Reviews by travelboy (5)

Babylon AD - Vin Diesel Movie

4/5 (minimum 1) on 25 Nov 2008
Having read the hype around this movie and seen the moody on set pieces I was inspired to watch this movie. Now I know that Vin Diesel is not going to win an Emmy for his method acting in this movie, but since his role in pitch black I'm awaiting another good role. Why do I say this: maybe as I am a fan of the underdog.

Let’s look at Bruce Willis. Later on in his career he did movies like 12 monkeys, pulp fiction and 6th sense. All of which showed him in good light. I'd really like to see him in a Ridley Scott movie as the main protagonist. Which brings me nicely to that of Vin Diesel?

Anyway, this movie I believe is adapted from a comic book of the same name. I've not read this but I can empathize that with Vin D in the movie it must have had quite a few fighting and action scenes.

The film has some good elements that compliment his style of acting and in others it works against him. I will explain. Like what we saw in xxx and the thwarted pitch black 2, SCI Fi acts well when you don't have to explain it. This is the blessing of cyberpunk as a genre. Still, it must be believable in terms of consistency. This is where the movie falls down.

The good elements are that there is a war, no explanation why and America has these crazy injected passports for their control. There is a love interest with Vin and his passenger he must escort to the states. The world has entered an age of new religions and one of these groups has an interest in the passenger. Once Vin D comes into his own - he has to look after the passenger and commences http://www.trailer2008.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/babylon-ad1.jpg
his transformation into a vengeful boyfriend.

These elements work kind of well until we get to a matrix moment in the movie where the passenger has powers a little above those explained. As well with the passenger we find out that she cannot be touched, but she has enough hand t hand combat that makes it rather tenuous why she cannot be touched.

Don't READ ON IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE MOVIE - skip a bit!

+++spoiler+++ she is some kind of experimental super computer made by her rather strange morally unbelievable father who is like a Morpheus of some super cool ninja jumping guardian.

It is not explained why she can create a force shield or act like neo from the matrix.

She now bares 2 children from a virgin birth although it could be via the intimate bonding between Vin D and her. Neither is it explained why she must go the USA.

Finally it is not explained to make any sense of consistency, so the plot looses its power as who launched a missile attack on the passenger's monastery to kill her. As there are only 2 people wanting her and neither of them want her dead.... Why is this included? I think there was some chopping involved with the plot. +++spoiler ends

READ NOW... IT'S OKAY!

So it detracts from the plot that was action based throughout to this point. As well the love interest between Vin and the passenger is a bit weak. There's tension but not enough for a fresh dog meat eating, ethical mercenary who doesn't abide with betrayal.

The beginning of the movie where Vin D dies is explained and we are given the last few minutes with a rather lame feel-good ending. This movie is quasi cyberpunk. I give it 3 outta 5....rental when you're faced with rubbish on TV.

C.R.O.W.S - Takeshi Miike Film

/5 (minimum 1) on 25 Nov 2008
I've been waiting sometime for this new take on school fighting from Takeshi 'ichi the killer' Miike.

Its got an imdb score of 7.8 whch I say is deserved. The action points are great it parodies things like Tekken and uses some great CGI on occasions. Of course the plot is rather daft. A schooł so bad there are few teachers that you see and fight club action throughout. God knows how the kids graduate.

Anyway, its a romp throughout highlighting how gang culture works and its reference to mafia as well as friendship and loyalty. It deals with remorse and sacrifice to the job as well as extreme sacrifice. This is seen in the opening scenes.

The film follows an up and coming hard nut, who wants to be the godfather of a local school gang - Genji. His father is a Yazuka and he plans to better than his dad and to take over his father's business. Naivety and knowledge bring Genji to meet a joke of a Yazuka who trains Genji to be like a father he ought to have. Genji learns from being a micro crime lord to becoming a threat to the present godfather. This brings on harsh lessons from his mentor and knock-on effects to his friends and almost loved one.

A great film without the typical USA Hollywood I'm your better learn from me. There's great moments similar to those in True Romance. It's enjoyable to the last.

Particularly good moments are: skittle scene, the darts throwing, Tokio's hospital confession and the end fight scene. Think mini-godfather and you've got this movie.

