tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89847898038098576502024-02-19T02:48:22.225+00:00Basingstone Box - TV and Movie reviewsbasingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-84887831395659367752017-12-28T12:01:00.001+00:002017-12-28T12:01:44.672+00:00Star Wars Episode VIII The Last Jedi<font face="Arial" size="4">The movie of course is a winner but movie and SciFi diehards be prepared to be disappointed. Whilst all the action and CGI was fantastic the storyline was very lame - evil galatic leader tries to eliminate the last Jedi and the last republic rebels, not much changes from previous episodes. Would do better to concentrate on the one off storylines like Rogue One. It achieved one major element need to preserve the franchise from dying, all the main characters are now dead ( sad passing of Carrie Fisher) or killed off ( Hans Solo and now Luke Skywalker ) only Chewbacca and the robots remain. </font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_903c_79d6_e1d4_5896" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmd2hZYw5Um9P34VeaZnk4ht4ZNyvmqC-g1gdNmE1i-ZZyHbzw0tdLis8_5Bbn-twj78iI_EgnW_c15zuOsGGzLQDC1kjxvjdfRfde4AZ4edT2GSI-JScqKFU6-1lYmiSxTqtaddGzPg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 531px; height: auto; margin: 4px auto; display: block;"></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">For the SciFi fans there were some questionable dialogue and design. During the chase across space it was discovered that the rebels could be tracked at light speed and there was a special device on the lead First Order ship for this. Question 1 If they were only travelling at light speed they could never traverse the galaxy far far away, it would just take too long. They should be using some other type of propulsion like warp drive. Question 2 Most devices now are tiny even big computers are small, why is the device used for tracking at light speed the size of a transit van?</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b66b_a4e6_552e_e7ba" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXSfQ_TmLhFJzxtjC8_p4_KIVghM5_ov5cEoFVsnUeROQJyDhUFH-FnRA7MykRhW1fBRPDUEjW-NyTdx405hZ_miSz88zvnEkcoCilvmDptFvYVFjE4O8DpOVkcUrFxqMVQWPpu2USOM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 588px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; display: block;"><br><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Our enjoyment was slightly impaired along with our hearing as the cinema had the volume on 4 levels above max. Driving home I felt my car had morphed into an electric model - so quiet. The director / writers also seem unable to leave the bar scene with a hundred different aliens at home. It appears to be dragged out every time and reworked until boring.That aside I enjoyed the movie and I think they have left themselves in a reasonable position for another episode which must have a better storyline.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-58160283310526494442016-03-12T17:49:00.001+00:002016-03-13T18:26:08.372+00:00London has Fallen<font face="Arial" size="4">This is the sequel to Olympus has fallen and although It is predictable what the plot will be, it does deliver on action and excitement. London is under attack from terrorists who force the capital to shut down. It is then the President of USA bodyguards job to get him to safety. </font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_a040_4f1f_5c7a_f34f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfUlsW6jHebVfNb7-dziuFz7cEA-7gPWlsZvuzcNiMuQ7cAi_r6Lx7VF70cjMO4IpIEQYMboSESn7hQMECF06v5bSjq0Cvq3jMRKqziMUUWkI-iPCzKn7yQpjESQgQi1aJ-y4tfO2BJ8/" alt="" title="" style="width: 547px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">For me the outstanding actor is Morgan Freeman playing the Vice President, he never fails to deliver a good performance. Gerard Butler as the secret service bodyguard is very good, reprising the same role he has in Olympus has Fallen. Single handed he seems to get it all done just always in the nick of time. Aaron Eckhart is okay however the character of the POTUS is all wrong, you would never see any of recent Presidents be as active or as capable,forgetting what Trump might do.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_b721_6b77_a9ad_8e3b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKglAyMvGh7hzCpGvvqS6knN2Yt1tCp5NP-pkaKWmEhlnpEHrh6lT-b7JrenKoLAT6hEcFKh-uaUZ6mzXM74hjaXpx9hyphenhyphenoTyBuOsUK-Z777vlYLv5tDHTdFsfr3Mn45AkeU5TqHKI2Lo/" alt="" title="" style="width: 548px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">The production is good and apart from one scene the CGI is superb. It magically allows you to believe London could get blown apart without triggering a reaction of "oh that's fake". Overall the film was very entertaining but not sure it could run too a third production.