Film: Avatar 3D

We finally got around to see Avatar in 3D at the Odeon in Kettering.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Even if you're not a sci-fi fan, or you never go to the cinema or you only see one film a year...check it out!

..and be careful you don't trip over your jaw on the way out!!!!

Stamford/Avatar (almost!)/Mazza's

Stamford
We took a drive over to Stamford for a few bits of shopping. Boy was it cold!!! We managed to get everything we were looking for, and Lee even picked-up a couple of 'Frank Spencer' style hats. Nice :) Lee also bought us some silver ornamental cats.



We were back by 2pm, with the plan being to catch-up with Jo and Janet at the Odeon and see Avatar in 3D. No such luck, even after all this time, there were only a few seats left � and they were right down the front � it's obviously a popular film!!!

Plan B then. Down to J and J's for 7.30 to try out Mazza's delivery service. Lee joined us, although she opted to make herself some sandwiches to bring with her. As expected, the curries were superb!!!

We stayed until around 10, then took the short walk up the hill, home. Bed by 10.15! Dirty stop-outs!!! :)

Actor, Ian Charmichael dies

Cover of School for Scoundrels

Those of a certain age will remember Ian Carmichael, a British actor who specialised in playing �upper-class twits�. He died on Friday, aged 89.

I�d recently watched him in the 1960 film: �School for Scoundrels� � which was hilarious!!!!

Related Articles

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• Obituary: Ian Carmichael (telegraph.co.uk)
• Actor Carmichael dies at 89 (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Ian Carmichael obituary (guardian.co.uk)

Films seen on the flight home from Japan

10 Rounds
Whilst chasing a major felon, an American cop accidentally gets the felon's girlfriend killed in a road accident. When the felon escapes prison, he kidnaps the cop's girlfriend. The rest of the film follows the felon's attempt to challenge the cop to 10 rounds of puzzle-solving across the city. Can't remember any of the actors' names, which says a lot about the fil�zzzzzzzz.

A wholly predicable movie in every sense. Mediocre acting and a plot with so many holes in it, it should be called 'colander cop'.
 
Night at the Museum 2 � The Battle for the Smithsonian
Ben Stiller and the whole cast reprise their roles from the first film only this time the whole thing is on a larger scale. Special effects are good, but the storyline was painfully thin. The typical American happy ending was enough to make me choke on my chopsticks! One for the family at Christmas only.

Crank 2: High Voltage
A really violent film with language to match. Definitely not one for the family. A very similar story-line to the original movie with Jason Statham having his heart forcibly removed and his attempts to track it down. Don't watch this if you don't like the sight of blood � yuk! The scene where one of the bad guys has to remove both of his nipples with a machete gives you an idea of what to expect! A horrible film (but I watched it anyway!)

Fast and Furious
Based loosely of the first film of a similar name, Vin Diesel reprises his role as a bad-guy with a heart-of-gold infiltrating the bad-guys to get his revenge on a friend's killing. Lots of fast cars, well co-ordinated stunts and women wandering around with very little on! Plot-wise, it 2won't stretch the grey-matter, but the chase scenes will no doubt look good in HD

Duplicity
Starring Clive Owen and Julia Roberts, the film is about two spies who decide to scam a big pharmaceuticals company. Full of twists and turns and a plot that is best appreciated anywhere other than on a 12-hour flight suffering from jet-lag! Make sure you watch it right to the end for the twist!

Films seen on the flight to Japan

'Gran Torino' starring Clint Eastwood
A retired Korean-war veteran leans to live with his neighbours � sort of!
 

'In the Loop' starring Peter Capaldi
The big-screen version of the TV series. Political double-crossing from both sides of the pond. Fruity language throughout with a hilarious storyline highlighting the incompetence of politicians.



'Knowing' starring Nicolas Cage
Apocalyptic thriller based around the significance of a 50-year-old document predicting future large-scale disasters.

Film: The Time Traveler's Wife

We drove to the local Odeon to see the just-released film: The Time Traveler's Wife from Audrey Niffenegger's book of the same name. I hadn't read it, but I do recall it being at the top of the best seller's list back in 2004. I'm not normally attracted to romantic movies, but I was intrigued to find-out how they would treat the whole 'time-travel' thing. I felt certain that Ann would enjoy it as she enjoys really enjoys loves romantic films.

Starring Eric Bana (Henry) and Rachel McAdams (Clare), it tells of the strain on a loving couple's relationship when one partner spontaneously time-travels (as you do!). Early reviews suggested a 'super-weepy'�so it's Kleenex at the ready.

