State of the Cheesecake Nation – 2014 Edition

Posted on February 22, 2014 by paul

Lets just skip the whole “it’s been months since your last update” thing. It has been months and I’m truly sorry. Onwards!

And the award for musical excellence goes to…

My other half knows that I am a sucker when it comes to the more unusual musical nuggets you can find on the internet. She heard this and immediately thought of me. I’ll be honest I can’t for the life of me think why?

Oh I remember now – an army of evil undead unicorns invading Dundee. Knew I’d remember eventually. The album, Tales from the Kingdom of Fife is gloriously silly but also manages to be proper RAWK at the same time. Gloryhammer are great fun. Highly recommended listening my internet chooms.

The Remake/Reboot Quandary

Lots of buzz floating around at the moment regarding various reboots and remakes. Robocop reappeared recently and immediately polarised opinion. There has also been lots of talk re new Fantastic Four movie on the horizon. When it comes to remake and reboots I tend to take each on a case by case basis. There are certain films for example where I think it would be entirely unnecessary. Your never going to better the likes of Jaws or The Godfather so frankly why bother trying. On the other hand comic book movies can be remade/reimagined and work quite successfully. Spiderman being a perfect example. I enjoyed Tobey Maguire’s take but Andrew Garfield’s version is equally valid.

Random Internet Wish Fulfilment

I read a wild rumor yesterday that Mads Mikkelsen might be being considered to possibly be in with a chance of being involved with being in the running for Dr Strange*. That has the potential to be spectacularly bonkers if by some slim, and I mean proper tiny here people, chance this turned out to be true. Imagine Hannibal Lecter as the Sorcerer Supreme. I reckon he could pull that role off with aplomb.

Mads Mikkelsen yesterday

On a side note – I’ve always been a fan of Dr Strange’s huge oversized collar. I hope that makes it into the movie version when it does finally appear.

You Might Think That, I Couldn’t Possibly Comment

Started watching US version of House of Cards. The Internets were all excited about season 2 so I thought I best give season 1 a try. It’s kinda weird as I still have reasonably vivid memories of the original UK version with Ian Richardson. Don’t get me wrong I was impressed with Kevin Spacey’s performance. Frank Underwood is suitably manipulative and power hungry but I think Francis Urquhart just nudges it for me. Weirdly this article in the Telegraph sort of captures my point. I will continue watch the new version though. I am intrigued to see the differences between the two interpretations.

Francis has his eye on you. Run away!

Anyway, enough of this internet folderol. I’m off to go and contribute to society in some far more meaningful way. Perhaps a new book review?

Till next time brethren,

Be excellent to one another and stay frosty

Sir Francis Cheesecake

* My that was a long sentence wasn’t it? Got there in the end mind you so I think we’re all good.

Pablo Cheesecake vs 2013

Posted on December 17, 2013 by paul

Nearly the end of 2013 so I thought a little review of the last twelve months might be in order. Here is a plethora of random stuff and things that caught my eye.

Vikings, Bloody Thousands of Em’!

For reasons I’m not entirely sure of there have been quite a lot of viking related stuff in 2013. I find myself rather pleased. (I think perhaps in my more whimsical daydreams I like the idea of being a Viking myself.)

I read the first Northlanders graphic novel by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. It’s a superb bit of storytelling and visual striking work.
Swords of Good Men by Snorri Kristjansson was released and I got to meet him. Splendid chap and excellent book.
The Polaris Whisper by Kenneth Gregory also has a distinctly Nordic tone and a plot point that managed to catch me totally unaware, which was nice.

We’re going to pick a fight!

Everything about the the television show The Vikings is brilliant. The soundtrack by Trevor Morris is particularly evocative. Looking forward to season two already. The History Channel really picked a winner with this one.

It’s All About The Rimming

Pacific Rim was one of my favorite films of 2013. No, I don’t care if the physics was wrong. I don’t give a single whopping fuck if the Jaegers would collapse under their own weight. Give me a break… IT WAS GIANT ROBOTS FIGHTING GIANT ALIENS FOR FUCKS SAKE. It’s essentially Power Rangers with a humungous budget. Great fun, ace soundtrack and Ron Perlman wearing gold tipped boots. Doesn’t get any better than that. Consider me a certified, dyed in the wool Kaiju groupie.

