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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Black Cauldron (1985) in Movies
Mar 9, 2020
Dark Disney Movie
In the 80's disney released alot of dark twisted movie. Like "The Watcher in the Woods", "Dragonslayer", "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and "Return to Oz". This movie is. Including with those movies. This movie is dark and twisted. But at the same time, its a excellent animation movie. About love, betrayal, mystical power and evil vs. good. Its like "Robin Hood" mix with "The Sword in the Stone". Combine those two films you get this film.
The plot: In the land of Prydain, lowly pig herder Taran (Grant Bardsley) dreams of becoming a gallant knight. Young Taran receives his heroic calling when the evil Horned King (John Hurt) kidnaps Hen-Wren, a prophesying pig that had been entrusted to Taran. Now, with help from his furry sidekick Gurgi and Princess Eilonwy, Taran must locate the magical black cauldron before the Horned King is able to use its mystical powers to summon an army of the undead.
Its a very underrated animation film, that i highly recordmend watching it.
The plot: In the land of Prydain, lowly pig herder Taran (Grant Bardsley) dreams of becoming a gallant knight. Young Taran receives his heroic calling when the evil Horned King (John Hurt) kidnaps Hen-Wren, a prophesying pig that had been entrusted to Taran. Now, with help from his furry sidekick Gurgi and Princess Eilonwy, Taran must locate the magical black cauldron before the Horned King is able to use its mystical powers to summon an army of the undead.
Its a very underrated animation film, that i highly recordmend watching it.
Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be: The Life of Lionel Bart
David Stafford and Caroline Stafford
Book
Lionel Bart was a writer and composer of British pop music and musicals, best known for creating the...
EF
Errol Flynn: The Life and Career
Book
Errol Flynn set the standard for the modern action hero in films like The Adventures of Robin Hood,...
David McK (3600 KP) rated The Rocketeer (1991) in Movies
Sep 21, 2020
I remember having an old game, back in the day (late 80s) in the Amiga: Rocket Ranger.
The reason I mention that?
Because it very well could have acted as inspiration for this 1991 film.
(edit: I've just discovered it's actually based on a lesser known graphic novel of the same name! Presumably so is Rocket Ranger ...)
Released in the wake of Batman, and a good couple of decades before the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this stars a post-Bond Timothy Dalton on villain duty, with Bill Campbell taking on the role of Cliff Secord (who becomes The Rocketeer) and Jennifer Connolly as his love interest.
Set in 1938, this - apparently, like the comics - takes inspiration from the pulp serials of old, with director Joe Johnston bringing the same verisimilitude to the setting as he would his (much) later "Captain America: The First Avenger". Unfortunately, the film is a bit too po-faced for its own good - missing the wryness of, say, an Indiana Jones - an suffered somewhat from an unfortunate release window, sandwiched right between "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day".
The reason I mention that?
Because it very well could have acted as inspiration for this 1991 film.
(edit: I've just discovered it's actually based on a lesser known graphic novel of the same name! Presumably so is Rocket Ranger ...)
Released in the wake of Batman, and a good couple of decades before the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this stars a post-Bond Timothy Dalton on villain duty, with Bill Campbell taking on the role of Cliff Secord (who becomes The Rocketeer) and Jennifer Connolly as his love interest.
Set in 1938, this - apparently, like the comics - takes inspiration from the pulp serials of old, with director Joe Johnston bringing the same verisimilitude to the setting as he would his (much) later "Captain America: The First Avenger". Unfortunately, the film is a bit too po-faced for its own good - missing the wryness of, say, an Indiana Jones - an suffered somewhat from an unfortunate release window, sandwiched right between "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day".
The Mark of Zorro
9.0
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Timid Don Diego Vega grows faint at even the mention of bloodshed and would rather read poetry than...
AdventureBooks ClassicBooks ClassicLit
David McK (3600 KP) rated Hereward (Hereward, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Obviously the first in a planned series of novels on Hereward 'the Wake' (in this context, 'the Wake' means wary or watchful), who was a real Saxon who lead the resistance against the Norman invaders of England in William the Conquerors time.
While largely forgotten by history, many of Herewards exploits have later been subsumed into the many legends of Robin Hood - it is easy to see the parallels between the two characters and, as such, I thought that this could prove to be an interesting read.
