I rather enjoyed "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". It had its problems, but it was a fun little story, didn't take itself too seriously and, crucially, wasn't just a prequel to the Harry Potter series - although there were some ties in there, it was separate enough for me not to tar it with the "prequels suck" brush.
Unfortunately, "The Crimes of Grindelwald" very definitely is a prequel to Harry Potter - much more even than it is a sequel to "Fantasic Beasts" - and prequels really do suck. This one, in particular, is very much the "Attack of the Clones" of the series (which, as I've noted before, is my least-favourite Star Wars film). But where to begin?
(From here on out there are fairly significant spoilers. You know the drill by now...)
First up, I think, the returning characters. Our hero, Eddie Redmayne, remains fine as Newt - no complaints there. But then it goes horribly wrong - one of the real highlights of the first film is the interaction between the four main characters, and in this one they're barely ever on screen together. Tina barely features, and is mostly off on her own. Queenie and Jacob are now no longer having a cute flirtation, they're having tiresomely predictable relationship woes... for about five minutes, and then they're separated for most of the film. And with that, the heart that carried the previous film is ripped out.
On the other side, Ezra Miller does a surprisingly good job as Anakin, as he goes in search of his mother, only for her to be killed off and thus cause him the lash out at some Tusken Raiders. Those poor guys never get any luck. Fortunately, Padme is on hand to soothe his woes, although this time out she's less Natalie Portman and more snake-ish. Or something.
Technically, Johnny Depp is returning as Grindelwald, but given the size of his role in the first film I think it's fair to count him as being new. And on the other side, we have Jude Law as Yodaldore, busy teaching some young padawans Defence Against the Dark Arts. You know the stuff - handing them a lightsaber and/or magic wand at an inappropriately young age, teaching them object lessons that are likely to scar them for life, and then forcing them to go into a cave to face their worst fear. At least in sentences he speaks.
Okay, I'm being a bit unfair here. A more accurate comparison would actually be to Charles Xavier and Magneto in the X-Men films - two old friends divided by an insurmountable philosophical difference. The problem is that the X-Men films work because (a) Xavier and Magneto actually have time on screen together to debate their positions, and (b) Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan are vastly superior actors to Depp and Law.
Beyond that there's not much to say. There's a cringe-inducing 'romance', there's a failed rescue (complete with joke about how badly it goes... but a less funny joke than in the noted comedy that is AotC), and then a final confrontation in an arena.
Here, to be fair, they surprised me. I had expected the film to follow the same beats as AotC, with our heroes having to face off against some Fantastic Beasts (possibly with Obi-wan Scamader using his abilities to tame one of those beasts?), followed by a 'rescue' by the other Jedi that leads to most of them dying, followed by the sudden arrival of Yodaldore to face off against Grindelwald in a CGI spectacular.
As it happened, though, it appears that they had used up their Fantastic Beasts by that point, so skipped straight to the Aurors arriving. And, meaning no disrespect, Callum Turner is no Samuel L. Jackson. (Also, Yodaldore was busy elsewhere, so instead the big CGI spectacular is provided by another character.)
Yeah, I think my version would have been better. Still not good, but better.
The other major problem that this film has, on top of all its other woes, is that it is very much the middle chapter in a not-trilogy. That is, it doesn't stand alone but mostly serves to move characters from the end of the first film to where they need to be at the start of the third film. The horrible thing there being that we're apparently getting five of these films, which leads me to fear that the next two will be yet more setting up for the big finale. In which case, a trilogy would definitely be better.
Anyway, that's that. I really can't recommend this film - watch the first one again instead, or even just something else entirely.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Cherry Coke
I'm not sure exactly where the notion came from, but I was sure I didn't like cherry coke. And that's a safe bet, after all - I mean, what kind of mad idea is it to add a sour fruit to a sweet drink?
Anyway, in desperation I've just had some cherry coke and discovered that my previous notion was incorrect. I wouldn't claim it as a favourite, but as an occasional alternative to Coke and Pepsi (which, frankly, I'm getting a bit sick of), it's not too bad.
I wonder what other options there might be out there?
