The downed Malaysian Airlines plane has created quite a stir in western circles, with its fallout eclipsing that of even the Israel-Hamas conflict. Within minutes, the “pro-Russian separatists,” as they have been so lovingly referred to as by American and European figures and media, were the immediate suspect. No investigation necessary, guilty party found. And perhaps the rebels did shoot down the plane. There is a good chance of that. However, their target was most definitely not a commercial flight operated by the troubled Malaysian Airlines. Rather, as has become the frequent target in this conflict, Ukrainian fighter planes. But because of the rebels’ sympathies, Obama has been strongly critical of Putin, and others have followed suit, providing us with their opinions on why Russia is now a pariah state. The simple reason? They see Russia, and Putin in particular, as territorially ambitious, and that is not good for the people brought up to fear everything coming from Moscow. Does it matter if a substantial population of the Donetsk region are supportive of the rebellion? Of course not! Freedom to identify with a nation is universal, unless that wish is to join with Russia (or, on a separate note, is the wish for an independent Scotland, a possibility for which Obama has publicly declared his abhorrence.) Then there are also the numerous condemnations on “freedom of speech.” So, in a nutshell, it is the West’s wish to keep Russia down, to humble them, to condemn any action which the US sees as ‘interference.’ Of course we can all see the hypocrisy in this. The United States of America is a country that invaded nations such as Panama, Grenada, Afghanistan, Iraq, et al, whilst also funding the overthrow of many dictatorships and replacing them with many...

Your life is on the line. Phone Booth is an obscure but excellent psychological thriller film (yes, another one, I know…) directed by Joel Schumacher, the *ahem* genius behind Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. But that’s for a different kind of review. Phone Booth stars Colin Farrell in one of his early roles as Stu Sheppard, an arrogant New York publicist who has been seeing a young woman called Pam behind his wife’s back. When Stu uses the last remaining phone booth in the city to contact Pam without his wife knowing, he receives a call from an anonymous sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) who holds him hostage in the phone booth and demands that he reveal the truth to Pam and his wife. Phone Booth is gripping within the first five minutes. I have always been a fan of “claustrophobic movies”, films which take place almost entirely within one, usually small, location (Rear Window, The Others) and Phone Booth is one of the best of that type. The concept itself is very good, but the way the story unfolds is even better, with, in my opinion, an infuriating ending. It’s one of those “everything that could possibly go wrong goes wrong” movies, and it is spectacularly tense. Colin Farrell and Kiefer Sutherland are both perfect choices for their roles. Overall, this movie is based around a brilliantly tense concept and it unfolded in the best way possible, with very good acting. I wouldn’t quite say that Schumacher should be forgiven for the catastrophe that was his Batman movies, but Phone Booth was really...

Charlie Brooker is an angry man. Charlie Brooker is an angry man…angry and funny…very funny. His book I Can Make You Hate is about encouraging you to hate even more all the things you had already been giving consideration to hating more – like politicians and bad TV. Now you have an advocate and a friend; once you’ve paid the €20 you can hate to your heart’s content like you always wanted to. Like I said, Charlie Brooker is an angry man…and funny…very funny. The cover of my prized hardback edition features a gilded note: “Includes Words and Punctuation.” On the back you have more pre-opening fun: “Only a pr*** wouldn’t buy this book. Don’t be that PR***.” See, punctuation ‘n’ all, just like he promised. One last chuckle before you’ve even begun to read what’s inside: “Does not contain free weight-loss, self-esteem and instant happiness CD.” Oh yeah, I forgot: “The potential all-time No.1 bestseller.” This book has the funniest cover of any book ever; that’s why I bought it. The cover is a lot funnier than it may seem to you right now; it’s got lots more funny bits that I haven’t yet mentioned but am just about to, like where it says this: “…if you’d like to read something that alternates between ‘funny’ and ‘angry’ like a drunk clown at a divorce hearing, keep holding this book. Ideally, pay for it on your way home.” Now, let’s open the book and see what else we can choke with laughter in response to! But before the laughter, here’s some anger: “Sleep is overrated. According to experts, it is as important to your health as exercise, nutrition and not being set on fire…All you have to do is lie around doing nothing for...