The Decline of UK Politics
I’ve written this post from the perspective of politics in the UK but I daresay that some of the points are relevant to other Western countries. Please note that this is not a post advocating any particular political stance or ideology. It is a commentary about the system itself and the public’s current relationship with the world of politics per se.
Two party politics has dominated the UK for over two hundred years and the electoral system that has evolved reflects that. The first past the post system has major shortcomings when dealing with emerging parties and diverse voting patterns. In recent years the traditional parties have seen a decline in membership and they no longer enjoy the levels of support with the UK electorate that they did fifty years ago. My parents grew up in a culture of tribal politics, driven by class, wealth and left wing and right wing ideologies. I personally think the notion that a single party can adequately represent all my political, philosophical and ethical needs is risible. Therefore I have no specific party allegiance or cleave to a particular political school of thought. I am a floating voter when it comes to both local and national elections.
I’ve written this post from the perspective of politics in the UK but I daresay that some of the points are relevant to other Western countries. Please note that this is not a post advocating any particular political stance or ideology. It is a commentary about the system itself and the public’s current relationship with the world of politics per se.
Two party politics has dominated the UK for over two hundred years and the electoral system that has evolved reflects that. The first past the post system has major shortcomings when dealing with emerging parties and diverse voting patterns. In recent years the traditional parties have seen a decline in membership and they no longer enjoy the levels of support with the UK electorate that they did fifty years ago. My parents grew up in a culture of tribal politics, driven by class, wealth and left wing and right wing ideologies. I personally think the notion that a single party can adequately represent all my political, philosophical and ethical needs is risible. Therefore I have no specific party allegiance or cleave to a particular political school of thought. I am a floating voter when it comes to both local and national elections.
Although politics is a deeply divisive and problematic subject to discuss, a fully functioning democracy requires a politically literate and engaged population. Sadly that is not the case at present. Political debate, national policies and our entire approach to the subject has deteriorated in my lifetime. Politicians are viewed cynically by the overall population and often for legitimate reasons. Parties no longer seem to be driven by any credible ideologies or dogma. Major issues are seldom addressed and often kicked into the proverbial long grass. Furthermore the media exults political discourse of the lowest common dominator. Meaningful and civilised debate is virtually non-existence. Consequently large swathes of the population are no longer interested in politics. Many of those that profess to be so, are ill informed and have no idea how to discuss their views in a viable manner.
It is ironic that in an age when virtually anyone has access to tools that allow them to express an opinion and engage with others, that the level of debate has so notably declined. We live in a binary world in which opposing views are not countered by facts and data but are merely shouted down. In seems that many who live in our democracy seem to eschew its universal applicability. Tolerance, politely begging to differ and simple common sense are scarce commodities these days. Furthermore the UK has slowly since the sixties assimilated US style politics, which chooses to focus on the cult of personality rather than issues. Electoral pledges and longstanding policies are replaced with soundbites. It’s no longer about advocating what your party can offer but sowing the seeds of fear about the opposition. Last year’s general election result effectively came down to floating voters deciding at the last minute based on who they feared the most with regard to running the economy.
This malady affects politics at every level. From the comments section of any news website, to local government, right the way up to Parliament itself. I recently attended several council meetings regarding a local issue and was shocked by the lack of decorum and the subpar debating skills of the councillors. Straw man arguments and ad hominem attacks were rife and the quality of the meeting was very poor. Few had any concept of public speaking or debating skills. Yet this approach to politics is endemic at present and I fear it will be the driving factor behind the forthcoming Europe referendum. I would like to see detailed arguments from both sides of the debate, backed up with facts and data. Whether the UK remains part of the EU is an extremely complex matter with major ramifications. Surely the public needs to be provided with robust information before an opinion can be formed or decided upon. Sadly the debate will be driven by fear and some perfunctory soundbites. It is deeply worrying that a decision of this magnitude will be decided upon in such an arbitrary manner.
The most depressing thing for me about the state of contemporary UK politics is the feeling that my vote carries no weight and is of little consequence. I believe this is a contributory reason why a third of the UK’s 45,000,000 registered voters do not bother to cast a vote. Let us not forget that there is a further 6,000,000 people who are entitled to vote but have not registered. Thus we have elected government implementing policies with nowhere near a convincing mandate. The current administration is in power after successfully polling about a quarter of the electorate. Again due to the failings of the current voting system other parties gained over 4,000,000 votes yet only secured one seat in Parliament. Unless you live in a marginal seat that can potentially swing between parties, then your vote has no impact upon political change.
I am also not comfortable with the blanket demonization of all politicians, journalists and pundits. Although many are of a poor standard there are still those that seem motivated for the right reasons. During my career I’ve met many on both sides of the political divide that I admire. However they are often hamstrung by the system they work within and the fact that they are often dealing against groups with powerful vested interests. The net result is that those of worth and character frequently go unnoticed on a national level. Plus the unsophisticated rhetoric of the current political arena means that we seldom get beyond “Tory scum”, “bleeding heart liberal” and “Champagne Socialist”. Such hyperbolic language stifles any discussion and further muddies the waters. The opinion of those that use such jargon is seldom informed.
What I would like to see emerge from the current status quo would be a new voting system based upon some form of proportional representation. I would also like to see new parties emerge as well as far more independent candidates, especially at local level. There is a need for policies born out of intelligent debate from all quarters, rather than thought up be biased think tanks. Politicians need to create a new covenant with the electorate and validate it by their deeds. However I am fully aware that this is all highly unlikely. Society seems to be regressing at present, as the divide between rich and poor increases and tolerance, informed opinion and a wider world view are largely in decline. I can if pressed fall back up a personal position of “I’m alright Jack” but many can’t. Also I don’t want to have to adopt such a self-centred and isolationist mentality.
As I stated at the start, I do not consider this post to be a political statement in support of a particular party or group. I merely see it as a summary of the perceived failing of our current political system. It is of course based upon my own personal perspective. I’m sure that those that enjoy power would see it quite differently. However we are far from a golden age of national politics and are not necessarily a nation driven by common ideals and values anymore. The good of the country seems to have been supplanted by the needs and desires of the individual. None of this is good for the UK. A healthy democracy needs a government that is seen to respond the wishes of its people. There is also a need for a robust opposition and debate. None of this is possible if the majority of the electorate are political disengaged. If this situation is not addressed then the future consequences could be dire.
Things to do in 2016
There is a danger that this post may come across as a little self-serving and possibly even smug. That is not my intention. I am always fascinated by this time of year and the tradition of News Year Resolutions, mainly because so many people fail at them. Because I take a somewhat different approach, which is very much driven by my personal nature, I tend to fair a little better than some at achieving the things I wish to. Perhaps by sharing my approach and philosophy, it may be potentially beneficial to others. Then again it may not. Humans are such a wonderfully bizarre mass of contradictions.
There is a danger that this post may come across as a little self-serving and possibly even smug. That is not my intention. I am always fascinated by this time of year and the tradition of News Year Resolutions, mainly because so many people fail at them. Because I take a somewhat different approach, which is very much driven by my personal nature, I tend to fair a little better than some at achieving the things I wish to. Perhaps by sharing my approach and philosophy, it may be potentially beneficial to others. Then again it may not. Humans are such a wonderfully bizarre mass of contradictions.
At the start of each year I like to set myself some achievable goals to work towards. I do not waste my time on unrealistic and unachievable resolutions because they serve no purpose. I prefer setting specific targets that can be reached through planning, application and diligence. Overall this process usually works and I successfully managed to meet the goals I set myself for 2015. I have continued to blog on a daily basis more or less and am pleased with the way that the new podcast is developing. My business ventures have also progressed positively and I find myself in a better position financially twelve month on. Therefore it is time to consider what projects and undertakings I shall pursue this year.
Overall it simply comes down to more of the same. I want to continue to write for Contains Moderate Peril as often as I may. I also want to continue to podcast and would like to have more guests as well as broaden the range of subject covered. The main difference this year is that I want to reach a wider audience. I want the presentation and technical aspects of both to be more professional and I want to interact with more people. I would also like to see the The Gaming and Entertainment Network expand and include a greater variety of shows. That however is a group decision and not something I am solely responsible for.
On a personal note I am also looking to move this year. I tweeted in jest last night that I’d like to retire. However the more I think about this, the more I realise that I actually mean it. I’ve worked for thirty years and frankly the novelty has worn off. For me and a good many other people, work is driven by a financial imperative. If an alternative way could be found to finance my lifestyle, then I’d cease working immediately. I have a multitude of hobbies and interests and I am not afraid of my own company. Retirement is something I would happily embrace. Achieving it is another matter though. I think that a staged withdrawal from working is more realistic goal. Time will tell.
To achieve any sort of goal, it needs to be thoroughly scrutinised to determine if it is possible. For example it is highly unlikely that I shall perform a set at Glastonbury with Wilko Johnson, as I do not know the gentlemen and have no musical ability whatsoever. However it is not beyond the realms of possibility to have a guest such a John Smedley on the Burton & Scrooge Podcast. It would certainly take some work but it is a far more plausible aspiration. I think if people take time to temper their resolutions with a healthy dose of realism then they will stand a greater chance of being successful.
