Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Monday, 30 May 2011
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Film Review: 'The Hangover Part 2'
This very much applies to The Hangover, easily one of my most enjoyed comedy films of recent years. A definite sense of anticipation has been growing for some time about the sequel to the highly popular original, but the question that remained on my lips was along the lines of 'how can they possibly match it?'
Happily, they have just about managed this. Although the plot clearly resembles the original throughout, the jokes still stir a laugh- and I found I laughed a lot; it's even made me want to go to Thailand more than I did previously, something I wasn't sure was possible.
On the other hand, I wasn't convinced by certain parts of the film. Zach Galifianakis was less impressive than I had hoped, and the reappearance of a certain figure from the original felt contrived and dare I say mildly cringe-worthy. To be frank, despite the introduction of a couple of new characters, I felt that the film did overall try too hard to replicate the original, without seeking success in its own right. This is a common pitfall with many sequels, but it doesn't make 'The Hangover Part 2' an unenjoyable film in any way! Hopefully, however, the next installment (as there clearly will be at least one) will have a little more novelty, yet retain the elements which make this, and the original so popular.
So, to sum up, I would recommend seeing this as it would be ideal for a laugh, and shows off some of the best (and worst!) of Thailand. However, for those expecting anything groundbreaking, don't raise your hopes too high.
Friday, 27 May 2011
It's too true.
-Anonymous"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away"
Student budget stretching...
I have no money, yet I'm still drawn to look on ebay and amazon for the most unobtainable things... For example, I'm convinced a Kindle would be the best purchase ever... for those who aren't aware, the Kindle is an e-reader or electronic book, which can save entire books from the internet at little cost for reading at a later date...
However, at least I have some basis for wanting one of these, because it's so useful for travel when you have limited packing space but love reading... Other things I tend to absently check for lower prices include a red leather jacket, purely as a result of this actor
and, of course, a casual hammock. Not sure why, but it might be something to do with this picture:
However, at least I have some basis for wanting one of these, because it's so useful for travel when you have limited packing space but love reading... Other things I tend to absently check for lower prices include a red leather jacket, purely as a result of this actor
and, of course, a casual hammock. Not sure why, but it might be something to do with this picture:
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Life is full of difficult decisions...
I have this poster in my room at university. It's a bit of a life motto for me, in that I often see myself as bad at decision-making. I spend a fair while pondering, for example, whether to order corona or sol at a bar. However, I've realised that I don't do the same thing when it comes to important decisions. Why is that? I have no idea.When putting thought into decisions actually has significance, my regular characteristic goes out of the window. So, I often make decisions I regret not having thought about. All in all, I'm a bit silly. Right?
Idle ramblings over.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
The best job in the world?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13454160 Not that I endorse this in any way...
Who'd have thunk it?
I was having a chat with a law buddy and, of course, our conversation turned to vegetable fancy dress costumes, particularly artichokes. However, availability of such a costume on short notice should have been questionable at best, as artichokes aren't the most common of vegetables. Or so I thought...
Lo and behold, I present the findings of Hannah:
Lo and behold, I present the findings of Hannah:
Film review: 'Fight Club'
One word; wow.
This film is, in my view anyway, a modern epic. Although I've seen it once before, I was just as gripped the second time around by the black humour, bizarre characters and brilliant plot. In fact, I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I'd watch it again tomorrow.
Of course, this film might not be everyone's proverbial cup of tea. I found Helena Bonham Carter, despite playing her role well, was a tad irritating as a character. Plus, you have to stick with it. The film has plenty of moments early on which made me grin, but it takes time for the story to really assert its hold on you.
The other two main roles are brilliantly cast; played by Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, the two actors perfectly complement each other, in a peculiar chemistry one might not expect.
However, what I found to be most interesting about the story was the way it encouraged me to think in terms of escapism. The highlighting of mundane, routine everyday life contrasted against what we actually want to be doing really makes you consider your aim, where you're heading in life yourself... Do we want to end up hoarding furniture and sleepless nights? Will the pursuit for material pleasure really end in happiness?
Maybe I just read too much into it.
Peace.
P.S. Take a look at Brad Pitt's red leather jackets in the film. Absolutely stunning. Going against my anti-materialistic stance a bit, I fancy getting me one of those...
This film is, in my view anyway, a modern epic. Although I've seen it once before, I was just as gripped the second time around by the black humour, bizarre characters and brilliant plot. In fact, I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I'd watch it again tomorrow.
