C.A. Milson's Blog, page 239
August 20, 2014
August 18, 2014
Maleficent (2014) – Movie Review
Maleficent (2014)
Stars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley
IMDB Rating: 7.4
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Plot: A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.
Tagline: Don’t believe the fairytale
My Tagline: You got that right!
Review: Maleficent. A name that stirs dread and fear. The self-proclaimed Mistress Of All Evil. In the 1959 original version, the stage is set with Maleficent placing a curse on Aurora so that before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die. This curse is weakened by Merryweather, who reduces it to an eternal sleep and the curse can be broken by the first kiss from her true love (Prince Phillip).
That is about as far as to the original story this film was. In this adaptation, Maleficent is downgraded to a fairy who was scorned by her own “true love” (King Stefan), who betrayed her twice (Once when he is a teenager, the second when he’s an adult and he gets her drunk then cuts off her wings).
Maleficent is woman scorned. Fueled by jealousy and bitterness, she sets out to destroy King Stefan by doing the only thing she can…. Sealing herself off from the outside world with a wall of thorns, then later decides to rock up at the Christening of King Stefan’s daughter, Aurora. Hmmmm.
In the original tale, Maleficent could not find the young princess. In this version.. If you guessed what I am going to say, then you score extra brownie points… Yep, Maleficent manages to find Aurora in under 5 minutes flat, and then, for the next 16 years, she “watches” over her, to the point of becoming her motherly-figure. (how sweet)
Maleficent, in her own way, discovers that she has a shred of humanity, and regrets the curse she placed on the girl, and try as she may, she cannot lift the curse (but hang on, if she put the curse on to begin with, shouldn’t she be able to remove it just as easily?).
True Love’s Kiss scene. (SPOILERS). The young Prince Phillip kisses Aurora, and voila!….. Nothing happens…. (oops!) Maybe he wasn’t Aurora’s first love after all! (Going by how they briefly meet in an earlier scene, I’m not surprised).
The film, for the grand fee of close to $200 Million, was good to the point of the special effects. But the storyline was very different than the original version. I can understand the fact that movies sometimes need to be remade to fit the “new idealisms” of the modern thinking, and to be P.C., but when you take a timeless villain and downgrade her so that she’s nothing more than a spiteful individual, then that’s when you loose the plot.
The acting by Jolie, Fanning and Copley were good, but not spectacular, and I did expect more from this.
Just a few spoilers.
Does she teleport? No
Does she transform into a dragon? Sadly not.
Is she Evil? Yeah… right….
If you like the Disney classics, then go watch the original, then you can compare that to this version.
Verdict: Oh Maleficent. Your maternal instincts just shine and make you “mother of the millennium”!
My Rating: 6.5 out of 10 (Mostly for the SPX, and the characters borrowed from LOTR and Labyrinth (David Bowie version))
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: Angelina Jolie, Aurora, Elle Fanning, King Stefan, Maleficent, Prince Phillip, Sharlto Copley 
August 17, 2014
Flight (2012) – Movie Review
Flight (2012)
Stars: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood
IMDB Rating: 7.3
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Plot: An airline pilot saves almost all his passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashed, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling.
Review: On a routine flight from Orlando to Atlanta, something goes wrong with the plane and it begins to fly erratically. With little choice, the pilot (Whip Whitaker – played by Denzel Washington) must crash land in order to save the passengers onboard.
When he comes to in the hospital, he soon finds out that all but 6 of the crew and passengers survived the crash, thanks to his daring flight maneuvers. However, rather being heralded as the hero he was, his life comes under scrutiny, as it is revealed that Whip has a drug and alcohol dependency.
A strong film with a great cast, that focuses on just how much destruction drugs and alcohol can have on a person, and just when you think that Whip gets his act together, he again falls by the way-side and drinks to the point of being unbearable to everyone around him. The only hope that he has, of walking away from the investigation, is to clean himself up and remain sober.
“Flight” is a powerful, dark film that is is about a man who has fallen into his own darkness and how salvation comes in the most unexpected form.
Denzel Washington is, without a doubt, in my Top 5 List of best actors of the modern era, and in this film he shows that once again his performance is powerful and moving.
Verdict: Flying is still the safest way to travel :)
My Rating: 9 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: Bruce Greenwood, Denzel Washington, Flight (2012), Kelly Reilly
“Road To The Expo” Fundraiser
There is still time to get behind our “Road To The Book Expo” campaign. Make a pledge today via Paypal (info@asjpublishing.com). Every bit helps peeps.
