Mum's Monday: Carousel (1956)

WARNING SPOILERS

When this film starts, it is lovely how they show the people in heaven cleaning the stars, it is a nice touch and beginning.

After the opening credits, and after Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae) and Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones) meet at the Carousel, the script is a bit weak However, it works for the film. The part where Julie’s friend Carrie Pipperidge (Barbara Ruick) is crying is poorly acted and unnecessary.

The film is dated and the part where Carrie sings about being a ‘meek wife’ hasn’t stood the test of time. Mostly the songs work well during the film.

Some of the film is still relevant today, the part where Billy a bit of a rogue says “You’re a funny kid” to Julie when she stays with him on the path. This proves the theory that there is someone out there for everyone. This is nice to see and during this scene they sing one of the classic songs in the film ‘If I Loved You’

The film is a mix of a musical ghost story, love story and a fairy tale, as Billy and Julie, although they have only just recently met, they quickly get married.

During the song ‘June is bursting out all over’, the dancing is well choreographed and performed to a high standard.

I don’t know why they had to put in, that Billy hit Julie, if this is just to prove he is a rogue, we already know and don’t need to be shown again. It is a waste of film time putting that part in.

Another dated part and where the script could be better is when Carrie keeps referring to her future husband as ‘Mr. Snow’ (Robert Rounseville). Why not have her call him by his first name Enoch, this would sound less formal.

Another part where you think the film is going to take one route, only for Billy to have a change of heart. Some people are just not cut out for marriage, that is until he finds out he is going to be a Dad, to a son, and just when we think ‘does he not know girls exist’ he has a realisation that the baby might be a girl, and he starts singing in an accepting nature about being a Dad to a daughter, which is heart-warming to hear.

A lesson to be learnt that has stood the test of time, is that a Father is a ‘Role-Model’ to their daughter, and he wants her to ‘Want for nothing’ and only to associate with the best people and not the ‘Bums’ he, her dad hung out with.  

Although this film is a flashback into Billy’s life on earth, it is over an hour before he is killed and goes up to heaven. The film could be shorter and still work. Another classic song featured in the film ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is well placed after Billy dies.

Despite the name of the film a Carousel is only featured at the beginning of the film and a nod to one nearer the end. This part is cleverly done where, as part of a dance routine the men are carrying the women around, walking in a circle, and the women are forming a shape in the men’s arms, creating a human carousel. Carousel being the name of the film I did think one would feature more often, or they could have thought of a different name for the film.

Billy is at last sent back to help his 15-year-old daughter Louise (Susan Luckey), she is hanging out with the undesirables her father didn’t want her to. Can Billy help her? Getting her to believe in the words of the song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is a start.

The ending to this film is a bit flimsy and short. This film can be condensed down and you could still have the same storyline and more of Billy coming back the earth to see his daughter.

Overall a film worth watching, with some catchy songs and bright dance routines.

Jerry's Journal: One Toy Down

 

During another trip round Grandma's, he laid down enjoying chewing his rope...

Which he happily destroyed...

And he showed his hard work to dad.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns) 

Film of the Week: The Limehouse Golem

This gripping horror-drama, period film starring Bill Nighy, Olivia Cooke, and Douglas Booth, tells the story of a series of murders that were so graphic, people struggled to believe them to be true. We’re introduced to the story when the husband of Oliver Cooke’s character (Lizzie Cree) John Cree (played by Sam Reid) was found dead in bed and was quickly concluded as poisoned.

We learn the life of Lizzie Cree, who as an adult, is standing trial. The public and the media believe she murdered her husband, because he abused her and was the Limehouse Golem. John Kildare, a detective for Scotland Yard, is unexpectedly assigned to the case, but he attaches himself to it. He genuinely believes John Cree is to be the Golem. Lizzie Cree will hang for the murder of her husband, but he needs to prove she wasn’t the Golem. When she does hang, she can be remembered for the person who stopped the Golem, not as the Golem.

