Films, Games, Books & CD Reviews:
Winter Issue 2009
"THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT"
This chilling horror quite shocked me when I watched it, as it′s based on true events.
It moved me as such to know that our world is bigger than I thought, its contents had a supernatural charm to it mixed with real life events, providing some viewers with some spiritual insight in to what the film is really about.
2009 film by Gold Circle Films. Run Time; 98 minutes: certified 15: With extended footage
Winter Issue 2009
"17 AGAIN"
This chick flick is especially good if you like Matthew Perry (Friends/Chandler Bing) and Zac Efron (High School Musical Movies). On one mysteriously magical night Mike O′Donnel (Matthew Perry) turns 17 again there a transformation into his younger self to Zac Efron to change a mistake as his younger self to rectify past issues with his family, only to make the same decision twice.
They both give an excellent performance, but can do better
2009 film by New Line Production. Run Time; 97 minutes: certified 12: With bonus features
Winter Issue 2009
"DISTRICT 9"
We′ve all seen the trailers for this, I would recommend to all to pop down your local cinema to watch, it′s a modern day film with the future and the past incorporated into one.
Spring Issue 2009
"Neverwhere"–By Neil Gaiman
If you enjoy an adventure story set in present day, then this book is for you. Richard Mayhew is an ordinary person living and working in London, having an ordinary life. One act of kindness suddenly transports Richard to another London; one below the city we know. As a reader, you do not need to be knowledgeable about the capital city but if you have ever ridden the underground then you will particularly find the parodies amusing. For example Earls Court in London below is actually an old Earl who holds court on what looks like a broken train carriage in the underground. The heroes go on a quest looking for an Angel called Islington. There are many other funny similarities.
This story has some grisly moments in a nightmare world but there are also many laugh out loud moments in an altered reality. Almost from the first page, you are deep into the adventure with Richard wondering what on earth is going to happen next. The pace of this book is quick and funny. It leaves the ordinary behind and takes you deep into an exciting world of the extraordinary where strange folk dwell.
Tori Amos loved this book and stated that she did not want the book to end. WIRED reviewed it and described it as ´the sort of book Terry Pratchet might produce if locked in a cell with Franz Kafka´ KIRKUS REVEIWS described it as ´Exuberantly inventive . . . . a postmodernist punk fairy queen.
Make your own mind up and order your copy from the mobile library. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did.
Spring Issue 2009
"The HAPPENING"
This recent apocalyptic thriller stars Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore.
He has come a long way since The Departed 2006.
Watch Elliot as he tries to discover how an event caused by the domination of man as it spirals out of control causing chaos among the people. Can he discover the truth?
2008 film by Twentieth Century Fox: Run time; 86 minutes certified 15
Also available in extended cut with extra footage too shocking for cinemas.
Spring Issue 2009
"PULSE"
This horror starring Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars (whom I´ve never seen in anything before) is not for the faint hearted.
Veronica experiences a tragedy when her boyfriend (Rick Gonzalez) dies from a very harmful virus which of course has been kept secret and contained for years until released, the town starts to experience certain happenings which leaves Veronica and friends to solve the outbreak. Kirsten Bell gives a good performance and I´ll be looking out for future films with her in.
2006 film by Weinstain Company Run time: 85 minutes certified 15
Also available with special features
Spring Issue 2009
"Watchmen"
You´ve properly heard and seen trailers of WATCHMEN but don´t be fooled as it´s just as rubbish as the next film, just like the film IRONMAN, they show the best bits to entice you to buy it and then your let down.
Christmas Issue 2008
"Parallel Worlds"–Michio Kaku
This book is a fascinating glimpse into physic´s most extraordinary theories about the Universe and what lies beyond. Is our Universe one of many parallel worlds? – Some strangely familiar and some almost unimaginable. And when planet Earth finally runs down to a cold, dark wasteland, will we be able to escape into these new worlds and start again.
Many scientists agree that what for 250 years was science fiction fantasy is now the likeliest picture of reality.
An amazing book!
Christmas Issue 2008
"Why aren´t they here?"–Surendra Verma
Is there anybody out there? Are there other life forms lurking in outer space – or are they already here?
