Hello, Goodbye

It's New Year's Eve. In some parts of the world it's already New Year's Day. And where am I? Relaxing at home with the family? Off out at a house party or getting cold and wet at a city centre New Year celebration? Nope. I'm working. And found out that I would be working less than a week before Christmas. This pretty much sums up 2012. It's been like that.

Last year, as the last whisps of 2011 melted away and 2012 arrived, I remember feeling quite melancholy. It was a feeling that clung to me for weeks. And not without good reason. When I look back now, as I'm about to close the door on 2012 forever, I can see it's been a year dogged with ongoing issues, few resolutions and lots of goals left unachieved.

The first half of the year, Granny was very poorly. We were all very concerned for her and to that I added the weight of concern for my Dad and cousins. Steve and I made two very long trips to Canterbury to visit as her health deteriorated and finally my last surviving grandparent passed away.

The second half of the year has been plagued with work issues, as my previous employer's contract came to an end and a new (incompetent) contractor came in to take over. There has been much anxiety in the build up to the transfer, which has manifested in people generally being unkind to each other. I've had to say goodbye to some great colleagues (and one very good friend who is bringing in the New Year in Australia). The final culmination of this has been mass redundancies and some really inappropriate and unfair actions by the new employer. This has been the single most stressful thing I have been through with any employer and I hope I never have to repeat anything similar in the future.

Our house is still on the market. It still hasn't sold. It's still causing a disproportionate amount of stress with dickish estate agents and a kitchen roof that continues to leak. We've missed out on a number of opportunities, the worst of which was a house with a turret. Even with the front of the house sinking, it was a bargain and it would have been a beautiful home. I fear I might always regret that as 'the one that got away'.

* * *

However, 2012 has a few things worth remembering it for. I have waited for most of my life to see The Phantom of the Opera and I was not disappointed when Mum and I went to see it in May. It was spectacular and if I had been able to afford to see it again, I would have. I also saw Starlight Express this year. I've wanted to see it since I was about twelve so it's been a long wait.

May was a great month this year; as well as Phantom of the Opera at the Palace Theatre, Mum and I had a trip down to the Big Smoke so I could sing at the Royal Albert Hall with Sing Live and the Night of 1000 Voices. I love the choir. I love singing. And combining that with the trip and having Mum there was a real treat.

Mum, Steve and I holidayed in Cyprus in May as well. We lounged around the hotel pool and the hotel bar and the hotel restaurant and our room and didn't leave the hotel all week. It was almost perfect. But I really must stop eating milky and creamy things: My stomach can't take it!

In August Ann and I went into Manchester for one of those makeover days where they take photos. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and came away with a bunch of photos that I'm really pleased with. They actually make me look quite normal, and not strange or hideous. Although they do show I have a dent in my forehead. Investigations into the cause of the dent are ongoing. (I suspect Dad might've dropped me on my head as a child.)

One final highlight of the year has been Pinterest. Ah, what joy. And what agony. Pinterest inspired me to make some of my Christmas presents this year. Claire got a handmade bracelet that I was quite pleased with. My Dad received an iPad case made out of a recycled suit jacket. I gave my Mum a scrapbook of our wedding photos - it wasn't quite finished but I think she was really pleased to finally have a wedding album. Ann got a Memory Jar. And my in-laws... I made them a patchwork quilt, which I finished at 2.30am on Christmas Day. It turned out really well and I have a queue of people asking for me to make them one. So Pinterest has been a success in that it has lead me to achievements myself.

* * *

Looking forward to 2013, I'll be graduating from the Open University, achieving my Literature degree. I'll also be going to see Wicked when it tours (another one of my favourite musicals ticked off the list) and I'm hoping to get to see a few more theatre productions this year too. I would love to see Avenue Q, although I'd be surprised if that opportunity rolls around this year. I'm really looking forward to the Les Miserables movie, and Sing Live's first concert of 2013 on the 3rd of Feb at the Bridgewater Hall.

I'm renewing my 2012 New Year's Resolution to read 12 books (I only managed 6, with 2 still on the go) but I think I might have to aim for 13 books as it's 2013.2013 will also see the first draft of the novel that I've started at least three times, and I'm determined to keep a diary. Writing has to be a focus of the year, if for no other reason than it's necessary for my degree, so I'm relaunching my writing blog tomorrow. I'm not setting a goal of blogging every day, but I want to make sure there is regular content, and if I'm writing everyday that should be easy... Should... Be... Easy. Famous last words.

