tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47229343812636085132024-03-13T11:28:25.025+00:00Crow's FeatMedia and Travel WritingAs the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-31014422489383517242014-08-09T18:06:00.001+01:002014-08-09T18:06:20.668+01:00The Great War: The People's Story<br><div><br></div><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">TV producer <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isobel Charman</strong> is no stranger to making documentaries using diaries and letters read by actors. So, a perfect choice to make <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">ITV's</em> <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Great War: The People's Story</strong>, a series marking the centenary of the outbreak of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">World War One</em>, using the diaries and correspondence of some of those involved.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I spoke to <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isobel (below)</em> about her eBook, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Alan Lloyd-The Lost Generation</strong>, documenting the life of an upper-crust young man from Birmingham who joined the army in the same month he was married.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-isobel.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-07-isobel.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-isobel-thumb.jpg" width="472" height="570" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">What was it about his story that stood out from many of the others?</strong></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We really needed a story that had the big beat points that distinguish it from the other ones," she explains. "So the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Imperial War Museum</em> suggested we look at <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Alan's</em> letters... and it's staggering how the events of his personal life, they interplay with the chronology of the war.</em></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></em></span><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The fact that he gets married as the war breaks out; his wife is pregnant just as he leaves to go to the front. It has all the extra elements that made it amazing, but heartbreaking. So it leapt out from all the other obviously very touching accounts. It had all the extra ingredients, because those life moments were happening as the war was breaking out."</em></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-Alanooo.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-07-Alanooo.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-Alanooo-thumb.jpg" width="371" height="570" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Great War: The People's Story eBook releases. Available now from iTunes & Amazon priced at £4.99. ITV Studios Global Entertainment</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">I like the fact the eBook is a modern way of telling a very relevant 100 year old story<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"Yeah it's exciting for ITV. This is a new venture for them, to publish in this way, and it's really exciting to be part of that; to bring history to people in this very contemporary way. That's what the whole project tries to do really; it's something that happened 100 years ago, but the people's stories are fresh, and suffering is something that... it doesn't matter when it happened, people can identify with it: suffering and heroism and loss. So the way the whole project has been done is to make it very contemporary, and publishing these eBooks is part of that."</em></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">***</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Elizabeth Crawford</strong> is a writer and book dealer on women's history, particularly the suffrage movement. Her latest work is the eBook <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kate Parry Frye - The Long Life of An Edwardian Actress and Suffragette.</strong></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-09-ElizCrawford001.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-09-ElizCrawford001.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-09-ElizCrawford001-thumb.jpg" width="445" height="570" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">In 2009, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Elizabeth (above)</em> had been told about <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kate's</em> diaries which were lying in a wet north London cellar.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The diarist had died in 1959 and they wound up with people who had no connection with her. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Elizabeth</em> saw that these damp diaries were packed with ephemera and flyers about the women's suffrage movement and knew it was right up her street.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-oooooKate.jpeg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-07-oooooKate.jpeg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-oooooKate-thumb.jpeg" width="371" height="570" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Great War: The People's Story eBook releases. Available now from iTunes & Amazon priced at £4.99. ITV Studios Global Entertainment</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"So as a dealer I bought them, but when I got them home and dried them all out and started reading, I just got gripped,"</em> she explains. <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"I produced one book out of it, which was called <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Campaigning for the Vote</em>, examining Kate's suffrage years."</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-image007.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-07-image007.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-image007-thumb.jpg" width="550" height="412" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Great War: The People's Story eBook releases. Available now from iTunes & Amazon priced at £4.99. ITV Studios Global Entertainment</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kate</em> was born in 1878 and kept a diary from the age of nine right up to her death, so there was no shortage of research material. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Her father had come from humble beginnings before becoming an MP. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"He'd founded a chain of grocery stores, so they lived rather well,"</em> explains Elizabeth. "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">They had a big house in Kensington, and another on the Thames, both of which were rented because that's what people did then."</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, it came as a shock to Kate when the money dried up. She worked for the suffrage movement, living in digs, while her family lived in rented rooms in Worthing. When her father died, she had a tough struggle to survive.</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It makes for compelling reading, especially in light of pending <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Meryl Streep</strong> movie<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Suffragette</em>, on which <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Elizabeth</em> is an adviser.</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By Christmas 2013, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">ITV</strong> suggested <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Elizabeth</em> might want to write <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kate's</em> life story as well as their eBook, "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">So I then got to work and did it".</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Elizabeth</em> adds: "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">She was just one particular woman; nothing startling about her, except she was very determined. She wanted to be remembered, so she kept this fantastic diary, and it had a will of its own. Nobody could destroy it... and now her whole life story is out there for anybody to read."</em></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">***</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Pamela Armitage Campbell </strong>(below) may be in the autumn of her life, but she has a spirit that is infectious.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-09-DSC00157.JPG" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-09-DSC00157.JPG" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-09-DSC00157-thumb.JPG" width="550" height="365" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">I'm guessing she picked it up from her astonishing father, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Reg Evans</strong>, the man whose life story is worthy of any big-screen movie.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The First World War hero was decorated for his bravery on the front line in 1915; he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal before suffering an injury that could have destroyed most people. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">He was shot in the face in February 1916, an injury which cost him most of his jaw and sent him away from the battlefields.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, he refused to bow out of the conflict. After undergoing pioneering surgery and a period of recovery, he volunteered to continue to serve for the British forces in Russia. <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Reg</em>was posted far away from home until 1920, long after his peers had been demobbed.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"I've had my father's letters for many years now,</em>" explains the eloquent octogenarian. "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">I've spent a lot of time on my own because my husband worked in Germany and I was living in France, so I would take them out periodically and type out the letters. It would take a long time because they were written on bits of paper; anything he'd had to hand in the trenches</em>."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was through these notes and letters that she not only managed to bond with her father but also her grandmother.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"They were mostly written to his mother so I got to know him very well, and I got to know my grandmother, who I'd never met through these letters," remarks Pamela. "Although there weren't many letters from her to him, his replies to her letters gave an inkling into the sort of character she was. The sort of person she was."</em></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-Regoooo.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-08-07-Regoooo.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-08-07-Regoooo-thumb.jpg" width="371" height="570" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Great War: The People's Story eBook releases. Available now from iTunes & Amazon priced at £4.99. ITV Studios Global Entertainment</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">A couple of years ago, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Pamela</em> was contacted by <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isobel Charman</em> with the idea of making a series for ITV. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"She came up to the house here in Peterborough and was absolutely amazed by this mountain of information that there was, sitting here waiting to be used," explains Pamela. "So she read through quite a few of the letters..."</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Eventually ITV series <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Great War: The People's Story</em> was born.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Pamela</em> was so inspired as the project gained momentum, she thought the letters would make a great book in which she could "...<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">write the rest of Dad's story from his birth to his death."</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So she started to piece together the missing pieces of the literary puzzle. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">ITV helped get the book published, and now Reg's story can be read by the masses.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"It's been a rollercoaster," explains <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Pamela</strong>. "A complete rollercoaster, because I was only nine when he died, and he had been in hospital for about 18 months before that.</em></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Really my memories of him are as a baby and as a very, very young person. So to read and find out about his character and values he was trying to teach us as children, my brother and sister and I, to see him put them into practice those values in his own life in the war and in the way he treated men around him and under him and above him even, to get their respect was just absolutely amazing."</em></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Although he wasn't the only, or the greatest hero, he was a hero and he did go through the most traumatic experience, but he always came through with a smile or with a song or with some encouragement for those who were observing him, and would have been very hurt or sad for him," explains <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Pamela</em>.</em></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></em></span><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Because from a very handsome man he turned into a monster really to look at. It must have been devastating."</em></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I don't know if he ever looked in a mirror. It doesn't say (in his letters), but it must have been devastating for his family and friends, and wonder what was ahead of him. What sort of life was he going to lead after that, after the war?"</em></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">While many books about the First World War centre on the horror of the conflict, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Pamela</em> is keen to point out her eBook also contains a lot of the humour documented in her father's letters. Eggs, for example, being sent to the troops wrapped in newspaper.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She adds, "I hope that people won't be put off and think, 'Oh, it's just another war book'. It isn't. It's a story of bravery, heroism and encouragement".</em></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></strong></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Great War: The People's Story eBook releases. Available now from iTunes & Amazon priced at £4.99. ITV Studios Global Entertainment</strong></center><div><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><br></strong></div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></p><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-89231506815769342002014-07-08T20:03:00.001+01:002014-07-08T20:04:06.079+01:00Transformers. The age of extinction review<div><br></div><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever..."</em></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thirty years ago, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kyle Reese</em> offered those words of warning to heroine <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sarah Connor in James Cameron's </em>iconic sleeper hit <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Terminator</strong>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Having endured the fourth movie in <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Michael Bay's Transformers</em> saga, it seems an apt description for a cast iron money-making machine.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The film series can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't fear critics, or logic. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you, dear film goer, stop (paying).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've sat through the previous movies and was lucky enough to attend the LA premiere of<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Transformers: The Ride, </em>so more due to needing a rainy day movie than any desire, I settled down for <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bay's</em> latest slice of formulaic adventure.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The usual sights and sounds abounded.</span></p><ul style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><li class="first" style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Heroes running away from huge explosions in slow motion.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Uber photogenic pouty heroine in short shorts being ogled by the camera.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Robots ripping each other apart in slow motion.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Robots transforming to deliver a bit of exposition.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Characters stating the obvious before enacting said dialogue. "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">We've got to lose them in this corn field", </em>before, er, motoring through a corn field to try and lose the villains.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cool sound effects, with the exception of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Mark Wahlberg's</em> laser gun, which sounded like an asthmatic penguin.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bay reworking the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Armageddon</em> sub-plot - over protective father warming to his prospective son-in-law after bonding over death-defying extra terrestrial threat.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A seemingly endless final battle so long some punters staggered from the cinema like they'd been stuck on a transatlantic flight.