Category: Han

Freshers by  Tom Ellen and @lucyivison ‏

Freshers by  Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison
Release date: 3.8.2017
Buy it here
Goodreads
Description: Uni beckons. Phoebe can’t wait to be a fresher – especially since her crush from school will be there too. She’ll be totally different at Uni: cooler, prettier, smarter … the perfect potential girlfriend. She’ll reinvent herself completely. But Luke’s oblivious, still reeling from the fallout of the break-up with his ex. Thrown head first into a world of new friends, parties and social media disasters – can Phoebe and Luke survive the year, let alone find each other?

Characters

The two main characters work well together in order to tell this story of their first half term in York Uni.
Phoebe is a wonderful geeky girl who has a brilliant personal development throughout the autumnal season in a different part of the country, far from home. Her group of friends, and flat mates, are an eclectic group who might not have gave each other the time of day in High School. It’s true of freshers week and life in halls.
Luke is not an unlikeable character. You can see why Phoebe’s friends might have reservations about him; his actions are not those of someone you would trust. However, they are not privy to his inner most thoughts. While they are, at times, inconsistent and shows him very confused; it is perhaps a true reflection of a young man’s mind at this time of life.
Luke’s flat mates and friends re funny and likeable, but you don’t feel the emotional connection like you get with Phoebe and her friends.

Plot

The is so much to identify with in this coming of age plot. We don’t have the presence of any parents (I’m excluding those who appear through phone calls) and it really adds to the independent element of the plot.
While it could be considered a ‘romance’, I believe it would do this story a disservice to describe it at that; there is so much more to it than that. You will be very happy with the development of the plot, the twists and the final resolution.
I’m very satisfied with how the book ends, however I certainly wouldn’t say no to a sequel, spin off or literally anything that perhaps shows the final months of third year uni.

Writing

I love how much this book flows. There are two distinct voices; Phoebe and Luke. It would be easy to assume that the authors took a character each, however there’s a stylistic unity to the points of view that implies the writing was a little more complex than that.
It’s writing is flawless and engaging. I’m utterly captivated and curious about the writing process. There’s no literary indicators of there being two writers. I’m about to find out what else they’ve done and what is in the works.

Robin Hood Men in Tights (15)

Robin Hood Men in Tights (15)
Release date: 17th December 1993 (UK)
Rewatch date: 7.10.2017

From IMDB: A spoof of Robin Hood in general and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) in particular.

Robin of Locksley, known as the most skilled archer of the land, has just returned to England after fighting in the Holy Crusades, where King Richard the Lionhearted is also fighting. Robin finds that much of what he knew of England has gone to ruin, including his longtime family home having been taken away, all at the hands of the evil Prince John, Richard’s brother who has assumed the throne in Richard’s absence. Neurotic John is basically being controlled by the equally evil Sheriff of Rottingham, everything they doing to fatten their own coffers at the expense of the commoners and peasants. As such, Robin recruits a band of merry men to help him battle Prince John and the Sheriff, they who include: Blinkin, his blind longtime servant; Ahchoo, the misguided son of Asneeze, the man who helped him escape from prison while fighting in the Crusades; Little John, who seems to think that being called Little is only coincidental to the fact of he being a hulking man; and Little John’s friend, Will Scarlet O’Hara, a master with daggers. In going to the palace, Robin falls in love at first sight with Marian of Bagelle, a maid of the court. Marian is looking for the man who has the figurative and literal key to unlock her heart (and more private parts). The Sheriff has his own eyes on Marian, he who in turn is the object of desire of Latrine, a powerful hag of a sorceress of the court. Robin and the Sheriff in particular have a fight to the death mentality to achieve their end goals, which for both are protection of the throne for their trusted royal, and the heart and cherry of Maid Marian.

The Good
Let’s start strong; Cary Elwes. The dreamy, beautiful and charming Dread Pirate Roberts of the Princess Bride (1987) doesn’t seem to have aged a day in this Robin Hood send up.
He’s the perfect leading man and this film is no exception. He hits the comic notes perfectly and brings the Britishness to the spoof.
I will always love this man, and while this may never be my go-to movie of his, but I will think of it fondly.

The film has Mel Brooks’ signature jokes throughout the movie, they’re solid jokes that are comparative to Monty Python. The tone of the religious based jokes are light hearted and tactful. Something that films today could learn from.