Once you’ve set your goal then you have to set about achieving it. This will require dedication, motivation, a degree of self-sacrifice. Dedication requires you to be focused and continually work towards your goal. It is not easy and there will be days when you will think about taking a short break or deferring what you need to do. This is where motivation comes into play. With regard to my continued blogging and podcasting aspirations, I frequently find that my motivation is lacking at times. I have plenty of ideas but have to really work hard at just sitting down and writing them down at times; hence the need to embrace self-sacrifice. If you want to get the job done and achieve your goal then you will need on occasion to give up something enjoyable to accommodate the work you need to do.
As I mentioned earlier, people are not homogenous and what suits one will not suit another. Therefore my somewhat glib advice may be obvious to some and akin to walking over hot coals for others. I appreciate this and am not trying to make it all sound incredibly easy. It is not. We all wrestle with my own demons in our own particular way. However there are things we can do to help us on our way. Creating a list or basic strategy can help. Setting daily tasks and then assigning a reward is also good psychology. Avoiding distractions or the company of those who would lead you from the path is prudent. Maintaining a healthy belief in your own abilities can help. Marcus Aurelius can provide many a motivational quote and they are still relevant today.
So I’m going to continue sharing my thoughts online in 2016. They seem to be relatively well received by a few readers and listeners. I also find the process invaluable to myself. Thinking out loud helps me marshal my thoughts. Plus I see creating content per se to be a vicarious form of self-improvement. I think a fundamental part of being human is try to better yourself in some way. As for those who still remain unconvinced or who are wavering with regard to their New Year Resolutions, that feeling you get when you finally reach your goal is unique. It makes it all worthwhile. So good luck to you all and may you be fruitful in your endeavours. I still have my eye on global domination and a volcano lair. I already have a swivel chair.
A Year in Blogging and Podcasting
I’ve been blogging and podcasting for quite a few years now and although I enjoy both mediums, they do come with a degree of work. Also both undertakings require financing and at times can be quite costly. Yet despite these aspects of content creation, I still enjoy both mediums as a participant and as a consumer. There are still plenty of great blogs out there as well as informative and engaging podcasts. If anything 2015 was very much the year of the podcast as Serial proved. I consider reading blogs, listening to podcasts and watching quality You Tube channels to be the equal of commercial television and believe that these mediums will increasingly compete against more traditional platforms in the coming years. Here are some of the shows that I view and listen to:
I’ve been blogging and podcasting for quite a few years now and although I enjoy both mediums, they do come with a degree of work. Also both undertakings require financing and at times can be quite costly. Yet despite these aspects of content creation, I still enjoy both mediums as a participant and as a consumer. There are still plenty of great blogs out there as well as informative and engaging podcasts. If anything 2015 was very much the year of the podcast as Serial proved. I consider reading blogs, listening to podcasts and watching quality You Tube channels to be the equal of commercial television and believe that these mediums will increasingly compete against more traditional platforms in the coming years. Here are some of the shows that I view and listen to:
· The Infinite Monkey Cage (A BBC science podcast with Professor Brian Cox and Comedian Robin
· The Secret History of Hollywood (A movie podcast featuring historical analysis and debate)
· Writing Excuses (A podcast about creative writing and its respective techniques)
· Noah Coldwell-Gervais (You Tube channel featuring in-depth games essays and analysis)
· Every Frame a Painting (You Tube channel featuring movie analysis and technical criticism)
· GnC Films (You Tube channel specialising in comparing different versions of movies and exploring regional variations and cuts)
I moved my blog in August 2015, which was a hard decision. For the previous twelve month Contains Moderate Peril has been generously hosted by Host1Plus at no cost. Despite being very happy with the service provided, the website itself had a wealth of legacy posts from previous incarnations of the blog and was rife with formatting issues, broken links and missing content. Rather than attempt to fix the problem, which meant manually amending and republishing over eight hundred posts, I decided to reboot the site from scratch. I also felt it was time to move away from Word Press and so chose to use Squarespace for my hosting needs. It can be hard to see a lot of your content vanish from the internet overnight but overall this was the prudent thing to do.
Perhaps the biggest change regarding my blogging and podcasting in 2015 was my choice of content. When I started writing back in 2007 I was focused on one game. I soon discovered that this was quite restrictive and over time merged my different blogs into one. It would appear that I have more to say other than discussing gaming and movies and in recent months the topics of debate, especially on Burton & Scrooge podcast have become quite broad. I intend to continue this approach into 2016 as I feel that I’ve exhausted some topics over the last seven years. Whether these wider subjects will chime with existing readers and listeners remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see my end of year summary next December.
A Year in TV
In recent years TV and cinema have effectively exchanged roles. When I was a child, cinema was the home of narrative driven drama, the exploration of complex social issues and at times even art. It attracted the best writer and as a result the best actors; whereas TV was the home of Airwolf. Thirty years on the opposite is now true. Cinema is often choked with bloated, bombastic franchises, largely devoid of any depth or substance. Television produces numerous multi-layered adult dramas that provide both writers and actors with far broader concepts to explore. Of course there are exceptions on both sides but broadly the analogy rings true.
In recent years TV and cinema have effectively exchanged roles. When I was a child, cinema was the home of narrative driven drama, the exploration of complex social issues and at times even art. It attracted the best writer and as a result the best actors; whereas TV was the home of Airwolf. Thirty years on the opposite is now true. Cinema is often choked with bloated, bombastic franchises, largely devoid of any depth or substance. Television produces numerous multi-layered adult dramas that provide both writers and actors with far broader concepts to explore. Of course there are exceptions on both sides but broadly the analogy rings true.
Once again the past twelve months has provided far more quality television than I could possibly keep up with. Therefore I have confined myself to watching a handful of shows that I can apply myself to. Fortunately some content producers are now favouring shorter seasons, so I have managed to binge view some additional series after their initial run along with someone off dramas and miniseries. Here is a selection of some of the material that I have found entertaining and engaging in 2015.
The Blacklist
In spring I had a gap in my viewing schedule and decided to try season one of The Blacklist. I must admit the pilot episode with its strong opening gambit really grabbed my attention. Needless to say I voraciously consumed the first two seasons. So why is this show so good? Well frankly that question needs a blog post in itself but here are a few bullet points:
The Blacklist maintains a good balance between traditional procedural stories and the ongoing mystery of Raymond "Red" Reddington.
The case and the criminals that feature are consistently inventive and provide a great vehicle for guest star appearances.
The long term back story unfolds at a measured pace and doesn’t overwhelm the episodic format.
James Spader is utterly compelling and just excels at these sorts of roles.
Thunderbirds Are Go
Rebooting a show such as Thunderbirds is a tall order. For it to work you need to be inventive and find a way for the format to appeal to both old and new audiences. It’s a balancing act between keeping the heart of the old show and establishing a new identity. However ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures have manged to do this and do it well. The production is a superb blend of CGI and miniatures, providing the show with as strong visual aesthetic. Yet despite providing a very contemporary technological environment Thunderbirds Are Go still has numerous homages to the original series.
Ultimately Thunderbirds Are Go strength lies in its scripts and characterisations. Despite running half the length of the original shows the Tracey brothers have established their identities over the first season and are extremely likeable. The stories often have a subtle moral subtext that extols the virtues of team work and collaboration. Furthermore the score by Ben and Nick Foster is suitably heroic. Keeping David Graham as the voice of Parker was also an incredibly good call. I’m very pleased that this show has found an audience and that the kids like it. Roll on season two!
The Hunt
The BBC has always been at the cutting edge of documentary film making. They continue to employ the best wildlife photographers in this field and showcase their work to great effect. Obviously the dulcet tones of Sir David Attenborough are an invaluable asset to these productions. His narrations are informative, enthralling and humane. This latter attribute is especially important as The Hunt focuses on the continual struggle between predator and prey in the natural world. It can be quite grim at times but such is the nature of subject. Over the course of its seven episodes viewers are shown Crocodiles ambushing the migrating Wildebeests, Cheetahs stalking Gazelle and Polar Bears climbing a steep cliff face to feed on the eggs and chicks of nesting birds.
The Hunt is a prime example of intelligent and engaging wildlife documentary film making. Too many natural history programs these days seem to be nothing more than “isn’t nature amazing” or “aren’t we clever, we built a Penguincam”. Considering the scope of The Hunt, the show manages to find the right tone. We are shown the predators stalking their prey but the kills are not excessively dwelt upon. That is not to say that the film makers shy away from the very nature of the subject. Instead they show a measured approach, ensuring that the show remains accessible to a broad audience. The behind the scenes footage shown at the end of each episode are also very insightful and informative.
Ash vs Evil Dead
I was sceptical about Ash vs Evil Dead when I first heard about the show. Not because of its pedigree which is outstanding; my concerns where with the thirty minute format, which traditionally is the province of sitcoms. However after having watched most of season one I can say that my fears were unfounded. Ash vs Evil Dead uses this relatively short running time to its benefit. Each week the story is advanced, there is a wealth of amusing banter between the cast and a blood soaked set piece. The creative freedom that cable networks afford is invaluable to this production. This show is profane, violent and has lashings of gallows humour. Sam Raimi’s original tone is still maintained and runs through each episode. Oh and Bruce Campbell is a joy to watch.