It has that aura of a classic Sherlock Holmes story, but it is most definitely its own thing, not in any way a copy.  With any murder mystery, the first time round is always the best, as you don’t know who done it, and you’re hooked, trying to find as many clues as you can – those subtle hints the writer and director have dropped into the background or into someone’s speech which points to the real culprit – but ultimately you never truly figure it out until it’s revealed at the end. That’s the fun of these mysteries, when everything is explained – maybe even a couple of twists revealed. However, The Limehouse Golem is a murder mystery you can watch over and over again, despite knowing who done it, because of everyone’s performance, the smooth writing between characters, and especially the scenes of which they show John Kildare’s thought process, of which the voice generally sounds as if a demon has possessed the killer.

Being labelled a horror, there weren’t many parts that were scary. In fact, it was hardly scary at all, unfortunately. The horror came from the blood and gore, the dark tones and the way the film bounces off those dark moments with the characters performing a comedic play. It’s the only way these performers can make money – and turning tones around in such quick succession is hard to pull off, but this film does it effortlessly. The horror also comes from the intensity and desperation from the characters wanting to find out the truth before it’s too late. It’s not scary, just horrifically atmospheric.

The Limehouse Golem is set in the 1800s, and it captures the feel of such a period perfectly, from the sets to the clothing, to the vernacular. The interactions with John Kildare and Lizzie Cree were perfection. Not a sentence was out of place. Every word they said held weight, and they never said anything that was unnecessary. Their dialogue was tight, with hardly any room for manoeuvring, keeping the tension high and the mystery strong.

In conclusion: If you’re into the classic murder mystery then I would recommend The Limehouse Golem, but you do have to prepare yourself for the strong dark tonal shifts throughout.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: The Shining

The scenery in this film at the beginning is spectacular and along with the music really sets the scene of a start of a horror movie.

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) gets the job of looking after The Overlook hotel, in the middle of nowhere during the winter months. He is going to be the ‘Caretaker’ and how hard can that be?

The scenes setting up the horror story are good solid ones, Hallorann (Scatman Crothers) calls Jack’s son Danny (Danny Lloyd) Doc, which is his nickname his mum Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and Dad, Jack sometimes calls him. Hallorann has noticed the Danny has a gift, Hallorann calls ‘The Shining’. The gift enables Danny to see and interact with the paranormal, and he should stay out of room 237, but he doesn’t of course.

Throughout the film we see Jack changing, it is like the hotel or someone is taking over him. He seemed such a nice family man at the start of the film, and Wendy, his wife thinks; it is because he is just a frustrated writer.

The lighting, makeup and atmosphere, gives Jack an air of menace, this is well done for the horror element of the film.

The casting of this film is excellent, Jack Nicholson plays the part of a menacing Jack Torrance exceptionally well. It is also brave, because in making this film, they had to cast such a young actor in the role of Danny, however, he plays the part well and naturally. The only part I would change, is the mother. I would make her stronger, like she is portrayed in the book, by Stephan King, this film is based on.

The special effects, along with the music, are extremely well done and makes for a great horror film.

The script helps as well, and in this one, once you are the caretaker, you have always been the caretaker, and you can never leave The Overlook Hotel.

A photo never lies, does it?

Jerry's Journal: Exploring Old Newton

On Saturday we took Jerry to Old Newton. There, he went exploring the countryside. However, before he could do that, I first needed to lift him over a stile. He's a heavy boy.

Once he was over the stile, he wasted no time exploring new areas, dragging my mum along.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: Happy Death Day

We’ve had what is the most notable and therefore most popular time loop film, Groundhog Day. Countless films have explored the concept of a time loop, but not many do it perfectly. Before I watched Happy Death Day, the last perfect time loop film was Edge of Tomorrow. Groundhog Day is a family friendly, feel-good film that everyone can enjoy; Edge of Tomorrow is a science fiction, action story, which is highly entertaining and anyone who’s into science fiction and action can enjoy. Happy Death Day is a horror version of the time loop concept, and, like the previous two mentioned films, is done perfectly.

Being a time loop film, there’s a basic formula people have gotten used to. Starting with the initial confusion, gradually building up the montage of having fun and not caring, before becoming bored having achieved all that could be done, and ending the loop having successfully solved what the mystery was. The structure was there, thus the writers can build the original story around it.

As well as the horror element, we do get a couple other genres woven throughout. Romantic comedy and satire of the college campus. It’s a risky move to include multiple genres, as it’s possible to focus too much on one at any point in the movie and make the story’s progress clunky.

