bookmark_borderThe Real African problem?

The following was posted as a comment but I think it’s deserving of it’s own space – thanks to Hans for pulling together his thoughts, some of which I’d heard in isolation before, into a fascinating little article. Note that Hans wrote this, not me – I’ll pass on any comments about this to him, if you don’t want to post them here.
Continue reading “The Real African problem?”

bookmark_borderIn a rut

So much to talk about, so little inclination.

Live 8 – the vitriol surrounding these concerts astounds me. Is it ideal? No. Is it part of a greater scheme that actually seems to be working? Yes. Sir Bob was on Jonathon Ross at the weekend, Jonathon asked him “why have the G8 countries done nothing?”, Bob responded “I have no idea”. Ultimately, and I don’t believe it will be a miracle cure, the steps taken recently WILL make a difference. This is a GOOD thing.

Peter at Naked Blog has dropped out of Big Blogger, I’m sad to see him go, I’m also wondering where Big Blogger is heading. I’m still treating it as a silly bit of fun though because that’s all it is (this is NOT a dig at Peter!!).

Michael Jackson – not guilty, so let him get on with his life now.

bookmark_borderR.E.M.

Whilst I remember, I have one spare ticket for this Saturday’s R.E.M. gig in Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond, the venue is amazing, and if the sun is out it should be a great day.

If you want the ticket, make me a (monetary) offer.

P.S. You’ve only got a couple of days before I bung it up on eBay.

bookmark_borderSorry Philip

Do you dream every night? I think I do but as I awake the dream floats off into the light, disappearing from view, blurring into nothing and glimpses of the dream are all I can grab. I’ve stopped trying to remember them now, and it’s only the secondary dreams that I can recall, the ones created after I’ve woken and gone back to sleep, the ones that feature real people, real things and places, the ones that I know give me a sense of déjà vu from time to time.

There are various schools of thought as to why we dream, from Freud and Jung to modern interpretations, and all agree that dreaming is a release of emotion, the unspoken thoughts and desires we have during the day are acted upon at night by the brain as a release a way to balance your emotional output.

I wish I knew where I was heading with this…

I day dream quite a lot too, imagining scenarios in my head, everyday things sometimes, exotic things at others, my brain constantly striving to stay active, and I wonder why I do that? Is it the same unconscious workings of my brain that I experience when bored? The same reason I can lose myself completely in a book, or when I’m working on something interesting and challenging? And if so, when do some things fall prey of avoidance tactics? There are a few things I’m currently working on that have stalled not because I CAN’T do them, but because they don’t interest me or that they require more input than I want to give. I think.

I’ll stop with this now, as I’m already boring myself. Do you dream of electric sheep?

bookmark_borderSin City

Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic

There’s only one thing that annoys me in the cinema more than a bad movie – and aside from inconsiderate people – it’s a mediocre movie that could have been a great movie. In saying that, even typing that sentence has me wondering if that’s true of Sin City.

In case you don’t know, it’s based on a series of “graphic novels” by Frank Miller, and the movie is shot largely in black and white to reflect that. Visually the effect is stunning, with only a few colours allowed on screen you find yourself noticing details you may not have noticed before.

Unfortunately one of the things you notice is how stilted the dialogue is, sounding as it does like something from a 50s gangster movie, and a badly written one at that. The story is told through three characters, and is pieced together in a Pulp Fiction style – and I’ll pause and mention that the section directed by Quentin Tarantino is noticeably the best in the movie.

Mickey Rourke is the standout of the actors on display, Clive Owen does a reasonable job and we see “Mike” from 24 punching someone!! The rest of the cast, Willis included, are silted and just don’t seem to have done any homework on the film noir/Phillip Marlow style feel the movie seemed to be aiming at.

I’m loathed to call this a bad movie, and it certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it is different, obviously so as it progresses, to the usual Hollywood fare and for that I applaud it. If you break this movie down into separate parts then you can easily find examples of where it’s been done better, but on the whole …

No, it’s no good I just can’t make up my mind. This is not a bad movie, it could have been a great movie, but it’s not. I’ll leave it at that.

bookmark_borderMr and Mrs Smith

Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic

I’ve used this phrase to describe movies before and once again it’s apt, quite simply Mr and Mrs Smith is exactly what you expect. Two of the beautiful people turn up, make a movie, flirt, smile and indulge in some Hollywood style action. This is not a clever movie, it’s not a violent movie, it’s not a comedy, a romance or an action movie. In fact it’s a bit like Romancing the Stone but not as good.

I’m guessing that the lead actors saw the script and saw a simple little movie that wouldn’t stretch their acting skills. Brad Pitt coasts through this barely breaking sweat at any point, relying on his character from Ocean’s Eleven to get by (with a hint of his guest spot on Friends), Angelina Jolie offers a little more depth. we’re taking millimetres here not miles, but at least manages to convince you that she’s acting her part rather than just turning up everyday.

Story wise… well there’s not much to say, if you’ve seen the trailer you know the story.

Is it a bad movie? Well no, it’s not, not at all. There are some nice set pieces, the script ambles along well with some good one-liners strewn about, and the movie doesn’t dwell on anything long enough for you to start to wonder about it. Instead, you sit back, look at the lovely people on the screen and enjoy a couple of hours worth of nonsense.