Armored Warriors is a Capcom video game where you play as a mech, a giant robot with switchable arms, legs and weaponry. The game came out in 1994 and one its big brags was allowing up to 3 players to play at once. The game is gorgeous to look at fun to play and can be completed in under an hour. I played it by myself as my wife isn’t a gamer but I still enjoyed in solo play. Check out the gorgeous graphics below.
Lost Girls: The Invention of the Flapper- Book Review
Ever since watching the silent movies of the 1920s and 30s during my university years in the 90s and 00s, I've been fascinated with the image of the flapper. I was enthralled by Louise Brooks in the seminal 'Pandora's Box' as she played carefree Lulu, moving through high society until it all comes tumbling down.
The image of the confident, fast talking young women draped in stylish dresses, who wore their hair short and bobbed and danced with abandon, surrounded by art deco glory fascinated me.
This book by Linda Simon looks at the evolution as well as the cultural and social history of the flapper and their impact on fashion, media, politics, LGBTQ+ and feminist rights. It is a meticulously researched journey through the chronological evolution of the flapper. After the stuffiness of the pre-war era, how do this massive cultural shift occur and why? It is all covered here in this fascinating book.
The book is a fascinating look at the mergence of the flapper.
I had always thought that the flapper came about after the first World War, as the lack of men and rights afforded to women through suffrage created confident young women. However, this books reveals that the term flapper was used as far back as London in the 1890s to describe thin, adolescent girls with long legs who were said to be 'flapping their butterfly wings.'
With time, this morphed into the flapper we associate with many Hollywood films of the time from the Roaring 20’s and Fitzgerald. Clara Bow, Colleen Moore and, of course, Louise Brooks all played silent movie sirens, flappers of dubious character who rebelled against the societal 'norms' and partook in hedonistic individualism and rampant consumerism. However, what we uncover is that flapper-dom was much more complex that this reductionist retelling.
It was a combination of Peter Pan (no, really), the Suffragettes, the freedom afforded by lack of men due to the tragedy of the Great War and the rise of dance halls mixed with the popularity of strong female leads in books that moulded the flapper as we see her today. The rise of fashion houses and makeup added to the sense of liberation and freedom these young women were seeking, against a backdrop of organised staid life and expectations set by society that didn’t provide them with agency.
Reading through the book I was taken by how familiar the struggles and concerns sound after more than 100 years. Simon discusses the concerns that swept through the society such as the fear of declining morals, and the erosion of the family, the worry that the 'degenerates' were reproducing at a faster rate and would lead to white 'race suicide', how by providing rights to other people you would somehow dilute or erode democracy. All these concerns have been around for a long time. And be around for a long time to come.
The book is fascinating as it looks at how the flappers won a hard fought battle for some semblance of equality and agency and how they were initially derided, then accepted and finally aspired towards.
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
Our 'New Normal' v1.0
So, tomorrow marks the day that pubs open in England which is a good a marker of any that 'normality' has arrived in Blighty. When they've dubbed it 'Super Saturday' and the HM Treasury tweets 'Raise a glass' you know that social distancing may be difficult to maintain but we’ll see. I hope people are sensible and do the right thing whilst grabbing a pint.
Not the best tweet in the world…
You'd think that the 4th July reopening of pubs, restaurants and bars means that the British government have nailed the virus here in England but with at least 44,000 deaths and the R Number (reinfection rate) oscillating close to or above 1 is some places, we are most definitely not out of the woods yet. I'm remaining cautiously pessimistic as our nation has not covered itself with glory through this pandemic but I hope I'm pleasantly surprised. No amount of jingoistic nonsense, harkening back to past glories or Latin gobbledygook from our fearless leader is going to take the tragic number of lives lost away.
However, before we tentatively move into 'new normal' v1.0, I want to reflect on what I've been doing with my time in lockdown, to save it for digital posterity.
I've caught up on most of my cult DVD sets and series. I'd built up quite a collection of rarities, oddities and just strange DVDs from my many visits to Computer Exchange and now I've seen most of them, which is nice. There's been some great pleasures such as BBCs ‘Day of the Triffids’ but also great WTF moments (but in an awesome way) with ‘The Singing Ringing Tree’ .
I've finish many video games from my pile of shame including Spiderman, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Call of Cthulhu, Panzer Dragoon and A Plague Tale: Innocence . I'm now working through Skyrim (still after a year) and Control but still have God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn to start.
I've read loads of books, especially on social issues like the rise of suffragettes, flappers, the creator of the monster fromCreature from the Black Lagoon and issues of race and Black identity. I feel that I've grown and matured, but to balance this I've also read some tween graphic novels so that's equilibrium achieved. I've liked holding actual books in my hand as it's been a comfort to snuggle up in bed and immerse myself in the writing.
When I can't sit and read, due to having two kids running around, I have been listening to Audible as I have had a digital pile of shame in my library, about 15 books of varying length for over a year. I find 1.3x a good speed to listen to things generally, as I'm a fast reader and this pace suits me as it makes me chuckle as some narrators start to sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks. I've been able to work my way through several books this way.
I've been trying to improve my posture as I have looked like Mr. Burns and had the makings of "A mighty fine hump". So, between my sleep apnea machine, my octogenarian Floridian walking shoes and my posture fixing I'm an old man in a (nearly) middle aged man's body.
I've worked extra hard to create lots of articles *sigh* 'content' for the website and it's been a joy to do. I love getting my thoughts and feeling out on this website and even though I don't get all that many hits, I find it therapeutic, like knitting, whale song or matcha for the soul.
I've been watching a sheesh tonne of Netflix, where we've binged Dead Like Me and Awkward, as well as watching Disney + and the straight to DVD sequels that the company plopped out in the late 90s/early 00s like Mogli's Revenge, Aladdin 4: Rub Me the Right Way or 102 Dalmatians: Doggy Style. Okay, I kid about the titles but there are some horrendous Disney sequels out there. I've not been the biggest fan of them but my girls like them just fine.
I've been listening to lots of classical and instrumental music as I find it sublime and majestic; it enraptures my soul. The music transports me with its ethereal notes to another times, place, realm. Much of the music moves me and of particular note are:
Taverner- The Lamb- Kings College
Vaughan Williams-Fantasia on a Theme of John Tallis
And whilst not classical, I've been listening to these stunning tracks on loop:
Olafur Arnauds- Nyepi (Voce8 version)
Pauline Oliveros- The Last Time
Much time has been spent working out the most efficient way to sleep on a sofa bed as my wife and daughters share the one actual bed in the bedroom. I haven't minded as I've had a couple of hours to myself to play games, read, listen to music or whatever I like as long as I remain quiet so as not to wake them. Neck ache and a curvature of the spine are a small price to pay for quiet time as a parent.
I've been listening to podcasts, especially Desert Island Discs, Louis Theroux's Grounded and Dermot O'Leary's People, Just People. I've rediscovered that I actually like people, but only from afar so social distancing works in my favour.
Oh, and in between doing all this I've been spending, at the time of writing, 6 weeks (since we arrived in England) day and night with my lovely family where we've:
Climbed Haytor in Dartmoor,
Going to the beach when very few people are there,
Decorated, grown grass and maintained ‘My Fairy Garden' with my daughters,
Spent an indecent amount in Hobby Craft to keep our kids busy with paint your own pottery kits, glitter, stickers, water colors and markers,
Cooking and baking as a family (Jeannie insists I talk about her cookies, which were in all honesty amazing.... I'm not just saying that as there'll be some repercussions otherwise, honest)
Teignmouth Beach has been a bit of life saver for us and it has rarely been busy.
So, all in all, whilst it's been a challenging few weeks in England, time has passed by quite quickly and I've actually had a pretty enjoyable time of it. I have some trepidation with the opening up but we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Stay safe and my the odd be ever in your favour.
LINK- Let’s All Create A ‘New Normal’
LINK- Straight Outta Quarantine: 14 Days in Blighty
LINK- Flying Home From Coronavirus
LINK- One Month on From Social Distancing in Saudi
LINK- Life in Coronavirus Lockdown Saudi
LINK- Life in the Times of the Coronavirus
LINK- The Further Adventures of Anjum of Arabia in Saudi
LINK- High Tea and High Times in the Riyadh Globe
LINK- Reflecting on Life in Saudi Arabia After 5 Months
LINK- Life in Saudi Arabia 3 Month On
Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review
Whilst flicking through Audible, I came across ‘Blood, Sweat and Pixel’, a book looking at the process of video game creation. The topic obviously appealed to me but what really sold me was that it looked at many games I had played. So, alongside looking at Naughty Dog, creators of blockbusters like the Uncharted series and CD Projeck Red, who created the Witcher series, you had solo developers or smaller teams who created Shovel Knight and Stardew Valley.
I purchased the Audible version of the book and enjoyed my time with it.
I knew the author, Jason Schreier, from his long form investigative games journalist work from sites like Kotaku and magazine like Edge. He is a video game fan but was also not afraid to research where there were problems or issues in the industry. He was the writer who uncovered the unhealthy attitude to crunch at Naughty Dog, the mismanagement at Bioware with Anthem and the inappropriate behaviour of management of several high ups in big gaming companies. Using my backlog of Audible credits I bought the audio books and dived in.
