politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Local By-Election Preview : December 23rd 2015

System

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Local By-Election Preview : December 23rd 2015

Grendon, Underwood and Brill (Con defence) on Aylesbury Vale
Result of council at last election (2015): Conservatives 43, Liberal Democrats 9, United Kingdom Independence Party 4, Labour 2, Independent 1 (Conservative majority of 27)
Result of ward at last election (2015):

Read the full story here

SandyRentool

Eh?

HurstLlama

I am sure there was another thread here just a minute ago.

RobD

Spooky PB!

Hertsmere_Pubgoer

Blimey, didn't realize that by elections are held this close to Xmas.
Turnout must be stonking.
Thanks for the thread Harry and looking forward to your Thursday missives in 2016.

SimonStClare

Jeremy Corbyn 'to announce reshuffle within weeks' after planning demotions over Christmas holidays - Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party


That’s going to ruin the festive season for a lot of worried MPs – it's the new kind of politics?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/Jeremy_Corbyn/12066676/Jeremy-Corbyn-to-announce-reshuffle-within-weeks-after-planning-demotions-over-Christmas-holidays.html

[Cheers Harry - and a merry Christmas to you and yours]

MikeSmithson

HurstLlama said:

I am sure there was another thread here just a minute ago.

There was. I had forgotten about Harry because I didn't expect any by-elections on December 23rd.

Luckyguy1983

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been to one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

HurstLlama

MikeSmithson said:

HurstLlama said:

I am sure there was another thread here just a minute ago.

There was. I had forgotten about Harry because I didn't expect any by-elections on December 23rd.

Thanks for that, Mike. It's always worrying when reality is not as I remembered it just a few minutes ago

Hertsmere_Pubgoer

HurstLlama said:

MikeSmithson said:

HurstLlama said:

I am sure there was another thread here just a minute ago.

There was. I had forgotten about Harry because I didn't expect any by-elections on December 23rd.

Thanks for that, Mike. It's always worrying when reality is not as I remembered it just a few minutes ago

I suddenly came up against a 404 error on the last thread.
I blamed my browser for being an arse.

TheScreamingEagles

I want to live in a place called Brill.

MarqueeMark

TheScreamingEagles said:

I want to live in a place called Brill.

A plaice called brill even....

ThreeQuidder

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I want to live in a place called Brill.

A plaice called brill even....

Oh, for cod's hake.

richardDodd

Just watched Spectre...pure Bond...great fun

AndyJS

Interesting — the UK is the 4th richest country in the world per capita of any country with more than 10 million people according to the IMF:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita

MP_SE

These fish puns are a load of carp.

Tim_B

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

ThreeQuidder

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

Tim_B

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

MP_SE

Tim_B said:

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

Looks like everyone is having a whale of a time on here tonight.

ThreeQuidder

Tim_B said:

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

Are you looking deep into my sole?

Tim_B

MP_SE said:

Tim_B said:

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

Looks like everyone is having a whale of a time on here tonight.

I am - wearing shoes with dover soles and electric eels.

Tim_B

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

Are you looking deep into my sole?

Nope - just hoping my cod piece is big enough.

ThreeQuidder

MP_SE said:

Tim_B said:

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

Looks like everyone is having a whale of a time on here tonight.

We're starting to flounder now.

Tim_B

ThreeQuidder said:

MP_SE said:

Tim_B said:

ThreeQuidder said:

Tim_B said:

MP_SE said:

These fish puns are a load of carp.

- and you can have that in whiting.

I'm not quite herring you.

You did that on porpoise.

Looks like everyone is having a whale of a time on here tonight.

We're starting to flounder now.

Just singing that Welsh song - We'll kipper whelk home in the eels hides.

SandyRentool

Is this the Sturgeon and Salmon(d) thread?

Tim_B

SandyRentool said:

Is this the Sturgeon and Salmon(d) thread?

You're in the right plaice.

kle4

To break away from the fish puns for a moment, mainly because I cannot think of any, I've just seen one of the most surprising titles of an article I've seen in a long time, from Tristram Hunt in the Telegraph.

Labour is now the party of rural England

That's a remarkable claim indeed, I shall be interested in his reasoning.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/countryside/12067570/Labour-is-now-the-party-of-rural-England.html

Thanks to Harry for much info digging into local elections this year.