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-64825280694052096822016-01-17T20:51:00.001+00:002016-01-17T20:51:25.922+00:00Star Wars: The Force Awakens<font face="Arial" size="4">Having seen all the other Star Wars movies as they were made I thought we should continue and see the latest effort by Disney. It has been breaking all box office records and now I understand why - they impose a surcharge at the cinema to see it £2.00 in this case. Was it worth it? Yes but not good value. </font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_e846_666e_75df_3ae5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmYvZDvFrrAtDARQePaqv8DgncBb0cEBEd9I_o5g5Lbll_v3NJJeZfZyg6d4HeIPpghKtqwfZnChZ2AcAZAtUQk3mxb42n30ZpSaUtEYUFzPYvb6wT2xsgxz4WpVl3XniDZ7HHzqv8Fw/" alt="" title="" style="width: 459px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">As you would expect the effects were first rate and an improvement over those gone before, however that for me is where it almost ends. There was a lack of creativity with the storyline as it appeared more like a remake of the original movie with the Death Star destruction, familiar bar scene and a rogue son. The movie was made worthwhile by Rey played by Daisy Ridley, her character and casting was my high spot, adding a dimension beyond that added by the Princess in the original. </font></div></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_a873_c73d_e80c_bbcd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3g9FvTsHsOMnqn9RRo8rNPJkVPm5jq4a-IvUlIA-T-RDn7UtpQDJcKRg0UPHIBY90-eC2Ke2buOTx7-4ICJjgCICVb7ky5OV3O5J6pFkKRuKA1xO4FADy3lPKAtuixGpXGvtqNvYl9o/" alt="" title="" style="width: 462px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">As for the original stars, I am still not sure they helped, it might have been better if they had stuck to cameos like they did with Mark Hamill. Only Chewbacca really made any sense, as being an alien he does not really need to age as life span of a wookie is probably a lot longer than a human.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Overall it was entertaining but not the blockbusting Oscar winner that was being touted. I will probably still go and see the follow on movies but they have to eliminate the surcharge it is ridiculous, the movie is not that good.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-24126493091954027162015-08-01T18:19:00.001+01:002015-08-01T18:32:49.198+01:00Edge of Tomorrow<font face="Arial" size="4">Sky are currently playing a Tom Cruise season which gave me the opportunity to re watch Edge of Tomorrow a fantastic SciFi movie with a new twist. The earth is invaded by an alien species and a war is ongoing to try and defeat these invincible beings. Maj. Bill Cage is sent on what appears as a suicide mission but gets killed almost straight away - game over? No, he is stuck in a time loop.</font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_2b21_2c8b_c8b1_7b17" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwsxidp9HZjn9X24_OvNUWy7I4oYkhvZDqYeTlB7S7ED75gSdfAv0HR5fSboro6BBlwPicqC6qabHYA78xRRRLeoccRzQicwzi_7ySTsn_-2HzaGp_JEG6JZU8aGlFhup9KGodskFkKw/" alt="" title="" style="width: 542px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Aided by Emily Blunt ( Rita Vrataski ) his comrade in arms they repeat the same brutal fight again and again perfecting their skills, getting further and further into the day to try and defeat the aliens. The special effects employed in this film are outstanding and very fast paced, one of the main attributes of the aliens. As the film progresses and Cage build his skills, they also learn more about the "Mimics" and how they can succeed and where to target.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_bf6c_e673_94af_25a2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRfR0s0EwRh0Y1ivVLVTHPu7el_n8Ysrs48vx3_DWpS4J-fsUoDRcKYuivFwu41mKJlovymll0XX13gzC_zz-tH5O-DwTUDBkwkvI7lOOolX2LS9QRNn8bEUULsTEp5WEA6qIUpCfX4Q/" alt="" title="" style="width: 541px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Perhaps not the best Tom Cruise movie but it is up there, with lots of action and thrilling sequences supported by the great storyline. The replays that Sky organised in special channel or through on demand are an excellent way to catch up with any movies you may have missed. </font></div></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Recommend you watch this again as you will see more and understand more than the first time around, excellent.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-90414696040036948842015-08-01T12:35:00.001+01:002015-08-01T12:39:02.159+01:00Fury<font face="Arial" size="4">Sometimes the movie makers try too hard and produce some dismal flops, but sometimes they revert to tried and tested formulas and come up trumps, as is the case with Fury. Brad Pitt is cast as an Amercian tank commander in World War II, a regular war story, but a great one. <br></font><div><img id="id_46d0_240d_56a3_b284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FRgxXrGVghvrttm9Rr-0PPs-6WXy5siYrKuuoCOtqYqrEb1rVqST8QfX9KTlqhHV_NyzqTYbIYMkgjxpjai2uwp0Es6lY9YdYK9zGdD4qxBDbgIRIZYM5-WaceGQn4YVvaz-htYDVqA/" alt="" title="" style="width: 602px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">It is always very difficult to portray the realities of war, without indulging in too much graphic violence or blood and guts, yes this film has this, but in moderation and well filmed. Loyalty in war is essential and Brad Pitt's character is not only a leader by example but very loyal to his team and his orders. His team as ever in a good war movie are a bunch of misfits but who are exceptional at the tasks they perform. Losing one of the team early on, the replacement is a very young and inexperienced boy who is given little latitude in learning the skills necessary for survival. Quickly he starts to earn the commanders respect and trust eventual making his first kill when it really counts.