I didn’t get time to write a review of the year before the year ends. That something I’ll have to do in a day or so. However, I can share my year in picture form. Hold on to your hats…
Pictures
Moli and the 50th…
November was really a count down to the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who. Having attend the Proms in the summer and recently visited the set in Cardiff, it made sense that I attended the official celebration in London’s docklands. It had been sold out about an hour after the tickets went on sales several months before and I had high hopes. The event was very well attended and must have had 5000 or more dressed up as The Doctor or other characters from the show.
Various monsters were seen walking about and the production stands were very interesting. The talks were fairly unrehearsed and awkward, especially the SFX talk which felt very random. However, all that was overshadowed for me as I had the opportunity to meet The Doctor himself, Matt Smith.
The day passed quickly and then it was onto the main event, The Day of the Doctor. An episode that had to please fans and still be entertaining for those that don’t watch on a regular basis. The story fulfilled everything I wanted and could expect. Watching my favorite TV show in a cinema with other fans all dressed up and cheering and laughing together was an amazing and magical experience which served to enhance the story and celebration.
The surprise of Tom Baker’s appearance towards the end was very emotional for older viewers like me and a huge cheer went up when new Doctor Peter Capaldi’s eyes appeared. The story delivered in the most part with John Hurt really standing out as The War Doctor but the Zygon’s were a little wasted and actually forgotten in narrative terms. However, I loved it and have watched it 5 times so far. Roll on Christmas… Allons–y.
M
Moli finds Gravity…
Every year I see a fair few films, which I cast my critical eye over. Some of these films have been reviewed on Moliblog and mainly fall into two categories, either very good or bloody terrible. Sometimes a film comes along that stands head and shoulders above that of other films, it sets a benchmark for others to follow and to be compared against. Gravity sets a landmark in technological filmmaking history like 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), TRON (1982) The Matrix (1999) and Avatar (2009)
The films is shot in IMAX and 3D and is the first film in my opinion that really makes full use of these formats. From the first shot to the last, the imagery is mind blowing and the viewer finds themselves almost part of the action like no other film has done before. The viewer is drawn into orbit and into the story of Dr Ryan Stone played by Sandra Bullock.
The action starts right away and doesn’t stop with the wow factor till the last beat. Bullock’s pulls out the performance of her career and despite the appearance of George Clooney, the film is Bullock’s to deliver and she does just that. The director Alfonso Cuarón, allows the performers to shine without being overshadowed by the action and the revolutionary special effects that were specially invented for this film.
In addition to the story of being trapped in space and fighting for survival, is the subplot of a woman still grieving for her death of her child and facing her own death. The two shots that develop this are Ryan floating inside a space station in a the fetal position, including umbilical cord and her eventual return to earth which looked very much like a re-birth.
I can’t find fault with the film, except that it might only be viewable in the cinema with 3D and IMAX. I will be very interested in seeing Gravity on the small screen and comparing my experience to the one I had on the big screen, which took my breath away. Go and see one of the best films I’ve seen for years before it leaves the cinema. Fantastic film. FIVE STARS…
M
Moli and the TARDIS…
Those that know me well are clear that I’ve been a Doctor Who fan since I was knee high to grass hopper. When I used to play with a friend at the tender age of 5 or 6 I would play The Doctor and she would be the companion. Lots of running around the house or down the street shouting, “Doctor!!!” and pretending that the hallway was the TARDIS. However the hallway was just a boring hallway and it wasn’t bigger on the inside, no matter how much imagination we had. We even had to make the Worp Worp sound ourselves.
So can you image the feeling I got today when I visited the BBC in Cardiff and opened the doors to the real TARDIS set.
My face beamed with delight as the door opened and I was seeing the actual console room in front of me, all lit up. It was a dream come true.
Also the sheer size of it took my breath away. I was like a kid in a sweet shop and couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate my love of this show and the 50th Anniversary. I also decided to do some running down corridors for good measure…
I even got to say hello to a Weeping Angel and a Dalek!!!
The 6-hour drive there and back was very tiring but for me it was well worth the once in a lifetime visit.
