Well, having survived the journey into the abyss, or wearside as it's rather incorrectly known to the general public, I'm back in Leeds freezing my arse off due to 'costcutting' measures. It's very hard to type this actually, considering my fingers are purple from the cold, but I'll give it a shot.
I've got to say I'm satisfied with the result at the weekend (1-1 for anyone who doesn't have a TV or Internet) but having experienced one of the best defensive performances, and performances by a captain, in my lifetime I can't help but feel we should've won. Also, it wasn't a red card. Don't even try and argue that it was, because you will be shouted in the face by me calling you a sympathiser, and nobody wants that now do they? I don't want to divulge too much into the football, cos to be frank I could be here for days. I am not frank, however. I am Will, therefore I will not divulge.
At the moment I'm listening to the White Album, of course by the Beatles. I'm not sure why I'm listening to it, when there are many better Beatles albums to listen to, but I'm just giving it another chance as I believe everything deserves another chance. Take Danny Welbeck for instance. He was at sunderland (boooo!) on loan from Salford Reds, then returned to the Greater Manchester team. He could have moved elsewhere and been redeemed in my eyes, but I suppose leaving the Dark World behind and going back to Salford is some form of redemption, and now I appreciate his talents. He could be a great player and I hope to see him shine someday.
Now as you may or may not (mayn't? man't? mouldn't?) know I am a big comic book, and specifically superhero fan. The Norse god of thunder, Thor, is now more renowned for being a Marvel comics superhero. His 2011 debut film was pretty good (a solid 7/10), but his popularity boosted dramatically in 2012's The Avengers, which if you read my first blog is now one of my favourite films ever. On the back of that, Marvel is producing Thor 2, or Thor: The Dark World. I'm really looking forward to this as it proves two things: mackems are not human, as the Dark World in question is in fact an alien world; and that the whole world hates mackems and will pay to see anybody, but in this case Thor kill/slay them. They are scum, no doubt about that, and it's nice to see Hollywood listening to the public.
By the way, if you feel so inclined as to comment not to my face about this blog, then please leave a comment underneath if you can get that thing to work, or just comment on facebook or twitter or whatever. Also, if you love the blog, of course you do, then feel free to send some form of thank you gift, preferably some gloves or a nice woolly hat, or maybe a microwave (we still don't have one in the house and I'm dying to have one of those microwavable choccy puddings) then don't hesitate to contact me asking for my address.
Till next time...
Friday 26 October 2012
Sunday 14 October 2012
Will's First Blog
Hi there. I've fancied writing a blog for quite a while now, but laziness combined with more laziness with a hint of stuff on TV has delayed me until now, when I have nothing really to do, and there's nothing on TV. When I say I have nothing to do, it shouldn't be taking literally, but more by it's student-meaning, as in: I have plenty to do, but can't be arsed in the slightest to do it. I'm studying Italian and World Cinema (glorified film studies) so most of my time is spent emulating Italian pre-schoolers or sitting on my arse watching such brilliant films as Dracula In Pakistan or whatever Lars von Trier has decided to spew out of his mad head.
Anyway, most of my blogs will be about one of three subjects, or all 3, depending on how busy my week has been. These 3 subjects are my beloved Newcastle United, films (films in general usually, but a heavy focus on my favourite films at the moment) and finally, music (i.e. my favourite bands/songs/albums at the moment).
Right the, the introduction over, let's get to it.
Next Friday I'll be going home for the first time in about 4 weeks, which isn't that long a time, but it feels like bloody ages, and this return is much to the delight of my mum, bless her. However, family is being put aside for that weekend, and the sunday roast will be put on hold. On Sunday 21st October 2012, Newcastle United F.C. along with a few thousand of their fans, myself included, will be putting on the kevlar vests and wearing the best gas masks money can buy as we are travelling into the lion's den (no offence to any lions reading this blog) that is scumderland, and entering the S.O.S. (stadium of s***e). Just to make things clear, this certain strand of human being doesn't deserve capital letters, so I won't be giving them any. As Obi-Wan Kenobi said in Star Wars: "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious". In the film he's referring to the spaceport of Mos Eisley, but George Lucas, writer and director of the Star Wars films, was obviously writing about scumderland. Venturing there is not something a smart person would do willingly, unless they are bound by a strong sense of duty, such as the Newcastle United fans bravely sacrificing their sense of smell for a few hours. In fact, journeying to said hive draws strong parallels to Dante's Inferno. In this classic of not just Italian but World Literature, Dante journeys into Hell, unfortunately having to go further into Hell in order to leave it. What a dilemma! This story compares to my forthcoming journey into hell on earth next sunday, except Virgil won't be my escort, instead the brave Northumbrian Police Force will be protecting, well trying, myself and my fellow Geordies into hell on earth, getting deeper and deeper and further and further into despair and pity and utter, utter scum, until finally it is time to leave. That is the Inferno bit. Purgatory is the coach journey back, where, depending on the result, will either be depressing as owt or incredibly joyous and fun. Heaven, or Paradise, is obviously re-entering the haven that is Newcastle Upon Tyne.