The other Rim this year was Skyrim. I finally caved and started playing the game on PC. Her inside the doors has been raving about it for ages now. I have to admit it is quite addictive. The game looks beautiful and stuff like this can happen.

This is going to end badly…

The Golden Age of Geekdom

I have this theory – If you’re a geek you’ll be pleased to know that we are now living in a golden age. Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Man of Steel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. There has been a whole shedload of great comic book related movies this year. The best part – there are so many more still to come. Hollywood has finally cottoned on to the fact that geeks love their superhero movies (as long as they are treated with a bit of respect). Which was my favourite? Man of Steel I think. Henry Cavill worked perfectly as a the last son of Krypton. The story was epic in scope and the Hans Zimmer soundtrack is suitably anthemic to boot.

Its like looking in a mirror. Honestly!

Kickin It Old School

I rediscovered Nemesis the Warlock this year. Purely by accident it came back into my life and I’m glad to report it is still one of the best comics I’ve ever read.

If you’ve never read it before you really should.

Doctor What?

Fifty years and still going strong. All the anniversary shenanigans were fab. We were lucky enough to see The Day of the Doctor at the local cinema and it was wonderful. It left me genuinely excited for the arrival of Mr Capaldi.

So there you have it. Some stuff wot I liked this year. I imagine I will probably like stuff next year as well. Time will out.

Trolls, The New 52 and a Bake-a-thon

Posted on September 10, 2011 by paul

Pablo Cheesecake, Trollhunter

This morning Mrs Cheesecake and I went to the cinema and we saw the latest found footage movie, Trollhunter. I demand you go and see this film immediately. This Norwegian epic is such good fun. The scenery is breathtaking. The story was highly enjoyable and the trolls themselves are a sight to behold.

I enjoyed this so much I felt compelled to ask Mrs Cheesecake to help me recreate a scene from the film. If you have been lucky enough to see the film then I think you can agree that the result is spookily accurate.

Pablo Cheesecake – Troll Hunter

I would particularly like to draw your attention to the fact I am wearing my nice bright green socks (perhaps not obvious as the photo is quite small, click on the photo to em-biggen). My feet were freezing when we got to Norway this afternoon. Also worth pointing out my hair goes the same colour as the trolls when it needs to get re-dyed (sad but true).

I am slightly concerned that there is going to be an English language remake of this. That would be a damn shame. The Norwegian cast were pitch perfect and I really cant imagine this story working anywhere else in the world.

The New 52

I also dipped my toes back into the world of comics this week. After much pondering I decided to I pick up Swamp Thing and Animal Man from the new DC range. Both were rather good. It has been a long time (years) since I bought any comic and I have to admit I was sceptical but turns out I was wrong. I think I may have to pick up Green Lantern next week. How long will this rekindled love affair last? Only time will tell.

Cakeageddon

Mrs Cheesecake has found her own bliss this week. Today after we got back from town she made a huge rustic loaf of bread, an apple and blackberry pie, a red velvet cake? and roast lemon and herb chicken. Check out the Twitters for evidence of this epic feat. I am being totally spoiled by all this homemade cookery. It is epic. Even as I type now she is pottering around in the kitchen making a cream cheese frosting for the cake. I think my waistline may explode. At least I will die happy 🙂

I’m going to go and get some cake.

Cheerio

Cheesecake Away!

Ka-Blogged!

Posted on August 6, 2011 by paul

A Treasure Trove

This afternoon Mrs Cheesecake and I were tidying out a room and I happened across an old box full of random comics. In amongst all of the regular Marvel and DC fare there were a number of independent titles that I had forgot I owned. Check these out

Fat Ninja Adolescent Radioactive

What can I say – I went through a phase when I was a younger that the weirder something was the more I was interested in it. The results I believe speak for themselves. There are others as well but things just get weirder and weirder so perhaps I’ll leave those for another time.

Captain America Fuck Yeah!

It would appear that there is a distinctly comic book related theme to this post. Tomorrow Mrs C and I are going to go and check out the latest Marvel movie offering. The trailer looked pretty cool. Chris Evans appears to be a good choice for the Cap. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be jonesin for The Avengers at movie’s end. Lets see shall we.

