This drama was a different take on the George Best phenomenon. It was a look at his mother, Ann Best’s, seemingly unstoppable decline from perfect housewife to alcoholic.
We have been told thousands of times of the excesses of George Best’s life so it was interesting to see where his ruinous nature may have come from.
The drama begins five years after George had left the family home in Belfast to join Manchester United Football Club. His parents and five siblings are seen struggling to cope with George’s increasing fame. Reporters constantly harass them, camping outside their home and forcing them to change phone numbers regularly.
Whilst putting on a brave face, we start to see Ann crack up. Originally teetotal, she begins to seek comfort in the bottom of a sherry bottle and before long her decline is such that she is sneakily drinking bottles in pub toilets.
Whilst the accuracy of these events cannot be confirmed as the three main characters of George and his parents are now dead, the poignancy of the events is compelling and the acting by Tom Barr (George) and Michelle Fairley (Ann) is particularly good.
The design team also seems to have enjoyed making this drama as the props and décor are exactly what you would expect of early 1970s Belfast and the archive clips of real football games and interviews are periodically mixed in to give perspective and authenticity.
Ann Best died from alcohol related illness in 1978 aged 54, 5 years after the end of this drama was set and 5 years younger than George was when he died (aged 59 in 2005) which is probably why this story seemed so compelling and why the lessons learnt from it feel so real.
Stephen McShane
Thursday 30 April 2009
Thursday 9 April 2009
Annual Varsity Ends With Violent Scenes
Jack Phillips
Police were called to a University sports event after fights broke out between rival students.
Police were called to Goodwin sports centre near Dore as a fighting began during the annual varsity between Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University.
Five police cars attended the sports centre making one arrest. Police officer PC Dudley said “Only a few of the students present caused the trouble but we managed to calm it down immediately. There were a lot more students in attendance than had been anticipated. The crowded stands and amount of alcohol consumed on the day did not help the atmosphere.”
With almost 3,000 students attending the sports centre, Goodwin was busier than organisers had expected as students turned out to watch matches in Rugby, Hockey, Lacrosse and other sports between the universities. The varsity was the 12th annual meeting between University and Hallam, which is competed over 12 days with over 1,000 students taking part and over £5,000 being raised for local charity, Help a Hallam Child.
Sam Gill, Sports officer at Sheffield Hallam University, said “I was pleased with the final day of varsity. It was a shame that a few of the students who had come to watch the sports took it a bit too far, but we hope to prevent things like this happening in future events between the universities with added security.”
Police were called to Goodwin sports centre near Dore as a fighting began during the annual varsity between Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University.
Five police cars attended the sports centre making one arrest. Police officer PC Dudley said “Only a few of the students present caused the trouble but we managed to calm it down immediately. There were a lot more students in attendance than had been anticipated. The crowded stands and amount of alcohol consumed on the day did not help the atmosphere.”
With almost 3,000 students attending the sports centre, Goodwin was busier than organisers had expected as students turned out to watch matches in Rugby, Hockey, Lacrosse and other sports between the universities. The varsity was the 12th annual meeting between University and Hallam, which is competed over 12 days with over 1,000 students taking part and over £5,000 being raised for local charity, Help a Hallam Child.
Sam Gill, Sports officer at Sheffield Hallam University, said “I was pleased with the final day of varsity. It was a shame that a few of the students who had come to watch the sports took it a bit too far, but we hope to prevent things like this happening in future events between the universities with added security.”
Thursday 2 April 2009
Cue the fundraising please.
By Marco Abonandi
Sheffield's cue ball charity event is to launch the world snooker championships.
The annual event will take place on the 17th of April.
It will donate all proceeds to local charities, Hallam FM Cash for Kids and the Cathedral Archer Projec. It will raise money to help children and homeless people in the city.
In the past it has raised around £100,000 for local charities since 2004.
Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Council, said: "As well as celebrating the arrival of the World Snooker Championship. It is encouraging to see local businesses supporting a charity event at a difficult economic time.