</font></div><div><img id="id_2366_a345_bf2f_e6e6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaESRvcA5a4LXfD1GNxJOuUeB-dtnu3sEFV03aV2r6rqbN5bwtr5-4VORoH4m2QURc4tYvtz13BmOJnLCQUAo9a6-PiqkfTNIXgGw6YNhGLqsKFZtBTQY8qAOhqlUL5qMFf39Pdfn8dLE/" alt="" title="" style="width: 597px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">The film does give an insight into the life of the innocent who are caught in the middle of the fight but you are very quickly brought back to reality and the futility of war and moving on to the next mission. The climax is not to be missed. I watched this on TV but in the cinema I believe it would have many times more impressive. It is also important that you don't always need the heavyweights for a succesful casting, Brad Pitt is excellent but his relatively unknown ( to me ) co stars were superb.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-27548817228416434112015-01-25T18:15:00.000+00:002015-01-26T11:34:36.488+00:00American Sniper<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">War brings glory, tradegy, and injustice with an imperfect outcome in every case. Clint Eastwood has directed an excellent perspective of Chris Kyles story as the highest killing sniper in the Iraq war and all of US military history. The film tracks Kyle history from signing up as a Navy Seal through his deployment in Iraq and back to civilian life in Texas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">If you are looking for a traditional all action war movie then you have got it, in part only as it covers the effects of war on the individual and their life. Becoming a legend brings all sorts of other responsibilities that was not expected when joining the Seals. In much the same way he is not prepared for handling his home life and the changes that a career at war brings. Bradley Copper has done a good job here under Eastwoods direction which has been outstanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">There is currently a lot of outrage in the arab/muslim world over how the locals were portrayed but as always I think they have to remember what the war was about. The producers have not gone out to humiliate or belittle the arabs or the muslim faith, they have produced a film showing the horrors of war from a soldier's perspective and done it well. </span><br />
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basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-30348134636886054582014-12-16T18:06:00.001+00:002014-12-16T18:06:53.430+00:00The Book Thief<font face="Arial" size="4">This is not your normal war movie, as it is the story of a young girl displaced from her family and living with a German couple, in a small village during the war years. Liesel arrives at the house of Hans and Rosa Hubermann and the story starts with the building of relationships and trust. Geoffrey Rush playing Hans is excellent, and quickly shows Liesel how to handle the brash but big hearted Rosa played by Emily Watson. </font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_105c_fe78_44a8_c379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniUNMhBkipJpw1z6vw3YlipvPo9Go6_UP29dhBwPf7Q08MnreXUcIcx3wG6DFlssd0ViNbsl6IyXtpuYXMapPIzCfbLAKhXI6T7cQN7Oy5ufLTJci2_-jbcEP9LXfztkKaahXwl53XQE/" alt="" title="" style="width: 497px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Liesel ( Sophie Nelisse ) is intrigued by books and they become integral to the story with Hans teaching her how to read. At school she is befriended by Rudy her football mad neighbour. The story takes a very serious turn when the war starts and they have an unexpected visitor to stay. It then follows the family through the war years with sadness and joy.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_56fa_1720_f418_5d95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS2RZ2VihyphenhyphenWR-7iUkj6xXm4xvWAhW7ftbl6Kna8K2fh-2snbqP5RvnVeihMiKxTgqxfgaXm_Z_aPNnQEfzzqOA0UC3bELQtTVRQQ-CJhsWjewX79INL_K8VZWnwp0u4IpCzFOOaPSxGk/" alt="" title="" style="width: 496px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">I think the production of the movie was excellent with great costumes and realistic scenery, however it had little niggle with the dialogue. It is an English movie set in Germany however, to add atmosphere the script was peppered with unecessary short German words like "nein" or "und". The atmosphere was already very good with the costumes, setting, accents and did not need this script addition. Overall a very classy movie and very thought provoking,well worth the two hour plus investment.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-46589033993694601112014-08-24T20:10:00.001+01:002014-08-24T20:37:45.441+01:00Gravity<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Out of this world is hardly adequate to describe this film.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Sandra Bullock and George Clooney star as astronauts in orbit and disaster strikes when some satellites are destroyed and create a lethal wave of debris. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Making repairs to the Hubble telescope Sandra Bullock plays a engineer/scientist Ryan Stone and George Clooney the veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski. In this role Bullock outshines Clooney in a big way. Women seem to like him but he cannot act as well as the leading lady. She has come a long way from the comedy role of Miss Congeniality and for me can be classed the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">However the really big star of this movie is the special effects. In orbit around the Earth you experience the amazing views of our home. Early on it is explained that without air you have no sound, this phenomenon makes the disaster that follows really weird.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> Incredibly most of the film was shot in a green room and the actors had to act out looking at the spectacular sights without actually seeing it. This is where Sandra Bullock excels, she makes you believe you are there. Yes this is a movie that really should be seen on the big screen but it is not lost on the TV. Recommend you watch it as soon as possible, Apollo 13 was great this is just as good but with better effects.</span></div>
