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Audacious Rock
07 Aug 2006 14:34
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Director: Luis Mandoki
Starring:Carlos Padilla
Leoner Varela
Jose Maria Yazpick
Ofelia Medina
Mexico, 120 mins.
Innocent Voices was Mexico’s entry into the 77th Academy Awards international films category, even though it had not been released yet. One can see why it was submitted so early. It has a very important story to tell and as a film it is sheer brilliance, doubled with poignancy and such emotion – not expected from Luis Mandoki who normally dabbles within the Hollywood sphere.
Innocent Voices (Voces Innocentes) is based on the true story of screenwriter Oscar Torres’ embattled childhood. It is the poignant tale of Chava (Carlos Padilla), an eleven–year–old boy who suddenly becomes the man of the house after his father abandons the family in the middle of a civil war. In the 1980’s, the government’s armed forces are already recruiting twelve–year–olds, rousting them out of their classes at the local middle school. The scenes are harrowing as Chava’s life is literally turned upside down, with some of his friends taken away by force before his eyes and watching his mother sew dresses well into night to try and feed her children.
If he is lucky, Chava has just one year of innocence left. One year before he, too, will be conscripted to fight the government’s battle against the peasant rebels of the FMLN. Thus, Chava’s life becomes a game of survival, not only from the bullets of the escalating war, but also from the dispiriting effects of daily violence. He hustles to find work to help his single mother pay the bills, and experiences the pangs of first love for a beautiful classmate. Chava’s tiny home village becomes both playground and battlefield. Armed with the love of his mother (Leonor Varela) and a small radio that broadcasts a forbidden anthem of love and peace, and faced with the impossible choice of joining either the army or the rebels, Chava finds the courage to keep his heart open and his spirit alive in his own race against time.
In films, child actors normally serve to arouse sympathy and add a “cutness” factor along with a rather nauseating vulnerability. Starring mostly children, one might think that Innocent Voices would mostly arouse its sympathy from giving the children a silly script to read out with huge bambi eyes. Thankfully, Hollywood is nowhere to be seen and it can be very safely said (coming from someone who hates child actors) that the children in this film give some the best performances ever to be captured on film from their age group. Carlos Padilla is stunning. He is riveting to watch, feisty, caring and thoughtful. This is his film debut and what a debut it is. All the children in the film give the most beautiful performances. Leonor Varela proves that she’s not just a pretty face and gives a very moving performance as Chava’s mother, trying desperately to keep her children alive in the midst of the turmoil. Turmoil is the right word and some scenes in the film really are quite distressing. Chava’s house frequently gets riddled with bullets whilst he and his siblings hide behind a stretched mattress against the wall. There’s nothing quite like telling the absolute truth about a situation.
Innocent Voices is a riveting tale of survival and how even war cannot diminish a child’s indomitable spirit. Fabulously shot and with subtitles for those of us incapable of understanding Spanish, it is very highly recommended.
31 Jul 2006 12:03
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Writing about web page /andrewingram/entry/meme_lol/
Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view
How many keys on your large collection of keyrings?
Probably about 7…cannot be arsed to check.
What curse word do you use the most?
Shit.
Do you own an iPod?
I own a little iPod shuffle. It's iTunes you really want over the actual equipment.
What time is your alarm clock set for?
5:15am :(
No alarm set for tomorrow though. :D
How many suitcases do you own?
One….and it's bloody good.
Do you wear flip–flops even when it's cold outside?
Hell yes.
Where do you buy your groceries from?
Ummm at uni it's co–op, costcutter, tesco….at home i don't.
Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
Probably be in it. That way no one can complain.
What was the last movie you watched?
Oo–er…ummm i cannot remember the title of it but it was on tv last week.
Do any of your friends have children?
Nope. Thank goodness.
If you won the lottery, what's the first thing you would buy?
A huge trolly of lovely lovely food.
Has anyone ever called you lazy?
Yeah, mostly my dad.
Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?
No. Count sheep.
What CD is currently in your CD player?
Don't own one any more as i use me laptop…
Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
I don't like milk.
Has anyone told you a secret this week?
Yes! Mwhaahahahaah…but it's not interesting in the slightest.
When was the last time someone hit on you?
Today, yesterday and probably tomorrow.
What did you have for dinner?
Sea bass, potato wedges, salad and salsa. I get spoiled at home.
Do you wear hoodies often?
Hell yes. I love them.
Can you whistle?
Indeed.
Have you ever participated in a protest?
No…haven't really been stirred enough to actually be arsed to protest about anything yet.
Who was the last person to call you?
My brother.
What is your favourite ride at an amusement park?
None. Anything that spins = Victoria has an encounter with Mr Vomit.
Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
Yes. Natural really.
What area code are you in right now?
HP13 6QY
Did you watch cartoons as a child?
No. I still don't really enjoy them. (Reading them is another thing.)
How big is your local mall?
Not that big…but there are two.
How many siblings do you have?
Two. One sister, one brother – both elder.
Are you shy around the opposite sex?
If I fancy them then yes.
What is your biggest regret?
Not sure. I can be quite rude sometimes but i don't think i've regretted saying anything too much.
When was the last time you laughed so hard your sides hurt?
Ah, probs last weekend.
What movie do you know every line to?
Lord of the Rings trilogy most likely.
Do you own any band t–shirts?
Not band tee–shits…but i have Michael Buble ones and a Jamie Cullum one. :D
When was your last plane ride?
Coming back from America….last septmer. sniff
How many chairs are at your dining room table?
6.
Do you read for fun?
Yep.
Can you speak any languages other than English?
