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Topics - JamesC

#1
Off Topic / Merry Christmas everyone!
24 December, 2019, 05:50:10 PM
Merry Christmas to all fellow squaxx and their families.
I'm rarely very active on the board these days but I'm always lurking and am always grateful for the interesting conversations, sound advice and general 'good egg-ness' of those on the board.
Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!
#2
Film & TV / Leaving Neverland
07 March, 2019, 08:07:07 AM
Did anyone watch part 1 of this documentary on Channel 4 last night?

It was a tough watch and was pretty graphic in parts.
It was interesting though - tbh I found the story of the parents more interesting than that of the kids (now adults) themselves.
I spent the whole time wondering 'how the fuck could you let that happen?' but it was pretty obvious that the parents were 'shock and awe' bombed at the beginning and then gradually managed out. There were quite a few similarities with this and things I've seen in documentaries about cults (particularly the Waco thing which was taking place around the same time).
I suppose, ultimately, we'll never know how much is true but even without the sexual abuse there's enough wrong with the picture to make you wonder how any of it was allowed to happen.
#3
Off Topic / Computer purchase advice
31 December, 2018, 12:53:01 PM
Hi all.
I'm looking to buy a new laptop soon. I want something nice and light weight but it doesn't need to be particularly powerful. It'll be used for basic officey stuff but I don't think a Chromebook would be good as my girlfriend will also use it and does lots of work in areas without unreliable internet connectivity.
I don't want to spend too much and don't want something preloaded with lots of crap (MacAffee and all that rubbish) or for it to have a version of windows installed that it can barely cope with (as seems to be the case with my parent's laptop).
Can anyone recommend a place to buy a decent, reliable computer for a good price?
Thanks.
#4
Off Topic / Help identifying artist
06 November, 2018, 11:00:36 PM
Hi all, I'm trying to find out who did the box art for the Amiga game Foundations Waste.
I don't know how to post an image but it can be seen here: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/10871/Foundations-Waste/

I'm pretty sure it's a 2000ad artist but I can't put my finger on who. Any ideas?
#5
Hi Squaxx, my mum always asks for my help with the link word puzzles in her magazine. We're stuck this week and need some help.
What's a word that can go after Air or before Guide? And what's a word that can go after Close or before Off?
All words need to be 6 letters long.

If you get them right I might have some more next week!
#6
Books & Comics / Michael Fleisher Vs Harlan Ellison
02 July, 2018, 04:51:49 PM
I thought this article about everyone's favourite script-droid might be of interest.

It kind of makes me want to read those old Spectre and Jonah Hex comics.

https://www.cbr.com/harlan-ellison-interview-lawsuit-free-speech/
#7
Books & Comics / Grandville - The End
19 December, 2017, 07:53:25 PM
I've just read Force Majeure and thought it deserved its own thread because, that's it, no more Grandville ever.
Thankfully this is quite possibly the greatest volume yet. It's so accomplished, the story and characters are first rate, the artwork is stunning, the presentation is just fantastic. If you haven't read Grandville, I urge you to sort your life out.
The final words from Bryan Talbot at the end of the volume confirm this is the last we'll ever see of Inspector LeBrock. It's quite touching and sad to hear Bryan's thoughts and feelings on the creative process. It's clear these books are a labour of love and we should all be grateful to have them.
#8
Film & TV / Doctor Who (13th Doctor)
09 November, 2017, 02:30:49 PM
The fist in-costume picture of Jodie Whittaker's 13th Doctor has been released. I've got to say, I think she looks fucking cool.

https://twitter.com/DoctorWho_BBCA/status/928608999859281921/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbr.com%2Fdoctor-who-jodie-whittaker-costume%2F

There's more on the BBC website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41928500

I've been saying for a while that the show needed a good shake-up and I really hope this will mark a new beginning and something of a step up in quality.
#9
Games / Mario Odyssey
27 October, 2017, 01:40:22 PM
I've spent a couple of hours playing Mario Odyssey this morning. I can confirm that the reviews are correct and it's absolutely amazing. I've turned it off now but it's the type of game I could easily spend all day on. I think I'll have to limit myself to short sessions or I'll start getting addicted.
I think they've done just about everything right on this one. It feels like it's taken inspiration from the best bits of all the Mario games of the past. Bloody brilliant.
#10
Didn't know where to put this so started a new thread.

Just a quick call out to all you action figure collectors - Home Bargains have 6" Star Wars black series figures on sale for £5.99 which seems like a bit of a steal.
I picked up a Tie Pilot, X-Wing pilot (the alien one), Rey with BB8, Kylo Ren and New Order Snowtrooper in the shop. If you fancy a lucky dip you can order from the website here:
http://www.homebargains.co.uk/products/12664-star-wars-black-series-action-figure.aspx

Thought some of you may be interested.
#11
Film & TV / Ghost in the Shell
06 April, 2017, 06:51:54 AM
Well Ghost in the Shell has flopped at the box office.
There's loads of stuff on social media blaming the flop on the 'whitewashing' controversy, which I'm finding quite interesting. I almost posted on here a couple of weeks ago to comment on the film's poster which seems to be all around town at the moment.
It's this one:


To me this poster completely fails at its job. It tells you absolutely nothing about the film other than that it exists. It doesn't even clearly define the genre. Surely the only people who are going to be interested after seeing this are those already familiar with the source material or those who'll go and see anything starring Scarlett Johansen.

