Festive Season DVD Guide
Justice Malala uses the following ratings of restaurants for his reviews on FM. I will use the same, props to Justice. I am on leave and therefore had the opportunity to listen to a full Ride Direko show today.
To avoid / Robert Mugabe OR OR OR Jacob Zuma:
Mama Mia – other than Meryl Streep’s take on the ‘winner takes it all’ this was very painful to watch. Peirce Brosnan deserves special mention here. He was really, really, really awful!
Must see / Barack Obama:
In Bruges – I never really got Collin Farrell, his performance in this particular movie gave me a glimpse into his ability and he does have it. All he needed was to play a Guy Ritchie type character. Fantastic movie!
WALL-E – one of the best! For you, for kids, it is just so sweet. It’s funny that these days the best romantic comedies are usually the Shrek’s and the Walle’s and Beaty and the Beast. No Meg Rian, no Julia Roberts. Thank God!
Horton Hears a Who – Jim Carrey is the, no, my (!) comedy Guru, but this is also just a great feel good movie.
So and so… Kgalema (which is also, I am happy to announce, a name in my family! Go Kgalema!!!)
You don’t mess with the Zohan – cringe funny. Can't really decide.
Swing Vote – ya ya. Preach, preach.
Please feel free to add to the list and use either obama or mugabe or Kgalema to rate the DVD's! OR you can use spoons.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Not the movie of the week
I watched some Martin Lawrence movie two days ago and it was so bad I almost cried. I can't blame the lover for this one, it was my pick. I wanted something very light, and something funny...you know, just wanted something I would enjoy without having to think too hard and so on.
Well, the movie was light but not a inch of humour...atleast nothing that I found particularly funny.
The movie was so bad, I can't even remember what it was called. It was so bad, I'm glad I don't remember what it was called so none of you will ever get to watch it - even if it was to confirm how pathetic it was. This is the second time I've watched a really, really bad Martin Lawrence movie and I have now vowed to boycott all his movies.
The only movie I thorougly enjoyed that he made was Bad Boys, but I think that was more about Will than about Martin? I reckon he should've rather stuck to his sitcom? But I wonder if the supposed jokes there would have been outdated too by my standards of what is funny. I think his biggest problem is that he hasn't been able to reinvent himself...much like Eddie Murphy in my mind. But he even had Dreamgirls atleast.
I mean Will did the whole reinvention successfully playing all his super-hero parts. Jamie Foxx did it in multiple roles. Heck, even Queen Latifah isn't half bad.
Anywho, here's to the end of watching Martin Lawrence on screen
Well, the movie was light but not a inch of humour...atleast nothing that I found particularly funny.
The movie was so bad, I can't even remember what it was called. It was so bad, I'm glad I don't remember what it was called so none of you will ever get to watch it - even if it was to confirm how pathetic it was. This is the second time I've watched a really, really bad Martin Lawrence movie and I have now vowed to boycott all his movies.
The only movie I thorougly enjoyed that he made was Bad Boys, but I think that was more about Will than about Martin? I reckon he should've rather stuck to his sitcom? But I wonder if the supposed jokes there would have been outdated too by my standards of what is funny. I think his biggest problem is that he hasn't been able to reinvent himself...much like Eddie Murphy in my mind. But he even had Dreamgirls atleast.
I mean Will did the whole reinvention successfully playing all his super-hero parts. Jamie Foxx did it in multiple roles. Heck, even Queen Latifah isn't half bad.
Anywho, here's to the end of watching Martin Lawrence on screen
The Day The Earth Stood Still
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Director Scott Derrickson
Starring: Keanu Reeves … Klaatu
Jennifer Connelly ... Helen Benson
Kathy Bates ... Regina Jackson
Jaden Smith ... Jacob Benson
John Cleese ... Professor Barnhardt
Not so great. That is it, that is all.
I suppose if Al Gore wanted to get an even wider audience he would have gotten Neo from the Matrix to do a public service announcement. It does not make sense, the alien should have gotten the message about the good side of the human race as soon as he tried to touch Jennifer Collelly’s hand when he landed! The fact that she reached out to an alien race when she knew nothing should have been more than enough. Did not see the original but now I see O did not miss much. National Geographic channel, or World Wildlife Fund or maybe even Greenpeace made this movie! Spot on with the message but how dumb do you think we are?
One other small thing I want to mention about this movie, Jaded Smith is going to grow up thinking he is gay with that hair style, It is cute but it is so gay.
Monday, 1 December 2008
Lionel Ritchie
Just in case you were wondering what ever happened to the Lionel Ritchie SA concert post...well, it's a rather sad story really.
For some silly reason I just thought that computicket would just keep two special tickets for me.
For some silly reason they didn't.
So there I was on Wednesday afternoon...very confidently might I add - walked into the MTN store which also doubles up as a computicket outlet.
"Won't you hand me over my tickets," I said boldly to the man behind the counter. Mind you I was very impatient. He made me wait a good ten minutes while he helped a customer with something to do with MTN. Tsk, tsk...turns out I was late. SOLD OUT was Lionel Ritchie.
I feel like such an idiot. I spoke about this concert for weeks. Anybody who had come in contact with me in the last couple of weeks/months would know I was planning on going to see Mr Dancing on the Ceiling.
Argh. Its over now.
My lover has promised that we'll go see him overseas wherever he will perform next.
Yeh right!
Let me just add another quick note.
I hear everybody...well, all the big time bloggers (if you know what I mean) going on about this American blogger delegation and I keep thinking - WHAT IS THE BLOODY BIG DEAL ABOUT Americanos roaming our lands? Its like making a big deal out of journalists visiting this place. For the what? Argh...I just don't get why they are so important. They are mere mortals really...bloggers actually. Like...who cares?
Anyway, my vent for the day.
Till next time.
For some silly reason I just thought that computicket would just keep two special tickets for me.
For some silly reason they didn't.
So there I was on Wednesday afternoon...very confidently might I add - walked into the MTN store which also doubles up as a computicket outlet.
"Won't you hand me over my tickets," I said boldly to the man behind the counter. Mind you I was very impatient. He made me wait a good ten minutes while he helped a customer with something to do with MTN. Tsk, tsk...turns out I was late. SOLD OUT was Lionel Ritchie.
I feel like such an idiot. I spoke about this concert for weeks. Anybody who had come in contact with me in the last couple of weeks/months would know I was planning on going to see Mr Dancing on the Ceiling.
Argh. Its over now.
My lover has promised that we'll go see him overseas wherever he will perform next.
Yeh right!
Let me just add another quick note.
I hear everybody...well, all the big time bloggers (if you know what I mean) going on about this American blogger delegation and I keep thinking - WHAT IS THE BLOODY BIG DEAL ABOUT Americanos roaming our lands? Its like making a big deal out of journalists visiting this place. For the what? Argh...I just don't get why they are so important. They are mere mortals really...bloggers actually. Like...who cares?
Anyway, my vent for the day.
Till next time.
Monday, 24 November 2008
A great book idea!
First, I must apologise to my fellow team blogger. You see, we made a bet a couple of weeks ago. I put my money on McCain, and she on Obama.
The loser was to write a post atleast once a week. I haven't done that.
I suppose I could promise to write atleast two blog posts a week for the next four weeks.
So there you have it brokensword.
I already know what my next post will be out. LIONEL 'dancing on the ceiling' RITCHIE's concert on Thursday. Haven't bought the tickets yet, but come what may, I AM THERE!
Okay, so my blog post today is inspired by a story a friend told me today. I suppose I was so shocked by it, completely shocked, so shocked I still have trouble believing it as fact. So my suggestion to her, is that she put her story in a book and its sure to be a bestseller...or close. More important is that it may just help parents better understand some of the challenges their children face every day of their lives in HIGH SCHOOL!
I've always felt like the teeny bopper movies were highly exaggerated. You know the type where there is always a group of bullies that...well bully the rest of the kids at school. I could never identify with those movies cause they weren't telling about my experience of school. For the first time today, I realised what a sheltered life I've had. The worst form of initiation I ever had was at my convent school - the seniors instructed us to make a silly hat, and then wear it for the entire week at school. I have a very blurred recollection of actually making the hat, but no memory at all of wearing it. I figure I probably rebelled against it. Most important about this little story is that it didn't matter that I did. The seniors weren't all that obsessed with making me feel stupid (wearing the hat and all). It was just never an issue, so I never got into any trouble with them or anything.
Today I heard of a young standard 7 (whats it called these days?) girl who not only got harassed by her fellow women, but some guys too (unfortunately I'm not going to tell that story in this post).
So it started off being a jealosy thang. The senior girls I suppose felt threatened by her because the older boys thought she was a hottie. One day at netball practice (and this is just so true of those teeny bopper movies), one of the senior girls called out to her and said, "catch" - hurling the netball at her - at lightening speed.
It hit her face so hard, she fell flat on the ground.
The young girl ofcourse didn't want to show any weakness, so she held back her tears, picked the ball up and handed it back to the senior, "here you go ma'm," she said. Yep, apparently the younger kids had to call the matric students 'ma'm' and 'sir'.
I still don't believe that.
Later on that week, she got followed in to the ladies room. About six senior girls took turns beating her up. She just lay on the floor and took the bashing. And in true teeny bopper movie style, even though people saw this happening, 'officially' nobody saw anything.
Lucky for the girl, she had a good relationship with her mom. And when she relayed the story to her, her mom wanted to kick them kids' bums herself. I know this girl's mom - she would do it in a second. But fearing that her mom getting involved would make matter worse for herself, the girl begged her mom not to get involved.
The girl missed school for a while, she was just too scared to go but her mom told her enough is enough, you have to stand up to these girls. The girl asked if she could go to school with a knife...that would be her protection, she told her mom. While her mom said hell no to the knife idea, she did advised her that all she needed to do was just to get one of the girls, just one girl and thats it. (hahaha, I still think that's too unreal - sure sounds like it isn't real doesn't it?).
The girl settled for a hockey stick as her protection. And off she went to school. In no time, the same group of girls followed her to the girls bathroom. Before they even got close to her, she warned them, you touch me, and I'll kill you. I swear to god I'll kill you, she said to them.
The one girl responded. Who do you think you are? You think you can take on all of us?
She then responded. I don't need to take all of you. Just one of you. That's all I need. Just one, she said echoing her mom's words.
The one girl then approached the girl. The girl swung that hockey stick and "BHAH" - hit the one girl on the stomach. The one girl fell back and the girl went on top of her - ready to give her a beat down. The other girls retreated. And she let the one girl go.
Talk about a FIGHT BACK strategy. She went on to tell me another story about a little boy who got beat up by older boys at the school. The little boy had a Nigerian father, a BEEG nigerian man for a father (obviously the older boys didn't know this, else they would have never messed around with the little boy). So the one time, right after the boy got beat up, his dad fetched him from school. He could see that his little boy wasn't okay and asked what happened. And so the little boy told his BEEG nigerian dad what had happened to him. When the dad heard the story he demanded that his son show him who had done it. And he did.
The BEEG nigerian man and his son marched on to the rugby (it had to be the rugby guys) field where the same boys that beat up his son were. He asked his son to point out who had hit him. And when he did, the father went straight to one of the boys and slapped him silly. And then warned the rest of them, if any of you mo-fos touch my kid again, I'll kill you.
Hahahahahaha, do you believe that? I know a lot of bullying goes on at some schools. Maybe even most schools. I was never exposed to it. So I can't identify with it at all. What makes children think they can get away with beating up other kids, for no apparent reason. Just for kicks? Why would anyone want to do that? I just don't get it.
Anyway, this girl that told me these stories...and many more, might I add, I figure should write a book about it. All I could think about as she was telling me these story was all those other kids that have really kak relationships with their folks and suffer in silence as a result. All those kids that get teased and beat up their entire high school life. Stuff like that has to have an impact on you. A very negative impact? I wonder what those kids grow up to be? Serial killers? Wife beaters? Drunks?
After hearing this stuff. I kept thinking...when I do have kids - they are gonna have home school.
The loser was to write a post atleast once a week. I haven't done that.
I suppose I could promise to write atleast two blog posts a week for the next four weeks.
So there you have it brokensword.
I already know what my next post will be out. LIONEL 'dancing on the ceiling' RITCHIE's concert on Thursday. Haven't bought the tickets yet, but come what may, I AM THERE!
Okay, so my blog post today is inspired by a story a friend told me today. I suppose I was so shocked by it, completely shocked, so shocked I still have trouble believing it as fact. So my suggestion to her, is that she put her story in a book and its sure to be a bestseller...or close. More important is that it may just help parents better understand some of the challenges their children face every day of their lives in HIGH SCHOOL!