Anyway, in desperation I've just had some cherry coke and discovered that my previous notion was incorrect. I wouldn't claim it as a favourite, but as an occasional alternative to Coke and Pepsi (which, frankly, I'm getting a bit sick of), it's not too bad.
I wonder what other options there might be out there?
King Lear
After a mere six months, we finally got around to watching the Hopkins version of "King Lear". It was an impressive piece in many ways - the modern day setting was well handled, Anthony Hopkins was great in the title role, and the rest of the cast was packed with Names.
But...
The big problem with it came at the end - it was evident that they'd cut an awful lot from the play in order to fit in the two-hour time slot, and this meant that they seemed to get to a point where they'd just run out of story, didn't quite have a resolution... so everyone just died off screen. And then it ended.
That's a real shame, since it really felt like it needed another half-hour or so to breathe just a bit longer, and maybe actually show how these things came about. As it was, it felt like a lesser version of "Hamlet" or "Romeo and Juliet" - everyone dies, there's some closing words from the last man standing, and we're done.
I guess I'll now have to go a read the actual text, to see just how far it differs...
But...
The big problem with it came at the end - it was evident that they'd cut an awful lot from the play in order to fit in the two-hour time slot, and this meant that they seemed to get to a point where they'd just run out of story, didn't quite have a resolution... so everyone just died off screen. And then it ended.
That's a real shame, since it really felt like it needed another half-hour or so to breathe just a bit longer, and maybe actually show how these things came about. As it was, it felt like a lesser version of "Hamlet" or "Romeo and Juliet" - everyone dies, there's some closing words from the last man standing, and we're done.
I guess I'll now have to go a read the actual text, to see just how far it differs...
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Wrapping up the To-do List
As I mentioned in my most recent regular update on goals, it was my intention to try to blitz the remaining items in the to-do list in November and then put it on hold for the Christmas season. I'll then rebuild the list from the ground up in the new year.
In the event, that 'blitz' of the remaining items basically amounted to nothing much - I had intended to do a big clear out of the kitchen, that being the biggest remaining task, but when it came to it at the weekend I just couldn't find the motivation. Which is slightly unfortunate, but not a disaster.
Since we've now passed the last weekend in November, I'm calling a halt to most of the remaining tasks. I'll continue with my "scan and shred" efforts with the RPG papers until Friday, since that's something I do each day, a bite at a time, and I'll certainly try to get to the charity shop and the tip to get rid of the stuff that's busily cluttering up the study and garage. But the kitchen will have to wait.
I'm reasonably content with the results from this iteration of the list - I didn't get everything done but I did get most things done, and some of the things that are done have been bothering me for a long time. And I'm particularly pleased with the results of re-sealing the shower and re-arranging the spare room - in both cases, this has led to a vast improvement in things.
And now to turn my attention to Christmas...
In the event, that 'blitz' of the remaining items basically amounted to nothing much - I had intended to do a big clear out of the kitchen, that being the biggest remaining task, but when it came to it at the weekend I just couldn't find the motivation. Which is slightly unfortunate, but not a disaster.
Since we've now passed the last weekend in November, I'm calling a halt to most of the remaining tasks. I'll continue with my "scan and shred" efforts with the RPG papers until Friday, since that's something I do each day, a bite at a time, and I'll certainly try to get to the charity shop and the tip to get rid of the stuff that's busily cluttering up the study and garage. But the kitchen will have to wait.
I'm reasonably content with the results from this iteration of the list - I didn't get everything done but I did get most things done, and some of the things that are done have been bothering me for a long time. And I'm particularly pleased with the results of re-sealing the shower and re-arranging the spare room - in both cases, this has led to a vast improvement in things.
And now to turn my attention to Christmas...
Monday, November 26, 2018
Trust
Over the past couple of weeks, LC and I have been watching our way through "Trust". (Given that most TV is now highly serialised, it makes sense where possible to record a whole series and then watch it quickly. We could have used iPlayer to the same effect... but didn't.)
