Walk The Way The Wind Blows [CD On Demand] - Kathy Mattea

Advantages: Charming art, devastating story
Disadvantages: Compact panels

...Written and illustrated by Raymond Briggs, When the Wind Blows was his first attempt at an adult graphic novel. Released in 1982 on the back of his success with children?s books, it tells a sorrowful tale of the effect a nuclear attack on England has on a retired couple living in rural Sussex. A heavy topic, but the dark, yet compassionate sense of humour pervading the book lightens the mood somewhat. Twinned with the cosy, pastel shaded art-work, the unsettling, yet warm-hearted story closely examines the initial effects of a disaster on two people who have never done anything to deserve it. The harmless pair are developed through their interactions with each other, and (some clunky exposition in the first page aside) are convincingly characterised. Their tender, occasionally abrasive relationship adds some humour as well as... Read review

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Advantages: Clever parody, some very funny scenes
Disadvantages: The music

...parody of the folk genre as is the way that the songs are performed. Some great Spoof ballad such as ?Old Joe's Place?, ?Never Did No Wanderin', ?Potato's In The Paddy Wagon?, ?Blood On The Coal?, ?Just That Kinda Day? and the song that gave us the title ?A Mighty Wind?!?a soundtrack CD is available. The music and lyrics are down to Cristopher Guest who has managed once again to perfectly catch the essence and pay tribute of the musical genre (just as he did with rock in Spinal Tap) whilst at the same time gently subverting the music and producing a very clever comic parody. You feel just like Spinal Tap that this film would get even better on more viewing and more, as more subtle jokes would surface each time. An interest in folk music is not essential and knowledge of the artist that are being parodies is also not needed most people... Read review

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Advantages: A decent look at Samurai life
Disadvantages: A weak ending

...I've always loved Japan and the Japanese, as the structure in their society and the respect they have for each other has always appealed to me. Unfortunately, I have never been able to master any of the martial arts, but I find reading about the society and their artists is a fair compromise, as I get to enjoy the excitement of being a great warrior, without needing to go through any of the hard work to actually become one. Jack Fletcher doesn't have this option, as after ninja pirates on the coast of Japan attack his ship and his father killed, a samurai rescues him. His rescuer soon adopts him and Jack sets about learning the Japanese language and their customs, traditions and way of life. In time, Masamoto takes him to his training school, where Jack learns more about what it means to be a samurai, both in terms of fighting and in... Read review

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