rhino75

In fairness, we had been warned. Patti Labelle, Christina Aguilera and even All Saints had done their best to show us that New Orleans is a party town. And by “party,” I mean “bachelor party”: beer at $1 a pop, at least three bars with “Larry Flynt’s Hustler” in their name, stale, greasy pizza by the slice and doormen telling you that “there’s plenty more pussy inside, guys.” Yay.

I was actually planning to see "Iron Man" but once I saw this was showing...well, I had no real choice, did I? Nevertheless, things got off to a shaky start and I was worried that the whole thing was going to be a little too knowing, overloaded with in-jokes and references to what had gone before. The early scenes seemed a little forced somehow, as if they were trying to make a point that no-one really cared about. Fortunately, the writers seemed to realise that the McCarthyism plotline wasn't going anywhere too and the film soon got back onto more familiar territory. By the time we got to a riproaring chase through the Amazonian jungle - including a spectacular three-waterfall boat sequence - I was sitting there ooh-ing and aah-ing and clutching my knees to my chest (note: never sit next to me in a cinema during an action or horror movie). By the way, dontcha think it's weird that all aliens in tv and cinema now look like the Roswell alien? And don't you find yourself thinking that that's really what they look like because you've seen it so many times? Or is that just me? But I digress. Harrison Ford just IS Indy, 'nuff said. La Blanchett turns in her usual impeccable performance, this time as a comic-book Russian baddie (complete with rapier!)  and gets the best line: "Do svidaniya Dr. Jones!" - surely a Bond villain contract can't be far behind? Ray Winstone's role - much trumpeted in the U.K. press - turns out to be little more than a cameo (and a bit "cor-blimey" to be anything other than mildly irritating). I had major reservations about Shia LaBeouf - mainly, it's true, based on his hair - but he ends up coming through surprisingly well - I really warmed to his character as the film went on and, by the end, could even see him taking on the Indy mantle...obviously what was intended.  Last but not least, the scenery is just breathtaking, totally epic. My one gripe  - and it's not a biggie - is that I found the special effects to be a little too "Stargate" to...

Episode 141 starts off with Rhino75's adorably English accent and Katia getting mighty confused over the origins of Br'er Rabbit and Kyliemac telling us which was her favourite Judy Blume book. We have a chat with Steve about his reasons for staying in France, his experiences in moving here and his connections with the stars and theatrical predilections, then we talk about the Green Card Lottery, spam, teaching English, dissecting language and literature and tenses, and the way that the French language is taught in schools as opposed to the way English is taught in schools. Steve then tells us a little bit about his perception of "culture shock" and "reverse culture shock", and just after we talk about the price of chilli sauce in Paris and the concept of "home", we think about telling you all a secret. You'll have to listen to find out what it is!

So, the main problem I have with this - admittedly very readable - tome is that Bryson starts off by telling us how little we know about the Bard, then demonstrates how most of what we think we know is mere flimsy and conjecture, and then concludes that we really don’t know very much about Shakespeare at all. And that most people who claim they do know stuff are making it up; So really, I’m no better off for having read it, am I? Pfft.

We're thrilled to welcome the delightfully English Rhino75 to the Coffee Table Studio for episode 140. We cover topics such as Gay Karaoke, the advantages of watching Nouvelle Star, musicals, cool listeners, dreams featuring k&k and birthday months (and we get interrupted by a hyperactive Symphony about 300 times). Rhino tells us a bit about how he found himself in France and how he learned French, then we take a slight detour and talk about Grange Hill, prefects and uniforms, then Katia shares some of her boarding school adventures and Kylie tells us all about what she did in the marching band.