The charity event is sponsored by Kier Sheffield and Interserve Project Services, as well as other key Sheffield organisations. Despite the economic climate, organisations are keen to be involved with the cause.
Company TDC will also take part in the event. Eamonn Hunt, TDC director, said: "Sheffield's Cue Ball dinner is a great celebration of the city's snooker heritage and as a local company it is a privilege to be involved with this event for the first time."
The event will be held at Mercure St. Paul’s Hotel and will be hosted by snooker MC Rob Walker, and will include Q and A sessions from Olympic diver Leon Taylor as well as other sports professionals.
Guests before hand, will be given a champagne reception in Sheffield's winter gardens, followed by a four course dinner at the Mercure St Paul’s Hotel accompanied with live music from Sheffield group Acoustic Angels.
Auction and raffle prizes will offer people exclusive, money can’t buy experiences, including a frame of snooker with Mark Selby, watching training days with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday Football Clubs, and a dinner party for eight cooked by Mercure’s top chef.
The annual event will take place on the 17th of April.
It will donate all proceeds to local charities, Hallam FM Cash for Kids and the Cathedral Archer Projec. It will raise money to help children and homeless people in the city.
In the past it has raised around £100,000 for local charities since 2004.
Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Council, said: "As well as celebrating the arrival of the World Snooker Championship. It is encouraging to see local businesses supporting a charity event at a difficult economic time.
The charity event is sponsored by Kier Sheffield and Interserve Project Services, as well as other key Sheffield organisations. Despite the economic climate, organisations are keen to be involved with the cause.
Company TDC will also take part in the event. Eamonn Hunt, TDC director, said: "Sheffield's Cue Ball dinner is a great celebration of the city's snooker heritage and as a local company it is a privilege to be involved with this event for the first time."
The event will be held at Mercure St. Paul’s Hotel and will be hosted by snooker MC Rob Walker, and will include Q and A sessions from Olympic diver Leon Taylor as well as other sports professionals.
Guests before hand, will be given a champagne reception in Sheffield's winter gardens, followed by a four course dinner at the Mercure St Paul’s Hotel accompanied with live music from Sheffield group Acoustic Angels.
Auction and raffle prizes will offer people exclusive, money can’t buy experiences, including a frame of snooker with Mark Selby, watching training days with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday Football Clubs, and a dinner party for eight cooked by Mercure’s top chef.
Sunday 29 March 2009
Bronson
By Marco AbonandiThis biopic into the life of Britain's most famous prisoner lives up to high standards.
The films gives a raw incite into the mind of Charles Bronson, It shows you in the ins, outs and the in-betweens of prison life, from how he finds himself as a bare knuckle fighter to a disturbingly adverse artiste.
The storyline isn't really great; its plot is a little two dimensional. You leave the cinema expecting that little bit more. But Tom Hardy's performance of Britain's most infamous hard man is worryingly exceptional. There aren't many actors who can play this role, but Mr. Hardy pulls this one off hands down. He is simply brilliant, oozing superfluous charisma on screen.
This in mind, one may go with the notion that his performance is a little over the top and overly theatrical, but that’s the point of the film. It gives that belief of how Bronson's mind of works. Everything was a performance to him and this is what the film does so well. It's accentuates his theatrical temperament with Hardy's performance and cut scenes of him performing in front of an audience. It amplifies how he performed to be remembered by us.
It isn't for the faint hearted. It's heavily doused scenes of a violent nature; but some of these scenes are hilarious at the same time. In some parts you shouldn't laugh at his thuggish violent behaviour but you just can't help yourself from how funny and lovable Bronson's character is in his charm and wit.
The films gives a raw incite into the mind of Charles Bronson, It shows you in the ins, outs and the in-betweens of prison life, from how he finds himself as a bare knuckle fighter to a disturbingly adverse artiste.
