Alan R. Biggs

Up there with the best of them, May 26 2009

"Forever Strong" is another 'based on true events' sports movie... bringing to mind classics like "Remember the Titans" and "Radio".
The focus here is on Rugby Football. This has all the elements of a great sports movie - the rebel hero, the role model coach, the rival team, gritty on-field action, nail-biting end game tension. But I venture to say that it is one of those rare movies that has that X factor - heart. But as with the best of them, it's not just about sport. Here you have a main character who has to make a hard decision - will he change to stay on the team and redeem himself, or go back to the rival team and stay on the path of self-destruction.
Director, Little… Read more

The Heart and Soul of Howard Jones, Dec 13 2005

Howard Jones is my favourite music artist. He makes us wait for his new stuff, but when it comes it doesn't disappoint. 'You can't rush art.'

This album is a back to the roots rich electronic production with thumping beats and filled with Howard's signature catchy, uplifting melodies. It doesn't feel formulaic, however. As I have come to expect from Howard, the lyrics are thought-provoking and topical. This is not shallow lovey-dovey manufactured pop.
It's fresh and smart with a lot going on in the production department to keep it interesting on subsequent listenings. It's definitely a grower, and you'll find yourself singing the tunez long after you've left the house.

There is not… Read more

Well-rounded, genuinely interesting documentary, Nov 8 2005

Solarmax is a well-thought out documentary about the effect and influence of the Sun on our planet. It has some very interesting footage of the sun taken from the SOHO satellite, and a very interesting story of how the satellite was almost incapacitated from bringing back these wonderful images.

A 40 minute film showing just images of the Sun would be very boring, but Solarmax shows some great time-lapse photography taken in the Arctic Circle, some wonderful footage of the Aurora Borealis, and some interesting places and rutuals on earth summarizing man's awe of the Sun throughout the ages.

The main theme of the film is the Solarmax phenomenon which causes great concern in today's world… Read more