I gotta sing 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers and Jason Mraz's 'I'm Yours' tomorrow...arghh. I've been practising over and over and my throat hurts and it's still doesn't sound good and I don't know why the Music Tech teacher says I can sing and I don't know why I went along with it and I don't know what I've let myself in for. I used to be in a band but that didn't work out, mainly because I'm goddamn nervous of people hearing me sing. I felt like crying when I was going to busk with the guitarist. Honestly, it's like a phobia. So I'm pretty jittery and anxious right now.
that's all, I felt like whining. I might botehr with a half decent entry soon.
Alo, if you're into music, look up 'Billy Childish And The MBE.' Oh, and 'The Damned'. The Damned are pretty old, but good. The MBE are just...mental. Crazily good.
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Sunday 21 March 2010
Sunday
wake up again, stretch, remember your dream. get up, get a t shirt, get yourself together. go downstairs, turn on the kettle, the tv, the rain. have a cup of tea, have a shower, have a desire to leave the house. put on your clothes, put on your make-up, put the phone on charge. put on your shoes. take a camera, take the bus, take your time, take a picture. take a walk to the coffee shop. and back to the bus station, back to littlebourne, back to your house. back to the computer, back to pyjamas, back to bed, back to sleep.
dream about summer. lately, your life has taken a monotonous turn
x
dream about summer. lately, your life has taken a monotonous turn
x
Sunday 7 March 2010
As Promised.
My review of Tim Burtons latest film, 'Alice in Wonderland.'
I am a massive fan of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland, and a massive fan of Tim Burtons films, so naturally I screamed when I read that Tim Burton would be directing this, and naturally I was fidgety since. When I saw a trailer for the film I was a little let down by the advert, as I would expect some brilliant snippets from the film, but the trailer left me a little empty, like I could see clearly how the film would turn out. And, now I have seen the film, I was right. Unfortunately, I didn't see it in 3D, which was the first mistake; either on my part or the filmmakers. Any film made in 3D should still be a treat for the eyes and ears for those who cannot see it in it's three dimensional glory. There were too many 'tricks' in the film - when 3D first came out, it was obvious when parts had been put into the film simply to show off the new technology- think 'Friday the 13th Part III'. And that happened alot in this film, which was pretty irritating immediately and constantly.
Audience disadvantages aside, I still felt a bit let down by the whole film. I really thought that Tim Burton would have put all he had into 'Alice in Wonderland'- the story was practically made for him, to really showcase what he can do as a director and filmmaker with his definitive dark and edgy style, but he just didn't reach the mark. I understand he was the director for this particular film, and consequentially may have been granted less creative input. Which really is a shame. Why have Tim Burton on board making a film about the story of a little girl who falls underground into another world and meets talking animals and flowers, well-meaning but crackpot friends, dissapearing cats and wise caterpillars, and simply have Mr Burton sit in a corner twiddling his thumbs? Tim Burton had an amazing chance to put his stamp on a film, but he didn't. And as a result, the new, haphazard storyline is confusing and offputting (which is saying alot for a film based on a book all about being lost and confused), and looked unfinished. Even the special effects weren't up to standard. Why use CGI for a man's body? Or leave his head normal but on a special effects body made to look just like a man's body? Maybe the point of excessive CGI was to highlight that Alice is the only normal person in Wonderland, but this would be a long shot and no excuse for what I found to be distractingly bad CGI.
I wasn't even entirely impressed with the casting. Mia Wasikowska, a young, unfamiliar actress, made a very pretty and stubborn Alice, if quite unlikeable at the beginning, but she brilliantly portrayed Alice's change throughout her time in 'Underland'(as it it apparently correctly known). TweedleDee and TweedleDum, played only slightly by Matt Lucas and more by CGI (again) were quite funny, and managed to coax a few singgers in the audience, but simply because they were fat and kept hitting each other. The Mad Hatter was a role perfect for Johnny Depp, but again I fell he did not put his all into the role. However, the very vulnerable and unhinged Mad Hatter was very beautifully played and did elicit pity and concern from me, especially when he occasionally went into dangerous rages.
Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen was very good, if a bit predictable and exaggerated. She definitely got into the role of being malicious and pouty very well, but I feel like I've seen it before in a different film.
Seeing as pretty much all of the main characters were either computer generated or a bit boring (Anne Hathaway, I'm looking at you) then there is little else to review on the casting.
Overall I find it hard to recommend this film to anyone. Tim Burton fans will fail to see how exactly he contributed to this film, other than the brilliant Mad Hatter. Fans of the general Alice in Wonderland story will also be dissapointed, as it is not a re-telling of the story, but almost a sequel, loosely trying to combine elements of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass.' The only highlight for fans of the book will be being able to notice little bits here and there that other people viewing the film may not understand, like the poem 'Jabberwocky' as recited by Johnny Depp. And people who go to the see the film simply because they fancy it will probably be left confused. Serves you right, you should either read the book, or watch either the 1951 animated movie or the 1999 made-for-TV movie, both of which stay true to the essence of the book. Which is a hell of alot more than can be said for Tim Burton's attempt. I really wish that my first judgement of the film based on a TV trailer had been proved wrong, and that Tim Burton had produced a beautiful, crazy and dark story.
I am a massive fan of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland, and a massive fan of Tim Burtons films, so naturally I screamed when I read that Tim Burton would be directing this, and naturally I was fidgety since. When I saw a trailer for the film I was a little let down by the advert, as I would expect some brilliant snippets from the film, but the trailer left me a little empty, like I could see clearly how the film would turn out. And, now I have seen the film, I was right. Unfortunately, I didn't see it in 3D, which was the first mistake; either on my part or the filmmakers. Any film made in 3D should still be a treat for the eyes and ears for those who cannot see it in it's three dimensional glory. There were too many 'tricks' in the film - when 3D first came out, it was obvious when parts had been put into the film simply to show off the new technology- think 'Friday the 13th Part III'. And that happened alot in this film, which was pretty irritating immediately and constantly.
Audience disadvantages aside, I still felt a bit let down by the whole film. I really thought that Tim Burton would have put all he had into 'Alice in Wonderland'- the story was practically made for him, to really showcase what he can do as a director and filmmaker with his definitive dark and edgy style, but he just didn't reach the mark. I understand he was the director for this particular film, and consequentially may have been granted less creative input. Which really is a shame. Why have Tim Burton on board making a film about the story of a little girl who falls underground into another world and meets talking animals and flowers, well-meaning but crackpot friends, dissapearing cats and wise caterpillars, and simply have Mr Burton sit in a corner twiddling his thumbs? Tim Burton had an amazing chance to put his stamp on a film, but he didn't. And as a result, the new, haphazard storyline is confusing and offputting (which is saying alot for a film based on a book all about being lost and confused), and looked unfinished. Even the special effects weren't up to standard. Why use CGI for a man's body? Or leave his head normal but on a special effects body made to look just like a man's body? Maybe the point of excessive CGI was to highlight that Alice is the only normal person in Wonderland, but this would be a long shot and no excuse for what I found to be distractingly bad CGI.
I wasn't even entirely impressed with the casting. Mia Wasikowska, a young, unfamiliar actress, made a very pretty and stubborn Alice, if quite unlikeable at the beginning, but she brilliantly portrayed Alice's change throughout her time in 'Underland'(as it it apparently correctly known). TweedleDee and TweedleDum, played only slightly by Matt Lucas and more by CGI (again) were quite funny, and managed to coax a few singgers in the audience, but simply because they were fat and kept hitting each other. The Mad Hatter was a role perfect for Johnny Depp, but again I fell he did not put his all into the role. However, the very vulnerable and unhinged Mad Hatter was very beautifully played and did elicit pity and concern from me, especially when he occasionally went into dangerous rages.
Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen was very good, if a bit predictable and exaggerated. She definitely got into the role of being malicious and pouty very well, but I feel like I've seen it before in a different film.