PIC Guam Hotel and Resort

4/5 (minimum 1) on 25 Nov 2008
If you're into water sports, beach holidays and wondering how to keep the kids amused while you're hoping to chill out, then I seriously recommend PIC Guam.

The resort is full of water slides, pools, together with kayaks. There's tonnes of restaurants 6 or 7 I think..

Okay, now I had a problem when i got to the hotel and what I recommend is this. Look at the room with the concierge and if the room is to your liking.. grab it. Some rooms [of my mates] were a bit old and decored in a more classical style. They do have more modern rooms so, insist - like I did and I got a more of a modern room!

They changed it around with minimal fuss and the front desk were very helpful.

Anyway.. bottom line if you're going to an exotic country what you're after is getting out into the sun. Face it, you go away with kids who'll love all the facilities and the last thing they want to do is sleep or play in the room.

Wyndham Grand Hotel London

4/5 (minimum 1) on 01 Oct 2008
Set in Chelsea Village in SW London this hotel marks a stay in busy, smokey London, but being set next to the marina and away from the busy central part of the city, it heralds a quieter stay. From the window you can catch great views of the abandoned Battersea power station that is often used for TV shows and movies.

Inside the hotel the rooms are ALL SUITES! But what more would you expect from a 5* hotel? For me I loved the Samsung Flat TV's and the dark coloured furniture. This is offset with the lighter toned walls and carpets. The beds are obviously comfortable, very big and the sheets are Egyptian cotton sheets. Inside the bathrooms there's some earthy granite and marble fixtures, again - it speaks class!

From the hotel you can get remarkable skyline views. For me however, having the marina allows you to work and breakfast al fresco with a great water reflection. Obviously if you're in one of their Penthouse Suites you get the best views. I recommend asking for a higher room if you've not got the penthouse budget!

For a frequent business traveler, this hotel offers great communication to Heathrow airport [14km] with tube and road access to SW London's conferencing centres [Olympia] and Westminster. If you want to catch some views, you can walk along the Thames to visit some of the best London bridges crossing the Thames and my favourite Vauxhall Bridge as well!

There's great shopping along Kings Road and of course it's very close to Wimbledon. The hotel as well hosts the infamous Chelsea Football team before a match!

I ate one lunchtime at their restaurant Aquasia - you get quite a few options a la carte and it's around £31-36 which includes starters, main meal and dessert. The food is quite traditional, seasonal but not too avant garde. So this time around I liked it more!

All in all... if you're looking for a business stay and you're going to the Olympia and want to relax throughout your stay, this is probably the best hotel to stay at [that I've been to so far] in London. It's got ideal communications to central London, but better for SW London. The rooms and beds are huge - I think it's said their rooms are the biggest in London.

Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, London

4/5 (minimum 1) on 01 Sep 2008
If you're after a business place to stay in the heart of the city, with excellent communications in the city area of London then I highly recommend Andaz on Liverpool Street.

40 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7QN
TEL: +44 20 7961 1234

The winning parts for me is its location. It's hotel's right next to Liverpool Street Station, so if you're traveling to/from city airport but better Stansted it's ideally located. If you've got a hire car you can get to the airport quickly on the London Circular. As it's in the financial district, you're in the heart of the City.

The greatest thing about this hotel was the transparent pricing - inclusive minibar, movie rental, laundry, local calls and internet.

There was no shocking bills when I left the hotel which is normal as I kinda hog the internet quite a bit.

From the outside the hotel has the original exterior made by John Barry [of houses of parliment/big ben fame].

The biggest difference to other hotels is that the staff meet and greet you and check you in using a PDA device!

You just approach any member of staff and they can help you with directions to the Tate, The Globe, Spitalfields market even to jack the ripper walks!

There's no stiff upper lip or white gloves - it's casual. You can even rent out ipods and they come with different soundtracks loaded on them! I couldn't find Death Metal Industrial London, but there's some surprising tracks like Anarchy in the UK!

Prices are on the upper end. However you can find rooms from £120 and they quite often do offers.

As it's all inclusive, my work knows I have to use a LOT of internet and I work hours from my room, so it can be a lot less with the other charges you get hit with on check-out.

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