The book begins with Enrico Fermi´s famous paradox ´If aliens exist, then why aren´t they here?´ One explanation is that aliens have cordoned off the solar system as a sort of nature reserve, similar to Star Trek´s prime directive where primitive species are not interfered with. What is also worth remembering is that a civilization a million or more years more advanced than us may look at us as we look at an ant´s nest – not very interesting at all.
Christmas Issue 2008
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
In this fourth and final episode Indiana Jones [Harrison Ford] is in hot pursuit to recover the all-powerful and mystical skull of Akator. Also starring a brilliant Shia Labeouf who we find out that he is the son of Indiana .In The Last Crusade we learn that Marion is Indiana´s girl friend, she also appears in this last helping of the action packed adventure and we later on see that she is the mother of Indiana´s son.
Indiana takes you on an action packed adventure in the exciting tradition of the classic Indiana Jones movie!
Chat Issue 23: Summer 2008
"Dune" – Frank Herbert
House Atreides have been given the fiefdom of the desert planet Arrakis, known as Dune. It is here and only here that the mind enhancing drug called "Spice" is found. The Spacing Guild uses it to navigate their spaceships, the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood use it to enhance psychic powers and billions of imperial citizens use it to prolong their lifespan.
But when bitter enemies House Harkonnen attack the Atreides, the Duke′s son Paul and his mother Jessica escape into the desert to seek refuge with the tribal people who live there. It is here that Paul rebuilds his army, fulfills an ancient prophecy and plots revenge upon his enemies in a Jihad that will reach a billion worlds.
Chat Issue 23: Summer 2008
Flo Rida – "Mail on Sunday"
For me, the song "Elevator" featuring Timbaland makes buying this album a must. It is catchy, melodic and well produced. Unlike most hip-hop albums, it doesn′t leave me feeling in a rage or completely nauseated, even if it does have a few rap clichés in the lyrics. Other highlights include debut single "Low" and latest single "In the Ayer" featuring Will.I.Am.
Chat Issue 23: Summer 2008
Batman the Dark Knight
Unlike any of the other Batmans′ this one is bursting with a good story line, brilliant characters such as the recently past away Heath Ledger who plays an awesome role as the joker. He is not hell bent on making money but total destruction.
The role of Batman is also brilliant due to all the gadgets . Christopher Bale who plays the Batman was not as good as his predecessor Michael Keaton.
A brilliant film for action junkies.
Chat Issue 22 Spring 2008
The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia
This is quite a thick book, though surprisingly easy to read. Devoid of all the jargon a big book would normally contain, it answers many of the questions a sufferer and their family may have, as well as practical advice on planning for the future and staying well. There′s a section on relapses and a section on specific problems such as anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, depression and anger. A really useful book if you suffer with psychosis.
Chat Issue 22 Spring 2008
Nine Inch Nails – "Year Zero"
It opens with a groovy distorted intro before launching into "The beginning of the end". I must admit this isn′t NINE at their best, but there are a few highlights such as the first single "Capital G" and also "Meet Your Master". If you like industrial music or rock electronica then you may like this. Its nasty raw guitars sit well with the synthesized rhythms and bleeps, and singer Trent Reznor, as usual, moans about God and the state of the world today, which in all honesty got a bit tired after a few albums. So in summary, worth a listen to if you′re a fan, otherwise just use it to end a party when you would like everyone to leave.
Chat Issue 22 Spring 2008
Atonement
- Stars : Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan
- Director : Joe Wright
- Perfect for : Romantics
This film follows the tragic misfortunes of young lovers Robbie (McAvoy) and Cecilia (Knightley as gorgeous as ever), spunky members of the stuffy turn-of-century upper classes who find not just injustice but a world war coming between them.
Just as they finally lock lips, Robbie is accused, wrongfully, of wrongdoing by Cecilia′s sister Briony (Ronan) and is sent to prison and later the army. Briony (later played by Garai) spends the remainder of the film attempting to make amends, hence the title.
