New Book Haul

Hi Folks

Just a quick book haul.  A new book I got for Father's Day.

I've been wanting to read Terry Pratchett's "Nightwatch" novel for years, as I've had it since it came out.  Although thought I would read some earlier City Watch novels first as they are meant to be the best Discworld books.  Now I have the first one.

Thanks for the cards as well. X 

Neil

Anniversary Book Haul - Joe Abercrombie!

 

Hi Folks!

Just a quick mini book haul to show.  The first two books in Joe Abercrombies newest trilogy. As I loved his First Law Trilogy books - see past posts for reviews.

For our anniversary the GF gave me a Waterstones book voucher so as soon as shopping became more normal, I jumped at the chance.  Although I've still to read the standalone books first.

Well happy reading x  Neil.  

Two Film Reviews - Peter Rabbit 2/Godzilla Vs Kong

 Hi Peeps

Now the cinemas are opening up after Covid, I'm now catching up on the film's I thought I would only see on streaming services but were meant for the big screen because of their special effects.  The first being Mortal Kombat which I reviewed a few posts back.  The second being Godzilla Vs Kong.

Now I've seen both plus one my daughter insisted on seeing - Peter Rabbit 2 - The Runaway.

Peter Rabbit 2 - the sequel to 2018 hit, which I saw at the cinema with my daughter and enjoyed but can't find a review of it.  I would have given it a 7/10.

Peter Rabbit 2 has Peter again voiced by James Cordon taking his friends from the farm they now share with the McGregor's, played by Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson to Gloucester. Here he meets a bad rabbit who says he knows his father and ends up stealing food with him and his misfit gang. But does Peter want to be this type of rabbit and put his family in danger? And does Bea McGregor want to change her books based on Peter so much that they don't resemble him.

Overall - not as good as the first film. The plot is thin and there aren't as many jokes although I did chuckle at some scenes. The animal CGI was ok but it had some awful action CGI of Mr McGregor.  There was a running gag about Peter having an annoying voice which he does as he's voiced by the annoying James Cordon. The best thing for the Dad's was Rose Byrne as eye candy.

Bels Score -  5/10

My Score   -  6/10

Godzilla Vs Kong is both a sequel to Godzilla: King of Monsters and Kong: Skull Island.  Both films for me were great.

This takes place five years after Godzilla: King of Monsters and sees Godzilla attacking Apex Industries locations. It seems random at first but he is hunting down the heads of King Gidorah.

Not knowing this Monarch thinks Godzilla has turned on humanity.  Apex CEO Walter Simmons convinces Nathan Lind (Alexander Scarsgard) to get Monarch to use Kong to get them to Hollow Earth and the Titans power source. This is so he can power MechaGodzilla fully which is built from the heads of King Gidorah, killing Godzilla and other titans.

Problems arise when transporting Kong thanks to the help of a girl called Jia who communicates with Kong via sign language. Godzilla can also sense Kong and there should only be one Apex Titan so keeps attacking Kong.

Overall - this is a great action CGI monster fight film, and one best seen on a cinema screen.  The humans take a back seat as we mainly see through Kong's eyes. Although some characters return from Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The action is great and the film is shorter than previous films in the Monsterverse series so tightening the story.

Score  -   9/10

June Update and Judy Woods Photos

 

Hi Folks

How are you all, on this bright and sunny June day?

The last few days has seen great weather and myself being burnt going for walks and for a quick pint.

I will keep the update short - my plans in June include :-

Looking for a job and applying for more. Preferably office/publishing work.

More writing, including finishing The Cubby Hole. Plus more blog posts. This will include more Cinema Film Reviews and posts on author events and writing.

Finishing reading Ravenheart by David Gemmell and its sequel Stormrider. Finishing Gemmell's Rigante series.  So far so good.

More exercise and better diet - fingers crossed.

Hope you all have a great June.  Here's some photos from a recent walk to Judy Woods with my daughter. 

Mortal Kombat (2021) - Film Review

 Hi guys n gals

Get over here!  And read my review of the reboot of Mortal Kombat.

