The Emmy goes to Reese Witherspoon

I know. The Emmy actually went to Nicole Kidman. I think Reese Witherspoon deserved it more. Make no mistake here, Nicole Kidman put it an award-worthy performance in her role in Big Little Lies. However, for me the award would go to Reese Witherspoon. I get that Nicole Kidman played a more understated, albeit more nuanced performance compared to Reese Witherspoon which I imagine was based on their characters but still for me, Reese Witherspoon played the more consistent and authentic role in Big Little Lies. Her lines, on comparison were more endearing. It is possible that Nicole was favoured over Reese because of the physical investment in her role, the violent sex scenes and the physical assault taken from her co-star. Reese truly inhabited her role and was utterly believable. At times it seemed an effortless performance. Like this was trully Reese Witherspoon in real life. And that is the mark of fine acting. Kevin Spacey said an actor should never be caught 'acting' they should seamlessly inhabit the character and be one with it. Reese Witherspoon fit the bill. They said Big Little Lies was 'desperate housewives' fare but I found it a more sophisticated take. The series actually reminded me of American Beauty-the 2002 hit starring Kevin Spacey. American Beauty-look closer.

A Ugandan review of the John Akii-Bua autobiograpical film ''An African Tragegy''

That it took me this long to finally settle down to watch this tragic film of John Akii-Bua the first Ugandan to win an Olympic gold medal is a little Ugandan tragedy of its own. And this viewing was courtesy of the French cultural centre in Kampala. Now, you know why 'the tragedy' bit is not entirely misplaced. But I am getting ahead of myself. The film is an autobiographical account of Ugandan 1972 Olympic gold medalist, John Akii-Bua in Amin's 1970s Uganda. The story is told based on Akii-Bua's own unpublished written notes of his life although the production betrays a British-centric lens even when the majority of characters are actually Ugandan. John Akii-Bua's British coach who led him to the 1972 Munich gold medal is a dominant voice in the film. This is really helpful as well. Before watching this film I was unaware of how prominent a role the coach played in Akii-Bua's rise. Perhaps it shouldnt be suprising that Akii-Bua's decline starts with the return of his British coach to the United Kingdom an exit forced by a Uganda in the throes of Amin's reign of terror. The film makes intelligent use of interviews with sports greats who ideally were Akii-Bua contemporaries.These include British and American 400 metre hurdle specialists-Akii-Bua's track and field speciality. Perhaps because of its British connections, the film takes an unhealthy dose of commentary on the Idi Amin personality. And this is not to say that Amin has nothing to do with Akii-Bua's rise and fall. Quiet the contrary. But I am familiar with the British obsession with the personality of Idi Amin. The Last King of Scotland is only one among a slew of indulgences in pax Aminiccana. The film itself is a commendable piece of work and I thoroughly recommend. And mostly to Ugandans who I am sure have watched it less than the International audience. I must say the film is a pretty sad tale really. It left it me a little depressed as I really felt sorry for John Akii Bua and what could have been. His rise from utter obscurity in rural Uganda after the premature death of his father when he was only a small boy and is own premature death at 47 are gut wrenching facts and then that heart-breaking boycott of the 1976 Olympics by African countries on account of Apartheid South Africa. Akii-Bua was meant to defend his 1972 gold medal during the 1976 olympics which was not to be. He ends up as an utter destitute in a Kenyan refugee camp after barely escaping certain death during Amin's ouster by the Tanzanians in 1979. Again that bit about the African tragedy..how an Olympic gold medalist could end up in a nondescript existence in a Kenyan refugee camp is truly astonishing. That goes to show how Africans value their heroes. Akii-Bua died a poor man even when he was a senior police officer. Although Amin is rightfully demonized, from the film I got the sense that Akii-Bua only enjoyed the spoils of his stardom only in Amin's Uganda. A house gift and stratospheric promotion in the Ugandan police. It was downhill from there on after Amin's fall. Sad but true, Akii-Bua's reluctance to ply his trade outside Uganda meant his true potential was never realized. His decline is a microcosm of the African tragedy of misrule, ethnicity, corruption, public decay, political instability, poor work ethic..and you can go on and on. Akii-Bua did eventually find his way to Germany after being sported by a PUMA sports wear executive on television in a Kenyan refugee camp. He has an uneasy relationship with Germany and returns to Uganda to find a country which has moved on. I know why Americans like Hollywood endings. This is not one of them

I liked Woody Harrelson's 'Wilson'

I bought a copy of 'Wilson' from one of Kampala's movie DVD outlets. Then I checked movie reviews of the film. Normally, I check with 'Rottentomatoes' first if I am in doubt. Well the verdicts were clear. 'Wilson' was not supposed to be worth my time. Well, I liked 'Wilson'. Not its entirety (I loathed the part where the Woody Harrelson character desperately begged the father of his biological daughter the chance to be a part of her life)I actually reached for remote to pass up this pathetic scene. Clearly, 'Wilson' doesnt follow the traditional holly wood template of happy endings and political correctness. This time around, this was refreshing. 'Wilson' seemed to me like a European film in that sense. I found the writing smart. Lots of wit and really terrific lines. Not altogether in good taste but I found the film's frankness refreshing. And Woody Harrelson is one reason I was drawn to this film in the first place. Laura Dern was another.'Wilson' is biting social commentary on the superficiality of American human relations. I found its take on the emergent multiple themes; happiness, adulthood, relationships,aging, loss, parenthood...thoughtful. I agree that there were some implausible bits of the plot or the story in general. Yes, I too wondered what the Woody Harrelson character did for a living as they seemed untroubled with paying bills and some how muddled through without worry of paying rent and gas. Dont believe the negative reviews. Go see this film if you want a refreshingly 'un' hollywood film. One for grown ups. A film that doesn't take itself seriously and takes a light hearted dig on life.

