Day 5 - 30 Film Challenge

A Film That Reminds Me of Someone

This film reminds me of my best mate Vicki.  When we would go to the Roxy every Friday night :-)  It's also one of my favourite films.

Book 20 of the 50 Book Challenge

Doctor Who and the Cybermen  by Gerry Davis, 144 pages

Started March 26th, finished March 27th

I have been following a friend's blog on the Doctor Who Target novels. Great favourites of my youth and probably the biggest reason for my love of the Doctor Who universe.  Paul's blog can be found at http://doctorwhotarget.blogspot.com/  The latest on his random run through is Doctor Who and the Cybermen. 

I have to be honest here.  I'm totally biased when it comes to this series of books.  I've never found one I don't like.  This novel in question happens to be my favourite.  It was only recently I got to see part of the televised version of the story.  As you'd expect it didn't quite live up to what I'd constructed in my childhood imagination.

The story has the 2nd Doctor, Ben, Polly, Jamie and Cybermen.  Now I wish they hadn't given that away in the title and prologue.  I realise it's a children's book so a little explanation helps.  However I think this would have been a lot more effective minus the giveaway title and prologue.  The first part of the book has a very dark, Gothic, dangerous mystery feel to it.  It may be set on a futuristic Moonbase but it harks back to the best of Gothic suspense.

It's the first part of the book that's stuck in my head over time.  That and the tea tray incident.  I was surprised at how much else had removed itself from my memorybanks.  Given how often I've read this book in the past.  Not for a while though so maybe that's why.

I've always loved the companions Ben and Jamie.  I love the way Ben interacts with Polly.  As they are separate for most of the story you don't get crowded Tardis syndrome.  The Doctor isn't give a whole heap of things to do here.  It's more of a group cast than usual.

I did find it sweet that in the 'future' the poor swines had to eat futuristic dried food but coffee still came in filter bags.  Visions of the future from out past always fascinate me.

The addition of illustrations in the Target novels is always welcome.  I do wish however they would put them after the scene in question not before.

I can't say it's a groundbreaking tale but to me it's one well told.  It's short and snappy as are most of the Target novels.  If you've a spare couple of hours and have any interest in the subject give it a whizz through.

5 out of 5 pawprints (from a very biased reader)

Total so far, Books - 20, Pages - 5,900

Next - How Not to Run a Club by Peter Hook

Day 4 - 30 Film Challenge

A Film I Watch to Feel Down

This may be the easiest choice of all.  Makes me sob like a baby every time. Hell, even hearing the theme song makes me tear up.

Day 3 - 30 Day Film Challenge

A Film I Watch to Feel Good

This is one of my childhood favourites.  It's just so much fun!

No other film has Brian Blessed, a Bond, Max von Sydow and a Blue Peter presenter.  And the theme song!!

Day 2 - 30 Day Film Challenge

My Least Favourite Film

He took one of my favourite books, by one of my favourite authors and he f*cked it up royally. 

This film turned my disinterest in Mr Eastwood to dislike.

30 Day Film Challenge - Day 1

Inspired by my friend Amy's blog, find it here - http://amezzeray.blogspot.com

The idea is to post a film each day following the list at the bottom of this post.

Day 1 is Your Favourite Film

I first saw this film on a film course.  It just wowed me.  I loved it.  I'm not entirely sure why.  It's probably a combination of Paris, lovable rogue and a girl who thinks for herself.

It may not be the most original choice but I'm sticking to it!

The trailer

PS.  The Godfather lost out by the tiniest pinch.

List for the challenge

Day 1 - Your Favorite Film 
Day 2 - Your Least Favorite Film
Day 3 - A Film You Watch to Feel Good
Day 4 - A Film You Watch to Feel Down
Day 5 - A Film That Reminds You of Someone
Day 6 - A Film That Reminds You of Somewhere
Day 7 - A Film That Reminds You of Your Past
Day 8 - The Film You Can Quote Best
Day 9 - A Film With Your Favorite Actor (Male)
Day 10 - A Film With Your Favorite Actor (Female)
Day 11 - A Film By Your Favorite Director
Day 12 - A Film By Your Least Favorite Director
Day 13 - A Guilty Pleasure
Day 14 - The Film That No One Expected You To Like
Day 15 - The Film That Depicts Your Life
Day 16 - A Film You Used to Love, But Now Hate
Day 17 - Your Favorite Drama Film
Day 18 - Your Favorite Comedy Film
Day 19 - Your Favorite Action Film
Day 20 - Your Favorite Romantic Film
Day 21 - Your Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film
Day 22 - Your Favorite Horror Film
Day 23 - Your Favorite Thriller/Mystery Film
Day 24 - Your Favorite Animated or Children's Film
Day 25 - Your Favorite Documentary Film
Day 26 - Your Favorite Foreign Language Film
Day 27 - Your Favorite Independent Film
Day 28 - The Most Obscure Film You've Ever Seen
Day 29 - Your Favorite Film As a Kid
Day 30 - Your Favorite Film This Time Last Year

The Lincoln Lawyer - Film Review

I was very nervous going into this film.  Connelly is one of my favourite authors.  I was thrilled to see Blood Work had been adapted for screen.  Until I saw it.  I was appalled.  Eastwood had taken the story and ripped it's guts out.

The watching began well.  The retro credit sequence had me interested straight away.  Funnily enough it was reminiscent of Zen's opening credits .  It was also the start of a great soundtrack.

I haven't seen McConaughey in anything for years.  Romantic comedies aren't really my bag.  I was dubious about what he would put on the screen before I went in.  My fears were unfounded.  He wasn't doing his 'poor man's Harrelson' he had the role spot on.  He portrayed the charm and the guile necessary.  

The entire cast was very 'typecast'.  They were all playing their typical roles.  In this instance though it worked perfectly.  I wouldn't have re-cast anyone.

Having just re-read the book I was on the lookout for alterations.  Yeah I know, I'm supposed to enjoy a film not disect it!  There were the odd changes here and there but they were minimal.  It was more a case of dropping the parts that weren't necessary to tell the tale.  The story stayed the same.

As I said I thought it was a great soundtrack.  It fitted the film perfectly.  Upbeat and keeping the flow more than a meaningful score.  This is the first time I've purchased a full soundtrack in a very long time.

I get the impression this wasn't a big budget picture.  What they did with the budget I really enjoyed though.  No flashy courtroom sets but wonderful shots here and there of LA.  The story rolls on at a good pace with no 'cinematic self-indulgences'.  The finale scenes aren't dragged out. Just finishing the story off well.  

I really enjoyed this film.  It adapted a book well and kept my interest totally.

4.5 stars out of 5   but that's a biased opinion ;-)  Not everyone will enjoy this as much as I.

The trailer