TV: Merlin

In a land of myth and a time of magic...

Being the loner that I am as well as not having the luxury of a sky plus box since being at university, I decided to start watching a few shows that i had wanted to in the past but for one reason or another - mostly due to the fact that i was watching too many shows - couldn't. My new flatmate was on the couch watching Merlin one Saturday and i remembered that I loved the BBC's adaptation of Robin Hood, so this was a good place to start.
And so the obsession began. Actually obsession is a strong word, more like the absorption or consumption, because that what I did. I consumed Merlin by the day, the BBC were currently broadcasting the third season so i had two and a half seasons to catch up with, each week putting me behind by an episode.

Loving historical dramas as well as magic it was given that i was going to enjoy the show. Merlin is based on a character of the same name who is sent to Camelot by his mother who feared that his gifts would eventually get noticed in the small town they lived. Whilst in Camelot he stays with a friend of his mother Gaius the court physician (Though their connection is never really explained.) After only a day in Camelot where he helps save Prince Arthur from an assassination attempt, he is appointed as his..... much to Arthur's obvious delight.
The whole magical community is relying on Merlins as it is his destiny to help Prince Arthur to see that magic isn't as evil as his father makes it out to be, but this isnt easy as one force or another is doing its best to bring down Camelot by any means.
Other characters we meet whose lives and stories become more and more essential in each series include Morgana, the Kings ward, Guinevere her chambermaid as well as even King Uther himself as we find out the real reason behind his blind hatred for all things magical.

Though there is a 4th season coming out in fall 2011 and a 5th season has recently been confirmed for 2010. I'm trying to judge the likeliness of it being the last, how much can you actually do before the inevitable has to happen. Either way, the script is both hilarious and believable and I have had to muffle my own laughter many a-times in the dead of the night as not to disturb my flatmates. Defiantly a Four and a half Unicorn show.

Started Early October 2010

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the penultimate movie of the final book. If you couldn't wrap your head around that, then I take it you've been living under a rock for the past nine years. The advice i give to you is this; Rush to your nearest library or bookstore and rectify this mistake before July 15th 2011.

The beginning of The Deathly Hallows shows the Dursley - Harrys beloved Aunt, Uncle and Cousin- all packed and ready to hit the road. We can only assume this was their heartfelt goodbye as we don't see them again. Harry isnt left alone for good as soon after he's joined by some familiar faces and its almost like looking in a mirror. But things don't stay light and fluffy for long, and the chase begins. as . 

As previously mention by Harry he wasnt returning to Hogwarts, so with Ron and Hermione in tow, we find our young wizards on a quest to find and destroy the Horcruxs' armed with gifts from the ever cryptic Dumbledore -A children's book, a zippo lighter and a snitch- and with these in hand they take off to find the items that will help to end Voldermorts reign of terror over the wizarding world. 

 A few heavy moments that really makes you realise that everythings changing and ending but other than that there really isnt much i can say that wont give away to much of the plot. I can tell you to bring a pair of comfortable shoes and maybe the actual Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows books as there are a few woodland scenes that just get a tad repetitive.

I thought the film was on a continuing bell curve, with its various nail biting jaw dropping scenes juxtapsed with the yawing ones, but it's not poor Harry's fault he's surrounded by a deathly Halo and i guess we shall just have to wait till Part 2 in July to find out if he survives or not...

I would have liked to have given it 3 unicorns, but i feel like the extra would have just been because of my undying love for the books.

RED

RED, or Retired and Extremely Dangerous for short willl give youngsters something to look forward to in 50 years and leave the older crowd ditching Bowls and signing up for Kickboxing. Frank Moses (Willis) is a retired Black Ops CIA Agent who spends his days tearing up his pension cheques just to have an excuse to speak to customer service representative Sarah. This retired bliss doesn't last as things begin to escalate quickly. 

Franks house is gunned down in the middle of the night and realising his life is in danger and most likely Sarah's as well, he races to get her -Not leaving no as an option.- Together the pair aim to regroup with a few of Moses' old pals (Pun unintended) which include a paranoid John Malcovich, suave Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren who refuses to be left in the kitchen.

Julian McMahon does what he does best and plays the role of a wolf in sheep clothing. But i think we have to say that the Vice President Sheep outfit was a tad obvious.

Its all in a days work and the team will definatly teach the young whippersnapper CIA agent William Cooper (Karl Urban) a thing or two.

REDiculsly loveable and perfectly suitable for people under the age of 65.

Easy A

Emma Stone plays Olive, a high school nobody who rises to popularity when she becomes the local faux floozy after helping out a friend in need. Embracing this rise to fame comes naturally - As is does to every high schooler with no more than one friend - So to keep herself on top - Figuratively speaking - she helps out a few more LBR's (Losers Beyond Repair).

An interesting addition to the plot occurs when we realise that Olive is living in a modern day Footloose town, as the generic popular group are revamped to be Christians. Naturally the girls are still slathered with make up and wear mini skirts but they use "A higher power" (as Amanda Bynes states) as a form of trying to help Olive see the error of her ways. Its a curious attempt at originality but we accept the characteristics without more than a raised eyebrow.

No good deed goes unpunished, and after a while the weight of her actions -That or the collective annoyance of Amanda Bynes and her posse - combined with the strategic appearance of token hot guy Todd, (Gossip Girls Penn Badgley) allow her to realise that she doesn't like being treated like an outcast and wants her name cleared.

In conclusion the film is a laughable - in a good way - and though the plot wont have you gripping to your seat and biting your nails, you'll definitely enjoy watching this easy movie.
The only point i have trouble excepting is that she compares herself to Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlett Letter protagonist Hester Prynne who conceives a daughter through an adulterous affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Watch the movie and you'll see where i'm coming from.