Stepping up efforts against a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise that international navies have struggled to contain, the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) said it had conducted an overnight attack on pirate targets using helicopters and surveillance aircraft.

It was the first time the EU had taken its fight against the pirates to Somali soil since its mandate was expanded earlier this year to allow strikes on land, as well as at sea.

A Somali pirate, who identified himself as Abdi, told Reuters that a helicopter attacked the central Somali coastline near Hardhere, a known pirate haven.

“An unidentified helicopter destroyed five of our hunting boats early in the morning. There were no casualties,” he said. “We were setting off from the shore when the helicopter attacked us. We ran away without counter-attacking.”

EU Navfor said it had carried out the attack to destroy pirate equipment, four days after Somali gunmen hijacked a Greek-owned oil tanker carrying close to a million barrels of crude oil in the Arabian Sea.

EU Navfor’s Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, said the attack would “further increase the pressure on, and disrupt pirates’ efforts to get out to sea to attack merchant shipping and dhows”. Initial surveillance indicated that no Somalis had been wounded as a result of the attack, EU Navfor said.

“We have monitored several locations for quite a long time and the time and place chosen was one of the best opportunities,” Timo Lange, a media officer for EU Navfor, said. He said the force would launch similar attacks in future “given that those targets will show up again”.

The EU extended its counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia in March to the end of 2014 and expanded the area it covers to include the coastline itself.

Until Tuesday’s attack, it had only operated in waters off Somalia however. But the decision to extend operations to the Somali coastline itself means it is now able to target weapons and other equipment stored on the shore in order to reduce the pirates’ ability to launch attacks.

Despite successful efforts to stop attacks in the Gulf of Aden shipping lane, international navies have struggled to contain piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea due to their limited resources and the vast distances involved.

“As for the overall effect of this type of operation, it may take time to limit the overall scope of pirate activities. The pirates have had virtually unconstrained ability to operate for five or six years now and that won’t be rolled back rapidly,” a maritime analyst who declined to be named said.

The pirates have raked in millions of dollars in ransoms in recent years in what has become a highly organised, international criminal enterprise. A study published earlier this year by the One Earth Future Foundation showed Somali piracy cost the world economy some $7 billion last year, with ransoms paid reaching $160 million.

Somali pirates are switching back to using smaller cargo and fishing vessels as motherships, hoping to evade detection in the face of more robust maritime security.

There is a risk that the pirates may step up hostage taking to discourage further military operations, Rory Lamrock, an intelligence analyst with security firm AKE, told Reuters. “The concern is that pirates will simply relocate logistics bases further inland, possibly among coastal communities, to avoid EU airborne attacks,” he said.

“Hostages are still a ransomable commodity and intentional murders will remain unlikely, but an escalation in violence directed at hostages is definitely a possible response.”

Pirates of the Caribbean 5 should surpass the action scene and exhilarating adventure of the past four series or offer some unique plot and twists, to be able to make it past first four. People have already identified such films as equal to exciting adventure, comedy-action with drama and some hints of love triangle on the side. After all, the unique mix of this kind of plot made moviegoers laugh and entertained to the hilt. As of this writing, they are still in the process of selecting the director who will direct this series. They are maybe searching for someone who can infuse fresh ideas to the latest series to make it to the top grosser list. Whoever will direct Pirates of the Caribbean 5 will have a heavy load to carry. They may be able to obtain the services of all the prime actors but to pull a big project such as Pirates of the Caribbean 5, they need to have more than fine actors on the helm. The plot should be something to look forward to by moviegoers, unlike the previous four.

Johnny Depp, being in the lead role, plays the part to the hilt. One could probably say that the series might not be as popular as it were if it is not for Depp and of course the golden talents of the other casts, such as Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley to just name a few. Even Penelope Cruz, the former lover and daughter of a great buccaneer; and who impersonated Captain Jack Sparrow is quite magnificent in the role.  Not surprisingly, the last four series has been top earners worldwide. With a cast like that, a bevy of very talented writers, an awesome director at the helm and an extra-ordinary plot, it is no wonder that the series has been one of the fastest films ever to have grossed such income in such a short time.

Film series can be boring if there are no novel ideas infused to the latest series. With the same actors acting out the important roles, if the plot is more or less the same with the previous ones, then you can be sure that moviegoers will lose interest and that might not be a good idea, with their plan to make a 6th sequel. Pirates of the Caribbean 5 will make or unmake the historical phenomenon of this adventure-fantasy movie. This series will decide whether there would still be a 6th or a 7th for that matter. All eyes will be on the first showing of the Pirates of the Caribbean 5 and the makers will probably be crossing their fingers for the outcome of the latest of this highly acclaim fantasy-adventure film.

