THE TREE OF LIFE (Fox). A difficult childhood: mum is saintly but dad is a terrible disciplinarian. There is a quote from the Book of Job at the beginning. So you know it’s not going to be a bundle of laughs. But I had not realised just how serious, just how cosmic, just how pretentious, just how religious, it was going to be, starting with natural science footage of Creation and ending in a Federico Fellini-like Death reunion scene on a beach. Director Terrence Malick doesn’t make it easy. It’s a very long, fractured, mumbled haul, aimed at only the hardiest and probably best appreciated by Bible students.
SECRET BEYOND THE DOOR (Exposure). This 1948 psychological thriller by Fritz Lang, which has not been seen for a long time, is better than its reputation. A rich young woman (Joan Bennett) impulsively marries an architect (Michael Redgrave, miscast) whose hobby (unbelievably) is recreating murder-rooms in his own home. Lang maintains a creepy atmosphere throughout with homage in the direction of Bluebeard and Alfred Hitchcock; but he should have got rid of the Freudian explanations. The melodrama doesn’t need it.
THE EMPEROR JONES (Odeon) is a former porter, thief, murderer and jailbird, who becomes a tin-pot dictator of an island and goes mad in the jungle. It’s a great role for a black actor. Eugene O’Neill never liked this very loose 1933 adaptation which gives a very poor idea of his expressionistic play; but the film does give an idea of the power and magnetism of Paul Robeson who had acted Jones (one of the 20th century’s most taxing roles) on stage in New York in 1924 and in London in 1925. It’s a film for theatregoers who are interested in theatre history.
BARKING (Acorn) was a little-seen Channel 4 sketch show, which aired in 1998 and introduced a number of comedians who went on to do greater things. There are funny moments, notably with Rhys Thomas as a very eager actor, with Marcus Brigstocke as an idiot airline pilot and with Mackenzie Crook as a useless teacher; but too much of it is just not funny at all.
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Campaigns & Issues
National Award Scheme Launched
THE ELDERLY Accommodation Council (EAC) National Housing awards for Older People 2013 are now in full swing
This year will be the fourth year that the awards have been held, and they aim to put residents in older peoples housing right at the centre of the assessment and award process.
A new formula for the awards has been launched this year which combine an entertaining nomination process with a Resident Consultation and already it is proving to be a great success.
News
Top designer and celebrity chefs join Prostate Cancer UK in leading the fight against the disease
Prostate Cancer UK is urging the nation to dust off their vintage tea cups, grab their rolling pins, get baking and hold a 1940s themed Tea For Victory party in order to raise vital funds to help the 250,000 men in the UK living with prostate cancer.
One of Britain's most acclaimed designers and vintage supporters, Wayne Hemingway, has exclusively designed 40s-style materials, including bunting, table cloths and cake stands, available for people to use at their tea parties.
Top class celebrity chefs, including Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein, Levi Roots, Ken Hom, Thane Prince, Jo Pratt, Angela Hartnett and BBC Masterchef winner Mat Follas are also showing their support for Tea For Victory by creating recipes to inspire the nation. People can read these and hear more from the chefs about why they are getting involved, by visiting www.prostatecanceruk.org/tearecipes.
Competitions & Fun
Win a set of Quartet goodies - plus the DVD and Soundtrack!
Discover a warm, fun and bittersweet look at growing old disgracefully, orchestrated by a British ensemble of acting maestros, as the number one UK box office smash hit comedy QUARTET comes to Blu-Ray, DVD and digital download on 6 May 2013.
To celebrate the release, we are offering four lucky winners the chance to win a Quartet merchandise bundle which includes: a DVD, a soundtrack by Decca records, a branded gardening set and 4 packs of plant and vegetable seeds! Each pack of seeds is matched to a character. Varieties include Cayenne pepper, Tomato, Sunflower and Poppy.
Reader Offers
Win a prize at home or away in this month's prize draw with Silver Travel Advisor!
Enter now and you could win a prize at home or away! How about a 7 night break for 2, with flights included, in beautiful Slovenia? Or a trip to London’s glitzy theatreland, staying in a 4* hotel? Both fabulous treats which must be won!
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50). A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
Health & Wellbeing
Active life for a healthier you
Active Life is a collective of friendly, knowledgeable and experienced health and fitness professionals, all of whom share a passion for helping people develop and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Based in Southend on Sea, Essex, our activities range from gentle yoga, relaxation and pilates to circuit training, exercise to music, keep fit, dance classes, running groups and Nordic walking.
We cater for all abilities, working mainly with Adults aged 50 and over but also tots to teens, mums, dads, and whole family groups.
Property & Finance
New EU Tax Would Hit Millions Of Pensioners And Investors
The EU's controversial Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) would "hit the pensions and investments of millions of hard working people" and would not exclusively target "so-called City fat cats," warns the boss of the world's largest independent financial advisory firm.
Leisure and Lifestyle
Take the 20p test for safe motoring
Most UK motorists are pretty clueless when it comes to tyre tread safety, a new survey has revealed.
The vast majority of motorists are simply unaware of the absolute minimum legal tyre tread depth for their cars or vans.
In a new nationwide survey by the breakdown service Autonational Rescue, just 38% of motorists knew that the correct minimum legal tyre tread depth is in fact 1.6 millimetres.
Travel
Flying the flag for the best English beaches
Keep Britain Tidy names England’s 147 award-winning beaches for 2013
From Whitley Bay to Clacton, Margate to Torbay, England boasts some of the best and cleanest beaches in the world.
Today, Keep Britain Tidy is announcing the winners of the 2013 Blue Flag and Seaside Awards. In total 55 beaches have gained the Blue Flag and 113 have picked up the new Seaside Award (formerly Quality Coast Award).
Mature Times is going from strength to strength!