tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22397738941139445522024-03-13T02:49:51.295+02:00One Large PopcornMovies, TV Shows, online videos, life...
Generally things I want to talk about.
Putting it out to the world, interested in what returns.Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-56285899476309184982012-07-23T14:32:00.001+02:002012-07-23T14:40:13.273+02:00Rascals Returns<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing makes you as happy or picks you up when you are down or makes you jump up and down on your bed like your favourite childhood sweets! That is why I am so freakin excited that my favourite candy is back on the market! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSq7HdBgPa8KeUBhJv_YEPKulee5Seto0ThLpyxKk-aGnG6cha7ZqeM-YImgAdphRynSZakLI0J4dEzVaRh_SNIYCBn44c8tge5J5Hvv3twHPTKWSU4fSWLK-1ItvKIuwHknvV60RkoA/s1600/rascals1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSq7HdBgPa8KeUBhJv_YEPKulee5Seto0ThLpyxKk-aGnG6cha7ZqeM-YImgAdphRynSZakLI0J4dEzVaRh_SNIYCBn44c8tge5J5Hvv3twHPTKWSU4fSWLK-1ItvKIuwHknvV60RkoA/s640/rascals1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For the past 5 years I've been moaning and complaining to anyone who would stand it about how I missed Rascal, and no one could understand why it ever went off the market. Well now it doesn't matter because about two weeks ago I found out they will be back in stores from the 16th of July. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGAgy_mswhgzBYND3Ugh_cuonrSNjkt-DHRpOMW2bOi7Btj6sf-v8OKfir4tC_lD8jWzwILYp44nM_W1Tm40moCVvAFV6YElGO9QngrfJAcdpJqjLOatHCL1yO4k69sXxt_wNQfTNDTk/s1600/rascals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGAgy_mswhgzBYND3Ugh_cuonrSNjkt-DHRpOMW2bOi7Btj6sf-v8OKfir4tC_lD8jWzwILYp44nM_W1Tm40moCVvAFV6YElGO9QngrfJAcdpJqjLOatHCL1yO4k69sXxt_wNQfTNDTk/s640/rascals.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">However to my disappointment, the Gauteng are was (for a change) quite slow in getting them, or everyone else just beat me to it and bought everything, I don't know? But that also doesn't matter anymore, because I found those little Rascals!!!!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECfl3MjattOmdb0N7dLIUXBsEldSzdK5Hv-Q97BNDMUETp9R4rxBsREBbGmRvH2MFifoLPYA3I7ZHZYNImaH0IDskxwLtnHsLEVWtVb_S8neqkavXFQELWmPcFd5G_yzB2RWEC2IGUi0/s1600/IMG_3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECfl3MjattOmdb0N7dLIUXBsEldSzdK5Hv-Q97BNDMUETp9R4rxBsREBbGmRvH2MFifoLPYA3I7ZHZYNImaH0IDskxwLtnHsLEVWtVb_S8neqkavXFQELWmPcFd5G_yzB2RWEC2IGUi0/s640/IMG_3972.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I popped into a Clicks this morning, because yesterday my sister told me that a guy she works with found some there. (You see, I've got contacts...[waving my finger]) And there they were, still in there boxes, being packed on the shelves, so I grabbed a handful and ran...for the till. And now I am happy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLL8U4gpVodaOZxGJEfzsJ1U94fni7ZSSomMmy8L-7QhrgvJK3NEUuMUnC_Cy3FmnNOHYYJiEOixZljJkonbRRi0mo_4tYGur_BOG6t7x-aDpUCCkSxNdif-u9rBl1wZn0uhG4_8sf0c/s1600/IMG_3975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLL8U4gpVodaOZxGJEfzsJ1U94fni7ZSSomMmy8L-7QhrgvJK3NEUuMUnC_Cy3FmnNOHYYJiEOixZljJkonbRRi0mo_4tYGur_BOG6t7x-aDpUCCkSxNdif-u9rBl1wZn0uhG4_8sf0c/s640/IMG_3975.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rascals</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZBrnMeAAueylzrUERdVX_pE9jOuhUDrJQnKLC6wBkLZUs59zrzQjlB9CJu2dbcpC7ozMamMqEyNto_4UAjePAPvLUy2ufjaSfeEFY5BWjs6eO79IQ2U813X9eh_JLGCN32WDBm9Vn7c/s1600/fresca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZBrnMeAAueylzrUERdVX_pE9jOuhUDrJQnKLC6wBkLZUs59zrzQjlB9CJu2dbcpC7ozMamMqEyNto_4UAjePAPvLUy2ufjaSfeEFY5BWjs6eO79IQ2U813X9eh_JLGCN32WDBm9Vn7c/s200/fresca.jpg" width="96" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">All that is left now is for them to bring back the big plastic Rascal man shaped Rascal bottle filled with Rascals and I'll be over the moon. And I still need to find some Sour Rascals, I only found the Fruit and the Mixed Berries flavours. Oh and they need to bring back Fresca as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can follow Rascals on their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RascalsSA" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/RascalsSA" target="_blank">Twitter</a> pages.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you know what you should try the next time you go to movies or make popcorn at home: throw a packet or two of Rascals over all the popcorn, shake it a bit and enjoy. I know it sounds weird, but trust me its awesome getting the crunchy salty popcorn with the chewy fruity (or sour) Rascals. Learnt that from my sister. Try it out!</span>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-5572560169521288652012-07-20T22:16:00.001+02:002012-07-20T22:16:52.291+02:00Put Your Lighters UpSo yesterday evening i was at this fundraising dinner. I was invited by a very good friend of mine to accompany her to the event. The Help-net fund which takes care of kids in extremely bad homes and gives them a safe house to live in. What realy shook my world was the man who founded the organisation years ago urged everyone to please spend money during the auction and donate for the new house they are opening up. <br />
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And what really hit me in the stomach is he said if there is anyone in the room who can't afford to give R50 should raise up their hands because clearly you need it more than we do. And I sat there feeling the R100 in my pocket, which I had to borrow from a family member just so that I am able to by a drink for the friend I was with, I felt the R100 burn through my being, nudging me to put up my hand and say, well I don't. That same moment I feel guilty that while this man is speaking about giving money for kids who are in much dire situations than me, I'm still thinking of myself. <br />
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But then I though, well if I'm not doing good, then how can I help someone else? I also realise that the reason I was feeling bad was because I really, really wanted to contribute to helping these children, but becaus of my circumstances I simply wasn't able to, I could barely take care of myself, let alone someone else. <br />
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That feeling is shit. Pure shit. Luckily my mind didn't stop there, because I though about how important it is to realise these things. In that same moment when I wanted to put my hands up and admit in shame that I couldn't even spend R50, I also had the strongest desire and drive in me to get myself out of these circumstances and get to a point where I can whip out R8000 and say, "here you go, for helping others". <br />
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The last thing I'm going to bitch and moan about is the stigma connected to not having enough money or not being financially strong. Now it might be in my mind, but if it is, it's because people created this thing about it being bad if you aren't financially secure, but fuck that. I am not financially secure, I don't like it, but I'm not going to be ashamed of it and I'm also not expecting charity! <br />
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It gives me a drive to do things I want to do, and achieve things and ultimately be financially comfortable so that I can help those who can't help themselves, and inspire those who can help themselves to do so. It is more rewarding knowing that you rose from the ashes to greatness and that you worked your ass off getting there, so everything that you receive you truly deserve. And I've tasted that before, rising to greater heights. It might have been in small stretches, but they still felt amazing and I can only image how great it'll feel when I do a significant rise. And I know I can acheive it because I've been blessed with many talents, and God didn't create us to play it small, we are made in his image, and He is great, so it is expected of us to be great as well.<br />
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So here's to the fighters, the phoenixes, the dreamers and the believers. Carry on, even when it's at its darkest and there is no hope. Don't turn around and don't give up. Stay. Keep on. Soon you will see there has been a light all along, your eyes just needed to learn to see it. Keep fighting and put those lighters up so that others can see your light and find their own. (Yes, part of that was an Eminem lyric quote, it doesn't make it less true.) Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-29106477896955641112012-07-11T10:16:00.001+02:002012-07-11T10:35:54.911+02:00A Leap of Faith!<span style="font-size: large;">For someone who prides them self at taking chances and trying new things, I do come to quite a shocking halt when reaching a cliff. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, let me stop speaking metaphorically for a moment (only a moment). So many times I feel like running away when a new opportunity or challenge comes along. It is a knee-jerk response that I find quite strange and weirdly enough unnatural. Why are we so afraid of things that are unknown? I was afraid to go to University, did I make it out alive? Check. I was afraid I would never be able to drive a car, but now it is second nature! (weirdly enough not so unnatural)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So now for the first time in a long while, on my long journey to who knows where, I have come to a cliff in the road and the gap I need to jump is freakin huge! In fact I can't even see the other side of the cliff! How the heck will I reach the other side, that is if there is an other side?