Me,My Life & I

Leads me towards U2 in August! Ok so that wasn't the best choice of song title to lead into this post.Sorry.

I love U2 and it's a top thing on my list of 'to do's' to see them live. So yeah - I can't wait.

And at £30 a pop,although we may be in the shitty seating,I can't complain at all

Serves to be a highlight of the year me thinks.

I'm seeing them at Hampden on 18th August.

Anyone else booked for any other dates,or this one?

Fave U2 songs?

Until Next Time

Hey all.Hope you're well.Just thought I'd throw my two cents in about the Josef Fritzl case.

Basically I'm pretty much outraged at the verdict.Life in a psychiatric ward,with the possibility of parole in 15 years.Why not life imprisonment?With no chance of parole?Monsters like this should never be let out.My main issue though is why he's been deemed criminally insane [well I'm assuming he has if he's been given life in a psyciatric ward?] when he is quoted as saying that he knew what he was doing,and that it wasn't right,but that it just became like a second life to him. That doesn't exactly shout unaware or not in control to me. Clearly there are some psycological issues here,but I'd argue that that is the case with most murderers/rapists.I just think the punishment would be more fitting to the crime were he being locked up in a cell,a small one,with no other human interaction.Then perhaps he's begin to feel remorse for the horrors that he put his daughter through.He could be treated perhaps,by a therapist or such like,for his pyscological problems.But I see no need for him to be constantly in a hospital,other than for his own safety.Why then not just lock him in isolation in a prison?

He's also said that he was born to rape and could have done worse than locking up his daughter. Now that to me does not scream worthy for a chance to be released into the public EVER again. To me this case is black and white - life imprisonment.Meaning life.

My opinion has always been plain and simple on issues like this: I do not believe in the death penalty,but should someone ever murder or serial rape/abuse, they should be imprisoned for life with no chance of parole. Prisons should be made harsher - no tvs,educational opportunities etc. - that would stop people reoffending in the same way that the death penalty does and would also not be hypocrisy. [You can't teach a nation not to kill by using murder as a detterent.]

Anyway,is anyone else annoyed at the outcome of this? Or is it just me being picky with it?

Until Next Time

Hey all.I'm a little late in posting this review as I've been busy.And ill.And busy.But anyway,this little film really pleasantly surprised me.And without further adieu,here's why:

Well first off,as much as I loved Jen Anniston in friends,lets face it,she is not the most versatile of actresses.Most of her roles seem pretty much the same,with just another leading hunk up opposite her being the main change.However,here she surprised me.Sure her character wasn't too much outside the bounds of what we'd seen from her already,but she managed to successfully portray real,believable emotion at various points in the film,which is more than I feel I've seen from her before.

Secondly,although the film was advertised very much as as a comedy,I'd say only the first thrid of it is comedy,the rest very much falls into the genre of drama.This film was about much more than the outlandish adventures of a troublesome lab - it followed the trials and tribulations of a couple as they were met with numerous changes in their lives (marriage,miscarriage,children,money issues,moving house etc) and Marley,the loveable dog,provided an anchor throughout all of their struggles.Good,heartfelt stuff.

Thirdly,I found Marley to be a much more sympathetic character than I thought he was going to be.I thought I'd just find him to be an annoying nuisance of an animal,there only to provide comedy.However,I found him to be a character that was as much a part of the cast as the other leads.He was at times vital to the storyline,as the title of the film indicates,and played the hero.I found his death to be the most emotional scene I've ever watched with an animal in it and ranked his death up there with how I would have felt if one of the main human characters had died,purely because you were led to feel so very sympathetic towards this dog.At the end of the film my deepest sympathies were with the dog owners in the audience and I felt very differently about getting an animal of my own some day.This film made me realise how they can be an integtral part of your family,and not just an addition.

Overall,this film really surprised me.Don't be put off by the trailer.It really does have a lot more depth than its made out to have and I feel it has been somewhat mis-marketed.Really an enjoyable and emotional film.