SandyRentool

On topic - Kippers to finish last.

NickPalmer

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

TheScreamingEagles

@britainelects:

As of 10 o'clock tonight there have been 264 council and parliamentary by-elections (incl. deferred contests) this year. Summary tomorrow.

Quick summary now:
CON make most net gains.
LAB make net losses.
LDEM make net gains.
SNP make net gains.
UKIP make most net losses.

ThreeQuidder

kle4 said:

To break away from the fish puns for a moment, mainly because I cannot think of any, I've just seen one of the most surprising titles of an article I've seen in a long time, from Tristram Hunt in the Telegraph.

Labour is now the party of rural England

That's a remarkable claim indeed, I shall be interested in his reasoning.

Seems pollocks to me but no doubt some people will fall for it hook, line, sinker, rod and copy of Angling Times.

Tim_B

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Welcome to the New World!

MyBurningEars

AndyJS said:

Interesting — the UK is the 4th richest country in the world per capita of any country with more than 10 million people according to the IMF:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita

I wouldn't read too much into the precise rankings - there's a lot of basically random year-to-year variation and substantial measurement error - but we've long been in the richest band of major countries. It can be easy to lose track of that, given our capacity to talk up a crisis and talk down our country. We've all got our pet trends we want to bemoan. But we are rich, and we should be thankful for it.

FrancisUrquhart

The guy who the US have told can't go to Disney Land, something not quite right with the story.

Neither wives are going. It was claimed because one was ill, but is reported now to be in Pakistan, and the other because one child doesn't have a passport. So they got passports for 9 kids and forgot one? How forgetful.

Somebody has been linking to extremist material on Facebook account with same first name and registered to the same home address, but family know nothing about this.

Father was stopped from entering Israel and has no idea why.

Very unfortunate set of events. He might well be victim of US going OTT, but I remember politicians and the plod falling over the families of the school girls that ran off to Syria, they knew nothing, it was totally out of character, they stole the money etc etc etc...but while the families pointed fingers at the school, the plod, etc, they forgot to mention they had been on marches for extremists with their own families.

Edit:- One of the "children" isn't a child at all. He is 19.

TCPoliticalBetting

SimonStClare said:

Jeremy Corbyn 'to announce reshuffle within weeks' after planning demotions over Christmas holidays - Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party
That’s going to ruin the festive season for a lot of worried MPs – it's the new kind of politics?

A kinder form of politics.

Charles

Tim_B said:

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Welcome to the New World!

Although I have brought the UK weather with me to Socal...

kle4

TCPoliticalBetting said:

SimonStClare said:

Jeremy Corbyn 'to announce reshuffle within weeks' after planning demotions over Christmas holidays - Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party
That’s going to ruin the festive season for a lot of worried MPs – it's the new kind of politics?

A kinder form of politics.

It is kinder. It's clear they'd all be dragging out the current messy arrangements for ages otherwise, best to make a change now, and let people know its coming, rather than have that continue.

DavidL

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been to one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

Tim_B

Charles said:

Tim_B said:

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Welcome to the New World!

Although I have brought the UK weather with me to Socal...

The forecast for Christmas Day here in Atlanta Georgia is 75 and thunderstorms.

oxfordsimon

SimonStClare said:

Jeremy Corbyn 'to announce reshuffle within weeks' after planning demotions over Christmas holidays - Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party


That’s going to ruin the festive season for a lot of worried MPs – it's the new kind of politics?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/Jeremy_Corbyn/12066676/Jeremy-Corbyn-to-announce-reshuffle-within-weeks-after-planning-demotions-over-Christmas-holidays.html

[Cheers Harry - and a merry Christmas to you and yours]

If true, this has to be one of the shortest-lived Shadow Cabinets in history.

An utter, utter shambles. You couldn't make it up.

Tim_B

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been to one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant? Really?

Sunil_Prasannan

TheScreamingEagles said:

I want to live in a place called Brill.

Grendon Underwood and Brill - former London Underground Metropolitan Line stations.

