Great Movies To Watch And Recomend To Friends: Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer is a dramatic and faithful retelling of Bethany Hamilton's story. Attacked by a shark at the age of 13 she bounced back and not only returned to surfing but also to competitive surfing. The movie follows how she comes to terms with the events along with looking at her family and friends.
Having read the book of the same name and seen several interviews I knew the movie did a good job of following real life events. Bethany Hamilton spent a lot of time on set and had a lot of input along with her family and her friend Alana Blanchard. One of the sad things about movies based on true stories is large deviations from the real events. I recommend watching interviews after the movie because some things you that seem unrealistic aren't.
The movie was a little cheesy in places but this wasn't over done and indeed the movie was toned down in other areas. Her recovery to go into the water may seem remarkably quick. However Bethany said when she was on the hospital set that she was a lot more upbeat than the movie shows she was in hospital. Of course she did have her struggles and the movie does a good job of showing these difficulties as well. Some small changes are necessary and Bethany and family say they're happy with the movie.
The movie has had some criticism for the faith aspect shown, but faith is central to Bethany Hamilton’s life. It's not making the story simplistic, instead it showing the strength her Christian faith has given her. There’s only a small amount of this in the movie but it's enough to show what inspires Bethany and her family. Don't let this put you off if you're not a Christian as it's not preachy. It's there to give a true account of how Bethany and her family handled the accident and aftermath.
The movie is an emotional ride that you can't help but be inspired by. All the actors give a good performance especially Anna Sophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton and Lorraine Nicholson as Alana Blanchard. Both actors display the difficult emotions and thoughts the characters had. Visually it is also stunning with Bethany Hamilton doing her own surf scenes so that the movie can look authentic.
This is an incredible story which is uplifting and challenges us all in how we face difficult times. It is a story of courage and faith for people of all ages and backgrounds. The surf scenes are incredible and despite the shark attack you will leave the movie wanting to go into the water.

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Here's Bethany Hamilton's site for more on her story on her story and what she does now
http://bethanyhamilton.com/soul-surfer/

You can see a trailer here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWeOjBCi3c4

Funny Snowboard Video: Crash then Roll then Continue Riding

 

The conditions were a little unpredictable. I did get back on to my feet though...

Doctor Who: Let's Kill Hitler: First Draft Parody Script

Another great episode of Dr Who reviewed as a parody

Opens with a mini racing through a field to make crop circles.

Amy

See we are still a British show.

Mels comes racing in driving a Corvette. A Corvette which gets a nice shot parked next to the Tardis instead of the Mini.

Amy

Blast! Never mind.

Mels

You’ve got to get me out of here.

Doctor

But I’ve only just arrived.

Mels

You don’t want to stick around here Doctor. There is some nonsense going on where no ones dying. If you get this miracle sorted out in a day Torchwood will get bored.

A long time ago in Berlin.

Teselecta Nazi Officer

Time to suffer for your crimes Hitler.

The Tardis crashes into the side of the Reichstag with the worse sense of timing it has ever displayed.

Doctor

You shot my Tardis! Isn’t there an easier way of testing my “temporal grace”

Classic Who Fans

What?

Doctor

Allo Allo Allo, sorry for wrecking your office we had un petite problème.

Hitler

You saved my life.

Doctor, Amy Rory

Non!

Hitler

And you’re French?

Doctor

No, no. We’re British and proud.

Hitler

The British clearly have fearsome technology, I wont dare to attack you. I will shoot the man who tried to kill me though.

Rory punches Hitler in a fantastic character moment.

Rory

That was even better than Captain America.

Doctor

Hmm that could really change history. We’d best hide Hitler in the cupboard and hope he forgets this.

Rory

And I thought the title would lead to some moral dilemmas.

Mel

No time for that this episode is about me.

Mels dramatically regenerates into River Song. We wonder why time lords often regerate into new bodies which are actually past their physical prime.

Audience

So the Doctor could regenerate into a black man? That opens up some possibilities.

Amy

Mels you’re our Daughter? I’m too confused to show relief.

Mels

See Mum, you and Dad you did get to raise me. You even named your daughter after me.

Amy

Couldn’t the flashbacks have shown us having a close friendship? I named my daughter after my delinquent friend who caused me nothing but trouble. And you still turned into a psychopath. What kind of a mother am I?

Teselecta Opereative

That judgement can wait till later. Taking care of River Song will be an even greater achievement than punishing Hitler.

Teselecta Commander

River Song’s worse than Hitler? That sure is a bold statement.

