Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas


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Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Destinations | Short Breaks | World Trip 1986 | World Trip 1998 | World Trip 1999-2000 | World Trip 2006 | World Trip 2009 | World Trip 2009-10 | World Trip 2010 | World Trip 2011 | World Trip 2012-13 | World Trip 2015 | World Trip 2016 | World Trip 2017 | World Trip 2017-18 | World Trip 2018 | World Trip 2019 | Australia 2022 | World Trip 2023 | World Trip 2024 | World Trip 2024-25 | World Trip 2026-27

  • Review – Ant-Man

     

    Released: July 2015
    Seen: 19 July 2015
    Cinema: Hoyts Extreme Screen
    Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly
    Gene: Sci-fi / Comedy
    Rating: 8.5 / 10

    Synopsis
    Forced out of his own company by former protégé Darren Cross, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) recruits the talents of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a master thief just released from prison. Lang becomes Ant-Man, trained by Pym and armed with a suit that allows him to shrink in size, possess superhuman strength and control an army of ants. The miniature hero must use his new skills to prevent Cross, also known as Yellowjacket, from perfecting the same technology and using it as a weapon for evil.

    Review (warning spoilers)
    The latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universal takes the smallest super hero who while very important in the original comics hasn’t previously been mentioned.  This movie is the end of phase 2 of the movies.

    Scott Lang is a smart guy who’s ethics has seen him end up in jail after hacking his former employer’s computer system to right a wrong Scott now faces the consequences of his actions as we join the film with Scott in a prison ‘fight’. His ex-girlfriend has left him and is now engaged to a policeman which limits access to his young daughter.  Scott is down on his luck and can’t catch a break or keep a job due to his criminal record.

    Hank Pym has his own problems kicked out of his own company in a board revote lead by his protege Darren Cross with the casting vote from his estranged daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly).  This film is very big on the father – daughter dynamics and what you would do to repair and rebuild those relationships.  Hank was the original Ant-Man and lost the most important part of his life playing that role.

    The MCU is at its best when it goes the less serious route (although I loved Captain America Winter Soldier) and here we get great comedy between the different characters.  Michael Peña steals his limited appearances with laugh out loud moments.  The movie also pulls off the logic of why other super heroes aren’t involved, not an easy feat in a world full of them, even though Falcon (Anthony Mackie) makes an extended appearance.

    I saw this movie with my nephew Andrew and we both loved it.  Earlier in the day I watch the live action musical West Side Story and moved on to a big Hollywood movie and they both used there respective mediums well.  I would put this up near the top MCU movies, maybe I’m a sucker for redemption stories or comedies with a little heart.

    Recommendation: A must for all MCU fans I think even non comic book fans will enjoy, a movie for all ages, male and female.

    PS Remember to stay for the credits that have two important scenes for future movies.

  • Review – West Side Story

    Westsidestory650x370WSSSeen: 19 July 2015
    Theatre: State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne
    Cast: Anna O’Byrne, Gareth Keegan, Deone Zanotto, Adam Fiorentino, Sean Mulligan, Neil Melville, Tony Rickards, Glaston Toft, Rob Tripoline, Dean Vince
    Gene: Musical
    Rating: 9 / 10

    Synopsis
    Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set on New York’s Upper West Side in the mid-1950s where racial and social tensions run high. A poignant, provocative and emotionally powerful piece of theatre, its score features many of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein’s most famous compositions – Maria, America, Somewhere and Tonight.

    Review (warning spoilers)
    An amazing show, with a great story and strong fun songs (there are 19 songs over the 2.5 hour performance) with a sad tragic end that I got to experience with my sister Kara as part of her birthday present.

    The story starts with the Jets looking to protect their turf from the Sharks recent immigrants from Puerto Rico.  The Jets have been running the West Side of New York for years and were founded by Riff (Sean Mulligan) and Tony (Gareth Keegan).  Tony has drifted away from the gang and feels something major is awaiting for him.  That turns out to be Maria (Anna O’Byrne) the sister of Bernardo the leader of the Sharks.

    The young couple meet without realising their links to the different gangs and obviously both sides don’t want the romance to go ahead without the possible exception of Anita (Deone Zanotto – Bernardo’s girlfriend).  Both Maria and Tony damn the consequences and pursue a relationship as the two gangs intensify their struggle for dominance.  Tony is caught between his gang and the love he has for Maria who doesn’t want these fights.  This leads to tragic outcomes for everyone involved.  The show demonstrates how things can get out of control and conflict easily escalates.

