York Waterstones and Book Haul

 

Hi peeps 

At the weekend I visited my favourite city, York.  Which was packed because of the Christmas Market.  

So I dipped into my second favourite Waterstones (twice), for a book browse and tea and scones - yum.

Sadly there wasn't many books I wanted as waiting on newest Joe Abercrombie and John Gwynne books to go to paperback.  Plus the sequels to Mark Lawrence Red Sister weren't there either.

There was one book that caught my eye. Plus an old school annual in WHSmiths - so a small haul this trip!

I hope to visit York again in the new year.

Well chat soon folks and what is your favourite Waterstones store?

Neil x

Eternals - Film Review

 

Hi folks

Went to see Marvel's latest film the other weekend - Eternals. A big Marvel CGI explosion.

I have to admit after Avengers: Endgame I'm not as interested in the Marvel movies that come after, except Spiderman - No Way Home and Dr Strange 2.  This film was one of those films I wasn't too eager to see as it had characters I'd not heard of before plus it is a big ensemble piece with 9 members in the team you hardly get to know.

With Avengers they introduced you to the characters slowly through they're own movies. This has made the mistake of DC's Justice League and plonking them all in one film together.

The Eternals are sent to Earth by the Celestials -giant godlike beings to protect humans from the monster Deviants.  They are immortal and don't age and the film centres on Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden - who should be the new Bond) and leader Ajak (the beautiful Salma Heyak). Others include the gorgeous Thena (Angelina Jolie).

Overall - I'm not going to give a run through of the film as it is nearly 3 hours long and has many characters and time jumps. It is standard Marvel fare with action set pieces, great CGI, an OK plot which mainly serves to set up most of Stage 4 in the MCU. There were some good stuff here but the middle slowed down and got boring.

Bels Score   -  8.5/10

My Score      - 7/10

Chat soon peeps!

November Update!

 Hi Peeps

Hope you are all well on this winter eve.

Just a quick update.

Reading - Still to read Stormrider by David Gemmell! Had a reading slump because when I get home from work I'm knackered.  Changes may be needed? I hope to finish it by the weekend as I started it in July!!

Not sure on the next book I will read.  Maybe something lighter and sci-fi. It won't be the same as my reading TBR.  So will be reading Malice by John Gywnne next year.

Writing - Again with being knackered from work, I've not had chance to write but definitely want to finish "The Cubby-hole" by year end.  Then re-start my writing journey in 2022 and write like a demon.

What are your reading and writing goals for November 2021?

Stay safe.  Blog soon.

Neil x

Hull Waterstones and Book Haul!

Hi fellow nerds

As part of my mission to visit every Waterstones there is, I visited the Hull branch a few week ago.  I was impressed as they had a good sci-fi, fantasy and horror section.  Plus it was quite big with a decent sized cafe.  Shame Hull wasn't too great.

So now I have visited a few Waterstones including Hull, Derby, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Harrogate, York and Blackpool - the last two I want to get back to by end of year.  Then in 2022 will visit a lot more and blog my Waterstones experience. 

Got the last book in RJ Barker's Bone Ship Trilogy. Need to get to these next year.

Yum coffee and cake at Waterstones - rude not to.

 C ya x

Venom 2 - Let There Be Carnage - Film Review

Hi folks

Went to see the sequel to 2018's Venom the other week.  I have been exited to see this since the post credit scene at the end of Venom, when Eddie Brock(Tom Hardy) met serial killer Sideshow Bob. I mean Cletus Casady(Woody Harrelson).

It starts when Cletus Casady is in love, living in a care home with Screech/Frances Barrison(Naomie Harris) when they are young.  She is taken to Ravenscroft facility as she can attack people sonically and Cletus believes her dead.

Fast forward to present day and Cletus Cassidy wants Eddie Brock to interview him again before he goes on Death Row. He sees something with Eddie and bites him getting a small piece of Venom symbiote in his blood.  On Death row he escapes from prison as he changes into Carnage.

