Fresh from watching Wolverine.
First off,I was never part of the Wolverine fanclub if ever one existed.In all 3 X-Men movies Hugh Jackman appeared bland and unchanging,and the character itself was to me a man with long metal blades.I mean,next to someone with shapeshifting or storm-brewing powers he was quite the wallflower.So when I heard the first X-men Origins installment was to be based on his character,I felt zero anticipation and would've preferred to see Pink Panther 2 if not for A's persisting.
In short,it was good.The biggest issue for me was the action scenes-none of them packed real momentum,and it was apparent they'd sacrificed a more violent idea for the movie to fit the PG rating.A lot of the fighting sequences ended flatly on a one-two punch,or a quick magical fix-it by one mutant or another.And to say they even began would be doubtful-none of the characters had any superpowers worth fawning about-without giving too much away,this supposedly super-can-call mutant creature thing enters towards the end,and its meant to be a big deal.But its not.Same case for X-Men 1 & 3 ,where I think they got too carried away with the fanciness and "oh-how-cool" itness of everything to realize the true potential of these characters-X2 was violent,slick and stylish and almost Tarantinoian in its openess to risque and bloodshed whereas the rest were just whoring out popcorn fiction.
Luckily this was balanced quite nicely by the story,punctuated with what I thought were really nice lines (ie "There's no redemption where I'm going") and a clear direction coupled with a very comfortable pace.There's no rushing into drama,or mess of clashing subplots.They explained Wolverine's beginnings really well,and the way the whole thing tied into the big picture of X-Men was done exceptionally well.Minor characters like Gambit entered and left gracefully,not once did the focus shift from Wolverine.So Hugh Jackman's kind of a dullface,not a single misstep but above all he is reliable as an actor and plays the role well,too well for his own good.Better than Watchmen definitely (Wolverine's got a whole lot more substance,and isn't too intricately put together),a solid A-.
...
27.4.09
7AM
Its almost 7am and it feels abnormal,unhealthy even for someone my age to be up this early.I've been up many hours preparing for my 930am Investments exam,the dining table is a mess of scribbled-on papers,dried highlighters,pens.I've been kept up by the nervous anticipation for the exam,one too many redbulls,a really good David Sedaris short story that seems to go on for quite a bit,and the strange yearning for a cigarette.
I've been clean for one year,possibly longer.Even if my last one was a mere two days ago,I can safely call myself a social smoker-someone who upon fetching a single cigarette must finish it,but won't have to call upon another after.I know what it feels like to be an actual smoker,the crazy satisfaction you get from your first one in the morning,or after a long flight,or after something particularly strenuous or stressful,or really just about before,during and after anything at all.It seems a waste to have a wonderful view over my balcony and not be able to enjoy it with a cigarette.I'd rather pull one out than leaf over notes before a lecture,as to not appear to hardcore a geek.I just want to substitute that awful bloated feeling after a meal,for the bitter but somewhat pleasant taste of nicotine on my tongue.You could come up with any reason in the world,but after a while the finger moves on its own accord and to have some form of justification for it seems purely unnecessary.
A lot of money is made out of the business,but I'm sure the people who appeal to ambitious quitters make quite a shitload too.When I first quit,I felt the need to do something to replace it.A meal,something to munch on.If I was sick,I'd be thankful for the need to get a tissue every few minutes to blow my nose.If there was a stain or the carpet,I'd change into something dirty and spend the next two hours making sure the house was spotless.But eventually,I cooled down.And there are mornings like this,when I miss it.I have nothing to look forward too (Mondays are NEVER a good thing to me) and this exam just makes it worse.
I get fidgety and have to do something continous,I can't sleep.I chat online to J about the true need for tabloids and what kind of society we'd be without shows like A Current Affair.I watch children shows on TV and revel in their many colors.I write this pointless thing that comes out like word vomit,and wish there were a writing assignment so I could direct the energy to something even more useless.I take pictures of the skyline from 200 different angles,and they all look the same.
I am now bored,but relieved.The Today show woman has a disturbingly crooked forehead,in the past four hours everytime I feel that need I've written a short story at least a page long.And I've drunk near a dozen cups of tea.Night is done,dawn's arrived and I can now attempt to resume some kind of normalcy.There are chores that need finishing and thoughts that need to be thought.A full diary is the best defense to just about anything,hah.
Time for some stevie nicks.
...
I've been clean for one year,possibly longer.Even if my last one was a mere two days ago,I can safely call myself a social smoker-someone who upon fetching a single cigarette must finish it,but won't have to call upon another after.I know what it feels like to be an actual smoker,the crazy satisfaction you get from your first one in the morning,or after a long flight,or after something particularly strenuous or stressful,or really just about before,during and after anything at all.It seems a waste to have a wonderful view over my balcony and not be able to enjoy it with a cigarette.I'd rather pull one out than leaf over notes before a lecture,as to not appear to hardcore a geek.I just want to substitute that awful bloated feeling after a meal,for the bitter but somewhat pleasant taste of nicotine on my tongue.You could come up with any reason in the world,but after a while the finger moves on its own accord and to have some form of justification for it seems purely unnecessary.
