This is what some people thought about TV in 1976. I quote it because it speaks to me today and I suspect it may to others. You're television incarnate...Indifferent to suffering; insensitive to joy. All of life is reduced to the common rubble of banality. War, murder, death are all the same...And the daily business … Continue reading Dealing new illusions?
Stuff I Like
Filled with references to stuff I like in music, film, tv, reading, writing, online etc.
At cross porpoises
Chances are, you, like me, had never heard of the Vaquita Porpoise until recently. If you have, it's because there are now less than 100 in the wild. We humans think we own this joint, and that we've conquered it. Humans describe it in terms of our economies and resources. But most of us barely know it. It's … Continue reading At cross porpoises
Review: Lincoln + myth making
I've had a fascination with myth and myth making and recently watching Lincoln (2012) directed by Steven Spielberg, got me thinking about it again. If the United States has succeeded at one thing, it has succeeded in the mythologisation of its history, even to the point where those myths are exported to the rest of … Continue reading Review: Lincoln + myth making
A Summerisle not forget
Sir Christopher Lee has passed into the West and into legend. His long career and abilities are now being examined far and wide by those who worked with him and those who admired, his many, many, films, amidst his other accomplishments. What I've found interesting is the focus on how he spent much of his … Continue reading A Summerisle not forget
The problem with previews
There are many things coming up I want to see and read. The problem is that the previews and news about them are so far in advance I may miss them later when I have forgotten my current excitement. Damn the invention of the NOW GENERATION. It's great I can see previews for films set … Continue reading The problem with previews
Your Premises are Wrong Mr Pegg
This is a response to the i09 article that looks at Simon Pegg's recent comments about science fiction and movies. Here's what he said: Before Star Wars, the films that were box-office hits were The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Bonnie And Clyde and The French Connection – gritty, amoral art movies. Then suddenly the onus switched … Continue reading Your Premises are Wrong Mr Pegg
Post review musings on Ultron, Mad Max and The Fall
On the last sunny day before Melbourne's erratic winter settles in, I thought I'd pull together a few stray thoughts I've had after recent viewings. It might be a bit spoilery. Avengers: Age of Ultron felt like a welcome visit from wise-cracking friends with very busy international schedules, a bit of bling, and brittle but brave facades. … Continue reading Post review musings on Ultron, Mad Max and The Fall
Review: Mad Max – Furious and Furiouser
I didn't expect George Miller's Mad: Fury Road to be all things to all people. But we're through the Looking Glass people and it just might be, if you don't mind explosions, vehicle chases and violence along with everything else. If Avengers: Age of Ultron was occasionally visually annoying, in its fast moving CGI-ness, Mad Max was overwhelming … Continue reading Review: Mad Max – Furious and Furiouser
All’s good with Osgood?
Doctor Who this year will see the return of Osgood, the scarf wearing sciencey-fan UNIT member. Of course she was killed last season, so of course she is returning. Are we tired of death not meaning really dead and gone or is yet another death retcon a good thing? Plot wise there are ways around this: … Continue reading All’s good with Osgood?
Review: Upon discovering The Fall (2006)
Falling in love again Big screen cinema is for spectacle. For Avenging super heroes and three-dimensional stuff being thrown at you by two-dimensional characters. It's fun and makes a lot of money and is all ok by me. Then there are films that are crafted in dedication to a singular vision, using every cinema reference. … Continue reading Review: Upon discovering The Fall (2006)
Writing Bec 