Go give it a go.I was a cynic,but it converted me.

Until Next Time

Hey all,hope you're all well.Well this post is going to be a little bit of a rant about the modern media,well actually,mainly about the website youtube.I am a huge youtube fan,don't get me wrong,but I feel we are experiencing a technological kind of dark age and youtube is being used in potentially dangerous ways that can damage people very much.So here we go.

When I say technological dark age I draw parralells with the dark age in history we speak of. You know,that time in those first few centuries [or ten?] when society was completely unaware of their affect on the world around them and couldn't see the bigger picture. It was in this time that the beginnings of recognised handwriting started,I can't for the life of me remember the man who done this,but he made it so that official documents could be recognised as official documents and so on in terms of the layout of texts.Before this people were noting things as they pleased and in whatever format took their fancy.Now the reason I reference this is before this introduction of proper handwriting form,people weren't thinking about the future generations reading this work,they were noting things for their own benefit at that time.Now today,people are really not thinking,I don't think,about the fact that once something is out there on the internet,it's there for an indefinate amount of time,and people will consume these texts as they have done with the oldest forms of handwriting.People don't see how sick and potentially dangerous videos posted on youtube can have a very negative and disturbing effect on other people.We know that we can use technology in the way that we do,but we don't see the damage it can do.

Now,the reason the title of this post is Youtube Vs. The Colleseum is because this is really a comment on human nature,and how we've not changed - not from the ignorance we displayed in the dark ages,or the sadistic nature we showed in the fighting arena of the colleseum,forcing people to their death as a form of entertainment.I say this because the videos I'm talking about are ones such as those filmed by teenagers watching other people fight.Or videos such as 'Star Wars Kid'. Now these are seriously damaging to the people involved in the videos,but we laugh and comment on them,finding pleasure in other people being humiliated.

The fighting for example - picture this - you're a twelve year old child and you've got into a fight.You're getting the complete shit beaten out of you and all the while someone's filming this.Later it goes up on youtube and everyone can repeatedly watch you being humiliated and hurt.Your peers and people in your community will know it's there,and its something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.People will always be able to see it and you'll always know that.Some might say this is an overreaction - the kids involved should get over things like this.But think if you were reading harsh comments about yourself on youtube,or any other site,you'd be hurt by it and it could easily seriously effect you psycologically.And as people around you will be aware of the text's existence,they will undoubtedly say things to your face aswell - leaving the victim unable to get over the incident and permanently damaged by it.

Another example is 'Star Wars Kid'.This guy has been seriously affected by the backlash from this video.People find him humiliating himself,without knowing he's doing so obviously as he wouldn't have uploaded it if he did know,to be hilarious and this guys state of mind to be a joke to be laughed at.It makes me sick.

So then,comes my parrallel with the colleseum. Then they were entertained by people being humiliated and killed. Today we're finding entertainment in sick videos such as those mentioned above. It's not different. Maybe a little more accessible than the coleseum,but aside from that,it's the same disgusting human trait that it's highlighting. I find it deeply upsetting that human nature has not evolved to being any more compassionate than it was back then. We are living in the same,sad society as back then and it's sickening to think that in this day and age,when we could be using the internet for such good things,people are using it for things like this.

I am not in favour of complete censorship,and I don't believe there is any way that a site such as youtube could be censored any more than it already is,due to the immense amount of new repulsive vids uploaded every day. It's a sad state of affairs and really people need to become more aware of how their actions are affecting other people.

Perhaps I've not made my point very clear. I apologise if that's the case.

Tell me what you think.

Until Next Time

Hey all,thats another month over surprisingly more quickly than January.After the shit time I had last month,February has seen a vast improvement in my overall wellbeing and state of mind.I've got a few things to report on this month so without further-a-do...

Grandpa's Funeral
Hard.But I already done a post about this.I just tend to cover all the major points of the month in my round ups so when I look back I can see everything I done.So yeah,not a happy day,but left me with a comforting sense of closure all the same.

