I never got the appeal of the kind of people watching that suc sitting around a mall and not shopping could entail.
Although maybe it is a side effect of spending your first three years as an adult in America being unable to do the normal socialising practice of consuming alcohol.
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
This is perhaps the least Star Trekkie book I have yet read for the simple purpose that it refuses to hit the reset button - one of the major criticisms of virtually all of the Star Trek franchise. The vast majority of books, TV shows and movie have very little to do with one another and even when any of the Enterprises, DS9, Voyager or any of their respective crews would be faced with physical or emotional turmoil, not only would they overcome it in the last 5 mins of the episode but there would no residue damage in the following instalment.
Well, in this story, there is nothing but residual turmoil stemming from the Destiny trilogy, the first Star Trek books I ever read. The story of Destiny was a Borg invasion, but not just any old Borg invasion of one or two cubes. No, this time there were 7,000 ships and rather than coming to assimilate, they came to destroy those who had proven that resistance was far from futile. Before they were stopped once and for all, 60 billion people throughout the Alpha Quadrant had been massacred.
This is the story the Federation and their Klingon allies facing the appalling casualties and billions of displaced peoples fleeing the Borg bombardments of hundreds of planets and the subsequent lack of manpower, resources and ships.
But on top of that, or maybe underneath would be a better description is another threat. Sabotage is rife in various systems, trying to stop the rebuilding work and it is gradually revealed that there is to be a new Big Bad in the place of the Borg, only this is not someone new to the Federation and her allies; indeed, it is a series of old enemies - Romulan, Breen, Tholian, Kinshaya and Gorn - coming together to form the Typhon Pact in opposition to the Federation/Klingon alliance.
Essentially this is the retelling of the Cold War in the late 24th century with two superpower blocs emerging from the defeat of the totalitarian monster.
As with his Gatesways entry, DeCandido does an excellent job of exploring the political, military and personal ramifications of the story at hand i.e. Borg invasion, complete with journal entries, TV show excerpts, casualty lists, press conferences, all brought together through the personage of Professor Sonek Pran as he discovers and then unravels the sabotage ring and its Typhon origins.
It has made me want to read on into the Typhon Pact series that comes after this.
Currently Reading
1. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
As with Zombieland, the post-apocalyptic setting is largely superfluous giving way to an internal monologue and a different kind of movie. In this case, it is the same old love story - boy and girl meet, fall in love, girl's father disapproves, boy and girl separate only to reunited to win father's approval.
Despite that, I did not hate it anywhere near as much as I would have thought I might. Not sure I had ever seen the idea of the zombie infection being recoverable and that was something that I liked.
The ability to hide Julie from being smelled by Corpses through just a few simple drops of blood was weak and I thought John Malkovich's character was a little too quickly persuaded to believe R might be cured. A far more tense standoff could have been set up at the end. Perhaps another earlier scene regarding his hatred of Corpses and a more obvious example of him seeing R save Julie was needed.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
Currently Reading
1. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
This was a prime example of the potential problems of turning sci-fi/fantasy novels into movies - there is just so much going on at a break neck speed that there is no time to digest this new universe or expand on the characters who are introduced in seemingly every scene. It was under two hours but could have done with being a three hour epic just to make the story and its cast a little more fleshed out.
The soul creatures were not as annoying as I thought they might be, although the treatment they got was very inconsistent - at times they were spoken to like they were there for everyone to see and the next second completely ignored while they were talking and even saying something important.
I could not stand Lyra, while I found Sir Ian McKellen's voice to be out of place for Iorek. Also what was it with Lord Asriel disappearing for three-quarters of the film? I know it is supposed to be a trilogy but surely that was the kind of thing that should have been reordered/rewritten to get him more screen time? He is meant to be a central character.
Interesting to read that it is felt by members of the cast that the reason that the trilogy has yet to be completed, despite the large profits it generated, is due to pressure from the Catholic Church, who saw the film as "godless" When I hear things like that and see the portrayal of the Magisterium in this, I cannot help but feel that the real problem they have is that the depiction of a religious authority impinging on free will cuts a little too closely to the bone, rather than being "godless."