I've always felt like the teeny bopper movies were highly exaggerated. You know the type where there is always a group of bullies that...well bully the rest of the kids at school. I could never identify with those movies cause they weren't telling about my experience of school. For the first time today, I realised what a sheltered life I've had. The worst form of initiation I ever had was at my convent school - the seniors instructed us to make a silly hat, and then wear it for the entire week at school. I have a very blurred recollection of actually making the hat, but no memory at all of wearing it. I figure I probably rebelled against it. Most important about this little story is that it didn't matter that I did. The seniors weren't all that obsessed with making me feel stupid (wearing the hat and all). It was just never an issue, so I never got into any trouble with them or anything.
Today I heard of a young standard 7 (whats it called these days?) girl who not only got harassed by her fellow women, but some guys too (unfortunately I'm not going to tell that story in this post).
So it started off being a jealosy thang. The senior girls I suppose felt threatened by her because the older boys thought she was a hottie. One day at netball practice (and this is just so true of those teeny bopper movies), one of the senior girls called out to her and said, "catch" - hurling the netball at her - at lightening speed.
It hit her face so hard, she fell flat on the ground.
The young girl ofcourse didn't want to show any weakness, so she held back her tears, picked the ball up and handed it back to the senior, "here you go ma'm," she said. Yep, apparently the younger kids had to call the matric students 'ma'm' and 'sir'.
I still don't believe that.
Later on that week, she got followed in to the ladies room. About six senior girls took turns beating her up. She just lay on the floor and took the bashing. And in true teeny bopper movie style, even though people saw this happening, 'officially' nobody saw anything.
Lucky for the girl, she had a good relationship with her mom. And when she relayed the story to her, her mom wanted to kick them kids' bums herself. I know this girl's mom - she would do it in a second. But fearing that her mom getting involved would make matter worse for herself, the girl begged her mom not to get involved.
The girl missed school for a while, she was just too scared to go but her mom told her enough is enough, you have to stand up to these girls. The girl asked if she could go to school with a knife...that would be her protection, she told her mom. While her mom said hell no to the knife idea, she did advised her that all she needed to do was just to get one of the girls, just one girl and thats it. (hahaha, I still think that's too unreal - sure sounds like it isn't real doesn't it?).
The girl settled for a hockey stick as her protection. And off she went to school. In no time, the same group of girls followed her to the girls bathroom. Before they even got close to her, she warned them, you touch me, and I'll kill you. I swear to god I'll kill you, she said to them.
The one girl responded. Who do you think you are? You think you can take on all of us?
She then responded. I don't need to take all of you. Just one of you. That's all I need. Just one, she said echoing her mom's words.
The one girl then approached the girl. The girl swung that hockey stick and "BHAH" - hit the one girl on the stomach. The one girl fell back and the girl went on top of her - ready to give her a beat down. The other girls retreated. And she let the one girl go.
Talk about a FIGHT BACK strategy. She went on to tell me another story about a little boy who got beat up by older boys at the school. The little boy had a Nigerian father, a BEEG nigerian man for a father (obviously the older boys didn't know this, else they would have never messed around with the little boy). So the one time, right after the boy got beat up, his dad fetched him from school. He could see that his little boy wasn't okay and asked what happened. And so the little boy told his BEEG nigerian dad what had happened to him. When the dad heard the story he demanded that his son show him who had done it. And he did.
The BEEG nigerian man and his son marched on to the rugby (it had to be the rugby guys) field where the same boys that beat up his son were. He asked his son to point out who had hit him. And when he did, the father went straight to one of the boys and slapped him silly. And then warned the rest of them, if any of you mo-fos touch my kid again, I'll kill you.
Hahahahahaha, do you believe that? I know a lot of bullying goes on at some schools. Maybe even most schools. I was never exposed to it. So I can't identify with it at all. What makes children think they can get away with beating up other kids, for no apparent reason. Just for kicks? Why would anyone want to do that? I just don't get it.
Anyway, this girl that told me these stories...and many more, might I add, I figure should write a book about it. All I could think about as she was telling me these story was all those other kids that have really kak relationships with their folks and suffer in silence as a result. All those kids that get teased and beat up their entire high school life. Stuff like that has to have an impact on you. A very negative impact? I wonder what those kids grow up to be? Serial killers? Wife beaters? Drunks?
After hearing this stuff. I kept thinking...when I do have kids - they are gonna have home school.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Top Gear
I am in love with the Top Gear Trio. If ever there was a combination of characters in television that was perfect, that complimented each other in every hilarious way, that just was solid, it is Jeremy, James and Richard.
These past two weeks I saw the Top Gear Botswana and trip to the North Pole.
Amazing, insane, hilarious, shocking. These are the descriptive words that come to mind. I was totally blown away by these two particular episodes. I was a top gear fan before, but this was just amazing. This was Television at its best and what Telvision should be about.
I don’t love cars but I respect the passion others have for them. I myself can appreciate a good looking automobile. It is the same thing I suppose with my relationship with other good things in life. Gadgets, state of the art homes, Dell XP’s etcetera. I do not have to own them to appreciate the beauty in the form and function.
This is the door that Top Gear lets me through, to experience the best of the best, vicariously yes, but at least I know what is out there and what is good to have, to drive, to scorn at. The Top Gear guys look down on the beetle but I can appreciate that it is an iconic symbol of an time/era that till today, tries to survive. I’d have chosen the beetle to battle across the Kalahari.
But yes, if you ever get the chance, watch, Botswana and the luxury journey to the North Pole. It is nail biting stuff but also hilarious. I particularly enjoyed the toilet scenes on the journey to the North Pole.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
CHANGE
So I was wrong. And boy am I happy I was wrong. I sat watching McCain this morning, delivering his speech. And he looked particularly disappointed. But I was impressed with him, and how he handled his defeat. Even when his supporters booed at the sound of Obama's name - which he mentioned a few times during his speech - there was some dignity in how he did it.
BUT THEN, later on that morning BARACK OBAMA waltzed on stage in Chicago and delivered his - and if it was not clear to you before, it became clear which of the two was most deserving to sit in that white house. There's something incredibly dreamy about his delivery of speeches. They kinda make you get all worked up, all excited, all energised - ready to take on the world. I felt tears building up in my eyes as I listened to him talk about a 106 year old black woman who had seen all that was possible in America. The change that DID take place...in the past years and again today as Obama became the first black president of the United States of America.
I went on to cry 'heeeee, heeeee' - you know the kind of cry I'm talking about? When your face gets all shriveled up and you make strange, 'choking-like' sounds. I was more proud to be a human being than anything else today.
You know, it is quite easy to take his whole 'change' slogan lightly. But if you really think about it, if you really internalise it and understand what it means - you couldn't have listened to his speech and not cried. I have had so little faith in humanity lately...actually for a long time. And for me it became oh so gloriously clear today that ANYTHING is possible if you just believe and you hope. Everything that I perceived to be wrong in the world suddenly became an opportunity for change. The things we can achieve as a people are endless. Who was it that said something like, 'together we stand, devided we fall'. Barack Obama reminded of that today.
BUT THEN, later on that morning BARACK OBAMA waltzed on stage in Chicago and delivered his - and if it was not clear to you before, it became clear which of the two was most deserving to sit in that white house. There's something incredibly dreamy about his delivery of speeches. They kinda make you get all worked up, all excited, all energised - ready to take on the world. I felt tears building up in my eyes as I listened to him talk about a 106 year old black woman who had seen all that was possible in America. The change that DID take place...in the past years and again today as Obama became the first black president of the United States of America.
I went on to cry 'heeeee, heeeee' - you know the kind of cry I'm talking about? When your face gets all shriveled up and you make strange, 'choking-like' sounds. I was more proud to be a human being than anything else today.
You know, it is quite easy to take his whole 'change' slogan lightly. But if you really think about it, if you really internalise it and understand what it means - you couldn't have listened to his speech and not cried. I have had so little faith in humanity lately...actually for a long time. And for me it became oh so gloriously clear today that ANYTHING is possible if you just believe and you hope. Everything that I perceived to be wrong in the world suddenly became an opportunity for change. The things we can achieve as a people are endless. Who was it that said something like, 'together we stand, devided we fall'. Barack Obama reminded of that today.
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Heroes, Season Deux!
Heroes, Season Deux!
Folks, Heroes is back! According to Heartwarmer, only me and her are the only 2 people on earth who still have not seen the total second series. I can not tell with the people around me at the moment, I have a feeling they would look at me weirdly and exclaim, huh, what you talking about?
I missed the first two episodes. I missed the first episode because I finally caved in and got myself DSTV and was probably channel surfing and totally ignored what was on show on SABC. Second time, I was out of the country, totally not worth it. I would have preferred to stay put and watch my Heroes.
So I finally could watch my first episode this past Thursday and OMG, this has to be the most amazing, the most nail biting, the most gripping, the most entertaining and ultimately, the best escape there is on television, ever!
Yes, we’ve had Lost. We have Dexter, we have a plethora of TV shows that have caught on to the concept of giving that little bit of shock and horror and hope that you will tune in the next week to be amazed and shocked and inspired the next week, and the next and the next.
I choose Heroes. HEROES! So the premise is that humans are evolving and some of us are developing super powers to either take the human race to the next level humanity or annihilate it. It is about good vs evil. It is about being different and finding your place and purpose in the world. It is about humanity and all the human things that go with that.
In this second series we are introduced to new and wonderful characters. Heartwarmer especially likes the brother and sister duo who when separated, the sister spontaneously kills all around her, the brother helps bring the balance and benevolence. Heartwarmer calls it them the Yin and Yang. I like that too. Terrifying, but beautiful.
The third episode that I am starting with, which aired this last Thursday had Sila being taken care of by a woman who can project imagination. Although Sila was wounded and in a crappy type place, she could place him on a beach and make herself look like anyone he wanted her to look like. Pity that his nature took over, he killed her but could not gain her power. Wait till next week to see what happens.
Peter Pitrelli is in the process of rediscovering his powers. Hiro in is ancient Japan and is trying helping a warrior live up to his history.
I have not seen Nathan. Is he dead? Hhhmmm.
Claire has a boyfriend that can fly. Ya well.
Heartwarmer tells me the kid that can map all the ‘mutants’ (which is what they are, but this show has a totally different feel to X Men) sees somebody that scares them more than Sila. Could it be the flying boy? Probably not. I will wait to see.
So I wait, for the next week to happen, the only thing that matters about next week is what happens on Heroes! This is what there is. Finish and Klaar!
If I was one of the Heroes I would want the power to hear other people’s thoughts, but what would I do with that? No, I would want to have what Peter Pitrelli has, the ability to absorb other people’s powers without having to eat their brains like Sila. I suppose it is like telling the Genie that you wish for a million wishes or to be God. I want that.
Heroes, watch it and get hooked!
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Freak Show
Madame Zingara is a freak show. I kid you not. I'd read about it vaguely when it first hit Joburg sometime last year, and people made a big fuss about the food bit. I don't remember anybody ever mentioning that it was a freak show. I would have remembered.
I had a fantastic time last night at Monte Casino. Apparently the show's sold out until it moves on to whatever city its planning to head to next. It was a full house last night. Madame Zingara, at least my sister tells me, used to be a restuarant in Cape Town, until it burnt down. The idea I get is that it was a big hit there...but then it burnt down you see.
And so this fabulous idea for it to become a mobile restuarant/freak show was born. Travelling from city to city I imagine.
If you haven't been, I can't recommend a better plan for a splendid night out. It has all the right ingredients. Great acts. Scrumptious food. Great music.
I don't want to give it all away, so I'm not going to say much else (unless you really want me to)...its a must see. If by some luck you do happen to go...watch out for 'the creature'.
I had a fantastic time last night at Monte Casino. Apparently the show's sold out until it moves on to whatever city its planning to head to next. It was a full house last night. Madame Zingara, at least my sister tells me, used to be a restuarant in Cape Town, until it burnt down. The idea I get is that it was a big hit there...but then it burnt down you see.
And so this fabulous idea for it to become a mobile restuarant/freak show was born. Travelling from city to city I imagine.
If you haven't been, I can't recommend a better plan for a splendid night out. It has all the right ingredients. Great acts. Scrumptious food. Great music.
I don't want to give it all away, so I'm not going to say much else (unless you really want me to)...its a must see. If by some luck you do happen to go...watch out for 'the creature'.
Monday, 29 September 2008
TV License Ad Campaign
It pisses me off. How much money did they spend on this?
I see advertisements on Magazines, Radio, Newspaper, TV. And these are not cheap ads either, I mean to take out a series of advertisements in the financial mail, is not cheap, production of these advertisements is not cheap.
It just seems to me that we are asked to pay our TV licenses in order for the TV license people to be able to afford the ad campaign for the following year.
The whole thing just seems obscene and unjustifiable. The money they collect should be used for other things, I don't know.
Who the hell do we pay this license to anyway?