I've missed the cinema in the last year, plus missed doing film reviews of films seen at the cinema.  Yes I could have reviewed an Amazon Prime original film or a Netflix film, as some offer cinema quality films.  It's not the same cinema experience though.

Anyway I was torn between Mortal Kombat as I loved the first few games and the 1995 film and Godzilla Vs Kong.  I hope to see the latter in cinemas too.

Mortal Kombat is a really good film to watch and turn the brain off, just watch the fights and effects.  There's no Hollywood preaching which can pop up in films or Woke agendas, just good entertainment which is what you want and expect from a film.

The film starts off in ancient China where Sub-Zero hunts and kills Scorpion and his family.  Cut to present day and we follow cage fighter Cole Young who isn't doing well but is found by Lord Raiden and Kano and Sonya Blade.  He has a dragon marking that means he's been chosen as a fighter for Earth in an upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament with Outworld.  The problem is Outworld is cheating and sending fighters to kill the Earths chosen before the tournament begins.

Apparently this is the first part of a trilogy planned.  As this is set before the tournament. The sequel will be the tournament and the third film will show the aftermath.

Overall - A great popcorn movie with plenty of action, martial arts and special effects.  Plus the story offers something a bit different to just being the tournament like the 1995 film.  Also has the fun characters from the games looking great including Sub-Zero, Scorpion,  Kano and Jax. Plus Kano is funny too.  It's also nice and gory like the games plus the acting is good from all involved too even though I'd not heard of many of the stars.

Score  -  9/10

Book Review - Midnight Falcon (Rigante 2) by David Gemmell.

 

Books Read in 2021   -  No. 6

Hi Readers

Well, after the amazing Sword in the Storm, book one in the Rigante by David Gemmell, I didn't think it could get any better. But I was wrong.  I like Midnight Falcon even more and I gave Sword in the Storm a solid 10/10 score.

Midnight Falcon takes place about seventeen to twenty years after.  Connavar is now the king of the Rigante.  He has successfully fought off an invasion by the Stone Army, now led by Jasaray who is now the Emporer of Stone.

The story follows Connavar's bastard son Bane, who is treated as an outcast by the Rigante including his father.  His only friends are Vorna the witch and her son, Banouin.  He agrees to escort Banouin to Stone city, so Banouin can study and become a Stone citizen.  Bane falls in love with Lia whilst travelling but it is short lived as she is killed by a Stone Knight called Voltan.

After being seriously injured by Voltan, Bane swears revenge. He takes up gladiator training to improve his skills and the book follows his training and eventual return to his Rigante home where he reluctantly helps his people againest a larger invasion by the Stone Army.

This book is chock full with action, as the story follows Bane over a number of years as he grows and redeems himself with his people and father.  It also has messages of forgiveness within.  Plus there are more environmental messages as the land and mystic Seidh are dying as the Stone army take over the land, destroying the land to build over it.  Much like our society does now.

Overall  - a great sequel which seems to have more going on than Sword in the Storm.  I'm just annoyed it took 6 weeks to read, but as I kept reading I didn't want it to end.  I'm looking forward to Ravenheart, book three in the Rigante which is set a few hundred years in the future.

Score   -    10/10

May Update

 

Hi Peeps

May day today!  Yet what a cold, gloomy day it is, especially compared to some hot, sunny days in April.   See pics.

Well a quick update -

I'm still job searching.  So if anyone knows of any office jobs, especially in publishing let me know.

Writing wise - I.ve got my mojo back especially after 2 successful Writing Group meetings.  I just have to sit and write and stop procrastinating. 

Reading wise - I'm well behind my schedule.  At the beginning of the year I did a 6 month reading post.  By now I should have finished book 4 of David Gemmells Rigante series.  I've just finished book 2 - Midnight Falcon. Doh!

In May I was to read Terry Pratchett, this will now move to June.  I hope.

Anyway enjoy yourselves and stay healthy .

Neil x