I like to dabble in the ancient languages….written and read only. I know basically no modern stuff though…barely remember any French.
Do you do your own dishes?
At uni yes…otherwise i help my mum wash up.
What colour is your bedroom painted?
At the moment its off white…yet to be decorated.
Have you ever cried in public?
Hmmm in front of friends…but not really in public since i was small.
Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
Laptop. It's my baby, it's my sugar.
Which do you make, wishes or plans?
Plans.
Are you always trying to learn new things?
Of course.
Do you shower on a daily basis?
Yes, always. Otherwise i feel minging.
Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?
I have enough. (Piercings, not tattoos.)
Do you believe that the guy should pay on the first date?
Absol–bloody–utely! Especially if he organised it. To be honest though, i wouldn't let him…i just want the offer (thats what counts.). I'd go halves.
Can you skip rocks?
Aye…like a pro.
Have you ever been to Jamaica?
No…going to Trinidad soon though…
What to snack on at the movie theatres?
I DON'T. And nor should anyone else. However, if i'm hungry or feel the film is going to be shit i may indulge in some minstrels.
Who was your favourite teacher?
Mrs MacFarlane – taught both Classics and Latin to me. I was her bitch.
Have you ever dated someone out of your race?
Not as yet. Though i am fancying more and more 'out of my race' guys…hmmm..
What is the weather like?
Dark…
Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos?
Don't think so.
Do you have an online journal?
This isn't really a journal. So no.
What was your favourite class in high school?
Games, Classics.
Do you enjoy travelling via airplanes?
Ummmm i do and don't. Depends really.
What personality trait is a must–have in your preferred gender?
Wicked sense of humour.
Have you ever been attracted to someone physically unattractive?
Well thats a strange question. But probably not.
When was the last time you slept on the floor?
Hmmm cannot remember that one. I try to avoid sleeping on the floor.
What is your favourite alcoholic drink?
I do like white wine.
Does your closest Starbucks have a drive–thru?
No, this isn't the inner city.
Do you like your living arrangement?
Cannot complain really!
What is your mother's hometown?
Errrm Glasgow and then Manchester.
How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
Proof shows i can get on fine with 5, no problems.
Do you eat breakfast daily?
Naaaah…makes me feel ill.
What was the last thing to scare you?
Someone scared me at work.
Are your days full and fast–paced?
They are full and sort of fast if i'm busy.
Did you ever get in trouble for talking in class?
Yeah and i remember being sent of the class. Tehehe.
What is your favourite fruit?
Raspberries.
Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?
Hell no. I refuse to be a calorie counter. Just eat the bloody food and be done. Food was designed to be enjoyed, not to be counted.
How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
21.
Arse.
Are you picky about spelling and grammar?
Yeah…
Do you believe in life on other planets?
Ummm i don't think so. Nice idea though.
Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Nope. I don't really do theme parks. Vomit issue again.
Who was the last person to piss you off?
Les parentes issues…but tis kind of sorted now.
Do you believe that God has a gender?
Nope.
What was the last thing you ate?
A small chocolate heart.
Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?
I have more girl friends which suggests i get on more with girls as friends. But i have guy friends who i obviously get on well with too.
What did you dress up as for your first Halloween?
Errr nothing?
How did your parents pick your name?
Long story, i shall relate: My parents always liked my name but called my sister Elizabeth, so naturally they wanted to call me Victoria. However, their best friends recently had a child who they called Victoria so they started choosing other names (I was nearly Fiona) but then they could stand it no longer and rang up their friends and asked them what they thought and they said go with Victoria. History was therefore written.
Do you like mustard?
Yes.
What do you tell yourself when times get hard?
What goes around comes around.
Would you ever sky dive?
Ummm i've parasailed so maybe.
Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?
Back. Otherwise it's no sleepy for me.
What character from a movie most reminds you of yourself?
I've got no idea.
Have you ever bid for something on ebay?
Nah, i just go to amazon.
What do you think of Angelina Jolie being pregnant?
She's one of the million other women who were/are.
Do you enjoy giving hugs?
Hell yes.
Would you consider yourself to be fashionable?
Not fashionable as such but i like to think i have some sort of taste.
Do you own a digital camera?
Yeeeessss.
If someone you had no interest in dating expressed interest in dating you, how would you feel?
Awkward.
What celebrities have you been compared to?
Anyone who's anyone.
Who is your favourite Star Wars character?
Han–Solo…hot stuff!
Does it annoy you when someone says they'll call but never do?
Yes…and i do it too. Shit happens, man.
What books, if any, have made you cry?
Harry Potter books – wow!
Also, books like Goodnight Mr Tom made me cry when i was younger.
Do you think you're attractive?
Ummmm i think i'm ok.
What are you allergic to?
Some plants and pollen.
Are you a jealous person?
About some things, but i get over it quite quickly.
What's your opinion on sex without emotional commitment?
Pointless.
Do you ever feel guilty after eating meat?
Not really. But sometimes i do seriously think i should go veggie…as i'm rather an animal fan.
If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name have been?
Probably either Alexander or Edward. Those were my brother's second name choices so would probs have been handed down to me.
Finished?! Score.
30 Jun 2006 22:00
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Director: Michael Gondry
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Alain Chabet
106 minutes.
Gael Garcia Bernal never fails to deliver. Coming to the attention of world audiences with his role in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s acclaimed “Amores Perros”, Bernal went on to be nominated for Mexico’s Silver Ariel Award (Mexico’s equivalent of the Oscars). He is perhaps best known for his role in Alfonso Cuaron’s sexy road film “Y Tu Mama Tambien”, Bernal has gained the reputation of a mature actor despite his relatively young age. He is a linguist, speaking in many different tongues throughout his films but what is notable about The Science of Sleep is that it is Bernal’s first film where he is speaks mostly French throughout.