The Man in the High Castle
I first found out about this show via a billboard outside a supermarket I regularly use. At first I thought it was an advertisement for a movie, and then I noticed that it was an Amazon Prime production. A little research piqued my curiosity so I took advantage of a free trial for the video on demand service and binged viewed the entire first season. I must admit that although I enjoyed this curious story set in an alternative reality where Germany won World War II, I was somewhat wrong footed by its philosophical and metaphysical subtext and plotlines. However that in many ways is part of the shows charm as it doesn’t just pursue a traditional linear “alternative history” storyline.
As ever with dramas, the most interesting characters are the villains and those who seem to be at the mercy of fate. Both Rufus Sewell as SS Obergruppenführer Smith and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi, give robust performances and at times are more interesting than the main protagonists. The production design is also a continuous source of interest with common place items, iconic buildings and everyday technology given a veneer of Nazi aesthetic or Japanese ambience. It should be noted that as this is not a network show so the content is pitched at a more mature audience. The cliffhanger ending of episode ten was very intriguing. I have high expectations for season two.
A Year in Gaming Part 2
I started 2015 playing RPGs. Despite becoming bored with Dragon Age: Inquisition and its ponderous storyline, I still found this particular genre engaging. January and February are often slows months in my line of work, so it’s a good time of year to immerse oneself in games of this type. I played through both Arcania : Gothic 4 and Rise of the Argonauts and found them both to be enjoyable. Neither of these titles was revolutionary, being mainly “business as usual” RPGs. However both were bought as part of gaming bundles and the discounted price does have an impact upon my gaming expectations. For what they were, I enjoyed them.
I started 2015 playing RPGs. Despite becoming bored with Dragon Age: Inquisition and its ponderous storyline, I still found this particular genre engaging. January and February are often slows months in my line of work, so it’s a good time of year to immerse oneself in games of this type. I played through both Arcania : Gothic 4 and Rise of the Argonauts and found them both to be enjoyable. Neither of these titles was revolutionary, being mainly “business as usual” RPGs. However both were bought as part of gaming bundles and the discounted price does have an impact upon my gaming expectations. For what they were, I enjoyed them.
During the course of the year I strayed from my using game choices on two occasions and both proved to be good decisions. Hand of Fate is an action role-playing video game with roguelike and deck-building elements. I usually never touch deck based games but the fact that each hand of cards plays out in third person action combat intrigued me. Furthermore the creators Defiant Development have continually patched and added free DLC to the game over the course of the year. The other title that was a departure from my usual purchasing habits was The 39 Steps, which is a digital adaptation of John Buchan’s classic story. The interactive narrative that allows you to engage with the world around you and discover the story is imaginative and creative. I hope that Scottish developer The Story Mechanics do more famous novels in this idiom.
As I stated in my previous post about my gaming experiences of 2015, that I’ve changed my stance on the MMO genre. I have continued to play through content updates for LOTRO and am overall pleased that such material is still being produced. However the latest update set in Minas Tirith is of varying quality and for ever good and engaging quest line, there is also an arbitrary or frankly disappointing one. I have never been a fan of the Epic Battles but the two new ones set upon the walls of Minas Tirith are extremely underwhelming. As ever the NPCs do most of the fighting and I found my involvement relegated to cutting grappling hooks from the walls. Navigating around the wall and city circle below is confusing and frustrating. Update 17 is also somewhat unstable and I have had more crashes to desktop over the last month than I’ve had in the game for the last few years.
Star Trek Online proved to be far more engaging in 2015 than in previous years. The Delta Recruitment event was a great way to encourage players back to the game and to reward levelling. I enjoyed my experience so much I bought a discount lifetime subscription. Like LOTRO, STO benefits from a great IP and they really do utilise it well. Cast members from the show continue to voice characters that they’ve played and the standard of writing is consistently high. STO is also the only game in which I’ll grind through seasonal festivals as Cryptic are one of the few developers that giveaway decent loot, rather generic cosmetic items. I have earned two Tier 6 ships over the course of the year, both of which are worth £20 each.
I tried Marvel Heroes this summer after hearing positive feedback about the game from several friends. I must admit the game does provide a great way to scratch that pew pew itch and the barrier to entry is low. You can roll an alt and be playing within minutes of downloading the client. It’s also one of those titles where there’s always something going on or something to work towards. However because I don’t have any major ties to the source IP, I decided not to make this one of my primary gaming titles. I was hoping that the Heart of Thorns expansion for Guild Wars 2 would fill that role. Sadly the new landmass and class were not to my liking and ArenaNet are simply taking the game in a direction I’m not happy with. So Guild Wars 2 was finally uninstalled from my PC where it’s been since the games launch in August 2012.
It is customary to list ones favourite games at this time of the year or pick a specific title that is worthy of praise. For me that has to be The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. The fact that I played over three hundred hours between October and November indicates how compelling I found it. The open world is magnificent, rich with detail and a dynamic weather system. The game mechanics are sufficiently varied to be engaging without being too complex. You can play tactically relying upon your spells or focus on potions and support items if you please. Naturally if you prefer a more hands on approach you can go full out DPS. But the games crowning glory is its narrative and the sense that your decisions really do have an impact upon the world. I cannot remember the last time I played such a gripping story and cared this much about the central characters. The story telling in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is adult and complex. This is not a binary world with clear cut consequences.
2015 has seen a reduction in my overall gaming per se. My free time has fresh demands upon it and coupled with my changing relationship to both fandom and the wider gaming community, I don’t feel disposed towards playing as much. The close of the year has seen me dabble with the cell phone controlled RPG, Eon Altar and that has been a positive experience so far. I also bought GTA V at a discounted price so have explored that open world in recent weeks. At present I do not have any major titles in mind to purchase in 2016. I suspect that the next twelve months will more than likely follow the same path as the last, with regard to game releases and my attitude towards them. I suspect if gaming wants to vie for my attention in 2016, it will have to pull something quite special out of the bag.
A Year in Gaming Part 1
This time last year I wrote a two part post called A Year in MMOs. Twelve months later I find myself writing a similar round-up of my gaming activities. However this time round the title has now become A Year in Gaming. One of the most significant changes for me over the course of 2015 has been my step away with the MMO genre. Where in the past I would seek out new titles and stay abreast of those in development, I now find myself no longer drawn to the genre by default. Traditional titles such as LOTRO have been sidelined. This is because both MMOs and I have changed over recent years. Although I still play this genre (mainly STO), I do so sparingly and it is no longer the apple of my eye or the mainstay of my gaming time.
This time last year I wrote a two part post called A Year in MMOs. Twelve months later I find myself writing a similar round-up of my gaming activities. However this time round the title has now become A Year in Gaming. One of the most significant changes for me over the course of 2015 has been my step away with the MMO genre. Where in the past I would seek out new titles and stay abreast of those in development, I now find myself no longer drawn to the genre by default. Traditional titles such as LOTRO have been sidelined. This is because both MMOs and I have changed over recent years. Although I still play this genre (mainly STO), I do so sparingly and it is no longer the apple of my eye or the mainstay of my gaming time.
Game design and mechanics naturally evolve over time and are often driven by basic market forces. There is therefore a wealth of differences between games such as Ultima Online and Guild wars 2. Although I have adapted to the more casual game play that is now prevalent in the genre recently, I do find that MMOs are becoming increasingly homogeneous. Beyond their own setting and lore, new titles seldom have anything different to offer with regard to game design. They lack of a killer mechanic; something that makes them a radically different experience from their competitors. Then there is the requirement to invest time in such games, which is something I can no longer do. The days of me playing a particular game every day for five hours or more have past.
So this year I’ve found myself playing more single player games; titles that can be played and completed within a reasonable time span. In fact I found this to be a satisfying aspect in my overall gaming experience. I like the idea of playing through a compelling story at a measured pace and then reaching a definitive conclusion. This may take just a dozen hours, as was the case with Hand of Fate and Rise of the Argonauts or over three hundred with titles such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. It is an experience more akin to reading a book, indicating that a strong narrative is an essential aspect of my gaming enjoyment. It would seem that as I get older I want less of a challenge and more of an emphasis on entertainment. Excessively complex games, with a steep learning curve and chronic skills bloat are not as attractive to me as they use to be.
Another facet of gaming that has changed for me this year has been my perception of the wider community, including both fan and professional websites. I have stopped reading several news outlets and blogs simply because they do not provide any valuable information about games any more. 2015 has been the year of the live stream of the "let's play" video on You Tube and these are now an integral part of my decision making process as to whether to buy a game or not. However I’m increasingly finding that my age often put me at odds with many of the You Tube personalities. I appreciate that many are running commercial endeavours but their need to “entertain” and be “characters” for me gets in the way of the reviews and critiques. Take for example Jim Sterling’s #FuckKonami “campaign”. I broadly agree with the sentiments he’s trying to express but the very terms it’s couched in just strike me a puerile and therefore mitigate much of the point.
