the newspaper 11
1 November 2007
You Wouldn’t Rob A Poor Defenseless Pop Machine Japanese Products Designed to Dupe Would-Be Robbers By Victor Rohm Like brave ninjas using camouflage on a dangerous mission, the modern Japanese uses her skirt to escape danger. Confused? Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, one seventh of US values, yet concern about petty street crime is growing. To answer this demand for security many new means of protection have been set forward. For example, a skirt that unfolds into a pop machine or a schoolbag with a GPS tracking system. Ms. Tsukioka, a 29-yearold fashion designer explains that the skirt she conceived could quickly be unfolded, put over one's body to look like
an ordinary pop machine and elude pursuers. Another one of her inventions is a bag that, once opened and dropped on the ground with one’s valuables inside, will look like a common manhole and prevent a robbery. Although still in the experimental phase with her life saving ideas, Ms. Tsukioka is confident that the "manhole bag" and her other articles will be market hits. So far, 20 of her hand-sown skirts have been sold at $800 a piece. On a more high-tech level, anxious parents can equip their child with a Kevlar school uniform or a GPS-enhanced rucksack that will notify them of their little angel's whereabouts at all times.
Dan in Real Life Starring: Steve Carell Dane Cook Directed By: Peter Hedges By Garth Mercer Generally, romantic-comedies don’t carry much weight and often leave you feeling listless. However, the new film Dan in Real Life -directed by Peter Hedges and starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, and Emily Blunt- is quite honestly a lovely and moving picture…not to mention really funny! The story takes place
“Carell shows himself to be a true actor with depth and subtlety ”
I know criminals are supposed to be stupid, but pop-machines generally don’t have feet.
around a family gathering in the country, where a whole slew of events leads to humour, altercation, awakening, and (of course) love. Carell does a wonderful job playing Dan Burns, who is a widower, and a father of three daughters. He is seeking new love with Marie, played by Binoche, and the pair display good chemistry; you really do end up caring about the outcome. Perhaps that’s why this particular romantic comedy works; the dialogue and the
acting (from the entire cast) is real and believable…even if it takes place around a set of circumstances that are, at best, unlikely. Carell shows himself to be a true actor with depth and subtlety. Binoche is, of course, her usual charming and luminous self and delivers a good performance. One unexpected standout was the fantastic performance by Brittany Robertson, who played Cara. Definitely a talent to look for in the future.
This film has something for practically anyone but is a particularly good date movie. You will leave the theatre with a sense of satisfaction knowing that you got a pretty good bang for your entertainment buck. Having sung my praise, this movie isn’t for the Oscars. But it’s not meant to be. It’s just a pleasant, well executed romantic-comedy. If that’s your cup of tea then go see it -and enjoy!