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basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-4482842782425888942014-07-05T21:41:00.001+01:002014-07-05T21:45:58.308+01:00Captain Philips<font face="Arial" size="4">One thing you can always be certain of in the movie industry, if Tom Hanks is starring the movie will be worthwhile. With Captain Phillips this is an understatement, Tom Hanks plays a pirated captain with all his well known acting skills and more. This is an excellent story of modern day piracy and the difficulties of policing it.<br></font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_f584_c4d7_56e5_5856" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMhCAq_hLRImmwtNaTbaT-BkvovlgutQY6-UD3NV8k2WrRQWwSZY2uOPln9je2IqDYZuQBtmO27fzpErdGe-oFkoOSU3Lwa_PNNCyVE53L43bnnnSZ1ucXGTMlqLyrNMdPZHt40dWaBQ/" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 634px; height: 358px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">On route from Djbouti to Mombassa Phillips and his crew are attacked by Somali pirates. Almost totally defenceless the pirates board the ship and take control. The rest and the majority of the story follows the struggle to resolve the hijack and get everyone to safety. I think it is very good at highlighting the impotence of the policing authorites in handling this very old crime. It seems to me we are still totally wrapped up in political correctness, we cannot defend ourselves, and then when we do take action we are always fighting against infringing "human rights", when none have been extended to us. It is a real problem today that we still do not have an answer to, and sadly this terrorist activity is on the increase under the guise of God?</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-56193016858528322462014-06-07T22:48:00.001+01:002014-06-07T22:52:16.200+01:00Elysium <font face="Arial" size="4">The world has divided with the rich leaving for an orbital habitat Elysium. The rest of the world has turned into a township/favela polluted and ridden with disease.<br></font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_6c59_3720_7439_fe1d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIKRS3h0UM4mgNMRNPncrG0U2aLcvG0b0HNFCYN1SqfDzTf3-6ei5b7dh0Z18aQhaQ_Cu9CoWvj-If-zoy1vJ8lkKEnkpbH-jlB_e8PONirSsikZNs3wGniHY7el3F4WahhJXF0EFksw/" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 464px; height: 262px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">As a keen Sci Fi fan I was excited by the description of the film, in particular the lead casting of Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. My excitement did not last in fact I fell asleep, waking up just as the film ended. What I did see was very elaborate however the acting and script did not keep me awake - a poor sign for an action Sci Fi movie. I love Jodie Foster but this was a dreadful performance exaggerated by the accent she had to use. Some of the futuristic elements did not work, for example Matt Damon was working in a factory producing droids and pressing steel plate. Surely the droids should have been making the droids. They had the technology to cure disease and rebuild from injuries and this was standard fitment in Elysium, but was not available on earth. </font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">I cannot really make any further useful comments, except unless to want to see the CGI and other effects I would give this one a miss.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-20840196717382674902014-05-25T18:35:00.001+01:002014-05-25T18:59:37.863+01:00White House Down<font face="Arial" size="4">White House Down and Olympus has Fallen two similar movies with same subject - The White House is attacked and defeated. I chose to watch White House Down with Channing Tatum and Jamie Fox starring.</font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_eaaf_ad24_5538_f423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIQeI2519DCIwSvG5uCINq9vfj5qw8ZgfkdyPUhiIV30nRsH6nDa_RMxPXr4P1nT7ZWo7Pe9ohyRYQLI0rDRQ2BOcABeWg8uCsX2ZQcEKk0wSiQOz2swUMmrJ4YKpwRmRaoaYfDfRFEU/" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 567px; height: 212px;"></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Although you might say the plot is very predictable the film rises above that and entertains. The President ( Jamie Fox ) has just entered office and made some radical changes in troop deployments which some believe left soldiers to die unnecessarliy. Revenge for this act appears to be the motive for the attack which our hero Channing Tatum is involved. As part of the protection detail for the Secretary of State he decides to apply for the secret service and protect the President. Rejected he takes his daughter on a tour of the White House when all hell breaks loose.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">The action is great, it may be a little far fetched but none the less very entertaining. For me this is one of the main criteria for a good movie, imagine going to the cinema and not being entertained, it would be a disaster. The disaster here is only on screen. </font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-76336778167017025772014-04-04T18:18:00.001+01:002014-04-04T20:27:44.635+01:00The Walking Dead - Season 4 Finale<font face="Arial" size="4">When I <a href="http://basingstonebox.