rise of the planet of the apes (2011) - rupert wyatt

I used to really like the original series of  'Planet of the Apes' films when l was younger, so l was looking forward to seeing the new version of 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'. Not looking forward enough to go and see it at the pictures mind you, but l did have high hopes for it. Usually, because l am so sad, any film that was directed by someone called Rupert (educated at Winchester - named public school of the year in 2010 by Tatler, and the oldest of the public schools) would get my back up straight away (class war and all of that), but l'll admit he did do a good job with this, although the story was straightforward enough (evil lab / experiments going wrong / a good intentioned scientist / it all going tits up and the apes rising up). I shouldn't complain about unbelievable parts of the film if l am already watching a movie about apes talking and taking over, but there were a few scenes which annoyed me, such as  Caesar not telling of the cruelty being inflicted in the ape sanctuary by the guards. There was also a lot of fuss beforehand about how the ape effects and CGI  had moved on so much from the earlier films, and l do agree they have, but there were also plenty of action scenes where l thought people would look back on them in a few years and consider them dated. Anyway, l used to love Roddy McDowall in the earlier films, and he certainly bought a different kind of identifiable reality to the apes. Wasn't too keen on the apes running up buildings, as they reminded me of spiders, but overall, it was good enough to make me want to watch the sequel, and there are plenty of films where l don't feel that way. Andy Serkis must be wearing his hands away, rubbing them with glee at the amount of money he will be making from this franchise.

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comic book guy into tron

This guy is obviously into Tron, and l admire his dedication to the cause, but dressing up like that just gives the rest of us geeks a bad name.
Virgin.

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a liverpool busker - upside down

What a way to make a living. A busker in Liverpool, probably sleeping on the job.


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andrew garfield as spider-man

Here's Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-man, complete with the new costume. This annoys me sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much. Why change the bloody thing. It's such an iconic part of the appeal of the comics, and, although l understand they want to sell lots of new products with the reboot (ah! I have answered my own question!), it does not bode well for my expectations of the movie. I know l should move with the times (granddad), but if the original comic books stories were followed from the start, there is enough there for anyone to be going along with. The trailer of the new film looks good, but don't get me started............

better off ted - plus the veridian dynamics adverts

Myself and the FPO have just started watching series one of 'Better off Ted', and are really enjoying it. I can imagine it was probably pitched as 'Like '30 Rock' with the hard edged boss and respected colleague dynamic, PLUS an in office will they/wont they romance, PLUS the main male character looking good in a suit 'Don Draper - Mad Men' style, PLUS different things to test each week for slapstick humour 'Testees' style. A long pitch, l'll agree. One of the many highlights are the spoof adverts for Veridian dynamics, the company they all work for. They have certainly come up with some clever stuff, and l hope the standard stays as high, but we also expect it to improve as the characters develop and we get to know them better.
Shame it was cancelled after only two series.

                                                        

                                            

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my old man, said 'be a city fan'...

Another bad day at the office, as Ciddy win at Newcastle, and United didn't win 14-0. So it's all over bar the shouting. The only thing that cheered me up was the panning to Ciddy fans. I thought my brother lived in Leeds (and didn't like football).
Last day of torment next Sunday.
I'd start praying (if it would do any good).

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a 'thing to do' note by johnny cash

So, Johnny Cash was mortal after all (but certainly not just a 'mere' mortal.

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bound for glory (1976) - hal ashby

Grasshopper David Carradine plays Woody Guthrie in 'Bound For Glory'. Not too convincingly for my liking, but it was OK l guess, and it certainly evoked the period of the dust bowl. Based on the 1943 Guthrie autobiography of the same name (which is a lot better).
It's a shame Carradine will now always be remembered as dying in a accidental (it's assumed) sex hanging.
What a way to shuffle off (sort of) this mortal coil. Master Po would have been most disappointed.

