Ben and Barry's Blog

Our Blog has Moved!!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.008Z

As Google have just updated their blogging service, and due to the way we publish our blog, we have now had to move it to:

http://www.benandbarry.com/

Please make sure you update your bookmarks!!

Sherlock Holmes Film Review

2009-12-28T11:40:00.002Z

Good, but nowhere near as exciting as the trailer makes out. Pretty average Holmes story, but with a bigger budget. It takes a while to get going, but once it does it moves at quite a rapid pace. Story of dealings with "black magic", but actually illusion. Good flash backs and slow-mos of how they solve the mysteries and beat the badies. Don't know what really else to say, was expecting more, just finished and felt meh! They have obviously left it open for a sequel as there is endless talk of Moriarty.

Ben 7 out of 10
Barry 7 out of 10

http://sherlock-holmes-movie.warnerbros.com

Basingstoke White Out

2009-12-22T10:00:00.002Z

Well as you may have seen on the news today Basingstoke was particularly hard hit by snow last night. I left my car at work an walked home. Barry's usual 25min journey took 5hrs and he had to abandon his car out on the main road!! Even though he was sent home at 3pm yesterday before the snow really hit, he was expected to be in work this morning! Needless to say he hasn't gone, but we did go and retrieve his car this morning and took some pictures on the way.

Avatar 3D Film Review

2009-12-17T11:00:00.002Z

Not sure why there was such a massive build up for this film as the story has been retread many times, one of forced relocating of the natives while a love story evolves. There was also much fuss over the 3D technology used, but again couldn't see anything remarkably different from other 3D films. However brush this aside, as the film as a whole is remarkable. The CGI really is true next gen, with scarily uncanny recreations of Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington as the blue Na'vi and great battle scenes towards the end of the film. You do really feel a connection to the CGI characters which probably make up 60% of the film. While the trailers make it look like a glorified video game in reality its a great story of the fight of the little people against humans ravaging their planet.

Ben 9 out of 10
Barry 8 out of 10

http://www.avatarmovie.com

The Box Film Review

2009-12-10T12:00:00.002Z

The Box starts out as a very interesting mystery/thriller. Push a button, someone who you don't know dies and you get $1 million from a strange man with a burnt face! However things then start to go wrong, both for the films stars and also with the film itself. It wanders off into the weird and wonderful sci-fi fantasy, well it is directed by the guy who did Donnie Darko. The film ends well, but leaves a few untied ends, like the whole "why" and "what" the heck was that, on the sci-fi element. If they'd left that aspect out it would have still been a great thriller, so its a shame they felt the need to stick it in.

Ben 7 out of 10
Barry 7 out of 10

http://thebox-movie.warnerbros.com

Planet 51 Film Review

2009-12-08T12:45:00.002Z

Animated kid fodder from a new CGI studio. Quite a novel story where man lands on Planet 51 and becomes the alien invader. However its backed up by small star voices and average animation. It does offer a few chuckles, but nowhere near Dreamworks quality and miles and miles from Pixar!

Ben 6 out of 10
Barry 5 out of 10

http://www.planet51.com

Law Abiding Citizen Film Review

2009-12-07T11:15:00.000Z

Story of the good guy gone bad to overturn a corrupt justice system, which is more interested in keeping a perfect win score and making deals with criminals than actually putting them behind bars. What is an open and shut case of murder, turns into a long nail biting thriller, with you actually supporting the "bad" guy. Excellent film with excellent pace and action.

Ben 8 out of 10
Barry 8 out of 10

http://www.lawabidingcitizenfilm.com

Gang Weekend

2009-12-05T11:00:00.003Z

Everyone popped round this weekend for early Christmas, bowling, films and a touch of very loud, out of tune Rock Band! ;-)

New Moon Film Review

2009-12-01T11:30:00.003Z

This film is like watching paint dry! Heres a summary: 1 hour of moping around 'cos shes been dumped, 30 minutes of her imagining seeing him, 5 minutes werewolf action, 20 minutes umming and ahhing over whether she likes Edward or Jacob best, 5 minutes deciding she likes Edward. This is honestly one of THE MOST BORING films we have seen, and can't see the fascination with the film or books. The only saving grace is the werewolf fitties and brief action sections. Other than that its literally a film about her splitting up and moping around. You have no connection to the characters, the acting is wooden and I couldn't wait to leave the cinema.

Ben 2 out of 10
Barry 2 out of 10

http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

Sister Act Theatre Review

2009-11-28T15:00:00.002Z

Our Christmas 2008 present from Beryl and Ray and our present to Mum and Mary, its now November 2009 and we finally went to see Sister Act in the London Palladium. The show borrows the story from the film, but none of the songs, so don't go expecting "My God" or "I Will Follow Him". However the songs that are in the show are superb and very uplifting. The main lead, Patina Miller, has a superb voice and takes off Whoopi's style very well. Lots of non-stop smiling and a right good musical.