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
Anyone who has watched the Borgias TV show can attest to the kind of rampant corruption, murder and debauchery that is attributed to the papal regime of Rodrigo Borgia as Alexander VI.
This is a translation of the diaries of one of the historical characters that appears in the show, the Master of Ceremonies, Johann Burchard. He seems acutely aware that his diaries may be read by someone in authority as there is little in the way of criticism or judgement towards the pope and his family (that the pope has a family - three sons and a daughter - is just the first warning sign that this is a different age), except when it comes to Alexander's deviation from tradition in various practices, which is what seems to be Burchard's role in life - ceremony and tradition.
Of course, it could be argued that Burchard does not record the numerous incidents attributed to Rodrigo and Cesare Borgia because they are inventions and exaggerations. But there is evidence of censorship with segments of the diary removed, either by Burchard himself or a later editor with entire weeks removed at several stages.
This does make me want to go and read something more on Renaissance Italy, beyond the excellent book on the Medici of Florence I have lying around here somewhere.
Yeah, it really is absurd, although it did not stop the Dan Brown books being made for the big screen...
The only thing I could say in the defence of the Church is that the underlying stories involved here are perhaps not completely appropriate for children. The "cutting" is a pretty drastic and I have read suggestions that the depiction of Lyra is not really for kids.
One of the main themes of the books is puberty and children's discovery of sexuality - and the lengths to which this panics adults, particularly parents, who will do insane, ultimately damaging things to stop it. I call that irony.
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
This was a pretty good movie adaptation of the book (unlike the more recent Bruce Willis adaptation), with detail removed rather than changing of the story. The only significant difference I noticed was Madame de Montpellier being told about the Jackal by Lebel rather than finding out later at her chateau.
At times I thought that Edward Fox and particularly his flailing, mincey walk was a little too noticeable, even flamboyant, for a contract killer who was always looking to remain unnoticed.
And much like the book, the film ends a little too abruptly for my liking. Something could have been shown about the rounding up of the remnant of the OAS, although I liked that the mystery of the Jackal remained in tact.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
I enjoyed this far more than I thought I might as I had expected a far more low brow teen-fiction work than I got. Don't get me wrong, it is still easy reading but that is not just because of the original target audience. There is a good story here. While the Battle Royale comparisons loom large at various points during the competition, Collins does a good job of detailing how this is a different world. Districts and by extension the world of Panem are expanded upon to give depth.
After a chapter or two, I was worried that the first person layout might start to grate, hearing Katniss' every thought, although the author rarely allows for that to completely takeover, using Katniss's eyes as the camera rather than just the narrator.
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
Breezed through this one in no time, partly due to it being easy reading but also due to it having a good story to jump off from.
I wanted more from the other districts of Panem - the victory parade should have been a perfect opportunity to highlight their suffering and oppression more, but when the time came, that was skirted over in less than a paragraph after the incident in District 3, with the explanation that everything was a whirlwind for Katniss. Understandable to an extent but really a story-telling cop out.
A good job has been done to show the Capitol and President Snow as being this monstrous totalitarian state with something of a benign frontage, although I would say that Snow has done a pretty awful job in managing the situation post-74th Games.
I suppose that there is always the potential for that to happen when a totalitarian state faces opposition when it is not used to it - they do not know how to deal with it and see everything as an orchestrated slight, much like with Katniss and the berries.
The twist for the 75th Games was predictable but that does not make it bad. It is exactly what Snow would have thought would be a good idea - even if it is clearly not. The situation in the districts is too far gone for the message to quell them rather than further incite. The Quell itself had a nice addition in the clock and reminded me of the Cube, although again, I would have liked more depth on the Game. What was in the other sectors?
At times, the book did exhibit a bit too much of the teen angst so prevalent in this genre and Katniss going over the same problems, some of which are not really problems, over and over becomes a little repetitive at times.
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
I was disappointed in this due to the final act. The build up had been good enough, especially Star Squad going through the streets and sewers to get to the presidential mansion. But with a climactic showdown between Katniss, Snow and Peeta in the offing, it does not happen. The parachute bombing and the reasons behind it were sound and could have added another twist to an extended civil war but really I felt let down without that showdown.