Sunil_Prasannan

SimonStClare said:

Jeremy Corbyn 'to announce reshuffle within weeks' after planning demotions over Christmas holidays - Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party


That’s going to ruin the festive season for a lot of worried MPs – it's the new kind of politics?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/Jeremy_Corbyn/12066676/Jeremy-Corbyn-to-announce-reshuffle-within-weeks-after-planning-demotions-over-Christmas-holidays.html

[Cheers Harry - and a merry Christmas to you and yours]

Jeremy "Scrooge" McCorbyn

Sunil_Prasannan

Hertsmere_Pubgoer said:

Blimey, didn't realize that by elections are held this close to Xmas.
Turnout must be stonking.
Thanks for the thread Harry and looking forward to your Thursday missives in 2016.

Christmas surge!

DavidL

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

HYUFD

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was more frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Tim_B

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Sunil_Prasannan

Tim_B said:

Charles said:

Tim_B said:

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Welcome to the New World!

Although I have brought the UK weather with me to Socal...

The forecast for Christmas Day here in Atlanta Georgia is 75 and thunderstorms.

Are you dreaming of a Wet Christmas?

FrancisUrquhart

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Sunil_Prasannan

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

How many % would you give it? Stars out of ten?

I went for 7 on IMDB.

Cyclefree

@Tim_B and @HurstLlama (fpt)

"Let's run the Theory of the Anchored Narrative up the flagpole and open the kimono a crack."

Edited: I sort of get the Anchored Narrative.

And I completely agree about cross-examination. One of the best things about my job!

dugarbandier

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Tapas has changed it's meaning a little in the UK, you tend to get more substantial things too (in my experience, at least)

HYUFD

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian or Bridge of Spies but I enjoyed it nonetheless and for me it was certainly far better than the Phantom Menace even if Empire Strikes Back still retains its crown as the best of the saga

Tim_B

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tim_B said:

Charles said:

Tim_B said:

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Welcome to the New World!

Although I have brought the UK weather with me to Socal...

The forecast for Christmas Day here in Atlanta Georgia is 75 and thunderstorms.

Are you dreaming of a Wet Christmas?

Not dreaming, just expecting. The T-storms have just started, and Heidi is pacing restlessly. 2 more days of this.

HYUFD

Sunil_Prasannan said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

How many % would you give it? Stars out of ten?

I went for 7 on IMDB.

8-8.5

Sunil_Prasannan

dugarbandier said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Tapas has changed it's meaning a little in the UK, you tend to get more substantial things too (in my experience, at least)

Tapas is an Indian boy's name.

Tim_B

Sunil_Prasannan said:

dugarbandier said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Tapas has changed it's meaning a little in the UK, you tend to get more substantial things too (in my experience, at least)

Tapas is an Indian boy's name.

Is he on the bar and free too?

MarkSenior

Conservative cling on in Aylesbury

Con 326 LD 275 UKIP 148 swing 18% Con to LD

Turnout a decent 28.8%

kle4

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian

Ditto. Excellent movie, excellent audiobook too as it happens.

kle4

MarkSenior said:

Conservative cling on in Aylesbury

Con 326 LD 275 UKIP 148 swing 18% Con to LD

Surprisingly close.

Sunil_Prasannan

Tim_B said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

dugarbandier said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Tapas has changed it's meaning a little in the UK, you tend to get more substantial things too (in my experience, at least)

Tapas is an Indian boy's name.

Is he on the bar and free too?

Apparently it derives from the Sanskrit for "heat".

Sunil_Prasannan

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian or Bridge of Spies but I enjoyed it nonetheless and for me it was certainly far better than the Phantom Menace even if Empire Strikes Back still retains its crown as the best of the saga

Cool, then we are in agreement re. Empire!

Tim_B

dugarbandier said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Tapas has changed it's meaning a little in the UK, you tend to get more substantial things too (in my experience, at least)

So not tapas then. More Spanish restaurant.

flightpath01

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.
I would also recommend Dark Star for the same reason.
Also for the same reason the unexpected and unalloyed pleasure of Raiders of the Lost Ark makes it surely the best adventure film ever. In my own humble opinion you have to go back to the Maltese Falcon for comparable entertainment (admittedly a somewhat different genre) that can be viewed again and gain.

Tom

TheScreamingEagles said:

I want to live in a place called Brill.

There's a street next to St Pancras station called Brill Place. It was the site of the Brill Tavern. If you google it you see a lovely rural pub with a pond. Somers Town has changed a lot since then!

