Film

Master of the Universe (2026 film review)

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Couldn’t have been that long ago that Amazon added He-Man to their listings. I did the free month sign-up to watch the new Spider-Man Noir. However I also watched this.

The film starts off introducing us to Adam as a kid in training, accompanied by some truly terrible dialogue. The language in the early parts feels stupid, immature and unfortunately, that sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

Adam then gets sent to Earth! Well, why not? They did that in the first film. Here, we discover he has grown up, spent years on Earth, and landed a somewhat pathetic, mundane job. After more cringe-inducing moments, we are treated to some cool rock music while he plays detective, searching for the sword that grants him his power. Then comes the invasion of an assassin looking for Adam and the sword. Oh wait, the police don’t do their jobs and just run away! So do nearly all the bystanders. The lack of background extras in this scene was jarring to say the least.

One scene I did like, realizing Amazon Studios was also behind the film, was the little Easter egg of an Amazon delivery truck ploughing into a bad guy. As for the cameo by Dolph Lundgren? It gets a hard “meh” from me.

By this point, I realized Daniel Pemberton’s overture score was surprisingly weak, and the addition of the rock music felt like an attempt to cover up that musical deficiency.

We finally return to Eternia, and Adam gets to activate his sword. I don’t know about other people, but while Nicholas Galitzine looks well-toned, he still felt too thin for the role. I expected someone much bulkier to play He-Man.

As for the casting, the worst of the lot has to be Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn. Evil-Lyn is supposed to be powerful, imposing, and possess a real physical presence; I’ve always pictured the character as tall. Brie is none of those things. She lacks screen presence and simply didn’t understand who the character should be. That weakness was glaring. Meanwhile, Jared Leto’s voice work as Skeletor felt all over the place, and even Battle Cat’s voice irked me.

As the storyline progresses, it shamelessly rips its style from other franchises like The Matrix and Mortal Kombat. Then, wham—they steal the iconic song “Princes of the Universe” by Queen. That track was written for Highlander. Dropping it into this film just highlighted another weakness in the score, and honestly, I consider it franchise theft.

Even though I sat through the whole thing, I walked away deeply disappointed. The only thing I can admire is the set design and visuals. However that can’t save you from a terrible script.

1.5 out of 5

Film, Internet

@StarWarsTheory finally releases his Vader II

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It’s taken a long time in the making and it’s finally released on YouTube. A twenty minute animated Vader film at this level is rare. So to all the Star Wars fans and movie fans, go have a watch.

Update
Also of interest is the fact StarWarsTheory aka Niatoos Dadbeh managed to get the voice actor Terrence Carson who play Mace Windu in the Clone Wars cartoon TV show to return to voice Windu for his fan film.

Nature

Beast of Barnet Revisited

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Not that long ago, two years in fact, an article in Adobe2, a property magazine, talked about a big cat in Cricklewood. The piece was about a house that had come on the market, and they revisited its history, which included numerous reports to police since 1991 about the presence of a big cat. Then in 2001 another report came in to the police. They dismissed it at first but still sent an officer to the house in Cricklewood, where they actually confirmed a lynx was present on the property.

The cat was cornered, tranquilised, and sent to London Zoo. They christened the cat Lara, who lived, loved, and eventually died there in 2009.

This all happened in 2001. However, there were other reports of a similar, larger cat after that, in 2002 and 2005, reported in the Welwyn and Hatfield Times. So, if one lynx was already captured, why were there additional reports years later?

This would suggest that originally there must have been two lynxes. If the first one captured was the female, then the second, uncaptured lynx must have been the male? Hiding in the brush all this time, hunting smaller prey like rabbits and sheep. What is also of interest is the aggression described in the reports. Attacking car tyres and killing sheep. The level of aggression indicates a male cat.

And the distance from Barnet or Cricklewood to the Hatfield area is around 11 to 12 miles, and big cats tend to have large territories. But in this case, a lynx, was it migrating north or looking for another mate it could never find?

