What a great song. What a great video.
I bought, read and enjoyed The Umbrella Academy (The Apocalypse Suite and Dallas). I was pleasantly surprised at how well written and inventive the stories are. Then Na Na Na comes along to show that Gerard Way has a wonderfully unique mind full of artistry.
Looking forward to Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.
Onwards to Battery City.
Monday, 25 October 2010
October Country
It is a Ray Bradbury time of year. The seasons are changing. The cold of winter is peeping around the corner, teasing and tantilising with promises of chills to come.
I watched the film version of Something Wicked This Way Comes, which I had not seen before. Very good it was too. I had also re-read the book a couple of weeks prior to this.
Vampyr directed by Carl Dreyer is a very strange, but brilliant film. It also comes with a great commentary by Mr Del Toro; a favourite around these parts.
Babel-17 and Nova have been re-read. Samuel R Delany is a great, great writer. I have got Dhalgren awaiting on a large pile, with many other books.
The Stars My Destination is my next re-read.
The classics of SF are always worth re-reading.
Books are truly awesome.
I watched the film version of Something Wicked This Way Comes, which I had not seen before. Very good it was too. I had also re-read the book a couple of weeks prior to this.
Vampyr directed by Carl Dreyer is a very strange, but brilliant film. It also comes with a great commentary by Mr Del Toro; a favourite around these parts.
Babel-17 and Nova have been re-read. Samuel R Delany is a great, great writer. I have got Dhalgren awaiting on a large pile, with many other books.
The Stars My Destination is my next re-read.
The classics of SF are always worth re-reading.
Books are truly awesome.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Holidays and other bits
I went on holiday. It was the first proper holiday I have had in many years and a wonderful time was had by myself and my wonderful girlfriend. Devon and Cornwall was the destination. We visited historical sites, sites of natural beauty and had a good tour around. Particular highlights were The Eden Project and the Minack Theatre, but the whole trip was great. It is a stunning part of the UK. It is amazing how many incredible things there are to do in this great country of ours.
Musings on TV, movies and books will be forthcoming.
Joss Whedon is directing The Avengers. Good stuff.
Guillermo Del Toro is directing At The Mountains of Madness. Very good stuff. It was disappointing that he had to pull out of The Hobbit, but this is a passion project of his and should be oh so awesome.
I have been listening to HIM virtually non-stop for months. And why not?
A new John Mellencamp album is due and I have ordered the new Alex Band solo album. Do we still call them albums in this day and age? CD's, music dispersal items?
Musings on TV, movies and books will be forthcoming.
Joss Whedon is directing The Avengers. Good stuff.
Guillermo Del Toro is directing At The Mountains of Madness. Very good stuff. It was disappointing that he had to pull out of The Hobbit, but this is a passion project of his and should be oh so awesome.
I have been listening to HIM virtually non-stop for months. And why not?
A new John Mellencamp album is due and I have ordered the new Alex Band solo album. Do we still call them albums in this day and age? CD's, music dispersal items?
Monday, 7 June 2010
Time.. where does it go?
June? June? Already? How?
Sometimes it feels like time travel is occurring without my knowledge. Weird.
Films. The Secret of Moonacre was purchased for a ridiculously low amount of earth pounds and it is quite a good film. Not earth shattering, but a pleasant and enjoyable fantasy. The sort of comfortable film that makes you smile and could see yourself watching as a kid. I watched it as not a kid and enjoyed it too.
Sherlock Holmes. Okay. Not brilliant. Not bad. Okay. Not anything like Sherlock Holmes is in the novels and stories, but a watchable film. A switch the brain off kind of film.
Ninja Assassin. Poor reviews, but does exactly what it says on the tin. Ninjas. Assassins. Action. Not bad for an action film with ninjas. No plot to speak off, but lots of ninja action.
Alice in Wonderland. Not like the book. Or the second book. Is it a sequel? Is it a re-imagining? Who knows? Some wonderful visuals, as one would expect from a Tim Burton film. A good central performance. A so-so plot. But it is by Tim Burton and it has rewatch value as it has some stunning production design. Not a Burton classic, but not as bad as some reviews would have us believe.
Books. I have read The Phantom of the Opera for the first time. Cracking read. Melodramatic. Romantic. Grotesque. I have re-read I Am Spock by Leonard Nimoy- mainly because he is retiring as an actor after the season two finale of Fringe, so I thought why not. Stephen Hunt's The Court of the Air was brim full of stunning ideas and was a chore to read. Somewhere the world building overtook the plot and the very thinly drawn characters. By the last third I was tempted to stop reading. I persevered, but not the best fantasy I have read. However, Mark Charan Newton's Nights of Villmajur was an excellent novel. Full of stunning ideas, but this had characters I cared about and a well structured plot. Another impressive debut fantasy from a British author.
