Thursday, September 30, 2010

Review: Buried (Ryan Reynolds)

Emdad Rahman
Ryan Reynolds: Paul Conroy
Directed By: Rodrigo Cortes
Written By: Chris Sparling
Running Time: 90 minutes

"It sent me into a blind panic:"- Mark Kermode

For many, sharing an enclosed space with the brilliant Ryan Reynolds would be manna from heaven. I’d bet top dollar that wouldn’t be so in this case.

In this claustrophobic suspense thriller, Paul Conroy is a relief truck driver for a contractor based in Iraq. His truck is ambushed and whilst his colleagues are shot, Conroy is hit with a stone and passes out. He awakes concussed in a dark and dry tomb – Conroy has been buried alive.

The film begins in total darkness. You can hear Conroy’s laborious breathing as he very slowly regains consciousness. There follows banging and howling as a disoriented Conroy initially fails to get a grip on the grim reality that he is now faced with. It is at this point that the viewer is drawn into the darkness and morphs into Conroy.

The American very shortly discovers a Zippo lighter, along with a half charged cell phone placed purposefully by the kidnapper. The items have now become the most important tools that Conroy will ever have. Unless he is a religious man, Conroy will now be reliant upon limited light and a temperamental cell phone.

Apart from voices on the end of the cell phone the entire film is set in the box twelve feet under the ground.
Reynolds is mesmeric and captivating in the role. From the confines of his coffin he calls his personnel department, 411 and someone very likely to be his ex. During his struggle to make contact with mortals from the outside world, Conroy is agonisingly and acutely aware of his rapidly diminishing oxygen supply. He also makes a call to his kidnapper who demands “5 million”, (later reduced drastically) for his release. The dim flashlight, Zippo and cell beams will ensure that the audience identify with and share nothing but the deepest heartfelt compassion for Conroy.

Conroy’s predicament in Buried is reminiscent of the murderous bride buried alive in Kill Bill. Paul Conroy is not however blessed with the dazzling array of self martial arts skills that Uma Thurman commands. The desperate truck driver is therefore left solely to rely on the judgement, urgency, and ability of his fellow humans to rescue him.
 
Chris Sparling’s screenplay is creative and very imaginative, but the show is stolen by Cortes’ magic with the camera. After all it would take a phenomenal level of skill and talent to hold the viewers attention and interest for such a lengthy time in one dark, albeit petrifying location. Cortes pulls off the trick with ease with room for plenty more.

As the darkness becomes overwhelming and embracing, the viewer will be united in Conroy’s anguish and be dreadfully downbeat when each moment of fleeting optimism is dashed.

It is evident that Reynolds worked himself into the ground (sic) to play this role. For once we are not treated to his fine comic humour, cutting one liners and dashing good looks, although there are glimpses when the old bubbly wisecracking Reynolds does come through with a few choice verbal volleys.

This is grassroots business. Paul Conroy is wounded and bleeding. He’s disoriented, thirsty, hoarse of voice and on the verge of a full blown attack. Conroy’s asthmatic wheezing when his lighter and torch go off is nothing short of traumatic and the viewer will more than once place their hands on their bosom to relieve the tightening sensation within their chest.

The corporate and political machinations that occur during the movie will anger many and will provoke major debates and discussions surrounding governmental and employer responsibility with regards to the safety of their citizen or employer. After all isn’t there a whole lot more to worry about in the United States than a missing truck driver who is buried alive some where in Iraq.

It will beg the question: Is one man’s life worth the aggro?

Within this scenario, Cortes portrays real life sickening twists and corporate hardball. It was a scene that dealt a smashing hammer blow to my six pack.

The viewer will not be able to escape the harrowing atmosphere within the death den. Cortes has masterfully shot the scenes to near perfection – you have no choice, you will be drawn into the dark chasm that engulfs Conroy. The viewer will feel his pain, and reach for their throat when he emits his horse and agonised cries.
Restricted airspace is the buzz these days – see Devil and Ski Lift. This film has no extra gimmicks. The viewer will spend 90 frenetic and frantic minutes with Conroy, struggling in the murky underground.
Rodrigo Cortes has created one of the most masterful and memorable 90 minutes of suspense since Hitchcock.

With Constricted breathing join Paul Conroy in the dark, and prepare to perspire, panic and be unbearably overwhelmed.