The Science of Sleep can only really be described as ‘weird’ or ‘intriguing’ but these descriptions are designed to put filmgoers off. In this case, don’t let it. The Science of Sleep is weird because it is supposed to be. It is certainly reminiscent of the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet) which incidentally (or not so incidentally) was also filmed and co–produced by Gondry. The film is visually very unique, as is the content and outline, intriguing the audience, raising plenty of laughs and is also baffling at the same time. Many will walk out of the cinema and proclaim that it is so strange, barbarian and mind boggling that they didn’t enjoy it and would probably not recommend it. Gondry’s ‘weird’ element in the film though is what makes it so good. It doesn’t have to be fully understood – and this is indeed the point. It is a film about reality, perception, the world of dreams and an individual’s inability to separate his dreams from reality. The point is that our dreams are never truly understood; they are wacky, inexplicable and downright odd and it is this portrayal of dreams that makes the film so special.
Since he was a child, Stephane Miroux (Bernal) has had problems separating his dreams from reality and growing into his twenties has not changed him a bit. His dreams are beginning to take over and ordinary life begins to intrude into his dreamscape. In his mind, Stephane is an authority on The Science of Sleep and he dreams a programme called “Stephane TV” where he is the host and elements from his life become involved, as do his family and friends.
The film opens with Stephane presenting a cooking show on “Stephane TV” where he mixes together random thoughts, reminiscences of the day, memories, love, songs and images. He demonstrates how dreams are prepared. Meanwhile, the real Stephane returns home to Paris and starts a job with a calendar publicist. Stunned to discover that his work provides no scope for creativity, Stephane shows his boss his “disastrology” drawings of earthquakes and plane crashes but his creativity is unappreciated. Soon, Stephane’s dreams are littered with images of the office life he becomes to loathe.
Stephane meets his new neighbour Stephanie and her friend Zoe, who mistake him for being an injured piano mover. He takes great pains to disguise the fact that he is the landlady’s son who lives across the hall. Stephane is undeniably first attracted to Zoe but he discovers a kindred spirit in Stephanie who shares his love for handcrafting whimsical and unusual objects. Stephanie, although charmed by Stephane’s sweetness and quirkiness, becomes increasingly confused by his inability to decide what is real and what is not and she makes it very clear that they can only be friends. Later Stephane dreams that he writes a best–selling novel called “I am just your neighbour and a liar. By the way, do you have Zoe’s number?” The initial attraction Stephane had for Zoe is one the major points of the film and Stephanie feels constantly downtrodden by her more attractive and flirtatious friend, resenting Stephane for being attracted to her. However, it is Stephanie who Stephane really wants and he constantly tries to woo her with his marvellous inventions, including a primitive time machine. It does not matter how much Stephane persists, Stephanie is always put off by his inexplicable behaviour. Thus, Stephane turns his dreams to search for the answer to Stephanie’s heart.
What must be noted about this film is just how funny it is. The characters Stephane has to work with are possibly the funniest, stealing the scenes they are in and are all so awful that one can empathise with Stephane and understand why he hates his job. The clever juxtaposition of the two main characters is masterful; Stephane full of quirky, childlike fantasies versus Stephanie who is more mature in mind but not necessarily in body. She also has a very childlike quality to her but is a lot more aware of the world. For example, when Stephane shows her the glasses he has invented to show the world as 3D, she says that life is 3D already. The oblivious Stephane cannot see this.
The film oscillates between dreams and reality and the audience gets lost in “Stephane TV”. There is a point where there is complete silence in the film except a very faint voice–over that actually has the power to make the audience feel as though they are drifting off to sleep – a very clever and apt manipulation of the human senses.
The Science of Sleep is a real mixture of life, perception, animation and craftwork. The use of animation for Stephane’s dream world, although looking very handmade and childlike, looks ahead of it’s time in terms of quality. The difference and non–difference between the two worlds is very effective, but the film is not purely about dreams. The central theme is the relationship betwixt Stephane and Stephanie and the fact that Stephane is indeed a little insane, partly why Stephanie and is not attracted to Stephane (despite Gael Garcia Bernal being extremely easy on the eyes).
Gondry implies that a dream is a like a stew with lots of ingredients being mixed up together, but he also implies that dreams are a science. It is clear that he does not believe that all dreams should be mythologized and made into symbols. Everyone has his or her own associations. Memory has to be explored and dreams have to be interpreted as a science in their own right.
I highly recommend The Science of Sleep for its sheer originality, bilingualism, fantastic acting, hilarious script and the fact that is takes Film to new heights in terms of audience perception, animation and style.
17 Jun 2006 00:28
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Writing about Shuffle from Dreams of Karl-ifornication
Go to your music player, set it to shuffle/random, and answer the
following questions with the title of the FIRST song that you skip
to each time. No cheating!
If you reached the top of Mount Everest, you would scream:
That certain female.
The next time you stand up in front of a group of people, you'll say:
Our day will come.
Your favorite thing to say when drunk is:
Strawberry letter #23
Your message to the world:
The more I see you.
Your deepest secret:
That's alright (mamma)
Your innermost desire:
Hey Porter
Your oldest memory makes you think:
I don't want to be kissed (by anyone but you.)
Somewhere in your wedding vows, you'll include:
(Everything I do) I do it for you.
On your deathbed, you'll whisper:
If love is a red dress (hang me in rags.)
