Advantages: Quinn as Zorba is irrestible, great music and dance Disadvantages: a rather sedate storyline.
Zorba the Greek is not the greatest story in the history of cinema, its claim to fame lies in the impressive performances of Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates. Above all, it is memorable for its unforgettable score by Mykos Theodorakis and excellent black and white cinematography.
The plot is quite straightforward: Basil, a shy, rather introverted and mannered Englishman with Greek connections inherits a disused mine on the island of Crete. On the mainland he encounters AlexisZorba, a larger than life Greek peasant with an infectious optimism and energy. During a stormy passage to Crete (wonderfully embellished by Theodorakis' bazuki score) Basil takes a shine to Zorba and takes him on as the hired help.
The contrast between the reserved, inhibited Basil and Zorba's lust for living life to the full is one of the main themes of the movie ...
Advantages: Relaxing, original, acoustic guitar. Disadvantages: It does get a little samey
Alexi Murdoch - Time Without Consequence
I've deviated from my normal title style this time: I haven't tried to make it long and complicated (with the intention of being funny, of course) but kept it simple. I've done this to reflect the music which I'll be talking about, and I hope you'll agree this brilliant artist, and his amazing album, deserve nothing less.
From what I've read about Alexi Murdoch, he has an interesting history. A Scot, born in London but emigrated to America to attend University to study philosophy, he hasn't taken the obvious route of a musician. His accent sounds mostly English but of course this is quite hard to tell as most songs are now sung with an American accent anyway. His first album, self produced, was "Four Songs" which seems to have made little impact on the general population. It ...
Advantages: Fresh seafood Disadvantages: Don't go there alone - you'll be ignored
With the rave reviews I had read and being the consummate 'foodie', I planned on including a dinner at Alexis Taverna during my recent trip to Greece. I emailed them one month prior to my visit to Rhodes to make a reservation, however I never received a reply. That should have been my first warning?
While in Rhodes I booked the reservation through the hotel where I was staying, and as it turned out my reservation was on my last evening in Rhodes. 'What a wonderful way to end a trip!', I thought to myself in eager anticipation.
I arrived at the restaurant and only one other couple was in the restaurant - I had an early reservation as there was no other time available that evening. As I entered the restaurant, I stood there while two or three employees were busy preparing for the evening. No 'good evening', no acknowledgment ...
