last weekend, TV, movies etc.

We had a nice weekend with our friends Mark and Mandy who came to visit. Before meeting up with Mark in Coventry city centre on Saturday, the three of us went for a quick visit to Coventry Cathedral (which is a fantastic example of 1950s design done right - the remains of the mediaeval one is next to it - see pic) and then after a quick lunch we went to see "I Am Legend" at the Odeon cinema there. Have a look at Carla's blog for our opinions. Other than that, we had a great relaxing weekend with the TV and DVD player. Mark lent us the season 2 and 3 DVD box sets of "Battlestar Galactica", which we both love! The TV find of the weekend was "Ninja Warrior" on Challenge TV - a Japanese show that puts contestants against various assault courses. Very entertaining, especially as Stuart Hall does the *mad* commentary!

I'm hoping to see "Alien v Predator: Requiem" this weekend with a pal when I visit home. Looks stupid, but hey, it is aliens beating each other up in the rain which should provide some entertaining action!

We have discovered the American version of "The Office" which stars Steve Carell, who plays the Ricky Gervais role as the rather odd office manager. It is currently showing on the Paramount Comedy channel. Once we got used to the new cast and slightly different style of scripts, we have become fans. In fact, I like it enough to buy both series 1 and 2! The other thing we have got into is "South Park", which I have to admit has become one of my favourite shows. The scripts and situations are inventive, often grim and very very funny! My favourite characters are 'Eric Cartman' and the wonderfully naive 'Butters' - the little kid with the sprig of blonde hair who Cartman is always being mean to. Poor Butters! What a fab little kid!

That'll do for now. I hear "Torchwood" playing in the background and I want to eat some shreddies!

layturz....

Bruce Willis zaps the terrorists!

We watched the "Die Hard 4.0" rental DVD last night. What a cracking film!! We both thoroughly enjoyed this. On the surface it was a thrilling action movie that doesn't stop assaulting the viewer for 2 hours: car chases, exploding helicopters, gun battles, kung fu fights, and wise-cracking cynical characters....all very enjoyable. Behind all of this was a truly scary storyline. What would happen if we lost our essential services--power, water, communications and transport--to terrorism? Well, anarchy basically. What scared me about this plot was how it showed how we have become reliant on technology to help run every aspect of our lives. If that is tampered with or destroyed, what do we do then?

Anyway, hats off to all involved. One of the best summer blockbusters I have seen in years. Shame we missed that at the flicks, as those effects would look great on the big screen.

Tonight's DVD entertainment

We've got "The Lady In The Water" DVD to watch this evening. When it was released about 18 months ago, I recall that it had a poor reception from the critics, and only played in cinemas for a short while. Still, I'm hoping the film will be good to watch. I really like Paul Giamatti, especially in "Sideways" which was a hoot!

Right, must go and do some chores. Yippee.

Happy new year and 2008 movies

Happy 2008 one and all! Hope all is OK with everyone and you enjoyed your Christmas and New Year celebrations. We had a lovely quiet time at home, relaxing and watching TV and eating a bit too much dark choccy. I also got to visit home for a couple of days.

We saw "The Golden Compass" a couple of days ago with my sister and her husband. Not bad, although it certainly wasn't in the league of the "Lord of the Rings" films. I only really liked the warrior polar bear (voice by Ian McKellen) although the leading gal was very good to watch. Maybe she will be a big star. Hopefully in a couple of weeks we'll get the chance to see "I Am Legend" with some friends. That looks impressive, and I love the story.

Here are some upcoming films I'm looking forward to this year (in American release order, but who knows when we'll get them here!)

"Cloverfield"

"Rambo"

"Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo"

"Iron Man"

"Speed Racer"

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

"Kung-Fu Panda"

"The Incredible Hulk"

"Wall-E"

"The Dark Knight"

"Valkyrie"

"Bond 22" (I wonder when we'll get a title!?)

"The Day The Earth Stood Still"

"Star Trek"

I'm sure there is some I've missed here! I hope I can get to see most of these at the flicks before the DVD release. I wonder what will be the biggest hits? I'm guessing "Indy IV" or "Wall-E". Oh, there is a 'Harry Potter' film coming out nearer Christmas but I didn't list it as I have little interest in that series.