Your friends say behind your back:
My Yard.
You say behind your friends' back:
Posters.
Your opinion of MySpace:
Woo hoo
When you wake up in the morning, you mutter:
Full Measure.
If you found yourself lost on a desert island, you'd yell:
You're nobody til somebody loves you.
Right now, your feelings are:
Shiver.
What's your excuse for reposting this bulletin?:
River, Sea, Ocean
Your life's soundtrack:
Call off the search.
Teeheheh! Those actually worked out really well. I thought my shuffle would come up with random answers but some of them work. Good times.
30 Apr 2006 12:27
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Writing about I've been tagged from From tractors to reactors
6 weird habits of mine coming up!
1) I line my feet up to the cracks in the pavement and objects which run along the pavement, like lamposts, postboxes, fencing – everything. Whats weird is that I skip steps just so I line up my feet. Whats weirder is that I now do it for others in my head. It's getting quite out of hand.
2) I have a 'clear the plate' policy. I have to try my hardest every meal time to clear my plate. As a consequence, I can now digest a great amount of food in a significantly short space of time. I think it's quite a primal instinct but it's something I cannot help. I also cannot concentrate if my stomach is not full.
3) I'm not a good morning person. Seems stupid to say this as lots of people would argue that they too are not good morning people, but wow…in the mornings life just ain't good.
4) I like feet. This isn't a habit of mine but I do genuinely like peoples' feet. Even if you have hard skin, wrinkly toes…I appreciate it! Not sure why but I think feet are so cool.
5) Maybe as a result of number 4, I don't wear socks whenever I can get away with it.
6) I have obsessional phases where I'm obsessed about one particular thing. This could be an artist, a film, a play or a tv programme but I do tend to get obsessed with it for a space of time then it goes. Everything I do is about it. MSN is a way of dealing with this. I put all the energy into making up screen names and searching pictures and then it's out of my actual life. I sound like a nutter!
That was quite cathartic!
I tag anyone who wants to do this quiz.
18 Apr 2006 01:02
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I saw this film when it came out and had decided to go and see it because I wanted to see what all the fuss was all about and also to satisfy my curiosity about the Latin and Arbic nature of it. I went with an open mind and hated the film. So why do I bring it up now? Well, it's Easter (which is associated with Christ, obviously…) and also because I walked past a Church today which advertised "Free showing of Passion of the Christ" tonight.
I would actively miss this film even though it's free. I'm actually sorry that I spent good money on seeing it in the first place. This is in no way because I don't agree with the content of the film. If it had been a good film then I would have enjoyed it no matter of the religious content. (I did enjoy the religious infused Narnia!) Fact is, it was a very mediocre and poorly made film.
Apparently in America several people died when they watched the film. They were so moved by it that they had heart attacks. What an embarassing way to die. Moved to death by a poorly scripted and self-important film.
What I particulary didn't like about the film was the naive self-importance which it strutted into the box office with. 'Look at my film' says Mel Gibson 'it's about Christ so no one can slate it or say it's bad.' The scripting was terrible and the plot line was awful. Yes, it's about Christ's life and the lead up to his death but blimey, you'd think that would make a great film. But Gibson decided to go for gore over emtional build-up. After watching the whipping, the nailing and general brutality you do get the picture that yes, things were pretty nasty. We knew that anyway. But in terms of being a film (you were making a film, weren't you, Mel?) it was unneccessary. People seemed to forget that Passion of the Christ is infact a film. It would have been compared to other films at Oscar debates etc and it could not haven stood up to them. Was simply not a good film.
What I suggest Gibson should have done to make a better film would have been to turn the film around. Instead of making the audience squirm in their seats at the sight of blood for 2 hours, he should have told the story of Christ's life. He should have depicted the life of a man, used the stories of all the good stuff Jesus did etc. Then use flash-fowards to show what is going to happen to this man and it is in these flash forwards that the violence and gore could have been used as a contrast. Would have been more effective and more hard-hitting than 2 hours of mindless desensitising gore. It was just horrific and not in an effective way.
The credit for this film needs to stop. It's not enjoyable. If you want to see a good film about Christ's life then see Jesus of Nazareth. Aviod this pretentious guff. The self-importance will make you vom.
So if you see a sign saying 'free showing of Passion of the Christ' don't get tempted by the price. You'll be ripped off.
11 Apr 2006 15:28
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USA 2005, 95 mins.
Known to many as the personification of cool, style and violent art forms, Tarantino is starting to set the new trend for directors to become guest directors and guest/small part producers. After guest directing in the superb hit Sin City, it now seems instead of planning his own films, Tarantino is opting for the trendy producing and guest directing. Is the cinematic legend out of inspiration or was he purely helping out his hot buddy Robert Rodriguez on Sin City? (Who incidently has the best band ever called Chingon – put on your speakers -, but that's another highly cool story. Tracks can be heard on the Kill Bill Vol II soundtrack, which Rodriguez scored and the proceeds from the CD go to charity, so it's even better.)
However, as a lover of all things Tarantino I am slightly dubious over the comnig of Hostel which looks nothing short of horrific. True, I've only seen the trailers and read the plot outline on the net, but I believe a lot can be judged from a film trailer. Indeed, I think a film should partly be judged by it's trailer. If you're stupid enough as a director to release a trailer which does your film no justice, then it's your fault if the box office suffers.