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/the-walking-dead-mid-season-break.html" id="id_9915_11eb_c5fd_be3c">reported on the mid season break</a> I thought it would be difficult for this series to get better. I was wrong, very wrong. When we left the group just before the break they had been fragmented into small groups trying to survive the fallout from the Governer's attack on the prison. Throughout the last few episodes the groups have headed in the direction of the Terminus with the promise of sanctuary. During this journey the survivors develop new relationships that earlier we thought would not have been possible, but it has been the reason for their survival.</font><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><img id="id_65b_b3ed_bbe5_3b5d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-BObAqZHtSPvP75lXP3lHEqlHaAMJeZIHjasbjpJzR2ie9lsoPy51iQSkeI3_VIqtAI_oc01Nt4k-xLUIezdkB9HVP3kOL2dnL_Q9hMZ8GsK3JDnQ67mpl4v9HFXbBcZ6zHSt2s28K4/" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 414px; height: 207px;"></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">In the finale Rick's group unexpectedly meets up with Daryl and his new "friends". Faced with certain death on Daryll and his group Rick turns "Walker" and bites out his attacker's throat. Even more blood flows but the outcome is positive with all the good guys staying in the game. As they reach Terminus Rick is ever cautious entering by the back door to check for anything dangerous. After introductions to they are offered a meal when Rick recognises a fob watch, and demands an explanation. This is when all hell breaks loose, coming under fire from their new hosts but importantly not getting shot. In the chase through the buildings and rooms we get a very brief glimpse of the problem with a pile of freshly butchered bones, human bones. Yes the hosts have turned cannibal, offered lunch was probably another arrival at Terminus. Cornered they are forced to enter a old railcar where they meet Maggie and Glen's group who are receiving the same hospitality. The show ends with Rick saying " they are screwing with wrong people"</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Again I am left in suspense by the best show on TV and we have to wait until the Autumn for season 5, I hope.</font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-30520253261812968762014-02-16T15:07:00.001+00:002014-02-16T15:08:33.264+00:00Salamander<font face="Arial" size="4">This Belgian subtitled TV detective drama has been slated by various TV reviewers and I fail to see why. It is different to our usual British fare and for me that is an excellent change. I am a fan of the recent trend to show subtitled dramas like The Killing and The Bridge, with subtitles you tend to get drawn in more because you have to read them or you may miss out. The main character <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Inspector Paul Geradi (Filip Peeters) is also very different to our usual. A maverick cop who will not let politics or his boss get in his way of solving his case.</span></font><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_f151_bd45_75d6_3332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXerb8TTFDyOV2Jw03H2NoIsOgJqHUKy2sBpKlEgphKlDUf8F76inxX6hmVoMLgEpdYvP6w6lw1-7UZnSEIJdbMZNob3v65vFycaYvc_Xl0C6jnT-ho_KGUYuiAxF3NO0wHnKReaP3G0/" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 166px; height: 250px; float: right; display: block;"><font face="Arial" size="4">A private bank vault is robbed of possions and documents of the high level society in Belgium, or one quote puts it "They run half the country". Paul is drawn into the consipracy deeper when his informant runs into trouble, and others connected with the robbery are also in danger. After the first two episodes it is clear his family and himself will also be in danger. It seems some people have too much to lose. Excellent drama.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-4129778993264410012014-02-02T21:31:00.001+00:002014-02-02T21:34:42.949+00:00Oblivion<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Set in the future, when earth has albeit been abandoned, due to the Moon being nearly destroyed by an alien race. Jack Harper ( Tom Cruise) is teamed with Victoria ( Andrea Riseborough ) to secure and maintain the drones that are sucking up the remaining resources on the earth, to send to Titan the Saturn moon, where the remaining humans have evacuated to. Jack begins to think things are not quite what they seem, when a spaceship crash lands in the area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">The storyline is good and Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise, but the real star of the movie is the effects and creative genius who designed the CGI. The vision of the New York area is outstanding. Most is buried under ash and debris caused the moons destruction but glimpses of landmarks give the clues to the location. This movie won't be for everyone but any Sci Fi or Star Trek fans will love it.</span></div>
