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from JoeUser Forums

My wife and I went and saw the Incredible Hulk yesterday for my birthday.  But before I get to the movie...

We spent a good part of our time in the city at our favourite bookshop (supposedly the largest in the Southern Hemisphere - I'm not sure if the claim is correct but it is a huge shop nonetheless).  It is a fantastic place to get lost in for a few hours, particularly if you are bibliophiles like we are.  The shop, called Kinokuniya, is in the centre of the city (for those of you reading this who don't know, I am talking about Sydney, Australia). 

Ironically, surrounded by so many wonderful books, we ended up adding to our ever-growing collection of graphic novels with a couple more volumes of the celebrated 'Fable' series, the first two volumes of a series called 'Y: The Last Man' and Volume 6 of Frank Miller's 'Sin City' series.  Then it was off to lunch.

We went to a Chinese restaurant in the city to have Yum Cha.  For those of you who don't know what it is, its kind of like a smorgasbord except all the dishes are wheeled around on trolleys for you to pick and choose.  It was absolutely delicious and we stuffed ourselves full of wonderful wontons, delicate savouries, noodles, pork rolls and jasmin tea. 

After this, we spent a relaxing half hour over a long coffee and newspapers before heading off to catch the late afternoon session of the new Incredible Hulk.

Now, the movie...

We both thoroughly enjoyed it.  I believe it is superior to Ang Lee's version in every way.  While I've not ever been much of a Hulk fan anyway (I always sort of thought he was the big, dumb jock of the Marvel superhero stable and an also-ran character).  But Ed Norton is a favourite actor of ours, so we were prepared to take a chance.  I'm glad we did.

While Ed might have distanced himself from the movie (to his detriment, I think), it was a action-packed, powerhouse of a movie with all the right bits to keep discerning geeks such as ourselves interested.  I don't want to say too much about it in case there are those who haven't seen it but it was another success for the Marvel Studios.  The supporting cast is really good and there are a couple of great cameos too.  The icing on the cake, for me, was the final scene that paves the way for an Ironman/Hulk teaming in the future.

Next: The Dark Knight :)

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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
For those of you who don't know what it is, its kind of like a smorgasbord except all the dishes are wheeled around on trolleys for you to pick and choose.
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That is worth a trip to Oz in itself! Mmmmmmmmmmm

Next: The Dark Knight
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YOu sound like my son, in both your reviews and anticipation! He already has it marked on our calendars.

Glad you had a great birthday!
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds like a fun day -for an old fart.

KIDDING!  :LOL:  Happy birthday Maso!!!!
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm glad you had a wonderful day.  The bookstore sounds the best to me.

You and my middle son share a birthday. He was sweet 16.

It sounds like you and your wife had a lovely day, just like you are supposed to on your birthday. I wish you many, many more.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Your trip to the book store sound like me inside a compusa store (when they were still open). Nothing like looking thru all the stuff you wish you could take home with you at one time. The lunch sounded very interesting. Now you got me hungry.

I'm glad you liked the movie. I thought it was great, I how ever too the Tony Stark appearance a tad bit differently. I was told that sequals to Ironman and The Incredible Hulk will follow soon, but will also have to add one more hero to the mix before we can get to the topdog of these movies. I believe there will be a movie based on Captain America which I hope will be just as good as the Incredible Hulk and Ironman, if I am lucky theyr may go further and make a movie from another hero as well with the intentions of bringing them together to make "The Avengers". A cartoon based on the alliance between The Incredible Hulk, Ironman, Captain American and many other Marvel hero's such as Thor and Wasp. That would be something I definitely look forward too.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Happy birthday, Maso!

The book store sounds incredible!

I have never heard of Yum Cha before, but it sounds AWESOME!

I'm glad you had a great birthday. Sounds like a perfect day. :)
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Oh Happy Day!

I love bookstores.  In fact, my favorite kind has the scent of strong coffee in the air.

The only thing I DON'T like about them is how noisy they are now days.  I can go buy a book there, sit down for a cup of coffee, but can't really read because its too darn loud.

Glad you liked Hulk.  My 5 year old wants to see it.  Too scary for him?

