I like to know if someone is reading my journal - whether you regularly hang around LJ or not. Maybe you know me from real life? Or somewhere else online? Maybe you've just friended me (or even defriended me on LJ - though I hope not) Say hello, criticise, ask a question, make a statement - whatever it is -this is the post to click the comments button below and and get typing on the keyboard.

thanks :)

PS. no hating please. Life's too short.

Finally got around to sorting out my f-list - it was just too big, the first cut I've done. Hopefully no one is offended. Now I have a better chance of reading all your entries :) I've been a bit slack lately. Apologies.

Just finished reading William Shatner's Star Trek Memories, and his autobiography Up Till Now. There's a pattern emerging I know ;) Both are a great read. However I am taking a break from Trek reading - its been ages since I read a comic so have borrowed Incredible Hulk graphic novel from a friend at work for a change.

Since I last posted it has been revealed that Sony Pictures are to reboot the Spider-Man franchise with a new cast and director and the story being set around Peter Parker's high school years. *sigh* Erm, why? Wasn't this covered in the first movie anyway? Or now are we getting an even bigger back story before Parker is bitten by a spider and discovers his powers? I cannot see the point of this. Let the franchise go. The only worse idea I've heard is rumours that Warner Bros are considering Watchmen 2 - WTF?!

Also, it is nice to see sci-fi movies get Oscar nominations - however I am disappointed but not surprised that Star Trek only got a mention in the more technical categories. I do not understand however why Avatar is up for Best Picture - it is not IMO that good a story. It's not bad - but Oscar worthy? Not in my eyes. If District 9 can get a nomination, so to should Moon - if not for Best Picture, Sam Rockwell should have got a Best Actor nomination. I just bought it on blu-ray and on second viewing - I still think Rockwell should have got a nomination. Oh well.

Oh and I know that I am way behind but I just saw the first episode of the latest season of Smallville and thought it was a great episode - *Finally* Clark and Lois both working at the Daily Planet. I may have to start watching again. And the reaction to the recent Smallville: Absolute Justice special that aired in the US seems to be positive.

Next weekend am gutted to be missing a londongqmfs meet-up but equally excited to be returning to "Hot Fuzz" pub - its been far too long a gap for meeting up with redderz and fearcat. Look forward to it :)

I don't even know what I was running for - I guess I just felt like it.

- J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 1

It's one of many books read during my studies at university. And there is just something about this novel that gives youth a voice. I wish I'd read it earlier.

Up In The Air

Trailer:




Great movie. As good as Reitman's Thank you For Smoking (not seen Juno yet). It is both warm and happy but also heartbreaking and sad. I love the fact that you get a relationship between a young woman and an older man who both learn something from each other - its a nice relationship you don't often get in film without said relationship being a romantic one (I'm talking about Ryan and Natalie). Clooney's Ryan is possibly the most vulnerable character I've seen him play to date. Without giving too much away - the scenes in which he tries to do something for his sister - whom he has hardly seen over the last few years are moving. Anna Kendrick as Natalie is brilliant also - look forward to seeing her in Scott Pilgrim vs The World later this year :)

End of Time was great. I am so glad I wasn't spoilt. *Applauds David Tennant and Russell T. Davies* Epic TV. A little tribute to their work:

I lied to you, 'cos I liked it. I could pretend, just for a bit, I could imagine they were still alive underneath that burnt orange sky. I'm not just a Time Lord, I'm the last of the Time Lords.

--------

There was a war. A Time War. The Last Great Time War. My people fought a race called the Daleks, for the sake of all creation. And they lost. We lost. Everyone lost. They're all gone now. My family. My friends. Even that sky. Oh, you should have seen it! That old planet.... The second sun would rise in the south, and the mountains would shine. The leaves on the trees were silver, when they caught the light, every morning it looked like a forest on fire. When the autumn came, a brilliant glow though the branches...

--------

He's like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night, and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the center of time and he can see the turn of the universe. And... he's wonderful.

--------

Every night, Doctor, when it gets dark, and the stars come out, I'll look up on her behalf. I'll look up at the sky, and think of you.

--------

I'm going to die.

--------

I don't want to die!


And... GOOD LUCK Moffat and Smith....

When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it'll never end. But however hard you try you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever, for one moment, accepts it. Everybody knows that everybody dies. But not every day. Not today. Some days are special. Some days are so, so blessed. Some days, nobody dies at all. Now and then, Every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair and the Doctor comes to call, everybody lives.

Bring on Spring 2010 :)

2006 list.
2007 list.
2008 list.

Movies I watched at the cinema in 2009 ranked in order of favourite:

28.\ Seven Pounds
27.\ Blind Dating
26.\ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
25.\ Franklyn
24.\ Carriers
23.\ Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
22.\ Terminator Salvation
21.\ X-Men Origins: Wolverine
20.\ The Time Traveler's Wife
19.\The Boat That Rocked
18.\ Public Enemies
17.\ Valkyrie
16.\ Passchendaele
15.\ Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
14.\ Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
13.\ Slumdog Millionaire
12.\ Men Who Stare At Goats
11.\ The Damned United

( 2009 Top 10 )

6 hours left of 2009 and I've not done my usual 'best of 2009' movies list (or even the decade as some people have done already). When I'm done watching Superman The Movie on the TV I shall do my list. I think most people here can guess what my favourite movie this year was if you've read any entries since May ..... :P

Hope everyone had a lovely Xmas Day and Boxing Day. I finally finished work on Xmas Eve and had a nice holiday so far. I am actually avoiding the internet for fear of Doctor Who spoilers. How sad is that?! Enjoyed the Xmas Eve episode, and if the conversation between Wilf and the Doctor is anything to by Tennant will nail his exit scene. Great to have Simm back as the Master also.

So the usual what did Santa get you list?

