Ramblings – Page 8 – The Queens of Geekdom

Dante’s Peak (1997)

Rating: 12
Length: 1hr 48
Release: 28.3.1997
Director: Roger Donaldson
About: Volcanologist Harry Dalton (Pierce Brosnan) and Mayor Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton), finally convince the unbelieving populace that the big one is about to hit and that they need to evacuate immediately, only to discover her two children have gone up the mountain to get their grandmother. With Earth’s clock racing against them, they must rescue the kids and grandma before the volcano explodes in a fury of flame and ash a million times more powerful than an atomic bomb.

The Good

Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton have good chemistry as the two leads of the film. They work well together and are, on the most part, the element that is most successful in the film.
Its one of the best films I’ve watched in a long time that has a clear cause and effect structure. While it is a little too obvious for entertainment value, it makes for the perfect example for anyone completing a Film Studies course.
The film’s visual effects still stand up, but the bit I loved that it wasn’t just the lava that built up the tension. From the colour of the town’s drinking water to the acidity of the lake; these do not rely on big visuals but have a massive impact upon the story.

The Bad

My biggest issue is with Brosnan’s Harry. Why on earth was he sent to check things out if his boss was going to not only ignore his advice, but issue his own. While it makes an interesting commentary for the UK government, the ‘Science’ and the response to Covid-19, it is really frustrating that he’s taken away from time off and that his boss doesn’t expect this to be Harry’s reaction.
Some of the camera angles are really weird. I appreciate what it was trying to do, but its so inconsistent that it feels like a second director’s attempt to make a mark.
As much as I do think Brosnan and Hamilton have chemistry, I don’t fully buy into the connection of the two characters, mainly to do with Harry and his interaction with Rachel’s two children. I do feel as if in another draft they were husband and wife.

The Ugly

Some elements of the narrative were painfully predictable. Which normally wouldn’t bother me so much, but the Grandmother story arc and sacrifice is just bullshit when you remember she’s the reason they’re all in the situation.
The ending is very clunky and problematic. The light at the lab is apparently flashing for a ‘day or two’ after Rachel and her children get trapped in the mine and Harry is crushed in the car, yet when they’re all brought out there’s no hint of dehydration let alone Harry showing any pain from the bone that broke through the flesh those days ago.

Final Thoughts

I certainly preferred this to 1997’s other volcano offering, but you really have to shut your brain off for this mindless action.

Lockdown is All a Carry On…

Today, on my social media feed, I came across Samuel Tucker’s post in regards to the UK governmental problem. I’m going to dub it the ‘People will moan’ piece. I’ll be writing my response going forward, but I just want to place a ‘waiver’, if you like, here.
I’m writing this for me, in the context of what I know and where possible, I will provide sources. I’m writing this knowing that, as someone unemployed, I’m probably not making the wisest choice in the world right now. To clarify, I’ve been unemployed since November 2019 when my father, who I left a 10 year career in teaching to care for, died.

To read ‘People Will Moan’ in its original form, please head HERE as from here on out, I’ll be placing my commentary all over it. For the ease of reading, I’ll be placing my responses into a different colour, which is why I’m publishing here and not on Facebook.

People Will Moan

I hear SO many people constantly moaning so here’s my thoughts. And just to be clear I didn’t actually vote for Boris Johnson.

I feel like if he’d have locked down sooner people would have moaned saying he panicked and caused a longer lockdown than was necessary.
If he ends the lockdown soon people will moan saying he’s putting people’s lives at risk.
If he keeps the lockdown going people will moan saying he’s wrecking the economy, the long term results of which will be worse than that of the virus (for example the vast number of lives lost during the Great Depression).

Yes, in one respect, people would have ‘moaned’ regardless. We’re British, we DO love a good ol’ moan. However, by making these ‘theoretical’ Ifs, we are removing any accountability to the government that, lets not mince words here, are paid lots of money to make these decisions. It also implies that people who believe Boris Johnson put us into lockdown too late are so mindless and driven by moaning, that they all would have automatically said it was wrong if we were place into lockdown sooner.

It also disregards context. Why is it that some public opinion insistent the UK went into lockdown too late? For a government that claimed to be ‘following the Science’, I’m not convinced that was the case. Covid-19 was declared a global concern on 30th January 2020 and a global pandemic on 11th March 2020 by WHO. Their intention of the declaration very clear: to allow health agencies and governments to step into action.

There are two events that happened within the UK that have come under criticism: Cheltenham and a match held at Anfield in Liverpool. You could argue that both of these events support Mr Tucker. After all, people did attend despite the knowledge of Covid so, for arguments sake, that’s your cohort of ‘too early’ moaners. However, is it that simple? Would the attendees have gotten a refund at Cheltenham? How much had individuals spent in preparation for the event? These are all questions that would have had an impact.

The Liverpool Vs Madrid game is a little more complex. The declaration of the pandemic comes to late to have an impact, however this is where common sense should have prevailed and Johnson should have made the hard decision he’s paid to make much earlier. It was not two national teams; it was Madrid. There had already been an outbreak and football matches were being played behind closed doors. Yet, supporters gained entry to the UK with no testing. There are investigations currently being conducted into the impact this has had in regards to the number of cases and deaths.

