Summer Heat

Dear Reader,

It has been hot. At times very hot. Now that might be an underestimate of this current heat wave in the UK, but for the first time in ages, it is hot. That said, how have we faired. In places not that well. Only a few months ago it was bad weather, too much rain still too cold. We seem to be suffering the fringes of extremes here. Prods the global debate a little.

So what else has happened since my last blog? A few things as always. The world (as yet) does not stop. Some may say thank goodness. 2013 has been rolling along nicely and of course events such as films, holidays, writing, archery and sports have all popped up.

I do want to point out a couple of possible memories that 2013 will keep, a certain Lions team and Andy Murray. The Lions rugby win, down-under against the Aussies was brilliant if not nerve racking. The Lions in the last match really did out play the opposition. The first two tests were not the greatest. At one all , the test series hung in the balance. The Lions made a change, which many thought would be the downfall. Sometimes a bold move makes much more of a difference than first imagined. The Lions pulled off a truly amazing win. The Aussies did make a fight of it for a time, but the Lions roared and came away with the first series win in years.

Another summer of sport? After last years Olympics you might think how could that be topped. Well, the Lions tour started it. At the same time a certain Andy Murray was starting Wimbledon. Often we put a great deal of pressure on certain people due to the time it’s taken for one person to win a trophy. Again it was hoped Andy Murray would or might win. This year was different. Having won a gold and silver medal in the Olympics he went on to his first grand slam in New York.  He had a confidence which was more than normal. I will skip to the good part now. After a tough semi-final, Murray faced the current number 1. A record viewing audience saw Murray compete as a winner. He outplayed Djokovic, he found the strength to break him and win Wimbledon. The first UK male winner in 77 years. A few forgot Virginia Wade’s win in 1977, never the less it was epic. So the summer of sport rolled on.

Now comes another mighty battle, the Ashes. To those who don’t know, the Ashes is one of crickets unique trophies and of course England has to be deep in it. This is England against the Aussies (yes again see Lions) playing 5 tests each of which lasts 5 days. To explain cricket to non-cricketers is one of the greatest arts to undertake. Eleven men stand in a field trying to get another eleven men out only for the reverse to happen after all the eleven men are out. Add LBW (Leg Before Wicket) and well the off-side rule in football is easy. Given that, the Ashes can be like a long drawn out game of chess suddenly finishing in a blur of arms and legs (and now technology) when for the last 4 days, 4 hours and 10 minutes nothing seemed to happen. With 1 down and 4 to go, it will be a very long chess game. This might be the third major sports memory for 2013 or maybe something some of us will forget.

This past weekend saw myself taking part in my very first Wenlock Olympian games, archery of course. I made sure I took enough water with me, yet it was still almost too warm to shoot. Something I learned from this weekend about setting up as well. Being prepared still can catch you out.

What I did find interesting from the competition was following advice of a friend. To some this may sound odd but this did work. Walking meditation. Well, for me it was standing meditation really. I was told to concentrate on five basic points, feet, knees, hips, stomach and head. It helped me keep my mind occupied, which stopped me thinking about the occasion. A new personal best (PB) by some 32 points. It made me think about how to approach competitions. Given I am taking part in a few during the summer (please keep the weather almost the same) I have an improved approach now.

With more film reviews to come, The Wolverine for one, I think this blog has been hot enough. I am sure the Ashes will appear again and again during the summer. What else will it hold?

Tagline: Some Like It Hot - says it all really.

Into Darkness

In 2009 Star Trek was rebooted. It is the in-word for taking a much loved series and starting again. That movie took risks changing what was a well-loved brand, universe and let’s face it huge fan base. However, it worked, despite a few niggles and maybe one set that was never quite right. It worked because it did two things; made money and made new fans. So we move on and wait. Unlike other studios, with Trek there is no spin-off here, no solo performances to fill the void. We have had to wait nearly as long as the original 5-year mission for the second installment.

Having said that, much has been said about this second rebooted Star trek movie and then again, nothing much at all. A trailer teaser gave away something. It featured a character, named John Harrison, a Starfleet officer with the ability to help another’s apparently serious ill daughter. It hinted at something, something that could be very dark in the Trek universe. The whole point of a movie is to tell a story. It is supposed to take the viewer from place A to B with goodness knows what in-between. The story should be make you want to watch and become engaged. This hint teased, you did not know where it was within this story. Again we then had to wait. Finally we get to see what all the rumours were about.

Into Darkness opens with a classic feel. The Enterprise, with a very young and ‘green’ Kirk in charge, Spock in danger of course and the age old prime directive about to be compromised. Now there are many fans who felt at the end of the first movie that Kirk had not earned right to sit in the big chair. But, then to tell that story in the first movie would have taken hours and effectively required a whole host of academy films. Fans might have gone for that, the rest of the public never. Films these days have to make big bucks to pay everyone off and create the environment for the next. Yes, in theory Kirk should not have been Captain at the end of movie one. If that had been that, it would have been fine, however it gets addressed a little in this movie.

