Robin Williams

Last week, as many of you will have heard, the man/myth Robin Williams sadly took his own life. His death will leave a big hole in many of our hearts as his films and comedy touched many minds. In my post this week I would like to reflect on the legacy that he leaves behind.

Firstly, I would like to state that I'm not going to praise every single appearance he had. Whilst he was a superb actor, he was also fallible. For instance I believe his performance as the genie in Aladdin  is the weakest part of an otherwise amazing film. Also his stand-up never appealed to me, although I can appreciate the impact he has had on American comedy circuits. But, Robin Williams did have an impact upon me on numerous ways and I want to talk about a few of these.

• Aladdin- This film is one of my favorite Disney animations and fondly watched throughout my childhood (due in no small part to it being my fathers favorite and we seem to have various copies as he forgets we own it already). However, as I have touched on already William's character in this was the biggest let down, if I'm honest he was just too childish for my taste.                                                                                                                          
• Hook- I am a big of Peter Pan fan and Hook is a refreshing take on the classic children's adventure. William's portrayal of a Peter Pan who has not only grown up, but also forgotten his life in Neverland is amazing and at points touching. He's perfectly balanced too by Dustin Hoffman as the villainous Captain James Hook.                                                                   
• Patch Adams- I have only seen this film recently, but can recommend it whole-heartedly. A story (based loosely on true events) about a doctor whose core belief is that a happy patient will take better to treatment. It is a great feel-good film for when your feeling blue. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine.                                                                                              
• Jumanji- Growing up this film always seemed to be on TV at one time or another. Despite this I always found myself watching it. I'm not quite sure why I did watch it eagerly as it's far from perfect. Just one of those films to have on in the background as I go about other things.   
• Mrs. Doubtfire- This is a bit of an odd one as I haven't actually seen this film. But, it is a film I am desperate to see. People are always citing it as being a brilliantly funny film and I feel like I commit a disservice by missing out so far.                                                                    
• Legend of Zelda franchise- Lastly as a gamer the last mention I'd like to make is to Robin Williams as a patron of the Zelda games. He was an avid player of the series, starring in trailers for them and even named his daughter after the princess. This year the two attended E3 and a mask held by Zelda gave many fans hope for a re-make of a classic.

These are just my personal observations on the career of Robin Williams. I realise I have barely scratched the surface. I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends who has left behind and who I'm sure feel the void more that most. I welcome your observations in the comments below about your views on his career.

Image from Lightlybuzzed.

Godzilla (2014)

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

When I realised that I had missed the chance to see the newest Godzilla movie in cinemas I was rather upset. In fact, upset is putting it mildly: In reality, I felt like rampaging through a whole city like the titular monster himself.

So, imagine my excitement when I realised that it would still be in Japanese theatres during my trip. It was perfect; I could celebrate the latest addition to the series in its birthplace. Even if technically it is an American remake/reboot.

My anticipation was rather inflated too, as most people I’ve talked to have been raving about the film. Often this praise came from the people I wouldn't expect to have enjoyed a monster movie. It sounded amazing, something rather fresh and new in a genre that is often a bit samey. Also, let’s face it; the film can’t be any worse than the Godzilla film made in 1998. That version is always being panned, although it holds a soft spot in my heart.

So, there I was in a Japanese cinema watching the opening scene, almost shaking with excitement. I imagined how reality and fantasy could combine, here in Japan and that Godzilla will burst through the screen at me during a climactic scene. It turns out there would be no fear of that happening. As the majority of the film is set in America. Although by the end of the film you won’t be able to recognise it from the rubble. I don’t know when the film became which tower will topple next, but by the end you’ll wonder whether stopping the big bad bomb would make any difference.

That's an awful lot of fish 1998 Godzilla!

To say I was disappointed coming out of the screen is an understatement. I’m not sure how people have been able to praise this film so highly. Firstly the story is just cliché, which to be honest isn’t the problem. After all when dealing with a monster film there isn’t exactly much ground that hasn’t already been trodden by massive claws. The problem is that often cliché can be accepted as we don’t go for the story; we go to see monsters. Pacific Rim understood this, what little story it tried to impart was just there to explain the next encounter.

