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Lee (2222 KP) rated They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) in Movies
Nov 12, 2018
Absolutely outstanding and timely reminder of our past
I managed to miss the cinema screenings of this recently, so was very happy to discover that it was going to be shown on the BBC as part of their centenary remembrance schedule and I'd be able to enjoy it at home.
A collection of old archive footage from World War I shows young boys enlisting in the army and going through their training. It's narrated by actual WWI veterans, describing how they lied about their age in order to sign up and recounting their fears and excitement while preparing for battle. Even at this point in the movie, it's an effective and interesting use of the tired looking silent black and white clips we're all used to seeing.
And then we suddenly see where all the time and effort has been spent on this movie, as one of those tired looking clips suddenly transforms into vivid colour. And it's not just the colour that's been applied either. Where these original film clips would vary in frame rate, resulting in that familiar jittery sped up effect, that's all been corrected here, with computers used to apply missing frames and provide a smoother realistic experience. Sound has been added too, not just the explosions and sounds of war, but voices of the soldiers. The team were able to lip read the restored footage and then record actors voices onto it. Apparently, the cinema release even has a touch of 3D applied to it!
The result though is simply incredible. We're taken into the trenches and into the war itself. Not only does it make the horrors of war all the more real and horrific, but it also makes the fun and the laughter that the soldiers still managed to share all the more poignant too. It's absolutely outstanding, and something that everyone should see.
A collection of old archive footage from World War I shows young boys enlisting in the army and going through their training. It's narrated by actual WWI veterans, describing how they lied about their age in order to sign up and recounting their fears and excitement while preparing for battle. Even at this point in the movie, it's an effective and interesting use of the tired looking silent black and white clips we're all used to seeing.
And then we suddenly see where all the time and effort has been spent on this movie, as one of those tired looking clips suddenly transforms into vivid colour. And it's not just the colour that's been applied either. Where these original film clips would vary in frame rate, resulting in that familiar jittery sped up effect, that's all been corrected here, with computers used to apply missing frames and provide a smoother realistic experience. Sound has been added too, not just the explosions and sounds of war, but voices of the soldiers. The team were able to lip read the restored footage and then record actors voices onto it. Apparently, the cinema release even has a touch of 3D applied to it!
The result though is simply incredible. We're taken into the trenches and into the war itself. Not only does it make the horrors of war all the more real and horrific, but it also makes the fun and the laughter that the soldiers still managed to share all the more poignant too. It's absolutely outstanding, and something that everyone should see.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Adrianna's Surge in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Starting out as the story of Jayden, rescued from a life on the streets by a mysterious benefactor and enrolled into an advanced (and secretive) school, the Sanctum series has gone from strength to strength, and the fifth installment is no exception.
Following on directly from the end of the fourth book, Eric and the Black Axes, this follows the exploits of both The Sanctum and Ernest College as they try to stop the robot army. But Eric Showden is not the worse adversary they will face. Secrets will be revealed which will change things forever...
Once again this is a fantastic roller coaster ride of a book. By using the clever technique of having the children of both The Sanctum and Ernest College battling by means of controlling surrogate robots and computer hacking, infiltration and battles are fought at one remove. The fighting is also done without guns, but instead using martial arts skills. Combined with the high toughness and strength of the surrogates this allows for some thrilling fight scenes, often against seemingly insurmountable odds.
But there is a lot more to this book, with a lot of background of both Avando and Dr Ernest explored and explained. There are real shocks along the way with what happens and what is revealed, either through investigation or as a result of decisions made. The stakes are higher and everyone must dig deep to win through.
The ending is terrific and very dramatic and although it feels like it could be a permanent end, I really hope that there are more stories in the pipeline for Jayden and his friends. I would miss them a lot if this was all there was.
It's probably over-used but really this is a series that deserves to be filmed. Now we have seen the end of the Hunger Games and Harry Potter finished a while ago I can't think of a better concept to enthuse young adults (and a little younger).
Following on directly from the end of the fourth book, Eric and the Black Axes, this follows the exploits of both The Sanctum and Ernest College as they try to stop the robot army. But Eric Showden is not the worse adversary they will face. Secrets will be revealed which will change things forever...
Once again this is a fantastic roller coaster ride of a book. By using the clever technique of having the children of both The Sanctum and Ernest College battling by means of controlling surrogate robots and computer hacking, infiltration and battles are fought at one remove. The fighting is also done without guns, but instead using martial arts skills. Combined with the high toughness and strength of the surrogates this allows for some thrilling fight scenes, often against seemingly insurmountable odds.
But there is a lot more to this book, with a lot of background of both Avando and Dr Ernest explored and explained. There are real shocks along the way with what happens and what is revealed, either through investigation or as a result of decisions made. The stakes are higher and everyone must dig deep to win through.
The ending is terrific and very dramatic and although it feels like it could be a permanent end, I really hope that there are more stories in the pipeline for Jayden and his friends. I would miss them a lot if this was all there was.
It's probably over-used but really this is a series that deserves to be filmed. Now we have seen the end of the Hunger Games and Harry Potter finished a while ago I can't think of a better concept to enthuse young adults (and a little younger).
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Guns of the Dawn in Books
Nov 14, 2019
A couple of years a go I was involved in a Twitter conversation about strong female characters in fantasy. The conclusion what that they were there but not very common. This book addresses this by adding another in the shape of Emily Marshwic.
