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[03 Sep 2005|01:24am] |
Good grief why I am still awake. I'm not tired though, so I'll probably watch an OC episode or two. The New Kids On The Block I think. The final scene with Seth and Marissa is very poignant.
In other news I discovered today that I got an A band 1 for my English higher, get in. And I thought I'd failed the exam and left it in tears. Shows how much I know.
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| Exam results... |
[09 Aug 2005|12:18pm] |
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Hmm. I'm quite disappointed. I got an A for English and modern studies, a B for media studies and a C for French. I wasn't expecting much from French so I'm not too disappointed to get a C, it's still a pass, but I know I'm better at media studies than a B would suggest. I think I was the only person in the class Mr. Wilson gave a target of an A to and I feel I've let the side down by not attaining that. I got A grades for nearly all of my media essays and I got 20/20 for one, so I feel I've let myself down. I always expect too much of myself but I really thought I had a chance. I should be positive and happy with what I've got but I'm not.
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[22 Jul 2005|10:31pm] |
Just been watching The OC. Season one is so much better than season two, truly. Ryan wasn't inexplicably turned into a nerd, Seth was still endearing and the horror that was the Ryan/Lindsay storyline wasn't yet on the horizon. And Anna was still in the show. I miss Anna, her wit and sparkle has been sorely lacking.
The Kickstart programme I attended this week was very enjoyable. I don't think I'll be going any further with any of the courses I took part in but it was a valuable experience all the same. On the first day we had an ice-breaker activity in our groups where we had to write the name of a famous person on a sticker and stick it on the forehead of the person next to us. I was Jonathan Ross and I didn't guess who it was for aeons. Our group leader Al was a legend, and he was regaling us with hilarious anecdotes. Like the time he was mistaken for a Neo-Nazi by a Russian skinhead. What are the odds?! For some reason I was always laughing at him for no reason but he didn't seem remotely bothered, heh.
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[16 Jul 2005|08:45pm] |
Little Women really is a film of quite unimaginable loveliness. It's hilarious when Kirsten Dunst says to Winona Ryder that her hair was her one beauty. I mean come on it's Winona Ryder, she's beautiful. But children can be impudent young buggers. I was always mystified when Jo turned down Laurie; I can understand it now but it's Christian Bale! Of all the March sisters I definitely relate to Jo the most. The thought that as a woman your apex in life was being a wife is a hideous thought to me. Of course that was the gender status quo at the time; seems so archaic today.
The Omen II is on later tonight, excellent. I've seen it before, there's much unintentional hilarity. The premise that Damien is at military school is absurd given his age but the characters are offed in quite inventive ways. I recall a lift being deployed with a gruesome precision. No match for The Omen then, but I've seen worse. *cough* House of Wax *cough*
Is it sad to want a Batman Begins watch? I'd quite like one. My Bart Simpson watch has seen better days and I've only had it since Christmas. I could alternate on different days. There's a thought.
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[13 Jul 2005|10:07pm] |
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Get in! Duran Duran are playing a show at the Glasgow SECC in December! Happy days. I'm going, even if it means going with my mum. To see Duran Duran it would absolutely be worth it. Going to their concert would cap off the year in style.
This great news has topped off a great day otherwise. I went to the brother's graduation ceremony today, which was excellent. My grandma was tearing up when he received his degree, and I was practically bursting with excitement myself. These things don't happen often so I'll treasure the memory. Hopefully it'll be me in a few years' time. Only eight people got first class degrees in fine art, and he's a most deserving recipient. Even the weather was decent, it wasn't as ridiculously warm as it has been this past week. You can usually count on it to be cold in Scotland but the heat was heinous. I stayed indoors and watched comedy shows for the most part. I'll need to be getting the first season on DVD, it's such a great show. Dr Cox is an absolute legend.
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[11 Jul 2005|08:56pm] |
Man how hot is Heath Ledger. That's not the best picture quality as it's a cap I took of 10 Things I Hate About You but he's so cute. Wow I sound vapid, but screw it. Heath
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[10 Jul 2005|09:38pm] |
The OC season finale was different from what I'd imagined. I knew what was going to happen from reading episode guides but it was still a shock to see it all the same. You'd think Trey coming out of prison would be wiser than to involve himself with the skank Jess Sathers but evidently not. Ryan is the smarter Atwood brother. Caleb's funeral was surprisingly emotional... I never liked the guy when he was in the show but it was sad at the same time because it won't be quite the same without his underhand dealings. Sandy's eulogy was amusing yet sombre. You'd think Caleb was so virtuous from the way he was being spoken of. Was it just me or was the song being played over the funeral scene extremely obtrusive? You could barely hear what was being said for the music. I did wonder why Kaitlin Cooper and Lindsay weren't in attendance though, that was a glaring error. I didn't like Lindsay at all but surely she'd have attended her father's funeral. Ditto Kaitlin, what kind of iron first boarding school does she attend?
