Mallorca, movies and music

Well I can hardly complain about my summer being boring.. I went on holiday to Mallorca with my family for 12 days. The weather was glorious, very hot but with a bit of a breeze. Our apartment whilst a bit smaller and with lots more people around it than previous years was very nice. We had our own private garden for sun lounging and there was a large shared pool just a few steps away. I thought the food was a lot better than last year, though I think the meal I maybe enjoyed most was the barbeque we had in our own patio/garden. It was a very lazy holiday but it was nice to just relax and not have to think about anything really, of course I read through a lot of books as I usually do on holiday. The travelling both to and from was fine apart from having to get up at 4am to get our flight there but it meant we arrived early in the day and not at night which is often confusing and not that nice. We were also able to fly back early on our last day which was fantastic as unlike other years we didn’t have to hang about and change appartments etc.

After going for long periods without really going to the cinema I've been four times in recent weeks. The first movie I saw was Dawn of the planet of the apes. I really enjoyed the first movie and the second is definitely bigger and arguably better. The cgi/motioncapture for the apes is amazing, they look so real. The actors who portrayed them definitely deserve major props especially Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbel. There is plenty of action but there is also some quieter moments which is good.

Hail Cesar!

The second film I saw was the Inbetweeners 2. For those outside of the UK who do not know, the inbetweeners started off originally as a TV show following the exploits of four teenagers who aren't nerds but who aren't popular either hence the name inbetweeners. The TV show was three seasons (6 episodes each season).  It is a very funny show but also rather crude with many very awkward moments. I had enjoyed the first movie and I can say the same about the second. Its very crude and I wouldn't watch it with my parents but it made me laugh out loud. Its not perfect but if you like the show its definitely worth a watch.

I also saw Guardians of the galaxy, the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unlike the Avengers they aren't exactly well known outside of comic book fans and even then they aren't that well known so it seems like Marvel took a risk making this movie. Thankfully the risk has paid off. Granted it feels a bit strange to go from Captain America: The Winter Soldier to this and there is some needed exposition at the start but you soon understand who's who and what's happening. It quickly becomes clear that this is quite a quirky film, a bit different from other comic book movies. Its part space opera, part comic book movie part comedy. All the actors have been cast well and all have their moments. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel being cast as Rocket and Groot but both do a great job. The soundtrack is full of  awesome songs from the 70s and 80s and is actually a part of the story.  Of course the action is fantastic as are the effects. My only criticism is that Marvel seem intent on sticking to the 2 hour length on these movies, this means that as with Thor: The Dark World the villain isn't quite as developed as he could be. Of course this is a small criticism for a movie which is very entertaining.

A female assassin, a talking racoon, a human renegade, a walking tree and a warrior walk into a bar... 

Most recently I saw Lucy starring Scarlet Johansson. It is simillar to Limitless that it is based on the premise that we only use 10% of our brains (this is wrong). Its definitely not as grounded as Limitless so you have to suspend your disbelief but it is exciting and it looks great.

As well as seeing four movies recently, I've been to three concerts. The first was Biffy Clyro at Belsonic festival (a series of concerts held in Belfast). This was the fourth time I've seen them live and they were brilliant as always. The support acts were Little Matador the side group of Snow Patrol’s guitarist-Johnny McDaid. They are a lot heavier than Snow Patrol, they have some decent tunes. The main support was Twin Atlantic, they are often compared to Biffy but tbh I am not that fussed about them.

I also saw Queens Of The Stone Age for the second time, they were also playing Belsonic on a different night. I think I enjoyed them a bit more this time due to the better atmosphere, though have to admit I'm not mad about being in such energeic crowds. They were supported by The Minutes who were ok and Brody Dalle (QOTSA singer's wife) who was pretty good.

Note the people watching from the appartments

Finally I was at the first day of Tennants Vital 2014. For whatever reason there was only three bands this time around. The first was Go Wolf, a local band who sounded great but not many people there knew them. The second was Bastille who were put on a good show but I'm not sure I would go to one of their own concerts. The headliners were the Killers returning to Northern Ireland and this was the third time I've seen them now. It was the last date on their tour and they seemed to be having a great time and  so we did as well. They even did two Northern Irish covers, teenage kicks and brown eyed girl. I think I definitely enjoyed it a bit more than the last time I saw them.

Whilst Bastille were on, was a lot fuller by the time the Killers were on

Thanks for reading.