Anyway, it's... okay, I guess. It had very strong performances from Donald Sutherland, Brendan Fraser, and, especially, Hilary Swank, but it was really lacking in sympathetic characters (there were, by my count, two). Plus, it didn't help that I watched "All the Money in the World" earlier in the year, which was a somewhat different take on the same story. I expect it would be interesting to know the actual truth of what happened, but since nobody now knows for sure that's unlikely.
What I can't believe, though, is that they're planning a second series of the show - this one a prequel series to tell how Getty came to be the way he was depicted... or, at least, one possible point of view on that. I'll pass, thanks.
Anyway, that was ten hours more-or-less enjoyably spent. Next up will be "Little Drummer Girl", though again I intend to let all six episodes air before starting.
#55: "Pathfinder: Runeplague", by Richard Pett
Anyway, it's... okay, I guess. It had very strong performances from Donald Sutherland, Brendan Fraser, and, especially, Hilary Swank, but it was really lacking in sympathetic characters (there were, by my count, two). Plus, it didn't help that I watched "All the Money in the World" earlier in the year, which was a somewhat different take on the same story. I expect it would be interesting to know the actual truth of what happened, but since nobody now knows for sure that's unlikely.
What I can't believe, though, is that they're planning a second series of the show - this one a prequel series to tell how Getty came to be the way he was depicted... or, at least, one possible point of view on that. I'll pass, thanks.
Anyway, that was ten hours more-or-less enjoyably spent. Next up will be "Little Drummer Girl", though again I intend to let all six episodes air before starting.
#55: "Pathfinder: Runeplague", by Richard Pett
Friday, November 23, 2018
It's a Miracle!
I see that they've started extracting oil from fields to the west of Shetland. The oil there is expected to last some forty years - which, in a sane country, should be more than long enough for us to vastly improve the technologies involved in collecting renewable energy and thus leave us sitting pretty on an absurd wealth of energy.
Unfortunately, the UK is quite manifestly not a sane country. So expect to see this bounty go the exact same way as in the 80's - squandered by a Tory government, mostly on tax cuts for their rich mates. Though I daresay this windfall will also be used to provide the "Brexit dividend" that the government so desperately needs to find.
(Of course, crazy conspiracy-theory independence supporters did suggest there might well be oil in the Clair Ridge fields. But I'm sure that's just a complete coincidence. One might even call it 'miraculous'. (In fairness, I was off by about four years.))
Unfortunately, the UK is quite manifestly not a sane country. So expect to see this bounty go the exact same way as in the 80's - squandered by a Tory government, mostly on tax cuts for their rich mates. Though I daresay this windfall will also be used to provide the "Brexit dividend" that the government so desperately needs to find.
(Of course, crazy conspiracy-theory independence supporters did suggest there might well be oil in the Clair Ridge fields. But I'm sure that's just a complete coincidence. One might even call it 'miraculous'. (In fairness, I was off by about four years.))
The Ultimate Indignity
I was digging through some old posts in advance of a proper rant (wanted to check I hadn't said exactly the same thing before - or, indeed, the opposite), when I stumbled upon a reference to a joke.
There was only one problem: I didn't get it, and consequently had to spend ten minutes desperately trying to figure out what the muppet who wrote it (past me) actually meant. Of course, once I did figure it out, it was obvious. And awful.
There was only one problem: I didn't get it, and consequently had to spend ten minutes desperately trying to figure out what the muppet who wrote it (past me) actually meant. Of course, once I did figure it out, it was obvious. And awful.
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Bollocks
I've read two novels about India this year: "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry and "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie. This post contains significant spoilers about both, so if you don't want to know, best skip this post.
It's fair to say that I didn't really enjoy "A Fine Balance". It was basically a thousand pages of awfulness happening to our heroes, but throughout it all Ishvar is sustained by one hope: that he will arrange the marriage of his nephew Om and see the family continue in the next generation.
As the book reaches its climax, and just as it looks like Ishvar might have succeeded, they find themselves rounded up by government forces, and suffer forced vasectomies. And even then, despite the absurdity of it, Ishvar retains hope - a vasectomy can be reversed, so as expensive as it is he'll find a way...
It is only then that he discovers that during the night a local authority, in an act of pure spite, has in fact had Om castrated.