If he keeps the schools closed people will moan saying children are being denied their right to education and people can’t go back to work until the schools open.
If he opens the schools people will moan saying it’s not safe for children and teachers to go back.

The only people really claiming that children are being ‘denied’ their right to an education are the government. The education part isn’t the problem; teachers have really worked their arses off during this time. They’ve adapted, planned and given feedback. Its been there. I won’t deny, there are students who perhaps don’t have access to technology that would have made the endeavour easier. However, you then have to look at the diminishing budget for schools over the last decade.
In terms of schools reopening, its hard not to see this in the context of class. Eton school is not reopening this academic year. That is just one example of upper class differentiation. In Eton’s defence, they did close for the year on the 4th July and they are not State funded, therefore can legally make these decisions. However, its hard to not feel like its going against parental nature of protection.
The bit that is damaging for children, is the lack of social interaction. Something which isn’t really going to be improved by the safeguarding having to be implemented.

They managed to get a furlough scheme going in next to no time – 80% of your wages covered for sitting at home, so that companies didn’t have to get rid of staff. People moan that it’s not enough. Then you get rich companies / people around the world using it as a money saving exercise rather than a last resort to making someone redundant.

I resent the ‘of your wages’. This implies that its almost like a Universal Income and that the government have done it out of the goodness of their hearts. We’re going to be paying for this for years to come. The over generalisation in this statement regarding furlough is dangerous as the voices that Mr Tucker believes are saying ‘not enough’, to my view, being misheard. It’s more ‘What about me?’ from those who changed jobs 24 hours before cut off and have, as a result been left in Universal Credit limbo, or those on zero hour contracts. It’s the ‘What about me?’ of the self-employed. Then it’s the ‘what about me?’ I want heard after self employed people insisted UC was not enough to live on and were given the option to apply for up to £2,000 a month. The government, in that one action, have admitted UC is not enough. before you say anything, yes there was an increase for us bottom dwellers and benefit scum. However, UC was due its yearly increase anyway and I don’t think we got that.

People say our lockdown was too draconian and a waste of time and to look at Sweden who didn’t implement a lockdown. Yet people also say our lockdown was too weak and to look at China who were literally spraying the streets with disinfectant and no-one could leave their house.

These are clearly not the same people. There always will be differing opinions.

People demanded an exit plan, so he gives an exit plan. So people moan and say it’s mixed messages and should have been released before the bank holiday.

People? From what I saw from the daily briefings, it was the Media that asked if they HAD a plan and could they disclose any details. The governments response was unwavering until Wednesday 6th May: We don’t want to confuse the issue, we want people to stay at home.
This means the governments decision to inform us of a statement release was a calculated one. By giving as little detail as possible, it confused the issue and some people became complacent.

He says he’s following scientific advice, people dismiss the scientific advice saying it’s rubbish.

Just because he’s saying he’s following scientific advice, doesn’t mean he actually is. in fact, we do know of one instance when he most definitely did not follow the advice given; he continued to shake hands with people, in a hospital with known cases no less. I would argue his tone and actions demonstrated he dismisses that advice as rubbish, not the people.
The language used, not only by Boris but the rest of his cabinet, does not give a clear indication of what scientific advice they are even following, but more an ineffable entity ‘the Science’.

He says you can now have unlimited exercise as he appreciates how important it is for mental and physical well being, yet people moan saying they can now exercise but can’t see their family.

He’s encouraged outdoor workers (construction, labouring etc) to go back to work as it’s a lot easier to maintain social distancing outside of an office. People moan saying that’s unfair. He’s encouraged people to not use public transport unless they need to. People moan saying that’s unfair.

Again a generalisation that ignores the nefarious implication of his ‘encouragement’. One might argue that it’s ‘easier’ to maintain social distance outside. However, construction and labour can require working with metals; the one substance in which this virus is believed to survive the longest. Many tasks require multiple people to complete; carrying heavy objects for example.
The discouragement for the use of public transport. It is unfair. Not only that, its potentially dangerous. why? Well, these people who work in the industries mentioned above may not have their own mode of transport. Okay, so they could walk or bike but lets consider what option workers are most likely to take. They’re more likely to take up the offer of a lift from someone they work with.
Again, its hard to see this as an isolated ‘moan’, as I can see the logical thought process here. ‘So, I can work with 9 people all from different household but I can’t see my [insert family member here]’.

I feel like if he’d quarantined everyone coming into the country people would have moaned saying it was against their basic human rights. Yet now he’s saying all new arrivals will be made to quarantine, the airlines are moaning saying it will destroy their industry.

I feel like one minute an ‘expert’ is coming out saying the lockdown is a complete waste of time and the next minute another ‘expert’ is coming out saying without a lockdown it would have resulted in five hundred thousand deaths.

I feel like people talk about setting up and supplying PPE, Track & Trace and swab tests for millions, like it’s as quick and easy as a stroll down the shops, without appreciating what a logistical nightmare it must actually be.

People do appreciate the logistics. What some people don’t appreciate is the lack of transparency coming from the government. Matt Hancock is an expert in the art of political gaslighting. Hancock, the man who claimed he denied contracts to UK manufacturers because ‘it didn’t meet standards’ and insisted that ‘no test is better than a bad test’ actually wasted £16,000,000 on antibody tests that didn’t work, blamed NHS staff for not using PPE correctly and proudly counted singular gloves in his daily totals for items delivered.
This poor show is without acknowledging that the government paid for a pandemic preparedness study only to fail to maintain the vital criteria that would have seen the UK in a better position in regards to PPE.