Even then this film included even more elements. Keeping the audience questioning on how the time loop began. Those subtle hints throughout that can be expanded upon and theorised for pages upon pages keeps the audience second guessing – and the overall mystery of who the killer actually is by throwing in a few hints here and there – and one or two side characters that, whilst are basically throwaway scenes, do go through some development.

Happy Death Day is bursting to the brim with content, and that’s blatant. In this film, it’s easy to spot when including that much at once does show some strain. It does feel as if it’s always on the edge of breaking, and ruining itself. However, Scott Lobdell’s writing and Christopher B Landon’s directing keeps the three genres in harmony with each other. Jessica Rothe’s acting as Theresa “Tree” Gelbman helps it along massively, as she has to flit between the three genres all the time as well as gradually going mad from the constant repetition of Monday 18^th – and she does so brilliantly.

In conclusion, Happy Death Day is a film that gives you much more than you would expect. I believed it to be a plain horror movie with a murder mystery, but there’s so much more to be had, and all the elements are organised expertly to keep the film enjoyable, and re-watchable. There are enough time travel films for anyone who prefers specific genres only, then I can see why you won’t like this. However, I see it as a film that takes a familiar concept and makes something original out of it. I’m happy to watch all three films, Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, and Happy Death Day back-to-back – neither will make the marathon boring.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

WARNING SPOILERS

The film starts off, with Deloris (Whoopi Goldberg), having hit the big time in Las Vegas. She is singing songs representing he life history. It is also nice to see her include and enhance, her time in the convent, which, ultimately launched her success, and who should turn up, only to be called up on stage, to be part of the show, 3 of the nuns, Sister Mary Robert (Wendy Makkena), Sister Mary Patrick (Kathy Najimy) and Sister Mary Lazarus (Mary Wickes). It is nice to see Deloris refer to them as friends. The Sister Act does go astray, but this is amusing to watch.

It turns out, Deloris has been summoned by Mother Superior (Maggie Smith). It is lovely to see the warm welcome, they give each other. I am not sure a nun should use ‘Guilt’, but Deloris is persuaded and she is back in the habit, as an undercover teacher, as Sister Mary Clarence, at her old school.

It is amusing to see, when a surprise, isn’t necessarily a surprise, when she first sees her room. Later on there is, another funny part is when the head master, Father Maurice (Barnard Hughes), is not sure if there is, still a music class for her to teach, and the food, needs more than a prayer, but it is all it is going to get.

The script at the meeting between Father Maurice and Deloris is really well written, she untangles the situation in a clever way, and as a nun you shouldn’t lie, as, as Deloris pointed out there would be consequences.

As Deloris is trying to find her way around, she witnesses the other lessons, she gets a small insight into the school’s operations, until, Father Ignatius (Michael Jeter), comes to her rescue. So the music lessons start, with tough nails, and another fun one liner, later on when Deloris asks for money for resources, it is pointed out the school hasn’t even got the balls to play soccer.

Although, Deloris is, wanting to do her best, the students, are yet to show respect. The glue on the chair scenes, however fun to watch, prove has a hard job ahead of her.

Next, one piece of information, changes everything, and the film becomes serious. As the film progress, it is sad to see Rita Watson’s (Lauryn Hill) reaction to the new day in the music class. However, after much discussion, the choir is formed.

I am glad, to see, that the students find out, what could happen to the school, and the film gets serious again, but for the sake of the children, this is a good thing. The film soon becomes fun again, and it seems, no one is having lamb chops tonight.

It is unfortunate to see Rita, in her situation with her mum, bearing in mind, she is in the vicinity of an opportunity. Rita needs help and up steps Deloris. It is lovely to see, her encouragement works.

As the film continues, the choir is performing in front of the school, and a shocking part is when Ahmal (Ryan Toby), whilst singing his solo, hits a note that astounds Deloris.

It is nice to see the nuns have faith, in the music class/choir, and they are entered into the contest, and so the fun but, hard work begins. However, not everyone is having such a fun time singing, as we see Rita’s mum Florence Watson (Sheryl Lee Ralph) continue to put forward her opinion. I know we all have to face a certain amount of reality, but who knows what is out there.

The film, now takes off in a different, seemingly darker, direction, with Deloris being found out, dodgy driving and Rita defying her mum. This works to enhance the film and sets up what the students, including Rita, find out at the end.

