Apparently Guillermo Martí­nez’s book is good (eg review in The Guardian — http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1405328,00.html), so try that instead.

The main problem with it is that it’s all been done before and better. It’s just an episode of Inspector Morse without the strong likeable characters of Morse and Lewis to hold it all together.

It is a fine book to pass away the time on a flight but other passengers might be disturbed at the sight of you chewing your own elbows in frustration at the contradictions and crassness of the plot. I can picture the author planning the book by first listing all the Oxford landmarks and mathematical/philisophical references he wanted to insert in the storyline and then finding a way (any way) to link them.

One aspect of the book stands out above all – it has the worst opening line in the history of the novel, ever: as long and convoluted a sentence as it is possible to write. But, if you can get beyond that then there is some enjoyment to be had although a trip to the dentist might be better.

Ben will be pleased that Abingdon does get a mention.

As far as best – I want to echo for “Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios” and “Mar Adentro” – well made and acted, but a depressing subject. I will look to rent “Te Doy Mis Ojos” since I have seen it recommended here on a number of occasions.

I have rented a few clunkers from Spain through “Blockbuster.com” but it was some time ago and I quickly forgot what the titles were. Sometimes, I quit watching halfway through if I see it going badly. Life’s too short to watch rotten films.

I like “The Women on the brink of a Nervous Breakdown”–a very old Spanish film.

I heard through the grapevine that Alejandro Amenábar and 100 crew members are coming to Malta to make a film in English. Does anyone know any details?

Worst film…no doubt…Nadie Conoce a Nadie. Even a sweaty Eduardo Noriega can’t make up for a crap, pretentious script.

Of de la Iglesia’s films, 800 balas is not a high-brow piece of work was very enjoyable. A classic tale of cowboys and indians, with property developers as the baddies and the cowboys of the Almarian filmsets as the goodies.

Amongst my all time favourites has got to be the two early 90′s crackers from Bigas Luna – Jamon, Jamon and Huevas d’Oro.

@Andrew – La Mala Educacion was indeed poor.

One film I really enjoyed this week was ‘Into the Wild’ directed by Sean Penn. Great stuff.