Each chapter of the book focussed on the story of a particular game and they were all engaging, entertaining, emotional and enlightening in equal measure as we hear of teams and solo developers overcoming (for the most part) some extreme adversity.
It kicks off with Obsidian's last ditch effort to save itself when it pitched Pillars of Eternity pitch on crowd funding site Kickstarter. This story was inspirational as it showed how to adapt, play to your strengths and use your moxie to forge your own path.
The Uncharted 4 chapter deals with the issue of expectations and what happens when a project becomes unwieldy, struggling to find a way forward. In the case of Naughty Dog's highly anticipated Uncharted finale, it required firm hands at the tiller and thousands of hours of crunch to achieve. Unfortunately this took a huge mental, emotional and physical toll on many of the people behind the games creation... because, making games is hard.
In Stardew Valley we learn how the game was made by sole creator Eric Barone and how the internet has democratised publishing and creation of video game creation. This democratisation of creativity was last seen in the micro computer era of the 80s where lone bedroom coders could create a game and become legends. This gentle simulator game, where you play a desk jockey who gives up the rat race to become a farmer, took 5 years to complete but was a labour of love.
The Diablo 3 chapter is a look at how a much lauded series can carry a heavy weight as expectations are high. When a day 1 network issue rendered this game unplayable for most players due to an overloaded online server, it looked like the writing was on the wall as this was not a good way to endear yourselves to fans. When this was followed by days of players not being able to play the game they had paid for the situation seemed to escalate, and once they were on the grindy gameplay and online auction further compounded issues against the game. However, in a mea culpa the game underwent a transformation and with patches aplenty arose to become a much loved addition to the series.
The Halo Wars chapter looks at how Ensemble Studio, the creators of RTS Age of Empire, turned a classic PC genre stalwart into a console RTS, something thought impossible at the time. It's a heartening tale of trial and error and years of research and development.
The chapter on Dragon Age: Inquisition looks at how Bethesda created a redemptive game after the flawed Dragon Age 2 received a critical battering from reviewers and fans alike. The creative process was chaotic but by being focussed and inventive the game came out to much fanfare, gently massaging the poor profile of its parent company EA, who had won 'Worst Company in the US' 2 years in a row.
The Shovel Knight section is the tale of 3 creators leaving job security to build a passion project based on the nostalgia of 8bit NES games. Their story of risks and the rewards they reaped are heartening to hear.
In the Destiny chapter we learn how Bungie broke free of their Microsoft overlords and were able to stretch their creativity away from Halo to create a... FPS! But, they do say be careful of what what you wish for. They planned the game to run for 10 years. And to be made independently of all other big conglomerate company interference. This looks at what worked and what went wrong.
The Witcher 3 chapter looks at how a Polish company worked closely together with the author of the books and across the team to create an inspired RPG that is seen by many as the highlight of this gaming generation, even though it was released way back in 2015.
Schreier shows that all these games went through a baptism of fire to get made. It wasn't easy but the games were released. However, he ends with a cancelled game to show how fraught the game creating process can be. With Star Wars 1313, he looks at how Lucas Arts, underwent a tailspin burning through 4 Presidents within 10 years, which resulted in confusion and lack of vision from a studio that had built a reputation of excellence. When momentum finally built with Star Wars 1313, Disney purchased the studio and shuttered it after a short time.
Over the course of the 10 games we see tales of crunch, iterations, scrapping hundreds of hours of work and burnout because making games is hard, the creative process is hard. This peek behind the curtain is a great look at the video games industry as a whole and is an excellent and compelling read. Schreier writes with passion and a clear knowledge of the subject matter and it is refreshing to see an honest insight into the creative process of the biggest entertainment industry in the world.
LINK- The Offworld Collection- Book Review
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy- Video Games As Art
The Uncharted series were the perfect blockbuster video games. Once I’d completed all 4 of the games (I haven’t played the portable one) it felt sad to be saying goodbye to Nathan Drake but also the right time for the series to be put to pasture to age gracefully. Uncharted 4 was epic but also felt overlong, especially during the looooong final act. However, having created a wonderful troupe of friends and enemies, the Uncharted franchise didn’t have to be shouldered by Drake anymore. The Lost Legacy builds on this premise by casting you as Chloe as you go on yet another treasure hunt. At about 12 hours completion time, this is more concise and I feel better paced than some of the bloated AAA games out there. Miss it at your peril. Just check out the gorgeous shots from my playthrough.
LINK- Oxenfree- Video Game As Art
LINK- Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK- Mysterious Cities of Gold Season 3 (English Dub) - Complete Series Review
LINK- The Midnight Library and the Idea That You Can’t Go Home Again
LINK- Manga Exhibition at the British Museum
LINK- The Golden Voyage of Sinbad- Cult Movie Review
LINK- The Transportive Nature of Objects (And the Power of Mini Consoles)
Grenade Genie- Book Review
*Full disclosure- I am good friends with the author of the book, however I purchased the book myself and the review of this poetry collection is based on my real thoughts and opinions*
I'm not one for poetry. There, I've said it! It feels like such a relief getting it our there. I can't deny it. I love the flights of fancy and evocative use of language but I don't always 'get' poetry. I find that it often doesn't speak to me, typically being florid flights of fancy or obscure verbose language that I don't always understand. I suppose the last time I really looked at poetry was in secondary school and the intense study and dissecting of poetry for essay writing killed any enthusiasm I once might have had for it.
My favorite poets are Michael Rosen, Benjamin Zephenaiah and Spike Milligan because they write with such joie de vivre and a love of the absurd. I've never had to look at the deep and meaningful purpose behind 'Ning Nang Nong', 'Talking Turkey' or 'Chocolate Cake' and I suppose the rose-tinted nostalgia attached to these from my childhood plays a part too.
There's no profundity or deepness to these, but in my maturity I've started to develop a deeper appreciation of the arts; I like ballet (very occasionally, about once every 10 years is great, as it lasts a loooong time), opera (the music at least as the performances last longer than the extended 'Lord of the Rings' cuts), classical music (my favorite at the moment being Vaughn Williams 'Fantasia on a theme for John Tallis' and Arvo Part’s 'Spiegel I'm Spiegel') and pop philosophy (I like Kant- I am going to avoid the low hanging fruit there).
Having said all that, when Tom told me that he was publishing a new poetry collection I was enthused as he often writes about themes that I can relate to; the ennui of kebab joints, girls in headscarves and life in urban spaces. However, when I read the blurb of his latest collection, 'Grenade Genie' I was hooked; a series of political poems broken down into 4 segments- cursed, coerced, combative and corrupted? Yes please! This appealed to me in these challenging and uncertain times as the themes covered seemed prescient of the current unstable situation the world finds itself in. During this time of introspection and reflection, these poems really get to the heart of the matter and are vital.
The 25 poems vary in tone but all are different shades of dark. I read them all but a few very much resonated with me and left a lingering after-taste that I cannot shake, much like after watching a David Lynch film where you know you've experienced something strange yet beautiful that says much about the hidden facade of the world.
The poem named after the book, ‘Grenade Genie’, talks about the creation process, of making something and letting it fly into the wild:
Pull out the pin to release the genie
And therefore be
On the receiving end of the huge explosion
And I believe that this gets to the crux of this collection; putting a mirror up to the world through the lens of poetry and seeing the reaction you get.
‘Security Pass’ considers the way that we are all cogs in a machine with our security passes that gain us access to a small part of a whole capitalist industrial complex:
The system recognises-
That the thin row of binary
Will always trump any last shred of humanity
‘Jackpot’, meanwhile, is a great look at the pointlessness of capitalism and consumer culture. Considering the unedifying scenes of queues around the block of Nike Town, Primark and Marks & Spencer's after lockdown easing a few days ago, I found this verse interesting:
What else can we do at this stop
When we've all been programmed since birth
To have nothing else but shopping in the brain?
That's what the finest poetry can do, offer us an insight into the human condition. It lets us peer deep into the soul and look at the wonders and the darkness and the futility and the hope of it all and dream of what could be.
I'm not being a shill here but this collection of poetry is timely and essential at what is a pretty interesting time to be alive. It is challenging, uncomfortable in place but mostly it is true. What a time to be alive! During this time of reflection and introspection you cant do better than looking at this book as a manifesto of the 'state of the nation'.
Ghost in the Water- Cult TV Review
The BBC used to have long running tradition of showing slightly spooky or unnerving films during the festive period, these were called 'Ghost Stories for Christmas' series and were extremely popular. In 1982 the BBC adapted the Edward Chitham book 'Ghost in the Water' into a 50 minute short film aimed at spooking teens.
The story centres around two students, Tess and David, who are investigating the gravestones of the local church for a History project. When they find that their research overlaps on one Abigail Parkes who "Died without harm" they team up together to find out what happened to her. Along the way they find that this 19th century death seems to be linked to Tess's family in some way. When she has visions of the past and finds a tapestry in her house connects her to Abigail the mystery deepens and becomes personal...
The acting by the young cast is earnest and a bit hammy in places but it's pretty good and consistent overall. The cinematography is basic but the atmosphere created during the dark, winters evening in the graveyard does create an effective mood in the Black Country.
