Congratulations

Ssssh!!!!

I send my good wishes to the Bennett Sisters,
One sitting by the others side, under Capricorn, in Africa.

Best wishes to Glenda

Best Wishes, for a speedy recovery for Glenda

This is a sign post to somewhere, that has not existed, for over 25 years. Its across from the train station. The sign used to point to a youth club, on the verge of a park play area. Where there were swings and roundabouts. A witches hat, and a climbing frame. The climbing frame, was built in the form, of a lunar module. However I always thought it was a spider web.

They have since, built over, the swings and the youth club. They have not used yards, on signing for over a decade. So here, a forgotten memory, of a forgotten place

Game of Thrones

This was recommended to me. Unlike those of you who, have HBO, or Sky Atlantic. I caught it on the DVD boxset.

I am glad I did. The series grows on you. It may be the best Telefantasy series since Babylon 5. It took, a while to settle. Indeed, I had a problem from the get go. The opening scenes of the North, are clearly filmed in the North of Ireland. I will remember and recognise the mists of Donegal, till I die. ( Yes I am aware, the series was filmed in N.I) For a moment, I saw the mist. I thought there, somewhere in Ireland.

Watching the series, which centres on the clash, between the Stark and Lannister families. Aping the struggle between the Yorks, and the Lancastrians. The War of the roses. The series gives a feel for a world, which is larger than our own. The North is 1000 leagues away from London. Several days journey. Over dangerous country. That said, The powers that be, have bowed to the modern era. The characters communicate across the miles, by use of raven post. For a while, I wondered if I should prefer, a series simply set during the War of the Roses.

Than there is the Khalese.

Step forward Emila clarke.

Emilia, here looking like an English rose.

Its a great journey for her charcter, who starts off, as a pawn. To be married off, for an army, and than becomes a queen. We see, her grow and learn hard lessons. As she is married into a barbarian horde. I presume these are the Mongol/ Golden horde analogs.

Like Babylon 5, it does polticking well. One of the point of view characters, is a young pretender to the throne. Indeed, Babylon 5 seems to have been a bit of an influence here. There are rangers, and a Night watch. As I mentioned. We see Emila Clarke, move from manipulated, to manipulator. We see, a grand plan, for peace squandered by a boy king rage. In an earlier scene, we had seen the boy's mother explain to him, why when he is King, he simply would not be able, to compel the North to his whims.

Lena Headly plays his scheming mother/ queen of the Lannisters. The She Wolf, or rather Lioness. . Its a very different role, to Sara Conor. As Sara, she had the whole world on her shoulders. Here Lena has the same duties, but wears it with spite, rather than resignation

Peter Dinklage won deserved prizes for his role, as Tyrion. A dwarf born to the Lannisters. One of the most powerful houses. The House of Lancaster analogy. There family, are rich and powerful. The richest on their world. But Tyrion was born a dwarf. He is despised as the half man. Despised by his father. However he was born, and he lived. So he had to make a role.

In this world, there is no Christianty. So there is no Church for Tyrion to be dumped into. The Night watch. Provides, something of an analogy. However there are no roles for women.

There is a further plot set on wall of ice. This world's version of Hadrians wall. Where the Nightwatch stand guard, against the horrors lurking beyond. Horrors that according to legend plunged the world into darkness before.

Per Wiki, the Ice Wall/North is based on what the writer thought Hadrian's wall would seem, to be like to someone from the Mediterranean. That's a bit unfair. It snows in the Med, and the troops manning the wall, were normally Gauls,

Every once in a while, they remind us that is not Earth/ England. Some of the ruling families, practise incest. There is the Ravens. The White Walkers, and other horrors.

In the south, there are Dragons.


A great show. Along with the Walking dead. This will be this generation's Babylon 5.

John Carter

John Carter.

I browsed the first book a few years ago. It was on Project Gutenberg. I

 did not think the book was terrible, but I lost interest. I heard that despite the poor attendances. The film, was not bad. Indeed it isn't.

 I had similar thoughts to ``There Will Be Blood'' great work, done in the service, of merely good material. John Carter of Mars- I don't think has stood the test of time. I cannot see them remaking the Tarzan franchise either. So, why should John Carter. Where the lead, is a Virginian Cavalier, strike a cord with modern audiences? I think, for better or for worse, the dog got given a bad name. Also the film rather difficulty sits between reality and fiction. reflecting what was known of Mars, at the time. John Carter, can jump further than a mortal man, on Mars, because of the weaker gravity. Yet an intelligent 9 year old, would know that there is no air, or life on Mars. Your asking, the people who tell you the emperor is naked, to suspend disbelief, twice

Anyway, Dominic West, is playing one of the Villains. He is also reunited with his fellow HBO alumni, Cirian Hands, and West is aided, by Mark Strong. Who plays, the principle bad guy. He is making a good living playing bad guys, in bad moves is Mr Strong. Well, Crazy name Crazy guy!

The Martian landscapes are wonderful.

The Film captures, Boroughs work, pretty well. Which is a reflection of its time. Burroughs, grew up before the 20th century. When there were still exotic Indian princess and an Arizona territory. The beginnings of modern archaeology. Ancient cities being discovered around the world. The one thing, they left out, was the slight raciness of exotic Martian princesses, who laid eggs, and wore very little.

The film is no worse than Avatar, or the Star Wars prequels. The only criticism, I have is that it does not give the supporting cast enough to do. If you need to cast a Bonehead destroyer , don't cast Dominic West. Have someone who can chew the scenery- indeed someone taller.

That said, as a move it does not fall short. Audiences stayed away from Blade Runner too A film, I think is overrated.

Ms Garcia

One of my netfriends Ms Garcia. Lost her mother.
I wish her and her family the best