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Glad you liked Hulk. My 5 year old wants to see it. Too scary for him?
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Nah, my 5 year old saw parts of it but found it boring. If he is use to that kind of action movie he'll be fine.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

That is worth a trip to Oz in itself! Mmmmmmmmmmm
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I'm sure there would be Yum Cha where you are too.  Yum Cha literally translates as 'drink tea' as the food is always served with never ending pot of tea.  The tea is usually green or jasmin tea, is unsweetened and is a wonderful accompaniment to the food.  The Yum Cha experience is highly recommended.  If you have a local Chinatown (as most large cities do), you will almost certainly find Yum Cha served somewhere. 

YOu sound like my son, in both your reviews and anticipation! He already has it marked on our calendars. Glad you had a great birthday!
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Yep, there are 25 days to go before it opens and these can't go quick enough, as far as I'm concerned.  Thanks for the wishes again, Doc.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Sounds like a fun day -for an old fart. KIDDING! Happy birthday Maso!!!!
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Anyone else, mate, and I'd be looking to kick some arse (see, getting fit has given me a confidence far exceeding my actual abilities.  But at least this way, if I lose, I'll still look good :LOL:)

Thanks heaps mate.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Kelly,

I'm glad you had a wonderful day. The bookstore sounds the best to me.
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The bookstore is amazing.  The biggest problem we have going there is trying not to spend too much money.  We could live in the place, seriously.

You and my middle son share a birthday. He was sweet 16.
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Oh, boy, I vaguely remember my 16th.  I was a skinny, shy boy completely unsure of his place in the world.  I hope your son is fairing better (with you as a Mum, I have no doubt).  Wish a very happy birthday from me.

It sounds like you and your wife had a lovely day, just like you are supposed to on your birthday. I wish you many, many more.
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Thanks very much Kelly.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Your trip to the book store sound like me inside a compusa store (when they were still open). Nothing like looking thru all the stuff you wish you could take home with you at one time.
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Yes, I'm a bit like a kid in a candy store there.  The art books, the novels, the travel books, the references, the graphic novels and all the other bits and pieces.  It is a biblophile's wonderland.

The lunch sounded very interesting. Now you got me hungry.
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If you haven't had Yum Cha before, I can highly recommend it.  It is also great for kids - a lot of fun.  It is a very family-orientated repast and always reasonably priced.

I'm glad you liked the movie. I thought it was great, I how ever too the Tony Stark appearance a tad bit differently. I was told that sequals to Ironman and The Incredible Hulk will follow soon, but will also have to add one more hero to the mix before we can get to the topdog of these movies. I believe there will be a movie based on Captain America which I hope will be just as good as the Incredible Hulk and Ironman, if I am lucky theyr may go further and make a movie from another hero as well with the intentions of bringing them together to make "The Avengers". A cartoon based on the alliance between The Incredible Hulk, Ironman, Captain American and many other Marvel hero's such as Thor and Wasp. That would be something I definitely look forward too
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Marvel are already in preproduction for Captain America and for The Avengers.  This is definite.  Captain America is due for release in 2011, as is The Avengers.  But I guess we'll have to wait and see.  I also know The Watchmen is in production at the moment, which is probably my all-time favourite superhero graphic novel.  I can hardly wait to see them all.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Tex,

Happy birthday, Maso!
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Thanks heap, Tex.

The book store sounds incredible!
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Oh, it is.  As I said, Toni and I could live there quite easily.

I have never heard of Yum Cha before, but it sounds AWESOME!
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You'd love it.  It is usually dim sims, dim sums, delicate pastries, rice rolls and bits and pieces.  And it is all really, really tasty.  The name is so applicable.

I'm glad you had a great birthday. Sounds like a perfect day.
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It was, Tex, it really was.  Thanks again... :)

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Tova,

Oh Happy Day!
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Thanks very much.

