Spielberg's stealth attacks

Whilst I've been away writing a travel piece in Portugal, it seems that the rest of the planet fell under a brief, yet stealth like attack from Steven Spielberg.

First, the US film director (alien in human form) resigned as artistic consultant for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics, saying his conscience will not let him choreograph an event for a country that has done little to use its influence to ease the slaughter in Darfur. By agreeing to Olympic work and then kicking the Chinese despots in the shins and running away, Spielberg struck a victory blow for global human rights. He may also have saved us from an Opening Ceremony comprised of flying bicycles, hover board chases and casting decisions the likes of which have seen Tom Hanks get far too much work over the years.

What puzzles me however is why the Chinese wanted Spielberg's services in the first place when the country is so determined to separate sport from the politicalization of the Olympic Games. Did they not know that he directed Munich - the 2005 film that depicts the 1972 Munich massacre of Israeli Olympic athletes by Black September gunmen and the Israeli government's secret retaliation assassinations? Surely if anyone was going to politicize the Olympic Games, it would be Spielberg!

Secondly, by using what I can only presume is part of his arsenal of super human powers, Spielberg managed to get his film Terminal aired on television over the Christmas period. For all of us who watched it, little did we realize that we were subjecting ourselves to influences that, two months later would result in one of us actually living in Gatwick airport.

Ok, so it transpires that Anthony Delaney had been living at the airport for some time after losing his position as restaurant chef in Buckinghamshire. Apparently after ignoring airport authorities' orders to stay away he was given an asbo in 2006, banning him from the airport and its train station until 2011. But after Terminal was aired to the nation, Delaney was stopped by airport security 30 times and was found at south terminal on the same day that he was released from jail, where he spent 95 days for breaching the asbo. He has now been refused bail, presumedly so that Spielberg can't get to him. If alien strikes, like most things, occur in threes, where Spielberg will strike next is anyone's guess.

Word of mouth: Boy A A book worth talking about

A good friend and novelist, Jonathan Trigell has achieved much acclaim for his debut novel Boy A. In 2004, it won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for the most promising literary work of the previous year for authors aged under 35. Sarah Waters, Chair of the Judges for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, described Boy A as: “A compelling narrative, a beautifully structured piece of writing, and a thought-provoking novel of ideas.”

Last year, Boy A was turned into a Channel 4 drama starring Andrew Garfield (Lions for Lambs). It's the story of one man's struggle to adapt to normal life after being released back into society following imprisonment throughout his childhood years for the gruesome murder of a young girl.

On Monday, Boy A topped a shortlist of Britain's most discussion worthy books. More than 3,000 readers were polled by the organisers of World Book Day and asked to vote on a selectition of 100 titles. Now that the list has been whittled down to the ten most popular choices, a second round of voting begins. The winning author will be announced on World Book Day (6 March) with a £5,000 prize at stake.

Boy A's subject matter - whether the rehabilitation of children who commit crime is the right thing for society, or even possible. And whether such children deserve our sympathy or our scorn – has already stimulated much debate. Garfield's powerful portrayal of protagonist Jack provoked an emotional response from many who saw it. And the spectra of James Bulger's 'where are they now?' killers just adds to the dialogue. In all, Boy A deserves its recognition as a discussion worthy read.

If you would like to vote for Boy A in the World Book Day's Books to Talk About 2008, Click here. If you'd like to read this gripping debut from a talented friend, you can order it via Amazon here.

Centre Point: The next chapter

Sources at citizen journalism start-up Newspepper.com tell me a new chapter in the beleaguered history of Centre Point tower on New Oxford Street is about to unfold. Up on the 31st, 32nd and 33rd floors, a private members' club called Paramount has been four years in the planning and is close to completion.
Centre Point has long been embroiled in controversy. It was completed in 1964, offering 180,000 sqft of office space at a construction cost of £5.5 million. For years,property tycoon Harry Hyams kept it intentionally unoccupied as values soared against its potential rent yield. The building's estimated market value in 1973 was £20 million. Moreover, by keeping it empty it was not liable for rates.

According to records, Hyams' tactics resulted in Centre Point becoming the single most profitable landmark ever constructed in the UK - an act which so outraged students from the Architectural Association that at one point they planned to storm the building and hold the security guards hostage to publicise his actions.

Pierre Condou (the man responsible for the Century club) is behind the Paramount development and now plans to throw open its doors to event planners and the Soho media fraternity.

It'll take 28 seconds for guests to reach the 31st floor greeting area by lift. Here, visitors will find a members' bar with dedicated events space and dance floor. To ascend to the 32nd floor, visitors will climb an internal staircase with views out over the British Museum, stretching all the way towards Canary Wharf. The East Side restaurant occupies this floor and will offer European cuisine with an emphasis on provenance. The Western Bar on the same floor boasts an eclectic wine list but it won't be the bouquet of the vino that'll be stimulating the senses. Just one floor further up, a 360 degree, floor to ceiling glazed walkway will allow visitors to circumnavigate the Paramount Cocktail and Champagne Bar whilst marveling at the breath-taking views as they change from day to night.

Centre Point has withstood years of criticism and disuse to earn the accolade of a Grade Two listing. The Royal Fine Art Commission once praised the building as having an 'elegance worthy of a Wren steeple'. Now, finally it appears a new occupier will realise its elegance whilst providing guests with a new perspective on London.
Click here for Centre Point conspiracy theories