Doctor Who. Still good. The Doctor and Vincent was a corker. Great characterisation and a plot that used time travel in a sensible way that didn't drastically change history, but the end result was still the same. Matt Smith is excellent. Karen Gillan is also excellent. Roll on more.
The worst news is the departure of Guillermo Del Toro from The Hobbit. A big loss, but understandable given the film is still a non-starter until the MGM situation is resolved. To some extent I am glad because it means we will see a new Del Toro production sooner rather than later now and that can only be a good thing. What will be next? Drood? At the Mountains of Madness? Frankenstein? Or something not yet expected? I just know I love his films and want to see more from this unique and phenomenally talented director.
Until next time.
Whenever that may be.
In time.
Sometimes it feels like time travel is occurring without my knowledge. Weird.
Films. The Secret of Moonacre was purchased for a ridiculously low amount of earth pounds and it is quite a good film. Not earth shattering, but a pleasant and enjoyable fantasy. The sort of comfortable film that makes you smile and could see yourself watching as a kid. I watched it as not a kid and enjoyed it too.
Sherlock Holmes. Okay. Not brilliant. Not bad. Okay. Not anything like Sherlock Holmes is in the novels and stories, but a watchable film. A switch the brain off kind of film.
Ninja Assassin. Poor reviews, but does exactly what it says on the tin. Ninjas. Assassins. Action. Not bad for an action film with ninjas. No plot to speak off, but lots of ninja action.
Alice in Wonderland. Not like the book. Or the second book. Is it a sequel? Is it a re-imagining? Who knows? Some wonderful visuals, as one would expect from a Tim Burton film. A good central performance. A so-so plot. But it is by Tim Burton and it has rewatch value as it has some stunning production design. Not a Burton classic, but not as bad as some reviews would have us believe.
Books. I have read The Phantom of the Opera for the first time. Cracking read. Melodramatic. Romantic. Grotesque. I have re-read I Am Spock by Leonard Nimoy- mainly because he is retiring as an actor after the season two finale of Fringe, so I thought why not. Stephen Hunt's The Court of the Air was brim full of stunning ideas and was a chore to read. Somewhere the world building overtook the plot and the very thinly drawn characters. By the last third I was tempted to stop reading. I persevered, but not the best fantasy I have read. However, Mark Charan Newton's Nights of Villmajur was an excellent novel. Full of stunning ideas, but this had characters I cared about and a well structured plot. Another impressive debut fantasy from a British author.
Doctor Who. Still good. The Doctor and Vincent was a corker. Great characterisation and a plot that used time travel in a sensible way that didn't drastically change history, but the end result was still the same. Matt Smith is excellent. Karen Gillan is also excellent. Roll on more.
The worst news is the departure of Guillermo Del Toro from The Hobbit. A big loss, but understandable given the film is still a non-starter until the MGM situation is resolved. To some extent I am glad because it means we will see a new Del Toro production sooner rather than later now and that can only be a good thing. What will be next? Drood? At the Mountains of Madness? Frankenstein? Or something not yet expected? I just know I love his films and want to see more from this unique and phenomenally talented director.
Until next time.
Whenever that may be.
In time.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Still enjoying it
Yes, I am still enjoying the new Doctor Who. The second episode didn't have the same wow factor, but it helped develop the character of Amy Pond effectively. The relationship between the Doctor and Amy has some wonderful moments. It was weird seeing The Demon Headmaster in a small role, Overall, it was a quieter episode, but you can see that this seemed to be as much about developing the characters as anything else.
The third episode has been the poorest of the run so far. It has some interesting ideas, but it just felt totally flat. The spark between the Doctor and Amy seemed to have vanished. Matt Smith was much more muted than has has been and it was just missing... something.
As to this weekend's episode. Wow. Weeping Angels. Some fantastic special effects. River Song. Wonderful dialogue. Excitement. Without a doubt this has to be the best episode since the show returned to our screens a few years ago. Matt Smith seemed to be on top form and I love his interpretation of the Doctor. Amy is standing out as an independent woman who is not in thrall to the Doctor and that works well. Let us hope that part two is just as good.
Although I will join the many voices who have slated the BBC. What the f**k were they doing putting that stupid trail slap bang in the middle of an enthralling speech and the dramatic climax to the show? Whoever was responsible for that is a moron.
The third episode has been the poorest of the run so far. It has some interesting ideas, but it just felt totally flat. The spark between the Doctor and Amy seemed to have vanished. Matt Smith was much more muted than has has been and it was just missing... something.
