red state (2011) - kevin smith

Red State is a strange film, as it purports to being a horror movie, when in fact, it is more of a high school thriller, with a load of religion (and a Waco type compound) thrown in for good measure. I usually love most films by Kevin Smith, and was reluctant to slag off the movie, but it was too long, didn't hold the suspense, and felt disjointed, as if it was two or three movies botched together.
Some high school lads decide to answer an advert offering sex, so they go to a trailer park to meet the woman. They then end up in a church, in an enclosed compound, with a charismatic (yet crazy) preacher, who certainly does not have much time for the sinful, especially those he classes as 'fags'. There's a rescue and escape attempt, and the 'rapture' at the end, but ultimately, apart from the scenes in the church, there was no heightened drama.
I did think the rapture idea was good, and Michael Parks (as Pastor Abin Cooper) was superb, but (sadly) it was a disappointment.
Saying all of that, l am still interested in seeing Vulgar (which inspired Smith), and it's scary to think that there are real versions of Pastor Abin Cooper out there.
I'm thinking mainly about Fred Phelps, and all the other narrow minded idiots at the Westboro Baptist Church, l know where l'd like to put their 'God hates Fags' signs.

toodle pip

free syrian army shirt

The trouble is still kicking off in Syria, and as a show of support to the freedom fighters, l should get this shirt printed up, as it looks pretty cool. It's for the Free Syrian Army, but it may be back to front and say 'gullible English idiot' for all l know. Still looks cool though, so it's a risk l might take.
Plus it reminds me of the days of 'The Colburn Popular Front'.

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the question - epitaph for a hero - dennis o'neil

Although 'The Question' is a Charlton Comics  Steve Ditko (a God of the comic world) creation from 1967, l had not read any of the Question comics until now. This is the later DC  series by Dennis O'Neil, and l was pleasantly surprised, as it was a reminder of the old school comics that l loved. Vic Sage (real name Charles Victor Szasz) is a newsreader who dons a blank faced mask to go crime fighting as the Question (I know..I know). The stories were interesting, and there were plenty of philosophical quotes from the likes of  Sun Tzu's 'The Art Of War' (so right up my street then). There was a great story concerning a racist and the killings of blacks, and even a story where Vic Sage reads Watchmen while on a plane, and identifies with Rorschach (for a while). For those not in the know, Alan Moore was going to use The Question as one of the characters in Watchmen, but was asked to create another (Rorschach), as he was going to be killed off.
All marvellous stuff, l'm sure you would agree.

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camorra clan member nicola schiavone's home and clothes

I am NOT, l repeat NOT making any comments on the home or taste of clothes of jailed Camorra clan member Nicola Schiavone's home near Naples, as l don't want any kind of hit put out on me (better safe than sorry).
His father (Francesco) went on the run a few years ago and was found in his own home in 1998, in a secret room behind a sliding granite wall. Now that is class.
Saying all that, in a mad way, l kind of like the toilet.

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faker - mike carey

Some young students get wrecked and are spiked with a new substance called 'Angels Kiss', which is being developed as a liquid data storage/memory device. After throwing up, having strange experiences, and doubting there own minds and memory, the government become involved. Of course, this is a big, bad government, so the students have to go at loggerheads with them.
A collection of the 2007 Vertigo series, Faker is pretty damn good, and recommended, and is one of the better recent (ish) comic runs.

toodle pip 

civil war - mark miller

After a TV programme goes wrong and children are killed, there is a backlash against super-heroes, and calls for them to be legislated. Some of them agree to the demands, and concede that there are too many heroes and mutants running (or flying) around like vigilantes, but others do not want to be under the command of the government. They split into two factions, and go to war against each other (hence of course - 'Civil War'). Spider-man reveals his identity, and goes on the government side, but changes his mind and switches over. The writing and idea behind it is good, but l am not so keen on the modern costumes and drawings, as l prefer the old school stuff. Then again, l am a sad old git who not only reads them, but wastes his time blogging about it, so l am caught between the old and new. There were also characters involved in the fighting that l was not aware of, and it (naturally), only featured the Marvel super-heroes. Makes me pine for the old days when l knew them all (not personally you understand), and life was less complicated. Still a good read, and it will probably be a film in the future, but l hope they cut out some of the minor characters.

toodle pip

the jewel caterpillar

I saw some pictures of the Jewel Caterpillar the other day, and l must admit, l was impressed. Probably part of the Dalceridae family, they look better before they develop properly. More information can be found at Scientific American.

toodle pip                  

donkey punch (2008) - oliver blackburn

I would have thought beforehand that Donkey Punch would have been a film l might enjoy. After all, there is plenty of sex, drugs, murders and gore, but there was just something lacking in the film that l can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was because it was difficult to identify with any of the characters, as they were annoying, posh, stupid and callous. No, hold on, that can't be right, as l am at least two of them. I don't know, maybe l'm complaining too much and just expected more, as the film was OK, would probably appeal to a lot of people (especially the younger 18 - 30 crowd), and maybe l'm just too fussy. Three girls (including 'the daddy's' daughter) go on a Spanish holiday, and meet three lads who persuade them to go out on a yacht for the day. A sex game goes wrong (the 'donkey punch'), and arguments and murders ensure. It does not end well. At least l can't envisage a sequel happening.

toodle pip

world war 2 plane found in the desert

 This plane from World War 2 was found in the desert recently, and it is a real relic from the past. I love a bit of history (not too much, or my dicky heart might explode), but this is one magical find. It's in the desert between Libya and Egypt (not a good place to be), but is in great condition (for a 1942 Kittyhawk) , and is still pretty intact, which is very (very) rare.
If  l was loaded, l would have it shipped intact and placed in my massive museum. That would be a museum that no-one else would be granted access to (like my private pub), just for me. Maybe the FPO if l was given a written in advance (and in triplicate) warning, but a museum mainly for my own selfish gratification.
Luckily for the rest of mankind, l am not loaded.
Damn!!!

toodle pip

all the water on the earth in one place

According to the United States Geological Survey, if you rounded up all the water on the Earth into one ball, it would have a diameter of about 860 miles and look like this. Not a lot of water if you look at it that way, but it is still a mighty plentiful amount if you were stuck, all alone,  in a raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (other Oceans are available).

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tartuffe (or the imposter) - molier

l will be the first to admit that l had never heard of Tartuffe (or the imposter) until a couple of weeks ago, so, as l have a curious mind, l decided to give the book (by Moliere) a go. You have to give old books some slack, as this was written in 1664, and a lot of the humour does not travel well over the centuries, so l did, but it will definitely not go down as one of my favourite reads. Orgon, the father of the family, is under the influence of Tartuffe, a pious, apparantly extremely religious man (and ex vagrant), and trusts everything he says, even though his loved ones try to convince him Tartuffe is a fraud, not that religious, and has been trying it on with them. Ruses are concocted so Orgon can witness his (so called) friends treachery with his own eyes, until he finally comes to his senses, only to remember he has signed away his deeds to him. I can see why it was banned in those God fearing times, and it could easily be (and probably already has been) updated to appeal to a modern audience, but this is just the sort of thing that, when performed in the original way, with have intellectuals  and pretentious idiots rolling in the aisles with laughter, falsely in my eyes. I'm glad l have read it and understand the significance of the work, but that's about it.

toodle pip

a job application that is dope

This letter is doing the rounds on t'net at the moment, and l am not sure if it is a genuine application, but if it is, respect to the guy who wrote it (as long as he was being ironic and piss taking, rather than serious).

toodle pip

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.

toodle pip

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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