Author Archives: James Yardley

Apple Could Trump Microsoft Surface Tablet with iPad Mini Launch on 23rd October

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Rumours are swirling around the launch of Apples iPad Mini. It had been thought that invitations would go out on the 10th October in preparation for an October 17th launch.

But the 10th has come and gone without a word from Apple leaving many confused. It has been speculated that Apples recent production problems may force them to push the iPad Mini launch back after Christmas. However tech site AllThingsD is now claiming its sources are telling them the iPad Mini will be launched on Oct. 23.

That would be just three days before the scheduled date for Microsoft’s Surface Tablet launch and more importantly Windows 8. The new Windows 8 operating system is designed to work on computers, tablets and phones. The launch is extremely important for Microsoft, as it tries to catch up with the popular IOS and Android operating systems.

The timing of the iPad launch on the 23rd, if it is true, could trump the Surface tablet and disrupt Microsoft’s plans. With the inevitable hype around any Apple product, the Surface tablet and Windows 8 could risk being lost in the storm.

In contrast to the iPhone 5 details about the new iPad Mini have been hard to come by prior to launch. Sources suggest a 7.85-inch liquid-crystal display and a lightning connector. A location for the launch remains a mystery but AllThingsD predicts its will be Apple’s Town Hall Auditorium.

 

Shell Film Review

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Shell is a gripping and lonely film which follows the life of a father, Pete (Joseph Mawle), and his teenage daughter, Shell (Chloe Pirrie), who live in a remote petrol station in the Scottish Highlands. They spend their time doing chores and tending to the needs of rare passing motorists.

Pete is a battered wreck who has never recovered from losing his wife who left when Shell was a baby. Shell is wild and timid. Both Shell and her father feel trapped. Shell loves her father and she won’t break his heart by leaving him like her mother did. Too further complicate matters her father also suffers from epilepsy and relies on her support.

This is a film about being trapped and lonely. The director (Scott Graham) and actors do a great job of getting these feelings across to the audience. The atmosphere is set perfectly by the haunting desolate landscape and the excellent sound and camera work. This is not the most enthralling or uplifting film but it does achieve its objectives. The film is gripping and flows well. It is definitely worth seeing.

6.5/10

Judge Dredd 3D Review

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*Warning May Contain Some Spoilers

America is an irradiated wasteland. All that’s left is one giant sprawling metropolis which extends from Boston to Washington DC filled with 800 million people. In this nightmarish take on the future crime is out of control. Only one thing stands against the chaos, ‘Judges’, who possess the combined power of being judge, jury and executioner.

The plot is simple but effective Judge Dredd takes Rookie, Anderson out on her first patrol which will be her final assessment. If she passes she will become a Judge. But a routine call out becomes a nightmare battle for survival as the judges become trapped in a tower block. Their only way out, fight their way to the top of the block and kill the criminal leader Ma Ma.

Being new to the series I went into this not really knowing what to expect. It sounded like an excuse for a lot of mindless violence, and it is. There is a lot of blood and gore in this film hence the 18 rating. But the film is more than just the violence and there is very tight script (Alex Garland, 28 days later) which weds the action together.

This film is a triumph for one reason and one reason only. Karl Urban. His portrayal of Judge Dredd is simply superb. Cold and emotionless, behind his helmet, Dredd cares for nothing but the law. But … somehow I feel Urban works a very very subtle element of humanity into him. The result leaves the audience heavily invested in Dredd and that makes this film work. Unlike the earlier Stalone film (which I researched after), Urban doesn’t feel the need to take his helmet off. As one other reviewer has already said this is an ‘ego free’ performance. Apparently Arnold Schwarzneger turned down the role in the earlier Stalone film because he would have had to wear the helmet.

Urban is ably supported by Olivia Thirlby who provides further humanity and the rest of the cast do a decent job. The 3D works well too. There are a couple of scenes in particular where it really comes into its own.

This shouldn’t have been a film that I liked but I most definitely did like it and I don’t feel guilty about it. I loved Dredd’s character. Definitely worth going to see

8/10

 

 

 

O-Food – Environmentally Friendly and Healthy Fast Food

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One of the O-Food founders Jens Hannibal in the blue shirt

On Thursday Frost went to the launch of an exciting new restaurant concept, O-Food. This was the most inspiring event we’d been to for a long time. O Food is a new eco friendly healthy fast food restaurant. They serve seafood and vegetarian food but no meat. O-Food believe that by changing the way we eat we can change ourselves and the planet.

It’s not long before we meet one of the founders of O-Food, the friendly and passionate Jens. Jens tell us that their main aim is to create great food. ‘Everything else is just something we think everybody should be doing’, he says.

‘We’re not people who think that meat-based fast food is inherently bad. We just think that someone needs to take the lead  to show people delicious, low impact, alternatives to meat and mainstream choices of fish.’

