Mid May Month Update

 

Hi Peeps

Thought I'd put up a quick post, as I'm trying to create regular content for the blog.  I'm hoping to post at least once a week.

Not much to update on, but I'm hoping to post a review of Ruin by John Gwynne by the weekend.  I'm also hoping to post my thoughts on AI in writing.  Is it a bad or good thing?

Is there any content you want to see on writing?  Or any reviews?

Here's some photos of my walk at the weekend, with my daughter.  I'm trying to get healthy too.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 - Film Review

 

Hi Geeks

Went to see what is the third and final Guardians of the Galaxy film at the weekend with the daughter.

It starts of with Starlord (Chris Pratt) still suffering the loss of the original Gamora (the gorgeous Zoe Saldana). 

Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) flies into the new Guardians home of Knowhere with the intention of kidnapping Rocket (Bradley Cooper) for his mother Ayesha, who started creating Adam in the post credit scene of Guardians 2.  She is working for the High Evolution.  He is the creator of Rocket and many other species including the Sovereign.  He wants the brain of Rocket back.

In the attack on Rocket, he is gravely injured and it's up to the Guardians to find a kill switch key which helps restore Rocket.

Overall - the plot is quite convoluted to be explaining all what happens in this film.  The main focus is Rocket and the harrowing and sad flashbacks he has when he is created from a normal earth Raccoon. These scenes are the best in the film and give a real emotional punch.  They also show why Rocket is how he is from the first film.

Most of the other Guardians don't get much screen time including Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Drax (Dave Bautista) who gets the best funny lines still.  Groot suffers the most although he has grown some great abilities.

The action is slick and the special effects are great.  This is the best Marvel film since Spider-Man - No Way Home, even though the ending is not what you expect.  

Spoilers - no one dies, even though it alludes to a few character deaths in the film.  Somehow they make it through to the end.  The post credit scene shows the new Guardians team led by Rocket and I would love a film showing the new dynamic.  The remaining leave to do their own thing including Starlord who goes back to Earth and live with his Grandad.

Bels Score  -  10/10

My Score    -  9.5/10

May 2023 - Update

 

Hi Folks.

Spring is well and truly in the air.  This will be a short update as shock, horror, I am still in the same position as the last couple of months.

April Roundup

Writing and Reading -

Did neither.  Got new computer to get me into writing last month and still didn't do any.

Reading wise, I was hoping to finish Ruin by John Gwynne but didn't. I only have about 100 pages left too and enjoying the book and series. I just can't get out of my reading and writing slumps.

Other - started admin role. Going well so far. I also tried walking more. Also had a blood pressure monitor fitted for a day.  Not had results yet.

May Upcoming

Writing and Reading -

Hopefully start to write this month.

Going to try get out of my reading slump by finishing Ruin and reading Wrath.

Any tips on getting out of reading slumps?

Other - need to walk a lot, eat healthy and get back to the gym this month.  Want to lose a stone or 2 before Edge-lit in July.

Here are some pics from my bank holiday weekend walk - enjoy!

The Super Mario Bros. Movie - Film Review

 

Hi Gorgeous People

Took the daughter to see the new Super Mario Movie at the weekend and we both really enjoyed it.  

The plot was a simple one but fulfilled the entertainment factor and was enough to keep you thinking.

Basically Mario (Chris Pratt) and his timid brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are trying to make ends meet in their newly formed plumbing business and trying to impress their family.

When helping out with a big flood in New York they stumble upon a magic pipe which is a portal to what is known in the games as Mario World.

They get separated whilst travelling.  Mario ends up in the Mushroom Kingdom with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor -Joy) and Luigi falls into the Dark Lands ruled by the evil Bowser (Jack Black).

Mario helps Princess Peach to defeat Bowser and rescue Luigi and the other lands which Bowser is destroying.  They do this with the help of Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen).

Overall -  a great film for Nintendo and Super Mario Bros fans.  It had some great call backs to the games which even I got and I'm not a huge Super Mario fan.  The animation is great and bright and the voice cast do a good job.  

There are some good gags including them taking the piss out of Mario's Italian accent.  I even chuckled a few times when Mario was fighting and arguing with Donkey Kong.

The story is a basic introduction to Mario and his world and functions well.  I even hope there is a sequel.