Anyway, Hostel looks like another horricfically boring "teens go in search of a fun hedonisitc holiday and end up getting killed in many grusome ways" type of film. We've seen it all before. As such, the IMDB managed to summarise the plot in 3 lines, which I've manged to summarise into 1. I was very shocked to realise that QT actually produced the film. From the trailer it looks as though it has none of the Tarantino style or wit. It just looks…mindlessly violent. Something Tarantino is not. So in contrast to my usual excitment about a Tarantino feature about to come out, I am a little sceptical and get the feeling Tarantino's heart was not in this. In fact, if the film is how I predict, I will be highly dissapointed. It just looks like something we've seen before.
That said, there is a little excitment on the horizon. QT has 2 new films scheduled to come out this year: Grind House and Inglorious Bastards, the first of which is co-directed with buddy Rodriguez. Details aren't out yet but I'm sure these will more promising than this teen horror picture. I hate teen films…nearly always rubbish and always about the same things with some bad acting and supposedly beautiful people. Change the record!
30 Mar 2006 20:22
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Writing about Bored Now – I nicked this idea from another blog! from Alex's Worst Blog Ever.
1. Were you named after anyone? Nope. Though I was going to be called either Charlotte or Fiona until my parents decided on Victoria.
2. Do you wish on stars? What would the point be?
3. When did you last cry? Hmmmm…probably about a month ago.
4. Do you like your handwriting? Yes. It's a bit scruffy but better scruffy than precision perfect.
5. What is your favourite meat? Overall probably chicken. But I love things like cured bacon, salamis etc.
6. What is your most embarrassing CD on your shelf? The James Bond soundtracks?
7. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Oh of course.
8.Are you a daredevil? In some respects, but not in others.
9. How do you release anger? With strong words.
10. Where is your second home? Coventry. Though when I leave (sniff) I'm not sure. Hopefully in another country.
11. Do you trust others easily? Nope.
12. What was your favourite toy as a child? A fun pack of cards, teddy or some board game.
13. What class in school/college do you think is totally useless? PSHE. What. Was. The. Point?
14. Do you use sarcasm a lot? I don't know the meaning of the word.
15. Have you ever been in a mosh pit? No! It looks awful.
16. What do you look for in a guy/girl? A nice face.
17. Would you bungee jump? Probably not. The idea just doesn't appeal to me.
18. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No. I should do really as it wears the laces out.
19. What's your favourite ice cream? Belgium chocolate.
20. What are your favourite colours? Green, blue.
21. What are your least favourite things? Annoying people, arrogance, laziness, people who talk in the cinema.
22. How many people do you have a crush on right now? At this moment in time…errmm…the number wouldn't be able to be generated on the computer's keyboard.
23. Who do you miss most right now? Quite a few people actually. Mainly my Mum and a few people who i haven't seen for yonks.
24. What are you listening to right now? Hard-Fi.
25. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? In your arse.
26. What is the weather like right now? Finding out would involve opening the curtains. So I'm going to hazard a guess: it's like tropics out there.
27. Last person you talked to on the phone? One of my housemates.
28. The "first" thing you notice about the opposite sex? Face.
29. Do you like the person who sent you this? No one sent this to me, I merely chavved the quiz off someone else.
30. How are you today? A little annoyed.
31. Favourite non alcoholic drink? Ummm…coke, water, cranberry & raspberry juice.
32. Favourite alcoholic drink? Hmmm, white wine, Fosters, purple, smirmoff.
33. Natural hair colour? Dark brown.
34. Eye colour? Light brown.
35. Wear contacts? Nope!
36. Siblings? Indeed! One sister, one brother. Both older.
37. Favourite month? I'm quite a fan of december. I love Christmas but hate new years though. June is often a good one except exams. August is normally quite nice except if it's really hot. Errrm, hate March. (What happens in march???!!?!) Ummm…i don't know. Probably december then.
38. Favourite food? Where to begin? :D Prawns, smoked salmon, cheese, salami, garlic sauces, risotto, chocolate, noodles, lemon, lamb chops, pork siroloin, rump steak, fresh basil, pesto…..when i went to italy i was in heaven.
39. Favourite day of the year? Well if it hasn't happened yet, how do i know? I'm not going to say my birthday as that would be false. I'll say christmas.
40. Have you ever been too shy to ask someone out? Oh hell yes.
41. Scary movies or happy endings? How about neither.
42. Summer or winter? Winter.
43. Do you want your friends to write back? Bloody hell, no.
44. Who is most likely to respond? No one! No one at all!
45. What book/magazine are you reading? Currently I'm reading a book for my course.
46. What's on your mouse pad? I don't have a mouse. I have a inbuilt mousey on my laptop.
47. What did you watch on TV last night? Hmmm. It started with Poirot and then we watched The Hole.
48. Favourite Smell? The smell of revenge. I'm kidding, probably fresh ground coffee or garlic!
49. Have you ever regretted breaking up with someone? Nah.
50. Most tiresome thing you’ve ever experienced/done? I'm going to take "tiresome" as meaning "you were so tired once you'd completed this task you were a zombie." It was when I travelled from New York to North Carolina on the greyhound bus last summer. Delays! Cancellations! Scary people! Victoria by herself clutching her passport to her chest in desperation of not getting mugged at the greyhound desk at midnight! People trying to con me! Huge suitcase and little me! No toilets! Phone not working! Travelling through the night! Victoria not knowing when to get off the bus the next day! When I finally got to my destination I was a little stressed out zombie.
20 Mar 2006 11:46
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Writing about web page http://www.walkthelinedvd.com/
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick.
Time: 136 mins
Twentieth Century Fox.
PG-13.