Who ever it is, do they buy content for the various TV stations? Do they give a little to SABC and etv?
Would these ads actually convince people, appeal to their moral side to pay their TV license??? Will YOU pay your TV license after seeing these ads?
Would the money not be better spent on other things? And then convince people to pay their license by saying, ‘…this programme’ or, ‘…this message was made possible by YOU paying your TV license’? I could buy into that. I don’t buy into spending money just for the sake of it!
What pisses me off the most is that the campaign is so brilliant. I love the print ads, the alien going off on his space ship, the werewolf, etc. I get so excited when I see one, and then I get crushed when I see the TV License logo at the bottom. Aaarrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!!
I see advertisements on Magazines, Radio, Newspaper, TV. And these are not cheap ads either, I mean to take out a series of advertisements in the financial mail, is not cheap, production of these advertisements is not cheap.
It just seems to me that we are asked to pay our TV licenses in order for the TV license people to be able to afford the ad campaign for the following year.
The whole thing just seems obscene and unjustifiable. The money they collect should be used for other things, I don't know.
Who the hell do we pay this license to anyway?
Who ever it is, do they buy content for the various TV stations? Do they give a little to SABC and etv?
Would these ads actually convince people, appeal to their moral side to pay their TV license??? Will YOU pay your TV license after seeing these ads?
Would the money not be better spent on other things? And then convince people to pay their license by saying, ‘…this programme’ or, ‘…this message was made possible by YOU paying your TV license’? I could buy into that. I don’t buy into spending money just for the sake of it!
What pisses me off the most is that the campaign is so brilliant. I love the print ads, the alien going off on his space ship, the werewolf, etc. I get so excited when I see one, and then I get crushed when I see the TV License logo at the bottom. Aaarrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!!
Friday, 26 September 2008
The boldest story ever told
I want to know if Oliver Stone could do the blockbuster epic that is SA politics at the moment.
Imagine, against the back drop of the world economic meltdown, emerges a story of a misunderstood president (or however you see it) and the events of the past week. Certain incidents could be changed for dramatic effect, to take the story forward.
Instead of just one thread this could be a couple. The Weekender story of how they got the scoop and were the only Saturday paper to carry the story. They are patting themselves on the back very publicly and unashamedly for that. Which I suppose they should! Well done Karima!
The other story is a more personal one and aims to get Thabo better understood. There would be scenes of him as he is at home with the lovely Zanele, (do they have kids? maybe one of them could be gay because his dad did not hug him enough as a child so he looks for love in the arms of strange men, this is where artistic license would need to be exercised), him taking council from Moeletsi, his off the camera interactions with Miranda and so on and so on.
The next key story would be that of Kgalema and his rise.
On the periphery would be the likes of Julius the patsy, Trevor the tease, and Jacob the irresistible.
So one needs action and romance in there somewhere right?, I think therefore we could add the story of how Manto and Thabo met as young revolutionaries but Manto broke his heart and he has never been able to fully give it up ever since. Aloof? he does not want to get hurt again! (again, for dramatic effect, does not necessarily have to be true)
I'll get going on the script. I welcome suggestions for key roles.
Imagine, against the back drop of the world economic meltdown, emerges a story of a misunderstood president (or however you see it) and the events of the past week. Certain incidents could be changed for dramatic effect, to take the story forward.
Instead of just one thread this could be a couple. The Weekender story of how they got the scoop and were the only Saturday paper to carry the story. They are patting themselves on the back very publicly and unashamedly for that. Which I suppose they should! Well done Karima!
The other story is a more personal one and aims to get Thabo better understood. There would be scenes of him as he is at home with the lovely Zanele, (do they have kids? maybe one of them could be gay because his dad did not hug him enough as a child so he looks for love in the arms of strange men, this is where artistic license would need to be exercised), him taking council from Moeletsi, his off the camera interactions with Miranda and so on and so on.
The next key story would be that of Kgalema and his rise.
On the periphery would be the likes of Julius the patsy, Trevor the tease, and Jacob the irresistible.
So one needs action and romance in there somewhere right?, I think therefore we could add the story of how Manto and Thabo met as young revolutionaries but Manto broke his heart and he has never been able to fully give it up ever since. Aloof? he does not want to get hurt again! (again, for dramatic effect, does not necessarily have to be true)
I'll get going on the script. I welcome suggestions for key roles.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
The Dark Knight
What an incredible tour de force. When you think all is well, something else comes up. This has to be the best, I mean, THE BEST, Batman ever! It is, in its own right, a very gripping, a very revealing a very understandable explanation of how it all began.
The Villains are just as interesting and onioned as the heroes. The story is layered with twists and turns that you would happily let it go on forever. I would. I would.
Prequels are the thing but this is different. George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton all gave us what we needed at the time but the game needed to be stepped up a little to keep us interested. The game was stepped up and OMG!
As the world changes so do the heroes that we need to carry on.
The Villains are just as interesting and onioned as the heroes. The story is layered with twists and turns that you would happily let it go on forever. I would. I would.
Prequels are the thing but this is different. George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton all gave us what we needed at the time but the game needed to be stepped up a little to keep us interested. The game was stepped up and OMG!
As the world changes so do the heroes that we need to carry on.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
I want to believe!!! Can’t wait!!!
Why oh why did they ever bring this series to an end. One of the reviews’ headlines on the X files read “the X factor is gone, so close the files”. Needless to say, I did not read further.
The thing about the X Files is that there is always a story. Like Start Trek, there are always new and fantastic stories to tell. Even 50 years down the line there will always be some X File waiting to be uncovered.
The thing about these kinds of shows is that they sometimes tap into current affairs and relay a little bit of a sci fi spin to what is going on in the world. Which is always entertaining and a little bit true?
Okay, back to this next episode. I want to believe. Okay Scully was always the rational one and she’s finds some kind of faith through a pedophile priest in this movie. Moulder and Scully are kind of together. I especially enjoyed the scene when they are in bed together. They are meant to be together and why the hell not. I hate those shows where the writers of the shows just keep you dangling and hoping that the lead characters will eventually end up together but never do. Scully and Moulder do not have a kind of a domestic life but they have resigned themselves to the fact they love each other and irk a way to demonstrate and live that the best way they know how. The best way they can.
So can one transplant a head? Who cares, the idea is awesome and fantastic.
Further ideas for future movie length episodes: There was a suggestion in this episode that George Bush had some Files hidden away. Ii am guessing, his relationship to some Middle Eastern companies? Maybe he himself is a botched experiment, maybe even his relationship with the smoking man.
Other ideas that could make for great TV: global warming, the globe is preparing itself or being prepared for another species that can live amongst the storms and high temperatures…etc.
I miss the stories about the Borg and Moulder’s sister and the smoking man, and and and. Bring these back. As often as possible. What else is left?
Saturday, 12 July 2008
My romance with the alternative romance genre continues
I’ve thought very hard about writing about this particular TV show. I thought, if I write about this then I will be thought less of because of my attraction to this melodramatic soap opera type. I will be ridiculed for believing and buying into something that is so blatantly made for a specific section of our community. Those who crave cheap romance and get off on the age old love story where friends fall in love can never seem to get it together, ever. Every episode you are tortured, with hope that they might just get it together but alas, it is not meant to be. Ohhh and they came so close this one time….
I kept thinking and thought, hey. Fuck it. This is a brilliant series and one should share what one thinks is brilliant, right? Right! And this is what this blog is about. What I love and want to share. With myself mostly but maybe somebody else out there in cyber ether will identify.
Queer as Folk, American Version, season one and two! Season three, four and five just get too serious and stale and clichéd and just plain boring!
In Queer as Folk I got introduced to Brian Kenny. Brian Kenny is a gay man, who is utterly gorgeous and can (and often does) have anyone he chooses. He is oozing sex and has no inclination towards monogamy. He is who we all would probably like to be and so, so much more. Enter Michael, his best friend since childhood. The only person he’s still not had except; for this one time that they jerked each other off as horny teenagers. Michael and Brian will never be together because that is just the way the writers chose to spin this tale, but I always had hope. Season three, four and five crushed that hope and I hate the writers for it!
There are a few more characters in the series that are really great and one or two that have been very poorly cast. One of whom is the high school kid who falls in love with Brian and turns out to be Brian’s Kryptonite. I think the only reason this guy (Justin was his name) made it into the show was his uncanny resemblance to Matt Damon. I know… Matt is cool and all but he does not make a believable gay man. Even in the Talented Mr Ripley you could feel him trying to cling to something that is just not there in him. The gay man that strives to be sexy and enticing. Just does not work.
The other characters are okay until, enter Zen Ben who would kill my hope that Brian and Michael would end up together.
If you have a weekend to kill or have called in sick at work and need something to keep you going for a good couple of days, get Queer as Folk, American Version Season One and Two. It is funny, it is not for children which is always a bonus as you can always get some nudity, man on man, girl on girl, action, what ever you are into. It is supper sexy without being obscene. Well at least I think so. Do not watch it with the folks though.
It is really what it is. A melodrama with a heck of a lot of nudity and you will fall in love with Michael and want to be Brian!
After watching all the seasons I tried to delve into the L Word. I could only stomach one season of it. It confirmed what I already knew. Girl on Girl is just not meant to be sexy. They tried to replicate Queer as Folk, it just did not work for me. Girls are just different. There is tenderness and loving and no space for being casual about it. We are intrinsically deep and form attachments. There is just nothing casual about us, and if we try, we fall on our asses and remember the embarrassment for eternity. This is a good thing.
I kept thinking and thought, hey. Fuck it. This is a brilliant series and one should share what one thinks is brilliant, right? Right! And this is what this blog is about. What I love and want to share. With myself mostly but maybe somebody else out there in cyber ether will identify.
Queer as Folk, American Version, season one and two! Season three, four and five just get too serious and stale and clichéd and just plain boring!
In Queer as Folk I got introduced to Brian Kenny. Brian Kenny is a gay man, who is utterly gorgeous and can (and often does) have anyone he chooses. He is oozing sex and has no inclination towards monogamy. He is who we all would probably like to be and so, so much more. Enter Michael, his best friend since childhood. The only person he’s still not had except; for this one time that they jerked each other off as horny teenagers. Michael and Brian will never be together because that is just the way the writers chose to spin this tale, but I always had hope. Season three, four and five crushed that hope and I hate the writers for it!
There are a few more characters in the series that are really great and one or two that have been very poorly cast. One of whom is the high school kid who falls in love with Brian and turns out to be Brian’s Kryptonite. I think the only reason this guy (Justin was his name) made it into the show was his uncanny resemblance to Matt Damon. I know… Matt is cool and all but he does not make a believable gay man. Even in the Talented Mr Ripley you could feel him trying to cling to something that is just not there in him. The gay man that strives to be sexy and enticing. Just does not work.
The other characters are okay until, enter Zen Ben who would kill my hope that Brian and Michael would end up together.
If you have a weekend to kill or have called in sick at work and need something to keep you going for a good couple of days, get Queer as Folk, American Version Season One and Two. It is funny, it is not for children which is always a bonus as you can always get some nudity, man on man, girl on girl, action, what ever you are into. It is supper sexy without being obscene. Well at least I think so. Do not watch it with the folks though.
It is really what it is. A melodrama with a heck of a lot of nudity and you will fall in love with Michael and want to be Brian!
After watching all the seasons I tried to delve into the L Word. I could only stomach one season of it. It confirmed what I already knew. Girl on Girl is just not meant to be sexy. They tried to replicate Queer as Folk, it just did not work for me. Girls are just different. There is tenderness and loving and no space for being casual about it. We are intrinsically deep and form attachments. There is just nothing casual about us, and if we try, we fall on our asses and remember the embarrassment for eternity. This is a good thing.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
The last day
The ballet. Don Quixote. I think this was my first Ballet experience. I appreciate the technical working that goes into crossing a threshold on your toes and being able to hold your leg at a right angle to the other for any length of time. I appreciate the blood sweat and tears that goes into being a ballerina, after all I did see Fame and a few other movies on the subject. I appreciate the music that accompanies the performances and its ability to evoke passion and other kinds of emotion. I do. I do. I do. But, is there suppose to be a story to keep us interested in all of this? If there was on this one I am ashamed to say that I missed it. As much as I enjoyed my first ballet, I think it would be a long time before I return.
I remember as a child seeing the story of Don Quixote on television and I know it has something to do with a deranged man who thinks that he is larger than life and can pick fights with windmills. He fights against what he thinks is evil, windmills included. I saw nothing that took me back to that. It was about the dancing and that was it. Technique can hold me only for so long.
Oh, and can someone please set me straight, the song, ‘To Dream The Impossible Dream’ was in that Don Quixote movie was it not? That is how I remember it. Not as a Luther Van Ross song but as part of the music of a really great musical.