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But then I think of all the other cliffs I've jumped over, sometimes I was pushed over and other times I had to trick myself to jump. And in that moment of remembering I get this strange sensation of just wanting to jump, just to see what will happen and it doesn't feel unnatural. Not jumping, not taking that leap of faith seems unnatural. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That is truly what a leap of faith is: leaping with all your might and carrying on and believing and knowing that once you have jumped the net will appear, because only once you've jumped you truly believe and only once you believe you will see God standing there with the net stretched ready to catch you. And if you miss the net, well He'll be standing by with some Mercurochrome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So that is what I'll do. I'll take the chance. I'll accept the challenge. Even if the result was just me stretching my legs. Every time jumping a little further and with more flare each time. So, see you on the flip-side!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ps. Just incase someone is reading this and thinking that they should really jump off an actual cliff, don't. That would be the opposite of a leap of faith. And that is quite unnatural. Stick it out for a little while more, it'll soon get better, and you'll be glad you stuck around.</span>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-80280593491996210532012-07-09T22:26:00.002+02:002012-07-09T22:26:41.841+02:00Everyone loves free shit!<span style="font-size: large;">That really is the truth. Getting something free can really lift your spirit on any shit day and make a good day even better! I've always found it quite weird when people get all excited about stuff which I think is really quite stupid. So stupid I can't even think of an example at the moment, because let's face it, I don't give a crap! But, I have been thinking about it on occasion... (and it's not that I didn't know it, I just chose to not spend energy in trying to understand it) ...but I can understand why people react to things they like and suddenly turn into a child again, because every now and then I'll stumble upon something that makes me feel and want and act like a child again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of those thinks is getting free stuff. Blame it on my dry student life which I'm trying to shake of bit by bit (if only I didn't have that stupid study loan I would be able to shake it off quicker, but I'll get there), but free stuff makes you happy. But there is something better that that though. That is getting stuff you actually WANT for free. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Luckily I discovered this one blogger who regularly gives away loads of awesome stuff - <a href="http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/" target="_blank">blog.spoongraphics.co.uk</a>. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">One of the posts that had me jumping in my seat, like that little closeted gay short guy, was </span><a href="http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/freebies/handy-roundup-of-free-vector-ornaments-flourishes" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">this</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> post with a couple of vector ornaments and flourishes. And for that split second I understood and accepted every person who has ever annoyed me while going on and on about something they like which I simply could understand, because in that moment when I saw those free elements I was really excited and wanted to share my excitement with everyone. Maybe next time I'll give a damn when someone wants to share their excitement and joy. </span>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-61984711723095652452012-05-01T10:17:00.000+02:002012-05-01T10:29:41.704+02:00Glee - S03E15 - We Think You Are Too Dumb For A Clever Storyline<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot begin to explain how disappointed I am with Glee, and I know it sounds strange because of my previous post. I went on and on about how they are getting it right. Well, I believe that <a href="http://onelargepopcorn.blogspot.com/2012/03/glee-s3e14-on-my-way.html" target="_blank">that</a> episode was simply a fluke. It was a fantastic winter mid-season finale, and I've been counting down the days until the new episode. I even stayed up until 2am to watch the episode, what a waste. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They reverted back to their old shlep of a ship. Cliches around every corner, no real story line, I was bored out of my mind. If it wasn't for Blaine's cute brother in this episode I would have said total waste of an hour in my life. The Goyte song at the end was also a saviour for them, but I still prefer the original and it was a cheap trick on their part. Luckily Blaine's rendition of 'Fighter' was fairly good, but only because I think that no one should cover that song. It's one of those songs that only the original artist can sing... well that being said, maybe it's rather one of those songs which you can only listen to the original studio song, because even Christina Aguilera singing that live does not sound as good as the studio track. But Blaine's version was fine, it was not a disaster, which in it self is difficult to pull off. </span><br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0d/Christina_Aguilera_-_Fighter_CD_cover.jpg/220px-Christina_Aguilera_-_Fighter_CD_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0d/Christina_Aguilera_-_Fighter_CD_cover.jpg/220px-Christina_Aguilera_-_Fighter_CD_cover.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But the rest of the episode was pretty shit. The whole new anti-texting campaign, Finn and Rachel's are-we-going-to-marry-or-not which has been going back and forth this whole season, the way they duck out of Quin's accident, and then Artie feeling all sad again because Quin does not want to accept her reality. It's stupid and not well written. And I don't know why? Glee has an excellent writing staff. The head writer, Ryan Murphy, has written many amazing scripts, just look at the 6 seasons of Nip/Tuck. </span><br />
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<a href="http://comicsworthreading.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/niptucks5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://comicsworthreading.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/niptucks5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But that being said, I think that the bigger problem is the longevity of Glee. Even though it is a musical TV show, it's not about the music, music is just another part of the story. The premise of Glee is a bunch of miss-fitted teenagers who want to feel part of something special, thus they choose to win a national show choir competition. So, they are now in senior year and this is their last shot. If they win it this year, we are happy. If they don't win it, we are bummed, but either way it should end this season. As much as I love them making amazing covers of some of may favorite songs and teaching me some fantastic new songs, their time has come. I thought that by them creating a proper new storyline in the previous episode that where going to be able to craft a new story arch which will lead them into a new breath on life and give them a few more seasons. But no. No. No. No. Even if they do whip out some new rabbit, I'm not falling for it again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think once they know that this is their last season, they will also start writing towards a specific goal and once they do that the story will suddenly pick up and seem like they have their mojo back, but thats the point. Every story should have a beginning, but most importantly an end. I don't want to watch a story that isn't going anywhere, otherwise I would have watched something like Days of Our Lives or Bold and The Beautiful. So FOX, please let Glee know that this is their last season and they should start writing towards an end.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All in all I don't want you leaving feeling all bothered by Glee (or this review if you don't agree) so I include a fun little number that they did which I really enjoyed (It was not in this episode though).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xRFLOGOvSWg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I also had to include this song. Killer dance scene. Old school!</span><br />
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<br />Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-50769305298732355842012-03-09T23:00:00.000+02:002012-03-10T00:19:55.300+02:00Glee - S3E14 - On My Way<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VmvGYF5m9JWvYRvYBKP2nBkYwVW__rGk_NSKAYZjoOKcAc-nobnNOaxyatB_TnfZPUjYFu7gupJd0aCOOz_W0WQGHirtYNPOMMVPZ5qVneJMguGJedx3WPrQgyGlQwxIojHx8EI65RU/s1600/glee_ver3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VmvGYF5m9JWvYRvYBKP2nBkYwVW__rGk_NSKAYZjoOKcAc-nobnNOaxyatB_TnfZPUjYFu7gupJd0aCOOz_W0WQGHirtYNPOMMVPZ5qVneJMguGJedx3WPrQgyGlQwxIojHx8EI65RU/s640/glee_ver3.jpg" width="432" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The first
time in 2010 when I discovered Glee I was captivated from that first
episode. I think I watched that episode
9 times in the following two days. The
whole of season 1 was amazing all the way up to the finale with their awesome
Journey set list. Season two introduced
new characters which I quickly fell in love with, interesting a daring
storylines, but it started to go down slightly in season two. Season 3 however I felt like they were losing
me a bit. I didn’t enjoy the songs and
there wasn’t really a great storyline either.