Godzilla has it backwards to the point where the monster is fitted around the story. Often the monster fights are reserved to news updates the characters are watching. Most of the film seems to be trying to make an ethical point with its story. There is the underlining message that man has messed about with nature too much, as our dependence on nuclear power is what creates Muto and it's up to Godzilla (as nature's champion) to restore balance. It's a worthwhile message to have I guess, but it just doesn't fit in a Godzilla movie. Firstly, because Godzilla is meant to represent destruction, he started as an analogy for Hiroshima. So it seems more than a little disrespectful for an American studio to take that concept and make him karma's avatar. Secondly, if Muto's origin is how I understand, then it too is natural and existed the same time as Godzilla. Humanity's intervention merely reignited their spark of life. I won't keep picking minute flaws in its story, it's not what I went to see the film for. I wanted to see monsters duking it out, but even then I didn't get this. All I got was a cliched story about a heroic soldier trying to make his way home.

Again, the story of the returning hero is well-used, but if we care about them then it's worth being retold. Unfortunately the characters in Godzilla aren’t memorable either. Ken Watanabe and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s characters are so basic that they could be any other marine or researcher from any other film. They have no individual personality and nothing that ties them to this one film. I honestly think I could have copied some of their scenes into the newest Transformers and they would have fitted just as well. Worse is Elizabeth Olsen, who spent the film hoping her husband would save her. Talk about your passive female character. With the amount of time the film focuses on her it could quite easily have set her up as a better heroine, someone we could care about. She didn't have military training, she was a medic and she had their young son to care for whilst all hell breaks loose around her. Imagine the tense scenes possible as she tries to survive, help relief efforts and seek shelter. But no. She just ran and hid in a subway station, stopping only briefly to send her son off onto a bus with a random friend. No wonder I kept hearing Bryan Cranston’s character, he’s the only colour in amongst the shades of bland. The opening scene is rather tragic and we can believe he is a man who can't get over losing despite how much time has passed. If planned properly, a story could have written itself about whether his search for truth was merely a figment of a guilty mind. But, because we know full well something bad went down that wasn't his fault, any payoff or suspense is lost.

Somewhere along the lines he forgot to evolve a neck.

What really annoys me is how Taylor-Johnson manages to not only be around during every significant attack, but also how he comes out unscathed. Not only is it unbelievable but the absurd level it gets to is cringe worthy. I honestly expected a scene where he rides in on top of Godzilla to punch a stars and stripes shaped hole into the Muto threat. What did happen was much worse as he ends up connecting with both Muto and Godzilla, the former glaring at him in the knowledge that Johnson has just fried its eggs (although in amongst all the destruction how could it have known?). The second time when both he and Godzilla are flat out on their backs in a scene that screams, lowest point of the hero's tale, they both share a bro-nod and get up to fight again. He’s practically Captain Scarlet, why didn’t the military just let him fight Muto?

Godzilla himself wasn’t too bad, and I like the retro design. However, this just makes it more of an insult that the story is so Americanized. His look and finishing move are about the only fragments of his past that remain. Japanese cinema was eager to dismiss their Godzilla from the 1998 beast and I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again. I can also see why he’s been dubbed ‘Fatzilla’, clearly at 60 his metabolism has slowed to a crawl. Muto looked okay, although a bit too sleek and polished to seem like it would occur in nature even in pre-history. It looked more like a robot with all its curves and piano black finish, a bit like what I imagine a PlayStation 5 will look like. Which it could be argued fits in with the message that Muto is a product of our meddling with nature. But, as I pointed out, Muto existed before we got here and I can't imagine how evolution could have developed that shade of glowing neon eyes. He's just too perfect.

After finally getting a chance to see the film I felt rather let down. I hear there is a sequel being released by 2018. This news made me feel like toppling a tower or two.


Godzilla image from io9, Godzilla 1998 image from cameronlaventureblog.

Tokyo Trip top points, so far.

I am sending this post all the way from Tokyo in Japan, fancy right? As amazing as the trip is; it means I can't do a full blog post today or Monday. So, to rectify this I am going to compile a few lists about things I am noticing during my trip.
I'm sure that once I am home there will be many posts and articles fully detailing my experiences.

1. Japan is filled with colourful characters: Often I would chastise those who summed up Japan as full of anime and video games. But, now I will have to agree with them slightly. Pointing out of course that I can only agree based on my experience of Tokyo.

2. There are a lot of people in Tokyo and not a lot of space: Which has led to buildings standing shoulder to shoulder, being built high into the sky and deep beneath the surface.

