Stand-Up against bullying. #StandUp18

This week, 12th - 16th November is National Stand-Up against homophobic bullying week.

This will be a quick blog ...

90% of LGBT youth experience mental health issues with 70% feeling unsafe in school.



Check out this heartfelt video by James Mitchell TV; he talks about the relief and support he felt after opening up to his friend Steph as part of the #BetterOutThanIn campaign for LGBT youth. Taking the brave step of opening up to someone you trust is worth it.

If you are struggling to start your conversation with a family member or friend, stick one of these on the DVD player and start watching it.

I've watched them all and love them for different reasons but Love, Simon is my fave.  I've blogged a review of the book HERE 

And the movie HERE 

Anyway, that's me done for today.

Live Long and Prosper and talk to someone today...



John The Captain Ryan

#lgbt #lgbtireland #lgbtyouth #StandUp18

My top reviews of the year - Top 12

So, I’ve been blogging for a little more than a year now and have reviewed loads of things. Thanks to the Western Regional Section of the LAI and the Rudai 23course I’ve gotten off to a great start and published over 100 blogs so far. I’ve reviewed loads of books, movies and TV series. It would have been cool if it were a top 10 list, but it turns out I gave 12 reviews a 10 out of 10 planet, so here is a round-up of the best of the best:

I have to start with Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda(Book Review). This is by far one of my fave reads in the last year, an amazing book written by Becky Albertalli telling us of the story of Simon, how he is as normal as most other teenagers with the same problems and – oh ya – he’s gay.

 

Quote: "Your real friends will not have a problem when you come out and if they do, well they weren't true friends in the first place. You can go and find some better ones"

 

This is closely followed by Love Simon, a seminal movie for the LGBT community, the first proper – big budget – big production of a young teens coming out story based on Albertalli's book.

 

Quote: "You get to exhale now, Simon ... You get to be more you than you've been in a very long time”

  

Deadpool 2 (movie review) is the fab sequel from the Marvel Universe; it's possible the odd occasion where the sequel is better than it’s predecessor.

Quote: "the soundtrack, it's just amazing. Songs like Celine Dion's "Ashes", Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," and even "Tomorrow" from Annie accompany some of the movie's most violent scenes, making for a delightfully weird playlist.  Weird yes, perfect also yes "

  

History is all you left me  (Book Review) is an amazing book dealing with love, loss and rebuilding one's soul. The author Adam Silvera is great, check out all the other titles he has.

Quote: "The short sticatto sentences are brutal and honest. In one paragraph we learn so much about Theo. The last sentence is just perfect. Sums up the whole book really. It’s been one month since you lived. It’s a beautifully written story of grief, rebuilding and hope. A must read"

The supernatural horror - The Lodgers (Movie Review) - was amazing and to see something filmed in my home town of Wexford is great. An awesome screenplay by talented writer David Turpin makes this a must see. 

Quote: "When you see the interior parts of The Lodgers, the closest movie I can compare it to is Crimson Peak. Seriously, the visuals and feel of the crumbling building stack up against the multi-million-dollar creation of recent Oscar winner Guillermo Del Toro" 

Noah Can’t Even  (Book Review) is one of the funniest reads I've gotten my mitts on in ages. Another must read by the very talented Simon James Green

Quote: "Skittles and Haribo will solve all problems"

 

 

Ant-Man and the Wasp (movie review) is another great movie from the Marvel universe. A great plus is that it is stand-alone and can be viewed without extensive knowledge of all the Marvel movies over the last few years (of which there has been way way too many)

 

 

Quote: "The fight scenes are awesome, the special effects are brilliant but more than anything the story, dialog and interactions between the characters are really funny"

 

 

As part of the Rudai23 course I was doing, here's a blog on using the App Quik which allows you to make a video/photograph slideshow with a soundtrack 

 

 

Quote: “ It was really intuitive and with no instructions one could use it straight “out of the box”

 

 

 

Logan (movie review)

 

One of my fave ALL time movies, Logan is the story of (Wolverine) and Charles (Professor X), in this time-line they are the only two superheros left in the World.  Patrick Stewart (who might return as Captain Picard) proves yet again that he is one of the best actors to ever grace the screen. We also cannot discount Hugh Jackman - possible the Greatest Showman on Earth, only gets better with age.

 

I also speak about the "Disneyfication" of movies in this review. 

Quote: "Stewart is amazing, portraying the role of an old man losing control over his mind with poignant understanding and realism"

 

 

 

I came across this gem of a book in work and just had to add it to my blog - Declaration of the Rights of Boys & Girls.

 

 

 

Quote: "The illustrations are fun and cheerful, girls having the right to be dirty and boys having the right to wear pink ... the book does a fantastic job of spreading a message of equality without being preachy or insulting to anyone’s faith ... It is quite frankly a book that every child from the age of 3 should have on their shelf"

 

 

 

Last year we saw the remake of IT by Stephen King, hitting our screens with mixed reviews but I loved it.

 

 

 

I talk about remakes and then review IT. The second part is due to be released in September 2019.

Quote: "Final Verdict:  A massive success that will instil a fear of clowns for generations to come"

And finally, my first podcast (but hopefully not last) I reviewed 3 movies together with Black Panther getting the highest marks. All I can say is it's an awesome movie and of course #Representation Matters

That's me all done. Please like and follow me on FACEBOOK to keep up to date with all my blogs.