I think I should set my sights high for my next Ballet. I think Swan Lake (and they better have a little bit of what I saw in Billy Elliot in it!)
My last show of the Gtown fes (I just did not have the strength today to sit through a production that was raw or amateurish or just plain bad) was Stuart Taylor’s Techni-coloured. Apparently this show has been running for two years already. I could not find any other stand-up that I really wanted to see. I have seen Politically Incorrect on DVD and was less than amused, there was some other dudes as well, but thought hey why not see the 'Going No Where Slowly' guy. Should be fun. No it was not.
So all in all the Gtown festival was a bit of a disappointment and I blame it all on myself. Maybe I should not have come alone, although, the thought of having watched the shows that I did with someone else makes me tired. I should have planned better, although I thought the thing about Gtown is to pop in here and there and see where the festival takes you.
I think it is largely aimed at those people that have been coming for years and who know exactly what they are looking for. I met a couple who sold me the Ballet ticket (it was fully booked and just my luck, these to needed to get rid of a ticket), and they had been coming down for15 years. They had their whole itinerary right down to the last hour of the festival and I thought, maybe I should have planned a little better. They seemed to be enjoying the fes but I think they were also not impressed by the lack of a story line on the ballet.
It was good to be back in Gtown but it should have been for a much shorter time, like passing through and needing to kill 2 hours.
I remember as a child seeing the story of Don Quixote on television and I know it has something to do with a deranged man who thinks that he is larger than life and can pick fights with windmills. He fights against what he thinks is evil, windmills included. I saw nothing that took me back to that. It was about the dancing and that was it. Technique can hold me only for so long.
Oh, and can someone please set me straight, the song, ‘To Dream The Impossible Dream’ was in that Don Quixote movie was it not? That is how I remember it. Not as a Luther Van Ross song but as part of the music of a really great musical.
I think I should set my sights high for my next Ballet. I think Swan Lake (and they better have a little bit of what I saw in Billy Elliot in it!)
My last show of the Gtown fes (I just did not have the strength today to sit through a production that was raw or amateurish or just plain bad) was Stuart Taylor’s Techni-coloured. Apparently this show has been running for two years already. I could not find any other stand-up that I really wanted to see. I have seen Politically Incorrect on DVD and was less than amused, there was some other dudes as well, but thought hey why not see the 'Going No Where Slowly' guy. Should be fun. No it was not.
So all in all the Gtown festival was a bit of a disappointment and I blame it all on myself. Maybe I should not have come alone, although, the thought of having watched the shows that I did with someone else makes me tired. I should have planned better, although I thought the thing about Gtown is to pop in here and there and see where the festival takes you.
I think it is largely aimed at those people that have been coming for years and who know exactly what they are looking for. I met a couple who sold me the Ballet ticket (it was fully booked and just my luck, these to needed to get rid of a ticket), and they had been coming down for15 years. They had their whole itinerary right down to the last hour of the festival and I thought, maybe I should have planned a little better. They seemed to be enjoying the fes but I think they were also not impressed by the lack of a story line on the ballet.
It was good to be back in Gtown but it should have been for a much shorter time, like passing through and needing to kill 2 hours.
Friday, 4 July 2008
A Dance, a Tear, and a Laugh, what more could one ask for in a day?
So I have deciphered the Code that is the Grahamstown festival and what a relief! Got up this morning, had residence breakfast (awful, I am too use to staying in hotels where people actually care about what you think of the place), and set out to find the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. And boy did I find it.
I had this whole thing wrong. Stupid me thought if you are in Grahamstown for the festival everyone around town, especially the locals would be ready to serve the out-of-towners and point them in the right direction. Wrong, you are on your own and you need to have the programme to have an inkling of what the hell is going on.
Stupid me also thought that for the duration of my trip here I can leave by Volkswagen and walk around from venue to venue to enjoy the shows that I needed to see. Wrong again. If you do not have a car you are fucked. Okay maybe not because I did see a few signs that indicated that there were shuttles around town that could take you where you needed to be.
So, today was my first real festival experience and I have to say, I have been spoilt by our filtering system where some person, with a whole lot of patience decides what is worth taking to the masses (whether it be to ArtsScape or the Market Theatre or what ever), and what is not so cool. The value is also that you put a piece of art on show and with the audience feedback and some editing your show has more of a mass appeal. I do not have the patience and I am struggling to see that value.
So yes, Grahamstown is open to all, to any, to what ever. I do not know what the process is to get in as a performer but I felt it is a large testing ground for new untested material that can go either way.
My experience today taught me that. Before something gets to be a full blown success, it needs to be tested at the Gtown fes.
Three shows in one day and I did not even begin to scrape the surface of what is on show. For that I will be disappointed.
On the dance side I went for the Dance to the Rain Queen, production by Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation. He was there in spirit on the percussion. The piece was two thirds jazz (my Jazz appreciation is still evolving), and one third dance. It is listed as ‘dance’. That was my one and only disappointment because I am still schooling myself in the very intellectual area of Jazz enjoyment. Although I do think experiencing live music is better than anything and can get you into any type of music. To see and feel the passion of the various musicians enjoying and doing their thing is a gift from musical mother earth (or Musical God, or mathematics, which ever you prefer). The show was even more amazing because the people that were performing could not have been older that 20. All I could do was imagine them at say thirty-something and doing their thing. The sky is the limit and with passion, talent and a focus, they could be great. I wish the kids there the best in the world and I hope to see some of them in the not so distant future. Maybe at the Cape Town Jazz?
On the Tear side I went to go see the adaptation to stage of the novel the Quite Violence of Dreams. I am too close to this and recognise that an objective view of it (when am I ever objective?) is impossible. Tiring, self indulgent and it makes me less understanding, less empathetic. Why can’t people just get over themselves. I was meant to read the book but did not finish it (this is true of many other great books that have been left unfinished with the book mark still protruding from where I left off, mocking me). Now that I have seen the play I am extremely guiltily glad that I did not finish the book. What a load of crap. I appreciate that others saw something else in this book, something great that needed to be transferred to another medium. All I am saying is…what is the fucking point? I do not get it, it did not get me and that is that. That is both on the book and the play. The performances on the other hand…We had Duke Motlanthe, Lebo Mashile and others who were really great! Really brave. I admire that. There were moments in the theater where there were scenes that made people uncomfortable (this was most palatable on the M2M kisses, which is really stupid. I did not get the same winces on the Black on White Kisses) and I suppose the cast knew how the audience would react but they did not cut short the kisses. The play ended off on a high note with an insignificant word invested in a very meaningful emotional note. I just did not get it, and that is my problem.
Then enter the lowlight of the evening. I was sitting at the drama department cafeteria pondering what to do next, could I finish my food in time to watch this one or that one or something else? 'Short Skirts and High Heels' caught my eye and off I went. This show has no redeeming qualities except for the promise of some nudity of which there is none. Go back to the drawing board.
Tomorrow is the last day of the Gtown festival. I am not sure how I feel about that. I miss Cape Town but I love being on holiday and hopping to see what South Africa is putting on the arts scene.
I had this whole thing wrong. Stupid me thought if you are in Grahamstown for the festival everyone around town, especially the locals would be ready to serve the out-of-towners and point them in the right direction. Wrong, you are on your own and you need to have the programme to have an inkling of what the hell is going on.
Stupid me also thought that for the duration of my trip here I can leave by Volkswagen and walk around from venue to venue to enjoy the shows that I needed to see. Wrong again. If you do not have a car you are fucked. Okay maybe not because I did see a few signs that indicated that there were shuttles around town that could take you where you needed to be.
So, today was my first real festival experience and I have to say, I have been spoilt by our filtering system where some person, with a whole lot of patience decides what is worth taking to the masses (whether it be to ArtsScape or the Market Theatre or what ever), and what is not so cool. The value is also that you put a piece of art on show and with the audience feedback and some editing your show has more of a mass appeal. I do not have the patience and I am struggling to see that value.
So yes, Grahamstown is open to all, to any, to what ever. I do not know what the process is to get in as a performer but I felt it is a large testing ground for new untested material that can go either way.
My experience today taught me that. Before something gets to be a full blown success, it needs to be tested at the Gtown fes.
Three shows in one day and I did not even begin to scrape the surface of what is on show. For that I will be disappointed.
On the dance side I went for the Dance to the Rain Queen, production by Moses Molelekwa Arts Foundation. He was there in spirit on the percussion. The piece was two thirds jazz (my Jazz appreciation is still evolving), and one third dance. It is listed as ‘dance’. That was my one and only disappointment because I am still schooling myself in the very intellectual area of Jazz enjoyment. Although I do think experiencing live music is better than anything and can get you into any type of music. To see and feel the passion of the various musicians enjoying and doing their thing is a gift from musical mother earth (or Musical God, or mathematics, which ever you prefer). The show was even more amazing because the people that were performing could not have been older that 20. All I could do was imagine them at say thirty-something and doing their thing. The sky is the limit and with passion, talent and a focus, they could be great. I wish the kids there the best in the world and I hope to see some of them in the not so distant future. Maybe at the Cape Town Jazz?
On the Tear side I went to go see the adaptation to stage of the novel the Quite Violence of Dreams. I am too close to this and recognise that an objective view of it (when am I ever objective?) is impossible. Tiring, self indulgent and it makes me less understanding, less empathetic. Why can’t people just get over themselves. I was meant to read the book but did not finish it (this is true of many other great books that have been left unfinished with the book mark still protruding from where I left off, mocking me). Now that I have seen the play I am extremely guiltily glad that I did not finish the book. What a load of crap. I appreciate that others saw something else in this book, something great that needed to be transferred to another medium. All I am saying is…what is the fucking point? I do not get it, it did not get me and that is that. That is both on the book and the play. The performances on the other hand…We had Duke Motlanthe, Lebo Mashile and others who were really great! Really brave. I admire that. There were moments in the theater where there were scenes that made people uncomfortable (this was most palatable on the M2M kisses, which is really stupid. I did not get the same winces on the Black on White Kisses) and I suppose the cast knew how the audience would react but they did not cut short the kisses. The play ended off on a high note with an insignificant word invested in a very meaningful emotional note. I just did not get it, and that is my problem.
Then enter the lowlight of the evening. I was sitting at the drama department cafeteria pondering what to do next, could I finish my food in time to watch this one or that one or something else? 'Short Skirts and High Heels' caught my eye and off I went. This show has no redeeming qualities except for the promise of some nudity of which there is none. Go back to the drawing board.
Tomorrow is the last day of the Gtown festival. I am not sure how I feel about that. I miss Cape Town but I love being on holiday and hopping to see what South Africa is putting on the arts scene.
HahahahahahahahhaHANCOCK!
You know I was standing in the queue for popcorn at the movies when I saw the trailer for Hancock.
I'd bought a ticket to see it after I'd seen a shorter trailer a couple of weeks back. This trailer, then one I was watching while waiting in line for popcorn, this one was much longer.
I laughed out loud when I saw Will Smith flying up and down like he was on steroids. Hahahahahaha.
WILL SMITH FLIES in the movie. Hahahahahahaha.
Its not so much that he flies actually, its more about how he flies. Heroes comes to mind. You remember how the Peter and Nathan Petrelli used to do it? Kinda like a rocket launch. I always thought that was funny because I'd become accustomed to the Superman way of flying which was at a much slower pace.
Superman flying wasn't ridiculous. But the Petrilli way, I just never got used to it.
So even in this movie, I just never got used to Will's flying.
Anyway the movie's awesome. The fact that its absolutely ridiculous makes it such a bloody good movie. Okay, bloody good is pushing it. It was fun. I had fun with it. It is sourt of like those Mr Bean skits. You know, he is so ridiculous, so silly, so obsurd that he's hilarious. Same here.
Hancock is a funny hero movie. Hahaha, imagine an alcoholic hero. Hahahhaha. The Hulk smoking cigarettes? Or Superman as a nympho? They have humanised the concept of a hero in Hancock and its funny.
For something light and well worth it - watch this movie.
's flyling br
I'd bought a ticket to see it after I'd seen a shorter trailer a couple of weeks back. This trailer, then one I was watching while waiting in line for popcorn, this one was much longer.
I laughed out loud when I saw Will Smith flying up and down like he was on steroids. Hahahahahaha.
WILL SMITH FLIES in the movie. Hahahahahahaha.
Its not so much that he flies actually, its more about how he flies. Heroes comes to mind. You remember how the Peter and Nathan Petrelli used to do it? Kinda like a rocket launch. I always thought that was funny because I'd become accustomed to the Superman way of flying which was at a much slower pace.
Superman flying wasn't ridiculous. But the Petrilli way, I just never got used to it.
So even in this movie, I just never got used to Will's flying.
