This movie is the ultimate mind-fuck!!

The movie appears to be a documentary and personally, I found it very amusing – the deeper the collective got into their consensus decision-making the more amusing it became. (Ah, it takes me back to the days of leftie student politics at uni). But it was watching the extras on the DVD that was the icing on the cake…

======SPOILER ALERT===================
1. the ‘Q&A’ with the cast confirmed my suspicions… this is no documentary. It is all scripted (though very loosely at times). As it turns out, the movie was based on a short story by Todd (“Professor University”).
2. The ‘Making of’ gives further insight into the blurring of fact and fiction, and tells tales of the annoyed audience members at a screening, who describe themselves as the ‘I’ve been robbed’ camp when they find out the whole thing is a fictional movie.
The best parts of the DVD are these extras, but it is not possible to enjoy them to their fullest if you haven’t seen the movie first.
This movie messes with your mind, and I truly pity those poor undergraduate cinema studies students who are going to have to study it and write essays about it.
I also pity those fools who have added reviews to IMDB complaining about how shallow and pathetic the movie is. They clearly demonstrate their own stupidity.
PS. There is almost no nudity in this film (I counted a total of one breast). And there is definitely no porn. :)

I have ‘consumed’ this book about 93 times since I acquired it… it has become my little boy’s favourite story, and since he needs me to read it to him, we ‘consume’ it together.

I liked this a lot, but it wasn’t as good as Jennifer Government (Max Barry’s second novel).

I haven’t actually started consuming this yet…

It is actually a DVD not a book, but All Consuming wouldn’t let me add it as “Other”. I am also wanted to put this on my “what should I consume next?” list, but again, All Consuming wouldn’t let me add it there! Kept getting annoying error messages. >:(

Info page: http://www.omikron.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/markit/menu/dvd.htm#Weaning

I haven’t exactly “finished” consuming this… it is really a reference book that has been invaluable to during the first few months of my baby’s life. I will probably continue to use it on and off until my baby is at least 12 months old.

In this story Schapelle Corby takes us through her journey from the time of her arrest for possession of Marijuana in Bali, to the present day (October 2006), as well as providing some glimpses into her life before her arrest.

It is emotionally difficult to read this book, especially with the knowledge that Schapelle remains incarcerated in the terrible conditions of Kerobokan Prison, Bali and that there is no happy ending in sight as yet. It is impossible for anyone, who has an ounce of humanity, not to feel for Schapelle. Her story is horrendous – at times, I found myself wanting to treat the story as a work of fiction, just to be able to cope with the emotions raised whilst reading it.

Despite all the media coverage over the past two years, we have never really heard Schapelle’s voice. This book provides the opportunity to really hear from Schapelle (something that Schapelle comments on). I gained a different perspective on the whole ordeal, including a better understanding of how the legal proceedings unfolded… and went so dreadfully wrong, primarily due to the incompetence of Schapelle’s first legal team and the laissez faire attitude of the local police and prosecuting lawyers towards collection of evidence.

However, putting the sadness of Schapelle’s story aside, it has to be said that this is not a well-crafted book. There is frequent repetition of comments about the squalid state of the prison accommodation and Schapelle’s comments about state of mind and feelings. But this is easily forgiven as it serves to recreate what Schapelle must be feeling: the endlessness of time in prison, the frustration with feeling such anger at her helplessness.

It is a distressing book to read, as we know we can do so little to help Schapelle cope with her situation and that we are powerless to influence the Indonesian justice system to release her. It occurs to me that this may be why rumours circulate from time to time that Schapelle and her family had prior links to drugs and crime. Maybe it is easier for some to cope with the thought of Schapelle locked up in those terrible conditions if they have even the smallest hint that she may be guilty. However, any person with a modicum of intelligence could not possibly believe Schapelle is guilty. And even if she were, she (and her fellow inmates) does not deserve the treatment she has experienced thus far.

Overall, I would say that it is worth a read, but don’t expect a great work of literature.