M
Moli goes to Ronnie Scott’s…
A double update today…
This week I reached the grand old age of 42. I was treated really well and had several days of fun which is par for the course when it comes to my birthday celebrations. I had drinks with friends the other night and on my actual birthday my mother took me for a really nice lunch. My girlfriend had a surprise for me in the evening and she managed to keep the secret right up to the last minute.
She had booked dinner and Jazz at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho featuring the fantastic Ben Sidran.
The Jazz was cool, the food was great and the Whiskey… Intoxicating!!!
I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to go back again soon. JAZZ!!!
Thank you F x
M
Moli goes Inside Llewyn Davis…
I’ve had a long standing fascination for the directors, Joel & Ethan Coen. Ever since Fargo in 1996 their writing and directing has always interested me. Their characters are full of depth and always have a real sense of history and life in them. The stories they tell are often quirky and captivating and their 4 Oscars are a testament to their critical acclaim.
I was really excited to attend the screening of their new movie, Inside Llewyn Davis featuring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. The film surrounds a folk singer that struggles to get his break as a solo artist. Isaac’s performance in both acting and singing are fantastic. The film has been described as a love letter to folk music, however, I’m not a fan of folk music and it wasn’t long before I found myself looking for the X Factor red buzzer. The film is very well photographed but the story just doesn’t go anywhere and has no real point of conclusion. I actually felt like I was given a window into a world, which I really didn’t care too much about and left me a little depressed that no matter how good your talent and potential, life will knock you down. Not a happy tale or one that ends with any satisfaction. The irony is that John Goodman’s talent is wasted on a character that brought nothing to the story and is easily forgotten which is a shame as his role ended as it was getting interesting. I’ll always have a soft spot for Carey Mulligan, ever since she stared in the fantastic Doctor Who episode ‘Blink.’ Her role was mostly abusive, cute and wasted once again.
However, finally meeting her was a dream come true.
As you can tell, I wasn’t impressed with the movie, which left so much unresolved and had no real point. The Coen Brothers reputation for making great and stunning films would allow them to get funding and make a deep and meaningful film about reading the telephone directory. However, if they get Carey Mulligan to read it, I’d probably watch that too.
M
Moli goes to Barking in Essex…
Going to the theatre is something I wish Fleur and I did more but the cost of a ticket for a major West End play in London is around the same cost as a small pacific island, which results in me making some careful choices about what I go and see. Having seen the cast list for Barking in Essex, which stars comic and movie actor Lee Evans, Keeley Hawes (Spooks, Ashes to Ashes) and legend Sheila Hancock I thought I was onto a real winner. The three main characters are Chav criminals with the combined IQ of 6 and all the taste in home décor to go with it.
The character of Albi, that you never see, is about to be released from prison and is looking forward to collecting the £3m he has hidden away, which his dear mother has been looking after for him. Unfortunately, she spent it all on for herself and the other members of the family. Panic ensues along with some very bad language and lots of people being shot.
Lee Evans great comic timing is exactly what you would expect from a stadium filling stand up comic but his character is sadly under used. Keeley Hawes looks amazing as ever but her casting is a little strange for the role of the gangster’s wife who has all the taste in clothes as a big brother contestant. However, she handles the role well and I’m sure I’ve actually met women like that.
The bad language was the difficult part to handle for me. Certainly hearing the word C**t said a few times for comic effect is shocking and funny. However, the use of the word was almost constant and in the end I found myself having C**t fatigue with the shock value failing to be funny or necessary to tell the story. The laughs weren’t constant but the jokes were good and on the whole I did enjoy the play. However, it’s not the sort of play I’d take my grandmother to see.
Afterwards I was lucky enough to meet the cast which was a nice end to a great evening.
M
Moli spots a missile and gets a pain in the arse…
It’s about time I got blogging again…
I’ve recently been struggling with terrible back pain having done the most extraordinary exercise of opening a blind at home. Ever since my car crash in 2002 my spine has been fairly weak but when it goes ping I normally get better after a few days. However the latest painful episode just doesn’t want to heal. Walking has been difficult and the pain really takes my breath away.
