Author Archives: Lee Russell Wilkes

Myanmar Between the Juntas

Pictures by Anita Lategan. These 22 pictures of the people of Pyinmana, near Naypyidaw, central Myanmar, were all taken in the relative political freedom of 2018, three years before the military junta returned themselves to absolute power. I tried to be all profound and meaningful when writing this post, to talk about the failings ofContinue reading “Myanmar Between the Juntas”

On Attending a Stranger’s Funeral in Thailand

Thai monks always remind me of Discworld wizards, vaguely comical, and either morbidly obese or so body-horror sinewy you wonder whether their organs are still on the inside. “My dear, you have black dress?” My heart sank. Nina’s English can be a little cryptic at times. She couldn’t mean did I have a black dress;Continue reading “On Attending a Stranger’s Funeral in Thailand”

Reflections on Three Years in Myanmar

The recent military coup in Myanmar might seem of little importance to many of us – just political trouble in a country most could not find on a map, even if they cared to look. Not only did I find it, I spent three years living in Naypyidaw, the capital.     The Return of DemocracyContinue reading “Reflections on Three Years in Myanmar”

Peckinpah’s Finest: The Argument for The Ballad of Cable Hogue

Don’t make me out no saint, but don’t put me down too deep. The what of the who? Right? I’m trusting you’ve never heard of this movie and I’m going to tell you why it’s worth your time. The Ballad of Cable Hogue is a comedy western, and to the surprise of many, the filmContinue reading “Peckinpah’s Finest: The Argument for The Ballad of Cable Hogue”

Nuking the Fridge: An Opinionated Spielberg Retrospective

As Spielberg’s most famous character is currently being revisited without him, I feel it is time for an opinionated retrospective. The mainstream press holds on Spielberg’s every cinematic word (looking at you, Empire). Everyone sings his praises. Who wouldn’t want to sit and chat movies with Spielberg? Who wouldn’t want to be this guy? IContinue reading “Nuking the Fridge: An Opinionated Spielberg Retrospective”

A Journey Through Naypyidaw

The ferry-bus was taking us across the tarmac at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. The destination was the plane into Myanmar. It appeared a relatively new jet, which was reassuring as air travel safety is always a concern – you hear stories. As the idea of living to see tomorrow settled in the mind, the bus pulledContinue reading “A Journey Through Naypyidaw”

On To Have and Have Not – Lauren Bacall’s Finest Moment

Who was the girl, Steve? The one who left you with such a high opinion of women? Legend goes that Howard Hawks was so confident in his ability to make great movies he bet Hemingway he could make a winner from the worst of his novels. The result was To Have and Have Not (1944).Continue reading “On To Have and Have Not – Lauren Bacall’s Finest Moment”

In Defense of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

Let’s talk about the Lynch film nobody saw and less people remember. In Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, you missed a masterpiece by one of cinema’s true masters. Let me tell you why. Anyone who was there at the time will remember the hype around Twin Peaks: the surrealist filmmaker behind Eraserhead, The ElephantContinue reading “In Defense of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me”