The storyline isn't really great; its plot is a little two dimensional. You leave the cinema expecting that little bit more. But Tom Hardy's performance of Britain's most infamous hard man is worryingly exceptional. There aren't many actors who can play this role, but Mr. Hardy pulls this one off hands down. He is simply brilliant, oozing superfluous charisma on screen.
This in mind, one may go with the notion that his performance is a little over the top and overly theatrical, but that’s the point of the film. It gives that belief of how Bronson's mind of works. Everything was a performance to him and this is what the film does so well. It's accentuates his theatrical temperament with Hardy's performance and cut scenes of him performing in front of an audience. It amplifies how he performed to be remembered by us.
It isn't for the faint hearted. It's heavily doused scenes of a violent nature; but some of these scenes are hilarious at the same time. In some parts you shouldn't laugh at his thuggish violent behaviour but you just can't help yourself from how funny and lovable Bronson's character is in his charm and wit.
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Marathon places going fast
Sheffield runners intending to take part in this year’s half marathon who have not already signed up have been advised to decide quickly as places are going fast.
The event, held at Don Valley Stadium each year, has got over 1200 people more signed up this year compared to this time last year. In total, over 4000 have signed up for the half marathon which is to be held on Sunday 26th April at 9:30 am leaving just 1500 places remaining. For the first time ever the marathon could be full before the day of the event.
The marathon first started as the full 26 miles in 1982 with a half marathon run together but in 2004 it was decided to cut the race down to just a half marathon.
Ian Thomas, entries co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted with the amount of entries we have had so far. Everyone is welcome to take part, but don’t leave your entry too late!
“We can’t be sure what has caused the spur in entrants. Perhaps people in Sheffield have an increased interest in keeping fit and want to do their bit for charity, despite the economic downturn.
“The race gets bigger and better every year and to think that places might be full before the big day is a huge deal. This reinforces the race’s place as one of – if not the – biggest participation event to take part every year in Sheffield.”
The 10 chosen charities for the 2009 event are Sheffield Teenage Cancer Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association South Yorkshire, Macmillan Cancer Support, Myasthenia Gravis Association, RSPCA Sheffield, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Anyone interested in taking part in the half marathon is advised to visit http://www.sheffieldmarathon.com/content.php?nPageID=195
Gavin Patterson
The event, held at Don Valley Stadium each year, has got over 1200 people more signed up this year compared to this time last year. In total, over 4000 have signed up for the half marathon which is to be held on Sunday 26th April at 9:30 am leaving just 1500 places remaining. For the first time ever the marathon could be full before the day of the event.
The marathon first started as the full 26 miles in 1982 with a half marathon run together but in 2004 it was decided to cut the race down to just a half marathon.
Ian Thomas, entries co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted with the amount of entries we have had so far. Everyone is welcome to take part, but don’t leave your entry too late!
“We can’t be sure what has caused the spur in entrants. Perhaps people in Sheffield have an increased interest in keeping fit and want to do their bit for charity, despite the economic downturn.
“The race gets bigger and better every year and to think that places might be full before the big day is a huge deal. This reinforces the race’s place as one of – if not the – biggest participation event to take part every year in Sheffield.”
The 10 chosen charities for the 2009 event are Sheffield Teenage Cancer Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association South Yorkshire, Macmillan Cancer Support, Myasthenia Gravis Association, RSPCA Sheffield, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Anyone interested in taking part in the half marathon is advised to visit http://www.sheffieldmarathon.com/content.php?nPageID=195
Gavin Patterson
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Have You Considered Teaching?
Jack Phillips
A teaching fair is being held at Sheffield Hallam University tomorrow encouraging students to look at teaching as a future career.
The routes into teaching fair hopes to provide information to students from both Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield about using their skills gained from University and transfering them into the teaching profession.
Stalls will be providing information on PGCE courses after students have completed their degrees, TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses and graduate teaching programmes.
The fair will be taking place from 11am – 3:30pm in the City Campus of Sheffield Hallam University where the TDA (Training and Development Agency for Schools) will also be holding talks about the different routes into teaching.
