Author: hscptcrash

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart
Release date: 5.9.2017
Buy it here
Goodreads

Description:
The story of a young woman whose diabolical smarts are her ticket into a charmed life. But how many times can someone reinvent themselves? You be the judge.

Imogen is a runaway heiress, an orphan, a cook, and a cheat.
Jule is a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete. 
An intense friendship. A disappearance. A murder, or maybe two. 
A bad romance, or maybe three.
Blunt objects, disguises, blood, and chocolate. The American dream, superheroes, spies, and villains. 
A girl who refuses to give people what they want from her.
A girl who refuses to be the person she once was.

51R8fxVdV+L._SX327_BO1,204,203,200_

Characters
Julie is known in the book as many, many names, but is referred to as Jule on the most part. Very little is known about her as a person, which gives me a sense of fear or uncertainty. Had it have been a first-person narrative, I would have said she is the most unreliable character of YA fiction I’d ever come across. In fact I still, hours after reading, don’t trust her or her motivation for doing what she does… which is why I’m so spellbound by her.
Jule is incredibly intelligent and resourceful. Just wait until the pin starts to drop and, while we never get a true sense of who she is, you do realise how strong she is.

Imogen is a spoilt, unlikable character and there seems to be a sense of justification about what happens to her. Yes, we get a lot of information second hand, but you do later realise there’s other things you have to look out for to learn about this character. Not that it helps.

Forrest and Brooke are equally unlikable; however, you may feel a little sympathy for them. They’re both upper class collateral damage.

Plot and writing
It’s hard not to talk about both of these together, owing to the nature of the book. It’s a third person narrative that has a backward/ retrospective plot that is reminiscent of the beautiful film Memento (2000).
This is unputdownable writing. I read it in one sitting, mainly because I needed to know. I don’t think I could have kept up with the threads had I been dipping in and out of the narrative.

While it’s clearly not a new concept, as Memento can attest to, it is a gripping way to set out a novel and it won me over from the start.

The Baby by Lisa Drakeford

The Baby by Lisa Drakeford
buy it here
Goodreads

Details: When Olivia opens the bathroom door, the last thing she expects to see is her best friend Nicola giving birth on the floor – and to say Nicola is surprised is an understatement. She’s not ready to be a mum, and she needs Olivia’s help. But Olivia has her own problems – specifically her bullying boyfriend, Jonty, and keeping an eye on younger sister Alice. And then there’s Nicola’s friend Ben, who’s struggling with secrets of his own

41pARucDdjL._AC_US218_

I started reading this at midnight and suddenly found that it was almost four am and I had read the entire book!
I loved the format of this book; that each section focused on a different characters point of view and that each section moved the story on timewise.
Each character was distinct, interesting and very real – they all had their own idiosyncrasies and flaws, and it was the way they came together in the wake of Nicola having the baby that made it so fascinating.
They all grew as people in the months that the book covered, and I really enjoyed seeing how their friendships were affected by the events that had happened, and I’d become really invested in them so when it finished I still had questions as to what would happen next to them.

A great book for fans of Trouble by Non Pratt or contemporary YA fiction in general!

****spoiler alert****
I really want to know how things worked out between Nicola and Jonty, and Nicola and Ben and Jonty and his dad… basically I started off hating Jonty but then I really warmed to him after I knew more about him!

Hope by Rhian Ivory #nspBookClub #bookreview #Han @Rhian_Ivory @zcollins1994

Hope by Rhian Ivory
Release date: 15th September
Buy it here
Goodreads

51geT3e3a2L._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_

Description: The summer between school and sixth form. When Hope doesn’t get into drama college, and her friends do, all her plans fall apart. She’s struggling with anger, grief for her father and a sense that her own body is against her. She meets Riley on the ferry and his texts give her someone to talk to. But this isn’t a story about a boy fixing everything. It’s about trying new things, having the courage to ask for help and that when things seem to be all over, that might be just the beginning.

Characters
Hope is wonderful; she’s a strong and empowered voice. She uses that voice to inwardly project anger, fear and confusion. Sometimes it bleeds to an outward expression, but I felt it more within the inward thoughts and feelings.
Her passion for the performing arts are in conflict with her feelings of rejection from her final audition.
Seeing her overcome her obstacles of grief, mental health and relationships is incredibly endearing to the character.