Anyway the movie's awesome. The fact that its absolutely ridiculous makes it such a bloody good movie. Okay, bloody good is pushing it. It was fun. I had fun with it. It is sourt of like those Mr Bean skits. You know, he is so ridiculous, so silly, so obsurd that he's hilarious. Same here.
Hancock is a funny hero movie. Hahaha, imagine an alcoholic hero. Hahahhaha. The Hulk smoking cigarettes? Or Superman as a nympho? They have humanised the concept of a hero in Hancock and its funny.
For something light and well worth it - watch this movie.
's flyling br
Thursday, 3 July 2008
The more things stay the same…
Nine hundred kilometers I traveled, I looked forward to see my gracious host of two and half years. I wondered, would it be the same, would it have changed so much that I would not recognize it?
So I am for the first time attending the Grahamstown national arts festival. I got in a few hours ago and thus far, other than seeing it from afar I am mad, I am unhappy and I am bothered!
Where the fuck is the organisation? How the fuck am I suppose to immerse myself into this age ole festival when I can’t find anything? Where is the help, where are the friendly festival marshals to point me in the right direction? Oh lord. I want to go home.
There should be programmes everywhere and maps that show you where you are and where you need to be.
So far all I’ve seen, I could have seen at the Cape Town station flea market. I am not impressed, I am not happy. Maybe I am just tired from the long drive.
Fuck it, there at least should be something happening at the drama department, right? Right? Wrong! Even they do not know what the hell is showing or where I can get a hold of a programme.
So I’ll just have to find out about the various happenings of this little sleepy town from the web. How ridiculous is that? I am here, I am here for goodness sakes!
Anywho back to Gtown my host for 2.5 year of my life. The first thing I go and check out of course is where I spent most of my time not studying. The loner that I was, my time was largely spent at the movies or at the library where I got through trashy novels by Dean Koontz and Stephen King and Robin Cook!
This is what my one cinema looks like today! I shed a tear.
But somethings stay the same:
This has to be the vision that has stayed in my mind all these years.
Surprisingly, well not so much, the Rhodes residences have stayed the same. Same furniture, same mattresses (rock hard), same lamps. As nice as it is to be taken back, it is a little sad, where is that child today that spent so much time in this room wishing for…
So twelve years later, some things have changed in Res. Like, people probably get bugged by cell phones ringing in the middle of the night. Instead of hearing the tap tap tap of someone working hard at their type writer there is silence. I can not even start to image how technology has changed the way we learn and interact with one another.
Ja anyway. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some show to talk about. For now, it is bed time at 21h00 in Gtown. For me anyway.
So I am for the first time attending the Grahamstown national arts festival. I got in a few hours ago and thus far, other than seeing it from afar I am mad, I am unhappy and I am bothered!
Where the fuck is the organisation? How the fuck am I suppose to immerse myself into this age ole festival when I can’t find anything? Where is the help, where are the friendly festival marshals to point me in the right direction? Oh lord. I want to go home.
There should be programmes everywhere and maps that show you where you are and where you need to be.
So far all I’ve seen, I could have seen at the Cape Town station flea market. I am not impressed, I am not happy. Maybe I am just tired from the long drive.
Fuck it, there at least should be something happening at the drama department, right? Right? Wrong! Even they do not know what the hell is showing or where I can get a hold of a programme.
So I’ll just have to find out about the various happenings of this little sleepy town from the web. How ridiculous is that? I am here, I am here for goodness sakes!
Anywho back to Gtown my host for 2.5 year of my life. The first thing I go and check out of course is where I spent most of my time not studying. The loner that I was, my time was largely spent at the movies or at the library where I got through trashy novels by Dean Koontz and Stephen King and Robin Cook!
This is what my one cinema looks like today! I shed a tear.
But somethings stay the same:
This has to be the vision that has stayed in my mind all these years.
Surprisingly, well not so much, the Rhodes residences have stayed the same. Same furniture, same mattresses (rock hard), same lamps. As nice as it is to be taken back, it is a little sad, where is that child today that spent so much time in this room wishing for…
So twelve years later, some things have changed in Res. Like, people probably get bugged by cell phones ringing in the middle of the night. Instead of hearing the tap tap tap of someone working hard at their type writer there is silence. I can not even start to image how technology has changed the way we learn and interact with one another.
Ja anyway. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some show to talk about. For now, it is bed time at 21h00 in Gtown. For me anyway.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
The Odd Couple
So I was in an accumulative mood today. Gnarles Barkley's newest CD is out and I am in Heaven!
No other has affected me as much; and I can sooooo identify with this music without going out to buy the sound track to Good Morning Vietnam or the greatest hits of the Supremes.
Do not want to bring it down to that but that is what it is! Is it not?
I luuuuurrrvvvv Ggarls Barkley!!! I hope you do too! Even if it is for different reasons!
Get a taste and get addicted!
No other has affected me as much; and I can sooooo identify with this music without going out to buy the sound track to Good Morning Vietnam or the greatest hits of the Supremes.
Do not want to bring it down to that but that is what it is! Is it not?
I luuuuurrrvvvv Ggarls Barkley!!! I hope you do too! Even if it is for different reasons!
Get a taste and get addicted!
The Incredible Hulk
Less than 48 hours ago I did not know this movie existed, less than 48 ago I was content thinking there was nothing out there for me, for my craving for a big block buster special effect phenomenon, and just plain thrill type movie. All there was was the Chronicles of Narnia and Indiana Jones.
Do not get me wrong, I think George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg together is an event worth at least the R9 I pay for my movies, but, I am allowed to let one pas me by. I was never an Indiana Jones fan and I am fine with that. I do not feel that I am missing out on anything. Although every sci fi bone in my body tells me I need to go watch this next chapter of Harrison Ford Jumping and leaping through the jungle trying to solve the Holy Grail puzzle, I have made a conscious decision to give this one a miss. Catch you on your next collaboration Spielberg and Lucas!
So less than 48 hours ago, Ii did not know that Edward Norton was going to0o present his version of Sgantsontso! He would take on the role of Bruce Banner and make it his own, literally. He had some part in putting together the screenplay. That’s all I need. That was it. I am in and a whole lot of enthusiasm and expectation!
It my routine that on a Friday morning on my drive to work that I listen to Adam Swindler and Barry Ronge to if anything, catch up on what is on circuit and what the old white men think about it. Adam skipped it but I tuned on to 576 and Barry spoke the magic words, Edward Norton as the Hulk!!!!! I was sold.
So today I went off to watch the 12h15 show at Bay Side and this is what I personally think.
Great, Great, but, who the fuck, can do better than fucking Ang Lee and Eric Banner??? Mind you, this was the season that Ang Lee broke my heart with Broke Back Mountain so I will vote him over any other director there is.
So I suppose it comes down to this, Eric Banner vs Edward Norton. Who makes for a more torn, conflicted and hopelessly in love (which proves to be his weakness) Super Hero???
That is the ultimate question. I have been into Edward Norton since he played the retarded guy in The Score! He is the man and I was one with his Fight Club character who did not know that he was just as good looking as fucking Brad Pitt, the balls too.
But I am backed up against a corner because, I expected something new, something different, all I got from this new version of the incredible Hulk is the definition on the horizontal muscles across a man’s chest. Oh, I was always a fan of this part of a man body but…. The way Tim Roth’s abdomen (into pubic area) looked was just amazing!!!
I would take that on my ovulation day (over fantaties about some romantic NoteBook) any time!
All in all, cool special effects. It takes a while to see the full blown Hulk but it is worth it. The idea of his nemesis is a little boring. I do not know what could have worked better but that certainly did not! Too clichéd. I need to give Hollywood a call. We need more internal turmoil and schizophrenia. Because, ultimately, who do we want to defeat, ourselves, people!!!
At the end of the movie Iron Man walks in and says there is a collaboration coming up. He is not at all subtle about it but I suppose it would be interesting to see who would win between the Hulk and Iron Man. I just hope they keep the Predator and the Alien out of it.
I think I have asked this question before. But we go again. Who is your money on?
The Hulk vs Iron Man?
Spider Man vs Super Man?
The Fantastic 4 vs the Cosby Kids?
Hey, the Cosbys were one super hero family yall!
48 hours ago I had nothing cinematic to look forward to. 48 hours later the same remains.
I’m out.
Heartwarmer you better comment!!!!
Three spoons for the Hulk!
Do not get me wrong, I think George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg together is an event worth at least the R9 I pay for my movies, but, I am allowed to let one pas me by. I was never an Indiana Jones fan and I am fine with that. I do not feel that I am missing out on anything. Although every sci fi bone in my body tells me I need to go watch this next chapter of Harrison Ford Jumping and leaping through the jungle trying to solve the Holy Grail puzzle, I have made a conscious decision to give this one a miss. Catch you on your next collaboration Spielberg and Lucas!
So less than 48 hours ago, Ii did not know that Edward Norton was going to0o present his version of Sgantsontso! He would take on the role of Bruce Banner and make it his own, literally. He had some part in putting together the screenplay. That’s all I need. That was it. I am in and a whole lot of enthusiasm and expectation!
It my routine that on a Friday morning on my drive to work that I listen to Adam Swindler and Barry Ronge to if anything, catch up on what is on circuit and what the old white men think about it. Adam skipped it but I tuned on to 576 and Barry spoke the magic words, Edward Norton as the Hulk!!!!! I was sold.
So today I went off to watch the 12h15 show at Bay Side and this is what I personally think.
Great, Great, but, who the fuck, can do better than fucking Ang Lee and Eric Banner??? Mind you, this was the season that Ang Lee broke my heart with Broke Back Mountain so I will vote him over any other director there is.
So I suppose it comes down to this, Eric Banner vs Edward Norton. Who makes for a more torn, conflicted and hopelessly in love (which proves to be his weakness) Super Hero???
That is the ultimate question. I have been into Edward Norton since he played the retarded guy in The Score! He is the man and I was one with his Fight Club character who did not know that he was just as good looking as fucking Brad Pitt, the balls too.
But I am backed up against a corner because, I expected something new, something different, all I got from this new version of the incredible Hulk is the definition on the horizontal muscles across a man’s chest. Oh, I was always a fan of this part of a man body but…. The way Tim Roth’s abdomen (into pubic area) looked was just amazing!!!
I would take that on my ovulation day (over fantaties about some romantic NoteBook) any time!
All in all, cool special effects. It takes a while to see the full blown Hulk but it is worth it. The idea of his nemesis is a little boring. I do not know what could have worked better but that certainly did not! Too clichéd. I need to give Hollywood a call. We need more internal turmoil and schizophrenia. Because, ultimately, who do we want to defeat, ourselves, people!!!
At the end of the movie Iron Man walks in and says there is a collaboration coming up. He is not at all subtle about it but I suppose it would be interesting to see who would win between the Hulk and Iron Man. I just hope they keep the Predator and the Alien out of it.
I think I have asked this question before. But we go again. Who is your money on?
The Hulk vs Iron Man?
Spider Man vs Super Man?
The Fantastic 4 vs the Cosby Kids?
Hey, the Cosbys were one super hero family yall!
48 hours ago I had nothing cinematic to look forward to. 48 hours later the same remains.
I’m out.
Heartwarmer you better comment!!!!
Three spoons for the Hulk!
Monday, 9 June 2008
What is your favourite Chris Rock joke
So Chris Rocked SA recently and other than the obnoxious laughs from a few of the members of the audience, it was not a bad show.
My favourite bit was the story about how his next door neighbour was a dentist.
‘My only three black neighbors are Mary J. Blige, one of the greatest singers of all time, Denzel Washington, one of the greatest actors of all time, and Jay-Z, one of the greatest rappers of all time." His white neighbor? "A dentist. And he isn't like the greatest dentist in history either. I had to host the Oscars to get that house — a black dentist in my neighborhood would have to invent teeth.’
What was your favourite bit?
My favourite bit was the story about how his next door neighbour was a dentist.
‘My only three black neighbors are Mary J. Blige, one of the greatest singers of all time, Denzel Washington, one of the greatest actors of all time, and Jay-Z, one of the greatest rappers of all time." His white neighbor? "A dentist. And he isn't like the greatest dentist in history either. I had to host the Oscars to get that house — a black dentist in my neighborhood would have to invent teeth.’
What was your favourite bit?
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Be With Me
I think I may be in one of those watershed moments in one’s life that may determine the course of the rest of my life.
There has just been way too much weirdness this weekend that I can not even begin to explain, not even to myself.
But the thing that brought the events home to me these weird 48 hours is ‘Be With Me’.
So yes, I am at a point in my life where events seem to be unfolding and coming together to tell me something that I still need to confirm. I suppose it started with a conversation with my baby sister and my baby brother after an episode of good ole Oprah.
