Looking forward toThe Three Muskeeters

Today I stumbled across the teaser trailer for the new version of The Three Musketeers, due to be released in October this year. I am not a great lover of action films on a whole, but I always have a soft spot for historical action-adventure films. I am really uncertain as to why I enjoy them more than other action films when more often than not they are historically inaccurate, have very suspect and loose plots and have unnecessary 'hammy' lines. Yet, I do like them. They seem far more playful and fun than many action films and are more engaging. The quaint charm of the first three Indiana Jones films really exemplify the historic action-adventure films ability to push the boundaries of the average 'shoot 'em up' films. Through clever writing, interesting (if unfeasible) plots and sumptuous sets and costumes Indiana Jones managed to create a fantastic franchise which appealed to all ages and genders, which continued for years after they were released. By no stretch of the imagination am I claiming from less than two minutes of footage that The Three Musketeers will be in the league of Indiana Jones, but it does look like it will provide a bare-knuckle ride dowsed in fun.

The film which was mainly filmed in the beautiful Germany features a multi-national cast including Danish and German actors, such as the Oscar winning Christoph Waltz. British stars also feature with Orlando Bloom returning from the wilderness as a villain (maybe an attempt to prove he can do more than smouldering poses)and the wonderful Pillars of Earth star Matthew MacFadyen taking the role of Athos. They will star alongside rising British stars Luke Evans and Juno Temple. However, I am most interesting in seeing how American Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief) fairs as the youthful D'Artagnan. I adored Percy Jackson... and sincerely hope that The Three Musketeers may remotely match that wonderfully enjoyable film, with Lerman giving as promising a performance.

The trailer looks as if the film will draw drama, comedy and impressive fighting scenes to the infamous story. With the glorious Andrew Davies adapting the book for screen it is undoubtedly going to be a great script which balances the right amount of faith to the book and visual spectacle and accessibility needed for the big screen. It is fair to say I am rather excited.

To watch the trailer for yourself follow the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvHqXkUZaS4

Washington DC

4 days and 3 nights in the capital of the United States of America.













For my first spring break I decided to brave it and travel alone down to DC. I had a fantastic time walking amongst great architecture, meeting fantastic new people and playing with my new camera. The majority of the time my feet were sore and my legs ached, and even at one point my nose was tinged pink with sunburn, but I proudly persevered carrying them as the battle wounds of a weary traveller. There was boundless amounts to do and see, so unsurprisingly I only managing to glimpse the surface of this magnificent city. I visited only 4 museums/art galleries but many a memorial and monument. I pounded the streets of Penn Square, Chinatown, Constitution Avenue, Georgetown and many places inbetween. I saw animals from Africa, Asia, America and Europe, I also encountered the hospitality of the South and helpfulness of policeman. Travelling alone was thoroughly enjoyable as not only did I get the freedom to dictate how and where I spent my time but also in regards to who I met. I doubt I would have had the opportunity to meet and chat to so many of the people I did if I had been in the company of others.

Somehow in four days I both recouperated energy and exhausted myself as I added to the depth of my understanding of American culture.