Quantum Of Solace Review

Quantum Of Solace is a great movie. But the question is, is it a great Bond movie? I'm not sure. I'm all for re-invention, and Casino Royale was a great re-invention, we all had had enough of invisible cars! But despite enjoying the action in the first 10 minutes of this movie, I was greatly distracted by the fact that there was no gun barrell! At the beginning of the movie. You know the bit I mean, chasing white circles on black background centre on 007 who shoots at us down a gun barrell!!

Well as those of you who have by now seen the film, you will know that this iconic moment occurs at the end of the film just before the credits, when we again, a la Casino Royale hear the Bond theme in all its glory for the first time.

Cone on! One of the most instantly recognisable themes in history relegated to end credit status once again! David Arnold I like you, you're from Luton after all, but really, you have some excellent themes but none will ever match the classic theme!

Daniel Craig is a superb, ruthless, steely eyed Bond, Judi Dench is a great M, but this film has become a lot more Bourne than Bond. We want Moneypenny, a couple of gadgets, something on a car slightly more interesting than a cigarette lighter. It felt great, but it didn't feel like Bond. It's like making a Star Wars without the opening crawl, lightsabers or the line, "I've got a bad feeling about this". To not have "Bond, James Bond", "Shaken not stirred" or any of our enjoyable Bond familiarities actually takes you out of the film.

The villian isn't evil enough and the whole thing seemed a bit rushed. I would recommend that Craig and co keep up the excellent work in the next movie but chuck us a couple of fan faves. Not Q or an invisible anything but at least the theme early on, and something at some point that is the tiniest bit more fantastic rather than this relentless drive into gritty realism. Connery's Bond had a sense of humour, this Bond seems to have sorely lost his. Craig shows great flashes of wit here and there, but he seems to be turning into Rambo! A ruthless, trained killing machine. M is Colonel Trautman brought in to try and stop him! Lighten up a little, guys. It's only a movie.

Ghost Town and stuff

Went to see Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear last night. Well not with them, they didn't escort me to the cinema, it wasn't the premiere. But they were both definitely in the film as was the fantastic Tea Leoni. Just an excellent feelgood bit of fun.

Sure there are some similarities with Ghost and Groundhog Day, but it really works. I was particularly surprised by Mr Gervais who hasn't exactly impressed me with his big screen appearances so far. But he was excellent, a perfect part for him and anyone who's seen the final (so far!) episode of Extras knows he can do comedy and pathos in equal measure. He does the same here and I can't deny that I shed a tear in a certain redeeming montage near the end of the film.

I would highly recommend the film, particularly to couples as this is a romcom which is truly romantic and truly funny. I look forward to seeing it again, it's a shame more people didn't see it in the States, but it will be a classic for the future although I do hope that us Brits make it the number one film this weekend before a certain Mr Bond returns next weekend (I hope that is better than the reviews suggest, decidedly average-a Bond movie under 2 hours!!)

There Will Come A Day

Things going well. Accellerating somewhat since my move to Swansea.

I perform in a new comedy sketch in my new Church, The Elim City Temple, on evening of Sunday 19th October. Wrote it in 2 hours and is set in an A and E department, hopefully going to be good and funny. Certainly the fastest sketch I've ever written. As I was told about it in the morning service I wanted to get it handed out in the evening service. I actually work best under pressure!

Got the phone call offering me the part of "Detective Fix" in Around The World in 80 Days which will be performed at the Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea in January. A lovely theatre and a great part, not the lead, but definitely the comic element in the show which makes a nice debut for me with a new company.

Had to post the video below because it is one of my favourite gospel songs and performances of all time, I put it here because it's also the kind of song you wouldn't hear unless a friend reccommended it. Will that's what I'm doing!

Hadn't heard it in years, it's Faith Hill's version of "There Will Come A Day" which she performed with this marvellous gospel choir at the concert for heroes which was put together just 2 days after the september 11 attacks. Stop for 4 minutes and listen to this truly uplifting, inspiring song. I can find some Christian music cringey and offputting but this for me, is what gospel music should be all about. A fantastic song with the greatest message any human being could ever hope to hear. Enjoy, and Beverley Trotman I want this on your new album!!! And then as a single!!

Back To The Blog- Again!!

So here I am in rainy Swansea, having started my "new life". It's all going quite well so far, but I have to do important things like, make some friends!!

Just got back from seeing "How To Lose Friends And Alienate People" with Simon Pegg, which I quite enjoyed. Funny in places, and who knew, Simon Pegg as a romantic lead!? As always one wonders how the wonderful Kirsten Dunst or Megan Fox would fall for Mr Pegg, but they do!

The film has bombed in the States, and Mr Gervais hasn't fared that well over there either with his soon to be released here movie, "Ghost Town". Can't comment on that but Mr Pegg's vehicle probably alienated his audience with the swearing, anti American moments and weird she-man nudity! There was a real romantic comedy in there somewhere and it didn't really manage to get out. Like many films, tries to be two films and doesn't succeed as either, biting satire on celebrity or romcom. Though I will buy the dvd as the romcom side won on points in the last round.