I feel like the unions and people will demand a safer environment (and so they should) and refuse to go back to work, but will also moan and cry about taxes going up as a result of the government having had to foot the bill for them being out of work for months.

Unions? That is their job. Again, generalisation that they all will moan and cry.Don’t forget, Hancock’s £16 million boo-boo will be put on all of us when it comes to those tax hikes.

I feel like people will happily point out we have one of the worst death counts in Europe but will fail to mention we are also one of the most densely populated. That people will happily pin every single death here on the government, as if this new horrific virus hasn’t caused hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide.

No one is happily pointing out that we have one of the worst death rates in the world. This is not political point scoring. No one is rubbing their hands together thinking “That’s another nail in the Tory coffin.”
There’s no joy in attributing blame. I certainly don’t think its fair to say every life could have been saved if the government acted one way or another, however early reports from experts have identified direct and indirect deaths from the Liverpool V Madrid game being allowed to proceed.
It would also be foolish to not lay some accountability at the governments door in regards to medical and social care deaths. Again, a cause has been identified. The lack of PPE.
To label this public outrage as ‘moaning’ is as unjust as the deaths themselves.

I feel like people in this country JUST LOVE TO MOAN. And if Boris Johnson magicked a vaccine out of thin air tonight, people would start moaning about the weather saying that was his fault instead.
I feel like people forget the government are human beings. They are doing the best they can guided by the best scientific advice in this country. Better advice than Piers Morgan or some cheap journalist.
I feel like the real villains are the immoral media who are full of lies, deceit and hidden agendas. The multi millionaires and rich companies who use the furlough scheme as a money saving exercise rather than leaving it for the companies that actually NEED IT. The people that never pay a penny of tax or national insurance yet rinse the state for all it’s worth. Not forgetting the persons responsible for this deadly virus actually getting unleashed on mankind. They are the true villains, yet it’s all too easy to blame the government.

For someone who is complaining about people who moan and point fingers, Mr Tucker is doing an awful lot himself. I have a lot to say about this personally and I could rant, much in the same w ay he has done himself. However, I leave it at this: the above ‘I feels’ are a demonstration of generalisation, xenophobia and ignorance. The only thing that stops it being outright racism is Mr Tucker’s passive aggressive use of ‘persons’.
The biggest agenda the press have is making money. I do wonder if Mr Tucker is aware of how newspapers work and that they have political bias. Gicven that he didn’t ‘vote for Boris’, I’d suggest a Tory paper that is in BoJo’s corner may stop him from moaning so much.
Piers Morgan has not once given advice in regards to Covid-19. What he has done is QUESTION the decisions, the stance and the words of members of the Conservative Party. He has also recounted past instructions, guidance and evidence when an interviewed member has appeared to have forgotten or disregarded something they’ve previously said.
While Piers Morgan has many opinions I’ve disagreed with, I am grateful for the challenge he provides. He is holding the government accountable.

I feel like whatever he does he CANNOT WIN.

You’re right. Whatever Boris Johnson does NOW is irrelevant. He’s lost. He’s lost credibility (although in my opinion that word has never applied to him), trust and any understanding some people may have had.
-He had hard choices make
-Would you do any better?
-Would Corbyn have done better?
-He was ill with the virus himself
-He couldn’t have predicted this
-He’s done his best
-He’s had a baby
None of these ‘what ifs’ matter, because this is the reality we are in and the biggest problem is; he’s in hiding. How many briefings has he done? Yes, he WAS ill but he is still shirking his responsibilities. Something he is paid very well for.

Before people start replying with stats and ‘how much worse it’s been handled over here’ – let me show you how easy it is to present stats to fit a certain narrative:

USA – tens of millions of people unemployed, no free healthcare, high number of deaths.
Italy – healthcare system completely overwhelmed, doctors forced to choose between who lives and dies. Similar number of deaths to the UK.
Spain – Population 30% smaller than the UK, with a death count 15% higher per million population, yet similar number of deaths.
France – Roughly same size population as the UK, on a landmass nearly 3 times bigger, yet similar number of deaths.

But, if you’re still hell bent on making comparisons then surely it makes sense to make them against countries on a similar footing to our own, not countries on the other side of the world who are operating under completely different circumstances!

Mr Tucker invalidates his own USA argument with ‘operating under completely different circumstances’ seeing as the lack of healthcare is an ongoing struggle in America. Also, what Mr Tucker is failing to acknowledge is that a lot of the damage caused here in the UK is a result of the government attempting to privatise our NHS.
The governments relationship with comparing countries is also fraught with controversy. One would be forgiven for thinking that it is one thing to compare when it makes the UK look good, but something that should be avoided when it, justifiably, questions the conduct of those in charge.

With regards the media – how many times has a government adviser announced a new bit of guidance, and how many times do one of the newspapers miraculously find a random ‘expert’ who just so happens to have the complete opposite opinion…

It is no miracle. It is Science. The very nature of it variable and there will be differing opinions. In the same regard, the media would not be doing its job if it didn’t perform its own investigations. What the public need to do, however, is take that information, complete their own research before deciding what they believe.
A possible reason why the media’s information holds so much weight is because the government isn’t trusted.