 Bels Score  -  8/10

My  Score    -  8/10

Recent Hauls and Bradford Waterstones

 

Hi Folks

Just a quick post to show the books and graphic novels I have hauled over the last couple of months.

I took a trip the the fantastic Bradford Waterstones too.  This has to be one of my favourite Waterstones.  The architecture is amazing.  It's just a shame it is mostly empty when I go.  Well enjoy the pics.

Neil x

April 2023 - Update

 

Hi Folks 

This will be a very brief update as not much has happened.

March Roundup

Writing and Reading -

Actually done some writing on my new PC as well as some blogging on it.  Also attended the Cleckheaton Writing Group for the first time in about 2 years and loved it.  Felt like I hadn't been away and got inspired to write again thanks to other group members.    

Still reading Ruin as was still in a slump, even though I was at home alot in March as I was off work with Covid.

Other - 

As mentioned above I had covid in March so was feeling crap for about 3 weeks.  Was hoping to read and write more but didn't have it in me.  I was hoping to get fit by walking and attending the gym but didn't happen.

April Upcoming

Writing and Reading -

Writing wise, just realised I've missed a Camp Nano but hadn't planned anything.  Looking to blog more on the PC as well as finish my ghost novella. Will aim to write lots over the Easter weekend.

Reading wise, I am almost finished with Ruin and wanting to start and finish Wrath in April. Then I will have finished John Gwynne's fantastic series.

Other -

Now I'm Covid free, I'm hoping to get out walking more.  Especially as the weather is getting better.  I aim to start the gym this month and building my confidence up for it.  I want to eat better this month too.  Not easy with Easter eggs out.  I've also got another high blood pressure monitor to do in mid-April as the last one failed to record my blood pressure.

Work wise, still in call centre but in April move to an admin role.  So hopefully off the inbound calls forever. Which is nice hahaha.

So not much to update really. Have a great April and Easter holiday.  Plus don't eat too many choccy eggs, or you'll end up like me! 

Neil x

John Wick 4 - Film Review - Spoilers

 

Hi Dudes 

Went to see the newest and possibly last John Wick movie starring the great Keanu Reeves.  This is the first John Wick film I've seen at the cinema.

Set some time after the third film. After being shot and falling about six floors to the ground, getting badly injured in the process, John has been getting back into fitness and training.  A bounty is still sat on his head.  Once he is ready he takes revenge on the High Table, with the help of the Bowery King (Lawrence Fishburne).

As he exacts his revenge a new leader called the Marchese is introduced played by Bill Skarsgard.  He swiftly punishes those who have helped Wick.  Firstly he destroys the Continental Hotel managed by Winston (Ian Mcshane) and kills his friend Charon (the recently deceased Lance Reddick).

Then the Marchese forces Caine (played by the great Donnie Yen), a blind assassin and old friend of Wick's, to go after him using his daughter as leverage.  Winston finds an old law so Wick can be free of the bounty on his head and retire like he wanted to.  The catch is he has to challenge the Marchese to a duel to the death.  The Marchese has other plans and tries to stop Wick from attending the duel.

Overall - as with the first three John Wick films, the action, stunts and set pieces are fantastic and go one further than the last three movies.  Stand out moments include the nun-chuck fight, the fights on the steps in France near the end and the over view in an abandoned house where Wick blows bad guys to bits.  

It is a better film than John Wick two and three, but because there is so much going on, the story sometimes suffers and the in-world logic sometimes doesn't make sense.  An example would be, in the third film Wick finds it hard to leave New York without being recognised.  Yet in this film he travels all over the world with no problem from France to Berlin and even Japan.  Also he falls great heights and shot at even more yet doesn't seem as injured as previous films.

Another problem I have is the film has the great underrated action star Scott Adkins in, as Killa.  Although he is hardly recognisable in a fat suit.  He pulls off a great fun character though and shows off his traditional kicks.

Spoilers - the ending is fitting though.  He sacrifices himself to save his old friend Caine's daughter and in dying joins his wife in heaven.  Or does he?  There is a small hint at his grave that he may have faked his death and recovered.  Although I think they should finish the franchise on this note.  If they carry on they will weaken the character and films like the Fast and Furious movies have done.

Score  -   9/10