So, I haven't been writing in a while, and I think that's mostly because I don't feel like writing about the things that have been happening in my life (obviously enough, I know), but I've decided to pierce the blogosphere once again with a few reviews of things that i found interesting lately. Enjoy, or alternatively, memorise it and recite it aloud in front of a group of people and call it art. I won't judge how you amuse yourself.
FTWebsites: Stuff I've found on this here internet...
Somewhere that usually cheers me up when I get tired of the same old stuff on Facebook is a nice little parody site of it called Lamebook. In a similar vein to TFLN (another stalwart mirth-giver in times of boredom), it chronicles the various mishaps that one could imagine transpiring on such a vast social networking site as that of Facebook. A personal favourite section of mine is the "FTW" section. Watching random people you don't know get their asses digitally handed to them is a fun way to waste a few minutes.
FTWatch This: Films...
Office Space, one of the greatest cult classics to come out of the 1990s. It stands up there beside Big Nothing and Dogma as one of the greatest films to be either underrated or unknown on this side of the Atlantic. Office Space is the story of Peter Gibbons, a white collar worker who does the bare minimum to keep his job. He then experiences a re-awakening, and decides to live life, and not care about work as well as hatching a plan to embezzle money from the company he does so little work for. The resultant hour and a half of film is one of the most re-watchable, entertaining, and charming pieces of film I've ever seen, word of warning though, if dry humour and awkward moments aren't your thing it's probably best to give this one a miss. Sample quote:
Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Peter Gibbons: Yeah.
Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.
Also, as a closing note to the film section, I'd like to add that I got my hands on a copy of the film of "Atlantis" by Disney, to show someone what I meant by the phrase "Steampunk". While I didn't find anything that really resembled steampunk (I remembered after it was actually "Treasure Planet" I was thinking of, but that's another story), what I did find was a Disney classic that is oft overlooked, possibly because it doesn't have any musical numbers. The whole movie was superbly animated, moved at a steady pace, was genuinely funny and left me wanting more at the end. If you get the time, I'd strongly recommend it.
FTWritings: Literary section, 'coz i iz awl ejukaytid innit?
Okay, so as most of you know, I am obsessed by this little book called "The Yesman", by a certain fellow whom we shall address as one Daniel Frederick Wallace Esquire. Danny has written a few books, each as humorous as the last, and all of them well worth a look if the mood for a side split inducing read should strike, but The Yesman strikes a particular chord with me. It may have been the place I was in when reading it first, but it really made me look at my life, take stock and realise that I needed to do more. And what I needed to do was to say Yes. But back to the book: Danny finds himself in a position wherein he is saying no to everything his friends suggest, be it gigs, parties or just a night down the pub, greatly disquiets our positive hero as he reviews his diary to find it lacking in any days of noteworthy quality (save for one riveting read about a trip to PC World, but I'll let you read about that one yourselves). He then by chance meets a stranger on a bus who tells him simply to "Say Yes More". This becomes Danny's mantra for the next several months and through the course of the book. While the film of the same name was a fun romp into the various mishaps one would doubtless meet over the course of saying yes to absolutely everything, it missed out on the true soul of the book for me, which is that saying no can only lead to nights alone, and wondering what could have been, whereas yes, if it doesn't lead to something good, at least leads to a story to tell and a more interesting life. My all time favourite book, so it goes without saying that I would wish that anyone who reads this read it, and if they get even a fraction of the enjoyment out of it that I did, then I'll be happy I recommended it.
FTWhatever, I'm sick of this now: Music, and sounds that please the ears...
Yes she's been around for ages, and yes we all know she's wonderful, but Adele... what can I say about this girl that hasn't already been said? Her music is just so awe inspiring and soothing that I could listen to it forever. I don't think I can say much more about her, but I will leave you with the song that got me (and possibly the majority of people) listening to her in the first place.
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
14 December 2009
Book My Face
So there's this thing called Facebook, you may have heard of it, all the kids are talking about it these days, well, anyway, turns out a while ago I was not so skilled at it. Of late though, I have blossomed into a regular facebook user, even going so far as to take a Facebook quiz today. Turns out I have 100% common sense. Who knew such things could be judged by a series of retarded riddles? If only everything in life were this easy...
Glee!
So, I managed to get my hands on some episode of the "smash hit" new US comedy, Glee. Turns out that it is as good as the hype makes it out to be. It could just be that the subject matter is quite close to my heart, homosexual though it may be, but the cast works so well, and the jokes are delivered with a punchy wryness that leaves me just wanting more. I'll keep you updated the more I see, but until then, keep an eye out for it, and catch it if you can.
On a similar topic, even though people keep complaining about the downturn in entertainment, and how the golden ages of comedy died when Friends jumped the shark, so much so that every comedy that has come since with even a hint of genius or originality has been compared to unfavourably. But with Glee, How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock and although I haven't yet seen it, Modern Family sounds like a gem aswell. With all these, and the host of others that I forgot, the talk of comedic entertainment dying, or even turning stale, is absolute crap. Long live comedy, long live originality, long live the sitcom.
As a great man once said, "mmmmm, sooomething".
Goodnight fellow bloghounds, and good blogging.
Glee!
So, I managed to get my hands on some episode of the "smash hit" new US comedy, Glee. Turns out that it is as good as the hype makes it out to be. It could just be that the subject matter is quite close to my heart, homosexual though it may be, but the cast works so well, and the jokes are delivered with a punchy wryness that leaves me just wanting more. I'll keep you updated the more I see, but until then, keep an eye out for it, and catch it if you can.