I really want to spend a bit more time with friends this year; I feel like I've hardly seen Ann or Claire and I'd really like to meet up with some old friends that I haven't seen for a while. I'm already dreaming up a visit to Ally and Rich in Londonium, and maybe lunch or dinner out with Jo Jo from First Choice. And who knows what else I might manage to do.

So I'm making 2013 a year of friendship and achievement! 13 might be unlucky for some, but it's never steered me wrong. Hello 2013. Goodbye 2012.

The Cabin in the Woods

Joss Whedon is no stranger to incredible blockbuster movies, having racked up writing credits for Toy Story, Titan A.E. and Serenity - all fantastic films - so I approached The Cabin in the Woods with a certain expectation.

Without revealing too much, The Cabin in the Woods is a teenage horror flick with a difference. It follows the inevitable misadventures of five teenagers taking a weekend out to visit a spooky cabin in a picturesque but isolated spot (kids, eh! When will they learn?) All too soon the hijinks start to unravel and the fun really begins.

Joss Whedon walks a very fine line between the horror genre and the very best and most entertaining of the spoof genre. The result is a truly entertaining and clever black comedy that is witty and sharp. Whedon's fingerprints are all over it with an intelligent plot, charming characterisation and strong dialogue. This is Drew Goddard's first outing as a director but he does well, creating some really memorable moments.

But...

The ending stretches reality a little too far and harms the integrity of the movie and spoils the fun. It's slapdash and is perhaps the only point that Goddard's directorial inexperience shows. But perhaps the DVD release will have an alternate ending.

The Cabin in the Woods is a funny and entertaining horror-fantasy cross-over. As the body-count rises and the level of gore increases this is a movie that will appeal to fans of movies like Scream, Devil, and Final Destination. It may not achieve the mass appeal or success of those flicks at the box office, but it will definitely have a cult following simply for it's idiosyncrasy. And it's nice to find a movie that feels too short rather than too long.

The Cabin in the Woods is released in the UK on 1st April.

NaBloPoMo Day 20 - Top Tens

It's one of those things that we all do - say that such and such is in our top ten favourite whatevers - but I for one have never actually articulated any top ten list at all. We were talking about it at work this morning, so I thought (as I need to throw together a super-fast blog tonight because I have bee otherwise engaged) that I would have a bash at articulating my top ten favourite movies.

These are in no particular order, mainly because I could't possibly put them in any actual order. They are the films that I can watch over and over until my eyes bleed and still come back looking for more

1 - "NASA, you have a problem..." My first selection is Armageddon. I could be in this film, I've watched it that many times. I love the emotional roller coaster (the script takes you very quickly from high to low and back to high again, which makes it a lot of fun to watch) and I love the characters. It's filled with great action and special effects but it has a heart. Plus it's cheesy as hell (all those American flags in the backgrounds) and has some of the most memorable dialogue ever: "This is one order you shouldn't follow and you f**king know it!".

2 - I love cars and this next movie does a lot of the same things for me as Armageddon. It's Gone in Sixty Seconds (the remake). This is also a film with compelling charaters, plenty of heart and some really memorable dialogue. Plus it has some beautiful cars in it.

3 - "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only." Who would not include The Hunt for Red October? It's a riveting film that still keeps me glued to my seat despite having seen it hundreds of times. None of the other Jack Ryan films have ever come close to getting into my Top Ten but this one's been here since forever.

4 - My nod to Jane Austen in my Top Ten is Sense and Sensibility (with Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson). Sense and Sensibility is my favourite Jane Austen story, although I have enjoyed most of the ones I've read. I went to see this at the cinema and I was impressed as much by the acting and the script as by the camera work, which is just pure artistry.

5 - Dirty Dancing. There's isn't a woman alive in the UK (of my sort of age at least) that wouldn't include this in her Top Ten. For girls my age, it's the original love story and it has a brilliant soundtrack. This film still has the ability to make me cry like a little girl at the end when Baby does the lift.

6 - I was going to include a chick-flick here (because there are so many that I love) but eventually had to surrender to the call of Walt Disney. My all time favourite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast. It was the one that really introduced me to Disney movies, because I hadn't been that bothered about them before that. I have some special memories that I associate with this too, so into the Top Ten it goes.