The film gives a good insight, into, what goes on at a competition, from behind the scenes, to the other contestants, good or bad. It also shows, that the same song can be sung in 2 different ways, one way being, in an eclectic, well mixed together, choir and music types, minus their robes.

After all the hard work, Mother Superior, now owes Deloris a favour, and it is nice to see, mother and daughter reunite.

Overall this film seems to be cleverly based around, showing respect for one another, and being set in a school, this is a good lesson to learn.

Jerry's Journal: Changing the Bed Covers.

Jerry is helping changing the bed covers. 

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: Ready Player One

Steven Spielberg recent range of films have shown how embracive he is of technology and how best to use it for maximum effect. Virtual reality has opened many opportunities, so it was only a matter of time before a film was centred around that particular piece of technology.

Characters immersing themselves in another world, be it virtual or not has been explored many times, but this marks one of those few times where the film isn’t elaborating on what could be, but instead expanding on what already is.

From what appeared in the trailer, it was clear Ready Player One would pay homage to cultural classics. I was intrigued how those references would be included whether just as passing elements or strongly influencing the story, or both.

In actuality, it’s nerd heaven. Ready Player One is packed full of references expanding many eras and generations of popular culture: Games, Movies, Books. The incredible detail put into including a universal range of characters is staggering, and I’m sure there are a few deliberately obscure references to include those people who followed and are big fans of those references.

That’s not all that had a mind-blowing amount of detail – the animation was beyond anything I’ve ever seen in a film – easily rivalling that of anything Pixar has ever produced. There are a few times where the animated characters are interacting with the real world, and even my brain, which is used to seeing technology grow and expand was blown away by how utterly awe inspiring everything was.

Ready Player One isn’t completely perfect as much as the nerd in me wants to say it is. The side characters aren’t fully explored and sometimes other stuff gets in the way of the main protagonist’s character arc, which in of itself, doesn’t really start anywhere, and whilst there is an apparent lack of development, but the destination they’re all fighting toward certainly feels earnt.

However, the nerd in me doesn’t care about any of that. He wants to focus on the references hidden throughout – wants to sit down and re-watch it over and over again just to make sure he’s gotten them all. The nonstop and perfectly choreographed action is thrilling, exciting, with plenty of moments where you’re on the edge of your seat, especially right at the very end of the climactic battle. It has been a while before I held my breath with shock about what just happened and how the character, Parzival/Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) was going to pull through.

The magnitude that is Ready Player One couldn’t have been possible without the skills of Steven Spielberg. He has so many unique films under his belt, this masterpiece can be added to his long list of highly successful films.

Ready Player One is a film that can be enjoyed whenever and wherever. It’s a film that is meant to be watched with a steaming hot bowl of popcorn that’s been forgotten about as you get sucked into their world. The entertainment factor massively outweighs everything else. Who cares about its flaws when you’re having fun.

Later this year, I am hoping to acquire myself the HTC Vive. There is a program called Bigscreen, which allows you to watch movies in a virtual cinema, and the screen is massive. Ready Player One is the perfect film to watch on that big screen – plus I really want to enjoy the irony.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: The Queen

This film is based on true events, before and following the tragic death, of Princess Diana in Paris. However, how much of it is factual and how much of it is guess work or artistic licence is unclear.

Helen Mirren who plays the Queen, does so exceptionally well, capturing her stance, persona and decorum perfectly.

Princess Diana wasn’t your ordinary Princess, as portrayed by the reaction of the world to her death.

I can see why this film was made, it shows the turning point in the royal family, when they realised they had to become more modern, but in a reserved way and not losing any of it’s status.

The film, at the start shows Tony Blair (Played in the film by Michael Sheen) winning the general election, and becoming the Labour Prime Minister. It is said, that he wants to have a more modern outlook, and a scene in the film, suggests, that he would want to modernise the Queen and the royal family.

This film shows, that he didn’t have to, Princess Diana’s death did that, by making the royal family realise how much of an impact Diana had on the world.

To have, or not to have a state funeral, as she was no longer married into the family, but she was still the mother of a future king.

The film shows there is a fine line between, protocol and being a mother and a protective grandmother, to 2 boys who have lost their mother. Although the Queen should have given a statement to the nation sooner.

The film is brilliantly edited, mixing real life scenes with the scenes where the actors, act out their film roles.