‘Ghost in the Water’ is a good quick watch and whilst it won't linger long in the memory, it's a pleasant way to while away an hour and admire the fashion and hair styles of the time. It's an intriguing premise and there are twists and turns aplenty to keep you engaged right up to the end.
LINK- The Owl Service- Cult TV Review
LINK- The Singing Ringing Tree: Cult TV Review
LINK- Jim Henson’s The Storyteller
LINK- The Secret Garden (BBC)- Cult TV Review
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review
LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review
Why I No Longer Talk To White People About Race- Book Review
With all that is going on in the world with the Black Lives Matter movement, I thought I'd continue to educate myself about race, racism, colonialism and its legacy and the idea that many current systems perpetuate the status quo.
The movement has been triggered in large part due to the death of George Floyd at the hand of a white policeman in America, but this is only part of the larger problem of police brutality and race relations across much of the world. I'd already read Akala's book ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’ and found it candid and informative but when a friend recommended I read 'Why I No Longer Talk To White People About Race' by Reni Eddo- Lodge I thought I'd give it a whirl.
The book is short but essential reading.
The author starts by sharing the blog post that the she wrote several years ago which started the whole process, whereby she discusses that white people are often not aware or do not see the injustice, suffering and discrimination that black people often face.
The book is part autobiographical with personal events that have informed Eddo-Lodge about racism she has suffered alongside key historical facts and data to provide context. This was a key motivation behind the writing of this book Eddo- Lodge says, rather than just a polemic she sought to create a call to arms for everyone to get knowledgeable about key issues that the black community face.
Eddo- Lodge believes that due to the fact that white people come to discussions about race and legacies of colonialism from an unequal place they are unaware of many of the issues and discrimination that black people face daily in all walks of life. Many people are unaware of their history, and not simply the jingoistic idyll of the British Empire but the pains caused and the legacy of empire, there cannot be an open discussion of racism which still affects black people today through systemic and structural racism. These are all pretty valid points I think and are respectfully shared.
Eddo- Lodge asserts that the American Civil Rights Movement brought race and race-relations to the fore, but in the UK this has not happened and the only coverage and discussions we’ve had are based on the race riots, injustice, and activist movements which have not been given coverage or have been disingenuous covered or spun.
Of particular interest to me was feminism and specifically how black women are portrayed within this lens. Eddo- Lodge discusses how, even within this movement there are hierarchies. When she aired these views on ‘Women’s Hour’ she faced a backlash and was attacked on social media and faced an onslaught from people to say she was ‘playing the race card’ or ‘being the victim’.
I found the book to be very interesting as I'm of Pakistani heritage but was born in Barking, England in 1981 to second generation parents who came over in the 1970s. I cannot always comprehend what it would be like to live through segregation, race riots and various police investigations. I have been picked on on occasion, especially in my youth, but rarely have I felt as ostracised and demonized as Eddo- Lodge mentions. However, that's the whole point of this book. There are hierarchies of racism and unfortunately, historically black people have been at the nadir of this pyramid, no matter how much Home Secretary Priti Patel tries to gaslight it.
The book is incisive in its scrutiny of the history and evolution of racism and is essential reading for all who want to be armed with facts. I’ve read certain reviews where some people have criticised Eddo- Lodge of not being critical of the actions (or inactions) of the black community but I believe she discussed the structural and institutional inequalities that made it difficult for many black people and people of colour to move through life as simply as many of their white counterparts quite clearly and fairly. Many may disagree and that is their wont but this will open your eyes to many things we have become ‘normalised’ to. I do wish that the title was different though as I can see that it comes across as quite antagonistic and provocative, enough to get the back up of the audience you are purportedly trying to reach.
That said, Eddo- Lodge delivers a searing indictment of the state of play and I hope that by having this book gain prominence during this turbulent but interesting time, we can finally start to move the race conversation forward and see real change happen for the betterment of everyone, irrespective of race, colour or creed.
LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’
The Hollow- Complete Season 2 Review
Season 1 of ‘The Hollow’ was a pleasantly surprising animated series which kept me hooked for the entire 10 episode run. When the series concluded, I was intrigued to see how they would continue the show as it ended it a very interesting way which mixed media.
In season 2, Adam, Mira and Kai find themselves in ‘The Hollow’ again but this time the rules seem to be different. There seems to have been a glitch in which our leads beat the game but didn't end up going home, they go 'home' but it is a glitched out approximation of home, with digital parents and NPC who are walking into lampposts etc. So over the course of 10 episodes our trio face the dangers of other teams who are playing the game to win but our three just want to go back to their real home. It's an interesting premise; what happens if you win a game but it glitches and traps you inside?
Season 2 of ‘The Hollow’ builds on the excellent first season but raises the stakes and places more focus on the interplay and relationship dynamics between the characters. They argue, fight, make up and act irrationally, all very human traits in a crazy digital online world as well as the real one. We get to understand the complex dynamic between Adam and Reeve, Kai and Vanessa, Skeet and Mira and understand why their game glitched.
The message is very clear, beware mega corporations who harvest your Big Data; giving away your information comes at a price, nothing is for free so read the terms and conditions. Post Cambridge Analytica, the world has seen that data is power which leads to influence and this show deals with that in its own clever way. The show is also a meditation on what it means to be alive and Artificial Intelligence, it reminded me of the premise of the video game 'Thomas Was Alone'.
The show moves at a cracking pace but highlights includes Wierdy's upbeat version of ‘Creep’ by ‘Radiohead’ and seeing Kai grow into his relationships with his peers. I won't spoil it but the final boss battle is pretty epic too.
The animation style is the same as the first, which is fine but to think with the ending that they did it would have been bold to go with a new art style and keep the show original and unique. However, Flash style animation it is but again this is not the selling point of the series, the story is top notch and the characterisation is very good.
With the ending of this series there is a possibility of season 3. Overall, this series is an under-appreciated gem and is well worth a watch. Look past the divisive art style and you will find a deep series with much to appreciate and admire.
LINK- The Hollow- Complete Season 1 Review
LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review
LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review
LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review
LINK- Manga Exhibition at the British Museum
LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East
The Lady From The Black Lagoon- Book Review
‘The Creature from the Black Lagoon’ is a bonafide classic horror film from Universal Studio, home of classic creature features like Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman, amongst may others. For many horror fans though, the Black Lagoon ‘Gill Man’ creature, or 'Creech' to his friends, is considered the last great Universal monster and that is largely due to its iconic design. This creation elicited much sympathy whilst also terrifying 1950s audiences upon its initial release. What has been less well known is the story behind its creation by a woman, Milicent Patrick. She had been almost written out of film history which is strange considering the cultural impact her design has had on film, especially Guillermo Del Toro's multi Oscar winning 'The Shape of Water'.
So, why was the only Hollywood monster designed by a woman not bigger news and why wasn't Patrick’s name synonymous in geek-dom? This is the mystery first time author and horror film producer, Mallory O'Meara stepped in to solve as she recounts her fascinating journey to find out how Patrick was almost erased from celluloid history. The premise is fascinating and the tale is engagingly told as we read about O'Meara sifting through history books and Universal records, searching Mormon genealogy databases (whilst offering her afterlife ghost up to a Mormon fella), wading through old newspaper rolls and talking to the remaining studio people or their relatives from the time to find out the sequence of events.
The author builds on her own experiences and personal connections to tell an intriguing tale about this singular woman who flourished, at least for a while, in a male dominated medium.
We find out that Patrick lived on the William Randolph Hearst estate (on whom, the film 'Citizen Kane' is loosely based) where her father was the superintendent of construction of the expansive property. He socialised and schmoozed with the high and mighty, before upsetting them with his willful and arrogant ways and as a result the family frequently moved around, from prestigious construction project to prestige project.
As a young woman, Patrick was one of the first female Disney animators, working on the Chernabog sequence from ‘Fantasia’ in the final anthology animation sequence set to 'Night on Bald Mountain'. She was also an inbetweener for ‘Dumbo’ and ‘Bambi’ before leaving due to the increased cost of staffing brought about by the animators strike during World War 2.
Patrick was plucky and worked as a part time model, trade show hostess, promotional model and supplemented it all with small acting roles. But we learn that she hit the big-time with her creation of the Gill Man before her role was erased and instead credited by the head of the makeup department, a self-serving and jealous man named Bud Westmore. The mystery about what happened to Patrick after her parting from Universal is the central mystery of the book and it is an interesting journey that needed to be told but it is clumsily written and does feel very padded in places. The book is earnestly but naive written, but that can be forgiven due to the candidness and enthusiasm shown.
O'Meara expands on Patrick’s life to have a wider conversion about crediting creatives, stereotyping and sexism and how little has changed until very recently with the #MeToo movement. The book is very ‘now’ in that what it uncovers has implications and repercussions even now.
So overall, I can recommend the book if you can get past the relaxed, informal and almost blog like quality of the writing.
The book is earnestly but naive written, but that can be forgiven due to the candidness and enthusiasm shown for the subject matter.
