9/10
Well folks, that's it. The end. No more Harry Potter, and if this is the last ever film in the series (and I bet it will be) then they've made sure it ended wonderfully.
That's not to say the film was without it's flaws. It's not perfect but mainly they're due to what they've missed out from the book and to say that the film suffers for that is perhaps a bit churlish but it's my review so I'm allowed to nit-pick.
One glaring omission (for me) is how they failed to mention how Voldemort's name was cursed so that if they said it, it could lead the Death-Eaters straight to them. And also Percy Weasley's sudden reappearance. But, to be fair, if I hadn't read the books, these points (amongst others) would probably have gone over my head.
Some people are bemoaning the final duel, saying that the book version is better. Well, is it 'better' or just 'different'? The books are one thing. They are all brilliant and largely sacrosanct. They are (I believe) all amongst the best selling books in history (of course the Bible is still in the lead - in the Fiction section at least). But the films are just films. Yes, they are 'based' on the book, but they are also perfectly good in their own right. In fact, if the films were just on their own, without the books to compare them with, I'm sure they'd all be ranked a lot higher in many peoples opinions.
As it is, I thought the film was pretty brilliant. It was funny, moving, thrilling, exciting, and wonderful. I'd have loved to have seen more of the battle of Hogwarts and some of the acting was a bit... Lacking (Bonnie Wright, you're gorgeous but you're not going to win an Oscar).
But mostly, I think it's the knowledge that this was the last one, until the inevitable remakes in 20 years time, that makes this such as great, great film.
Thank you Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Thank you J K Rowling.
Thank you Warner Brothers.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Friday, 8 July 2011
Dreams Unfulfilled
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman
So what did YOU want to be when you grew up? Were you, like me, semi-guided by parental and grandparental career paths (bus driver/policeman/etc)? Or perhaps, with youthful exuberance, angling for a career that could be adequately described as 'impossible' (astronaut/professional footballer)?
I've been thinking a lot lately about where my career is going. And I do really think, at the moment at least, that it isn't. I'm existing. I'm doing a good job, I'm sure about that (and if any of my colleagues are reading this and disagree, I'll sabotage your e-mails...) How different would my life have been if I'd stuck at my A-levels? It's not like I'm stupid, I've got a certificate from MENSA for heaven's sake! (For those wondering, my IQ is 136 - apparently puts me in the top 6% of the world...)
(I'm using waaaay too many brackets in this blog, I've noticed...)
Anyway, my point is this: Am I doing what I dreamed I'd be doing? No. But then neither are most of us, if we're honest. Life happens, mistakes happen, bad things happen. And suddenly you're no longer the bright eyed 15 year old with the world at your feet, you're a mid-thirties desk-bound 9to5-er with no real prospects of going any higher.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not REALLY complaining. I'm doing a lot better than many others, I earn enough to get by (just!) and above all else, at least I have a job.
Just recently though, I've allowed myself to dream about another life. One that I never thought about until the last couple of years:
I'd LOVE to sing in a West End musical!!
No, seriously...
I love doing karaoke, when I can find the finances, and I've always loved singing songs from musicals (such as Phantom of the Opera). But looking at You Tube performances, it has made me think "Yeah, I could do that!" One role in particular I would love to have a go at is 'Javert' from Les Miserables. His stand-out solo song is 'Stars' which I have done at karaoke, once or twice. I would love to do it in a more professional setting, with the clothes, the props, and so on.
One of my best friends is a member of a local Am-Dram group and I'm sure, if I asked, he could at least get me an audition. The problem is, however, there's a few people within that group who I despise. And the feeling is mutual. There's no way I could fit in there and I won't entertain the notion of trying.
I have been told of another semi-local group, from someone that works in my building but it's only semi-local if I had a car. Which I don't. So I reckon that's out too.
Something will come up, I'm sure of that, but I can only hope it's sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, let's get this database sorted out...
Monday, 27 June 2011
Is raising awareness EVER a bad thing?
"Awareness is empowering" - Rita WilsonConfession time. I'm absolutely SEETHING at this point. I'll explain why shortly, but in the meantime, I want you to have a quick glance at the following links...
http://youtu.be/kUhm0nkw47Y
http://youtu.be/EwFUaVcleSk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rett_syndrome
I ask you this very simple question. Is it wrong to want to make people aware of a disease that most people won't have heard of (in this case Rett Syndrome)? Is it wrong to love your child so much that you would do anything to find a cure, some respite for her suffering?
Some people would say "yes".
I have a vested interest in this. The girl featured in the two YouTube videos I posted is the daughter of a very close friend of mine. She won't mind me saying that she has been through some total crap in her time. Bad as you can imagine. But what she's going through now, no-one should have to go through.