Enjoyed a few movies over the Summer. Relly enjoyed, which surprised me, Death Race with Jason Statham! Really enjoyed it, more than Tropic Thunder and Taken. They were both okay, Thunder wasn't funny enough and fudged the film within a film plotline. Endured "Eden Lake", not in a bad way, but in a "I can't believe they did that" way. A superb British horror, that ending is still with me, shame more people didn't go to see it. Remember good box office does not mean a good film.

Been good to hang out with my family, spent last Saturday with my nephew Josh. He stayed over the night before, this turned into a frenzy of activity when he informed me that he has never seen E.T. I so wanted to munch on pizza and watch it with him. But couldn't be found anywhere, Blockbuster, supermarket's, nowhere! Of course my copy is in storage with my 900 other dvd's! So, just ordered it off Amazon, because every family should own that movie!!

Been doing a fair amount of writing. Also auditioned for the "Swansea Little Theatre" production in January, got a great part. I'm not used to 50 people auditioning for a production. They perform at their own theatre (The Dylan Thomas) which had a quarter of a million pound refurbishment recently!! They are spoilt compared with my beloved St. Christopher's in Luton who have such a tough production week with getting all the scenery up and stuff. Looking forward to seeing their production of Allo Allo at the end of November (I am back in Luton for a weekend!!)

Will blog more regularly (sorry Tom!) Up the Gunners, and my commiserations go out to all you poor Spurs fans!!

Back to The Blog!

Thought it was about time I blogged again!

So much has gone on in my life and thought it was about time I shared. By the way that is a picture of a cheesecake, and I really like cheesecake!

Where to begin, well, "Much Ado About Lauren" had its world premiere at the Cineworld Cinema in Luton. What a brilliant night, the first showing sold out and so we added a 9.30 showing which had around a 100 people. A great dream come true for myself, Tom, Simon, Paul and the rest of the cast and crew. We were on the big screen! People seemed to genuinely enjoy the film, which makes it even more worthwhile. Matt Adcock kindly gave us a great review and we raised around £1500 for Romanina Relief.

It was great finally making a full length feature film and now it is a matter of pushing it and trying to get it into as many film festivals around the country as possible.

We will be having another showing at Luton Christian Fellowship on Friday 5th September at 6.30pm with a suggested donation of 5 pounds a person, again, all money going to our wonderful friends in Romania.

Seen some great films, The Dark Knight was excellent, as was Wall E, though maybe not as perfect as I hoped, I enjoyed Kung Fu Panda! Saw that with my nephew and saw Mamma Mia with my sister and niece in Swansea. Enjoyed it! A great atmosphere, all singing along, a true feelgood movie, thought Pierce should definitely have been dubbed! Audrey Hepburn couldn't have been worse than him in My Fair Lady and she was dubbed!

With Abba Gold climbing back to the top of the charts, Abba should definitely get back together for one more album. Not necessarily tour but a new album by them would be massively enjoyed by millions (as long as the boys can still write, and the girls still sing!) They don't have to jump around in, well....jumpsuits but they could do a couple of gigs sitting sedately on stools!

Looking forward to the new U2 album in October and it would be great to hum along to some new Michael Jackson songs before Christmas (to think he used to be famous for recording music and creating amazing videos!)

With some changes in my personal life, I AM ON THE MOVE! I have resigned from staff at LCF and will be heading to Swansea in September. My life will be changing massively, which is actually an understatement. What am I going to do in the future? How will I earn money, where will I live long term? God knows......literally.

The End Of Filming!!!

Yes, at about 10 past 5 on Wednesday 21st May 2008, I shot the last piece of film (Hi def DV) for the movie "Much Ado About Lauren". Exactly 9 months to the day after filming began! In Tom and Simon's bedroom!

I can't say it was that emotional, we had been waiting ages for the right conditions to shoot in and the actors involved were in a big hurry to get away (as has been the pattern with almost every shot of this film!)

But I think that's what also gives it it's charm and sense of realism. Using actual A level students to play A level students in their own school. All have busy lives, jobs to do and exams to revise for!

The film is going to be around one hour fifty minutes including credits (we've now gone to Back To The Future Lengths, but we don't have a time travelling Delorean!!)

We shot the finale, took a while, and I discovered the mike battery, after 9 months had decided to pack up, but I looped the important dialogue last week and all is well.

So now it is time to refine, edit, fix and put in the music, songs by Steve Warner (possibly also a couple from Paul Wade) and the superb score penned by the legend that is Chris Bass.

This has been a pretty long road, but hey, we've made a movie. I think it's good! You live with something for so long, you can forget why you started to make it in the first place.

Well, I loved high school movies when I was a teenager, and I wanted to make one, I actually just wanted to make a film. Realising the talent available through my connections with Simon, his friends, his school and his family! Why not go for it!

Hoping to send it off to 5 film festivals next week. Let's let others decide if it's any good or not!

There's the small matter of the world premiere of my new play opening today, which I am so glad my family from Wales are coming across to enjoy, and the new Indiana Jones movie to see!

What a busy life, but what a good life.

The "Much Ado About Lauren" trailer!!!!

Yes, here is a sneak peek at some footage from the great new comedy that we have been working on since last September.

Filming continues but we are due to wrap on May 10th. A lot to do until then! We have a large number of film festivals to submit the film to at the end of May.

Choosing what makes it into the film and what doesn't will be tough. There is music to write etc. But it's looking good, and thanks to everyone who has been involved so far, we've had fun and we hope our audience will as well!