AMERICAN SNIPER *** A huge box-office hit in the US, with each showing often sold out, this latest Clint Eastwood film, about the real Navy Seal elite sniper Chris Kyle, is a red-blooded, all-American tale of a war hero. As that, it is a gripping tale of a driven, dedicated man, brilliantly directed, edited and acted, with Kyle […]
Snow Therapy; The Interview
SNOW THERAPY (TURIST/FORCE MAJEURE) **** (vo Swedish/French) Powerful is the word that best describes this Swedish film that, among its other awards, deservedly won the Jury Prize in the Certain Regard section at Cannes last year. It starts as a pale, austere skiing tale about a man who momentarily fails his family in an […]
Wine reveiw – Plan Joyeux 2012, Terres de Lavaux de Lutry
Gamay, Pinot Noir, Gamaret and Garanoir. A wine for hunters and gathers and lovers of Mother Nature. Lutry is a quaint, pretty little medieval town in the Vaud canton on the edge of Lake Leman. Its origins go way back in time to the Neolithic period. Every year in September it has a great wine […]
The Imitation Game; Into the Woods
THE IMITATION GAME **** How is it that the Brits excel so at dialogue and drama? It must be their inherent bit of Shakespeare. Here is a brilliant example of their forte – a great story based on historical facts (by Andrew Hodges and Graham Moore), tight direction by, of all people, Norwegian director Morten […]
Swiss adds new destination from Geneva
Swiss adds Biarritz as a destination from Geneva. The new route will commence in June 2015. This brings its total Geneva destinations to 40. In November last year it added eight new destinations to the Geneva-based network. Four all year round destinations: Florence (with four weekly frequencies), Valencia (with two weekly services), Sarajevo (with two […]
Basel airport might be saved from French taxes
Last week in Davos, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius and Swiss Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter agreed a way forward on discussions over the taxing of Swiss businesses at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport. The airport is a French-Swiss public sector body based on French soil and governed by a convention agreed in 1949. Over the years France has […]
Foxcatcher; Durak (The Fool/L’Idiot)
Foxcatcher **** The cast of Foxcatcher deserves an ensemble acting award, especially the usually-comedic Steve Carell, playing against type here, plus Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo as two close brothers. The film is based on the true story of the eccentric John duPont, from the fabled industrial family, who became a patron to the 1988 […]
Quatuor 2011, Grand Cru, Domaine du Montet Bex
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah A heavenly rich wine this blend of mainly Bordeaux varieties (apart from Syrah, its main abode being the Rhone Valley in France) perched above the salt mines in Bex. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc bring softness and fruit; the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, tannin and stamina. Bex is […]
A wee dram to stir the spirits – a guide to fine whisky
In the month of January there is no escaping Robert Burns, the favourite son of Scotland where he is simply known as The Bard. Auld Lang Syne, which heralds the New Year all over the world, ranks as his most well-known poem. On January 25th the life and works of this Scottish cultural icon are […]
Wild Tales (Les nouveaux sauvages); Wild; Une heure de tranquillité; Les Souvenirs
Wild Tales (Les nouveaux sauvages) **** (vo Spanish) A socially-conscious film from Argentina, Wild Tales/Relatos Salvages by Damian Szifron is a delicious, ferocious black comedy in several short stories – chilling and hypnotic in its analysis of revenge, social injustice and jealousy. It starts with a bizarre plane trip, free for all the passengers; another […]