Riley, the young man Hope meets at the start is an interesting character. While he is a romantic interest, there is something a little more innocent and organic about their connection and development.
Interestingly, we know very little about him, but we also see that he is complex and well rounded; not a 2-dimensional plot device that he could have come across as, had this book been in someone else’s hands.

Plot
It is a heartfelt plot, taking place over the summer between the end of GCSEs and the start of college education; whatever that might mean for Hope.
It is a clever, interwoven story; her job over the summer helps Hope in so many ways that you would not expect from the outset; from her undiagnosed mental health to her future beyond her dream career.

Writing
Having such a strong character is half the battle when it comes to this beautiful and educating novel. It is very clear that research has gone into this. From informing the reader about organ donation to Hope’s diagnosis.

This is a book that I will be purchasing many copies of in order to have them in my school lending library.

 

NSPBookClub

Hope will be discussed as part of the wonderful Zoe’s #nspBookClub on Saturday 14th October at 6pm. Come join us 😀

Sleepy Hollow – 15

Sleepy Hollow – 15
Release date 22nd Novemeber 1999
Trailer
Rewatch date: 1.10.2017
From IMDB:
The curse of the headless horseman is the legacy of the small town of Sleepy Hollow. Spearheaded by the eager Constable Ichabod Crane and his new world ways into the quagmire of secrets and murder, secrets once laid to rest, best forgotten and now reawakened, and he too, holding a dark secret of a past once gone.

images (10)

Sigh. Back when I still enjoyed watching Johnny Depp. I remember seeing the posters declaring ‘heads will roll’ during the summer of 1999. I so desperately wanted to see it. It wasn’t until the following summer that I saw it and fell completely in love with the whole production. To the point that it became the focus of one of my Textile projects in Year 11.

For me, it’s my favourite Tim Burton film; replacing my love of Beetlejuice in a heartbeat. While there are elements within the film that identify it as a Burton, it also stands apart from the others for many reasons.

Their heads weren’t found severed. Their heads were not found at all.

Casting

Long before I got bored of the Burton/Depp bromance, this was the epitome of their partnership. Depp is the beautiful and charming, if not wimp like, Ichabod Crane. It’s on the cusp of being cartoonish, but the darkness of the plot keeps it at bay and allows the role to provide the heavy film with a little humour.

Christina Ricci is a far better fit for this than Burton’s two other leading ladies from his past and future; Winona Ryder and Helena Bonham Carter. Ricci plays the bewitching Catrina quite perfectly.

Keen eyes will spot Burton regular Jeffery Jones as the Reverend, but it’s the bulk of the remaining cast that makes this a winner for me. It’s a British feast of acting chops; Miranda Richardson, Ian McDiarmid, Richard Griffiths and Michael Gambon. Well done if you recognised three of those names from Harry Potter. Yet to be a thing when I watched it the first time, Gambon was not a regular face to me, but clearly someone of calibre. It was upon a later rewatch I cooed ‘Dumbledore’, and of course Miranda Richardson will forever be ‘Queenie’ to me.

images (8)

The millennium is almost upon us. In a few months, we will be living in the nineteenth century. But our courts continue to rely on medieval devices of torture.

Style
This was one of the first films that really grabbed me for its stylisation; the tone, the use of camera lenses to add depth and almost a lack of colour to the film and the flashbacks for exposition.
That tree! The tree of the dead; such a wonderful and gruesome focal point for a lot of the film’s second half. It still fascinates me to this day.
The soundtack is one of Danny Elfman’s best work and I long for the day the Royal Albert Hall announce that they will be showing this film with a live orchestra.
There’s something odd and compelling about the use and representation of blood in the film. Going back to consider the filters used on the cameras I did a bit of research and it appears that the liquid used was actually bright orange in order to appear red in the finished film. Again, the physicality to the process can only add to the movie’s brilliance. Especially when you consider how most films would fix this now post-shoot.

images (9)

 Kill it! No, no! Stun it!

