For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues;
Legend of the Cybermen - the finale of this main range trilogy starring Colin Baker and Frazer Hines as the 6th Doctor and Jamie is a big soppy 10/10 from me. Do not listen to this story without hearing the first two parts as this is a tightly knitted trilogy. The last story ended with us finding out where this story is set and it should throw up fond memories for long term fans. We get more of this location and much more detail than we got on TV and it enriches the story as well as this we have the plot continuing from the first two stories. There are plenty of twists with some familiar faces I can very much recommend this story albeit as part of the trilogy.
1963: The Assasination Game - at this point I need to point out a change to this catch up marathon. Due to financial reasons I have been unable to purchase the next batch of stories. Rather than stop I've gone into future stories I've bought on sale and various non main range stories I've bought over the years. This story was released in the tail end of 2013 and is part of the main range anniversary released featuring the 7th Doctor and Ace meeting up with the Counter Measures team. In all honesty its rather dull and lacks flair coming in at a rather average 5/10.
Thursday, 24 January 2019
Friday, 11 January 2019
Andy Murray
Earlier today at a press conference Andy Murray announced his plans to retire this year. He hopes to retire at Wimbledon but fears next weeks Australian Open could be his last tournament. His comments include;
"I'm not sure I'm able to play through the pain for another four or five months,"
"I want to get to Wimbledon and stop but I'm not certain I can do that."
"I'm not sure I'm able to play through the pain for another four or five months,"
"I want to get to Wimbledon and stop but I'm not certain I can do that."
"I'm not feeling good, I've been struggling for a long time."
"I've been in a lot of pain for about 20 months now. I've pretty much done everything I could to try and get my hip feeling better and it hasn't helped loads."
"I'm in a better place than I was six months ago but I'm still in a lot of pain. I can still play to a level, but not a level I have played at."
I for one will be sorry to see Andy retire, I've always been a fan of tennis and have traded tennis live as a job at times during my life meaning that tennis is one of my most watched and enjoyed sports. Andy Murray has taken tennis to another level where in the UK its not just something that happens for a fortnight in the summer during Wimbledon. My earliest memories of Andy are of a young skinny players throwing up on court as his skills had taken him as far as his body.
He would later mature into a player of immense power and a style that included many engrossing baseline rallies. My personal highlight of his career was the 2012 London Olympic gold medal win which would catapult him to winning the US Open and Wimbledon over the next year.
Andy, this blogger wishes you all the best in retirement and will be continuing to cheer you on until you retire. Its been a crazy ride that you've taken your fans on over the years and trust me when I say that we enjoyed every minute of it.
Thursday, 3 January 2019
2018 Rankings of Films I Saw in the Cinema
Good afternoon ladies and gentle readers as is tradition we start the new year off with lists about the old one. During the course of 2018 I saw nine films and ranked them as follows
The Meg - a fun OTT summer block buster where Jason Statham takes on a giant shark. As a film it was a bit of a banter and a fun evening out. 7/10
The Crimes of Grindelwald - the second in the "Fantastic Creatures" series and an alright film. I enjoy seeing new things in this cinematic universe but the film lacked a final act. 7/10
A Star is Born - a good romantic comedy that one me over with the cinema and directorial aspects rather than the story. 7/10
Ant-Man and the Wasp - a fun superhero comedic heist film. 8/10
Ant-Man and the Wasp - a fun superhero comedic heist film. 8/10
Black Panther - another winner for the marvel cinematic universe. 8/10
Into the Spiderverse - a fun animation with various otherworld versions of Spiderman. Possibly the most engaging and edge of the seat release I saw at the cinema this year. 8/10
The Greatest Showman - yes I was late to the party and saw it in 2018, a fantastic musical with songs that are already being covered in adverts less than a year later. It gets a high mark due to the verve of the production. 9/10
Ready Player One - Steven Spielberg back to his blockbuster best in a virtual reality film full of pop culture references to my life. 9.5/10
Avengers Infinity War - this took me back to being a kid and the excitement when the X-men, Avengers and Spiderman would get together in a team up like Secret Wars. Really brought out the five year old in me. 10/10
Bohemian Rhapsody - my top film of the year a Freddie Mercury biopic starting from the beginning of Queen and taking us up to Live Aid. I saw it twice and will be watching it again, not only did it strike the right notes as a fan but it was a fun laugh out loud film 10/10
Monday, 10 December 2018
Doctor Who Season 11 Review
The Woman Who fell to Earth - Decent start but very jarring as the new production team sets down its style. Visually very dark and murky, momentum wise the story is very stop start. I fully expect this to improve on a second watch 6/10.