And the next time you watch one of the 5pm government briefings, listen closely to the questions the media ask and think to yourself how many of them are actually relevant / good solid questions and how many of them are designed with the sole purpose of tripping up those they are asking…

Oh I do, every day and I would say that the government are walking around with their shoelaces untied; they’re tripping all on their own and the reporters are just trying to get them to tie their laces.

For me, I’m afraid large parts of the media have become glorified gossip outlets with a plethora of could, if’s and maybe’s, when what we as a nation need during this difficult time is factual real time information.

Like this outpouring of ‘I feels’?!

One final thought (if you’ve made it this far without falling asleep I salute you ):

Every single death is a huge tragedy, and I don’t believe many people will be better off as a result of this virus. Our NHS, our care workers and our emergency services do an unbelievable job, they are hands down one of the best things about this country. Let’s not forget though, that the world is battling to hold this virus at bay, and these problems we face aren’t just happening in the UK, as our media will have you believe.

*******

P.S No I am not a ‘bot’ (whatever that means), no I didn’t steal this from elsewhere and no I definitely am not writing on behalf of the conservative government. I have a wife, a dog, a job, I love playing & watching numerous sports, I am just a normal working class 30 yr old man who decided to write down my views.

Feel free to comment, share the post or message me.

Finally… I think everyone should moan, I don’t think anyone should give BoJo or his lackies a break. They’re paid enough and its very clear the views of the public and the death figures are of no consequence to them.
Do what you need to in order to get through this mess. Except… don’t go driving to test your eyesight.

Websites

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-does-it-mean-to-declare-a-pandemic#Officials-pressure-president-to-declare-national-emergency

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/health-expert-fears-liverpool-coronavirus-18030825

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/21/did-the-uk-government-prepare-for-the-wrong-kind-of-pandemic

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-test-antibody-kit-uk-china-nhs-matt-hancock-a9449816.html

Review: Pretending by Holly Bourne

Description:

He said he was looking for a ‘partner in crime’ which everyone knows is shorthand for ‘a woman who isn’t real’.

April is kind, pretty, and relatively normal – yet she can’t seem to get past date five. Every time she thinks she’s found someone to trust, they reveal themselves to be awful, leaving her heartbroken. And angry.

If only April could be more like Gretel.

Gretel is exactly what men want – she’s a Regular Everyday Manic Pixie Dream Girl Next Door With No Problems.

The problem is, Gretel isn’t real. And April is now claiming to be her.

As soon as April starts ‘being’ Gretel, dating becomes much more fun – especially once she reels in the unsuspecting Joshua.

Finally, April is the one in control, but can she control her own feelings? And as she and Joshua grow closer, how long will she be able to keep pretending?

Review

This was the book I needed to read. Holly Bourne is my Yoda. She always has been, always will be. Bourne’s writing doesn’t sugar coat the realities of life, love and mental health. She doesn’t bog it down and ask you to wallow either. Instead, she makes it the new normal. She makes me the new normal: stronger and more accepting of myself and prepared to fight the things I can.
While the character of April could, in another writer’s hands, feel cringeworthy and ‘unlikable’ Bourne gives the reader the extra character balance and insight to remove the stereotype checklist and make her relatable and someone the reader understands.
Bourne is the Queen of first person narratives. It allows the reader to feasibly relate or, at the very least, empathise. Pretending is no exception and Bourne is able to give a unique voice to the protagonist.
This book charms, educates and opens the reader up to question how relationships impact our identity. It’s not just thrown together either, this is a well researched, sensitively provoking rather than a fashionable theme shoehorned in.
Thank you, Holly Bourne, for constantly breaking ground and being the trailblazer we all need.

Film Review: Onward

Rating U

Length 1hr 42

Release 6.3.2020

Director Dan Scanlon

About Two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, go on an journey to discover if there is still a little magic left out there in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him.

Thee Good

Could you imagine a better ‘brother’ pairing than the actors who play Starlord and Peter Parker, playing them almost as those characters?! They beautifully compliment each other and almost make me wish it wasn’t an animation.

The story is… well it’s very me. Which is not overly helpful in a review, but it’s a heartfelt and geeky journey while dabbling in the lore of D&D. That ticks all the boxes for me.

Dogs are dragons and cats are unicorns! Genius and I couldn’t love it any more than I do.

It has all the elements of a road trip movie; things go wrong, the characters butt heads, they bond and they sacrifice. All done in a family friendly landscape.

The absolute best part of this movie is the relationship between the two brothers. It would have been all too easy to have the magical ability of one cause friction and jealousy with the other. Instead we get this beautiful dynamic in which we see how siblings support and encourage.

Thee Bad

It’s not a film for everyone. It’s not as universal as many of Pixar’s movies and I believe that it’s because the story is so personal, so subjective.

Thee Ugly

The storyline being linked to having one last chance to speak to a loved one they’ve lost really hit close to home and there were ugly tears. They were good tears and have really made me feel better, but man… they were uuuuuugly!

Final Thoughts

If it hadn’t made me cry so much, I’d have watched this at least four more times already.

