NINJA NEWS

SAVE HARRY POTTER

2007-07-11T21:12:00.000+01:00

If your insides are crying at the thought of J R Rowling's Harry Potter books coming to an end, maybe there is something you can do about it.

Waterstones has set up an online petition to 'Save Harry'. Their aim is to get 1 million names by 21st July 07, which is the day Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released.

Personally, I'm not much of a Harry Potter fan although I will admit to never reading any of the books, opting to see the movies instead. The first one I did enjoy, but later films found me fidgeting, willing them to be over. Similarly, my boys who I would expect to like Harry Potter aren't really that bothered either.

However, J R Rowling's books do appeal to many people out there and maybe if I'd of slotted them into my reading list at some point my opinion would be different. I mean, how many times can you actually watch a movie that is as good as the book. Movies never do the books justice!

Anyway, interested in helping?

You can sign the petition here!

DOCTOR WHO XMAS CAST

2007-07-11T16:47:00.000+01:00

The cast for the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, Voyage Of The Damned has been announced so here they are for my readers to see:

David Tennant & Kylie (click to view picture from the set)
Geoffrey Palmer The Captain (As Time Goes By, Clockwise)
Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances)
Gray O'Brien (The Queen, Peak Practice)
Debbie Chazen (The Smoking Room)
Clive Rowe (Guys and Dolls 1997 Oliver Award Winner)
Russell Tovey (The History Boys)
Jimmy Vee (past Doctor Who as Moxx of Balhoon)
George Costigan (Rita, Sue and Bob Too, The Long Firm)

Only 166 days until Christmas!

TORCHWOOD AUDIO

2007-07-11T15:06:00.000+01:00

After just discovering news of a Torchwood audio book to be recorded in Autumn 2007 called Hidden, I suddenly feel rather dumb. You see I've also just discovered 3 Torchwood audiobooks that have already been released that I didn't know about. Another Life, Slow Decay and Border Princes are also available in Hardcover too, and I didn't know about it.

As someone who went out and bought each DVD box set of Torchwood as soon as it was in the shops I suddenly feel disappointed that these 3 books have been released months and I didn't know about them. Why is this?

I scan the new release and chart section of my local supermarket book shelves every week. I've also browsed the shelves of WHSmith's bookshop and Waterstone's bookshop in a variety of different locations during the past 6 months. I visit either Amazon or Listal practically everyday and I regularly check out the Torchwood website for new information. How did I miss them?

I really am puzzled as a Torchwood fan and a book fan but nevertheless it means there's 3 more titles to add to my ever increasing book collection. Last week alone I bought 11 new books and it's typical that today is the last day of WHSmith's 3 for 2 on all books. I guess I'll just have to pay full price like everyone else, but I'm sure they'll be worth it.

IS LONDON SAFE?

2007-07-05T16:19:00.000+01:00

That was the question many of us in Krapsville were asking our local school this week as they prepared to take all pupils off on a day's excursion to London.

Today a tube train derailed, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded in a tunnel, some of which were injured. Tuesday a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspect device found outside a Tube station and there was a security alert at Heathrow sparked by a suspect package. Last week there were failed car bomb attacks...

As much as many of us would have loved to see our children experience the sights of London, a trip that had been put on by the school for free, a good majority of us felt that it wasn't worth the risk. Life is precious. Although, wrapping our children up in cotton wool isn't a good idea, neither is sending them to a place where we feel safety is an issue.

At the last minute the school pulled out of the London excursion and opted to take the pupils to our local Safari Park instead which pleased many parents. I am happy to say the heavy rain which has been continuing for weeks held off for them today too.

RUNAWAY BRIDE IS BACK!

2007-07-04T08:02:00.000+01:00

After her excellent appearance in The Runaway Bride last Christmas Catherine Tate has been asked to join The Doctor as her new companion. I have to say it was the last person I thought they would pick, but as a Tate fan I am delighted.

When I think of Catherine Tate, I think of Lauren, but thankfully she really pulled it off with her Doctor Who character Donna last year. With Martha set to return half way through the series as well, my insides are already doing back flips in anticipation.

KYLIE JOINS DOCTOR WHO

2007-07-03T08:26:00.000+01:00

The rumours were true. Kylie will be appearing in the Christmas Voyage Of The Damned episode of Doctor Who. They may be feeling lucky to have her, but my insides are groaning something chronic. Why is this?