Filed under: Events Tagged: crowdfunding, Donation, Fundraiser, Kickstarter
August 16, 2014
The Leftovers (TV Series) – Review
The Leftovers (TV Series) 2014 -
Stars: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston
IMDB Rating: 7.3
Plot: Revolves around mysterious disappearances, world-wide, and specifically follows a group of people who are left behind in the suburban community of Mapleton. They must begin to rebuild their lives after the loss of more than 100 people.
Review: Post-Rapture anarchy. Or at least that is how it would seem. When most of the worlds’ population mysteriously vanish, a group of people in a small town must regroup in order is move forward with what life they have left, and forge together in hope that someday, they will get answers to why they were left behind.
The Rapture. A belief according to some that there will come a day when the righteous of the world will be snapped up from the Earth and leave behind all those who are unrighteous and sinful. Whatever your belief may be, this TV Series is a compelling drama that looks at real issues we face today. Racism, Prejudice, Hate, Hope.
Justin Theroux plays the role of Kevin Garvey, the local Chief of Police, whose job is it to make sense of the madness, while trying to keep his own sanity and his family together after his wife, Laurie (played by Amy Brenneman), runs off and joins a local cult (who take up smoking and have a strict vow of silence). His daughter, Jill (played by Margaret Qualley), is the temperamental teen who makes everything about herself, with the attitude to match.
Christopher Eccleston plays the role of Matt Jamison, the local priest who ends up loosing his flock, and his church. (For those not familiar with Eccleston, he played of The Doctor in Dr Who TV Series (2005) )
This series from HBO is compelling enough to make you want to watch what will happen in the end. Will the remaining people also be raptured? What is the back story on the cult? Was it the Rapture or Aliens that took the population of the world? And will Jill ever get over herself?
Like all good things, I am sure that the answers will come in time (one would think so anyway)
Verdict: Beam Me Up Jesus!
My Rating: 8 out of 10
Filed under: TV Show Reviews Tagged: Christopher Eccleston, Cult, Justin Theroux, Margaret Qualley, Post Rapture, Rapture, Small Town Drama, Smoking, The Leftovers (2014)
August 14, 2014
Creatives Roundtable with author, Andrew J. Robinson
August 11, 2014
Press Release
ASJ Publishing – The road to Book Expo Australia 2014
Indie publisher, ASJ Publishing, has started a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their efforts attend Book Expo Australia 2014
Melbourne, Australia – Indie publishing firm, ASJ Publishing have announced that they have started a Kickstarter campaign in order to secure the funds that they need in order to attend Book Expo Australia 2014.
“Our goal is simple. Secure the funding we need to get to the Book Expo. We already have the books ordered, PaypalHere to take orders at the show, and postcards. Everything is all in place. All we need now is the rest of the funding to fly us up there & secure beds to crash in for when we’re not swarmed with book-lovers and authors alike”, says ASJ Publishing’s Managing Director, Chris Jackson.
ASJ Publishing is an indie publishing firm that was founded in 2010 by Award winning author, C.A.Milson and Anna Jackson, and officially launched in August 2012. Their goal is to help new authors get discovered and published.
The Kickstarter campaign is called “Book Show by Chris Jackson”, and it is looking for support from all book lovers, whether they’re from Australia or anywhere in the world.
*Chris Jackson*
*chris@asjpublishing.com*
Filed under: Media Tagged: crowdfunding, Kickstarter, Press Release
August 10, 2014
Snowpiercer – Movie Review
Snowpiercer
Stars: Chris Evans, Kang-Ho Song, Ed Harris, John Hurt
Director: Joon-ho Bong
IMDB Rating: 7.0
Plot: Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.
Review: The genre and idea of this film was a good concept, but it failed on many levels when it came to delivery. Before I go into spoilers, I will start by saying that the whole movie is set in the not to distant future, when an experiment to save the world goes wrong, killing all but a handful of people. The survivors all board a train and start on a never ending train trip of a lifetime… And that’s when things get out of control.
People are “herded” into carriages and divided into their respective classes. Although, the only class of people are the rich and the poor. The poor are given “protein gel bars” to live on, while the rich (as you will see later in the film) get the eat the “fat of the land“.
One man (so it seems) has this brilliant idea to “take over” the train… For what purpose, no one is exactly sure – probably not even himself… All he knows, is that he must take over the train.
Shootouts, axe-welding morons with night-vision goggles (why did they need these if this was a train of “peace”), cockroach protein bars, C4 used as a drug, train smashing through ice-walls and somehow never gets derailed, and an ending that ensures that the last humans will be annihilated. (Good Job!)