Blog Tour Review: Devil Darling Spy by Matt Killeen

Characters

Sarah and the Captain are given time to really show us how they’ve been changed from the events of Orphan Monster Spy. Not only do we see individual development, but there’s plenty of evolution to the dynamic of the relationship of the pair.

What I enjoyed most about this story, was Sarah’s narrative about her growing up. It makes an interesting change to have a character of her age express something other that a wish to grow up. While it may appear like fear on the service, it very quickly becomes clear that it’s a lot more complex than that. It also makes for a very interesting dynamic between Sarah and several other female characters that appear.

Plot

The plot centres around a new mission for the Captain and Sarah. One that reads well as a stand alone but, much like a good cheese and wine, is complimented and added to with its previous instalment: Orphan, Monster, Spy.
Our familiar characters are sent to Africa in order to seize what is believed to be a new weapon that’s come about from experiments of germ warfare. Along the way, we meet rogues, traitors and people who aren’t all what they seem.

You won’t get a second to breath as this high-speed thriller brings you to a part of the war that you may not be familiar with. There’s nothing better than a book with a message and a lesson in history.

Writing

I love Killeen’s narrative. His way with words is incredible and is able to pull me so far in I feel like I’m wearing VR and actually taking a role in the unfolding story. Despite being written in the first person, Sarah’s emotions leap off the page. It’s crafted, its fiction that’s rooted in a challenging history that only Killeen could make work.
It’s a writing style I would love to have many books to read. Equally, he could make me wait longer than J RR Martin and I’d still be grateful of anything that comes my way.

Devil Darling Spy is out 5th March

Devil Darling Spy Blog Tour Q&A with Matt Killeen

You made it very clear about the dates throughout the book and there are many years in which the war continues. Are there plans to continue Sarah’s story beyond the two novels?

Sarah certainly has more missions ahead of her, and you’re right, there are five more years of the war to go…assuming she can survive that long. I have many ideas and some clear thoughts about where she might end up. Also, finding something she can realistically influence is important…but there’s a very stark delineation between things that live in my head and what publishing may or may not share with the world. Sarah may find herself kicking her heels for a while.

Are there any difficulties to rooting a story in history? On the flip side, what are the rewards?

It is certainly swings and roundabouts. I always say that “history delivers”. Almost every piece of research provides something astounding that I can use to further the narrative. I imagined a Nazi boarding school, and lo, there they were the Napola Schools. I also like the framework that real events provide and the craft of winding your narrative between the real bits, so you can tell several stories at once. But assuming that you’re writing fiction, you are on some level simultaneously proposing an alternative history – even narrative non-fiction works demand a little guesswork and elaboration. That’s a responsibility too. What’s hard is that these events – including the death, atrocity and horror – happened to real people. You owe them, to tell their story, or the story of which they were a part, with some authenticity – either by fact or emotional truth. That’s an abstract concept if you’re talking about Ancient Rome, but WW2 is well-documented. There’s a lot of faces looking back at you. I’d argue for the necessity of forging a compelling narrative as a vehicle to discuss and highlight important issues – “history must be burned into the imagination before it can accepted by the reason” Lord Macaulay said, I think – but there’s a line, somewhere along the way, where you pass into exploitation, prurience and tastelessness. That moment isn’t always clear and obvious. This is particularly apparent when you talk about the Holocaust. Writing Devil Darling Spy, I’m dealing with colonialism and imperialism – that exploitation continues in one form or another and real responsibility for the horror has not been taken by the perpetrators. This is raw and ongoing. That makes all this harder to do right and there’s a reasonable argument that I shouldn’t even be trying. But I couldn’t walk away from the chance to put these events front and centre of people’s minds.

Both Orphan Monster Spy and Devil Darling Spy are empowering to readers today. What other books have you discovered since the release of Orphan Monster Spy that you feel demonstrate the same empowering theme?

Well I’m glad to hear people find them empowering…certainly that would be my hope, but Sarah kind of does her own thing. As my editor once put it, “Sarah does not always model good behaviour.” I was just thinking about the moment she saves the Captain on the dock in Friedrichshafen in Orphan Monster Spy. That was Sarah’s decision. She wasn’t going to be saved, or even save herself. That’s the moment I understood her, when I really knew who she was. I know some writers hate this idea, that characters could or should make decisions, but that’s how it is for me.

There have been some excellent, nuanced female characters of late – well-written women and girls rather than the “kick-ass” archetype – like Wing Jones, Tulip Taylor, Izzy O’Neill, and I’m a sucker for the profoundly flawed, like Bevan from Other Words for Smoke. Then there’s Amani from Alwyn’s Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands Trilogy which I finished since Orphan was released…they feel related, which shouldn’t surprise as many of the people who chose Amani’s story for publication, also chose Sarah’s.

I make no apologies for the graphic novel reference – because comics are reading – but of everything I’ve read lately, I’m finding the Lumberjanes comics to be the most invigorating, joyful fiction. All female and diverse ensemble cast of wonderful characters having funny, smart and rollicking adventures at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. I feel empowered, I can only imagine the power of these characters for young teenagers. One of its creators is the showrunner on the new She-Ra series, which is happily consuming me right now. In fact, I’m wearing a She-Ra t-shirt as I’m typing this…and I hated the old show for the exploitative, unreconstructed toy commercial it was.

Do you listen to any particular music while writing?