Seeing as pretty much all of the main characters were either computer generated or a bit boring (Anne Hathaway, I'm looking at you) then there is little else to review on the casting.
Overall I find it hard to recommend this film to anyone. Tim Burton fans will fail to see how exactly he contributed to this film, other than the brilliant Mad Hatter. Fans of the general Alice in Wonderland story will also be dissapointed, as it is not a re-telling of the story, but almost a sequel, loosely trying to combine elements of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass.' The only highlight for fans of the book will be being able to notice little bits here and there that other people viewing the film may not understand, like the poem 'Jabberwocky' as recited by Johnny Depp. And people who go to the see the film simply because they fancy it will probably be left confused. Serves you right, you should either read the book, or watch either the 1951 animated movie or the 1999 made-for-TV movie, both of which stay true to the essence of the book. Which is a hell of alot more than can be said for Tim Burton's attempt. I really wish that my first judgement of the film based on a TV trailer had been proved wrong, and that Tim Burton had produced a beautiful, crazy and dark story.
Saturday 6 March 2010
'Why is a raven like a writing desk?'
I'll tell you why, as I'm sick of people quoting the new Alice in Wonderland film, as if it didn't exist before or there was never a book (which is amazing and I suggest you read it, as Tim Burton has allegedly not stuck to any of the storyline, just the characters). Duhhh.
Lewis Carroll states, in a note in my ancient 1958 copy of the two stories, that a raven is like a writing desk 'Because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front. This, however, is an after-thought: the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all.'
By 'never put with the wrong end it front,' he means that 'raven' is 'nevar' spelt backwards, and a desk cannot be put the wrong way round.
I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't blog unless there was anything I felt needed blogging, but today is a break from that promise and today I am doing a new blog entry out of boredom. So it's a mish mash of observations and bits and bobs today.
I have decided that, when I am old enough to get a tattoo, I would very much like Frank Carter from Gallows to tattoo me. I've already lined up a load of tattoos I want, from a small heart on my hip to ornate wings on my back (two tattoos I've wanted since I was about 11 - I've wanted tattoos since I was about 6) and I think that because tattoos are so personal, I would like an original and inspiring person to contribute towards it. So I've decided that Mr. Carter, who said in an interview he would rather be considered as a tattooist in a band rather than a singer who sidelines in tattoo art, would be a great candidate to do a pretty tat.
I've also started doing rough scribbles of tattoo designs all over my work in lessons, which seemed to piss Frau Wade off. Especially as I wasn't even drawing on my 'work,' just a blank page with just the words 'Ich Liebe' on it.
I also might go to Primark today, (yeah i know.) to look for a pair of brogues and maybe a scarf. Failing that, I'll go charity shopping tomorrow.
That's all, I really have stopped being able to think. x
Lewis Carroll states, in a note in my ancient 1958 copy of the two stories, that a raven is like a writing desk 'Because it can produce a few notes, though they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front. This, however, is an after-thought: the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all.'
By 'never put with the wrong end it front,' he means that 'raven' is 'nevar' spelt backwards, and a desk cannot be put the wrong way round.
I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't blog unless there was anything I felt needed blogging, but today is a break from that promise and today I am doing a new blog entry out of boredom. So it's a mish mash of observations and bits and bobs today.
I have decided that, when I am old enough to get a tattoo, I would very much like Frank Carter from Gallows to tattoo me. I've already lined up a load of tattoos I want, from a small heart on my hip to ornate wings on my back (two tattoos I've wanted since I was about 11 - I've wanted tattoos since I was about 6) and I think that because tattoos are so personal, I would like an original and inspiring person to contribute towards it. So I've decided that Mr. Carter, who said in an interview he would rather be considered as a tattooist in a band rather than a singer who sidelines in tattoo art, would be a great candidate to do a pretty tat.
I've also started doing rough scribbles of tattoo designs all over my work in lessons, which seemed to piss Frau Wade off. Especially as I wasn't even drawing on my 'work,' just a blank page with just the words 'Ich Liebe' on it.
