Update, blogs and Joe Hill

Hi guys

Long time no blog been a hectic month - what with work, reading and swimming to name a few things I've been doing.

First off I've still been blogging steadily for Cleckheaton Literature Festival and reviewing the events that were on.

I've also been reading David Eddings "Castle of Wizardry ", book Four of The Belgariad series.   A classic fantasy series and we'll worth reading.

I've also got a blocked ear which has been doing my nut in .  I got it after going swimming snd the ear drops not working.   Looks like a trip to Doctors in order.

TV show wise the shows that have stopped be reading and writing lately have been Chronicles of Shannara,  Magicians,  Gotham - which is really good at the moment and love the cool Doctor Strange.   Also Agents of Shield  has been great although we may never see my lookalike again - Wade/Hive.

So coming up -

Working on my Bad Fairy Tales - updated classics I am starting to write including  "Bad Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and "The Ginger Badman".  These were inspired by a workshop at Cleckheaton Literature Festival lead by Sci fi author  Justina Robson.

I've also to get going on my novels plus a story or two for the Cleckheaton Writers Group Anthology which we are planning.   Think the deadline is August?

Plus continuing with Cleckheaton Literature Festival blog.

Maybe some Freelance work too?

Lastly this Friday 10 June I am of to Waterstones in Leeds to see a famous author who is big at the moment -   Joe Hill - who's novel "Horns" was adapted into a film with Harry Potter himself Daniel Radcliffe.
He has also written "Heart  Shaped Box" and "Locke and Keyes".
His new novel "The Fireman " is out now,
Plus he's the next best thing to having Stephen King as he's Stephens son!

So blog soon guys - stay safe. X

Book Review - Magician's Gambit by David Eddings

Book Three of The Belgariad picks up the pace as Garion,  the Sorceror Belgarath,  Polgara and a growing cast of companions which now include Princess Ce'Nedra and the blind priest Relg make their way to the enemies city stronghold to retrieve the Orb of Aldur.

Throughout the book we meet God's,  monsters and more.  We also learn some backstory to Belgarath and learn that an ancient Prophecy has big plans for Ce Nedra and Garion.  Garion also starts to learn to control the power building up inside him and we learn who the mysterious voice that has been in his head from the beginning is.

Overall a great read which throws up more locations and shows what a great imagination David Eddings had.  His death is a great loss to the fantasy genre and I can't wait to read Book Four - Castle of Wizardry. 

Score  -  8/10

Captain America 3 - Civil War - Film Review - Spoilers

Went to see another Hero Vs Hero film the other night and have to say Captain America 3 - Civil War is for me the best Marvel film yet.

The storytelling brings together parts of the 8 year Marvel film history together well and chucks in a few surprises as well mainly concerning Buckys character.

The film starts with a flashback to 1991 which is an important twist to the story.  Thereafter is a spectacular action sequence as Captain America,  Black Widow,  Falcon, Scarlet Witch chase down the criminal Crossbones.

This event kills more civilians which brings about a Sokovia Accord which the Avengers are to sign and be controlled more by the government's of the World.

Whilst at the treaty a bomb kills most including the Wakanda King and Bucky (Winter Soldier) is framed.

Captain America and Falcon decide to help Bucky when they realise he's innocent whilst Tony Stark/Ironman wants Captain to follow the rules.

This brings about alot of tense scenes between the two main heroes who both bring in their pals and builds to a great climax between the two teams of heroes.

The highlights of this includes Antman, the introduction of Black Panther and of course Spiderman. 

The new Spiderman is the best yet and young actor Tom Holland owns the role in the scenes he's in.  There's an innocence about him and even Tony Stark helping him with costume makes sense.  Although still not sure how Tony realises who Spiderman is.

Still like Toby Maguires Spiderman which is weird as main bad guy BaRon Zemo looks like him.  Also noted one of control words used to brainwash Bucky is Homecoming - which is also name of the upcoming Spiderman film - coincidence?

The actors are brilliant in this but too many to mention here most notable Robert Downey Jr,  Chris Evans, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan.

Overall - A fantastic piece of writing and action - the best yet of the Marvel films - go see it.

Score  10/10

Author Joe Abercrombie Book Signing

Inbetween  the Cleckheaton Literature Festival Weekends I managed to get to Leeds, Waterstones to see Fantasy/Grimdark author Joe Abercrombie.  Sadly it was only a signing and not an Author talk.  Hopefully will see him again in Leeds for an Author talk (or even a future Cleckheaton Literature Festival?).

Although they put these signings on in the middle of  the day when most people are at work. Hope any talk is in the evening.

Anyway was glad I went to see Joe who to me writes gritty realistic fantasy similar to my favourite author David Gemmell and even though I have nearly all of Joes' novels I have to admit I've only read snippets but his First Law Trilogy and standalone novels Best Served Cold and The Heroes plus his new Short story collection  Sharp Ends are next on my reading list and I'm sure he'll become another favourite author.

I have followed his progress through the years and reviews for all his books in SFX and Sci-fi Now magazines have been highly regarded and scored top marks.

So today as I edged my way to the signing table the same thing happened to me as it did in in 2005 when I went to ask David Gemmell a question - nerves.

Oh well I was going to ask at least two questions including his favourite authors but managed to ask if he was writing anymore novels in the First Law World.

Joe answered that yes he is.  He is working on a new trilogy of novels set in the world but wants the novels to be different and act as one story like Lord of the Rings.

So in the meantime I look forward to  Joes new novels and will be busy catching up on his old ones.

 

Cleckheaton Literature Festival, Reading, Shannara and odd socks

Hi guys

Haven't posted in a while but April is turning out to be a busy month.

