1904.15 ADDED DIMENSIONS

I haven't been to the pictures in quite a while. It's an activity I used to enjoy, I even had a Cineworld 'Unlimited' card (which meant I could visit the cinema as many times as I wanted for a fixed fee). I'd love to go more but I don't seem to have the time (the main reason I stopped having the card). A couple of weeks ago I went back to one of my favourite pastimes. 

1712.10 THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS MOVIE

The Christmas season is in full swing and as such there are many festive delights showing on a screen near you now. But what makes a Christmas movie? Is there a winning formula? What is the greatest Christmas movie of all time?

1708.26 I THINK I'LL LEAVE MY HAT ON

Whenever I say where I'm from the usual response is something along the lines of "oh! The place in 'The Full Monty'". Of course they're referring to the 1997 hit movie which was filmed in Sheffield and today that movie is 20 years old.

1709.05 WHAT'S WITH THE KLINGONS?

It's been a while since I did a Star Trek blog post. Whilst more and more revelations and trailers are revealed about the latest iteration of the franchise I'd like to look back at my favourite alien race from the Star Trek universe. Of course I'm talking about the Klingons.

1706.15 THE MUMMY

I haven't been to the pictures for a while. This was my first visit since I let my Unlimited card go (since I wasn't getting my money's worth.

1706.06 ARRRR JIM LAD!

Thar be pirates everywhere! I be nah natterin' about colourful characters wit' parrots on thar shoulders. I be nah even natterin' about those real life scary Somalian pirates.

No, I be natterin' about movie pirates.

1703.09 LOGAN

A nice little visit to the pictures with my best bud Mr C. A chance to catch up in the bar with a pint in the bar before the film.

1612.07 DOCTOR STRANGE

Tonight I went to see Marvel's latest offering, "Doctor Strange" starring Benedict Cumberlandsausage.

1612.06 CRACK OUT THE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

We normally put up the tree and decorations on the first weekend in December. Unfortunately this year I was working so we've had to try and fit it in during the week. Yesterday I ventured into the loft to get the boxes of Christmas decorations.

1612.03 OUR SONG

A lot of couples have a song. A song is a particular tune that reminds you of each other and the love you share together. Many people choose a song that they think reflects what that have but I am a firm believer that the song chooses you. That's what happened for us.

1607.28 CLASSIC COMEDIES

I was chatting with a few colleagues the other day and I'm not sure how the subject arose we started talking about old movies. I mentioned the likes of Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd and the Marx Brothers. I was surprised, no in fact I was shocked that there were quite a number of my work mates had never heard of some if not all of those that I mentioned.

I remember watching classic black and white comedies, usually shown on BBC2 in the afternoons. Why are they not shown on TV anymore? We could have a channel for them. I've looked around the internet and there are a few lurking on YouTube. It's worth searching them out, they certainly still hold their own as comedy and even surpass modern cinematic efforts. 

1607.21 STAR TREK TRIPLE

25 years ago as part of Star Trek's 25th Anniversary I attended a cinematic marathon where I watched Star Trek The Motion Picture through to Star Trek V - The Final Frontier, a five movie event that took about 12 hours to get through.

On Thursday, as part of the 50th Anniversary I attended my local Cineworld for a triple bill of the reboot movies which included the latest one, Star Trek Beyond - which came out today.

It was also my first time seeing an IMAX movie. This is how the evening progressed...
 

19:00 - I'm ready for 1st movie. I have my popcorn and my giant Coke Zero. Phone is on silent. No need for 3D glasses for this one.

21:14 - Star Trek has finished. Great to see it on the big screen again. Not a massive fan of 'Into Darkness', that's up next. Second giant drink purchased.

23:53 - I enjoyed 'Into Darkness' more than I expected (and I have seen it many times). I'll forgive the massive plot holes this once. I'm now waiting for the feature presentation. Third drink purchased.

Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk

2:09 - I did it. I got through all 3 movies and didn't nod off at all (like many predicted). The movie was awesome and the IMAX experience was worth the extra uplift (cost me a fiver on top of my Unlimited card). It's time for me to head home now... I have work in the morning.

The Captain's Movie Review

in Seven Words... 

FINALLY PROPER STAR TREK, FITTING NIMOY TRIBUTE

(I know the movie is also dedicated to the late Anton Yelchin but if you see it you'll understand).

1606.22 ID4 - DOUBLE BILL

I've never been into the movie review business and I'm not about to start. If you're looking for an in depth look into the new Independence Day movie you're in the wrong place. I'll be doing my usual Movie Review in Seven Words at the end of this post.

I've not been to the cinema in an age which is a bad show on my part for two reasons; (1) I love movies, they are my music, (2) I have an Unlimited Card which I haven't been utilising (basically I've been throwing money away). Today I intend to break that cycle, when I heard that there was a double bill featuring the classic 1996 film Independence Day together with the new sequel, Independence Day - Resurgence, I jumped at the chance to reboot my cinema going ways.

I went with my best mate Mr C who picked me up (he has a company car). We weren't able to park in the complex (Valley Centertainment) car park as the neighbouring Sheffield Arena had Lionel Richie playing and complex security never stop arena patrons from parking (thus avoiding arena parking charges). We parked in my work car park which is only a short walk away (about 15 minutes). 

The original movie was shown in an extended version and really benefited from the big screen (I have the DVD but it's not the same). The credits rolled at about 23:30 which gave us 30 minutes to use the facilities and grab a second overpriced drink.

