Sept Update - New Name - New Focus - CLF and more

Hi peeps

I haven't done an update for a while just book and film reviews but there are a few changes.

As you may or may not have noticed I've changed the blog name from Neil''s World of Wonder to the more appropriate Neil''s Writing World.

The reason for the change is that I want more focus on my writing and need to be more dedicated to being a writer.  I admit I've been lazy this year and haven't even written one short story!  I think I needed a break but will be back writing soon.

As well as writing more I intend to blog more for you guys and hope to add more followers.

So what have I been doing instead of writing?
Well I've recently come back from a holiday in sunny Skegness.
I've also started keep fit and finished a four week fat loss challenge and started at the work gym.
I've also been reading more this year and half way through David Eddings Belgariad series.

Sad news - I also attended and blogged some events of this year's Cleckheaton Literature Festival - although it was agreed in July that it was to finish.   This is sad news for the Library,  readers and Authors alike.  Apologies for this late news.  Although the CWG (Cleckheaton Writers Group) hope to hold one off events.
I will also reshare some of those CLF blog posts along with some new ones here on this blog.

More sad news - Sadly in the wisdom of council cuts the opening times for Cleckheaton Library have reduced so now this could impact the Writing group for members who work.
Although CWG meetings are still fortnightly starting Monday 5 September the time will be 5:30pm - 7pm.

Writing projects - I will be starting two short stories soon - the first being an horror story for the planned CWG Anthology.
The second will be an adult fairytale for Writing Magazine competition with the deadline of October 14.
Also need to decide which novel to finish - the crime novel Blood Shores or the Sci Fi Wormhole Effect!

I've also aquired even more books to read including a signed copy of Wolf's Head by Steven A McKay and a signed copy of Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill along with a new Robin Hobb book, Peter Jame's The House on Cold Hill,  Helen Cadbury's To Catch A Rabbit, the complete First Law books of Joe Abercrombie and James Bond Spectre Novels by Ian Fleming and Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horowitz.
So I've even more to read!
I hope as the winter months draw nearer as well as being at the gym I hope to read and write more as well as blog.  The last quarter of 2016 is going to be busy!
So will blog soon folks and here's a photo of my new books.

The BFG - Film Review

Went to see the Hollywood re-make of Roald Dahl's classic 1982 novel The BFG today with my daughter at Showcase Cinema in Birstall.  This was mainly to show her the fancy leather recliner seats the cinema now has.

Also she is reading The BFG book at the moment and as a child it was one of my favourite children's books and the animated movie is a classic.

This update is in the safe hands of Uber Director and film maker Steven Spielberg.   His love of the source material is evident in this special effect family film.  The giant effects are some of the best I've seen in film.  Plus the acting is top notch in particular Mark Rylance ad a CGI Big Friendly Giant and young actress Ruby Barnhill as orphan Sophie.  Also British veteran Penelope Wilton is great as the Queen.

The plot is well known now to readers of all ages and to sum up briefly it involves the adventures of orphan and insomniac book nerd Sophie seeing and being taken by the BFG to Giant Country where he catches dreams to give to people.  Unfortunately he isn't the biggest giant and is bullied by huge Giants including Bloodbottler and Fleshlumpeater who eat people.

Together with the help of the Queen they plan to get rid of the bully Giants.

Overall - A fantastic family film for the kids and big kids alike.  Only problem I had was when BFG in London and no CCTV cameras but I picky - ha.

Score   -  9/10

Bels Score  -  9/10

Jason Bourne - Film Review

After about ten years since Matt Damon's Bourne went into hiding in The Bourne Ultimatum he returns even more buff and with more memory intact in the weirdly titled Jason Bourne.

The film starts with Bourne living on the edge taking part in illegal fights.  His old pal Nicky Parsons played by Julia Stiles is still on the run from the CIA and has been hacking them to get information on all the Black Ops programs including the one Bourne started in.

They are pursued by CIA boss Robert Dewey played by Tommy Lee Jones and his expert on hacking and cyber terrorism Heather Lee played by Alicia Vikander.  Also is The Asset played by Vincent Cassell who has connections to Bournes past and a deadly rival.

