Of Horses and Men **** (vo Icelandic) We are back in the Northern climes (after the brilliant Norwegian Refroidis/Kraftidioten), this time in Iceland, where at times they come up with superb cinema – mostly of the poker-faced, comedic style at which they excel. How can one describe this one by the talented first-time director Benedikt […]
’Tis the season to be greedy
Is anyone else out there feeling a little … I don’t know … besieged … by the seasonal messages to buy everything in sight? No sooner was Halloween over, than I started being propositioned by my inbox every time I opened my computer. “Holiday deals,” it would purr, sidling up to me like a dodgy […]
A drone for Christmas! Beware stiff laws
“Drones are just brilliant!” enthuses 17 year-old David, a student in Vevey. “I’ve asked my parents to give me one for Christmas”. He may be disappointed. With more and more mini-drones being flown throughout the country, the government recently initiated a ban to prevent them from being flown over populated public areas. Events such as […]
Nightcrawler; Dark Star
Nightcrawler (Night Call) **** Jake Gyllenhaal deserves an Oscar nomination for his powerful performance here as a determined psychopath whose main drive is ambition and achievement. He portrays a serious young man who wants to find a job, learn a trade, more than eager and willing to do anything to get ahead. He stumbles onto […]
Fine festive wines. Cheers!
The seasonal festivities are the perfect way to ring out the old year and ring in the new with family and friends. For many they also represent an opportunity to hit the pause button and take a well-deserved time-out. Good food and wine assume greater importance at this traditional time of year and add a […]
Sewa Beats: Do you speak djembe?
An exceptional show based on the idea that sharing music and rhythm generates an extraordinary shared experience. As you come into the theatre, you will find a djembe drum on your seat. Guided by Doug Manuel, the Master of Ceremonies, you play and accompany the twelve musicians and singers on stage. You become a percussionist […]
Past it parents: Best before 2014
When did I realise I was obsolete? Thank you for asking. It was last week, when the five-year-old pushed my helping hand away from the touchscreen and said, with some impatience, “It’s fine, Mom, I can do it. You take too long.” These are the exact words I remember my brother and I using back […]
Feast Away from Home: Where to go for Thanksgiving dinner
Every year in late November, Americans come together with family and friends to reflect, be thankful and help those in need, all while sharing a sizable meal composed of roast turkey, cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans and decadent pies. There are few American celebrations that represent the comfort of home and family as whole-heartedly […]
Swiss Cricket
2014 Gingins Cricket Club Autumn Indoor Tournament Cricket, that wonderfully eccentric sport beloved by an odd bunch of nations whose only real link is that they were once part of the thankfully defunct British Empire. And now in Switzerland, the sound of leather against willow is ringing out from Zurich to Gingins. Over the first […]
Destroy mode!
“Nothing,” said my younger daughter when I walked past her last week, and my blood froze in my veins. As any parent knows, a child’s protest of innocence usually means that they have done something naughty. And if that protest comes before they’ve even been accused of anything, then they’ve done something really naughty. Luckily […]