Gladiator 2. - Film Review

 

Hey Film Nerds!

Went and saw the new Ridley Scott film.  The sequel to the 2000 original Gladiator, staring Russell Crown as Maximus.

Set 16 years after the original, this film opens with Hanno (Paul Mescal) and his wife Arishat defending their walled fortress from the attack by Romans on boats.  The Roman army is led by General Marcus (Pedro Pascal).

After the battle, Hanno has lost his wife and been imprisoned by the Romans, then taken back to Rome as a slave.

Macrinus (Denzel Washington) is in charge of the gladiators and after seeing Hanno in action takes him on as his champion gladiator.

In Rome Macrinus schemes to gain power as Hanno battles in the arena.

General Marcus wants to retire from war to be with his wife Lucilla (Connie Nielson). The sister of  Emperor Commodus from the first film and lover of Maximus.

The twin Emperor's of Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) are mad and want games to honour General Marcus despite their citizens being poor and hungry.

General Marcus and Lucilla plan to overthrow the Emperor twins. This is helped as Lucilla recognises Hanno.  Could Hanno be her son Lucius? Who's father was Maximus, and who she had to send away for his safety.  Has the rightful heir to the throne of Rome returned?

Overall -  I watched the first Gladiator movie before this film for the first time in years. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and how much I'd forgotten.  If I was scoring it I would give it a 9.5/10.  It has it's flaws and sadly it was Oliver Reed's last role.

Going into this sequel I thought it would over use CGI.  It does in some parts and looks stupid. The CGI monkeys ain't great, but for the most part the CGI enhances the old Roman world.

The acting is great all round including Paul Mescal and Connie Nielson, who still looks stunning 24 years after the first movie.

Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger were great too.  The main stand out was Denzel Washington, who is great in every film he stars in.  But is he friend or foe - no spoilers!

The action scenes were good too and had plenty of gore in them.  I especially liked when they filled the Colosseum with water to battle in boats.

At the start the film feels like a retread of the first Gladiator film but starts moving in a different direction about 30 minutes in.

I also chuckled as the sickly Emperor twin Caracalla looked like the sickly Prince who wants to sing, and who Lancelot saves in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Based on some historical facts, including the fact the Emperor Twins existed. Although they weren't the same as their film counterparts, the film does a great job of bringing parts of history to the big screen.  Obviously some historical accuracy is pushed aside to provide the story.  I don't think newspapers existed in those times but are seen in two cafe scenes. Felt like there was a Costa in those times.

Bels Score -  9/10

My Score -    9/10

Paddington in Peru - Film Review

 

Hey Geeks!

Took my daughter to see the third in the Paddington films.  I'm wondering if there's just going to be a trilogy and Paddington in Peru is the final film.

The first two Paddington films were brilliant, especially Paddington 2 with Hugh Grant as the villain.

Paddington in Peru has a lot to achieve and it just about manages it.

The film starts with Paddington (voiced again by Ben Winshaw) getting his passport. When he receives a letter from his Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton), the Brown family decide to visit her in the Bear Retirement Home in the jungle of Peru.

When they reach the Bear Retirement Home run by head Nun (Olivia Coleman), they find Aunt Lucy has gone to find the mysterious city of Eldorado.

With the help of boatman and adventurer Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) they set off to find Aunt Lucy and Eldorado.  But is everyone who they say they are.

Overall - A fine addition to the Paddington series with plenty of laughs and a twisty plot. Some of the plot twists you see coming but it is fun nonetheless. 

Hugh Bonneville as family head Henry Brown was the stand out in this film and had me chuckling with his risk assessments. 

Emily Mortimer replaced Sally Hawkins as Mrs Brown and it isn't too noticeable and Emily took the role as her own.

Other standouts are Antonio Banderas as the handsome and haunted boatman Hunter Cabot. He also plays the ghosts of his ancestors which was quite funny to see although wasn't as good as Hugh Grant playing multiple characters in the previous films.  Olivia Coleman is solid as the main Nun who is also acting suspiciously.