I am The Law*

Last week I received Marshal Law: Fear and Loathing , as a late birthday gift. If you haven’t read this you should. This is a classic. Seek it out immediately. I demand you do this NOW!

Marshall Law

Seriously though this fucking rocks. It is well worth your time.

* Never mind Dredd this is the future policeman you should be worried about. Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill really do know their stuff.

To infinity and beyond!
Captain Cheesecake

Calling all the Heroes…..

Posted on June 7, 2010 by paul

When it comes to film there is nothing better than sheer unadulterated escapism. I want, nay demand, the following: flying people, explosions, cunning stunts and superpowers. Over the last couple of years it seems that the big movie studios are starting to get my none too subtle hints. Comic book movies can be cool. Iron Man worked well. The Dark Knight was epic in scope. I am, and probably always will be, the eternal optimist so I’ve decided to take a look forward at what’s on the horizon when it comes to comic book adaptations.

The Green Lantern

I have high hopes for this. I like Ryan Reynolds and I reckon he can pull off Hal Jordan (oh that just doesn’t sound right now that I’ve typed it). If Ryan happens across this little blog I have but one thing to ask (ok two). Can you reign in the zany about 70% ?. While I’m making demands would like to see Kilowog in the mix as well. Ohh check out this most decent fan art I found on the interwebs.

Deadpool

Gosh it’s that chappie Reynolds again. This time as the merc with the mouth, Deadpool. Again Ryan if your reading this please feel free to go entirely the other way with this one. In fact the more batshit insane the better I think.

Captain America – The First Avenger

I saw The Losers (another comic book inspired movie fact fans) at the weekend and I enjoyed all the performances. Chris Evans did his usual charming goofball shtick. I’ve seen the concept art and he certainly looks the part but again like Reynolds in Green Lantern dial down the sass (good word there from Mrs Cheesecake).

The Avengers

We have much love for Iron Man here at Casa de Cheesecake. Judging by the pics seen so far The Mighty Thor will indeed rock. The Hulk will most likely be back and if rumours are true we’ll see Hawkeye and possibly Ant Man/Giant Man. Throw the First Avenger into the mix and it’s all good. I’m sure Joss Whedon can do the business. I always enjoyed his TV shows, even the ones that were cancelled way to soon.

Actually that reminds me. I was once in Belgium and saw an issue of The Avengers in Flemish. De Vergelders (who knew Marvel published in Flemish. That’s pretty cool.)

Rumour- Monger

There are loads of other adaptations we are likely to see soon as well. More Batman, unlikely it will be The Dark Knight Returns but we can live in hope. More Spiderman, a shame they are going for a reboot I enjoyed Raimi’s take.

One final thought. If anyone out there wants a cracking comic that would make an excellent film you could do a lot worse than Alien Legion. Consider yourself told.

Direct from the Cheesecake Cave

Captain Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake Kicks Ass

Posted on April 6, 2010 by paul

My final movie blog of the Easter weekend is Kick Ass. Someone on the interweb said that the Daily Mail would shit kittens over this one and I can see why. The film contains da da da “Adult Content”. You heard correctly folks there is violence,swearing, self abuse and self tan. They even use the c-word. I spotted it, more than once in fact, I am shocked to report that the word comics is mentioned.

All joking aside I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I have enjoyed all of Matthew Vaughn’s previous films but comic books are very close to my heart and I was a little worried. It is fair to say that I feel this way about every comic book adaption that makes it’s way to the big screen and will continue to do so. (I’m looking at you Green Lantern, Thor, Iron Man 2 etc).

My worries appear to have been groundless. The film worked pretty well and the changes to the story made the characters seem a bit more fun. Those who have read the comic know that the hero doesn’t get the girl. He does in the movie version. Oh shit spoiler alert! Damn sorry. Oh come on your only going to see the film if you know the book anyway aren’t you?

The cast were all good. I think Mark Strong and Chloe Moretz were exceptional.

Yes the film is violent. Yes the subject matter is undeniably silly but fuck it it’s only a movie.

Now where’s my lycra leotard? (if you knew me you would realise just how horrific a mental picture this actually is)