Described by his contempory, Bob Dylan, as someone who no one else can be, Johnny Cash is one of music's finest legends. Masterful lyrics, new chords and stage charisma are things which define Cash from other similiar musicians. So great is Cash's musical repertoire and so profound is his mark on history, that one would assume that any attempt to try and imitate him would be a disaster.
Despite past films trying to imitate legends to a horrific effect, Mangold's film skirts many of the usual dangers film producers have to dodge when making a film about a legend. Like Ray (2005), the film choses a traditional path to tread, centering on Cash's emotional twists and turns and the effect the music has on him and him on the music. Concentrating mainly on Cash's relationship with June Carter, the film establishes the enduring friendship between them and Johnny's constant hope for more.
The pair sing on tour together and it clear that they are soul mates, made for each other both on and off the stage. However, a sea of woe stands between them: June's divorce, June's new husband and Johnny's addiction to amphetamines. When June has had enough of drugs, the hardship and the social isolation, she leaves the tour – sending Johnyy into a downward spiral of depression, rage and financial problems. His first marriage to Vivian (a simple houswive with none of June's fire and energy but likeable) is in tatters, especially after it is clear that Johnny's romantic intentions lie elsewhere.
The backbone of the film and possible the most important aspect of the feature is the relationship between Cash and his father. His father held the unexpected and untimely death of Johnny's elder brother as Johnny's fault, initiating the guilt and pain Johnny feels about life and his family – something which is reflected in his music. The devil, his father scathes "took the wrong son." It is exactly this missing paternal link which Johnny finds so difficult to get over.
Perhaps the reason Walk the Line missed out at the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Actor (Phoenix) is that the screenplay already existed in the form of Cash's life and imitation is arguably easier for an actor to achieve rather than building a character up from a script. True, Heath Ledger's performance as the ranch cowboy in Brokeback Mountain was nothing short of genius (purely as a performace and also that Ledger is so typecast as being rubbish that he had to work hard to break his mould) and Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance was Oscar worthy, granted. However, Joaquin Phoenix's performance cannot go without mention when discussing the greatest performances from actors 2005/2006.
Typecasted as an actor who is expressionless and perhaps a little camera shy (see The Village), Phoenix is mesmerising. There's a lot to say for an actor or actress who captivates an audience. This is exactly what Phoenix does. His imitation of Cash is incredible. His voice is deep, rustic and harsh. So great is Phoenix's depiction of Cash both on and off stage that one finds oneself believing to be watching Cash and not Phoenix. Phoenix's co-star and Oscar winner, Reese Witherspoon, delievers the performance of a lifetime, stepping away from her usual roles and delieveries and stepping into unfamiliar terrority, and achieving the greatest award. Her singing is sassy, she is funny, adoring and she portrays June's unwillingness to temper her passions and see Cash's self-destruction brilliantly.
Phoenix's performance is magnificant and should not be overshadowed by any other Oscar contender. The film is honest and sound, juxtaposing the musical success and downfall of one man. One could perhaps argue that the film choses to centre more on Cash's life than his music and does imply that Cash simply fell into his musical personality, rather than offering any scope for how his music was born. As a peice of cinema the film is stunning and a joy to watch whether one is a Cash fan or not. It's just as well Bob Dylan references were kept to a low and no Dylan cameos were made as this would have completed lowered the tone.
The accomplished vocal work of Phoenix and Witherspoon does not really get enough attention in the film. Their work is masterful. Phoenix's "on-stage" performances are just sensational. The acting is spot-on on all accounts and the general production is solid. Particular gems are the concert footage and the flashback's into Cash's earlier years. This insight into one of music's greatest legends is flawless and captivating and can watched repeatedly for many years to come.
Fantastic and highly recommended.
12 Mar 2006 22:54
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Got something planned Friday night?
Cancel it.
Plan to watch TV with mates?
Drag them along….
Plan to do work?
It's Friday night….
Something you want to see on TV on Friday night?
Record it.
Out on a date?
Reschedule them.
Plan to just sit on your arse?
YES! Come and do that in L3 TOMORROW!
COME TO….
*THE ALL 90'S ALLNIGHTER!*
@ 7:30pm.
In: L3
Prices:
Member of society – £6
Non member – £9
Outside Guest – £10.
It's films all night. ALL NIGHT! Showings:
Shawshank Redemption
The Usual Suspects
The Wedding Singer
Mystery Film <—- This really is a mystery. Only one person knows what it is in the whole of the University.
The Matrix
Inbetween these immense films are some crazy fun sessions. Quizzes, raffles and the exec handover are just some of things which will be done. It's going to be immense! Food and drink is allowed too!
Tickets are available at any WSC showing or go to Cholo on Friday (tomorrow) and buy your ticket there at the stand.
So can you go 5 times in one night....?
23 Feb 2006 15:46
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"The next major british band" – Q Magazine.
Featuring songs such as 'Cash Machine', 'Hard to Beat' and 'Tied up to Tight', this CD is a very interesting listen. Playing on the street-society that is our age, Stars of CCTV incoperates everything about the life of urban Britain.
'Stars of CCTV' follows the story of a swollen credit card and the poverty which many youths are constricted by. We are all working for a cash machine..which is quite true. 'Hard to beat' has now become a regular club anthem and sports a catchy chorus and some wicked lyrics.
Stars of CCTV perfectly captures life's highs and lows, the good times and the bad times. 'Living for the weekend' is a tribute to going out on a saturday night for forgetting life's worries. We are all the stars of CCTV, and it's not aimed to show up the "chav lifestyle" and back-up social stereotyping or anything. It's a CD about life as we know it and the CCTV camera is simply a big metaphor.
