Movie: The Final Countdown (1980) Starring Martin Sheen, Kirk Douglas
This movie showed alot of promise. If you could get past the really corny special effects as the Nimitz travelled back in time that is.
The premise for this movie is very similar to the books written by John Birmingham, where a US ship is transported back in time to a point in WW2. In this case, the day before Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. And it was at this point that things went pear shaped.
It could have been an amazing study of what happens when you mess with time. But sadly, just as things looked to get interesting, the "storm" reappeared, chased down the Nimitz & sucked them back to the present.
I think they should make a movie version of the John Birmingham books, because now, I just want to see what it would look like with all those awesome CGI special effects. Not to mention it may offest some of the disappointment I felt at the end of this movie!!
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Monday, 19 November 2012
Concert Bloggin' 17th November 2012
Nickelback - Perth Arena - November 17th 2012
My first time inside the brand spanking new arena. While it looks like a transformer, the acoustics are MUCH better then the Burswood Dome. And as always, Nickelback put on an awesome show!
Sadly, their support act sucked big time(although not as badly as the last time I saw Nickelback). Seriously - lyrics need to be more diversified then "Yeah, go motherF*cker".. And did the guitarist even have a face? Oh & playing however many guitar solos do not count as a "song". My advice to Jackson Firebird - get yourselves a good lead singer who can (a) SING, (b) write good lyrics & (c) teach you the finer points of ENTERTAINING PEOPLE - that not every song needs to be a massive guitar/drum solo!!! Why couldn't Nickelback bring Daughtry with them like they did in Europe?!!!
My first time inside the brand spanking new arena. While it looks like a transformer, the acoustics are MUCH better then the Burswood Dome. And as always, Nickelback put on an awesome show!
Sadly, their support act sucked big time(although not as badly as the last time I saw Nickelback). Seriously - lyrics need to be more diversified then "Yeah, go motherF*cker".. And did the guitarist even have a face? Oh & playing however many guitar solos do not count as a "song". My advice to Jackson Firebird - get yourselves a good lead singer who can (a) SING, (b) write good lyrics & (c) teach you the finer points of ENTERTAINING PEOPLE - that not every song needs to be a massive guitar/drum solo!!! Why couldn't Nickelback bring Daughtry with them like they did in Europe?!!!
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 18th November 2012
Finished: King of Bombs by Sheldon Filger
Where to start? I love this genre. And the author had a solid concept with a great story. BUT.. yes there is a but. Unfortunately his writing really need a LOT of work. I think he seriously needs to adhere to the less is more philosophy. Writing in practically every paragraph that "his eyes showed the tension he was feeling" or something along those lines detracts. You build tension, suspense etc by what is going on, not by saying this character or that character has a face full of tension. And especially not so verbosely that it detracts from an otherwise solid story.
I also seriously doubt any of the protagonists would be showing even a "modicum" of respect or admiration for the terrorists.
Overall an ok book. Sadly the writing comes across as forced (whether to get the word count up I don't know) and the continual harping on this person's eyes or that persons face, along with the way in which he describes the physical characteristics of the characters just detracts from the story for me. The last page is probably the worst for that. And that's sad, because it is a cracker of an ending that could have been written so much better.
Started: A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
So Amazon had this on special for $40 for all 5 books. Wish me luck!
Where to start? I love this genre. And the author had a solid concept with a great story. BUT.. yes there is a but. Unfortunately his writing really need a LOT of work. I think he seriously needs to adhere to the less is more philosophy. Writing in practically every paragraph that "his eyes showed the tension he was feeling" or something along those lines detracts. You build tension, suspense etc by what is going on, not by saying this character or that character has a face full of tension. And especially not so verbosely that it detracts from an otherwise solid story.
I also seriously doubt any of the protagonists would be showing even a "modicum" of respect or admiration for the terrorists.
Overall an ok book. Sadly the writing comes across as forced (whether to get the word count up I don't know) and the continual harping on this person's eyes or that persons face, along with the way in which he describes the physical characteristics of the characters just detracts from the story for me. The last page is probably the worst for that. And that's sad, because it is a cracker of an ending that could have been written so much better.
Started: A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
So Amazon had this on special for $40 for all 5 books. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 7th November 2012
Finished: Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham
Written in the years of the oil crisis of the 1970's/early 80's this book paints a stark picture on just how fast things can fall apart. America is out of oil & with a completely worthless dollar. Yet the giant conglomerates refuse to see that it is their greed & short sightedness which is driving the collapse ever faster. America is left with no power, no food & starving populations just trying to get out. Cue that old Cold War foe USSR deciding now is the time to get revenge & 4 hours later, the earth is a radioactive wasteland. With the excepetion of one british plane carryng expat Americans & one Antinov carrying Russian woman & children.