DavidL

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Yes but as others have said tapas in the Uk seems to simply mean smallish platefuls to share with friends. There are a lot of fish dishes and some great stews but you only have a small bit of each. Still end up eating way too much of course.

HYUFD

Sunil_Prasannan said:

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian or Bridge of Spies but I enjoyed it nonetheless and for me it was certainly far better than the Phantom Menace even if Empire Strikes Back still retains its crown as the best of the saga

Cool, then we are in agreement re. Empire!

Indeed though still 2 more films to come!

HYUFD

kle4 said:

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian

Ditto. Excellent movie, excellent audiobook too as it happens.

Yes, an excellent film all round and with so many sequels and franchise movies storming the box office this year, Jurassic World, Avengers Age of Ultron, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, Fantastic 4, Spectre, Star Wars the Force Awakens etc it was good to see a really good original film match them in box office takings

flightpath01

Sunil_Prasannan said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I want to live in a place called Brill.

Grendon Underwood and Brill - former London Underground Metropolitan Line stations.

I used to live in Brill. On the Hill. Where the wind blows chill.
Damp foggy and cold in Winter. Nice though.

Tom

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Gone up market a lot in both Spain and London. Pintxos in San Sebastian were always fairly posh, but Madrid now has plenty of upmarket places. rarely free in the big cities now other than sometimes in the south. Quite a few places in London do expensive (and very good) gourmet tapas e.g Iberica.

Sunil_Prasannan

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

AndyJS

OPEC says oil won't return to $100 a barrel until 2040 at the earliest:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/23d9c0ca-a95a-11e5-955c-1e1d6de94879.html?ftcamp=published_links/rss/home_india/feed//product#axzz3vBq2Q8lo

flightpath01

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Is that a Christmas Message?

AndyJS

It's a close run thing between The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope IMO.

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Tom

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Agree. watched return of the jedi on sunday, the only one I hadn't seen. not very good - a re-hash of the first two with added small bears. wonder if in this trilogy the empire will manage to build a death star without a fatal design flaw.

Tim_B

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Yes but as others have said tapas in the Uk seems to simply mean smallish platefuls to share with friends. There are a lot of fish dishes and some great stews but you only have a small bit of each. Still end up eating way too much of course.

I wouldn't even touch "tapas in the UK". Tapas is tapas. The people who brought you the dreadful chicken tikka masala.

Sunil_Prasannan

flightpath01 said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I want to live in a place called Brill.

Grendon Underwood and Brill - former London Underground Metropolitan Line stations.

I used to live in Brill. On the Hill. Where the wind blows chill.
Damp foggy and cold in Winter. Nice though.

There shouldn't be a comma between Grendon and Underwood in the thread header?

Brill is still on the railway map as it gives its name to a nearby tunnel on the Chiltern Main Line into Marylebone

flightpath01

SimonStClare said:

Jeremy Corbyn 'to announce reshuffle within weeks' after planning demotions over Christmas holidays - Labour leader and his team to spend festive break deciding how to reorganise the shadow cabinet and tighten grip on party That’s going to ruin the festive season for a lot of worried MPs – it's the new kind of politics?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/Jeremy_Corbyn/12066676/Jeremy-Corbyn-to-announce-reshuffle-within-weeks-after-planning-demotions-over-Christmas-holidays.html
[Cheers Harry - and a merry Christmas to you and yours]

It ought to concentrate the minds of a few MPs and if it does it ought to destroy his party. If he sacks 5, and so persuades another 10 to resign where does that leave his party?
I can only live in hope.

Sunil_Prasannan

Tom said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Agree. watched return of the jedi on sunday, the only one I hadn't seen. not very good - a re-hash of the first two with added small bears. wonder if in this trilogy the empire will manage to build a death star without a fatal design flaw.

I watched Empire on DVD on Friday night, A New Hope last night, and Return of the Jedi tonight

As well as Force Awakens last Thursday. I have another viewing on New Year's Day.

Sunil_Prasannan

flightpath01 said:

NickPalmer said:

This election must be a candidate for the lowest turnout of the year - honestly, how many of us would vote the day before Christmas in the rain in a safe Tory district council seat with the nearest challengers being UKIP and Greens, and the latter not even standing? It'll be awesome if they break 10%.