I love bookstores. In fact, my favorite kind has the scent of strong coffee in the air. The only thing I DON'T like about them is how noisy they are now days. I can go buy a book there, sit down for a cup of coffee, but can't really read because its too darn loud.
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So do I.  This bookstore has a coffee shop right at the front entrance and as you walk around, you can smell the coffee.  The scent goes so well with books.  This shop is also the kind of shop that encourages buyers to browse, sit and read and take their time.  We spent probably an hour and a half in there and the only reason we left is because we wanted some lunch.  You'd definitely love this one.

Glad you liked Hulk. My 5 year old wants to see it. Too scary for him?
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I don't think so.  The thing we noticed was how loud it was but maybe that was the theatre.  While the adversary is a bit scary looking, there is nothing in the movie to frighten kids, I think.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Happy natal anniversary! Sounds like a great time.
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Mason,

Happy natal anniversary!  Sounds like a great time.
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Thanks very much mate.  It was indeed a great time.

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm sure there would be Yum Cha where you are too.
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Perhaps in larger cities, but not here. We do have a Portugese steak house (that is a trip in itself - pricey, but well worth it for a special occassion or 2) that basically does the same thing - except with delicious meat (not for the vegetarians among us). But I will look at finding one (and perhaps one day they will come to our little burg). When eating chinese, green tea (hot) is essential to the gourmand experience!
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Doc, what a shame you don't have Yum Cha near you.  It really is a taste sensation.  And you're right; the tea is essential.

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
An awesome bookstore, a great dinner, a cool movie...and all in the company of someone you love...sounds like an awesome birthday to me. :)

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks heaps Rose.  It was an awesome birthday.  And this weekend we're going to see the new Narnia movie, as Toni is such a fan of the books.  We might even squeeze in another visit to the bookstore as well. 

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Books, Chinese and a movie plus a beautiful woman to share it with. Sounds like my kind of day.

Glad your day went so well, mate.

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Mmmmm, both Fables and Y: The Last Man are great.

Fables may, in fact, (and this is pretty scary to say) overtake Sandman as my favorite comic of all-time.  We'll have to see how it keeps up, but so far I'm completely up to date with the trade paperbacks, and that series continually surprises me by its absolute AWESOMENESS.  Little Boy Blue is THE MAN.  (You would never think I'd have occasion to say that, but there it is...)

And Y is great, too.  I'm not completely caught up on that one, and I heard that the last paperback is due out this summer.  I'll probably finish it up when I get home from Spain.

And how can you lose with Sin City?  Pretty much some of the most gritty, engaging noir comics ever done.

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm glad the Hulk was good for you. I've not seen it yet, hopefully this weekend.  I love Norton too, he's always good in his roles.  That was some birthday celebration - Yum Cha...I've never had but sounds yummy!

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Chris,

We're going for a repeat performance, of sorts, this weekend.  We're visiting the bookshop again, going to the Biennale Arts Festival and then to see the new Narnia movie.  Toni is so looking forward to this as the Narnia books are among her favourites.

Thanks for the good wishes, mate.  Any progress on those designs?

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

SanCho,

Fables is absolutely awesome.  We now have 1 to 10 plus a off-shoot volume of stories.  I can hardly wait for the next trade.  I haven't even started looking at the Jack of Fables offshoot either yet.  I'm still not sure who my favourite character is; Snow rocks, Wolf is fantastic, as are Blue and Flycatcher and then there is Beast, Rose Red, King Cole, Beauty etc.  Yep, it is a fantastic series.

I'm currently working my way through volumes 4 to 8 of the Sandman trade series as well (Toni borrowed them from the local library).  Gaiman is so good and an absolute inspiration to me.

As for Y:The Last Man, well so far, I'm blown away.  I've only read, wait, no, I mean devoured the first two trades.  I plan on getting the next couple tomorrow.  I think it would make a bloody excellent television series, don't you?

I am chomping at the bit to see the next Sin City movie too.  The books are amazing.  Frank Miller is a hands down, no arguments genius.

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

Serenity,

I was going to send you an email to say thank you very much for the lovely birthday card, but if I do it here, then the rest of the community (or at least those who read this) will see how wonderful you are.

I completely agree with you about Ed Norton even if his reputation is as a bit of a prima donna (no pun intended).  And I guarantee you'd love Yum Cha.  Thanks again. :)