WeatherGirl’s Station

Tosh. Tosh, tosh, drivel, drivel, tosh, tosh, drivel, drivel, *lol*, drivel, drivel, drivel, *lol*, utter tosh, utter drivel, ad nauseam.

So, yeah, it really was that awful and I must confess we did not expect much better. Mostly we went to support the local movie theatre, eat popcorn and kibbitz.

Also, the magnificent Ewan, wasn’t. *sigh*

Current temperature: here 73F/23C, there 12C/54F

OMG I read a book! Yes, indeedy, I did.

A Christmas present from my mum, I’d wishlisted it over at Amazon and lo it did arrive.

Alan Bennett is very much of the Stephen Fry ilk, only different, and pretty much a British national treasure. He also seems to have an affection for the women characters he writes about which is apparently a remarkable trait for a man.

I loved reading this book and it has much to recommend it. It’s a slight volume so it won’t take but a moment to consume. Possessed of a rye gentle humour the book brings surprising insight into the life of a modern day monarch.

Current temperature: here 73F/23C, there 14C/57F

This brought a smile to the lips this morning. I recently discovered Lily Allen and her cd, It’s Not Me, It’s You, via our radio show on KUMM and this little ditty just makes me love her more.

Be prepared for some serious chair dancing, hilarity and gayness.

Also this is definitely NSFW due to language.

Blargh! So I was completely underwhelmed. I know it’s based on a comic book but I still expect films, regardless of the source material, to have some depth amongst all the packaging. Even if they’re only hidden depths! This was nothing but surface and caricature and wasn’t even very shiny surface and caricature. The green screen effects were pretty crap too. Have these people not watched the LotR trilogy? You’d have thought this was 1959 not 2009 based on the really obvious back projection going on. Plus, plus, *tears out hair* there were scenes shot with green screen where all they needed was to take the actors outside to a suitable location and film. Argh!

There were two bright spots in all this dreck. Liev Schreiber was appropriately gruff and growly and abundantly take homeable as Sabretooth. Dominic Monaghan also performed with way more depth than clearly the director expected which is why, I assume, there’s almost nothing of him on screen.

PS: Could have done with more naked HJ. That would have gone along way to making me a slightly less grumpy viewer.

Current temperature: here 52F/11C, there 10C/50F

Entertaining. A well made and engaging film if a little on the predictable side. The highlight is the performance of Ahney Her, who makes the most of the opportunity to create an interesting female character despite the stereotypical meme the character serves. It’s worth seeing the film to watch her performance alone.

Current temperature: here 50F/10C, there 11C/52F

Variable. I found the beginning rather disjointed and not very engaging. Once the bomb goes off though, then the tension mounts and there’s more emotional engagement. That despite knowing how the plot was going to resolve itself. All the performances seemed workmanlike and as a whole told the story well.

Current temperature: here 52F/11C, there 8C/46F

I like to wear shoes because, well, going bare foot in the modern world doesn’t really work, however I always have a terrible time finding anything to buy as:

1) I like to be comfortable and women’s shoes these days are more like implements of torture
2) I have wide feet and a very high instep
3) I have feet shaped feet and the designers of women’s shoes don’t appear to be interested in creating shoes that fit human shaped feet.

So, Sunday, I ordered myself a pair of Apache Moccasins from Steger Moosehide Mukluks, a company based in Ely, Minnesota that is inspired by traditional First Nations designs for their products. I wasn’t certain that they would be the solution to my problems but they sure looked and sounded cool on the web site. Well they showed up today and I am one happy camper. They are really cool and I love how they tie around the ankles. I’m not sure they are tight enough and I may end up having to wear double socks as the hide stretches with wear. We’ll have to see. If things go well I’d like to buy a pair of Ojibwa or Navajo books for the winter.

Current temperature: here 52F/11C, there 8C/46F

Tosh. For about three quarters of this movie there’s a half decent story in there. The horror elements were quite scary, the domestic scenes engendered sympathy, and the mystery was quite intriguing. Unfortunately for the audience it all falls apart in the endgame and the explanation does not live up to all that has gone before.

As to the special effects they were an unhappy mixture of visually ambitious, hokey, and poorly executed. It’s like they didn’t have enough funds/time to put the finishing polish on.

Current temperature: here 39F/4C, there 11C/52C

Heartrending. Beautifully filmed. For those who know their history, and pay attention, there are signs along the way as to what is really going on. There is a persistent sense of deceit as you watch, that the beautiful facade hides a blacked heart. Definitely a three hankie experience and the final image silently speaks volumes. Only those who are soulless will fail to be moved.

Current temperature: here 46F/8C, there 15C/59F

This warms the cockles of one’s heart.

Also what’s with referring to her as ‘gentleman’? Secretary Clinton seems more appropriately respectful.