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A couple of great character actors (<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kelsey Grammer and Stanley Tucci</em>) possibly thinking of the cash while adding some depth to the lightweight plot.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Comedy characters slotted in to add some levity to the explosions. In this case a chubby Jurassic Park/Dennis Nedry-style Brit boffin. Fat guys. Always funny in Producer Steven Spielberg's world.</span></li><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><li class="last" style="list-style: disc inside; margin: 0px 0px 4px 35px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh, and Optimus Prime's recurring monologues about nobility... having wrecked a couple of major cities. In one scene he rides a <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Dinobot</em> through a small Chinese wall, despite the fact he could have leapt it or gone round it.</span></li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></span></ul><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Ah yes. The Dinobots and China. Kids love dinosaurs and robots, so it was a no-brainer we'd get those toys making an appearance in the franchise at some point. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">And with China being such a lucrative market, a third act which sees most of the country levelled was a smart move to keep those overseas cash tills ringing.</span><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-07-08-image.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2014-07-08-image.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-07-08-image-thumb.jpg" width="427" height="570" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Transformers Ride launch, Universal, LA</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">How does it rank against the other three films? Well it's possibly the best TF movie since the 2007 original. Long, yes; occasionally incoherent, (<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Mark Wahlberg</em> seems to ignore full stops in his script), and it features some awful CGI - the enemy robots are made from gravity-defying blocks that appear to have no weight or heft, making them look like a bad video game cut scene.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, as epic cinema goes, it was never dull. Irritating at times, especially during those obligatory Bay sunset scenes and the attention deficit disorder shots which cut every few seconds. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">(The obsession with super cars was like a feature-length <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Top Gear</em> challenge, only without the wit. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Only in a <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Michael Bay</em> film can a <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bugatti Veyron</em> look mundane because of all the other super cars on show).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, compared to <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Transformers 2 and 3</em>, this was a slight improvement. A little like a (robot) bull in a slightly classier China shop.</span></p></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-74688501277077296512014-07-05T10:51:00.001+01:002014-07-05T10:51:49.913+01:00Prometheus<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GsWeCYVAsj4/U7fKq6CzaLI/AAAAAAAAAYw/ZsR5iuaWyZ0/s640/blogger-image--638069504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GsWeCYVAsj4/U7fKq6CzaLI/AAAAAAAAAYw/ZsR5iuaWyZ0/s640/blogger-image--638069504.jpg"></a></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-84327271944466226232014-07-03T20:02:00.001+01:002014-07-03T20:03:03.691+01:00From Jamaica with Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iyHwZFV7Bmw/U7WovyRO_LI/AAAAAAAAAYg/n1zZGKPMlog/s640/blogger-image--533528948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iyHwZFV7Bmw/U7WovyRO_LI/AAAAAAAAAYg/n1zZGKPMlog/s640/blogger-image--533528948.jpg"></a></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-82445263404452453422014-06-22T11:24:00.001+01:002014-06-22T11:24:56.910+01:00Under the Skin The Review<div><br></div><div><div>How much exposition do you need in a film? Those clunky scenes when characters discuss plot, stitching Scene A to Scene B? Obviously film is a visual medium, so in theory nobody needs say anything. </div><div><br></div><div>In Under the Skin, director Jonathan Glazer decides less is definitely more, keeping dialogue to a minimum as Scarlett Johansson’s alluring alien arrives in Scotland and begins patrolling the streets for men. </div><div>In short, it’s Species with A-levels. </div><div><br></div><div>There are bound to be comparisons with Nic Roeg’s the Man Who Fell to Earth, the last time an intelligent, erotic, surreal study of an alien’s arrival on Earth made such an impact. That was almost 40 years ago. </div><div>Since then we've had plenty of alien visitor movies, but many were teen-friendly offerings designed to make pots of cash or satires such as Brother From Another Planet and Morons From Outer Space. </div><div>Glazer had spent a decade developing the movie, distilling the source novel down to its purest form. And the result is disturbing, mesmerising and unforgettable. </div><div><br></div><div>Johansson is terrific in one of the boldest roles of her career. Initially a predatory, blank avatar unaffected by empathy, her visitor merely exists to trap men and use them.</div><div>’Why’ would be spoilerific. </div><div>How she does it is part Hellraiser; asking guys back to her dingy house where they are understandably seduced, and then live to regret it. </div><div><br></div><div>Through it all the soundtrack throbs and pulses. The camera largely taking a back seat as we watch the visitor watching the locals, searching for her next target. </div><div>It's as voyeuristic as Rear Window or Blue Velvet, and just as compelling. </div><div><br></div><div>Arguably the best scene involves a loner with “nice hands”, as affecting as anything you've seen all year. It's at this point Johansson’s lethal ET starts to gain a degree of humanity. </div><div>Yes, I could describe more of the plot, who the nice handed character is, and lots more, but better to let the movie wash over you. </div><div><br></div><div>UTS is a haunting, waking dream of a movie. It may have made a modest impact at the cinema, grossing a couple of million dollars in the States alone, but given the limited number of screens it played on, and the arty sensibilities, there's perhaps little wonder. </div><div><br></div><div>Like all cult films, it will prove far more indelible than tent pole movies which dominate the opening weekend box office then vanish without a trace. </div><div>Hopefully we won't have to wait another decade for Glazer’s follow up. He's too great a talent to languish in whatever limbo space ScarJo’s alien was born from. </div><div> </div></div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-59768568213617477062014-06-15T15:56:00.001+01:002014-06-15T15:57:03.279+01:0022 Jump Street. The review<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The beauty of </span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">21 Jump Street </strong><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">was it was a movie version of a TV series hardly anyone was desperate to see.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The only place it could go was up, and was surprisingly hilarious.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So at the start of the sequel, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">22 Jump Street,</strong> we wonder how much comedy is left to mine from that seam of TV-inspired nostalgia.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Surprisingly there's plenty, not least because the knowing script is happy to poke fun at the fact it's exactly the same plot, only this time set at college instead of school.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once more, dream team <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Jonah Hill</em> and <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Channing Tatum</em> are superb as the old school enemies turned rookie cop mates.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a thrilling opener reminiscent of <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Beverly Hills Cop</strong>, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Morton Schmidt (Hill) and Greg Jenko (Tatum</em>) pursue a group of drug dealers led by <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ghost (Peter Stormare). </em><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">A truck chase that is both exciting and funny is rare, and this is both.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They fail in spectacular fashion, so <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Deputy Chief Hardy (the ever brilliant Nick Offerman)</em>sends our heroes across the street to work for <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Captain Dickson (Ice Cube</em>). Their mission: go undercover as college students and find the drug supplier of "WHYPHY" which killed a student who apparently bought it on campus.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jenko befriends football players <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Zook (Wyatt Russell) and Rooster (Jimmy Tatro), </em>while Schmidt falls for art student, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Maya (Amber Stevens</em>), much to the annoyance of her grumpy roommate <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Mercedes (Jillian Bell).</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To reveal much more would be spoilerific. Safe to say, nothing is as it seems on campus; there are red herrings aplenty, one literal, while the comic timing is superb.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Having seen it after the woeful <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">A Million Ways To Die in the West</em>, which is often cruel and leaden in its delivery, there's a joy to the energy here.</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The film-makers treat the audience with a degree of respect, and even though many of the gags seemed to go over the heads of many teenage cinema goers, for a fan of meta comedy such as Mike Myers' finest works, this was like catnip.</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hill may have dropped the ball with some comedies over the years (<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Watch</em> for example), but following his superb turn in <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Wolf of Wall Street</em>, here he's terrific as the likeable co-lead, the yin to <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Tatum's</em> nice but dim yang, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Jenko</em>. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">The latter is happy to send himself up, not least with a great in-joke about the wonderfully silly <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">White House Down</strong>, while his eventual reaction to a character (spoiler) half way through is comedy gold.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He also looks superb in the breathless action scenes, running, jumping, brawling. Okay, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Hill</em>may be the star when they tour the interview circuit, but <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Tatum</em> is a genuine movie star when it counts.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This may be a lads' comedy, but the two female co-stars, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Amber Stevens and Jillian Bell</em>, are brilliant: the former an even cuter, younger <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Zoe Saldana-alike;</em> the latter a funnier, younger<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Melissa McCarthy-alike</em>. If there's any justice both will be in a possible 23 Jump Street and no doubt plenty of other Hollywood offerings in the coming years.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Superbly helmed by <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Phil Lord and Chris Miller</strong>, two of THE most reliable comedy directors working today, this is the perfect antidote to any spring or summertime blues.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recommended.</span></p><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></div><div class="clear full" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></span><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><b style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Follow Roger Crow on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RogerCrow" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">www.twitter.com/RogerCrow</a></b></p></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-85360818881793773772014-05-31T18:34:00.001+01:002014-05-31T18:34:59.021+01:00The Edge of Tomorrow - The Review<div><br></div><div>The<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Edge of Tomorrow - The Review</span></div><div><br></div><div>For 30 years I've loved The Twilight Zone, a passion rekindled recently with the Blu ray box set. </div><div>Those relatively cheap black and white dramas, many penned by Rod Serling, were either 30 or 60 minute ’what if?’ dramas. They created great premises for broader canvases, bigger budget, big screen offerings, some of which (Real Steel) were turned into A-list epics. </div><div><br></div><div>The Edge of Tomorrow could have been another of Serling’s mini masterpieces, the ’what if’ tale of a soldier resurrected to fight an alien war on Earth. </div><div><br></div><div>In this case Tom Cruise is William Cage, the cocky PR man railroaded to fight against an extra-terrestrial enemy. However, his unit is decimated in a Saving Private Ryan-style attack in Normandy, and Cage wakes up a few hours earlier to live the day over and hopefully glean enough information to defeat the enemy. </div><div><br></div><div>Yes, it's a video game-style premise with Cage’s seemingly unlimited lives a handy perk as he tries to level up.</div><div>He's helped by Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), the poster girl warrior who may or may not know more about Cage’s condition than he first thinks. </div><div>What follows, for the first two thirds at least, is a snappily paced mix of Groundhog Day, Starship Troopers, Aliens and The Matrix, as our heroes fight whizzing, murderous creatures with the aid of clunky exo-suits. </div><div><br></div><div>At one point Cage’s automated metal skeleton runs out of energy and powers down. He steps from it and leaves it standing, an empty shell. And for me that is the third act. </div><div><br></div><div>Whatever wonderful ’story battery’ powered this multi-million dollar vehicle simply runs out of energy and becomes a generic, by-the-numbers adventure, hampered by the same murky, digitally graded darkness that plagued X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Hunger Games 2. </div><div>I'm so bored of action scenes taking place in darkness, especially when the antagonists are so abstract. </div><div><br></div><div>Through it all, Cruise is his usual committed self, but Blunt steals the show as the fearless posh trooper, who lights up every scene she's in. </div><div><br></div><div>In a nice nod to Aliens, Bill Paxton is the gruff Sergeant Farell, commanding his drop ship troops. The scope of the movie is impressive, and director Doug Liman handles the action with flair, but the ghosts of Mr and Mrs Smith and Jumper’s humdrum finales return to haunt us. </div><div><br></div><div>Whether by design or accident there is a feeling we've been here before with Tom’s earlier work, notably Minority Report (outwitting the enemy with pre-emptive moves) or last year’s elegant but sterile Oblivion (hero attempts to destroy big alien brain intelligence thing and wipe out enemy forces in one fell swoop. Smart move, but yawnsomely predictable.) </div><div><br></div><div>Sadly the final scenes are also a let down, as are the closing titles. Recent Marvel offerings Iron Man, Avengers Assemble and Thor: The Dark World have offered stylish, engaging credits, but EOT looks like it was created a decade ago with a generic closing song and a feeling that the budget had all been spent by the time those last bits had to be tagged on. </div><div><br></div><div>I really wanted to like Tom’s latest. I adore his positivity and enthusiasm for big crowd pleasers like this, but feel that when you strip away the shell of the movie, you're left with a sub-standard Twilight Zone episode with a rubbish pay-off. </div><div>A real shame. </div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-14388478417265278172014-05-25T22:50:00.001+01:002014-05-25T22:50:54.361+01:00XMen days of future past. The review.<br><div><br></div><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The future is rubbish. (Isn't it always in sci-fi epics?)<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Shape-shifting Transform...er...<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sentinels</em> have laid waste to the mutant world. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Making a Last Stand, (another one), <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Storm, Professor X, Magneto, Kitty Pryde, Frozone</em>from <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Incredibles</em> (oh, apparently not), and a few other mutants playing Portal (for real) take on the mighty Destroyers from Thor (oh, apparently they aren't, though they seem to be variations of them).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thankfully <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ms Pryde</em> has the power to send the long suffering X types back in time so they can get their collective derrières kicked again.