That being said it was more of a case where they had 14 episodes of
which 5 were kind of lost. But as they drew
closer to the mid-season finale, they got their old steam back. And I think the reason is because they got a
decent storyline again. For quite a
while in season 3 I wasn’t sure where they were heading and if they were even
heading somewhere, but as I said, they found a story again and I could see it
is moving forward. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This
episode in particular was a fantastic climax of various storylines and of the
winter finale as well. First I thought
the other reason why I didn’t enjoy some of the previous episodes was because I
didn’t know a lot of the songs. This
episode disproved that, because I didn’t know most of the songs, but they where
earth shattering. And I mean that. For two days the song ‘Cough Syrup’ was stuck
in my head, I bought it immediately on iTunes and I’ve been listening it on
repeat for days and days. The rendition
of it is absolutely hauntingly beautiful.
And the scene that accompanies is truly amazing. I’ve liked the Dave Karofsky character from
that first day he bullied Kurt, not because he was a bully, but because even
there I could see how much deeper his character is, and it is a testimony to Max
Adler who plays the part, because I think Ryan Murphy also so it and that is
why the character developed the way he did.
He was meant to be in this story from the beginning, whether the writers
knew about it or not. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Kurt
Hummel, was a character which I though was stupid on the first episode, but the
Chris Colfer who played him also brought something extra. On the exterior it is this stereotype, but he
quickly breaks all of them. My initial
prejudice might have also originated form my jealousy towards Chris Colfer for
doing something I would have liked to do at an age younger than me, but he
really is exceptional, I he quickly made me get over my hang-ups. I really believe he deserves that Golden
Globe and I think we are going to see amazing acting from him.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I also have
to give props to the writing team, because the way they say things and speak
through the characters, well it’s absolutely amazing. They have a way of saying something that
sounds complex in my head in such a way that it makes all the sense in the
world without having to use to many words. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The
cliffhanger, as predictable as it was, I was still shocked that they would go
there, but also happy they went there.
It shows that they’ve decided to take risks with their characters. Go places that you usually go in real
life. They are taking off the training
wheels and pulling out all the proverbial stops. I’m looking forward to seeing what else they
have to offer and what new fantastic songs they will introduce to me. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-22574343933259780072012-03-08T23:02:00.000+02:002012-03-08T23:02:09.073+02:00Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I’m
surprised that I haven’t written about this film earlier. I watched it last year while it was on
circuit. Well, all good things come to
those who wait. This is a phenomenal
film. Such a lovely story. I am an enormous Emma Stone fan. I absolutely adore her and every time I see
her in a film I like her more and more. I think the reason I like her so much
is because she reminds me a little bit of my one friend, Louren
Bezuidenhout. Such a vibrant personality,
flaming red hair, always positive and heading somewhere. The type of person who has so much fire they
ignite everyone else’s passion around them just because they are do everything
with such vigorous passion. But ja. I also like how Emma has a way of being super
hot without even trying. She is just who
she is and does it in her goofy way and we all love her for that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now I have
never been such a huge Ryan Gosling fan, even after the whole The Notebook
thing. Boy has he worked on his body! It
looks phenomenal! Would work my ass off
to look like that, so I’ll get there one day.
But his acting was also great, not that the role was exceptionally
difficult, but it was a good role. Steve
Carell on the other hand had such a fantastic character and he played it
perfectly. Since </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dan in Real Life </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I’ve had so much respect for him as an actor. He can do funny, he can do heart breaking. He
can do anything. You have to see him in
this role. I really felt his pain and
his joy and his struggle. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Again, as I
said in my previous post, I love Julian Moore, so the fact that she was in this
film just made me want to watch it even more!
And it was a great joy to see her character go through this whole
process. Now Kevin Bacon, well… He was
fit perfect for this role – a douche. For some reason he likes being typecast as the
asshole that no one likes and I also have to admit that the years have not been
kind to his skin, but in the end he plays the role he is supposed to play very
good. I just wish he would try some new
avenues and new types of roles to challenge himself. I think he is a good actor and can do so much
more than what he is doing right now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So if you
haven’t seen this film, go buy it or rent it as soon as possible. If you don’t want to see it, change your
mind. It really is a great film, it has
a good combination of comedy, romance, drama and heartbreak. It is a real gem. And it’ll give you a good excuse to make a
huge bucket of popcorn and just stay in.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-79827411574135831172012-03-07T17:14:00.000+02:002012-03-07T17:14:45.582+02:00A Single Man (2009)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwKyWcCjP9YRkt-Z0bzUPJ7CtYkHHtKY2RzsWu_IZoZPhLp_9iIgN_uahxAmQlXl67Uci0IpQOx_wCFTikHzFsSv_JHuuDoxpnAuGBSo78prlp2t2juEDJYKSPXlHfzIv1EWte6dCfLw/s1600/single_man_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwKyWcCjP9YRkt-Z0bzUPJ7CtYkHHtKY2RzsWu_IZoZPhLp_9iIgN_uahxAmQlXl67Uci0IpQOx_wCFTikHzFsSv_JHuuDoxpnAuGBSo78prlp2t2juEDJYKSPXlHfzIv1EWte6dCfLw/s640/single_man_ver2.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I don’t
know why I did not hear about this movie earlier. That is sometimes the problem with the
blockbuster mentality, is that the fantastic films get lost because they don’t
get enough advertising. In a way, I
think this film found me. For 3 years, I
didn’t hear anything about this film and suddenly I saw posters of it in new
magazines and saw people reviewing it or heard people speaking about it and how
good it is, so I got it. That was an
incredibly valuable decision I made.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have to
admit, I was never a huge fan of Colin Firth, but at the same time I never
disliked him either. I enjoyed the roles
he played in films and I really enjoyed the films as well, but I was never
sold. Consider me all in, buying
everything, even if it’s not on sale! In
A Single Man Colin was unbelievable. But
it wasn’t just him. The cinematography
was exceptional; I could look away for one second! The combination of every carefully planed
shot with the skillfully edited pace and the amazing score that draws you into
this man’s reality, it’s just magic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have
never felt this way when watching a movie, where every fiber in your being is
drawn into this film. Not once did I
think a shot looked bad, or even just acceptable. Every shot in the film looked as though it
was planned for hours, even days and because of that you simply could look
away. My favorite part is where Colin
Firth has an extremely emotional scene and the camera is right up in his face,
and as he gives in to his emotions the camera does not move away, they don’t
cut to another perspective. They just
stay on him as he bares his soul and is phenomenal. I’m also a huge fan of Julian Moore and her
tragic character was like a breath of fresh depressing air. That is the only way I can describe her
role. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I can go on
for pages about this film, but it still won’t do the film justice. So my only advice is to go get the film and
watch it as soon as possible. I didn’t
have popcorn while watching this, but I think it was better, because I could
devote all my attention to the film.
Personally I think you need to see this film by your lonesome self so
you can feel and experience the film with only your emotions and the films
emotions in the room. It is a definite
must see for every one, this wonderful story of love, loss of love and the best
and worst moments in life. I can’t
guarantee that you are going to feel good after this film, it’s not meant to
make you feel good, but there is some deep beauty within this
heartbreaker. And at the end of it all
it is life. Beautiful. Ugly.