The scenes over Scotland, although spectacular, show how far away and detached it all is away from London.

In one part of the film, Prince Philip (James Cromwell) says ‘In 48 hours, this would’ve all calmed down’ how wrong that statement was.

Cherie Blair (Helen McCrory) in the film, implies the country should become a republic, a little over the top. Diana’s death, shows there is still a need for all the good the royal family does for the nation and the world, but with a few changes, to stop them being bullied by the people.

We can honestly say nothing about Diana’s death went quietly, (even this film was made), but Tony Blair in the film struggled to make the Queen see, he did seem to push the boundary between a Prime Minister and Monarch.

This film does show the Queen in the light of not just being the Queen, with all the duty and reserve, that comes with it, but also as the human woman she is.

Tony Blair in the film warms to the Queen and her life and devotion to her duty, but in the end, popularity and change wins’ out, also her understanding and human side.  

For those people who want to remember Princess Diana, if you get a chance to go to Paris there are some places you can visit. The Ritz hotel is located at the Place Vendome and the tunnel is at the Pl. de l’Alma, this is also where the liberty flame is situated above. Although these may be deemed as sad places to see, if you loved the ‘People’s Princess’ then these are places you can feel you are walking in her footsteps.

Jerry's Journal: Looking Awesome

He's wearing a travelling neck brace and looking awesome, although Jerry doesn't look completely happy about it. Maybe it won't be a new fashion trend after all.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Banishing Mistakes and Eradicating Procrastination

The Watch has been a staple of this blog since the very beginning. That's how it all began. My main objective way back in 2015 was uploaded only parts of The Watch and nothing more, but the blog naturally developed into what it is today. The Watch is a story I love, but there are far too many mistakes.

Editing is a necessary evil. It can become tedious and make other tasks look appealing. I have been suffering from mild procrastination for a couple of years. Last year due to problems with the blog and personal difficulties, it was the strongest it had ever been. As a result, the quality of each part dipped significantly. Whenever I attempted to edit, that sensation of tedium started to kick in. It Eventually progressed to where I wouldn't look at a part thoroughly enough. There would be a few problems here and there that I would take out, but ultimately upload it with many mistakes intertwined within and then go and do something else entirely.

This year, I have developed a system to eradicate procrastination, and it is holding strongly. I've written so much more in these last few weeks than I have done in such a long while. I'm more content now things are getting done, and so I will use my newfound motivation to accomplish what I started: Edit my parts. I will banish as many mistakes as I can, if not, all of them. But it will take time to make sure each part as much attention as it deserves. This decision did not come lightly, but I feel it is essential for the blog and myself so I don't fall back down again.

For the time being, until I'm satisfied I've edited enough and each part is as I had foreseen way back in 2015, I will put The Watch on pause. There will be no new part uploaded until I've successfully edited each one that already has been released. I believe this will improve readability and the enjoyment with the story.

I will announce when I'm about to release a new part, but in the meantime, expect a few changes either drastic or subtle with each part. I refuse to be defeated by procrastination.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

The Watch – Part 252:

(Amy’s perspective)

After walking on slippery mud for minutes on end, when you eventually reach concrete, there is that moment when you have to adjust to the hard surface. Sometimes you have to stop walking to make sure that you have regained your balance so that you can continue walking, but sometimes, you keep walking, and usually, when you have to adjust, there is that slight step to the left or right as your top half decides to lean in a direction other than the one you’re walking in. Your legs have to find their strength once more after not having to work so hard on the soft surface of a muddy field. But you never fall over. It only lasts for a second, maybe not even that, and then you’re perfectly able to carry on walking as if nothing happened.

But when you wake up after travelling from one universe to another via the Void, your body is in a state of shock, and therefore, you struggle to adjust to the soft surface, let along the concrete, of which your weak legs can’t handle that momentary lapse of balance and you fall to the ground once more. And because it is concrete, when your hands slam against it, it doesn’t cave and cushion your fall, instead it stays in one place, and your hand caves, and if you are unlucky, there may be a number of stones littering the ground beneath your hands. When you hand slams against the ground and your hand is the one that caves, the stones pierce your skin, stabbing the palms of your hands, cutting them. Sometimes the stones may stay in your hand, preventing the blood to drip out, but if they are too heavy and didn’t pierce in the right angle, they will fall out, and the blood is allowed to escape.