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basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-57416376919937533892014-01-29T19:24:00.001+00:002014-01-29T19:24:26.390+00:00Death in Paradise - BBC1<div><font face="Arial" size="4">A new inspector on the island paradise and yet still the murders come. This series is set on a fictious island in the Caribean but you could be forgiven if you thought it was Midsommer. Yes every week there is at least one murder and in some there are multiple violent deaths including tourists. So I wonder why people still visit as it is more likely you will be murdered than having a good holiday.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7bd_35a_6bae_5dec" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmS8fLo2i_TzwGjYrXNfEDeYd-aoWolNznaz-OL8pz7cTt-onvEho6MapuXVPozILm1ii6UyUhaX8zCP6gEys5ONd4w50AwLVCmaAx1roMDCaWzhXGhnysEmfE2kBjR8cpuEtSGUcMeE/" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 476px; height: 286px; float: right; display: block;"></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Away from the plot Kris Marshall cast as the new inspector is a great choice and provides a total refresh for the series following the murder of the first inspector Richard Poole played by Ben Miller. The Richard Poole character was totally different and personally I did not like the tea drinking and briefcase elements. Now with Kris Marshall the DI Goodman character can develop throughout the series.</font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial" size="4">Overall I like the series as it is a light look at serious business of murder investigation even although the circumstances are a bit of a stretch. They might want to loan the team out to another island to get another dimension to the story lines and some new characters. </font></div>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-81472875041344675202014-01-04T23:14:00.001+00:002014-01-19T21:46:10.529+00:00Star Trek Into Darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqz4fSDnH00z3p9ul7SBFn2J8Q1EWfTK4_s9Fvsb5qDTBNX9SKtJzVsd57NWh-sPaMo4bXuCCmy_g1HdBcBGAhU1UYcWVbHb4HS1p1IMahJZnZZb5yt5rlJPcReW1KuWJHKYyQBITQ8Y/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqz4fSDnH00z3p9ul7SBFn2J8Q1EWfTK4_s9Fvsb5qDTBNX9SKtJzVsd57NWh-sPaMo4bXuCCmy_g1HdBcBGAhU1UYcWVbHb4HS1p1IMahJZnZZb5yt5rlJPcReW1KuWJHKYyQBITQ8Y/s320/image.jpg" width="320" id="id_84ed_15bf_9fbc_8e00" style="width: 320px; height: 180px;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is always the problem with reworks of a treasured series, you always make a comparison. In this case JJ Abrams has succeeded big time. His first adventure Star Trek was outstanding, capturing many of the features we loved from the TV series. This film is no different except it has made everyone more human even Spock. The gentle humour is retained without distracting you, and as ever nowadays the CGI is fantastic.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Doctor McCoy character played by Karl Urban is superb, close to and even exceeding the relationship between the originals. I was unsure about Benedict Cumberbatch playing the bad guy, would he be able to convince us that he is not Sherlock. I should not have worried he was fine.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plot has some good twists and close shaves with death that you would expect, the best was Robocop ( Peter Weller ) as Marcus going power crazy, promoting war with the Klingons. This of course gave us the introduction to Carol Marcus played by Alice Eve ready for the crew in the next movie.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Star Trek diehards I think the treatment of the Enterprise internals, warp engines and the mechanics of the ship is one of the biggest successes of JJ Abrams. In the original and subsequent series we were never shown any of the space below decks, </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">this allows us to believe even more. Before we saw glossy control panels and everything operated as if by magic. Now we know there is something down there propelling the ship.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A great addition to the film series, go watch it again.</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-65231869907758676542014-01-03T20:30:00.000+00:002014-01-19T21:46:46.320+00:00Mad Dogs : Finale<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am not familiar with drug use but after watching the finale of Mad Dogs on Sky I was beginning to doubt myself. Was this another episode of Lost or what? This ending has to be one the strangest on record for what has been an excellent series. Sadly though it started a lot better than it finished.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Woody, Rick, Quinn and Baxter are back to conclude their adventures which started by visiting an old friend in Majorca. From one freakish mishap to another the four wind with a lot of money but isolated from their previous lives. The money was not come by legally nor was it made legally. They thought the owner was crushed under their car and no longer a threat. Yet again they get it wrong and chased all over Cape Town by Tony Blair masked villains - scary!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eventually the four mates are cornered on the beach by their now paraplegic pursuer. A mock execution kneeling at their gravesides follows serving only to teach them a lesson. Now the weird bit - driving along the motorway a Tony Blair shows himself, is it Baxter, a dream, drugs or just an overworked imagination? Lastly they are in the end terminated by a terminated motorway. Is this really the end or is there going to be a soap opera style escape, who knows?</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-41866139095796246982014-01-03T19:43:00.002+00:002014-01-19T21:47:17.250+00:00Strike Back : Shadow Warfare<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Current season concluded with a bang, literally, gratuitous sex and violence all round, excellent. The writers have been getting better and better with each season Scott and Stonebridge escaping from more and impossible situations. