Eoghann Irving's Blog, page 10
April 23, 2016
Facebook Instant Articles and Google AMP Enabled
My blog now has both Google AMP and Facebook's Instant Articles enabled. Both of these formats are intended for the mobile web and speed is their main advantage. This is all part of my ongoing (and time consuming) efforts to make my posts as widely accessible as possible though in this case you'll only see the benefits if you're on mobile and using a service that supports it (Facebook for Instant articles and specific links for AMP)
AMP was pretty easy to do because there's a WordPress plugin. It's really basic (no settings at all) and the end result is equally basic with no images, but it is fast. So far according to my Google Search Console 875 of my pages have been indexed with AMP versions so they should start showing up in the mobile search results. If you're curious what it looks like you can just stick /amp on the end of this URL.
Instant Articles took a lot longer. There's a plugin as well but you have to get Facebook review and approval which in my case took 72 hours rather than the 24-48 indicated. Still it's working now and it looks really nice as this screenshot shows. Any time you are on mobile and follow a link to my website you'll get the Instant Articles version.
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April 22, 2016
Independence Day: Resurgence — New Trailer
Independence Day: Resurgence - New Trailer
I know it's not great writing or film making but I love the original Independence Day and if this trailer is anything to go by, I'll love the sequel too. It's all about the explosions.
April 20, 2016
Approaching Work
April 19, 2016
Supergirl S01E20 — Better Angels (or How to Make the End of the World Boring)
If you want to know both what is right and wrong with Supergirl then the season one finale is a great summary. There's some great acting, some decent character moments and yet somehow the show manages to leech all of the drama out of what should have been a tense end of the world scenario. Every time the show sets up something interesting instead of building on it, it falls back on the most clichéd of clichés.
When it's not doing the tedious love triangle stuff there's some good relationship and character work in Supergirl. But the credit for that goes almost entirely to the actors who do a remarkable job selling some really ordinary dialogue. Kara and Cat's scenes remain a highlight of the show, but that's probably because Cat is one of only two characters who's allowed to have shades of grey. Everyone else is either evil, evil, eeeevil, or terribly, terribly good.
All of that is on display in this episode when, faced with the end of the world, about half of the show's running time is devoted to Kara saying goodbye to each cast member in turn and at length. Once again everyone is standing around talking about what's happening instead of doing anything about it.
It's frustrating because the plot isn't a horrible one if a bit predictable. But, as so often with this show we burn through multiple episodes worth of plot in a matter of minutes so we can get back to that all important and oh so tedious character drama.
First Myriad brainwashing is defeated by a sappy tv broadcast (really is there any more clichéd way to defeat mind control?) in the opening sequence and then the threat of exploding brains is reduced to a bunch of people clutching at their heads and counting down. Perhaps if any of the characters on the show had the slightest bit of agency outside of their relationship to Supergirl, I'd have been more inclined to care about this.
It's a shame because I like the positive tone that the show takes. It's nice to have something upbeat and happy to offset the never ending parade of grim misery that tv offers these days. But positive doesn't have to be shallow or predictable and far too often Supergirl is both of those things.
Early on in the season I said that I wanted to like this show more than I actually liked it and that remains the case. Melissa Benoist is great. Supergirl is a fun character. But you can't just coast on those two things for an entire season. The supposed "big bad" of the season Non was a complete non-entity (you see what I did there) with no personality to speak of. We were never given insight into his motivations or really any sense that he was actually that dangerous.
Four suggestions that would dramatically improve Season 2 if it gets one, which I hope it does.
Dial the relationship stuff back to 11
Give characters a life away from Supergirl
More villains
Make them matter
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Supergirl S01E20 - Better Angels (or How to Make the End of the World Boring)
If you want to know both what is right and wrong with Supergirl then the season one finale is a great summary. There's some great acting, some decent character moments and yet somehow the show manages to leech all of the drama out of what should have been a tense end of the world scenario. Every time the show sets up something interesting instead of building on it, it falls back on the most clichéd of clichés.
When it's not doing the tedious love triangle stuff there's some good relationship and character work in Supergirl. But the credit for that goes almost entirely to the actors who do a remarkable job selling some really ordinary dialogue. Kara and Cat's scenes remain a highlight of the show, but that's probably because Cat is one of only two characters who's allowed to have shades of grey. Everyone else is either evil, evil, eeeevil, or terribly, terribly good.
All of that is on display in this episode when, faced with the end of the world, about half of the show's running time is devoted to Kara saying goodbye to each cast member in turn and at length. Once again everyone is standing around talking about what's happening instead of doing anything about it.
It's frustrating because the plot isn't a horrible one if a bit predictable. But, as so often with this show we burn through multiple episodes worth of plot in a matter of minutes so we can get back to that all important and oh so tedious character drama.
First Myriad brainwashing is defeated by a sappy tv broadcast (really is there any more clichéd way to defeat mind control?) in the opening sequence and then the threat of exploding brains is reduced to a bunch of people clutching at their heads and counting down. Perhaps if any of the characters on the show had the slightest bit of agency outside of their relationship to Supergirl, I'd have been more inclined to care about this.
It's a shame because I like the positive tone that the show takes. It's nice to have something upbeat and happy to offset the never ending parade of grim misery that tv offers these days. But positive doesn't have to be shallow or predictable and far too often Supergirl is both of those things.
Early on in the season I said that I wanted to like this show more than I actually liked it and that remains the case. Melissa Benoist is great. Supergirl is a fun character. But you can't just coast on those two things for an entire season. The supposed "big bad" of the season Non was a complete non-entity (you see what I did there) with no personality to speak of. We were never given insight into his motivations or really any sense that he was actually that dangerous.
Four suggestions that would dramatically improve Season 2 if it gets one, which I hope it does.
Dial the relationship stuff back to 11
Give characters a life away from Supergirl
More villains
Make them matter
George R. R. Martin Open To Game of Thrones Spin-off — Techaeris
How do you feel about a Game of Thrones spinoff? HBO are obviously keen to keep the showing going since it's hugely popular, but the showrunners have stuck to their guns (so far) about ending the show in the next two seasons. It's a big world though with plenty of other characters and time periods to explore.
A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin believes that there are plenty of opportunities for a Game of Thrones spin-off or two.
Source: George R. R. Martin Open To Game of Thrones Spin-off - Techaeris
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George R. R. Martin Open To Game of Thrones Spin-off - Techaeris
How do you feel about a Game of Thrones spinoff? HBO are obviously keen to keep the showing going since it's hugely popular, but the showrunners have stuck to their guns (so far) about ending the show in the next two seasons. It's a big world though with plenty of other characters and time periods to explore.
A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin believes that there are plenty of opportunities for a Game of Thrones spin-off or two.
Source: George R. R. Martin Open To Game of Thrones Spin-off - Techaeris
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The Blue Hour
The early morning walks have resumed which gives me the opportunity to take photos like this as I wander around before going into the office.
It's amazing to me how good the camera's on phones have become to allow me to take shots like this.
April 18, 2016
James Cameron tells CinemaCon crowd: four Avatar sequels planned, not three
The director has told audiences in San Diego that a new movie has been added to the planned – and much-delayed – follow-ups to his 2009 3D smash
Source: James Cameron tells CinemaCon crowd: four Avatar sequels planned, not three
Does the world need four more Avatar movies. I don't say that for a cheap dig at Avatar it's just that we're talking about another 8 hours of story here. Is there actually that much to tell? Cameron has earned the right to do whatever he wants when it comes to movies mind you.
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