The episode was about The Secret and intention and putting out into the universe what you want. My siblings just did not believe me when I told them that I would actually rather be with someone, instead of alone. They told me that the energy I have been putting out there is that I am fine on my own and thus the single status I find myself in. I begged to differ and said that was the public personal and that secrectly, who the hell does not want to have someone to come home to at the end of the day.
Cut to Saturday morning and me and my friend, (who I met under normal circumstances if you can call it that except, I just do not meet people. So for me it was just weird that I met someone, a new friend.) decided to go to the market and then take a walk up Signal Hill where a conversation opened a door that I did not know existed.
But, this post this post is not about that, it is about the ‘Be With Me’.
The most heart wrenching story ever told. And I have heard a few.
Be With Me has a few stories tangled in it and when it starts, you think, oh lord it is one of those artsy fartsy movies where you feel cheated at the end of the movie because it did not turn out to be what you expected.
But little did I know that like any other thing in life (books, movies, experiences), they choose us, we do not choose them.
With my brain consumed with possibilities of the future and the doors that had been cracked open, I go into this movie looking for (after watching Gray Matters the previous night) something that would unconfirm what I was feeling and let me know: hey, you are reading way too much into this, you are actually A okay!
Be With Me, (tucked away in the male gay section of the video store), tore me apart. If you’re feeling just a little bit too sorry for yourself and need to come out for a little bit of air, this movie will give you the perspective you need, on love anyway.
I don’t know how to preview this movie, maybe it is meant not to be previewed. You need to just watch it and let it take you to where you need to be.
But of course, someone else did try:
“Although four stories, three fictional and one real, are folded together in Eric Khoo’s elliptical film “Be With Me,” the tale that gives this delicate, melancholic movie its backbone is the true one of its courageous central character, Theresa Chan. A deaf and blind Singaporean woman in her early 60’s who plays herself in the movie, Ms. Chan is an indomitable life force and charismatic screen presence. Even after she concludes her account of transcending the “silent, dark prison” of her disabilities with the help of gifted teachers, you are left wondering how she did it.” The New York Times
'Be with me, my beloved love, that my smile may not fade'.
There has just been way too much weirdness this weekend that I can not even begin to explain, not even to myself.
But the thing that brought the events home to me these weird 48 hours is ‘Be With Me’.
So yes, I am at a point in my life where events seem to be unfolding and coming together to tell me something that I still need to confirm. I suppose it started with a conversation with my baby sister and my baby brother after an episode of good ole Oprah.
The episode was about The Secret and intention and putting out into the universe what you want. My siblings just did not believe me when I told them that I would actually rather be with someone, instead of alone. They told me that the energy I have been putting out there is that I am fine on my own and thus the single status I find myself in. I begged to differ and said that was the public personal and that secrectly, who the hell does not want to have someone to come home to at the end of the day.
Cut to Saturday morning and me and my friend, (who I met under normal circumstances if you can call it that except, I just do not meet people. So for me it was just weird that I met someone, a new friend.) decided to go to the market and then take a walk up Signal Hill where a conversation opened a door that I did not know existed.
But, this post this post is not about that, it is about the ‘Be With Me’.
The most heart wrenching story ever told. And I have heard a few.
Be With Me has a few stories tangled in it and when it starts, you think, oh lord it is one of those artsy fartsy movies where you feel cheated at the end of the movie because it did not turn out to be what you expected.
But little did I know that like any other thing in life (books, movies, experiences), they choose us, we do not choose them.
With my brain consumed with possibilities of the future and the doors that had been cracked open, I go into this movie looking for (after watching Gray Matters the previous night) something that would unconfirm what I was feeling and let me know: hey, you are reading way too much into this, you are actually A okay!
Be With Me, (tucked away in the male gay section of the video store), tore me apart. If you’re feeling just a little bit too sorry for yourself and need to come out for a little bit of air, this movie will give you the perspective you need, on love anyway.
I don’t know how to preview this movie, maybe it is meant not to be previewed. You need to just watch it and let it take you to where you need to be.
But of course, someone else did try:
“Although four stories, three fictional and one real, are folded together in Eric Khoo’s elliptical film “Be With Me,” the tale that gives this delicate, melancholic movie its backbone is the true one of its courageous central character, Theresa Chan. A deaf and blind Singaporean woman in her early 60’s who plays herself in the movie, Ms. Chan is an indomitable life force and charismatic screen presence. Even after she concludes her account of transcending the “silent, dark prison” of her disabilities with the help of gifted teachers, you are left wondering how she did it.” The New York Times
'Be with me, my beloved love, that my smile may not fade'.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Oh skipper my skipper
So I went on a tour of some of the islands around Bali today. It promised to be an uneventful trip as I was stuck with the three stooges and a Russian couple, the girl did not speak or understand a word of English.
Being it, my fourth day in this foreign land, I am getting a little bit sick of the gentle people asking me where I am from and what my name is. It is almost like these two questions are an opener to all interactions with the gentle Balinese people. I was warned, it was actually a good thing that the boss gave me a travel book about Bali, it explained that they are prone to asking about your condition and making sure that you are well. It is making conversation really and it is much appreciated, for someone who is traveling alone. Although, I do sometimes misunderstand and think that I am being picked up. I almost very quickly and sadly come to realize that this is not a pick up line but just cutesy.
Anyway, the day did not start out so great as I had not yet moved the Mongolian dinner which was exceptionally spicy. My movement only came just as we are about to set off. They had to wait an extra 15 minutes for the food to reach its final destination.
That off my shoulders, the day was looking brighter. I got the front row seat on the boat and off we went.
It was beautiful and all and all and all. The thing I want to share is my adventure with the skipper under water. Was it a seduction, lost in translation or do I need to get over myself? Here are the facts:
1. I was the only person with a full time under water guide!
2. He held my hand and pointed to the really cool stuff I needed to see!
3. At one point he was on my back and I got a little panicked and re surfaced. Thinking about it now, a woman of my age should just leave nothing unanswered. I should have played back and determined whether the doggy style type thing was an underwater language or if he was really trying to get jiggy with me!
4. The current kept pushing me towards him, my hand may have brushed up against his thingamabob
5. He praised me. When I could only hold my breath for a measly 30 seconds or so and go under and do the cool stuff with him, HE PRAISED ME!
Now, you tell me, was he trying to get jiggy with me or have I become so out of touch with the world that if anyone brushes (not even touches) up against me I think wedding bells? Am I crazy? Or shall I go for another tour tomorrow and find out for sure?
And, and I think one of the waitresses is gay and also wants to get jiggy with me. I am going for a walk with her and her son tomorrow. So will find out soon enough.
Oh dear… To be me
Being it, my fourth day in this foreign land, I am getting a little bit sick of the gentle people asking me where I am from and what my name is. It is almost like these two questions are an opener to all interactions with the gentle Balinese people. I was warned, it was actually a good thing that the boss gave me a travel book about Bali, it explained that they are prone to asking about your condition and making sure that you are well. It is making conversation really and it is much appreciated, for someone who is traveling alone. Although, I do sometimes misunderstand and think that I am being picked up. I almost very quickly and sadly come to realize that this is not a pick up line but just cutesy.
Anyway, the day did not start out so great as I had not yet moved the Mongolian dinner which was exceptionally spicy. My movement only came just as we are about to set off. They had to wait an extra 15 minutes for the food to reach its final destination.
That off my shoulders, the day was looking brighter. I got the front row seat on the boat and off we went.
It was beautiful and all and all and all. The thing I want to share is my adventure with the skipper under water. Was it a seduction, lost in translation or do I need to get over myself? Here are the facts:
1. I was the only person with a full time under water guide!
2. He held my hand and pointed to the really cool stuff I needed to see!
3. At one point he was on my back and I got a little panicked and re surfaced. Thinking about it now, a woman of my age should just leave nothing unanswered. I should have played back and determined whether the doggy style type thing was an underwater language or if he was really trying to get jiggy with me!
4. The current kept pushing me towards him, my hand may have brushed up against his thingamabob
5. He praised me. When I could only hold my breath for a measly 30 seconds or so and go under and do the cool stuff with him, HE PRAISED ME!
Now, you tell me, was he trying to get jiggy with me or have I become so out of touch with the world that if anyone brushes (not even touches) up against me I think wedding bells? Am I crazy? Or shall I go for another tour tomorrow and find out for sure?
And, and I think one of the waitresses is gay and also wants to get jiggy with me. I am going for a walk with her and her son tomorrow. So will find out soon enough.
Oh dear… To be me
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Not the movie of the week
So, yes, after 33 years of living my life within the confines of this our republic, I have now ventured onto the outside world, and my first extra continental destination is Bali, in Indonesia and this is how it went. Mind you, I do not think this post could ever be translated into a movie script. Nothing much happens. Although, they did make a movie out of sitting in the airport - reference Tom Hanks, The Terminal, and, and, the one where he talks to the soccer ball??? Thinner plots have been made into a movie I suppose. Just need Whoopi Goldberg to play me, oh wait, they already did ‘How Stella Got her Groove Back’.
To get on with my story, I am about four days into my holiday and thus far, it has been an interesting adventure.
Day 1
Fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then to Doha where I have a 17 hour layover. You would think that I could get out of the airport and see a little bit of Doha in these 17 hours. Sadly no.
The thing I want to share the most about Doha is the state of their airport toilets. People keep telling us that we live in the most brilliant country in the world, this fact can just be tested by the state of our airport toilets. Ours are brilliant compared to elsewhere. And in this particular elsewhere you get these ladies that are in the toilet that are suppose to be making sure that all is well in the toilet. That there are not any unmentionables lurking around in the OPEN bin in the toilet stall and no discarded tissue papers on the floor and the counters and no water, water everywhere! No they are too consumed with other things, I can not image what.
Qatar airways gave good service but as soon as I landed they started speaking a different language. The least people could do was to point, point me in the right direction, show me what I need to do and where I need to go. Lord!
17 hours later, after as few trips to the toilet as possible, we eventually leave for Kuala Lumpur, spend an hour on the plane and then finally, after over 48 hours, stinking to high heaven, we finally arrive in Bali.
Oh, Bali. Having never left home before I was a little bit amazed and awed and dumb struck. The plane lands right next to the beach. You keep thinking as you are making your landing approach that you are going to land on the water, but just in the nick of time, land comes up and you touch down on solid ground. Most amazing thing.
The airport is tiny. I thought Cape Town Airport was child’s play but this one… The thing you are greeted by as you step outside the plane is the heat. Very still, very hot, very wet heat!!! Because it was dark, I did not realize I was outside the airport because there was just no difference between the inside and the outside.
The first thing I learnt is that one should not bargain on a price if you do not intend buying the thing you are bargaining for. After I realized I did not have enough Rupiah to buy the two Zippos that I had negotiated for 100 000 Rupiahs, I was in trouble. I had to empty out my purse and give up all the money I had in it. My worthless SA 5 cent coins and all. You cannot re-bargain the price or take anything back. This was the moment that I felt most vulnerable in Bali and it was not so bad.
This story could be continued…
To get on with my story, I am about four days into my holiday and thus far, it has been an interesting adventure.
Day 1
Fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then to Doha where I have a 17 hour layover. You would think that I could get out of the airport and see a little bit of Doha in these 17 hours. Sadly no.
The thing I want to share the most about Doha is the state of their airport toilets. People keep telling us that we live in the most brilliant country in the world, this fact can just be tested by the state of our airport toilets. Ours are brilliant compared to elsewhere. And in this particular elsewhere you get these ladies that are in the toilet that are suppose to be making sure that all is well in the toilet. That there are not any unmentionables lurking around in the OPEN bin in the toilet stall and no discarded tissue papers on the floor and the counters and no water, water everywhere! No they are too consumed with other things, I can not image what.
Qatar airways gave good service but as soon as I landed they started speaking a different language. The least people could do was to point, point me in the right direction, show me what I need to do and where I need to go. Lord!
17 hours later, after as few trips to the toilet as possible, we eventually leave for Kuala Lumpur, spend an hour on the plane and then finally, after over 48 hours, stinking to high heaven, we finally arrive in Bali.
Oh, Bali. Having never left home before I was a little bit amazed and awed and dumb struck. The plane lands right next to the beach. You keep thinking as you are making your landing approach that you are going to land on the water, but just in the nick of time, land comes up and you touch down on solid ground. Most amazing thing.
The airport is tiny. I thought Cape Town Airport was child’s play but this one… The thing you are greeted by as you step outside the plane is the heat. Very still, very hot, very wet heat!!! Because it was dark, I did not realize I was outside the airport because there was just no difference between the inside and the outside.
The first thing I learnt is that one should not bargain on a price if you do not intend buying the thing you are bargaining for. After I realized I did not have enough Rupiah to buy the two Zippos that I had negotiated for 100 000 Rupiahs, I was in trouble. I had to empty out my purse and give up all the money I had in it. My worthless SA 5 cent coins and all. You cannot re-bargain the price or take anything back. This was the moment that I felt most vulnerable in Bali and it was not so bad.