Sensually shot, with some of the most impressive WW2 scenes yet captured on film, Atonement is a truly beautiful, and astonishing piece of work; The ending clever as well as moving.
This film is for the incurable romantic only and highly recommended to those that are. I award this film seven out of ten.
Chat Issue Winter 2007
Beowulf
Beowulf is an animated adventure set in the time of the Vikings. The film begins with the Norse warriors drinking and singing as they like to do. Unfortunately, some miles away from the action we see a monster, a hideously grotesque known locally as Grendle, in extreme pain brought on by the loud music and singing. The monster makes his way toward the merriment and eventually bangs upon the door. The door is opened, Grendle enters, and begins to kill everyone inside in the most brutal manner.
This Grendle character is, I have to say, frightening. He′s loud, and his screaming and shouting will really put the willies up you. Needless to say, none of the Vikings can bring him down. Enter Beowulf. Beowulf is so sure that he can overcome this monster that he even decides to take him on naked. Does he succeed? You′ll have to watch the film.
Apart from Grendle, an older Beowulf also has to contend with a Dragon. But, where did the Dragon come from? Where did Grendle come from? There′s a twist in this Viking tale.
The computer animation in this film is wonderful….almost lifelike, and it boasts an array of famous voices i.e. John Malkovitch,Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins to name but a few. This is a film worth watching. I give it four out of five stars.
Chat Issue Spring 2007
Rocky Balboa
Well here it is at last, a new Rocky movie, Rocky VI; otherwise known as Rocky Balboa. He now owns a restaurant in which he recites tales, to diners, of his glory years and the glorious fights which made him famous. It′s a little sad to see him like this and this has been sadder still now that his wife Adrian died some years before. There are some moving scenes where he revisits some of the grounds that he shared with his wife. There are also a couple of interesting scenes between Rocky and his son who feels that his father is casting a shadow over his life. Rocky puts his son straight with a few pearls of wisdom.
Anyway, how does Rocky manage to get himself into the ring again, seeing as how he′s over 60 years of age. Well, a sports programme on TV pits a computer graphics fight between Rocky and the now heavyweight champion of the world. This sparks controversy to the point of, with Rocky's agreement, setting up the fight for real.
The fight scene is not as good as previous Rocky movies but it does end with you feeling that Rocky has come out the true champion once again.
This movie is OK and that is all. It′s better than the dire escapade that was Rocky V but doesn′t quite meet the standard of the other four.I give it five out of ten.
James Bond – Casino Royale;
Bond is back and the world′s most famous spy is played for the first time by Daniel Craig.
Casino Royal was Ian Fleming′s first Bond novel and pictures 007 in his first mission for MI6.
The general story centres on a game of poker in which 007 takes over a £100million off his nemesis who in turn hunts down and tortures Bond for the return of his money. As in all 007 films James Bond gets the beautiful girl— in this case Bond really falls for his fellow spy. However, she betrays him and consequently dies. This was a very refreshing James Bond film with high octane action, realistic ninja fights (where 007 takes a kicking), very few gadgets, and a believable bad guy. All in all a very good film, with Craig making the role for himself in future Bond films.
Superman Returns 2006
I don′t know where he has been hiding but he′s back and harder than ever. Able to leap large buildings in a single bound, fly faster than a speeding bullet, look through walls and make coffee using his laser beam vision.
Anyway about the movie. Well, Lex Luther (Kevin Spacey) is once again cooking up a dastardly plot to rule the earth, or at least a large part it and superman is the only one that can stop him. Unfortunately for superman, Lex has got his hands on some of that Kryptonite again. As usual, a bit of Kryptonite will make Superman as weak as a baby and Kryptonite, it seems, is as about as common as coal. Yep… A little bit of that old Kryptonite and your Gran could take him on with her handbag.
The plot is adequate, but nothing to write home about. Having said that the visual effects of the movie are top notch; initially demonstrated at the beginning of the film when Superman saves a plane from crashing.
It may be worth mentioning that Lois Lane has a new boyfriend. However, this doesn′t deter Superman from making a few visits to her apartment in the middle of the night and offering to take her on a moonlit flight. She does start to warm to her lost love again and what girl worth her salt wouldn′t. As far as Clark and Lois go there is nothing. They seem to have no relationship at all, which I don′t think was the case in the previous Superman movies fronted by the late Christopher Reeve.