Unfortunately the rest of the family, the Brown children and Mrs Bird (Julie Walters) don't have as much to do in this film than previous Paddington films.  Also Peter Capaldi's character is no where to be seen.

Paddington in Peru is a fun family film and a fine addition to the series.  Whether there will be more films will rely on the box office takings but it also acts as a great send off for Paddington.

Bels Score -  8.5/10

My Score   -  8/10

Book Review - 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz

 

Books Read in 2024 - No. 4

Hey Fellow Readers!

I unexpectedly read 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz.

I started it at work whilst waiting for calls to come through.  Work had some books brought in to help with mental health.

I picked 77 Shadow Street as it was the only one that appealed to me.  The other books being cosy romance novels. I also hadn't read any horror in many years.  I'd never read a Koontz book but had heard of him.

The novel starts out as a typical haunted house story.   The residents of the Pendleton, who are in separate apartments in the building, start having different experiences.  Some of the residents see ghosts from the Pendleton's past.  Others see strange creatures which turn out are from the future.

What does it mean when the Pendleton shifts to a near future, taken over by AI nanotech creatures joined together as One?

Overall - A spooky read.  Although there are some slow parts as we delve into characters and their back stories.  There are some creepy moments too which can be scary.  As it was the first horror I'd read since my late teens, I was impressed.

Some of the characters are clichéd, like contract killer Mickey Dime. Most characters are fleshed out well.  Even though the story is slow to start with the residents experiencing spooky things, although this is the best part.  When the house shifts you wonder what will happen but the last few pages feel slightly rushed.

Spoilers - the AI nanotech which lives as the One in the future is quite appropriate for today with a rise of all things AI. Koontz was thinking ahead when he wrote the book in 2011.

Score -  7/10

My Goodreads Score -  3.5/10

November 2024 Update!

Hello Chums!

October over already!  An eventful month even though I've been off work with stress!

October Review -

Finished the excellent Guards Guards!  A great read. See a past blog post for my review.

I also took my daughter to see a great spooky play, before I went off from work sick. Called The Haunting of Blaine Manor.  Again, see a past blog post for the review.

Near the end of October I also got to meet two great fantasy authors, RJ Barker and John Gywnne.  A fabulous and insightful event which you can read about in a past blog post.

In November -

Firstly I need to manage my stress and anxiety. Hopefully getting back to work and earning money again.

November is also my birthday month and I'll be reaching the ripe old age of 48!

Reading -  I should finish 77 Shadow Street in the next day or two as I've only 30 pages left to read.  I have definitely failed at reading 24 books in 2024.

Writing - Hope to start writing as I've had lots of encouragement recently going to author events. 

Already in November I've attended an event at Denby Dale.  A lovely village near Huddersfield.  The event was to promote Yorkshire Authors.

I went as I'd never been to Denby Dale and to support Karen who I went to Cleckheaton Writing Group with.

Also there was my author friend Nick who I've been to Edge-lit with.

Both Karen and Nick encouraged me to get writing again.

Have a great November folks!

Neil x

Venom 3 - The Last Dance - Film Review

 Hey Film Nerds!

Treated by daughter to the final Sony Venom film staring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom for her birthday.

The Last Dance is the last outing for Tom Hardy as the character. Although if Venom goes to the MCU with the aid of the piece of Venom that was left behind, then he may come back to voice Venom.

The film starts off in the MCU in the cut scene from Spiderman - No Way Home.

Eddie and Venom get zapped back to his own universe where they are immediately being hunted by Rex Strickland (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor). A soldier working with Area 51 which is holding Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham).  He survived the ending of Venom 2.  Strickland is also holding other symbiotes who are running away from Knull. He's the creator of the symbiotes who have imprisoned him to stop him destroying the Universe.

Knull has sent creatures called Xenophage across the universes to find a Codex. This can free Knull from his prison and is created when a symbiote resurrects a host.  Venom resurrected Eddie in the first film.

As Eddie and Venom make their way to New York where Eddie believes a judge Eddie knows can help him with the trouble they are in, they come across a hippy family going to Area 51. The family is led by Martin (played by Rhys Ifans).