Thanks for reading and thanks for all the fish.

John The Captain Ryan

We all have closets - YES, really!

And they are all dark and lonely inside...

Just watched this video from TedX in Boulder. Ash Beckham is just fantastic. 

She just hits the nail on the head. We all have our closets, whether it's talking about having cancer, talking about your divorce or talking about your sexuality.

All our stories are hard because they are HARD stories to tell. We should stop comparing them because they are all hard.

Instead we should support each other.

What's important is to get out of that closet because it is dark and lonely in there and it is no way to live your life.

Fini.

Chemical Warfare in Syria, a commentary.

"I know that tit for tat revenge killings, “measured responses” & bombings never work...I simply cannot believe that any God or parent wants this to continue"

Before you go any further, there are very disturbing photos in this blog. Don’t scroll down and then give out to me. You have been warned.

I don’t even pretend to understand the dynamics going on in Syria at the moment. To delve into and understand the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is even a bigger can of worms. Of course, they are all linked on many levels. With fake news, falsified reports and doctored photographs it’s hard to tell.

What we know. The place: Douma in Syria. The date: 6^th & 7^th April 2018.

·       Dozens of Syrians choked to death after a suspected chemical attack struck the rebel-held suburb of Douma, east of Damascus, with aid groups on Sunday blaming President Bashar al-Assad’s government for the assault. (NYTimes)

·       A stream of patients with burning eyes and breathing problems were rushed to clinics after the attack at dusk on Saturday, medical and rescue groups said. (NYTimes)

·       Most of them were going to die’: Syria aid workers tell of apocalyptic scenes (Guardian)

·       The attack, the victims of which exhibited symptoms that doctors say are consistent with exposure to organophosphorus (Guardian)

·       Rescue workers said victims showed symptoms that included suffocation, central cyanosis – a blueish discolouration of the skin – foaming, corneal burns and the emission of a chlorine-like odour (Guardian)

Sources - NYTimes & Guardian.

We also know this is not the first time chemical weapons have been used, in 2013 the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War has been confirmed by the United Nations and one year ago 70 people were killed in Khan Sheikhun by the use of Sarin gas. 

What is clear is that a war is being fought and innocent children are being hurt and killed. We know that Russia and America are involved.

This is wrong. I know it. I don’t understand everything going on, but, I am 100% positive that this is wrong. Parents should not have to watch their children going through this. I also know that tit for tat revenge killings, “measured responses” & bombings never work. I know this because our own country had many years of it and eventually both sides decided to end the violence. Whichever side of the conflict you support and whoever you decide to believe, we should all agree that scenes like these are EVIL and WRONG. I simply cannot believe that any God or parent wants this to continue.

Enough of me preaching; look at these photos and you decide how this can be justified.

A just war my arse. A holy war my bollix. This is plain and simple. It's EVIL and WRONG.

Here endeth the lesson.

Love, Simon (movie review)

I drove a round trip of 370 km to go see this movie yesterday.

I got to see the movie yesterday thanks to Corks RedFm and the Gate Cinema in Cork city. If you haven’t read the book, check out my review here.

The film is amazing, beautiful, powerful, funny, poignant and relate-able. If only this movie were out years ago, what a different world we would live in. I brought my hubby who doesn’t watch rom-coms and he loved it. There were tears, laughter and joy. We left the movie theatre holding hands. But, I just can’t put into words, let alone write a review until I have seen it again so instead, here is a tiny snapshot of what the Twitter-verse is saying. Did you make the list?

Orion Corloto hits the nail on the head @orionnichole

Just like Love, Ari, I want everyone to see the movie too. Seriously, don't be tempted to download it, pay to see it and show the studios we need these types of movies @FinalJudgement

 Well Done Anthony @anthony_pichacz

As the tagline goes, everyone deserves a love story and love wins always Anthony @AndrewGhai

It's such an empowering movie and book, well done Logan @LoganBallge

Thanks and hopes to all the community from Josh @JoshRadwell 

I agree, it means so much, but on top of that, it's a brilliant story with amazing actors and a fab soundtrack. @PJandThomas

And it wasn't a halfhearted snog either. Glad to find another Paddy. @greenwordsmith

Beautiful is one of the most used words to describe the movie Justin. @JustinCrumpler7

Life changing doesn't even describe it. Congrats Kai @marvelusholland

After beautiful, important representation is the next most popular comment, thanks Jill @amesLy30

You go girl @_catwashere

One of my fave quotes from the show and probably the most relate-able for people when they come out. Kudos Zach. @zach_craymer 

Yep, I agree with you Johaunna, great writing and acting @johaunna37

For me, watching the movie reinvigorates me to continue the fight so, yes, the excitement and empowerment for older gay people is immense. @OvaThrone

Energy, Joy & Life. Hell ya! @MarleyTeter

Again, one of my fave quotes. @TheRobSandlin

We cannot thank Becky enough for this awesome story. (ps Ryan, I'm a Ryan by surname) @rantryan

And finally, this is an amazing sentiment and if anyone cannot afford a ticket let me know also. Huge shout out to Danielle and all the others offering the same. @DanielleRogland

The more I think about it, I don't need to write a review, these tweets cover it all. See it. See it again. Buy a ticket for someone who cannot afford it. Tell everyone about it.

Without a shadow of a doubt this movie gets 10 out of 10 planets.

John the Captain Ryan