Christopher Walken
I know he wasn’t the Horseman; there was a stand in/ stunt guy for those headless scenes. However, he is so convincing when on screen; I chose to believe it actually is the legend himself.
He’s a brilliant, yet scary man and perfect casting to round out this amazing movie.

No, you must believe me. It was a horseman, a dead one. Headless.

Countless by Karen Gregory #nspBookClub

Countless by Karen Gregory #nspBookClub
Buy it here
Goodreads
From Amazon: ‘Is there anything that’s concerning you?’ Felicity says. ‘College, home, boyfriends?’ Though she’s more or less smiling at this last one.
I don’t smile. Instead, I feel my face go hot. Silence stretches as wide as an ocean.
When I look up, Felicity has this expression on her face like she’s just seen Elvis. Slowly, she leans forward and in a gentle voice I’ve never heard her use before she says, ‘Have you done a pregnancy test?’
When Hedda discovers she is pregnant, she doesn’t believe she could ever look after a baby. The numbers just don’t add up. She is young, and still in the grip of an eating disorder that controls every aspect of how she goes about her daily life. She’s even given her eating disorder a name – Nia. But as the days tick by, Hedda comes to a decision: she and Nia will call a truce, just until the baby is born. 17 weeks, 119 days, 357 meals. She can do it, if she takes it one day at a time …
Heartbreaking and hopeful by turns, Karen Gregory’s debut novel is a story of love, heartache and human resilience. And how the things that matter most can’t be counted. Perfect for fans of Lisa Williamson, Non Pratt and Sarah Crossan.

51A2jxKJ2cL._SY346_

The Characters
I like Hedda. She’s not someone who’d like me, I’m sure. However, I admire the hard work she put into looking after her daughter, her independence against all odds, and most importantly, knowing when she needs help.
I like the ineffability of the eating disorder and while uncomfortable to read, I am fascinated about the thought process surrounding food.
Robin, subconsciously became a bloke I dated called Robin. Which didn’t help as I pilled all my characterisation onto him; which doesn’t fit the role he plays in the narrative. It’s a shame, because of my own experiences, it meant Robin didn’t jell within the book. Stupid, stupid me.

The Plot
The plot has a wonderful structure that follows Hedda from her discovery to her recovery.
Through the 300 odd pages, she meets Robin and faces obstacles in her relationship; family, friends and food.
The integration of numbers is wonderful addition to the plot; it’s subtle and charming.
It was so refreshing that while there was a hint of romance, it’s not the driving force of the plot. Almost as if it occurred organically, rather than a plot point Karen Gregory pinned the rest of the story around.

The Writing
I found the narrative voice tired and battle weary. It’s amazing how language can do that. Despite the first-person narration, I couldn’t put myself in Hedda’s shoes. I could empathise, and I wanted to reach out and help. Luckily, I was able to step back from what would be a gut wrenching feeling had I been sucked in.

The personification of Hedda’s eating disorder does not simply end at her naming it; it’s physical description and voice is something out of Legend. A demon, haunting Hedda until she could fight it.

 

Don’t forget to join Zoe on Saturday 7th September 2017 at 6pm when she runs the No Safer Place Book Club.

credit Zoe

Blade Runner the Final Cut(15)

Blade Runner the Final Cut(15)
Release date: May 1982 (Although the version I watched was from 2002)

fp1usdeyvzlpxlhf203c

From IMDB: A blade runner must pursue and try to terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.

The Good
Harrison Ford was okay as Detective Rick Decker. Part Indy, part Solo and a clear inspiration for Bruce Willis’ Fifth Element character Korben Dallas.
The noir elements (some at least), including Femme Fatale Sean Young, are quite interesting and complement the film’s beautiful score.
I can’t deny that visually it’s stunning. Some of the graphics have aged incredibly well and some of the costume choices are inspired. Zhora’s first appearance for example, is perfectly on trend. Her bejewelled body and face are currently the height of festival and club night fashion.

Blade-runner-18-joanna-cassidy-zhora

The Bad
This is a filmic demonstration of style over substance. The plot is sort of there. I guess; if you squint and turn your head. Except no time has been spent on merging and streamlining some of the separate elements. There were too many metaphorical motifs and slow scenes full of interpretation.

