"When Worlds Collide", directed by Rudolph Maté

Movie, 1951

Rather slight and occasionally toe-curling science fiction, saved by wonderful technicolor effects. Otherwise, this is lame, looking like propaganda for an American super race in the making, but showing compassion towards children and animals. Cliches abound and dull characters barely brought to life by listless acting. For all that, it's quite watchable, even if the Noah references, wheelchair villain and hammy love story are enough to send most people reaching for the remote control.

"Book of Clouds" by Chloe Aridjis

Novel, 2009

Story of a Mexican transcriber and her time spent and work in Berlin. This is a really skillful piece of writing, full of ideas and packing a dramatic and emotional punch when they're needed. History and drama hang heavily around Berlin which is beautifully presented and shown to contain a number of self-absorbed, damaged characters, possibly including the narrator herself. Some great scenes, mystery and surreal situations, which never feel ploddy or tired. Highly recommended - a real warmth and quality rise up from the pages.

"His Bloody Project", by Graeme Macrae Burnet

Novel, 2016

Interesting and old-fashioned feeling book about a crime, told through different (fictional) documents relating to a murder, near Inverness, in 1869. While the use of the murderer's journal, court and medical records and like give the book a pep and vitality through their tight, controlled writing, and while the story is nonetheless told in a linear way, the end of the book feels ever so slightly unsatisfying. All those sides and angles, somehow not pulled together. But still, a wonderful read with some great detail. Definitely recommended.

"The Power", by Naomi Alderman

Novel, 2014

Science fiction vision of women taking over the world, but taking it in some fairly depressing and rather familiar directions. A book that kicks off at pace, although the jumpy narrative looking through to different characters' points of view and shifting in both time and geography make for what can be a disjointed read. Hugely powerful in places, mind, even if and when a few descriptions seem to gleefully slip into genre, perhaps too knowingly, and certain a little noticeably. A book that feels written for filming. 

"Gone Girl," directed by David Fincher

Movie, 2014

Genre inspired, slightly sprawling film which delivers plenty of solid entertainment and thrills despite its length and despite being a little stretched in places with regards the plot and a sprinkling of wooden acting, here and there. Credit, however, due to pulling something in that ultimately feels quite tight, even if some of the initial build up feels a little lethargic and could perhaps have been edited down, just a little. The twists and turns are reasonably effective, with a big message about appearance, truth and the media bought home with a bang.

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"Identity Thief", directed by Gordon Seth

Movie, 2013

Undemanding road comedy which follows many genre rules, including the happy ending and the goo around family, and yet does so successfully. This is an entertaining, funny film, with well worked set pieces and some interesting characters. The dark elements of the plot are neither shirked or taken with any sense of gravity, so there's a balance of sorts. The ending's never in doubt and film hardly shouts for a sequel or imitators, and yet it's a well-worked piece, played for laughs, with a good measure of slapstick thrown in.

"The Amateur Marriage," by Anne Tyler

Novel, 2004

Excellent novel following a Baltimore marriage's ups and downs and the intervening tales of the three children. The focus is on the couple itself and it both critical yet supportive of each side, with the narrative sympathetic to each. Similarly, the plot is eventful, yet has a pace and is written in a non-sensationalist way which moves the story along and pulls the reader into Tyler's world. A treat of a story which unfolds gently and comments plenty on the twentieth century as it does so, with the hang-ups shot through the Anton family narrative.