To sum up this film is worth seeing but is it worth seeing twice? No.I don′t think so. Is it better than the originals? No. I don′t think so. Is it worse than the originals? Maybe not as I did enjoy it and I think you will to.
Ocean 12
To review this film, I would say to watch it a second time to follow all the plot.
The major story of Ocean’s 12 is that Andy Garcia (casino manager from Ocean’s 11) wants his money back from the crew (Ocean’s 11) – and they in turn have to take on another heist to raise the funds.
Catherine Zeta Johns stars alongside the original cast as an FBI agent with a personal link to one of the crew. Bruce Willis makes a cameo appearance as himself as well as Robbie Coltrane as an eccentric ally who’s bizarre codes make Matt Daman’s character squirm to the point of embarrassment.
Good film but left the cinema trying to make sense of it all.
Meet the Fockers
- Excellent Chemistry between Dustin Hoffman and Robert Di Niro
- Never seen Dustin Hoffman in a comedy role before and he was excellent
- Little boy gave wonderful sign language and was very funny
- Slap stick comedy could be a little boring but I did wonder when the next slap stick would be.
- Few films where adult and young actors come together
Marks out of 10!!!! 8 was given here
Winter Issue26 2009
"Introduction to Buddhism"–By: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
An excellent starting point on the Buddhist path. Everything from Karma and Rebirth, to Meditation and Enlightenment. Buddha taught the secrets to true happiness and Geshe Kelsang Gyatso passes down this tradition beautifully.
Winter Issue26 2009
"Leaving the planet by space elevator"–By: Bradley C. Edwards
The idea of an elevator into space is not new. It has been a part of science fiction since it′s creation. Only now is it becoming a possibility in the real world. The problem has always been: "What do we build it out of"? Whatever material, it has to be 40 times stronger than steel. At last, Carbon Nanotubes provide a solution. A new experimental material, it is light and very strong. NASA has expressed an interest in the space elevator and many predict that one will be built before the end of the century. This book is a readable account of the journey into affordable space exploration.
Spring Issue 2009
"Ten Technologies to Save the Planet"–By: Chris Goodall
I know its one of the most important issues of the day but all this talk of climate change is pretty depressing. So when a book comes along that explains the positive changes taking place with regards to new technologies and green sustainable energy, I felt I should find out more. The book talks about the gradual move towards a Hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is clean and created from water so unless aliens steal our oceans we´re pretty much sorted there.
Also up for discussion are electric cars, wind farms, carbon capture and the possibility of building huge solar panels in the Sahara desert. So now we know the future is bright, lets turn up the air conditioning – summers on the way after all.
Spring Issue 2009
"The Secret"–By:Rhonda Byrne
This book claims to give you anything you want – money, health, happiness. Anything! How?? I hear you scream. Well I won´t spoil it by revealing the secret but it is so simple. Does it work? Probably not, but I recently asked for money and last week I discovered some money I didn´t know I had in an old account. Coincidence maybe? – read the book and make up your own mind.
Spring Issue 2009
"Bluefinger"–BlackFrancis
Former Pixies front man BlackFrancis returns with his new band with a really good rock album. You can tell Kurt Cobain was heavily inspired by him as some of the songs on Bluefinger remind me a lot of Nirvana. I think the best song here is "She took all the money" which is melodic, catchy, and beautifully simple. Other highlights include "Tight Black Rubber" and "Lolita".
Spring Issue 2009
"Invaders Must Die"–The Prodigy
An awesome return for a band that were in danger of becoming obsolete. I like every single song on this album and find myself continually wondering: "How the hell does Liam Howlett get his drums to sound so punchy and loud?" I guess us mortals will never know. The album also sees the return of the other members after a brief departure. The guitars also make a comeback, particularly on track "Piranha" which sounds very punk. But as I said, all the songs are good.