I didn’t feel any motivation for Ford’s character, I didn’t feel anything, at all. In fact, considering the film explored the primary difference between humans and replicants and that difference being emotion; there was very little emotion. From anyone.

The Ugly
That excuse for a romantic scene. Harrison Ford, all in a fuddle about the replicant Rachael who has saved his life doesn’t want her to leave. He pins the door closed before throwing her, rather violently I might add, to the opposite wall before demanding Rachael to repeat his words.
I’m sure it was meant to be romantic, but it left me feeling uncomfortable. Debate about replicants aside; there’s a clear issue with consent here. Coaching Rachael into consent is a huge concern for me. Especially when it’s Harrison Freakin’ Ford; the beautiful man shouldn’t need forced love.

9jZu0eXy0fOl

Final Thoughts
I was bored. Bored, I say. It was slow and disconnected and I needed the Wiki plot it find out what on earth was going on (and I wasn’t on my phone or multi-tasking, before you ask).

I’m now reconsidering whether I want to see the new edition out this week.

Goodbye Christopher Robin (PG)

Goodbye Christopher Robin (PG)
Release date: 29th September 2017
Trailer

Goodbye-Christopher-Robin-Official-Movie-Wallpaper1

From IMDB: A rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive, Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?

The Good
Biased though I am, Domhnall Gleeson was a delight as A. A. Milne (However, he’s also a delight in Dredd, so yup, biased). So much so, I almost forget how much of a shite father he is to his son, Christopher Robin.
There’s a charm to his understated performance that brings the character a sense of amusement, yet world weary from the troubles of war. My heart lifted every time I saw his smile and heard his soothing voice during the playful scenes in the woods with his son.
It’s a perfect(ish) Sunday afternoon film, full of warmth and colour and a twee sense of Britishness. There is an uplifting essence despite the somewhat downward turn the plot takes.

WATCH: And Weep, Trailer for Winnie the Pooh’s Origin Story ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ Will Make You Cry.” CREDIT: Fox Searchlight

The Bad
Alas, this was not a work of fiction, but a biopic. So while a film played for entertainment would have everyone cheery and the film would end as the book hits the shelves.
Instead, we see the family tormented by fame and the challenges of PTSD in a country recovering from war. Christopher Robin grows up frustrated, confused and resentful of his intimate time with his father being sold for mass consumption.
It feels a little wrong, much like Theory of Everything, watching a family come undone. Especially in such an emotionally repressed manner.

The Ugly
While Margot Robbie should be applauded for her performance, I absolutely detested the character of Daphne. The wife of A. A. Milne is the fundamental flaw in what could be a heart-warming tale.
This upper class, emotionally stunted woman is like Lady Macbeth; blackmailing her husband and showing no love to her child, it is her actions that lead to the publication of the stories and the emotional scaring of her child.
I almost, at one point, hoped for an affair between Blue and the Nanny; Olive. I’d have understood and even encouraged the affair; Milne keeps his emotions in check due to the reprimand of his wife. A bittersweet thought remains in my head; how well adjusted would Christopher have been had Blue just told his wife where to go?!
It again, makes it harder that this is real life. While I have no doubt, some licence has been taken with the biography; I refuse to believe it would be at such defamation of a person.

winnie-the-pooh-goodbye-christopher-robin-1

Final Thoughts
While there are some tears to be shed, there isn’t quite enough for it to be cathartic. It will be one I’ll intend to rewatch, but perhaps never will. It’s something for those who enjoyed Saving Mr Banks and I fully expect some Oscar nominations (Gleeson, Robbie, Costume) in the new year.

The Sacrifice Box by @martinjstewart ‏#bookreview

The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart
Release date: 11th January 2018
Buy it here
Goodreads
So, yes… this is an ARC and I don’t remember where I got it from. I’d love to say that this is something rather spooky and that it’s just *found* its way onto my reading pile. However, I received 4 ARCS from 3 sources in 1 week, and I can’t remember if this was in my twitter giveaway or my subscription box.

download (11)

Description:

An atmospheric, chilling page turner from rising star Martin Stewart, reminiscent of Stand by Me and Stranger Things.

