins its odyssey, a microcosm of the frailty and nobility of the human condition illustrated in the plight of one family as each bears their burden through a murky but determined mix of necessity and hope. Watts brings her accomplished mix of gravitas and compassion to proceedings in a performance that taxes both physically and emotionally. McGregor, with his great ability to be both everyman and accidental hero takes his ever maturing career further along with a measured, yet still emotionally engaging take on a father and husband who must go on not only for his own family but what seems like faint echoes of the very fabric of civilisation itself. Hope and hard work amidst complete and total devastation. All are bang on form here as this seemingly small story brings huge consideration to the biggest things we have.. as all great Art illustrates.
But chief recipient of the acting kudos must certainly go to young Tom Holland playing the eldest son Lucas, first glimpsed as a stroppy, sullen teen who subsequently steps (or is actually forced) up to be counted and for long periods holds the physical and emotional tripod well with his older co stars. An extraordinary performance from the 16 year old that bodes well for the future.

Naturally, gripes will be concentrated on the fact that this story centres on holiday making westerners and, to add insult to injury, the real family were actually Spanish and not the white, blonde and golden tongued British clan we encounter speaking perfect English in the finished film. Such obvious homogeneous Hollywood-type assimilation is made even more perplexing as this is in essence a Spanish production and together with what would seem as nothing but a cursory nod to actual Asian victims does understandably detract. One would hope that perhaps an Extended Cut of some sort would go towards rectifying this.

Bottom line however is that there is an underlying pulse to this film, one of awareness and sympathy with the events that brought it to be. This awareness is there on the most basic, human of levels but in no way manifests itself as overpowering or indulgent.. thanks to the respectful and professional contributions from it’s main players.

Highly Recommended.

=D> =D> =D> =D>

THE IMPOSSIBLE is currently on release in cinemas.

[Sgt Pepper]

Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir….

Even at the home of the Black Stuff..
They dream of a White One[/url:ogrv2ery]

Merry Christmas to you all x

[Author]

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