Media Production

Well I dunno if I wrote about this last year,but as part of the course requirements for Media Studies,you have to produce a short piece of film.I was really happy with my group as it consisted of all my friends in the class basically,and was just a generally relaxed atmosphere.We clashed at times over a few things but of course that's bound to happen in any working environment.Our film is a ghost story and set to be pretty creepy,its not edited yet so I can't know for sure.The day of production was good as it was the last day in the old school building and was just good fun.We felt all proffesional with our real lighting and stuff it was a good day and the finished product should be pretty good I think.

Prelim Results

Drama-A
English-C-really wanted a B but what can you do eh.
History-A
Maths-Failed [but only by 1 fucking percent!] I got enough to be allowed to sit it though,so hopefully in the final exam I can get a C.
Media-We didn't sit a prelim but we did just do our non-fiction NAB on Bowling For Columbine and I got excellent in all aspects,and the teacher says that had it been an exam essay,it would have gotten an A.

So a mixed bag of results and basically what I expected overall.

Back At Build A Bear

So I got a phone call and went back to Build A Bear as a permanent Bear Builder this time.I love it as much as,if not more than last time.I realise how much I missed the atmosphere and its just great fun overall.Only sadness is I missed the cut off for being paid AGAIN so I have to wait till the end of March.

Tv & Film

Tv

Lost - Oh my goodness.It just gets better and better!Season five is definately my favourite season by far.So fast paced and exciting,and the time travel is getting easier to follow,not that it's almost stopped Just the best show on television.No debate.

How I Met Your Mother - I started watching this little wonder after I realised it had a cast containing two of my favourite actors - Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan.Neil Patrick Harris was golden in Dr. Horrible and Hannigan was Willow on my ever beloved Buffy.It's hilariously funny and I love the way the ensemble play off each other.Jason Segal has raised my opinion of him aswell which is good.It's just great kick back tv really.

Supernatural Season Two - Great stuff!I can't decide if I like it better than season one,but it's certainly not worse.It starts off a little slower maybe,but it builds to a climax that is as mind blowing as that of season one.It's left the future of the boys in the hanging and I just can't wait to get season three!Sadly I have to,what with the no money and no wage till the end of March set up.

Skins Season Two - Continues to be intriguing.The characters are relatable,the stories funny yet dramatic,and I'm thinking it's soon to get even more interesting.Looking rather forward to tomorrow night.

Desperate Houswives Season Five - Back after it's little break and as good as ever.I really do think this is my favourite season so far of the show.I like the changes in relationships and the seperate and joint story arcs are very interesting to watch play out.Very good stuff.I'm sad to hear that Nicolette Sheridan is leaving the show though,Edie is a character who I've come to love after initially despising her,so I'll be sad to see her go,though excited to see how they send her off.

Films

I seen more than a few this month so here we go:

Vicky Christina Barcelone - Beautiful movie.My first Woody Allen experience and I'm certain it won't be my last. I'm very glad Penelope Cruz won the Oscar for this,as I loved her character and she left a lasting impression on me.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Long.Very Long.But pretty much worth it.Impressive film.

Doubt - Complex and haunting.Meryl Streep was fantastic.Great,great moving film.

Confessions of a Shopaholic - Nothing special.Isla Fisher was quite good.The books were better though.Should've kept the setting to Britain.See my full review for more on that matter.

Valkyrie - Very good film.Warmed me slightly to Tom Cruise.Bryan Singer is great - loved his Usual Suspects so was expecting a good film.This is a moving thriller and very much worth seeing.

And as we're on the topic of films,I'll give you my thoughts on the Oscar winners.

Oscars

Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire - Not seen it so I can't pass judgement on whether it is deserving.It winning this award wasn't what annoyed me,the fact that the Academy seems to award to bodys of work rather than individual cases annoyed me.It just so happened that this was demonstrated through the countless awards that Slumdog won.