Your knee caps are sensitive, and can render you unable to walk properly for a couple of hours afterwards, you have to limp instead, so if you fall wrong, there is that possibility of your knees slamming against the concrete, sending that strong pulse of intense pain to your brain. That red-hot pain momentarily renders your paralysed as your brain can’t do anything except process it, but when it has fully handled it, it reopens the gates to let in all the other messages, including the intense pain from your hands.

Once you’re down, you don’t move for a couple of seconds. You lay there wondering what happened. Then, when you’ve figured it out, you start to sort out the mess you’re in and begin the journey back to your feet. The problem you have then is that your knees are unwilling to comply because although they may not hurt as much stationary, the moment you move them, they start to protest. The moment they shout at you to stop, you do so. But you know that you can’t remain laying on the floor forever, so you must push yourself back up to your feet, and so although it is painful and your knees do whatever they can to prevent you from doing so, you eventually stand up.

But now comes the tricky part. Walking. You know how to walk. You’ve been doing it for years. Do you remember actually being taught how to walk? Well, you may have been too young to remember that, but those people that tell you the story of how you first began to walk, they never say that you were given lessons, you just got up and walked. The shock that you receive from falling to the ground renders you unable to walk, and you don’t know why. Is it because you know that you are going to fall over again due to knees not wanting to move, or is it because you’ve simply forgotten? Well, of course it’s because you are in pain. You can’t walk normally any more, you have to do the other thing. Limp.

You place the leg that doesn’t hurt as much, if not at all, down on the ground and you step forward, but then you have to put the leg that does hurt on the ground. You must do that if you want to walk forward. You start doing so, but it hurts so much, so as quickly as you can, you transition from one to the other. Then you take another step, and then another, until you’ve built up a nice momentum to carry yourself forward, until it becomes natural to you, until your knee doesn’t hurt as much.

Usually, when you walk, you are heading towards a destination, be it somewhere else or back where you started, but you always know where you are going. But if you find yourself somewhere unfamiliar, you don’t have a destination in mind. All you can do is walk forward and hope for the best that you will get somewhere that is familiar. But when you are limping, and you’ve built up a momentum, all you want to do is get to that destination, so that you can stop and rest there for a couple of hours before having to endure another painful walk to another destination. But when you are walking, and you don’t have a destination in mind, your natural instinct is to stop where you are and figure where you need to go from there, but when you are limping and you don’t have a destination in mind, the last thing you want is to stop, because if you do, you may fall back down to the ground, and if you do that, you would cause even more damage to your body, and if you do that, you may not be getting back up for a while afterwards. You have to keep moving, yet you don’t know where you are going. So you continue walking anyway. You have to figure out where to go whilst continuing forward, even though you may turn in the wrong direction.

I said that I would try and find shelter, be it a bus stop or under a bridge where I would wait until the rain either eases or stops completely, but I can’t find any such places. All I can do is continue walking forward in the pouring rain, with cuts on my hands and injured knees.

All I can do is continue walking forward.

‘Are you alright, dear,’ someone said behind me. I stop walking, but before I lose my balance once more, I start turning around.

‘You look like you’ve been through the wars,’ an old lady said sympathetically. She had a curved back, making her appear shorter than she actually was. She was wearing a long rain coat complete with a clear waterproof bonnet covering her curly white hair. Behind her, she was pulling a trolley that appeared to be stuffed with everyday items, including a box of cereal, a cabbage, and a carton of milk. If I had to hazard a guess at her age, I would say she was in her early eighties.

‘Is there anything I can do help you, dear,’ she said with soft and gentle voice.

‘I’m looking for shelter,’ I answered.

‘Don’t you have a home to go to?’ she asked curiously.

‘I’m lost,’ I said bluntly.

‘Oh, you poor dear,’ she said, placing her hand on her chest from shock. ‘You are going to catch your death of cold out here, and look at you, you’re all covered in mud. Come with me, I’ll take you back to mine. There, you can wash up and have a change of clothes. Once you’re fully rested, we can find your way back home.’

‘Thank you,’ I said.