Meanwhile Eddie and Venom who have been arguing like a married couple decide to go their separate ways after a fight and Venom jumps bodies to go partying - this is a very funny scene.  Eddie is targeted by Carnage who has to find Venom,  patch up their friendship and fight both Carnage and Screech at the finale.

Overall - a very enjoyable film, with more funny moments with Eddie and Venom bickering because Eddie won't let Venom eat people's heads. There isn't too much action and the finale fight was good but I felt it could have gone longer with more interplay between Carnage and Venom. Woody Harrelson was great and creepy as Cletus Casady.  One thing bugged me is that both Venom and Carnage both were weak with sound, but I'm sure in the comics sound didn't affect Carnage.   That is why Venom and Spider-Man teamed up to fight him.

Also - SPOILERS - In post credits Eddie and Venom become transported into the MCU - probably due to Dr Strange and the events of the next Spider-Man film.

Bels Score  - 10/10

My Score    - 9/10

No Time To Die - Film Review (SPOILERS)

 

Hi Peeps

The names Walker, Neil Walker and my mission is to review the latest James Bond film, plus the last with Daniel Craig as Bond.

The film opens in the past as Safin played by Rami Malek hunts down Mr White who has gassed all his family and left him scarred for life. He kills his wife but takes pity on the girl who turns out to be Madeleine Swann played by the gorgeous Lea Seydoux.

Flash forward and Bond is enjoying retirement with Ms Swann but feels the need to visit the grave of Vespa who was his other true love. At the grave he gets injured as it gets blown up by Spectre.  After a great chase scene he sends Ms Swann away on a train as he thinks she's involved.

Another five years go by and there's a robbery at a top secret laboratory which houses a deadly DNA specific virus run by nanobots.

Bond is asked to investigate by Felix, his old CIA buddy but it goes wrong as Spectre try to kill Bond again but are infected themselves by Safin. Felix is killed and Bond goes back to MI6.

With the help of Q, they track the remaining viruses to an island where Safin is harvesting it. He has also kidnapped Ms Swann and her daughter, which turns out is Bonds.

Bond rescues his ex and daughter but has to stay and open shield doors so incoming missiles can blow the place up. He fights with Safin who shoots Bond a few times severely injuring him. He also infects Bond with the virus so he can't see his daughter or Ms Swann again. Bond kills Safin but knowing he can't see his beloved or daughter again and being unable to flee the incoming missiles, rings them to say goodbye and is obliterated by the bombs! Yes Bond dies at the end!

Obviously more than the above happens in the film as it's nearly 3 hours long but that's the main part of it.

And yes Bond dies at the end. 

We waited till the credits rolled to see if he would pick up a glass of Vodka Martini, but it just said James Bond will Return! How?

Overall - a mix bag. It is clearly a continuation of Daniel Craig's other Bond films and ties them up in a mini arc, separate to the Bonds of old. With slight nods to the classics but clearly it's own story.  Casino Royale was his early mission becoming 007 then the rest in-between till this one.

MGM or Amazon will reboot it again even more separate to the classic films and the Ian Fleming books.

It was quite engaging with plenty of action and set pieces, plus great scenery.  The acting is good and Daniel Craig puts in his best performance as Bond with more emotions. It is an end of an era sadly but Bond has entertained for 60 years. It will be interesting to see how they go from here.

No Time to Die - he fucking did though!

Bels Score  - 8/10

My Score   -  8/10

October Update!

 Hi Folks

As you can see from the photo above summer is going into Autumn with the colour of the leaves from green to brown.

October has sneaked up fast.  I'm still getting used to new job and getting up early and the regular 9 to 5.

That is why I'm still behind on my reading and writing. 

Hope to finish Stormrider by David Gemmell this week - only started it in July!!   Then I can read a spooky story for Halloween.

Writing wise, want to finish "The Cubby-hole" for Halloween too.

Blogging wise should be busy now movies in cinemas again.  Saw the new James Bond at the weekend so will review that shortly - still shocked by the ending and how bold it was.

Venom 2 is out soon so will be seeing that next.

Anyway what you all reading and writing about this October? 

Neil x