Im Krebsgang
July 5th, 2006
Günter Grass’s recent novella about the Wilhelm Gustloff, the largest shipping disaster in history, which somehow got a lot less publicity than the Titanic because it was a Nazi ship. Over 10,000 refugees–about a third of them children–died in the icy waters of the Baltic on January 30, 1945 when the former KdF ship was torpedoed by a Russian sub. In the novella, Grass recounts the real events but couches them in a fictional story about the presistance of guilt and revenge. It’s very good.
Empire of the Sun
June 20th, 2006
Epic, cheesy, delicious. At times, Spielberg doesn’t quite seem to know if he’s making a serious historical drama or E.T. with Japs, and the syroupy John Williams score isn’t helping. Some terrific shots though, and Christian Bale and John Malkovich make for satisfying viewing.