Now, the most important thing about this film is that it’s a spoof before Scary Movie killed the genre; Men in Tights has a plot and can be followed.

The Bad
Some of the jokes are rather outdated, it’s the nature of spoofs. The jokes that pack the most punch are the relevant ones. However, it does mean that they date, fast.

It’s nowhere near as good as Brooks’ previous spoof Spaceballs (1987). It might be that I’m much more of a Sci-fi girl than a fantasy one, but it doesn’t flow as easily; feeling a lot longer as a result.

 

The Ugly
Some of the jokes miss the mark completely; mainly to do with age and growth of society. Some of the jokes delve into the sleazy uncle territory and at some points it takes itself a little too seriously.

Final Thoughts
It’s a good watch for when you’re not in the mood for Monty Python or Princess Bride. It’s not as smooth as it would have come across in 1993, but there’s enough jokes to chuckle at to forget the eyebrow raising misses.

Helen Bamber Foundation, the Conversation: Creative Survival @HelenBamber @stephenfry

Helen Bamber Foundation, the Conversation: Creative Survival

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Opening Speech
I can now say that I have had a rare opportunity to see Emma Thompson in her true form. Shed of her acting skin, she is warm, candid, beautiful and extremely funny.
She spoke with passion, authority and grace, ensuring we all knew why we were there; to listen to the stories of people who had survived, creatively. Something Emma explains is the opposite of the Darwinian concept, but instead the survival of the kindest and most humane.

Emma Thompson in conversation with Lyse Doucet, TJ Birdi and Ceilia
Emma went on to host a wonderful and heart warming conversation about the work of HBF and how it has improved the life of Ceilia; a refugee seeking nothing more than somewhere she felt safe.
It broke my heart that she was explaining her plight to the wrong people; I know that people fleeing war torn countries are not here to ‘steal’ jobs or abuse the benefit system. Those who do need to hear this, would not have attended such an event and would not believe that people’s motives are altruistic. They would not believe her when she explains that she didn’t even know about the benefits on offer for over a decade living in England.
I wish I could have hugged her and make all the pain she suffered go away, tell her that she was loved. It’s something I have in bucket loads and she informed us she had to be taught to love.
The conversation ended with her informing us that she has a child and, through the support of HBF, is able to live a fulfilled and healthy life.

Stephen Fry with Humera
This conversation opened with Stephen narrating the beginnings of Humera’s story. Abused by men she trusted, robbed of her virginity and left to feel like she didn’t belong. Her community and faith meant that her marriage would lead to her death, knowing that her husband would deem her an adulterer.
Her only chance of freedom was to flee her country and attend university in the UK. Again, it was noted about the often mentioned ‘foreigners coming to steal the jobs.’ It angers me that someone who is having to escape an abusive home is then expected to defend themselves against the prejudice and stereotypes small minded people put out into the world.
There were issues along the way; visa denial and sexual harassment in the workplace before finding HBF. They helped her apply for asylum as well as give her one to one support with a counsellor.
When Humera joins Stephen on the stage, she catches us up on the successes within her life; managerial position, love away from abuse and the freedom, confidence and support to proudly declare ‘I am gay.’

Music
The evening drew to a close with three musical pieces and the HBF choir were joined on stage by musician; Nerina Pallot.
Through the music, clients of HBF humbled us with their expressions of culture, identity and belonging. They got the crowd onto their feet for the final number; despite the harrowing stories, it ended on a blissful note.

 

Of course, this was all for a cause. The HBF relies on generosity and funding to continue to help make changes in people’s lives. Only, I don’t think this foundation just needs money, it needs love and support; things people can give for free.

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How can you help?

  • Head over to the website http://www.helenbamber.org/
  • Follow @HelenBamber and keep up to date with their events and requests
  • Help a stranger (you never know what it might mean)… Many of the clients who spoke talked about how a simple smile was able to make them feel like they belong.
  • Consider a one off, or monthly, donation
  • In the new year, I will be completing a sponsored reading/ viewing marathon and all proceeds will go to the Helen Bamber Foundation. Details will come in due course, but please promote if you can and get sponsoring when the page is up and running.