Ben 4.5 out 5
Barry 5 out of 5

http://www.sisteractthemusical.com

2012 Film Review

2009-11-22T11:15:00.002Z

What a great disaster movie from the master of disaster Roland Emmerich! He literally destroys LA, Las Vegas, Washington and parts of China! No wobble cam in sight and very slow panning shots over the disasters, so that you can see every little CGI person dropping down the lava filled holes! It does get a bit tiresome at the beginning when the cast keeps managing to 'just' make it away from the disaster happening about 2ft behind them, but they truly are jaw dropping, so you don't mind. By the end of the film the story turns more to the human side and the end of Earth as we know it, with some good moral twists. A superb popcorn munching action movie!

Ben 9 out of 10
Barry 9 out of 10

http://www.whowillsurvive2012.com

New Door

2009-11-18T08:30:00.000Z

Just in case you can't find us, we've had our front door changed and a change in colour!

Up Film Review

2009-11-13T19:00:00.002Z

What a superb, superb film! An emotional roller coaster, an animated film has never made us both cry twice! The opening story is intensely sad and the reason that Carl sets out on his journey. Meeting up with Russell the wilderness scout, Kevin the bird and Dug the dog along the way, it takes you through a huge range of emotions from touching to frightening. There are also some laugh out loud moments to lighten the load. On the whole the story is probably better that last years Wall-E, but the film does leave you feeling a bit drained at the end, so looses a point!

Ben 9 out of 10
Barry 9 out of 10

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/up

Jennifer's Body Film Review

2009-11-07T18:30:00.003Z

What happens when a rock band carries out a botched virgin sacrifice to the devil for fame and fortune on your non-virgin friend? Well she obviously doesn't die and the devil inhabits her body of course!! A slightly aboove average teen slasher romp propped up by Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. Ms. Fox basically goes around feeding on the boys and its upto "Needy" to stop her. Fairly average entertaining stuff.

Ben 7 out of 10
Barry 7 out of 10

http://www.jennifersbody.com/

Old Pants on Fire!!

2009-11-07T12:00:00.002Z

Barry has been threatening to burn my old pants for ages, and the end of the last holiday was actually the deadline!! Have been searching frantically all week, and today he did burn my old ones!! I don't think they were that bad!!

Our final day :-(

2009-10-24T03:09:00.003+01:00

Our last day we spend relaxing by the pool, visiting Disney Quest and a cracking dinner in Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. See you all soon in freezing rainy UK :-(

...and split one more time!

2009-10-22T10:00:00.002+01:00

We head back to Typhoon Lagoon to face the massive tidal waves again. The Lewingtons and Gareth head to Universal Islands of Adventure.

See all the photos here...

We split again...

2009-10-21T10:00:00.002+01:00

Today the Lewingtons and Gareth headed to Universal Studios, while Barry and I try Disney's two water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

See all the photos here...

Hollywood Studios Day 2

2009-10-20T14:00:00.006+01:00

This morning we chill by the pool, as we want to go into the park later to see the evening show Fantasmic. This is also actually Day 3 for Gareth, Barry and I, but we still had the new Toy Story Mania 3D ride and Voyage of the Little Mermaid show to finish off! Toy Story is the longest we've had to queue all holiday at a relatively small (for Disney) 45 minutes!

In the evening we see the fantastic Fantasmic show (video too big to upload again).

See all the photos here...

We split today

2009-10-19T09:30:00.000+01:00

Mark and Carol wanted to goto Seaworld. Barry, Gareth and I carried on with Disney's Epcot.

We managed to zoom round Epcot pretty quickly, as it was very quiet, and we were done by 2pm. We did all the big rides like Soarin', Test Track and Mission Mars. We also went on the re-imagined Spaceship Earth inside the large Epcot ball, which had a rather amusing customisable video at the end. We then popped back to Hollywood Studios to finish off Star Wars, Hollywood Tower of Terror and the Baclot Tour.

See all the photos here...

Meanwhile Mark, Carol and Charlie were at Seaworld for the day.

See all the photos here...

Mall and Mini Golf

2009-10-18T12:00:00.002+01:00

We needed another day to rest, so we went to the mall for a spot of lunch and some gentle shopping. On the way back we stopped at a mini/crazy golf course to play a couple of rounds, before heading to dinner.

Animal Kingdom

2009-10-17T11:00:00.001+01:00

After a day off on Friday in the pool in the sun, we head onto yet another park, Animal Kingdom, which we actually manage to complete in one day. There are a couple of great shows in the park: Lion King and Finding Nemo The Musical (both clips are too long too upload!). We also do Bug's Life 3D, Expedition Everest, see a parade and go on safari! We also come to the conclusion that Elliot loves train/tram rides as he always wakes up for them and laughs and gurgles all the way!

See all the photos here...

Hollywood Studios Day 1

2009-10-15T11:00:00.002+01:00

Having completed one park, we move onto the next Hollywood Studios. We see the Indiana Jones show, Muppets 4D, get caught in a torrential down pour of rain, ran to the Beauty and the Beast show, then gave up as it was actually a bit grey!

See all the photos here...

Magic Kingdom Day 2

2009-10-14T13:00:00.002+01:00

Time to go back and complete the other half of the Magic Kingdom. We went in after having lunch, so that we could stay and see the two evening shows: Spectromagic and Dreams Come True Fireworks.

Day Off and Pirate Dinner

2009-10-13T19:30:00.003+01:00

Today we had a rest, swam in the pool, lay in the sun, went to the Outlet Mall and had dinner with pirates!!

See all the photos here...