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Sarah (7798 KP) created a post

Oct 29, 2018

On Saturday evening I went to see Symphonic Fantasy at the Manchester Bridgewater Hall. This featured songs from a number of films and tv shows, performed by the Manchester Concert Orchestra and the Canzonetta choir, led by conductor Toby Purser.

Whilst the thought of going to see a standard orchestra doesn’t particularly appeal, getting to see an orchestra performing film scores was very enticing and I have to admit, I was not disappointed - I loved it. Some of the scores were a little more obscure or less well known (like Hook, Chronicles of Narnia and Dragonheart), but there were some fantastic choices in here from Harry Potter, Game of Thrones (the Rains of Castamere & the title score the main draws) The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. My favourite by far though was the Jurassic Park theme, it’s one of my all time favourites so seeing this performed live by an orchestra was truly brilliant.

The Bridgewater Hall itself is a great venue for such a show and admittedly we had brilliant seats - close enough without being too close to not be able to see the entire orchestra. I also liked that they didn’t bother with any flashy extras like video screens or special effects, it was purely about the music and without any other distractions, it really let you appreciate the music itself.

My only criticism is around a small number of the music choices, and that they could’ve chosen some better more well known scores. There’s lots out there to choose from! That said, it was still a fantastic civilised night out and definitely something worth considering if you like film scores. 9/10

Kudos Comment

Andy K (10821 KP) Oct 29, 2018

Sounds great Sarah!

Kudos

Matthew McConaughey: The Biography

Neil Daniels

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Matthew McConaughey is a Hollywood star with an Oscar to his name and the world at his feet. Growing...

Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Boot Camp (Rock War #2) in Books

Jun 24, 2019

So this is the sequel to Rock War by Robert Muchamore, which is the only other novel I've read by this author. I can't say I loved the first book, but I was intrigued to find out what happened next!

Twelve young bands have earned their big break, and are due to spend their summer in Rock War Manor as part of a new TV show. Among these contestants we have Brontobyte, Jet, and Industrial Scale Slaughter - all of whom we met in the previous novel.

The bands are put through vigorous training, before performing live and having to deal with the nosy media. There's also the added issue of tension among some contestants, such as Jay and his ex-band-mates. There are, of course, some more positive relationships going on too.

This book paints a rather realistic picture of life in the media, with all the ups and down that "fame" can bring. Not that I have any actual experience in this matter, of course.

My main problem with these books is how immature they feel. The language isn't simple, but it just somehow feels childish to me. Not to mention how most characters are a few years younger than me, and remind me of my first couple of years at secondary school.

Despite this, the story is pretty good, and I was really rather shocked by the ending. Again, I'm left wanting to know what happens next?

So although I don't love this book, I don't hate it, and I can see how some people could really enjoy it. So I think it deserves 3.5 stars.

Kudos

VLC Streamer Free

Entertainment and Utilities

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App

Sit anywhere in your house and watch movies or TV shows on your iPhone, iPod or iPad. VLC Streamer...

Nepali FM - Radio Video News

Music and Entertainment

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Nepali FM Radio is one stop iOS app for all Nepali with more than 200 recordable radios from Nepal...

Firefly - Season 1

9.3 (19 Ratings) Rate It

TV Season

Firefly is an American space western drama television series created by writer and director Joss...

Firefly Serenity Joss Whedon Browncoats TV Series Fox

Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Kim Possible (2019) in Movies

Nov 7, 2019

Kim Possible (2019)

2019 | Action, Comedy, Family

5.3

(6 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

My name is Emma, and I still love Kim Possible. It's great fun and I will fight anyone who says it isn't. That is if we're talking about the animated series... that is gold, the live action film is not even tin foil.

I love Disney TV movies but I really wish they'd stick to originals or property that was already live action... stop remaking things that really don't need it.

Let's address the casting first.

Sean Giambrone as Ron was a solid bit of casting, the right amount of awkward and bumbling, the only thing is that for anyone who watches The Goldbergs he might just be a little too recognisable, but then I doubt many people will watch both of these things. Michael P. Northey as Mr Barkin, he was good, I was generally impressed... but in a world where we have Patrick Warburton why would we not cast Patrick Warburton? Patton Oswalt does evil genius voice fantastically and as Professor Demeantor he was a great pick. Getting a narrow pass, and it's the very finest of passess, Todd Stashwick. I enjoy him when he pops up in shows but he's no Drakken. He was also done wrong by the make-up department.

Everyone else? That's a no. Possibly the worst casting was on the Possible family themselves. I adore Alyson Hannigan but her Mrs. Dr. P. was no bueno. Same goes for Mr. Dr. P. After seeing them on screen I kind of assumed the story was going to revolve around them having been kidnapped and replaced by Bebes with extra nice programming. Jim and Tim were devoid of any of the character their cartoon counterparts had. And then there's Kim, I'm not sure there would have been anyone I'd have been happy with in this role but they've managed to create something very odd in this casting. Live action Kim acts physically like the cartoon does and yet somehow the personality didn't make the crossover with it.

The idea to take Kim down from the inside is one we've seen before with Eric the synthodrone who was used to further the Little Diablo world domination plan. It's a good narative and the twist we're given here isn't a bad one but the execution feels off.

The film turns the Kim Possible formula into a women kicking ass story but they do it really badly. Mrs. Dr. P. and Nana P. are brought on board and then just used as padding and left to be inept in a corner, it's a poor use of characters and a poor use of source material.

Of course the most important part is did they do Rufus right On the whole he wasn't bad and he certainly got his normal opportunity to come to the rescue so I'm going to say good job on that.

What you should do

Don't call her, don't beep her, if you want to watch Kim Possible then watch the series, this film needs to be forgotten in the depths of Disney+.

Movie thing you wish you could take home

The ability to fly through the air like I'm a cartoon character.