The Ghost Monument - Very flat and again visually murky, it feels like Keys of Marinus without any of the fun 6/10.
Rosa - Very good stuff and it feels like the first meaty story of the season with lots of characterisation for the first time. Interesting topic and a very good historical 8/10.
Arachnids in the UK - A very poor episode which doesn't come off for me. A few good moments and again good characterisation but I feel like I only watched half an episode 4/10.
The Tsuranga Conundrum - Funny, engaging and the first story of the season with flair. Also this is a proper Doctor episode giving her more time and showing more depth when we've only had the odd scene up to this point 8/10.
Demons of Punjab - A good engaging historical about a time and topic I'm not fully aware of full of punch the air moments 9/10.
Kerblam! - Absolute bat shit crazy full of amusing moments and brought back memories of my time with Amazon 7/10.
The Witchfinders - Good fluff with a wonderfully OTT performance by Alan Cumming 6/10.
It Takes You Away - It starts off like its going to be Dog Soldiers and turns into The Frog Princess, brilliant stuff 10/10.
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos - Good little story albeit lacking the flair of recent episodes and not having a closing night feel. Lots of good character moments but I wanted more 6/10.
Summing up, I enjoyed this season a lot more than I expected going in. Personally I think three companions in a collection of one part stories is a little bit too busy. I enjoyed the cheeky flavour of the season but it did get off to a slow start. Chris Chibnall strikes me as a better producer than a writer and I want to see more of the cheeky aspect of the series. Overall I give this season a B and look forward to the future.
Individuals of note:
Jodie Whittaker - Strong start from her and a strong personality for her Doctor. Manages to squeeze in character in unexpected moments. She's more of a Doctor who likes to get her hands dirty.
Chris Chibnall - Good start as producer, got the new feel of the show over quickly, established a good writing team, behind the scenes team and onscreen team. However as I've said many times his writing is very "route 1" and perhaps should write less next season.
Jennifer Perrott - By far the director of the year for me, brought to life a pair of cheeky scripts.
The Ghost Monument - Very flat and again visually murky, it feels like Keys of Marinus without any of the fun 6/10.
Rosa - Very good stuff and it feels like the first meaty story of the season with lots of characterisation for the first time. Interesting topic and a very good historical 8/10.
Arachnids in the UK - A very poor episode which doesn't come off for me. A few good moments and again good characterisation but I feel like I only watched half an episode 4/10.
The Tsuranga Conundrum - Funny, engaging and the first story of the season with flair. Also this is a proper Doctor episode giving her more time and showing more depth when we've only had the odd scene up to this point 8/10.
Demons of Punjab - A good engaging historical about a time and topic I'm not fully aware of full of punch the air moments 9/10.
Kerblam! - Absolute bat shit crazy full of amusing moments and brought back memories of my time with Amazon 7/10.
The Witchfinders - Good fluff with a wonderfully OTT performance by Alan Cumming 6/10.
It Takes You Away - It starts off like its going to be Dog Soldiers and turns into The Frog Princess, brilliant stuff 10/10.
The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos - Good little story albeit lacking the flair of recent episodes and not having a closing night feel. Lots of good character moments but I wanted more 6/10.
Summing up, I enjoyed this season a lot more than I expected going in. Personally I think three companions in a collection of one part stories is a little bit too busy. I enjoyed the cheeky flavour of the season but it did get off to a slow start. Chris Chibnall strikes me as a better producer than a writer and I want to see more of the cheeky aspect of the series. Overall I give this season a B and look forward to the future.
Individuals of note:
Jodie Whittaker - Strong start from her and a strong personality for her Doctor. Manages to squeeze in character in unexpected moments. She's more of a Doctor who likes to get her hands dirty.
Chris Chibnall - Good start as producer, got the new feel of the show over quickly, established a good writing team, behind the scenes team and onscreen team. However as I've said many times his writing is very "route 1" and perhaps should write less next season.
Jennifer Perrott - By far the director of the year for me, brought to life a pair of cheeky scripts.
Thursday, 6 December 2018
The Big Finish Catch-Up October 2018
For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues;
The Eight Truths (and Worldwide Web) starring the 8th Doctor and Lucie, Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith.