I'm glad Jimmy made a return, I've always liked him. I think he's a good dad to Marissa, despite his questionable decision to up sticks to Hawaii (cue the inevitable reference to Amanda Righetti's show North Shore).
Kelly Rowan's acting was as first-rate as ever in this episode. I remember crying my eyes out at last year's finale, which was so much better than this one. Can't beat Jeff Buckley. Just seeing Kirsten break down like that sets me off every time.
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[09 Jul 2005|08:52pm] |
The Beach. What an awesome book; even better than I remembered it. I could write about it as part of my dissertation for English if I could find a book which is similar thematically. The search for paradise and that utopia being tainted. I've got six possible ideas for my dissertation, and I can't narrow my options down. I'd love to focus on Douglas Coupland and his exploration of one particular theme but I can't choose only one. But I've got five books which feature the coming of age of the teenage protagonist; masses of material there. Decisions decisions.
By contrast I'm having absolutely no luck choosing a topic for my modern studies dissertation. Ideally my main subject would be feminism but I'm not sure how I could link it to politics. Female political participation in politics and the underlying causes which have halted progress? A possible. I've got until October to decide but if I chose now I'd have even longer to work on it.
My grandad is such a thoughtful man, he's brought me back all manner of different kinds of Twinings tea from his holiday. What a nice gesture.
I've promised to tidy out my room tomorrow, I could start with my magazine drawer now. I wonder how much I've spent in total on my various publications, must run into the hundreds. Money well spent.
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| The Descent |
[08 Jul 2005|10:26pm] |
I went to see this, pretty good, especially for a Brit horror. A creepy atmosphere was built up before the carnage began good and proper, and the cave setting was used very well for maximum claustrophobic effect. I liked the subversion of the horror norm by having six female leads; though some characters were better developed than others. Sarah was set up as the heroine from the beginning and I think Shauna McDonald was great in the part. My sister went to school with her, proof positive that alumni of my establishment can go on to better things. I did jump a few times but I was never genuinely scared, as you were aware that the prospects weren't very bright for any of them. I was saddened by the deaths of my two favourite characters first but that was to be expected. As the film draws to a close it becomes a battle between Sarah and Juno, a borderline psychotic alpha female.
Juno is subject to one of the best attacks in the film, an underwater tussle.
It wasn't quite as grisly as I had anticipated, though I think that's because I've become immune to gore in horror movies. There was blood alright. The actual creatures which menaced our heroines were hilarious, they were like a convoy of Gollums baying for blood. That was the only element of the film which was something of a letdown, and because of the film's budget I guess. The ending was one of few things I took issue with, you think it's concluded definitively and then you find out that's not what happened at all. I'd say the ending proper was a shade disappointing, but at least there weren't any crass set-ups for a sequel.
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[03 Jul 2005|09:35pm] |
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YAY ROGER WON! What a worthy champion. He played so incredibly today, some of the shots he hit were nothing less than astonishing. No-one is a more deserving winner of the Wimbledon title than Roger.
I love Andy Roddick but Roger simply outclassed him today. I have so much respect for Andy though, he was so magnanimous in defeat. I'd have loved him to win as well but I didn't expect him to, in all honesty.
I was saddened by Lindsay Davenport's loss in the women's final, I'd have loved her to win. This may well have been her last shot at a grand slam and she absolutely deserved to win after fending off some tough competition en route to the final. You have to give credit to Venus Williams though, she reasserted her position in the women's game with style. I'd never have expected her to win, especially not with Maria Sharapova being a favourite. But she's only 18, she's got years yet.
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[29 Jun 2005|10:17pm] |
What the hell was Bradford up to in The Apprentice?! He was by far the strongest player in the boardroom and yet he foolishly revoked his exemption from being fired. I agree with The Donald's decision to fire him, at least that way he's an example of what NOT to do. Ivana or Stacie J would've been more deserving of the chop based on their performance in the task but he sealed his fate with that move. I suppose he thought he was taking one for the team but it was completely unneccesary. A pity, I liked the dude. The only thing which detracts from my enjoyment of the show is that I know who wins since it was broadcast in the States last year. Kind of removes any suspense from the identity of the winner. Can't wait for the new Alan Sugar series though, he's a great mentor. The UK version is superior to the US one in that it's not as opulent and not such an overt advertisement for Sugar's enterprises, unlike the Stateside show which is so blatant in its promotions.
