Various reviews and a displaying peacock

I think I last wrote an update post back in early March. Since then the weather has improved, although not as much as I would like, and I've finally reached the end of busy period.

We have seen a few films, including a couple of my favourites so far this year.

• The Box - Nice concept, pity that the film was twice as long as it needed to be. Cameron Diaz and James Marsden were OK, although I felt Diaz was miscast and the film went further into sci-fi territory than it needed to.( Spoilers )
• End Of Watch - This was a very watchable story about the pair of police officers (Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña) shot in a documentary style. It seemed to be true to life (not that I know anything about the LAPD) and the acting was good.( Spoilers )
  Overall I liked it a lot, but I didn't love it.
• Dredd - This I did love. I've never read any of the comics, but it's pretty clear what the style and atmosphere is supposed to be.( Spoilers )
  If they make the other two-thirds of the planned trilogy, then I'd be keen to see them. Sadly, this wasn't a commercial hit so I doubt they will.
• The Lives Of Others - If you can handle subtitles, then I would recommend this highly. It's set in the 80s in East Germany and it's about an agent spying on a writer. It's beautifully acted with a good story and believable characters.( Spoilers )
• Heat (1995) - This is the 1995 version with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer (not the Burt Reynolds one which they are remaking with Jason Statham and Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes)). Having been impressed with the previous two films, this didn't do anything for me. It looks fantastic on paper - excellent cast, excellent reviews, good theme - and yet just didn't grab me. I thinkbateleur put his finger on it when he said it wanted to be Pulp Fiction and so tried to do half a dozen different genres.( Spoilers )
  Anyhow, it's a good film, the critics loved it. Just lost on me.

I've read two new books on the train - both the next in a series I've been following for a while.

• Death Masks (Dresden Files) - I didn't like this as much as Summer Knight, but still enjoyed it.( Spoilers )
• Sir Thursday (Keys to the Kingdom) - I quite liked this. This series is starting to have a bit of a formula to it, although Nix isn't too bad for it.( Spoilers )

I'm playing a number of computer games, but I think the only one I've finished is Haunted Halls (Fears from Childhood). This was a game where I knew what I was getting. Big Fish horror (ie. not much horror). It's sort of like Sudoku - you know what the puzzles will be.

What else? Ah yes, Alistair has now launched his roleplaying game and it turns out to be Star Wars. Which fortunately we all love and can quote. We're trying not to play Sith.

Today I was on leave and Ryan had an Inset day. So we pottered off to take pictures and eat cake. It was bit chilly when the sun was in, but otherwise good.

( Five photos under the cut. )