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What our heroes need is someone who can go back to 1973 and stop <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Miles Dyson</em> inventing<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Skynet</em>... er, the little guy from Game of Thrones - <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Trask</em> (the always wonderful <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Peter Dinklage)</em>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sarah Connor</em>' in this <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Terminator</em>-style <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">X-Men</em> epic is <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Raven, aka Mystique</em>, who still looks very blue and rather plastic. At no point does she 'put metal in the science oven'. Or will she get an Oscar for this. But <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Jennifer Lawrence </em>is still one of the greatest young actresses you've ever seen.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So while she tries to kill <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Trask</em> in 1973, <u style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Hugh Jackman</u> shows off his stunning pecs (like crumpled wrapping paper stuck on an Action Man) and his rear end, for which millions of mums were truly grateful.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Logan, aka Wolverine</em>, is sent back to his 1973 body, he has to persuade <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Beast (Nicholas Hoult) </em>and the young, doped up but still groovy <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Professor X</em> (the brilliant <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">James McAvoy</em>) to help him break <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Magneto (Michael Fassbender</em>) out of his plastic Penatgon prison and stop <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Mystique</em> killing <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Trask</em>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Magneto</em> is the uber villain whose friendship with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Xavier</em> usually consists of a game of chess, saying "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Charles</em>" a lot, promising to help, and then betraying him with OTT set pieces involving twisted metal. It's like <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">GroundX Day</em>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the plus side, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Fassbender</em> is as great as ever and looks very cool in a hat. A bit like <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bowie</em>in the 1970s. All cheekbones and intrigue.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thankfully our heroes are helped by <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Quicksilver</em>, the breakout new star of the show whose lightning-fast reactions give us the movie's best set piece. A bullet-time kitchen scene filled with wit, style and panache.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Geeks of course spent part of the movie explaining to indifferent partners how <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Quicksilver</em>was also that kid in the post-credits sting for <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Captain America: The Winter Soldier.</em> Only played by someone else. And his sister is <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Scarlet Witch</em>. Or will be. Only not in 1973. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Still following? Good.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Director <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bryan Singer </em>has a lot of fun with his best film since <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">X-Men 2</em>. Yes he's spinning about 20 plates at once, but does a good job of keeping most of them rotating, even if he spends a little too long on young <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Xavier</em> meeting his aged self.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The movie is hugely ambitious, brilliantly made, nicely edited and scored (both by <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">John Ottman)</em>, and you can see where the budget went just by watching the credits. 15,000 people worked on the movie, and I'm guessing 14,000 were just slaving over laptops creating the impressive effects.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The whole thing is engaging enough and features some of the best thesps in movies. But for me it needs a sucker punch moment. That scene which grabs the heart strings and makes me a little misty eyed.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sadly there was none of this here, possibly because when every other person in a movie has a gift, it's hard to be amazed. It's like the old <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Python</em> sketch, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bicycle Repairman</em>. In a world where everyone is a superhero, you yearn for someone normal.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Naturally I'll be among the millions who flock to see <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">X-Men: Apocalyspe</em> in a couple of years, and imagine another 15,000 folks will be kept busy animating bits of fractured metal and the like. However, I'd rather see a movie shot like the outstanding NT version of<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime</em>, without a single effect on a simple stage, for the sake of one sucker punch moment, where I care about the fates of the protagonists instead of just being indifferent to their inevitable resurrection.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes less really is more <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bryan</em>.</span></p><div><br></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-8627048578017099612014-05-18T16:22:00.001+01:002014-05-18T16:23:00.233+01:00Godzilla. The review<div><br></div><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's rare I get to feel like a kid on Christmas morning while watching a movie. More often than not filmmakers have contempt for the audience or signpost everything so far in advance, you feel like an A level student in a kindergarten.</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thank heavens <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Monsters</em> director <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Gareth Edwards</em> has given us such a terrific movie in<strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Godzilla</strong>, or to coin a phrase for the text generation: OMGzilla</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is the sort of film <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Steven Spielberg</em> used to make with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Close Encounters and War of the Worlds</em>: personal stories set against epic backdrops.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's got the feel of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Cloverfield</em>, but without the stomach-churning found footage angle, or the annoying characters, and rubbish dialogue.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The great cast is the first piece of the puzzle to get right in <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Godzilla</strong> 2014</em>, and in <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Aaron Taylor Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen (wonderful) and the especially good Bryan Cranston</em>, there's a solid foundation for the fantasy that unfolds.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The story gives us enough of the right material to believe the motivations of protagonists and antagonists - nuclear testing; heroes forged by loss; grown-up hero desperate to keep his family, and others together; smart scientists and military folk colouring in the grey areas and giving us enough exposition to carry things forward. Cue final smack down.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are some terrific touches, such as the HALO jump (scarlet flares scoring the misty skies) and assorted shots of the eponymous beast emerging through the fog like Night of the Demon.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The score by <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Alexander Desplat </em>is classical and thrilling, while the effects range from the special to the okay.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's tightly paced, brilliantly directed, hugely satisfying and doesn't outstay its welcome.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Edwards</em> has successfully made the leap from indie filmmaker to blockbuster director with ease.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can't wait to see what he does next.</span></p><div><br></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-19988950640265665452014-04-20T23:07:00.001+01:002014-04-20T23:08:00.171+01:00The Amazing Spider-man 2. The review<div>For the most part, The Amazing Spider-man 2 is exactly what you expect: likeable teenager Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) continues to fight crime, while romancing gorgeous girlfriend Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone). </div><div>We have plenty of stunts, shots of Spidey freefalling towards the streets of New York City, and several minutes of him swinging from skyscraper to skyscraper.</div><div>In 3-D, it looks fabulous. </div><div>What's far less fabulous, is Jamie Foxx as the geeky underling who eventually becomes Electro: think Watchmen's Dr Manhattan, with clothes and bad monologues. </div><div>His dialogue would have sounded embarrassing in one of those 1960s/1970s Saturday morning cartoons.</div><div>If you can gloss over his take on Jim Carrey’s vengeful loser Edward Nygma in Batman Forever, the rest of the movie has a lot going for it.</div><div>The relationship between Parker and Stacey is magnetic; Dane DeHaan is fantastic as sick rich boy Harry Osborn, and there are good turns from the likes of a returning Sally Field, Campbell Scott and Chris Cooper.</div><div>For the most part it's entertaining stuff, but I was yearning before a sucker punch moment that director Marc Webb supplied with his first Spidey movie (the cranes scene), or Sam Raimi with the original Spider-Man 2 years ago (Aunt May’s packing up speech).</div><div>Thankfully TASM2’s third act takes some unexpected twists and turns, but those expecting to see a lot of Paul Giamatti as Rhino in the major clash promised by the extensive adverts will be sorely disappointed.</div><div>(Think The Underminer scene from The Incredibles, and you get the idea).</div><div>As good as Andrew Garfield is as the eponymous Web Slinger, it's Emma Stone who steals the show.</div><div>She has more substance than Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane Watson in the original trilogy, and actually helps our hero instead of screaming a lot in the third act.</div><div>It's also refreshing that Spidey doesn't lose his mask every half an hour like in the Raimi movies.</div><div>So, not a perfect movie by any means, but thanks to that third act, Foxx’s earlier sins are (almost) redeemed. </div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-33324856674457654542014-04-20T22:36:00.001+01:002014-04-20T22:39:25.022+01:00Transcendence. The review.<div><br></div><div><div>I wanted to like Transcendence more than I did.</div><div>The directorial debut of Christopher Nolan's favourite cinematographer, Wally Pfister, it boasted a top drawer cast and a great idea.</div><div>After all, any movie with Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy and Paul Bettany have to be worth a look, didn't it?</div><div><br></div><div>The tale of an assassinated computer genius who becomes a digital avatar/Godlike figure was pretty heady stuff. But while the tale unfolded intriguingly, it went nowhere fast.</div><div>Too many tracking shots of solar panels does not a great thriller make.</div><div><br></div><div>The special effects are pretty good, the performances are all top-notch and the script isn't bad either.</div><div>While I am all for sci-fi thrillers that are more cerebral than explosive, this was anti-climactic.</div><div>And that may be the main reason it underperformed in the states.</div><div><br></div><div>It's bound to attract a cult following on DVD and Blu-ray, but I doubt many people will be desperate for a second viewing on the big screen.</div></div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-65963321499984924562014-04-04T22:54:00.001+01:002014-04-05T11:55:03.199+01:00The Tom Cruise Effect<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div>The other week I was lucky enough to attend the Empire awards.</div><div>A galaxy of stars were in attendance, as you might imagine, and some of my favourite actors and film makers got the plaudits they richly deserved.</div><div>Having dinner on the next table to Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry would have been amazing enough, but there were so many highs on that evening, it's hard to pick the favourite moment.</div><div>James Nesbitt's opening number was superb; Simon Pegg humble speech was emotional; Arnold Schwarzenegger was genuinely hilarious as he popped in, picked up an award and cleared off, and I was thrilled to see James McAvoy pick up a gong for his superb work on the movie Filth.</div><div>And then I met Tom Cruise.</div><div><br></div><div> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ChcU4_TWn_0/Uz_g1JbjCEI/AAAAAAAAAX0/p8Hu9T2xRVo/s640/blogger-image--553060111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ChcU4_TWn_0/Uz_g1JbjCEI/AAAAAAAAAX0/p8Hu9T2xRVo/s640/blogger-image--553060111.jpg"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></font></a></div><div>Rather aptly, Professor Brian Cox was on stage to award to a gong for Gravity, but I would have been fascinated to see what he thought of the Cruise effect.</div><div>There are stars, there are super novas (which burn twice as bright and last half as long) and then there is the black hole that is Tom.</div><div>Toward the end of the night I watched from a distance as what seemed like whole room gravitated towards him, desperate to have their photo taken with the man himself.</div><div>Personally, I just wanted to shake his hand, and say thanks for a lifetime worth of blockbuster movies.</div><div>A photo would have been the icing on the cake. </div><div><br></div><div>If there's one billing that summed him up, it would be:</div><div>Tom Cruise: Legend. </div><div>That may have been a rare flop, but it seems to have summed up his entire career.</div><div>So, as he filed past, I half expected he’d ignore me. </div><div>Thankfully, Cruise is not one of those blokes.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kvXvl61It-4/Uz_g2XJRksI/AAAAAAAAAX8/dFRdoqcfjt8/s640/blogger-image-1591895376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kvXvl61It-4/Uz_g2XJRksI/AAAAAAAAAX8/dFRdoqcfjt8/s640/blogger-image-1591895376.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As you’ll have seen from his many hours spent signing autographs, taking phone calls and having photos taken outside movie premieres, he's all about the fans.</div><div>I reached out a hand behind a line of security guards and fully expected he’d ignore me. </div><div>After all, I was just another nameless journalist who just happened to have spent 30 years watching, loving, being thrilled by his movies. </div><div>I was the guy who was so excited about Legend, I made myself Ill on that opening night (and saw it twice in a week). </div><div>I was the guy who was there on the opening night of Top Gun at my local flea pit, when a mate and his girlfriend fell out and left 10 minutes in. </div><div>I was the guy, like millions of others, who spent months and years paying and queuing in the rain (before multiplexes) to (aptly) see Rain Man (twice), and Days of Thunder (couldn't get in - saw Spaced Invaders instead, which was awful). </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l3PdDIXYUx8/Uz_g3l3Ul2I/AAAAAAAAAYE/Eo3LrE_7aSI/s640/blogger-image-1572285653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l3PdDIXYUx8/Uz_g3l3Ul2I/AAAAAAAAAYE/Eo3LrE_7aSI/s640/blogger-image-1572285653.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And then I landed a job writing about films, and was still paying to see Mission: Impossible, Interview with the Vampire (twice), Eyes Wide Shut, Mission: Impossible 2 (twice), Magnolia and all those other amazing, occasionally disappointing (Rock of Ages) movies. </div><div>I spent years interviewing his colleagues, such as Joe Pantoliano (Risky Business) and Simon Pegg, asking about whether Tom was as cool as he seemed or if he had a secret plan for world domination. </div><div>No, he really was that cool. </div><div>On the night of the Empires I could see why Cruise and Pegg were best mates. Both loved movies, both loved each other’s work, and both loved working with JJ Abrams, who later presented an award. </div><div>Being a journalist it's seen as uncool to express too much emotion towards stars, but a degree of professional, mutual respect is fine. </div><div>So I kept my cool... and then Tom shook my hand. </div><div>It wasn't one of those ’Oh another random handshake, I wonder what's for dinner, mind on other things’ handshake. </div><div>Tom Cruise was interested, committed to the moment 100 per cent, and when I babbled “Cheers Tom” he was genuinely grateful. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eUl-ta5wo1o/Uz_g45dC31I/AAAAAAAAAYM/IUhzKleqypo/s640/blogger-image-1583101020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eUl-ta5wo1o/Uz_g45dC31I/AAAAAAAAAYM/IUhzKleqypo/s640/blogger-image-1583101020.