After the parachute bombing, the battle for the Capitol ended up a complete anti-climax. But even that could have been saved had there been more overt ramifications for Katniss' actions at the execution. I certainly liked what she did as it was at times difficult to see whether District 13 would be any better than the Capitol had been - replacing the tyranny of gluttony by the tyranny of the military, but it happens far too late in the book. A standoff between the Districts and 13 with Katniss revealing the crimes of Coin and the people choosing the Mockingjay over 13 would have been better. And then she could kill Snow before retiring
I had little problem with Katniss ending up back in District 12 but her ending up with Peeta and having a family just seemed completely contrary to everything she had said in the previous two and a half books, even without Peeta being brainwashed. It smacked a little of the author not really knowing what to do with her creation and needing to give her something of a "happy ever after" - something that Katniss never professed to want. She should have ended up alone but content, perhaps with a scene of her sitting singing at the side of the lake in the forest.
That that "happy" ending was definitely a reminder that I was not a member of the target audience of this book but as it felt so tacked on, I have a feeling that it was not necessarily what the author might have wanted either.
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
I enjoyed this immensely. Much like the Avengers, a nicely rounded out team with the addition of being misfits/outlaws, that the Earth Marvel super-team somewhat lacked. The tongue in cheek jokes, the 80s vibe and the tremendous soundtrack all combined to produce another Marvel marvel that DC is going to have a very tough time in coming close to never mind surpassing.
It did get a little too CGIy for my liking in the latter act but then what can you do in the scenario that had been painted with not letting Ronan land on Xander? I also felt that there was room for an extra 20 mins or so at the beginning to explain a bit more of the backgrounds of the Guardians, the Nova Corps and Ronan's Kree.
I think Drax in particular needed to show off his strength against a stronger foe than random prisoners as the only things that stood out about him in a fight is that he got his arse handed to him by Ronan on two occasions. Sure, that could be used to show how overcome with thoughts of revenge he was but it did not do much for his standing as the muscle, particularly alongside Groot - Baby Groot dancing was pretty fantastic. Gamorra was in something or a similar boat as there was no real build up to her defection from Ronan. It just happened in passing.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
46. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
I'll be courteous and place it in spoilers just in case.
I thought this was a bit of a mess, suffering badly from a seemingly contradictory bloatedness at times along with thinness on others. Unsurprisingly, the whole film felt like an extended third act of the previous film, rather than the third part of a trilogy. My first instinct after the credits rolled was that "there must have been a lot of scenes cut from the final cinema version." There were so many things left unexplained or overlooked.
LOTR was criticised for having a very long summing up section at the end of ROTK but the smash cut from young Bilbo to old Bilbo holding the ring was crap as we were told nothing about what was happening with the Lonely Mountain, the successor to Thorin, the men of Dale or the elves of Thranduil aside from that Legolas was told to find Aragorn.
Speaking of Thranduil, there seemed to a bit of a disconnect or missing scene regarding his role in the battle as the last we saw of him in the fighting was him ordering his men to retreat only to be faced with Tauriel and Legolas, but at no stage did we see him deciding to stay on and fight with the men and dwarves. Then he is surveying the mess having stayed on but we were given no evidence of him doing so during the fighting.
And then we got the Tolkien get out clause - the bloody eagles showing up as the god of all god from machines. Awful stuff that just killed the battle dead in its tracks - or it would have done had the focus not been lifted from it completely in favour of watching the utter dick who was Thorin Oakenshield get his undeserved revenge and a pretty awful love story become tragic in both meanings of the word while the more interesting characters like Gandalf, Bard, Dain and the other dwarves left to complete their unlikely survival/victory off screen. Worse still, the title character and by far the best thing in the first two films just lay off to the side
There were quite a few other problems which I will not go into but really, the biggest problem with the Hobbit is that the source material itself just is not all that interesting and is lacking in detail, certainly not anywhere near that of LOTR, forcing writers who are not Tolkien to try and fill the gaps unsuccessfully.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
46. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
54. Stephen King The Shining
I am not at all sure what I thought about this - parts of it were really good, while other parts were rather disjointed.