Failure to launch: a hasty movie review of 'Life'

I usually trust the judgement of James Berardinelli of Reelviews.net. And so, when I saw he had given 3 stars to 'Life', I dragged myself to the cineplex in Kisementi in Kampala. Well, James I am going to let you off on this one. But only because you have consistently reliable in the past. Not on this one I am afraid. They say 'Passengers' was a critical bum but I found it a lot more appealing and watchable than 'life'. In terms of the plot, character development and the imagination of the setting. I was taken in by the all-star cast. But even that couldnt bring this movie to fly. The only bright spot was the character played by the British scientist who was a refreshing find for me. What I found annoying was the hapless actions of the film characters. Shooting themselves in the foot at every turn. It was exhausting. I could even afford a couple of shut-eye moments during the movie. There was no real solid lead in the movie. The plot and elimination of characters was hasty and not altogether intelligently done. This is a movie that promises so much but delivers so little.

An alternative christian worship

I am visiting a small town in Michigan. I looked for a church to attend this sunday. The christian science church came calling. And I figured, its all about christ. Right? So, I took the courage to attend a totally new church in this snowy town in Michigan. It was different here. Refreshingly so. No loud pastor. No imposing choir. No sermon even. But it was worship alright. We recited more bible verses than I ever remember reciting in a single service in the catholic, protestant and Pentecostal churches I have attended. No church branding and events advertising. Very refreshing. And then beside scripture there were words of wisdom which they called 'christian science' and I thought these could only be inspired by the holy spirit. And I was spiritually fed. It is amazing how much we so trapped in our churches and forget that christ is everywhere and not only in that church you attend. He is everywhere from wherever you search for him. And this is the church he has chosen for me today and yes, He never makes mistakes.

Accounting for variations on ART program sustainability outcomes in health facilities in Uganda: A comparative case-study analysis

Abstract Background: Uganda implemented a national ART scale-up program at public and private health facilities between 2004 and 2009. Little is known about how and why some health facilities have sustained ART programs and why others have not sustained these interventions. The objective of the study was to identify facilitators and barriers to the long-term sustainability of ART programs at six health facilities in Uganda which received donor support to commence ART between 2004 and 2009. Methods: A case-study approach was adopted. Six health facilities were purposively selected for in-depth study from a national sample of 195 health facilities across Uganda which participated in an earlier study phase. The six health facilities were placed in three categories of sustainability; High Sustainers (2), Low Sustainers (2) and Non- Sustainers (2). Semi-structured interviews with ART Clinic managers (N = 18) were conducted. Questionnaire data were analyzed (N = 12). Document review augmented respondent data. Based on the data generated, across-case comparative analyses were performed. Data were collected between February and June 2015. Results: Several distinguishing features were found between High Sustainers, and Low and Non-Sustainers’ ART program characteristics. High Sustainers had larger ART programs with higher staffing and patient volumes, a broader ‘menu’ of ART services and more stable program leadership compared to the other cases. High Sustainers associated sustained ART programs with multiple funding streams, robust ART program evaluation systems and having internal and external program champions. Low and Non Sustainers reported similar barriers of shortage and attrition of ART-proficient staff, low capacity for ART program reporting, irregular and insufficient supply of ARV drugs and a lack of alignment between ART scale-up and their for-profit orientation in three of the cases. Conclusions: We found that ART program sustainability was embedded in a complex system involving dynamic interactions between internal (program champion, staffing strength, M &E systems, goal clarity) and external drivers (donors, ARVs supply chain, patient demand). ART program sustainability contexts were distinguished by the size of health facility and ownership-type. The study’s implications for health systems strengthening in resource-limited countries are discussed. Keywords: Sustainability, HIV treatment, Health systems, ART scale-up, Implementation, Case-study Authors: Henry Zakumumpa, Sara Bennett and Freddie Ssengooba FULL TEXT: http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-016-1833-4

Idle reflections on Robert Bolt's A Man for all seasons

Last night I stayed up late watching 'A man for all seasons' on Turner Classic Movies. The movie is an adaptation of Robert Bolt's play of the same name which was a set text for my A'level literature class a decade ago. The play is about Thomas More, Lord Chancellor to King Henry, the eighth. He was put to death for being true to his conscience(even under the most trying and unjust persecution) and denying that Henry's second marriage was legitimate. His opposition to King Henry marrying a second wife was out of religious (catholic)conviction. As chief counselor to King Henry, it was expected that he would go along with all the 'kings's men' and rubber stamp the decision to allow Henry a second wife even when it contravened the legal, religious and moral norms of the time. It is utterly amazing how much more meaning and thematic relevance I can now derive from a text I read as a boy to pass my A'levels. Having seen a bit of the world and known how incredibly trying it is to remain true to one's conscience, I appreciate Thomas More's example even more. The price of a life of convenience is a dearly expensive. As a secondary school student one often asks why they are 'forced' to read certain set texts. But yesterday, the answer came through. Some literature texts are an education in character. Being steadfast in upholding your virtues amidst trials and tribulations. Being loyal to truth and justice even at the cost of one's own life. How many times to we fail this test?, in our daily lives, at work, at home, in politics? Thomas More was truly 'A man for all seasons'. He was true to his convictions and beliefs in all the seasons of his life,when he was a great man and when he was banished from office. He never,even once, flinched when he was unjustly imprisoned, tried under sham charges,isolated from his friends and family and even when he was sent to the gallows. He believed in his heart that Henry's second marriage was a nullity and no amount of persecution would bring him to see matters differently. He spoke truth to power.