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>For those five seconds I was the most important person in the room, and that is Cruise’s greatest skill.</div><div>To take a genuine interest in a stranger, albeit for a few seconds, is impressive.</div><div>There are great actors who may be awkward if you chat to them, and then there are megastars who earn every penny.</div><div>No prizes for guessing which camp Tom falls into. As he filed out of the hall, he was taking an age with the fans begging for selfies. </div><div>I know it's not cool to like Tom in some circles. He's just a bit too successful for some Brits. We like to keep stars in check, build them up when they're on the rise to stardom and then melt their Icarus wings if they get too close to the sun. </div><div>But that's Blighty for you. Cynical, wary of success because it's an alien concept.</div><div>We know where we are with failure. It's reassuring and comforting every time we fall, like a blanket. </div><div>Movie stars tell us through screens that for two hours at a time you can forget reality and lose yourself in dreams. And if you work hard and mix in the right circles, you can reach dizzy heights and bask in the sun, even if you fly too close to it. </div><div>So there you go. Thirty years of watching Cruise on screen, 23 years writing about him condensed into five seconds of thanks in one hand shake. </div><div>Cheers Tom. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-72483330065554125022014-03-27T20:16:00.001+00:002014-03-27T20:19:12.666+00:00Captain America: the Winter Soldier Review<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Given the advanced reviews for </span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Captain America: the Winter Soldier</strong><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, I expected it was going to be one of the best</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Marvel</em><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">films so far.</span><br><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe because I had just sat through <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Martin Scorsese's</em> three-hour epic <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Wolf of Wall Street</em>, or maybe because the premiere was at midnight, but the sequel didn't grab me as much as I wanted it to.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It certainly ticks all the boxes when it comes to epic set pieces and impressive visuals. Alas, after a while I tired of the blurry hand-to-hand combat, and was a little bored during the third act, which felt too much like the deafening heli-carrier battle from <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Avengers Assemble.</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">(My spellcheck aptly changed that to '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">headache</em>' carrier.)</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Okay, there is much to admire about <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Joe and Anthony Russo'</em>s film. The shadowy <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Three Days of the Condor/Jason Bourne</em> style-plot marked a welcome change for a superhero epic.<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">But the sight of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Robert Redford</em>, with that extraordinary hair, giving a rather lacklustre performance, left me colder than Christmas.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Chris Evans</em> is good, not great as <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Steve Rogers; Scarlett Johannson</em> sexier than ever as<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Natasha Romanov, and Samuel L Jackson</em> on good form as <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Nick Fury,</em> as usual.<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">(Fans of SLJ's work will spot a nice little in-joke during a graveyard scene).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are also good support turns from <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Jenny Agutter and Colbie Smulders</em>, but it's just a pity that <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Neighbours</em> veteran <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Alan Dale</em> pops up and spoils any tension as a World Council member.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I did get a frisson of excitement like a child on Christmas morning when <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Steve</em> and <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Nick</em>entered a hangar with heli-carriers, but for me there were none of those moments like in the first film when I was moved as selfless <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Steve</em> threw himself on a grenade.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a previous <a href="http://home.bt.com/entertainment/film/talkingpoints/captain-america-is-the-weak-link-in-marvels-movie-chain-11363886327321" target="_hplink" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">blog</a>, I said the problem with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Capt America</em> is partly down to <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Chris Evans</em>. He hasn't got the acting chops to carry a film of the scale, but having seen the film the key problem is the fact that <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Cap</em> is just not that great a hero. A little too goody goody for my tastes, and although he acts as a great foil for warriors like <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Iron Man and Thor,</em> as the star of his own show he is a little disappointing.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One great addition to the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Marvel</em> universe is <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Anthony Mackie's Falcon</em>. As a fan of the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Capt America</em> comics, it was great to see this iconic supporting character finally given his big screen chance.<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Admittedly, some of his aerial action scenes tended to grate a little after a while, but <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Mackie</em>is a great actor and I wouldn't mind seeing him in the upcoming <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Avengers: Age of Ultron</em> or the inevitable <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Cap 3.</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stay tuned for the inevitable credits teaser for one of the next big <em style="list-style: none; 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width: 69px; height: 14px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">SUBSCRIBE</span></a><div><br></div></div></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-32389011767651079532014-03-25T17:51:00.001+00:002014-03-25T17:51:39.369+00:00Brian Clemens: Professional British Legend<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Brian Clemens</strong><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">is one of the most influential British writer/producer/directors in history having created</span><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> The Avengers, The New Avengers</em><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and a string of international hit series and films. With the release of his classic TV series</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Professionals</em><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">on Blu-ray, DVD and download, I spoke to Brian about his life and work.</span><br><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What was the seed of the show - was it a need for a British <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Starsky and Hutch?</em></strong></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh well it began like that. <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Brian Tesler</em> of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">London weekend television </em>having liked the way we did <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Avengers</em>said he'd like a buddy show in the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Starsky and Hutch </em>mould, or at least as a rival to them. And I came up with two ideas. One was about two undercover cops. The other one was <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Professionals</em>. He liked <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Professionals</em> and said <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">"I'll commission the script, If I like it, we'll make 13"</em>. A bit unheard of these days, but that's exactly what happened of course.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Did you relate to CI5 boss <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">George Cowley</em> as the show runner overseeing a couple of slightly cocky stars?</strong></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No, not really, because <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Cowley</em> was my business partner's idea to bring in <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Gordon (Jackson). </em>Originally we had <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Clive Revill</em>, a New Zealand actor. He's in <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The New Avengers</em>; the one who <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Steed's</em> killed and he carries the bullet in his heart. We wanted him to do the<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Cowley</em> part, but he'd just done a pilot in America and if it was taken up he'd be very rich, so he couldn't do it, so we looked around. <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Albert (Fennell) </em>who'd worked with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Gordon</em> on a number of occasions, brought his name up, and I thought that was brilliant, because<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Gordon</em> had just finished doing <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Upstairs Downstairs</em>, and I'm sure that he was looking for a change of pace to cast aside the butler image.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Anthony Andrews </em>was the original choice for <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bodie</em>. Was he not chosen because the dynamic between him and <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Martin Shaw </em>wasn't quite right?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">It was nothing to do with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Anthony</em>, who is a fine actor. It was just that when you got him and <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Martin</em> on screen together, it was like seeing the same person. They both had the same sort of throwaway style and I was looking for Black and Decker, not black and black, so we recast (and chose) <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Lewis (Collins).</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There was a real spark between <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins</em> but judging by a making of documentary on the new discs, they didn't see eye-to-eye initially.</strong></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't think they got on too well.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Which may have added to the dynamic</strong></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh absolutely! Yeah.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Would long-form series like 24 work well for a <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Professionals</em> reboot?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Well I think it would work pretty well. I mean actually the stories have caught up with us and it's very castable.</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I never understand why the BBC put <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">(Benedict) 'Cumberbunch' </em>or whatever his name is in everything, because they can't get <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Stephen Fry.</em> And actually when you put someone on television for two nights, you've got an instant star, even if they are terrible.</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Is it true that <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Lionsgate</em> are prepping a <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Professionals</em> film prequel?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">That's right, though you didn't hear it here first, I understand that there is going to be an announcement it Cannes, and that's in May isn't it?</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is</strong></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've been told all this before because it's been going on some years now.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The HD remastered version of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Professionals</em> makes it look fresher than ever. </strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Yeah, that they haven't sent me one yet, but everyone who's seen it says it looks smashing.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">It looks like it was shot yesterday</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Yeah, that's good, it can't do any harm. Maybe they can sell it in America now.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Did you have any idea how influential <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Avengers</em> would be when you make that first episode?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Not really, no. You never really know you're going through a golden age. Golden age is always back then, it's never now. But we were going through a golden age.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">It must have been great working with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Patrick McNee, Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg and Linda Thorson. </em></strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Oh yeah, many good friends.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">What were your thoughts on<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> The Avengers</em> film version, because I didn't think it worked?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">No, well I could have made that work. They didn't involve anybody who knew about <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Avengers. </em><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was ridiculous; they got it so wrong. The Americans never understood <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Avengers</em>; never understood what made it work. Which was why they never interfered with the series. They were afraid it was a house of cards and if they removed the wrong card, the whole thing would collapse.</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">I'm a big fan of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter.</em> What were your memories of making that?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Oh that was great fun. Great fun. They keep threatening to bring that out again, you know, remastered. They keep threatening to remake it too. That's the trouble with this country, nobody actually does anything.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">It was a great format as well</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">It was intended to be a format, yeah. He's called <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Kronos</em> because that's Greek for '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">time</em>'. I thought I could take him through all sorts of time warps. He could turn up anywhere. He says it in the film, "where ever there is evil to be fought..." So the world was my oyster, or my lobster. (laughs).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">You've been involved in so many influential series over the years. I imagine<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Avengers </em>was a personal favourite</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Oh yeah, well it was the most fun to work on.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">And it must've been great that lightning did strike twice for The New Avengers?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Yep, but it wasn't an accident though. I like people to think it was an accident. It's an accident after a great deal of work.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">And it turned <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Joanna Lumley</em> into an overnight star</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Yes, I had to interview several hundred young actresses. We tested about 20 on camera. And I always knew it was going to be<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> Jo Lumley</em>, but I had to go through the motions to convince the people around me.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Were there any lesser known projects that were personal favourites? </strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Well I liked (sitcom) <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">My Wife Next-Door.</em> They've never really done (repeated) that. I think it must be something to do with the artist holding that back or re-shown.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">How was it working on <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Highlander II</em>?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Oh, that was fun. I was in Hollywood for that, and that was Hollywood big time. That's always good fun.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Did the producers want something different from the first film?