As to this weekend's episode. Wow. Weeping Angels. Some fantastic special effects. River Song. Wonderful dialogue. Excitement. Without a doubt this has to be the best episode since the show returned to our screens a few years ago. Matt Smith seemed to be on top form and I love his interpretation of the Doctor. Amy is standing out as an independent woman who is not in thrall to the Doctor and that works well. Let us hope that part two is just as good.
Although I will join the many voices who have slated the BBC. What the f**k were they doing putting that stupid trail slap bang in the middle of an enthralling speech and the dramatic climax to the show? Whoever was responsible for that is a moron.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Did you know...
...that when your face blushes, the lining of your stomach turns red, too.
Although I do wonder who has stuck their head inside someone to check this.
Although I do wonder who has stuck their head inside someone to check this.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Cometh the hour...
... cometh the man. The Eleventh Hour. Moffat. Smith. Gillan. I have been hugely critical of the new incarnation of Dr Who. I did not enjoy most of Tennant and RTD's Who, although I did like David Tennant. Most of the show was silly and had too many ideas thrown in the mix without any coherence or logic.
So, to the new Nu Who.
My verdict.
This was a fantastic start to the new era. Matt Smith was quirky, dynamic and alien with a touch of steel popping through at times. He feels like the Doctor should feel. There was something unique and very charismatic about his performance and I am intrigued to see where he takes the role. Obviously this is only the beginning as we were seeing a regenerated Doctor who hadn't ironed out all the kinks. But I may end up liking this Doctor a great deal. I'd go so far as to say he will be better than Tennant in the role.
Amy Pond looks like an feisty and potentially good companion. Karen Gillan brought an energy to the character and she felt like a fully formed character. It also looks like Amy won't be a pushover as far as the Doctor is concerned.
It was well written, with some daft moments, but daft moments that never felt stupid. It was a very enjoyable start and it is early days, but for the first time since Dr Who returned I find myself excited for the next episode. The Steven Moffat era has begun in style and it seems we have a showrunner who truly understands what this show is about. His passion for the show is clear to see.
Roll on more of this please.
Wow. One episode has flipped my expectations of Who right round. I even watched Confidential!
So, to the new Nu Who.
My verdict.
This was a fantastic start to the new era. Matt Smith was quirky, dynamic and alien with a touch of steel popping through at times. He feels like the Doctor should feel. There was something unique and very charismatic about his performance and I am intrigued to see where he takes the role. Obviously this is only the beginning as we were seeing a regenerated Doctor who hadn't ironed out all the kinks. But I may end up liking this Doctor a great deal. I'd go so far as to say he will be better than Tennant in the role.
Amy Pond looks like an feisty and potentially good companion. Karen Gillan brought an energy to the character and she felt like a fully formed character. It also looks like Amy won't be a pushover as far as the Doctor is concerned.
It was well written, with some daft moments, but daft moments that never felt stupid. It was a very enjoyable start and it is early days, but for the first time since Dr Who returned I find myself excited for the next episode. The Steven Moffat era has begun in style and it seems we have a showrunner who truly understands what this show is about. His passion for the show is clear to see.
Roll on more of this please.
Wow. One episode has flipped my expectations of Who right round. I even watched Confidential!
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Blog 2
A second, short blog. A micro blog. A mini blog. A teeny tiny blog.
Because I can.
Because I blogged once in January. Once in February.
Twice now in March!
Because I can.
Because I blogged once in January. Once in February.
Twice now in March!
March and time
Everything has pretty much been about work over the last few weeks. Pulling long days and enduring more stress than is probably healthy. Essentially working through every lunchtime and after work for a couple of extra hours everyday (unpaid) has just about wiped me out. At the moment it is not enjoyable and not rewarding. Some of the people I am working with are doing some fantastic work. Others, well, let's just say their attitude stinks as does their work ethic. The work currently being undertaken will have lasting consequences for some of these people.
As a result the book reading and film watching and writing is being snatched in brief bursts. I have been trying to do normal things outside work hours, but am becoming a grumpy old man because of my tiredness. I only have one more week of this excessive workload and then it will ease a little. I do have a couple of weeks off starting on Good Friday, so hopefully, will have a chance to do some serious unwinding.
And I never thought I would say this, but the new series of Dr Who looks like it may have some potential. Watch this space. Will I like it? Won't I?
As a result the book reading and film watching and writing is being snatched in brief bursts. I have been trying to do normal things outside work hours, but am becoming a grumpy old man because of my tiredness. I only have one more week of this excessive workload and then it will ease a little. I do have a couple of weeks off starting on Good Friday, so hopefully, will have a chance to do some serious unwinding.
And I never thought I would say this, but the new series of Dr Who looks like it may have some potential. Watch this space. Will I like it? Won't I?