Call of Cthulhu- Video Games As Art
In these interesting times that we are living in, it’s easy to go dystopian and apocalyptic, thinking the end of the world is nigh! However, it shall all pass and we shall be the better for it. I prefer my brand of ‘end of days’ talk to be pure cosmicism; the sad realisation and existential dread that we humans are insignificant beings in the larger scheme of things with no power to change anything in the vast, indifferent universe that surrounds us. Yup, I’m a H.P. Lovecraft fan, not his racism or outdated and bigoted views on miscegenation of course which are problematic to say the least, but his horror writing. The concept that the protagonists in his stories never win as they face entities beyond their comprehension is thrilling and the ‘Call of Cthulhu’ video game taps into that. It’s a AA game (like a B-Movie but a video game in that it’s not quote ‘indie’ but not a heavy hitter either) and in this game the story is king. It’s a weird tale of an island, a mysterious fire, cults and Cthulhu… of course, Cthulhu. At about 10 hours the game doesn’t stick around but it is interesting and the story will keep you intrigued until the end. Check out screenshots from my play through.
The Clifton House Mystery- Cult TV Series Review
I have an affection for cult and offbeat TV shows and films from days of yore as consistent followers of this blog know. I've found that many still stand up to today's scrutiny and often they are full of great ideas which are earnestly acted. Usually I pick up DVDs at random from CEX but in this case it was whilst I was browsing through Amazon, checking through the recommended links for 'Children of the Stones’, an atmospheric and eerie series that I'd picked up earlier and loved, that I came across 'The Clifton House Mystery'. The series was produced by HTV, the production company that had made ‘Stones,’ and so, based on the strength of that series I took the plunge and bought the DVD set for £4.99. It has sat on my pile of shame for a couple of years but sans WiFi and access to premium channels, I thought I'd finally work my way through this series.
The story is about the Clare family, who move into a mysterious old townhouse in Bristol. The previous family had lived in the house for generations but decided to leave under mysterious circumstances. The contents of the house are auctioned off but there are secrets attached to the items and the abode that haunt the new occupants. When they find a skeleton in a sealed room the mystery deepens and they hire an eccentric ghost hunter Milton Guest, to put the spirits to rest.
The series was aimed at school children so don't expect anything too ghoulish or scary but it is effective in its own way. The economy of sound and set design adds to the slightly unnerving nature. The story is quite straightforward and a lot of Bristolian history is thrown into the mix, which I found quite good as I’m a bit of a history buff.
The cast are relatively unknown, at least to me, however, they all play their roles with surety and earnestness. The only recognisable face is Peter Sallis who plays Guest. He would later go on to voice Wallace in 'Wallace and Gromit' and find fame as one of the old codgers riding a bathtub down many a hill in 'Last of the Summer Wine'.
Overall, the series is not as enthralling as 'Children of the Stones' or as scary as 'Moon Dial' but it is still worth a watch and, at just under 2 and a half hours, it's a nice way to while away a lazy afternoon.
LINK- The Singing Ringing Tree: Cult TV Review
LINK- Jim Henson’s The Storyteller
LINK- The Secret Garden (BBC)- Cult TV Review
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review
LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review
Let's All Create A 'New Normal'
*I usually post light-hearted posts but this is a little heavier. Not ‘French art-house’ heavy but heavy-ish. You have been warned. Also, no offense is intended so cool any jets before coming at me bros. That said, Cummings has acted like a complete muppet*
If you watch the news, are linked by social media or participate in any online discourse you’ll notice that there does seem to be a divisive and often aggressive stance presented about pretty much any topic. The inventor of the world wide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, stated a couple of years ago that, "Humanity connected by technology on the web is functioning in a dystopian way." He decried the "outraged and polarised tone and quality of online discourse", and this was before something like the Covid-19 pandemic happened. So how is the world functioning under this 'new normal' and what does it mean?
Whilst there have been many scenes of packed beaches, many have remained quiet and when people have been there they have socially distanced. Not everyone who goes to the beach is a ‘Covidiot’ and labelling them doesn’t help wider discourse.
In much of the left and centre-left media I've read, I've been told how ‘Covidiots’ are putting others in danger. The probably Brexit voting, bog roll hording gits are gonna cause a second wave and kill many more people by their selfish actions. The sods probably bang their pans on the Thursday for the NHS and carers whilst continuing to put them in danger through their actions. How dare these people enjoy the beach, socially distancing for the most part, and contributing a little to the devastated local economy? The bastards. They're not like you, me or our circle of friends who are sensibly self-isolating and waiting for the scientific evidence to bear out.
The right and centre right media meanwhile have a very different narrative; after more than 8 weeks in lockdown we must get back to a 'new normal.' The science by SAGE (the government's advisory scientific body, so totally impartial then…) says we're probably fine sending Year R, 1 and year 6 kids back to school on June 1st, after all younger kids are less likely to get the virus. They may spread it but it probably won't be that bad. Also, younger kids are well known to respect social distancing guidelines and definitely know what 2 metres looks like as they learned it in school. Talking about schools, they have most definitely been closed and those lazy/ heroic teachers have been chilling at home/ working heroically to support/ letting parents suffer with no support/ too much work. The sods! Yes, there may be a second wave, but the impact to Britain's economy would be more devastating and in the long run this will lead to longer term problems that will be worse than death, like a disparity between rich and poor students. Won't anyone think of the kids? C'mon folks, we're Great Britain, we won the war and we will win this because we're a sovereign island nation who don't need no-one else. *sassy finger clicks* Let's get Brexit done!
The centrists are seen as the worst in many peoples eyes as they have a nuanced approach. They've isolated for the duration of lockdown but have recently gone out to get some fresh air or gone to the beach, if they live near the coast. Contrary buggers, choose a side! This is no time for shades of grey, it's only black and white. A great former U.S. president, George W. Bush said, “You're either with us or against us.” So choose your side you mealy-mouthed muppets!
I'm obviously taking the piss here (just to be clear) and speaking in very broad terms but the general gist is there; whatever your political views or leanings, the narrative being told is it feels better to negatively judge people who have differing views and think of them in derogatory terms, de-humanising them.
I think after 12 years in which we've had extreme economic hardship due to the 2008 crash, the ‘Hostile Environment’ immigration policy that led to the Windrush Scandal, a general demonising of foreigners and 'low skilled' workers amongst certain political groups and media interests during Brexit, and a raised awareness of inequality due to the tragedy in Grenfell, we need to rebuild the sense of community and trust in this fractured country.
This was Teignmouth riverside at 11am on Saturday. Not packed and the people who were there were socially distancing for the most part.
A lot of it is to do with social media and media as a whole. We are hyper-connected and in the news cycle and social media filter and algorithm, all we hear are the shrill extremes of the bell curve, the extreme views from either end of the spectrum. However, most people are in the middle without the extreme views of whatever is being discussed; "You're either with us or against us" both sides cry, when actually most people are neither. The extreme views of the bell curve become the norm and people who don't feel those extremes feel left out and marginalised whilst the shrill just get 'shiller.'
The problem of toxic comments comes from both sides of the spectrum, snowflakism is real on both sides and not just the reserve of the left. On the Web it's very difficult to have a sensible centrist conversation so why shout into the wind? I look back at some of the thoughts and opinions I have shared over the years and I stand by many but looking back reflectively some were antagonistic and reactionary, being written in anger, fear and other heightened feelings that I felt at the time.
I dare to dream… of a world where people aren’t complete muppets to one another, and they listen respectfully…
All that this polarising rhetoric does is take the emphasis away from thinking clearly about how disorganised and confused the government response has been. This is not a post to bash the Tory's, however no matter how you cut it the death count is tragically high and this is largely due to the lack of true leadership shown and inadequate preparation, no matter what they say in those daily briefings. Shaking hands with patients who had Covid-19 shows the arrogance exhibited by Boris. Churchill, who he would like to emulate, had a lot on his plate but I don't remember him being arrogant enough to go out to a field, pulling his pants down and mooning the Luftwaffe during the Blitz. Informed choices and smart decisions (and a little luck, for sure) won the day for Churchill, but for Boris, alas, the emperor has been found to have no clothes on. Except when he's defending Dominic Cummings, but then we know who's really wearing the trousers in that relationship.
As I noticed when walking along the beach in Shaldon, Devon today on Tuesday 2nd June 2020, people are making good choices for the most part. However, I know from a few friends across the country who live next to the coast that there are many people a who are not following social distancing guidelines and are ignoring protocols by grouping together at beaches. They should be dealt with properly by the authorities, but not everyone on the beach should be tarred with the same ‘covidiot’ brush. I’ve also seen choice photos of other beaches taken at angles which make the people look closer together than they really are or even old photos pre-pandemic of packed beaches claiming to have been taken during the pandemic, these do not help build trust in what is being communicated online.
That's why we have many people not believing everything they read or see in ‘mainstream media’ but rather seeking ‘alternative media’ to get their ‘news’. Many people believed alternate dimension blood drinking lizard botherer David Icke with his 5G conspiracy and lit up phone masts. It's a shame we've never had anything like this untested, unknown technology before, like maybe 4G, 3G, 2G... . It's also why if there is a vaccine many people will elect not to take it, some for valid reasoned medical reasons and some because they saw a YouTube video by a random guy talking about its dangers from his shed and he seemed legit so they told their circle of friends, some of who are flat earthers and believe that man never really landed on the moon. We are through the looking glass here people!