A spokesperson from Sheffield Careers fair said “If you are just thinking of a career in teaching, the fair will help you find out more about going into teaching. With the current economic climate and people struggling to find jobs, a job in teaching is one of the most secure in the country at the moment.”
Gran Torino Review
Gran Torino is exactly what you would expect from a Clint Eastwood film. Moody, evocative, able to challenge stereotypes and pleasing on the eye.
The film starts with its main character Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) attending the funeral of his late wife. Walt is a brooding and ill-tempered old man. An unfamiliar role for Eastwood after his previous incarnations as the wacky ‘The Man With No Name’ and the camp ‘Dirty Harry’.
Walt has just lost the love of his life and it seems unlikely that he is about to share his grief with either his sons, with whom he has a poor relationship, or Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), a young priest who tries to bond with him throughout the film.
Living next-door to Walt are Thao (Bee Vang) and his older sister Sue Vang Lor (Ahney Her) who are both Hmong. Walt is a veteran of the United States Army and is seemingly displeased that his neighbourhood is now full of immigrants. This animosity is heightened when Thao, as part of a gang initiation, is caught by Walt trying to steal his treasured Gran Torino.
Having failed to steal the car, Thao is visited at his house by the gang. They try to drag him away, causing a commotion which is only ended when Walt interrupts it brandishing a rifle and warns the “gooks” to stay off his property. This, and another incident in which Walt saves Sue from three black teenagers by brandishing a pistol, brings the three characters together and Walt’s hostility towards the immigrants starts to diminish.
From this point on we see the relationship between Walt and his neighbours develop to the extent that you would consider them friends. However, the inevitable twist is to come as the gang seeks retribution against Thao and Sue and Walt is forced to retaliate. The result is a dramatic and surprising conclusion to the film which, although it is frustrating, is befitting of Walt’s character.
As with several of his previous works, Eastwood has produced, directed and starred in this film so it is no wonder that the four-time Academy Award winner has seen it achieve critical and box-office success thus far. It is a moving portrait of a man who carries the burdens of his past upon his shoulders and who is forced to confront these issues as he deals with his grief. A thought provoking and well made film.
Stephen McShane
The film starts with its main character Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) attending the funeral of his late wife. Walt is a brooding and ill-tempered old man. An unfamiliar role for Eastwood after his previous incarnations as the wacky ‘The Man With No Name’ and the camp ‘Dirty Harry’.
Walt has just lost the love of his life and it seems unlikely that he is about to share his grief with either his sons, with whom he has a poor relationship, or Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), a young priest who tries to bond with him throughout the film.
Living next-door to Walt are Thao (Bee Vang) and his older sister Sue Vang Lor (Ahney Her) who are both Hmong. Walt is a veteran of the United States Army and is seemingly displeased that his neighbourhood is now full of immigrants. This animosity is heightened when Thao, as part of a gang initiation, is caught by Walt trying to steal his treasured Gran Torino.
Having failed to steal the car, Thao is visited at his house by the gang. They try to drag him away, causing a commotion which is only ended when Walt interrupts it brandishing a rifle and warns the “gooks” to stay off his property. This, and another incident in which Walt saves Sue from three black teenagers by brandishing a pistol, brings the three characters together and Walt’s hostility towards the immigrants starts to diminish.
From this point on we see the relationship between Walt and his neighbours develop to the extent that you would consider them friends. However, the inevitable twist is to come as the gang seeks retribution against Thao and Sue and Walt is forced to retaliate. The result is a dramatic and surprising conclusion to the film which, although it is frustrating, is befitting of Walt’s character.
As with several of his previous works, Eastwood has produced, directed and starred in this film so it is no wonder that the four-time Academy Award winner has seen it achieve critical and box-office success thus far. It is a moving portrait of a man who carries the burdens of his past upon his shoulders and who is forced to confront these issues as he deals with his grief. A thought provoking and well made film.
Stephen McShane
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