Comments for the professional appreciator

Comment on Let’s Talk Gay Marriage by Eric

Eric — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:37:10 +0000

Don’t you know it. I completely agree he is no better than Obama on this issue . . . on most issues.

Comment on Let’s Talk Gay Marriage by Justin Huck

Justin Huck — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:21:12 +0000

So full of Christian love! You know, Romeny used to be a fan of gay marriage too. That is, until, his political ambition led him to make a “crass, calculated move to gain campaign contributions” and support, I might add. You are going to have a heckava time deciding who to vote for in 2012, aren’t you?

Comment on A Short John le Carré Pangyeric (and a Rant) by Em

Em — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:59:07 +0000

You DO know that the writers made it a point to ask Le Carre if it was okay to make Peter gay, right?
Le Carre approved because he saw it was a great nod to the many homosexuals in MI6 at the time, and thought it was quite a realistic change.
I love the books, love the Alec Guiness version .. and I have to say .. this film does not disappoint. It’s incredibly smart and sophisticated, and Gary Oldman is brilliant. He may not look like ‘our’ Smiley, but everything else is spot on.
Watch the film. I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s a very respectful adaptation.

Comment on A Short John le Carré Pangyeric (and a Rant) by Eric

Eric — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:26:41 +0000

le Carre is in the movie? Well then I have to see it! And I agree ‘A Perfect Spy’ is the best of his books I’ve read. It is just compelling.

Comment on A Short John le Carré Pangyeric (and a Rant) by winslow

winslow — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:17:48 +0000

You shouldn’t let the slight rewrite of the Guillam character prevent you from seeing the movie. It’s a v. minor thing. Besides, if you look carefully, you’ll see le Carre himself in the movie, partying. The movie is a wonderful evocation of the 1970s; so much brown, for instance!

Also, make sure to read A Perfect Spy, which is his best book, most would agree. It is largely autobiographical and very moving and wonderfully written. Philip Roth is on record as saying it’s the best postwar novel in English, or some such.

And finally, do whatever it takes to find a copy of the original BBC productions of Tinker, Tailor and Smiley’s People. They run around 5 hours but they are easily the best “TV” you will ever see. I’ve watched them both 15 times and still enjoy every minute. The new Tinker movie, as le Carre himself said, has boiled down the ox into a bouillon cube, and in so doing, it has removed much of the characterization that makes the original story so rich. If you know the book, you’ll enjoy the movie, no question, but the new movie alone is a difficult one for newcomers to follow, it has been so compressed.

Comment on A Short John le Carré Pangyeric (and a Rant) by Eric

Eric — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:36:38 +0000

You’re welcome. My advise is start with ‘The Spy Who Came In From the Cold’ or ‘A Perfect Spy’ and then move on to the Karla Trilogy.

Comment on A Short John le Carré Pangyeric (and a Rant) by Pamela Blair

Pamela Blair — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:05:19 +0000

I’m adding him to my list of authors to familiarize myself with… as soon as I find some free time. Thanks Eric!