     As I’m sure we’ve all seen, most series that try to make too many installments of the same series tend to run out of ideas before they can finish what they intend to create, and the series ends up becoming a complete dead end. This is an extreme let down for people who have high hopes for the series (though when the series ends and its a complete success, that can also be a huge let down (such as DeathNote…still wish they’d make a new season…)).

     On the other side, however, this could also be a huge oppertunity to yet again expand on the possibilities for this series. For those who pay close attention to the endings of each movie, there has always been clues, or possible hints, that there would be a next movie. After reading a few posts and watching the movie for myself, I believe that On Stranger Tides deffinitely left the ending open for a fifth installment.

     I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next. Who knows? Maybe the series will come to a dead end, or maybe it will continue its hot streak and keep us all in tune and waiting for more as we watch the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp). Whatever the case, I’m sure that time will only tell if we are patient.

     Till next time! ~Tsynn~

Despite justifiable critical mauling, the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film did well at the box office.

Many elements of the franchise have gone. Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley are not on board. Nor are many of the great minor cast members of the previous films, i.e. McKenzie Crooke.

A bigger shock is the disappearance of Jack’s ship, The Black Pearl, later found trapped in miniature in a bottle. Somewhere in between movies, Geoffrey Rush’s Barbossa has lost a leg, and now embarks on an Ahab like quest for revenge against its taker, Blackbeard, played with relish by Ian McShane

Depp seems to veer from sleep-walkingthrough his role to camping it up with such exaggerated mannerism to look like a bad impersonator of him.

Action sequences explode onto screen to the point of distracting from the narrative, so that overall, the plot makes no sense. There seems to be a race between the Spanish, British, and Blackbeard to reach he fabled Fountain Of Youth, on an island guarded by piranha-like mermaid siren women. Everyone seems to already have maps or memory of a map of the location of the island.

There are great moments and scenes. Penelope Cruz, as Blackbeard’s genuinely treacherous daughter, is very well played. The mermaids are well realized and there is a terrific cameo for Keith Richards, as Jack’s dad, but generally, the film is a mess, carrying little of the charm or appeal of the earlier films. It all just seems to be treading through the motions. The plot is virtually a retread of Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, derivative and mostly uninteresting. A fifth film will have to work hard to recover the treasures that were presented by the earlier films, if the series franchise is to survive.

Arthur Chappell

Pirate parties are exceptionally well-liked with both children and adults alike. If you’re about to put on your very own pirate party then with any luck the subsequent pirate party ideas will present you some great motivation to make it a cool occasion for everybody.

1. Remember that your invitations are an imperative part of any theme party. For a pirate theme party I would send them out on cut outs of Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook, a parrot, a pirate ship or even a treasure chest over flowing with gold.

2. Make sure you create a Facebook group. This is quite essential as you’ll be able to keep your buddies updated regarding any alterations to your event plans. You could too keep them hyped in the days approaching your event. Though the best cause for starting a Facebook group is that they consistently tend to boost your attendance levels as all your visitors will be able to see just how popular your party is going to be.

3. 

For pirate party costumes you could find some jeans, slash the base off in a rough fashion and you possess pirate trousers. Discover an old and gray stripy t-shirt and likewise jag up the edges by cutting into the sleeves. Eye patches are simple to get hold of and maybe if you have a parrot stuffed doll you could fasten it to your shoulder. Lastly top off your costume with a bandanna.

4. Then again there is well-known pirate characters from the past that you could dress up as. Jack Sparrow will be instantaneously identifiable and you’ll come across several variations to purchase online.

5. For your pirate party music you will be able to discover great discs especially for this on Amazon. In addition contemplate having a singalong to Row Row Row Your Boat and also What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor. If you have bags of drink and you are cautious not to invite any party poopers, this ought to be a cool experience.

Have A Peek At These Pirate Party Costumes!

Spoiler alerts

A cool episode that for once gives a decent portion of action to the entire Liberator crew, rather than just one or two of them.

Blake (Gareth Thomas) and Cally are trying to talk an exiled former president of a planet to return to power and help overthrow the Federation president who has taken his place.

The ex-President and his gun toting vivacious daughter are living in a woodland castle, (with a model of the Eiffel Tower on its roof). They are treated well, but virtually under house arrest. The ex-president has a collection butterflies, old jazz records, and a vintage car. He is resigned to his exile and expects an assassin to kill him on behalf of the Federation at any time. He seems to actually want this to happen, and assumes Blake is the killer himself. Blake and the daughter struggle to persuade him to go with them. They are assisted by the telepathic Cally (Jan Chappell).