Teselecta Opereative

Yes but we can’t do it here we need to go to The Library at the end of her life.

Teselecta Commander

No we’ll continue with the dramatic course of action we’ll chase her through Berlin.

River Song races through Berlin punishing some Nazis by forcing them out onto the street almost  naked. Amy and Rory try to follow but are miniaturised and taken into the Teselecta.

Rory

Miniaturisation? Oh no, Please no small jokes.

Teselecta Opereative

Quick put these wrist bands on they’ll protect you from the Teselecta antibodies.

Rory

What they don’t have a more intelligent way of recognising staff? That could be dangerous for you.

Doctor

Tardis I want a voice interface. Well a voice interface which comes with an image to be more specific.

An image of Rose appears.

Audience

Oh please not again.

The voice interface eventually changes to a young Amelia Pond.

Young Amy Pond

No one in the entire universe and at no point in history has ever come up with a cure for that poison.

Doctor

Typical thank you so much for that help.

Meanwhile back at the restaurant.

River Song

Hi mum, is it time for the mother daughter scene that everyone’s been waiting for since A Good Man Goes To War?

Telecta Amy

You killed the Doctor. Suffer!

Doctor

Killed Doctor Who?

Rory

Ok maybe a small joke would have been better.

Doctor

So Teselecta, got any useful exposition for me.

Teselecta Commander

The Silence is an organisation and not just one species.

Doctor

Oh good I don’t have to worry about forgetting those aliens name then. But I will have to update my blog.

Amy and Rory

Doctor!

Doctor

What? You’ve got the sonic screw driver. You can stop them from torturing your daughter.

They do so in the usual dangerous way. River then saves them from the antibodies, learning to pilot the Tardis with a speed the Doctor can only envy.

River Song

You’re a caring man, this has suddenly reversed all that brainwashing I had. Even all of Amy’s good stories about you didn’t do that.

Rory

Oh no the Doctor’s dead! Can any of us make it through an episode without that happening?

River Song

Don’t worry I’ll use my remaining regenerations to save him.

Doctor

I’m touched. Does that mean I get extra regenerations or just come back to life?

Writer Steven Moffat

Oh I think that question can wait.

Amy

So after all the longing to be with our daughter again, we’re just going to leave her?

Doctor

There comes a time when we all have to let our children go. Especially when they’re 48.

Copyright © Nathan Groves http://wondersandparodies.blogspot.com/
This Work Is Not To Be Reproduced With Out Permission.

Snowboarding Tips: How To Still Push Yourself When Riding With Slower Friends

If your the fastest in your group you can still challenge yourself

Whether we are out for a whole season or just one week a year, snowboarding is a sport we like to enjoy with our friends. However one of the big problems to overcome is always the broad range of abilities within the group. Some may cautiously glance  at a blue run whilst others are speeding down the blacks and cruising off piste. Snowboarding has a big advantage over skiing as you don’t have to be an advanced rider to mix up your style on the easy slopes .There are loads of simple tricks to  learn even if you’re an intermediate rider. These will slow your ride down yet keep it fun and exhilarating. Why wait around? Get the most out of each run.

Jibbing
Twists, butters, ollies, nollies, 180s, these all add some fun variety to the ride and a gentle slope is a perfect place to practice. As your friends learn to link turns you can learn new tricks leaving everyone stoked with the progression achieved at the end of the day.

Film your friends
Filming someone whilst you are both moving is a challenge for any rider. Not only do you have to ride smoothly, you also have to keep your friends in shot. Looking back over the footage will help a beginner see where they need to improve. It also improves the camera mans riding as they have to be very precise with each movement and understand the terrain through feel as well as sight. Seeing yourself ride is a joy and it will be greatly encouraging to beginners.
Find some tips on filming in my Article

Snowball fight
A running snow fight with other advanced friends will slow you down and will be a good laugh at the same time. Just keep an eye out for other slope users.

Practice Switch
Switch riding is a crucial skill to learn for anyone wanting to progress with tricks and this is the perfect time to learn. It will take you back to the basics and can help you to explain the techniques to friends who are learning. One of the hardest things to do is stick with riding switch when you know you can ride so much better regularly. But if you are with slower friends then there is plenty of time to practice. It’s extremely satisfying when you can start carving down runs riding switch.
If you can learn and improve along with the beginners then each run will be satisfying and fun. When you want to push yourself there are still plenty of opportunities to go and do your own thing.



 

Copyright © Nathan Groves http://wondersandparodies.blogspot.com/
This Work Is Not To Be Reproduced With Out Permission.

