I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Month: July 2014

Film: Jack Ryan – Shadow Recruit

Posted by on in Films

I really liked “The Hunt for Red October”. The two subsequent Jack Ryan films weren’t so good though. I think that this version is the second re-boot of these stories in film. Chris Pine seems like quite a good choice for the central character. It wasn’t a bad film either. Not amazing, not terrible by any standards. I think it’s interesting to see Chris Pine involved in his second re-booted film series. Firstly Star Trek, which has been an amazing restart, and now this franchise. I wonder if the Jack Ryan films will take off again?

Either way, it’ll be interesting to see if it gets another film, and if they decide to re-make any of the previous films.

Big Finish: Survivors – Esther

Posted by on in Listening

Survivors-Esther

The final episode in this excellent first set or series from Big Finish didn’t fail to deliver at all. A great climax (I won’t tell you what happens), and a great set up for the next set of episodes which I am now patiently waiting for.

Of course, this version has just given me a taste for the other versions again, so I started watching the last BBC version on netflix, and I think I might have to buy the original on DVD.

Matt Johnson (The The) on Soul Mining at 30

Posted by on in Music

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Well, to be honest, it is Soul Mining at 31, but who’s counting right?

Last night I went along to Rough Trade East to listen to Matt Johnson from The The talk about Soul Mining, The The and what he’s been doing. I went with a certain sense of trepidation as I always worry that I’ll listen to someone who’s music I’ve enjoyed for many years and then I’ll listen to their opinions about other stuff and I won’t be able to listen to their music anymore.

Not so with Mr Johnson. No, we was excellent. Funny, insightful and full of interesting stories about the album and the music. I really enjoyed listening to him talk about each song as well, it gave interesting background, without breaking the spell of what has long been one of my all time favourite albums.

Of course, the evening was even better as I walked away with the 30th (31st to be precise) anniversary box set of Soul Mining, and it is a thing of beauty I have to say.

So now it deserves a proper listen. Well that won’t be a chore will it.