Wigan Waterstones and Book Haul

 

Hi Peeps

Well another Waterstones visited.  This time in the historic town of Wigan, the birthplace of George Formby.

Wigan is a fairly small town, and I didn't see many pubs, so was surprised there was a Waterstones.

Like Stirling and Kendal Waterstones, Wigan Waterstones is situated in a small arcade and based over one floor.

The Science fiction and Fantasy section is a decent size but smaller than a few other Waterstones I've been in and the selection isn't great.  Also there is no cafe.  It is worth a visit though.

Wigan Waterstones Score  6/10

My Wigan bookhaul.

The Batman - Film Review (Mild Spoilers)

Hi Folks

Have finally watched the new Batman film, with, my daughter and Gf.

I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to it, when it was announced and Robert Pattinson would be playing the iconic role.  I was hoping for a solo Batman movie with Ben Affleck, who I loved in the role, yet hadn't seen enough of.

After the trailers came out I was intrigued and hopeful.  Thankfully I loved this new take on Batman.  Gritty and realistic, this is Batman near the beginning of his career as the caped crusader.  It is a more comic accurate take on Batman as the world's greatest detective.   Up until now in the films there hasn't been much of Batman using his brain power, except in some scenes of The Dark Knight when he was trying to identity the Joker.

Yes because of this, the action lags as both Batman and Commissioner Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) are solving the Riddlers puzzles.  Yet what action there is, is good especially a car chase and a club fight scene.

Robert Pattinson is well suited to this Batman, although his Bruce Wayne isn't interested in being a billionaire playboy and content to just being Batman.  Hopefully they will balance this out in the sequel.  My thoughts on Robert Pattinson being a good actor has gone up.  He has some good company with the ever reliable Andy Serkis as Alfred the Butler, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman and Colin Farrell unrecognisable as Penguin.  Also it's the first I've seen of Paul Dano in film but his Riddler was crazy, deadly and creepy.

Overall - a great Batman film. Not sure if it beats The Dark Knight as my favourite but it is close.  It depends what they do with the sequels. There was a Joker cameo too, so maybe he will be the main antagonist in the sequel?   Hopefully there will be more Bruce Wayne persona in the sequel too.

Bels Score  -   8/10

My Score   -   8/10

March 2022 - Update - Happy World Book Day

Hi fellow readers.

Just a quick update for March.

Hopefully this will be the month I start writing.  So not much to say on this.

As it's World Book Day, I will be reading the above book. Malice by the excellent John Gwynne. So far I'm enjoying this.  It reminds me of David Gemmell's books.

Talking of David Gemmell, I met author Andy Remic at the last David Gemmell Awards at 2018 Edge-Lit in Derby.  He was there on a panel for Gemmell's work, plus giving a speech on how much Gemmell influenced him.

We had a good laugh in the night drinking with his mate Steve plus a few others and planned to meet again.

Sadly this hasn't happened as he was diagnosed with cancer and regrettably he died last Sunday.  

He was a husband, father, teacher and writer.  Plus I probably played his ZX Spectrum games which he made and were on Crash magazine.  RIP Andy.

Andy on Gemmell panel

Andy having a pint

Also the weekend before Andy passed away another of my friends died of cancer.  Trevor was an old drinking buddy and a great laugh.  He will be sadly missed too and leaves his gf and children and friends.

Well hope March is a better month.

Take care.

Neil x