bookmark_borderLost in Translation

Lost in Translation

Ignore the trailers, this is NOT a Bill Murray ‘gag’ movie. Yes it is funny in moments, and whilst the melancholic feel that pervades the entire film permeates even the funniest moments, this is no sad movie.

The story of an ageing, failing movie star and a college graduate trying to find herself, it is a wonderful study in the ‘moment’, that undefinable period of time and place and circumstances, that throws two strangers together to enjoy a wonderful time, each learning a little more about themselves. Beautifully handled, the emotional/sexual tension between the two lead characters is palpable, and Bill Murray excels at this kind of role, I hope he gets more of them in the future. Scarlett Johannson also plays her part well, the confident young woman, at ease with herself in public, but not sure of herself in private. Wonderful. A timeless movie.

bookmark_borderReally?

I mean, really?

Norton wins Gervais’ comedy crown – the cynic in me would suggest that this may have something to do with his new BBC contract.

I kind of went off Graham Norton when he started his 5 nights a week stint. It was just too much, and wasn’t really funny after that, just repetitive. It’s the same kind of humour you can get by surfing the internet, and at least I can choose that myself rather than being forced fed (with a side helping of ‘celebrities’).

The real comedy news is sadder: Frasier is on it’s last legs. Easily my favourite comedy of the past few years, I’m enjoying the re-runs on Paramount which are nicely timed to fit in with our dinner-time.

bookmark_borderSticky Apples

Dear Mr. Orchard owner*,

Please could you find an alternative to the sticky glue you use to put the labels on your apples. Whilst your Royal Gala apples are very tasty, I’m fed up spending five minutes picking at the sticker only to find it’s left half of the glue behind.

Thank you.

* Or whatever you call the owner of mass produced apples…

bookmark_borderSo… Anyway… as I was saying…

Do you have difficulty making conversation with some people? Once you are past the weather, how they are feeling, what they got up to at the weekend.. what then?

Or are you one of those people who can maintain conversations easily, always seeming interested in the other person, asking questions but never prying, sharing anecdotes?

Or are you a self-obsessed neurotic, never happier unless you are talking about yourself and your problems?

I’m the first (with a little of the third thrown in). I’m excellent of thinking up conversation topics… after I’ve parted company with someone. Not a very handy skill that. It’s not a permanent affliction by any means, some days you can hardly shut me up, but I learnt early on that my social interaction improved if I was a little more relaxed and this translates itself, usually, in the pub where I drink quite fast at the start of the night in semi-conscious desperation to reach that happy point of lucid interaction with others.

Are YOU a conversationalist?

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bookmark_borderQuick Mini iPod thought

A LOT of people are saying the same thing about the Mini iPod

too high a price for too little product. Of course, for an extra $50, the 15GB iPod doesn’t look so bad.

Maybe that’s the strategy? Seems a bit daft in the face of it I agree, but it is a good way to maintain sales of both… It’s a pretty easy sell for a salesman either way – you come in looking for a Mini iPod and he points out the ‘big brother’ model that is only a little dearer but holds much more or you just buy the Mini iPod that you came in for… if the gap between the two products was too big then there would be no ‘sell-on’.

I still expect a lower price, smaller model to appear at some time, as one thing Apple is good at is responding to the market.