The strong third season of the Eight Doctor Adventures ends on a high. Strong stuff all around from the cast and production crew. Particular mention I must give to Eddie Robson who has become one of my favourite writers over the last few years. Its the only two disc story in some time and its a lovely slow burn story with a few teases being thrown in about who the villains are - I'm kicking myself for not spotting them. It feels like the end of an era in a way last seasons finale wanted to be but wasn't a few plot points from end of last season and beginning of this one are finished off. Character wise even the one off characters go on a journey and a few familiar characters as well as the regulars have a few nail biting moments.
Highly recommended and after a poor end to the previous season and start to this season the range is back on a high 9/10.
The Trail of the White Work / The Oseidon Adventure starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson as the 4th Doctor and Leela.
Blimey, you wait around for months and two season finales come along at once. The Fourth Doctors first season ends on a high. This story is just pure fun and is what I hoped for when Big Finish announced that Tom Backer was coming aboard. It is an absolute romp turned up to eleven and if you come in with no spoilers like I did lots of surprises. On top of that theres a change between the first and second disc to the extent I don't begrudge the story having two titles. There is a certain character who I wont give away who is deliciously sneaky during this story. Another powerful 9/10 and even though its the end of a season it is very standalone and could easily be listened to without hearing the rest of the season.
The Eight Truths (and Worldwide Web) starring the 8th Doctor and Lucie, Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith.
The strong third season of the Eight Doctor Adventures ends on a high. Strong stuff all around from the cast and production crew. Particular mention I must give to Eddie Robson who has become one of my favourite writers over the last few years. Its the only two disc story in some time and its a lovely slow burn story with a few teases being thrown in about who the villains are - I'm kicking myself for not spotting them. It feels like the end of an era in a way last seasons finale wanted to be but wasn't a few plot points from end of last season and beginning of this one are finished off. Character wise even the one off characters go on a journey and a few familiar characters as well as the regulars have a few nail biting moments.
Highly recommended and after a poor end to the previous season and start to this season the range is back on a high 9/10.
The Trail of the White Work / The Oseidon Adventure starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson as the 4th Doctor and Leela.
Blimey, you wait around for months and two season finales come along at once. The Fourth Doctors first season ends on a high. This story is just pure fun and is what I hoped for when Big Finish announced that Tom Backer was coming aboard. It is an absolute romp turned up to eleven and if you come in with no spoilers like I did lots of surprises. On top of that theres a change between the first and second disc to the extent I don't begrudge the story having two titles. There is a certain character who I wont give away who is deliciously sneaky during this story. Another powerful 9/10 and even though its the end of a season it is very standalone and could easily be listened to without hearing the rest of the season.
Monday, 26 November 2018
Advice for Telephone Interviews
These days a lot of companies are using telephone interviews as first stage interviews to screen candidates before meeting them face to face. Yet people aren't taking them as a serious form of interview and fail the first hurdle immediately by making these simple mistakes.
1. Make Conversation
Chances are this person will be working with you in the future. They want to know that you can carry a conversation so as well as asking you questions, they are determining your personality and telephone manner.
It's not an interrogation, so ask them how they are or have they had a busy day. Nothing too serious like what was there childhood like but make sure you talk to them like they're a human and not a scary hiring robot question machine.
2. Do Your Research
So so many candidates don't bother to do any research before any interview. When the recruiter asks what they know about the company they say "nothing" or wrong information. This is just lazy, you are not only failing yourself but also the person interviewing you. Firstly this might be a company that you really don't want to work for. And this instantly speaks volumes about the kind of person you are and makes you seem disinterested in the role.
Companies hire people who want to work at that company. Make sure that comes across.
3. Know The Role
Where possible look at the job description, which is usually on the advert or most companies now will send over the job description to you. Read it. Make sure you check what key skills are required and then emphasise these where possible in questions. Use examples from your most recent roles. Make sure you know day to day if this is something you could wholeheartedly see yourself doing in the future.
4. Avoid Reading From A Piece Of Paper
If you have key points you want to get across, fine. Jot them down but it's so important for conversation to flow and this not to be you reading a script. It needs to sound natural not like your reading your CV to them.
5. Choose Your Environment Wisely
Go somewhere quiet with good phone signal. You don't want your conversation to be interrupted.
And sit up and smile as you are talking. You can genuinely hear someone smile when they are talking on the phone and if you're slouched in bed in your pjs, your tone is going to come over terrible.
6. Ask Questions
If they ask you if you have any questions at the end, have some prepared and make them relevant. If they haven't mentioned salary, then don't have the first thing you ask be the salary, second or third is fine. I mean you're not gonna work for free. Some good questions to ask are:
"How has this position come about?"
