October 2009 Archives

THE latest Roald Dahl adaptation - Fantastic Mr. Fox - opens in Birmingham cinemas including the IMAX on Friday.

And I'll be giving it a big, furry thumbs up with separate reviews in both the Birmingham Mail and Birmingham Post.

But I thought it might make fans want to go down to Buckinghamshire to visit the rather splendid Roald Dahl Museum.

It will certainly make you appreciate the scene in the film where Mr. Fox is seen sitting in a chair just like the one that Roald Dahl use to use!

So click below to read my review of the museum from March 17, 2006 when it had only been open for a few months.

Note that I have left the copy more or less as it was written then, but updated the information to include today's entry prices.

To be guaranteed admission it is best to book ahead, especially during next week's half term when the museum will have a very foxy theme to complement the film's release.

ONG BAK - THE BEGINNING (15) opens at Vue Star City tomorrow.

This 'sequel', which has nothing to do with the original, is the usual martial arts story of a young man trying to overcome a series of violent challenges.

Nothing new or unusual in that, you might think, so why should you bother to shell out another five hard-earned reddies?

But watch Tony Jaa running across a herd of stampeding elephants and you'll soon be changing your mind... after enjoying what is arguably the greatest stunt of the decade.

Unless, of course, you can think of anything better.

The 14 Islands Film Challenge www.14islandsfilmchallenge.co.uk is a competition created and sponsored by The Bahamas Tourist Office UK. 

it has the tantalising tagline of: 14 Islands, 14 Filmmakers, 14 Days, £14,000 prize: the hunt for new British filmmakers begins.

The competition invites aspiring or professional filmmakers to shoot an inspiring and dramatic story about The Bahamas and compete for a £14,000 cash prize.

Supported by the National Film and Television School (NFTS), the aim is to inspire up and coming or professional filmmakers and give them a launch pad for their careers.   

I received a press release about this which was like reading War & Peace.

But click below to get the gist of it in the organisers' own words and, if you fancy your chances, get entering! And good luck!