When you are a fan of something, you often feel that it is something special, unique and meaningful. There is a chance that the object of your affection is all those things but more often than not that is simply wishful thinking. Games are commercial leisure products, made with the express purpose of making money for the publishers. The wider industries associated with marketing and reviewing them are similarly self-serving. Perhaps part of a gamer’s personal journey over time is finding a sense of perspective on these matters. I believe this year I have found such a point of equilibrium. Gaming is an entertaining leisure activity and that on occasions can be art. But for most of the time it is an ephemeral pastime and a shamelessly commercial endeavour (I’m looking at you Star wars Battlefront) and therefore should be treated as such.
A positive lesson I have learnt over the course of this year’s gaming is that I now have a very clear handle on what I want from the title that I play. Apart from one mistake which was the Guild Wars 2 expansion Heart of Thorns, I have enjoyed all of the purchases that I have made this year. This essential comes down to fully researching each title and what it specifically has to offer as well as at what price point I purchase a product at. Once again it is interesting how the financial cost of a game impacts upon ones expectations. I no longer feel like a child in a toy shop, running from display to display, overwhelmed by the choice available. 2015 has been the year of coming to terms with what games are and what I want from them. It's only taken me a quarter of a century!
A Year in Social Media
The internet is awash with competing forms of social media, all offering a platform for you to interact with your peers. Although I feel that there are a lot of positive aspects to all these mediums, there is also a downside. Need I really catalogue all the iniquities of Twitter or Facebook? Let it suffice to say that the internet giveth and it also taketh away. Social media is like any other tool and therefore has to be used appropriately. If used correctly then it can be informative, entertaining and a great way to broaden your horizons. The alternative is a portal into a world of anger, stupidity and shit. 2015 was the year that I feel I finally got my personal relationship with social media right.
The internet is awash with competing forms of social media, all offering a platform for you to interact with your peers. Although I feel that there are a lot of positive aspects to all these mediums, there is also a downside. Need I really catalogue all the iniquities of Twitter or Facebook? Let it suffice to say that the internet giveth and it also taketh away. Social media is like any other tool and therefore has to be used appropriately. If used correctly then it can be informative, entertaining and a great way to broaden your horizons. The alternative is a portal into a world of anger, stupidity and shit. 2015 was the year that I feel I finally got my personal relationship with social media right.
I have never really seen any practical benefits to me or my writing in using Facebook or Google +. Until recently all posts that were made on Contains Moderate Peril were automatically posted to both platforms. However this failed to bring readers to the primary website and resulted in a separate audience growing on both alternate outlets. Effectively this increased the work load as there were now three platforms to be marketed to and engaged with. This struck me a counterproductive, so this autumn I ceased to use both these mediums and focused upon generating traffic solely for Contains Moderate Peril. Abandoning these two social media platforms proved quite easy. Facebook has become increasingly obtrusive in recent years and I didn’t care for the way it continued to harvest my phone for information for its own benefit.
For the present twitter continues to be my primary social media of choice. The rule of thumb with this particular platform seems to be you get back what you put in. Your personal twitter experience comes down to who you follow and how you engage with them. Some high profile twitter users do interact with their followers. Others simply use it as an impersonal means of marketing and promoting. Other unofficial “rules” to consider is it’s not mandatory to follow someone back just because they follow you. It’s also worth remembering that if you don’t like what someone is saying then stop following them. Despite what some folk would have you believe, twitter is not a microcosm of popular sentiment and is not a definitive litmus test on any weighty issue. Twitter amplifies extremes and it’s worth remembering that “empty vessels make the most noise”.
I genuinely enjoy the banter I share on twitter and like interacting with a broad and diverse group of people from around the world. However an incident this year raised the question as to whether I was spending too much time in an online echo chamber. Should I include news feeds and political commentary in my twitter timeline? Was it incongruous to flit from the ephemeral to weightier issues? Should I segregate such content or integrate it further into my twitter feeds? I eventually decided to move some of the more challenging material to a different twitter account. As I use TweetDeck I can display separate timelines in multiple columns; when required content can be temporarily muted.
Finally late in the year I discovered Slack. The Gaming and Entertainment Network set up a group and I was invited to join. Although I was aware of this team collaboration tool and had heard many positive things about it, it wasn’t until I used it did I fully realise how flexible a platform it is. It’s ideal for sharing all manner of material within a group and project planning. Or if you prefer it’s also a great way to talk shit with your friends. I can see this particular platform featuring heavily in all future undertakings both by Contains Moderate Peril and the Burton & Scrooge podcast. If you haven’t used it I would urge you to check it out.
Social media like any other communication product seems to have a distinct pattern to its lifecycle. There are earlier adopters that enjoy the benefits of using a product that is not yet mainstream. However sooner or later the world and the wife will discover the new platform and it will inevitably start to become more commercial and burdened by the lowest common denominator. Sponsored tweets are a prime example of this this process. I shall continue to use twitter in 2016 although I do think that may be it has peaked within this framework. Therefore I shall be keeping my eye out for the next emerging social media platform and may well break my own habit of not becoming an early adopter.
A Year in Technology
As technology has such an impact upon so much of our lives I thought I’d take some time to reflect upon how I have personally used it over the last twelve months. Having worked in the IT industry for twenty years my relationship with technology has constantly evolved over time. As I’ve stated before both on the blog and podcast I no longer feel compelled to be an early adopter or at thecutting edge of technological change. The hardware and apps that I use from day to day are tools and I now treat them as such, rather than as fashion accessories. Practicality and functionality are the things I look for the most in the products that I use and if there are no immediate benefits to be gained then it doesn’t get purchased and installed. It would seem the reality and personal maturity has finally trumped the “wow” factor.
As technology has such an impact upon so much of our lives I thought I’d take some time to reflect upon how I have personally used it over the last twelve months. Having worked in the IT industry for twenty years my relationship with technology has constantly evolved over time. As I’ve stated before both on the blog and podcast I no longer feel compelled to be an early adopter or at thecutting edge of technological change. The hardware and apps that I use from day to day are tools and I now treat them as such, rather than as fashion accessories. Practicality and functionality are the things I look for the most in the products that I use and if there are no immediate benefits to be gained then it doesn’t get purchased and installed. It would seem the reality and personal maturity has finally trumped the “wow” factor.
First off, the only major change I made to my PC this year has been an upgrade in operating system. Like 110 million other people I opted to install Windows 10 and have been broadly pleased with the results. It corrected a lot of the issues associated with Windows 8 and even produced a performance increase from my year old computer. Beyond this all other tinkering with my computer has been very low key. In July I bought a new steel series mouse which has proven to be good choice. Then in October I changed web browsers, moving from Chrome back to Firefox. If anything 2016 was more of note for the amount of software I uninstalled from my PC. The rule of thumb has been if it’s not being actively used then it goes. As a result many games and productivity tools have been removed.
Another major technological shift for me this year has been the way I use my smartphone. As with my PC I have been very particular about what apps I’ve installed but I’ve also broadened my usage. I do an increasing amount of personal banking via my phone as both the domestic banks I use have well written and secure apps, offering a broad range of services. Whilst travelling in May, I used my phone to successfully navigate from London to Liverpool, book accommodation and find a suitable restaurant. Both my smartphone and tablet are my main communications hubs, with access to all my email and social media accounts. It would appear that there is now a distinct delineation of services between my PC and phone; the former being a tool for content creation and the latter my own personal switchboard.
With regard to blogging and podcasting 2015 has been the year I finally stopped using WordPress. Although a very flexible platform, maintaining a self-hosted site becomes increasing involved the more it grows and expands. My move to Squarespace has proven to be hassle free and a sound choice. It is also a far more financially viable option; an important factor as both blogging and podcasting are ongoing financial black holes. Zencastr has proven to be a most effective means of recording the Burton & Scrooge podcast and has helped streamline the production process. It records from Skype, using the individual sound card of all those participating in the call. It then stores them as separate but synchronised tracks via Dropbox. The only improvement left for me to carry out in 2016 is the purchase a new microphone.
2015 was also the year my DVR became redundant. My set top box still has programmes recorded from the previous Christmas which have still not been watched. I simply don’t view live TV content anymore as on demand players have eliminated the need for me to record content. Binge viewing popular shows has proven far more satisfactory than the traditional approach of one episode per week. Even my consumption of news and current affairs has moved from TV to online. Radio has also become a medium that I increasingly use, mainly through a phone or a tablet. Furthermore when radio cannot provide the entertainment I’m looking for then podcasts will often suffice. Podcast and Radio Addict is my app of choice for both these mediums.
It would appear that technological downsizing and using new mediums for traditional content have been the major themes in my use of technology over the last year. I think the defetishising of gadgets and hardware has been for me a positive step. The pace of change once again has proven to be both surprising and exhilarating. I have also noted that a healthy dose of scepticism has been beneficial. My first forays into the use of contactless payments were problematic as I expected they would be. 4G coverage is also a term I continue to be wary of. However overall I have felt that my use of technology has been positive over the last twelve months and I look forward to seeing what changes 2016 will bring.