Waiting for Callback: Take Two by Perdita and Honor Cargill

Waiting for Callback: Take Two by Perdita and Honor Cargill
Release date: 26.1.2017
Buy it here
Goodreads

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Description:

Characters
Elektra James is back and as wonderful as ever. She is in a new environment and getting used to new routines. As the book progresses, Elektra develops and grows to accommodate some of the pitfalls of teenage life, relationships and media interpretation.
We actually don’t get many new characters, but it was nice to see Carlo, returning from his brief cameo in the previous instalment.
He’s a decent guy, if not overly flirty. What I like most about him is that he never goes too far with Elektra and he responds maturely when she rebuffs him, repeatedly.

Plot
Taking off from where the first book finished, we get to follow Elektra on her first film job, deal with a long-distance relationship and some family grief.
It’s a brilliant afternoon read and I really loved the life on a movie set, even if it wasn’t always bright lights and big smiles.
The final act heartbreak had me a blubbering wreck and it’s a must read for anyone with a furry family member.

Writing
It’s just as good as part one; it successfully uses text and emails to develop characters and plot. In addition to this, we get the addition of media articles from a gossips magazine following Archie’s activities on his own filming location. It’s a stroke of genius and blends so organically into the books narrative.

 

I cannot wait for the arrival of book three; due for release 31st May 2018

Star Trek Discovery S1 ep2: Battle at the Binary Stars

Star Trek Discovery
S1 ep2: Battle at the Binary Stars
From IMDB:
Escaping from the brig while the ship is under attack, Burnham joins the captain in an audacious plan to end a battle rapidly escalating into war.

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The Logical

There’s a wonderful use of flashbacks that allow us to see how Michael has changed in the 7 years since entering Starfleet. It gives us a good idea of how much impact the Vulcan training had on the human psyche.

The battle scenes throughout this episode are absolutely incredible and quite possibly some of the best I’ve seen on TV. It’s a violent episode, filled with sacrifice.

All I’ve placed in my notes is the ethics of martyrdom and prisoners of war. I’m pretty certain it was in reference to the Captain wanting to destroy the Klingon ship instead of capturing the leader. It was an incredible scene and something as a teacher who looks at moral and ethical decisions, it’s good to see that it’s still as relevant as ever.

The gathering of the Klingon dead was deep and beautiful; it seemed to hark back to the Viking mythological roots the Klingons have.

Having the episode end with Michael imprisoned for life for treason is an interesting and bold move. I’m curious to see where this goes.

The Illogical

Having Michell Yeo as ‘special guest star’ on the opening credits is a big spoiler. I really wish they’d made a creative decision on that one.

I’m sure I’m going to be bitching about this one all series, but this world that has been created is far too advanced for where it takes place in the timeline. I’m not just talking about the style of the show; the technology used is too advanced. For example; the containment field in which Michael is held in. While I was geeking out about how it remained intake during the firefight, it just isn’t believable that this would exist in a time before Jayneway, let alone Kirk.

It’s not just the believability though; it’s the decision of the writers. You want all this fancy technology? great. You want a timeline unpolluted? Sure. You know the easy way to ensure you get all this without pissing people off? Put it outside of the cannon timeline. Maybe there’s more to it than this, I HOPE there’s more to it than this, because I will struggle as a fan if there’s not.

I’m curious as to whether they reused sets from the 2009 film; the Klingon ship looked awfully familiar to Nero’s ship.

So, Michael is heading to prison. Will it be the same one Kirk spent time in during one of the silver screen outings? Is the series going to spend a chunk of time in the prison like one of the poorer series of Red Dwarf? Aren’t all the Star Treks (excluding OS and … oh, never mind) named after their primary vessels?
It seems a little, I don’t know… anti-climactic, knowing that she’s the protagonist.

Star Trek Discovery S1 Ep4: The Butcher’s Knife Cares Not for the Lamb’s Cry

Star Trek Discovery
S1 ep4: The Butcher’s Knife Cares Not for the Lamb’s Cry
From IMDB:
With tensions and stakes high as Starfleet continues in their efforts to end the war with Klingons, Burnham begins to settle in to her new position aboard the U.S.S. Discovery.

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Firstly, how amazing is Netflix letting you skip the intro?! It’s not that I don’t like the intro, at all, it’s just that it’s nice to get into the meat of the show. Especially when there is an extensive ‘previously on…’ that I would rather skip instead.