Of course, this film might not be everyone's proverbial cup of tea. I found Helena Bonham Carter, despite playing her role well, was a tad irritating as a character. Plus, you have to stick with it. The film has plenty of moments early on which made me grin, but it takes time for the story to really assert its hold on you.The other two main roles are brilliantly cast; played by Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, the two actors perfectly complement each other, in a peculiar chemistry one might not expect.
However, what I found to be most interesting about the story was the way it encouraged me to think in terms of escapism. The highlighting of mundane, routine everyday life contrasted against what we actually want to be doing really makes you consider your aim, where you're heading in life yourself... Do we want to end up hoarding furniture and sleepless nights? Will the pursuit for material pleasure really end in happiness?
Maybe I just read too much into it.
Peace.
P.S. Take a look at Brad Pitt's red leather jackets in the film. Absolutely stunning. Going against my anti-materialistic stance a bit, I fancy getting me one of those...
Monday, 23 May 2011
Thought...
It just occurred to me... What happens if you write the address you want to send a letter to as the return address, then don't put a stamp on it?
I'm sure I'm being idiotic. But oh well.
I'm sure I'm being idiotic. But oh well.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
I dream of owning one of these.
In fact, such is my adoration of junk boats, they're at the top of the list of things I'd get if I ever had a tattoo. Not that I'm going to get a tattoo. Still, my point stands.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Monday, 16 May 2011
Memories of GCSE English, and that misunderstood man that was Mr. Robinson...
"Two Scavengers in a Truck, Two Beautiful People in a Mercedes"
At the stoplight waiting for the light
nine a.m. downtown San Francisco
a bright yellow garbage truck
with two garbagemen in red plastic blazers
standing on the back stoop
one on each side hanging on
and looking down into
an elegant open Mercedes
with an elegant couple in it
The man
in a hip three-piece linen suit
with shoulder-length blond hair and sunglassed
The young blond woman so casually coifed
with short skirt and coloured stockings
on the way to his architect's office
And the two scavengers up since four a.m.
grungy from their route
on the way home
The older of the two with grey iron hair
and hunched back
looking down like some
gargoyle Quasimodo
And the younger of the two
also with sunglasses and long hair
about the same age as the Mercedes driver
And both scavengers gazing down
as from a great distance
at the cool couple
as if they were watching some odourless TV ad
in which everything is always possible
And the very red light for an instant
holding all four close together
as if anything at all were possible
between them
across that small gulf
in the high sea
of this democracy.
Lawrence
nine a.m. downtown San Francisco
a bright yellow garbage truck
with two garbagemen in red plastic blazers
standing on the back stoop
one on each side hanging on
and looking down into
an elegant open Mercedes
with an elegant couple in it
The man
in a hip three-piece linen suit
with shoulder-length blond hair and sunglassed
The young blond woman so casually coifed
with short skirt and coloured stockings
on the way to his architect's office
And the two scavengers up since four a.m.
grungy from their route
on the way home
The older of the two with grey iron hair
and hunched back
looking down like some
gargoyle Quasimodo
And the younger of the two
also with sunglasses and long hair
about the same age as the Mercedes driver
And both scavengers gazing down
as from a great distance
at the cool couple
as if they were watching some odourless TV ad
in which everything is always possible
And the very red light for an instant
holding all four close together
as if anything at all were possible
between them
across that small gulf
in the high sea
of this democracy.
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Apt quote...
"Life swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom."
-Arthur Schopenhauer
-Arthur Schopenhauer
Ahah! Finally.
Well, after several days of this website refusing to allow me to post, I'm back. It's been an eventful few days, I must say, what with all of this revision. But before I depress anyone who decides to read this, I'd like to say that my mood has been lifted by the fantastic retro Age of Empires. It's still a cracking play, and an absolutely cracking. It also taught me a fair bit of history. Hats off to that game.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Quick thought
Why is it that when trains slow down to stop at a station, everyone seems to start walking in the direction the train is heading to get on?
Typical Samoans.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13330592
I seriously wonder how anyone could dream up jumping a day in a calendar.. But of course, this bizarre event will bring benefits to the economy. If only there were such a simple solution as 'jumping forward a day' for the rest of the world... Anyway, excitement all around for this momentous day in Samoan history.