A Christmas Carol (1984)
Clive Donner's 1984 version of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol” is bold and different mainly because of the casting of George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is told with precision and an eye to detail. In some respects it’s the most authentic adaptation, with credible performances from the ensemble cast. Alastair Sim's portrayal in the 1951 film has always been perceived as a benchmark and provided a template as to how the role should be interpreted. Scott replaces the traditional anger, bitterness and rage with a cold and utterly dispassionate demeanour. There is a strong sense of honesty in his Scrooge as the audience follows him on his emotional journey. The tears, the regret and the realisation that there is still hope are all present, yet explored in a very non-theatrical manner.
Clive Donner's 1984 version of the Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol” is bold and different mainly because of the casting of George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. The story is told with precision and an eye to detail. In some respects it’s the most authentic adaptation, with credible performances from the ensemble cast. Alastair Sim's portrayal in the 1951 film has always been perceived as a benchmark and provided a template as to how the role should be interpreted. Scott replaces the traditional anger, bitterness and rage with a cold and utterly dispassionate demeanour. There is a strong sense of honesty in his Scrooge as the audience follows him on his emotional journey. The tears, the regret and the realisation that there is still hope are all present, yet explored in a very non-theatrical manner.
There is always a danger with so called "all-star" casts that the actor’s respective fame can swamp the story. This is not the case here and all acquit themselves well. Frank Finlay is the Ghost of Jacob Marley and adopts a somewhat sinister tone. Edward Woodward is affable as the Spirit of Christmas Present; complete with stilts to increase his eight. David Warner is spot on with his Bob Cratchit, maintaining a sincere performance. You feel for this man but never pity him. The production also hits the mark with Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim. His acting is credible and devoid of excessive sentimentality. Overall it is this measured approach that makes the production so unusual. The story's moral rectitude is present but the message is delivered in a subtle fashion.
The exterior locations shot in Shrewsbury are exquisite and bolster the authentic atmosphere of the production. Scrooge's grave can still be visited at St Chad's Church graveyard, where the churchyard sequence was shot. The production team left the gravestone in place once filming was completed. Originally commissioned to be shown on TV by CBS, A Christmas Carol was released theatrically in the UK. Scott's performance was subsequently nominated for an Emmy. It garnered positive critical reviews and has over the years, has built a deserved reputation for being a very robust and intelligent adaptation. It certainly has not been bettered by more recent adaptations.
LOTRO – Major Initiatives for 2016
Turbine has published their 2016 road map (or major initiatives as they now call them) for LOTRO and as ever, it is being hotly debated on both the official forums and on sites such as Massively Overpowered. Next year LOTRO will see a level cap increase to 105, the inclusion of a new instance clusters, a twelve player raid and the start of a collection system. The two yearly updates will take players to the Battle of Pelennor Fields and then on to the Black Gates of Mordor. Turbine are also promising to regularly fix bugs and improve what they call “quality of life”. Overall I think this is just “business as normal” as far as LOTRO goes and once again I think we have to be realistic about the sort of new content you get in an MMO of this age. If Turbine can deliver all the above then frankly I’ll just roll with it.
Turbine has published their 2016 road map (or major initiatives as they now call them) for LOTRO and as ever, it is being hotly debated on both the official forums and on sites such as Massively Overpowered. Next year LOTRO will see a level cap increase to 105, the inclusion of a new instance clusters, a twelve player raid and the start of a collection system. The two yearly updates will take players to the Battle of Pelennor Fields and then on to the Black Gates of Mordor. Turbine are also promising to regularly fix bugs and improve what they call “quality of life”. Overall I think this is just “business as normal” as far as LOTRO goes and once again I think we have to be realistic about the sort of new content you get in an MMO of this age. If Turbine can deliver all the above then frankly I’ll just roll with it.
First and foremost what strikes me the most about this road map is how near we are to the “end” both in terms of the story of The Lord of the Rings and the license that keeps the game afloat. If we find ourselves at the Morannon in late October 2016, then the following year will really be about rapping up the storyline and giving players a satisfactory conclusion. Personally I don’t think there is scope for any further license extensions or stays of execution and that once the expiry date of the current legal agreement is met, then the game will fold. Therefore I want to see the epic story in LOTRO concluded in a satisfactory way. The road map for next year seems to be addressing this. The game dawdled too long between 2010 and 2012.
Popular opinion on the nominal level cap increase seems split. It raises such issues as a new gear grind or more specifically a new set of essences to obtain. Once again many of those debating the pros and cons of this forthcoming change fail to see that they are not really representative of the majority of LOTRO players. My primary character is a level 100 Lore-master and I have elected not to pursue essences for slotted gear. I only play the PVE content and have found that not having the highest stats on my gear has not been an impediment. As for my LI it is imbued and I see no reason to throw any further resources at it. It can simply level as I do. Again my gameplay is not suffering as result of this decision. If you don’t want to grind then don’t do so.
Something else to ponder is that Turbine have responded to player concerns in the past and deferred such things as level cap increases. It may not be likely that they’ll do it again but I think it demonstrates that there is scope for augmentation to the 2016 road map. Plus there is the major hurdle of completing the new server migration and the technical revisions being made to the in-game chat system. If these prove to be problematic and swallow precious time and resources then it could prove ill for LOTRO. Only time will tell. In the meantime for the average LOTRO player it’s been an adequate year and it looks like the next twelve months will be so to. Considering that the MMO genre is no longer the paragon of virtue and cash cow that it use to be, I think we should consider Turbines 2016 plan to be the best option available.
Alternative Christmas Movies
As the season of goodwill reaches its zenith, there's nothing I like better than to sit in my comfy fireside chair with a bucket of Brandy, a mountain of nuts, whilst fitted with a catheter so I can watch some quality seasonally themed films. Let's face it Christmas TV is usually a load of old bollocks, consisting mainly of repeats of TV specials featuring dead, unfunny comedians and classic films butchered to fit the midday schedules and shown in the WRONG aspect ratio. So rather than enduring such poor entertainment, I thought I'd share the love and sentiments of the time of year, by recommending some alternative material for your edification.
As the season of goodwill reaches its zenith, there's nothing I like better than to sit in my comfy fireside chair with a bucket of Brandy, a mountain of nuts, whilst fitted with a catheter so I can watch some quality seasonally themed films. Let's face it Christmas TV is usually a load of old bollocks, consisting mainly of repeats of TV specials featuring dead, unfunny comedians and classic films butchered to fit the midday schedules and shown in the WRONG aspect ratio. So rather than enduring such poor entertainment, I thought I'd share the love and sentiments of the time of year, by recommending some alternative material for your edification.
Die Hard (1988)
So let us begin with the all-time best Crimble movie ever. Die Hard. Yes Uncle Bruce gets his vest dirty and shoots Germans. The star of the film is of course Alan Rickman who oozes malevolence and delivers his dialogue with abject relish. "I wanted this to be professional, efficient, adult, cooperative. Not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way... so he won't be joining us for the rest of his life". A veritable blue print for other action films with is perfect blend of human drama, action and wisecracking. Go watch a high definition copy and relish the bullet hits. Oh and don't forget to kick it old school with Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis.
Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990)
Lightning can strike twice, even during the festive season, so next up we have Die Hard 2. Is it as good as the first? Of course not, but it's still a solid action movie which compensates for not having Alan Rickman, by including some really unpleasant violence. There’s a throat cutting, a head in the baggage handling machine and of course everyone favourite, the icicle in the eye. Plus we also get a cameo by the legendary Franco Nero (is that not the worlds coolest name?). Furthermore there's lots of snow. What can be more seasonal than that? This time round the Christmas song that has been neatly dove tailed into the production is "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" by Vaughn Monroe.
The Silent Partner (1978)
Moving on to something a little more obscure but none the less rewarding. The Silent Partner is an excellent example of the hard boiled thriller genre from the seventies. Remember when films were gritty, with slick dialogue and populated with characters who didn't have to be A list leads? The Silent Partner is a heist movie with a difference. Career criminal Christopher Plummer fails to rob bank cashier Elliott Gould, who seeing the chance to pocket some cash himself, then proceeds to pin the blame on said robber. Discovering this duplicity, blackmail, murder and revenge ensue. Is it particularly Christmassy? Not really. However Mr Plummer does conduct the initial heist dressed as Santa, so that will suffice. This is a good film with a hard edge; the villain being a sexual sadist. There's also a rather unpleasant murder that comes as a shock to the average viewer and tropical fish enthusiasts.
Battle of the Bulge (1965)
Let’s take a more historical tack with regard to seasonal movies. It should not be forgotten that one of the last major offensives of WWII was fought was during the holiday period. Thus I would recommend to all discerning viewers of all-star, big budget war films, to reacquaint themselves with Battle of the Bulge. Nothing says Christmas more than big tanks and Robert Shaw as a Nazi. Don't forget to stamp your feet and join in with the Panzerlied. It's not a bad film for summarising the actual details of the battle, although purist tankophiles may bristle at the technical inaccuracies. German King Tiger tanks are depicted by American M47 Pattons, with M24 Chaffees representing the M4 Sherman. Telly Savalas plays a wisecracking, sarcastic anti-hero, as per usual. A good second choice for those who fancy a break from the season ritual that is The Great Escape.