On another note, great to see Federer and Roddick through to the Wimbledon semis, there should be some great matches on the cards. Ditto the women's matches.
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[27 Jun 2005|07:23pm] |
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ROFL... Can someone explain to me how exactly Green Day are sellouts? On a message board I visit they're being accused of selling out with American Idiot, which makes absolutely no sense. Hmmm... what is essentially a concept album which is harshly critical of the US government = possible commercial suicide. Of course it's been a brilliant success and rightly so but it could've derailed their career altogether. It really annoys when people go around accusing bands of being sellouts, it just seems so bitter... what do they expect, for bands never to change their sound? Gah.
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| Andy Murray... |
[25 Jun 2005|09:38pm] |
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Velvet Revolver - Slither |
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I was so sad for him. He played the first two sets superbly. But he's done brilliantly this year and this is surely only the beginning. If he's playing as well as that now then he has such great potential. I'm sure a lot people had absolutely no idea who he was this time last week and now he's got legions of fans on his side. Bloody well done to him, he's done Scotland proud. My mum and I were having a great laugh bantering watching his match, though at one point all she could comment on was that his brother Jamie is nice-looking, shallow as. That's true enough but still. It's so funny observing the contrast in the way his family reacted to him winning points against Tim Henman's family, they were getting right in there with the fist-pumping. The mere thought of Tim Henman bigging himself up and doing that is amusing, he doesn't have it in him. Glad to see Roddick is through to the next round, I hope he goes all the way to final. Maria Sharapova was on good form as well, she's breezed through this week. Here's hoping for more challenging matches next week.
Sean Connery was absolutely hilarious in the crowd, he was getting well into Murray's match. I do like Connery but I find it hypocritical that he tells us all we should be voting SNP when he's lived as a tax exile for many years. He does do a lot for Scotland of course.
Wow Scott Weiland has really cute kids, bless. Man I love VR, such an amazing band.
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[24 Jun 2005|06:36pm] |
If only his heart wasn't so full of love! If only he wasn't such a romantic! If only he'd worn slip-on shoes!
ROFL... Janine on Barry's fall to the death in Eastenders. I'd forgotten that, I watched that ep. I was still an avid Eastenders viewer then.
The episode when Den and Andy Hunter were killed off was unmissable for all the wrong reasons. It was strangely apt for Den to be done in with an ornamental dog. And as for Andy being thrown on to the motorway, hahaha. He was the worst gangster ever, he couldn't intimidate a child. I see they've put Alfie and Little Mo together... errr, why? Kat and Alfie had great potential but the writers squandered it. It was hilarious when Alfie went speed dating though, and Garry and Minty had little success. When that woman thought Minty had something wrong with him, lol.
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| Henmanites |
[22 Jun 2005|09:59am] |
They really do make you laugh don't they? Every year the gather on 'Henman Hill' in the hope of Henman winning, but let's be honest, the odds of him winning get longer every year. He's been coming to Wimbledon for the best part of ten years and he hasn't clinched it yet, so what does that tell you? I have no objection to the man, he's a good player, but come on. And some of his followers seem to have serious sour grapes about Andy Murray winning comfortably against Bastl. They should be happy there's another good British tennis hope.
"This might be Murray's Mount now, but I hope that just takes the pressure off Tim Henman and he goes in through the back door and wins it."
Haha, don't see that happening somehow.
Hmm, I should try to organise my thoughts a bit, I could write a piece on the Henmanites for the school mag. Now there's an idea.
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[20 Jun 2005|09:04pm] |
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Aqualung - Strange and beautiful |
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Oh dear. Playing the game on The Apprentice website has reawakened my dormant competitive spirit. Talking of competition, I was helping out at a primary school sports day today. When I had my sports days a few years back there was an individual winner for each event. No more, or so it would seem. Now the little children are put into teams in competition with the other teams. I find this objectionable, not least because it isn't instilling a competitive spirit in young children. The sooner they realise competition is a part of life the better off they'll be. When you're thrown out into the real world you've got to use your own smarts to compete against everyone else, you're not part of a team. You've got to stand on your own and prosper. I am quite freakishly competitve myself; I'm always trying to be the best I can be and better what I've done before. And it works for me; last year was without doubt my most successful year at school academically and I'm quite proud of the marks and grades I got.