Firstly :
The 2016 Cleckheaton Literature Festival which I help with is starting tomorrow - get yourself to Cleckheaton Library ASAP.

With favourites returning from last year including  journalist Andy Kershaw,  authors Jason Hewitt,  Leigh Russell,  Alison Taft,  Ian C Douglas,  Mark Wright to name but a few.

They will be joined by Cleck Fest newbies Mark Connors,  A Firm of Poets, and James Nash and more for Author talks, poetry performances,  Nordic walks and more.

See the Website:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/cleckheatonliteraturefestival

And book tickets at:
www.clecklitfest.co.uk


Other news:
Hitched up a tent in Camp Nano but not written much - hope to do few thousand words by end of month as well as blogging  - fingers crossed.

Almost finished reading the excellent "Magicians Gambit " by David Eddings - review to follow soon.

Enjoying The Chronicles of Shannara at the moment which I enjoy more than Game of Thrones and glad it's been renewed for a second series /season.
Also loving Gotham too liking the Riddlers story and hope Jerome /Joker? Comes back.

Also preparing for a wedding on 30th April.  Also hope to restart the gym - fingers and toes crossed.

Plus I loads of odd socks - the sock fairy has been busy!

Well folks chat soon x

Busy April

Hi guys

Sorry haven't written a proper blog for a while other than a couple of Film and Book reviews but been busy reading and watching films ha ha.

This month will be a busy month as I'm close to finishing Book Three of The Belgariad by David Eddings - Magicians Gambit.   Then will be straight onto book Four of this classic series.

As well as reading I want to write at least 5000 words of my crime novel Blood Shores for Camp Nano which I have joined again this year.  I also want to enter it into the Richard and Judy Novel competition which has a deadline of 31st May.

I will also be going to see Fantasy author Joe Abercrombie on Wednesday 27 April at 1pm in Waterstones Leeds which I'm looking forward to .

I hope to be going to the gym this month ready for a wedding on Saturday30th April.

Also I'm helping blog and steward 2016 Cleckheaton Literature Festival which will see a return of authors from last year as well as some new faces.
See below :

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVAL IN 2016
Cleckheaton Literature Festival 2016
21 April – 1 May 2016

Literature and Live Arts for All Ages.

From established to local authors, the festival continues to a second year of success and includes creative writing and poetry workshops, authors’ talks and readings and live performances.

Established in 2015, this festival is for everyone who enjoys the power of words and storytelling in the local area and region.
We look forward to welcome everyone who came in 2015 and newcomers in 2016.

For event information and to book tickets, visithttp://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cleckheatonliteraturefestival

Well guys book your tickets above and chat later.

Neil

Batman Vs Superman - 3D Film Review *Spoilers*

Went to see Batman V Superman the other night in 3D at the newly refurbished Showcase cinema at Birstall.  I've got to say it's a vast improvement to the cinema and with it being cheaper than Vue at Halifax the comfy leather recliner chairs got a big thumbs up.

Anyway to the film in question Batman V Superman is a follow up/ continuation of the world set up in Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent.  Even the beginning of the film is set in the final battle in Metropolis between Superman and Zod following Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne/Batman as he goes to rescue workers in his building.

Because of this and the power Superman has he sees him as a threat to humanity that needs to be kept in check.  As the film goes on his paranoia and dislike grows stronger.

The story starts properly 18 months after the events of Man of Steel where Superman saves Louis Lane played by Amy Adams from terrorists although this isn't all it seems.  

Superman is set up by Lex Luthor played by Jesse  Eisenberg and people start turning against him.  This causes Bruce Waynes obsession even worse.  Also Clark is wanting to delve into Gothams Batman sightings which are leaving criminals almost dead.

Eventually Lex Luthor learns everything from the Krypronian ship left in Metropolis and creates Doomsday from the body of Zod.

Lex uses the information from the ship to find out who Superman is and sets him off to kill Batman who as stolen a Krypton rock he had.

After a great fight with Batman who gets the upper hand with the Kyrptonite, Superman asks for help and with the destruction Doomsday is creating they also team up with Wonder Woman played by Gal Gadot to fight Doomsday.

I thought the 3D was good and enhanced the effects and the action is amazing particular the fight scenes with Batman.

This Batman is more brutal and bitter and Ben Affleck is excellent as both Bruce Wayne and Batman despite objections when he first landed the role.   He could do with more dialogue but it's functional and the dialogue of the film could be expanded but it's fine.

Henry Cavill has improved in his role as Superman although we don't get enough of him as Clark.

It is obvious the film is taken from some of the classic graphic novels/animation including "Death of Superman" storyline which has him fighting Doomsday.  "The Dark Knight Returns" which sees a older Batman fighting Superman, and even "All Star Superman" which sees Superman nuked and using the Sun to recover but takes in too much.  There was a great scene from this in the film.

All in all the movie is very good and starts setting up the Justice League film with glimpses of Flash and Aquaman, but as Wonder Woman is in the film more she could have been in longer and her reason for being there could have been clearer.

Also Jesse Eisenbergs performance of Lex Luthor is good as he's crazy but can be slightly annoying.

Also side characters aren't in enough and some big stars are reduced to cameos including Laurence Fishburnes Perry White and Jeremy Irons as Alfred.

The main bug bare for me was how close Metropolis and Gotham are.  They are only over a river from each other and for two big cities to be so close doesn't make sense or ring true to me.

Overall  - a great film and historic one as it brings Superman and Batman on film together for the first time and opens up a wider DC world which I look forward to seeing.  Plus Ben Affleck's Batman is my favourite yet.

Score      9/10