Movie Reviews

What better than to sit inside watching movies while it's baking hot outside?
Saw 'Sin City' a couple of days ago. I know it's supposed to be flawed but I thought I'd give it a go. Nice to see comic adaptations are getting better. Quite enjoyed 'Hellboy' when it came out. 'Batman Begins' was good, for the first two thirds at any rate. Of course the 'X-Men' has been doing well, although seems to be following Mick Hucknall's quality/career trajectory. So to 'Sin City.' It is a Rodriguez film and so has some sub-Tarantino touches (who is credited as Guest Director) as you'd expect. The sparse use of colour is quite effective. Marv has traces of the 'Dark Knight' from Frank Miller's previous comic. The comic book 'physics' is good fun, cars bouncing around etc. In the end it tries too hard. There's too much going on, with nothing of substance. The good guys are more interesting than the bad guys. Bad move, and one which scuppered Batman Begins in my opinion, despite Cillian Murphy's valiant attempts otherwise. Come on - Frodo as Hannibal Lecter - really.
'Walk The Line' was the other film I saw. Good. Of course it's your standard music bio-pic. It is done very well and hits all the points you'd expect. If you've seen 'Ray' you've essentially seen this. Tough upbringing. Writes a few songs. Gets discovered. Takes some drugs. Overcomes drug addiction. Stick a bit of romance in there and the obligatory bit where he writes the big hit in his backyard or whatever. 'I shot a man in Reno, just to see him...cry?' no that's not right... wait... die. Brilliant.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Not sure if it's the hottest summer for a hundred years yet, but it's pretty damn hot and getting hotter.
Yes, I know the date's wrong on the photo.
That thing at the bottom is an ice bowl made from a Mrs Beeton's book.
I'm so proud.

Manic Depression

Oh dear. The Manic Street Preachers were never going to be able to live up to the hype of their first album. Pity. They did have a few good tunes.
Saw this on the It's Grim Up North blog. Some of it's quite funny especially the Nicky Wire one. James Dean Bradfield one has it's moments.

Ska-face

For about a month now I've been rehearsing with a ska influenced band consisting of Col, Dave and Matt. Think early Joe Jackson / The Police / Linton Kwesi Johnson.
As always with these things the most difficult thing is coming up with a name. Col likes 'Little Baby Cheeses.'
Any other suggestions?

Gross Net Profit

Good article in the Observer today about the potential balkanisation of the net. Looks like it might come down to a bunch of 80 year old senators.