This story could be continued…
Friday, 28 March 2008
Madame Zingara – theatre of dreams
Madame Zingara was an eccentric restaurant (lets pretend restaurants can be described in this way because it did have a personality). It was an eccentric restaurant on Loop Street in Cape Town. I probably went there about twice in my 12 odd years in Cape Town (from posts I assume you’ve already gathered that I do not get out much). Any way this place was a legend and it sadly burnt down a few years ago.
I was therefore gladly surprised when one of my co workers said that it had reopened its doors, but this time less solid doors as the restaurant was now in a tent. A circus type tent to be specific. The Madame Zingara crowd came up with an idea of taking the eccentricity to another level where patrons can sit down and enjoy a show, circus type show along with their four course meal. And so it was.
It took me a while to get to see this spectacle which I almost did not get to see, but, the planets aligned and my wish was granted.
Earlier this year I went to go see the Lion King. It was one of those experiences that when you are in it, your whole body tingles, your body is injected with such positive super charged energy that it becomes difficult to just sit still. You sit there in the dark, toes tapping, shoulders and heard bopping to and fro, side to side and tears of absolute joy and ecstasy flow down your cheeks.
The Madame Zingara gave me a semblance of my lion king experience.
So it’s kinda like a circus show with out the animals but with trapeze artists and the contortionists and strong men. Circ De Soule on a much, much, much smaller scale!
I cried for the Mongolian contortionist, I craved after the strong man Ivan, I was seduced by the host and amazed by enchanted by everything else.
The food was great, Madame Zingara was renowned for its chocolate chili fillet and I was ‘chocochillied’ to find out they had kept it on the menu. Delicious even at 21h00 at night (did not have nightmares at all afterwards!). The food was just great and well orchestrated to fit into the recesses of the show.
Check it out it is amazing.
Five spoons for first timers
Huge bonus about the show is that with all the energy that has been building up and building up (there is a ‘Supremes’-type-group that keeps the music going during the show), you get to release it at the end when they open the floor to some dancing from the audience!!! Cool cool place.
I was therefore gladly surprised when one of my co workers said that it had reopened its doors, but this time less solid doors as the restaurant was now in a tent. A circus type tent to be specific. The Madame Zingara crowd came up with an idea of taking the eccentricity to another level where patrons can sit down and enjoy a show, circus type show along with their four course meal. And so it was.
It took me a while to get to see this spectacle which I almost did not get to see, but, the planets aligned and my wish was granted.
Earlier this year I went to go see the Lion King. It was one of those experiences that when you are in it, your whole body tingles, your body is injected with such positive super charged energy that it becomes difficult to just sit still. You sit there in the dark, toes tapping, shoulders and heard bopping to and fro, side to side and tears of absolute joy and ecstasy flow down your cheeks.
The Madame Zingara gave me a semblance of my lion king experience.
So it’s kinda like a circus show with out the animals but with trapeze artists and the contortionists and strong men. Circ De Soule on a much, much, much smaller scale!
I cried for the Mongolian contortionist, I craved after the strong man Ivan, I was seduced by the host and amazed by enchanted by everything else.
The food was great, Madame Zingara was renowned for its chocolate chili fillet and I was ‘chocochillied’ to find out they had kept it on the menu. Delicious even at 21h00 at night (did not have nightmares at all afterwards!). The food was just great and well orchestrated to fit into the recesses of the show.
Check it out it is amazing.
Five spoons for first timers
Huge bonus about the show is that with all the energy that has been building up and building up (there is a ‘Supremes’-type-group that keeps the music going during the show), you get to release it at the end when they open the floor to some dancing from the audience!!! Cool cool place.
Juno
I am the type of person that does not dislike uncomfortable silences, I do not try to fill these up with inane uttering just so that the uncomfortableness goes away. For me, the inane utterings make me feel even more uncomfortable so it is easier to deal with the discomfort of a silence, at least in that one has a 50:50 chance of coming out with some dignity.
This does not excuse my silence for the past few weeks, or months. The simple truth is that even with the cool movies I’ve see, I just did not have that overwhelming urge to put my take on it on paper for posterity.
But last week I watched Juno and I have to say something about this so that I can read this two years from now and remind myself why I liked it.
There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie, mainly because of the numerous Oscar nominations it received and being crowned the little miss sunshine of 2008.
The hype was deserved. It is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that makes no judgments (except maybe that teenage pregnancy happens and should not), and teaches nothing (except maybe that, in the midst of it all, wit will make the journey a little bit more bearable), and concludes touchingly with the thought that nothing happens as it is planned, but that does not mean that you go off the course and despair.
They called it the ‘little Miss Sunshine’ of 2008 and it is probably that, surprisingly uplifting on the first screening but after the second one you realise how far from reality it really is. And it should be far from reality, why the hell not, after all, we watch movies to escape and entertain other possibilities.
Jason Bateman is awesome, even when he is acting a borderline pedophile, Jennifer Gardner, still has that pained look about her which works for the character, the OZ/SVU guy as the father is also cool like that, the step mom, West Wing’s press woman has a nice scene in the doctor’s office. Juno, on the other hand, was mean little miss know-it-all who got stupid. I don’t think we would have been friends if I went to school with her. She is just plain mean!
Cool movie though.
Three spoons
This does not excuse my silence for the past few weeks, or months. The simple truth is that even with the cool movies I’ve see, I just did not have that overwhelming urge to put my take on it on paper for posterity.
But last week I watched Juno and I have to say something about this so that I can read this two years from now and remind myself why I liked it.
There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie, mainly because of the numerous Oscar nominations it received and being crowned the little miss sunshine of 2008.
The hype was deserved. It is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that makes no judgments (except maybe that teenage pregnancy happens and should not), and teaches nothing (except maybe that, in the midst of it all, wit will make the journey a little bit more bearable), and concludes touchingly with the thought that nothing happens as it is planned, but that does not mean that you go off the course and despair.
They called it the ‘little Miss Sunshine’ of 2008 and it is probably that, surprisingly uplifting on the first screening but after the second one you realise how far from reality it really is. And it should be far from reality, why the hell not, after all, we watch movies to escape and entertain other possibilities.
Jason Bateman is awesome, even when he is acting a borderline pedophile, Jennifer Gardner, still has that pained look about her which works for the character, the OZ/SVU guy as the father is also cool like that, the step mom, West Wing’s press woman has a nice scene in the doctor’s office. Juno, on the other hand, was mean little miss know-it-all who got stupid. I don’t think we would have been friends if I went to school with her. She is just plain mean!
Cool movie though.
Three spoons
Sunday, 27 January 2008
The other love that dare not speak its name
The Mother
Anne Reid as the Mother and Daniel Craig
Director: Roger Mitchell (of Notting Hill, yes the man that shot, I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her)
Daniel Craig’s character has a line in the movie that goes: ‘We’ll be like that one day, nobody wanting us.’ And this is the point of the whole movie. That Daniel Craig (or our own personal version of him anyway) will want us, even when we are 70 years old and have lost hope of any romance or physical attraction. That a superb specimen that is Daniel Craig could actually want us.
Apparently this was a most controversial story, breaking taboos and all of that. What I kept thinking was, would it be just as taboo if it was the other way around? If some 70 year old man was getting it on with a thirty something year old woman? Would it raise any eyebrows and would it be such a touching story to tell? I think not.
So yes, this is a story about an older woman getting it on with a younger not so savoury man. Okay so there are other issues in play, like the fact that the younger man is the woman’s daughter’s boyfriend who is actually married anyway. Yes there are those factors complicating the story, but a good story it remains.
I know my biggest fear in life is that I am not attractive to anyone in the world. That at 65, that will have been made abundantly true is a very real fear and a depressing one at that. So this movie hit home for me. Mainly in confirming the fact that yes, you will not be attractive to anybody else, if you are; they are after something else other than your aging droopy body.
Others may take away from this movie that your soul and essence remains attractive to other souls and essences no matter what age you are. Nnnnnoooottttttt.
I liked Daniel Craig. I liked him as the South African mercenary in Munich and the tormented husband who fails to be a hero in Enduring love. After this movie, I respect and love him even more. He is not just the new James Bond. He is not all about doing characters that will make him a whole load of cash and it is not about always looking good. He is willing to explore other characters that will expand him and bring him that much closer to understanding the human condition.
Daniel Craig, if you ever are around these parts of the world and are looking a good conversation and whatever else, hey look me up!
The Mother is currently out on DVD if anyone is interested. Whatever Freudian questions come up just ignore and enjoy!
4 spoons!
Anne Reid as the Mother and Daniel Craig
Director: Roger Mitchell (of Notting Hill, yes the man that shot, I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her)
Daniel Craig’s character has a line in the movie that goes: ‘We’ll be like that one day, nobody wanting us.’ And this is the point of the whole movie. That Daniel Craig (or our own personal version of him anyway) will want us, even when we are 70 years old and have lost hope of any romance or physical attraction. That a superb specimen that is Daniel Craig could actually want us.
Apparently this was a most controversial story, breaking taboos and all of that. What I kept thinking was, would it be just as taboo if it was the other way around? If some 70 year old man was getting it on with a thirty something year old woman? Would it raise any eyebrows and would it be such a touching story to tell? I think not.
So yes, this is a story about an older woman getting it on with a younger not so savoury man. Okay so there are other issues in play, like the fact that the younger man is the woman’s daughter’s boyfriend who is actually married anyway. Yes there are those factors complicating the story, but a good story it remains.
I know my biggest fear in life is that I am not attractive to anyone in the world. That at 65, that will have been made abundantly true is a very real fear and a depressing one at that. So this movie hit home for me. Mainly in confirming the fact that yes, you will not be attractive to anybody else, if you are; they are after something else other than your aging droopy body.
Others may take away from this movie that your soul and essence remains attractive to other souls and essences no matter what age you are. Nnnnnoooottttttt.
I liked Daniel Craig. I liked him as the South African mercenary in Munich and the tormented husband who fails to be a hero in Enduring love. After this movie, I respect and love him even more. He is not just the new James Bond. He is not all about doing characters that will make him a whole load of cash and it is not about always looking good. He is willing to explore other characters that will expand him and bring him that much closer to understanding the human condition.
Daniel Craig, if you ever are around these parts of the world and are looking a good conversation and whatever else, hey look me up!
The Mother is currently out on DVD if anyone is interested. Whatever Freudian questions come up just ignore and enjoy!
4 spoons!
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
OSCAR NOMINATIONS - 2008
Best motion picture of the year
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best performance by an actor in a leading role
George Clooney for Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones for In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises
Best performance by an actress in a leading role
Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie for Away from Her
Marion Cotillard for La môme (La vie en rose)
Laura Linney for The Savages
Ellen Page for Juno
Best performance by an actor in a supporting role
Casey Affleck for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook for Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson for Michael Clayton
Best performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett for I'm Not There.