The atmosphere of the Overlook and its surrounding rang true to me as I have had the good fortune to drive up around those parts of Colorado, although I cannot say that I was ever on edge or compelled to keep reading into the small hours.
Also, I found the pacing of it a little off at times such as Jack's 'transformation' into 'it' just sort of happening with a lot of the questions raised by the history of the hotel just sort of left to one side. It smashing its own face to smithereens was good, probably my favourite part along with It's fight with Wendy.
I will probably go and watch the film (another I have not seen from start to finish) sometime this week.
Currently Reading
1. Tim Jeal Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa's Greatest Explorer (2007)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
46. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
47. Dumb and Dumber To
Going to the cinema twice in a week? Madness
This was better than I expected it to be.
It was perhaps little cruder than it needed to be (and probably 10 years late), although maybe that was to draw in the fans of the original who are now twenty years older. It still got a couple of laughs out of me, particularly when they rehashed the original; although I would say that there were not the truly standout moments that the original had - Harry and the laxatives, Harry on the ski slopes, the pair frozen together on their way to Aspen.
Carrey continues to show that his excellent physical comedy, although I think that the script made Lloyd Christmas look almost mean-spirited rather than just an idiot.
Overall though, it was teen humour that served its purpose of taking me back to the mid 90s.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)
25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
26. M.K. Bohnhoff and M. Reaves Star Wars: Shadow Games (2012)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
54. Stephen King The Shining
Currently Reading
1. Tim Jeal Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa's Greatest Explorer (2007)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
46. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
47. Dumb and Dumber To
48. The Shining
This was another that I had only ever seen bits and pieces of over the years - largely the opening and closing 10 mins.
Unsurprisingly, there is not the detail that there is in the book but I was a little disappointed that the mystique of the Overlook was not investigated in a bit more detail - was the "buried on an Indian burial ground" done tongue in cheek? And aside from a couple of outbursts, Jack's transformation into 'it' seems to come almost completely out of the blue.
I felt that the addition of the death of Halloran was a good one as it added weight to the complete break that Jack has suffered; in the book, he is a murderous psychopath who does not succeed in killing anyone aside from himself by forgetting the boiler.
Aside from a couple of Nicholson's quotations and the reveal of the typewriter, the highlight of the film is the work of Kubrick with his smash cuts and overhead shots. They add a sense of urgency and solitude that is much needed to capture the essence of the story.
49. Red 2
I felt at time that this intentionally incorporated moments of B movie acting - either that or Mary-Louise Parker was dire and Bruce Willis was smelling a lot of farts throughout.
In building on the original, this sequel ends up with too many main characters while the introduction of Han in particular just seemed there to incorporate some of his Storm Shadow hijinks.
The plot is a little strange and I felt that they needed to spell out the reasons for going after Frank and Marvin a little more clearly - until late on, it really just seemed like they were being chased due to their names being on a leaked document about Nightshade. On top of that, agents of the US government slaughter each other for no apparent reason in the early interrogation scene.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)
25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
26. M.K. Bohnhoff and M. Reaves Star Wars: Shadow Games (2012)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
54. Stephen King The Shining
Currently Reading
1. Tim Jeal Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa's Greatest Explorer (2007)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
46. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
47. Dumb and Dumber To
48. The Shining
49. Red 2
50. Road
In some ways it is a crime that it has taken this long for me to have watched this as it is about the most famous road racing family probably in the world and they are from my home town of Ballymoney, Northern Ireland - there are memorials to both Dunlop boys in the town, Joey's pub is at the train station and the local sports centre was renamed after him. Then again, while I am a big fan of numerous sports and will watch and discuss virtually any of them, any form of motor racing holds no appeal for me, so really it is not much of a surprise.
As for this documentary film itself, narrated by Liam Neeson, himself from 20 miles up the road in Ballymena, it is an odd sensation to see various people that I would be able to see walking down the street in a well-produced film.