The dynamics between the young crew have yet to be properly seen. Here is one of the biggest dilemmas for JJ Abrams. In the television series we are led to believe the crew are on it’s five-year mission. They know each other, they have spent time together and have history. By reworking the series, this has all gone. So we are left with building the characters from the start. That was very clear from the first film and it underpins this one, the dynamics of how the crew work and trust each other. In this movie Kirk and Spock are still coming to terms with each other as Captain, first officer and the beginning of one of those rare on-screen friendships. McCoy is the slightly awkward third person here, a sounding board to both. The rest of the ‘original’ crew continue to explore their roles. One which does not really fit yet is Uhura. That character should be more composed with the hint of action. I can only guess that Abrams needs to give this character something to do.

Add to the mix a ‘new’ villain, John Harrison, one who disguises his true motives making the audience wait. The action is fast paced, explosive to say the least and in places typical Star Trek. Humour was always thrown in when others feared to smile. Now for what might sound an odd reference – They do it with mirrors – is a line that comes from an Agatha Christie novel. Now that may appear strange but trust me it does say much about Into Darkness and it’s my only clue.

I wont give away the plot as I don’t review movies that way. What I will say is that it worked for me and very well. Clever one might say. I did get all the hints and smiled when I was right. The cast did grow in this movie, yes there are a few annoying bits but then the movie was not filmed just for me. They never will and the old fans have two options. Get over it or watch something else.

For me JJ Abrams paced this movie just right. It had action, humour, compassion, classic Star Trek. Remember, he has to fit at least 4 major and 5 not so major characters together. Let alone a supporting cast, some of whom steal scenes. Each needs to give the audience their all in order to make the movie work. The acting of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch is spot on. They work against and with each other. Add fine supporting acting from the likes of Simon Pegg, Alice Eve and Karl Urban and you see a long lasting series. The special effects are brilliant, it’s difficult not to be these days. 

This movie ends with a hope of more films to come. Does it end good or bad? Well, you have to go and see for yourself.

Rating 4.5/5

Tagline ‘Hint – Mirror, mirror, remember?’

Bright News

Dear Reader

The these few weeks have seen something of an avalanche of bad news, from well-known people becoming very dark shadows, to difficult times at a number of institutions. Where is the bright spark of good news? Well, this week I think I have found at least two good news bits. One took me a while to find, the other is just inspiring.

The inspiring one is Children in Need. Forgetting the reasons and arguments some might have, this yearly event is aimed solely at the heart strings. It makes no bones about what it wants, money. Children in Need has been running for many years both on the radio and television. For one night (sort of) you get strange, wonderful, amazing people entertaining the public. Its not just the BBC either, many other shows from the other channels help out. They just want to raise money for disadvantaged children and projects. Why mention this? Well, in these times when money is really tight, people seem still to give. On the One Show, they are doing a rickshaw challenge with a difference. This time it is the young adults who are taking this on. They are putting heart and soul into this, each one with their own story. At a time when things look dark, this is a true ray. Another supporter who again pushes not himself, but the cause forward, is Chris Evans. He took over from Terry Wogan, not only on the breakfast show, but the auction of things money can’t buy. I don’t know how much he gets involved, but his name alone seems to get people to help. These items that are auctioned are wonderful. One I heard mentioned was the final one. A weekend at the Monaco grand prix. Sounds very simple. It was not. It has so much thrown in, top people to give their time to the cause. I don’t really care who did what. It is the effort, the time, the goodwill given that counted. They will raise money, a lot. It may not be as much as other years, somehow it always makes it. I have already donated, before I wrote this. The world is not all as bad as it seems.

My second bright point is pure indulgence. I have recently discovered a comedy, The Big Bang Theory. It is basically four geeks and a girl. The geeks are well known to me, in the sense that they are sci-fi lovers, role-players, movie watchers and intelligent. I can hear the comments now and I will wait to see who is first. Some have found it to close the mark on how they are perceived. However, although I can see myself in some, (stop writing now I know what you’re going say) I find it funny. It has been going for some time, but I only came across it after much prompting. As with most good comedies, it has to draw you in, the humour needs to make you smile. The theme tune has gotten into my head, the words are hanging around, even now. The main characters, Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard and Raj have grown on me. Yes, they poke fun at a few of my likes, but as one person said – if you don’t laugh at yourself, how will the audience know when start laughing. (Ok I made that up). I am currently playing catch-up watching the past 5 series knowing that the new series starts soon. There has been some very humorous moments, Sheldon’s Star Trek extension to rock, paper, scissors for one. It is gentle comedy, you don’t need a PHd to understand. It does make fun of us geeks but then again other comedies have made fun of many other types. Again, it a time when things are not so happy, we need something to brighten the day. This helps.I am sure many will have a different view which is fine.

So the tagline – ‘In a whole dark universe, there are still gems of light to be found’