Trading Places (1983)
A change of pace and scene now, with John Landis' classic 1983 comedy Trading Places. Yes back in the days when Eddie Murphy was still funny, this film really showcased his talents and put him on the Hollywood map. This intelligent comedy makes some wry observations not only on the issue of race, but also wealth and social demographics. It even led to some legal changes within the banking community (See the "Eddie Murphy Rule"). Is it directly linked to Christmas? Not entirely, but Dan Ackroyd does dress as Santa and part of the movie is set during the holiday season. I've added the picture above, not because it’s a gratuitous breast shot but to highlight the running gag of "See you next Wednesday", which features in many of John Landis' films.
Gremlins (1984)
It wouldn't be Christmas without a film about a cute adorable creature that multiplies when wet, and if fed after midnight turns into a slavering sociopath with a sense of gallows humour. Gremlins is Joe Dante's near perfect creature feature homage. This film is not only cinematically literate but great fun and also quite scary. The microwave scene still never fails to amuse me! Phoebe Cates monologue about the death of her Father at Christmas is very black indeed.
"The worst thing that ever happened to me was on Christmas. Oh, God. It was so horrible. It was Christmas Eve. I was 9 years old. Me and Mom were decorating the tree, waiting for Dad to come home from work. A couple hours went by. Dad wasn't home. So Mom called the office. No answer. Christmas Day came and went, and still nothing. So the police began a search. Four or five days went by. Neither one of us could eat or sleep. Everything was falling apart. It was snowing outside. The house was freezing, so I went to try to light up the fire. That's when I noticed the smell. The firemen came and broke through the chimney top. And me and Mom were expecting them to pull out a dead cat or a bird. And instead they pulled out my father. He was dressed in a Santa Claus suit. He'd been climbing down the chimney... his arms loaded with presents. He was gonna surprise us. He slipped and broke his neck. He died instantly. And that's how I found out there was no Santa Claus".
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Finally, I would like to briefly mention Lethal Weapon. I watched this again recently on Blu-ray and the first thing that struck me was how well the hardboiled dialogue was written for this genre of movie, courtesy of Shane Black. Buddy crime thriller movies are so totally overblown these days. Take Bad Boys II as an example. I appreciate that this type of film requires the viewer’s suspension of disbelief, but as my Grandad use to say "There's a difference between farting and shitting yourself". Lethal Weapon although action packed, doesn't jump the shark and is a well-crafted film. It boasts likeable characters and solid direction. Gary Busey is also a top villain. The man shoots a Christmas tree!
That completes the Contains Moderate Peril alternative Christmas guide and our recommendations of films we think make good substitutes to the standard drivel that fill the Christmas TV schedules. I’d like to honourably mention most film versions of A Christmas Carol (especially the Muppets Christmas Carol) as well as any adaptation of the Ghost stories of M.R. James. Christmas is a time for supernatural tales. Also don’t forget Raymond Brigg’s The Snowman. It’s a wonderful piece of animation. Next week there’ll be The Contains Moderate Peril guide to New Year and why that cultural tradition is also a load of old bollocks.
Scrooge (1970)
The all-star big screen musical was desperately striving to be different during the sixties and seventies, producing many hits and misses. Tommy, The Lost Horizon and The Wiz are prime examples of the experimentation made within the genre at the time. However, due to the success of Oliver! at the box office in 1968 it was thought that there was potential mileage to be had from Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol". So the musical Scrooge was conceived. Unlike Oliver! it was not based on a existing stage adaptation but on a wholly original screenplay, although a theatrical treatment has since been adapted.
The all-star big screen musical was desperately striving to be different during the sixties and seventies, producing many hits and misses. Tommy, The Lost Horizon and The Wiz are prime examples of the experimentation made within the genre at the time. However, due to the success of Oliver! at the box office in 1968 it was thought that there was potential mileage to be had from Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol". So the musical Scrooge was conceived. Unlike Oliver! it was not based on a existing stage adaptation but on a wholly original screenplay, although a theatrical treatment has since been adapted.
The creative foundation of this 1970 production is twofold. Firstly there is Leslie Bricusse's superb score and literate screenplay. Then there is Albert Finney's remarkable performance as Scrooge. Bricusse adapts Dickens novella superbly, including much of the original dialogue and subtleties of the story. The songs are very catchy and emotive, especially "Father Christmas" and "Thank You Very much". Both the musical numbers and the screenplay set the tone perfectly. Veteran director Ronald Neame manages to capture the warmth and sentimentality of the book. Once again this adaptation does not shy away from the fact that this is a ghost story and the sequence when Scrooge and Marley (Alec Guiness) take to the air and fly among the lost souls is rather creepy.
But it is Albert Finney's acting that dominates the movie during its well paced, two hour running time. Relying on the minimum of make-up and avoiding the use of prosthetics, Finney convinces the audience that he is a man of mature years rather than the 34 year old that he was at the time, by his demeanour, mannerism and gate. This is also possibly the most pitiable on screen portrayal of Scrooge, as the screenplay specifically emphasises the impact of his failed engagement. The production cost $5 million and although mainly set bound, boasts a very handsome production design. It catches the Dickensian spirit of London well, especially the hustle and bustle of the busy London markets.
Scrooge also features a wealth of British characters actors and benefits greatly from their talent. David Collings is an earnest Bob Cratchit and Anton Rodgers succinctly depicts one of Scrooge's debtors. But perhaps the most sublime casting is Kenneth Moore as the Ghost of Christmas Present. His larger than life personality and specific style of acting fits the role perfectly. Surprisingly he also manages to morally chastise Scrooge successfully without resorting to bluster. Moore was a truly underestimated actor and it is roles such as this that show his true range. With regard to Lawrence Naismith, let it suffice to say that the man was born to play Fezziwig.
Scrooge enjoyed only modest financial success upon its initial release. The critics praised Finney's performance but the box office was merely adequate and the public were split on both the songs and tone of the movie. The non-canonical scenes set in hell, seemed to be a stumbling block and were subsequently removed from TV prints of the film in future years. Forty Five years on the movie now has a much wider fan base and has become a seasonal institution for many. Critics have also revised their opinions deeming it a strong adaptation. For me it is one of those rare occasions where the source text and the medium of the musical combine to produce a movie of great emotional resonance. Dickens’ work seldom receives such treatment.
Is there Such a Thing as Game of the Year?
December is a time for top ten lists, retrospectives and summaries. You’ll find them on most blogs, fansites, podcasts and You Tube channels. I’m sure I’ll be producing some content of this nature myself over the next fortnight. Christmas puts a lot of demands upon our time so posts of this kind are a necessity more often than not. Naturally one of the most common subjects of debate is the so called “Game of the Year”, which at first glance seems a somewhat innocuous subject. However it’s a far more contentious matter when you stop and consider by what criteria do you judge a game to award it such a title? Plus there’s the perennial issue of gamers not being the most level headed group when it comes to controversies and dissent.
December is a time for top ten lists, retrospectives and summaries. You’ll find them on most blogs, fansites, podcasts and You Tube channels. I’m sure I’ll be producing some content of this nature myself over the next fortnight. Christmas puts a lot of demands upon our time so posts of this kind are a necessity more often than not. Naturally one of the most common subjects of debate is the so called “Game of the Year”, which at first glance seems a somewhat innocuous subject. However it’s a far more contentious matter when you stop and consider by what criteria do you judge a game to award it such a title? Plus there’s the perennial issue of gamers not being the most level headed group when it comes to controversies and dissent.
So what exactly makes a game a candidate for Game of the Year? A large number of positive reviews from the gaming press? Or a high numbers of sales? May be it comes down to popular consensus from the gaming community? May be its all three? The thing is there isn’t a definitive formula or specific methodology. For a lot of bloggers, streamers and podcasters it simple comes down to an arbitrary decision of what game they enjoyed the most. I for example have played a lot of Witcher 3 this year and had immense fun with. I could label that my Game of the Year but as I have not played a great deal of other games and many of the AAA titles that have been released, am I really making an objective statement?
I’ve read more about games this year, than I’ve played them. As I’ve stated in recent posts I have less time for games and my overall relationship with this pastime has changed. As a result I see the underlying concept of Game of the Year as being merely a marketing term; a sound bite or a tag line to place on advertising or packaging. Some of the lists that my blogging colleagues produce can be entertaining. At this level I say that’s the purpose of the title, Game of the Year. It’s a talking point. Yet sooner or later such debates are derailed by trolls who fail to grasp the concept of differing opinions. Plus it’s also worth considering did we really get any truly ground breaking, innovative and radically different games this year, worthy of such a title? Or did we merely get more of the same with some games managing just a little more polish than others?
The Secularisation of Christmas Entertainment
The central theme of this post may well be better suited to a scholarly essay by a noted academic. I'm afraid all you'll get from me are just a few personal observations. But I wanted to raise this subject because I am at an age now where I am very conscious of the changes that have happened in UK society over the course of my life. I'm not advocating one side of the debate over another, just merely collating my thoughts on a broad cultural shift. Christmas has become increasingly secular over recent decades and because I write about popular entertainment that is the medium I viewed this process through.
The central theme of this post may well be better suited to a scholarly essay by a noted academic. I'm afraid all you'll get from me are just a few personal observations. But I wanted to raise this subject because I am at an age now where I am very conscious of the changes that have happened in UK society over the course of my life. I'm not advocating one side of the debate over another, just merely collating my thoughts on a broad cultural shift. Christmas has become increasingly secular over recent decades and because I write about popular entertainment that is the medium I viewed this process through.
