Thunder what? Oh... Thunderball

I’m going to be very frank from the start and say that this was not one of my favourite Bond films. After the amazing Goldfinger, I was left feeling a bit down after watching this. To me, it felt like a really, really rushed film with an excessive use of swipe cuts trying to bring the story together (my inner Media Studies student is coming out!). It was also all about the never ending fight scenes. The last scene with the scuba fight is great for the time, but it goes on and on and on....

One of my favourite moments of this film was right at the beginning when James Bond dons a Jet Pack and flies out of trouble. I mean, A BLOODY JET PACK. Another good point of this film is the fact that Sean Connery spends most of this film jumping in and out of water in a pair of blue swimming trunks. But all this jumping in and out of the water is very reminiscent of From Russia with Love and that whole section in the train carriage.

The Bond charm from the first three films has also crossed the fine line from charming to harassment. The scene in the health spa when he forces the nurse in charge of him to sleep with him made me cringe really. This is not Bond, he can charm a women, but he would never force them to bed him.

So all in all, I really didn’t like this Bond, one of the only saving graces was the great soundtrack provided by the one and only Tom Jones! Let’s hope that You Only Live Twice brings things back on track.

I give this film 5/10

Am I wrong, did I miss something? What did you think? Please add your comments below!

Man of Steel - Official Trailer 3

Wow, just wow!

With an epic score by Hans Zimmer, I've got tingles down my spine. 

If you get a chance today...watch it.

Now that is a Goldfinger

With an extravagant villain, Nazi gold, a Bond girl called “Pussy” who runs a flying circus and Q returns with his amazing spy car, Bond is really back!

If you cannot tell already, I really liked this Bond film. The storyline was really interesting and very different to the first two films. James knows who the enemy is, but gets close to him to find out more without the need to hunt him down and kill him.

Pussy Galore, was a perfect Bond girl for me. She was passionate, determined and strong minded. She was a perfect match for James Bond. In the original book by Ian Fleming, Pussy Galore was a lesbian. Honor Blackman was a perfect choice for this character, especially after her stint in The Avengers. Apparently producers were so determined for her to be in the film that they even wrote in her Judo ability. Honor was also the oldest women to play a Bond girls, as she was 37 at the time of filming.

Goldfinger was also a great villain. He knew what he wanted and knew how to get it. His base was even more amazing, with lasers and moving walls. He had extravagant plans to steal the gold reserve at Fort Knox. It’s the type of grand plan that makes a bond film very interesting. I also loved his assistant Odd Job.

One of my favourite scenes is when James is strapped to a table and about to be killed by a laser. The classic exchange between James Bond and Goldfinger was brilliant.

James Bond - “Do you expect me to talk?”

Goldfinger - “No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die”

As mentioned before, this is the film when the real spy gadgets come into play. The great banter between James Bond and Q is what you know and love about them. The car is also amazing. A beautiful Aston Martin DB5. Originally this was going to be an E-Type Jaguar, but they decided not to take part in the film. To be honest, I think they made a better choice with this iconic car.

I loved this film, it is my favourite Bond film so far! I will definitely be watching this one Bank Holiday weekend.

I give it 9/10

But what do you think? Is this your favourite one too? Please put your comments below

Steve Whiting

2013 - Bring the music!

The start of each year get’s me excited in many ways. One of them is the naming of the BBCs Sound of 2013.

Each year in December, the BBC release a long list of artists they believe will be big the next year. The list is created by a group of critics, editors, broadcasters and bloggers. I’ve been following the list for many years and get really excited to see what new gems are on it. In the past it has helped me discover artists like Hurts, La Roux, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Frankmusik, The Ting Tings and Corinne Bailey Rae, I could go on with more, but there are too many!

The BBC Sound of 2013 long list has been no exception and has introduced me to 2 great acts. They are:





This year HAIM took the crown, with AlunaGeorge coming in at number 2 and Chvrches () at number 5 in the list of the top 5 artists. If you want to hear more of these great acts and others on the list, check out this Spotify playlist - http://bit.ly/BBCSoundof2013SpotifyPlaylist or the BBC’s own YouTube playlist - http://bit.ly/BBCSoundof2013YouTubePlaylist

Away from the list though, one of my favourite K-Pop acts, Girls’ Generation released a new album. The lead single is the little number below. A little bit more random than some of their other hits such as The Boys but still good. You can’t help but notice the very 90’s/Shoreditch styling. Yes, it is random, but I really wanted to share it.



What are your top acts at the moment? Which artist do you think will make it big this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Hello 2013 - My New Year's Resolutions

So, as the clock strikes 12:00am on 31st December, we welcome in a new year. But what will 2013 bring? What plans are in store? We never know what is going to happen, but it is always nice to set ourselves a few goals to get us through the year, however long they last.

2012 let me have a fresh start and build some foundations. 2013 will be my chance to get stuck into a few projects and really start to build an exciting future.

Here are a few things I hope to achieve in 2013:
- I want to finish writing a TV drama concept I have...not I won’t tell you what it is about
- Kick some new life into #deartuesday - Yes, it’s back. GET INVOLVED - http://bit.ly/deartuesday 
- Write, write and write some more. Maybe blog more too - I think I say this every year
- Take more photos, start a little project and share it with you - it's all about the memories

A few things that I hope to achieve are already in progress and there are a few more things I would love to do if I can fit them in, but this is where I am going to start. If I make too many big plans none of them will happen. So, it's good to start with just a few.

As well as these things, the big thig for me this year is finally buying a flat. It's been on the go since November, but I think (and hope) that all will be sorted soon. I've dreamt of this for many years now and I never thought it would happen, but thanks to the shared ownership scheme, it might even come about. If you're thinking about it and want to know more, let me know in the comments below.

But anyway, enough of planning. Grab yourself a drink (if you are not too hungover from last night) and raise your glass to 2013, the year that you do more.

What are your resolutions? What have you got planned for the next 365 days? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Man of Steel - 2nd trailer

With an all-star cast the release of Man of Steel in June 2013 cannot come quick enough!

The first trailer gave us a brief insight into the movie, but this trailer gives us extra hints to what we have in store. And to be honest with you... I really can't wait.

Even though I have spent the past year reading both Action Comics and Superman from DC's The New 52, I don't see much of the story translating over to the movie. I know Henry Cavill's costume is based on the Superman in The New 52, but I'm not sure the style will translate.

As with Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Batman, we might see influence from many different graphic novels and mini series. One rumor is that is based on Superman: Birthright. Which I will have to read at some point.

This film is also likely to loose the comic elements of previous Superman films. But, in my opinion  I think that this film needs to stand out as a new, darker and more serious adaptation.

Anyway, I'm going to leave my judgement till June 2013. Enjoy the trailer.

What do you think? Let me know your opinion in the comments below:

Originalsteve

The Man of Steel - Official Trailer

This weekend (like most people I know), with much anticipation, I sat in my local cinema to see the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan's epic Batman trilogy. The Dark Knight Rises was exceptional! A great story, fantastic script and world class acting made what will be the film of 2012.

But enough of the Dark Knight, it's time to turn our attention to my favourite super hero....Superman. I've seen Superman, Superman 2 and Superman Returns (I got told to skip 3 & 4), but i's time the Man of Steel got some screen time and a remake for this generation, especially with Christopher Nolan behind it!

I'm expecting the story to take the leed from DC's The New 52 (which I have been reading religiously), but anyway, enough of me yabbering on. Watch the trailer for The Man of Steel.

What about you? Are you looking forward to this?
Drop your comments below!
Originalsteve