Just as they manage to get the president to help in his own escape from the Federation goon squad closing in, the Liberator is captured by an armed band of smugglers, led by a man who looks like an extra from Laurence Of Arabia. These are the smugglers Jenna (Sally Knyvette) used to work with and she fakes a continuing alliance with them that makes her take her fellow crewmembers hostage. The crew are forced to wear explosive collars that the piratical bounty hunters can trigger at will.  Villa (Michael Keating) helps them escape from the necklaces of death, while Paul Darrow’s Avon helps them break out of their prison cell, to recapture their ship. However it is the president and his daughter who will ultimately save everyone and kill the leader of the attackers.

A fun episode that really teases the viewer regarding Jenna’s motives. The two separate plot strands knit together very well, and. T P McKenna’s Oscar Wilde like president in exile is very well performed. His transformation into a man of action and political guile is impressive. Sadly, we will see no more of him or his daughter after they are taken to the planet he is supposed to recapture from Federation control. The Liberator crew just go off to other adventures and forget all about this episode.

Arthur Chappell.

The films started with their first film released on the big screen in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Given the success of the first film, Walt Disney Pictures has revealed that a trilogy was in the pipeline. In fact, after three years, was released in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The sequel has been very successful, exceeding all records worldwide the day of its premiere. Eventually, it earned $ 1066179725 at the box office worldwide, becoming the fourth film and faster (at the time) to reach that amount. The third film in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, was released in 2007. In September 2008, Depp signed on for a fourth film in the franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, released on May 20, 2011 in conventional 2D, Digital 3-D and IMAX 3D. It succeeded in grossing more than $1 billion, becoming the eighth and fourth-fastest film to achieve this. So far, the series has grossed $ 3.72 billion worldwide and is the only series which only two films reached $ 1 billion worldwide. This is the fourth most built of all times achieved by a series of films. It ’s been confirmed that in the future plans of the other Disney programming du EFILM for this series. In July 2011, Johnny Depp has confirmed that it was closing on a deal for a fifth episode and the series would not go forward without the participation of Depp.

Here is the plot of the saga

The saga of the 2011 is composed of four films: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl released in 2003, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was released in 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, released in 2007 and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides released in 2011.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Elizabeth Swann, daughter of the Governor, is kidnapped by the crew of the Black Pearl, commanded by Captain Barbossa, in order to get rid of a curse inflicted for stealing Aztec gold. The blacksmith Will Turner, longtime friend of Elizabeth, convinces Captain Jack Sparrow to save her from going.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

Lord Beckett, powerful and ruthless agents of the East India Trading Company, arrests Will and Elizabeth for helping Jack Sparrow escape arrest, however, Beckett offers clemency if Turner can help him to recover his magic compass Sparrow. At the same time, Jack tries to get rid of an old debt with the pirate Davy Jones looking for the Chest, which is essential to combat and defeat the captain of the Flying Dutchman.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

Lord Cutler Beckett now controls Davy Jones, and with the help of the Flying Dutchman pursues its goal to eradicate piracy from the seas. Will, Elizabeth and Barbossa racing to rescue Jack from Davy Jones’ Locker, where the pirate was confined to convene the Council of the Brotherhood and fight the East India Company.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Jack Sparrow crosses their path with Angelica, a woman from his past, not sure if this really love or is it just using to search for the mythical Fountain of Youth. Once the sight of the fearsome pirate Blackbeard, Jack finds both dangerous opponents, and forced to live a new adventure.

Pirates of the Caribbean 5

In October 2011, Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that they are working on a script.[38][39] In an interview, Kevin McNally stated that a summer 2012 production start was possible. Because of the financial success of On Stranger Tides, the film’s director Rob Marshall may return to direct.

I awoke to the soft rocking of our ship as the waves softly battered it. I was bellow deck in my sleeping quarters. A crew member must of brought me down last night. My cutlass was beside me along with my flintlock pistol. I armed myself and went above deck. The deck had been cleaned and everything rearranged after the storm. “glad to see you up Alex.” I turned and saw Zack sitting on a barrel. “The gods must of favored the city we ransacked yesterday to send us such a storm.” said Zack. “glad the storm is over” I replied. I scanned the deck and saw the rest of the crew working. “every thing’s back to normal.” I said.

“Royal ship approaching! All hands on deck!” the lookout yelled. I ran to the rail and looked around. I saw a huge ship approaching it seemed to of just appeared out of nowhere. A cannon was fired from our ship. It hit the Royal ship clipping its mast and crippling the ship. Our ship was raising the jolly rodger. we neared the ship. When we were side by side grappling hooks were thrown over and the plank was put on to the other ship. We climbed over yelling a battle cry.  Adrenalin was rushing through my body as I landed on the Royal’s ship looking for a fight. A guard rushed me. It was the last thing he did. I ran him through then threw him over board. I charged a guard. He parried my blow and striked with a viscous swing. I ducked the blow and hit him with the butt of my cutlass. He crumpled. I heard a yell. It was Zack and he was surrounded. I fired my flintlock pistol and killed one. That was all zack needed. He slit the other guars throat.