As you can tell I'm excited for next Sunday, but so bloody nervous you wouldn't believe.
Anyway, that's the football bit over and done with. In terms of films, the past few weeks have brought about a very mixed bag of quality of film. As part of my course this year, I have to watch a varied line-up ranging from Dirty Harry and Blade Runner to Blacula and Dracula In Pakistan. The latter two films are exactly what they sound like: Dracula relocated/changed into a different cultural and social environment. Now, Dracula In Pakistan (official title: The Living Corpse; but that doesn't sum it up as well as it's 'cult' title) was the first ever X rated film in Pakistan. I watched it and wondered how could it possibly have been X rated. There was barely any blood, no actual scares and cartoon bats drawn on the walls. Until, however, Dracula gave his bride a baby (well, a doll) to feed on instead of one of Dracula's friends. That's Human Centipede level of weird, but even so it was tame and very pastiche, so I didn't enjoy that film at all as a horror, and even as a comedy it was shocking. Blacula though was brilliant. It wasn't a fantastic film, but as a film made during the blaxploitation era in the 1970s, it was brill. There were jive-talking caricatures of what african-americans in the 70s were like, and Dracula himself (the actual Dracula in this was the 18th century count) who bites an african emissary trying to stop the slave trade, and lovingly christens him Blacula, due to his dark-coloured skin and being bitten by Dracula. Clever, deep stuff. But the film as a whole is a good examination of racial tensions and relationships in 70s USA. There's even a 'blacks only' funeral directors. However their is little in terms of racism and heavy examinations on it in the film. The filmmakers scratch the surface, but just let the film have fun with the topic of a disco-loving Dracula. It is good fun, I really enjoyed it somehow, and it was much, much better than Dracula In Pakistan.
I'm really looking forward to the new James Bond film, Skyfall. It's out in 2 weeks time, and reviewers are saying it's the best Bond yet. Whoa there! Steady girl. Did I just read what I think I read? Yes, yes I did. But that is one hell of a statement to make. I love Bond films. Goldeneye = amazing. Casino Royale = fantastic. Live And Let Die = my favourite, alongside The Man With The Golden Gun. There are some genuinely brilliant pieces of filmmaking in the history of Bond. And if Skyfall really is the best Bond ever, and I have faith that it could, what with Sam Mendes at the helm, Javier Bardem as the villain, and Judi Dench given a meatier role than previously, then it could just be the film of the year. Now THAT is saying something. I still can't decide which is better: The Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises. Both had enormous tasks ahead of them, and both succeeded in producing quality films that aren't just sequels to a franchise, but solid films in the own right, worthy of any award they're nominated for. Brilliant films, instant classics that got your heart racing, your head thinking (but not too much) and your whole body just loving every second of it. It's rare that you get one major blockbuster leaving you feel fully satisfied yet wanting so much more, but two in the same year is even more rare. I love films. I love superhero films, when they're good. And boy, were they good this year.
If the world was to end in 2012, at least it can wait till I've seen the Hobbit a few times and got the blu-ray of TDKR. Please? Or just don't end? That's probably better.
Anyway, most of my blogs will be about one of three subjects, or all 3, depending on how busy my week has been. These 3 subjects are my beloved Newcastle United, films (films in general usually, but a heavy focus on my favourite films at the moment) and finally, music (i.e. my favourite bands/songs/albums at the moment).
Right the, the introduction over, let's get to it.