Since when has it been the norm to believe more in conspiracy theorists than scientists? It's no coincidence that the countries with the strongest trust in institutions like the police, scientists and politicians have had the most cohesive and effective response against the spread of Covid-19. With a government that specifically stated that "People have had enough of experts" what else did they expect when people turned to other sources of information and questioned those they should have been listening to in this critical time? This erosion of trust has caused huge problems and meant that the messages are not being received with trust, or they are being interpreted in different ways.
So, where do we go from here? Well, first off we need to stop judging and belittling people (apart from conspiracy theorists as they need to be called out on their more outlandish nonsense), either through passive aggressive virtue signalling on Facebook, Twitter or any other medium as it doesn't help, it just entrenches those views. Also, some flash in pan hashtags often don't help, they're often just a short term trend. #BeKind was a wonderful idea but was soon forgotten whilst the whole Facebook forwarding of "I can say that I've stayed at home since lockdown began, have you" is not helpful as it assumes people are all in the exact same position. How about key workers or carers who don't have that luxury? You don't know what people are going through and shaming them does not help. People may be going through some mental health issues, having difficulties supporting their children or maybe they are looking after someone with a disability. For many financial hardship has grown, even more since austerity 'ended' and there are harder times to come with the unemployment rate skyrocketing and expected to grow even more. So to assume that everyone should behave in one way is unfair, I mean don’t drive to a castle 60 miles away with your 4 year old son strapped to the back of the car to ‘check your eyesight,’ but do follow the spirit of the guidelines to help wider society and don’t be a selfish git.
Simply put, there is not one good way to create the' new normal' but could it please be one in which we respect difference and appreciate each other and maybe listen.
Politicians and political commentators must look at how they are contributing to an ‘us’ vs ‘them’ narrative which has led to populism sweeping across the world. There’s nothing wrong in populism but some of the statements which are shown in the 24 news cycle and shared online, pervade society and give credence to certain xenophobic, racist, homophobic beliefs. This adds fuel to the fire and all it takes is one spark to ignite the flames for discord and discontent. I could place any number of quotes from Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson or many other politicians in here but I won’t as by cherry picking a few points without context, I’d be doing what I am railing against.
I don’t know how to end this as what is going on in the world is too big to grapple with here but I think the ‘new normal’ should have a simple overarching rule to follow: Be the best that you can be as a human being and make informed decisions that help create a fairer world for all people, irrespective of colour, creed, religion or orientation. Difficult, I know but dare to dream…
LINK- Straight Outta Quarantine: 14 Days in Blighty
LINK- Flying Home From Coronavirus
LINK- One Month on From Social Distancing in Saudi
LINK- Life in Coronavirus Lockdown Saudi
LINK- Life in the Times of the Coronavirus
LINK- The Further Adventures of Anjum of Arabia in Saudi
LINK- High Tea and High Times in the Riyadh Globe
LINK- Reflecting on Life in Saudi Arabia After 5 Months
LINK- Life in Saudi Arabia 3 Month On
The Tinderbox (DEFA)- Cult TV Review
So, I mentioned in my review of ‘The Singing Ringing Tree’ that I had been browsing CEX in Tonbridge a few years ago when I came across the ‘Tales From Europe’ boxset for £5 which contained ‘The Singing Ringing Tree’ and ‘The Tinderbox’. The boxset sat on my pile of shame for many years and I've only just got around to watching the films from this collection due to having poor WiFi and thus, limited access to Netflix and other streaming platforms.
This boxset is available for about £5.99, which is excellent value.
'The Tinderbox' is a retelling of the classic tale by Hans Christian Anderson, in which a soldier meets a witch whilst returning from war. She offers him the opportunity to become wealthy by climbing down a hollow tree trunk into the caverns below and retrieve some gold, alongside a tinderbox. The soldier gets the item but is betrayed by the witch, but he does escape and becomes fabulously wealthy. However, will he fulfill the prophecy and win the heart of a pure princess? It's a fairytale so what do you think?
Like 'The Singing Ringing Tree', with which it shares a lot of DNA, the sets in ‘The Tinderbox’ are beautifully realised with vibrant colours almost jumping off the screen, even after 50 years. The costumes are gorgeously detailed and considering that there are considerably more people in this production than ‘The Singing Ringing Tree’, must have been quite an undertaking. I'm unsure as to where it drew inspiration from for its locale but there are a lot of town scenes and they look great as there is a lot of care taken to capture the feel of the architecture of the period, which is 18th/ early 19th century Germanic I feel, but what do I know about historic architecture?
’The Tinderbox’ must have been quite an expensive production, however the special effects look laughable now, but what do you expect after such a long time? The three big dogs that help the soldier are just regular dogs superimposed upon the set and their eyes that are supposed to be as big as saucers don’t look the part as they used eye shadow and sparklers but the story is wonderful and engaging, as most fairy tales are, and the earnestness of the actors and actresses shines through.
The film has little dialogue and so even though it is spoken in German it is very easy to understand. The English subtitles are large and clear and easily readable. There is an english narrative option too but I prefer the German audio track with the english subtitles.
The film clock in at 1 hour 10 minutes and is well worth a visit as it is a charming tale, well told.
LINK- The Singing Ringing Tree: Cult TV Review
LINK- Jim Henson’s The Storyteller
LINK- The Secret Garden (BBC)- Cult TV Review
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review
LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Dogstar: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- Day of the Triffids (1981 BBC): Cult TV Series Review
The Singing Ringing Tree (DEFA): Cult TV Review
I had heard of this film through various 'Top 100 Kids Shows' and other such cheaply produced shows shows that were all the rage about a couple of decades ago. Y'know, the stuff where talking 'celebs' and vox pop tried to say funny or snarky stuff about the shows they were counting down. I know that the dwarf character scared many so I hoped I would get around to seeing it and forming my own opinion. Once again, browsing CEX in Tonbridge I came across the ‘Tales From Europe’ boxset for £5 which contained ‘The Singing Ringing Tree’ and ‘The Tinderbox,’ and so I bought it. Again, it sat on my pile of shame for about 4 years and I've only just got around to watching it due to no WiFi and the ongoing pandemic.
The sets are lavish and the artistry is show is excellent for a 1957 production.
'The Singing Ringing Tree' is a 1957 fairytale of a young Prince who sets out to find the eponymous tree in order to win the love of a beautiful but conceited princess. He finds it in a fairytale garden which ruled by an evil dwarf. The dwarf and Prince strike a deal whereby the prince can have the tree on the condition that he wins the princess' love before nightfall; if he fails, he will turn into a bear. Things don't go to plan and the Prince is transformed. The Princess is taken to the Kingdom and she turns from an arrogant, conceited woman into one who is kind and considerate. Her outer beauty is matched by her inner beauty. The story is not one I know but is familiar with echoes of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (with the Stockholm Syndrome) and pretty much any fairy tale, fable or tale where true love conquers all. It’s all pure escapism.
The set are beautiful with vibrant colours and the costumes are lush and detailed. It looks like an expensive production and thus lavishness extends to the special effects, which may look laughable now but at the time I'm sure were impressive. The film has little dialogue so the German vocal track shouldn’t detract non-German speakers as it can be seen without any talking at all, or with an English narrator or a French vocal track. Looking at the story now with no nostalgia for it at all, I can say that I thought the story reminded me of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller series which also presented many European tales with a dark edge to them.
The DVD I purchased has few extras but did include an interview with the actress who played the Princess from 2003 which is insightful as we learn that this was her first role and she was still in school.
It also contains production and promotion stills which I have to say is really quite beautiful.
Overall, I thought that the film was wonderful and is well worth a look.
LINK- Jim Henson’s The Storyteller
LINK- The Secret Garden (BBC)- Cult TV Review
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review
LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Dogstar: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- Day of the Triffids (1981 BBC): Cult TV Series Review
Straight Outta Quarantine- 14 Days In Blighty
After leaving Saudi and repatriating, we headed down to Devon. Jeannie's parents live here and have done so for about 15 years and when we left the country this was put as our home address for our letters and correspondences. We obviously didn’t know about the impending pandemic when we left 10 months ago but we have fallen on our feet as I’m not gonna lie - it’s a pretty awesome location. The beach is 10 metres away, the hills are nearby and the views of the river are freakin' gorgeous.
The views in Shaldon are spectacular and having the beach nearby is a real boon.
The challenge was to survive 14 days in quarantine, 12 of which would include distance learning with Live Teaching sessions with our pupils as well as faculty and staff meeting on Saudi time, which is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Doing all this whilst keeping our own 2 daughters happy and busy with their learning whilst in a confined space was going to be a challenge. What could go wrong? So, 14 days after we landed and before it was cool to quarantine (and before the ever on the pulse Boris government said it was compulsory, when most countries had been doing for about 3 months) how'd it go?
Well, we had Jeannie's parents nearby but didn't want to infect them so staying with them, as we usually did, was not an option so we were living in an isolated cottage about 1 minute away from where they lived. This way the girls could see and speak to Nana and Grandpa but only from a distance in their large gated garden.