Ice Age 3 blu-ray DVD
Spandau Ballet live @ 02 2009 DVD
Take That The Circus Live CD
Take That Calendar
Star Trek TOS jumbo mug
Hot Fuzz blu-ray DVD
Chocolate
Shower-Gel
Memory-Foam pillow and mattress topper
Twitter book

I will catch up with f-list soon - promise. Hope you are all enjoying the holidays. redderz thanks for the Xmas card and the b-day suggestions sound good - pub? - etc.

Am off to watch more telly and DVDs....

Scott Pilgrim Arrives August 28th!

*smiles* Look forward to it.

Seen at the cinema:

Slumdog Millionaire
Seven Pounds
Valkyrie
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Franklyn
Watchmen
The Boat That Rocked
The Damned United
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Star Trek
Terminator Salvation
Public Enemies
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
Moon
Inglorious Basterds
The Time Traveler's Wife
Passchendaele
District 9
Blind Dating
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Michael Jackson's This Is It
Nowhere Boy
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Men Who Stare At Goats
Carriers
Avatar

Trailer:



Enjoyed this. Saw the 3D version. Loved the depth in the image that it gave and the effects. I also enjoyed the story even if it did feel a little bit like a great short sci-fi story turned into one that was a bit too long a movie. My favourite scenes were those at the beginning when Sam Worthington's character discovers the joy of being able to walk, and run in his Avatar self. As a lover of subtitles also - the Navi translations in 3D subtitles - those are the first 3D subtitles I've ever seen! Loved it :) There is a 'message' to the movie but I don't think its dealt with too heavy a hand by James Cameron. And I like film with a message. Worth watching to see the effects also.

Saw screening of RSC/BBC/Illuminations filmed for TV - Hamlet with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. It is superb. If you saw it on stage you will totally recognise it and yet they have also filmed some scenes on location. It is all totally seemless and at times when characters normally would address the theatre audience - Hamlet especially (though other characters also) address the camera lens so it feels very intimate. It is airing on boxing day on BBC2 - watch it! :)

Also, am loving the Xmas themed Doctor Who idents on the BBC :)

Seen at the cinema:

Slumdog Millionaire
Seven Pounds
Valkyrie
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Franklyn
Watchmen
The Boat That Rocked
The Damned United
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Star Trek
Terminator Salvation
Public Enemies
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
Moon
Inglorious Basterds
The Time Traveler's Wife
Passchendaele
District 9
Blind Dating
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Michael Jackson's This Is It
Nowhere Boy
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Men Who Stare At Goats
Carriers

Trailer:



Erm, yeah so I watched this for the plot Captain Fine - Chris Pine. It was ok. The performances from the cast are great though and holds the film up well but the plot itself...mmm didn't do much for me. ( Best bit? Reminded me of Hot Fuzz )

To a fellow Reeve and Superman enthusiast kalalanekent

HAPPY SUPER BIRTHDAY!

Ever wanted to search for online videos with a search result that only includes subtitled /captioned videos? Or maybe you just need to search for something to watch something that you can follow without audio? Be it for education or entertainment.

22 Frames aims provides just that service - searching content across the web, not just one location:



Pass this on to anyone who would be interested in this service. I think its very worthwhile :)

I am going to sound like a broken record but why so little subtitles on movies and tv programmes for download on i tunes?

Grrr! Online media has a *lot* of catching up to do. If anyone reading this has knowledge - be it research, technical, resources on subtitling/captioning for any media - please comment - am passionate about it and just gathering links and resources right now :) I've done this before but now I am actually going to bookmark and get organised.

I have been distracted and away from LJ past two days. My Christmas present to myself which I have unwrapped already - iphone :D Just getting to grips with it so anyone on my flist with tips and recommendations please comment with them. Cheers :)

Work Xmas party tomorrow night :D

Just watched Take That - The Circus Tour on blu-ray.

It is amazing. Well worth blu-ray for crystal clear colours of stage, lighting, costumes, and the man band themselves. The helicopter shots are spectacular also.

Non-HD clip is crappy but it gives you an idea:




Also yesterday watch The Mighty Boosh Future Sailors Tour on DVD. Funny, I had forgotten about 'Batman Capes' and the Honey Monster. Still love Bob Fossils Dance Class and Crack Fox does 90s rave - terrifying and hilarious in equal measure.

thanks to all londongqmfs who came to the blu-ray screening. Whether you came for the movie or came for the extra's or you lasted the full eight hours of all of it you rock! It was fun :) Lets do another one soon I hope. Given the hilarity of watching Star Trek TOS episode Spock's Brain in the interval maybe we should have a TOS screening some time.

Back to Star Trek XI though - the extras on the blu-ray are great. I think we all agreed we had no idea so many of the locations were real buildings as opposed to sets. Beer plant for the engine room for example. And the 'Vulcan' council building looks amazing. Want to visit it! I was hoping Shatner might actually be on the Shatner Conundrum feature but no :( My only gripe is that the writers did not explain the idea they did have for including ShatnerKirk. It wasn't used and it was probably the right decision but having read about it online I hoped that detail at least might be on the DVD to cover it has part of the films history just as the deleted scenes are for example. I cannot wait for the sequel - all the cast deserve to contribute some more to their individual roles.

thanks to swankyfunk for pointing me to this.

Edward Norton does Spandau Ballet... sort of. Weirdest fandom cross-over! But it is funny!




Now to find out if I can somehow watch the rest of the episode!

Edward Woodward (1930 – 2009) : Edgar Wright Here

What a lovely tribute from Mr Wright. I was saddened to hear this news today - I will always giggle at his name because of his great comic performance in Hot Fuzz complaining about extremely irritating living statues, and hoodies, loitering about.

It only seems like yesterday that he was guest starring in EastEnders also.... :(