How was it then? Unlike most films that have a slow build-up, this one didn't waste any time getting down to the story-line. Within minutes he and his mother are involved in a car crash and she is killed instantly. At that very point as a young boy, he begins to time-travel. At first, it's just a few metres from the accident, where he is visited by his future-self and told not to worry. The next scene � a very significant one - shows him as a man, visiting his future wife as a small girl. 

As the film got into its stride, we soon became familiar with his condition - the special-effects used to depict his travelling were subtle and didn't rely on the flash-bang-wallop of most American films.

For me, the clever scripting and the superb acting meant that it was easy to care about the two lead characters � essential if a film is to be successful. The unlikely theme of spontaneous time-travel and its impact on a relationship was well executed without ever seeming far-fetched nor ridiculous.

The film's (and the book's) treatment of time-travel as a medical condition similar to epilepsy made an interesting theory and the couple's worry about whether they would pass on the 'illness' to their children added an interesting layer to the story-line.

The only aspect that did seem a little far-fetched  was everyone's acceptance that Henry could time-travel.

The film was well-paced and although sometimes it became a little confusing as to when Henry was in the time-line, the story continued to intrigue

'Weep-Factor 5' in the final 30 minutes of the film as Henry discovers he will die before his daughter reaches her sixth birthday. For the audience, we we left guessing right until the end about how and when.


All-in-all, I really enjoyed the film, it was very thought provoking and took a different direction to most-time travel stories by focusing on the emotional impact of the situation. Interestingly, Ann described the film as "weird" and "bit slow"!

Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Jo and Janet booked the tickets and we headed off to see the 3.00pm performance of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Great acting, superb special effects and a film that would make watching paint dry more interesting! Too long by about an hour (it weighed in at around two-and-a-quarter), a completely impenetrable story-line and scenes that just drifted on and on �and on�and on!

It's probably very faithful to the book, but for us, it just didn't make a watchable film. Unless you're die-hard fan looking for excitement, do yourself a favour and and pop to B and Q and pick up some paint � it'll also be cheaper and you'll be home sooner!

The most boring film we've ever seen!

Go here with caution�

• 'G-Force' Trumps 'Harry Potter' at Box Office (abcnews.go.com)
• Welcome Back, Potter (yesbutnobutyes.com)
• Tom Felton Talks Draco Malfoy (shoppingblog.com)

Short break: Portsmouth (Day 3)

I didn't get up until 8am!!

Looking out the window, the weather looks good at the moment although the forecast is cloudy. We plan to primarily use today to take photographs and try out our new camcorder.

9.00am. We got down to breakfast and found it a lot quieter than yesterday. The service was still sluggish, although the food was excellent.

10.00am. We took a short drive to the War Memorial. It looks like the original memorial was for WW1 and a a large extension had been added to accommodate WW2. The weather seemed to be getting better!

Whilst we were looking round, we saw what might be Ann's next car! (only joking).


10.30am. We then drove to the Historic Dockyard. We haven't been there for (we think) 15 years! It's been developed quite a bit and it was great looking around the improving good weather helped. HMS Victory looked stunning and so did the various modern warships.

11.00am. We then took a boat trip round the harbour. The Guide was really informative and pointed out lots of Frigates, Destroyers and a couple of aircraft carriers. We even saw some brand new warships awaiting commission. Ironically, some of the other warships were there awaiting a decision about their future. Part of the trip included stopping off at the now familiar Gunwharf Quays.

12.00. We had a final look round and then decided to take the Ferry to Gosport.

1.00pm. The ferry was busy � obviously a popular way to get to Gosport. The journey only took about 5 minutes and only cost �2.30 return.

The weather was now really hot. We took a short walk along the marina and stopped off at a small Bar/Bistro: Coburns on the Water and tucked into a burger with a cider each. We sat in the sun for about an hour before catching the ferry back.

2.45pm. We drove back to Gunwharf Quays and popped into the M and S Outlet and bought a few bits and pieces.

3.10pm. We went to see the film: Coco avant Chanel at the Vue cinema starring Audrey Tatou. The film was typically French and told the story of Coco Chanel's rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world. It's not the sort of film that normally I go for, but it was well-filmed and quite a moving story.

5.30pm After the film, we headed back to the M and S Outlet to look round the men's department again. This time, I managed to get a new suit at around half-price � excellent!

