David Hughes

Notes From Afar

Month: July 2012 (page 1 of 1)

31 July 2012

James Bond Will Return In Skyfall

I am a huge fan of James Bond, both the books and the films.

I remember being allowed to stay at my Nana’s house on a school night just so I could watch You Only Live Twice in colour.

I remember the relief on my Uncle’s face when having been instructed to take me to the cinema I decided I’d rather see The Spy Who Loved Me than 101 Dalmations.

I remember watching progressively worse films through the Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan eras.

I remember being unconvinced that, despite rating him as an actor, Daniel Craig could rescue Bond.

And I remember being absolutely delighted by Casino Royale – a true return to form.

The second Daniel Craig Bond film Quantum Of Solace wasn’t as gritty or bluntly as good as Casino Royale, but the new film Skyfall looks like it’s going to be another great Bond film.

29 July 2012

Isles of Wonder

Isles of Wonder Olympic Rings
I had high expectations for Isles of Wonder the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony with Danny Boyle as Artistic Director, and Underworld as Musical Directors, but I was absolutely blown away by the show they created.

It was wonderfully English, visually stunning, funny, moving and I struggle to do it justice with words.

From the Industrial Revolution with Kenneth Branagh as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, via the National Health Service and our heritage of wonderful children’s literature, to the digital revolution with Sir Tim Berners-Lee the ceremony celebrated so much of what makes Britain Great.

The stadium went from a green and pleasant land to a fiery Victorian industrial scene in an amazing, and complete transformation, which culminated with five massive, glowing rings of molten metal forming the Olympic logo over the stadium.

I’ve just watched the ceremony again on BBC iPlayer; it’s well worth a second watch as there are so many amazing details I missed the first time.