I travelled to Newark today to watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi with my girlfriend. This marks the first time that my girlfriend and I have been to the cinema together but not the first time we've watched a Star Wars film together. We watched the prequels and Star Wars: The Force Awakens not too long ago because she wanted to catch up on all those films, having seen only the originals.
As for The Last Jedi itself, it's a great film. When it began I was extremely worried it was about to return into a repeat of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back but I was pleased when that turned out to not be the case. My girlfriend and I highly enjoyed it.
Showing posts with label Movies and TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies and TV. Show all posts
Monday, 18 December 2017
Sunday, 10 December 2017
The BB-8s
Until a couple of weeks or so ago, the only Star Wars material I had in my room was a Darth Vader figurine. For my birthday, my girlfriend's mother me a BB-8 plush toy (at the request of my girlfriend) whereas my girlfriend herself bought me a BB-8 cushion.
I like both items, of course! BB-8 is cool and, as a droid who looks like a beach ball, he is regarded as one of the cutest characters in all of Star Wars. You can't go wrong with BB-8! As the plush toy is small, he is next to my Vader on a shelf whereas the cushion is on my bed.
I like both items, of course! BB-8 is cool and, as a droid who looks like a beach ball, he is regarded as one of the cutest characters in all of Star Wars. You can't go wrong with BB-8! As the plush toy is small, he is next to my Vader on a shelf whereas the cushion is on my bed.
Friday, 24 November 2017
The film production team
In my video project workshop this afternoon, every student present had to take part in an exercise that involved us forming a film crew to record a short interview. The purpose of this was to give us feel for what it would be like working in a real film crew, to give us practice with the various forms of equipment and to test out camera angles.
My role was the sound technician. I tested the camera to ensure the sound was working and while the filming was in progress, I wore headphones at all times to ensure that there were no problems with sound. The sound did drop out at one point, which meant we had to reshoot a scene.
It was a lot of fun! The exercise really caused us all to feel as though we were on a proper film set, making a movie or TV show.
My role was the sound technician. I tested the camera to ensure the sound was working and while the filming was in progress, I wore headphones at all times to ensure that there were no problems with sound. The sound did drop out at one point, which meant we had to reshoot a scene.
It was a lot of fun! The exercise really caused us all to feel as though we were on a proper film set, making a movie or TV show.
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
"Adam Ruins Everything Corrects ITSELF!"
A few times, I have posted links to chips of the show Adam Ruins Everything, which is a both an educational and comedic show that busts modern falsehoods. In many ways, it is similar to Mythbusters and Penn and Teller: Bullshit! in doing so. Here is a clip from a recent episode, in which it addressed claims of providing incorrect information to viewers:
I agree - admitting to errors and learning from them increases someone's credibility. Claiming that you're 100% is far more likely to lead people to believe that you're often wrong.
I agree - admitting to errors and learning from them increases someone's credibility. Claiming that you're 100% is far more likely to lead people to believe that you're often wrong.
Monday, 7 August 2017
"The Love I Lost (Moulton Remix)" - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
A song I've been listening to quite a bit recently has been this one:
It's the Moulton Remix of "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. I remember the original version that was briefly played in the film The Last Days of Disco as well as was listening to the 1990s version by Sybil.
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes released the original "The Lost I Lost" in 1973, from their second studio album, Black & Blue.
It's the Moulton Remix of "The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. I remember the original version that was briefly played in the film The Last Days of Disco as well as was listening to the 1990s version by Sybil.
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes released the original "The Lost I Lost" in 1973, from their second studio album, Black & Blue.
Monday, 10 July 2017
"All I Ever Wanted" - Michael Brun featuring Louie
Not too long ago, I came across this awesome track:
It's "All I Ever Wanted" by Michael Brun, a Haitian DJ. The song is from XOXO, a film that, according to Wikipedia, is a Netflix original. I know next to nothing about the creators of the song but "All I Ever Wanted" is an amazing track!
It's "All I Ever Wanted" by Michael Brun, a Haitian DJ. The song is from XOXO, a film that, according to Wikipedia, is a Netflix original. I know next to nothing about the creators of the song but "All I Ever Wanted" is an amazing track!