Christmas Issue 2008
"Safe Trip Home"–Dido
I imagine this is going to be an album you either love or hate. I love listening to this in the evening with the lights dimmed. It´s really mellow and calming. She wrote it for her recently deceased father and whilst not as good as her first 2 albums, it´s worth a listen.
Tracks of note are ´Let´s do the things we normally do´ and "If I don´t believe in love´.
Christmas Issue 2008
"The Best of…"–Radiohead
This is worth having in your CD collection. I loved Radiohead in the early years but couldn´t quite ´get´ their later stuff. This CD has introduced me to a bit of that later stuff and I must say it´s quite good. But nothing is going to beat the earlier songs like ´Creep´, ´Just´ and ´The Bends´, all of which are on here.
Chat Issue 23: Summer 2008
"Dead Until Dark" – Charlaine Harris
Sookie is a small time cocktail waitress in small town Louisiana. She is a telepath and finds it difficult to date men as she can hear all their thoughts. But then along comes Bill. He is everything she is looking for and she can′t hear his thoughts. That′s because he is a vampire. The Undead have recently announced their existence publicly, and needless to say there are mixed feelings. Bill hangs around with a creepy crowd all suspected of murder, and when one of Sookie′s co-workers is killed, she fears she is next.
Chat Issue 23: Summer 2008
Timbaland – "Shock Value"
This would have been a lot better if it had been a bit shorter, it′s still very good though. There are 19 songs in total including the awesome "Give it to me" featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, and "Apologize" feat. One Republic. In fact there are a lot of guests on this album which makes it seem a bit eclectic. What it lacks is a unifying theme, but most of the songs are good so who am I to complain? I′m not the one making millions of dollars.
Chat Issue 23: Summer 2008
The Count of Monte Cristo
Caswell clinic has decided to stop all funding for DVDs′ from Blockbuster - Primarily because we now have Digital TV and Sky in the Cafe. So, this is a critique of a film which is likely to appear on Television in the near future. Set in the time of Napoleon it tells the story of three individuals. A beautiful women and two best friends - One a count, one a commoner.
Primarily this is a tale of jealousy, betrayal and revenge. After being wrongly accused of treachery, one of the friends is locked away in a dismal island dungeon for thirteen painful years. Incarcerated in a six by four stone cell he begins to lose his mind until, one day, a stroke of luck gives him new hope for the future.
Upon escaping the island prison he finds something that enables him to put his plans for revenge into motion.
Why was he betrayed and what happened to his fiancé and his former best friend? The answers to these questions reveal themselves with intrigue and style.
This story is truly wonderful, brimming over with character and charm. It is also a very well put together romantic saga. You′ll feel for him and the pain he was in as he wiled away the years in a stone room. You′ll be captivated as his plans for revenge take shape and coil around his victims.
If you see it, watch it, if you don′t you′ll miss out.
Chat Issue 22 Spring 2008
"I Can Make You Rich" – Paul Mckenna
A lot of this is really obvious common sense stuff. For instance, one piece of advice says that in order to be rich, simply stop spending your money. Another way of course would be to write and publish an overpriced book about getting rich with the power of hypnosis, but I suspect there′s only one real way to get rich, and that seems like a lot of hard work.
Chat Issue 22 Spring 2008
BabyShambles – "Shotter′s Nation"
Whatever your views of Pete Doherty are (and believe me, I can think of a few) the man is talented. The opening track "Carry on up the morning" begins as if the band is out of time but then it suddenly swings into a regular rhythm. The effect is good. Track two "Delivery" is the flagship single here. Apparently it′s about drugs but I think Pete should invest his money in some soap and shampoo instead. Probably my favorite CD reviewed this issue; it flitters between the bold and the beautiful. Rocking one minute and then mellow the next. Cool.
Chat Issue Autumn 2007
Die Hard 4.0
Unlike its previous film′s this sequel is a lot more to do with technology. Whereas in the first three helpings John McClain (Bruce Willis, Pulp fiction) is basically after an enemy that is after money or gold bullion. In this part John is after a government worker who designed data protection software but told the officials that it can be hacked with what is called a "fire wall viruses". Now John is in a race to save his daughter from this computer genius and must also stop him stealing any top secret classified information.