Claustrophobics need not apply…

Buried is showing at Dagenham Vue - Dagenham Leisure Park, Cook Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 6UQ

Monday, September 27, 2010

Reds Bent: Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland












Horizons look bleak and gloomy
Another day, another draw
Black Cats fought with fight
More Brucie's Dogs of War

Bizarre strike from He Man
Turner's backheeled free kick
Mignolet missing, Torres leapt
Kuyt fired in on the quick

Though no beach ball in sight
Strange strikes back by deed poll
Besides netside bedlam breaking out
Stuart Atwell granted the goal

Spot kick to the Wearsiders
Poulsen lent a helpful hand
Clinical spotkick and a header
Bent looking mighty grand

Bent's brace had the Cats purring
Since way back in eighty three
Sunderland had won at Anfield
But Stevie G thwarted victory

Late and Agger headed wide
Win boost the Reds failed to yield
Bruce branded Red goal a 'joke'
Apathy engulfs Anfield

27.09.10

Number 7
(c) Emdad Rahman
http://www.football-poems.com/

The East London Sukkah














The sukkah is a temporary, organic and transient dwelling growing out of Jewish tradition to celebrate the harvest. It has been built across faiths and cultures that have come together under its shelter to share meals, talks, performances and dialogues on food, faith and community.

Over the weekend the organisers have assembled speakers, artists, religious teachers (of many faiths), activists, radicals and mischief makers to explore how these issues might look in a post-capitalist world.


This is the creation of a temporary and ephemeral society to imagine and dream of alternative ways of living.

From 20-29 September 2010, you can visit the Sukkah at:

Spitalfields City Farm
Buxton Street
London
E1 5AR

Thursday, September 23, 2010

B flops lazy Sunday - Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool



On stage clash the greatest two ever
Hat tricks at Theatre of Dreams festival
Aroma of blood scented Nosferatu
Joyous Devils either side of the interval

Eager to patch defensive frailty
Redemption through the splendid Berbatov
Awesome overhead for the second
Problem solved, a solution thereof

Stevie G twice in six minutes to level
Reds roared on for comeback glory
Still Berbaflop had the final say
Eleventh-hour header to seal victory

19.09.10

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Pepe’s Reina day - Birmingham City 0 Liverpool 0



No great welcome from Big Eck
Outplayed, outfought, outshone
Roy’s new era will still take time
As the Reds were left hanging on

Let us look no further than Pepe
Total brilliance to seal a point
Fingers, palm, elbows stopped many
At that fortress St Andrews joint

Save of the season from Gardner
Marvellous from Jerome’s header
Steered from a cross by Bowyer
Dazzling Reina palmed away the boulder

12.09.10

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Tower hamlets in bloom - Redmans Road

Took these outside my workplace today

Viva Palestina 5 Convoy Log - Tuesday 21st September - Lyon to Milan

Picture: Turin Welcome by Asif B

It should have been an easy ride from Lyon down through the Italian border and to Turin and then Milan. It didn't turn out that way.

As the first vehicles arrived at the border they were greeted by an arc of French border police. It was clearly pre-arranged. As lorries and cars sped across unaccosted VP5 vans were flagged down, each person had to hand over a passport and then that was phoned in to, presumably, police computer operators. Many of them were also searched - 'What, no weapons?' the senior police officer joked. Possibly!

The process meant that the convoy was split and each van left on its own into the Frejus tunnel which leads to Italy. Two hours later the last van was allowed to leave.

This meant that the day's programme had to be substantially curtailed as the delay wiped out several of them. However the Italian police were much more accommodating, dozens of motorcycle cops were on hand to escort the convoy into Turin, passing dozens of supporters, several of whom sent off smoke flares of welcome.

After a rally in beautiful Castle Square in the dying sunlight the vans set off for Milan and the first night under canvas.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Sylhet Mayor Kamran visits UK

Sylhet Mayor Bodor Uddin kamran receives a warm reception at London's Heathrow airport. Amongst others, Mr Kamran was met by UK Awami League leaders Sultan Md Sharif, Abul Hashim, Jalal Uddin, Shams Uddin Master, Anwar Choudhury, Afsar Khan Sadek, shahab Chanchal, Reaz Uddin, Kamal Uddin and Sayed Miah.

Blooming Barking - Sherwood Gardens

Monday, September 20, 2010

Spot the error

Answers on a postcard...

Around the Life; an exhibition by Baish Kadir at the Brady Centre, East London

Baish Kadir's work is experimental in style and depicts aspects of human suffering. He is interested in the promotion of peace and harmony among different ethnic groups. Baish states, "My paint brush is on revolt against all who have no settlement, no conscience and no heart."





Underwood Road, Tower Hamlets in bloom

Taken today near Brick Lane...


Eid present from Amira

First day back and I'm greeted by this - it reminds me of the elegant Jules Rimet Trophy no?

I love my students very much!!!