Greetings from Connecticut - I was flying out with Norwegian at the same time as that Muslim family who wanted to go to Disney (atheist Corbynites evidently no problem by comparison to that frightful threat). But life's more than politics and I do love the States. Here's to a happy and peaceful Christmas for us all.

Is that a Christmas Message?

Corbynistas don't believe in Christmas messages!

Tim_B

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tom said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Agree. watched return of the jedi on sunday, the only one I hadn't seen. not very good - a re-hash of the first two with added small bears. wonder if in this trilogy the empire will manage to build a death star without a fatal design flaw.

I watched Empire on DVD on Friday night, A New Hope last night, and Return of the Jedi tonight

As well as Force Awakens last Thursday. I have another viewing on New Year's Day.

I have all 6 movies in the 2 dvd editions. Frankly I have no desire to watch any of them as a matter of urgency. I remember going to the Odeon at Wilmslow to watch the original at the age of 26 and being underwhelmed by it.

Sunil_Prasannan

Tim_B said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tom said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Agree. watched return of the jedi on sunday, the only one I hadn't seen. not very good - a re-hash of the first two with added small bears. wonder if in this trilogy the empire will manage to build a death star without a fatal design flaw.

I watched Empire on DVD on Friday night, A New Hope last night, and Return of the Jedi tonight

As well as Force Awakens last Thursday. I have another viewing on New Year's Day.

I have all 6 movies in the 2 dvd editions. Frankly I have no desire to watch any of them as a matter of urgency. I remember going to the Odeon at Wilmslow to watch the original at the age of 26 and being underwhelmed by it.

I watched the original when I was 2 - my parents had to take me out of the theatre because I was so scared

It's grown on me, since then

Luckyguy1983

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Yes but as others have said tapas in the Uk seems to simply mean smallish platefuls to share with friends. There are a lot of fish dishes and some great stews but you only have a small bit of each. Still end up eating way too much of course.

I wouldn't even touch "tapas in the UK". Tapas is tapas. The people who brought you the dreadful chicken tikka masala.

You wouldn't touch 'a small plateful of food'. How odd. You must be very hungry when you come here.

Tim_B

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tim_B said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tom said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Agree. watched return of the jedi on sunday, the only one I hadn't seen. not very good - a re-hash of the first two with added small bears. wonder if in this trilogy the empire will manage to build a death star without a fatal design flaw.

I watched Empire on DVD on Friday night, A New Hope last night, and Return of the Jedi tonight

As well as Force Awakens last Thursday. I have another viewing on New Year's Day.

I have all 6 movies in the 2 dvd editions. Frankly I have no desire to watch any of them as a matter of urgency. I remember going to the Odeon at Wilmslow to watch the original at the age of 26 and being underwhelmed by it.

I watched the original when I was 2 - my parents had to take me out of the theatre because I was so scared

It's grown on me, since then

I think much of the Star wars fandom depends on how old you were when you first saw it.

I was 10 when Dr No came out, so I'm a Bond fan. I'm just not big on Star Wars. Heaven knows there have been some bad Bond movies, and 50% of the Star Wars movies are awful.

Sunil_Prasannan

Tim_B said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tim_B said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Tom said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

Agree. watched return of the jedi on sunday, the only one I hadn't seen. not very good - a re-hash of the first two with added small bears. wonder if in this trilogy the empire will manage to build a death star without a fatal design flaw.

I watched Empire on DVD on Friday night, A New Hope last night, and Return of the Jedi tonight

As well as Force Awakens last Thursday. I have another viewing on New Year's Day.

I have all 6 movies in the 2 dvd editions. Frankly I have no desire to watch any of them as a matter of urgency. I remember going to the Odeon at Wilmslow to watch the original at the age of 26 and being underwhelmed by it.

I watched the original when I was 2 - my parents had to take me out of the theatre because I was so scared

It's grown on me, since then

I think much of the Star wars fandom depends on how old you were when you first saw it.

I was 10 when Dr No came out, so I'm a Bond fan. I'm just not big on Star Wars. Heaven knows there have been some bad Bond movies, and 50% of the Star Wars movies are awful.

"Good is a point of view, Anakin!"