‘Please, don’t thank me. I’m just doing what any good citizen would do,’ and she continue her journey home with me limping closely behind.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

The Watch – Part 251:

(Amy’s perspective)

My eyes snap open and I sit up quickly, gasping for air and trying to figure out which way is up. For a moment, the world is spinning violently, making me queasy. But the moment my senses start to settle down, I start calming down and the world comes to a complete standstill, except I can feel the world falling through space. I can feel it spinning at a thousand miles an hour, and then it stops. A heartbeat passes. I wait for that moment when I’m flung sideways along with the rest of the world, but nothing. I’m sitting still. The world didn’t stop suddenly, I did.

After my lungs have finished pumping enough oxygen around my system to keep me from passing out again, the rest of my senses start to come back to me. The sound of the world around me deafens me before quietens down to the point where I can barely hear it anymore over the sound of dripping water. And that one drip of water multiples into many drips, and they multiply again and again, until they become uncountable. And then my final two senses kick in. Water splashes onto my cheeks, followed by another drop, and then another, and then they fall onto my arm, and then onto my other arm and then my legs and then, a freezing cold sensation ran down my neck and down my back, waking me up further.

I look around and see that my trousers and shoes are caked in mud where they have been resting in a deep puddle. The next thing feel is blades of grass poking through the gaps between my fingers. I look down and I find that my hands are also drenched in muddy water.

My hair falls down into my eyes. When I move it out of the way, I find that it is also drenched. I accidentally bush my muddy hand above my eyebrow and I could feel the sticky mud clinging onto my skin, trying to drip down into my eyes.

And then the sky boomed. There was a bright flash of light. It was then that I realised that I had been laying in a thunder storm in the middle of a field for an unknown amount of time. I start shivering as the cold raindrops force their way down my back.

The longer I sat here, the colder I became. My hands and feet stung the longer they stayed in the rapidly freezing water. Lifting them out of the water, it was a sudden relief. The cold air felt hot, which somehow started to warm up my body. I kept them in one position for too long a time, and they rapidly went cold once more, giving my body the shivers once more, this time, so much worse than before. I needed to get to find shelter as soon as I can. Then, when the storm passes, I will be able to find my friends, Sebastian and Tom. They have to be here somewhere. I looked around and saw a deserted field, complete with a few trees here and there, but when I looked behind me, I found that I was only feet away from civilisation. That was lucky.

I attempt to stand up. The first time I try, I immediately lose my balance and I fall backwards into the deep puddle. Water splashed over me, shooting thick mud into my face, my hair and my clothes. I sat there, contemplating what on earth is wrong with me before I tried again. This time, after clambering out of the puddle, the slippery mud made it difficult to find my balance, but eventually I was standing on my own two feet once more. But the moment that I took a step forward, I lost it again and I went knee first into the mud. I put my hands out in front of me and they prevented me from face-planting the mud, but it did mean that my hands were now completely covered in mud. Pulling them out, I pushed myself up and my knees popped out of the two wholes they made themselves with a watery squelching sound.

Once again, I push myself back to my feet, and remain standing there until I was sure that I wasn’t going to fall down again. But, the longer I stood there, the more my feet sunk into the mud. I was noticed before they sunk too far. Luckily, when I pulled them out, my shoes came with me, but I knew that they had sunk low enough to render them useless for a few days as they slowly dried and the mud flaked off.

Closing my eyes, concentrating on what needed to be done, I lifted one foot up and followed through with the first step, and then I did another, and another, and another until I built up enough momentum to keep walking forward. I knew that if I stopped I would fall back down again. Civilisation was only moments away. All I needed was to find a bus shelter or a bridge to stand under until the storm passes. Once then, I would be able to focus on finding my friends and getting a change of clothes.

It’s a shame that I don’t have my phone with me so that I would be able to call someone to come and get me. Then again, I actually have no idea where I am. At first I thought that I was in the field where the concert was, but the closer I came to the houses, the more I started to realise that I didn’t recognise any of the houses, and last time I checked, there wasn’t an apartment block near the field either. That can only mean that I am indeed in a completely different place. Great, that’s all that I need. Well, at least I am finally out of that hell I like to call that glass box.

I’ll figure something out.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Sister Act

When the film starts, with a young Doloris (Isis Carmen Jones) at school. You see the lack of, treating the children as individuals, although they make fun of it, there is a deeper meaning, as we see further on, throughout the film. Deloris’ passion is for music and with, yes a few or a lot of obstacles, pit falls and sacrifice, she eventually excels in her passion. The school scenes set up the film, but Deloris still defies the odds, showing, sometimes it is a good thing to stand out to start with, before all the success.