As a child of the seventies, I grew up as a cultural Christian. School began each day with a formal assembly in which hymns were sung, Bible passages were often read and a moral lesson was taught by the headmaster/mistress. Shops closed on Sunday, the public broadly attended services and the establishment still showed deference to the Anglican Church and other denominations. Irrespective of my personal beliefs, I was raised in a society that was steeped in Christian tradition (and still is). Remember that church and state have never been truly separate throughout UK history.
As I have previously written about Easter, Christian faith has slowly been driven out of the TV schedules over the years. Faith based content is far from common place on the major TV networks. TV shows and films seem to focus on the secular aspects of the season, such as family, the exchange of gifts and being together. Much of this alternative entertainment is based around the faux mythology of Santa Claus, Kris Kringle or even Dicken's tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption. The Christian message with its fundamental tenets of service to others, giving and personal self-sacrifice do not sit well with a prevailing culture of self-indulgence and hedonism.
In recent years, a new factor has impacted upon the inclusion of Christianity in most forms of Christmas entertainment. Because the debate between religion and the secular has become increasingly polarised the media have naturally focused on extremes on both sides of the debate. Such elements are always good for a cheap binary headline. As a result Christianity is portrayed as the province of killjoys, bigots and the lunatic fringe, despite this not being an accurate or fair representation.
With regard to gaming, trying to dovetail a Christian message into such a medium is a difficult task. The lore and other worldly settings negate any obvious Christmas reference. The fact that games, especially the MMO genre have a global audience, developers are mindful of the diversity of the player base and the multiple faiths they represent. As a result we get Winter Festivals, Yuletide events and other broader concepts. These are more akin to our secular Christmas experiences in the real world. Yet they often come across as somewhat hollow undertakings and somehow fail to capture the sentiment of the season.
At this time of year in the UK, it is traditional for the head of state to broadcast a Christmas message. The Queen is formally the "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England" and also comes from a generation that genuinely believe in their Christian faith. Therefore, when she speaks on such matters I believe she does so with utter personal conviction. I respect this in principle. Sadly the concept of a Christmas message has now been adopted by politicians as well as anyone with a media presence and an axe to grind. Seasonal messages from such quarters as these seldom have any credibility.
The secularisation of various facets of UK life is a complex subject and this post is far from a thorough exploration. I've simply collated a few thoughts on the matter. This beggars the question as to whether I have an overall point. If I do, then I believe it to be that the ongoing secularisation of Christmas, especially through the medium of entertainment, has not necessarily been to society's benefit. Although one can never recapture ones experiences of the past, I can honestly say that Christmas as it currently exists, is a somewhat hollow and arbitrary experience for me. It has usurped a festival that had positive moral connotations and replaced it with consumerism and “organized” fun. I don't know what the answers are to this conundrum or whether I am correct in my observations. All I know is that I feel that something has been lost and that makes me a little sad.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Contrary to my expectation Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an extremely entertaining and enjoyable movie. It manages to balance the needs of all interested parties. Fans get epic battles, iconic hardware and dependable performances from established and cherished characters. The new cast dovetail into the story with ease and are engaging. The torch is past from old to new seamlessly. There is humour, pathos and genuine tragedy to be found in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and it’s there because all involved clearly love and respect the franchise but also understand what makes good cinema. Fandom tempered by professional film making. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Contrary to my expectation Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an extremely entertaining and enjoyable movie. It manages to balance the needs of all interested parties. Fans get epic battles, iconic hardware and dependable performances from established and cherished characters. The new cast dovetail into the story with ease and are engaging. The torch is past from old to new seamlessly. There is humour, pathos and genuine tragedy to be found in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and it’s there because all involved clearly love and respect the franchise but also understand what makes good cinema. Fandom tempered by professional film making. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive.
There are times when the movie seems more like a reboot of Episode IV but then as soon as you feel yourself thinking this way it does something different and wrong foots the viewer. It can also be argued that historical mistakes are often repeated thus making some plot elements in The Force Awakens quite plausible. It is also very clear that not all plot points will be clarified immediately. Disney obvious intends this to be a franchise of some length and the answers too many of the questions that arise will obviously be forthcoming later on. Who exactly is Supreme Leader Snoke? How did The First order come to power? Why is Ackbar still only and Admiral? The list goes on but this movie does enough to fill the most important gaps in our knowledge.
There is a lot of humour in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and it is pitched just right and hits the mark. Han Solo naturally has all the best line and his continuous banter with Chewbacca is an absolute delight. Harrison Ford simply owns the screen from the moment he appears. Furthermore there is a great deal of depth and nuance to his performance when you look beyond the one liners. If only this franchise had passed to Disney twenty five years earlier and we had had more films about the adventures of Hans and Chewie. Sadly this was not to be but you can see the great potential that could have been when watching Episode VII.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the new bad guy Kylo Ren played by Adam Driver. Ren is far from a two dimensional villain and it becomes clear quite quickly that there is far more behind his journey to the dark side and his personal conflict. The third act of the movie even goes so far as to flirt with Shakespearean tragedy but due to the expert way the writers Lawrence Kasdan, J. J. Abrams, Michael Arndt handle the story it works surprisingly well. I would also like to point out how easy it was too warm to Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega). Despite having very specific roles to play in the structure of the story, their narratives play out quite organically and don’t feel too contrived.
As you would expect from a movie of this calibre and budget the effects work and production design our outstanding. A lot of the aliens and background characters are physical effects and all the better for it. If I did have to voice a criticism it would be that Supreme Leader Snoke, played by Andy Serkis in yet another motion captured performance, seemed a little too “computer generated”. Once again John Williams has created a score that effortlessly embellishes the story and emphatically declares that you are most definitely watching a Star Wars movie.
I could continue and reference many other aspects of the movie that I enjoyed; BB-8 and the classic droids for example. But it’s difficult to work within a non-spoiler framework, so instead I will try and summarise why Star Wars: The Force Awakens has exceeded my expectations and is populist entertainment of the highest quality. J.J. Abrams has found a way to cater to as many tastes as possible. By providing a fresh perspective we get a sequel that reaches back to the past and satisfies our sense of nostalgia while still managing to be bold and new. Furthermore none of this is at the expense of the narrative. Mind you considering that Disney paid $3 Billion for this franchise and have spent over $200 Million on this movie alone, were they really going to cock it up? Therefore Star Wars: The Force Awakens is genuinely recommended by Contains Moderate Peril because it has proven that populist movies can be entertaining, spectacular and still dramatically powerful.
When Fandom Fades
I read the above Tweet today and it got me thinking. I’m seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens tomorrow morning and I can’t muster up anything like the enthusiasm shown by Belghast. Furthermore I find this waning of passion is not exclusive to Star Wars but pertinent to other subjects I consider myself to be a fan of. In fact I have begun to come to terms with the fact that I’ve possibly stepped away from the entire fan concept per se. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed anymore, because I still do. I just don’t feel so enamoured with them. More to the point, the way I relate to them has fundamentally changed which beggars the question why exactly?
I read the above Tweet today and it got me thinking. I’m seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens tomorrow morning and I can’t muster up anything like the enthusiasm shown by Belghast. Furthermore I find this waning of passion is not exclusive to Star Wars but pertinent to other subjects I consider myself to be a fan of. In fact I have begun to come to terms with the fact that I’ve possibly stepped away from the entire fan concept per se. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed anymore, because I still do. I just don’t feel so enamoured with them. More to the point, the way I relate to them has fundamentally changed which beggars the question why exactly?
Fandom has always struck me as being a very passionate love of something. A love that is not always tempered or rational. It can offer boundless support but lacks objectivity. It also personalises your relationship with that which you adore. Fans will frequently ascribe a strong significance to their fandom and as a result feel they have a two way relationship with the object of their affection. All these factors have both good and bad connotations. Fandom builds communities, brings people together and can help people through difficult times and with personal problems. It can also distract an individual from other aspects of their life and foster a sense of entitlement. Fandom seldom deals with dissent or debate well.
Like music, fashion, literature as well as politics and religion fandom is often about finding an identity and a sense of belonging. All of which can change over time. Both good and bad experiences help us make sense of the world and we slowly learn the things we really cherish and consider important in our lives. In my case I have discovered that reboots, remakes and new interpretations don’t ruin our youth. I also genuinely worry about pop culture being used as a diversion from more important matters that the authorities don’t want you thinking about. Sadly fandom has become synonymous with toxic communities and death threats in recent years; things I do not wish to be associated with.
Nowadays I find that my love of specific things is far more honed. For example my affection for the movies of Ray Harryhausen is now driven by their significance in cinematic history, rather than purely wide eyed joy. I recognise that although the effects work was seminal, some of the movies did have weaknesses in other areas and I see no reason to get defensive about such criticisms. Again age seems to be a major factor. So much of fandom is transient or time and context specific. What is more important, seeing a rare cut of Game of Death with Bruce Lee or spending time with a family member who may not be around for much longer? Fandom in some ways is an indulgence and even a conceit. I’m at a stage in my life where I’ve realised that it doesn’t have to be about me all the time.