Filming Extreme Sports: Snowboarding

Although it may seem simple to turn on the camera and start waving it around the results don't always turn out how we expect them to. There are a few simple techniques which will produce results to enjoy for years to come.

Cradle the camera in the palm of your hands
Using a side strap restricts your freedom of movement and can make shots judder. Holding a camera in the palm allows a wide range of movement left, right, up down. It is also smoother for when you walk with the camera.

Avoid commenting on everything you see
Firstly a commentary on the obvious is very annoying. If needed words can be added later. If you want to edit a video, cutting several scenes together with talking is tricky and may restrict what you can use. Also if someone says something funny do not laugh! It will distract viewers and could spoil the joke. You are likely to be the closest to the the mike and will drown out the person being filmed.

Interviewing
If asking someone questions try to stand slightly to one side of the camera. It is distracting to an audience if someone looks directly into a lens. It is also distracting if they are looking to the far left or far right.

Filming on the move
I will use the example of snowboarding but this can apply to many sports. When snowboarding I have found it far more exciting to capture someone whilst boarding alongside them. If you're in one position the most interesting part is when a boarder comes close to you, the shot gets duller as they move away from the camera. Unless they're going over a big jump which if you follow them, could go badly if you are inexperienced. When filming on the move like this it is best to hold the camera with you fingers having your thumb on the cameras top. If you can attach the camera to the end of a pole for riding, even better.

Head cameras
You may wish to use a head cam, however this does have one major drawback that you have to constantly look at what you're filming. This may be OK when directly behind them but not when you're alongside or in front. After all even the most seasoned snowboarder needs to look out for ice, trees and skiers with a dubious sense of spatial awareness.
If you are uncomfortable holding a large video camera whilst speeding down a mountain most digital cameras have a video mode. Many of these give you a decent quality and have the added bonus of fitting easily in your pocket.

Copyright © Nathan Groves http://wondersandparodies.blogspot.com/
This Work Is Not To Be Reproduced With Out Permission.

Doctor Who: A Good Man Goes To War: First Draft Parody Script

A parody review of Dr Who A Good Man Goes To War. A fantastic episode with a great cliff hanger.

It's complicated and I'm not talking about this fancy cot mobile

Opens with Rory the Roman threatening the Cybermen.

Rory

My name is Rory Lazarus Williams. Nurse of the NHS. Loyal to the true sci fi hero the Doctor. Father of a kidnapped child husband to an angry wife. And I shall have my vengeance. In this life or the next.

Cybermen

O…k. Why are you telling us this?

Rory

To make you believe I’m threatening despite my strange outfit. To make you tell me where I can find my wife And besides I’ve always wanted to say that.

Cybermen

Any outfit you’d wear would be strange to us this is probably the best choice.

Rory

Good point. But since you didn’t help straight away we’re going to blow up your fleet.

*****

Doctor

I’m calling in some favours.

Dorium

After all the horrors you’ve faced you finally want some help? This must be dangerous? Can’t I just draw a map rather than show you the way there in person?

Doctor

Just keep your head and you’ll be fine.

*****

Colonel Manton

The Doctor will be coming with vengeance. We’d better say our prayers.

Madam Kovarian

We’re not going to. We are the demons remember.

Colonel Manton

So what’s with the Headless Monks?

Mad

It’s complicated.

The soldiers gather on Demons Run for a stirring speech.

Colonel Manton

You are the best soldiers. We will defeat the Doc…

Doctor

Hello.

Colonel Manton

My most hated enemy. I should kill you on sight.

Doctor

But you won’t even if all of your research about me shows your hesitation is a mistake.

Colonel Manton

We are not crazy fools. We will not be tricked just because you’re in fancy dress.

A soldier shoots a Headless Monk.

Colonel Manton

We are not crazy fools! Disarm!

Lots of Judoon and Silurians beam in.

Doctor

I love it when a plan comes together.

*****

Rory

Amy!

Amy

Rory J

Doctor

Amy!

Amy

You sure took you’re time.

Doctor

Timey wimey?

Amy

Ok then I can’t stay mad at you.

Later in the storm cage command centre.

Madam Vestra

They were manipulating Melody to become a weapon against you. You’ve become too dangerous.

Doctor

“Demons run when a good man goes to war” didn’t you hear I’m a good man? Although the universe was destroyed due to my Tardis. I’m sure glad the Silurians, Sontarans and Judoon have forgiven me for that. But the Daleks might prove trickier to reconcile with.

Dorium

But this was too easy. It must be a trap.