Next Friday I'll be going home for the first time in about 4 weeks, which isn't that long a time, but it feels like bloody ages, and this return is much to the delight of my mum, bless her. However, family is being put aside for that weekend, and the sunday roast will be put on hold. On Sunday 21st October 2012, Newcastle United F.C. along with a few thousand of their fans, myself included, will be putting on the kevlar vests and wearing the best gas masks money can buy as we are travelling into the lion's den (no offence to any lions reading this blog) that is scumderland, and entering the S.O.S. (stadium of s***e). Just to make things clear, this certain strand of human being doesn't deserve capital letters, so I won't be giving them any. As Obi-Wan Kenobi said in Star Wars: "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious". In the film he's referring to the spaceport of Mos Eisley, but George Lucas, writer and director of the Star Wars films, was obviously writing about scumderland. Venturing there is not something a smart person would do willingly, unless they are bound by a strong sense of duty, such as the Newcastle United fans bravely sacrificing their sense of smell for a few hours. In fact, journeying to said hive draws strong parallels to Dante's Inferno. In this classic of not just Italian but World Literature, Dante journeys into Hell, unfortunately having to go further into Hell in order to leave it. What a dilemma! This story compares to my forthcoming journey into hell on earth next sunday, except Virgil won't be my escort, instead the brave Northumbrian Police Force will be protecting, well trying, myself and my fellow Geordies into hell on earth, getting deeper and deeper and further and further into despair and pity and utter, utter scum, until finally it is time to leave. That is the Inferno bit. Purgatory is the coach journey back, where, depending on the result, will either be depressing as owt or incredibly joyous and fun. Heaven, or Paradise, is obviously re-entering the haven that is Newcastle Upon Tyne.
As you can tell I'm excited for next Sunday, but so bloody nervous you wouldn't believe.
Anyway, that's the football bit over and done with. In terms of films, the past few weeks have brought about a very mixed bag of quality of film. As part of my course this year, I have to watch a varied line-up ranging from Dirty Harry and Blade Runner to Blacula and Dracula In Pakistan. The latter two films are exactly what they sound like: Dracula relocated/changed into a different cultural and social environment. Now, Dracula In Pakistan (official title: The Living Corpse; but that doesn't sum it up as well as it's 'cult' title) was the first ever X rated film in Pakistan. I watched it and wondered how could it possibly have been X rated. There was barely any blood, no actual scares and cartoon bats drawn on the walls. Until, however, Dracula gave his bride a baby (well, a doll) to feed on instead of one of Dracula's friends. That's Human Centipede level of weird, but even so it was tame and very pastiche, so I didn't enjoy that film at all as a horror, and even as a comedy it was shocking. Blacula though was brilliant. It wasn't a fantastic film, but as a film made during the blaxploitation era in the 1970s, it was brill. There were jive-talking caricatures of what african-americans in the 70s were like, and Dracula himself (the actual Dracula in this was the 18th century count) who bites an african emissary trying to stop the slave trade, and lovingly christens him Blacula, due to his dark-coloured skin and being bitten by Dracula. Clever, deep stuff. But the film as a whole is a good examination of racial tensions and relationships in 70s USA. There's even a 'blacks only' funeral directors. However their is little in terms of racism and heavy examinations on it in the film. The filmmakers scratch the surface, but just let the film have fun with the topic of a disco-loving Dracula. It is good fun, I really enjoyed it somehow, and it was much, much better than Dracula In Pakistan.
I'm really looking forward to the new James Bond film, Skyfall. It's out in 2 weeks time, and reviewers are saying it's the best Bond yet. Whoa there! Steady girl. Did I just read what I think I read? Yes, yes I did. But that is one hell of a statement to make. I love Bond films. Goldeneye = amazing. Casino Royale = fantastic. Live And Let Die = my favourite, alongside The Man With The Golden Gun. There are some genuinely brilliant pieces of filmmaking in the history of Bond. And if Skyfall really is the best Bond ever, and I have faith that it could, what with Sam Mendes at the helm, Javier Bardem as the villain, and Judi Dench given a meatier role than previously, then it could just be the film of the year. Now THAT is saying something. I still can't decide which is better: The Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises. Both had enormous tasks ahead of them, and both succeeded in producing quality films that aren't just sequels to a franchise, but solid films in the own right, worthy of any award they're nominated for. Brilliant films, instant classics that got your heart racing, your head thinking (but not too much) and your whole body just loving every second of it. It's rare that you get one major blockbuster leaving you feel fully satisfied yet wanting so much more, but two in the same year is even more rare. I love films. I love superhero films, when they're good. And boy, were they good this year.
If the world was to end in 2012, at least it can wait till I've seen the Hobbit a few times and got the blu-ray of TDKR. Please? Or just don't end? That's probably better.
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