6.15pm. We headed off to Caf� Rouge, just opposite The Spinnaker Tower. It was pretty quiet and after moving tables because the table-top was falling off! we were served pretty quickly. Ann chose the Beef Bourguignon and I had the Breton Chicken. The food tasted good, but Ann had to send hers back to heat it up! We finished the meal sharing Belgian Waffles with bananas smothered in chocolate.

7.30 We headed back to the hotel only to find that parking was a nightmare � absolutely no spaces anywhere. We eventually parked it in a parking area at the top of the road, but I'll need to fill the meter tomorrow before 8am � bang goes a lie-in!!

7.45 We're knackered!

TV: ITV's 'Primeval' is extinct!

This came as a surprise � Primeval, ITV's Saturday prime-time fantasy series, (that did very well in the ratings), is NOT coming back for a new season. That's the bad news � the good news is that it may be returning as a one-off film.

Related articles

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• ITV could share cost of Primeval with rival digital channel (guardian.co.uk)
• Primeval Season Three Comes to the US in May (sfuniverse.com)

Film: Angels and Demons

We picked up Jo (Janet was working) to see the 4.30 performance of 'Angels and Demons'. There had been mixed reviews in the Press � some were saying it was better than the first film: 'The Da Vinci Code', whilst others were saying it was a lot better.

When we arrived, the car-park was already pretty full and so was the cinema once we got inside � maybe that was a good sign. I'm one of the few who hasn't read the book, so I didn't know what to expect.

The start was a bit slow, but it soon got going. The scenes around The Vatican were spectacular (and even more-so given that Ron Howard, the Director has said on record that the Church weren't particularly co-operative when the film was being made).

The film mainly consisted of lots of rushing about in darkened corridors and a few high speed car journeys through Rome (the locals would have hardly noticed given our experience of the driving standards there!). The acting was a bit wooden, but that hardly mattered as film's emphasis was on action scenes. It got more exciting towards the end and I especially liked the plot-twist at the end. Overall, it wasn't quite as good as I thought it was going to be, but definitely better than 'The Da Vinci Code'.

 

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Angels & Demons: The Illustrated Movie Companion

ISBN: 1557048339
ISBN-13: 9781557048332

Cinema: Star Trek

I picked up Jo and Janet and we went to see the new Star Trek at the local Odeon. It wasn't Ann's type of film so she stayed at home, cooking.

More information here on the film at the IMDB site.

Well what can I say? A really superb re-interpretation (or reboot, to use the common terminology) of the Star Trek franchise. JJ Abrams has managed to create a storyline that is sure to please existing fans and those who weren't even born when Star Trek first appeared in 1966!

An full-on action film from start to finish (with a small flat-spot for me around half-way through) with all the main actors bringing the original characters back to life with uncanny accuracy.

Any disappointments or surprises? Just one: the romance between Spock and Uhura which unless it's part of a broader story arc, seemed unnecessary and for me, completely out of context.

(lose half-a-star for the kissing bit between Spock and Uhura - yuk!!)

Cinema: 'Wolverine'

I met with Jo today to catch the 6.15 performance of 'X Men Origins: Wolverine' at the local Odeon.

Starring Hugh Jackman, it's a prequel to the previous X-Men films and tells of how the character - Logan - becomes Wolverine.

The film started much sooner than we expected - around 6.25 - as there wasn't the normal endless run of trailers for upcoming films.

It was a slow start as the film took time to create the back-story, but before long, we were into the action where the special effects were truly superb. I was quite surprised at the similarity in an early part of the film with this and the story of Batman/Superman - both relying on the death of parents (Batman) and an elderly couple discovering the hero whilst out driving in their car and then befriending him (Superman). Thereafter, the story took a very different path - but I won't spoil the plot here!

In the closing scenes, Patrick Stewart appeared as his character Xavier to give sanctuary to the young mutants. At least I think it was Patrick Stewart! They'd given him a digital makeover to make him look younger - but for me, he just looked a bit strange, like he'd ODed on Botox. Curious!

All-in-all, we enjoyed the film. Not the best of scripts (this wasn't Hamlet by any means), but the action more than made up for it.



Star Trek next week (if we can get in!)

Lucky Escape

Watch this, it's hilarious!!! The moral of the story - never let someone else dominate the conversation!

Lucky Escape

Atom.com: Funny Videos | Love Sucks | Psycho Chicks & Total Dicks

Warning: Contains some strong language

Courtesy of atom.com home to a
great selection of comedy films

Film: Defiance

We went to see 'Defiance' starring Daniel Craig with Jo and Janet. He stars as one of three brothers escaping from Nazi-occupied Poland who join a group of Russian freedom-fighters.