I can't possibly explain the things that Melody has had to go through in the 4 years since she was born. One of her more recent operations was to remove her bowels. This is JUST to keep her alive, not to cure her. At the moment, there IS no cure. This little girl, who I bounced on my knee when she was a few months old, making her smile at me...
So when Karina puts videos up of Melody's condition, in an effort to raise awareness and raise funds for Rett UK how can anyone criticise her for doing so? Well, people can. And have.
Two very spiteful people called Mr & Mrs E (that might be their initial, it might be their highest GCSE mark, only I know) complained to a local newspaper after they ran an article on Melody's videos getting bad press. That link only has one of their comments on the thread. Mr E wisely removed his after getting bombarded with complaints; Mrs E has never been wise, so has left hers to be viewed by all.
Allow me to explain. This couple are nasty. They are the type of people to bully and harass but somehow try to make it sound like THEY are the victims. All the while they're happy to sit at home on benefits, pumping out kids (they're going to try for another one within two years, as I heard the 'delightful' Mrs E exclaim last weekend).
Oh yes, I know this couple. They are the ones behind a campaign against me, accusing me of being a bully, yet they were the ones that helped set up a MySpace page slagging me and my family off, and more recently a Facebook page too, doing much the same. They are the poison within Croydon and this is a step too far.
If they read this, I want them to understand one thing. I don't like them. Mr E is a pious, rat-faced, buck-toothed, vicious little wart who is a walking waste of precious oxygen. Mrs E is a cock-juggling thundercunt. And when they see their Facebook friends list dwindling over the next few days, I bet they will sit there and wonder why.
Cretins.
No-one should EVER be intimidated into stopping trying to help another person. Moreso when it's a loved one and especially when it's a child.
I hope anyone that has read this will forgive my rant but it was therapeutic. And if I've helped raise awareness of Rett Syndrome to others, then I'm glad.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Film Review: Hangover 2
Hangover 2
6.5/10
I loved the first Hangover. Loved it. One of my favourite comedies of recent years. The intricate plotting of how they got from A to C (drunkenly via B) is marvellous. And full of zingy one-liners.
So I was hopeful for the sequel. However, when you watch it, you just realise that all they've done is basically clone the first film. Sorry, but when you don't even try to top the film before then you're already on to a loser, in my opinion.
Yes there were some genuine laugh out loud moments, and I was grinning throughout a lot of the film but it was very much a case of deja vu.
The biggest compliment I could possibly give the film is that if it wasn't for the fact there was a first Hangover film, then this would have been hilarious. As it was, it felt like buying a DVD of a comedian, laughing hard, then when you see the comedian live on stage, telling the same jokes, it's somehow not as funny, yet you can't help feeling it SHOULD be.
A shame and a missed opportunity.
6.5/10
I loved the first Hangover. Loved it. One of my favourite comedies of recent years. The intricate plotting of how they got from A to C (drunkenly via B) is marvellous. And full of zingy one-liners.
So I was hopeful for the sequel. However, when you watch it, you just realise that all they've done is basically clone the first film. Sorry, but when you don't even try to top the film before then you're already on to a loser, in my opinion.
Yes there were some genuine laugh out loud moments, and I was grinning throughout a lot of the film but it was very much a case of deja vu.
The biggest compliment I could possibly give the film is that if it wasn't for the fact there was a first Hangover film, then this would have been hilarious. As it was, it felt like buying a DVD of a comedian, laughing hard, then when you see the comedian live on stage, telling the same jokes, it's somehow not as funny, yet you can't help feeling it SHOULD be.
A shame and a missed opportunity.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
The 30-Day Song Challenge Part 3
(Link to Part 2)
Day 30 - Your Favourite Song at This Time Last Year
Damn I really hate 99% of what passes for 'music' nowadays, but this little tune, well, I still listen to it now. I love it.
Damn I really hate 99% of what passes for 'music' nowadays, but this little tune, well, I still listen to it now. I love it.
Well, that's mine. What's yours?
The 30-Day Song Challenge Part 2
(Link to Part 1)
m.
ome sauce!
Oh yes. The perfect song to scream at the idiots that annoy you (and they know who they are).
Next up, Days 21 to 30.
The 30-Day Song Challenge
Back in March/April I participated in a rather fun little 'game' on Facebook, where 30 days were devoted to 30 songs, each one with a particular meaning to you.
I thought at the time I should probably record my answers for posterity and to see if my mind changes as time goes on.
So I've gone through my Facebook history and pulled out all 30 songs and will list them here for your viewing pleasure. And mine too.
I thought at the time I should probably record my answers for posterity and to see if my mind changes as time goes on.
So I've gone through my Facebook history and pulled out all 30 songs and will list them here for your viewing pleasure. And mine too.
Ghastly, turgid, awful. The main reason I never go to a karaoke and hand in a 'blank slip' as I just KNOW this is the song I'll be given.
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