Born into a priviliged family, she is nothing but practical, sparring with the local governor whom she blames for the suicide of her father. Then war breaks out with a neighbouring country and as the fighting drags on, taking the men of the Marshwic household, Emily ends up joining the army to do her bit. The war is brutal and through her experiences Emily finds out unexpected things about not only herself but those around her.
This story is entirely driven by character, not only of Emily but of all of those she meets and this is where Tchaikovsky shines, conjuring up a host of main and supporting cast, all of whom are three dimensional and painted in shades of light and shadow, even those whose lives are destined to be cut short. Emily herself is the central pillar of the book and is more than capable of that task.
The descriptions of the war - both of the frantic, muddled fighting and the times in between - is spot on, showing the futility of it all but also why the sides feel they must fight on. The plot is far from predictable and takes sudden turns onto new territory just as the reader becomes comfortable with the current situation.
The world is well drawn. This is definitely fantasy in style and there are magic users in the shape of the flame wielding Warlocks, but the main fighting is with muskets and flintlock pistols and it is clear that the war is driving technology on.
The only problem with this book? It is stand alone. I would definitely read more stories about Emily and will now be searching out Tchaikovsky's epic Shadows of the Apt series for future reading.
Advisory: Voilent scenes of battle and some sexual violence and references
Born into a priviliged family, she is nothing but practical, sparring with the local governor whom she blames for the suicide of her father. Then war breaks out with a neighbouring country and as the fighting drags on, taking the men of the Marshwic household, Emily ends up joining the army to do her bit. The war is brutal and through her experiences Emily finds out unexpected things about not only herself but those around her.
This story is entirely driven by character, not only of Emily but of all of those she meets and this is where Tchaikovsky shines, conjuring up a host of main and supporting cast, all of whom are three dimensional and painted in shades of light and shadow, even those whose lives are destined to be cut short. Emily herself is the central pillar of the book and is more than capable of that task.
The descriptions of the war - both of the frantic, muddled fighting and the times in between - is spot on, showing the futility of it all but also why the sides feel they must fight on. The plot is far from predictable and takes sudden turns onto new territory just as the reader becomes comfortable with the current situation.
The world is well drawn. This is definitely fantasy in style and there are magic users in the shape of the flame wielding Warlocks, but the main fighting is with muskets and flintlock pistols and it is clear that the war is driving technology on.
The only problem with this book? It is stand alone. I would definitely read more stories about Emily and will now be searching out Tchaikovsky's epic Shadows of the Apt series for future reading.
Advisory: Voilent scenes of battle and some sexual violence and references
JT (287 KP) rated Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Exciting action (1 more)
Tension and drama
Enjoyable summer blockbuster
No question that this sequel went straight into my top ten films for 2014. Exceptionally shot with astounding special effects in part thanks to performance capture king Andy Serkis this is a film that delivers.
Ten years on and with the epidemic wiping out most of the world’s population humans are very much becoming the minority species. A small band of immune survivors still hold out hope that there are others out there and look to make contact with anyone who might be listening.
The apes have now settled deep in the San Francisco forests building their own fully functioning civilisation led by chimpanzee Caesar. What makes this film rise above (sorry) the first is much of the attention focuses on the apes and deep-rooted character development.
Caser is supported by fellow performance-capture actor Toby Kebbell who plays Koba. An ape with a chip on his shoulder after years of being tested on. His dislike for the human race is made obvious to his best friend.
Their simmering relationship is one of the highlights of the film as they battle they decide whether to stay hidden in peace or go to war. With James Franco gone (albeit making a cameo via archived footage), the human-ape relationship is centred on Malcolm (Jason Clarke) and Caeser, who are bonded by a begrudging truce for peace.
It’s a film that soaks up tension extremely well. Grand battle sequences are cut between emotional and compelling moments interlocked by a very well written script.
The technical aspects of the film are simply stunning and the large set-pieces make for cataclysmic viewing. Caeser’s army arriving on horseback in a show of force to their human foes is captivating. As is the vertigo wincing finale and attack on the human stronghold.
This is was everything a summer blockbuster should be and is most certainly a template to follow.
Ten years on and with the epidemic wiping out most of the world’s population humans are very much becoming the minority species. A small band of immune survivors still hold out hope that there are others out there and look to make contact with anyone who might be listening.
The apes have now settled deep in the San Francisco forests building their own fully functioning civilisation led by chimpanzee Caesar. What makes this film rise above (sorry) the first is much of the attention focuses on the apes and deep-rooted character development.
Caser is supported by fellow performance-capture actor Toby Kebbell who plays Koba. An ape with a chip on his shoulder after years of being tested on. His dislike for the human race is made obvious to his best friend.
Their simmering relationship is one of the highlights of the film as they battle they decide whether to stay hidden in peace or go to war. With James Franco gone (albeit making a cameo via archived footage), the human-ape relationship is centred on Malcolm (Jason Clarke) and Caeser, who are bonded by a begrudging truce for peace.
It’s a film that soaks up tension extremely well. Grand battle sequences are cut between emotional and compelling moments interlocked by a very well written script.
The technical aspects of the film are simply stunning and the large set-pieces make for cataclysmic viewing. Caeser’s army arriving on horseback in a show of force to their human foes is captivating. As is the vertigo wincing finale and attack on the human stronghold.
This is was everything a summer blockbuster should be and is most certainly a template to follow.
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Andy K (10827 KP) Nov 23, 2018