Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Kick Ass....
....I'd get black fingers if I thumbed through every single page of newsprint that this film has covered. It's been everywhere and I was desperately hoping that it would not be to the detriment of the film itself. It got to a point where I stopped reading the articles and simply made a pledge to see it as soon as possible. So I did.
This film is quite honestly like no other I have seen recently. I went in expecting it not to live up to the hype - but it it did. Not to live up to the violence - it truly did. Not to live up to the Marvel traditions - it did. Not to live up to it's supposed slacker humour - it did.
To be honest, it's only failure, I think, was its age certificate. Granted a 15Cert release when surely it should be an 18. But that's a whole other discussion and one that perhaps proves that I am getting too old and turning in to my dad!
I left the film visually violated, still chuckling and wanting more. It is a true cinematic treat and it's British too, kind of. The screenplay is adapted by Jane Goldman, (the pneumatic chested red head married to Jonathan Ross if you want to know), from the original comic book series of the same name. And whilst the cast and director are American and the film set in the U.S, it manages to retain a certain British feel.
The said cast are fantastic, with Nicholas Cage finally getting back to oddball form as Big Daddy, Chloe Moretz totally infectious, convincing and C-word-spitting as young assassin Hit-Girl and Aaron Johnson pulling off his role as super hero wannabe, Kick Ass, with aplomb. As a fan of Marvel film adaptations, in particular the Spiderman trilogy, I was pleased that this fantasy element wasn't lost beneath over played humour and overblown violence. It all just sat together, much to the credit of Matthew Vaughn's direction.
You all think you know the story by now, but once you've seen the film, you realise you don't at all. Certainly don't judge it on the trailer, which doesn't do it justice. Go and see it for yourself. It's perfectly set up for a sequel too, which is great news. Great, great news.
This film is quite honestly like no other I have seen recently. I went in expecting it not to live up to the hype - but it it did. Not to live up to the violence - it truly did. Not to live up to the Marvel traditions - it did. Not to live up to it's supposed slacker humour - it did.
To be honest, it's only failure, I think, was its age certificate. Granted a 15Cert release when surely it should be an 18. But that's a whole other discussion and one that perhaps proves that I am getting too old and turning in to my dad!
I left the film visually violated, still chuckling and wanting more. It is a true cinematic treat and it's British too, kind of. The screenplay is adapted by Jane Goldman, (the pneumatic chested red head married to Jonathan Ross if you want to know), from the original comic book series of the same name. And whilst the cast and director are American and the film set in the U.S, it manages to retain a certain British feel.
The said cast are fantastic, with Nicholas Cage finally getting back to oddball form as Big Daddy, Chloe Moretz totally infectious, convincing and C-word-spitting as young assassin Hit-Girl and Aaron Johnson pulling off his role as super hero wannabe, Kick Ass, with aplomb. As a fan of Marvel film adaptations, in particular the Spiderman trilogy, I was pleased that this fantasy element wasn't lost beneath over played humour and overblown violence. It all just sat together, much to the credit of Matthew Vaughn's direction.
You all think you know the story by now, but once you've seen the film, you realise you don't at all. Certainly don't judge it on the trailer, which doesn't do it justice. Go and see it for yourself. It's perfectly set up for a sequel too, which is great news. Great, great news.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Bank Holiday Monday....
....After all the gluttony of the previous days, Kelly and I decided upon some (relative) exercise. We took a run around local Weavers Fields and followed up with a cycle to Greenwich. But, of course, what did we do when we got there?!
Yep, I needed my fix of coffee and brownie again. This time though, the brownies were of exception - we chose an Earl Grey brownie, (over a fistful of other flavours).
Pit stop
We took a walk past the slow rebuild of the Cutty Sark, opposite which some Morris Dancers had just begun to dance.
Then we hopped the railing and on to the pebbled shore of the Thames, facing Canary Wharf.
It was extraordinarily peaceful down there and a great spot for photography. (Including one of us).
Then, the only relatively Easter-ish thing we've done this holiday, was to partake in hot cross buns, (are they even an Easter thing?), after an invite to Rich, Anne & Clem's.
Hot cross buns, (plus squash cake and jaffas!)
Then, the Clementine show:
And with that, just those small events, the Easter break was over. Is over. A brilliant time had and no doubt the impending onset of gout will be here by next weekend.
Yep, I needed my fix of coffee and brownie again. This time though, the brownies were of exception - we chose an Earl Grey brownie, (over a fistful of other flavours).
Pit stop
We took a walk past the slow rebuild of the Cutty Sark, opposite which some Morris Dancers had just begun to dance.
Then we hopped the railing and on to the pebbled shore of the Thames, facing Canary Wharf.
It was extraordinarily peaceful down there and a great spot for photography. (Including one of us).
Then, the only relatively Easter-ish thing we've done this holiday, was to partake in hot cross buns, (are they even an Easter thing?), after an invite to Rich, Anne & Clem's.
Hot cross buns, (plus squash cake and jaffas!)
Then, the Clementine show:
And with that, just those small events, the Easter break was over. Is over. A brilliant time had and no doubt the impending onset of gout will be here by next weekend.