The moral of the story is that the powerful will always abuse the weak, and that the only way to avoid being a victim is to be the biggest bastard around. And also, while hope is the last thing that they'll take, they will take it from you.
The book ends shortly thereafter in despair and hopelessness.
"Midnight's Children" isn't so hard going, partly because it's considerably shorter and partly because there is considerably more light to contrast with the dark. But as the novel goes on it likewise becomes increasingly dark. Still, I consoled myself that at least that final indignity wasn't on the cards.
Until the protagonist finds himself rounded up by government forces. Uh-oh, I thought...
Sur enough, Saleem promptly finds himself castrated. He even coins the term 'sperectomy' for a cutting out of hope (though apparently the etymology of the term is wrong...). And then, again, the novel ends in hopelessness and despair.
Sigh.
It's fair to say that I'm now not really looking forward to "A Suitable Boy"! Though surely it must be a coincidence... that can't be a pattern, can it?
I'm not really building to a great point here - mostly, it's just a good excuse for an amusing title.
I did think it was an interesting coincidence that both these books went with the same final indignity to heap upon their heroes' heads. It's also interesting in that that action is actually nothing less than an attack on the fundamental nature of the person themselves - what we are is not just the sum of our memories and experiences, but also very significantly impacted by the particular cocktail of hormones that our brains are pickling in. Removing the testicles, and therefore dramatically altering that cocktail, inevitably alters that.
(I should note at this point that there's a difference between someone deciding that for themselves versus them having it done to them. That's one of those things that should go without saying, but...)
Anyway, it's been bothering me for some time (actually, since I finished "A Fine Balance"), so there it is. But that's all I have to say about that.
It's fair to say that I didn't really enjoy "A Fine Balance". It was basically a thousand pages of awfulness happening to our heroes, but throughout it all Ishvar is sustained by one hope: that he will arrange the marriage of his nephew Om and see the family continue in the next generation.
As the book reaches its climax, and just as it looks like Ishvar might have succeeded, they find themselves rounded up by government forces, and suffer forced vasectomies. And even then, despite the absurdity of it, Ishvar retains hope - a vasectomy can be reversed, so as expensive as it is he'll find a way...
It is only then that he discovers that during the night a local authority, in an act of pure spite, has in fact had Om castrated.
The moral of the story is that the powerful will always abuse the weak, and that the only way to avoid being a victim is to be the biggest bastard around. And also, while hope is the last thing that they'll take, they will take it from you.
The book ends shortly thereafter in despair and hopelessness.
"Midnight's Children" isn't so hard going, partly because it's considerably shorter and partly because there is considerably more light to contrast with the dark. But as the novel goes on it likewise becomes increasingly dark. Still, I consoled myself that at least that final indignity wasn't on the cards.
Until the protagonist finds himself rounded up by government forces. Uh-oh, I thought...
Sur enough, Saleem promptly finds himself castrated. He even coins the term 'sperectomy' for a cutting out of hope (though apparently the etymology of the term is wrong...). And then, again, the novel ends in hopelessness and despair.
Sigh.
It's fair to say that I'm now not really looking forward to "A Suitable Boy"! Though surely it must be a coincidence... that can't be a pattern, can it?
I'm not really building to a great point here - mostly, it's just a good excuse for an amusing title.
I did think it was an interesting coincidence that both these books went with the same final indignity to heap upon their heroes' heads. It's also interesting in that that action is actually nothing less than an attack on the fundamental nature of the person themselves - what we are is not just the sum of our memories and experiences, but also very significantly impacted by the particular cocktail of hormones that our brains are pickling in. Removing the testicles, and therefore dramatically altering that cocktail, inevitably alters that.
(I should note at this point that there's a difference between someone deciding that for themselves versus them having it done to them. That's one of those things that should go without saying, but...)
Anyway, it's been bothering me for some time (actually, since I finished "A Fine Balance"), so there it is. But that's all I have to say about that.
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Discombobulated
It has been a strange few weeks - I've been transferirng to a new project featuring a completely new technology and even language (that is, new to me), while at home we've been quietly working through some old TV that we've recorded, which FS continues to grow apace, and while the preparations for Christmas get underway. The whole thing has left me feeling somewhat adrift and also somewhat dissatisfied - I like having concrete things to do with clear goals and milestones, but those are sorely lacking at the moment.