Music is very important to me, but I need a very specific kind of music to write to. It usually can’t have words or be too up-tempo, and guitar-based stuff is too intrusive. It has to allow a certain detachment, but can’t be drivel either – something that I can lost in, but doesn’t dominate my brain. Soundtracks don’t always do this and not all classical music hits the spot, but I think what works best is called New Classical or Neo-classical or something equally dismal. A Winged Victory for the Sullen is the best example. There are certain pieces or albums that are absolutely tied into my work, both as inspiration and as soundtrack to the action. Agnes Obel and Kathryn Joseph are rare examples of vocalists that I work to, as they’re all quiet pianos, pain and anguish. So I have an evolving and ever-growing playlist of this stuff, and when it goes on, I’m ready.

For more general, around the writing work, I listen to BBC 6Music but I really don’t like the schedule changes they made about a year ago. After nearly 10 years of working at home and hearing the same voices every day, losing them for something less than was a bit heartbreaking. I’m still grieving. I’ve found Spotify really good, it came with my new phone, but I have severe reservations about its morality. They don’t pay their artists much of anything.

Devil Darling Spy is out 5th March

Check out my next post for my review x

Dispatches From Elsewhere Episode One Review @jasonsegel

Dispatches From Elsewhere

Episode One

This show is special. It’s a show that feels so different, new and bold. Yet I’m not at odds with its high concept. I feel at home and comfortable with all that was thrown at me in the 50 minutes of delightfully weird narrative.

This is a Douglas Adams creation for today. It’s self aware, while keeping the main characters in the dark about how this 10-episode story will unfold.

I’m not going to tell you much about the plot or premise, other than to say it is perfect for those who enjoyed Hitchhikers, Dirk Gently and Pushing Daisies. The episode ends far too soon and will ensure you have an hour a week set aside for this show and in which you won’t even think of checking your phone.

Jason Segel is a welcome sight on the screen, and brings a vulnerability and an ‘everyman’ appeal to the role of Peter. My heart melted with one of the last scenes he was in and the newly acquainted characters said goodbye-for-now.

However, the most important and beautiful aspect of Dispatches is the casting of Eve Lindley as Simone. We have a trans actress, playing a trans character with little to no fanfare. It’s not a gimmick, it’s not a Box-checking ‘aren’t we inclusive’ character. Nicole is … Nicole. She is beautiful, open and there’s a connection between her and Peter that is palpable. Their chemistry is instant. Segel has given us a a character and a relationship that should have been on screen decades ago: one that just ‘is’.

Finally, Richard E Grant. Every single syllable from his mouth are glorious. He grabs your attention from the start and he’ll haunt you between episodes, I promise you that. I don’t trust him, yet I am soothed by him.

Damn, I’m hooked.

Blog Tour Review: Highfire by Eoin Colfer

‘A joyous fantasy for grownups’ Guardian

‘A funny, offbeat adult fantasy novel’ Independent

‘A dazzling first adult novel from bestselling children’s author Colfer’ Daily Mail

Highfire is a genre-bending tour-de-force of comedy and action by the million-copy-selling master storyteller.

Squib Moreau may be swamp-wild, but his intentions are (generally) good: he really wants to be a supportive son to his hard-working momma Elodie. But sometimes life gets in the way – like when Fake Daddy walked out on them leaving a ton of debt, or when crooked Constable Regence Hooke got to thinking pretty Elodie Moreau was just the gal for him . . .

An apprenticeship with the local moonshine runner, servicing the bayou, looks like the only way to pay off the family debts and maybe get Squib and his momma a place in town, far from Constable Hooke’s unwanted courtship and Fake Daddy’s reputation.

Unfortunately for Squib, Hooke has his own eye on that very same stretch of bayou – and neither of them have taken into account the fire-breathing dragon hiding out in the Louisiana swamp . . .

For Squib Moreau, Regence Hooke and Vern, aka Lord Highfire of Highfire Eyrie, life is never going to be the same again.

‘Told in crunchy prose, with lashings of earthy dialogue, it reads like an Elmore Leonard Thriller, but with dragons . . . Colfer clearly had a blast writing this, and his sheer storytelling panache brushes aside the quibbles of fantasy-genre agnostics with infectious glee’ Mail on Sunday

From the internationally bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series: Eoin Colfer’s first adult fantasy novel is a hilarious, high-octane adventure about a vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving dragon who’s been hiding out from the world – and potential torch-carrying mobs – in a Louisiana bayou . . . until his peaceful world’s turned upside down by a well-intentioned but wild Cajun tearaway and the crooked (and heavily armed) law officer who wants him dead.

What a glorious read from the amazing mind of Eoin Colfer. Vern is the last living dragon and reads like a character created for David Harbour to play. He’s gruff and closed off, and that’s the way he likes it. That is, of course, until Squib comes hurtling into his life, bringing with him chaos and danger.

It’s a well written, funny book that doesn’t hold back in the slightest. You can clearly see from how this book is crafted, why Colfer wrote another instalment in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s series. Colfer embodies Adams’ charm and wit and brings it to the 21st century.

This book is a perfect stand alone but I would love to see a sequel. Many sequels. Hell, if Eoin Colfer wants to throw out seven or eight tales of Vern and Squib, I’ll be there waiting for the publishing date of each one.

