Me,My Life & I

September's been a good month,albeit not as jam-packed as August,but good all the same.I went to London to see We Will Rock You with my mum,I celebrated my 16th Birthday,I got kittens and I performed my first higher drama performance.On with the show.

London

Oh this was a bit of fun. We went down early on the 13th and came back late [ended up being even later than we'd expected but more about that later.]My mum took me down to see the show 'We Will Rock You' as a present for my birthday.Flight down was fine,I basically slept most of the time.Then when we arrived we sussed out our surroundings and took a bus tour round the sights that ended up lasting like three hours.Then we headed back to the hotel,took a nap,showered and headed out for dinner and the show.The show was amazing!I've never seen anything so good,ever.The audience were slightly non-responsive in the first half,but once they'd gotten a drink at the interval,everyone seemed to loosen up.The band were absoloutly fantastic,as were the cast.It's meant to be coming to Scotland next November so I want to go again.Honestly,if you're thinking about going to see a show,go see this one,there's no word that better describes it than electric.Anyway,after the show it was home and bed.Some sightseeing the next day and then we hit the Hard Rock cafe.It was disappointing compared to the one in Florida,but I still enjoyed it.That's me been to the Orlando one and the London one,but never the Edinburgh one!Then the drama of getting home began.The idea was to get a train to a station where we'd get a bus to take us to Luton airport.Only we didn't count on the trains only coming every half hour.So we ended up missing the one we needed by 1 minute!We stupidly jumped in a taxi [goodness knows why!What made us think that getting a taxi would have been quicker than waiting half an hour for the train that would be twice,if not three times as fast I don't know!]which cost us a fortune and missed the plane anyway.At least if we'd caught the later train which we'd already paid for,we'd only have had to pay the fee for the next flight and not the extra money for the taxi.So we basically hung around the airport until the next flight and ended up getting home at around midnight.It was a good trip though and I look forward to doing it again

16th Birthday

Well,as mentioned above,part of my gift was a trip to London.The other part [which was also for passing my exams] was a laptop,which put a smile on my face .To celebrate my birthday I had my friends for a sleepover then we went out the next day for pizza.Overall it was a good birthday :]

Kittens!

My parents came home and surprised us one day with two gorgeous little black kittens!One's a boy and one's a girl and we've named them Simba and Saffie.They're so small and playful just adorable.I want them to stay little forever but they're getting bigger already.

Drama

This was the most stressful experience of my life to date!That sounds like an over-exaggeration but it was honestly a nightmare.Basically the class was split into groups of four and we each had to write and direct a play,using the other actors in your group to star in it.Our groups work was basically a disaster from start to finish,although somehow our final performance came off ok.I came out on a high after the performance,but I really just think that was relief Glad its over,though I'm still kind of sad that we don't get to perform again until our acting exam.

Films

I seen a couple this month - 2 in the cinema and bought/received for birthday more than a few.

Cinema

Rock 'N' Rolla - This was my first experience of Guy Ritchie's work and although it was very clever,very funny,action packed and overall good,he doesn't,in my opinion,live up to what I'd heard about him being the British equivalent of Tarantino. The characters are central to the piece,take any one out and it would fall apart.That's what stood out for me in this.That,and the kick arse sound track.

Pineapple Express - My favourite Apatow film by far.Hilariously funny and with solid acting and surprisingly well done action sequences [admittedly the last bit was a bit over done].If you're looking for a bit of not too serious fun,this is a film for you.Seriously hilarious.

Bought

Kiss,Kiss,Bang,Bang - I've not watched it yet.I'll let you know how that goes.

P.S I Love You - I thought the same of this as I did when it came out in the cinema - I enjoyed it for reasons completely unexplainable.Gerard Butler makes it.Romantic Comedy - not usually my thing,but I enjoyed it.

Juno - As fantastic upon second viewing as it was on the first. I can't wait to see what comes og 'Jennifer's Body',her new film.Her story telling is just fantastic and her witty way with words is something I really admire.For anyone who's not seen it,go buy it,HMV have a sale and it's truly worth the 7 quid.

I Am Legend - I've not watched this since I got it but from what I remember,I enjoyed it,although was let down a bit.I do remember wanting to buy it though just so I could watch it again.

No Reservations - What can I say,I'm a fan of Abigail Breslin.She's just so cute and such a good wee actress!I first liked her when she was trying to tie her shoes in Raising Helen and the love has grown since then after seeing her No Reservations and of course,Little Miss Sunshine.So she was the main appeal of this film for me.And although its predictable right the way through,it's kind of effective in showing the ways that people deal with grief,and any text that can even begin to work on such a big issue as that,I've got to respect a little.

Carrie - Oh dear.I read the book,which I loved.I bought the film,which was a mistake.Sissy Spacek alone makes me want to turn it off.Its very disturbing yes,and highlights the problems teenagers can face [albeit on a bit of a bigger scale] but I just don't like the satire of it or anything about it really.I just didn't enjoy it.It did stay true to the book though,which I appreciated as it was a good book.

