Never Say Die - Chris O'Brien

Never Say Die - Chris O'Brien (2009)

Chris O'Brien was a head and neck surgeon, with 30 years experience working at the Royal Prince Albert Hospital in Sydney. In the 1990s they started a show called RPA, which followed real patients around the hospital. Chris was one of the likeable, personable doctors who inspire you with their calmness and confidence.

In this autobiography, he mainly writes about both his career and his family life. Also about how in 2006, after a series of headaches, it was discovered he had a GBM brain tumour. Having to give up medicine, this doctor then becomes a patient. Interesting and readable this book doesn't fall into the sappiness or endless boredom or many biographies. 3/5

Anyone But You - Jennifer Cruise

Anyone But You - Jennifer Cruise (1996)
I was on a day off, in the library. I read the blurb, which sounded predictable. 40 year old divorcee meets handsome 30 year old doctor, who lives downstairs. Uses new clueless dog to arrange meetings. Will they, won't they? You know the rest.

I walked away, read lots of covers of clever modern novels, and then went back and grabbed it. At least it was a quick read, only a couple of hours. 2/5

ER

The final of ER is starting tonight. How I love this show. It is soooo much better than House and Greys, and has the feeling of real hospital staff and a real working environment.

In Greys they swan around, making out in cupboards and behave like they are in high school, when most of them are in their 30s. Where are the doctors who are struggling with student loans, raising children, or are actually in a long term relationship. House is well , just so unbelievable and is 5 parts annoying to one part entertaining.

So ER, I am beginning to mourn you, before you have even gone. TV will never be the same.

The Kissing Gates - Mackenzie Ford

The Kissing Gates - Mackenzie Ford (2008)

The premise, or so it says on the cover is "One woman. Two lovers. And a wartime secret that will change their lives for ever". So in other words, during the christmas truce of 1914, a German officer gives an English officer a photo of his peacetime girlfriend. English officer gets injured, makes contact with girl, doesn't tell her about meeting. They become involved, but you know a meeting with the German chappie is looming.

I don't know, I struggled with this book. I felt the characters were lacking in charisma, and seemed a bit weak. I also thought that it was a modern story that was made to fit into the time period. I know that even in the 1970's couples living together seemed a big scandal in the neighbourhood. It just seemed all a bit convienant to have the main characters be involved with such progressive ideas or large circumstances like the Christmas truce, relatives who die on the Titanic, be present at the Treaty, become involved in psychology, be around at the development of blood transfusions, etc.... To me it was all a bit Clan of the Cave Bear stuff, you know that one person was unlikely to be present at the dawn of domesticating animals, developing language, inventing the wheel, the sewing machine etc...

It also felt drawn out and a bit overstuffed with too many scenes and trying to fit in too many ideas. I guess I should have stopped and put it down. 1/5

Milk

Milk - Dvd (2008)
I guess I was drawn to Milk by Sean Penn, and this movie was a great showcase for him. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay American voted into office. Charismatic and politically motivated, Harvey Milk helped to strengthen the gay movement in the 1970s, and give it a face. A good little biopic, that was suprisingly sweet. 3/5

It Sucked and Then I Cried - Heather B. Armstrong

It Sucked and Then I Cried - Heather B. Armstrong (2009)

Heather Armstrong is the author of Dooce, the most famous blog of them all, you can find her here http://www.dooce.com/. Her book, honestly the funniest read I have read in a long long time. I love her blog, I think she is possibly the best writer out there, and after being bombarded at the movies and on television with so much manboy humour, it is great to hear from a chick, who loves her husband, loves her two children, tolerates the dogs and the rest of the family, and battles with depression.

However this is not a depressing book, as even in her darkest moments, she still finds something to laugh about. I had to stay up and read this in one go, I haven't done that in a while. But it was hard to put down, and the tele was rubbish. I think if only I could win Lotto, this book and all the next series of rescue Me on DVD, a few cocktails and a beautiful beach I would be sweet. 5/5

Cold Plague - Daniel Kalla

Cold Plague - Daniel Kalla (2008)
It seemed like a great idea, and I like that the author writing it understands about the science involved. Basically a huge lake is discovered under the antartic surface. This water, has been untouched by pollution, making it the purest water in the world. So of course greedy scientists must extract it and sell it for a gijillion bucks a bottle to the rich and botoxed.

Meanwhile in France a cluster of patients have presented with a rare form of vCJD, and have all had rapidly progressive symptoms before dying within a couple of weeks. Sent to investigate, a team finds itself involved in trying to find out who is responsible for the outbreak.

Typical stuff, and as usual the beginning was interesting, but then I found myself scimming the ending. 2/5

Rescue Me

Rescue Me - Series One, DVD - (2004)
Rescue Me, I think I love you. I tried to watch one episode when it started here years ago, but for some reason didn't enjoy it. Now that whole series are coming out on DVD, I am enjoying that experience a lot more. It lets you watch the whole thing and allows you to follow the story line.

So because the weather and the tv were rubbish for most of the weekend, I stayed up late and enjoyed this crazy, loud, rude and 16+ show. Awesome. Have already booked series two!! 5/5

Premonition

Premonition- Dvd (2007)
So Sandra Bullock marries Dr Troy, has two cute kids in an even cuter house. Then she starts having dreams about him dying, then he dies, then he is alive again, then he is getting buried, then he is alive again. I think it was trying to be a clever Groundhog Day, but I got lost and didn't know who why or when at all. 1/5

Everlasting Moments (2009)
This was the last of our film festival films, and we were sad that it was over. We were still waiting for a dud, but that was only because my friend had not been to see A Christmas Tale .

This was a gentle film, based on the true life of a Swedish family, starting in 1907. Maria Larsson is married to a trouble making, alcoholic womaniser and is left to bring up the children and patch up the pieces. Once she pulls out an old camera, and discovers her talent at taking pictures, her life slowly changes. Friendship with the local photography studio owner allows her to take pictures of her family and neighbours, and her confidence grows.

I enjoyed this film, I loved it's graceful style and beautiful images. 4/5

Pia - have you seen it? What did you think?

So, goodbye film festival. See you next year!!