Doctor

You go and find out while I bravely stay here and have a chat with the villain.

*****

Lorna

It’s a trap!

Amy

Why should we believe you? Look at your uniform.

Lorna

And? You’re still in your nightie, this isn’t the fairy tale series anymore.

The lights dim and the Headless Monks start their chant.

Lorna

Maybe we can talk to them, does anyone know Latin?

Cmmander Strax

Rory the Roman you must know some?

Rory

It was a long time ago.

They face the Headless Monks in one of Dr Who’s best fight scenes. Sword fighting is cool. But Amy’s baby disintegrates as it is a ganger.

Audience

Wait the last two episodes showed that gangers are sentient too. Is this the first case of Dr Who infanticide? This really is a scary show.

Doctor

Amy, Rory! Mrelody is a…bad timing again?

Amy

Yeah. Melody is gone and most of your army is dead.

River Song

Hello sweetie.

Amy

You turn up now when I’m at my most angry?

Doctor

Please Amy let me have my moment first. You turn up now when I am at my most angry?

River Song

It’s time for my big revelation. Some smug fans will say they already guessed it but I doubt many were a 100% sure. And they only guessed it after a really big clue. If they’d guessed it at the beginning of season 5 I might be impressed.

Doctor

Who are you?

River Song

Look at the writing on the cot.

Audience members that haven’t been paying much attention

You’re his mother?

River Song

Yuk that’s disgusting. No!

Doctor

I know who you are he he.

Looks guiltily at Amy and Rory.

Doctor

I’m out of here.

Amy

We could have easily stopped the Dr but I want you to tell us who you are.

River Song

I’m your daughter. I’m melody.

Amy

What?

Rory

Doctor!

Fin

Copyright © Nathan Groves http://wondersandparodies.blogspot.com/
This Work Is Not To Be Reproduced With Out Permission

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes: First Draft Parody Script

As another movie I enjoyed I decided to take a slightly different approach. Highlighting more of what I liked than usual to make this a more rounded review.

Who needs Red Bull?

Opens with a scene of apes being chased and captured in the jungle.

Charlton Heston

Hmm there’s something familiar about all this. Did they really need to reference the

original so early on?

Cut to Gen Sys pharmaceutical company.

Will Rodman

This chimpanzee might hold the key to curing Alzheimer’s. You must approve human testing.

Steven Jacobs

I can’t approve that alone who do you think I am? Just make sure the meeting with the board goes smoothly.

It doesn’t. Bright Eyes escapes as the facility has just two inept ape handlers to control her.

Steven Jacobs

That was a disaster and I assume her violence was caused by the drug so destroy them all. I always think caution is best.

Will Rodman

Well I hope your attitude towards caution doesn’t change over the years.

Robert Franklin

Actually the drug had nothing to do with it. So the movie can’t use it as a simple explanation for the violence of the apes. This is actually going to be interesting.

Will Rodman

Indeed. Well I’ll do some emotional human ape interaction by becoming this babies father.

Robert Franklin

That could be weird.

Will Rodman

Trust me and the animators.

Caesar grows up showing his advanced intelligence. Which naturally leads to increased curiosity but Will somehow manages to keep his super advanced pet secret. Until Caesar decides to try riding a bike. Thankfully we don’t see him ride it as it would look ridiculous.

Caroline

Hi I could be useful to you in studying your chimp.

Will Rodman

I’d prefer you as love interest. My only friends appear to be my father and a chimp yet I am still a socially likeable person.

Caroline

Ok but I feel obliged to show some concern that you’re playing God.

Will Rodman

No need to state the obvious, I work for a company called Gen Sys. It’s part of the job description.

Cut to five years later.

TV report

And the Icarus has entered mars orbit.

Will Rodman

They really shouldn’t have those missions something bad always happens. And why does it look like the command module from the Apollo missions? The astronauts would waste away making such a long trip in weightlessness.

Charles Rodman

I’m getting ill again. Son I need you to use your magic to heal me again over night

Will Rodman

That wasn’t magic it was science… kind of. Besides your  immune system is fighting the virus cure.

Charles Rodman

A virus cure? Haven’t you ever seen a movie about the human apocalypse?

Will Rodman

Well I’m taking precautions. Testing it at home, alone with no other medial support… I think I should talk to Jacobs.

Steven Jacobs

You’re still obsessed over a virus you created 8 years ok? Actually that’s all you do I really should get round to firing you.

Will Rodman

But the cure works my father is proof. Sort of… I just need to make a stronger version.