Heroes Seasons One & Two - As season three looms,I figured now was the time to catch up with what I missed of season two.Although it still didn't reach the climax I felt it was working towards,I did enjoy it and am very much looking forward to season three starting up again tomorrow.The special features are worth a watch aswell.

Tru Calling - As Dollhouse is on its way,I figured what better an excuse to invest in a TV show that was slated than to say that I'm using it to take a look at Eliza Dusku's acting again before Dollhouse starts.I must say,although I love the characters,I'm only 6 or 7 episodes in and I am starting to understand why it got cancelled.It is very,very repetitive.I said very,very repetitive.But then again a lot of shows are,so if it's not built up to anything bigger by the end,I'll pass a bit of a more harsh judgement,but for now,I'm happy just to go with it and see if it gets better.

The Tudors Season One - I love this show and I've no idea why.It's really not the kind of thing I'd usually be into,but I like it none the less.Season two is about to end and so I thought I'd buy season one so that when S2 finishes,I can watch S1 through and then buy S2 and rewatch that as I've missed some eps.It's really very good.Plus Jonathon Rhys Meyers is kinda hot.

Got For Birthday

Jawbreaker - I watched this watched this in America because Julie Benz was in it.I don't know what I like about it,its just funny.The whole concept it funny.Black comedy sure,but comedy all the same.

A Knight's Tale - This is the film that made me fall in love with Heath Ledger,as I'm sure it was for many people.I was watching one of the special features last night and you can really see how even then,he really took his roles very seriously and how that could be,and obviously was,dangerous if he was in a role such as the joker.But yeah,I was also happy to remember that Alan Tudyk of Firefly is in it!What is with the hair though?!I love him,he's so funny.Just a fun film.

Batman Begins - Christian Bale still makes me laugh.But it's a good film,there's no denying it.

Batman:Gotham Knight - An animated feature that came in the boxset with Begins.I've not watched it yet,but it will be good to watch.And ooh!The Dark Knight is available to pre-order online!I am excited!

The Mighty Boosh - Season Three - Weird.Very weird.But Noel Fielding goodness throughout so I can't complain.I loved the party episode 'Bouncy,bouncy,ooh such a good time!Bouncy,bouncy,shoes all in a line! The Hitcher got shot!I was upset about that,but a good season overall.I also got with this,the Mighty Book of Boosh - which is AMAZING!So funny and if you're a watcher of the show,there's references running throughout that just make you remember stuff.Such a good book.

Quotability

I'm ashamed to admit I forgot all about this last month because it was such a long round up.So last month's quotes will be included.

Kirsty - Is that a fan or just fancy?
Laura - I'm not sure,I think it perhaps freezes pineapples the rock solid food at chinos was just waiting for the piss to be taken.

Laura - The slime is in my mouth
Kirsty - It just slides right down (in reference to jelly

Kirsty - I'm Malibu Barbie!
Laura - I'm Disco Barbie!
Gemma - I'm Platinum Barbie!
Jamie -I'm Evening Gown Barbie!
Me - Who can I be?
Kirsty - Ken
Me - Come on barbie lets go party!

Kirsty - Soy cheese

Susan[Desperate Housewives] - Shame on you,just..shame.

Martin - Have you seen the Emerdale one? 'Boom boom-boom boom-boom boom-boom boom boom boom'
Dad - That's Eastenders actually.

Mum - I dunno if it's compatible with Window's Oatcake.

Laura -What?
Me - What?
Larua - What?!
Me - WHAT?
Laura - What,what,what,what,what
Both - What,What! Maths with Mr. Ghaffar.Oh the fun

Lindsay[Tru Calling] - I can't believe you had a stalker moment and I missed it.
Tru - It wasn't a stalker moment,Mark and I just happened to be at the same place at the same time.
Lindsay - That's what stalkers do,they just happen to be in your market,then they just happen to follow you home,then they just happen to chop your head off and seal it in a baggie

Davis[Tru Calling] - So if I understand correctly,you had a party and you didn't invite me?
Tru - Davis...
Davis - I thought we were friends
TruWe are friends Davis
Davis - Yeah sure,when you wake up next to some dead guy.

Laura - I've never even met this dentist before and he's gonna be poking about in my feet

Laura - Was it a loud toot?
Kirsty - It was toot enough.

Rona[Kirsty's Mum] - I was just setting the scene then you had to go and fuck it all up! Funny stuff that day.Kirsty's a mother beater,Rona covers up her trauma

End

So that's it,finally.Thanks for reading.Well done if you got this far.

Until Next Time

My favourite film thats come out of the Apatow gang by far.It's hilariously funny,and I mean hilariously.I was a bit skeptical going in.Although I enjoyed Knocked Up and the 40 Year Old Virgin,Superbad was plain crude humour and Seth Rogen playing a stoner is getting a bit repetitive.But I cannot stress how much I enjoyed this.

