A Winter Thaw Approaches

After 8 days of pretty severe cold weather and windy conditions, we are due for a warm up this week.  Today (Sunday) is still very chilly, but the old boiler should get a break beginning tomorrow.  A bit of an ice storm is on the way, however.  One can't have everything, I suppose.  I only shovelled twice so far this month, and the snow was light and fluffy both times.  We've had flocks of birds around for the twice daily feedings provided here at the Homestead, and the bird water dish heater kept water available as well.  Today we saw a robin (at least 6 weeks early) taking a bath in the water.

Dad is now home from the hospital, after having received no less than 6 units of blood in less than a week.  He said his care was excellent, and seems appreciative of the fact.  A special thanks goes to my sister-in-law Lynne, who stayed with him most of the time he was in, and kept abreast of his medical condition and treatment.  Dad is still very tired, but seems to be recovering.  We shall see.

In Doctor Who watching news, we continue to view the Catherine Tate episodes with David Tenant as the Doctor.  The two part Sontaran story was a bit of a disappointment, with the world (mostly London) saved from certain doom at the last second, yet again.  I can't help thinking that Londoners have very short memories, as they never seem to recall previous alien invasions, and always act surprised when a new threat from the beyond whacks at them.  "The Doctor's Daughter" is a strange tale of a father/daughter relationship like no other.  Starring his real life wife as his daughter (there are 13 years between them; she is also the daughter of a previous Doctor, Peter Davidson), it opens up possibilities that were never close to being realized.  She flies off in the end, appearing as if she might try to spawn another spinoff series, but so far that is the last we see of her.  This again begs the question of the Doctor's granddaughter.  No one has yet come to terms or tried to explain the origins of Susan, the girl from the very first episodes.  We more or less know what happened to her afterwards, but where did she come from?  Why not a story about that?  How did she and the Doctor begin their travels?

In film news, Hyenas (1992) is a remarkable film, recently restored, from Senegal.  How has globalization affected human morality, you might ask?  You shall be answered if you watch this slow paced but extremely engaging film.  Most African films can seem extremely exotic to Western viewers, and this one is no exception.  A woman returns to her village.  She is old now but extremely rich.  A grand welcoming celebration is prepared, as everyone hopes that the rich woman is coming home to save her town and bring it prosperity.  She does do all that, and more.  But her real reason for returning is for revenge against the man who got her pregnant at 17, then denied it, blaming others for the deed.  An innocent man was castrated, while the offender continued on with his life.  She agrees to give the villagers a vast sum of money, but they must kill the offending man first.  There is much humour in this film, despite the grim premise, and the view of village life centred around the only store/cafe in town is lively and sometimes hilarious.  Highly recommended!

Leaving Mubi soon. 

 

My 2nd choice for the week was another BBC Screen Two film.  These are small films that often pack a big punch.  Henri is a 1994 film that takes place in Belfast.  A ten year old girl (played by 12 year old Kara Bowman, a lively and musical accordionist) who plays the accordion is given a place at the country's prestigious music festival.  She is sent off by her dad, and is boarded by a local Catholic Belfast family.  She is a very gifted and intelligent girl, who is always writing letters to various companies and politicians, letting them know when they have erred.  Her best songs are Orange Protestant ones, and though she is not forbidden to play them at the festival, she is encouraged to try something else.  A small film that would not appeal to many, it caught us in the right mood.  The bizarre ending is pure delight.

Showing on Prime. 

 

Mapman Mike