Of course, knowing the outline of the Dunlop story - the astronomical number of victories for both Joey and Robert over nearly three decades of road racing but also the devastating injuries that should have seen the end of their careers several times over - I knew the tragedy with which the story of this generation of Dunlops ended. But yet that did not stop me enjoying the highlights and then being moved to teary eyes in the final moments, particularly with that moment of Dunlop magic amidst the despair with Michael Dunlop's almost miraculous victory at the North West 200 two days after his father's death.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
3. James E. Fraser The Roman Conquest of Scotland: The Battle of Mons Graupius AD84 (2008)
4. Aaron Allston Star Wars: X-Wing #10 - Mercy Kill
5. Chester G. Starr The Influence of Sea Power on Ancient History (1989)
6. Robert Harvey Clive: The Life and Death of a British Emperor (1998)
7. David Ross Nelson: Britain's Greatest Naval Commander (2005)
8. Dan Crompton A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The World's Oldest Joke Book (2010)
9. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Choices of One (2012)
10. Peter Haining A Brief History of Cults: Bizarre Rituals and Murderous Practices Revealed (1999)
11. Drew Karpyshyn Star Wars: The Old Republic - Annihilation
12. Shaun Porter Barbaric Methods of Ancient Execution
13. Chester G. Starr The Emergence of Rome as Ruler of the Western World (1953)
14. Patrick Bishop Target Tirpitz: X-Craft, Agents and Dambusters - The Epic Quest to Destroy Hitler's Mightiest Warship (2012)
15. K.M. MacPhee Dalriada: Heartland of Scotland (2012)
16. John Richardson Roman Provincial Administration (2001)
17. Michael Grant The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire (1999)
18. S.A.Lusher The Necropolis Trilogy (2014)
19. David Shotter Tiberius Caesar (2004)
20. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2000)
21. Chris Bentley The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet (2001)
22. Simon B. Jones The Battles Are The Best Bits
23. Tony Perrottet Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008)
24. Peter Blake and Paul Blezard The Arcadian Cipher (2000)
25. Giles Milton Samurai William: the Adventurer who Unlocked Japan (2003)
26. M.K. Bohnhoff and M. Reaves Star Wars: Shadow Games (2012)
27. S.J. Hill and S. Ireland Roman Britain (2013)
28. T.D. Barnes Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire (1993)
29. Timothy Zahn Star Wars: Scoundrels (2013)
30. Frederick Forsyth The Day of the Jackal (1971)
31. Chris Brown The Second Scottish Wars of Independence 1332-1363 (2002)
32. M.H. Dodgeon and S.N.C. Lieu The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD226-363 (1993)
33. J.J. Miller Star Wars: The Lost Tribe of the Sith (2012)
34. C.J. Kraus and A.J. Woodman The Latin Historians (2006)
35. Tim Lebbon Star Wars: Into the Void (2013)
36. Ben McIntyre Agent Zigag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy (2007)
37. Brian Robb A Brief Guide to Star Trek: The Essential History f the Classic TV Series and the Movies (2012)
38. M.A. Martin and A. Mangels Star Trek Enterprise: Kobayashi Maru
39. Paul Stephenson Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor (2009)
40. Wright, S. Star Trek: Gateways #1 One Small Step (2001)
41. Carey, D. Star Trek: Gateways #2 Chainmail (2001)
42. Greenberger, R. Star Trek: Gateways #3 Door into Chaos (2001)
43. Peter Brown Through the Eye of a Needle: Wealth, the Fall of Rome, and the Making of Christianity in the West, 350-550AD (2012)
44. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: Gateways #4 Demons of Air and Darkness (2001)
45. Golden, C. Star Trek: Gateways #5 No Man's Land (2001)
46. David, P. Star Trek: Gateways #6 Cold Wars (2001)
47. Ensemble Star Trek: Gateways #7 What Lay Beyond (2001)
48. M.G. Harris Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force: Black Horizon (2015)
49. K.R.A. DeCandido Star Trek: A Singular Destiny (2009)
50. Johann Burchard At the Court of the Borgia (1997)
51. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games (2008)
52. Suzanne Collins Catching Fire (2009)
53. Suzanne Collins Mockingjay (2010)
54. Stephen King The Shining
Currently Reading
1. Tim Jeal Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa's Greatest Explorer (2007)
1. Eastern Promises
2. Lust, Caution
3. Taxi Driver
4. Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
5. Valhalla Rising
6. Django Unchained
7. Contraband
8. Zoolander
9. Centurion
10. The Eagle
11. Super
12. X-Men: First Class
13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
14. Son of the Mask