Sunday, 9 July 2017
"Star Trek Generations" - a Jack in the Box commercial
I was recently made aware of the existence of this:
Star Trek Generations is my favourite Star Trek film and Jack in the Box was one of the few fast food places we visited on several occasions while in the US, besides Wendy's and a couple of others. I wasn't expecting to see a ST:Generations/JitB mix as seen here!
Star Trek Generations is my favourite Star Trek film and Jack in the Box was one of the few fast food places we visited on several occasions while in the US, besides Wendy's and a couple of others. I wasn't expecting to see a ST:Generations/JitB mix as seen here!
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
"Paper Planes" - M.I.A
A song by M.I.A., a British rapper, played during an advert I saw yesterday at the cinema. It's been a while since I last heard or thought about M.I.A.; I became aware of her in 2008/2009 when this song of hers played on American radio:
It's "Paper Planes", which is from Kala - her second studio album. "Paper Planes" is one of the songs that I associate so much with the summer of 2008 and with the great music of 2009.
As for the M.I.A. song I heard at the cinema, it was "Only 1 U" from Matangi, her fourth studio album:
It's "Paper Planes", which is from Kala - her second studio album. "Paper Planes" is one of the songs that I associate so much with the summer of 2008 and with the great music of 2009.
As for the M.I.A. song I heard at the cinema, it was "Only 1 U" from Matangi, her fourth studio album:
Monday, 20 February 2017
"T2 Trainspotting"
A friend and I recently went to watch T2 Trainspotting, the sequel to Trainspotting, which was released back in 1996. Dad, my brother and I watched Trainspotting many years ago and it was, if I recall correctly, amongst Dad's favourite films; the soundtrack was certainly an aspect that he loved, anyway. I never expected a sequel to ever be released but my friend and I agreed we'd go see it, given our mutual appreciation for the original.
While I was excited about the film, a part of me was concerned that T2 Trainspotting would not hold up well to the original, as is common with sequels. However, I was highly pleased and relieved when I enjoyed T2 Trainspotting as much as I recall enjoying Trainspotting itself. Seeing the consequences of the first film bare themselves out 20 years later in the second turned out to be a fantastic plot; I was impressed.
I do think that Dad would have enjoyed the film if he'd still been around. There was nothing in it that he would have considered "tacky" and the humour between the two movies held up well. He would have liked it, I am sure.
And speaking of the soundtrack, here is the Creative Commission version of a song associated with Trainspotting, "Born Slippy .NUXX" by Underworld:
While I was excited about the film, a part of me was concerned that T2 Trainspotting would not hold up well to the original, as is common with sequels. However, I was highly pleased and relieved when I enjoyed T2 Trainspotting as much as I recall enjoying Trainspotting itself. Seeing the consequences of the first film bare themselves out 20 years later in the second turned out to be a fantastic plot; I was impressed.
I do think that Dad would have enjoyed the film if he'd still been around. There was nothing in it that he would have considered "tacky" and the humour between the two movies held up well. He would have liked it, I am sure.
And speaking of the soundtrack, here is the Creative Commission version of a song associated with Trainspotting, "Born Slippy .NUXX" by Underworld:
Friday, 6 January 2017
Gone for two years
Dad has been dead for two years, as of today. I went over to visit Mum and James yesterday rather than today, whereas this afternoon I worked a little on my upcoming projects for the next university term. This is what I said about Dad elsewhere:
"Exactly
two years have now passed since Dad's sudden death. While there's so
much to tell him if it were possible, many a times it's small things
that I want to talk about. The other day, I was watching a cartoon that
he, my brother and I have all seen loads of times (ReBoot); in it, I
observed a tiny detail that I hadn't noticed before. If he'd still been
here, I would have told him about it, he'd likely have been fascinated
and we'd have watched a relevant clip so that he'd spot it, too.
Alas, the days of these particular tiny pleasures are no longer. Still,
new ones can be formed while the old ones with Dad can be remembered
fondly.