I do not think the beast is still around today, and all evidence is eyewitness. However, bearing in mind one was captured and the other was not, it does leave an open question. Where did it go, and where did it end up?

Sources: Telegraph, Adobe2 Magazine, Welwyn Hatfield Times

Film

Mortal Kombat II — Film Review

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Is this really meant to continue from the previous film? Because I genuinely couldn’t tell. There’s no meaningful setup, no explanation of how it connects to the last story, and it simply drops straight into Johnny Cage front and centre. From there it becomes a badly cast, weakly choreographed, poorly executed mess.

Karl Urban as Johnny Cage… really? He has the washed‑up gritty look, sure, but Cage is supposed to be lean, agile and sharp. Urban doesn’t fit that mould. Someone with actual martial arts ability, like Jeffrey Donovan from Burn Notice, would have been a far better pick.

Shao Kahn is another misfire. Physically imposing, yes, but the voice is completely wrong for the character. A European or Scandinavian actor would have nailed the tone better.

Most of the cast look thin on both muscle and skill, and the choreography throughout is flat and uninspired. The story revolves around destroying a crystal to save Earthrealm, but the weaknesses are obvious to anyone who knows the franchise or has even a basic grasp of storytelling. There is no heart in it at all.

The script also throws in nods to other franchises – Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings – and every one of them feels out of place. They should have left all of that out.

On the positive side, the wardrobe department did solid work, the sets look good, though the background depth often looks cheap. The score could have elevated things, but here it feels weak and underpowered.

Overall, this film is a nightmare for anyone who actually cares about writing. Most people could produce a better script. In the end, it is just fatally flawed.

1.5 out of 5.

Exploration

A day trip to Paris

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My main goal was to visit an exhibit at the Guimet museum in Paris which I did. You can read about it in my Silla : Gold and the Sacred. Royal Treasures of Korea exhibit post. 

I arrived in Paris via the Eurostar just before 2 p.m. and went straight to the museum. After viewing the exhibit, I spent time to have a quick tour of the other stuff on display and there really are gems here. One of my favourite pieces I saw has to be this fella with a stupid amount of arms.

There was another demon looking fella with a very character driven face hidden around a corner. I really like him as well.

So, after having an additional wander I proceeded over to visit Norte-Dame Cathedral to see how the works are going and had a nice relaxing walk around there seeing a lot of the restoration. It truly is an impressive place. Upon exiting Norte-Dame it was already after 6 p.m. and there was an even bigger queue to get into the Cathedral, although it’s free to enter, it can take half an hours wait to get in, if not longer, so I do recommend you get online and get a timed slot ticket to escape the queue if it’s a must for you.

Norte-Dame Cathedral

Afterwards, I headed back to my hotel which is opposite Gare Du Nord train station. And it’s really interesting outside the station, a unique diversity for sure! I felt like I had to navigate a gauntlet to cross the road, some guys wanted to approach me with flyers. Another said something I ignore, as I pushed my cap down to hide my face. I circled round to the zebra crossing and made it across unscathed!

After checking into the hotel, I had dinner there and went upstairs to watched the England game against Argentina in the hotel and the noise around when goals went in. Well, that was a different kind of experience and the constant vibe of sirens and blue flashing lights outside down bellow felt very New York to me. I kept imagining some kind of dystopia down there while I was safe in the high-tower! However, the bed was very comfortable and I did get sleep in the end after listening to the chaos below. The next morning I had breakfast in the hotel to find a guy from Highbury in London serving breakfast who now lives in Paris. He traded London life for the Parisian life-style which he told me is far more laidback. After breakfast, I checked out and returned early to London.

Dinner and the Node NPC Arrival

After returning from France, I realised I had a problem for dinner, I had stuff in the fridge, but for a main meal. Not really, and in the freezer, nearly all of it other than chips needed proper defrosting for at least a day. So, I decided to go round the corner to the shops, where one new placed popped up this year.

