Endure Fort» film

The Blind Side – Review

Chris — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:22:37 +0000

As I said in my previous post, Linda and I went to see ‘The Blind Side‘ last night at the cinema. It was a really good film, obviously they couldn’t fit all the detail the book contains into a 2 hour film, bu they managed to stay fairly faithful to the real events, and the spirit of the film was most definitely in keeping with the real life story.

My only complaints about the film would be that not enough was made of Oher’s background – use of more flashbacks could have been quite effective and would have made more of the turn-around in Oher’s life. In the film, Oher was made out to have no knowledge of Football and to be quite a passive player, in reality he already had experience of Football and knew what he was in for. Also, the opening section about LT would also have benefited from some expansion to set the scene for the importance of the left tackle (or right tackle if the QB is left handed) and why Oher’s protective instinct was an important attribute.

It’s definitely a moving story, whether you read the book or watch the film. And I would certainly recommend that you read the book, watch the film or both! Quinton Aaron is very good at playing Oher, Sandra Bullock is fantastic as Leanne Tuohy – it’s without doubt the best performance she’s ever given.

Being a Youthworker, I of course saw the potential benefits this movie could have for use with youth groups and classes to make them think about many issues that the film brings up – equality, class divide, inspiration, encouragment, determination etc etc

Go see it, enjoy, be moved, be encouraged and make sure you encourage others to see it!

Peace Out

The Blind Side

Chris — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:03:03 +0000

Tonight Linda and I are going to see a new movie thats just come out called ‘The Blind Side‘. I’m quite excited about it. I first read the bookof the same name about 18 months ago. The book is fantastic. It covers more than the film does. the film focuses only on Michael Oher whereas the book follows both Oher and the evolution of the Left Tackle over the last 3 decades.

The story of Michael Oher itself is an inspiring story, looking at how he came from practically nothing to being one of the starting linemen of the Baltimore Ravens.

I’ll say more about the film once I’ve actually seen it. I hope it stays true to the real story, there’s not really much that can be added to it in terms of drama and how people will treat each other. At just over 2 hours, it should be able to fit in a great deal of what the book covers. If you get the chance to read the book, take it, it’s definitely worth the read.

Peace Out

“The Road” – worth watching?

Chris — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:01:52 +0000

Linda and I went to see John Hillcoat’s version of “The Road” this afternoon. I wasn’t that impressed. Perhaps it was the mood I was in, but then, none of the 6 in our group were impressed. It was a very depressing film (I won’t go to much into it, don’t want to spoil it for folks who wish to see it!). There is an unknown catastrophe that leads to a father and his son trekking across America seeking to find safety and a better chance of survival. Along the way they come across various dangers: weather, gangs of cannibals, lack of food and the worst parts of themselves. There are a few parts that are very hard to watch, either very gory orI’m sure if you had the mental tenacity to watch it a few times it would make for an interesting study of human behaviour – it just didn’t float my boat!

Like I said, its a very depressing film, which very much fits the story, there isn’t much in it that suggests the director/ writers expect much humanity to survive with the remnants of humanity – I feel for the lack of hope displayed there. It is one of those films that makes you wonder how you would react in that situation and also makes you hope you never have to face that situation!

Have any of you seen it? What did you think? Are you thinking of going to see it?

Peace out

Chris

Fun with Star Trek!

Chris Hoskins — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:17:14 +0000

There are many comical sides to the Star Trek ‘universe’. Especially some hilarious videos! Let me share a few of my favourites!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC73PHdQX04

Leonard Nimoy singing about the ‘Greatest little Hobbit’ of them all, Biblo Baggins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCARADb9asE

A really daft classic! ‘Star Trekking….’

Just a few daft wee videos to keep you going!

Peace out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVjkTEIoJc

Knights of the round table, Trek style!

Star Trek

Chris Hoskins — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:22:51 +0000

Last night, Linda and I went to see the new Star Trek film. Getting Linda to go was definetely a victory for J.J. Abrams! Linda’s never been a Sci-Fi, or more specifically a Star Trek, Fan! I however have been a trekkie for a good 15 years now! And have grown up watching it all my life!
If you follow me on Facebook, you’ll see that my status reads (at time of posting this) ‘Chris loved the new Star Trek film!’. I did think it was pretty awesome! Don’t worry, I won’t give away enough plot to ruin it. What I especially liked about the film, was how the characters reained enough of the original representations, but were made ‘their own’ by the new actors.
The way the characters were introduced was perfect, for each one. I thought that Karl Urban did a fantastic job as Bones! Pine was great as Kirk, Quinto was great as Spock, all the main characters (Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, Scotty and Pike) were portrayed fantiscally and faithfully to the Star Trek Canon.
I enjoyed the wierd paradox between the Spock we all know and love, and the new Spock.
Nero, the ‘villain’ in the story, didn’t really play that much of an important role overall. I heard some people complaining that he didn’t feature that much, but did he have too? For me, the film was about the formation of the relationships between all the classic Star Trek characters. sure, they needed a furnace in which to meld together, but which particular furnace wasn’t really that important!
I loved how they managed to link this film in with eveything that happened throughout the original series, the other films, TNG, DS9 and voyager by slipping in the old Spock and a wee bit of time travel.
I look forward to the sequels to this prequel, Star Trek just got a makeover, and she’s looking beautiful again!
Peace out, sorry,
Live long and Prosper!

sometimes God seems…..

Chris Hoskins — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:08:55 +0000

Just a short thought at the end of a good, long, hard, challenging day.

I’m not sure where it came from, but I started thinking about the film ‘I, robot’ with Will Smith. He’s a detective who has to piece together an investigation into a mans death at the hands of a robot by following clues from a holograph that is programmed to answers questions. Whenever Spooner(Smith) gets on the right thought process the holograph does a very frustrating thing. It says ‘That detective, is the right question’ then powers off with a smirk!
Do you ever feel that God is sometimes like this? He pushed us to be constantly thinking and questioning, then when we start asking the right questions, he seems to smile and take a step back as we begin to wrestle with various questions?
Just a late night thought.
Peace out
Chris