7 - It's time to incude some of the movies I love from my childhood. I was divided between including Home Alone, Tron and WarGames. I have eventually had to go for Home Alone because it's the quintessential Christmas movie for me and it just isn't Christmas without it. (Incidentally, I have never seen any of the sequels to Home Alone. And I never will!)

8 - Star Trek (the new one with Chris Pine and Zach Quinto). What a stunning interpretation of a classic sci-fi series. Despite having new acors, new effects, new writers an people working behind the scneses that hadn't previously been involved with the original series, the movie captured the essence of the series and the characters and it did so with a feather-light touch.

9 - I really wanted to include a past Star Trek movie to balance the inclusion of the contemporary one, but I just don't have the space for it because I have to include American Beauty. I have loved this film from the first time I saw it and I can still watch it now and be as enchanted by it as I was then. I don't think it will ever drop off my Top Ten because it is still as fresh and compelling for me now as it was twelve years ago.

10 - Finally, a truly modern classic, Inception. I don't know how it must feel to create something this good on your first time out. How the hell do you top something like this? Christopher Nolan created something so awesome and unique, he could retire now and still be proud of his accomplishments.

What are you favourite flicks and why? Do they touch you, inspire you, or do that remind you of something or someone special?

NaBloPoMo Day 11 - Queasy

There are few things worse than feeling queasy. Knowing that you are going to be physically sick but feeling it anyway. Trying to get on and do things when you feel like that, lying on the sofa feeling sorry for yourself while thinking of all the things you need to do. Ugh!

The problem is that you are not quite ill enough to stop you doing anything, but you feel too sick to do much. The result is that you only do what you absolutely have to and feel guilty about everything else.

At least I have movies to take my mind off it.

Scott Pilgrim tonight, followed by Gone in 60 Seconds. I've only seen Scott Pilgrim once before but it's a fast favourite with me. I love its character and style. It's a comic book brought to life that doesn't fall back on the usual comic book style. It's an individual and, I suspect, one of those things that is lightning in a bottle; I'm certain that others will try to copy or recreate it without success.

As for Gone in 60 Seconds, I have seen it so many times that I could be in it. I'm a big fan of Jerry Bruckheimer, whose Producer credits also include dozens of great movies like Top Gun, Con Air and Armageddon. Like those other flicks, Gone in 60 Seconds is fast-paced, action-packed fun with a good story and superb performances. It's hard to believe that it's already an eleven year old movie. May it still be such a good watch in another couple of decades.

So, as the film is just getting to the good bit, I will doze off and leave you with these two movie recommendations. If you haven't checked them out already, do!

The Expendables: Junk Food for a Saturday Night

Saturday nights are made for movies, but not just any old movies; Saturday nights are made for big hairy exploding movies filled with testosterone and car chases and gun fights and gorgeous, improbably clothed women (and equally gorgeous and improbably clothed men). Saturday night movies should be the equivalent of McDonald's: lacking in substance and a little bit bad for you but delicious nonetheless. The Expendables was a movie we never quite got around to seeing at the box office, but the trailer promised everything you might expect from a Saturday night 'junk-food' type movie. So last weekend, we settled down to watch.
What a colossal disappointment.

When writer, David Callaham, sat down with Sylvester Stallone to write about The Expendables - a team of daring do-gooder mercenaries - cast by a veritable galaxy of heavyweight action stars, it must have sounded like a great proposition; it certainly sounded like it to me. Alongside Sly, the movie cast includes Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, the Governator, kung-fu-king (yep, that's right) Jet Li and Brit favourite Jason Statham. With that much muscle, grit and man-stink about, how could it fail to please?

Unfortunately it is all too obvious what this film is all about, and it isn't the expulsion of a corrupt general and sadistic drug lord from a small island community. It pains me to say it, but this movie is nothing more than a vehicle for a bunch of aging superheroes, coming to the end of their careers and desperate to be a big box office draw once again. Characters are incidental and the plot is staler than week old bread. It seems that Callaham and Stallone failed to realise that no matter how ear-throbbing and eye-popping the explosions or how convoluted and well choreographed the fight scenes might be, they are a poor substitute for well developed and well written characters and drama.

When I think of the best action movies ever made, I think of films like Armageddon, Terminator 2, Die Hard, Mission Impossible, Top Gun, Indiana Jones and Speed. It's by no-means an exhaustive list. What these titles have in common are compelling characters and genuine conflict. I can easily believe that Sarah Conner and John McClane live beyond the confines of the Terminator and Die Hard movies, but I can barely remember the names of the characters in The Expendables, never mind believe they are bigger than the scenes they're in. The drama is equally contrived and the result is that it is disconnected from the characters rather than driven by them.