3. The trains certainly run on time, but they can be overwhelming to newcomers.

4. Japan has all kinds of crazy foods and sweets: During my trip I have eaten locusts, frog legs, snail, intestines and unidentifiable substances. All but the intestines was rather delicious.

5. You don't know what true rush hour hell is until you've been in the Salary man rush.

6. There is a lot more English around then you would think: before I was worried that there would be no word understandable to me. Yet, most signs in Tokyo have some English on them and there is always helpful translators on hand.

7. The sound of a cicada is quite frankly deafening. Is that a whole hive? Nope, it's just one, and it's active. But you'll probably not see it until it flys at your face.

8. Whilst, I have seen some wondrous things, I have also noticed a lot of problems that would certainly put me off living in Tokyo.

9. There is very little point to the one Yen coin, yet they seem to be in overabundance; especially in my pocket.

and finally...

10. Tokyo skyline viewed from on high is beautiful. This only gets grander if you catch it at night, when the city comes alive. The lights along the streets mesmirize, and the skylines twinkerling red warning lights appear like a christmas scene.

In summary Tokyo is a totally different world and a trip here is fascinating. To keep more up to date follow me on twitter, search @JoshFrancis93.

I'd love to hear your views, so please leave them below in the comments.

Guardians of the Galaxy: A Film You Need to See?

Minor spoilers ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy: you have been warned!

Marvel has said, and I hope they are right, that they have a clear plan ahead for their franchises. If rumours are to be believed that plan could stretch right up until 2027. With that in mind they need to have a pretty solid plan, at least more than 12% of a plan; which isn’t really a full plan just a concept for one. You may think I just went onto a random tangent just then, but if you have seen Marvel’s latest film Guardians of the Galaxy you will know I haven’t.

In fact Guardians of the Galaxy (GotG) is a good demonstration of their plans, after all they must have one if they can confidently announce a sequel before its release.  This film is firmly part of their Avengers universe; it builds upon the established and hints not just at the next film, but also Avengers 3 (schedule for roughly 2018).

This could dissuade some newcomers from seeing GotG, but it shouldn’t. Yes, you need a bit of context and need to really have seen at least The Avengers and Thor 2: The Dark World; otherwise you could spend a lot of time wondering what the fuss is about the guy in the throne and the glowing gems. 

However, it could quite easily be watched on its own, as long as you don’t question too much.

Part of this is because the story is rather formulaic: bad guy who wants to destroy everything meets group of unlikely heroes who must learn to work together.  I couldn’t help but feel like I had just paid to see The Avengers all over again.

Many have already compared the two films: considering it’s about strangers teaming up those comparisons are apt. But, like many others I think GotG has something Avengers doesn’t: some truly unique characters. Which is saying something: considering the fact that the guardians have to be explained in a single film.  This film does that expertly, without rushing their introductions either. That is especially true of the character Peter Quill, whose brief flashback scene is touching enough that it has resonates throughout; despite being little more than a pre-qual.

Even Drax whose motivation is little more than wanting revenge is fleshed out enough that we care about him. I liked him the least throughout, and yet loved his quirky-ness. Little touches you don’t notice like how he needed metaphors explained to him built the character subtly. By the end I felt I knew him enough to want to see him reach his goal.

Even promotion posters look similar.

One of my main picks about the film is that it could be rather cliché of a comic book film. It could easily be fight scenes and sparkly effects, which it is, but it is also quite fresh. It balances the well-trodden grounds of group pep talks and the villain still lives with a genuinely funny moment that is usually quite out of the blue. Often these moments are due to one of the characters quirks, which demonstrate how strong the characters are fleshed out.

A mention is definitely needed for another character and that’s the soundtrack. The majority of the songs are taken from early 70’s and shouldn’t fit with the space ships and futuristic settings. Yet, they do and give it a feel that’s both retro and rather comforting.

The weakest point of the film is its villain, who whilst is a clear threat isn’t anything interesting. Much like Thor 2’s baddy, Rhonan and his motivation is barely touched upon.  He could literally be any other insert bad guy here and the film would feel the same.  There hints that he seeks revenge but honestly I couldn’t care, the scenes with him in are the worst as I didn’t care enough to pay attention.

Whilst it is clearly a cog in the Marvel machine I enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy and its rag tag bunch of characters. Although a week ago I sighed when Marvel announced the sequel I feel refreshed and came away from the theatre anticipating more. 