Actor In A Leading Role - Sean Penn [Mik] - Again not seen it so can't pass full judgement,but I would have liked to see Mickey Rourke get it.Despite not seeing The Wrestler either.
Actress In A Leading Role - Kate Winslet (The Reader) - I was kind of split between wanting Meryl Streep to win this for Doubt because I thought she really was stunning in that performance, however I was happy to see Kate Winslet win after years of not getting properly recognised.
Directing - Well we all know that I wanted Chris Nolan to get this one for The Dark Knight,I mean he should have definately at least got a nomination.That was perhaps the biggest outrage in terms of lack of nominations,even though I was gutted at first that TDK didn't get a nomination for Best Picture. Anyway this award went to Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). I'm happy about this one,I must admit.I really like Danny Boyle's work and am confident that it's a deserved win.
Music Score - Slumdog Millionaire - I wish Ben Button had got this one.I really liked the score in that film.It seems that the Academy,and I want to say this without sounding racist,awards to films that are 'exotic' and different from the normal,just for the sake.I'm sure Slumdog's score was great,but I really really wanted Button to win this one.
Picture Editing - Slumdog Millionaire - Dark Knight should have won,hands down.It was tense and just excellently done.Nolan and Co. were robbed again.
Sound Editing - The Dark Knight - I couldn't be happier about this one.Truly deserving.The picture editing and sound editing worked hand in hand so although it should have come in a pair of wins, I'm glad it got at least one.
Visual Effects - Benjamin Button - Well deserved.Even though it was up against Two Face of TDK,I feel it was very well earned.
Actor In A Supporting Role - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) - Well we seen this one coming.Completely deserved.The acceptance speech by his family was beautiful.
Cinematography - Should've been The Dark Knight.They done things with IMAX cams that hadn't been done before,and for taking those risks alone I think they were deserving.
Make Up - Ben Button - Again,deserved.The Joker's make up was great,but so was Ben Button's.
Costume Desgin - The Duchess - Didn't really mind who got it so yay I suppose.
Art Direction - Benjamin Button - Again,I'm pleased with it.
Animated Feature - WALL:E - I didn't see any of the nominees so I couldn't really judge but Wall:E looked like it would've been my fave.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Slumdog Millionaire - Should've been Doubt I think.
Writing (Original Screenplay) - Milk - Didn't really mind.
Actress In A Supporting Role - Penelope Cruz (Vicky Christina Barcelona) - Well deserved,even though Amy Adams was great in Doubt.

Quotability

Locke[Lost]: Who are these people?
Sawyer: Well gee,I didn't get to ask,what with frogurt on fire and all!

Kirsty: Right,what do we want?
Jamie[From other room]: CURRY!When do we want it?Now!

Jamie[Looking at menu]: I wonder what 'onions' consists of?

Dean[Supernatural]: Dude,I full on Swayze-d that mother.

Black Watch Soldiers[From the play,'Black Watch']: I don't give a fuck who you are,if you're shooting at me,I don't like you!

Pandora[Skins]: Effy doesn't do donuts
Thomas: I see,so what does she do?
Pandora: Drugs

Laura: In the new school they're going to fine you if you're chewing chewing gum.What are they going to fine you,your lunch money?

Jamie: Lets go on the stimulator
Kirsty: Jamie,it's called a simulator.

Daniel[Lost]: So,do you speak any other languages?
Charlotte: Just Klingon.

Sawyer[Lost]: Are you sure you don't want us to just lower you down?
Locke: Well where would be the fun in that?

Kirsty: We were staying at Jamies...
All: No we weren't!
Jamie: LA LA LA LA LA LA

Kirsty: I like to pick and mix, seen as they got rid of the one at Woolies.

Bob and Lee[Desperate Housewives]: We seen him in an adult movie.
Bree: And by adult you mean complex and sophisticated?
Bob and Lee: No,we mean gay porn.

