Ah yes, the time of too much chocolate and too many hot cross buns was upon us again, and I had put my hand up to have the family around for Easter Sunday dinner this year. It has been a while since my sister (that just returned from Afghanistan) and my parents have been in the same room together, and let's just say that there is a lot of water that has torrented under that bridge over the years, and I doubt that there will ever be smooth sailing on that stream.
It doesn't matter how well you roast the lamb or how tasty you make the wine, there are some things that can never be made good, well certainly not over one meal anyway. At least the meal proceeded in a civilised fashion, and no-one left feeling too out of sorts, so I would call that a mild success in my books.
With my sister that was here for Easter; if you can chip the frost off the ceiling enough for a conversation to flow, you are doing really well. It gets mighty cold very quickly when my parents enter a room that she is in. You can literally feel the drop in temperature - it is palpable, and trying to get things flowing takes a bit of effort. My sister has an air about her that could freeze the balls off a brass monkey, and if she is not happy with you, boy do you know it!
However, in the realms of successful family gatherings, I think that this Easter went okay, and I am feeling reasonably good about that, because okay is better than not okay, and I know that it could've gone a helluva lot worse that's for sure!
It doesn't matter how well you roast the lamb or how tasty you make the wine, there are some things that can never be made good, well certainly not over one meal anyway. At least the meal proceeded in a civilised fashion, and no-one left feeling too out of sorts, so I would call that a mild success in my books.
With my sister that was here for Easter; if you can chip the frost off the ceiling enough for a conversation to flow, you are doing really well. It gets mighty cold very quickly when my parents enter a room that she is in. You can literally feel the drop in temperature - it is palpable, and trying to get things flowing takes a bit of effort. My sister has an air about her that could freeze the balls off a brass monkey, and if she is not happy with you, boy do you know it!
However, in the realms of successful family gatherings, I think that this Easter went okay, and I am feeling reasonably good about that, because okay is better than not okay, and I know that it could've gone a helluva lot worse that's for sure!
LEON:
THE PROFESSIONAL
Release Date: 1994
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 110 mins
Written and directed by Luc Besson, this French crime-action thriller has gone on to receive a cult following, quite possibly because of Jean Reno's calm and ultra cool portrayal of a hitman with a sensitive side.
A very young Natalie Portman plays 12 year old Mathilda, a girl that has been exposed to a corrupt and sordid life because of her abusive drug dealing father. When her family are killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents, Mathilda takes refuge in a nearby apartment that is owned by a quiet and secretive gentleman named Leon. Leon, who reluctantly takes the girl under his wing, turns out to be a professional hitman, and he allows Mathilda to become his protegee in exchange for housekeeping.
This was Portman's breakout role, and she is absolutely amazing as Mathilda. Gary Oldman is also strong here, playing his role of the psychotic agent Stansfield with a disturbing conviction. But it is Jean Reno that steals all the limelight as Leon, the hitman that oozes calculated and yet solemn self control.
This is a violent and intense movie that had a lasting impression on me, it is delivered with a high level of energy and intensity that makes it easy to see why it went onto become a cult classic.
FINAL SAY: Revenge is not a good thing, it's better to forget.
4 Chili Peppers
THE PROFESSIONAL
Release Date: 1994
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 110 mins
Written and directed by Luc Besson, this French crime-action thriller has gone on to receive a cult following, quite possibly because of Jean Reno's calm and ultra cool portrayal of a hitman with a sensitive side.
A very young Natalie Portman plays 12 year old Mathilda, a girl that has been exposed to a corrupt and sordid life because of her abusive drug dealing father. When her family are killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents, Mathilda takes refuge in a nearby apartment that is owned by a quiet and secretive gentleman named Leon. Leon, who reluctantly takes the girl under his wing, turns out to be a professional hitman, and he allows Mathilda to become his protegee in exchange for housekeeping.
This was Portman's breakout role, and she is absolutely amazing as Mathilda. Gary Oldman is also strong here, playing his role of the psychotic agent Stansfield with a disturbing conviction. But it is Jean Reno that steals all the limelight as Leon, the hitman that oozes calculated and yet solemn self control.
This is a violent and intense movie that had a lasting impression on me, it is delivered with a high level of energy and intensity that makes it easy to see why it went onto become a cult classic.
FINAL SAY: Revenge is not a good thing, it's better to forget.
4 Chili Peppers
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