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henry fool (1997) - hal hartley

I really enjoyed Henry Fool, and l am going to check out more of Hal Hartley's films when the chance arises (especially the sequel, Fay Grim).  l am all for deadpan acting, with some clever, interesting and philosophical dialogue,  and there was plenty of that in this film. The Henry of the title drifts into town and meets Simon Grim, an awkward and socially inept refuse man, who he then persuades to write the 'Great American Novel'. Grim (and especially his family) are unsure at first, but he eventually starts, and it is met with mixed reactions. Some think it (and he) is brilliant, some think it is badly written and pornographic (and a bad influence on 'the kids'). The charismatic and intelligent Henry persuades him to stick to it, and the novel is eventually published to great success. While this is going on, Henry has his own writings (The confessions) rejected, and he goes into a downward spiral, which includes admitting to being a paedophile, having sex with Grim's mother, and then marrying Grim's sister. There's more to the movie than that, and it including the longest and noisiest bowel movement l have seen (apart from myself), which was pretty funny. Slightly too long, but worth the effort (the film and the bowel movement).


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before and after airbrushing

This is why you always have to be on your guard. Although the girl is attractive, the airbrushed photograph just makes her flawless.
I think l'll have to start doctoring some of our family ones (especially the night out ones).

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the super moon in march and in germany

I was thinking about the Super Moon (or, if you prefer, a Perigee-Syzygy) that happened in March, and was reminded that when l was younger, and living in Bielefeld, Germany, myself and some friends decided to camp out for the night (tent wise - not going to gay bars). At about 6am (at a guess), some of us went for a walk as we couldn't sleep. We were strolling and chatting along a wide path between some trees, when a large object appeared in the sky in front of us, with a yellowy/reddish colour. I realise now that it must have been a Super Moon, but for many years l thought l may have imagined it, as l have never seen the moon so large again. This would have been in about 1971. So, to conclude. I am not mad, l just have a crap memory (and it sure did look impressive).
By the way, that was also the same walk where l thought l saw a ghost (of my grandmother amongst some trees), but that l do think l imagined. I was probably just seeing shapes in the trees, as l was young, and would have been pretty tired. Or maybe l am mad.

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some great recent (ish) classic art

 Francis Bacon

Grant Wood

Piet Mondrian

Rene Magritte

Roy Lichtenstein

Banksy

Now l know what l like about art, and here are some recent (kind of) classic paintings that pass the test in my eyes. I dug them out from the recesses of my computer when l was looking for the Francis Bacon one, as it reminds me of 'The Scream' from the earlier post (about it's sale). I think the Bacon one is even scarier, but that's probably just me.

we need to talk about kevin (2011) - lynne ramsey

Tilda Swinton plays the frustrated mother of Kevin, who struggles with his lack of attachment, violence and mind games. She has trouble convincing her husband how bad it is, as he tends to see the (supposedly) good side of him, with dire consequences for the whole family and local community. We Need To Talk About Kevin is different from the book in some ways, but has been done in a way that  was interesting, but does not deviate from the books lurking menace. Swinton and the two older Kevin's are all superbly acted, but the pot smoking posh boy that is Ezra Miller should take most of the credit, as his brooding presence dominates the later parts of the film. Great stuff (but not exactly cheerful!).

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the aurora borealis above canada

A recent shot of the Aurora Borealis over Canada, taken by NASA's  Marshall Space Flight Center. It must be great to see it from up above the Earth.

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the moving gifs return! - by dain fagerholm

I have (at long last), remembered about the earlier posting of the GIF drawings, and have located the artist's name. They are by Dain Fagerholm, of which, more can be found at his site.

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bumping into people on a night out

These are the sort of characters l should have been hanging around with, the great, good and legendary Bob Dylan and Muhammad Ali, although it looks like the photo is from about 1974, so l may have been a bit young (even for an old git like me).


Instead of which, l get the likes of these. Not that l have any idea who they are, but they are representative of the lower class of drunkards l tolerate when l am out and about, drowning my sorrows after the footie.
I'll have to get myself a new local.

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