Soon we see the events in the film, that shows, you can practice, all the speeches there is, but if something catches you off guard, plans can change, also a chase through a hotel is not complete without the obligatory run through the kitchens and the chaos it causes.

I feel, Lt. Eddie Souther (Bill Nunn), must have felt he had hit the mother load when an older, and now the mistress of a gangster called Vince LaRocca (Harvey Keitel), Deloris (Whoopi Goldberg) turns up at the police station.

Now he has to keep her safe, and so Deloris’s sacrifice in St Katherine’s convent begins. Nuns, as part of their vows, have to take her in. it takes some adjusting, and so Deloris becomes Sister Mary Clarence. It is good only Lt. Souther, knows where Deloris is, you never know who you can trust.

This film shows more depth with Deloris, facing some home truths about her life. I don’t however, learning some truth, kept her awake but the choir certainly did.

When she first moved in to the convent, she thought she knew what to expect, but her expectations change, as she gets to know the other nuns.

The film suddenly takes off in a different direction, one comment from Sister Mary Roberts (Wendy Makkena) and Deloris, inadvertently leads 2 nuns astray. After this misadventure, Deloris, is to join the Choir, and now we see, after an excruciating and ear-splitting start, Deloris becomes the choir master, and so the first transformation begins.

At last we come to the reason I bought the DVD, of this film, the choir is singing in the church/Mass on the Sunday, and Sister Mary Roberts is a member of the choir, and when she sings her solo parts, it turns out she has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.

As well as this, the music is calling the public in the church to come and enter to hear more of it. However, this doesn’t go down well with everyone. It is disappointing to see, but giving the situation, they may have a point, in that, Deloris is only a temporary placement and the whole point is to lay low, but, this isn’t the case and so the second neighbourhood transformation begins.

There is a funny part where during these scenes a nun get squirted with oil whilst they are working on a car. Also as we have seen, Deloris is not that good at laying low and disappearing into the background and she has some near misses, of being found, we see success, attracts a news team and cameras. Lt. Souther is not happy.

However, Deloris keeps doing what she does best and I like how the songs the choir sing is adapted, one example is ‘My Guy’ originally sung by Mary Wells to ‘My God’.

It is disappointing to see the Mother Superior (Maggie Smith), appears to have no faith in the program, that will be presented to the Pope (Eugene Greytak). However, the song ‘I Will Follow Him’ originally sung by Little Peggy March, is not only appropriate, but perfect for the show.

We now see Mother Superior pointing out what she feared would happen, I also see the Deloris realises, time is running out. She seems to have, had almost forgotten, that her position was only temporary, and that it is the nuns lives she is messing with.

All of a sudden, things take a turn for the worst and Deloris, has been located, but as she has grown in character, she has learnt, there are more important things in her life than in the one she left has behind.

When all the truth comes out, all the nuns stand by her, including Mother Superior, who has also grown in character, throughout this film.

An amusing part, and the poor helicopter pilot (Kevin Bourland), didn’t stand a chance. Another amusing part, is when Deloris acts just like, you would expect a nun to act, she prays and it helps her get away. We see even the villains Joey (Robert Miranda) and Willy (Richard Portnow), have standards.

Also to see all the nuns leave, run from the helicopter is a fun scene to see.

The villains, find it hard to locate Deloris, as one nun looks like another nun. Another amusing line from Mother Superior is when she says ‘Try to blend in’. it is funny as, nuns are not often a regular sight in Reno.

It seems, temptation is hard to resist, as we see one of the nuns hit the jackpot, much to the disapproval of the Mother Superior. It is good to see that nuns are still human after all.

We continue to see Deloris trying to escape the villains, and getting a shock when she meets up with Mother Superior. The nuns, seem to have learnt a lot, from their experiences, one thing they learn is, Deloris has all the qualities of a nun, without being a nun. The end of these scenes are heart-warming to watch.

After all the excitement, the show for the Pope, goes off without a hitch, which is good to see as they’ve all been through enough prior, and again Sister Mary Roberts, steals the show, much to her delight, singing for the Pope.