Truthful. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-82265591169519256032012-03-06T19:43:00.001+02:002012-03-06T20:10:06.105+02:00Sucker Punch (2011)<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I really
wanted to see this movie. I didn’t see a
trailer, I just saw the poster. But then
it came out and I didn’t go see it and it came on DVD and I didn’t rent it and
Heinrich gave me the movie and I didn’t watch it. Until recently. I want to say I don’t know why, but I know
why. Before I watched it I didn’t
realize why I haven’t watched it, but afterwards I knew the reason I only
watched it later was because I was meant to watch it later. If that doesn’t make sense, I’ll get to that later.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This movie
was weird, let’s just be honest. Not in
a bad way though, but there were parts which I wished was longer and others
shorter. What it is, is this continuous
jump between fantasy and reality and reality in fantasy and fantasy in fantasy and
suddenly it feels like I’m in Inception and need to keep track of where I
am. Not that it’s hard to do
though. The transitions between this
reality and fantasy is absolutely flawless and I love it when you can
transition from one scene to the next but you can’t see a cut. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now Zack
Snyder is known for his fantastic look and at many parts in the film I was gob
smacked at how some of the effects where done, because it is real life action
mixed with a lot of CGI, but then they go slow-mo and the effect is still
flawless, so I can’t fault them on that.
I was however more interested in the real life story taking place in
this house, instead of seeing the alternate reality of fighting which
symbolizes them completing the task. The
reason why I’m so torn is because I love the reality part and I love the
fighting part, I just which that they won’t substitute each other’s in between
story. It seems like it was two movies
and was cut into one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/images/local/400/aac1f74b-0611-4554-a27f-d143e4d17c93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/images/local/400/aac1f74b-0611-4554-a27f-d143e4d17c93.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoav</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But all
that is just technicalities, because at the end I’m still blown away with this
film. The ending really stuck with
me. The last few words. And that is why I only watched the film
later, because I needed to hear those words at the perfect time. Very simple but power full. And I suggest you go watch the film as soon
as possible, and maybe try and watch it in HD, it really is worth it. The soundtrack is absolutely awesome! They used South African musician, Yoav, to do pretty much the whole score for the film and I love it. The soundtrack is on repeat on my iPod! Especially their version of <i>Sweet Dreams</i> and the various versions <i>Where Is My Mind?</i>. You won’t need to put Salt & Vinegar
spice on your popcorn to take your breath away, the movie will take care of
that! Get the Blu-ray, get a large
popcorn and watch it! <i>You have all the tools you need. Now fight!</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-68227083234395698532012-03-05T16:36:00.001+02:002012-03-06T19:23:55.081+02:00Safe House (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">End of last
year I edited a movie review at work about this movie Safe House. Now I am no fan of Denzel Washington, I never
was. Ryan Reynolds, well, he is okay –
good in a RomCom, generally likable, but I’m not crazy about him. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And then the film was shot primarily in </span><st1:place style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Cape Town</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After seeing the trailer I was quite looking
forward to it, regardless of the actors, and I can tell you now the movie
delivers!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Safe House
has such an energetic feel to it, but at the same time it is slow moving at bits. The best way to describe it is to compare it
to an iced lake. Still on top, but you
can see the water rushing below and now and then you step on a piece of ice
that breaks away and water splashes out on top.
The film has an interesting grungy look; I assume the director wanted to
use film specifically to get that film grain.
The action scenes are amazing; they don’t shy away from it. The car chasing seen through the streets of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cape Town</st1:place></st1:city> blew my
mind. This is just the tip of the iconic mountain.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The acting from Denzel and Ryan
is amazing.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have a new found respect
for both of them.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But the one thing that
Ryan should not do, or practice a bit more before he tries it a gain, is speak
Afrikaans.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If that was not subtitled in
the film I would not have known what the heck he was saying.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But I’ll give him props for trying.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It’s not
the average run of the mill action film.
It is quite psychological in all.
The downside is the typecasting of the other actors made me recognize
the real bad guy quite early on, but it was more of a “It’s probably him!”
moment than a “It’s him! It’s him!” moment.
Regardless of that, you still have to go see it, and see it on the big
screen. Seeing <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>
shot without desaturating and bleach bypassing it to show the so called "Harsh-African-Sun" is amazing. It just
goes to show that when you know what you do you can make anything look the way
you want it to look. You better take
someone with you to this movie, and make them buy popcorn as well, because ten
minutes into the movie mine was already finished. This way you can share with the other person,
because one large popcorn simply isn’t enough.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-30012392843044255352012-01-03T10:22:00.000+02:002012-01-03T10:24:25.600+02:00The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (2011)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens18983966module155826068photo_1_1323988963edward_bella_married.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens18983966module155826068photo_1_1323988963edward_bella_married.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I read the Twilight books. Okay, wait I listened to the audiobooks... I tried reading them and that was torture. However the audiobooks where a lot of fun and I enjoyed them (except for my new found hate for the word 'riley', because that is the only adjective that Stephenie Meyer knows).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I really enoyed Twilight as well as New Moon, I even did my honours thesis study on New Moon. Eclipse, well... Let's just say there is no light during an eclipse.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So now you've got the backstory, which I think was needed. I was excited to go see Breaking Dawn seeing as it was also the book where something actually happens! However I was not that excited that I simply HAVE to go see the midnight screening of it, so one of our friends asked Heinrich if he wanted to go with her and I felt it was okay, we'll just go watch it again at another time. Two days before the midnight premier, she phoned me, saying she had an extra ticket and asked if I want to go? So I decided, ag why not! So there I was going to the midnight premier of Breaking Dawn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It does have a very thin storyline, but other than that you can't fault the movie. What the director did in this movie is what I think was missing in Eclipse: every scene, every shot was used as a chance to convey some additional message. I may be looking at the movie from too much of a technical aspect, but I can't help it. The brilliant lighting, the use of colours in the imagery was breath taking. Even from the first shot, right up until the end.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">I want to say there is a specific favourite part or a part that really stands out for me, but that wouldn't be fair, I will say that the one scene I didn't expect and I was really fantastic is the nightmare wedding Bella has. Absolutely stunning!