Various reviews and a displaying peacock

[lathany]

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. Also, bateleur and I found the film sexist. It may be set in the 70s (and based on a story written in the seventies), but did it always have to be the woman who pressed the button?
• 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. The ending is a little grim, but it fits the film. 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. I particularly liked that Dredd kept the helmet firmly on and that his sidekick was Anderson. 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. It reminded me a lot of LA Confidential, a film I expected to think was OK and I just loved it on first watching it. Also, I'm a sucker for good endings. I particularly liked the last line "No, it's for me."
• 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. And, yeah, it kinda worked. But not entirely. When you get to the last scene and the final death it's clear that you are really supposed to care. And I didn't. I didn't find the De Niro romance convincing either. 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. I'm wondering whether the writer has pulled Susan out in the long term and it's to make room for other romances (don't answer this please!).
• 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. I particularly like that the grand plot is gathering pace as we reach the weekend.

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.

We visited the Rhododendron Dell.


Also the lake, Sackler Crossing and the wildlife.


The Waterlily House was open.


There's always a lot to see outside of Palm House.


Plus we found a peacock displaying.

Comments

[kauket.livejournal.com]

I watched The Lives of Others recently. i thought it was fantastic. :)

[lathany.livejournal.com]

:-)

[glittertigger]

We were at Kew on Bank Holiday Monday and saw the same (I think) peacock showing off!

I've enjoyed all of the Dresden Files, but thought the Keys to the Kingdom ran out of sparkle a little towards the end - I'll be interested to hear how you find the rest of each series.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that the Dresden Files continue well. With the Keys to the Kingdom, I rate it, but I've not found myself impatient to read the next book each time. I don't like it as much as the Abhorsen trilogy. However, even with that, I think I preferred Sabriel to the other two.

[kauket.livejournal.com]

I found the same with Keys to the Kingdom although I liked Saturday and Sunday. Think that Monday and Tuesday were probably the best though.

I've wondered whether to try his other stuff - I read Shade's Children and liked that but haven't read the other things he's done. I'm not sure any of it will top Sabriel which is one of my favourite YA books.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

did it always have to be the woman who pressed the button?

I guess it's playing on the legend of Pandora's box (and, by extension, Eve). Not that that makes it any less sexist.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

I guess it's playing on the legend of Pandora's box (and, by extension, Eve). Not that that makes it any less sexist.

I felt that for the main couple, but the other two just seem to underline a lack of thinking/realising/etc on the part of the director.

[quiet-dignitea.livejournal.com]

I thought the real strength of Heat was that it's hard to decide who to "cheer for."

[lathany.livejournal.com]

True. Although, sadly, for me it was no-one.