All posts by Govvy

I could be talking about anything!
Film

Venom: The Last Dance film review

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I hadn’t listened to any other reviews before going to see the film so I couldn’t be influenced by them. However, I might have been influenced by one in this write up.

Tom Hardy is back in his Eddie Brock, Venom persona and although loose, it also feels forced at times. We start off where the last film left us and they had that moment, are we going to New York to visit Spider-man? That doesn’t materialise, they bring in another character from that franchise in Knull voiced by non-other than Andy Serkis however did they really use the character? Knull sends his minions out, some black Ops guys are running amuck and some scientists with rather flat acting.

So, Eddie and Venom turns out are a key to unlock Knull and are on the run from the authorities for murder. They end up in the Nevada desert rather quickly hunted by one of the minions and then bump into a family who are out searching for aliens.

I didn’t quite get this whole setup, a family searching for, are aliens are real. In a universe where an alien snapped everyone out of existence to be returned five years later. In a universe where there was a massive alien army that invaded New York during the Avengers film. I can’t fault Rhys Ifans acting here or that of the actors of his family. Them and Tom Hardy are the only ones that felt natural. The rest of the acting felt somewhat falsed.

I ask did marvel forgot that they already used Rhys Ifans as Dr Connors who turned himself into a Lizard. Who knows!

We then end up in to Las Vegas which seemed to be an excuse to get to the character Mrs Chen, who for some reason went to running a small convenient store to a high stakes roller being put up in the top room at the hotel! How did that happen?? And the dance? The last dance… Did they really put much thought into that?

Straight back into the desert and straight to Area51 where we have the epic battle. Interesting battle and then it’s all over.

It’s a watchable film, but overall just felt lacklustre at times.

2.5 out of 5.

Exploration

Mudlarking at Midday

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I got myself a ticket on the Eventbrite app to go Mudlarking on the Thames which is run through the Thames Explorer Trust. 

The day started off very cold, but got very nice rather quickly and a sunny day it was. I took the train down to Blackfriars and walked along to Millennium Bridge waiting there a bit, met a few people and we started off with a talk on history and what we can find and off we went.

Down diretly under the bridge we went onto the foreshore. I walked up and down the area to have an explore around and there was a hell of a lot of building debris around from different types of bricks to roof tiles. In amongst all that were loads of different types of shards of pots. A lot of animal bones scattered around, (at least I hope it was all animal!). Various different bits of glass, many washed to rounded edges from the tide. I had an interesting time. But the jig is, you can’t take anything home. 

I will have to apply for a permit myself. However this is what I found.

I rather liked the London gin bottle with London written on it. (I assumed it was suppose to be London considering it’s the city I found it in!) A few bits of pottery and the old bottle top which looks rather like one a codd-neck which would have had a marble in.

London gin bottle

Alas I had to leave it all on the shore to wash away. Guess I will have to get a permit for a year so I can take some finds home.

All in all, an interesting few hours on a nice sunny day.

Exploration

Silk Roads exhibit

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On now in the British Museum until the 23rd February is the Silk Roads exhibit which gives you an insight into the silk trades and way beyond. This is more about the connection, evolution and expansion of empires across this vast route.

All traders from all walks of life and what are they trading? Cloths, silks, pottery, precious gems, silver, gold and spices. In turn the wealth build trade settlements along the route and the route expands to already established settlements.

The exhibit takes you for a wonder from Japan, through China into middle Asia, all the way to Europe and Africa. There are some sad realities like the fact slaves were traded also, with incredibly well-preserved letters of slaves passing from one hand to another. This was partly due to the expansion of the Muslim empire into Africa and Europe which in turn pushed a dominant Buddhism out of Asia and Islam to take hold on the lands. This also transforms type of trades.

As you near the end of the exhibit you see some treasures from the Sutton Hoo collection. A burial in England where gems had come as far from Sri Lanka. And this was done thousands of years ago. 

This is definitely worth a visit.

Personal

Waking up angry

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I was slowing waking up at around 5:30am and start looking at my the news on my phone. People are rioting in my country and I ask why, because a young boy for some reason killed children in a senseless attack in Southport near Liverpool.

There really is no need for violence, but what makes it worse are these people who are dishonouring their grand parents and great grand parents and family who fort against against the nazi’s in WW2. We fort for our right to live, for our peace and our liberty.

These values are why we have an influx of people to the UK, because they generally come from a lot worse place. A place where the simple freedoms we have and fort for don’t exist. Where other countries have failing economies Britain has always been stable. We welcome hard working people. Those that can help contribute and build a better future.

Those that come, who don’t follow the rules and commit crime. I would gladly send back. But if you can adapt, listen and learn. Then welcome.

But for those native people of Britain who feel its your duty to cause mayhem. Have you even considered the damage you’re doing. Weakening the fabric of a local area, weakening its economic value. This affects the value of homes and businesses in these areas you attack. Causing the tax payer money to be diverted into policing you.. the tax payer! Your own taxes into policing yourself. Unless you’re one of those unemployed people who are on benefits, because you’re too lazy to go out and work. Angry at the system you haven’t been taught to navigate. So are out on a rampage! WAKE UP! Look in the mirror. Please remember what we should really be fighting for and against. Not this madness of unneeded mayhem.