Han x

Review: Star Trek Picard (Episode One) Spoiler Free

Star Trek: Picard

S1 Ep1: Remembrance

First Thoughts

I watched the first trailer late at night whenever it dropped online. I showed it to my dad first thing, the very next day. His face lit up and he grinned like a kid at Christmas. Star Trek was not just ‘his’ show, it was ‘our’ show. He was so looking forward to catching up with Jean Luc and he found the addition of Seven in the second trailer rather clever. Unfortunately, my father passed in November, so tomorrow is going to be very different to the day we’d had planned. In fact, I almost was going to never watch it.

Fast forward to January 2020 and I’ve sobbed through the first half of the other show of ‘ours’; Dr Who. The thought of Picard being as painful was actually on my mind a hell of a lot.

Then, something amazing happened. I won tickets through Amazon Prime to be at the premiere in London. Seems like dad was there making sure I didn’t let this show pass me by.

The Logical

This is Trek, but not as we’ve come to know it. At the heart we do have familiar faces, but this isn’t the universe we left the crew of Enterprise in. It’s a stunningly flawed and embittered society we’re faced with and it clashes with the serenity of the vineyard.
There’s catching up for viewers to do and it’s done in a way that embraces those who are new to the franchise. There’s no gate keeping in the opening episode. Which is brilliant because I was a bit foggy on the events of that last movie outing.
Visually, it is stunning. From the costumes, to the physical movement and location choices. It is that balance between the tv show and the cinematic outings.
Patrick Stewart not only fits back into the role like he’s never left, he makes it seem so effortless. Jean Luc instantly pulls back your loyalty and your trust like its 1987. There’s a scene in which Picard engages with the media and I found it to be one of the most powerful scenes ever crafted for Trek: it was able to comment upon topical politics while utilising Stewart’s theatrical background for a breathtaking speech.
New face, Isa Briones, has a charm that will disarm you while the mystery surrounding her will keep you thinking long after the credits role. The actress is challenged with making the audience feel something for her very quickly and she does so with beautiful grace.
A personal favourite actress of mine, Alison Pill, shines in the later half of the episode as what I hope will be our resident Dr for this series. Her interaction with Picard are tonally perfect and give the viewers a humorous interlude to the dramatic.

The Illogical

Why are they not all dropping tomorrow?! The episodes, that is. Wow! That first episode was over in a flash and left me wanting more. Yes, I’m impatient and I have questions that need answers.

Final Thoughts

This episode is not fan service, it’s not about everyone getting a pay check. This first episode is the start of something! It’s a well crafted, emotionally charged hour of tv perfection.

Star Trek Picard launches its first episode tomorrow on Amazon Prime.

Love Han x

Blog Tour Review: Storm of Ash by Michelle Kenney

The brand new novel from Michelle Kenney, author of the Book of Fire and City of Dust!

As Talia treks back through the treacherous North Mountains, she knows only three things:

Pantheon has stolen nearly everyone she loves;
Her blood is the only control over the Voynich’s oldest secret;
And Cassius won’t stop hunting Arafel until every last outsider is destroyed.

Will Talia finally face her legacy and defeat Cassius before it is too late?

Characters

As a reader, I’ve spent a long time with these characters. From the first book, you take them into your heart so that even between books you’re wondering how they’re fairing.

Of course, being a final instalment there’s to be expected some character evolution and some conclusions to the story that’s unfolded before us.

Talia is the one. She’s been a solid and fully formed character from the very start. You will see the return of characters and bid farewell others. Not before each has their time to shine of course.

Plot

It doesn’t initially feel like the conclusion or the end of a trilogy; the action remains full throttle from the first page to the final line. It doesn’t stop two thirds of the way in order to wrap up the strands neatly. It allows for a story that is gripping, characters that you know will continue on beyond the pages of the book.

All in all, it’s a fitting ending and a perfect way to wrap up this amazing trilogy.

Writing

The only thing that made this a hard read was that it was a world I was not ready to say goodbye to. There are very few writers who could incorporate language from a classical era in such a smooth way, that you will find yourself not requiring the glossary that’s attached. It’s the incorporation of these words that enables such a rich world to be built and for the reader to fall into.

Final Thoughts

I’m still not ready to say goodbye. These books have been a comfort and I’ll be reading them many times again over the years.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Rating U

Length 1hr 25

Release 18.12.1992

Director Brian Henson

Naughty

It’s Michael Caine’s performance alone that saves this film from being an outright camp pantomime. As much as I love some aspects of Gonzo and Risso, some of it strays a little too far for me.
There’s some odd dialogue choices along the way. There’s the headmaster who declares ‘it’s the American way’ before being corrected. Much in the same way as the film’s narrators, it takes you out of the film.
Not too sure how I feel about Michael Caine’s singing prowess. It’s very much the voice equivalent of dad dancing. I know the film seemed aware of it by keeping his musical additions to a minimum, but it’s really weird and jarring to not have your protagonist have at least his own song in what is essentially a musical.
There seemed to be a significant shift in quality when it came to the creation of the secondary and background puppetry.