Thursday, 29 December 2016
"Rogue One:A Star Wars Story"
This afternoon, a friend and I went to see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (usually shortened to Rogue One). Rebel One differs from the other seven Star Wars films in that it is a separate story but it nevertheless fits in with the overall canon; the current makers of the films wanted to focus on small stories within the Star Wars universe while still continuing to develop the main saga.
Back when I watched The Force Awakens, I noted that "The Star Wars universe is expansive enough without the need to reboot the saga." I still believe that is the case and as such, I think that one of Rogue One's strongest features is that expands the existing universe of Star Wars while keeping in line with the canon; the film completely fits in with the main saga; it doesn't create any significant plot holes.
The only downside to Rogue One is that by the film's end, all the major characters had died. As such, any chance of their stories developed in another movie is unlikely at best. It's understandable that they didn't survive, as none of them were in the originals from the 1970s/1980s and the makers want them separate from the upcoming main saga movies.
As with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which I saw back in January, and with Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, which I first saw back in May 2005, I was satisfied with Rogue One. Thus, every Star Wars film I've seen at the cinema so far has been enjoyable.
Back when I watched The Force Awakens, I noted that "The Star Wars universe is expansive enough without the need to reboot the saga." I still believe that is the case and as such, I think that one of Rogue One's strongest features is that expands the existing universe of Star Wars while keeping in line with the canon; the film completely fits in with the main saga; it doesn't create any significant plot holes.
The only downside to Rogue One is that by the film's end, all the major characters had died. As such, any chance of their stories developed in another movie is unlikely at best. It's understandable that they didn't survive, as none of them were in the originals from the 1970s/1980s and the makers want them separate from the upcoming main saga movies.
As with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which I saw back in January, and with Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, which I first saw back in May 2005, I was satisfied with Rogue One. Thus, every Star Wars film I've seen at the cinema so far has been enjoyable.
Sunday, 11 December 2016
Rogue One and troll anger
The alt-right (white supremacists) and fans of the supposed winner of the recent president election in the United States have gone ballistic about the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story film:
In short, they think that the film is anti-white and believe that it received a small re-shoot to add scenes that were in opposition to the aforementioned supposed winner. The former is paranoid nonsense but if the latter were to be true, political messages are nothing new to Star Wars; after all, Star Wars: Episode VI: Revenge of the Sith was notable for its "So this is liberty freedom dies..." comment made by Padmé Amidala.
In short, they think that the film is anti-white and believe that it received a small re-shoot to add scenes that were in opposition to the aforementioned supposed winner. The former is paranoid nonsense but if the latter were to be true, political messages are nothing new to Star Wars; after all, Star Wars: Episode VI: Revenge of the Sith was notable for its "So this is liberty freedom dies..." comment made by Padmé Amidala.
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
"Can't Smile Without You"
Here are three versions of one beautiful song...
...by Barry Manilow...
...by The Carpenters...
...and from the film Unconditional Love, which is my first major encounter with the song, although I might have heard it other media or in store radios (Four Weddings and Funeral, for example, but I don't recall the song in that movie). Manilow's version, which is the most known, was released in 1978 from his album Even Now; however, The Carpenters' version came earlier, in 1977, from their album A Kind of Hush. Manilow appears in Unconditional Love.
...by Barry Manilow...
...by The Carpenters...
...and from the film Unconditional Love, which is my first major encounter with the song, although I might have heard it other media or in store radios (Four Weddings and Funeral, for example, but I don't recall the song in that movie). Manilow's version, which is the most known, was released in 1978 from his album Even Now; however, The Carpenters' version came earlier, in 1977, from their album A Kind of Hush. Manilow appears in Unconditional Love.
Saturday, 3 December 2016
Cinema at night
A university friend and I went out tonight to see A United Kingdom. My friend had decided she wanted to watch the movie and I offered to accompany her, both to ensure she had some company and because she is a good friend and I genuinely wanted to spend a few hours out with her. Besides, I shall be busy tomorrow and what better way to relax today than to be with a friend?
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
"Together in Electric Dreams" - Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder
This is my fourth of five feel-good songs:
It's "Together in Electric Dreams" by Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder. The song was originally released in 1984 and is from both the album Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder and the soundtrack to the film Electric Dreams, for which the song was recorded. The song went on to become a greater success than the actual film; in fact, even I wasn't aware of the film's existence until conducting a little research for this post.