Unfortunately, for me, much of the novel fell flat - I was never really drawn into it all that much; never really connected with any of the main characters. Starting in 1062, the novels takes place over a span of years (up to, and slightly beyond) The Battle of Hastings in 1066 with that battle (and Stamford bridge beforehand) largely glossed over - maybe only a chapter or two devoted to the both of them. Indeed, it was only in the last 70 pages or so - with the beginnings of the English resistance - that I began to be more drawn into the novel, by which stage it was too late.
While I may read the sequels, I'm not going to be looking for them.
While largely forgotten by history, many of Herewards exploits have later been subsumed into the many legends of Robin Hood - it is easy to see the parallels between the two characters and, as such, I thought that this could prove to be an interesting read.
Unfortunately, for me, much of the novel fell flat - I was never really drawn into it all that much; never really connected with any of the main characters. Starting in 1062, the novels takes place over a span of years (up to, and slightly beyond) The Battle of Hastings in 1066 with that battle (and Stamford bridge beforehand) largely glossed over - maybe only a chapter or two devoted to the both of them. Indeed, it was only in the last 70 pages or so - with the beginnings of the English resistance - that I began to be more drawn into the novel, by which stage it was too late.
While I may read the sequels, I'm not going to be looking for them.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated The Lion King (2019) in Movies
Jan 3, 2020
Disney+ (Ha, get it)
Although this contains spoilers, its doesn't differ much from the original plot (like at all).
In a tradition that we have now become accustomed to when it comes to disney, this live action adaptation seemingly fails to hit home like the original animated classic.
Parts of the songs were missing, beyonce as nala felt empty in some parts.
This movie sticks to the original story & some great voice overs in most cases.
Although it's something I'd happily watch again, I'd rather wait 20 mins for my vhs tape to rewind and sit through the trailers (and that's after I've gone through the trouble of setting up my vcr) and watch the animated version.
I know that a live action adaptation is suppose to go for the realistic look, but would it really be that bad to have made the characters look exactly like their animated counterparts?? Make the bird blue, give scar a black mane etc.
Absolutely loved the timon and pumba scenes. (Definitely wanna see a live action lion king 3: Hakuna Mutata and maybe Robin hood (fox version lol) )
Overall a 7/10 (ish)
In a tradition that we have now become accustomed to when it comes to disney, this live action adaptation seemingly fails to hit home like the original animated classic.
Parts of the songs were missing, beyonce as nala felt empty in some parts.
This movie sticks to the original story & some great voice overs in most cases.
Although it's something I'd happily watch again, I'd rather wait 20 mins for my vhs tape to rewind and sit through the trailers (and that's after I've gone through the trouble of setting up my vcr) and watch the animated version.
I know that a live action adaptation is suppose to go for the realistic look, but would it really be that bad to have made the characters look exactly like their animated counterparts?? Make the bird blue, give scar a black mane etc.
Absolutely loved the timon and pumba scenes. (Definitely wanna see a live action lion king 3: Hakuna Mutata and maybe Robin hood (fox version lol) )
Overall a 7/10 (ish)
David McK (3600 KP) rated Blood's Campaign in Books
Mar 5, 2020
Third entry in Angus Donald's Holcroft Blood series (after Blood's Game and Blood's Revolution), with this one set in Ireland.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
Jordan Binkerd (567 KP) rated Holmes and Watson (2018) in Movies
Aug 5, 2019 (Updated Aug 6, 2019)
Decent cast (1 more)
The Billy Zane cameo was good.
This film is the one thing a Sherlock Holmes film should never be - dumb
Sherlock Holmes is a versatile character. You can try drama, action, even comedy, but there is one thing a Sherlock Holmes film should never be: stupid. Unfortunately, that's right where this one lands. Will Ferrell is capable of doing intelligent comedy, though it doesn't happen often - just look at Stranger Than Fiction. I have every belief that this could have been good if they'd chucked the script out the window and started over. As it is, Sherlock Holmes comes off as a moron half the time, which could be an interesting take if they committed to it, but they don't. The result is a muddled vehicle for jokes about Donald Trump, selfies, and sexting via telegram. A couple scenes seem to be trying to do for (to?) Guy Ritchie's Holmes movies what Men in Tights did for other Robin Hood films, but even that falls short. I'm not going to tell you to avoid the movie like the plague - I'm sure SOMEONE out there will enjoy it. I'm just not sure I care to associate with that person.
Classic Adventures According to Spike Milligan
4.0
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Spike Milligan wrote the book on today's sense of humour' 'But why keep me in the dark, Holmes?' 'It...