It was a good film - very gritty. Daniel Craig was about as far away from the glamorous image of James Bond as you could imagine. It certainly wasn't a film you'd go and see to cheer yourself up, but as it was based on a true story, it really reflected the plight of the Jews.

I don't think I'll get it on DVD when it comes out, but it was good to have seen it in on the big-screen.

Anniversary Weekend in Manchester - Saturday

We woke to a cold, wet day. We tried the hotel's café for breakfast and it was pretty good. Banana and Honey smoothie, Danish pastries and pro-biotic yogurts rubbed shoulders with more traditional sausage and bacon baguettes and haddock and poached egg, toast and preserves. We had a bit of each!

We then headed into Manchester to finish the Christmas shopping...and to get some bits and pieces for ourselves. Considering there is a recession, you wouldn't have guessed it from the number of people shopping, especially in the Arndale Centre - it was packed!

At 10.30 we decided to take a break from the shopping and find the nearest cinema. Luckily the Odeon (it was just round the corner from where we were shopping in M and S). Wow! What a size!! I think it's the largest cinema we've ever been to in the UK. It had 20+ screens and was on three-floors.

We decided to see the 11.05 performance of 'INKHEART' starring Brendan Fraser, Andy Sirkis and Helen Mirren - mainly because we didn't have to wait long. What an excellent film! Great cast, good storyline and impressive special-effects without being over-the-top.

By the time the film finished (1.15) we were starving and headed for Wagamamas close-by. A great lunch!

After lunch, we picked up the final presents at WH Smiths - long queues! - and then trekked back to the hotel in the cold pouring rain to put our feet-up and read the papers. We got back around 3.30.

We opened the champagne at 5 and exchanged anniversary pressies (even though the actual date is tomorrow.

I got Ann:

• A pink necklace with a silver heart
• Edge of Darkness DVD
• Sacred Arias CD by Katherine Jenkins

Ann got me:

• Prince Caspian Blu-Ray DVD
• Foot moisturising lotion
  

We'd booked a table in the café/bar for 7pm and were eager to see if the food was as good as last night.

As it turned out, the food WAS as good, but the SERVICE became increasingly sloppy. They put it down to it being really busy, but we noticed that many of the tables were vacant!

We got back to our room around 8.30 and it a choice between The X-Factor Final or a newly restored episode of Dad's Army on the TV. Who do you think you are kidding..?

All-in-all, we've had a really good time here, but we've decided to get an earlier Train back tomorrow!

Film: Quantum of Solace

With expectations for this film off the scale, it's almost certain that it wouldn't exceed, or even meet everyone's!

If seat availability at our local Odeon is anything to go by (we couldn't get tickets until the 11am performance on Saturday, and it came out on Thursday), then I think it's certainly a popular choice for lots of people round here.

Well, what did we think of it? A good story overall with some very credible acting from all parties. However, it all felt a bit too-gritty...and it was certainly pretty violent. There is also this trend now with action scenes for the camera NOT to quite keep up with the action - I suppose it's designed to make it all feel more spontaneous and unpredictable. Trouble is, the down-side is that you sometimes miss what's going on - and that defeats the object doesn't it?

For me, there wasn't enough of the Aston Martin - a short scene at the start that left it door-less on the passenger side - and that was it. Not many sex-scenes either - blink and you missed them!!!

All-in-all, a slightly disappointing film with not enough action, too much talking and an over-emphasis of Bond's internal rather than external battles.

Film: "The Illusionist"

We'd recorded this film and it had sat on the Sky+ box for over a week. I don't think we were expecting it to be as good as it was. We certainly don't remember coming out at the cinema in 2006.

Starring Edward Norton as Eisenheim and Jessica Biel as Sophie, it tells the story of how a stage magician uses his powers to secure the love of his childhood sweetheart.

See the full synopsis on IMDB.com HERE

It turned out to be an excellent film - with a novel twist at the end.

New James Bond Theme

Here is what others said on the Digital Spy web-site (and it doesn't make good reading!)

Alicia Keys and Jack White have recorded the theme tune for the next James Bond film, 'Quantum of Solace'. I normally like the themes...but not this one...no-way...ever...ever. I actually it's the worst song I've ever heard!! I've heard it twice now. The first time was yesterday, I thought: "hmmm, maybe it'll grow on me". Then I heard it again today. It sounds even worse!!! It's about the most un-melodic piece of music I've ever heard. What were those two on, when they put this together? ..and who commissioned it in the first place?