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">All round it was just a general improvement from the other films, the actors were makeuped better, everyone looked more beautiful, the acting was great, the editing, the camera work as well. Every shot felt like it was properly planned and that no other way would have worked as well as the ones that were used. What was strange was the change of music, it was more upbeat and lively in comparison with the other films, however I still think that it was appropriate, because the tone of the last book is also much different from the tone in the first three. And the special effects, especially the way Bella looks was SO good, I kept on wondering how they did it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">My only bad point is that the credit sequence is cheesy and very 80s. I can see why they thought it would be appropriate with the dramatic change in colour, but it simply did not work for me, and I'm a strong believer that the titles and credits should fit with the theme and style of a movie. It's the difference between excellently planned finishing touches and unplanned laziness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And I also blame the titles for making me miss part of the movie. I found out from one of my co-workers that after all the credits there is another part of the film. If it wasn't for the horrid titles, I would have stayed to watch them all, but not to worry. I've been wanting to go see the film again, so when I do, I'll stay through the titles (maybe play with my iPhone until the bad part is done) and see that last bit! So if you haven't seen Breaking Dawn, even if you are not a fan, go and see it. It is part of the filmic culture and you need to see it, even if you still don't like it at the end, but I'm sure you won't be disappointed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Harry Potter still rules though!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-81611288566925182342011-12-03T10:49:00.000+02:002011-12-03T10:49:35.193+02:00Stir of Echoes (1999)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I was a child, my parents where quite strict about obeying film ratings. Not like most of the parents today, my younger cousins have seen films which I felt where inappropriate to 16 year olds, and they were nowhere near that age. I'm wandering... So as a child, a lot of the scary movies I was not allowed to watch. So naturally as soon as I was old enough I watched all of the movies that I wanted to watch when I was still too young.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwbzR4Q3Yox7IEi4MDqoxxj9IKDBN1czQrObzQNxdRnqq4jatI1M3HJUJDp-Hu5EtvwYK52CH947d4eYGgGot4ebJ9lOFVQoyIJxi08s6bFUKXWRxKbWalonTzUcuwGAYRBcbm6ivzUA/s1600/stir-of-echoes-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwbzR4Q3Yox7IEi4MDqoxxj9IKDBN1czQrObzQNxdRnqq4jatI1M3HJUJDp-Hu5EtvwYK52CH947d4eYGgGot4ebJ9lOFVQoyIJxi08s6bFUKXWRxKbWalonTzUcuwGAYRBcbm6ivzUA/s400/stir-of-echoes-1.png" width="280" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One of the films that really stuck with me was Stir of Echoes... This film had one of the most memorable shots. A girl gripping the floor so hard with her fingers that her picking nail breaks off on the floor. The problem was that for years i could only remember this scene, and one or two bits, but no name, no actor. Luckily, our post production coordinator is really sharp on his movies and actors and so on, that when i told him about this scene, he immediately knew which movie it was.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi-5ux8rHeix6SL49wzWPcUvIhB6OVFfRmhI7aqkS4BWwuBtngtMpulDfBhXYjMVQD6_xrFvjJ_Wz_m1AZLxUo_5CbNH09Ul28iH7AKfjTYArTqynPWKyUj3LRRZQk5gm91qqCU80TnY/s1600/Stir+of+Echoes+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi-5ux8rHeix6SL49wzWPcUvIhB6OVFfRmhI7aqkS4BWwuBtngtMpulDfBhXYjMVQD6_xrFvjJ_Wz_m1AZLxUo_5CbNH09Ul28iH7AKfjTYArTqynPWKyUj3LRRZQk5gm91qqCU80TnY/s400/Stir+of+Echoes+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So I searched for this 90's film and found it this weekend. And boy did I enjoy this again. Th is film has an exceptionally creepy boy - who even freaked me out a little bit, which says a lot because it takes a lot to freak me out, and even though I am not a big fan of Kevin Bacon, I did enjoy his stunning performance is this film.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZw3KLc7iB5h-zreYOIGAyQyk_lVG7Q89AHk1FOlMpNDfzVamvuoPB0BU18tUbnC6PrFtbam5nZE-adl9P1mwMKms2UY3VkbPr6t3pm9nKiIDCCqpqiabawOCoXkuxoe9yy_rz7HVsKak/s1600/1317908412776_rovi-03_300dpi_2x1_Overlay_640_320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZw3KLc7iB5h-zreYOIGAyQyk_lVG7Q89AHk1FOlMpNDfzVamvuoPB0BU18tUbnC6PrFtbam5nZE-adl9P1mwMKms2UY3VkbPr6t3pm9nKiIDCCqpqiabawOCoXkuxoe9yy_rz7HVsKak/s400/1317908412776_rovi-03_300dpi_2x1_Overlay_640_320.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> What I liked most about this film is how everything fits together so perfect. There are no gaps with empty visual, empty story line, but at the same time it is not crammed with information. The storytelling is fluid and natural and everything is well planned and very well executed. Some of the effects are real give-aways of the time when it was made, but then at the same time there are visuals and effects expressing certain feelings and ideas, which was much better executed than. It would have been executed had it been made recently - good example of not having something makes you do something that was even better, if you had your first option.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FMOZ1HVxSjXPKilkyqED8aZQhu7N-ZwVbU0koVBRTvb2tEjsVRA838bkVv9ESpVbBsF7Ye21dL5_7MMPNryyVF917gAP8tjcI2IXqWdoXSN2G5hDmGrBEYdhZWWpgKaYEXd1MyBED9o/s1600/stir-of-echoes-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FMOZ1HVxSjXPKilkyqED8aZQhu7N-ZwVbU0koVBRTvb2tEjsVRA838bkVv9ESpVbBsF7Ye21dL5_7MMPNryyVF917gAP8tjcI2IXqWdoXSN2G5hDmGrBEYdhZWWpgKaYEXd1MyBED9o/s400/stir-of-echoes-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My recommendation for everyone, especially if you like some suspense thrillers, get this movie a large box of butter-lovers popcorn and watch it. You won't be disappointed!</span><br />
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</span>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-77484050006269864092011-11-27T19:36:00.000+02:002011-11-27T19:36:48.706+02:00No Butter for Losers!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wow! A long time has past since I've been active on my blog... I know the first rule to blogging is 'blog regularly', but unfortunately I was not in a place to write, or when I was in a that so-called 'place', I was too busy. I'll try and make an effort to make time and find a 'place' not just for the reader's sake (is anyone even out there?). but mostly (at least at this moment) for mine.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF8FU3LLK8haUZmXl0J8FJxRrOJcyfTaEV3N4L3KJSlOo1MbZCkT6DYFynLqOsJWIz_YYHxXLGdmC70rec0fpAQpY4d21N5uD02vVk_9gjKS9eCNXOQBDZmYvBNVBdisRXQNj_IaaeDk/s1600/304068_264974880212967_124413780935745_783555_350991804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF8FU3LLK8haUZmXl0J8FJxRrOJcyfTaEV3N4L3KJSlOo1MbZCkT6DYFynLqOsJWIz_YYHxXLGdmC70rec0fpAQpY4d21N5uD02vVk_9gjKS9eCNXOQBDZmYvBNVBdisRXQNj_IaaeDk/s320/304068_264974880212967_124413780935745_783555_350991804_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4dvlLNuQJcXFveTGKK3kzrSJud2aRx4CHW_MQ-Ak-mu6cZL67Fp-dtXZMnKBmC7FZqfp9pu1g7T9uQMYUS7bqI_xAv2YUSm6dfQSUoPj7uhs6zo4XZusXos3gD9dTUqPHGArsyIsbWE/s1600/IMG_1146%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4dvlLNuQJcXFveTGKK3kzrSJud2aRx4CHW_MQ-Ak-mu6cZL67Fp-dtXZMnKBmC7FZqfp9pu1g7T9uQMYUS7bqI_xAv2YUSm6dfQSUoPj7uhs6zo4XZusXos3gD9dTUqPHGArsyIsbWE/s320/IMG_1146%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4dvlLNuQJcXFveTGKK3kzrSJud2aRx4CHW_MQ-Ak-mu6cZL67Fp-dtXZMnKBmC7FZqfp9pu1g7T9uQMYUS7bqI_xAv2YUSm6dfQSUoPj7uhs6zo4XZusXos3gD9dTUqPHGArsyIsbWE/s1600/IMG_1146%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This might sound all doom and gloom, but it's actually not (or my sub-conscious is just suppressing it - whatever works for you). I am glad to inform those who do not already know, that I did in, in fact, win the iPhone 4s!! Jay!! If you read my <a href="http://onelargepopcorn.blogspot.com/2011/08/smokoo-and-big-apple-no-worms-allowed.html">previous post</a> you will know what I'm talking about, there was some difference though: I did not go buy it in New York. Instead, when the iPhone 4S was released, Smokoo (the company who ran the competition), had a poll asking what we want. One person winning the chance to go to New York and getting the new iPhone, or thee people not going to New York, but each getting the new iPhone. I opted for the second option, and luckily so did 70% of the voters. Lucky, because my name was drawn second from the bag of names.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks later the directors from Smokoo came to my work to hand over my brand spanking super fast iPhone 4s. I had some difficulty with Vodacom with doing a SIM-swap, but that is a story I prefer not to relive. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGAngKgsooUVJfibnMrTxW427Mxd1RZXuLnxULh1-yJJ2boVpzf2pwRfD66vFoIIYMHeqyioZ9yvSo190b3WTitwa2e5r4njkQrV4ax6ypFga-SSLNKyxV1tmIv49O7KKHEABMSOENdk/s1600/387163_10150358260259205_586299204_8371260_640652128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGAngKgsooUVJfibnMrTxW427Mxd1RZXuLnxULh1-yJJ2boVpzf2pwRfD66vFoIIYMHeqyioZ9yvSo190b3WTitwa2e5r4njkQrV4ax6ypFga-SSLNKyxV1tmIv49O7KKHEABMSOENdk/s320/387163_10150358260259205_586299204_8371260_640652128_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So to all those haters out there, who kept on saying what a scam the whole competition is, thank you. Thank you for not entering, which just increased my chances of winning. I tried and won and guess what, you are still a loser! Hopefully you have learnt your lesson and will start being a winner soon. (And no, I don't work for Smokoo... unfortunately...)