I seriously wonder how anyone could dream up jumping a day in a calendar.. But of course, this bizarre event will bring benefits to the economy. If only there were such a simple solution as 'jumping forward a day' for the rest of the world... Anyway, excitement all around for this momentous day in Samoan history.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Kaya Scodelario
The most attractive girl in the world. I'm a little bit obsessed, you might say. I've watched pretty much everything she's in, and a fair bit has been dross i.e. Shank, and the modern adaptation of Clash of the Titans. But, she makes it acceptable. Thoughts?
Monday, 9 May 2011
It's my girlfriend's birthday coming up. Think this will placate her?
It's only a million US dollars on ebay!
Film review: 'How to lose friends and alienate people'
First thing that occurred to me as an aspiring (hmm) blogger was the potential to review films. A personal opinion, and one that I hope won't offend anyone.
So, this evening I caught this film on channel 4+1, it jumped out at me despite apparently bad reviews- because of the odd cast.. Megan Fox, Kirsten Dunst and the star; Simon Pegg. Yes, Simon Pegg. What?
I never really saw Pegg as one who brushed shoulders with hollywood stars: as superb as he was with his co-conspirator Nick Frost in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, he 'fit' in these films, for lack of a better word.
Consequently, I was pleasantly surprised by his inclusion in 'How to lose friends..', where Pegg plays a journalist who is given a big break in a New York magazine, in the celebrity gossip pages. Was it an elusive, serious role for Pegg?
As it turns out, Pegg played a similar role as with his other masterpieces, a starring role as the butt of many jokes. I won't give away any spoilers about the story, but it hasn't quite got the same charm as some of his other films, and the plot is rather predictable. Megan Fox is smouldering without really adding much to the film (although, she does play her role quite well) and Kirsten Dunst, I hesitate to say, wasn't at her best.
However! Here it is, I still found it good fun to watch, and the story despite its predictability was interesting enough to hold my interest (I've decided, even having had this embarrassing mistake pointed out to me, not to change it. Because I am a maverick). Not laugh out loud funny, and plenty of cringe-inducing moments, but overall not as bad as those who panned the film made out! Plus, it has Megan Fox wrestling, covered in cake. Who's complaining?
Verdict: 7/10 No blockbuster, but entertaining viewing.
So, this evening I caught this film on channel 4+1, it jumped out at me despite apparently bad reviews- because of the odd cast.. Megan Fox, Kirsten Dunst and the star; Simon Pegg. Yes, Simon Pegg. What?
I never really saw Pegg as one who brushed shoulders with hollywood stars: as superb as he was with his co-conspirator Nick Frost in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, he 'fit' in these films, for lack of a better word.
Consequently, I was pleasantly surprised by his inclusion in 'How to lose friends..', where Pegg plays a journalist who is given a big break in a New York magazine, in the celebrity gossip pages. Was it an elusive, serious role for Pegg?
As it turns out, Pegg played a similar role as with his other masterpieces, a starring role as the butt of many jokes. I won't give away any spoilers about the story, but it hasn't quite got the same charm as some of his other films, and the plot is rather predictable. Megan Fox is smouldering without really adding much to the film (although, she does play her role quite well) and Kirsten Dunst, I hesitate to say, wasn't at her best.
However! Here it is, I still found it good fun to watch, and the story despite its predictability was interesting enough to hold my interest (I've decided, even having had this embarrassing mistake pointed out to me, not to change it. Because I am a maverick). Not laugh out loud funny, and plenty of cringe-inducing moments, but overall not as bad as those who panned the film made out! Plus, it has Megan Fox wrestling, covered in cake. Who's complaining?
Verdict: 7/10 No blockbuster, but entertaining viewing.
Wow, blogging is simpler than you'd think?
So, despite abandoning my once-favoured career of writing and replacing it with law, I still feel the urge every now and then to write a little about what I want, rather than what a university examining board wants. So, foolish as I once thought blogging was, here I am. For anyone reading, starting a blog is much easier than you would imagine. Simple google search, absolutely free, pretty simple interface and yet (I hope) it all looks quite neat.
I'll be blogging about anything that takes my fancy really, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated (he says, with his grand total of zero followers.)
And thus, I take my first baby steps into the blogosphere... (Wow, how pretentious do I seem)
Peace, shoes and hair product
El Crab
I'll be blogging about anything that takes my fancy really, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated (he says, with his grand total of zero followers.)
And thus, I take my first baby steps into the blogosphere... (Wow, how pretentious do I seem)
Peace, shoes and hair product
El Crab
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