This CD is a great listen, an urban masterpiece with a sound reminiscent of some of Oasis' tunes and some suburban 70's music. It's definetly quite different and cannot really be classed under one genre as it holds a bit of many: indie, pop, rock, reggae. It's a great start-out album for the guys from Middlesex, and Richard Archer (vocalist) is already tipped to be the next best thing when it comes to lyrics.
Definetly worth a listen.
23 Jan 2006 23:26
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Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view
Hmmm…this celebrity look alike machine thingy results are a little dubious.
Apparently I hold a close resemblence to:
1) Chelsea Clinton. No thanks.
2) Keith Richards. A man…
3) Kate Winslet. I can deal with that.
4) Wener Heisenberg. Another man.
5) Venus Williams. Oh dear.
6) Madonna. Hmm.
7) Britney Spears. Eww…I hope not.
8) Julie Andrews. No freaking way.
9) Scarlett Johansson. Hell yeah.
10) Sophia Loren. A classic!
Ups and downs…not sure why two males came up. I should be and am quite disturbed. Must be a glitch in the system…yesssss.
18 Jan 2006 11:29
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Today, in my blissful "i'm not going to do anything today" mindset, watched some of the outrageously stupid programme called "Australian Princess" where some ordinary Oz girls try to become a British Princess on Paul Burrell's (the butler we love to hate! No, we just hate him) and some crazy woman's judgement.
Having nothing better to do with their lives, these girls get trained in making tea "the proper way", serving lunch, making conversation, standing up straight and boating…whilst being told to lose a few pounds and that they are common because they don't usually use tea strainers.
The whole show is ridiculous. Paul Burrel (a.k.a Paul "i'm famous for trying to posh" Burrell) made me want to enter the royal bloodline just so I would have a good chance at killing him. He readily downgraded the rest of Britain and called us all "miffs" just because we don't set our tea cups and saucers at the 5 o'clock angle and because we don't spend 30 minutes making a cup of tea. The "cardinal sin" is apparently putting milk in the cup first. Well Paul, if you knew your tea history, some people would consider putting milk in their tea a sin in itself. It also became clear just how sad this man is: He bases his whole existence on the fact that he knows the royal family. Paul, you're still a butler…which traditionally is marginally better than a slave. And personally I'd rather not spend my life serving at someone's beck and call. So stick that up your pompous pipe and watch Spartacus! And you are certainly no Blackadder III.
The other judge person calls herself an "etiquette expert". This means that she has this "holier than thou" attitude and she thinks she can tell girls to lose weight..all while she looks ugly and while her double chin wobbles. Ah, but she worked for the Queen! So she must be important! Her self-importance levels are sky-high. She lectures the girls on being "lady-like" and tells them off for being too boisterous etc…but is it "lady-like" to be offensive and a loud-mouthed hag?
The girls, suffice to say, are all quite silly and should not change. Why anyone would want to actually be a princess nowadays is beyond me. Attention, I suppose.
The programme annoyed me.
15 Jan 2006 00:49
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Including songs such "Run to you", "Remember" and "One night love affair", this double CD compliation is anyone's ticket to some seriously good stadium rock.
Bryan Adam's talent of capturing 'the moment' is what makes his material just so listenable. Whether or not you might call yourself a Bryan Adams fan, there is bound to be at least one song on here which you will undoubtedly find yourself loving because it sums up one particular moment of your life.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter how intelligent song lyrics are, how good the guitaring is, how good the vocals are…if the music grabs you by your senses then it's worth it. The song lyrics are no Bob Dylan, the guitaring is no Brian May and the drumming is no Ringo…but Bryan Adams does well in all aspects of the music. The lyrics are truthful, capturing the thoughts of one particular moment, like when you meet someone new and you think you are head over heels over them. The music itself is something you can move to, sing along to and something which would be fantastic to hear live.
Not only does he look good, but his unique voice is something which distinguishes him from other artists.
It's just so easy to listen to. I'm not afraid to admit I like Bryan Adams…he's a legend! Conquer your Bryan Adams social isolation fear (something which I believe exists…for no good reason!!!) and go forth and buy a copy!
08 Jan 2006 00:30
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Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view
 | You scored as Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones is an archaeologist/adventurer with an unquenchable love for danger and excitement. He travels the globe in search of historical relics. He loves travel, excitement, and a good archaeological discovery. He hates Nazis and snakes, perhaps to the same degree. He always brings along his trusty whip and fedora. He's tough, cool, and dedicated. He relies on both brains and brawn to get him out of trouble and into it.
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com |
What a legend.
14 Nov 2005 09:38
| Tags: Just For Fun
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Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view
Hearing about Jill's grand day out inspired me to tell you all about my day:
Today I got up at about 10:00am (not much of a lie-in but when you consider I start lectures 4 out of 5 week days at or before 10:00am, this is good!)
At about 2:00pm I headed onto campus and had some lunch in the Arts Centre, but it was bought from Costies. (It was rank actually..it was a chicken pasta salad a.ka. the most oniony soggy pasta I've ever had.) I then went to the library. I was accompanied by Adele. We spent about 2 hours in the library and then headed to Tesco, thinking we'd be good and go there instead of the more expensive Costcutters. Well…it was a right nightmare and a half. Tesco itself was really busy and there were screaming brats everywhere and mothers who use push-chairs as battering rams. Plus, when you are buying for more than just yourself, you have to make decisions. Hard decisions such like "what kind of bread do we get?!", "do we get this bag of prawns, or that bag of prawns?!". The list continues. We finally got to the checkout and left the shop (me with a huge bottle of olive oil in my rucksack which couldn't have weighed any heavier if it tried.) It felt like we had left our souls in Tescos.