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp9aEaUGbv4D8GTRfOGt5QSRFdjqqmv_WfrimuHfGcMxSR3BRkaty6bdmdeYwj5cwWcQXig4BlwXDgDpV_2yYDHR5uHzKVp6YeSkElpKZW5jvqdgfhPVOdqCTwDMawtCCx9Ov3AhgYts/s1600/317636_10150521747656102_612821101_11247175_1536705664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp9aEaUGbv4D8GTRfOGt5QSRFdjqqmv_WfrimuHfGcMxSR3BRkaty6bdmdeYwj5cwWcQXig4BlwXDgDpV_2yYDHR5uHzKVp6YeSkElpKZW5jvqdgfhPVOdqCTwDMawtCCx9Ov3AhgYts/s400/317636_10150521747656102_612821101_11247175_1536705664_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Maybe soon I will be struck with a great idea and shoot it on my HD capable phone and upload it for all to see, then you can review those films and tell me all about it. Don't go anywhere, I'll be talking about a couple of shows and films soon! Why don't you get a large popcorn while you are waiting and don't be stingy on the butter! I know I won't be.</span>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-43821048915612483822011-08-28T19:52:00.007+02:002011-11-27T19:06:23.769+02:00Smokoo and The Big Apple (No Worms Allowed)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Now just to warn you in advance: this is not a movie or TV review. But it is my blog, and I did say I was going to rant and rave about what ever I want to - isn't that the whole point of a blog?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.za.smokoo.com//images/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://static.za.smokoo.com//images/logo.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Recently I stumbled on a link as I was doing a Google Search. I got to another blogger's site, where he was saying something about removing a post about Smokoo. <a href="http://www.za.smokoo.com/">Smokoo</a> is a pay-to-bid website. As the word clearly explains: you PAY to BID. Every bid you place costs R5, and if your bid is the last one when the timer runs out you win the bid. Because every bid increment is only 1c or 5c, the final price you pay for the item if you win it is most of the time less than 10% of the actual price of the item. So the blogger writes that he removed the specify post (but slyly gives a link to the original post as it appears in Google's Cached memory). So I read his post - and it was quite shocking to see someone blatantly attacking a company with unfounded accusations. The title alone labelled Smokoo as the biggest scam in South Africa, which I think is absolute rubbish and borderline libel. A scam means you are taking from people by tricking them or stealing from them, through whichever means. Smokoo does none of that. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I discovered the site while it was still in it's very early stages and I was intrigued by this whole concept. I was skeptical to begin with, because they were offering great items like iPhone's, PlayStation's and HD TV's for ridiculous prices and my logic said 'There had to be a catch'. However, after reading their <a href="http://www.za.smokoo.com/how-it-works.html">How It Works</a> section it all made sense, after reading the rest of the website it was clear that there was no catch, just a clever concept. I bought a couple of bids and tried bidding, unfortunately up to date I've not secured an auction, and it's not because they 'scammed' it away from me. As a non-winning participant I can say that the reason I have not won anything is because my bidding strategy was... well non-existing. However, I'm working on it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I studied the website and the auctions for about three months, looking at what items sold at what prices and how many bids, and it is really true what they say on their blog. Some items they make HUGE profits, and I mean HUGE!!! Like +500%, but on other auctions they didn't even come close to breaking even, nowhere close, like selling an iPad 2 worth R10000, while only getting R50 from the whole action and bids. Or a <a href="http://www.za.smokoo.com/auctions/smokooauctionps3slimline320gb_2_83b9a4">PS3 Slim</a> where they only made R200 on a R4000 item. And I also noticed that on average of the three months that I monitored the website I found that they had pretty much equal amount of items that made profit and items that had loss. However, in total they still made a profit, and a pretty good one (but come on, hellooooo, wakey wakey, it wouldn't be called a business if it didn't make any profit!?). So good profit that I think their company could grow leaps in a short time, and the items on auctions are a testimony to that. They started off auctioning smaller items like a iPod nano, and steadily grew to bigger and bigger items. Now some of their items are humongous: a car! A trip to space! Insane!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So basically my rant is about people like the blogger mentioned who are quick to jump on a box an yell 'Wolf!'. I understand that that is their opinion and everyone is entitled to one, but when you look at the cold facts, there is nothing that shows Smokoo as being a scam and if you talk nonsense, spreading lies, don't be offended when they ask you to retract your words. The instructions on the website are very clear, and they also give lots of tips and advice that tell newcomers to just observe the auctions and learn from them before they start bidding. And if people don't want to loose a bid, well then, don't bid! I think many of the people hating on Smokoo are people who are pissed off that they didn't think of the concept first or they didn't bid with a strategy and are sore </span>losers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. I know I'm very jealous that I didn't think of this concept, and I take my hat of for the guys at Smokoo for doing so. You deserve every bit that is coming to you and you all just continue growing and selling great items, ignore all the haters. My mom always said, the highest branches get's the most wind. But there's lots of fans who love your website and love following you on Facebook, especially with all the fun and regular competitions you've got going there, and I'm one of them! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm especially looking forward to the '<a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124759300954509">Fly to NY to buy the iPhone 5</a>', I've got something funky planned for this week, to make sure I increase my chances to win! I'll update this post as what I'm doing is revealed, but watch this space and what Facebook and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_190442313"></span>Smokoo's page<span id="goog_190442314"></span></a>. Go like them and you'll see what I reveal!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And a last message to all the haters, do us a favour: If you don't like something, don't do it. But then don't come moaning in my ear when I'm sitting in New York buying the iPhone 5 or enjoying the items I win on Smokoo and you're not! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">[EDIT]</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So I thought I'd have a little fun, play around in Photoshop and create a 'marketing campaign', I visualized winning the competition, and this was the result:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"You want me to be the best editor possible right?", I tried. A very suspicious "Yes?" reply. " So I was thinking if you can give me off on next Wednesday morning, then I can go and see Harry Potter Part 2 and learn SO much from editing.". She laughed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And you will never guess the response! My producer didn't say yes... that's obvious...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But even better!!! She gave me tickets for the special screening premier in South Africa that happened this past Sunday. I went crazy! So all the people in the office laughed at me because they didn't know that I'm such a big Harry Potter fan, while they all pretend like they don't know why Harry Potter is so great. People, it's 2011 for goodness sake, it is save to come out of the Cupboard Under The Stairs, there are millions of us already out! It's okay to like Harry Potter in the open.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrrnhLEv0nFDeg9kVK4B3IoRRn-kg_AmyfOrgH-E0qCv11RDfAnNljAnHpcbv1telUygICnlpBQ38z9450nk3gtbAwWHoE6LImWcVCMWwAl7I9DDq2Pi9EZOrZ_TLh5AMi0wzBknXns/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrrnhLEv0nFDeg9kVK4B3IoRRn-kg_AmyfOrgH-E0qCv11RDfAnNljAnHpcbv1telUygICnlpBQ38z9450nk3gtbAwWHoE6LImWcVCMWwAl7I9DDq2Pi9EZOrZ_TLh5AMi0wzBknXns/s400/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver28.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to give away any spoilers. What I can definitely warm you about: you're going to need some tissues, especially if you are prone to tears in movies. The film was amazing, some of the fanatic book readers might have a problem at some of the bits, but I was particularly pleased that they captured the emotion and the essence of the book. That being said, most of the things are exactly the way they are in the book, and the things they changed is either better or it doesn't matter because the rest of the film is just so amazing. Also note, I don't think it is appropriate for children under the age of 13, even if the rating is only PG-13. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What I like about the films is their maturation (and I must admit their budget): the scenery and set's have such wonderful texture and life. It's absolutely remarkable. The trailer promised one big show down with massive special effects and use of magic, and it paid in full. For a while, at the start of the film, it's almost like they are teasing you by not showing too much showy </span>dueling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> magic. But the first moment [Not Going To Spoil It For You Person] whips out a wand and starts duelling, throwing impressive flames at [Blah blah], all the hair on my body just shot up... I had Goosebumps so much in this film it was ridiculous (see how I worked in a spell there!). </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't want to say much, because it would be an injustice to try and explain it to anyone in words, the only thing that could explain it properly is the actual book itself.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_zRY2HsbdzB46l7fky296gbhcZLstEcVGzHGvnlE2Kt4cbDXIgv_O8TeChe9iUGD8OkCQYi8WZCMCcv2wui_ry1p0S_jrwqap50Y9nwulmebciGrBwIXV1ROY4Jltxu3v1mz0jOTzKg/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_zRY2HsbdzB46l7fky296gbhcZLstEcVGzHGvnlE2Kt4cbDXIgv_O8TeChe9iUGD8OkCQYi8WZCMCcv2wui_ry1p0S_jrwqap50Y9nwulmebciGrBwIXV1ROY4Jltxu3v1mz0jOTzKg/s400/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver27.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4JcB75ZzFxxWYfmrLeyb50Pm8raAog8NUhao2j5MKecfXj6gd0E7xjr_J6kHYYZyVHgrRP-fjVdJ29IWH9un3yju-jhH5xwf1vBmXBq7fh2Tihz2CXhBzCPaCf_3uaWza-DK6KDMMJo/s1600/HP-Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4JcB75ZzFxxWYfmrLeyb50Pm8raAog8NUhao2j5MKecfXj6gd0E7xjr_J6kHYYZyVHgrRP-fjVdJ29IWH9un3yju-jhH5xwf1vBmXBq7fh2Tihz2CXhBzCPaCf_3uaWza-DK6KDMMJo/s640/HP-Pic.jpg" width="243" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What I can tell you is how much fun it was to go to a media premier, it was my first time, so if you think I'm being stupid, then well forgive me - hopefully I'll have many more. There was witches walking around handing out free candy, there was a magician doing pretty impressive tricks, a photo booth with props to capture the Harry fever, and it was all free! So was the popcorn and cold drinks at the door. And I've had someone else pay for popcorn and cold drinks before, but this is much better, because it feels like people are sharing their abundance. This is the way a movie should be viewed. It was the perfect way for me to see the last instalment of Harry Potter. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.timeslive.co.za/incoming/2011/06/08/barry_ronge_column2_48101a.jpg/RESIZED/Small/barry_ronge_Column2_48101a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.timeslive.co.za/incoming/2011/06/08/barry_ronge_column2_48101a.jpg/RESIZED/Small/barry_ronge_Column2_48101a.jpg" width="185" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Did I also mention that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Ronge">Barry Ronge</a> (<a href="http://www.ratherronge.co.za/default.aspx">website</a>), the well known South Africa film critic was also in the cinema. I wanted to walk up to him and say what a big fan I am and that one day I'm going to do his job, but I just wanted to enjoy the Harry Potter moment so I just let him walk beside me as we were exiting the cinema.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWg7fJ7_1_dPx5L-dOWfry28CYerP7frNzXq5Dix21x2AeQw9ftV9sbC3B-J14u8MquLUjhdDSi693qJ8RDgVQlVTzDdaB5sBcI_-_mJTJ7PoFedNX5piLzS4ekM7KPIg1znYxyhMZ-SM/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWg7fJ7_1_dPx5L-dOWfry28CYerP7frNzXq5Dix21x2AeQw9ftV9sbC3B-J14u8MquLUjhdDSi693qJ8RDgVQlVTzDdaB5sBcI_-_mJTJ7PoFedNX5piLzS4ekM7KPIg1znYxyhMZ-SM/s400/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver26.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My verdict: go and buy your ticket NOW! If you haven't watched any of the other Harry Potter films, go rent them, watch them and go see the last one in the cinemas, you won't regret it. I want to say don't take in a popcorn at all so nothing distracts you, but you are going to need a large one, because for a large part you're going to need something to chew away the nervousness, and that also gives you an excuse to go see the film again. "Oh, I looked down during that part because of my popcorn, so I have to see it again." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YH4zOcqMdxpd4QBFvmhI-fuvtxaWS_cvEgD5lGNdDT1k0JPoH9I2eHwIRoZdFBsLpbhzP65Il1z32x9V4Xwy-GjEuA9fUygUcgL4sgqLhyphenhyphen1ugOf7n7WUUWpPNhu-eNexdBLhTSGhIeQ/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YH4zOcqMdxpd4QBFvmhI-fuvtxaWS_cvEgD5lGNdDT1k0JPoH9I2eHwIRoZdFBsLpbhzP65Il1z32x9V4Xwy-GjEuA9fUygUcgL4sgqLhyphenhyphen1ugOf7n7WUUWpPNhu-eNexdBLhTSGhIeQ/s400/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver25.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not that you need an excuse, so get a large popcorn and enjoy the film. I can't wait for this weekend, because them I'm going to see it again, this time in 3D! Maybe I'll see you there... Finite Incantatum.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RK2WCPYMERg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuL370NqT5RVfgNVZrfRyka3heqyrzD5rV3ckgcKREsXgoOZI6cSqU7LZO2-lOWbv121LoD6GLAOON_Z_L2wS-YjL1xy4b7YMhZUJe9vbHlkf12flfJgLoTU7jeHWdSvrCxuXzcT3H4A/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver24_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuL370NqT5RVfgNVZrfRyka3heqyrzD5rV3ckgcKREsXgoOZI6cSqU7LZO2-lOWbv121LoD6GLAOON_Z_L2wS-YjL1xy4b7YMhZUJe9vbHlkf12flfJgLoTU7jeHWdSvrCxuXzcT3H4A/s400/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two_ver24_xlg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-91183644671360857162011-07-07T22:36:00.002+02:002011-07-11T21:04:10.543+02:00Harry Potter 7 Part 2 (Preview)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyOh-93Y9kaGnoFdrfGPfw_eLUVhu4uDa2IJl5NNVC1LTpBEVTrlQyqFPtTh0NpdOlP30NE2mZMNrq7DVDkmyIn2DOU7vjhRDV4msetc0RvTTRWuCaCrwZksWJj3eTe4VYVjlozUV0Iw/s1600/Grabbed+Frame+60+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyOh-93Y9kaGnoFdrfGPfw_eLUVhu4uDa2IJl5NNVC1LTpBEVTrlQyqFPtTh0NpdOlP30NE2mZMNrq7DVDkmyIn2DOU7vjhRDV4msetc0RvTTRWuCaCrwZksWJj3eTe4VYVjlozUV0Iw/s200/Grabbed+Frame+60+-+Copy.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Me buying HP7 in 2007</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So it is official! Less than a week before <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201607/">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2</a> is released and it feels unreal! I can still remember the first time I saw the first <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/">Harry Potter</a> film with my Aunt, and how convinced I was throughout the film of Snape's guilt! Feels like last week when I was standing in the cold, 11pm with a bunch of my friends to buy The Deathly Hallows book and not going to bed after reading at least the first chapter.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.impawards.com/2001/posters/harry_potter_and_the_sorcerers_stone_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDm6VHB1Ku-REjUXwLB06HDqlgVqCt965MlqS_wKHozPwqfRgNThkaRUzPWsUpFd4X_ZwzXBpVfDWCjovd7yMjvuE2k7MQad8CIWB0d6ExUmtJeIcu2thokat6RWC9AXlb-aLD2HH2iI/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_sorcerers_stone_ver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDm6VHB1Ku-REjUXwLB06HDqlgVqCt965MlqS_wKHozPwqfRgNThkaRUzPWsUpFd4X_ZwzXBpVfDWCjovd7yMjvuE2k7MQad8CIWB0d6ExUmtJeIcu2thokat6RWC9AXlb-aLD2HH2iI/s400/harry_potter_and_the_sorcerers_stone_ver2.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It truly has been a good companion for the past decade of my life, something that I'm sure a lot of other people have experienced as well. And now the final film is finally here, and I have my pick to go see it in every format available, unfortunately The IMAX South Africa closed last year, I would have loved to see the final showdown there, I saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304141/">Harry Potter 3</a> at the IMAX and it was breathtaking. But no worries, the Imax screen is 10 times bigger than a normal cinema, so I'll simply have to go see it 10 times in the cinema. 3D and normal 2D.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.hp-lexicon.org/images/icons/shield_01-5B1-5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hp-lexicon.org/images/icons/shield_01-5B1-5D.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So a couple of weeks ago I was editing the one show, Frenzy on e.tv, and they regularly have a movie review, and I was so glad they did one on Harry Potter (how could they not!) and I was fortunate enough to edit that episode (Argh! Who am I kidding, I looked through the scripts of the shows available and when I saw the one had a Harry Potter review I pounced on it like a Gryffindor Lion!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So I inter-cut the trailer with the review and it was amazing, but I was disappointed that the editing was finished and I had to do the rest of the episode's content! The next day a new and final trailer was released, so I had another chance to edit it some more. Luckily the content producer of Frenzy was very keen to put in the latest footage.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Needless to say it was better than the previous, amazing insert (we need to get a word that describe something better than amazing - I know - Dobby! It was completely Dobby!!!)