Gah this game is frustrating me now. I've managed to get to the third and final level but the office minions keep sapping my life from me. Damn them.
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| Yay! |
[16 Jun 2005|10:32pm] |
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Today has been bloody excellent. The brother has graduated with a first class degree with honours in fine art. I was so shocked when I heard, from what he's been saying I thought he would get a 2:1, which in itself would've been enough to get him into teacher training college. But this is above and beyond what we all expected. It's so well deserved, he's had a lot of knocks and this just validates his talent. There were only four first class degrees awarded from Gray's School Of Art and his lovely girlfriend Heather got a first as well. I like her work, it's not something you'd choose to hang on your wall but I like the ideology behind it. Excellent excellent excellent.
In other affairs the school prizegiving was today. The TWO rehearsals we had (an excessive number frankly) were tedium personified but the actual thing was actually quite enjoyable. I was chatting away to Amy and Fay and it was nice to see people who worked so hard being rewarded. I was particularly pleased that Lynsey got three subject awards, she's so incredibly smart and nice. I got the prize for media studies, and with my £12 of book vouchers I selected Layer Cake and The Maltese Falcon. I was dismayed to note that a black biro mark appeared on the cover of my spotless book but that's a minor gripe. I look forward to reading them but I've got six other books to read first, including three John Grishams. I'm reading my way through his catalogue of titles at the moment, I've read five so far. I enjoy his books because he has an absolute gift for spinning a compelling yarn and they're easy to read. Granted his books are essentially all the same in that an unsightly conspiracy is unearthed by an idealistic young crusader whose life is threatened in the process of exposing it but who cares. I
was heartened when I think I overheard someone shouting 'Well done Stephanie!' when I was collecting my prize. That was nice.
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| House of Wax |
[03 Jun 2005|10:20pm] |
So my friend and I went along to see House of Wax this afternoon. Frankly it didn't look as if there was anything better on and I assumed there would be at least some unintentional comedy. There was lots.
The exposition in horror movies is often pretty boring and here it was no different. The amount of time they spent on the set-up was misjudged and for the first half hour or so the highlight was Chad Michael Murray throwing a bottle of beer at the headlight of a truck. Go figure.
The apparent 'novelty' in this new version is that the House of Wax in the film is actually made of wax. Now I know horror movies are not necessarily by nature plausible but come on. Firstly, how would you get enough wax to build the damn thing and secondly, wouldn't it melt in the sun? But overall it's in keeping with the IQ of the movie, which is definitely dumber than your average slasher. This wouldn't be a problem if the film delivered any jolts, but it doesn't. I only jumped once, and I have absolutely no idea why as I knew exactly what was going to happen. The deaths are by and large gory but I've become so inured to violence in these films that I wasn't peturbed by them at all. Paris Hilton's death was definitely the most memorable of the lot, I found it most amusing. The highlight of the film for me was the ending, where the impressive visual effects really shone. But this was preceded by one of the dumbest decisions I've yet seen in a horror movie: Elisha Cuthbert is in the house with one of the villains in the movie (who, incidentally, looked like Buckethead, formerly of Guns N' Roses) and her brother, who is injured. Her brother tells her to run up the stairs to get away from said villain, even though they're right by the entrance to the wax museum. I mean really, stupid much? This was necessary for the ending but it was so dumb, the whole film was. I'm well aware that criticising these types of movies is essentially pointless as they don't purport to be much more than dumb fun but this wasn't even that much fun. There was definitely scope to have made it much better than it was. And as for the apparent twist ending, haha. What a shoddy attempt that was. I guessed it long before it revealed itself.
On the horror front, I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the Australian movie Wolf Creek. I've heard a lof of positive buzz about it and the trailer looks promising without giving much away.
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| The OC |
[21 May 2005|10:14pm] |
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So I've been reading up on what happens in The OC season finale. A real cliffhanger, unlike last season's (better) finale which was more emotional. When Trey first came back into the show he was OK, a bit suspect but the way they've demonised him so much is a bit extreme. Ryan's definitely the good Atwood brother. The prom scene in the previous episode The O Sea is so cute, a classic Seth and Summer moment. I do take issue with the way their characters have changed this season; Summer is so mean to Seth! It's gone back to the way it was in the early episodes. You need a bit of antagonism in their relationship but this is just too much. I wonder what they'll do with Zach now. I don't mind the dude, admittedly he's no competition for Seth but still. Who knows what they've got in store in the third season. It'll be their season year of high school, lol. Benjamin McKenzie's senior year was when...1997?
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