I suppose for myself and many my age the name Kylie immediately brings back flashbacks of Neighbours, Jason Donovan and soppy love duos the couple both sang. It doesn't matter how much time goes by that image will not budge. The fact there are a mass of brats running around with the name of Kylie due to it being fashionable to name them so at the time, doesn't help matters either.

I imagine that the team will pull it off and I shall sit there in awe on Christmas Day, glued to my TV set whilst munching on endless Christmas naughties. But I'm a little apprehensive nevertheless.

MARTHA JOINS TORCHWOOD

2007-07-02T09:23:00.000+01:00

Finally, news has been found showing that not only will there be new series of Torchwood, but also Martha Jones will be joining the cast for 3 of the episodes. Already my mind is doing overtime at the possibilities for she knows more about Captain Jack Harkness, his origins and his future than his current Torchwood team.

Will Martha fill the team in on his origins and the secret of why he cannot die? Will she voice her suspicions of Jack's long life and eventual death as The Face Of Boe to him? And will Owen be able to keep his grubby mitts off this latest bit of skirt?

For Torchwood fans like myself, information on this site suggests that the new series will finish filming in November and be shown in January 2008, following the Christmas Doctor Who Episode.

Roll on Christmas!

ENGLAND SMOKING BAN

2007-07-01T12:20:00.000+01:00

It's been a long time coming, but finally England has followed Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales by bringing in the smoking ban. This may be bad news for all those smokers out there, but for a non smoker like myself it means that I can now enjoy pubs, cafes, restaurants and other social places without being chocked to death by second-hand smoke.

In the past few months I've noticed an increase in the amount of outside smoking area/shelters that have been built ready for the ban. This means that smokers can get their fix should they need to, but in an open designated spot away from enclosed public areas.

I for one am in favour of the ban. We will be saying goodbye to yellow walled and ceiling pubs and restaurants, and let's face it, it's really not pleasant going out for a meal or drink only to be chocked by someone else's bad habit.

When you hear that doctors estimate 600 people die from second-hand smoke a year, you realise just how much smoker's are putting your health at risk. I gave up smoking many years ago to improve my health, so it's only fair that it's now not compromised by someone else's smoke.

DOCTOR WHO FINALE

2007-07-01T09:55:00.000+01:00

Last night saw the end of yet another series of Doctor Who with the finale episode Last Of The Time Lords. As always, I feel a great sadness in my heart that my Saturday evenings once again will be left with a great big void. Fortunately, for both myself and other fans out there, filming is just about to start on next year's series. There will also be the customary Christmas episode to look forward to in just under 6 months. But is this enough?

Last year we had Torchwood to keep us entertained but a quick scan of the website and general news has turned up nothing to suggest it will be the same this year. I find this very hard to comprehend, as for me and many other individuals out there, Torchwood was completely on par if not slightly better than Doctor Who. It has even gained the honour of being added to my DVD collection which Doctor Who has yet to accomplish. So what now?

Doctor Who and Torchwood are the only 2 programmes that I watch on the BBC. In fact, add Bravo's Dog The Bounty Hunter to the list and you have the only 3 programmes I watch on my Television. Considering the amount I have to pay for the licence fee and digital access I'm not really getting value for my money. I'm not alone in my thinking either as a quick scan of the internet has revealed.

In my opinion, if the licence fee is to remain, the BBC should start giving their viewers more of what they want and less of the pitiful drivel that fills the screen each day. That's more Doctor Who, more Torchwood and less rubbish like Eastenders!

FOPP GOES POP

2007-06-29T23:03:00.000+01:00

Until the end of last year, I'd never heard of Fopp, but then they invaded my home town of Krapsville. As it had been many years since our one and only music store had close the thought of having a store selling nothing but CDs, DVDs and Books thrilled me as did many more of the locals. What's more Fopp offered much of their stock at cheap prices. Unfortunately, the novelty wore off.

This year has seen a price war between many DVD retailers, some going as low as £1 just to get the sale. Fopp however, held their ground meaning many of their customers went elsewhere. I myself have recently purchased DVDs from places like Woolworths and Tescos for over £5 less than what Fopp had them priced at.

Krapsville maybe about to lose it's one and only music store yet again but with the way their prices have been just lately, I can honestly say that I doubt they will be missed.