This is the gated garden where we spent much of our 14 days away from the public.
We had some vittles as Jeannie's dad got some for us but after several days we had to venture out to get more food as we couldn't order any food as the wait time was over a month. Jeannie’s parents are both in the vulnerable bracket and so we had to fend for ourselves. We only went out a couple of times to get food as there is no chance to get a delivery which makes me think, what are other people doing to get supplies? Jeannie and I took it in turns to do the shopping, wearing white masks and going out in off-peak times to avoid crowds. Devon had a very low number of Corona cases and we wanted to help keep it that way, not add to it as we could be asymptomatic carriers but not know it. It would be awful to unwittingly infecting people *shudder*. Also, we didn’t want to get Covid either so not dying was a good motivator.
People are very friendly here and many have been welcoming as they know me or recognise me from the constant holidays we've had here over the last 10 years or so, and from my in-laws who have a wide social network in the area.
On the way back from the shop, I saw my white whale, another Asian person like me. Well it was two actually, a mum and her daughter. Asian people are like mythical creatures here in Shaldon, and in my 10 years or so of being here I have only seen a couple. The women’s shawls flapped a little in the wind like unicorn manes, sparkly and vibrantly coloured. My eyes met that of the mother in a moment of understanding and then…. mere moments later, they were gone.
We had a Mifi (mobile Wifi) with limited data as data was expensive, 7 GB was £25. To put it in context 1 hour of Netflix is about 1 GB. However, since we still had school for a week and a half, we didn't stream anything or watch Netflix or BBC iPlayer. However, I had the WiFi pass code for the in-laws house but couldn't get good access from the garden so I had to stand outside their front door, about 3 metres away to download the final season of She-Ra. I love the show and needed closure but wasn't gonna kill the Mifi credit on that.
Whilst playing in the in-laws' large garden we had a neighbouring young girl call over and start a conversation with my daughter. Coming from east London, where people avoid eye contact and talking to strangers at all costs, it felt weird seeing my 5 year old daughter having a full blown conversation with a random stranger. The girl lived over the garden wall and had her sister there too, and so they were discussing friends, teachers etc with my daughter, who was loving interacting with another human who was not family. It got even weirder when the girl’s parents came and actually started to chat to me about lockdown, boredom, BBQs and shopping. Who woulda thought it: A global pandemic is the great equaliser amongst the 'just about managing' classes.
Not having WiFi is a killer. I had to resort to barbarism like watching crusty old dvd like ‘Secret of my Success’ which were left in the granny flat where we frequently stayed when visiting the in-laws. The film is so 80s it's untold. For the uninitiated Michael J. Fox plays Brantley, a business studies student from Kansas who dreams big. He goes to New York and works his way from mail room to leading a multi-million dollar company because he's a Mary Sue (a film term where a character is awesome at something even thought they've had no prior training or practice, think Luke or Rey in Star Wars), and thus has incredible insight into everything just because. The film is so cheesy and the dialogue is hammy as hell but its enjoyable enough fare. In a bit of equity, Fox gets Don Juan'd by an older woman he's driving, who turns out to be his aunt, but good on her for getting hers. Many 80s films don't always portray women in the best light so good on this one. Also that song by Yello, “Oh Yeah” is played a couple of times which is always nice.
I finally got around to watching cult DVDs I'd acquired over the years but never really got around to like ‘Day of the Triffids’ the 1981 BBC 6 part serial or the ‘Singing Ringing Tree ‘ and ‘Tinder Box’ from the ‘Tales of Europe’ DVD set. Y'know , real cult stuff that you pick up from CEX on the High Street but don't think you'll ever get to actually watching but then a worldwide virus forces your hand. BTW the DVDs were great and I'm glad I watched them all, check out my reviews. Eat dirt prestige shows like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, and The Wire... You can wait in line!
Playing on a PlayStation when everyone is in bed in a granny flat is not an option. I've reverted to using my Switch on the go and am in the final stretch (editor note: 50 or so hours left) of Skyrim so that'll be another one off the list soon.
My girls have coped admirably with the 14 days in quarantine but I've seen the Disney DVDs of the ‘Princess and the Frog’, ‘Aladdin ‘ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ wayyyy to many times. I think the ‘Princess and the Frog’ is great and was not appreciated upon release, catchy tunes, excellent hand animation, whip-smart dialogue and an appreciation of New Orlean and Creole and Cajun culture. Marvellous! Come at me bro. However, ‘Aladdin’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ are bona-fide classics, no doubt about it.
After Boris gave his confusing message about people maybe being allowed to go out but 'being alert' there was a definite influx of people to the area and whilst many were social distancing, some were not. I had an incident at the beach whilst walking where a woman sneezed and said "I've been doing that a lot over the past couple of days" and her partner sneezed a short while later too and said, and I quote "Yeah, I've not been feeling great myself really". Now my thinking is, if I wasn't feeling well I would not go onto the beach and be around other people. Common sense ain't so common unfortunately.
The girls understood about the dangers of the virus and didn't want to pass on any bugs to anyone. They were very good at keeping the 2 metre social distance when we went for our walks, which were at off-peak times. My youngest talking about the trauma of having the virus (she was car sick on the way down to Devon so she didn't have the virus, at least to our knowledge) but informed several strangers that she had the virus and had vomited in the car. Thankfully they understood the true nature of her ailments and one even said, "I had the virus a lot when I was a little girl too".
So, overall the 14 days of quarantining weren’t so bad and now we have the freedom to get on with our lives by walking about, avoiding people and not enjoying the beach. I’m pleased to say that none of us seemed to have the Coronavirus but we may be asymptomatic carriers so we’ll keep ‘being alert’ for the meantime.
Enjoying ice-cream from the safety of the gated garden.
LINK- Flying Home From Coronavirus
LINK- One Month on From Social Distancing in Saudi
LINK- Life in Coronavirus Lockdown Saudi
LINK- Life in the Times of the Coronavirus
LINK- The Further Adventures of Anjum of Arabia in Saudi
LINK- High Tea and High Times in the Riyadh Globe
LINK- Reflecting on Life in Saudi Arabia After 5 Months
LINK- Life in Saudi Arabia 3 Month On
Day of the Triffids- Cult TV Series Review
The Day of the Triffids is a renown classic of sci-fi literature. I was aware of the book due to my father having read it back in the 70s when he was in school but didn't know much else. All I knew was it featured walking plants that could kill people. It didn't sound particularly appealing when I heard about it but as I got older I realised that I recognised the author, John Wyndham. He had written The Midwich Cuckoo' (which the Village of the Damned series of movies is based on) and The Chrysalis, which I had read.
It was whilst I was browsing my local CEx (Computer Exchange) in Tonbridge a couple of years ago that I came across the DVD of the 1981 BBC serial production. I have a penchant for cult TV series as you may know (check the other cult series I have reviewed in the links below if you want a quick catchup) so I bought it and it joined my 'pile of shame' where it sat until the pandemic and lack of WiFi gave me cause to finally visit the DVD. There were no excuses now not to view this series and I'm glad I did.
The story revolves around the eponymous plants, which are farmed for its use in the production of oil. The plants escape from a farm and kills people after a meteor shower renders most of the world blind. Society quickly crumbles as only a few people are left with their sight and it is in this scenario that our lead, Bill Masen, a Triffid Farmer/ biologist who was injured and had his eyes bandaged and so kept his sight, seeks to survive in this apocalyptic and dystopia world. The beginning is very 28 Days Later as Bill walks around the silent hospital and then the quiet streets of his city.
Now the premise is pretty standard sci-fi fare; something dreadful escapes the lab and changes the world into a preppers wet dream, but what makes this story interesting is the focus on the human angle. There is no deus ex machina that fixes the world and the protagonist gets beaten up trying to stop gangs from raping, pillaging and hunting the blind. It is quite unflinching in its portrayal of the downfall of society.
The actors are all relative unknowns, at least to me, however my wife was convinced that one of the small roles was played by a guy from Howard's Way, but they act with such earnestness and conviction that it doesn't matter. You empathise and feel for them as they are being hunted down by walking rhubarb. The special effects could have been silly or ridiculous but the fact that we rarely see the Triffids, and when we do the cinematography presents them at an interesting angle, means the production has aged well and can be appreciated as a period piece. The introduction credits are spooky sounding and quite eerie until a lady gets hit on the face with a quite-obvious foam stinger (see the video below at 37 seconds).
Having watched quite a few of these cult TV serials what I find holds up the most are the shows with an economy of design; it is the silences and the moments of tension that bring classic BBC productions much acclaim. Much like 'The Stone Tapes' and 'Children of the Stones', this series does not have much in the way of music but the uncomfortable silence lends the proceeding an air of ever present dread.
At 6 episodes, Day of the Triffids clocks in at just over 2 1/2 hours but it is time well spent. The series is a time capsule to show the fashion, hairstyles and Cold War fears of the 80s but, more importantly, it is a good example of what can be done when you create a human story within a sci-fi setting that is not demanding on production or special effects. This is a masterclass in the story being king.
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power- Season 5 Review
Over the past 2 years we've had 4 amazing seasons of She-Ra and the the Princesses of Power and now we finally have the concluding season. So does the finale stick the landing and the rebooted She-Ra series become one of the finest animated series of recent times?