"What progression is there within your company"
"How many work within this office"
"If successful how soon would you want someone to start"
"What do you enjoy most about working for this company"
"What are some of the challenges this position may face"
1. Make Conversation
Chances are this person will be working with you in the future. They want to know that you can carry a conversation so as well as asking you questions, they are determining your personality and telephone manner.
It's not an interrogation, so ask them how they are or have they had a busy day. Nothing too serious like what was there childhood like but make sure you talk to them like they're a human and not a scary hiring robot question machine.
2. Do Your Research
So so many candidates don't bother to do any research before any interview. When the recruiter asks what they know about the company they say "nothing" or wrong information. This is just lazy, you are not only failing yourself but also the person interviewing you. Firstly this might be a company that you really don't want to work for. And this instantly speaks volumes about the kind of person you are and makes you seem disinterested in the role.
Companies hire people who want to work at that company. Make sure that comes across.
3. Know The Role
Where possible look at the job description, which is usually on the advert or most companies now will send over the job description to you. Read it. Make sure you check what key skills are required and then emphasise these where possible in questions. Use examples from your most recent roles. Make sure you know day to day if this is something you could wholeheartedly see yourself doing in the future.
4. Avoid Reading From A Piece Of Paper
If you have key points you want to get across, fine. Jot them down but it's so important for conversation to flow and this not to be you reading a script. It needs to sound natural not like your reading your CV to them.
5. Choose Your Environment Wisely
Go somewhere quiet with good phone signal. You don't want your conversation to be interrupted.
And sit up and smile as you are talking. You can genuinely hear someone smile when they are talking on the phone and if you're slouched in bed in your pjs, your tone is going to come over terrible.
6. Ask Questions
If they ask you if you have any questions at the end, have some prepared and make them relevant. If they haven't mentioned salary, then don't have the first thing you ask be the salary, second or third is fine. I mean you're not gonna work for free. Some good questions to ask are:
"How has this position come about?"
"What progression is there within your company"
"How many work within this office"
"If successful how soon would you want someone to start"
"What do you enjoy most about working for this company"
"What are some of the challenges this position may face"
Wednesday, 7 November 2018
The Big Finish Doctor Who Catch-up August - September 2018
For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues;
The Canabalists - the 8th Doctor Adventures continue with this single disc story featuring the 8th Doctor and Lucie. A very good release and gets the best out of a limited story set up, personally I think it had enough for a second disc and could have gone further 9/10.
Second Sight - "The Worlds of Doctor Who" is wrapped up nicely with the 6th Doctor finally making an appearance. I highly recommend the box set as its been a fun ride and its nice to see characters from around The Doctors life come together 7/10.
A Storm of Angels - its a visit to the "unbound" range with this release and an alternate 1st Doctor who stayed behind on Gallifrey. This story sees him on his travels after some unseen stories and is a rather engaging story. Geoffrey Bayldon does very well, this is my favourite Mark Platt written story that I've heard in a while 8/10.
The Butcher of Brisbane - a very run of the mill story with a hook (meeting a certain character earlier in their life time before their TV appearance) which lifts it to above average 6/10.
The Doomsday Quatrain - a very busy, engaging story with a lot going on. A proper meaty story featuring the 7th Doctor and Nostradamus - not what I would have expected had I known this going in. A plot story with a slight humorous bent at points, it left me thinking and this could be a story I revisit before others in this entry 7.5/10.
The Canabalists - the 8th Doctor Adventures continue with this single disc story featuring the 8th Doctor and Lucie. A very good release and gets the best out of a limited story set up, personally I think it had enough for a second disc and could have gone further 9/10.
Second Sight - "The Worlds of Doctor Who" is wrapped up nicely with the 6th Doctor finally making an appearance. I highly recommend the box set as its been a fun ride and its nice to see characters from around The Doctors life come together 7/10.
A Storm of Angels - its a visit to the "unbound" range with this release and an alternate 1st Doctor who stayed behind on Gallifrey. This story sees him on his travels after some unseen stories and is a rather engaging story. Geoffrey Bayldon does very well, this is my favourite Mark Platt written story that I've heard in a while 8/10.
The Butcher of Brisbane - a very run of the mill story with a hook (meeting a certain character earlier in their life time before their TV appearance) which lifts it to above average 6/10.
The Doomsday Quatrain - a very busy, engaging story with a lot going on. A proper meaty story featuring the 7th Doctor and Nostradamus - not what I would have expected had I known this going in. A plot story with a slight humorous bent at points, it left me thinking and this could be a story I revisit before others in this entry 7.5/10.
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