I love that the author shows that rather then death mayhem & hatred between the 2 planes, there is a spirit of love & humanity. After all, after the end of the world, we are all just humans, not "British" or "Armenian" or wherever you had the good (or bad) luck to be born. The sooner people realise this fundamental truth, that we are all the same when you strip away nationality & religion & stop using these as an excuse to hate people well, the happier this world will be. Although, one point in this book which I think would be a great way to deal with criminals is to brand their foreheads. If they are multiple reoffenders, why not brand them set them free under rules of permanent exclusion from all amenities - jobs & food & dole and everything else, with stiff penalties for those who aid them. See how long they last then. Sometimes a deterent has to be harsh to help.
Started: King of Bombs by Sheldon Filger
Written in the years of the oil crisis of the 1970's/early 80's this book paints a stark picture on just how fast things can fall apart. America is out of oil & with a completely worthless dollar. Yet the giant conglomerates refuse to see that it is their greed & short sightedness which is driving the collapse ever faster. America is left with no power, no food & starving populations just trying to get out. Cue that old Cold War foe USSR deciding now is the time to get revenge & 4 hours later, the earth is a radioactive wasteland. With the excepetion of one british plane carryng expat Americans & one Antinov carrying Russian woman & children.
I love that the author shows that rather then death mayhem & hatred between the 2 planes, there is a spirit of love & humanity. After all, after the end of the world, we are all just humans, not "British" or "Armenian" or wherever you had the good (or bad) luck to be born. The sooner people realise this fundamental truth, that we are all the same when you strip away nationality & religion & stop using these as an excuse to hate people well, the happier this world will be. Although, one point in this book which I think would be a great way to deal with criminals is to brand their foreheads. If they are multiple reoffenders, why not brand them set them free under rules of permanent exclusion from all amenities - jobs & food & dole and everything else, with stiff penalties for those who aid them. See how long they last then. Sometimes a deterent has to be harsh to help.
Started: King of Bombs by Sheldon Filger
Monday, 5 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 5th November 2012
Finished: Underground by Andrew McGahan
Where to start? This is a brilliantly written book. And the reality is, it could so easily become fact. A world where Muslim ghettos abound, where America conspires to create a city so that the powermongers can meet & plot the fate of humanity in peace. All helped by a megalomaniac Prime Minister.
The reality is, instability creates jobs. What would all those soldiers be doing if there were no wars to fight? What would all the arms manufacturers, the secondary suppliers of the war machine do? It's a sad fact that wars are a profitable business. And if people die, well, thats just an unfortunate side effect.
Andrew McGahan has created a world that is truely scary to behold, but all too easy to imagine being real. But it is one where the main character is well rendered & the satirical way in which he deals with events makes this a really great read.
Started: Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham
OK, so by now you can tell I am on a post apocalyptic run at the moment. This is a classic. And could still happen so easily today!
Where to start? This is a brilliantly written book. And the reality is, it could so easily become fact. A world where Muslim ghettos abound, where America conspires to create a city so that the powermongers can meet & plot the fate of humanity in peace. All helped by a megalomaniac Prime Minister.
The reality is, instability creates jobs. What would all those soldiers be doing if there were no wars to fight? What would all the arms manufacturers, the secondary suppliers of the war machine do? It's a sad fact that wars are a profitable business. And if people die, well, thats just an unfortunate side effect.
Andrew McGahan has created a world that is truely scary to behold, but all too easy to imagine being real. But it is one where the main character is well rendered & the satirical way in which he deals with events makes this a really great read.
Started: Down to a Sunless Sea by David Graham
OK, so by now you can tell I am on a post apocalyptic run at the moment. This is a classic. And could still happen so easily today!
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Book Bloggin' 3rd November 2012
Finished: Bangs & Whimpers
There are some really great stories in this book. If you can find a copy, I highly recommend it!
Started: Underground by Andrew McGahan
An Australian take on the "war on terrorism"... once again a re-read, but this is just such a satirical look at things.
There are some really great stories in this book. If you can find a copy, I highly recommend it!
Started: Underground by Andrew McGahan
An Australian take on the "war on terrorism"... once again a re-read, but this is just such a satirical look at things.
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