And they're making a sequel.

I can only hope that The Expendables 2 burns in development hell forever or that it finds itself a more skilled writer. Ken Kaufman, co-writer on Space Cowboys, is currently associated with the project, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will be one of those rare occasions when a sequel improves upon the original. It can't be much worse.

The Expendables is out on DVD and Blu-ray now and The Expendables 2 is currently in pre-production, with an anticipated box office release date in late summer 2012.

One Pill. Anything's Possible.

I imagine that most people have a DVD collection similar to mine. It's a right mixture; literally next to each other on the shelf, you will find a critically acclaimed movie, like Million Dollar Baby, beside something fun and frivolous, like Minority Report. One thing is certain, though; whether it's an Oscar winner or a summer blockbuster, every DVD has earned its place on my shelf. Limitless is no different.

Hidden somewhere between stock characters that have been dusted off, given a new set of clothes and a change of name and sent on their merry way, and a camera technique that is all too reminiscent of 2002 David Fincher pic, Panic Room, you will find an entertaining and endearing heart and a premise that is intellectually intriguing. Russian gangsters, the smarmy ex-brother-in-law drug dealer (who steps right out of the 80's complete with sharp suit and minimalist bachelor pad) and the girlfriend may be unconvincing on screen but Bradley Cooper, as the lead, Eddie Morra, is charasmatic and engaging (and easy on the eye!) while Robert De Niro puts in a highly satisfying performance as the enigmatic villain. And while the digitally tinkered-with zooming camera work may be sickeningly familiar, it also serves as a stomach-churning reminder of how unbalanced and unhinged Eddie Morra's life is becoming. However, the most enchanting element of the movie, is the premise itself. The idea that taking a simple pill will allow you to unlock your full potential; that a pill can fix your life, is enchanting and I dare say there isn't a writer alive who wouldn't long for Eddie Morra's miracle drug to help them finish (or even start!) their magnum opus. But, no matter how bewitching the concept might be, there is a moral message to this movie too, and it is delivered gently with a pleasantly light touch; so light that it might be easy to miss.

Morra's use of the drug, NZT, is all too reasonable in the film. Eddie starts using on the basis that it's a one-time thing that can't possibly make his life any worse. It makes him feel good, makes him successful, so he understandably wants more. But then the side-effects start, but too late he finds that he's no longer taking it because he wants to, but because he needs to. It's a fascinating take on drug use in everyday life, whether that's medicinal drugs (I recently went on holiday and left my prescription drugs at home. By the end of the week I was feeling very unwell!) or whether it's tobacco, alcohol, cannabis or something stronger. It teaches us that it's all too easy - a series of small steps - to start down a road that leads to dependency and it can sometimes get you mixed up in things you would normally not get mixed up in.

It's far from perfection, but Limitless is a movie that has a lot going for it. Ultimately, it manages to entertain and provoke me in equal measure. That's why it will find a home in my DVD collection and why I'll also be reading the book, The Dark Fields by Alan Glyn, on which the film is based.

Limitless is released in the UK on DVD and Blu-ray on 1st August

Fame Without Heart

I love movies. In all shapes and sizes. These days I don't get to the cinema for the latest releases very often, but I watch movies on Sky and I have a Lovefilm account to boot. It takes me a while, but I usually get around to seeing everything I want, sooner or later.

I remember when the Fame remake was out at the cinema last year. I wanted to see it with my mate, Claire. I always loved the original, including it's classic '80s theme tune and, as girls, this sort of girlie movie is right up our street. Unfortunately, we never quite got around to seeing it so I was pleased when I noticed it was on Sky this afternoon.

It wasn't well received last year. Film critics and movie goers seemed to agree that it was a poor remake. But, being stubborn, I generally like to make my own decisions. I wasn't expecting much and 'not much' is precisely what Fame delivered.

It's a broad retelling of the classic movie. The structure of the plot and the various situations that are employed are similar, but for some odd and unexplained reason, all the character names have been changed. It is by no means identical to its predecessor but the bones of the original story are still there.