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">They didn't know what they wanted. I got it because I came up with the idea who the Immortals were. They came from another planet with a different time warp, so when they lived for a minute, it was 400 years.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">What's been the secret of your success, because you've been so prolific?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">I don't set out to be. I love everything I write at the time of writing, and I don't go for bullsh*t. I don't send 'messages'. There are messages to be found that are not upfront, and I think that's what's wrong with a lot of British products at the moment. It's too social. It should be entertainment first and social under the cover as it were.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">You've lived in Bedfordshire for 50 years. Were there no plans to retire to Hollywood?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Oh no. I've enjoyed working in Hollywood and living there, but I wouldn't want to be there for ever and a day. I'm European. I like the food. I love France and Spain for eating. The American way of life is too like ours. I go foreign, I want it to be foreign.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Tell us about your new play</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Yeah, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Murder Weapon</em>, it's threatening to be put on at Windsor and Nottingham sometime late spring or early summer. That'll be fun. My thriller of the year. My pension (laughs).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">What was the most memorable day of your career?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">That most memorable day I think was when I was given the OBE by the Queen. That was quite something. I felt kind of proud of myself... a bit. They don't give you any money though (laughs).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Maybe it should have been a knighthood?</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">I'm working on it (laughs).</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">:: The Professionals Mk1 Available on Blu-ray & DVD from 31st March. Now available on iTunes in SD & HD. Network Distributing</strong></p><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></div><div class="clear full" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"></span><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><br><br></p><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><div class="clear" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 1px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); height: 1px !important; line-height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important;"></div><div id="t5281_r" class="trc_isolation" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div id="t9105_r" class="trc_isolation" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><div id="t7458_r" class="trc_isolation" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></div></div></div></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-32785581160070245072014-03-21T20:15:00.001+00:002014-03-21T20:15:52.638+00:00Advice for Aspiring Stand-ups<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm not a comedian, but I've seen a lot of stand-ups over the years and interviewed hundreds of others, ever keen to see what makes them tick and what makes a good comedy routine great. </span><br><div><div><br></div><div>Of course chatting to the likes of Ricky Gervais, Russell Howard and Sean Lock gets you so far. Some comics nail a universal truth that touch a chord with the masses while a favourite stand-up like Stewart Lee has mastered the repeat-until-funny schtick.</div><div> </div><div>Then there are those too-cool-for-school acts who think winging it is enough to get by. </div><div>Some gifted comedians may be able to sustain laughs for a few minutes before the wheels come off. Others never even get off the comedy slip road and onto the M-fun. </div><div><br></div><div>Such is the case with the worst alleged comedy act I ever saw. </div><div><br></div><div>In a foul mood from the minute he was picked up from a random British train station, he tried and failed to seduce his married guide by being inappropriate, a little too touchy feely and generally vile. The fact he nearly helped crash the car was unforgiveable. </div><div><br></div><div>By the time his gig started, it felt like car crash theatre. </div><div><br></div><div>“I haven't prepared anything”, he warned the audience, perhaps expecting them to forgive and embrace him for his honesty. </div><div>On a rainy night at £10 a head that's not what you want to hear. </div><div><br></div><div>“I've been doing this a long time...” he tried to reassure us, his auto pilot mouth making comedic promises his bankrupt gag account couldn't honour. </div><div><br></div><div>Alas, as he tried to engage the audience with banter, the promise of laughs soon evaporated like a thimble-full of water in the Sahara. </div><div><br></div><div>That sinking feeling grew as he started talking politics, and suddenly it felt like a bad episode of Question Time... directed by Ingmar Bergman... screened at a wake... in the third week of January... with flu... after root canal surgery. </div><div><br></div><div>The interval seemed a lifetime away as our alleged comic clicked into name-drop mode. He recalled an apparently wild evening with a celeb chef and actor/director mate. </div><div>The audience yearned for laughs, but were cruelly denied. Like a treasure hunt for a broken compass, we huddled masses came to the collective conclusion our waiting, like the hunt, was equally pointless. </div><div><br></div><div>Our host’s TV appearances had dried up in recent years after one high profile show dropped him like a scalding potato. His car-based, pre-gig inappropriateness a sad, disturbing reminder of how he'd scuppered a regular gig seen by millions. </div><div><br></div><div>Give a microphone to the dullest bloke in your local pub after 10 pints and it could have generated more laughs. </div><div><br></div><div>“I'm fascinated to see who comes back for the second half,” he remarked. </div><div><br></div><div>His body was in the room, his mind was spending the night’s takings like a Homer Simpson gag. Sans laughs.</div><div><br></div><div>Enough was enough, but while the second half was out of the question, I was fascinated by the amount of people who wanted their money back. </div><div><br></div><div>I started to wonder if he'd been using Avatar-style technology all along as he headed off for a break, a cigarette and a chance to marinade in his joyless creative juices. </div><div>So, having analysed great comedians for decades, the universal truth hammered home on that moist evening was the old adage ’Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’, because no matter who your celeb mates are, or your political beliefs, if there's no fuel in your comedy vehicle, don't be too surprised if you're left stranded at the side of the showbiz road. </div><div><br></div><div>Which is what his harassed driver should have done after 30 seconds. </div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-82265102667567130562014-01-14T10:57:00.001+00:002014-01-14T10:57:16.726+00:00Frozen - The Review<br><div><div>“DO YOU WANT SOME MALTESERS?” yells the large woman behind me, either oblivious to the fact she's sat in a cinema addressing her ankle-biter or couldn't care less about the audience around her. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm trying to watch Frozen, the latest CGI masterpiece from the Disney stable. Their 53rd animated offering is a polished, fun reworking of a Hans Christian Andersen tale The Snow Queen. </div><div><br></div><div>The witty script is peppered with interruptions from the human foghorn, broadcasting her thoughts to the whole of Cineworld on an aptly chilly January afternoon. </div><div><br></div><div>Thankfully Frozen is good enough to withstand such interruptions. The tale of Elsa, a cursed princess who can create frost and ice opens with her exile after temporarily harming her sister, Anna. </div><div><br></div><div>As the years fly by, and the siblings adjust to life without their late parents, the duo clash again when the ice princess kicks off over Anna's shotgun engagement. </div><div><br></div><div>Elsa goes off and builds an ice palace (like Dr Manhattan’s crystalline Mars base in Watchmen), while the curse of her icy wrath wreaks havoc on her empire.</div><div><br></div><div>Thrown into the mix are Olaf, a cute snowman; ice expert (and potential love interest) Kristoff, and his reindeer, Sven. </div><div><br></div><div>They attempt to melt the ice princess’s chilly heart and restore order to the kingdom. </div><div><br></div><div>Of course nothing quite goes to plan. </div><div><br></div><div>Frozen looks terrific (I saw the 2D version), boasts great songs (Let It Go belted out by the peerless Idina Menzel is an instant classic), and features some witty touches. </div><div>Olaf impaled on an icicle made me laugh out loud, mainly because those subversive touches that fly in the face of usual Disney touches linger longer. </div><div><br></div><div>The fact I enjoyed it as much as I did considering the unwelcome audience commentary was proof of how good it was. </div><div>I'd like to see it again, preferably without the ad libbed surround sound. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-82616551998443691362013-10-31T17:32:00.001+00:002013-10-31T17:32:45.224+00:00Thor: the Dark World review<br><div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">A bearded hero with a magical weapon on a planet of noble warriors clashes with an army of masked, laser-blasting invaders. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Thirty years ago Krull, a British mash-up of sub-Tolkien mythology and Star Wars-style effects was launched on an unsuspecting world. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Alas, the hero was rather bland, the cheap effects a bit rubbish (even for ’83), and the likes of pre-Eastenders Todd Carty, post-Carry On Bernard Bresslaw and a badly dubbed Lysette Anthony failed to make the project fly. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Fast forward to now, and in Thor: the Dark World, a bearded hero with a magical hammer on a planet of noble warriors clashes with an army of masked, laser-blasting invaders. Only this time Marvel (with a far greater budget admittedly) hit the blockbuster nail squarely on the head. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Chris Hemsworth is so perfectly cast as the eponymous Asgardian warrior it's hard to imagine anyone else filling those boots. The slightest smirk creates screen gold. (The god of thunder and charisma might be more on the money). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">With a snazzy new Marvel logo, Thor 2 hits the ground running with an epic battle, and escalates from there. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Fans of the original should revel in the scale; director Alan Taylor exploits the skills learned on Game of Thrones to craft a 12A-friendly epic, hammering the various plot strands together to form a fun, frantic, dark, occasionally moving yarn. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Anthony Hopkins can be annoying when phoning in his performances, but here adds gravitas as Odin; ’One Broke Scientist’ Kat Dennings delivers comic relief as Natalie Portman's sexy assistant Darcy; Idris Elba is given more screen time as gate keeper Helmdal, and the Warriors Three also return from film one.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">As ever, Tom Hiddleston chews chunks of scenery as Loki; aside from Robert Downey Jnr’s Tony Stark, few actors are as funny or mischievous in the Marvel universe. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">(A Thor movie without Loki is as pointless as a Spider Man flick without Peter Parker). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Rounding out the regulars are Stellan Skargard as boffin Erik Selvig, still a bit bonkers after being possessed in Avengers. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Christopher Eccleston is on good form as the malevolent big bad Malekith, spouting Elvish dialogue, while his ship is gloriously ominous and aptly hammer-like. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Assembling the multi-film plot strands from Thor and Assemble, this is huge fun. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">There's little doubt Marvel have mastered the modern blockbuster, melding great heroes, villains and effects with the brio of the original Star Wars and JJ’s Star Trek. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Okay, Thor 2.0 is not perfect. Portman looks gorgeous, but her character is too wholesome and sadly a bit dull. Maybe thunder-wielding Gods need partners that are safe and yawnsome. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I'd rather have seen Thor romance Darcy or Asgard squeeze Sif. (The latter’s sub-plot sadly goes nowhere fast, but may pay off in Thor 3). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">However, seen at midnight in 3D D-Box, TTDW was a pre-Hallowe’en treat. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">It also made me delighted that as a forty something, I lived long enough to see the comic heroes of my youth given the big screen epics they deserve.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Stay tuned for a couple of cracking credit cookies; the final one is rewarding and hilarious. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Roll on Captain America: Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man, and let's hope we don't have to wait an age for the inevitable Dr Strange, Sub-Mariner and Silver Surfer movie. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"> </div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-58794523198125896942013-10-29T11:24:00.001+00:002013-10-29T11:26:20.972+00:00Escape Plan - The Review<br><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"> </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I had no burning desire to see Escape Plan, the new action thriller starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">However, when it's your day off and it looks like the best thing on offer at your local multiplex, it may as well be worth a look.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The fact I read the timing wrong, and thought it was supposed to start half an hour before it did, made me think I'll watch something else instead.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">However, the rather enthusiastic, animated Cineworld employee was so enthusiastic about the movie, I thought I'll hang around for half an hour and give it the benefit of the doubt.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I'm glad I did.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">In the first 20 minutes, we are asked to believe that Sly is an expert on prison security.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">He tests the integrity of prisons by becoming an inmate and then attempts to break out, thereby exposing any weakness in the security.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">More often than not he succeeds, and gets a big fat pay cheque.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">However, when he is asked to test out a new maximum security stockade, Sly can't resist, and soon regrets it.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The tracker planted inside him is soon removed, and Sly loses contact with his colleagues in the outside world.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">(Let's face it, it wouldn't be much of a movie if he managed to break out in the next 10 minutes).</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qv3HH69b_GU/Um-a7_a2nyI/AAAAAAAAAWs/57rYZzS968Q/s640/blogger-image--1376695951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qv3HH69b_GU/Um-a7_a2nyI/AAAAAAAAAWs/57rYZzS968Q/s640/blogger-image--1376695951.jpg"></font></a></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Sly soon incurs wrath of psycho prison warden (there is always one) Jim Caviezel and his right-hand man/henchman Vinnie Jones.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">(I fear we'll have a long wait to see Vinnie play Hamlet, but when it comes to playing psycho thugs, Jones is in a league of his own).</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">While making assorted enemies on the inside, Sly befriends unhinged Austrian Arnie. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Schwarzenegger has a ball with this movie. Whether ranting in his native language, or coming out with some salty, over the top one-liners, he is clearly better as a supporting actor these days than carrying his own film. Maybe he should keep the goatee, as it's a fine facial addition to the Austrian Oak.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">For the first two thirds, Escape Plan is great fun. The one thing that's missing is the generic shoot out we have come to expect from two of the biggest stars of 80s action cinema.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">In fact, the lack of gunfire is rather welcome.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">So by the time the third act kicks in, the director resorts to type by giving Sly and Arnie high powered weapons, and resorting to the usual cliches of shootouts, gunfire and witty epithets when villains are dispatched.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Escape Plan, previously named The Tomb, might not be the sort of film you're desperate to rush out and see on day one. However, when it’s released on Blu-ray chances are it will shift truckloads of units.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">(The fact I have been quoting one of Arnie's one-liners all week, is testament to the fact it's great fun).</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The leads won't win any Oscars for Best Actors, and the script won't win Best Screenplay, but who cares?