There are some bits that are bad, some bits that are good, little bit of both (spot the reference): mostly however, its very good.

First image from NukeTheFridge, Avengers image from Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy promo image from ComingSoon,

Baked Kit-Kat

In a few short days I travel to Tokyo, I’m excited to say the least. To get myself in the right frame of mind I attended Hyper Japan 2014 (See my Student Wire article). If I’m honest whilst the event seemed to show Japanese culture it had a clear focus on what we expect, such as Kawaii (cute) fashion. I realise it is far from the only thing I will experience whilst I’m in the actual country.

Whilst I was at Hyper Japan, however I did pick up a certain treat I have been hearing a lot about. As some of you may know Kit-Kats are rather popular in Japan, perhaps due to the name being translated as Kitto-Katsu: which roughly translates as certainly win. There is a mountain of weird and wonderful varieties available, such as Green tea, strawberry cheesecake, dark chocolate the list goes on. One of the most popular is baked pudding flavour and often even the dedicated Kit-Kat stores will sell out of them. So I felt pretty certain I had won myself when I found them on sale on a sweet stall.

Now the why out of all the flavours are these so popular? Well, it is because the ‘baked’ part of their name actually describes the preparation not the flavour. That’s right these guys can be cooked. Unfortunately for me the instructions are in Kanji, but after searching for some Youtube videos I know how to cook them. So, after lining a baking tray I was ready to begin baking like Cooking Mama herself.

Ebony and Ivory side by side on my foil-lined baking tray.

When I opened the packet I was hit by a very intense smell of caramel, almost sickly. They are meant to be Crème Brulee flavour so I expected a hint of burnt sugar. I didn’t expect to get a sugar high from the smell alone. I tried one of the fingers, they come in mini-packs of two, uncooked and I wasn’t too impressed. The outside had the appearance of white chocolate, unfortunately not  the taste: it had little flavour and a texture that was rather waxy.

However I persevered and popped the baking tray into the oven, and in the interest of science also included a regular Kit-Kat finger. I put the oven on 180 degrees, but ended up putting it a bit higher. Guides I had read suggested leaving it for four minutes. I wasn’t taking any chances, and on a Saturday night I sat on the kitchen floor eagerly watching the oven.

 

Such an exciting student.

The chocolate started bubbling and after about six minutes the outside started puffing up and turning brown. It had the appearance of puff pastry when I pulled it out. The regular bar just looked a bit burnt, and after a nibble I can confirm it was rather char-grilled. But the baked one was rather different. It had a nice and subtle vanilla aroma and the outside flaked when I picked it off the tray. Taste wise it was Ok, nothing spectacular: Just subtly sweet but not caramel as I had expected. The texture was nice as it fell apart in my mouth.

Neither looked too appealing if I am honest.

 Overall I think the main draw of these is the preparation. Their popularity lies in their novelty and, unfortunately they don’t quite live up to the hype. Unlike some I will not be cancelling my trip to Japan after this disappointment, no instead I will just have to try more flavours once I’m there to make up for it.

Packing list for Tokyo

I will  freely admit that I am not a planner, in fact I absolutely detest thinking too far ahead. Don't get me wrong, I think through what I'm going to do, but as I like things to be a surprise I prefer to stay in the moment.

This isn't a very good idea when you are travelling; especially when that travelling takes you cross the globe. So with more than a little help from the wonderful Amy I have compiled a packing list.

If you are looking for inspiration for your own packing, or are just feeling a little nosey, then take a look. Also if you have any suggestions concerning all things long-haul, leave them in the comments below.

Suitcase

• 4 light shirts and trousers (I'm lucky as I'm staying with friends that I will have access to washing machines)
• 5 small reporter notebooks plus pens (I am after all a writer).
• Chargers for my camera, tablet, phone and many more
• Shower supplies and toiletries in clear bottles
• Hat, sandles and other items that will make me stand out as a tourist
• Insect repellent

Hand luggage

• Passport
• Confirmation letters for flight, hotel, directions Etc.
• Itinerary (which Amy is keeping hold of as I'm not to be trusted)
• Notebook
• Tablet
• Headphones
• Phone
• Neck pillow, which may kill my neck more than nothing at all
• Snacks for the plane (the most important part)

I have to admit I am rather proud of my planning. One point I am dreading is the passport check; as I have lost quite a bit of weight since it was taken.

Overall I am super hyped and by the time you have read this I shall be well on my way.