So returning to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I have relatively modest expectations regarding the movie. Although initial reviews are very positive, I do not expect to have the exact I had in 1977. Both the world and I have changed greatly since then. Furthermore I am fully aware that this is only a movie and as such, it can only satisfy and entertain to a certain level. Even if it is exceptionally good, I cannot see myself leaving the cinema claiming it to be the best experience of my life. But you know what? I’m okay with that. Life goes on and things move forward. Change is fundamental to life. If I remained static in my views, opinions and personal tastes I think I’d be far more worried.
So Long Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 has always been a game that’s easy to return to. In many ways this has been the game’s biggest selling point for me. The lore doesn’t appeal to me that much but the games frictionless approach to combat and character stats have always made it easy to jump back into after being away. So for the last three years I have been a regular visitor to Tyria. However, many of the changes that came with the October expansion, Heart of Thorns, were not to my liking. That’s not to say that they were bad. They seem to have found favour in some quarters. But from my perspective the changes made to Guild Wars 2 have not improved or enhanced it and took the game in a direction contrary to my tastes. As a result I have stopped playing the game entirely.
Guild Wars 2 has always been a game that’s easy to return to. In many ways this has been the game’s biggest selling point for me. The lore doesn’t appeal to me that much but the games frictionless approach to combat and character stats have always made it easy to jump back into after being away. So for the last three years I have been a regular visitor to Tyria. However, many of the changes that came with the October expansion, Heart of Thorns, were not to my liking. That’s not to say that they were bad. They seem to have found favour in some quarters. But from my perspective the changes made to Guild Wars 2 have not improved or enhanced it and took the game in a direction contrary to my tastes. As a result I have stopped playing the game entirely.
In many respects I find abrupt change interesting. Guild Wars 2 was sold upon release on the idea that it wasn’t based around forced grouping, the holy trinity of classes and the ubiquitous gear grind. The game was flexible and decidedly different from the average MMORPG. Over recent years there has been a slow about turn on all these aspects of the game. This autumn’s expansion has been a further validation of this, with content that could only be completed via a group and a return to traditional raiding with new class variations to facilitate such gameplay. The increased focus on PvP by developers ArenaNet means that Guild Wars 2 has even less appeal for me now.
As a mature gamer I’m not heart broken by these changes and I do not blame the developers for trying to keep Guild Wars 2 financially viable. I hope it works out for them. The fact is that things change and they don’t always change in your favour. Therefore I shall not be playing Guild Wars 2 any further as it no longer has anything to offer me that I like. I see no reason to repeat old content, having taken three alts to level cap. So as of today I have uninstalled Guild Wars 2 and wished it a fond farewell. No tears, no fuss. The entire situation reminds me of my relationship with Doctor Who. I use to like it but it changed too much for my taste so we parted company. Such is life.
Smell Like a Superhero
Pound shops, Dollar Stores, call them what you will, have become ubiquitous in recent years. Furthermore the public’s attitude towards them has radically changed. Where in the past snobbery may well have kept certain socio-economic groups away, it now seems that everyone is happy to use such outlets in search of a bargain. I frequent them regularly for toiletries, kitchen and bathroom cleaning products as well as tinned foods. Most products are well known named brands and the prices just cannot be ignored. Pound shops can also be a fascinating source of curious and esoteric items. I discovered such a product today.
Pound shops, Dollar Stores, call them what you will, have become ubiquitous in recent years. Furthermore the public’s attitude towards them has radically changed. Where in the past snobbery may well have kept certain socio-economic groups away, it now seems that everyone is happy to use such outlets in search of a bargain. I frequent them regularly for toiletries, kitchen and bathroom cleaning products as well as tinned foods. Most products are well known named brands and the prices just cannot be ignored. Pound shops can also be a fascinating source of curious and esoteric items. I discovered such a product today.
I found the above pictured Batman Deodorant Body Spray on the shelves of the 99P Store in my local High Street and was fascinated to see such an IP used in this way. Out of curiosity I bought two cans and when I returned home set about researching these products. It would appear that there is an entire range of Batman products made by Corsair Toiletries Worldwide. They also manufacture similar items for several other major franchises such as Minions, Marvel and Disney. According to their website the target age group for these products is 6 to 12 years of age. I also noticed that many of these franchises are marketed in a gender specific way. I won’t side-track this post with a tangential debate but why is this still a thing in 2015?
As for the actual Batman toiletries, I guess the question that’s on everyone’s mind is what exactly does a Superhero smell like? Well I can confirm that the Robin body spray has a distinctly coconut based aroma, where the Joker body spray is more akin to sandalwood. Both are pleasant and seem to linger, which is always the sign of a good body spray or at least one that is doing its job of keeping you smelling fragrant. Cheap brands always seem to fade after a few hours, causing immense scope for social embarrassment. However I am content that not only will I continue to smell like a Superhero (and a 12 year old boy, allegedly) for the remainder of the working day, I have achieved this miracle for the princely sum of £1.98 (including VAT).
Time For a New Phone
I can remember a time when upgrading my phone was a major source of excitement. If there was something shiny and new available, then I had to have it. More often than not it was simply the allure of the next big thing and there were no significant gains or benefits in upgrading. Unless you count that vicarious short term fix one gets when conspicuously consuming. At the time I was happy to remain on the technology treadmill and had no intention of getting off. However in the last decade there’s been a major shift in my relationship with consumer electronics. I now buy according to my needs rather than just for the sake of having what’s currently perceived as best. Once you cease to see gadgets and electrical devices as fashion accessories but simply as functional tools, then a lot changes. Furthermore it changes for the better.
I can remember a time when upgrading my phone was a major source of excitement. If there was something shiny and new available, then I had to have it. More often than not it was simply the allure of the next big thing and there were no significant gains or benefits in upgrading. Unless you count that vicarious short term fix one gets when conspicuously consuming. At the time I was happy to remain on the technology treadmill and had no intention of getting off. However in the last decade there’s been a major shift in my relationship with consumer electronics. I now buy according to my needs rather than just for the sake of having what’s currently perceived as best. Once you cease to see gadgets and electrical devices as fashion accessories but simply as functional tools, then a lot changes. Furthermore it changes for the better.
As part of my phone tariff with Vodafone, I can upgrade my handset every eighteen to twenty four months. It used to be once a year but the high cost of contemporary smartphones has forced them and other vendors to extend contract length. I’m currently eligible for a new handset, as I last replaced my phone in January 2014, so have spent some time this weekend perusing the latest models. Frankly I had no pressing requirement to replace my HTC One. It may not be the best phone I’ve owned but it still performs perfectly adequately. However as an opportunity has presented itself, I think it’s time to return to being a Samsung customer. So despite the lack of an FM radio (which is a major selling point for me) I have chosen to upgrade to a Samsung S6. I have also retained my current tariff of unlimited UK call minutes, unlimited texts and a 4GB data allowance each month with no cost increase. As someone who is self-employed and uses their phone a lot, this is a very good deal.
With regard to selling my old handset, there is a buoyant second hand market in the UK. Unfortunately the recent release of several new models has caused some older handset to suddenly drop in price. As a result I’ve only managed to sell my old phone for £41. With regard to my initial point, a decade ago I would have been lying in wait for the courier delivery, eagerly awaiting my new phone. Messing with the settings and migrating all my data would have been a pleasure to be relished. It’s funny how ones passions and priorities change over time. I’m having my new phone delivered to my parents address for reasons of security and probably won’t be able to collect it until mid-week. Although I'm sure I will be satisfied with the Samsung S6 over the months to come, it will remain in my view, just "a phone". I wonder how long it will be before the public's love affair with gadgets ends and the perception of technology returns once again to something more practical rather than aspirational?
The Burton & Scrooge Podcast December Schedule
As the holiday season approaches many institutions adjust their schedules and take a break from their usual routines. Far be it for the Burton & Scrooge Podcast to fly in the face of tradition, so we will be releasing two more episodes this year and then taking a short break in early January 2016. The release dates for the finally shows of 2015 are as follows:
Burton & Scrooge #25 13th December.
The Burton & Scrooge Review of 2015 30th December.
As the holiday season approaches many institutions adjust their schedules and take a break from their usual routines. Far be it for the Burton & Scrooge Podcast to fly in the face of tradition, so we will be releasing two more episodes this year and then taking a short break in early January 2016. The release dates for the finally shows of 2015 are as follows:
Burton & Scrooge #25 13th December.
The Burton & Scrooge Review of 2015 30th December.
Brian and I have very much enjoyed the new laid back style of the Burton & Scrooge Podcast and are pleasantly surprised to find that we’ve reached twenty five episodes already. The broad remit and accommodating format of the show are the main reasons behind this and we hope to continue to widen the scope of our discussions in 2016. Hopefully it will keep listeners engaged and the Brian and I motivated.
Thanks to everyone for listening to our intermittent ramblings and your continued support of our audio endeavours. There’s not a lot of point of doing a podcast if no one is listening, which is why feedback and comments are always gratefully received. So it just remains for me to say that we’ll be back in 2016. Until then don’t forget to pet your Chihuahua, now sod off.