Easter Sunday....
....No Easter eggs. No church, (though we really did consider it!). Instead, a considerable lie in, a jumble sale, more coffee, a new pub and yet more food.
We first cycled over to Wills Moody jumble sale in Euston.
Kelly snagged a velvet jacket for a fiver.
Next, I'd been keen to check out a new coffee shop on Wiltons Way, called, um, Wilton's.
(the one on the right)
Inside. Outside. Smile.
I wasn't disappointed - the place was small, but perfectly formed, whilst they even played radio from the local 'London Fields station'.
The chocolate & Guinness cake was brilliant too. (Obviously).
Happy coffee campers.
Another place Kelly and I have wanted to go to for a while is Biddle Brothers. Formerly a builders merchants on Lower Clapton Road, now transformed in to a pub.
Fortunately the proprietor has rightly kept the original signage, which looks great, and the art deco style window grating, (which casts an incredible evening sun shadow).
Kelly then patiently re-introduced me to chess, (after a deliberately self enforced 20 year break), which she naturally won.
The Guinness soothed the pain. Naturally.
Then, (still not finished!), after a brief hiatus, (and much talking up by Kelly), we went for dinner at Turkish restaurant Anatolia on Mare Street. It was a veritable feast.
Lambs liver
Mackerel fillet
Veggie special
Satisfied as ever.
Then home.
We first cycled over to Wills Moody jumble sale in Euston.
Kelly snagged a velvet jacket for a fiver.
Next, I'd been keen to check out a new coffee shop on Wiltons Way, called, um, Wilton's.
(the one on the right)
Inside. Outside. Smile.
I wasn't disappointed - the place was small, but perfectly formed, whilst they even played radio from the local 'London Fields station'.
The chocolate & Guinness cake was brilliant too. (Obviously).
Happy coffee campers.
Another place Kelly and I have wanted to go to for a while is Biddle Brothers. Formerly a builders merchants on Lower Clapton Road, now transformed in to a pub.
Fortunately the proprietor has rightly kept the original signage, which looks great, and the art deco style window grating, (which casts an incredible evening sun shadow).
Kelly then patiently re-introduced me to chess, (after a deliberately self enforced 20 year break), which she naturally won.
The Guinness soothed the pain. Naturally.
Then, (still not finished!), after a brief hiatus, (and much talking up by Kelly), we went for dinner at Turkish restaurant Anatolia on Mare Street. It was a veritable feast.
Lambs liver
Mackerel fillet
Veggie special
Satisfied as ever.
Then home.
Easter Saturday....
....The long holiday weekend was already falling in to a familiar pattern - food, drink and friends. Saturday morning was no exception, Kelly, Liam, Nick and I meeting up with Joss, Cli and Bond at Pavilion cafe. It was great as ever.
Liam, Nick, Bond, Joss, Cli, Kelly
Eggs Florentine
Vegetarian breakfast, (with home made baked beans).
Later in the day, Kelly and I went to Hurwundeki, which has expanded and relocated from its original clothing shop, to become a deli, coffee and antiques shop.
Kelly taking advantage off the vintage toys in the forecourt
vintage tatt and all for sale
Beautiful arched roof beneath Cambridge Heath train station.
It's a great hide out to relax, drink, eat and read - but maybe even to kit out your house too.
Lost in High Fidelity
Liam, Nick, Bond, Joss, Cli, Kelly
Eggs Florentine
Vegetarian breakfast, (with home made baked beans).
Later in the day, Kelly and I went to Hurwundeki, which has expanded and relocated from its original clothing shop, to become a deli, coffee and antiques shop.
Kelly taking advantage off the vintage toys in the forecourt
vintage tatt and all for sale
Beautiful arched roof beneath Cambridge Heath train station.
It's a great hide out to relax, drink, eat and read - but maybe even to kit out your house too.
Lost in High Fidelity
Good Friday....
....Kelly and I had set our sites on fish this Friday, so we headed to Borough Market and decided upon sea bass from Applebee's.
(not our fish)
Weighed up.
Back at home, (with the real grisly work of cleaning and gutting done in the mongers), all that was left to do was to score and stuff the fish with dill, parsley, garlic, chilli and lemons.
With Nick invited to eat with us too, we bulked out the menu a bit. Starting with the starter(!)
Home roasted pine nuts, bread & oil, homous & carrot.
Stuffed & roasted fish, roast sweet potato, roast new potato.
The full set up, with additional prawns & scallops fried in butter, garlic & chilli and asparagus and broccoli.
Tucking in
Remnants.
(not our fish)
Weighed up.
Back at home, (with the real grisly work of cleaning and gutting done in the mongers), all that was left to do was to score and stuff the fish with dill, parsley, garlic, chilli and lemons.
With Nick invited to eat with us too, we bulked out the menu a bit. Starting with the starter(!)
Home roasted pine nuts, bread & oil, homous & carrot.
Stuffed & roasted fish, roast sweet potato, roast new potato.
The full set up, with additional prawns & scallops fried in butter, garlic & chilli and asparagus and broccoli.
Tucking in
Remnants.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
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