It’s not just Britain that has this problem, I see right wing elements in Europe and America too. We as a world fort against this over 80 years ago it’s time to be less fragmented and unify against these ideals.

Exploration

Syon House a hidden gem

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Often I’ve been to Kew Gardens, which seems to be turning into a yearly ritual, I will walk all the way around. There is a spot I like to sit at and the view has interested me for a while. Right across from this view point is a little-known place called Syon House.

I finally got there and little it is not. It feels hidden away but as you walk down and through the entrance you are greeted with a long driveway up to a house that looks like a castle, that is palatial inside. Owned by the Duke of Northumberland this estate sits in the leafy green Brentford part of London.

The house sits on a former church site and the catacombs still exist under the house. The main entrance of the house The Great Hall is kind of a love story to ancient Rome. You follow through into an Ante Room of a completely different colour scheme, made up of composite marble, like the film studios use today when making film sets. There is a sense of grandeur through-out the house with that ancient Roman Greek design by the famous James Adam who after his grand tour of Italy brought a number of styles back with him.

The Great Hall
The Ante Room

The Anti Room follows through into the Dining Room. This room is far more subtle in colour with white walls and gold leaf designs and the traditional solid oak stained floor. The next room is the Red Drawing Room, far more opulent with an intricately decorated celling. There is a lot softer feel to the room as the walls are lined with material instead of paint. And a large Axminster rug to disguise the hard wood floor.

By now you would have made it through to the Long Gallery serving as a library with many books. The fades of time are very much felt here, the colours are very faded. Was it once a pearl sky blue?

Don’t forget to inspect all the painting on your way around, painted by the famous artists of the day. Plenty of Van Dyke’s around! 

The Red Drawing Room
The Long Gallery

I had viewed many more rooms and then I exited to wonder round to have a look at the Great Conservatory which is on par in design as Kew Gardens, but not as jam packed with plants. Entering this area I was greeted with perfectly maintained grounds, a sea of ferns on one side and a perfect bed of meadow flowers on the other. There are areas of the grounds that need work on, but what a relaxing day out. Although I was worn out by the end.

The reason I call this a hidden gem, well there can’t have been more than 20 people around wondering around. I don’t believe Syon House is advertised and for such a beautiful estate. I guess everyone is at Kew.

https://www.syonpark.co.uk
Brentford, London, TW8 8JF

Exploration

British Museum Reading Room now open to view

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On Monday 8 July 2014 after some time of archiving and moving out goodness knows what. The British Museum has decided to open the doors of the old Reading Room to show the public with a few plaques of famous historic names of past visitors.

Books and archives all the way round synonymous of the old British ideal. And a beautiful dome room to match.

Exploration

Battersea Power Station

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I’ve wanted to get down to Battersea Power station for a while to see all the modernisation work and what has been done there. It was after 11:00am when I arrived in the week and there really wasn’t much footfall in there at all. I asked one of the guards and he said the place was much busier at the weekends. I hope he was right! Upon walking around there are bits here and there that show the old workings of the station and Control Room B was turned into a bar that still has a fair chunk of the old technology in it.

Downstairs from the riverside entrance was one unit showing the process to how the station became what it is today. And then there are a lot o high end brands about the place from Ralf Lauren to Rolex.

Bars and restaurants here and there, a place called Bounce where there are a load of tables to play table tennis and even a cinema.

Further upstairs to the third floor, is an optional lift going all the way up to see a view and a few display bits, but I chose not to do that as I thought the price of over £20 was far too high!

Control Room B Bar area.

Personal

The Cenotaph

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British and South Korean flags together.

I’d thought I go and check out the Cenotaph in London before they took away the wreaths and pay my respects. At the same time I had planned to visit the Household Cavalry Museum, however that was closed due to the state visit from the South Korean president and his wife. This isn’t the first time a state visit has interrupted my plans either and probably not the last!!

review

Burma to Myanmar exhibit

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Only just started in the British Museum is the Burma to Myanmar exhibit that explores the few treasures that have come from the country. And there are some amazing pieces on display, from a gold letter to the King of England that went un-replied. To an intricate ivory chair.

You get a bit of a glimpse into the art that has come from the country but due to constant conflict there, there is a sense of limitations in the exhibit. Like so many subjects there is a vast story to tell and the scope isn’t there. A pebble in the sea of what information they could have given? What is on offer may give some insight, however to me it’s just showing off what they have in the British Museum collection.

3.5 out of 5.

Star Wars, TV

Star Wars Ahsoka final

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I love Star Wars, there are so many good things, and at the same time so many disappointments. I grew up reading the books after the films and feel the final had me wanting more and irked at little things.

I don’t know why Sabine suddenly had a power boost in the final show, why throw away some good characters into the abyss and why leave Ahsoka on that god forsaken planet! As for Ahsoka who wields a lightsaber well it looked terrible at times, sloppy, missed place strikes. For a woman who is seasoned it looked unrefined and she needed a lot more training than given.

As for Thrawn I like the fact that the Grand Admiral got away and got back to the galaxy we know, it leaves it open for advancing the story, however the acting felt flat! I was left feeling underwhelmed by the whole process. I truly wish for better.