Susan[Desperate Housewives]: So nothing happened between us?
Lee: Hello,gay?! Listening to opera in a kimono.

Overall

If you've got to here,well done you,this was a long post.February was a good month and I look forward to March,April,May...in fact the rest of this year. Things are looking up. I got back to God which was another highlight So all is good in the land of me.

Until Next Time

Hey all.Well it's been a few weeks since I actually seen this film,so my memory of specifics is fading a little.That said,this will be a rather general review.Enjoy

Well first off,although some parts of this film are historically accurate,others such as the places where the film depicts certain events taking place,are not,so lets not start comparing it to actual history - it's a film,not a documentary.

Secondly,I have an issue with the language used in this film - and no not in terms of swearing.I hold a problem with the fact that the heroes of the film speak in perfect English almost entirely throughout,whereas the reperesentation of Hitler includes him speaking almost entirely in German.I feel either the film should have been done with the actors,if not willing to learn German,to at least speak with German accents.Of course I do not suggest that all the roles should have been filled with German actors as this would not be a suggestion considered was the film to deal with an issue that was not a historical hot spot.But I am uncomfortable with the 'bad guys' in this film to be depicted as completely foreign,whilst the 'good guys' are more relatable to the English speaking audience.Of course this is the way of film,and sad as it is,will not be changed.You've got to encourage the audience to side with one side of your binary opposition - so that when the side they undoubtedly side with triumphs in the story [in this case morally,not actually achieving the death of Hitler] the audience will be satisfied.Simple stuff really.But sad all the same.

Thirdly,and don't anyone hit out at me,I hold issue with the representation of Hitler himself.Yes the man was evil,no doubts about it.But surely the acts he committed are evidence enough of that.The way this film represents him is as a sleazy,derranged man.I believe his ideas were of course insane,but the man was not mad.He was very intelligent and fully believed what he preached - not a mark of insanity,a mark of deep rooted faith in your belief,and obviously dangerous in the wrong hands [as we see with terrorism].In this film he is always bent over,as though hiding something and his face from everyone around him.He was a proud man,hungry for respect and very controlling.Such status could not be achieved by being a shady,weak individual.Also the language thing,as mentioned above,used to make him completely different to the audience,annoyed me.I am in no way defending the acts of Hitler,but I feel the terrible atrocities he committed should have been representation of evil enough.The rest is added drama and unneccesary.

So onto the good points.

Well,depsite not being a general fan of Tom Cruise as an actor or otherwise,I felt his performance of the torn hero in this film was very well done.Subtle and complex in many ways,Tom Cruise most definately delivered.The rest of the ensemble,and yes I deem it an ensemble not a supporting cast because I feel they more than made the movie for me,were fantastic.Special shout out goes to the ever wonderful Bill Nighy.

Bryan Singer,director of such works as 'The Usual Suspects',has achieved something great here.This is a war movie that does not rely on intense amounts of special effects to wow its audience,but rather does so through the slowly building tension throughout the film.Bear in mind that going in the audience knows the outcome.The plot to kill Hitler is doomed to fail because we already know that Hitler met his end by suicide.This leaves the audience completely focussed on the fate of those carrying out the plot,and what will come of them when it is found that they have not succeeded in killing Hitler.Those familiar with the workings of Hitler's Germany can probably take an educated guess - execution by firing squad and with little dignity.This scene was truly disturbing for me to watch,due to the gritty reality of it,and it did reduce me to tears.

Overall,this is a very tense film delivered in a way that does not offend [except perhaps for the accents/language thing,but its not that big an issue,the story is what really matters] and manages to highlight to all the ignorant people still out there that not everyone under Hitler's power actually supported him.Average German's had no control over the horrific goings on and it sickens me when people try and suggest such a thing.This shows that not all Nazi's were miniature Hitlers and as it is mentioned that numerous attempts were made on the Fuhrer's life,it really does highlight how people were not all in favour of him.This is a tense and interesting film,containing a lesson to be learned by many I feel.

Until Next Time