I decided that I needed to do something different this time and paid top dollar for a Canary Wharf based osteopath that has been able to get me walking again but with some limited range of movement. It just seems that since passing 40 my body is taking longer to heal. Sadly the money runs out soon and I can’t afford to continue the plan much longer. I really hope I don’t have a relapse and end up using a walking stick full time. Once my treatment plan is completed I intend to start swimming in the local pool, which everyone tells me will help. Painkillers do nothing for me; so I really hope I can get pain free and maybe one day, go for a run. I’ll take a long walk as a compromise.
As a keen photographer I sometimes get asked to take pictures and a couple of weeks ago I was asked to take shots of some warships in Victoria Dock. The British, Swedish and South Korean Navy’s were visiting for the DSEI event, which is a defence event at Excel London.
The bridge that spans the dock was closed for security reasons as the event has attracted demonstrators. The bridge was opened for my exclusive access and I managed to get some pictures that nobody else could take. A real privilege seeing the state of the art ships up close, including some new missiles for sale.
Living in London you would imagine that I’ve seen most places in the town that I love but I’d never visited the Columbia Road flower market.
It is only a narrow street in London, E2 but it is full of great character and characters from the market stall sellers to the live music. The short strip of road has over priced and in some cases questionable art for sale in the small shops that sit behind the stalls of flowers, trees and plants.
I loved the atmosphere and vibe and could have wandered around for longer but it just isn’t that big. Having arrived early I missed out on having a drink and some food at the Royal Oak pub that sits nicely in the middle of the action. I can’t wait to go back soon…
I think that catches up on the past month,
M
Moli meets Little Scarlet…
Most people who know me know that I love Ice cream. My freezer is normally full of Häagen–Dazs with flavors like Cookies and Cream, Vanilla and Dulce de leche top of the list. It’s fairly rare for me to find something new that impresses me but that’s what happened recently.
While driving through Tiptree in Essex, I decided to pop into Wilkin & Sons for some Little Scarlet jam. The poor crop of 2012 meant the jam was fairly hard to obtain and I only managed to get a couple of jars. However, this year it was much better and finally I was introduced to Little Scarlet Ice cream.
I purchased a small pot and promptly opened it on a nearby bench. The taste was amazing and so soft and creamy with generous hit of the Little Scarlet strawberries. I was immediately hooked and had to have more but I had no way of getting some back home before it all melted. I asked the nice lady in the store where such a delight might be obtained in London and I was told Waitrose. Great I thought…
Once I got back to London and popped into my local in Canary Wharf I was disappointed to discover that it wasn’t there. I then decided to Tweet Waitrose and ask them how and when they can get me some. They did reply but sadly after a few exchanges of Tweets it was never going to happen. They didn’t do it and that was that… Then the lovely people at Tiptree joined the Twitter conversation and offered to help. I dropped them a line in reply, repeating my request to get some Little Scarlet Ice Cream and asking where I could get some…
A day later I got a call from Simon at Tiptree offering to send me 4 tubs for free. We agreed a delivery date and they currently sit in my freezer awaiting a Moli spoon attack.
I’m certain that other people will like it, so come on Waitrose. Bring it back to the freezer cabinet, your missing a trick not stocking this fantastic product.
Thank you so much Simon for the generous gift.
M
Moli goes to the Proms…
Last night I was one of the very few lucky people to attend the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The music from the TV Series was performed by the London Philharmonic Choir, The BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conducted by Ben Foster.
Before proceedings began I managed to get a picture with Composer Murray Gold.
As is customary with Sci-Fi fans, loads of people dressed up as The Doctor that I think looks really good but I did feel sorry for one man who dressed up as Tom Baker’s Doctor complete with long scarf. Given that Saturday was 32c and the inside of the Royal Albert Hall was hotter than the sun, I’m shocked he didn’t die from heat exhaustion.
I also loved seeing all the Monsters and Aliens running around to the music and not forgetting an amazing looking TARDIS. The time passed all too quickly and it was all over.
Afterwards a large crowd moved to the stage door where I managed to meet the cast and composer Ben Foster who signed my TARDIS shaped programme, at one point a fan shouted, ‘Wear my Fez’ which he kindly did.
All in all an excellent night for a Doctor Who fan like me.
I can’t wait to watch it again on TV. Roll on November for the Actual 50th birthday celebration.
M