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The storyline of this series revolves around tracking down terrorists and stopping their plots, which are fuelled by greed, religious mania and revenge. There are plenty of twists to keep hold your interest (even without the sex and violence), the best is saved for the end, with Kamali double crossing section 20 to gain revenge for the killing of his wife.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Scott and Stonebridge are amazing the way they can soak up the punishment handed out to them in every episode. From beatings, bullets and weaponised virus they have had it all and survived - how do they do it?</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The new commander of section 20 Locke played by Robson Green is great addition, following the killing off of Dalton. She was beginning to get a little whiny and obsessive. This sets it up nicely for a season 5. Great, cannot wait.</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-83218986737259142972013-12-07T10:10:00.000+00:002014-01-19T21:48:37.690+00:00The Walking Dead - Mid Season break<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mid season break for the fourth season, and what a way to break for Christmas, no cheer here. Herschel gone, the Governor gone and the prison is gone. Wow!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The writers again are excelling themselves, having just survived a nasty breakout of a killer disease the prison group are now attacked by the Governor's new group with a tank. Rick give a very convincing speech of reconciliation and conceding they could live together in the prison. But no the madman Governor is not having it and takes off Herchel's head starting the battle ending their occupation of the current home. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it returns in the New Year where will they be, who has survived and who will they encounter? I personally cannot wait, can you?</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-34285385670635777552013-11-19T19:41:00.000+00:002013-11-19T19:41:45.759+00:00Strictly Come Dancing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is beginning to tighten up at the the top in Strictly Come Dancing, with all the lame celebs being eliminated apart from Mark Fenton. Hopefully now the concentration will be on dancing as a whole and not just it being entertaining - it is a competition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The judging this year has deteriorating with really only Craig Revel Horwood performing as I would expect for a professional judge. The marking in general has been unjustifiably higher than normal and only Craig deducting for technical faulting. This has been disappointing as normally you rely on Len Goodman the traditionalist to mark on technique and dance step content, but no he has surprisingly switched camps and being high marking his favourites whilst totally ignoring the technique etc. This was clearly demonstrated with Dave Myers and this week with Mark Fenton.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tens I think should be used sparingly and only awarded for a fault free dance which also entertained to a high standard. It is difficult for the non dancer to understand the difference, when 3 judges give tens yet Craig has identified mistakes or sub standard technique. Are the judges losing focus or are they to busy thinking up their witty or camp repartee for the post dance panel feedback.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The time will come when the BBC must change the judge line up again and this time casualty has to be Bruno Tonioli, his excessive camp and wide spread legs are too much to bear for another season. Who to replace Bruno? What about Anton DuBeke? This has to be his last season as a dancer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My favourite for the season is Sophie but perhaps it could be Patrick who can win the prized glitter ball.</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-29845073202043029592013-11-18T20:46:00.003+00:002013-11-18T20:49:17.709+00:00Person of Interest - Channel 5<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just got to be the best series on TV at the moment. A small team of people are protecting people from danger and death. The target people to be saved " a number" are selected by a computer once sponsored by the US government using networked resources of databases and CCTV. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">James Caviezel as John Reese an ex CIA operative recruited as the muscle in the team is fantastic, displaying ultra cool when under pressure. He works closely with Michael Emmerson playing Harold Finch ( Lost ), the inventor of the computer. They have roped in two city detectives to help them in their quest to protect the "numbers", building very interesting but different relationships with both detectives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now halfway through the second series the writers have introduced a great new character - a dog " Bear" who takes commands in the Dutch language. Graubaer’s Boker, dog actors name is a purebred Belgian Malinois that is well trained and extremely talented. The dog is providing Finch the confidence to face the outside world after a period of captivity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Their methods may be unorthodox but they do deliver results and as the story revolves around " a number" it gives the writers plenty of scope for exciting and interesting episodes. Try it, it's on Channel 5.