Sep, Arkle, Mack, Lamb and Hadley: five friends thrown together one hot, sultry summer. When they discover an ancient stone box hidden in the forest, they decide to each make a sacrifice: something special to them, committed to the box for ever. And they make a pact: they will never return to the box at night; they’ll never visit it alone; and they’ll never take back their offerings.

Four years later, the gang have drifted apart. Then a series of strange and terrifying events take place, and Sep and his friends understand that one of them has broken the pact.

As their sacrifices haunt them with increased violence and hunger, they realise that they are not the first children to have found the box in their town’s history. And ultimately, the box may want the greatest sacrifice of all: one of them.

Characters
I love all of the characters; each one was a unique and definable identity within the group. Something that must be hard to achieve when you have such a large ensemble.
Sep is my favourite; he is relatable and the primary focus of the story despite its third person narrative. His development and sacrifices are monumental to the plot and endears him to me just as a young Wil Wheaton once did in Stand By Me.

Arckle reminds me of Corey Feldmen in pretty much every filmic incarnation he’s had. I love the humour, and cursing, he brings to the group.
Okay, so I’m making reference to Stand By Me, but it’s so much more than that. The group represent the best of all teen ensemble movies; the Goonies, The ‘Burbs, IT and the modern day equivalent, Stranger Things. If it ain’t broke, why fix it, right? Except Stewart does fix it; we have a much more gender equal group and, not only that, they are characterised by their stereotypes. Both Hadley and Lamb are welcome editions that are not prom queens or cheerleaders.

Plot
A class horror plot, perfect for a night in when the air is crisp. With the supernatural element to set up the main part of the plot, you will feel a very creepy vibe from the very start.
The exploration of school friendships and how people drift is a refreshing change to many school based novels.
The action speeds to a crescendo in time for the final act of the book; well written and engaging. The whole book is resolved neatly and quite beautifully; the group going their separate ways while being closer than ever.

Writing
While the writing is engaging, I found the lack of establishing a location a little distracting. You see, in part it reads like a charming, sleepy, American town. However, there are also nods to British culture. It’s described as an island of the mainland, so I considered Scotland, Isle of Man and other coastal areas, but nothing really fit.
I even paused to google the named location in the book, but I wasn’t successful in confirming a location. It’s not something destructive to the plot and I once I reconciled myself with the idea that I was free to establish it as a perfect blend of UK and US I really quite enjoyed the location. (Turns out, all you really need to do is find the author on Twitter… that might give you a good indication it’s set on a island off the coast of Scotland. I’m so reading this book again come Halloween so I can read it as it was, i’m sure intended, with the characters having beautiful Scottish accents)
The use of third person was a strange novelty for me. I’ve been finding that most YA books lean towards first person narration. I don’t remember growing up there being so much first person, or a certainly a lack of third, but here I am having to get used to a form of writing that I was once comfortable with.
Obviously, this makes the writer a little omniscient; and that, I really like. It gave Stewart the freedom to travel in time and expand beyond Sep’s point of view.

Grahame of Thrones – Charring Cross Theatre

Grahame of Thrones – Charring Cross Theatre
29th September
Tickets
From the website: 

In this critically-acclaimed theatrical journey through the Seven Kingdoms, direct from sold out shows in London’s West End and Australia, avid ‘Thrones’ fan Graeme just wants to recreate his favourite fantasy saga on stage – aided and abetted by his best friend Paul and the girl he used to fancy at school – Bryony. He doesn’t quite have the same budget as the TV show, or as many cast members, or the performance skill required, but he’s sure George RR Martin would approve – and that’s what matters. But when news reaches them that an influential theatrical producer is in the building, Graeme decides that this could be his big break – as long as nothing goes wrong …

See it before the inevitable lawsuit!

download.png

Plot
In a wonderful send up to the Seven Realms, three actors take on multiple parts to entertain the Broken 4th wall audience and win their investment for a theatre production of HBO’s hit show.

As we see the hits from the six seasons (tip: get yourself caught up if you intend to go) the three member troupe break character to add their own drama to the narrative.