Eventually everyone ends up at Area 51 for a showdown with the Xenophage.

Overall - This is probably my favourite of the Venom films as it had some laugh out moments and went fast.  The interaction with Eddie and Venom was the best so far and packed and emotional punch with it being the last film with the two.

The acting and the action scenes were well done and had more than previous movies but still could have had more action.

As much as I like the Venom films and this one, I still think there has been a missed opportunity to not introduce a Spiderman.  I feel it would have been good in this film to have Andrew Garfield's Spiderman show up and help Venom at the end.

It's also weird they have used actors who have been in the Spiderman and Marvel films before.  Rhys Ifans as Martin was weird when he was the Lizard in the Amazing Spiderman and No Way Home.

Plus Chiwetel playing a soldier when he's played Baron Mordo in the Doctor Strange films.

There also wasn't much connection with the MCU, other than the first scene.  The post credit scenes didn't connect with the MCU either which was disappointing.

Bels Score -  9/10

My Score    - 8.5/10

An Evening with John Gwynne and RJ Barker - Leeds Waterstones

 

John Gwynne and son Will.

Hello Readers!

I managed to go see and meet John Gwynne at last!  He was due to be the guest of honour at Edge-Lit in 2020 when it was cancelled due to COVID.

When the opportunity arose and he was to be in Leeds I jumped at the chance.  I loved his Faith and the Fallen series which I reviewed last year and for me he was the natural successor to David Gemmell.

Joining John, was his son Will, who I follow on YouTube on his Booktube channel and the channel he shares with his brother Ed. The Brothers Gywnne.

Will was there as a host to ask his Papa Gwynne questions.

Will was also there to ask another author, RJ Barker questions on his new book too.

I've seen RJ before when he brought his first book out, Age of Assassins.  I've now got his first two series he's written but yet to read them.

RJ Barker and John Gwynne.

John Gwynne was there to promote the final book in his Bloodsworn trilogy. The Fury of the Gods.

RJ was there to promote the sequel in his Forsaken trilogy. Warlords of Wyrdwood.

Will asked some great questions to the authors and we learned how they write their novels.  John does a lot of research about history including Norse legends, which he used on his Bloodsworn trilogy.

RJ does a mix of things including writing his most bizarre ideas down so has to plan what happens or he would lose track on the plots.

Sadly I didn't video any of the event like I used to when I started going to author events.  I didn't make any notes either like I used to.  They used to distract me from living the experience.  So this blog is mainly from memory.

Will asked about their inspirations.  Sadly can't remember the authors RJ mentioned but he did mention he reads a lot of folklore and weird stories and legends.  He also mentioned he reads outside the fantasy genre he writes and likes crime novels.

He is also writing a crime series under the name RJ Dark.

John mentioned a few authors but said my favourite author, David Gemmell, was a big inspiration and said he stayed up reading Legend all night as a teenager.

The event got emotional when John spoke about writing Fury of the Gods as his daughter Harriett passed away before he started writing it.  He had a break from writing and social media after that. With support from family and friends and the arrival of his Granddaughter, it got him back onto the writing saddle.

Will opened questions up to the audience.

One question was how the authors got into writing.

John said he was late to writing and only started to write in his thirties, when he took time of work to look after Harriett.

His wife suggested he write a book and using his historical knowledge he wrote Malice.  His family encouraged him to send it off to agents and the rest is history.

RJ said an agent saw his killer zombie sheepdog short story on his blog and took him on.

Unfortunately the ideas he sent the agent didn't stick and they got no buyers.  His agent suggested other agents to him which he contacted with Age of Assassins and the rest is again history.

RJ also mentioned he was hoping to be a rock musician but couldn't play an instrument and his other hobby was reading so that's how he started to write.

There were many more questions and we got a great insight into the authors.

It was both a fun and emotional evening and RJ as always was hilarious.

They are both working on new series. They couldn't say anything on pain of death.

It was then time to queue up and get our books signed.  The line was long and luckily I wasn't too far from the front.