This is my favourite episode so far, but it also has my least favourite bits in it too.

The Logical

From the very start of this episode, the effects are incredible. I’m blown away by the quality and consistency of them; they’re of the standard I’m used to in the movies; seen when the ship goes into warp.

I’m loving the gender and species diversity at play on board Discovery. While it’s something I would then delve into a be moan about, I’m just going to bask in the female presence for now.

Michael gets a shout out for the Spock’s trademark “fascinating.” It was such a joy to hear, and I may have replayed it more than a few times. I loved her storyline and I loved the morality that was being set up; seeing the pain and emotion on Michael’s face as she realises the consequence of the solution to the spore drive. It’s heart breaking, and I’m curious to see how Michael responds over the next few episodes.

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Now, I need to talk about my favourite part of the show. Lt Paul Stamets, Discovery’s engineer. He’s played by Anthony Rapp. While undeniably beautiful, it is his comic timing and his passion for doing the right thing that has won my heart. I’ve said it, so now I need to renounce the Tudyk. My notes while watching episode four was littered with ‘I love this man’
It started from the moment he attempted to stand up to the Captain and expressed his concerns about using the spore drive. Stamets is not going to be someone who takes orders blindly (and I predict that this is going to come back into play throughout the series).
Then he goes and gets his nose smashed, in what was one of the boldest scenes of realism I’ve ever seen in a Trek; too many times has the franchise gone big and it’s lost me in the prosthetics. I bloody felt Stamets’ pain.
My favourite scene comes after Discovery is saved from a gravitational pull and we get our first glimpse inside the medical bay. I got my second biggest chuckle of the episode:

The frontal lobe is overrated.

Before the Captain comes in to tear a strip out of him for an unsuccessful spore warp (I’m never going to get used to saying that). In unison both myself and Stamets utter ‘I/he did warn you.’
He is so passionate about the mission they are currently on not being the one he signed up for, that his technology was not intended for this use. Damn, this thread is going to analyse advancements we’ve already seen and help us question if it’s okay to pervert the course of intent?! The biggest question is; if this isn’t what he signed up for, is this vessel going rogue or are the crew patsies?

Of course, I can’t leave it there. I have to tell you what gained my top chuckle of the episode;

“That hardly seems fair; I always wanted to converse with my mushrooms.”

We see the frost between Michael and Stamets thaw as we see them work together to solve both of their problems; her big beast and his engine. It turns out one’s the lock, the other the key. I wonder what side of the fence Stamets will be on when Michael shares her findings. For a Vulcan trained human, Michael is quite the empath and while Stamets joked about losing his feelings; I don’t think his ethics will allow Ripper to be exploited.

The Illogical

One of the Klingons, Voq, looks too much like the engineers from Prometheus. They’re losing their identity and uniqueness with all the mythology that is being woven into the back story.

On that note, I’m so bored of the Klingons as a whole; it’s great that they can show the Klingon language, but it’s distracting from the grander story. It’s also too religious for my liking; the story is fast becoming a Abrahamic/Muhammad allegorical story and I really don’t like it.

I’m not sure I like the Captain. I’m sure I’m meant to feel on edge about him and I’m starting to have ‘bad leader’ vibes, but I really don’t want that. I’m used to trusting my Captains; yes they waver and sometimes show bad judgement, but there’s something more at play here.

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Final thoughts
My illogical list is getting shorter each week; that must be something. However, the Klingons are a fundamental flaw that I do expect to see a big payoff for sticking with.
I still take issue with the timeline, but I am intrigued with theories online that suggest Lorca (or the timeline itself) is from the Mirror Universe. I think that would be a cheap trick, and I do like the idea that Starfleet is not the prefect of the universe; that there are some people who dance in the shades of grey. I just hope when the time comes, it’s a gamble for the greater good.

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Star Trek Discovery S1 ep3: Context is For Kings

Star Trek Discovery
S1 ep3: Context is For Kings
From IMDB:
Burnham finds herself aboard the U.S.S. Discovery, where she quickly realizes things are not as they seem, including the mysterious Captain Gabriel Lorca.

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The Logical

This is so different from any Star Trek ever to be broadcast before. It certainly is going boldly and going places we’ve never been. We finally get to meet the crew that I have an impression we will be with for the remainder of the series.

