little manhattan (2005) - mark levin and jennifer flackett

A lightweight and sometimes quirky coming of age comedy drama about a young boy falling in love for the first time.

Little Manhattan is also (like Woody Allen's Manhattan) an homage to the city itself, with some great shots around Central Park, the Upper West Side, and the Hudson.

It is very similar in style and pace to 'The Wonder Years' (Mark Levin was a writer for the show), but includes some surreal/fantasy shots, such as a building turning into a ship.

Our hero, Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) gets reacquainted with an old school friend (Rosemary - played by Charlie Ray), at karate classes, and manages to fall for her just before she is to leave for summer camp (and then onto a private school).

In the meantime, his parents are in the process of getting a divorce, and he (like his father), finds it difficult to express or act upon his feelings.

I must have got something in my eye towards the end of the film when Gabe and Rosemary danced. Either that or l think l have turned soft and senile (or it is my allergy to the idiot rabbit).

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a really huge insect - the little barrier giant weta

This is a Giant weta and is to be found on New Zealand's Little Barrier Island.

I am so glad l don't live in that part of the world, if this is the sort of thing that is going to be found in the house. It's bad enough being scared of spiders and having to look out for them (in case they are lying in wait to attack me).

Just think, if we are ever visited by an alien life form, they could all look like this.

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the bloody snow has arrived in catterick

After posting earlier about the weather in Middlesbrough yesterday, the snow has arrived in Catterick and it is pretty crapy weather outside. I'm at work at 2pm, and l can't say l am looking forward to going out in it. Where the hell did the summer go?

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the bleeding weather in middlesbrough yesterday

I went through to Middlesbrough yesterday to do a bit of bobbing and weaving (and diving), and just as l was arriving the sky became mighty dark and foreboding. It was bright sunshine when l set off, but it soon changed, and it was chucking it down with sleet and snow on the drive back. Thankfully though, that soon stopped, the sky cleared up again, and as the FPO was still busy doing her assignments, l buggered off to The Arc and JT's for a fine old time with Ritchie and Shuggs (although l think Shuggs may have put some alcohol in my drink, as l was a bit tipsy on my return).

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job prospects and the economy

With workers going on strike, the Euro on it's (supposed) last legs, and no money left in the pot, l wonder if we will soon see a return of these sort of advertising gimmicks. I thought we were meant to be living in the space age.

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very dodgy canadian tv

This from an old Canadian TV show called 'Just Like Mum'. Just like being a perv would be more like it.

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70 million - hold your horses (and the paintings)

Now this video is what l would call a clever and well worked idea, referencing classic paintings, but also featuring a decent song by Hold Your Horses (70 Milllion). Imagination being used - it's a very rare occurrence.

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anders petersen photos from cafe lehmitz and the rain dogs cover

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits is a great album, probably (along with Swordfishtrombones) my favourite Tom Waits album. And the cover is pretty striking as well.

I think most people think it is an early shot of Tom, or has been doctored in some way, but the photograph is from the Cafe Lehmitz, a dodgy cafe near the Hamburg red light district, and was taken between 1967 and 1970 by Anders Petersen, along with lots more, all showcasing the drunks, hustlers and prostitutes that used to frequent it.

That's what the Colburn Lodge in Catterick used to be like (Ah....happy days).

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comics - great but expensive - check out this first superman

The first Superman comic (Action comics no 1) has been sold for 1.4 million pounds and is believed to have belonged to Nicholas Cage. He bought it in 1997 for $150,000. If l had possessed that kind of money in 1997, l would also have bought it and sold it on, and l would now be a millionaire, instead of a poor hippie with a comic collection probably not worth a hill of beans.

Bastard!

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sydney from the usa office - 2 be simple

I actually don't mind this song, and it kind of reminds me of Dead Or Alive's - You Spin Me Round (but obviously not as good).

Strange to see Sydney (Leslie David Baker) from the Office (USA) starring in it, as l would never have envisaged him releasing a single.

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batman re-enacts christmas in sunny catterick

As it's the first of December, l thought l would post this, as it is a re-enactment of the way l respond to the FPO when she dares to quiz me about Christmas (me being a poor orphan boy and all of that).

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the public sector strikes and growing up

The Public Sector strikes today are likely to be the largest for a generation, according to the BBC news website. I'm all for a bit of action, in fact if anything, l would prefer more action (and certainly more of the direct kind). On the other hand, l do think the slogan above is pretty true, as (for most people), once they get older, any political fires that may have been burning in their undernourished bellies when they were young/unemployed/a student/low paid tend to go out when wealth/home ownership/family responsibilities (and general selfishness) come into the picture.

Viva la Revolution brothers and sisters!!

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flagg bros - clothing for the brothers

You have to be a special kind of dude to carry these clothes off.

Would suit Shaft (who they say is a mean motherSHUT YOUR MOUTH).

Rise on!

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outrageously large 3d painting at canary wharf

Just brilliant!

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colonel sanders and alice cooper

These are the sort of people l should have been going out drinking with years ago, instead of all the 'ordinary' ( in the loosest possible sense) people l know. Colonel (Harland to his friends) Sanders created the finest foodstuff known to man, and Alice (Vincent to his friends) Cooper was still knocking out great records and drinking as though the well was about to dry up*. Unlimited KFC, booze and rock music (and all the trappings that go along with that). What's not to like? (apart from my guaranteed early death, and that would have been well worth it).

*That maybe makes no sense, as you would probably limit your drinking if the well was drying up, hoping more water would appear from somewhere. Nevermind.

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lethbridge, alberta 1908

Even though l don't have a problem with heights, I certainly wouldn't like to have been working at the top of this bridge, as it looks mighty unsteady (and l bet there wasn't much adherence to the Health and Safety manual at the time).

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lower city (2005) -sergio machado

A Portuguese film, Lower City follows the journey of Karina, a prostitute who wants a lift to Salvador. She meets two lifelong friends, Deco and Naldinho in a bar, and they agree to give her a lift on their boat in return for sexual favours. They swear a woman will not come between them, but (of course) she does, and after various exploits in Salvador, they fall out. Along the way there is also a stabbing, a hold up, a suicide and some cock fighting (not that sort!). Never share a woman with your friend (especially if she represents some kind of twisted escape).

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nausea - john-paul sartre

Antoine Roquentin has settled in Bouville (Mudtown), is writing a historical novel, meeting 'The Autodidact' in the library, while thinking about a reunion with his ex girlfriend, Anny. As it is by Sartre, he also ponders life, and the absurdity and meaning of it. This also involves him suffering from what he refers to as 'The Nausea' (hence the title), as everyday objects and people start to make him feel ill. After all - what is the point of anything? Most people glorify the past, keep themselves occupied, do deeds that make them feel self important and don't even know they exist. Who cares what choices you make? Blah blah blah, existential angst by the pageful, but he is moved by the sound and artistry of a jazz record, and in the end he decides he may as well write a classic book of fiction, because if nothing really matters (as Del Amitri sang), you are free. If you are free, you can make your own choices and pathways, and that also gives you responsibilities (a bit like Spider-man), one of which could be to create great art. A good novel, but Sartre doesn't half go on a bit.

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more silent movie posters

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