July 2013 Entries - Falcon's Blog

A Game of Thrones

Greetings, A Song of Ice and Fire is both a successful book and television series written by George R.R. Martin. It is set in the fictional continent of Westeros which is inhabited by many dynasties, clans and mythical creatures.  A Game of Thrones is the first novel in the series and is centred around several characters that interlink the many plot threads, focusing mainly on the Stark family.  With so many characters, with more to come, it can be difficult to keep track of them all but none the less is an enjoyable experience.

The main plot follows Ned Stark, who becomes the Hand of the King after the death of his predecessor. Essentially, Ned governs the kingdoms in place of the usurper King Robert who is too busy living a life of debauchery to rule. Stark begins to investigate into the death of the previous Hand of King, suspecting that he had uncovered something he shouldn’t have. His suspicions rise when a failed assassination attempt tired to take the life of one of his youngest sons, Bran who had fell into a coma and become crippled as he fell from a roof when it became clear that Ned would become the next Hand of the King.

Stark’s bastard son, Jon, had been sent to join an organisation that defended the Kingdoms from the threats that lay behind an enormous wall to the north. Behind the wall lie savages and mystical creatures that are believed to be only from fables or fairytales. As winter come closer unusual activities in the region increase. Another important thread plot is that of the overthrown dynasty of the Targaryen, with only two members of the family left they attempt to regain their stolen throne, Daenerys and Viserys. Daenerys is married to a warrior named Drogo in the hopes that his clan will be able to reclaim their kingdoms taken by King Robert. 

There are other characters and story lines that are important to the overall plot such as Tyrion Lannister known as the Imp, Cateyln Stark and her daughters. With over 700 pages a Game of Thrones is a long introduction to the series and has me eager for more. I have yet to see the television series but I’m sure it will be as entertaining as the book.

Plot=9/10

Characters=9/10

Wording=9/10

Overall=9/10

Quote of the day

You don't know who I am. You don't know where I am. And you'll never see me coming.

The Mandarin

Iron Man 3                             

Written by Falcon, Monday 22 July 2013

Iron Man 3

Greetings, in Iron Man 3 Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark better known as Iron man, and is set after the events of the Avengers film. I feel this film surpasses the second one for numerous reasons, one being that the villains have changed. Iron Man doesn’t fights against antagonists in equivalents of his suit, as was the case with the first two movies, rather he is conflict with a more dangerous enemy with powers that are not based on technology.  I thought this was a fresh change that the series needed in order to prevent it becoming stale.

As mentioned the plot is set after the Avengers, Stark suffers from emotional turmoil as well as frequent attacks of paralysing fear realising that there are greater, unknown rivals out there since he took part in the battle for New York against Loki and his alien army. Tony finds himself seeking revenge after a terrorist known as the Mandarin is believed to have detonated a bomb that injured one of Stark’s Chief of security.  In his anger, he publicly addresses the Mandarin to a fight by giving away his address. Iron man is unprepared as his house is destroyed in an assault, nearly killing him in the process.

The storyline that simmers in the background begins in 1999, when Stark snubs a fellow scientist named Killian by refusing the offer to join his enterprise. In the present day, Killian returns offering Stark industries, under the leadership of Pepper, another chance at the experimental product Extremis which regenerates its users. Once again he is refused but is later found out to be related to the terrorist attacks orchestrated by the Mandarin.

Overall, it is an enjoyable film which I think has the best plot of the trilogy with an interesting twist. As usual the acting is of good quality, uses humour effectively and it the film is nicely paced throughout. I look forward to what is in store for the future of the series as well as that of the Avengers.

Plot=9/10

Characters=8/10

Special effects=7/10

Overall=8/10

Quote of the day

I’m just an old-fashioned cowboy.

Spike

Cowboy Bebop

Written by Falcon, Thursday 11 July 2013
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