A lot of money is made out of the business,but I'm sure the people who appeal to ambitious quitters make quite a shitload too.When I first quit,I felt the need to do something to replace it.A meal,something to munch on.If I was sick,I'd be thankful for the need to get a tissue every few minutes to blow my nose.If there was a stain or the carpet,I'd change into something dirty and spend the next two hours making sure the house was spotless.But eventually,I cooled down.And there are mornings like this,when I miss it.I have nothing to look forward too (Mondays are NEVER a good thing to me) and this exam just makes it worse.
I get fidgety and have to do something continous,I can't sleep.I chat online to J about the true need for tabloids and what kind of society we'd be without shows like A Current Affair.I watch children shows on TV and revel in their many colors.I write this pointless thing that comes out like word vomit,and wish there were a writing assignment so I could direct the energy to something even more useless.I take pictures of the skyline from 200 different angles,and they all look the same.
I am now bored,but relieved.The Today show woman has a disturbingly crooked forehead,in the past four hours everytime I feel that need I've written a short story at least a page long.And I've drunk near a dozen cups of tea.Night is done,dawn's arrived and I can now attempt to resume some kind of normalcy.There are chores that need finishing and thoughts that need to be thought.A full diary is the best defense to just about anything,hah.
Time for some stevie nicks.
...
26.4.09
25.4.09
say hello to feelings that I despise
One of my all-time fave bands,honestly quit expecting a new album seeing that the last one was in 06.The wait was definitely worth it,I can't tell you how surprised I was to hear they had a new album out and even more,how much I love it.All the songs are what I expected them to be,dreamy and backed by gorgeous strings,even when they sing about heartaches and loneliness its hard to not feel lifted.A collection of pop songs that feel like they belong from an earlier,carefree era....
23.4.09
Chanel
This new poster for the Coco Chanel biopic has been banned in Paris by Metrobus,meaning it won't be on any trains or buses there.I don't care about that part,there's a bigger problem at hand.From the numerous posters and clips that have surfaced,one thing pains me most-Audrey Tatou looks so fucking dull.I hope it doesn't ruin the film,but as for the posters the damage is already done.via The Cut
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22.4.09
19.4.09
17.4.09
15.4.09
14.4.09
13.4.09
12.4.09
11.4.09
Parks & Recreation
The Office-inspired 'Parks & Recreation' premiered last night,safe to say the response has been mixed (there's already a Facebook group calling for its cancellation).Following the same mockumentary style,we have in place of Pam & Jim: colleagues Leslie & Mark-having rendesvoused once 5 years before,one party cleary more enthused about it than the other.Things the show has going for it:1. Amy Poehler.Her character's terribly undercooked and I can't count myself a fan,but there's still that personal brand of humor she carries brazenly,with a hysterical smile and maddening sense of optimism.
2. Supporting cast Rashida Jones (Karen,from The Office-I hated her character and wished her dead),Azis Ansari (Scrubs,this season's Heather Graham) and the yet unfamiliar Chris Pratt (recently engaged to Anna Faris,that bastard) seem perfectly cast to play their roles,all of which seem more substantial and unique than Amy's.
3. The state of The Office is in.I "gave up" on the show weeks back,currently at episode 21 the 5th season is overstretched far beyond its means.After a short break,I attempted to watch an ep and found Jim's saner-than-thou attitude old and pathetic-but having seen two of the most recent eps,I'm glad to see that its definitely improved (a LOT-Dwight/Andy's new bff status is easily a best-of for this season) and is quickly reverting back to good form.For one,Jim got a minute max (I say kill him off,no questions will be asked).Having recovered from that deep,long miserable slump,I'm sure plenty of Office-fans felt their loyalty waver slightly and Parks & Recreation should prove a refreshing alternative.
That said,as a pilot episode it was a big disappointment.Its the kind of quality you'd expect (or tolerate) mid-season,when you've gotten to know the characters a bit more and are more concerned about what happens than the humour.I laughed a couple times (Leslie's homeade neckbrace,or everytime she said "clavicle") but its obvious the show has yet to find its own ground,and is lacking in originality (they should definitely avoid bringing in Steve Carrell or Tina Fey for cameos-the association is already too strong).But with a strong cast at hand,it holds potential to become one of the year's best.
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10.4.09
9.4.09
linus
Best moment of the current season of LOST (so far),comes courtesy of the expertly-played Ben.I'm surprised Michael Emerson isn't showered with awards by now,he's helped create such a fascinating character who I'm forever conflicted with,one with shady morals but is so good at being bad.Caesar: Step away from the boat.
Locke: No,I'm not going to..I'm going to take it,and you're gonna let me.
Caesar: You are not taking anything (searches bag for rifle)
Ben: You're looking for this? (whips out rifle)
BAM!
Camera pans to Locke,who's face says Meh,lets ditch this place already.5 weeks to the season finale,then a yearlong wait for the last season.I hope they give us enough to hold on to.
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8.4.09
7.4.09
6.4.09
5.4.09
4.4.09
2.4.09
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