    I loved the performance, Anna O’Byrne (Maria) and Deone Zanotto (Anita) have amazing voices that moves your soul.  The dancing by all the 32 performers (well the 4 adults don’t dance) has well choreographed.  Orchestra Victoria is incredible and at times steal the show.  My sister was surprised with the tragic outcomes and deaths  but hey being based on Romeo and Juliet I wasn’t surprised except in the differences of who survives.  I guess with some much fun with the music and dancing deaths of characters might seem out of place.

    Recommendation: A great story for people of all ages, fun and tragic.

  • Birdman (2014) ★★★★★

    Birdman (2014) ★★★★★

    Great movie. Highly recommend to everyone.

  • My brother the actor!

    Check out my superstar brother making his acting debut at the 40 second mark.  Jealous!

  • Cricket History – Day / Night Test Cricket

    So I’ve purchased plane ickets to the historic first day / night Test Match Australia Vs New Zealand.  The match is being played in Adelaide between 27 November and 1 December.  I’m going to fly into Adelaide on the first day of the match on a Friday, attend the first 2 days and fly back on the third day of the match.

    This is actually my brother’s idea and I’m really looking forward to the match.  I get to visit beautiful Adelaide, see the redeveloped Adelaide Oval (which looks great), see one of the most exciting cricket nations right now in New Zealand and experience a first in the format of cricket I like the most.

    Managed to score cheap flights and a good deal on accomandation.  Only four more months to go!

  • Movie Review – Ted 2

     Released: June 2015
    Seen: July 2015
    Cinema: Hoyts Lux (similar to Gold / Luxury Class – food service during the movie)
    Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried
    Gene: Comedy
    Rating: 6.5 / 10

    Synopsis
    Life has changed drastically for thunder buddies John (Mark Wahlberg), now a bachelor, and best pal Ted (Seth MacFarlane), now married to the woman (Jessica Barth) of his dreams. Problems arise when the couple decide to adopt a child, but the law declares Ted to be property and not a person. Angry and dejected, the lovably foulmouthed teddy bear must now seek legal help from a young lawyer (Amanda Seyfried) and a legendary, civil-rights attorney (Morgan Freeman) to get the justice he deserves.

    Review (warning spoilers)
    A Seth MacFarlane comedy is always going to be more base comedy with a lot of references to geek culture with body humour.  Basically any movie he makes is a guys movie.  So when my work’s Social Club offered discount tickets to Ted 2 I was in and taking my nephew Andrew who loves anthing Seth creates or voices.

    The first Ted was a breakout success, low brow humour but also touching at times.  Mila Kunis was a major reason the first movie work for me, she has great comedic acting chops and bought the heart of the movie at the end making it seems her relationship with John (Wahlberg) was something special.  So it as a great shame Mila wasn’t back this time.  It did open up a new story but I like sequels to keep the movie logic.

    Ted 2 is still funny, especially in the second half, and there is a lot of call back to the original movie reversing scenes to great effect.  I found Ted 2 a passable film, my nephew loved it so mabe it is aimed more at 20 year old male population.

    The storyline is crazy but hey we started with a ‘live’ teddy bear so you just go with it.  Amanda Seyfried as a pot smoking lawyer makes the most of her screen time, she is almost a male version of John but obviously way smarter to become a lawyer.  Morgan Freeman has a small but very important part saving the day and getting Ted ‘human’ rights.  The journey is definitely entertaining but some of the secondary characters from the first movie should have been dropped, lightning for these characters didn’t strike twice.

    Recommendation:  See this movie with 15-30 year old males and enjoy.

  • Movie Review – Jurassic World

    Jurassic World

    Released: June 2015
    Seen: 12 July 2015
    Cinema: Hoyts Normal Screen
    Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Omar Sy, B. D. Wong, and Irrfan Khan
    Gene: Sci-fi / Action
    Rating: 6.5 / 10

    Synopsis
    Located off the coast of Costa Rica, the Jurassic World luxury resort provides a habitat for an array of genetically engineered dinosaurs, including the vicious and intelligent Indominus rex. When the massive creature escapes, it sets off a chain reaction that causes the other dinos to run amok. Now, it’s up to a former military man and animal expert (Chris Pratt) to use his special skills to save two young brothers and the rest of tourists from an all-out, prehistoric assault.

    Review (warning spoilers)
    The first Jurassic film was released in 1993 and was an amazing experience, terrifying real dinosaurs on the loose on a yet to be opened theme park just of Costa Rica.  The movie explored whether humans should play God bringing back extinct animals, this also covered common grounds like greed and over reliance on automation in our life.  But really it was the T-Rex and the other dinosaurs, the wonder at first and the terror later of predators on the loose.

