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’

War of the Worlds - Again

Dear Reader,

When I say dear reader, I am always reminded of Terry Wogan  and his comments on his radio show. He would often allude to the fact that he had one or two listeners. The rest were trapped souls who only had one radio station. Well, thats my view anyway.

So dear reader, this week’s blog. By now, yet again, two events have taken place. The title of this week’s blog might give a clue as to what. In the early hours of Wednesday morning here in the UK, we woke to the news that the US elections were over. Unlike the last UK general election, which ended in a typical British farce, the US sorted it in one day. President Obama was returned for 4 more years. It was one of the closest races in recent times. There was certainly a war of words that went on between the two parties. The fact that more than just the US was in the balance, as we were led to believe. True, there were certain statements by Romney that gave many concerns. Some clearly must have been ill advised. Yet there came a point when he became a serious threat to Obama and others. It pushed the race towards a nervous point. But, there was one more twist. A storm. What did it do, maybe nothing, maybe swing the undecided? Will we ever really know? Right now I am sure there are a huge number of analysts, pouring over data, one liners, video clips and more just to find where the votes went. And now it starts again, both the next 4 years and the race to be the next President. Unlike British politics, President Obama wont stand again, he can only be re-elected once. Romney can if he is wanted. I suspect given the election, there will be two new people and maybe a first. A woman presidential candidate. We will wait and see.

Now to the real War of the Worlds – Again. The title is referring to the re-mastering, re-inventing, re-designing, re-anything of a true classic album. In 1978, a new album hit the music stores. It was a double vinyl masterpiece. Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds had a massive impact. The opening lines as spoken by Richard Burton, that rich deep Welsh voice made you listen. “No one would have believed in the last years of the 19th century, that human affairs were being watched from the timeless worlds of space.’  That opening line made, the hairs stand up. It sends a shiver still. Thirty-six seconds of Burton’s voice at the start, that’s all. Then there is that pause, barely a second. It hits. The first chord. The sound is amazing, the pace perfect. H.G Wells novel as told in song. The first track Eve of the War, pulls you into Victorian England. Unlike the films, it is set correctly. When I first listened to this, I was amazed. I must have played it hundreds of times, learning all the little changes of pace, the orchestra’s varied sounds and the differing voices. Although there were only a few people on the original album, Justin Haywood, David Essex, Phil Lynott, Julie Covington, Chris Thompson and Jeff Wayne himself, it created a film like feel. The album itself stayed in the charts for 290 weeks, over 5 years. I had always wanted to see it performed live and as time went on I did go back to it often. I could listen to this without feeling the spark fade unlike some albums. Then 6 years ago on April 29th, my birthday, I sat in the Sheffield  Arena along with thousands of others and waited. It was the first live tour, would it be as good as the album. Not only did the hairs stand up they damn nearly shook me to bits. It was incredible. There were changes but it mattered not.

Now in 2012 a new version of War of the Worlds is about to be released. There is a new cast of course. I have been able to listen to two parts of the new album. What do I think? There will be a whole new generation that won’t understand or have heard the album. They may well listen, considering Gary Barlow is one of the new cast. A stroke of genius to engage such a well known artist of this day. The same can be said of Liam Neeson, who takes the Burton role of the Journalist. It will take me a time to get used to listening to one of my all time favourite albums, with others involved. The best way for me, is to accept this as a second album and start fresh. The New Generation will be out in November and with such social media I fully imagine it to invade just like the Martians did before. Will it be a success? Yes it will. Again because of the history and what is behind it. Will I like it? My honest answer is I don’t know yet. Ask me after November when, more than likely, I will have bought it.

On another note, just for the record, a quick update on two programs. Arrow is continuing to hit the gold in my view. Three episodes down and the pace is excellent. Elementary on the other hand, is not. I find it slow, dull, predictable, easy to solve. It is just another American crime show.

So the tagline. “One war has ended. Now the Martians are ready to invade.”

war-of-the-worlds-again

SuperStorm and Star Wars

Dear Reader

This week two major events happened. One has caused destruction and devastation, whereas the second, may cause some people, devastation. What am I talking about? Well, SuperStorm Sandy and Disney’s purchase of Star Wars. Both have caused a huge following in the social media world.

Storm Sandy is not the first to be followed in such a manner. Watching reporters standing in rain and wind, telling all just how bad it is, seeing the live pictures and video, has grown over the years. The damage caused will be in the billions, not just in the US, but Canada, Cuba and across the Caribbean.

However, compare the different locations and the social media attraction. New York was in the media storm frenzy ,Twitter, Facebook and all. Over 60 people died in the Caribbean, the destruction was bad, considering parts were still trying to recover from the last event. It was a hurricane at that point. So where was all the social media? It was there, but in the shadows. The social media did moved as quickly as the storm. As it hit the US coast, people watched. There was real destruction, people lost everything. Some have brought up the subject of climate changes, yet again. This storm however had something else to it. Maybe the thoughts regarding the Presidential election made Sandy more important. With the candidates neck and neck, so we’re told, this storm could have blown one of them away (thanks to my editor for that). I will let you decide which. Next week will tell.

The second major ‘storm’ was the selling of the Star Wars brand to Disney. Now to some this made a bigger headline than Sandy. When Star Wars first opened in 1977, it made a real impact in the film world. There was a revolution in many aspects of the technical side, compared with previous films. It also marked, to a degree, the re-designing of sci-fi movies. Looking back, television had certainly made attempts to improve both the story-telling and the presentation, with such shows as UFO, Space 1999, and Battlestar Galactica  to name but a few.  2001:A Space Odyssey employed some of the most amazing special effects and delightful ships, in a very realistic story. Star Wars blasted the screens apart. The story line was very familiar; consider the epic Severn Samurai, the end of the film, 633 Squadron, let alone good versus bad like the bible. It appealed to many people not just sci-fi fans. It also introduced a new film going audience to the concept of a trilogy. The second and third movies, improved further the special effects, but they had flaws, which was fine.

At the turn of the century, three new films appeared in the Star Wars saga. With the advancements in the technical side of film making, these offered the real chance to push the boundaries. Excitedly, some of us waited. What we got was wonderful visuals, breathtaking ships, and as Meatloaf said “2 out 3 ain’t bad”.  Other movie franchises came along, and gave us the past, present and future. After much debate, the second string of Star Wars movies were rated less fairly than the first set. Actually, the first three were the middle three, and the second three were the first three, but that could get confusing.

So what can Disney offer? Three simple thoughts come to mind;

1. Disney can offer its brand - The Star Wars brand is already very large
2. Disney can offer its money - Star Wars is not short of a bob or two (English for lots of cash)
3. Disney could offer a place in its world famous parks - Well Star Wars is already in the famous one.

Ok, so that is maybe not the top three that many will think about. Truly what can Disney offer? Adding the Disney brand helped Pixar, but they kept Disney away from the majority of production and ideas. The Pirates franchise worked well, it made money and created good films. It is not all roses. John Carter, a potential long running film series, failed. The effects and visuals were stunning. Something did not click. Disney lost out. Marvel shook hands with Disney. Again, they have kept Disney at arms length. It has worked well, look at The Avengers.

The Disney name adds weight, character and magic. That alone could make the difference. With the right producers, proper writers, and correct director, Star Wars could well sweep the globe again. Lucas himself once said there would be no more films. Now, he has handed over his product for $4 billion and three more movies. At least. Disney could have the next major film franchise on its hands. It could also create a visual monster. 2015 will fast approach, there will be a storm brewing. Sandy will be forgotten in time.

Tagline “Some storms will never fade away, others can rip everything away in a moment.”