Shakib Al Hasan Interview

Saturday, September 18, 2010

2010/11 Match of the day intro

Free beverages from Coffee nation






















Got absolutely tanked with the free hot drinks on offer at uni today. The staff manning the operation were an absolute delight. Here I'm pictured with my new mate.

Meeting cricket maestro Shakib Al Hasan



Interview coming soon - watch this space...

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Huge whale skeleton found in Thames



A huge whale skeleton recently excavated by Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited at Bay Wharf, Greenwich, has been on display for the first time at the Museum of London Docklands.

The headless skeleton of a rare North Atlantic right whale weighs around half a tonne, is seven metres long and up to four metres wide. It will be on show in the museum foyer for the public to see until 14 September 2010.

Francis Grew, Senior Curator of Archaeology and Archive Manager at the Museum of London, said: “This is probably the largest single ‘object’ ever to have been found on an archaeological dig in London. Whales occasionally swim into the Thames, and there are historical accounts of the enormous public excitement they engendered. To have found a skeleton, which just possibly might be linked with one of those sightings, is quite incredible.”

After display the skeleton will be transported to its new home at the Natural History Museum, where it will be carbon-dated and used by researchers to understand more about this endangered species. Scientists can use the bones to extract DNA and stable isotopes, which can provide information about genetic diversity, distribution in the ocean and feeding strategies.

Richard Sabin, Senior Curator of Mammals at the Natural History Museum, said: “The Natural History Museum has only two complete North Atlantic right whale skeletons - one of which is on public display in the Museum’s iconic Whale Hall. Although once common in British waters, North Atlantic right whales are now endangered making this discovery particularly fascinating, as it offers us a snapshot into the past of these amazing mammals, whilst providing a valuable scientific resource for contemporary zoological studies.”

Tim Bradley, Project Manager at Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, said: “When the archaeologist on site phoned me to say that he had found a whale I thought he was joking! As archaeologists we’re used to reacting to unexpected finds, but the size and location of the whale on the tidal foreshore made recovery particularly challenging – among other things it broke the suspension on our van! We’re very excited to have made such an exceptional discovery.”

East London Eid Festival draws mega crowds




Holborn Muslim Circles - taking it all off!

A group of adventurous young men from the community organisation, Holborn Muslim Circles (HMC), raised well over £2000 for the East London Mosque Phase 2 Extension Project. The young men turned to their friends, family and colleagues to smash their target by promising to shave their hair off if the target was reached. In the space of a few weeks the target was met and thus they took it all off on the 12th of September. They shaved their hair off front of a large crowd at the Eid Festival behind the London Muslim Centre.

Abdulla Almamun, the youth secretary from HMC said, "it is all for a good cause and we hope that through this fun way in raising money, we can inspire others to get involved and do even more crazy and creative things".

If you want to find out more about the challenge they took on or would like to contribute to the East London Mosque Phase 2 Project visit the fundraising page www.justgiving.com/hmc4elm

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Eid festival 2010: Abu Mumin forced to take a wash :)

Abu Mumin has a pong, sorry long overdue charity Eid bath - all for a good cause of course. Abu Bhai is the only person since Victorian times to go without a bath/ wash for such a significantly lengthy period - which roughly translates as just over three months. The record commenced on the day of the national elections and was broken today. The wise saying that this rumour has a bad smell couldn't be truer. Unfortunately Ruhul Tarafter, IF Charity and Guinness world records were not around to verify the record...

Glorious view of Tower Bridge

Took this when I went to meet John Biggs at the GLA - What a fantastic view :)

District 13 in Dagenham

I'd love an explanation as to who was behind this award winning piece. Every time I drive past I keep having nightmarish visions of some poor sod parachuting out and getting impaled on this ghastly eyesore...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Remembering 9/11

I can' t help but furiously curse the fanatics that hijacked my religion on 9/11 2001. My thoughts are with all victims of the horrendous activities committed against innocents that day and since...

Eid Al Fitr 2010 pics from East London Mosque

Friday, September 10, 2010

Christmas 2010 volunteering at the Whitechapel mission...

I'm volunteering for the breakfast shift at Whitechapel Mission on Christmas Day - care to join me? Visit the website and put your name down. It's hard work but with the right crew it should be a great crack. I've put my name down to run the British 10k for the mission these last two years. The guys are doing a smashing job and I'm best pleased to contribute a little.

Pic: Whitechapel Mission: Photo: Rosalynn Ghubril

Meet the Mayor - Lutfur Rahman

Politics is fickle (for want of a better word). Interesting how everyone is now claiming to be the Mayor elects bestest mate.

Eid in the park - Stepney 2010

Eid in the park - Stepney 2010. Great effort, great turnout - well done guys! Eid Mubarak to all...