</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">For those of us weaned on First Blood and The Terminator, this is a must see, whether on the biggest screen possible, or on your TV in a a few weeks’ time.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Let’s hope the pumped up pensioners return soon, maybe in a comedy remake of The Sunshine Boys or Grumpy Old Men. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Pension Plan wouldn't be too bad a title.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-62263502279523526392013-10-26T19:54:00.001+01:002013-10-26T19:54:43.433+01:00Ender's Game<div><br></div><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">May contain spoilers</em></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I try not to play video games when my wife is in the room because she's not a gamer and I know how bored she gets watching me building bases and zapping CG aliens. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">And that's the problem with <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ender's Game</strong>, the new sci-fi adventure based on the novel by controversial author <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Orson Scott Card</em>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the most part it's a slick, intelligent and mostly compelling yarn, a mash-up of<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Wargames, Tron, Starship Troopers </em>and assorted other sci-fi adventures.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Asa Butterfield</em> is superb as the eponymous young hero, and director <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Gavin Hood</em>surrounds him with a worthy supporting cast, including <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Viola Davis</em> and tattoo-faced <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ben Kingsley. </em><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">(It's a lot more rewarding than <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Hood's</em> previous fantasy<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">, X-Men Origins: Wolverine</em>).</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Arguably the weakest link is <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Harrison Ford</em> as gruff seasoned military man, Hyrum Graff. He sounds laboured as he reads the dialogue, like he has little faith in the material, or is wondering what time he can wrap up shooting so he can have his dinner. Yes, he probably had the same demeanour shooting <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Star Wars</strong> in the mid 1970s, but here he lacks the charisma of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Han Solo</em>.</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The problem is for the most part you're watching someone else playing a game. There's a disconnect between the audience and the key protagonists, especially <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ford</em>, who is usually seen through windows or behind desks. There's a barrier between him and us which rarely lowers.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a previous <a href="http://home.bt.com/entertainment/film/talkingpoints/harrison-ford-hasnt-made-a-good-film-in-20-years-11363841093522" target="_hplink" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">blog</a> I remarked that <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ford</em> hadn't made a good film in 20 years, and while<strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ender's Game</strong> is far from a disaster, it's also not the winning mix of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Harry Potter and Star Wars</em> that the ad campaign suggests.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-26-image.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-26-image.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-26-image-thumb.jpg" width="550" height="410" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ender's Game image: Chartoff Productions/Taleswapper/OddLot Entertainment/K/O Paper Products/Digital Domain/Distributed by Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate</span></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">I was impressed by the bulk of the movie. It was smart and treated the audience with a degree of intelligence; surreal moments involving a game were suitably dreamy and nightmarish, but as the film built to its finale I didn't know if I was watching a simulated battle or the real thing. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">And the finale is stunning to look at; a flurry of spaceships swarming like fish engage the eye as the young warriors build to an edge-of-the-seat, do-or-die climax.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But the last few minutes are disappointing. A personal bugbear, the hero's name being repeated constantly by a character, set my teeth on edge, while the open-ended conclusion is clearly set up for a sequel that I fear may never happen.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I enjoyed this far more than most <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Potter</em> films, but I doubt <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ender</em> will engage the audience enough to return to your local multiplex in a couple of years.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope I'm wrong as I'd love to see the hero actually physically tackle some alien bad guys instead of orchestrating their destruction from behind a computer screen.</span></p></div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-11178167980788078272013-10-25T18:40:00.001+01:002013-10-25T18:40:21.894+01:00The World at War at 40<br><div><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The World at War</strong> is one of the most ambitious documentary series ever made. A mammoth 26 hours charting key points in the history of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">World War Two.</em></span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-Epi14Lancaster.png" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-24-Epi14Lancaster.png" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-Epi14Lancaster-thumb.png" width="550" height="309" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The World at War 40th Anniversary Available now on DVD & Blu-ray FremantleMedia International</em></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Over the past few decades it has inspired countless TV and film makers, including <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Oliver Stone</em>; his own recent series <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Untold History of the United States</em> was inspired by the groundbreaking show.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">October 31, 2013</strong> marks the 40th anniversary since that first broadcast of <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The World at War</strong>, and <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sir Jeremy Isaacs</em>, who conceived and produced the series, reflects on the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Bafta</em>and <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Emmy</em>-winning documentary.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-image_00002.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-24-image_00002.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-image_00002-thumb.jpg" width="500" height="375" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sir Jeremy Isaacs: The World at War 40th Anniversary Available now on DVD & Blu-ray FremantleMedia International</em></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">Getting a project like that off the ground was no easy task, so how did it come about?</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"It came around because it's a great subject, a great subject that was waiting to be made into a television documentary series," explains the eloquent eightysomething.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"As soon as the BBC did a series on the First World War, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Great War</em>, really it was then just a question of when and who would do the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Second World War</em>."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isaacs</strong> was a key force in fact-based programming in the late 1960s. He'd earned his stripes as a current affairs journalist, and was also responsible for documentaries at <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Thames Television</em>. </span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He had previously worked at the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">BBC</em> editing <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Panorama</em>, but a disagreement led to him moving on... until he was made an offer by the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Beeb</em> - the seed of what would become <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The World At War</strong>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"To my amazement, someone at the BBC asked me if I would like to produce a history of the Second World War," he recalls. "I said, 'Well I've got a good job here, but I would be very interested'. And then I discovered that they asked all sorts of other people."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">BBC's</em> war project stalled. The powers-that-be didn't want to make a major commitment towards such an expensive series using so much black and white footage. (This was at the time when colour TV was becoming mainstream).</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-Epi14LineOfSpitfires.png" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-24-Epi14LineOfSpitfires.png" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-Epi14LineOfSpitfires-thumb.png" width="500" height="281" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The World at War 40th Anniversary Available now on DVD & Blu-ray FremantleMedia International</em></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">By that point, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Jeremy</strong> was fascinated by the idea of making a series about the Second World War, though he wasn't keen on making a show just about 'the combat of the war'.</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I wanted to do a series about the experience of the war; the home front during the war; the war economy of the five great combatant nations and so on and so forth. I wanted a little leeway (with the show) not to have to depend every week on bombs and guns and tanks and so on."</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course, if the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">BBC</em> wasn't keen, he thought of a company that might pick up the baton. <br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">"I remember thinking, 'Well if the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">BBC</em> doesn't want to do it why don't we do it (at<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Thames</em>)?'"</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Getting a green light for a 26-part series on commercial TV was no easy task either, as<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isaacs</em> recalls.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Well, it (<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Thames</em>) was the biggest and perhaps most successful band of the ITV company we were part of a network. Getting space for an extra three documentaries a year was a big negotiating deal. Getting space for <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">26</em> documentaries was going to be tough!"</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Help came in February 1971 from a change in the law which gave <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">ITV</em> more money to spend on programmes.<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">To cut a long story short, Isaacs got a green light, and then the really hard work began.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-Epi19DDay.png" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-24-Epi19DDay.png" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-Epi19DDay-thumb.png" width="500" height="281" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">D Day: The World at War 40th Anniversary Available now on DVD & Blu-ray FremantleMedia International</em></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">For <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">three years</em> a team of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">50</em> researchers, editors, <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Imperial War Museum</em> experts, and assorted other programme-makers toiled over what would become a TV milestone.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ask many original fans of the series what they remember, and aside from <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Carl Davis's</em>suitably imposing score, there's a chance <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sir Laurence Olivier's</em> narration would be a key element.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, at one point early in the production it looked like <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sir Jeremy</strong> might have to do the unthinkable and sack the acclaimed thespian, who wasn't his first choice for narrator.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-LaurenceOlivierNarrator.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-24-LaurenceOlivierNarrator.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-LaurenceOlivierNarrator-thumb.jpg" width="550" height="387" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Narrator Sir Laurence Olivier: The World at War 40th Anniversary Available now on DVD & Blu-ray FremantleMedia International</em></center><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">"I didn't want to have an actor reading somebody else's words," he explains. "The documentaries I made were made by reporters who wrote and read their own narratives, and there were some pretty good guys around I had worked with and could have helped to do that."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of them was <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Ludovic Kennedy</em>, but with <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">ITV</em> devoting such a large chunk of time and money to the series, they wanted a more bankable star for <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The World At War.</strong><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">"They were providing the platform for it. They felt, and the sales department felt that we needed <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Olivier</em>, because <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Michael Redgrave</em> had done a marvellous job with the <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">BBC</em> on <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Great War</em>, and they wanted somebody at least as good if not better to do the narration."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alas, the initial voice-over on that inaugural <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">World At War</strong> show was far from successful.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The first programme we recorded on <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The Fall of France</em>," explains <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isaacs</strong>. "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Larry</em> was... I never called him '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Larry</em>' by the way. I probably called him '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sir Laurence</em>'. He was very tired; he did it very badly."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A colleague told him the recording was no good and Olivier's voice kept '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">falling off at the end of every line</em>'.<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;">He suggested to <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Jeremy</strong>, "<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">You'll have to let him go".</em></span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The thought of having to sack one of the world's greatest actors left <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isaacs</strong> shaken.</span></p><blockquote style="list-style: none; margin: 15px 0px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The idea that I might have to tell <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Laurence Olivier</em> that he was fired was a bit much for me to take on".</span></blockquote><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I had a fairly sleepless night until he turned up again the next day to record of the next episode."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isaacs</strong> played <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Olivier</em> the first episode he'd recorded, and the thespian realised fatigue had got the better of him. Given his workload up to that point there was little wonder.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"After 20 minutes he said, '<em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Of course there is something wrong. I seem to have been tired and you must excuse me, I'll do it again'</em>.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"He had been making a film called <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sleuth</em>, which went on a lot longer than he thought it would, and he had done 21 performances of <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Eugene O'Neill's</em> play <em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Long Day's Journey Into Night</em> in the weeks immediately preceding these recordings, so he was whacked."