I also might go to Primark today, (yeah i know.) to look for a pair of brogues and maybe a scarf. Failing that, I'll go charity shopping tomorrow.
That's all, I really have stopped being able to think. x
Wednesday 3 March 2010
bombing sherbert.
so a kid in my class, lizzie, brought in 3 BOXES OF MULTICOLOURED SHERBERT today.
You can get these big industrial packs of stuff at a place called Bookers in Canterbury if you own a business. So she always brings in sherbert when our class do charity events. And i promptly bought and bombed and consequently OD'd on this sherbert. Sugar Rush ToTheMax.
Also had an after school detention today, for never wearing the proper uniform to school. I never wear a shirt, just a vest and cardigan with my jumper over it, and I always seem to wear excessive bracelets, leggings with socks, boots, my FAVOURITE turquoise glass bead necklace and nail varnish and a scarf. So my school hates me for that. Still, I don't mind after school detentions too much, as I can just read books in them (atm it's 'Steppenwolf' by Herman Hesse...deep brah. I happened to get onto a pretty sexy chapter while in detention today and, for some reason, felt embarassed).
But it's walking to the bus stop, getting a bus, walking through the bus station and getting another bus, then walking home that does my head in. I hate when it's a blustery day as my hair and skin and clothes make me look like a classic raggedy-ann orphan once I've been outside for five minutes.
Oh and yahh, I plan to go c-c-c-craaazy in H&M tomorrow. Like cover-me-in-glue-and-run-through-the-shop crazy. I made a resolution to myself that for a while I would only shop vintage, charity and, at a push, Ebay, but that resolution failed because the vintage shops in my area are so expensive and Oxfam didn't have much to offer. H&M feels kinda lazy, but the great thing about it is that you can get basic, staple pieces and either dress them down or make them statements. Whereas with Topshop, if you see someone wearing the same dress as you, they'll be wearing it the same WAY as you as well. With H&M, strangers are guaranteed to be wearing it differently from you.
Does that make sense? Doesn't matter. I'm excited.
Ima go tidy my room and have a cup of tea and listen to The Cure's 'Exploding Boy' and Korn's 'Coming Undone.'
Laters brah.
You can get these big industrial packs of stuff at a place called Bookers in Canterbury if you own a business. So she always brings in sherbert when our class do charity events. And i promptly bought and bombed and consequently OD'd on this sherbert. Sugar Rush ToTheMax.
Also had an after school detention today, for never wearing the proper uniform to school. I never wear a shirt, just a vest and cardigan with my jumper over it, and I always seem to wear excessive bracelets, leggings with socks, boots, my FAVOURITE turquoise glass bead necklace and nail varnish and a scarf. So my school hates me for that. Still, I don't mind after school detentions too much, as I can just read books in them (atm it's 'Steppenwolf' by Herman Hesse...deep brah. I happened to get onto a pretty sexy chapter while in detention today and, for some reason, felt embarassed).
But it's walking to the bus stop, getting a bus, walking through the bus station and getting another bus, then walking home that does my head in. I hate when it's a blustery day as my hair and skin and clothes make me look like a classic raggedy-ann orphan once I've been outside for five minutes.
Oh and yahh, I plan to go c-c-c-craaazy in H&M tomorrow. Like cover-me-in-glue-and-run-through-the-shop crazy. I made a resolution to myself that for a while I would only shop vintage, charity and, at a push, Ebay, but that resolution failed because the vintage shops in my area are so expensive and Oxfam didn't have much to offer. H&M feels kinda lazy, but the great thing about it is that you can get basic, staple pieces and either dress them down or make them statements. Whereas with Topshop, if you see someone wearing the same dress as you, they'll be wearing it the same WAY as you as well. With H&M, strangers are guaranteed to be wearing it differently from you.
Does that make sense? Doesn't matter. I'm excited.
Ima go tidy my room and have a cup of tea and listen to The Cure's 'Exploding Boy' and Korn's 'Coming Undone.'
Laters brah.
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