    Jurassic World is the fourth movie and the first since 2001.  In many ways this is a reboot but also a sequel.  There are many references to the first movie in particular as this movie is again set on the island of Costa Rica.  This time they have the theme park up and running and apparently it has been safely working for close to a decade.  But customers are growing bored with the attractions (not that you can tell from the park visitors in the movie who seemed to love the shows) so it’s time to create a super dinosaur based on T-Rex but with Velociraptors and other animals mixed into the DNA.  So you have a super killer, with super strength, the ability to camouflage its self and even hide from heat senses.  And it was made super smart.  This makes for a great mix, and is hard to understand in the Jurassic Movie universe that this is set in.   I mean they talk about all the people who died previously!

    Chris Pratt plays the sensible dinosaur specialist, an ex-marine who has been training Velociraptors and keeps saying you need to treat this animals with extreme caution.  Bryce Dallas Howard plays the executive running the park who becomes Chris Pratts love interest as she learns that the dinosaurs are creatures and not just assets and that playing God is extremely risky.  In the background we have a shadow group trying to militarise these creatures, which obviously is going to work… Not!

    The movie is a fun escape, and at times I was definitely drawn into the action but there wasn’t too much here unexpected.  I figured out how the Indominus Rex was going to escape and which actors were going to die.  There was some unexpected humour and I’m a big fan of Chris Pratt who I hope will one day be the new Indiana Jones so it hit a lot of good notes.  There wasn’t the awe factor of the original however, at least not for me but maybe that’s before I’m 20 years older 😀

    id recommend this movie for people who like action and Chris Pratt and a chance to have fun without questioning the logic of the movie.

  • Movie Review – Terminator Genisys

    Released: June 2015
    Seen: 5 July 2015
    Cinema: Hoyts Extreme Screen
    Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, and Jai Courtney
    Gene: Sci-fi
    Rating: 7 / 10

    Synopsis
    When John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance against Skynet, sends Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect his mother, Sarah (Emilia Clarke), from a Terminator assassin, an unexpected turn of events creates an altered timeline. Instead of a scared waitress, Sarah is a skilled fighter and has a Terminator guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger) by her side. Faced with unlikely allies and dangerous new enemies, Reese sets out on an unexpected new mission: reset the future.

    Review (warning spoilers)
    The first Terminator film was released in 1984 when I was 10 years old and I didn’t get to see it until years later at home. However Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released in 1991 when I was 17 and was a massive hit in Australia and was the peak of the franchise with a great story, awesome music and great efforts. Plus Arnie was at the peak of his career. I’ve seen all the other movies and the TV series (which I thought was above average) but I was hoping they would get back some of the magic.

    In Terminator Genisys the franchise is definitely on the right track even if not yet at destination greatness. Given this is a time travel story it was always easy to hit the reset button, or redirection button like the Back to The Future series. The first 10 minutes starts in the future explaining the war with the machines and showing us events that would have happened before the events in the first movie. The story is then flipped on its head once we go to 1984, Sarah Connor is the one with all the knowledge and fighting skills back when she first meets Kylie Reese back in 1984. The original / bad T-800 (Arnie) gets taken out not long after arriving in 1984 by an older version of himself. The movie gives a good enough explanation for why the good T-800 is now older (he traveled back to the 1970s to save Sarah and the outside skin grows naturally old).

    The movie is obviously setting up future installments, clearing the decks of previous history that locks stories and creating a new set of questions. There is a post movie credits scene that gives a strong hint there is more to come, but the majority of cinema goers had left, obviously not fans of Marvel Films that do this all the time!

    The Terminator franchise has always asked questions about destiny and free choice, about our nature to attack (in this movie humans, not Skynet does the pre-emptive attack) and how much we rely on technology which is only becoming greater as time goes on. Also ultimately can a computer have a soul, go beyond it’s programming. In real life if that occurs most great thinkers like Stephen Hawking between that will be the end of the human race.

    There are still some great jokes in the movie. No nudity (come on Emilia Clarke!) and surprisingly little blood for the number of people killed. The only mistake I feel the movie made is not keeping most of the focus on Sarah Connor, her character starts so strong but isn’t as key in the final confrontation that you would feel she would be.

    Overall I’d recommend this movie to any fan of Terminator movies, or a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his best movie outing since probably mid-1990s. Also make sure you watch at least the first Terminator movie again before watching to see the same scenes play out differently.

    An enjoyable night.

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  • World Trip 1998: United States of America

    Highlights:  Andrew’s first overseas trip, Alcatraz, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Knott’s Berry Farm and Vegas.

    Photos

    Late 1998, almost exactly 12 years after my first world trip as a 12-year-old in 1986, I set off on my second overseas trip, this time with my mother (Helen), sister (Kara), and nephew (Andrew).  We flew to the USA via Auckland on 31 October and returned to Australia on 19 November 1998 for a 20-day overseas trip.