It’s a pacy little bigger, filled with laughs and visual gag that will keep you chuckling long after you’ve left the theatre.

Cast
Representing the many dialects of Westros is a hard job, but somebody has got to do it. And do it they do. It’s a strong trio of players; John Luke Roberts, Ross Spaine And Nic Damont

It is Nic Damont Of the Twins MacCarbe who steals the show recreating Sansa’s first period and the demon birth from the Red Priestess. Both brilliantly set up and performed.

Staging
It is clear that it is a production from the Fringe. The staging is sparse, but the props are number-some and played for laughed… just wait until you see the puppets.

Do check it out when you can. I think it might just ease the wait for S7.

download.png

Caterpillars Can’t Swim by Liane Shaw

Caterpillars Can’t Swim by Liane Shaw
Release date: 6th March 2018
Copy from Net Galley- available until 27th October
Pre-order it here
Goodreads

41gW-V2yU5L._SX332_BO1,204,203,200_

Description: For sixteen-year-old Ryan, the water is where he finds his freedom. Ever since childhood, when he realized that he would never walk like other people, he has loved the water where gravity is no longer his enemy. But he never imagined he would become his small town’s hero by saving a schoolmate from drowning.

Jack is also attracted to the water, but for him it’s the promise of permanent escape. Disappearing altogether seems better than living through one more day of high-school where he is dogged by rumours about his sexuality. He’s terrified that coming out will alienate him from everyone in town—and crush his adoring mother.

Ryan saves Jack’s life, but he also keeps his secret. Their bond leads to a grudging friendship, and an unexpected road-trip to Comic Con with Ryan’s best friend Cody, the captain of the swim team. They make an unlikely trio, but each of them will have the chance to show whether he is brave enough to go against the stereotypes the world wants to define him by.

I loved this book; from start to finish. I got to the half way mark so unbelievably quickly; I fired a quick message to my beautiful friend Zoe

Characters
Ryan is the most level headed and beautiful character I’ve ever had the delight to read. While he has a physical disability that does indeed cause him some frustration, I like that he is able to move past it and, as a character, show us that the chair is part of who he is.
Jack is a little bit of a mystery; owing to it being a first person narrative. At times I wish I could have had a few chapters from his perspective, just because I was itching to hear his voice. However, it’s not long before Ryan has broken down the barriers and Jack opens up. It’s worth the wait.

All in all, I was so very happy to have two strong male leads in a wonderfully refreshing novel.

Plot
The plot is much more complex that it appeared on the surface. It obviously has to deal with the immediate aftermath of the incident involving Ryan and Jack, but it evolves into a bittersweet road trip of self-discovery and growth.
I was about to grumble about the lack of a female presence outside of the two mothers, but then Clare and her friend turn up and I’m much happier
The final act is a sucker punch and brave twist to Jack’s journey that will have you reaching for the tissues.

Writing
Well, it had me hooked, and it’s the first book I’ve read in one sitting in a long while. I didn’t even put it down to eat or make a cuppa.
I was so invested in the characters that I NEEDED to know what happened. The chapters were a perfect length and there was no lulls that interrupted the flow.
Utterly perfect, from start to finish.

Star Trek Discovery

Star Trek Discovery
Netflix exclusive- Airing weekly
597afec8a4d8fc500cd428dc7808ded3259c1632.jpg

Background
Some point in 1995 I was sent home ill from school. Back in the day, we only had 4 channels so there was nothing on tv. So I pressed play for the VCR, never realising what I would watch would fundamentally change who I was.
Prior to this point I was a passive viewer of all things Trek. However, there was something about this Deep Space Nine two-parter presented as a mini movie that caught my attention. Namely a character called Dr Julian Bashir, who would become my first ever crush.

I have, ever since, found myself involved in the world. I dressed up for my shift in the cinema back in 2009’s opening weekend of JJ Abrams’ reboot and I even wrote a fan fiction about DS9 way before I even knew it was a thing.

I was very sad when Enterprise ended. Not only the fact that it marked the first time in recent television history that there would be no space based shows on tv, but the horrific way in which the final season went was a nightmare. It was almost as if someone uttered the phrase ‘jump the shark’ about the third season and the creators went ‘hold my beer.’

