Top Five Movie Scenes - Number Two

So we have reached the crunch, my top two movie scenes. Now this list must not be interpreted as a "all time greatest" or "my favourite films" because it's not; these are just five scenes that have stood up above all others in all the years I've been appreciating cinema.

So as I said in yesterdays post, this film is considered to be one of the greatest sequels ever made, the original was a masterpiece, but the second took the series to a whole other level. The genre shifted along with the mood and feel, but it was still as terrifying as all hell.

You should have guess it by now...

Aliens - The turret/lab firefight 

It was difficult picking this scene out, the film has so many amazing moments. The first entry into Hadleys Hope and tracking the colonists, the monumental "get away from her you bitch" moment and of course every scene that Hudson is in!

This particular scene however set the film up for me. The marines had just been battered from their first encounter with the Xenomorphs, they only had turrets, Bishop was trying to remote pilot the other dropship and the colony was about to blow.

So what do they do? They do what any terrified person would do, set up insane defenses and sit and hope!

So to avoid confusion, I'm talking about the second turret scene, when the Xenomorph's keep on attacking until the guns are dry, then the real fun begins.

When I first saw this film I was terrified, unlike the first where you only had one creature to fear, this one had a whole army of space serpents to have nightmares about for the rest of your life.

This whole scene really showed that not even the most technologically advanced super soldiers could take on the Aliens, so what hope would you have in that situation? James Cameron really hit the big time with this release, taking Ridley Scotts original masterpiece and giving it a whole new world to explore.

I wonder what is next for this series, with a Prometheus sequel on the way, can we expect to see more of the universe in which I have come to love!

Tomorrow I will reveal my number one all time favourite movie scene. Excited?

Top Five Movie Scenes - Number Three

The midway point, the point which might define the entire list in some cases!

I had to pick this one, seeing this film when I was a kid changed my life forever (as with most, but this one in particular set me on a course with a lust for a certain type of film).

Terminator 2: Judgement Day - The LA truck chase


Words can't really do justice here, this film changed my life. I remember the first time I saw it vividly, we'd just been along to the local carnival in my town. We got home about 9pm and T2 was starting on TV not long after, it was a Friday night and my Dad said I could stay up and watch it. My Mam was asking is it appropriate etc, but my Dad said 'he's old enough'. I think it was 1996 when I first saw it, maybe 1995, but either way I watched it and it absolutely blew my mind. And that scene when the truck was just insane!

This set off a chain reaction, where I went to my cousins house the next day and borrowed every single Arnie movie he had on VHS, Predator, Total Recall (one of my all time faves) and Commando.

Everyone loves Arnie.

Now this is the point when I am struggling to decide which will be the top two, I actually changed my number three last night to number two...that's how tight it has been!

Number two will surely not disappoint, it was another film I saw around the same time as T2, another one where I watched all of the movies in one day. Unlike T2 however, I did watch the original first.

The original Terminator is amazing just to mention, but T2 was a masterpiece, some say the greatest sequel ever made. Well hold on for number two, because it falls right into that particular category...

What I'm playing (forever)

I'm always torn between what game to play, I have a tendency to start multiple ones all at once, then completely forget what I was playing. Lately I've been doing that more than ever.

The list so far goes like;

Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag (PS4)
Resident Evil Code Veronica X (PS2)
Tomb Raider (PS3)
The Legend of Zelda; The Minish Cap (GBA)
Skyrim (PC)
DC Universe Online (PS4)

I'm playing a few others like FIFA 14, Battlefield 4..but these are more 'pick up and play' titles, so not much in depth concentration is needed to play them.

I'm a collector as well, which doesn't help, since I see a game cheap or one I don't own and I buy it. Then the list of games that haven't entered a console yet grows (like Brink & Devil May Cry HD).

Steam is probably the worst for this, I'll buy anything that's cheap or nostalgic on there, I was dedicating a lot of time to Final Fantasy 8 not long ago, but my interest soon disappeared. The same goes for Day Z standalone, and the insanely addictive (but infinitely frustrating) Spelunky. Games are what give me the most satisfaction in terms of 'owning' something, yes I have many interests, but gaming is probably the one thing I dedicate the majority of my time to.