She-Ra started off with usual Heroes Journey fare but then very quickly escalated and grew into something much more epic, featuring time travel, alternate dimensions and pocket universes; heady stuff indeed.
At the end of season 4, Hordak had signalled Horde Prime and Etheria had been revealed to the Empire, losing the protection the previous She-Ra (Mara) had provided it by placing it in a pocket dimension. The sword was broken and Adora's ability to call on She-Ra was lost.
This season the princesses face all out war as Horde Prime looks to leach the powerful magic from the Heart of Etheria for himself, and achieve God-hood by destroying the universe and making everyone left in his image. With the majority of the rebels overwhelmed by the Prime clones, the remaining faction undertake guerrilla warfare, freeing small areas one at a time, whilst battling their friends who are under Prime control from microchips in the neck.
One of the shows biggest strengths is the attention it gives its characters, it has always allowed them a chance to develop arcs that are subtle and true and this holds in this concluding season too. Mermista, Scorpia and Perfuma all get a chance to shine as they undergo their own trials but the biggest character development is with Entrapta. She learns to appreciate and understand her friends as well as continuing her love of tech. She has some of the funniest and most touching moments and is MVP as she has to find a hack to prize the brainwashing microchips off of her friends and most of Etheria.
Married couple, Netossa and Spinarella are heavily featured as they join the rebellion too but their powers are given more credence and their true power is shown in all its might as they fight against each other as the Horde chip has control over one partner. It's all quite heavy stuff but dealt with the usual confidence and honesty that has made this show so popular amongst the LGBTQ+ community and those looking for wider representation in media.
The complex, maybe even toxic, relationship between Catra and Adora is explored as we gain more insight into Catra's motivations. We get to understand her abandonment and attachment issues and whilst not entirely sympathetic, we do start to understand why Catra is the way she is. The CatDora relationship comes to the fore, especially at the 2 part conclusion as they race to the Heart of Etheria against Horde Prime.
Horde Prime is the archtypal supervillian, his motivation is pure power. He is a malevolent gentleman, inviting Catra and Glimmer to dinner whilst serving her food and delicacies from long destroyed worlds. He seeks to rid the universe of emotions, which he sees as a weakness. He cannot be reasoned with and as he has been in power for so long and has succeeded in spreading the Horde Empire far and wide, doesn't need to explain his ideology except for the further acquisition of power.
With the players on both sides set, the various story threads all weave together to a stunning conclusion that will satisfy fans whilst raising the possibility of a movie or one off special. I won't spoil anything here but I felt extremely satisfied with how the series ended, honouring all the character arcs and motivations yet feeling like a real journey.
This season is well written with shades of dark and light incredibly well plotted with never a moment wasted. It doesn't lose its central message that friendship is awesome but can be hard work, whilst delivering gripping and emotional scenes, episode after episode.
I have loved this show and would recommend it for anyone with a passion for animation but also anyone who appreciates well rounded characters and tightly scripted stories.
LINK- MCOG Soundtrack on Vinyl Review
LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me
LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK- Ulysses 31 Retro Soundtrack Review
LINK- An English Geek in Saudi Arabia
LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review
LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power- A Retrospective Before the Final Season
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power on Netflix is a modern reimagining of the classic ’80s Filmation series. She-Ra is a part of the He-Man universe and so holds a place in many fans’ hearts, and as expected this raised the profile of the 2018 reboot, especially online.
Even before the show aired there were many debates about whether the new takes on the characters were any good. Some arguments seemed to be reasonable, with some complaining about the more cartoony super deformed art style, or the redesign of She-Ra herself, but some seemed purposely argumentative and toxic like why there was wider LGBTQ and minority ethnic representation on the show. People accused it of being a show for SJW’s with the common refrain, ‘Go Woke, Go Broke’.
So, away from the Twitter frenzy and YouTube comments, what has the show been like and has it proved the detractors wrong over the past 2 years and 4 seasons?
Warning- Spoilers Ahead As I Discuss the Plot Points of All 4 Seasons.
The story itself is classic hero fare: Adora is a cadet in the Fright Zone and a part of the Horde, who are trying to wipe out the 'evil' Princesses. However, after a joy riding accident in the Whispering Woods with her friend Catra, Adora finds the Sword of Power and has visions of She-Ra and the First Ones.
Adora is captured by Princess Glimmer of Bright Moon and Bow and realises that the Horde are evil and that the Princesses aren't a guerilla force but actually just peaceful rulers of their respective lands. Adora undergoes a crisis of Horde faith and joins Glimmer in her aim to unite the Princess Alliance which once fought the Horde but ultimately failed and fell apart.
Adora is then trained by Lighthope, a First Ones Yoda-type hologram, in the ways of She-Ra but makes slow progress. The Princess Alliance get used to being friends as well as allies and hold strong against the continuous daily onslaught of Horde robots.
The first two seasons of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power are bright and generally breezy but boy does season 3 crank things up a little. There are three main through-lines over the course of this season; Hordak's plan, which is suitably nefarious, involves portals and the Horde army travelling through space and time to take over Etheria; Adora and her Best Friend Squad deepen their bonds on a journey through the Crimson Waste to find more First Ones technology and learn what happened to Mara, the previous She-Ra, and Catra and Scorpia become closer as they search for the tech in the Crimson Wastes too.
The three storylines converge in dramatic fashion and, from episode 5, get pretty heady as the true area of development is character as we delve further into all our invested parties. We learn about Hordak's motivations, and even though he is the big bad in this series, it is hard not to feel a little sympathy for him. We see his friendship (maybe romance?) with Entrapta grow and so, what could have been a 2-dimensional bad guy, becomes more intriguing.
The storyline then goes to some pretty dark places, not Pulp Fiction level dark but for a 7+ kids show... pretty noir. Alternate realities, the darkest timeline and time and space being all wobbly wobbly feature in this series and actually play a huge part in the finale. We find out that Hordak's plan is to open a portal to bring Horde Prime and the intergalactic Horde army to Etheria, Adora finally gains some insight as to who she really is and where she came from and Catra goes full heel and sustained some cool but temporary evil looking scars to show how bad ass she really had become. It all reached a dizzying crescendo that culminated in the ultimate sacrifice from a figure that would change the structure of the Princesses Alliance forever and have grave implications for the Best Friends Squad moving forward.
The forth season kicks off as Glimmer has her coronation as Queen of Bright Moon. As she ascends the throne and has to deal with diplomatic concerns, Bow and Adora take the lead on missions. The excursions meet with initial success until a shape shifter, Double Trouble, enters the fold and adds some espionage into the unfolding drama. They' tap into the growing hostility between Glimmer and Adora and light the fuse to the powder keg, and we see the group splinter in spectacular fashion. Meanwhile, Catra bonds with Double Trouble, falls out with Scorpia and realises that victory is not all its cracked up to be as she and Hordak take over most of Etheria.
I really enjoyed the 4th season as it looked at the military industrial complex in more detail, specifically the many levels of bureaucracy that underpin it- heady stuff for a 'tween cartoon'. Glimmer struggles with the duties required from being a Queen, co-ordinating the campaign whilst sending her friends and colleagues out into the thick of battle whilst struggling with the guilt that mounting casualties unsuccessful campaigns rack up. Catra struggles with gaining resources to take the Horde war machine forward whilst Hordak struggles to move forward with creating the ultimate weapon without his colleague and potential love interest, Entrapta. The varying story threads all weave together wonderfully reaching an exciting and intergalactic climax as a deus ex machina is pulled and the status quo is shifted yet again.
All in all, it all added up to another great season that is building to a final battle between Etheria and the Horde Prime Empire. That is what season 5 will focus on.
What I have really enjoy about She-Ra is that the storyline has been intriguing, however the strong characterisation and the journey that each character goes through has endeared them to you; you become invested, be they hero or villain. There are definite shades of grey; Hordak seeks acceptance from his superior, Catra has attachment issues, Entrapta finds it hard to make friends, Scorpia is in a toxic relationship with Catra and Kyle wants to be loved and respected. The show also goes deep into lore and it is genuinely exciting to see the battle between Adora/ She-Ra and Catra as they realise that they want different things in life yet their paths are inextricably and destructively linked.
As for the animation style, I always liked the design of the '80s show but I thought the new art style was great too. I am a big fan of Noelle Stevenson (the creator and lead writer of the show), who created the amazing Nimona and Lumberjanes graphic novels, and her art style felt modern and stylised like Steven Universe. I didn’t understand why there seemed to be a small contingent of very vocal people criticising the show when many other cartoons had a more simplistic style compared to what they were years ago, after all, Phineas and Ferb, Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball and Over the Garden Wall are all brilliant but less detailed and 'realistic' when compared to '80s fare such as He-Man, TMNT, The Mysterious Cities of Gold, MASK or GI Joe. However, what is inarguable and has been beyond dispute is that the storylines, dialogue and characterisation in the new She-Ra show have been much better than its predecessor. In a medium which has been uniformly hegemonic in portraying white characters and often sexualised females, the recent wave of real world representations in cartoons has been exciting and the fact that She-Ra has been backed up by engaging stories and well-rounded characters is a testament to what the series has achieved.
