While 2016 is setting itself up to be an outstanding year for music, it is also refusing to allow us those dollops of joy without giving us a few swift kicks to the nads as well. From the death of David Bowie to the breaking up of brilliant bands like The Defiled music hasn’t been neglected by the curse of 2016. The latest high-profile casualty appears to beĀ Nails.
The BFG (2016)
Theyād be locking me up in a cage to be looked at with all the squiggling, you know, hippo dumplings, crocodown dillies and giggirafs, and then there would be a gigantus looksy giant hunt for all of the boys.
I don’t care if you are nine years old or 102 if you aren’t enchanted by watching Mark Rylance work his way through sentences like the one above then you are dead inside. If there were nothing else toĀ The BFGĀ than Rylance’s take on The BFG’s unique way with words – many of which are taken wholesale from the book – then it would probably have been enough. Thankfully, there is more than that.
Ginger Wildheart w/ Ryan Hamilton and Massive Wagons in Glasgow and Aberdeen
There’s something special about aĀ Ginger WildheartĀ tour and his most recent run around the country feels more special than most. Having had to cancel theĀ Hey! Hello!Ā tour twice, once because ofĀ GingerĀ going into the hospital due to his battles with depression and once because of Hollis leaving the band, it is a pleasure to see the great man on stage enjoying himself after a while away. Throw in the reunions that have happened with Danny McCormack at a couple of the shows and the whole thing has an even bigger party vibe than usual.
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Ghostbusters (2016)
To say thatĀ GhostbustersĀ has had pressure placed on its shoulders is a bit of an understatement. If it fails it sadly gives a particular sub-section of the internet all the more reason to spill their bile-filledĀ views. While it would be harsh to blame Paul Feig for that if it were to happen, it is hard not to root for this most reviled of films.
Get In The Ring
We can all claim maturity, but it doesn’t matter how old you are, everyone loves a good fight. It’s why UFC is worth $4 billion, and Brock Lesnar is a motherfucking hero. It’s also why watching two bands bicker will also be entertaining. Whether it’sĀ Guns ‘N’ RosesĀ andĀ NirvanaĀ orĀ SlipknotĀ andĀ MushroomheadĀ seeing two groups trade barbed comments through the media (or as is the case now, social media) is just fun.
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
‘Have you seen Toy Story? Well, imagine that, but with pets!’ You can only assume that was the elevator pitch forĀ The Secret Life of PetsĀ a film that follows what your family friend gets up to when you’re not at home and includes elements of all three Toy Story films.
Adult Life Skills (2016)
Living in a shed at the bottom of her mum’s garden 29-year-old Anna has given up on life. The relatively recent passing of her twin brother has sent her spiralling over her edge, and she splits her time between working at a local activities centre for kids and making funny videos reflecting on existence starring her thumbs. That is until eight-year-old Clint comes into the picture, a remarkable kid whose mum is dying from cancer.
Warcraft: The Beginning (2016)
Duncan Jones’Ā Warcraft: The BeginningĀ has been saved from flop status by its success in Russia and China and because of that has been deemed the most successful video game adaptation of all time. However, if you are going by reviews and its performance in countries like America, it is hard to see it as anything but a failure. The consensus has at best been meh and at worst been downright hateful.
Edinburgh Film Festival Round-Up
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is over for another year and while I didn’t get to go to quite as many films as I would have liked – I am but a poor person after all – I did get along to a handful. One of those I have already talked about (the rather poorĀ Kids In Love) but rather than do individual reviews of the rest I have decided to go for the quick-fire approach. So here’s my thoughts on five films I had the pleasure of watching.
Bloodborne And The Art Of Giving Up
Earlier this year I decided to take a plunge. For years now I have been hearing tales of the brilliance of From Software’s games and why if you don’t play them you can’t understand gaming. Yet, before this, my one attempt to get into the series failed miserably. I spent an afternoon with Demon Souls and bounced off it in every way possible. My main issue was a complete lack of patience. I didn’t have the head for standing back with my shield raised and waiting for my opportunity to strike, and it hurt me, which is where Bloodborne comes into things.
Ramblings About Wrestling 