I was nervous when I met John and babbled on about almost seeing him at the cancelled Edge-lit which might have confused him. 

I managed to get a photo with him, took by the guy stood behind me and I'm peed off I didn't smile more!

Me and John Gywnne.

I have a few "why didn't I do that" moments.

As I was wanting to get off for train home I didn't get chance to say hello to RJ and was too skint to buy his new book.

I'm also gutted I didn't say hello to Will and say how much I like his Booktube channel.

Also, as I queued up to sit down at the beginning of the event a woman and her boyfriend was stood behind me and I recognised her.  Later I realised it was the Booktuber Becca from Becca and the Books.  I'm gutted I didn't say hello to her too and say how much I liked her channel.

I rushed for my train after the event not realising Leeds had a light show on and trains were cancelled, replaced by buses.  It took ages getting home, but worth it to see two great authors.

Hopefully they will be at Leeds Waterstones again soon.

Neil x

Theatre Review - The Haunting of Blaine Manor

Welcome!

Very mild Spoilers!

I did something I haven't done in many years.  Visited the theatre to watch a play.  I'm not usually one for watching theatre productions but I feel after watching the fantastic and eerie Haunting of Blaine Manor I will make the effort to go more often and support the theatre and arts.

A few weeks ago on the bus home with my daughter we saw an advert for The Haunting of Blaine Manor.  We were intrigued and as October is spooky season looked into it and booked.  The trailer for the play hooked me straight away.

The story, set in 1953, follows Doctor Roy Earle (played by Peter Slater), a sceptic of the paranormal and debunker.  He's been invited by the owner of Blaine Manor, Mister Tyler to attend a seance and prove the house isn't haunted.

The séance is held by Cairo (played by Andrew Yates).  A renowned mind reader and spiritualist. 

Other guest include Vivian Rutledge (played by Jo Haydock). A well known reporter.  Vincent De Lambre (played by Ed Barry).  The lawyer of Mister Tyler.

There is also Adolphus Scarabus (played by Jimmy Allen). An eccentric Psychic medium.

Lastly there is Grady (played by Joe O'Byrne). He's the mysterious butler of the house.

The characters give their back stories as they unravel the mystery of the missing owner Mister Tyler and whether the house is really haunted and by what.

Overall -  A fantastic production, with a story that kept you engaged all the way through.  With relevations about the characters throughout and twist and turns including a twist at the end I didn't see coming.

With theatre, it's more about character than spectacle unlike most films at the cinema and it was a credit to the writing and acting that kept you watching.  Although there were some scares due to lighting and sound at the right moments.

The story of the house and characters felt real with some good back stories and Joe O'Byrne who not only played the butler Grady but also wrote and directed it did a splendid job of all three.

You can see what influences he had.  From old ghost stories by Edgar Allan Poe and Hammer horror.  There was also some humour in there, that reminded me of  The League of Gentlemen TV series.  They too were inspired by classic horror.

The acting was spot on from all the cast including Joe O'Byrne.

The characters on stage the most were Peter Slater as Roy Earle and Jo Haydock as Vivian Rutledge and they held everything together well and didn't miss a beat.

A favourite character of mine was Andrew Yates as Cairo.  He looked like Richard O'Brien from the Crystal Maze but sounded like Londo from Babylon 5.

Jimmy Allen as Adolphus Scarabus was fun to watch too chasing around invisible spooks. 

Ed Barry as Vincent De Lambre was great too with a more serious tone.

Credit goes to the rest of the Blaine Manor crew for lighting and sound.  Although the first five minutes were hard to hear but I think it was just us adjusting to listening to a stage performance.

The staff of the Victoria Theatre were great at their roles and friendly.

A sign that we enjoyed the show was that it went fast.  Too fast.  With two 50 minute acts, they only felt like 15 minutes each and we wanted more.

Joe even came out at the end and thanked the audience and staff which was nice.

I would definitely watch anything the Blaine Manor team create next and wish them great success with the spooky, twisty tale.

Only gripe is drinking lager from what looked like a gravy jug.

Bels Score  -  10/10

My Score    -   10/10

Neil x