After 4 stunning seasons and a cliffhanger ending building to a final battle between Etheria and the Horde Prime Empire, I can say that it’s been a heck of a journey but it seems like a good a place as any to end on a high. I can’t wait for the fifth and final season and I would advise everyone to ignore the detractors and naysayers and check out the show, it is one of the finest animated series around and well worth a watch!
LINK- MCOG Soundtrack on Vinyl Review
LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me
LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK- Ulysses 31 Retro Soundtrack Review
LINK- An English Geek in Saudi Arabia
LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review
LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review
Flying Home From Coronavirus
With the school year almost over here in Saudi and the lockdown in the country meaning most of the facilities are closed for the foreseeable future, we had a tough decision to make:
1) Stay here in the relative safety of the compound and hope the facilities open up for our kids, who were going nuts and struggling in the heat which is due to get to 50 degrees soon, or
2) Fly home back to England with the highest death rate in Europe and hunker down in isolation in a granny flat in the in-laws garden.
Decisions, decisions.... but we decided on the latter as the promise of cooler climes, a change of scenery and access to a large garden was too tempting to pass up, especially if the lockdown was to continue for several more weeks.
Our two girls were done with Saudi as they couldn't do anything that they wanted to do, rightly so in the time of a pandemic, but when you are surrounded by beige constantly it gets you a little down. Behaviour and mental health become big factors and they were becoming more prominent as the 8 long weeks had dragged on. Our littlest barely wore clothes, which is no bad thing granted, but she also wasn’t being stimulated or entertained as both Jeannie and I worked on our Distance Learning plans and had limited activities and resources to occupy our children and keep them engaged. We had reached a plateau.
So, we bit the bullet and booked flights home for May 8th 2020 on a Saudia flight to Heathrow. Our plan was to get to London, pick up the rental car and drive down to Devon where we had our home base.
Packing up was interesting as we are hoping to come back to school but are not sure if we'll be allowed to fly back in August or even if we'll have jobs as the international teaching scene is very volatile at the moment with worries about numbers dropping in enrolments due to the worldwide economic slowdown and the oil price crash, which is a big factor here in Saudi. We packed the essentials and valuable but left much of our belongings in Riyadh, hoping to return to finish our second year or failing that, to return our school laptops and collect our personal possessions before deciding what to do next.
A few days before going to the airport we had to fill in an online form to be allowed to break curfew to get to the airport, it was a long process as the website was janky and kicked me out several times. However to travel without the document meant you could be fined up to £200, 000 or face jail time, shizzle just got real indeed! When the King orders a lockdown here, he means business and there's no flip-flopping.
And so, with the travel documents in tow we went to the airport and what struck me was how quiet it all was. Now Riyadh is not a massive hub like Dubai or Kuala Lumpur but it is quite busy generally but today it looked desolate, like a shopping centre on a midweek afternoon. It was so quiet that we were able to park up outside the terminal, a rare situation indeed. So, with masks covering our faces, gloves on and a change of clothes for when we got to the other side we went in and got checked in and through security within 10 minutes, a new record for us.
In Departures what struck me was the sheer sense of desolation. All duty free shops were closed and there was the solitary coffee vendor selling just 3 options of coffee, all with no syrup... This was lean fare indeed.
Markers on the floor demarcate 2 metres.
Walking to the Departures gate the usual suspects of travelers, serious business people, the loved up couples, the weekenders, the solo backpacker and the pilgrims were nowhere to be seen. Instead we simply had families trying to make their way home, carrying a couple of suitcases and car seats. Everyone was wearing masks and many wore gloves. It felt strange as in the compound we had been sheltered from much of this but now here it was, front and centre... This pandemic is changing the world and re-moulding it, into what? We don't know and won't know for a while but hopefully some good will come out of this tragedy which has claimed so many lives.
The queue for the London flight was crazy long and social distancing frequently went out of the window.
When it was time to join the queue for the flight I was surprised by how many people came out of the woodwork, the flight to London was pretty packed after all! People had social distanced but when it was the time to go, boy did they come together, funneling through the security checks (again). The close proximity to others continued for the duration of the journey as the plane is by design narrow and confined so there is no way you have have the designated two or so metres apart. However, to Saudia's credit, they gave everyone a pack of hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and tissues and sprayed the cabin with some insecticide. The food was packaged cheese and turkey ham sandwiches and a small bottle of orange juice, not great but enough to suffice for the 6 and a half hour journey. With masks constantly on our faces and copious amounts of antibac applied regularly we got closer to home.
The goody bag from Saudia was useful and practical to keep the virus at bay. Photo courtesy of Andy ‘Bowling King’ Thiel.
All in all, it was a good a journey as could be expected but once the plane landed and the seat-belt sign went off, people went feral as always, rushing to get their bags and bunching together, impatient to get off. Bang went the social distancing that had been so rigidly followed...
Upon arriving at Heathrow terminal what stood out was how almost everyone was wearing a mask, but once we left the airport and stated our long journey to Devon, I saw few people wearing them. We picked up our rental car and Jeannie drove the whole way, we did the journey in just under 3 hours, it usually takes about 4 and a half hours, the traffic was non-existent!
Once we entered Devon it felt wonderful to be back, the fresh air, the verdant green grass and gorgeous vespertine river; it was good to be home! We got out of our clothes, had a shower and donned our masks to greet the family from afar and enter quarantine fo two weeks.
Shaldon really is stunning… the colours children, the colours!
This is where I would probably end my story usually but a comedy of errors occurred the next day as we sought to return our rental car to Exeter and I feel the need to share it with you all as it was a comedy of errors.
Jeannie was going to drive the rental car and I would take my mother-in-laws cool Honda Jazz to pick Jeannie up after the drop-off. The Jazz hadn't been run in a while, due to my mother-in-law being quarantined as she is considered highly vulnerable, but the journey wasn't long so what could go wrong, right?
"It's not been run in a while so turn off the radio and other electronics" my mother-in-law warned me before I set off and I duly heeded her warning, making sure that just the essentials were running.
I put the location into Google Maps on my phone, which was freshly charged and showed 100%. Now I've had my Huawei P10 Lite for about 3 years, and over the past couple of weeks it's cut off randomly, saying it was out of power but the journey was only 20 mins or so, surely it could survive that… right?
So off we went, following each other when a giant delivery van came between us and I lost sight of Jeannie’s rental. No worries as I had my Huawei showing Google Maps, but then my mobile did the whole 'battery low' and shut down. Luckily, I caught sight of Jeannie's silver Kia and followed. "What luck" I thought as I got closer. We approached a roundabout and I followed the Kia to the 3rd exit, only for a car to beep me from behind as I exited the A road to gosh knows where. It was Jeannie… I had followed the wrong silver Kia and Jeannie had got off an exit earlier. I was on the adjacent road to where I wanted to be!
So, I was driving down an A road, going in the wrong direction with no idea where I was going apart from the general direction of Exeter.
I drove for about 15 mins until there was a suitable place to park and gather my thoughts. I turned off the engine to look through the glove compartment to see if there was an actual sat nav and there was! Oh mercy of mercies, thank you Jeebers I thought! However, when I turned the ignition nothing happened. The words my mother-in-laws had uttered echoed in my ears.
The car had packed up.
Bugger!
So there I was, stuck in the car park of a roadside diner which was closed, with a car that wouldn't work but the electrics would, and a phone that was dead. I surveyed my surrounding and saw a Texaco on the other side of a dual carriageway and knew that they'd have phone chargers. Maybe my phone would work if plugged in, retro style?
So, feeling like a right scally, I crossed the dual carriageways and bought a micro USB-C cable, a cable of which I have about 10 at home. Wire in tow I went back to the car, plugged it in, phoned an exasperated Jeannie and told her what had happened.
Then, just to chance it I tried the engine once more and it sprung to life. It seemed like my luck was turning around and boy was I thankful. After that it all went smoothly and I picked up Jeannie from the rental place. So all’s well that ends well.
On the way back to our beachside cottage I got to a thinking; I've had the privilege and opportunity to travel by air many times but I wonder how much longer the jet set lifestyle, budget weekend fares to Europe and summer holidays to the Med. will continue. When the world does start up again things are going to change and they should do as life as it stood wasn’t sustainable for us or for the planet.
To quote something I read once but can't for the life of me attribute or credit:
Humanity thrives on forward momentum, on the sense that we are improving: becoming better, smarter, deeper and more understanding and knowledgeable as a species. We must look forward and walk the path of hope, trusting that it sustains us when the darkness comes... As it inevitably will. It may have been a difficult year for many but let's walk forward in hope...
And at least 2 metres apart… Avoiding the flat earthers and MAGA diehards….
LINK- One Month on From Social Distancing in Saudi
LINK- Life in Coronavirus Lockdown Saudi
LINK- Life in the Times of the Coronavirus
LINK- The Further Adventures of Anjum of Arabia in Saudi
LINK- High Tea and High Times in the Riyadh Globe
LINK- Reflecting on Life in Saudi Arabia After 5 Months
LINK- Life in Saudi Arabia 3 Month On