Helmut Erxleben reports this month on Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman, Robert K. Massie’s latest book. Remembering his Nicholas and Alexandra, which I read some 40 years ago, I knew this biography would be fun to read. It is the true story (based mainly on her diaries and letters) of one of the greatest female monarchs in western history. It begins when she, an aristocratic German 14 year old, travels to Russia to marry the teenage heir to the Russian throne, the future Tsar Peter III. The early years were extremely difficult for her, but it’s her admirable strength of character (notwithstanding her many lovers), her ability to adapt to an unfriendly environment, and her exceptional intellect which allows her to persevere, ascend to the throne, and subsequently transform a backward Russia into a modern state. As the reviewer in USA TODAY quipped: “Even bone-deep anti-monarchists will find themselves cheering on this absolute despot”. I know I did”.

Harold Erlendson, our movie critic, reports on Descendants: “This movie and George Clooney, its star, were both nominated for Academy Awards and came close to winning. Clooney plays Matt a workaholic Hawaiian lawyer. He learns that his wife has had a boating accident and is in a coma. Then he learns that his wife has been cheating on him. Now he must become a parent to his two troubled daughters. His eldest daughter is especially angry and knew about the infidelity. There is a second story going on. Matt who is descended from Hawaiian royalty controls the family trust that owns a vast tract of valuable land on Kauai. All of the relatives want to sell but Matt has the final say on whether to preserve the heritage or sell to developers. You will both laugh and cry as Matt and his girls cope with the tragedy. A good movie.”

Harold also reports on The Artist. “This film won an Oscar for the best picture of the year and four more in other categories. On the surface it would appear to be an unlikely choice. It is a silent movie with printed dialogue, 2D black and white photography, actors who are almost unknown, with no seamy sex scenes, wild car chases or explosions. As well, the story has been done before: A Star is Born, Sunset Boulevard, Singing in the Rain. The story takes place in 1927 when the Talkies turned Hollywood upside down. A matinee idol cannot adapt to the change and his career and fortunes crumble while new stars are born. It is a movie of innocence and joy in a similar time. This is a movie which everyone will enjoy. As an added attraction, it stars a terrier who should have won an Oscar.”