Avoiding the "lets steal a trolly" option, we walked to the bus stop laden with all sorts of stuff and then had to stand at the cold bus stop for about 45 minutes waiting for the freaking bus. It was not fun at all. Food shopping trips have a real way of depressing you, and if someone had said something along the lines of "you smell" to me i think I would have punched them or just cried!
So we finally got on the bus and sat in various traffic jams. At last we got to our stop and walked the final leg of our journey back home…absolutely shattered!
Then woe beyond woes, the real kick in the nuts was that we hadn't actually bought any meat at all…so we had to go to the co-op to get some for dinner. We made spaghetti carbonara with chicken and bacon. Tres bien!
And then we started…THE CLEANING. Our kitchen was such the biggest mess on the planet so we missioned the clean-up. Everything is now spotless. We even disinfected the inside of the bin and cleared out the fridge and cleaned it. Even the floor was mopped.
Then we all sat down to watch this Channel 4 programme which counted down the pop star/band/whatever who sold the most singles. We all had our money on the Beatles (what legends)....but no. As they were about to annouce the "winner" I suddenly had this niggling doubt. After the Beatles were number 2, we started to think it might be Pink Floyd. But no, I thought…something doesn't seem quite right. And then I had this horrendous image: What if Cliff Richard won this? What if Cliff Richard proved to have sold the most singles…ever? This horrific image was realised. "How and why?" springs to mind.
And now here I am to tell the tale.
I can write really long entries about nothing – useful essay skill there.
Edit: I only have 2 and a half months left of being a teenager!?!?!!?!?! Jesus Christ! That just hit me around the face like a wet fish.
Edit 2: Daniel Craig is the next Bond…officially. You heard it here first! (You probably didn't.) Strange choice…a blond Bond. Nice stubble though.
16 Oct 2005 01:07
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Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view
Rarely do I jump on bandwagons (ahem), but I need a distraction and this quiz looks perfecto…
A – AREA CODE YOU ARE IN RIGHT NOW:
CV5
B- BIRTHDAY:
6th January. Always the day you went back to school on, so fun times. But it's a brilliant day nonetheless!
C- CURRENT CRUSH:
Now that would be telling…
D- FAVOURITE DRINK:
I'm quite a coke fan myself.
E- LAST THING EATEN:
A small tesco value chocolate biscuit. I'm a starvin' marvin'!
F- FAVORITE FOOD:
Food in general is my favourite. But if you want me to be picky, I'd suggest: Smoked Salmon, BBQ, Paella, rump steak and squid. gobble gobble!
G- WHAT GRADE ARE YOU IN:
Second Year. Huzzah….oh things begin to count. Arse.
H- CURRENTLY HATE:
Su-sodding-Doku. Would people please stop trying to look clever and give the damn number puzzles a rest?! Do a proper crossword. It's a stupid fad.
I- I THINK:
…Therefore I am?
J- CURRENT JOB:
I don't have one. I am a student.
K- ANY KIDS:
Nope.
L- I LOVE:
My family and friends, films, tennis and my cat.
M- FAVORITE MOVIE:
I cannot choose one…errrr….I like too many. I'll get back to you on that one.
N- YOUR PHONE NUMBER:
You wish.
O- OVER OR UNDER:
I think possibly over…if I went under i'd have to crawl, whereas going over might involve a step or a simple hurdle.
P- FAVORITE PERFUME/COLOGNE:
I have this Vanilla perfume thing myself. As for guys, I'm quite a fan of the Hugo Boss range.
Q- ANY LITTLE QUIRKS ABOUT YOURSELF?:
I'm overly protective of my laptop. I have to line my feet up with the cracks in the street. I like violent films….(I sound weird.)
R- LAST ROAD TRIP:
America, baby!!
S- DO YOU SMOKE?:
I don't. But I've had a few puffs to see what the fuss is about. There is nothing to get fussed about.
T- FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Malcolm in the Middle and Neighbours. :D
U- COLOR OF YOUR UNDERWEAR:
I think it's yellow today….
V- LAST TIME YOU WERE IN VEGAS:
Never been to Vegas….I don't know if I fancy it either.
W- YOUR WISH:
I have many….but right now at this moment, I would wish for my room to warm up!
X- X-RAYS TAKEN THIS YEAR:
No X-Rays this year…but i've had a few in my lifetime!!
Y- NAME THAT STARTS WITH A Y:
Z
Z- ZODIAC SIGN:
Capricorn. (The goat with a horn!)
10 Oct 2005 18:58
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Hello Andy,
Here is the blog entry that you wanted!! You are super cool, dude!
Keep rockin' you crazy cat!
From Me!
Mentions on my blog come at a price (depending on how many lines/how much love you want.) For more information, call my toll free number on 0800 732234.
02 Oct 2005 17:56
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I shout out from the roof-tops:
"I love you, Jack Johnson!"
My god, his music is amazing. I bought 'In Between Dreams' ages ago, then yesterday came across his two other CD's, 'On and On' and 'Bushfire Tales.' Yoink!
Fabulous stuff.
"Future complications in the strings between the cans,
But no prints can come from fingers, if machines become our hands,
Then our feet become the wheels,
Then the wheels become the cars,
Then the rigs begin to drill until the drillin' goes too..far."
Going to Washington on Tuesday. Then going to New York on Saturday. Then flying home a week later.
Operation "get as much of a tan as possible" has officially begun. But first, I've got a party to go to. Going to the same place where I saw the hot band last week. Hope it's good!
03 Sep 2005 01:12
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