The film is excellent entertainment and brings Bourne back into the modern espionage world and world of technology.  
Although it is a Bourne film with all the traits that are present in the past Bourne films.
Realistic fight scenes - check.  With a household object as a weapon.
Car chase with realistic crashes - check.
Bourne remembering more - check.
It felt like a best of compilation which is no bad thing although if there is another sequel they need to change it to make it fresh.
I think Bond (the serious films of Connery, Lazenby, Dalton and a couple of Daniel Craig's ) are better as they have in the most part more story and more complex but Bourne is good.


Overall - A best of Bourne and the best of the films since Supremacy.   Great acting and action scenes.

Score    9/10

Film Review - Finding Dory

Took the daughter to Rex Cinema at Elland to watch Finding Dory.  The sequel to 2003 hit Finding Nemo.

Set a year after Finding Nemo it tells the story of her friend Dory  (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) who suffers from short term memory loss and who starts remembering her parents.  She sets off to find them with the help of cranky octopus Hank (Ed O'Neill) and eventually Nemo and his dad Marlin who go to find her.

It's a great family movie and funny in places plus tense in others as Dory goes from one dangerous situation to another.

The voice overs are great and the animation is also greatly improved from Nemo and looks so realistic in places it looks like they filmed in the real ocean.

The short film before the main film called Piper about a chick going into the sea is even more realistic.

Overall -  great film and sequel for all the family.

Score  -  9/10

Bel's score  9/10

Book Review - Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings

Book four of David Eddings classic Belgariad series seemed to take longer to read than the last three books previous.  I have to admit although it is beautifully written with great characters and settings and political and religious intrigue as well as royal formalities it didn't hold my attention as much.

I think it is because the main quest is over and Garion, the Wizard Belgarath, Polgara and the rest of the quest are now heading back to the Island fort of Riva with the God's Orb and prophecy is moving forward to crown Garion the King of Riva and the West.
Because of this there isn't as much action although it is still involving especially as the real danger of the Evil God Torak is now waking and Garion realises he has to face him to the death.

The book deals with Garion becoming King and setting of to his destiny with Belgarath and Silk.  Also it deals with the Princess Ce Nedra becoming his Queen and a figurehead for a war to come.
Again the characters are spot on although some of the main big cast are secondary.  The books show a love for the work from the author.

Overall  - Another great read although slower than the others but the lack in pace will hopefully be faster in the next concluding part of the Belgariad.

Score  -  7/10

Star Trek Beyond - Film Review

Went to see Star Trek Beyond the third film in the rebooted franchise last night and have to say it's my favourite of the new films so far.

After the lack lustre of Into Darkness this film hits the right spot showing the crew of the Enterprise deep in space and three years into their five year mission which feels like a classic series film.

Also what draws you to the film is that it isn't too connected with the previous ones only briefly mentioning Ambassador Spock who time travelled in the first film and created the Kelvin  timeline which these films are set in and played by the late Leonard Nimoy.

The acting among the crew is excellent and they gel brilliantly echoing the original series and films again.  In particular the relationship between the main three of Spock (Zachary Quinto), Bones (Karl Urban) and Kirk (Chris Pine).

The other crew members get good air time too including Chekov (the late Anton Yelchin), Uhura (Zoe Saldana) and Scotty  (Simon Pegg who also did an excellent job of  co-writing).

The special effects are brilliant and the dialogue zings along with humour and nods to the past.  The plot involves the Enterprise crew being captured by the alien Krall  (played by Idris Elba), having to escape and stopping his invasion and destruction of the outpost Yorktown - which reminded me of the space station in Elsyium.

The film kept me and the audience entertained without having to think too much.

Overall - Brilliant entrance to the Star Trek universe but hope next time they leave the Enterprise intact.  

Score   -   9/10

The Secret Life of Pets - Film Review

At the weekend took my daughter to see the new smash animation The Secret Life of Pets from the makers of Despicable Me and Minions.
It revolves around a spoilt terrier dog called Max whose routine is spoilt when his owner brings home a new huge dog called Duke.

Duke realises Max doesn't like him so tries to get rid of him which also results in Duke getting lost in New York with Max.

They face a killer revenge fuelled bunny who wants revenge on humans for abandoning him and the rest of his gang who live in the sewers and consist of a tattooed pig, crocodile and snake.

Eventually they are better for their experiences and become best friends.

The film was very funny with lots of animal gags and set pieces and some gags for the adults and the animation and voices were spot on.

Also at the beginning of the film was a very funny new short from the Minions where they need money to buy a banana juicer.

Overall   -  one of the better and funnier animations out over last few years and quite original and not a sequel.

Score  -  9/10