It has also had the effect of leaving me with nothing much to blog about, hence the relative silence here. That, at least, should hopefully be coming towards an end - I'll hopefully have something to say soon about "Trust" and also about the latest "Harry Potter" prequel...
For now, though, there's just nothing.
It has also had the effect of leaving me with nothing much to blog about, hence the relative silence here. That, at least, should hopefully be coming towards an end - I'll hopefully have something to say soon about "Trust" and also about the latest "Harry Potter" prequel...
For now, though, there's just nothing.
Monday, November 19, 2018
The Emergency Mug Anecdote
As I've noted before, everyone loves a mug anecode. So, since it has been a while, here's today's exciting tale...
Halfway to work this morning I suddenly realised I'd left my new jar of coffee at home. This was followed almost immediately by the realisation that I'd left my coffee mug at home also. Disaster upon disaster!
Fortunately, I have an emergency mug hidden away in the office, in preparation for a situation exactly like this one. It is a simple black mug emblazoned with the name of my employer on the side, which I received as part of the company's welcome pack.
So all's well that ends well - I was able to bring the emergency mug into operation for this week, and am making use of the office supply of coffee for today, until I can make another attempt to bring some in tomorrow.
Halfway to work this morning I suddenly realised I'd left my new jar of coffee at home. This was followed almost immediately by the realisation that I'd left my coffee mug at home also. Disaster upon disaster!
Fortunately, I have an emergency mug hidden away in the office, in preparation for a situation exactly like this one. It is a simple black mug emblazoned with the name of my employer on the side, which I received as part of the company's welcome pack.
So all's well that ends well - I was able to bring the emergency mug into operation for this week, and am making use of the office supply of coffee for today, until I can make another attempt to bring some in tomorrow.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Brutus Was An Honourable Man
In all the flurry and turmoil of these resignations, my recommendation would be to watch Michael Gove. If he stays, then I'd expect May to somehow keep her job after this mess; if he goes then that's game over.
My reasoning for this is this: back when the Brexit referendum was announced, Gove promptly left Cameron's campaign to head the opposing campaign. Apparently, Gove and Cameron were good friends, but that was the issue that divided them... and cost Cameron his political career.
Then, after the referendum and when Cameron was gone, everyone expected Boris to stand for the leadership with Gove by his side. Only Gove jumped in first with his own bid, and thus forced Boris out of the running. And it's increasingly looking like that was Boris' only chance to be PM, so that action effectively cost him his political career.
And now Gove is highly-placed in May's cabinet. Hence my logic - if he goes, May will follow, and he will have cost her her political career also.
At which point I would label Gove a "serial Brutus". But there's one problem with that comparison. See above.
#50: "Complicity", by Iain Banks
#51: "Rivers of London", by Ben Aaronovitch
#52: "Dungeon Crawl Classics", by Goodman Games
#53: "Pathfinder: It Came From Hollow Mountain", by Mike Shel
#54: "Dunstan", by Conn Iggulden
My reasoning for this is this: back when the Brexit referendum was announced, Gove promptly left Cameron's campaign to head the opposing campaign. Apparently, Gove and Cameron were good friends, but that was the issue that divided them... and cost Cameron his political career.
Then, after the referendum and when Cameron was gone, everyone expected Boris to stand for the leadership with Gove by his side. Only Gove jumped in first with his own bid, and thus forced Boris out of the running. And it's increasingly looking like that was Boris' only chance to be PM, so that action effectively cost him his political career.
And now Gove is highly-placed in May's cabinet. Hence my logic - if he goes, May will follow, and he will have cost her her political career also.
At which point I would label Gove a "serial Brutus". But there's one problem with that comparison. See above.
#50: "Complicity", by Iain Banks
#51: "Rivers of London", by Ben Aaronovitch
#52: "Dungeon Crawl Classics", by Goodman Games
#53: "Pathfinder: It Came From Hollow Mountain", by Mike Shel
#54: "Dunstan", by Conn Iggulden
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)