Film

Doctor Strange Review

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Next to the first Iron Man film I would have to say this is one of the best Marvel films I have watched. Seeing a perfectionist fall from grace and rise up again is nothing new to film entertainment. But the style and grace in which Scott Derrickson brought this comic book character to the big screen felt right. Benedict Cumberbatch was an excellent choice for the role, his on-screen chemistry, short sharp canny jokes, the way he holds himself, tall with regal strength. These are the qualities which the Doctor Strange character is known for.

There is obviously a greater picture about Marvel’s version of Earth than we know of, this film represents a multiverse theorem, changing the dynamic yet again.

Stephen Strange a brilliant doctor, although helping people he seems to have an arrogance about himself. Set in his ways up until a car crash that destroys his hands that made him such a brilliant physician. This then sets him on a journey to search for a cure to repair his hands, this in turn leads him to the Ancient One and a new way of life.

I am not to sure about the makeup of Ancient One, Tilda Swinton who played her didn’t quite look right. I also considered her to be the weakest actor, she didn’t project that well on screen.

After what seems like a quick study session, Strange is tested when the Ancient One dumps him on Everest and told him he has to make his own way back. It wasn’t long afterwards till the bad guys come back and rain havoc.

If I told you anymore I would be giving the whole film away. This film is visually stunning, however it does seem to borrow elements from Inception and The Matrix which does take a little bit of the originality away. The music score by Michael Giacchino was another element that brought the film to life, I could easily add the soundtrack to my CD collection as I thought it was that good.

You are also treated to the best after the credits Easter-egg ever in my opinion when what you thought was a good guy turning bad. I am looking forward to the second film now.

I highly recommend seeing this in the cinema on the big screen.

4.5 out of 5.

Personal

My early Halloween treat!

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So my bin went for a walk last night, I spoke to one neighbour and he didn’t know then a young kid said their bins disappeared also, it turns out my bin was where his ones should be. The kid told me the other kids were moving peoples bins around for a joke. 

My first thought was one of annoyance, but when I think about it, the kids were not very inventive.

When I was that age we would decorate people’s front drives! These days I guess the corrupted young have no real imagination. I am truly disappointed with their joke.

I can only hope for something more inventive on Hallows Eve.

TV

The Young Pope review.

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What is the message? Is there a reason for watching? What is there to teach us?

To begin with there is a grandeur about the whole show, the architecture, the buildings, so beautiful in design and the elegance of marble stone. The art form of the show does standout and the music gives a feel of something else. Jude Law (Lenny Belardo) who portrays The Young Pope has an impressive on-screen presence and his ability to play into the character certainly grabs you and draws you in. But there is a wonder, is he actually psychotic?

We start off in a dream sequence, it bounces around so at times you don’t know what is suppose to be reality or what is in his head. When Diane Keaton turns up as Sister Mary they start to try and provide a back story to how Lenny Belardo came to be. But instead this feels like taking a book of history and just dropping it off the side of the boat. So in essence you only saw what the front cover said. This is carried into the politics of the Vatican followed by some interested sequences one of which are some nun’s playing football which I rather liked. There was also an interesting scene with a kangaroo, however how flash the show, I felt like I zoned out at times.

The edginess towards the Pope making his first address was a constant flow throughout the show and when it came to it, I felt disappointed. There didn’t seem any clarity and it’s as if the show petered out at the end leaving you with unanswered questions.

I am not a fan of smoking in films and for a modern generation I didn’t think this was such a good idea to promote it in a way which it looks like a fashion accessory. And the fact he has a Coca-Cola for breakfast felt more like product placement rather than what one might expect to get in an orphanage growing up.

I guess I wont go for the answer as I don’t think I want to watch the next episode.

 

Film

The Flying Man

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If you haven’t seen it, this is a video released on YouTube in 2013 which is a 10 minute short. I was very impressed with the feel of the film the way you have an external view of a super hero. There is a cold unknown, leaving you with questions. A very old-school approach to movie making. And now we have Sony who are going to develope this into a full length feature in 2017. Enjoy.

Exploration

Bedlem Exhibit at the Wellcome Collection

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I’ve just been down to Euston to visit the Wellcome Collection and see their new exhibit titled Bedlam: the asylum and beyond. (till 15th January 2017)

I was expecting something more macabre but instead I found a strange collection of art and what I would say footnotes of the subject. There didn’t seem any depth to the exhibit, instead as you walk around the first installation you see some poor girl’s arm sticking out from underneath. This was followed by some explanation of what they were trying to say however I zoned out and my thoughts didn’t really focus too well on what was there.

A few paintings, prints, art and books. It seemed to be a very small part of the subject matter and a very small collection. All I can remember is that Bedlem derives from Bethlem Royal Hospital, and the name Bethlem from Bethlehem, Israel.

It’s not a subject I’ve ever really been interested in and unless you have interests in the subject matter I wouldn’t recommend a visit.

Playstation

My first PS4 video on youtube

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A little while ago I was playing the game Destiny in which I managed to complete the jumping puzzle (climbing the mountain) of Felwinter Peak social space to acquire what they call a dormant siva. I got up pretty high and needed to get back down! It’s a jump and a half! I did it and decided to create a video of the event for YouTube, it’s my first edited movie from a PS4 and it wasn’t surprisingly that hard to create.

I used the iMovie maker on my MacBook, stripped out a lot of unwanted parts of the movie leaving a very short and straight to the point video. If I feel anything fun or funny happens to me in Destiny next time I play I am sure I will try and make another movie. But for now, enjoy.

 

TV

Luke Cage Review

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You previously had a taste of Luke Cage when he showed up in Jessica Jones but now you get the full on show complete with one liners and puns that any comic-book fan would love.

This time in New York we head over to the Harlem district where the African Americans live, breath and die. You are introduced to this part of the city which feels cleaner and less gritty than Jessica Jones and less dark than Dare Devil. But like the rest of New York it clearly has its problems.

Throughout the course of the series you get elements of Luke Cage back story and it unfolds nicely. Each character seems unique, many are provided a back story also and are certainly not one dimensional. Mahershala Ali who plays cottonmouth was the standout character, the actor portrayed him so well that I felt sorry for him in the end.

Another element to the show is the music, that 70s sleek feel. The way the Jazz evolves around life in Harlem. There is a sense and feel that make a very unique take on life.

The show revolves around the Barber Shop, The Club and the streets. Cage doesn’t want to get involved with anyone until he is pushed beyond his capacity to restrain his desire for revenge after his mentor is kill. At this point Cage feels he has to help those in need, while at the same time creating a path of destruction. Mind you, the destruction didn’t seem that much and Cage wasn’t the main culprit.

Often I felt there wasn’t enough action, there were never enough fight scenes for me. The problem with origin stories is the need to develop a character often takes away the ability to headlong into what the current affairs are. This being said there was a healthy mix of each.

After the political mess, the gangland war and police corruption there is a feeling the show leaves you wondering was that all worth it? Although I enjoyed the show, I was left with questions. What did Cage do in the military? What am I missing? And do I really need to see more of this messed up world?