Since I'm not currently in full time employment, I have actually gotten a bit bored of games, since it's all I seem to be doing. I miss having to make time for games, that special hour late at night when you can squeeze a bit of gaming time in. Don't get me wrong, I love a mammoth gaming session, but they just aren't as enjoyable when you have so much free time. Knowing me though, I'll moan when I don't have enough time to game!

Skyrim is the one taking up most of my time at the moment, I did put in over 150 hours into it on its first release, on the Xbox 360, but the PC version adds more to the game. The modding community has made the game so much more than it was on console, so I'm experiencing it from a new perspective. Plus having the ability to use console commands isn't a bad thing...

I think I've played maybe an hour of Assassins Creed 4, for a game which cost me £49 that is not enough game time. I guess I bought it more out of wanting to own more PS4 titles. I think I've spent more on getting a PS4 and games in the last month than I have on my PS3 & 360 collection in the last year!

Next gen gaming is going to hurt my bank balance further as well, with Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, Watchdogs & inFamous Second Son on the way. MGS is the one I'm looking forward to most, well Phantom Pain anyway. I grew up with MGS games, I still absolutely adore them.

I forgot I'm re-playing Snake Eater again, told you I lose track.

Top Five Movie Scenes - Number Four

Here we go again with number four on the list, this time I've picked an absolutely iconic scene.

Four; Raiders of the Lost Ark  - The digging up of the Ark.

This film still resonates strongly today. I remember watching this as a young kid and being absolutely enthralled with the entire movie, the sense of adventure & mystery was unbelievably gripping!

When Indy & Sallah are in the chamber with the snakes, and they find the Ark for the first time is probably the most iconic moment in this film masterpiece for me...even though the entire movie is filled with such scenes!

Even the build up to finding the Ark itself is a great scene, or you could argue that the opening scene with the Idol is the most recognised.

It's a tough one, but hey it works for me!

This scene really defined what Indiana Jones was all about for me, he didn't care about the fortune or glory or power, he only wanted to find the Ark out of pure intrigue. What was it? Was it really a piece of the almighty?

I could go on for hours, but this isn't an in depth review of movie diagnostics, this is purely me oozing my fandom.

Next up on the list is something a little bit special...

Top Five Movie Scenes

After watching Inglourious Basterds again last night for the umpteenth time, I got thinking about some of my favourite scenes in Film. So I want to do a little piece everyday on my all time favourites.


I'll start at number five (who doesn't love a list!) - I should add as well that these are totally interchangeable, I don't think its possible to have one overall favourite!

Five; Jurassic Park - the introduction of the T-Rex.

Need I say more than the title? That scene blew me away when I was a kid. It was one of the first films I went to see as a child at the cinema, I went twice in one week, that's how much I loved it! It still stands out as one of the greatest moments in Film for myself, he might not be a character, and he didn't get much screen time, but that scene introduced one of the greatest movie monster marvels ever witnessed.

The way that that Lex (Ariana Richards) asks wheres the goat, then the arm on the fence...the build up was fantastic.

Then the big man himself, the roar, everything!!!

I'm going to watch it tonight.

The Velociraptor kitchen scene almost made it onto this list, but I'm limiting myself to only one scene from one film. I'll also do some honourable mentionsat the end!

Let me know your favourites!

NUFC Editorial

Hola everyone!


I've written another editorial piece for NUFC Fans this week, you can read it here!

http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/02/newcastle-united-toothless-toon-chelsea/

In other news, I'm recording a hip-hop artist in a few weeks. I've worked with him before, so watch this space...

Ciao for now!

Busy Busy Busy

Afternoon everyone!

Apologies again for the lack of content, but I've been busy writing for NUFC Fans, I've took up a role as one of their website sub-editors, so I've been producing a lot of content around football and fan submitted content.

I'm going to be writing at least once a week on here still, I've got some reviews and such I want to go over, plus a few topics around video gaming :).

You can find my articles over at http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/

Here are some links to content I've posted so far :)

http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/02/joekinnearresigns/ - on Joe Kinnear

http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/02/thederbytransferwindowblues/ - on the derby & transfer window

http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/02/st-james-park-virginity-newcastle-united/ - on St James' Park

Feel free to check them out!