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Marathon over...almost
I have just about completed my marathon rewatch of Babylon 5. The pilot, all five seasons and most of the movies. I only have Call to Arms and the series Crusade left. What is apparent is just how well the show still stands up today. Beautifully plotted and structured. It is as good as anything on TV today.
I have seen some films I missed at the cinema and have been pleasantly surprised by some and disappointed by others. Transformers 2 was not good. Jive talking robots, no plot and too long. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans was much better than expected for a third film in a series. It joins the first two on my list of guilty pleasures. Great production design as well. Thirst was good in parts, bonkers in others and just didn't really hold that well together. A shame, because I loved Old Boy from the same director. Terminator: Salvation was better than I had anticipated. Not as good as the first two (what is?), but a creditable effort that was entertaining and had some nice nods to the other films. Pandorum was predictable and had borrowed from half a dozen other SF films, but had a charm and an effective ending. I just wish film editors in action sequences weren't trying to cater for ADHD sufferers. Up, as you would expect from a Pixar flick was excellent. Although it was rather sad in the way it depicted loss and death. Australia. Mmm. Campy acting. Trying to be epic and failing. Was this a romance, an epic, an action movie or an adventure film? It couldn't seem to make it's mind up. And it just felt flat. I like Nicole Kidman as an actress, but what sort of performance was this? Comedy? I just didn't find the character believable.
I have just finished Kate Wilhelm's Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang. What a lovely, thoughtful and poignant SF novel. Well worth a look. I have read The Day of the Triffids for the first time and realised why it is so influential. You can see where films like 28 Days Later and so on got their plots from. A well written and effective novel. Need to read some more Wyndham now.
I have seen some films I missed at the cinema and have been pleasantly surprised by some and disappointed by others. Transformers 2 was not good. Jive talking robots, no plot and too long. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans was much better than expected for a third film in a series. It joins the first two on my list of guilty pleasures. Great production design as well. Thirst was good in parts, bonkers in others and just didn't really hold that well together. A shame, because I loved Old Boy from the same director. Terminator: Salvation was better than I had anticipated. Not as good as the first two (what is?), but a creditable effort that was entertaining and had some nice nods to the other films. Pandorum was predictable and had borrowed from half a dozen other SF films, but had a charm and an effective ending. I just wish film editors in action sequences weren't trying to cater for ADHD sufferers. Up, as you would expect from a Pixar flick was excellent. Although it was rather sad in the way it depicted loss and death. Australia. Mmm. Campy acting. Trying to be epic and failing. Was this a romance, an epic, an action movie or an adventure film? It couldn't seem to make it's mind up. And it just felt flat. I like Nicole Kidman as an actress, but what sort of performance was this? Comedy? I just didn't find the character believable.
I have just finished Kate Wilhelm's Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang. What a lovely, thoughtful and poignant SF novel. Well worth a look. I have read The Day of the Triffids for the first time and realised why it is so influential. You can see where films like 28 Days Later and so on got their plots from. A well written and effective novel. Need to read some more Wyndham now.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Happy New OMG we're well into 2010
Off the grid for a couple of days. Perhaps that should have read weeks! But I had a great Christmas. Slept through the New Year.
I have been re-watching Babylon 5 from the beginning. I had forgotten just how good the show is. I am half way through season 3. 56 episodes in 3 weeks!! Also watching Fringe, which is really good. Disappointed in the RSC Hamlet with David Tennant. Admittedly I saw the TV version and not the stage show, but it felt like a stage show shoved on location, rather than something that had been adapted for the wider visual scope of TV. The final Doctor Who episodes were... well, typical RTD. Overblown, logic free and silly. Yet, there were one or two poignant moments. Especially the quiet scene with Wilf and the Doctor lamenting the end of life in the coffee shop. I would have been interested to see Tennant with Moffat in charge.
I will try to blog more regularly and not as intermittently as I have been. I will strive to be more regular.
I have been re-watching Babylon 5 from the beginning. I had forgotten just how good the show is. I am half way through season 3. 56 episodes in 3 weeks!! Also watching Fringe, which is really good. Disappointed in the RSC Hamlet with David Tennant. Admittedly I saw the TV version and not the stage show, but it felt like a stage show shoved on location, rather than something that had been adapted for the wider visual scope of TV. The final Doctor Who episodes were... well, typical RTD. Overblown, logic free and silly. Yet, there were one or two poignant moments. Especially the quiet scene with Wilf and the Doctor lamenting the end of life in the coffee shop. I would have been interested to see Tennant with Moffat in charge.
I will try to blog more regularly and not as intermittently as I have been. I will strive to be more regular.
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