Ruby Dee for American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan for Atonement
Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton
Best achievement in directing
Paul Thomas Anderson for There Will Be Blood
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy for Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman for Juno
Julian Schnabel for Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)
Best writing, screenplay written directly for the screen
Juno: Diablo Cody
Lars and the Real Girl: Nancy Oliver
Michael Clayton: Tony Gilroy
Ratatouille: Brad Bird
The Savages: Tamara Jenkins
Best writing, screenplay based on material previously produced or published
Atonement: Christopher Hampton
Away from Her: Sarah Polley
Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly): Ronald Harwood
No Country for Old Men: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
There Will Be Blood: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best achievement in cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Roger Deakins
Atonement: Seamus McGarvey
No Country for Old Men: Roger Deakins
Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly): Janusz Kaminski
There Will Be Blood: Robert Elswit
Best achievement in editing
The Bourne Ultimatum: Christopher Rouse
Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly): Juliette Welfling
Into the Wild: Jay Cassidy
No Country for Old Men: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
There Will Be Blood: Dylan Tichenor, Tatiana S Riegel
Best achievement in art direction
American Gangster: Arthur Max
Atonement: Sarah Greenwood
The Golden Compass: Dennis Gassner
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Dante Ferretti
There Will Be Blood: Jack Fisk
Best achievement in costume design
Across the Universe: Albert Wolsky
Atonement: Jacqueline Durran
Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Alexandra Byrne
La môme (La vie en rose): Marit Allen
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Colleen Atwood
Best achievement in make-up
La môme (La vie en rose): Didier Lavergne, Loulia Sheppard
Norbit: Rick Baker
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: Ve Neill, Martin Samuel
Best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original score
Atonement: Dario Marianelli
Into the Wild: Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder
Michael Clayton: James Newton Howard
Ratatouille: Michael Giacchino
3:10 to Yuma: Marco Beltrami
Best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original song
August Rush: Raise It Up
Enchanted: Happy Working Song
Enchanted: So Close
Enchanted: That's How You Know
Once: Falling Slowly
Best achievement in sound
The Bourne Ultimatum: Scott Millan, David Parker, Kirk Francis
No Country for Old Men: Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F Kurland
Ratatouille: Randy Thom, Michael Semanick, Vince Caro, Doc Kane
3:10 to Yuma
Transformers: Kevin O'Connell, Greg P Russell, Peter J Devlin
Best achievement in sound editing
The Bourne Ultimatum: Karen M Baker, Per Hallberg
No Country for Old Men: Skip Lievsay
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood: Matthew Wood, Christopher Scarabosio
Transformers: Mike Hopkins, Ethan van der Ryn
Best achievement in visual effects
The Golden Compass: Michael L Fink, Susan MacLeod, Bill Westenhofer, Ben Morris
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: John Knoll, Hal T Hickel, Charlie Gibson, John Frazier
Transformers: Scott Farrar, Shari Hanson, Russell Earl, Scott Benza
Best animated feature film of the year
Persepolis: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Ratatouille: Brad Bird
Surf's Up: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
Best foreign-language film of the year
Die Fälscher (Austria)
Beaufort (Israel)
Mongol (Kazakhstan)
Katyn (Poland)
12 (Russia)
Best documentary, features
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi to the Dark Side
War Dance
Best documentary, short subjects
Freeheld
La Corona
Salim Baba
Sari's Mother
Best short film, animated
Même les pigeons vont au paradis
I Met the Walrus
Madame Tutli-Putli
Moya lyubov
Peter & the Wolf
Best short film, live action
At Night
Il Supplente
Le Mozart des pickpockets
Tanghi argentini
The Tonto Woman
Thanks www.mg.co.za
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Best performance by an actor in a leading role
George Clooney for Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones for In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises
Best performance by an actress in a leading role
Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie for Away from Her
Marion Cotillard for La môme (La vie en rose)
Laura Linney for The Savages
Ellen Page for Juno
Best performance by an actor in a supporting role
Casey Affleck for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook for Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson for Michael Clayton
Best performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett for I'm Not There.
Ruby Dee for American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan for Atonement
Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton
Best achievement in directing
Paul Thomas Anderson for There Will Be Blood
Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy for Michael Clayton
Jason Reitman for Juno
Julian Schnabel for Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)
Best writing, screenplay written directly for the screen
Juno: Diablo Cody
Lars and the Real Girl: Nancy Oliver
Michael Clayton: Tony Gilroy
Ratatouille: Brad Bird
The Savages: Tamara Jenkins
Best writing, screenplay based on material previously produced or published
Atonement: Christopher Hampton
Away from Her: Sarah Polley
Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly): Ronald Harwood
No Country for Old Men: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
There Will Be Blood: Paul Thomas Anderson
Best achievement in cinematography
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Roger Deakins
Atonement: Seamus McGarvey
No Country for Old Men: Roger Deakins
Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly): Janusz Kaminski
There Will Be Blood: Robert Elswit
Best achievement in editing
The Bourne Ultimatum: Christopher Rouse
Le scaphandre et le papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly): Juliette Welfling
Into the Wild: Jay Cassidy
No Country for Old Men: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
There Will Be Blood: Dylan Tichenor, Tatiana S Riegel
Best achievement in art direction
American Gangster: Arthur Max
Atonement: Sarah Greenwood
The Golden Compass: Dennis Gassner
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Dante Ferretti
There Will Be Blood: Jack Fisk
Best achievement in costume design
Across the Universe: Albert Wolsky
Atonement: Jacqueline Durran
Elizabeth: The Golden Age: Alexandra Byrne
La môme (La vie en rose): Marit Allen
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Colleen Atwood
Best achievement in make-up
La môme (La vie en rose): Didier Lavergne, Loulia Sheppard
Norbit: Rick Baker
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: Ve Neill, Martin Samuel
Best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original score
Atonement: Dario Marianelli
Into the Wild: Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder
Michael Clayton: James Newton Howard
Ratatouille: Michael Giacchino
3:10 to Yuma: Marco Beltrami
Best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original song
August Rush: Raise It Up
Enchanted: Happy Working Song
Enchanted: So Close
Enchanted: That's How You Know
Once: Falling Slowly
Best achievement in sound
The Bourne Ultimatum: Scott Millan, David Parker, Kirk Francis
No Country for Old Men: Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F Kurland
Ratatouille: Randy Thom, Michael Semanick, Vince Caro, Doc Kane
3:10 to Yuma
Transformers: Kevin O'Connell, Greg P Russell, Peter J Devlin
Best achievement in sound editing
The Bourne Ultimatum: Karen M Baker, Per Hallberg
No Country for Old Men: Skip Lievsay
Ratatouille
There Will Be Blood: Matthew Wood, Christopher Scarabosio
Transformers: Mike Hopkins, Ethan van der Ryn
Best achievement in visual effects
The Golden Compass: Michael L Fink, Susan MacLeod, Bill Westenhofer, Ben Morris
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: John Knoll, Hal T Hickel, Charlie Gibson, John Frazier
Transformers: Scott Farrar, Shari Hanson, Russell Earl, Scott Benza
Best animated feature film of the year
Persepolis: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Ratatouille: Brad Bird
Surf's Up: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
Best foreign-language film of the year
Die Fälscher (Austria)
Beaufort (Israel)
Mongol (Kazakhstan)
Katyn (Poland)
12 (Russia)
Best documentary, features
No End in Sight
Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
Sicko
Taxi to the Dark Side
War Dance
Best documentary, short subjects
Freeheld
La Corona
Salim Baba
Sari's Mother
Best short film, animated
Même les pigeons vont au paradis
I Met the Walrus
Madame Tutli-Putli
Moya lyubov
Peter & the Wolf
Best short film, live action
At Night
Il Supplente
Le Mozart des pickpockets
Tanghi argentini
The Tonto Woman
Thanks www.mg.co.za
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Lion King
If you’ve seen the cartoon, you will love this. But this is just so much bigger than the cartoon. It is so much bigger than Disney and Elton John and Lebo M. This was one of the most incredible theatrical experiences of my life.
The opening act on its own almost got me balling, doing the ugly cry, but I fought with all my might and tried to experience the show through my glistening eye balls.
Now, it’s all about the costumes and the puppets. ( I am sure you’ve seen the documentaries on this). The music is there and it is great but I learnt the music word for word, even the script from the original Lion King sound track. I could sing along and know where all the punch lines are and all of that.
But to see that image of the cartoon translated in such an incredible way into a stage production was amazing.
The greatest t criticism that I get is that I have not travelled and therefore am lacking in my education. But when this kind of production comes to SA and it lives up, no surpasses (!), everything I ever imagined about a particular story, then I do not feel so disadvantaged. The mountain has come to Moses.
I think what made the show for me was the way that it penetrated the audience. As you are sitting there watching in the audience, you suddenly see these incredible spectacles coming down the rows, the elephant, oh, the elephant. The scale of this production is just unimaginable. The puppets! The hyenas, the simple grass!
There are a few things to note, adult simba is gay, and Sello does not make the best choice of Mufasa but it is not even about that. He blends in and contributes to a great South African show.
Even now, three weeks after seeing it, whenever I catch myself in the mirror I look and perform the lion mannerisms.
But why is it, even in SA, hakuna mathatha is still pronounced that way? Maybe they could have found a better catch phrase?
A big change they made with the characters was that for Timone. Nathan Lane did it one way. The SA version is different and I kind of like it. The witch doctor and Whoopi Goldberg’s hyena character are also different and it works. All in all, it is the best thing on stage in the country’s stage at the moment.
The production ends in February and if you can, go and see it. If it comes to Cape Town, I am definitely there!
Heartwarmer, did you go see it a second time?
The opening act on its own almost got me balling, doing the ugly cry, but I fought with all my might and tried to experience the show through my glistening eye balls.
Now, it’s all about the costumes and the puppets. ( I am sure you’ve seen the documentaries on this). The music is there and it is great but I learnt the music word for word, even the script from the original Lion King sound track. I could sing along and know where all the punch lines are and all of that.
But to see that image of the cartoon translated in such an incredible way into a stage production was amazing.
The greatest t criticism that I get is that I have not travelled and therefore am lacking in my education. But when this kind of production comes to SA and it lives up, no surpasses (!), everything I ever imagined about a particular story, then I do not feel so disadvantaged. The mountain has come to Moses.
I think what made the show for me was the way that it penetrated the audience. As you are sitting there watching in the audience, you suddenly see these incredible spectacles coming down the rows, the elephant, oh, the elephant. The scale of this production is just unimaginable. The puppets! The hyenas, the simple grass!
There are a few things to note, adult simba is gay, and Sello does not make the best choice of Mufasa but it is not even about that. He blends in and contributes to a great South African show.
Even now, three weeks after seeing it, whenever I catch myself in the mirror I look and perform the lion mannerisms.
But why is it, even in SA, hakuna mathatha is still pronounced that way? Maybe they could have found a better catch phrase?
A big change they made with the characters was that for Timone. Nathan Lane did it one way. The SA version is different and I kind of like it. The witch doctor and Whoopi Goldberg’s hyena character are also different and it works. All in all, it is the best thing on stage in the country’s stage at the moment.
The production ends in February and if you can, go and see it. If it comes to Cape Town, I am definitely there!
Heartwarmer, did you go see it a second time?
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Let’s play who would kick her ass!
We put female TV characters together and imagine who would kick whose ass.
For example, Ally Mcbeal’s ass can be could be kicked by basically any one including Joan of Arcadia who is still in high school.
Olivia Benson in Law and Order SVU, trumps all, she can kick anybody’s ass from here to the other side of Tuesday.
But imagine these fights, who do you think would win? If you have an interesting combination, let me know.
Ally Macbeal vs Grace (Will and Grace) – Grace would fall for Ally’s pout giving Ally an opportunity to sucker punch grace on the nose. But as Grace falls back her hair hits Ally in the eye and they both go down.
Amy’s mom (Judging Amy) vs Judge Judy? – tell each other to shut up and each tries to take the moral higher ground but there is only space for one at the top of the moral summit. Amy’s mom gives judge Judy a gently nudge with her hip and judge Judy goes tumbling down the moral mountain.
Cristina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy) VS Gabrielle Solis (Desperate Housewives) – One of the dirtiest fights that you will ever see. I am not sure who would win though?
Natasha "Tasha" Yar - Chief of security and tactical officer (Star Trek Next Generation) VS Buffy the vampire slayer. Tasha would just vapourise Buffy I think. She would not stand a chance.
For example, Ally Mcbeal’s ass can be could be kicked by basically any one including Joan of Arcadia who is still in high school.
Olivia Benson in Law and Order SVU, trumps all, she can kick anybody’s ass from here to the other side of Tuesday.
But imagine these fights, who do you think would win? If you have an interesting combination, let me know.
Ally Macbeal vs Grace (Will and Grace) – Grace would fall for Ally’s pout giving Ally an opportunity to sucker punch grace on the nose. But as Grace falls back her hair hits Ally in the eye and they both go down.
Amy’s mom (Judging Amy) vs Judge Judy? – tell each other to shut up and each tries to take the moral higher ground but there is only space for one at the top of the moral summit. Amy’s mom gives judge Judy a gently nudge with her hip and judge Judy goes tumbling down the moral mountain.
Cristina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy) VS Gabrielle Solis (Desperate Housewives) – One of the dirtiest fights that you will ever see. I am not sure who would win though?
Natasha "Tasha" Yar - Chief of security and tactical officer (Star Trek Next Generation) VS Buffy the vampire slayer. Tasha would just vapourise Buffy I think. She would not stand a chance.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
I am Legend
This, and let’s call it what it is, a vampire movie(!), had me salivating at the mouth, in anticipation of a sci fi thriller. That there would be the pondering of the question, what if you were the last man on earth question and presenting very interesting possibilities.
I was looking forward to seeing this one especially after Heartwarmer said she had seen it twice because it was so amazing.
I suppose I just need to get it into my head that me and Heartwarmer just do not have the same taste, she can warm my heart anytime but I would be a Brokensword if she had to choose movies for me. I think on the odd occasion we would agree, like Driving lessons, I thought it was great too, and
So, I am Legend was great effects and all and it was shit scary. But I hate it when a movie is weakly dressed up as something else. This is a vampire movie with a different beginning. That’s it that’s all.
Having gotten that off my chest, I think it was pretty good and scary and more could have been done. There must be other things that are more interesting that would emanate from being left alone too long would there not be? Like no need for clothes?J. But I suppose reciting the dialogue of Shrek was funny.
The vampires were great! Will is also looking very well cut. And the crying thing, man… I don’t know.
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