The version of "Together in Electric Dreams" I'm most familar with is the 12" one, as it was in Dad's record collection.
It's "Together in Electric Dreams" by Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder. The song was originally released in 1984 and is from both the album Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder and the soundtrack to the film Electric Dreams, for which the song was recorded. The song went on to become a greater success than the actual film; in fact, even I wasn't aware of the film's existence until conducting a little research for this post.
The version of "Together in Electric Dreams" I'm most familar with is the 12" one, as it was in Dad's record collection.
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
The Nexus sky
This evening, when returning to my campus after spending the afternoon in Nottingham's city centre (which itself occurred after my induction sessions) I observed this spectacular sky:
It reminded me of the Nexus of Joy in the film Star Trek Generations. On my bus back to Clifton I was sat on the upper deck and two women next two me were also marvelling at this awesome sky.
Friday, 19 August 2016
"Blade Runner (End Titles)" - Vangelis
The following song is from a film's end credits:
It's the ending music, composed by Greek musician Vangelis, from Blade Runner, a futuristic dystopian science fiction film from the 1980s - possibly the most notable one from that era. This afternoon, my mother and I were sorting out some more of hers and Dad's CDs when I came across Dad's copy of the soundtrack to Blade Runner, which was Dad's favourite film. I decided to keep the album for nostalgic purposes.
It's the ending music, composed by Greek musician Vangelis, from Blade Runner, a futuristic dystopian science fiction film from the 1980s - possibly the most notable one from that era. This afternoon, my mother and I were sorting out some more of hers and Dad's CDs when I came across Dad's copy of the soundtrack to Blade Runner, which was Dad's favourite film. I decided to keep the album for nostalgic purposes.
Saturday, 13 August 2016
Kenny Baker
Kenny Baker has died:
Kenny Baker is known for playing R2-D2 in the six main Star Wars films and was credited as "R2 Consultant" for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He is somebody who has worked on all seven of the currently-released Star Wars films, so it is certainly a loss for someone who has been there since the beginning to die. Baker had been ill for a while and his death was expected.
Kenny Baker is known for playing R2-D2 in the six main Star Wars films and was credited as "R2 Consultant" for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He is somebody who has worked on all seven of the currently-released Star Wars films, so it is certainly a loss for someone who has been there since the beginning to die. Baker had been ill for a while and his death was expected.
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
"Toy Story 4" - Robot Chicken
When my family and I lived in America, one show that Dad, my brother and I enjoyed was Robot Chicken, a stop-motion animation sketch comedy on [adult swim]. The show tends to joke about popular culture and while it's quite vulgar, Robot Chicken is hilarious.
I recently re-discovered Robot Chicken when I came across some Harry Potter-related clips from it but one that might resonate more with people is this one:
That's quite a piece of dark humor about Toy Story! I miss watching Robot Chicken; watching it with Dad is a pastime I'll never be able to experience again.
As for Toy Story 4, that is a real film and is supposed to be released in 2018.
I recently re-discovered Robot Chicken when I came across some Harry Potter-related clips from it but one that might resonate more with people is this one:
That's quite a piece of dark humor about Toy Story! I miss watching Robot Chicken; watching it with Dad is a pastime I'll never be able to experience again.
As for Toy Story 4, that is a real film and is supposed to be released in 2018.
Monday, 30 May 2016
"What's the Matter" - Milo Greene
Here is a more unusual song that I'd like to share; well, maybe the song itself isn't unusual so much as how I came across it:
It's "What's the Matter" by Milo Greene, a Californian band. I discovered the song in late 2014 when my grandfather and I were watching Supernatural - the episode "Bitten" from the eighth season. I took note of some of the lyrics and was sure to Google them later. "What's the Matter" is quite a sad and soft song - it brings back memories of a different time of my life.
It's "What's the Matter" by Milo Greene, a Californian band. I discovered the song in late 2014 when my grandfather and I were watching Supernatural - the episode "Bitten" from the eighth season. I took note of some of the lyrics and was sure to Google them later. "What's the Matter" is quite a sad and soft song - it brings back memories of a different time of my life.
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