Although the bulk of the cast are little-known actors, (most of the actors playing the students had only done TV bit parts or uncredited work before) the makers did managed to secure some serious experience and talent. Kelsey Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth and Charles Dutton are all superb in their roles. Charles Dutton in particular is charming as the acting coach, Mr Dowd. Despite their lack of previous experience, there are some other surprisingly impressive performances too. Kay Panabaker (currently starring in superhero drama, No Ordinary Family) is beautiful and vulnerable as Jenny Garrison and Collins Pennie does a nice job with tough, yet sensitive, Malik Washburn. All the actors are clearly talented; dancing, singing and playing their way through Fame with conviction.

Director, Kevin Tancharoen, has experience directing musically themed TV shows and documentaries and his experience is shown in the visual and musical styling of the movie. Fame is visually appealing: There are some spectacular scenes, like the school 'CarnEvil' (I'm guessing this was supposed to be a Halloween Party) and the end of school show. And, as one might expect for a film about a performing arts school, it is musically interesting too, although the soundtrack is unlikely to appeal to someone who doesn't like hip-hop.

So why doesn't it work?

The problem with the 2009 version of Fame is all too obvious (and all too common). The weakness is not in the acting, the directing or the sound. The blame for this movie abomination lies firmly with the writer. Perhaps Allison Burnett has tried too hard to maintain the structure of the original, or perhaps it's because the characters aren't her own (new names, same stereotypes). Or perhaps the screenplay falls foul of the performing arts, collapsing under the weight of the visual and musical style. Either way, the retelling of this classic drama is undramatic and soulless. Sure, the actors do a good job with what they have been given, but tragically, what they've been given is one-dimensional and uninspiring. The acting performances are individually pleasing, but the characters are shallow and move around the flat world in near isolation. They don't grow or develop and crucial moments, like Kevin's near suicide, don't have any lasting affect.

When I think back to the 1980 original, I think of memorable characters on a journey of self-discovery, facing personal and professional challenges. It's a story that has heart; the one thing that the 2009 remake completely lacks. What a waste.

Dreamscape

When I was about 14 or 15 years old, I had an idea (which I called 'Dreamscape') about a story that blurred the lines between reality and dreams. Regretfully, I never put in the time and effort to develop the idea into anything more than that one line concept. If I had developed it, and by some miracle a Hollywood studio had decided to turn into a movie, I fancy that my one simple concept would have become Inception.

It took four attempts before I finally got to see the movie. The first time, I discovered I had an intolerance to milk by eating some ice-cream and then throwing it back up in the cinema! Naturally that meant I didn't even get to see the trailers, never mind the film. The second time I set out to see it, hubby remembered that Man U were playing so, of course, we had to turn back. The third time, we got stuck in football traffic and would have missed about 20 minutes at the start of the film. So it was fourth time lucky and the movie was well worth the wait.

Although I'm sure there are people that were confused by Inception, the plot is satisfyingly complex without being utterly confounding. I found the dream sharing idea fascinating and I loved the way that each of the layers of the dream communicated with the next so that sound and sensation trickled down through the dream world.

I also found the characters truly endearing. They all had a function. None of them were there for the sake of padding the cast or making a lofty point, and each one was unique within the story. Ellen Page was the stand-out performance for me. She's a pretty girl and a talented actress. She handled her role in Juno with such a lightness of touch, I was curious to find out what she could do with a big-budget sci-fi action thriller, especially playing across from much older actors (leading lad, Leo is more than a decade older.) Her character was strong, ballsy and intelligent - everything a female lead should be - and it is a testament to her skills that she didn't just do a good job; there was great on-screen chemistry between her character, Ariadne, and Leo's character, Cobb. Even DiCaprio, who has only really played two characters in his entire career, was enjoyable to watch and Tom Hardy plays a marvelous scoundrel.

However, the greatest flourish of this movie was in the visual, which brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'world-building'. The world in which Inception functions is both beautiful and mind-bending. It's a world where gravity and concrete are flexible and mirrors become reality.

If I have any gripes with this movie, and I hasten to add that this is just being picky, it's the fourth layer of the dream. The limbo layer. It's a concept that doesn't quite hold up for me. I can accept it. It doesn't spoil the flow of the film. But I know that if I let me brain go and really think about it, I could find a dozen problems with it. I'm also annoyed that Cobb's dead wife, played by Marion Cotillard, was named 'Mal' rather than 'Mol'. I had assumed that 'Mol' was short for Molly, which made sense. Mal, however, is a stupid name.