There are two characters that I really enjoyed this episode:

The chief engineer, Paul Stamets, is brilliant. He’s a grump, proud and passionate. I really do like the gritty realism this gives the show. I also am liking that he doesn’t seem to be the Captain’s best friend like with all previous incarnations. There’s a clear hierarchy to the crew; one I’m interested to see how this progresses.

The other character was the Captain, played by Jason Issacs. Captain Gabriel Lorca is not a normal Starfleet Captain; he is not clear cut or led by his morals. There will be no seeking sage advice from this Captain, and while I would not want to see the Borg make an appearance, I would love to see him take them on.
I get the feeling he’s not a good guy, but I’m not sure I care about that. His Malfoy charms aside, there’s just something that to me suggests that he will be loyal to his crew and that is all I need, for now.

We have our first away mission; it delves into Alien territory and I loved it. The effects, including the deformed engineer and the action sequences.

Finally, the leading lady; Michael. Her story takes on a twisted Die Hard meets Doctor Who. While she was considered disgraced by Starfleet, Lorca doesn’t like waste and woos her as the Doctor would a companion.
The part I loved the most about Michael’s journey in this episode is her references to Alice in Wonderland. To me, it harks back (or forward) to Jim Kirk and his love of Peter Pan.

The Illogical
There was an extensive ‘previously on…’ Is it really necessary in this day and age, when most people don’t watch live and missing an episode is near on impossible.

It took three episodes to get to the show’s namesake ship. That’s a little long considering that it’s a 15 episode series order.

I’m bored already of the ‘but Michael is a man’s name.’ Are we really forgetting the Walton’s Michael Learned?! It’s not strange, it’s frigging awesome and having crew members take issue is really narrow minded and archaic.

The chief engineer, Paul Stamets, is brilliant but I couldn’t help wishing it was Alan Tudyk in the role.

It’s like the Walking Dead of Trek; very dark, very serious and very very depressing.

I did, for a brief moment, wonder if the reason why we’re here before the missions of Kirk is because time travel is involved. I can’t quite get my predictions to mesh with what I already know. However, I’m starting to get the feeling that there is a reason why it’s set at this point.

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Waiting for Callback by Perdita and Honor Cargill #bookreview #han

Waiting for Callback by Perdita and Honor Cargill
Release date: 28.1.16
Buy it here
Goodreads

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Description:
When Elektra is discovered by an acting agent, she imagines Oscar glory can’t be far away, but instead lurches from one cringe-worthy moment to the next! Just how many times can you be rejected for the part of ‘Dead Girl Number Three’ without losing hope? And who knew that actors were actually supposed to be multi-lingual, play seven instruments and be trained in a variety of circus skills?

Off-stage things aren’t going well either – she’s fallen out with her best friend, remains firmly in the friend-zone with her crush and her parents are driving her crazy. One way or another, Elektra’s life is now spent waiting for the phone to ring – waiting for callback.

Can an average girl-next-door like Elektra really make it in the world of luvvies and starlets? Geek Girlmeets Fame meets New Girl in this brilliantly funny new series!

Characters
Elektra James is a solid leading lady in this book; she has the charm, drive and humility. She is a likeable, believable and most of all, relatable. She’s someone I would love to get to know

Her friend Moss is an interesting background/support character. We see her withdraw from Elektra quite early on in the book, yet we still learn a lot about her through the texts between herself and Elektra.

Archie is a lovely character, but lacking an obvious flaw, puts be on guard. I want to believe that he’s this wonderful, charming young man, but I’ve been burnt before. I’m intrigued to learn more about him in Take 2. I really do hope he doesn’t hurt Elektra.

Plot
It felt episodic, which is something amazingly refreshing. I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was going, ensuring it was a page turner from start to finish.

There’s drama, both on and off the set, but all seems fairly resolved before the final pages. It’s quite wonderful for a book to be resolved, yet wanting more. It also helps that I know there is more to come.

Writing
A brilliant use of emails and texts move the plot along and develop the minor characters. It’s not usually my cup of tea but it really works within this novel. It has a wonderful ease of reading akin to writers like Holly Smale and Bourne.
I really cannot wait for Take 2; it’s ordered and on its way.

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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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 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.

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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