Alfred Hitchcock's Rope: Innovative but no Masterpiece

Hitchcock's films stretch cinematic boundaries. Rope purports to be filmed in one shot. It isn't amazing, but any Hitchcock is worth watching. 

Definition

The ability to define ourselves is what makes us what we are. The question is:

am I human, or am I dancer?

Good Pictures / Bad Pictures

I have been accused of blogging photos that show people in a bad light.

Will there be any photo's following this one?

Small Group Christmas Meal 2008 - Someone's Got Talent

Yesterday was the small group christmas meal at King's. The girls cooked amazingly and the guys provided the "entertainment"'. Judge for yourselves:

1. Boys Aloud - Rule the World

2. Matts Bell and Lang + Nathan - Freedom

3. Matts Bell and Lang + Nathan - Looking for Answers

4. The Nativity in the minds of Tom, Finn and Ian

5. Matts Bell and Lang + Nathan - Like No One Else

6. Matts Bell and Lang + Nathan cover Ronan Keating - When you say Nothing at all

7. Five - Getting Down

Unfortunately the footage of Boys Aloud singing Fool Again by Westlife is missing.

As compensation, here's Tom and Finn playing chinese charades . . .

Film Heaven, or My Week of Many Movies (Mostly Marvellous)

It's been a busy film week: we have started using DVD rental, and I went to the cinema twice. My reviews are:

1. The Prestige

Great film, uses time jumps to tell the story uniquely, creates no strong moral character leading to oscillating favour between main characters. (see also: Memento; ignore: Pulp Fiction;)

2. Changeling

A harrowing and involving film arousing strong emotional support for people failed by the state. Astonishing that it is a true story. (see also: The Shawshank Redemption (failed by state) Man on Wire (true, very different, story); ignore: Open Water)

3. Waltz With Bashir

Israeli animated documentary. Definitely my favourite of this genre. Powerful study of the failure to react to genocide. Successfully innovates to impress view. (see also: ; ignore: Fahrenheit 9/11)

4. Hollywoodland

Private investigator analyses death of 1950's Superman. Flashes back seemingly at random leading to confused plot, overly long film, and general tedium. (recommended: The Usual Suspects, also ignore: 21 grams)

We have the rental until the 27th and before then I hope to watch some Hitchcock, El Orfanato, and more. Any suggestions?

Small Group Animal Game Video

Our Small Group doing impressions of a lion and seven other animals. Question: can you guess them all? And will Arwen win?

Blog Holiday: Ends Tomorrow

I've had a blog holiday - you'd think that I've a lot to blog. I haven't, but I will blog the nothing again.

Up All Night

I wonder if I'm the only one still awake for an election that doesn't directly affect me. American politics is fascinating and involving.  

Nine Course Meal

A wedding feast: 

1. Entrée
2. Deep-fried Camembert 
3. Salad
4. Mango and Ginger Mousse
5. Sea bass
6. Elderflower Sorbet 
7. Slow-roasted Lamb
8. Crumble
9. Profiteroles with 3 sauces
   

A Momentous Day

Something truly significant happened today. Nothing to do with the war, election, politics or Andrew Sachs. The video will be posted soon . . . 

Together at East of England - or attending a grammatical error

I understand branding theory, but is this really an excuse for naming an event something that makes no sense? Surely that's craziness?

22 words - a constraint or a blessing?

I think 22 words is perfect - it allows me to expound as I desire, without blathering. Others are less keen. Thoughts?

Blog Frustrations

Blog frustrations:

1. Nobody clicks on the ads that make me pennies per click.
   
2. I can't get Bonnie Tyler out of my head.

My pride at 22 words

Why 22?

Getting 22 is tricky though. Normally it's 30 and furious editing. This post was exactly 22 from the start. Amazing!

Heights and Radio Masts

Radio masts need to be high off the ground.

I hate being high off the ground.

One of us lost (this time).

One Man and his Marrow

There are some vegetables it is impossible not to play with. I made marrow again the other day, and the following occurred:

My Love of Frankie Boyle

"I could be as clever as Stephen Hawking, if I'd spent my entire life sitting down".

Unbelievable, unbelievably harsh, and unbelievably funny.

More on the Penny Film Festival

I've discussed value in films. 

This week's penny films: "Be Kind Rewind" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly". 

That's definitely value.

Humiliation

Arsenal aren't having a great season, with defeats by Hull & Fulham and worse.

It could be worse: speak to Spurs fans.

Apologies for not blogging

1. It's been a while since I blogged – as compensation I’ll write a blog for each day I've missed. Including this one.
2. As a house, we share our food. Generally it works well -with cereal it leads to a range. 10 varieties apparently.
3. The small group icebreaker was building a balloon tower. The electrostatic from my hair held it to the ceiling. With sellotape.
4. Some foods can simmer for hours on the hob; tomato soup does not. After 20 minutes it had exploded everywhere. Annoyingly.
5. George Foreman: awesome. Bacon griddled is amazing in a sandwich. Great value at £20 from a charity shop. Which leads to:
6. "I’d really like to George Foreman you, you’re so sweet I bet you’d taste delicious." The best line you've ever heard?