O-Food sources all its produce from local sustainable sources. The fish it uses are non- ‘Big Five’. The so called  ‘Big Five’, Haddock, Prawns, Tuna, Cod and Salmon, are being terribly overfished and this is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Jens tells us more, ‘It’s very sad, because people don’t know about these other delicious sustainable alternatives and there’s no demand for them, many of them just get thrown back into the sea’.

One of the O-food founders. Roel Philippart

It’s a major problem but people are starting to realise and O-Food is leading the way in raising awareness. Both Sainsburys and Morrisons have recently helped promote alternatives and they’ve seen a surge in demand for alternative fish.

Jens is so passionate and enthusiastic that eventually someone has to drag him away from us and take him to see some other guests.

As Jens disappears we turn our attention to the all important question of the food. Everything we tried was delicious. The chef who had put the recipes together was clearly extremely talented. What was particularly evident was the exceptional quality of the ingredients particularly the fish.

I was I confess surprised at just how good the fish tasted. The fish actually tasted better than the mainstream ‘big 5’ fish I was used too. We had two favourites, mine The Hastings

Fishy patty, Romaine Lettuce, Tomato, Gherkin, Curry Sauce

I don’t even like gherkin or curry sauce and yet this combination was simply divine, everybody we spoke to loved it. I urge anyone to go and try it if they can.

There are no sandwiches left! A common theme of the night as soon as the food was brought out it was gone.

My colleagues favourite was The Portobello

Portbello mushroom, mature cheddar, roast pepper relish, red cabbage, romaine, nordic pesto.

This was also delicious, a wonderful combination of flavours.

You can find a full menu and more information at the O-Food website. Everyone we spoke to from O-Food was full of passion and energy. This is a great concept and they’ve created some fantastic food. I hope this is the future of fast food. O-Food is far more exciting, tasty and healthy than your than standard pret or eat sandwich.

They are currently testing the concept and will be open until the 23rd of September with their pop-up restaurant. It can be found at 54 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QN. Open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Go along and try it! You won’t be disappointed.

TUTU MAKES A STAND – Calls for Bush and Blair to be Tried Over Iraq

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Writing in the Observer on Sunday, former Noble Peace Prize Winner Desmond Tutu has called for George Bush and Tony Blair to be tried over the Iraq war.

The move follows Tutus decision to pull out of a leadership summit in Johannesburg because he refused to be on the same stage as Tony Blair. He wrote, ‘I couldn’t sit with someone who justified the invasion of Iraq with a lie’.

Tutu has been active in the defense of human rights and uses his high profile to campaign for the oppressed. He has campaigned to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia.

He is most famous for his role during apartheid where he played a huge part in bringing about an end to the oppressive regime.

Tutu’s protests and actions were always peaceful. He was critical of the violent tactics of some anti-apartheid groups such as the African National Congress and he always advocated for the reconciliation of all parties. His actions led to him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

In his article Tutu writes of the, ‘even greater costs that have been exacted beyond the killing fields’. Tutus greatest concern is the deepening divide between West and East. The actions in Iraq have made terrorist attacks more and not less likely and may now lead to war in Iran as well.

This action is typical of Tutu. He has never been afraid to speak out. Although he probably knows there is no chance Bush and Blair will ever face trial at the Hague he is trying to pull the East and West together. I think this article has as much to do with Iran as anything else. This is a conflict Tutu clearly fears.

In response to the article, Mr Blair issued a strongly worded defence. He maintained that he had never lied over weapons of mass destruction.

Pressure on Blair and Bush increased as Human rights lawyer Sir Geoffrey Bindman told BBC Radio 4 the Iraq war was an illegal aggressive war.

It’s now almost certain that the war was illegal because it breached the UN Charter provisions which say that all member of the United Nations must refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Lord Faulkner disagreed

“The dispute between Geoffrey and myself would be whether or not resolution 1441 did or did not authorise war and we say that it did.

However Faulkner’s argument is severely weakened by the attempts of Britain and the US to secure a second resolution to justify military action. They ultimately failed to do so and this implies in my mind that resolution 1441 was not enough by itself and everyone knew that. Indeed speaking in 2004 former Secretary General of the UN Kofi Annan said, ‘I have indicated it was not in conformity with the UN Charter. From our point of view, from the charter point of view it was illegal.’

Ted | Film Review

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It is not everyday you get to see a movie about a talking, swearing, dope-smoking, over-sexed stuffed teddy bear. Which is unfortunate, because this film is hilarious. Wrong and not for the easily offended, but hilarious.

As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett’s teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John’s side ever since – a friendship that’s tested when Lori, John’s girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship.

Seth MacFarlane directs, writes and voices ‘Ted’, the stuffed teddy bear who comes to life. It doesn’t sound plausible at all but it doesn’t matter. This film allows you to suspend your disbelief and just laugh at the witty script.

Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane are all great and Giovanni Ribisi plays a psycho in an amazing performance. Wahlberg is also great, he really is an actor of note with great comedic timing. Wahlberg and Kunis have great chemistry so even when Wahlberg’s character keeps screwing up, you root for him.

Rules of Engagement actor Patrick Warburton also makes an appearance with Ryan Reynolds. This film is just really funny. I know it is not to everyone’s taste and it is edgy humour, but I think it is great. One of the funniest films of the year. Top marks. I hope they make another one. Check out some of the movie quotes from Ted below.

Robert: Give me back my Teddy Bear!
[Charges John and Lori at full speed. John punches him in the nose, knocking him unconscious to the ground]
Lori: Jesus!
John: I’m sorry, but somebody had to go all Joan Crawford on his ass!

John: Can you call my cellphone?
Lori: Yeah
[Lori calls John’s phone which plays “The Imperial March”]
Lori: Is that my ringtone? What is that? Cause it sounds really negative.
John: No. I-it’s from The Notebook

Ted: [to Tami-Lynn] You have a baby? Is it alive?

Peter Wilson Wins GOLD for Team GB in Olympic Double Trap

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Peter Wilson won an incredible gold in the men’s Olympic Double Trap shooting event. Wilson qualified in first position after shooting extremely well in the three qualifying rounds. He finished on 143/150 giving him a significant three point lead going into the final.

The final was incredibly tense and difficult to watch let alone compete in. Wilson started well before dropping a shot in his final shot of the first end.

Having done a bit of clay shooting (although never this discipline) this looked incredibly hard. This being trap shooting the targets fly away from the competitors two at a time at great speed. Any hesitation or the slightest error in judgement and the target would be missed.

Another miss from Wilson in the middle of the competition and his lead was down to just one point. I don’t know how on earth he was able to hold his nerve the pressure was huge. At least in most sports you can just get on with it but in shooting you have to wait and watch as your opponents hit their targets and pile the pressure on you. Wilson was by far the youngest shooter in the competition being 13 years younger than the next finalist.

A few mistakes from the other competitor and Wilson managed to extend his lead back up to four shots with just ten shots remaining.

Surely the gold would be his now. But No! A double miss at the beginning of the final end and his lead was cut to just two! If he did it again the gold medal would be gone. My heart was pounding at this stage goodness knows what Peter was feeling.

Somehow Peter composed himself and nailed the last six shots, but so did the Swede Hakan Dahlby leaving Peter needing to hit one of his last two remaining clays. He didn’t disappoint and smashed  the final two clays to become Britain’s 4th Gold medal winner at London 2012 and the first British shooter to win a medal since Richard Faulds won in Sydney in 2000. Brilliant! Well done Peter!

Peter Wilson 188 – Great Britain

Hakan Dahlby 186 – Sweden

Vasily Mosin 185 – Russia
see more on shooting at www.positiveshooting.com

Stunning Shock Win for Team GB’s Women Footballers

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I was lucky enough to be at Wembley last night to watch Team GBs final group game against Brazil. The stadium was packed with almost 70,000 people and the atmosphere was incredible.

Brazil’s team was led by the best female player in the world Martha and they were strong favourites going into the match. Martha is the Lionel Messi of the women’s game with a better than a goal a game ratio. Both teams had won their first two games in the tournament. Brazil thrashing Cameroon 5-0.

Although both teams had already qualified the match was still very important. The loser would have to face a very difficult match in the quarter finals against world champions Japan.

It was an incredible start as Karen Carney did brilliantly to slip away from two Brazilian defenders and played a ball through to Steph Houghton who collected the ball and managed to dink it past the goalkeeper. She smashed the ball into the net from what seemed an impossible angle right in front of us.  Incredibly it was the third goal of the tournament for left back Houghton.

As expected the Brazilians responded with some good possession and skill but GB largely restricted them to long range shots which never really threatened. However Brazil did hit the post with a header late in the first half.

After the break Team GB were by far the best team. After a lovely move Eniola Aluko broke clear and looked certain to score until she was cynically taken down by a Brazilian defender in the penalty area. The Brazilian escaped with a yellow card. Smith’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Anderia and GB’s lead remained at 1-0.

Through the rest of the second half Team GB were the better team. Scottish star Kim Little was particularly good. Brazil had a few chances on the break but Team GB’s defence was fantastic in the 2nd half and they snuffed out any potential threats.

In frustration the Brazilian players lashed out and there were some bad challenges in what was a physical contest.

When the final whistle went a huge cheer went up around Wembley. It had been an incredible performance and the crowd were ecstatic. I was so glad to have been able to experience it. This was by far the highest quality women’s football match I have ever seen. Let’s hope Team GB can keep it up in the next round against Canada.