I would personally recommend this film for action lovers and those who are big fans of Bruce Willis. I give this film a whopping 4 out of 5.
Chat Issue Autumn 2007
Transformers – The Movie
As a child I was an avid transformers fan and used to collect all the comics. In the movie all the old favourites are there; Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream and Bumblebee, although in the comics Bumblebee was a VW Beetle but in the film he′s a sports car. Mind you, they did pay homage to this fact by parking him next to a VW beetle in a used car lot.
The graphics in the film are amazing, particularly in the transformation sequences. The storyline is adequate, focusing on a cube that can give life to all machinery, even Coke machines and mobile phones. The Decepticons, led by Megatron, want this cube to bring life to all of earths technology in a bid to take over the known Universe. The Autobots, the good guys with Optimus Prime as their leader, basically want the cube to stop this from happening.
There are some humans central to the storyline. A young man that buys a used car only to discover that it′s a robot called Bumblebee and a beautiful girl that′s basically just along for the ride. The end of the film sees the Autobots in a showdown with the Decepticons with the cube in the hands of a human. In my opinion this could have been done better.
I found this film to be an entertaining watch that held my attention throughout, although there are some sequences that are a little childish. I give this film three out of five.
King Kong
This film, coming out early April, had rave reviews from all the critics. I remember watching the old black and white film when I was about 7 years old crying my eyes out at the ending and screaming "They didn't have to kill him" to my mum who was trying to tell me that it was just a film. Well, rave reviews and a vintage black and white later and I was looking forward to the new release.
The film started off well enough, with a map, a legend, a boat and a crew. Off they went in search of a mysterious island; blonde would be starlet in tow ready to sacrifice to any soft apes that they may come across. What they're really planning on doing is shooting some kind of movie, with the blonde as the star.
Plans for the movie are quickly shelved though, as the island turns out to be more dangerous than expected. The equipment is destroyed and half the team comes to a sticky end. King Kong makes an appearance about halfway through when, as everybody knows, the blonde is tied to a stake ready for the great ape to inspect. She annoys King Kong though and he leaves her in the jungle. Soon after this, one of the great scenes of the movie comes along when she is attacked by no less than three T Rex's. But, just before she is eaten, Kong comes swinging onto the scene and shows everybody whose boss around the island. After that, she trusts King Kong and goes with him willingly, and a love story ensues
Kong falls to sleep and wakes up to find his beauty gone. He runs after her, bringing him face to face with the crew. They overpower him with ether and somehow. Miraculously, get the soft ape from where he fell into the cargo bay of their ship.
The action then moves to New York where Kong gets loose and rampages through the streets. He finds the love of his life, cue some of the films most beautiful and touching love scenes. The end is not far off though and Kong soon falls to his doom from the Empire State building.
The film does warm your heart to the great ape and to the love he has for the starlet. There are some beautiful scenes as well as plenty of action scenes and all of them are done with pristine computer graphics. But, don't forget, when he dies... it's just a film!
Game Consoles with Added Therapy
Playing on computer consoles like e.g. Play Station and/or Xbox can be a great pastime for when there is not much to do on the ward.
It can also be useful as a distraction for e.g. when, like myself, I sometimes hear voices , I can play on the Play Station and it provides a useful distraction.
One of my favourites on the Play Station is ‘Grand Theft Auto (San Andreas)’ as this is a useful game for getting out feelings of aggression.
Some of the other games like ‘Toco Rally’ and ‘GrandTourismo’ can help with concentration levels and can improve hand - eye coordination.
If you are looking for something that’s going to a bit more of a challenge why don’t you give ‘Dino Crises’ a bit of a go as it combines adventure, logic, puzzles, as well as giving you the opportunity to blow away a few dinosaurs.
And also consoles are internet compatible where you can play the games on the internet with other people around the world. Some of the internet compatible games are halo 1+2 ,silent scope 1+2; both games are shoot ‘em up 3d levels. But what is even better is that they are all great fun to play and are now more affordable to buy than ever. Therefore why not speak to your ward manager to purchase one of the above consoles
Note from WebEd:
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