All around me the battle was coming to an end. The ship was ordered to be sunk. I climbed onto my ship and watched as the Royal ship sunk. Slowly the ocean claimed it.

It’s been a long time since the last “Wallace and Gromit” movie. But whilst we wait for another one we have a newish idea (The film was based on the book of the same name) and set of characters brought to you by the thoroughly British Aardman Animatons

The plot of this movie is the Pirate Captain “Hugh Grant” determined to become the Pirate of the year, finds he has a chance of getting the title. This is thanks to a chance encounter with Charles Darwin (David Tennant) who notices that the Pirate Captains parrot really is a Dodo. From this point on the plot goes a bit more crazy involving a plot with Queen Victoria ( Imelda Staunton)and a tough moral discussion.

Like most stuff from the world of Aardman Animations we have a rich plot with plenty of jokes to keep both adults and kids amused in equal measure. The plot is fun, though it makes me wonder that the original writer Gideon Defoe must really hate the Royal Family portraying Queen Victoria as an out and out Villain. It also felt a bit odd having Charles Darwin in the movie it did seem rather wrong portraying him as a tad villainous as well. In my view it would have been better to have a similar character that have different names thereby not having this odd quagmire. The time period also seemed a bit odd having pirates going around whilst Queen Victoria was on the throne did seem a tad mid mashed, I do not recall hearing of any pirates in those times.

However despite these annoying cinematic niggles this film is a lot of fun sure it’s not a “Wallace and Gromit” movie. Its something different and fresh that is well worth watching. With a stellar vocal cast great animation and a decent script this will provably be the best kids film that adults can enjoy equally as well this year. I do also have to say look out for the Mr. Bobo the man-panzee ironically he may not have been voiced by anyone famous, but he was one of the best characters of the movie.
I give it a pieces of 8 out of 10

Spoiler alerts

A genuine rib-breaker – a film funny enough to give you fits of giggles hours and days after watching it as the jokes come back to you again. The film is based is based on a series of popular children’s books by Gideon Defoe. 

Aardman Animation’s finest work to date and a bold move given the success of the Disney Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise, but this one is consistently funny and inventive throughout.

There is great voice actor casting here, especially for Hugh Grant’s pirate captain known throughout simply as The Pirate Captain. David Tennant’s Charles Darwin and Imelda Staunton’s barking mad Queen Victoria are also superbly presented.

The plot is a light flexible idea on which to hang a rapid flow of great verbal and visual gags. The Pirate King is obsessed with winning the coveted Pirate Of The Year Award, and the as yet unmarried Queen Victoria leaves Darwin smitten with love for herself until he realizes that she is not nice at all. The pirates attack The Beagle during Darwin’s famous voyage and Darwin realizes the ship’s mascot is not a parrot but a dodo. Both leading men see the dodo as their means to a fortune and compete for its ownership.

Victoria proves to have a monstrous passion for feeding on endangered species and entertaining guests by feedingthem on Panda, dolphin, etc. They plan a banquet on the QV1 (a colossal Brunel paddle-steamer), and the various parties end up uniting to rescue the dodo from the dinner table.

Great gags abound, often in the margins and background of the film, with both opening and closing credit sequences filled with fabulous ideas of their own. There are Riverdancing rats, a portrait of Queen Victoria in the style of Picasso, Captain Bligh’s small ad search for a post mutiny replacement crew, etc.

Even in the main film there are lots of great running and side gags. Jane Austen is in a love-hate relationship with John Merrick, The Elephant Man.. A member of the Pirate Captain’s crew is clearly a woman in a false beard but the Captain never realises this even by the close of the story.  

When the Pirate King appears to present the Pirate Of The Year award, many will guess who is providing the voice even before he speaks. I know I would have been disappointed if it had been anyone else at that point in the story.

One character steals every moment of screen time though – Mr Bobo, Darwin’s Man-panzee, a trained chimp who serves a butler, thief and friend to the scientist. His communications with sign cards are hilarious. At one point he does speak but no one notices that he is a prototype to Caesar in the Planet of the Apes series.

If there is a flaw it is the under-use of many minor characters that deserve more screen time such as the rival pirates Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz. A sequel may well be in the making so hopefully the characters will return in the next quest for plunder.

Darwin’s evolution theories are hinted at with some subtlety and skill. The Pirate Captain asks Darwin if he and Bobo might be related in some way given their resemblance to one another.

The film is clearly anti-monarchy, with Victoria’s empire building obsessions making her a dreadful tyrannical ogre of a queen.

Arthur Chappell