First movie ends

The new movie was in 3D and the most noticeable thing was the quality of resolution compared to the old one. The presentation finished just after 2am, we then had the walk over to pick up the car. By the time I got into bed it was 2:40, my alarm was set for 6:10am - I knew the next day was going to be difficult. 

The Captain's Movie Review

in Seven Words... 

GREAT SCI-FI ACTION, ORIGINAL STILL LOADS BETTER. 

1606.10 LAST DAY ON MY OWN

So my week without Morticia is almost over. I've spent the week mostly being horizontal, eating junk and watching movies and Netflix. Why? Because in 'real life' that's not what I do (except for the odd evening in). The week has gone by pretty fast, in the morning it'll be done with and after the weekend life will return to 'normal'.

Apart from the odd cloudburst it's been hot and sunny all week, perfect cycling weather yet I haven't turned a pedal all week. I could have set up the turbo trainer but if I'm honest I didn't want to. I needed to be fully relaxed.

I've eaten so badly I'm at the point where I'm craving pasta and grilled chicken. One of the supposed culinary highlights of the week was a Chinese takeaway that I'd promised myself weeks before. Sadly I was disappointed and whilst it was OK, it wasn't as great as I've come to expect from my favourite restaurant. I've drank so much Pepsi Max I think I'll be off the stuff for months.

I hit the movie collection pretty hard, I've watched...

The Hangover Trilogy, Star Wars - The Force Awakens, Casablanca, Edge of Tomorrow, Paul, A Good Day to Die Hard and Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation.

There is also the favourites that I always seem to watch when Morticia goes on a trip; Brassed Off and The Flying Scotsman (Graeme Obree story).

Netflix was hit too, I binged on Marvel's Jessica Jones and watched the Jimmy Carr stand up special.

So what about Rags? My daughter has been here but I've barely seen her all week. She has a busy after school life, with Army Cadets and helping out with the school play our quality time has been very short.

So tonight I tidy and clean around the house, pack up a few bits for tomorrow I go get my Morticia back!

1605.21 ANOTHER STAR TREK TRAILER

You wait years for a Star Trek trailer then you get two. This time it's for the next 'reboot' movie "Star Trek Beyond". I've always had mixed feelings about this movie, mainly because of the last one which was on it's own a good sci fi action pic but as a Star Trek movie, an abomination. But let's look forward. I'm trusting Simon Pegg with this one (he's co-wrote this installment) as he has gone on record as a Star Trek Fan. 

So having watched this I have to say I'm a little more excited than worried. It looks that it may be going back to the roots of Star Trek whist still feeding the casual fan with action. I still believe that Star Trek belongs on TV, that's it's home and I'm glad it's returning there (see last post). Having said that I'll be at the cinema watching this on it's release. After all it can't be worse than "Into Darkness" can it?

Oh, and is that an NX class starship at the end?

1605.16 WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS

I was sad to learn that the last surviving cast member from Casablanca,  my favourite movie of all time, Madeleine LeBeau, passed away this month in Spain. She played Yvonne, the one night stand that Rick casts off and is later seen emotionally singing La Marseillaise in defiance of the Nazis in Rick's Cafe.

Madeleine LeBeau 1923-2016

I've loved Casablanca since I first saw it when I was 17, it's an emotionally charged story that still resonates today. I'll be re-watching soon in tribute to Madeleine.

Here's looking at you kid!

1604.30 EARLY STAR WARS DAY

Morticia is of out with friends so I will be home with Rags. We've decided to have the household premiere of STAR WARS - THE FORCE AWAKENS. We haven't seen it since the cinema back in December.

We've also been to Iceland for a microwave curry. We're all set for an afternoon in front of the TV. I'm looking forward to seeing it again and re-appreciating the whole phenomenon. After this showing I'll be watching and analyzing ready for the next movie.

I know it's not Star Wars Day until Wednesday but it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy in peace (Morticia hates Star Wars). The curtains will be drawn and the phone on silent.

0909.15 UNLIMITED

After 3 years of active campaigning I finally got Morticia to agree to let me have any film fans greatest prize, an unlimited pass for the cinema. Many years ago I used to visit the local pictures at least weekly. I saw everything, including the low-budget Channel 4 funded stuff. I saw all the blockbusters and loads of shit too.

Family life, shift work and financial contraints meant that visits wained off a little but things are more settled these days and after loads of gentle hints and outright begging she finally gave the green light.

With this in mind I intend to review the films I see. I'm not about to turn my blog into a movie review site so as I have done in the past I'll review each movie in 7 words.

0905.11 STAR TREK

Ok, I went into the movie with some doubts....

I have to say I loved it, can't wait to see it again. But is it a Star Trek movie? Yes and no is the answer. Most Trek movies of the past were big budget elongated episodes that mainly appealed to fans, this is a blockbuster movie about Star Trek with plenty of references for the fans. Not sure about the new timeline clean slate thingy but I guess if Star Trek needs to survive and recruit new fans then I'll go with it. As long as by the 24th century it's all smoothed out so Picard and co. can get along with they're adventures I'll be content.

Don't be put off, it's a movie for fans and non-fans alike. You'll love it.

0905.11 PREQUEL

This is just a short post before I go off to see the new Star Trek movie. Never since the 'Motion Picture' has all all eyes been on Star Trek. I really want to like this film but I'm going with some reservations. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong and Paramount won't have abandoned over 40 years of back (and fore) story just for a profit.

I'll post later for my verdict.