Rock of Ages: The movie - The review

A disclaimer for Adam Shankman's new movie should say 'Very loosely based on the stage show.'
Fans (such as i) may be disappointed by how much has been left out and changed; Tom Cruise's seasoned rocker annoys at times (his part changed), the surprise relationship between two characters is alluded to in the first act, so no surprise; Russell Brand's Midlands accent is woeful, there's too much emphasis on an unfunny monkey, and no Fogmaster 5000 (which pre-empts a terrific musical number), No Oh Sherry or Heat of the moment either!
Tragedy.
Bryan Cranston is wasted as a kinky VIP; Catherine Zeta Jones is tiresome as his wife, especially when singing to a poster!
The dynamics of the stage show are all gone and it plods when it should sprint.

On the plus side Julianne Hough and Malin Akerman are smoking and there are a few flashes of brilliance here and there.

Watch the stage show and see how it should have been done instead of this wasted opportunity.

Mr Crow Goes To Washington

After a 40 min train trip from Baltimore, arrived in Washington Dc.

Lunchtime was amazing. Food trucks on Twitter announce where they're going to be and for around 8 dollars you can have mouthwatering cuisine in styrofoam trays.
Following a quick Metro ride across town, a 3hr bike ride round the city.

Epic sights, great staff.

Evening: Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse: One of the best meals ever, and meeting the man himself was a major bonus. Incredible food, great ambience, brilliant staff. One to try.

Prometheus review

So, decades of waiting for Ridley Scott to create a sequel or prequel to Alien and he gives us something which owes more to 2001, with icky body horror thrown in for good measure.
Prometheus is an epic tease; a smart fantasy epic which hints at the origins of the space jockey or engineer seen in Alien.
Noomi Rapace is splendid as the God fearing protagonist Shaw; Charlize Theron is watchable as ever as corporate suit Vickers, and Idris Elba perfect as the eponymous ship's captain.
Scott has always been a master of visual spectacle, but his look is sold short by often tiresome characters who meet a sticky end.
Stealing the show is Michael Fassbender as David, the android whose charm and sinister game plan is ever compelling.
Alas, the finale is annoying; setting up a sequel and bridge between Prometheus and Alien.
In IMAX 3D it's an event, with amazing effects, a great score and superb sets.
The standout medical scene has to be er seen to be believed, but while this may not be as structurally perfect as Scott's 1979 original, it's still a very watchable slice of escapism. 8/10

snow white and the huntsman

A good looking take on the classic fairy tale, but despite a scenery chewing perf from Charlize Theron as the evil queen, Chris Hemsworth adding plenty of beefcake appeal, and the likes of Ian McShane and Bob Hoskins delivering comic relief as dwarves, this is highly derivative.

Part Lord of the rings, part Alice in Wonderland, it's not entirely pointless, but the end is a letdown.