Respect vs Love

Gladiator - awesome film but both too long and too short.

Quote: "Can you love someone you don't respect?"

The crux of Christianity?

The Benefits of Fruit

Always eat 5 portions of fruit / vegetable's a day.

How much of the benefit is nullified by adding cream and evaporated milk?

Penny Film Festival

I watched Rambo earlier for a penny. The question: is that good value for Rambo? How do you quantify value in film?

Salt

When flavouring food, how much is too much salt?

When cooking Asparagus (get me) the lid came off.

This is too much.

For those who are periphrastic or pleonastic

If you know that sebaceous means fatty, and robustious means unruly, then head to FreeRice.com to donate to the World Food Program.

Fashionistas

Renowned fashion icons: Dolce and Gabbana; Trinny and Susannah.

We can now add more names to this illustrious list: Mike and Jo. 

FIFA 09

I'm rubbish at football on games consoles (and reality).

And I won 3 games yesterday (I did lose too!)

FIFA 09 = awesome.

Conference Talks

Conferences. Some talks are good, some not, but I've learnt the best talks don't contain the most information, but are consistently interesting.

Lost Lunchtimes

When unemployed, routine is important.

Our house, full of the unemployable and students, watches Lost at lunchtimes. 

It's great at the beginning.

22 words about 22 posts

I've blogged about cooking (a, b & c); football (a & b); women (a & b); good times (a & b); and bad times (a & b); even 22 words itself. Is there anything else left to blog?

Improvisation

If you don't have something you need, what do you do?

Improvise.

For a rolling pin, a cream soda bottle won't suffice.

Less Great Days

Some days are great (see blogs past), and other days are less great.

Hull beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates today.

Great.

Great Days

Pre illness, I didn't blog this:

When I was at King's, 80 people failed to appear for a conference.

I ate loads.

Marrow with Sausagemeat, Onion and Herbs

Serves loads - for 7:

Cut Marrow into 7.

Core.

Fill with sausagemeat, onion and herbs.

Foil wrap.

Cook at 200: 40 minutes.

The Power of Women

I laugh at blokes being under the thumb. Josh was ordered to do this by his ex - what power does she have?

The likelihood that I would be adulterous

According to the BBC: I am unlikely to commit adultery.  

I'm not sure what this means - don't you need a partner first?

I feel better - but not fully well yet

This weekend I discovered the cost of poorly cooked chicken (a restaurant was to blame). 

I'm no longer "vomit-free since '03" however.

The good side of Facebook

Modern communication make it easy to inform a large number of people about circumstances quickly. Olivett updated Facebook - everyone knows she's fine.

(Photo)

The bad side of Facebook

Modern communication means information is easily accidentally revealed.

A Facebook status isn't the way to discover the family cat has three legs.

Fantastical Football

Arsenal won 4-0 away - yet I'm depressed. I swapped hat-trick hero Adebayor for single goalscorer van Persie in my fantasy team. D'oh.

Weird People

Someone walked through Norwich with oven gloves on carrying Bread and Butter pudding tonight. Judging by whats left, it went down well.

Viva La Vida - part 2 or Why I like 'almost everything' within the song?

I only dislike the line: "I know Saint Peter won't call my name" because, through nothing I've done, I know he will.

Viva La Vida

I love almost everything about this Coldplay song - from the strings to the vocals, it's something that is innovative, interesting & successful.

What is the worst thing anyone can do?

I'm not talking heinous crimes here, just everyday life.

 I think I know - yesterday I forgot mums birthday. Is there a defence?

Is this the first time I've prefered Bonnie Tyler over anything?

Many people have re-edited the Cadbury's drumming gorilla advert on Youtube. My 3 favourites are:

3. 50 Cent

2. Cameo (Word Up)

1. Bonnie Tyler

Rowing at Sizewell 08

Despite appearances, no one fell in during the dangerous changeover between the canoe and the rowing boat. This time. 

Later on however . . .

Moving House

I've moved 6 times in 6 years and helped others move but none gained the benefit of my height. Until this one.

Melancholy

It's cold, miserable, and wet in Norwich today.

I wish the elephants were here to cheer us up. 111 days until Christmas.

English Stir Fry - A Recipe

Feeds 3.

Slice 4 medium potatoes.

Defenestrate Broccoli.

Chop 8 Bacon rashers.

Fry until almost cooked.









Add Baked Beans and condiments.

Serve.

David and Sarahs Wedding Reception.

Compared to St Lucia, Saffron Walden is always second best. However, no matter where you celebrate them, wedding receptions are always great.

Why?

I think Abraham Piper is right. 22 words is enough to outline and explain everything about the world around Ed without filler.