Permutation City Blog

Interesting to read some of the background behind the films I enjoy and the one where I almost left the cinema. It reminded me quite how many films he's been involved with. It's surprising how long some of the film ideas have been around before they came to fruition.

Typical Hollywood blockbuster showing the return of the all American hero, Superman. Not bad but not good either. Even with the comfy seats at the Grosvenor it was too long. I looked forward to Kevin Spacey's performance as Lex Luthor. He had his moments but not as many as I'd hoped. Only had one surprise and it was well done, I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet. It could have played a bigger role in this film but didn't. I guess they're saving it for the next one.

Remembered this from years ago but the internet has never had much information about it. Suddenly it appears as a two season boxed set. Fortunately it's listed by DVD rental service. Having watching the first disc I loved some episodes and couldn't be bothered with others. Why have a pair of twins have spent the last 30 years in 7th grade? Well, they came up with something different. It's not aimed at adults and there are places where the silliness just didn't work for me. Still intend to get hold of another disc once in a while.

Rip-roaring pirate adventure anyone? If you've seen the first one then you know just the sort of thing to expect. It was great fun and there are lots of silly moments. Is there a downside? Yes, it's half an hour too long. Lots of scenes to get through and they can go on slightly. Despite that it's still worth seeing.

Interesting to watching something different for a change but not really my sort of film. Undoubtedly trying to make a point about nuclear testing but it was a bit implausible (not that today's films are necessarily better.) I did like one of the final shots. Two possible newspapers are shown waiting in the printing room, one celebrating salvation, the other mourning doomsday, the paper will go out on time in either case.

My previous experience of Solaris was the 2002 film adaptation, mostly I found it confusing. I was expecting this to be a slow book but actually found it surprisingly enjoyable. It felt oddly modern except for references to morse code and electronic brains. Everything was much clearer. Expect some confusion towards the end but that is the nature of the situation rather than inadequacies in presentation.

Although the book is very good the film is fairly average. Much of the depth which I enjoyed has disappeared. The bad guys have been given an anti-technology religion which is echoed, to a degree, by the good guys. A theme of its day. However there is something, as always, in seeing a busy metropolis with deserted and quiet streets.

A single man survives alone in a world populated by vampires. During the day he hunts them and during the night they hunt him. Actually there is much more to the book than this and it is well worth reading. Most interesting are the vampires themselves. Haven't read it for a while and I really should.

A lovely book for children and adults. It is a typical tale of peril and heroics to overcome adversity, admittedly in canine form. Characters are wonderful both the human pets and their doggy owners. The way all the dogs work together to help hide and feeds the dogs as they travel is nice as it all goes on out of site of the human world (except for little Tommy.)

I remember this book from my childhood, right down to the picture of a penny-farthing on the front cover. An absent minded professor invents devices their either almost, but not quite, perform their intended function. As a kid this was great and would still work for them today. As an adult the stories are very predictable. I'm still glad to have a copy just for the memories.