    Andrew’s first overseas trip

    One of the first highlights of the trip was that it was a surprise for Andrew, who was 7 years old.  He didn’t even know he had a passport when we headed to the airport.  He thought he was saying goodbye to his grandmother and me for our trip to the USA.  The surprise was total as he tried to race past security.  Many years later, his younger sister in the same situation cried at missing out on school and her friends, but Andrew was instead racing to board a plane 🙂

    Terrified At Splash Mountain

    The major event of the trip was a 5-day pass to Disneyland. It sounds wild now, but the first day was on arrival and was just a quick check-in/scope of Disneyland, so we knew where to go for the next few days. We also visited the Citadel Shopping Centre in Los Angeles, which is a stop my mum would make on every future trip to the USA from this point onwards—experiencing Disneyland through Andrew’s eyes made it extremely enjoyable.

    Somehow I became the designated driver and later carrier for all the gifts and presents bought at the stores.

    San Francisco was next up, with a visit to Alcatraz, the Cable Cars, and ice cream at Girhardilli House, followed by walks along Fisherman’s Wharf.  My biggest memory of San Francisco, however, was our hotel being in a very rundown area of the city that my mum was recommended.  I was thinking that ‘friend’ must not like her very much!

    We then moved on to San Diego, with me doing a lot of the driving during this trip, to visit probably the greatest zoo in the world, the San Diego Zoo, with their all-white koalas, and later SeaWorld San Diego to get splashed by dolphins and enjoy the WaterWorld show.  A quick stop back in LA for a visit to Knott’s Berry Farm was next, not as much fun as I remembered back in 1986, but Andrew loved it.

    Our last visit was to Las Vegas, and this time I could gamble. We tried to gamble, since I kept losing my money.  We once again stayed at Circus Circus, but by now the main attractions of the strip had moved somewhat down the road.  Still, I like Las Vegas, and it would feature many more times in future USA visits.

    If the 1986 trip was the start of my interest in seeing the world outside of Australia, this trip confirmed it.  I was starting to earn enough money to save for an independent trip.  Just over 12 months later, I was to be on my first big travel adventure. Sure, I started small by limiting myself to English-speaking places in 1999-2000, but it was over 100 days outside the country.

    The travel bug had bitten, and the cure was obvious: see more of the world.  I was also glad to travel with Andrew while he was so young.  We would travel together again in 11 years to the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, and New Zealand after he graduated from high school.

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  • World Trip 1986: United States of America and Mexico

    Highlights: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Tijuana, Circus Circus, Vegas, Beaches in Hawaii, Pearl Harbour Remembrance.

    As a twelve-year-old, I went on my first overseas trip between 27 November and 9 December 1986 for a 13-day adventure.

    This was a great adventure that got me out of primary school and made my friends very jealous 😀 My entire family travelled together: my parents (Helen and Barry), sisters (Kara and Lana), and brother (Reagan).  We visited Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Tijuana and Honolulu.  This was to be our first and only overseas trip, with every family member, given that my father died in 1990.  While I don’t recall everything, I do remember enough.  I remember playing the arcade games in the hotel for 25 cents, losing quarter after quarter late into the night.

    I loved Disneyland, but for me, Knott’s Berry Farm was the best, especially the roller coaster rides. I remember how crossing into Mexico to visit Tijuana was really easy, but getting back was much, much harder.  Las Vegas was so colourful. Circus Circus was a lot of fun for a 12-year-old. My brother, who was 18, didn’t have as much fun, given he couldn’t gamble.

    The last stop was in Hawaii at Honolulu.  By accident, we were there for the Pearl Harbour Remembrance Day.  Lots of veteran marches and USA Flags everywhere.  While the beaches I remember as good, it was the extremely oversized ice creams purchased in Honolulu that have stuck with me; I mean, they were bigger than my head!!

    This was one true moment together as a family.  Yes, we had a few fights and temper tantrums amongst the kids, but it was just before my brother Reagan joined the workforce the next year.  In many ways, it was the last true family moment, when we were all children, with the world full of amazement, our parents the word of authority, and the world a happy place full of joy. The problems of the next six years weren’t here yet.  Everyone was alive, including my grandparents.  Happy times.

    How lucky was I to have such an experience?  I guess it started my love affair with seeing the world, which has taken me to every continent on the planet and 52 countries and counting. I was blessed at this time in my life, and I am currently blessed.  The pain I went through between these moments makes these blessed experiences even greater. Thank you, Mum and Dad, for your sacrifices.

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