Quick Update

Hello everyone! Sorry I've been quiet this week, been a bit busy!

Just a quick post to let you know I'm still here (I'm not going to abandon this blog!). I had a telephone interview with Dez Fafara (Devildriver/Coal Chamber) on Saturday night so I'll be uploading that for you all to have a listen, as well as a transcription :).

Hope you've all had a good start to 2014!

Getting into music journalism

It's a dream for most young people these days, meeting their favourite band's & musicians and just getting to speak to them, even if it's only for a few seconds. I know when I was younger I would have given anything to do that, music moulded who I am today. That's not me sound pretentious by the way, it's just I can't imagine how I'd have turned out if it wasn't for music, mainly metal!

The countless gigs I had my Dad drive me and my friends to around the UK, the waiting outside in the freezing cold for an hour before doors, the getting into the pit and just singing along to every word and of course getting a chance to meet your idols.

Nowadays I'm a lot more relaxed when it comes to gigs and meeting bands. I'm self made in my journalistic career so far, but I'm always looking for that opportunity to prove what I can do. I've interviewed a lot of bands over the last few years, usually local/national UK artists who are trying to break into the industry, but 2013 was the year I stepped up and started going out and asking for opportunities.

One particular moment I remember when I took the plunge from 'gig-goer' to interviewer was at a Kataklysm concert in 2009, at the now closed (I think) Rios in Leeds.

Me and a friend of mine went along to this show as fans, but ended up talking to the band for a good while after the show, which led to a few drinks, which led to a few more drinks, which led to us & the band being kicked out of a strip club....with a Swedish barmaid. Yep, that actually happened.

It all started with the band saying, "if anyone wants to stay behind after the show and have a beer, then come and drink with us!". We gladly obliged, after all we were fans. After the first 10 minutes congratulating them on their set and boasting how much we loved them, we just got talking to them on a normal level, like we'd known them for years. I shared a few stories with bass player Stephane Barbe, one about how he can't handle the lethal Dutch lager/beer 'Duvel'.

The rest of the evening consisted of many drinks and stories, and also an extremely drunk Polish man (who since then always recognises me at any death metal gig I attend in Leeds/Manchester).

It wasn't until the next day when something clicked in my head, that I'd actually done what I had always wanted to and met a band that I was a fan of, and spoken to them like I would any friend of my own.

I never did much for a while in terms of interviewing, I was a live sound engineer for a number of years so most of my time was spent dealing with bands on that side of things, but since 2012 I have rekindled my love of journalism.

Before I leave it, I remember one of my final days at college in 2007, one of my lecturers asked me where I was going to University, and what I was studying. He was sad to learn that I wasn't doing a journalism course, as he thought that's where I'd naturally end up. Maybe all along, subliminally, this is what I'm meant to do!

Who knows, 2014 is another big year for my young journalistic career, I've got a few events I want to cover, and I'm starting things this evening with a nice telephone chat with none other than Mr Dez Fafara of DevilDriver/Coal Chamber fame.

That's all for today, but here is a picture from the Kataklysm gig in 2009 (including the extremely drunk Polish man, he's the one in the middle)

Thanks for reading!

Upcoming

I'm trying to be more active on here, I must have sat down at least 3 times in the past few years with the intention of writing my blog, but never followed through. Lately though things are at a bit of a stand still in my life, so I'm trying to use the time constructively.

I'm a very motivated person, I find it very difficult to sit around doing nothing.

I volunteer quite a bit, (have done for well over a year now), notably with community radio and the youth services. I like to keep myself busy, so I've got a few projects/ideas in the pipeline.

I'm going to use this blog to post stuff from my continuing journey in the world of journalism. Football and music mainly. I cover a lot of the NE football as well as any opportunities that arise for me to do coverage for cultural events or gigs.

I hope you, the reader, find my posts interesting, because in my line of work I have met some rather interesting characters.

Thanks for reading :)

Damnation Festival 2013 - Part 2

Lets continue shall we?

