No Time To Die

Finally, a film in a cinema.  We watched No Time To Die with a friend and I have to say, I did enjoy it.  I will want to watch this again, but after watching the previous Bond films.  It started well, in typical Bond style and fabulous locations.  At over two and a half hours long, I did not notice how long the film was.  It had some of his classic lines and obviously, the gadgets.  

On the downside, he drinks and drives (but he drinks and fights as well), and the typical issue of leaving your car unlocked, as in many films, is also present.  There was a scene where there was an awful lot of firepower in the middle of nowhere and of course, there is the need for the villain to have the showdown with Bond.

But ignoring the minor issues, I would still watch it again.  And will do so when it is on a streaming service.

 

13 Reasons Why: Let the Dead Bury the Dead

First of all, we are back at home.  We got back yesterday and while the kids stayed at home, my wife and I took my brother out for lunch to the Lexden Crown. I like eating there and the food was good, though nothing compared to the Italian that we had eaten the night before. It was good to catch up, though he came out as a Spurs fan! Still, he ain’t heavy, he is my brother.  I drove him to the station after, but it was a rail replacement service to take him from Colchester and due to his ticket, I could not take him down towards London to get the train where he would swap back onto the train.

Leia was overjoyed to see us and could not contain her excitement. My brother taught her a few things and she will now fetch a ball to us and will sit again.

And I watched the final episode of the third series of 13 Reasons Why with my Son. I had watched it before with my daughter and knew who the culprit was, but my son had cheated and had looked it up on the internet. I think that Bryce was on the path to redemption, my son disagrees.  We will have to agree to disagree on that one. Though neither of us shed a tear over the death that occurred to another character.

Anyway, time to get out of bed and walk the dog around the garden as I have this week off.

Locanda Locatelli

Last night was amazing.  We went to Locana Locatelli.  We have not been here in some time.  I am not sure we have taken my son here, but we have been here since my daughter was born.  My wife and I love it here, and although last night was expensive, it was worth it.  She was a bit stressed about getting there on time as we had to leave the restaurant by a certain time (they had a booking after us) but we got there and that is when the experience started.  The service is warm and at the same time, professional.  The food is amazing and I was slightly annoyed that I had too much when my son and I had our late lunch.  Unlike Friday, the nice version of my son had joined us and I would like to think that we all enjoyed ourselves.  I know that my wife and I did, and I am sure my daughter did as well.

It will be a long time before we can put money aside to return here.  I am hoping that this will be for my birthday next year though!

Dishoom Carnaby

The day is not over but it has been a much better day for us all than last night was. 

First of all, we went to Dishoom, just parallel to Carnaby Street.  Like the TARDIS, it appears smaller on the outside, and like the TARDIS, it is full of surprises.  We loved the food, but my favourite was the chocolate Chai.

After this, it was shopping and while I had promised to take my daughter to the Doc Martens shop, we passed a place selling them. In addition to my daughter walking out with a pair, I did as well. My son had wanted some shoes, but sadly, it was not his birthday weekend and he had no money saved for this, but we may return in March and if they are still available...

Later, it was a journey to Brandy Melville, a store that has one size only.  I consider it the hell mouth as I think that it encourages eating disorders by only having one size.  My daughter knows my views on the place, but the day is about her rather than me.  So, she ended up with a jumper and a skirt.  

We met up with my wife who spent the rest of the day with my daughter, while I walked about town with my son.  He was keen on eating at YO! Sushi and we had to travel to Selfridges as some places had closed and one was fully booked.  Anyway, time to go as we are to have dinner soon.  It should be a good one! 

Pastaio, Carnaby Street

Today was the first day of our trip to London. We booked a place to stay for two nights.  We did not get here at the time we wanted, but got here early enough to make it to dinner at Pastaio.

The food and service here was just what we needed after what was an exhausting drive for my wife.  Things were complicated as my wife and son had a disagreement. She moved on from it but he stayed in a bad mood, which resulted in him wanting to return to the flat, and also at times, talked about returning to Colchester. 

One of my brothers had come up to Colchester to look after Leia as she is in season (and we do not want puppies) which meant our dog sitter was not able to look after her.  I communicated with him by text to ask if my son could stay with my Mum, in his room. However he reminded me about the spare room.  Hopefully this will not be an option that we need to take up, but is need be. 

Finally, the flat is amazing, the view fantastic and the location is superb.  We may see if we can use this place again in the future.

13 Reasons Why; And Then the Hurricane Hit

It is good getting back into this with my son.  And it was good again, which is not guaranteed when it comes to every episode this series.  It is building up to the climax with the identity of the killer of Bryce Walker becoming known.  

The most important part is the bravery of the characters when it comes to addressing issues of assault.  I am not sure that would happen in a school setting but I think it is important to show as it will mean those who watch it will be aware of how people should react.

Free Guy

Awesome!  I loved the film, though it did become a bit too Disney in parts but redeemed itself in a superb manner.  My wife watched it with my daughter, and while my son did not watch it with us, I do think that this is a film that he would appreciate.  

We watched it on our new TV so the picture was very clear.  I would imagine that this would be awesome to watch in 3D, but with COVID about, this is an experience that we have decided to pass on for now.

I would not consider this film to be a classic and I would probably watch it again if it was on television or with my son, but despite enjoying it, I doubt I will watch it again otherwise.  Ryan Reynolds is probably the best male actor for this and Jodie Cormer was fantastic in this.  I have to say that I am just amazed at the range of characters she plays.

Yes, the plot was partly predictable, but the solutions that were encountered were a surprise. I would have been happy to pay to watch this in the cinema, and it may be that that is the best place to watch it.