Nevertheless, this is, quite possibly, the best film I've seen in a decade. It is as visually ground-breaking and conceptually revolutionary as The Matrix was and, to Chris Nolan's credit, it is much more accessible: Friends who don't normally make a fuss over the sci-fi genre loved this movie and it's appeal is proven by the fact it was a trending topic on Twitter for months. This is definitely one to add to the blu-ray collection. It will be stunning in hi-def!

Harry Potter and the Half Baked Plot

It's been a right busy few weeks - at home and at work (although mostly at work, which leads to 45 hour working weeks, which leads to less time at home, which leads to busy-ness at home!) - but this weekend we managed to shoehorn in a trip to the cinema.

I was really looking forward to the latest installment of HP. Half Blood Prince is not my favourite book, but it's one of those key plot points in the series. The death of Dumbledore signals the arrival of adulthood for Harry, Ron and Hermione and ends with a real atmosphere of change. Up to this point, it has been Dumbledore calling the shots and protecting the children of Hogwarts (although they don't always make it easy for him!) but in the last book, Harry, Ron and Hermione are very much on their own, making their own choices without Dumbledore's guiding hand. It's a real moment of sadness and loss for both Dumbledore and for Hogwarts and the childhood innocence and safety that it represents.

Unfortunately, although I thought the movie handled Dumbledore's death really well (I felt all that pain and sadness that I expected) and the movie was filled with humour as well as emotion, it really left me wanting. Despite enjoying the film, I was left with an uncomfortable pang of disappointment that has taken me all weekend to figure out. My ongoing theory is that if you have read the book, you will not enjoy this film as much as you have the others. The reason for this is that there are certain elements missing that have damaged the plot just enough that any ordinary cinema-goer will not notice, but a HP fan most certainly will. The book spent a good deal of time brooding over the identity of the Half Blood Prince, while the film barely touched on it. The book also had a much more exciting climax with a big battle at the end, in which all the students and teachers of Hogwarts became involved. Perhaps the intention was to cut this out and make Dumbledore's demise more dramatic. If that was the case, it failed miserably because it achieved the opposite. Instead of added drama, Dumbledore's death felt far too easy and far too small for such a significant character.

Something I am glad of is that the movie didn't lose the developing relationships between Ron and Hermione and between Harry and Ginny. This was really handled exceptionally well to the point that these relationships are much more vivid than I remember them from the book. There was some real fun in this movie, some real sensitivity and a lot of great scenes and fantastic effects. But the missing elements will be felt much more keenly in this episode of the series than in any previous one. I may need to see it again to really appreciate how good it is and definitely think a re-reading of the book is in order!

Bank Holidays Are Made for Moby

Ever have one of those perfect moments where you think 'yeah, that's what it's all about'?

It's bank holiday Monday, the sun is shining and it's almost uncomfortably warm (for once). There are kids walking down the street with footballs and riding bikes, families heading out for the afternoon and hardly any cars about. I've just finished a long, hard slog on my last Open University assignment for this year (only two weeks late... oops!) and Moby is playing on iTunes. But not just any Moby, the original and best album: Play; the one from which every track has been used either in a movie, a TV series or an advertisement. Yes, this album is just that good. The music from The Beach came from this album and so did that awesome track that plays at the end of the Bourne movies.
So apart from the bloke over the road that is rather noisely jet-washing the patio furniture and their kids' outdoor toys, it was one of those perfect moments. But we'll forgive him for his ceaseless whirring and spraying noises for now because we're in a really good mood.

Fun Stuff

OK, so serious stuff is over and done with now it's time for the lighter side.

First, I am now inhumanly excited about the new Star Trek movie. I remained so sceptical for so long but now I simply can't wait. Simon Pegg was on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross last night, which only served to inflame my quiet hysteria. I think I might have to book us some tickets for the premiere - preferrably on IMAX! Oddly, after watching Friday Night... I also have a strange compulsion to go and see the Hannah Montana movie. I think Miley Cyrus has been exercising so sort of new hypnosis technique on me: The clue was probably the repeated shouts of "See my movie!" in hilarious fashion throughout Ross' show.