More on this later - I need to go to work...
#12
Film & TV / The Film Star Challenge!
17 February, 2017, 10:07:32 PM
This came up in the pub tonight.

You've got a lazy day to yourself to sit and watch films all day - the only catch is that all the films have to star (or feature) the same actor.
What actor do you think gives you the best days entertainment?

I narrowed mine down to:
Clint Eastwood (I could happily sit and watch his westerns all day, interspersed with a bit of Dirty Harry and other classics like Play Misty For Me and Coogan's Bluff).

Kurt Russell - The Thing, Tombstone and Breakdown would be my highlights but with the two Escape films, Big Trouble and possibly even Overboard to make up the day.

Arnie - after watching the two Terminators (the first two obvs), Commando, The Running Man and Total Recall, you may not even get time to start on Conan.

An honourable mention goes to Michael Douglass.

Female film stars were a bit more challenging for me but I settled on Jodie Foster. Silence of the Lambs, The Accussed, Taxi Driver, The Brave One, Contact. That's a pretty good days viewing. Oh, and Maverick too!
#13
Books & Comics / Star Wars EU Advice
27 January, 2017, 02:34:20 PM
Right then fellow geeks, I'm sure some of you can help me out here.

I've got a hankering to dive into some of the extended universe Star Wars stuff. My love of Star Wars has been rekindled somewhat and I want to know what's worth a look and what isn't.
I like the old Marvel stuff and much of the current comics line.
I've read Dark Empire which I didn't like too much (controversially I'm not a fan of the artwork).
I think I might like the Thrawn Trilogy - is that the best place to start? How about Shadows of the Empire?
What standalone novels are worth reading? Any particular authors?

I don't mind at all whether things are considered non-canon o if they contradict something that's been established elsewhere.
I'm not planning on spending too much on this - I'm hoping to make good use of the library, second hand book shops and car boot sales.
#14
Has anyone seen this?

http://www.eaglemoss.com/en-gb/sci-fi-fantasy/star-trek-the-graphic-novel-collection/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=lookalikeDC&utm_medium=display

I've not read a great deal of Star Trek comics but my impression is that they vary wildly in quality. Issue 1 is Countdown, which I've read and quite enjoyed, issue 2 is The City on the Edge of Forever - based on the original version of the screenplay. That may be worth picking up on its own. After that I'm not sure. I'm quite curious about the Gold Key and early Marvel stuff and also the very odd looking John Byrne photo-stories.
#15
Off Topic / Merry Christmas Everyone!
23 December, 2016, 10:03:31 PM
We seem a little lacking in festive cheer this year. There seems to be no Merry Xmas thread!
Anyway, Merry Christmas to one and all. Splundig Vur Thrigg (or however the bloody hell you spell it)!
#16
Off Topic / Help - Robot Archie figure
05 September, 2016, 09:04:48 PM
I bought this little Robot Archie lead figure for about £2 in a weird little shop in Cromer.



I really like it and wondered if there were any other classic British comic characters available in the same range. The trouble is I can't find anything about it or a reference to it anywhere!
The same shop had a couple of slightly battered characters from the Dan Dare range and also a Swamp Thing, all of which I could find pictures of online.
Has anyone seen one like this before? Do they do any other old comic characters? Is it just a custom figure or a generic robot that someone has painted to look like Archie?
#17
Off Topic / New logos are rubbish
17 August, 2016, 07:36:20 PM
This article (if you can call it that, it's more of a rant) really struck a chord with me. It's pretty much undeniable that new design, in certain areas, is in the doldrums. This is all about video game logos but could so easily be applied to movie posters, comic book covers etc.
http://www.digitiser2000.com/main-page/modern-game-logos-are-rubbish
#18
Books & Comics / Another Alan Moore thread
21 July, 2016, 04:31:11 PM
To any lovers, haters and even those ambivalent to Alan Moore - read this (I got a kick out of it - fair warms the cockles):

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2016/07/you-are-best-author-in-human-history.html

#19
Games / New old NES!
14 July, 2016, 04:17:53 PM
To tide us over until the NX launch, Nintendo are releasing a mini version of the 8bit NES with 30 games installed.
It has a very strong line up of classic titles including all three 8Bit Super Mario games, Castlevania 1 and 2, kid Icarus, Bubble Bobble and both 8Bit Zeldas!
Day one purchase for me!


http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/07/nintendo_entertainment_system_nes_classic_edition_coming_this_november_ships_with_30_games
#20
Film & TV / Justice League 2017
21 June, 2016, 04:55:11 PM
http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/first-justice-league-film-plot-details-logo-revealed

A bit of info about the next DC Snyder flick.

I have to say, I'm pretty underwhelmed by the logo. They seem to over-design all the costumes but go completely minimalist on the logo.
Hopefully, as the article suggests, this one will be a little more lightweight and fun. I have to say, I have my doubts considering the main villains and the inevitable Superman resurrection (which I have visions of being handled with all the restraint of a 'Dr Who finale' to the power of 10).