Tim_B

Luckyguy1983 said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Tim_B said:

DavidL said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

@DavidL , which are your 3 good restaurants in Dundee? I've been too one called The Playwright which I really enjoyed.

d
There is the Tapas bar in the Ferry and Castlehill in Exchange Sfreet. Both superb. There is a new one in the Ferry by the chap who used to be the chef in Castlehill which I haven't tried yet.

The playwright is good but needs to change its menu more often.

A tapas bar is an excellent restaurant?

Fantastic. They don't really have a menu. They ask if there is anything you don't like and then bring dish after dish of genuine Spanish cooking. Brilliant flavours and a pleasant atmosphere.

Spanish cuisine is great - I used to live there and love it. But tapas is typically appetisers and finger food. In a spanish restaurant it typically sits on the bar and is free.

Yes but as others have said tapas in the Uk seems to simply mean smallish platefuls to share with friends. There are a lot of fish dishes and some great stews but you only have a small bit of each. Still end up eating way too much of course.

I wouldn't even touch "tapas in the UK". Tapas is tapas. The people who brought you the dreadful chicken tikka masala.

You wouldn't touch 'a small plateful of food'. How odd. You must be very hungry when you come here.

I love Tapas. But once you get onto "tapas in the UK" I am cautious. I was born and raised in the UK and know how awful UK food is.

I love tapas - not "tapas in the UK".

Small portions of various fish and stew dishes is not the traditional definition of tapas.

Dair

HYUFD said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

HYUFD said:

MP_SE said:

HYUFD said:

MP_SE said:

I have finally got round to seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens and in my opinion it is the worst Star Wars movie so far. The Phantom Menace was significantly better. I think we have reached peak Star Wars.

Am seeing it tonight so no spoilers, however given Phantom Menace has only a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and The Force Awakens 95% you are in a minority. I would also be wary as today's Times reports Star Wars fans have issued death threats to any critic who gives the film a poor rating!

Rotten Tomatoes produces some interesting ratings, such as Indiana Jones 4 scoring 78% and Die Hard 4 scoring 82%.

If you are on around 50% or less on Rotten Tomatoes your film is pretty dire which shows how bad Phantom Menace was

Actually the boundary between "Rotten" and "Fresh" is 55%

Even on that it was only 1% above Rotten. Rotten Tomatoes gives Return of the Jedi 80% and Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back 94% making The Force Awakens the best Star Wars movie ever on its ratings as it gave it 95%

The problem with Rotten Tomatoes is that it is a binary opinion on the review - positive or negative rather than a more effective rating. Metacritic scores it as an 81% which, I think is still high but is a lot lower than Rotten Tomatoes indicates.

The problem is that the initial gloss will wear off Force Awakens just as it did for Phantom Menace (Which was initially well received but within a few weeks was being condemned). The audience appreciation ratings on IMDB Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes are PLUMMETTING. It's now only a 7.3 on Metacritic based on 2300 user reviews.

I doubt Force Awakens will reach Phantom Menace levels because so much of it is excellent. But the lack of emotion at the most important character moment in the film is UNFORGIVABLE and this lack of emotion is entirely caused by the true failing of the movie - it has nothing new and is a near scene for scene remake of Episode 4 with a couple of Episode 5 and 6 beats thrown in. This makes it utterly predictable.

No matter how excellent the performances, the characters, the dialogue, the score, the sound design, the effects, the models, the everything - it's all excellent, except the plot which drains all emotion and drama out of the whole thing.

Dair

HYUFD said:

kle4 said:

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian

Ditto. Excellent movie, excellent audiobook too as it happens.

Yes, an excellent film all round and with so many sequels and franchise movies storming the box office this year, Jurassic World, Avengers Age of Ultron, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, Fantastic 4, Spectre, Star Wars the Force Awakens etc it was good to see a really good original film match them in box office takings

Only just caught The Martian and to be honest, it was a decent film but try as I might I could not see why it is getting such a rave reception. In terms of drama and suspense Gravity and Interstellar were so much better and Interstellar had a genuinely emotional ending.

There was nothing hugely gripping in The Martian and nothing which stood out as in any way unique or exceptional.

HYUFD

Dair said:

HYUFD said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

HYUFD said:

MP_SE said:

HYUFD said:

MP_SE said:

I have finally got round to seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens and in my opinion it is the worst Star Wars movie so far. The Phantom Menace was significantly better. I think we have reached peak Star Wars.