I recently found (or rather, was alerted to) a 'new' TV channel which I have been enjoying recently. Rocks & Co (Sky Channel 642) are modelled on the long running Gems TV (broadcasting on Sky, V irgin and Freesat) in that they offer a range of gemset jewellery in 'Reverse Auctions'. Basically they start at a ridiculous price and 'crash' to a lower, more realistic price and generally keep dropping until they hit the lowest price that they want to sell that item for. It's essentially a game of chicken: which viewer will 'blink' first and buy? If interested in something, the longer you wait the lower the price, but also the greater the chance that someone else will get there first. You can almost hear the masses reaching for the phone with one hand and the 'plastic' with the other! Whether you buy anything at any given time is up to you - I rarely purchase this sort of thing for myself, but tend to buy jewellery for my Mum - but what I'm loving at the moment is the 'window shopping'experience. Rocks & Co have some fabulous gemstones in sizes, quality and varieties that most people will rarely get the chance to see. I highly recommend it but make sure you lock the credit card away first. They have a ring resizing service, but much to my dismay have thus far been unable to resize my credit card! That 27ct Rubellite will have to wait.

Finally, Thursday nights is now music night for me. I have my piano lesson straight after work and then from there I head straight out to Bolton for choir practice! After careful consideration I decided to join SingLiveUK, who recruit amatuer singers for events that they organise all over the UK, and sometimes overseas too. (There is a group at the Vatican this weekend!) I'll be taking part in the performance of Sing The Music of the Big Bands at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on June 28th. Tickets are available online from https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk or direct from SingLiveUK. Personally, I am very excited and can't wait to get back into singing after 12 years of musical silence! We'll be performing some of my personal favourites made famous by the likes of the Rat Pack and, more recently for the younger generation, Michael Buble and Robbie Williams. Incidentally, I will also be the third person in my immediate family to give a musical performance to a public audience: My Granny was a violinist for the Halle Orchestra many years ago and my Dad performed a few years ago at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.

Infinite Superiority

Considering my previous post, I thought I'd add something more positive...

We just watched Slumdog Millionaire this evening. Compare it with Watchmen. Compare the complex plot that steps easily between past and present and is so well constructed that it keeps you actively engaged throughout the film's 120 minutes (rather than making you periodically nod off). Compare the charming narrative that is beautifully written, combining English and Hindi without making a burden of the subtitles. Compare the superb acting founded on the minutia of expression and gesture that is natural and a joy to behold. Combine all that with a great soundtrack, stunning lighting and cinematography and the fact that Kingussie, (where I went to High School) is mentioned rather prominently, and you get a very satisfied Kat.

Plus Danny Boyle is a local lad... just wish I'd been at his local pub when he showed off his oscar!

New Trek Trailer

OK, so the voicings of my blog have been far too preachy, far too ranty and far too whingey of late. Time for upbeat happiness!

A new Star Trek trailer has been released.

Despite being a devoted Trekkie for most of my life, I can hardly claim to have been excited at the prospect of the new Trek Fest, even with JJ Abrams at the helm (who, in my opinion is a god among men, rather like my other most favourite artists: Aaron Sorkin and Peter David). It's my love of the Trek icon that made me sigh with despair when the new movie was announced. Voyager was supremely disappointing and could have been so much better if the folks in charge hadn't become bored by it. However, Enterprise was the really crushing blow. Could the franchise take the weight of another 're-imagining'? I feared it might not. And as someone who would kinda like to have the many Trek stories that are banked up in my brain unleashed on the world, that prospect worried me. Casting did briefly peak my interest - Zachary Quinto as Spock is inspired and Simon Pegg as Scotty is.... interesting - but I still didn't feel that enamoured, particularly as the first couple of trailers were rather bland. The most recent one, however? Now that's more like it...


Check it out: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/

Time will tell if it's as good as the franchise deserves or the name 'JJ Abrams' promises, but for one bright, shining moment I'm hopeful.


While we're talking movie trailer eye candy, another one that's worth a look (hubby stumbled across it on Friday) is 'Knowing' with Nick Cage. As an actor, Cage's roles are bit hit and miss. He's done some great stuff like Con Air, Lord of War and Gone in Sixty Seconds; and he's done some utter tripe! (Need I mention The Wicker Man, World Trade Centre and Ghost Rider?) The premise of this movie is a bit like Next - predicting the future and preventing disaster - and I suspect Cage will play pretty much the same character. But that's OK, because he always plays the same character! This is not going to be intellectually chellenging, but I'll settle for something that's lightly thought provoking with lots of cool special effects. Either way, the trailer looks interesting!

http://www.apple.com/trailers/summit/knowing/