Nice

Gonzo makes for a brilliant narrator and it’s something I’ve not seen in many other versions. It brings, when it works, some of the original text to the screen and some humour.
On the most part, all of the Muppets are well cast in their Dickensian roles. I completely adore Kermit as Cratchett and Statler and Waldorf as the Marley brothers.
Both the Swedish Chef and Animal make cameos that don’t quite fit, but are both so awesome you won’t care.
Michael Caine, musical elements aside, is a wonderful Scrooge. He is almost in a completely different movie to his puppet counterparts, but that strangely works in this case. As a Scrooge, he’s able to show the development of character and a will to change.

Final Thoughts

It’s a fair adaptation and while Caine lacks the flair for singing, he’s now too iconic in the role to even dare to mentally recast.

The Kevin Smith View Askew Film Tag

I’ve just watched Jay and Silent Bob Reboot and I’m not quite ready to write my review. I’m still very much in my own head and emotional about it all so I’ve decided to though out a tagged post for people to complete.

You know the rules; answer the questions, link back to this original post, the person who tagged you and three awesome people you wish to tag!

Starters

Which Kevin Smith movie introduced you to the View Askew universe?

For me it was Dogma, although I think I’d seen pieces of Mallrats without being aware of its connection. I will ashamedly admit I hated the film when I first saw it. It was slightly too weird for me and I actually took the VHS back for a refund the next day.

However, the story stuck with me and a little over 6 months later I gave it another watch. I fell in love with it: the filmmaking style, the humour and the religious accuracy. I bought it again and it’s been a go to movie of mine ever since.

Favourites

View Askew movie

Surprisingly it’s not Dogma. Not any more. My favourite is Clerks 2. I saw the hell out it in the cinema. There was the added bonus that every screening over the month I went to watch it had a Nokia advert beforehand with Gary Oldman being his delightful self in and around New York.

Clerks 2 is my favourite because it for me, this film is still quirky while being given the budget of a mainstream movie. There’s a charming story at the heart of the film and is that rare sequel that doesn’t require you to have seen the preceding movie.

View Askew character

Elias! How can you not love Clerks II’s fearful, geeky Elias?! From his fucked up banter filled relationship with Randell to his jacking off to a donkey show swan song Elias is my … well he’s not my hero, but he certainly makes me laugh, a lot.

Silent Bob line or speech

“Adventure, excitement … a Jedi craves not these things.” Mallrats

View Askew universe callback

It would have to be the Bluntman and Chronic/ Cashing Amy callback in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Celebrity Casting

Alan Rickman, hands down is the best celebrity casting from all of the movies. Not only does Smith give Rickman the opportunity to flex his comedic muscles, he gets his pants down too.

Up until Rickman’s untimely return to the heavenly Morissette’s side, I had been looking forward to a Rickman reprise in Smith’s movies.

Geeky movie nod

It has to be the Indy ‘no ticket’ reference in Dogma. The added bonus being that it’s Silent Bob who utters it.

Non universe movie

Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I can’t put my finger on what makes this film work so well, but it’s truly charming and I love it.

Fandom

Do you have a Kevin Smith-worthy story connected to any of his films?

I have a few and they all have to be told.

So… I make the mistake of watching Chasing Amy with my dad (I can’t quite remember if mum was there too) and he spent the whole fucking movie asking ‘where’s Amy?’, ‘is there an Amy?’, ‘who is Amy?’, ‘why is this film called Amy?’. Then the fucker talks all the way through Silent Bob’s speech.

My dad, I suspect is much like any other man and enjoyed his porn. My theory was proven when my self confessed technophobe father who had spent the last year insisting he didn’t know how the DVD player worked, managed just fine when it came to watching my newly purchased Zack and Miri. He claimed it accidentally started playing, which might have been plausible had the dvd not still been in its wrapper when I’d left for work.

Finally, I managed to ask the awesome man himself a question during a Q & A in London a few years back. I also used the opportunity to thank him for being a big inspiration in my life. I was not expecting him to ask questions and the following exchange took place:

“Oh, thanks to Dogma I became an RE teacher.”

“What’s RE?”

“Religious Education.”

“Fuck, man you totally didn’t get the point of that movie.”

“Oh I did. I teach that religion is just an idea.”

“Wow, you got my movie better than I did.”

To have that exchange, to let him know how important he was in influencing something that I’d dedicated ten years of my life to. Well, it meant the world to me.

How do you show you are a fan?

Interestingly enough, I don’t own a single t-shirt like I do for all my other fandoms. I did have Jay’s ‘fuck, Motherfuck’ song as my ringtone until I became a teacher and was too scared it would go off in class.

What I do have though, is a Metatron quote tattoo in tribute to Alan Rickman. “Noah was a drunk, look what he accomplished” and it’s true, check your bible.

What do you want to see Smith tackle next?

So the question I asked at the Q & A was which Shakespeare would he like to take on if he had the chance. This is my go to question for many a person I’ve met, but of all the people I’ve asked I thought this would be the biggest risk and best pay off. Indeed, it was the best answer I’ve ever gotten and the answer really surprised me.

I, personally, want a View Askew take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mainly because I’d love to see Silent Bob take on the guise of Puck, remain silent for the whole movie before giving that beautiful monologue at the end. Plus, it’s a play about sex crazed teens, woodland creatures playing with drugs and a donkey show… aren’t they all within Smith’s wheelhouse?!

Tags

I’ll be tagging the boys over at Sorry, You’re in My Seat, Ollie from Out of Our Element and Amy Smith (filmswithamy)