Photo diary: week 3, 12 - 18 January, Project 365

 January continues to be riddled with sickness and bad health. While my back pain has improved (though I still try to take it easy), my husband has had a flu, and my little great nephew has been so poorly, he stayed in hospital with his Mum. 

Last weekend we did a double-night movie session of The Godfather and The Godfather-II. I haven't seen either for more than twenty years, and enjoyed watching them again, especially the first film. Still brilliant on many levels. A true classic. Perhaps I should also re-read the book?

It was the full Moon, and I tried to take a few snaps. The iphone camera is not good to take long-distance images. The Moon is rather blurry, and is lacking the precision.

On the way to do some grocery shopping, I spotted some mimosa bunches outside the florist's. I would love to buy some mimosa, as it reminds me of my childhood, and my late Dad bringing in home bunches of mimosa for my Mum in spring. I'll wait until they have a new delivery of fresher flowers.

Eddie has hooked me on Squid Game. I saw Bibigo limited edition Squid Game products online, but when they were delivered, they were in plain packaging. Talk about being disappointed, as I so wanted to surprise my son. 

We don't have a Korean store nearby, the nearest one is on the other side of Oxford, which would be a two-bus trip. You can also get Bibigo in some Sainsbury's stores, but when I try to place an order online, these products don't appear in search.

We've tried the Japchae flavour, they were not bad at all.

If you like stationery, I'm currently running a giveaway on my Insta (until the 26th). It includes some of the bits which I bought in Paris, as well as the British Museum, and some book shops (a notebook, bookmarks, postcards and a badge).

I haven't been drawing much in January, as it was rather uncomfortable to sit at the table with my bad back, but I'm slowly getting there. Yesterday's drawing is that of Eddie when he was 3-years-old. We were in Penzance on his 3rd birthday, he was utterly thrilled with a balloon, and proudly announced to everyone on the way that it was his birthday. 

I remember it as a moment of pure joy, which probably happens only in childhood, when you are little and unburdened with worries and anxieties, and a simple balloon can make you deliriously happy.

I'm currently reading two books about the Sun King. Versailles is based on the BBC series, and is completely historically inaccurate (which I knew, since I watched the Tv series and laughed at it). Saying that, it is quite entertaining, as long as you don't expect to learn much about history.

The Sun King by Nancy Mitford was published in the 1960s, and it shows. It reads as a gossip column. Mitford is also concentrating mostly on the King's love affairs and building of Versailles. She is very non-PC, and nowadays this book would have been heavily edited to remove some of her xenophobic remarks. 

What are you currently reading? 

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Max Winslow and the House of Secrets

 

In a few days we're having a midterm break. In the good old days, the October break would find us going to the cinema to see the latest releases. Thanks to the lockdown, our local cinema is closed for the unforeseeable future. Some cinemas around the country are still operating, with the additional measures.

If you are lucky to have a cinema open nearby you, there's a new film coming to the big screens on October 23rd - Max Winslow and the House of Secrets (SkipStone Pictures)

Five teens are invited to the home of an eccentric billionaire to compete in a game to win his mansion. The night takes a dark turn when they become trapped in the house and are forced to face off against each other and an evil AI entity who controls everything in the house including their fate.

Starring Sydne Mikelle, Tanner Buchanan, Jason Genao, Emery Kelly, Jade Chynoweth, Tyler Christopher, Anton Starkman, Marina Sirtis, Chad Michael Murray.

Check out where Max Winslow is showing near you here:

https://www.maxwinslowfilm.co.uk/?country=united-kingdom

We've just watched a pre-view online this weekend. The film rating is 12+, but I watched it with my 10-year-old son, and he enjoyed it. 

This is an imaginative morality tale of our times, which would appeal to the pre-teens and younger teens. The message it brings is that the hi-tech could bring both benefits and danger (not an exactly innovative idea, but it still rings true).

It's a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory of the new generation, with the social media obsession and gaming addiction. Five kids from Bentonville high school get the much-coveted tickets to attend an event at the mansion with a promise of a big prize. 

Atticus Virtue (Chad Michael Murray) - even his name is an allusion to the morality-based challenge ahead - is the billionaire who has built a mansion of epic proportions, using the latest technology.

The mansion is "ruled" by the virtual mistress of the house called Haven.

The guests have to solve a series of riddles and puzzles to navigate the mansion. They arrive, full of hope and excitement, to the house, and that's when the story acquires a more sinister aspect.

While Haven is supposed to guide them, she is not an indifferent automated voice. Her challenges turn more and more menacing.

The plot is a bit preachy, but tackles a lot of issues affecting the high school children - bullying, social media and self-identity, pressure to conform, mental health etc. There are even several faith-based clues and Easter eggs included.

Max Winslow is a tech geek, with a high IQ and a lack of social skills. Sydne Mikelle is good at portraying a socially awkward and vulnerable Max, who is nevertheless a strong protagonist.

Her father left the family, when she was very young, and this has stopped her emotional development.

Connor (Tanner Buchanan) is known as a Lacrosse guy in school, but he lives a big lie. He wants to be a musician, yet keeps a pretence to please his parents.

Aiden is an unpleasant bully with an attitude. Sophia is obsessed with selfies and her Insta followers.

Benny has problems with a gaming addiction.

As the story offers a character development, you can argue it is quite didactic, yet it is very entertaining as well. There are impressive visuals, showing the virtual interior of the mansion, and the video game effects. The story if fast-paced and amusing.

With Hallowe'en just round the corner, this spooky film could be enjoyed by the whole family.