Daily archives: November 30, 2006


Wednesday, Orange Wednesday

Last wednesday, Members of Team Spinneyhead made the trek to the local cinema to watch Daniel Craig in his new film, Casino Royale.

Daniel Craig has been in some memorable films such as Layer Cake and some not so memorable ones (such as Tomb Raider).

So… On to the nitty gritty, what did Team Spinneyhead make of the new James Bond…

Tim: The film is a bit oddly placed when compaired to the rest of the bond movies, given that it is the first, but set in the present. The DB5 makes an appearance and does the new Aston Martin DBS. Gadgets are light on the ground (Bond does has a few, but no Q). Apart from the scene where the Aston DBS gets destroyed, I liked the film (I liked the DBS too much to enjoy that bit). Not as funny as Woody Allen’s Casino Royale, but well worth the money any day of the week. Overall: 9 /10

Ian: It was definitely trying for a back to basics feel, and the action sequences are great. It’s been suggested that they were going for a Bourne Identity/ Bourne Supremacy kind of grittiness to make the series more relevant. I have to say they didn’t quite succeed if they were- the glamourous scenes in the casino and beach resort.

Highlights- the free-running chase, for more of the same see the fun District 13, the DBS crash (it takes a lot of nerve to write off three supercars for the sake of a good shot), “You died scratching my balls!” and the revelation that M has a home life.

Less good- without spoiling the plot for you, there’s a bit toward the end that just doesn’t fit comfortably into the film, everyone is acting at odds with their established characters and you just know it isn’t right. And the camp Swiss banker was hamming it up way too much.

Amazon Links:

James Bond Ultimate Editions Collection
Casino Royale – The Novel

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So Much To Answer For- Part 20

The office buildings in the Science Park were identikit. It was only because he knew the company name that Joe could find the right one. “I’d like to see Sarah James.” he told the man on reception.

“Is she expecting you?”

“No. But if you can tell her Joe’s here to see her.” The message was passed on and Sarah arrived within minutes.

“Hello stranger.”

“Hi. You want to go for a walk?”

The professional reply died on her lips. She nodded. “Okay.”

They stepped out into the car park It wasn’t very scenic, but they could walk. Joe set off around the perimeter.

“Did Tommy visit you?”

Sarah was silent. They stopped walking. The silence stretched out. “I didn’t kill him.”

“I hoped that was the answer. What happened?”

“He was waiting for me. Like he knew when lunch was. Waiting almost exactly where you are now.” Joe looked down, then scanned the car park and its surroundings.

“I didn’t know what to do. For a moment I just stood there. Then he came toward me and I ran. I don’t know what I was thinking. I just ran.

“There’s a gap in the fence, just over there.” Joe looked where she indicated. He couldn’t see anything, but he believed her. “I’m shorter. And I know it’s there. I ducked under it.”

“It?”

“There’s this bit, sticking out. There was a noise. I went back and there was blood all over the ground. His throat was cut open, he must have run into it.”

Joe hugged Sarah. She was crying.

“I didn’t do anything. I made my way back to my car and went home. I called in sick for the rest of the day. I didn’t call for an ambulance or the Police. I should have called for an ambulance or the Police.”

“It wouldn’t have made a difference.” Joe lied. He didn’t know how much of a difference it would have made. “The Police are here.” Sarah tensed up. “Just tell them what you told me. It’ll be okay.” He really hoped he was right. Across the car park Stevenson, Wood and Rachel got out of the car.

Part 21
Part 19
Part 1

Other fiction- check out Heavensent, the propeller-punk sci-fi war novel I recently wrapped up, or download Another Education/Ruby Red or Ten Years Asleep.

Donate Now I’ve started writing again I’m unlikely to stop, but it would be nice if I could eat during my breaks. So please feel free to donate some money to my starving author fund by clicking on the PayPal button below.


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Frightened to Death by John Humphries

The Today programme comes from the Royal Society today, discussing science and its future (move to India, they still understand its importance). One of their teaser comments for an upcoming item was “Were hundreds of Cumbrians really scared to death by fairies?” I think I missed it, so I may have to listen again to hear just that bit and see if it’s related to my own Frightened to Death by Fairies images.

Update I just caught it, and it’s the same document, from Lamplugh parish, as I based my Fairies pictures on.

And here’s the news item at BBC Cumbria- Dead funny: Archives Service digs up bizarre burial records

PS I apologise for the comment spam on some of the pictures. I try to weed it out, but I haven’t caught all of them.

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