One band I've been following for a number of years, a genre after my own heart (thrash/crossover) is of course the mighty scouse outfit SSS. This was a nice little informal chat with main man Foxey before they played their slot. A big surprise to us was that the band were releasing their new EP on the day! (which I purchased of course ;))

 

 http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ahf9ixzx9ilpfnm/SSS%20Int%20MD.mp3

Going into the event there were a few bands we were told check out, one of those being Tides From Nebula. Polish alt/post-rockers kicked off the festival early on the day with a great set, and we caught up with them later in the day.

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/6upsiwc1ni1kcr3/Tides%20From%20Nebula_01%20R.wav

One band we were both looking forward to seeing live were The Ocean. Now these guys are awesome, and the visual spectacle they put on during their set is a must see! We caught up with Robin after their set

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/tucee5zv8qvcdgw/The%20Ocean%20Int%20MD.mp3

The first band we interviewed on the day was on the main stage acts, we had just arrived at 12pm and we were both a bit worn out from running from the station!! Luckily our interviewee was also running a bit late (come on these guys are metalheads, a few were hungover ;)).

We caught up with enigmatic frontman Jørgen Munkeby of Norweigan avant-garde/jazz fusion/experimental rockers 'Shining'. Check these guys out, you won't hear a more original band on the scene at the moment, have a listen to 'Blackjazz'!

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ss7xbi8fhx3m4py/Shining%20Int%20MD.mp3

We did do one more interview, with a special guest interviewer, but I'll save that post for another day.

Thanks for reading!

Damnation Festival 2013 - Part 1

On the 2nd of November (2013) me and a fellow journalist went along to Damnation Fesitval at Leeds University student union. Now anyone who knows of this festival, knows its an all out metal feast, featuring bands from all the ranging genres within the metal community.

I'd been wanting to get further afield with my newly found passion for event coverage, after doing a number of local ones here in my hometown. As some of you may know I have a 2 hour weekly radio slot on Radio Hartlepool, playing a mix of rock/metal/punk and everything in between, so when I saw the lineup for Damnation I straight away applied for a press pass.

Thanks to some lovely and extremely helpful people on various labels, and of course the Damnation crew, I was given press access and set out to cover the event on behalf of my local station.

As you can clearly see, it was a monstrous lineup and an absolutely awesome event. Before the event a few artists reps & label people got in touch and asked if I could interview certain artists and bands, so I gladly obliged.

So the whole point of this post is to finally put my interviews out on personal medium, after a few months of on air spots, sending back to the labels and a little artist collaboration.

First things first, Carcass would not interview on the day (only one person managed to get one, and he was about 10 years old!), but that's not to say I didn't interview some fairly awesome people.


Might as well start off with one of the biggest interviews that we conducted on the day, with Gaahl of God Seed/Gorgoroth fame. My fellow journalist Par Mahn Azad conducted this one as I recorded.

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b61vj4coruh9ab7/God%20Seed%20Int%20MD.mp3

Next up we interviewed Hacride, who actually weren't performing at the event, but Luis (frontman) was more than happy to tell us about the band, tour & everything else Hacride!

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/jsuu7uzi91a8xm0/Hacride%20Int%20MD.mp3

On the day we managed to get a couple of interviews with people who were floating about the press area/venue, notably Mr Ben Carter of Evile. We caught up with him and got the scoop on the latest Evile news following the departure of Ol Drake. This was more of an informal chat with the Yorkshireman

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hpq0h93b52ep797/Evile%20Int%20MD.mp3

Part 2 of Damnation Festival 2013 will be posted shortly!

I said I'd post new stuff frequently, so why not start with a bang?

This a quick promo of my band, we're in the middle of recording/mixing new tracks (first since 2007).

We used to go by the classically named 'King of The Kill', but now we are simply known as 'HOS'....who knows, that could change at any moment!

This is a sneak preview of our track 'Stonelord', no vocals though (those are for later ;))

Enjoy!

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dxkab8txfy8xvw9/tapemaster1.mp3

Happy 2014!

It's been quite some time since I posted an update on here (exactly a year!), I've got a lot of content to upload over the next few days though, so happy reading (& listening)!

Mark