Am seeing it tonight so no spoilers, however given Phantom Menace has only a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and The Force Awakens 95% you are in a minority. I would also be wary as today's Times reports Star Wars fans have issued death threats to any critic who gives the film a poor rating!

Rotten Tomatoes produces some interesting ratings, such as Indiana Jones 4 scoring 78% and Die Hard 4 scoring 82%.

If you are on around 50% or less on Rotten Tomatoes your film is pretty dire which shows how bad Phantom Menace was

Actually the boundary between "Rotten" and "Fresh" is 55%

Even on that it was only 1% above Rotten. Rotten Tomatoes gives Return of the Jedi 80% and Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back 94% making The Force Awakens the best Star Wars movie ever on its ratings as it gave it 95%

The problem with Rotten Tomatoes is that it is a binary opinion on the review - positive or negative rather than a more effective rating. Metacritic scores it as an 81% which, I think is still high but is a lot lower than Rotten Tomatoes indicates.

The problem is that the initial gloss will wear off Force Awakens just as it did for Phantom Menace (Which was initially well received but within a few weeks was being condemned). The audience appreciation ratings on IMDB Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes are PLUMMETTING. It's now only a 7.3 on Metacritic based on 2300 user reviews.

I doubt Force Awakens will reach Phantom Menace levels because so much of it is excellent. But the lack of emotion at the most important character moment in the film is UNFORGIVABLE and this lack of emotion is entirely caused by the true failing of the movie - it has nothing new and is a near scene for scene remake of Episode 4 with a couple of Episode 5 and 6 beats thrown in. This makes it utterly predictable.

No matter how excellent the performances, the characters, the dialogue, the score, the sound design, the effects, the models, the everything - it's all excellent, except the plot which drains all emotion and drama out of the whole thing.

It is a concoction of characters and tributes to previous episodes but it is at least good enough to suggest the final trilogy will be rather better than the prologue trilogy

kle4

Dair said:

HYUFD said:

kle4 said:

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian

Ditto. Excellent movie, excellent audiobook too as it happens.

Yes, an excellent film all round and with so many sequels and franchise movies storming the box office this year, Jurassic World, Avengers Age of Ultron, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, Fantastic 4, Spectre, Star Wars the Force Awakens etc it was good to see a really good original film match them in box office takings

Only just caught The Martian and to be honest, it was a decent film but try as I might I could not see why it is getting such a rave reception. In terms of drama and suspense Gravity and Interstellar were so much better and Interstellar had a genuinely emotional ending.

There was nothing hugely gripping in The Martian and nothing which stood out as in any way unique or exceptional.

Gravity was so one note, the Martian had genuine peaks and troughs, it felt so much more realistic and so emotionally impacting compared to gravity which was just a typical disaster movie only in space, rather than a saga of survival, and unlike gravity it managed to escalate its drama and suspense without making the situation seem hopeless and thus survival a contrivance while also having an underlying message of optimism about Human ingenuity and our natures, rather than merely the tale of one person that for meant little. I don't think gravity holds a candle next to the Martian, except in its impressive filmmaking - plot, characters, suspense, all inferior in my view. Not seen interstellar though.

Good night.

HYUFD

Dair said:

HYUFD said:

kle4 said:

HYUFD said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

No, it was certainly not the best film I have seen this year, that is probably the Martian

Ditto. Excellent movie, excellent audiobook too as it happens.

Yes, an excellent film all round and with so many sequels and franchise movies storming the box office this year, Jurassic World, Avengers Age of Ultron, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, Fantastic 4, Spectre, Star Wars the Force Awakens etc it was good to see a really good original film match them in box office takings

Only just caught The Martian and to be honest, it was a decent film but try as I might I could not see why it is getting such a rave reception. In terms of drama and suspense Gravity and Interstellar were so much better and Interstellar had a genuinely emotional ending.

There was nothing hugely gripping in The Martian and nothing which stood out as in any way unique or exceptional.

Gravity was quite good, Interstellar confusing but neither were movies this year, the Revenant with Leonardo Di Caprio also looks good for the new year

kle4

Dair said:

HYUFD said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

HYUFD said:

MP_SE said:

HYUFD said:

MP_SE said:

I have finally got round to seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens and in my opinion it is the worst Star Wars movie so far. The Phantom Menace was significantly better. I think we have reached peak Star Wars.