However, in the new age of Netflix we have had a resurgence. There’s a new Starfleet crew about to boldly go … most likely somewhere all the others have been before.

 

S1 ep1: A Vulcan Hello
From IMDB:
While patrolling Federation space, the U.S.S. Shenzhou encounters an object of unknown origin, putting First Officer Michael Burnham to her greatest test yet.

star-trek-discovery

Characters
It was a fine first outing for the new show. There’s some good characters and the creators have chosen to make the protagonist the ship’s First Officer instead of the usual Captain. It’s surprising how much of a difference this makes and I can’t put my finger on what it is.

Michael is an awesome character, played by The Walking Dead alumni, Sonequa Martin-Green. A human raised on Vulcan after a traumatic event killed her own parents. It’s an interesting way of representing the human/Vulcan conflict and I am looking forward to seeing how it pans out.
Knowing that Michael is ready for her own ship, but declines add tension to the first episode and I predict it’ll be the case for some time.
Another addition to the crew is Doug Jones of Hellboy playing Lt Saru; an alien race unseen before now in the universe. He is a wonderful breath of cautious air. However, other than the three core characters, we are relatively sparse of people we learn anything about.

saru-star-trek-discovery

Visuals and Music
It’s dark and glossy, with those JJ lense flares. It’s attractive and inviting with just a hint of horror.
The music is a riff of the Original Series’ iconic melody with it’s own identity. It’s incredibly beautiful and something I will look forward to hearing week in week out for the foreseeable future.

Plot
This is where my biggest issue comes in and the part that I will always have issues with, unless something massive changes. The writers have a futuristic world filled with possibilities and the freedom to do what they wish. However, they’ve planted themselves smack bang in between the timeline of two existing shows, meaning the technology, uniforms and cultural progression is all off.

One of our main characters is an alien that we’ve never heard of before, or after, this. While I enjoy his character, a simple relocation within the timeline would make this much better.
While on the subject of the timeline; the Klingons, that have been missing for 100 years…conflicts with the meeting of Enterprise with the Klingons in the pilot episode Broken Bow.

It just frustrates me, as it becomes convoluted for the sake of it. For a show about a crew that goes where no mankind have been before, I really wish the creators and writers would perhaps take it on as their own mantra.

Poseidon Adventure (1972) PG

Poseidon Adventure (1972) PG
From IMDB: A passenger ship, on her way to the scrap yard is pushed to her limits by the new owners to save on the dismantling fees. A tidal wave hits her, flipping her over so that all the internal rooms are upside down. A priest takes a mixed band of survivors on a journey through the bowels of the ship in an attempt to survive

poseidonadventure390_0_1

I will always love this movie. So many films, and even tv shows (Dr Who, I’m looking at you), have recycled this narrative format to varying results and receptions. However, nothing, not even Sly Stallone’s Daylight (1996), will take the place of the Gene Hackman fronted disaster movie.

What perhaps works so well about Poseidon Adventure is that at its heart is its characters; a priest, young siblings, a couple who boost each other and encourage themselves to continue and a reformed prostitute with her arresting officer turned loving husband.

The film’s simplicity does not rely on special effects to drawn us in and make us feel the peril, but instead it gives you time to get to know the ensemble, their fears and their motivations for survival.

When the boat tips, rendering the passengers trapped as the water threatens to drown every living person on board, you feel for the characters you have gotten to know. The only solution is to get to the engine room, which is now at the top of the capsized vessel. As with many subsequent disaster movies, the people are reduced in number as people of authority disagree about the best course of action.
The plot progresses, the survivors a met with challenges that some don’t survive. It’s not always the ones you suspect either, which is refreshing. Especially as we get into the final act and our protagonist bravely gives his life. It’s a brave move for a Hollywood movie; all the remakes have this archetype survive. You don’t see it coming and the sacrifice is sincere.

While some things may not have aged as well, it can all be overlooked on that sleepy Sunday afternoon when you want a blockbuster with heart, modesty and a plot a little closer to reality.

 

Watch if you like:

Daylight
Poseidon (2005)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)