DC League of Superpets - Film Review

 

Hi Folks 

A quick review of DC's League of Super-pets which was actually really good and a funny movie from DC and Warner Brothers.  It had great callbacks to the DC comics and movie world.

It follows Superman's dog Krypto (played by Dwayne Johnson) as he becomes jealous of Superman (played by John Krasinski) and his relationship with Louis Lane. 

Unknown to him a genius guinea pig called Lulu (Kate McKinnon) who had been experimented on by Lex Luther is planning to use a new orange kryptonite to gain super powers.

The animals in the shelter with Lulu also gain super powers including the dog Ace (Kevin Hart) and a turtle called Merton (Natasha Lyonne).

They help Krypto find and rescue Superman and the rest of the Justice League including Batman (Keanu Reeves).

Overall - a surprisingly fun film with some good laughs and excellent CGI. Plus some great voice over work from the cast. I would love to see Keanu Reeves play an aging Batman.  Be warned there is some swearing in the film and some adult themes - which made it better.  Bel was chuckling all the way through.

Bels Score  -  10/10

My Score    -  10/10

Minions 2 - The Rise of Gru - Film Review

 

Hi Peeps

Hope you're enjoying the weather.

Before it became too hot we went to the Rex cinema in Elland for a change as I like to support smaller businesses.

Saw the new Minion film which is the fifth in the Despicable Me franchise from Illumination and really enjoyed it.  Although it wasn't the best of the franchise it had my daughter chuckling along plus it has good call backs to the original series.

It shows a young Gru in 1976 - a good year as I was born. He has just taken the Minions under his wing and creating an underground lair. 

He wants to join his heroes, the villainous Vicious 6 and become a major villain. They have recently found a magical amulet and ousted their leader Wild Knuckles.

Gru goes to join with his Minions but laughed at so he steals the amulet and the film follows his escape from their evil clutches.

Again Steve Carrell is great as young Gru. I'm glad to report that Russell Brand is back as Dr Nefario, as I missed him in Despicable Me 3.

The cast are great and include Julie Andrews, Dolph Lundgren, Michelle Yeah and Jean-Claude Van Damme. 

Overall - a fun entry into the Despicable Me franchise with great animation and a stellar cast.  There are some good laughs in this film.

Bels Score  -  10/10

My Score    -  9/10

Thor - Love and Thunder - Film Review

 

Hi film fans 

Yesterday took my geeky daughter to see the new Marvel film.  Thor 4 or Thor - Love and Thunder.

Again directed by Taika Waititi, it has his unique sense of humour that made Thor: Ragnarok so good and successful.

Sadly given the story this time around, which opens up on Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) is struggling to keep his daughter alive and failing.  Plus the stage 4 cancer Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is dying from, the humour needed toning down.  The film would have been better being more serious.

It is still a good film and some of the laughs are funny including a unique portrayal of Zeus by Russell Crow.

There are great visuals and action.  Chris Hemsworth is a joy to watch as Thor.  The show stealer is Christian Bale as Gorr who puts in a great performance.  You go from sympathy watching him to hating him.  Sadly he isn't on screen enough.

My main problem with the film was Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie or King Valkyrie which was a bit too far as you could never have a woman as a King.  It would make the Queen role redundant.  Plus her acting is a bit wooden. 

Overall - a good entry into the Thor franchise and already my 2nd favourite Thor film after Ragnarok. It was great seeing the gorgeous Natalie Portman again who looked great as female Thor. Again Christian Bale made this film better than it should have been,  and there was a clash of tone with his serious story and the rest of the film.

Bels Score   -  9.5/10

My Score    -  8.5/10

Harrogate Book Shopping

 Hi Folks. 

This weekend I had a day out in the lovely North Yorkshire Spa town of Harrogate.

I primarily went to visit their Waterstones, which is one of my favourite Waterstones stores.  Yet I found another great independent book shop called Imagined Things Bookshop.

So after visiting Waterstones and enjoying some cake in their cafe - see photos above!

I then stumbled into an independent book shop, which was good as nothing jumped out at me in Waterstones.

As you can see Imagined Things Bookshop is a lovely little independent shop with a good selection of books.

I found a book I think I'd like, which is something different as not all out fantasy but is a weird mystery/horror combo.

That book is Stuart Turton's The Devil and the Dark Water.

I saw Stuart at 2019's Edge-lit, on a panel on how to get published, and he told it how it is.  I think he said it was mainly luck and knowing someone who was in the publishing business and was funny and honest.  Because of this I've been wanting to try one of his novels for a while.

So if you visit Harrogate, as well as going to Waterstones also visit Imagined Things Bookshop and support local bookshops too.

Below are a few pics of Harrogate - chat soon!

Neil x

July 2022 Update

Hi Peeps

July already!  This year is flying by.  The Christmas shite will be out before we know it!

Just a quick update this month.

In General -

At the moment I've started a new role in a contact centre, which is different for me as it's faster paced than the office environment I'm used to.  This is especially true of the phones.  Before I'd handled a couple of calls a day if that.  Enjoying it so far, but will see what the next few weeks/months bring.

I'm also trying to get fit and lose weight which is harder now I'm back in a sit down role.

Reading - 

I'm still reading Valour by John Gwynne and enjoying it. Although since I've started a new job, I've slowed down due to tiredness and my brain going Kaput!

Looking at my book shelves I've so many to read so have decided not to purchase any more books until I've read one bookcase full. Of which I have three!  

May do a post about my TBR books soon.

I hope to read some small published and self published books this year with interviews with the authors but sadly this may cross over into next year - but no rush.

Writing -

I'm wanting to get back into my writing again.  I've been spurred on by attending the above online Orion publishing event on "How to become Published" which was insightful although most of the advice I'd heard before.  I was mainly there to hear Martin at Gollancz publishing.

I've also been inspired by my friend Andy who over the years has had many problems including the big C! I met him at Cleckheaton writing group and through the hardships has got his head together, sorted his writing desk out and got writing again.  His writing is great and darkly humourous.

The only problem with getting into writing is that I need a new laptop or preferably a PC, as the one I have is low on memory.  If anyone has any ideas to lower the memory that would be great.  I've uninstalled as many items as possible but unsure if a hard reboot is in order?  No money for new writing aid yet.

Well that was longer than I thought.

Hope everyone has a great July!

Neil