A burger smash joint, that surprisingly does not just burgers, but breakfast, pasta’s along with a lot of other stuff!! I find the food surprisingly not bad, and it stupidly good value for London.

I’ve been in here before, but the last time there was a woman just sitting there listening to, what I realised was a story and it sounded like AI dribble. 

So, this evening when I went in there, wait did I just go through a portal, the lady, same spot, same AI dribble playing sitting where she was last time. Hang-on a minute, there people who were behind her are not there! So… this is clearly an NPC spawn. Yep, she is an NPC!

I ordered my food, sat in the same place as last time, because frankly, out of all the seats it’s the furthest away from her! But this is no ordinary NPC,  people reacted with her. A boy walked past the front outside and waved hello, even a delivery driver turned up and recognised her. Jesus, she’s on a permanent spawn. Now she is a node NPC!

I better get my food defrosted then!

Exploration

Silla : Gold and the Sacred. Royal Treasures of Korea exhibit review

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Being in South Korea in April, I did a round‑trip holiday with the Explore company. One of the places I went to was the Gyeongju National Museum and saw a fair few items that are currently on loan to the Guimet Museum in Paris, which were unavailable to see at the time in Korea.

So, me being me, I booked the Eurostar across to go see the exhibit, and those artifacts are impressive. Because I’d only just been in South Korea, I felt I’d already learned enough, so there was a lot of overlapping information. But for locals in Paris, or anyone in France who has never been to South Korea, this is an easier option. And a nice option.

A view inside

I have the advantage of understanding written French fairly well, far better than I can converse in it. There is a fair amount of accompanying English for people to read, and there are French and English leaflets available to help visitors understand the exhibit better.

For the centre of Paris, I am surprised by the lack of people in the museum during a July where one can escape from the heat for a few hours. I guess all the tourists are off visiting the tiny Mona Lisa, which has never impressed me. I find there are far more interesting things in the Louvre, but that’s another story and my opinion.

In the exhibit you’re given the story of the Silla, its kingdom and domination, then shown their amazing wealth of items, which are impressive. So, if you’re up for it and have a chance, go see it before the exhibit ends on the final day of August.

Impressive gold
A stone warrior

Guimet Musée National des Arts Asiatques
6, place d’léna 75116 Paris
guimet.fr

Football

Tochel zonal tactics fail England

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Yet again it’s a master class of how to not play football. Tochel has England sit off the gas, allowing Argentina to play their own game.

You simply cannot sit back and hope to soak up all the football and allow wave after wave of attacks come at you.

There was one counter attack and a goal from England, however it was back to non-possession, failure to hold the ball and allowing Argentina to play the game.

I never really liked Tuchel’s system or style so I hope we get someone new after this World Cup!

England were knocked out 2-1.

Peace out.

obituary

R.I.P Sam Neill

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You were a brilliant actor, and I enjoyed many of your films, but one memory has always stayed with me. My parents took us as a family to the Rainforest Café in London when I was a teenager, and you were there with your family. We were seated diagonally opposite you.

I could see that you simply wanted to relax and enjoy dinner with your family. Despite the occasional interruption from young fans, you remained calm and gracious, signing autographs for those kids without complaint.

Dignified to the last, you will be missed. Rest in peace, Sam.

TV

Dragon Ball Z Kai on Disney+ in the UK

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I don’t know how I missed it, but for all the Dragon Ball fans out there in the UK, DBZ Kai has been added to Disney’s streaming platform along with Dragon Ball Super, the 2018 film Dragon Ball Super Broly and the 2022 film Dragon Ball Super Super Hero.

For a long time the god awful 2009 Dragon Ball Evolution film was on the service so it did give an indication that Disney might go the route to getting some of the licensing for more Dragon Ball content and that the update as of July 2026.