Film 2014 Reviews with Barry Norman (or Neil Walker)

Good Evening Movie lovers tonight I have 2 movies reviews to share with you all - First up is
RoboCop (2014)


The Original Robocop from 1987 has to be one of my all time favourite movies - with it's heavy mix of swearing and ultra violence I still enjoyed it - even though was 15 when first saw the 18 cert film - naughty me.  Looking back the special effects are still good although some ED 209's looked bit dodgy it has to be a classic with memorable quotes "I'd buy that for a dollar" to the adverts it showed - Nuke Em - the family game for all.  The acting was spot on and I enjoyed the psyco baddie best Clarence Boddiker.
Robocop 2 couldn't live up to the original although is still very good and Robocop 3 - bit rubbish especially as the edge has gone and was a PG.
When this film was announced as a 12A I groaned and a vision of a flying Robocop came to mind but as it happens I really enjoyed the film and it shows how we are more accustomed to violence now compared to around 20 years ago as it is quite gory with blood splats and body parts - only thing missing is the swearing which this film doesn't need.
Again focusing on Alex Murphy played brilliantly by Joel Kinnaman it shows us the viewpoint more this film of his family and how they are affected as well as him by being blown to bits.
With fantastic supporting cast from Gary Oldman, Samuel L Jackson and Micheal Keaton to name but a few it left me very entertained and quite thought provoking of a society ruled by greed and kept under check by robots.   A theme similar to my Total Futures trilogy.
Jackie Earle Haley was also good as Mattock an arms specialist who had an agrievance with Robo.
The special effects were fantastic and instead of the adverts of the original there was a news/debate show hosted by Mr Jackson which was cynical and only told the audience what they wanted to tell - bit like news today lol.
Overall - fantastic - hope there is a sequel as good as this but no flying Robocop.

Verdict - Dead or Alive you get 9/10

A place where people do the same thing and expected to do what they told is a theme in my short stories and Robocop and was surprised to see it in the next movie I saw with my daughter - yep it's Lego Movie



Yep saw this Monday with my Daughter was very good film - Bel and myself chuckled at a few things and couldn't stop singing everything is awesome - the song all the normal lego figures sing when going to work.
It focuses on Emmet an ordinary Lego character who finds himself destined for bigger things - I had to laugh when he was going to work and in queues to get everywhere and everyone buying expensive coffee - reminded me of my way to work in Leeds - everyone does the same!
The voice cast and animation are fantastic - the plot not great and I didn't like the ending where he (spoilers) came to our world - seemed like they ran out of ideas!

But a fun movie

Verdict  very good despite dodgy ending  7/10

Hi Guys

How you all?  Haven't had internet for my Laptop for a while so not been able to blog.

Quick update - Still on 2nd story in Total Futures Trilogy hope to finish this at weekend and start third story especially as I off work a few days.

I'm also planning on going to a few events at the upcoming Huddersfield Literature Festival in early March - will post details soon.

Also been to a successful CWG meeting which took park on Monday 17th Feb.

We updated each other on our current works in progress then gave Andy feedback on his fantastic story Billy Goat Thugs - a modern take on the Billy Goat Gruff fairy tales.  Very funny.

We also discussed upcoming events including the Leeds Trinity Writers Workshops and Huddersfield Lit Festival.

Also been to watch the new Robocop movie - review to feature shortly - it's awesome though.

Well will blog soon guys

Neil x

CWG Meeting 3/1/14

Hi guys

Well JaNoWiMo has finished now and although haven't finished the Total Futures Trilogy I am half way through - mid way on 2nd story.  Hope to finish this this week.

Tonight enjoyed the CWG meeting and was a very full meeting - with our two newest members Andy and Vicky in attendance plus the usual Dawn, Karen, Laura, John - only people missing was Pauline and Sarah.

Firstly we had a catch up of our WIP with myself, Laura and Dawn updating how we did on JaNo with Laura and Dawn finishing full drafts.  Dawn wrote hers long hand and is typing up on Schriver program which she will review for us soon.
Andy is busy writing a few short stories and working on a children's novel and looking into Kindle publishing.
Karen is working on Spacecakes with a view to converting to script.
Vicky is working on her short story she started at the meeting last time and John has been too busy but promises to write something soon.

We also gave feedback on Laura and Karen's work - they bot sent us 3 chapters of their current works - the feedback was good and next time Andy and myself will be supplying what we've done for feedback - eek.

For a writing challenge we all did different things from quotes from a creative writing book.

Mine was - Gunboat loading Ammo at a dock. - see below

For this I decided to do a Vietnam story for a change - like to mix up different styles although didn't finish it and may do something with it in future although you don't see many Vietnam Novels around anymore - maybe it's a slight niche to get into?  I also tried to channel Full Metal Jacket and the nutty Sergeant.

Gunboat Vietnam Style

The Private fumbled with the chain of ammunition as he was loading it into the automatic machine gun positioned at the back of the boat.  He cursed under his breath.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sergeant Buck staring at him.  His eyes were wide and Private Alex could even see the Sergeants veins raised up and pulsating at the temples and the forehead.  This wasn’t good.

“Fuck sake soldier you trying to blow us up before the Viet-cong do?”

“No. Sorry,”

“No. Sorry what?”

“No. Sorry Sir,”

“How did you get in the US Army soldier?”

Private Alex was put on the spot, not knowing what to reply.  This would have consequences.  He knew Sergeant Buck had a bad reputation for being an hard ass and punishing new recruits.  The Sergeant had only just arrived in Vietnam from a US Marine training academy.

“What’s up soldier you deaf as well as dumb?”

“No . . . .sir,”

“Soldier can’t you hold that ammunition?  I bet its bigger than the cock your Mama gave you?”

At that moment the sound of an explosion ripped through an awkward silence.