15. Despicable Me
16. Despicable Me 2
17. Shrek Forever After
18. In the Electric Mist
19. The Other Guys
20. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
21. Thor: The Dark World
22. The Lego Movie
23. GI JOE: Retaliation
24. To End All War
25. Iron Man 3
26. American Hustle
27. Gravity
28. We're the Millers
29. Blood of the Vikings
30. Zombieland
31. Fort Apache
32. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
33. A Few Dollars More
34. Natural Born Killers
35. Southland Tales
36. The Road
37. The Searchers
38. The Outlaw Josey Wales39. Pale Rider
40. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
41. Mallrats
42. Warm Bodies
43. The Golden Compass
44. The Day of the Jackal
45. Guardians of the Galaxy
46. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
47. Dumb and Dumber To
48. The Shining
49. Red 2
50. Road
51. The Ides of March
As with most Clooney productions these days, it captures a dark atmosphere in the least likely places - Hollywood and TV shows usually portray campaign offices as far more active, sycophantic, pep rallies.
I had some hopes for this but really it is a one dimensional, linear story with almost no depth to it at all. Unlike the historical event most associated with the title, there is no really grand back-stabbing moment. Stephen gets sacked for doing something stupid and uses Morris' mistake to get back in again by getting rid of the guy who got rid of him in the first place. Big whoop.
I think a better job could have been done to highlight Molly's potential despair to play up the chance that she killed herself but you do not see her even shed a tear in any scene.
52. X-Men: Days of Future Past
Along with First Class, the X-Men franchise continues its revival after the awful Last Stand. Fassbender was epic as Magneto again, although perhaps you could argue that the film is populated by so many stars that we end up not seeing all that much of each of the main characters. Wolverine for example does a little too much sitting around on a jet for my liking, while his being the 'grown up' takes something away from his character. Also given how virtually unstoppable he was in the Pentagon, why is Quicksilver not taken along for the ride to Paris? He would have sorted things out in a flash
While looking very much like the automaton that Thor defeats in his first outing, a good job was done in presenting the Sentinels as a grave and indeed fatal threat to the X-Men. I could understand criticism over the time travel aspect as it is not really explained why Shadowcat has such a power when all we see her do is phase through things.
While Mystique's powers would be very useful, I cannot help but feel that the cut scenes involving Rogue will suggest that her powers too have been replicated for the Sentinels as they mimic the powers of those they touch in the future.
And on top of that, there was the post-credits appearance of Apocalypse and his Horsemen As much as I like Apocalypse as a character and it might bring us Cable, defeating him requires too much in the way of psychic power, which can come across as rather boring.
Repeat Viewing
1. Zulu
2. Die Hard With A Vengeance
3. The Punisher
4. The Guard
5. Octopussy
6. Live and Let Die
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indy at Christmas is becoming something of a tradition.
The "glaring story problem" raised by Amy in Big Bang Theory gives viewers another thing to look out for - does Indiana Jones actually affect the story in any real way? Aside from delivering the Ark to the Americans and perhaps saving Marion from death at the hands of the Nazis in Nepal, the answer is not really. The Nazis would have found, opened the Ark and then been destroyed by it without him.
8. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
This is perhaps the film where Indy actually does some good - rescuing children from slavery and perhaps stopping an evil enemy who might not have been destroyed by the MacGuffin as in the other three films, although we never actually see the true power of the Sankarra Stones aside from burning with heat.
9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Much like with the Nazis and the Ark, it could be argued that the Nazis getting the Grail would not have been the disaster that it is built up to be, especially when it cannot be taken beyond the seal and its effects seemingly not working beyond it either, given that Henry Jone Snr dies before Indy 4.
Books
Read
1. James Bowder (ed.) Beyond the Wall: Exploring George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (2012)
2. Paul S. Kemp Star Wars: Riptide (2011)
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