Am seeing it tonight so no spoilers, however given Phantom Menace has only a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and The Force Awakens 95% you are in a minority. I would also be wary as today's Times reports Star Wars fans have issued death threats to any critic who gives the film a poor rating!

Rotten Tomatoes produces some interesting ratings, such as 82%.

If you arePhantom Menace was

Actually the boundary between "Rotten" and "Fresh" is 55%

Even on that it wasives Return of the Jedi 80% and Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back 94% making The Force Awakens the best Star Wars movie ever on its ratings as it gave it 95%

The problem with Rotten Tomatoes is that it is a binary opinion on the review - positive or negative rather than a more effective rating. Metacritic scores it as an 81% which, I think is still high but is a lot lower than Rotten Tomatoes indicates.

The problem is that the initial gloss will wear off Force Awakens just as it did for Phantom Menace (Which was initially well received but within a few weeks was being condemned). The audience appreciation ratings on IMDB Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes are PLUMMETTING. It's now only a 7.3 on Metacritic based on 2300 user reviews.

I doubt Force Awakens will reach Phantom Menace levels because so much of it is excellent. But the lack of emotion at the most important character moment in the film is UNFORGIVABLE and this lack of emotion is entirely caused by the true failing of the movie - it has nothing new and is a near scene for scene remake of Episode 4 with a couple of Episode 5 and 6 beats thrown in. This makes it utterly predictable.

No matter how excellent the performances, the characters, the dialogue, the score, the sound design, the effects, the models, the everything - it's all excellent, except the plot which drains all emotion and drama out of the whole thing.

Opinion seems to differ between those who think the flaws drain ALL emotion and drama from the positive aspects, as you feel, and those who feel those flaws prevent it from being as good as it could have been, while not preventing it from still being very good. I've been feeling more and more positive about it the more I think about it, which seems the reverse of many people, perhaps in part because I think people are over emphasising the ruining effect of the flaws, which are in some cases major admittedly.

Malmesbury

AndyJS said:

It's a close run thing between The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope IMO.

Sunil_Prasannan said:

flightpath01 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

HYUFD said:

Just been to see the new Star Wars, thought it was good, if not outstanding. The Supreme Leader looked like a larger version of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, which was perhaps unsurprising as both were played by Andy Serkis. Kylo Ren, at least initially, I thought was frightening than the original Darth Vader. Anyway, the ending was set up perfectly for the next chapter in 2 years time!

Glad I am not the only one that didn't erupt in uncontrollable gushing and hyperbole after seeing Star Wars.

Not seen the latest yet, but will no doubt get round to it.
The best Star Wars Film, and indeed quite possibly still the best science fiction film remains Episode 4 A New Hope, ie the first one ever. Despite its limitations of Special Effects (perhaps because of them) its bravura and charm and its understanding of what drives SciFi places it at the top.

The best Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back.

The reason that the Empire Strikes back is a good film is that it has the least amount of George Lucas of all the films until The Force Awakens

David_Evershed

MarkSenior said:

Conservative cling on in Aylesbury

Con 326 LD 275 UKIP 148 swing 18% Con to LD

Turnout a decent 28.8%

18% Swing Con to Lib Dem

DELAYED SWINGBACK !

dugarbandier

Tim_B said:

I think much of the Star wars fandom depends on how old you were when you first saw it.

I was 10 when Dr No came out, so I'm a Bond fan. I'm just not big on Star Wars. Heaven knows there have been some bad Bond movies, and 50% of the Star Wars movies are awful.

I was 7 and saw Star Wars as my first ever film at the cinema, and was blown awayy, of course. By the time Return of th Jedi came out, I didn't give a hoot. and indeed didn't see it until this year. Turns out it was the Muppets do Star Wars. I love Muppets

But, I have an 8 yr old so have manfully watched all the prequels on DVD. Total rubbish of course. Harrison Ford apparently told off George Lucas for his awful dialogue in the original movies. Who knew how much worse it could get.

Don't even mention the midichlorians.

Still, looking forward to seeing the new one with the boy on New Years Day! (Cinema seats are cheaper on 1st Jan!)

Have managed to more or less avoid any big spoilers too. I thought it might be a "Likely Lads Cup Final" scenario, but even the internet is being very gentlemanly about it