Steven Jacobs

Well you may have withheld this amazing breakthrough from your own company but I’ll still trust you.

*****

Charles Rodman

I fancy a drive.

Hunsiker

Hey get out of my car fool.

Will Rodman

You’ve been my neighbour all these years and you don’t know about my Alzheimer’s?

Hunisiker

I may have been reasonable before. I didn’t report it when Caeser was running loose and scaring my kids but this time it’s my car that’s in danger.

Caeser attacks him and horrifyingly appears to bite his finger off and chew on it. However later Hunisiker still has finger and is a nice neighbour again even confronting a possible burglar outside Will’s house? He must have been having a bad day. Caeser gets locked up in a primate sanctuary.

Dodge

Welcome to the mad house. Where I bring girls because I think the site of cruelly contained apes will make them fancy me more.

Caeser

Stupid human.

Maurice the Orangatan

Hey I can sign too.

Caeser

What? You’re an intelligent ape too? Without needing the virus? But that goes against everything else the movie’s been saying and for no real reason.

Maurice the Orangatan

Hey I can be your prime mate.

Caeser

Your not clever enough and some intelligent apes would be useful. I’ll go and get the smarterer…  I mean smartening virus. Good job Will leaves the highly secret and dangerous virus in his fridge next to his beers.

Back at the research lab.

Will Rodman

Let’s test this stronger virus with me being the only one who knows what I’m doing.

Robert Franklin

Really? It’s in gaseous form shouldn’t we have more protection? There must be company guidelines on this sort of thing.

Will Rodman

Don’t get in a panic you might knock off your mask. Oh you already have. Hey I just thought of how I can get Caeser I’m sure you can wait.

*****

Brian Cox

You’ve only just thought to try bribing me? We’ve been keep the equivalent of a young human locked up with dumb animals for weeks.

Caesar closes the door on Will.

Will Rodman

You might be right but I’ll but I won’t spend time trying to explain myself. I’ll j

Ust go and mope off camera.

Caesar stages his escape in a wy that could have easily failed despite all the planning he’s apparently done.

Dodge

Get your filthy paws off me you dirty ape. Oh I enjoyed saying that, did I deliver it as well as Charlton Heston?

Caesar

No!

Dodge

He can talk he can talk.

Caesar

I can sing!

Dodge

Talking is all I can handle for the moment.

The apes escape through the roof and the great music from the trailer makes one of its sadly few appearances.

Rocket

To NewYork!

Caesar

What? No. We’re going to the Redwood forest. You have to admire the writer’s restraint in not setting this movie in New York though. But first we need to go to the zoo then we’ll go and freak out Jacobs. It will be fun.

Policeman #1

The apes are moving around so fast we can’t catch up.

Policeman #2

If only we could go crashing through buildings like they do.

Policeman #1

Yeah. Wait why aren’t they all horribly injured from crashing through glass?

Policeman #2

This day is weird enough without thinking about things like that.

The apes arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge which is luckily shrouded in mist.

Police chief

We’ll send in the mounted police first.

Mounted Police

What if there are gorillas in the mist?

Police Chief

You have batons don’t you? We’ll stay here with the guns.

Koba

Die!

Caeser

No we can’t kill them this is not the 70s version.

Koba

You’re right it wont be as easy as Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.

Koba lifts up a gun.

Koba

From my cold dead hands!

Caeser

Don’t be such an animal, put that gun down.

The apes overrun the police in some good action shots. Then the helicopter closes in.

Caesar

This is like David facing Goliath where’s my slingshot? Ah this chain will do.

Caesar takes out the guns but Buck, not to be out done, leaps onto the helicopter.

Buck

Yes we can overcome advanced technology… dying in the process… oh my I hope something else can take care of these humans for us.

The apes reach Redwood Forest.

Will Rodman

Caesar!

Caesar

You’ve been yelling my name like that the whole movie. I thought from the trailer it would come at a dramatic moment.

Will Rodman

I just want attention you out shine me with your acting. But you can’t stay here you’ll be hunted down.

Caesar

But these monkeys can share cookies surely we can share a world or at least a wood?

Will Rodman

You really think you can hide here? Well maybe you can we appear to have bigger problems. But we’ll blame Jacobs his motivations weren’tt good like mine.

The movie closes with a graphic showing the virus spreading around the world. Apparently not one country tries to stop the virus from entering.

Caesar

Stupid humans.

Fin

Copyright © Nathan Groves http://wondersandparodies.blogspot.com/
This Work Is Not To Be Reproduced With Out Permission.