<br style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; display: block;"><em style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Olivier</em> focused his attention and <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Isaacs</strong> noticed a vast improvement in the narration. </span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"There after, whether he'd studied the script or not before he arrived in this little recording studio in Oxford Street - they would sometimes show him the film before he recorded it, and sometimes we went straight in - he was superbly professional and did it marvellously well. I have always admired him for it and been grateful to him for it."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Okay, not everyone loved the narration.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Some people still think that his voice was too mannered," explains <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Sir Jeremy</strong>. "I don't think that the public who adore the series would agree with that."</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanks to a 2010 digitally remastered version, <strong style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">The World at War </strong>now looks and sounds better than ever.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It may have been one of the most expensive British shows ever made, but because of the wealth of interviews, rare footage, and stunning research, it's also one of the most important shows ever made.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In another four decades from now, I doubt many would disagree.</span></p><center style="text-align: start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-WatWpackshots.jpg" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img alt="2013-10-24-WatWpackshots.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-24-WatWpackshots-thumb.jpg" width="550" height="495" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"></font></a></center></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-53429346965096350802013-10-09T19:31:00.001+01:002013-10-09T20:06:45.186+01:00My Round Trip from Manchester to Florida... for £268<div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The first time I went to <b>Orlando</b>, I thought a £200 flight from London was incredible. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">It was. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">That was 11 years ago, and inflation means prices get a lot more expensive. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">But thankfully not by much it seems. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">With my last week’s holiday of 2013 looming and a desire not to waste it, I managed to land a round trip to Sanford, Florida for £268. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Not only that it was on <i>Thomson’s</i> new Dreamliner, complete with tinted windows, ambient lighting and extra legroom. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">£134 to go 4,000 miles in relative comfort? That's what I call a bargain. (In case you're wondering, said travel company didn't pay a penny towards my trip). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eYMQDAW9Zb8/UlWg8BTjLNI/AAAAAAAAAWA/SzVMw8xM5Ow/s640/blogger-image-1307815560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eYMQDAW9Zb8/UlWg8BTjLNI/AAAAAAAAAWA/SzVMw8xM5Ow/s640/blogger-image-1307815560.jpg"></a></i></font></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Grand Floridian, Orlando; pic: Roger Crow</i></div><div><font face="NittiWM-HD"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="NittiWM-HD"><span style="font-size: 22px;">There's little wonder Orlando is one of the most popular travel destinations for Brits. The sunshine is a natural attraction, as is the endless array of restaurants and events. If you’re one of the thousands of repeat visitors that yo-yo between Blighty and the Sunshine State each year, then this is hardly a revelation. </span></font></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">However, if you have yet to take the plunge, here's the lowdown on the top attractions at <b><i>Walt Disney World </i></b>at the moment. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><i><b>Shopping, Dining and Movies</b></i></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Downtown Disney is a great destination for shopping and dining. For me the heart was removed when Virgin closed their megastore a few years ago. However, with a new bowling alley and dining section, among many other fine shops and attractions, things are looking up. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The AMC cinema is also a great diversion, especially if you go early.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I saw new Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie Don Jon for seven dollars (about four quid), and Gravity (in 3D with state of the art ETX sound) for 12. Plush seats are a bonus, as is the fact you can dine and watch a film should you want to. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Breakfast at The Earl of Sandwich kept me going until a blowout at Planet Hollywood - glorious burger, fries and milk shake for 25 dollars.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">(I spent much of my trip existing on one meal a day. Given notoriously large American portions, that's all you need). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oqogOk1uR1Q/UlWg6icqfaI/AAAAAAAAAV4/RRSKtHYm_d8/s640/blogger-image--633213002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oqogOk1uR1Q/UlWg6icqfaI/AAAAAAAAAV4/RRSKtHYm_d8/s640/blogger-image--633213002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"> </font></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ayi1xFf4SD0/UlWj-CxWGQI/AAAAAAAAAWc/W_OsbTtGcqg/s640/blogger-image--263593999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ayi1xFf4SD0/UlWj-CxWGQI/AAAAAAAAAWc/W_OsbTtGcqg/s640/blogger-image--263593999.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><b><i>Transport</i></b></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Getting around <i><b>Disney World </b></i>can be an ordeal if you don't drive. So it's a good job the fleet of courtesy buses can whip you from your resort hotel to <b><i>Downtown Disney</i></b> in next to no time. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Okay, you may be miffed if you're staying at the <b><i>Grand Floridian</i></b> and every bus seems to be for <b><i>Typhoon Lagoon</i></b>, but that's the same with any queue. The other line always moves faster. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><i><b>The Best Hotel in Orlando?</b></i></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">’My’ hotel is easily the best hotel on Disney property in terms of elegance. It's the Ritz of Mouseland, and even if the cost takes your breath away, it's worth having a look round during a Monorail trip from neighbouring residences such as <i>Contemporary</i> or <i>Polynesian</i> Resorts. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvndDEQhiWM/UlWg9P-EUfI/AAAAAAAAAWI/5ytDg0VKXOQ/s640/blogger-image-1482513371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lvndDEQhiWM/UlWg9P-EUfI/AAAAAAAAAWI/5ytDg0VKXOQ/s640/blogger-image-1482513371.jpg"></a></font></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><i><b>The Parks</b></i></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Magic Kingdom is still the jewel in the crown of <i>Disney's</i> Floridian theme park empire. It's not my favourite, probably because I'm not a five-year-old kid or their doting parent, but there's enough other stuff to entertain, from gravity-bothering <b><i>Splash Mountain</i></b>, to the <b><i>Monsters Inc </i></b>interactive stand-up show, a state-of-the-art, fun attraction utilising the same ’magic’ as other interactive chats with CG turtle Crush, as featured elsewhere in <b><i>Disney World</i></b>, and on their newer cruise liners.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Nightly fireworks displays are always a treat, though there are times when it's so loud it sounds like an attack on the Death Star. Hey, I'm of that age. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><i><b>Pirates of the Caribbean</b></i> might be one of Disney’s oldest attractions, but despite the addition of <i>Johnny Depp's</i> rogue buccaneer <i>Jack Sparrow</i> over the past decade, it feels in need of a spruce-up, even if it's just that mangy old dog holding the keys. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">However, it's still a superb way to spend a few minutes, and for me a lot more entertaining than the later Pirates movies. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><i><b>Animal Kingdom</b></i> shows little sign of losing its appeal. Crowd pleasers such as Expedition Everest continue to have a magnetic pull for punters, though having done the roller coaster a few times, I opted for <b style="font-style: italic;">Finding Nemo: The </b><i><b>Musical</b></i> instead. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">For the most part it's good fun, with some catchy numbers and likeable characters, though there is a disconnect between the sub-aquatic protagonists and the puppeteers/singers. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I spent too long looking at the performers and not enough at the characters. Maybe if the singers had worn black body stockings against black backgrounds the illusion would have worked.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Not that the auditorium full of kids, families and pensioners seemed to mind, though the very young were wailing at the loud noises and scenes of mild fish-based peril.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Animal Kingdom's jungle trek safari is still good fun, though a sub-plot involved a disembodied radio voice seeking help was omitted from our version. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Maybe the poaching storyline had worn thin in this well meaning Africa-style tour.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">After several trips over the years, it still proves compelling entertainment, not least because of the exotic wildlife. (No, not the pasty faced ones who had been flash-burned because they overdid it on day one). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">One of my favourite elements of <i>Disney</i> is <b><i>Epcot</i></b>. Whether wandering around its World Showcase, or riding on the ever popular hang glider simulator Soarin’, this is the theme park for more mature fans. Yes, the kids will love it, but for those who prefer to take things a little easier, this is the place to be. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">And if you come in the autumn/fall, the Food and Wine Festival is a must. Pottering around the World Showcase snacking on nibbles from assorted countries, or sampling their tipples, you'll have a great time. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">(I went three nights running and it felt like a different experience each time). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The fact some great bands play the Eat to the Beat area gives it that extra something. For half an hour with some good friends, a frozen Margarita and the stunningly good Air Supply, I was in heaven.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5XMK1BpRwHA/UlWg-ALbbaI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/jQzdEajfFfo/s640/blogger-image-797103442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5XMK1BpRwHA/UlWg-ALbbaI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/jQzdEajfFfo/s640/blogger-image-797103442.jpg"></a></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I'd sampled assorted Floridian water parks over the years, but <b><i>Typhoon Lagoon</i></b> was a first, and it soon became a ’new’ favourite. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">Whether relaxing on loungers at the artificial beach, or catching my breath in the lazy river, it was a great way to spend a few hours. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I also enjoyed one of the best hot dogs of my life. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">The fact our sun loungers didn't adjust was a pain, but it scarcely mattered. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">I was stunned by the quality of service at the <i><b>Grand Floridian</b></i>. Not just the hotel itself, with comfy beds (as standard with every Disney hotel and cruise I've stayed on), but the extra mile the staff went to ensure my holiday was as good as possible, even down to the fact that when my pre-booked coach would arrive too late to get me to Sanford Airport in time, the management ensured I would get there without too much nail biting drama). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;">My biggest problem, aside from ensuring my 2.5kg case came in at 5kg for the return journey, is a long hard winter counting the days until I can return. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px;"><i><b>Roger Crow was a (very happy) guest of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Thanks for their hospitality.</b></i></div></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-63687494636969928812013-10-04T21:32:00.001+01:002013-10-04T21:32:38.363+01:00Gravity - The Review<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">few things will happen while watching Gravity. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your palms will become sweaty, then they'll start seeking comfort at the sides of your face. That’s possibly because your breathing will become shallow. This is not the sort of film you can ignore. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Essentially a two-hander between Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, it charts the aftermath of a disastrous space walk from their shuttle, ravaged by debris. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The opening 13 minute, one take shot is among the best ever created. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Orson Welles would have clapped; Martin Scorsese and Brian DePalma either applauded or sulked because director Alfonso Cuaron has aptly raised the bar to orbital levels. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What Bullock and Clooney do next will not be revealed here. Safe to say what unfolds during the 90 minute running time is an assault course of wires, pipes, machinery and one character's desire to survive. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The sight of Bullock floating foetus-like in a window is one of the year’s most memorable. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sandra has been a favourite actress for 20 years, but has never looked more beautiful, possibly because she is the softest looking protagonist against a sea of tech. Her desire to survive against any odds is also a magnetic attraction. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">George is also hugely appealing. His cocky, charismatic veteran astronaut is wonderfully watchable, though i imagine the endless wire work must have been a pain during the movie’s four year production. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some films squander 3D but this makes the most of it, exploiting the medium beautifully. The sound, if heard in the right theatre, is also superb. NASA chatter adds the right audio tone from the off, while Ed Harris’ voice is a great, comforting shorthand for anyone raised on classic NASA epics The Right Stuff and Apollo 13. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some of you may wait for Blu Ray or DVD, but this is one of those films that demands the best full-on cinema experience you can find. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Gravity is little short of a masterpiece. If Sandra Bullock doesn’t get another Oscar, and Cuaron at least a nomination for Best Director, there is going to be some serious gnashing of teeth among the movie-loving community. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">See it... but don’t forget to breathe. </span></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-52903489455359593642013-09-17T19:59:00.001+01:002013-09-17T19:59:18.527+01:00White House Down - The Review<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">White House Down</span><span style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> won't win any Oscars or Baftas for best film. It will possibly win Razzies, but that's not to say it’s a bad film. </span><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">What it is is two hours of gloriously silly escapism. If I didn't know better I'd say director Roland Emmerich was sending up the Die Hard saga and its countless clones. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Yes, coming a few months after Olympus Has Fallen, that other Die Hard in the White House-style drama, it does look like a carbon copy, but the difference is that WHD is hugely fun and entertaining. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">(For me, Gerard Butler’s movie was mean spirited and weakly scripted). </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Okay, this newer epic isn't exactly Shakespeare, but it’s bursting with great one liners, such as the exchange between James Woods and a generic terrorist. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">To paraphrase: “Want some cake?” Asks Woods, chomping dessert as well as scenery. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">“No man. I'm diabetic.”</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">When's the last time in a Die Hard-style thriller you heard an exchange that gloriously flippant?</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Then there’s Skip Tyler (Jimmi Simpson), assigned to hack into the White House defence system. He proves to be one of the most flamboyant antagonists, making the most of what could have been a one dimensional character. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Some supporting characters here could sustain their own short film at least, and Skip is one of them. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Channing Tatum, reminiscent of 80s-era John McClane, is fun and likeable as the similarly monikered John Cale. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Jamie Foxx lends charm and wit as the Obama in sneakers-style President James Sawyer, while solid support comes from heavyweights such as Woods (who looks like a shoo- in to play J Jonah Jameson in future Spider-Man instalments), Richard Jenkins and the ever engaging Maggie Gyllenhaal. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Okay, the special effects aren't great. One of the explosions would have looked dated in Emmerich’s 1996 classic Independence Day, which is referenced in the exposition-heavy first act. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">However, all the obvious green screen work and CG crowd scenes don't get in the way of the fun. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Most of the movie looks like glorious cut scenes from a fun video game anyway. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Emmerich is a master of the action set piece, and here he's having a great time; a chase on the White House lawn has to be seen to be believed, while there's plenty of soap-style twists and turns to keep you hooked until the finale. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Remarkably I found the literally flag-waving finale moving, which is absurd considering the overall tone.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Then again, I had watched Rush a couple of hours before, so maybe that had softened me up for any sucker punch moments. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">It remains to be seen whether WHD enjoys the same repeat factor as 2012 on TV, a gloriously guilty pleasure which never fails to engage me on Blu Ray. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">However, on a wet Tuesday afternoon, it proved well worth the price of admission; an epic romp you laugh with instead of giggling at. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">And I for one wouldn't mind seeing Tatum back for another round of terrorist-bashing adventure. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Or at least a prequel short with hacker Skip Tyler, in the style of Marvel’s One Shot films. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Alas, given the relatively poor box office returns, I get the feeling we have a long wait for any prequel or sequel. </div><div><br></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-57119131404901564502013-09-11T20:54:00.001+01:002013-09-12T07:36:00.366+01:00Riddick - The Review<div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Roger Crow</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Contains spoilers</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">I used to have a lot of time for Richard B Riddick, the gravel-voiced killer convict. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Back in 2000, Pitch Black was the surprise low-budget sci-fi thriller of the year. Nicely scripted and directed by David Twohy, it gave Vin Diesel his breakout role as RBR. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Taut, creepy, and surprisingly enjoyable, the thought of a follow-up was a tantalising prospect.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">However, by 2004's The Chronicles of Riddick, it seemed too much money had been spent on special effects, mammoth sets, and gothic costumes, and not enough on Twohy's muddled script.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Despite an excellent set piece, in which the eponymous hero and his colleagues attempted to out run the lethal sunrise on a prison planet, and Judi Dench as a diaphanous alien, TCOR was a mess.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">However, at least the video game was a lot of fun.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">So when it was announced director and star would be re-teaming for a third chapter, I hoped it could redress the balance.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Sadly, Riddick - the movie - is a massive let down.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Despite being the ruler of an army of fearsome Necromongers (life-sapping alien bad guys from film two - who must have had a hand in the life-sapping editing), somehow Riddick is conned into leaving his empire for what is supposed to be his home world... but isn't. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Like a moist calculator, none of this adds up.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Despite his survival instincts, he thinks standing on the edge of a cliff face, like Wile E Coyote, is a good idea.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Imagine his surprise when the bad guys turn on him and one shoots the ledge so it collapses, and takes him with it. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Duh. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The first third of Riddick drags like a wet bank holiday Monday, or a party political broadcast in bullet time. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Despite being stranded on a planet full of a ravenous dingo-type predators, our hero manages to fend them off, pinches one of the cubs/puppies (reminiscent of Scrappy-Doo in the Scooby-Doo live-action version), and clashes with assorted scorpion-like beasts.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Arriving at a way station with grown dingo, he activates a beacon to call for help. Only Riddick would never call for help. He's far too macho. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Act two sees the arrival of two parties of feuding Mercs, aka bounty hunters, one of who wants Riddick's head in a box, a bit like Albert Finney in Dennis Potter's swansong, Cold Lazarus. Only inanimate. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We know this because he seems to tell us every five minutes, though his accent is so thick, subtitles would have helped.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Then again, they would help with most garbled action films these days. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Most of the Mercs are generic idiots. Twohy's a natural when it comes to creating none-too-bright secondary characters, as he proved with the maddeningly overlong Waterworld in 1995. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">However, there is a sub-plot involving the father of a deceased character from Pitch Black, who few fans of the original cared about, and Battlestar's Katee Sackhoff will leave Big Bang Theory followers drooling as a lesbian sniper. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Indirectly, hers is perhaps the most troublesome antagonist, largely because of the shockingly dated, homophobic reactions she causes in assorted characters, including Riddick. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Any sympathy I had for the gruff anti-hero goes out of the window with a couple of horrendous lines of dialogue.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">And by the time she descends from the heavens, angel-like to rescue Riddick from swarms of lethal predators, part of me wished she'd left him to die. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Not since James Bond managed to turn Pussy Galore 50 years ago has a heroine of sorts had such a dramatic change of sexual preference. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Clearly the sight of Riddick on a rock also made her realise that sexist, murderous ex-cons are everything she's been lacking in her life - when she's not shooting their dog that is. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Made for less than $40million, Riddick is a masterpiece of economy, no doubt helped by the Star Trek TV-style sets and judicious use of Universal's props warehouse, which I was lucky enough to wander around last year. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">(I'm guessing there's a few left over costumes and gizmos from TCOR and Serenity dusted down.)</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Alas, some of the special effects are shockingly bad, especially during the hover bike scenes. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">When are film-makers going to learn that hover bikes in fantasy movies look rubbish? See Judge Dredd and the Star Wars prequels for further proof.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Aesthetically they just look like a kid's toy bike with the wheels pulled off. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">If you've been weaned on adult fantasy comics, such as Heavy Metal and Marvel's epic Illustrated, chances are you yearn to see good stories well told in exotic universes. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Riddick could have mined that rich seam of inspiration to craft something thrilling and inventive. Sadly it's just an overlong, annoying fantasy Western with a cast of mostly unlikeable characters.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Okay, it's not as bad as Diesel's previous sci-fi offering Babylon AD, but it comes close.</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Elysium (this year's other hardware-centric sci-fi epic with a bald hero) may not have been perfect, but it was about something other than macho posturing and mundane alien-slaying. Twohy and Diesel could do worse than take notes if Riddick returns. </div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br />
</div><div style="font-family: NittiWM-HD; font-size: 22px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">To sum it up in two words? Chronic and ridiculous.</div></div><div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
To see this in a different way, go to<br />
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/roger-crow/riddick-the-review_b_3898903.htmlAs the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722934381263608513.post-67181723732032705192013-09-04T21:06:00.001+01:002013-09-04T22:44:37.054+01:00The Way, Way Back - The Review<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left; ">I've</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; "> seen a lot of films this year. Blockbusters, dramas, comedies. But while I thrilled as Logan</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; "> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; ">clashed with a giant android in</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; "> </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/roger-crow/the-wolverine-review_b_3667883.html" target="_hplink" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; ">The Wolverine</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; ">; marvelled at giant robots and their pilots in Pacific Rim, and smiled at the heroes of</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; "> </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/roger-crow/kick-ass-2-review_b_3775929.html" target="_hplink" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; ">Kick-Ass 2</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: left; ">, I didn't empathise with any of them.</span></div><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, rather aptly, <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">The Way, Way Back</i> took me way, way back to being an awkward teenager.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's one of the few good things about middle age. You can empathise with two generations of characters if they're well defined.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For newcomers it centres on <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Duncan</i>, a socially awkward 14-year-old who reluctantly goes on summer holiday to a beach house in Cape Cod with mum <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Pam</i>, her strict boyfriend <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Trent</i>and his daughter <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Steph</i>.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At their beach house, we meet boozy neighbour <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Betty</i> (a scenery-chewing <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Alison Janney</i>), and her kids, <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Susanna</i> and <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Peter</i>.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Could <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Duncan</i> and <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Susanna</i> begin an archetypal <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Summer of '42</i> style romance? Possibly, but <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">TWWB</i> is about much more.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a study in awkwardness, and that gaping hole in a lonely teenager's life desperate to be filled by friends, if not family.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Any teen whose family has been wrecked by divorce should empathise with that huge void caused by a missing dad, brother or both. Basically it sucks, but as a teen it's hard to express how much. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Duncan</i> crosses paths with laid back, too-cool-for-school water park manager <i>Owen at</i> the local pizza diner, so begins a beautiful friendship. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dad-free teens dream of having a mate as cool as this.</span></div><p></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Part big brother, part surrogate father, <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Owen</i> is one of the year's most beloved characters. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He has the wit and delivery of <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Tony Stark</i>, and more than once I thought the sublime <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Sam Rockwell</i> must be a shoo-in for the part if <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Robert Downey Jnr</i> either prices himself out of the part or, heaven forbid, retires.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">New employee <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Duncan</i>, and the audience are introduced to the park's assorted workers:<i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Caitlyn, Lewis, and Roddy</i>. For our young hero this is a glorious escape from his unhappy domestic life, suffering the presence of love rat <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Trent</i>, and his mum's boozy friends.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Storywise I could fill in all the blanks, but this is not a hugely plot-centric movie. What it does is capture that glorious feeling of youth, summer, first love, and charts a character arc that is believable and absorbing.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Despite the presence of <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Steve Carell</i> and <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Toni Collette</i>, this is not <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Little Miss Sunshine 2</i>. Yes it's as charming and watchable, but for me far more rewarding.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">AnnaSophia Robb</i> dazzles as obligatory cute neighbour <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Susanna; Liam James</i> is wonderfully awkward as <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Duncan</i>, while writer/directors <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Jim Rash and Nat Faxon</i> also pop up as supporting characters Lewis and Roddy.</span></p><p style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The best movies are those you have no expectations of. Those whose trailers promise little, but whose rewards are countless.</span></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I tired of <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Rash and Faxon</i>-scripted <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">The Descendants</i>, but here they hit a home run. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The glorious New England backdrops don't hurt a bit either, and by the third act we feel we've breathed the same air as these characters.</span></div><p></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Life of Pi, The Way, Way Back</i> is that rare film which gets under the skin and lingers for days after. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some films, like <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/roger-crow/youre-next-the-review_b_3853124.html" target="_hplink" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; ">You're Next</a> (which I saw immediately beforehand) aren't worth the price of admission, but for me this made up for it.</span></div><p></p><p style="list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It may not have had the tent pole budget of <i style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; ">Iron Man 3 or Star Trek Into Darkness</i>, but this mines a richer seam of humour and drama that should touch a chord with teens and forty somethings alike. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Highly recommended.</span></div><p></p><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; "></div><div class="clear full" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; height: 8px; clear: both; overflow: hidden !important; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br><br></div><div style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="clear" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; height: 1px !important; clear: both; line-height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; font-size: 1px; "></div></div>As the Crow Flieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152675971038801071noreply@blogger.com0