A post-apocalypse film set on a train that was an interesting concept, but there were far too many plot-holes to cover up this…. mess.
Verdict: Train-wreck of a film!
My Rating: 5 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: Chris Evans, Ed Harris, John Hurt, Snowpiercer (2013)
The Way Way Back – Movie Review
The Way Way Back
Stars: Steve Carell, Toni Colette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Liam James
Directors/Writers: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
IMDB Rating: 7.4
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Plot: Duncan (Liam James) is not a popular kid and it doesn’t look like the summer is going to offer anything better for him. His mother’s boyfriend has invited them to his beach house where Duncan is expected to improve his personality and physical appearance, and meet girls. But his would-be step-sister doesn’t want anything to do with him and his shy demeanor makes it difficult for him to meet anybody new. When Duncan wanders into the Water Wizz, the local water park, he meets adult employees who are just having fun. Owen (Sam Rockwell) lets Duncan work with him and their new-found bond will help each other mature and find their place in life. Which for Duncan means standing up to his would-be step-father, having a conversation with the girl next door and being more comfortable with who he is.
Review: There is nothing to dislike about this movie. This film tell the story about a 14 year old teenage boy (Duncan) trying to find a place where he belongs and how no-one’s family is perfect. It’s about the awkwardness and embarrassment of adolescence and finding friendship.
Steve Carell plays Trent, the arrogant boyfriend (of Pam) who thinks he has all the answers to everything. Pam, (Duncan’s mom – played by Toni Collette), is the insecure single mom trying to balance her own happiness with that of her son. AnnaSophia Robb plays the cute girl next door who sees some potential in Duncan, and Zoe Levin plays the role of Duncan’s self-righteous, self-serving step-sister (thank goodness we don’t see much of her character)
Sam Rockwell plays the role of Owen – The mentor with all the classic one-liners known to man (and then some), who owns the local water-park, (and knows nothing about the running of the water-park).
It does take a while for the story to develop, but in the end, this is one of the “feel good” movies of the year.
A true “coming of age” story that shows that even an awkward teenager can be a winner :) I will not go into details of everything on this review, as you can watch and judge this for yourself. (Watch for the stand off scene between Trent and Owen).
Verdict: The Underdog Has His Day! :)
My Rating: 7 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: AnnaSophia Robb, Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, The Way Way Back (2013), Toni Colette
August 7, 2014
Foodie Review
Food… Who doesn’t love good food and good places to eat. This will be my first post on a new topic, Food Reviews. If you have a place in Melbourne that you think is FoodieReview worthy, then drop me a message on my public Facebook page.
Now, onto food…
Pizza. Love it or hate it, Pizza is one of “convenient” choices that we have in everyday life, whether you decide to buy a frozen pizza from the store, or you order in. Back in the day (mid 1990’s) I loved Pizza. Back then you know that you got quality when you had pizza, regardless if it was from one of the Big Dogs or in a small cafe.
Over the years that changed, and the well known “game changers” dropped the service and quality of what they were flogging off to the public. Soon, the very thought of pizza turned my stomach (don’t get me started on the bug incident at a store of a certain well known pizza chain), and like most of the burger franchise joints (that flog off anything but real burgers), I came to loathe pizza…. That was until we discovered a nice cafe…
It was some months ago now, when a new pizza cafe opened in our area, so we thought we would try them out. I will be honest and say that I wasn’t expecting miracles, and for anyone who knows me, I am the type of person who is pretty much set in his ways and quite close minded to trying anything different or new (must come with age :) )
But, this little pizza cafe made me do a 180 on my thinking of pizza.. At least, certain pizza anyway.
They are called “Fair Dinkum Pizza“, and as the name suggests, their pizza is “Fair Dinkum” on service and Fair Dinkum on quality. We normally order their “Family Deal” which you get 2 Family pizza’s (HUGE!) and garlic pizza. My choice – being the carnivore that I am – I go with the meat-lovers. Anna tends to go for chicken or “the lot”.
Although they are a new business, the team certainly knows how to make an impression and deliver on taste and quality. Their menu may be small at present, but hey, it is early days for them and I suspect that they will just increase in choices and customers as word gets around.
If you live in the region, check them out. And if you don’t live nearby, take a drive and try them for yourself… You’ll be glad you did.
Verdict: Fair Dinkum Awesomeness!
My Rating: 15 out of 10! (Yes I know the highest I could give was 10, but they deserve an extra 5 for just being that bloody awesome! :) )
Filed under: Foodie Review Tagged: Fair Dinkum Pizza, Foodie Review, Pizza