On a similar topic, even though people keep complaining about the downturn in entertainment, and how the golden ages of comedy died when Friends jumped the shark, so much so that every comedy that has come since with even a hint of genius or originality has been compared to unfavourably. But with Glee, How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock and although I haven't yet seen it, Modern Family sounds like a gem aswell. With all these, and the host of others that I forgot, the talk of comedic entertainment dying, or even turning stale, is absolute crap. Long live comedy, long live originality, long live the sitcom.
As a great man once said, "mmmmm, sooomething".
Goodnight fellow bloghounds, and good blogging.
26 August 2009
This week I am mostly liking...
As I can't really think of anything really meaningful or interesting to write about after being skullfucked by the awesomeness of inglourious basterds (pardon the crudeness, but honestly there is no other way to put it, pure and simply the film had me transfixed from start to glourious epic conclusion) I am instead going to offer up some delights I have found for myself in the hopes that you too may go and enjoy them yourselves.
Webnet Wonders: If you are a gamer, or are interested in gaming as a storytelling medium, you'd be hard pressed to find something not likable about The Escapist Magazine. It updates daily, and features wide topics including the future of video gaming, the "casual gamer phenomena" and other such gaming topics. It also hosts some stellar videos, notably ZeroPunctuation, and The Unforgotten Realms. If that all gets too much for you why not chill out in the forums Now I know what you're thinking, "A gaming forum, why that'll be chock full of uberWoWers who will do nothing but 'LOLFAG' the whole the whole time and compare the size of their virtual phalluses", but nay, these boards are host to a range of topics, some of them quite specific, like the obvious gaming threads and the like, others being a little less so, like one I was reading about a 15 year old terminally ill boy whose dying wish of losing his virginity was granted to him by hospital staff. It often throws up some interesting stuff and is worth checking out, if only to pass some time.
Celluloidal Pleasures: Well, as you can tell from the opening paragraph I will obviously be writing about Inglourious Basterds. In fact, I would be screaming its praises from the highest mount were my lips not so securely glued to its arse at this very moment. Yes, QT is back and with style. I can't really talk about it in depth without giving too much away, but suffice to say it had me at the edge of my seat for the full 150 minutes. The setting is beautifully realised, Nazi occupied France seeming downtrodden, slightly seemy and for all intents and purposes defeated except for the small crew of guerilla fighters, the eponymous "Basterds". The characters are what really bring this film to life though of course, as with any Tarantino flick, and i have a feeling that Aldo Raine, Donny Donowitz, Hugo Stiglitz and Hans Landa will reside among Mr. White, Vincent Vega and Beatrix Kiddo as some of Tarantino's most memorable characters.I really wish I could give this film higher praise, but words really cannot do it justice, my advice would be to go watch it as soon as possible, and then possibly watch it again, as I plan to.
Audio Treats: Although not new by any means, I have recently taken a renewed liking to Friendly Fires, after having seen them at Oxegen. They have a single due to be released this week I think, called "Kiss of Life", and is executed in their trademark style of samba/african based rhythms and percussions coupled with modern keyboard and basslines. An odd mixture, but one that proves itself to be a teriffic one, enjoy!
Webnet Wonders: If you are a gamer, or are interested in gaming as a storytelling medium, you'd be hard pressed to find something not likable about The Escapist Magazine. It updates daily, and features wide topics including the future of video gaming, the "casual gamer phenomena" and other such gaming topics. It also hosts some stellar videos, notably ZeroPunctuation, and The Unforgotten Realms. If that all gets too much for you why not chill out in the forums Now I know what you're thinking, "A gaming forum, why that'll be chock full of uberWoWers who will do nothing but 'LOLFAG' the whole the whole time and compare the size of their virtual phalluses", but nay, these boards are host to a range of topics, some of them quite specific, like the obvious gaming threads and the like, others being a little less so, like one I was reading about a 15 year old terminally ill boy whose dying wish of losing his virginity was granted to him by hospital staff. It often throws up some interesting stuff and is worth checking out, if only to pass some time.
Celluloidal Pleasures: Well, as you can tell from the opening paragraph I will obviously be writing about Inglourious Basterds. In fact, I would be screaming its praises from the highest mount were my lips not so securely glued to its arse at this very moment. Yes, QT is back and with style. I can't really talk about it in depth without giving too much away, but suffice to say it had me at the edge of my seat for the full 150 minutes. The setting is beautifully realised, Nazi occupied France seeming downtrodden, slightly seemy and for all intents and purposes defeated except for the small crew of guerilla fighters, the eponymous "Basterds". The characters are what really bring this film to life though of course, as with any Tarantino flick, and i have a feeling that Aldo Raine, Donny Donowitz, Hugo Stiglitz and Hans Landa will reside among Mr. White, Vincent Vega and Beatrix Kiddo as some of Tarantino's most memorable characters.I really wish I could give this film higher praise, but words really cannot do it justice, my advice would be to go watch it as soon as possible, and then possibly watch it again, as I plan to.
Audio Treats: Although not new by any means, I have recently taken a renewed liking to Friendly Fires, after having seen them at Oxegen. They have a single due to be released this week I think, called "Kiss of Life", and is executed in their trademark style of samba/african based rhythms and percussions coupled with modern keyboard and basslines. An odd mixture, but one that proves itself to be a teriffic one, enjoy!
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