</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-3721938920906141772013-10-22T16:15:00.002+01:002013-10-22T16:46:17.554+01:00The Walking Dead - Season 4<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been looking forward to the start of the new fourth series of the Walking Dead and have not been disappointed. This show just seems to get better and better. The key to this success I believe is not just the superb makeup / effects but more the way the writers have changed the location and theme of the story with each new series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some time has passed since the end of the last show and a little community has built up at the prison, and food is being grown again and not just surviving off pre disaster supplies. New characters have been introduced and the scene set for the next few episodes. The main problems still surround how to avoid and protect against the zombies, who are still gnashing away in ever increasing numbers, as illustrated by the community members lining the fence taking down zombies in a continuous stream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I suspect Sky will prolong the excitement again by splitting the series over Christmas, but I don't mind. It is sometime since I looked forward in such anticipation to a new series of any show, that is how good it is.</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-55797615026636535132013-10-18T19:28:00.000+01:002013-10-18T19:28:53.405+01:00Supernatural - Season 8<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well for me there is no doubt the eighth season of Supernatural has been the best yet, and sets up what could be an even better season nine. Sam and Dean Winchester have fought all sorts of demons, vampires and horrible creatures and still survive unscathed if only a little battered and worn.</span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgQaSAAoldJBZXw8dVFhT2aOKpjzec46cFvBTS2A5yPLkYhyUH933pHZPv78emrC1Yo5QyBBUQHXQYHNnO0-FIV-jFWZaQ5Tqqvv40JiWbn9D-WGOe11WmBxXQtHd_bLC1VscphPzv0Y/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgQaSAAoldJBZXw8dVFhT2aOKpjzec46cFvBTS2A5yPLkYhyUH933pHZPv78emrC1Yo5QyBBUQHXQYHNnO0-FIV-jFWZaQ5Tqqvv40JiWbn9D-WGOe11WmBxXQtHd_bLC1VscphPzv0Y/s320/image.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most incredible thing about this series is creative ability of the screenwriters to generate so many "plausible" supernatural scenarios. This season the fights over the tablets, and those trials have been excellent. We have also had the guest starring of my favourite Sci Fi star Amanda Tapping as the angel Naomi - turned out not to be much of an angel getting her just desserts in the conclusion of the last episode.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The introduction of the "Men of Letters" secret base has been a master stroke. It gives Sam and Dean a home from which they can abandon their nomadic life and enjoy some of the comforts associated with home. The writers are going to have field day with this set up using all the material collected by the previous occupants. What are they going to dream up next with the fall out from Heaven? I am certain series nine is going to be stunning.</span></b>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-59842388415580649122013-10-02T20:38:00.000+01:002013-10-02T20:38:26.999+01:00Dexter - Fox (Final episode)<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The final episode, were you disappointed ? You are not alone. When you think of the history of Dexter it is not unreasonable to to expect some sort mega blood fest, but instead we get Dexter still alive, ready for reincarnation in a spin off series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My hope was Dexter himself should get his just desserts, be slaughtered in the same fashion he used to employ, and Debra gets to live happily ever after raising Harrison. However the producers decided on a flat ending banking on someone who will invest in a new show in a new location. Perhaps they are right to look after future revenues but it is not as exciting and thrilling as a mega blood fest.</span><br />
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basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984789803809857650.post-40604035241115099612013-08-22T19:54:00.000+01:002013-08-22T19:54:00.982+01:00Friday Night Lights - Sky Atlantic ( Final episode )<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a final episode. I am so happy with the way it was all wrapped up. It is always very difficult to work out the endings to suit everyone, but it was done here to great effect, like a fairy story ending with everyone living happily ever after.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You might say it was easy to see how they were going resolve Eric and Tami's dilemma of where should they be at the start of the new term. Of course the big promotion for Tami and a new team to take to state for Eric is perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The best of all was the match up made with all the leading characters in the current series, Matt and Julie, Tim and Tyra. The only missing characters from the series that maybe should have had a conclusion was Lyla and Jason who were a central part of the series for so long. In all this has been a fantastic five series. The only question left is how long before I re-watch it?</span>basingstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142403461420715315noreply@blogger.com0