I was very much surprised at the writing - coming from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg [the men responsible for the utterly disappointing dialogue and jokes in Superbad].It was just so funny.Of course you'll find the same kind of thing dotted about the previous Apatow and Co films but this just seemed much funnier.It was witty and fairly clever.The characters developed pretty well aswell,which is always cool.

The direction also surprised me.I've never seen anything directed by David Gordon Green before,so I have nothing else to go on,but he certainly seems like a very promising young director.I wasn't expecting such exciting action scenes in this film but he certainly delivers them to the screen very well.

Acting was as expected from Seth Rogen - he's basically playing his younger real life self...again.I thought James Franco was excellent - hilariously funny but making you feel for his character at the same time.Danny R. McBride annoyed me,and I didn't find him overly funny.He really reminds me of Rich Fulcher of the Mighty Boosh,and I don't like him either.

Overall,if you're not going to take it seriously,this is a hell of a lot of fun and will have you in stitches from start to finish.It's just that funny.

Not much more I can say really.If you need a laugh - this wont disappoint.

Until Next Time

I went to see this film on Tuesday night at a preview screening with my dad.It is the first Guy Ritchie film I've seen and I must say I do see what all the fuss is about.This film is clever,witty and stylish.Well worth a watch.

Ok,so I admit,the main reason I wanted to see this so much was because Gerard Butler is in it.I'd never seen a Guy Ritchie film before so the writer/director was not the appeal for me.

However,after watching this I feel the need to invest in Lock,Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch as I have a desire to take a look at more of his films that have had good reviews.I didn't quite feel that Ritchie appears to live up to what I'd heard about him being the British equivalent of Tarantino,but I did enjoy this quirky slice of action.

The story I felt was a bit too simple and more could have been done with it,although it was told well.Also,the dialogue was fantastically witty.

Although it is violent in places,the humour running through makes it appear to be not as disturbing or frightening as it would otherwise have been.

The thing I loved the most about this piece however,was Ritchie's use of characters.Take any character out and the plot would not work.You can't identify a single lead antagonist or protagonist and this is for me,the most memorable thing about the film.It would not work without the presence of every single character written into it.

The camera work is stylish and energetic,giving you consistently interesting frames and fitting well with the pace of the piece.

A thing I always pay attention to in a film or tv show is the use of music and I must say this film uses it very well.

Overall,I enjoyed this film though I feel I will have to see it again to fully grasp everything that goes on in it.It is rich in character development and filled to the brim with humorous and snappy dialogue.Although I don't feel Guy Ritchie compares in many ways to Quentin Tarantino,I do think he's good and I will shortly be investing in a couple of his films.

7/10.

Until Next Time

A lot of horror films today rely utterly on gore to deliver on what they'd like to call 'scares'. I much prefer a horror film that can make me feel something other than sick,and this piece certainly delivers.It terrified me from start to finish - which,although admittedly its easy to scare me,left me with a lot of new found respect for the horror genre.Let me explain why.

Director Bryan Bertino has mastered the art of being a patient director.Rather than going for cheap thrills,he pushes and pushes the audience,bringing the tension to breaking point.This means that when he finally releases you with the scare,you're almost thankful.This continuous waiting game contributes greatly to scaring the audience.

Another terrifying factor was the apparent omniscience of the Strangers.They'd come and go like ghosts,appearing in frame quietly with their truly creepy masks.Although their paranormal like ability to come and go within seconds did take slightly away from the believability of the piece,I was more thinking about where the hell they were gonna turn up next

The film opens by telling the audience that an average of 1.4 million [or something like that] violent crimes happen each year in America.I feel the film is basically trying to say that it could happen to anyone. This is proven by the fact that when Liv Tyler's character asks the Strangers why they're doing this to them, they reply 'Because You Were Home'.Truly,truly chilling.

The film also plays on the audience's fear of the unknown,never once revealing the faces of the murderers.This leaves it to the audience's imagination as to who the masked strangers actually are.It leaves open the question who actually commits the 1.4 million violent crimes mentioned?They could be your everyday man - emphasised by the costumes [one wears a suit.]They could be your neighbor,your friend.Of course its much easier for the audience to believe that they are raving mad and not people you come into contact with every day,but due to the fact that you never see their faces or hear them speak really,it's still niggling at the back of your mind that this might not be the case.

I feel the acting was good from both the main leads - Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler - although Tyler's screams did get annoying.

Although this film uses just about every horror film cliche in the book - girl runs away and falls over, couple in isolated house in the woods,phones and lights out, couple split up, couple/individuals head TOWARDS every creepy or suspicious noise, couple/individuals barricade themselves in rooms of house,the list goes on - I did really like this film due to its lack of gore. There were some disturbing moments yes,but this really proves that what you don't show can be much more effective sometimes than what you do show.

My main problem with this film is that it is really too short.I kinda felt at the end that I'd missed something,that there was more I should've seen [don't get me wrong,I loved the actual ending,even if it was a bit predictable.]

Although there are gaps in the storytelling and the characters have little development,I still enjoyed this film purely because it scared the shit out of me.

An overall well done and chilling piece.
Go see it.
But not on your own

Until Next Time