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/4/4f/Dobby_at_Hogwarts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/4/4f/Dobby_at_Hogwarts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My favourite character of all time!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So when it was time for the content producer to view the episode, I went and got myself a small popcorn and enjoyed the Harry Potter the same way you would devote to a film - with popcorn. And let me tell you, it was really Dobby!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkdiGZqNCkZ7ZLiEjRvrlOiEry-53hEwx93FSH8o1Z6Wc-BL7j3y1ozqfuRKficF_3FrAdzPLu-hp3yjPxB39gI7YPwHNkUao2Sgn5mVT5aYAA9XkDP_-lczl3i0iSl4Jyx-3Lpm0QyM/s1600/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkdiGZqNCkZ7ZLiEjRvrlOiEry-53hEwx93FSH8o1Z6Wc-BL7j3y1ozqfuRKficF_3FrAdzPLu-hp3yjPxB39gI7YPwHNkUao2Sgn5mVT5aYAA9XkDP_-lczl3i0iSl4Jyx-3Lpm0QyM/s400/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_two.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So my recommendation for all you fans: get yourself a small popcorn, download the HD version of both trailers (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hpana.com/news.21277.html">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hpana.com/news.21284.html">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">) from HPANA, pop them in and enjoy. For the Hardwood-Phoenix-feather-core fans like me, make it a large popcorn and watch the trailers on loop! Ah, Bliss!</span><br />
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</div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-62978956757097795162011-07-01T23:25:00.001+02:002011-07-07T22:35:24.219+02:00Love Bites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Love_Bites_2011_logo.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="51" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Love_Bites_2011_logo.svg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So now that most of the shows have stopped for the summer hiatus I was left with that empty feeling of having nothing to watch, except for a couple of shows that broadcast off season, and those that I'm still behind on (<a href="http://www.tv.com/gossip-girl/show/68744/summary.html">Gossip Girl</a>, I'm talking about you).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ilovetvseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/brothers-and-sisters-season-3-episode-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.ilovetvseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/brothers-and-sisters-season-3-episode-21.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">With that, one of my favourite shows has also been cancelled! </span><a href="http://www.tv.com/brothers-and-sisters/show/58012/summary.html" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Brothers & Sisters</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> has been one of my top 5 shows, the excellent script and interesting characters could have gone on forever! (I'm going to miss everyone except Tommy, what a weak and annoying character! ...any whoo...) That being said, I do think that the way it ended was perfect, it came full circle, finishing off the series as a whole but not ending all of the characters story (<a href="http://www.tv.com/six-feet-under/show/3223/summary.html">Six Feet Under</a> I'm talking about you, even though it was the best way to end for your series), but the lives of my beloved character continue.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My point of the matter is that all that contributed to me desperately searching for a new show to fill the gap, I even reverted to watching </span><a href="http://www.tv.com/veronica-mars/show/24272/summary.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Veronica Mars</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> again. Probably the 5th time now, but it stays brilliant and always makes me happy, something about the underdog being smarter and more resourceful and more butt kicking than everyone else just sits well with me. Any case, so I saw the new shows starting in the Fall Season, about 3 or 4 I'm interested in. But I needed something now! So as I saw the list of all the new shows broadcasting, I wasn't very optimistic about a couple of the titles, just judging them on their titles. Seriously! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">How good does Franklin and Bash sound!?</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">That’s the sarcasm font by the way, for future reference! So I've found the show </span><a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock/" style="font-family: inherit;">The Block AU</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, which I've always been a huge fan of, and they started a new season after a couple of year hiatus, but now it's back and bigger than ever, but that’s a reality show and does not really fill that gap.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.poptower.com/pic-31555/love-bites-tv-show.jpg?d=1024" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.poptower.com/pic-31555/love-bites-tv-show.jpg?d=1024" width="212" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Becki Newton</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For the past few weeks I've seen this show popping up in the list of shows, <a href="http://www.tv.com/love-bites/show/78486/summary.html">Love Bites</a>. And I though uhm... Interesting title, but nah! And it kept on popping up, and so I decided, let’s watch one episode and see how it goes. Needless to say, 45minutes later I was grabbing the next three episodes available. Love Bites is charming, funny, witty, goofy, real and thought provoking. It is basically a couple of short bites about love related stories strung together by the different characters. But what is fascinating is that each episode feels like a whole movie, and when it's done you just want it to continue on and on. They look at the random things in a relationship, at the serious, the quirky, the gross and the real. And they are not shy about it, but also not disrespectful of anything or anyone. And it's cleverly funny while still having a much deeper meaning that makes you reflect on life and relationships.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The casting is also quite interesting, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1182048/">Becki Newton</a> (Amanda from <a href="http://www.tv.com/ugly-betty/show/58486/summary.html">Ugly Betty</a> - another one of my cancelled shows that I really miss!), that telepathic cop from <a href="http://www.tv.com/heroes/show/17552/summary.html">Heroes</a> (Another one), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0342399/">Greg Grunberg</a>, and Constance Zimmer (from <a href="http://www.tv.com/entourage/show/27346/summary.html?tag=page_nav;main">Entourage</a> - never felt it - & <a href="http://www.tv.com/boston-legal/show/25525/summary.html">Boston Legal</a> - and another favourite, executives are really stoopid!) are regulars, but then every episode has guest appearances and cameos of well established stars and all of the characters interlink in some way, even if it is meaningless, it’s still fun to go 'Oh, it’s that guy!'. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/Love-Bites-Grunberg-Zimmer-nbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/Love-Bites-Grunberg-Zimmer-nbc.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Greg Grunberg & Constance Zimmer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was also surprised to see that the writer for this show, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0161330/">Cindy Chupack</a>, was also the writer of <a href="http://www.tv.com/sex-and-the-city/show/456/summary.html?q=Sex%20and%20The%20City&tag=search_results;title;1">Sex and The City</a> and <a href="http://www.tv.com/everybody-loves-raymond/show/240/summary.html?q=Everybody%20Loves%20Raymond&tag=search_results;title;1">Everybody Loves Raymond</a>. (Incidentally two shows that I do not like at all. So grab your pitchforks folks!) However this show is produced by the same producers from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/">Love Actually</a> (Easily on my top 10 movie list), so now I get why I like is so much, the whole concept of love stories mixed into life and each other.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OfOrI9LzPXA/TQUuE0hn7pI/AAAAAAAACbs/-S9Wwvb2jow/s1600/love_actually.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OfOrI9LzPXA/TQUuE0hn7pI/AAAAAAAACbs/-S9Wwvb2jow/s320/love_actually.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">All that’s left to say is, that void has been filled, it makes me happy and I'm also learning a couple of new things which is great! My favourite line thus far is from episode 3 where the mother of a gay son, concerned about the reaction of her husband, explains to him the ‘lingo’:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"I'm setting the alarm for 7, so we can help with brunch. That's gay for lunch. They do brunch."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/Lvh_0TY05Ms/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lvh_0TY05Ms&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lvh_0TY05Ms&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So do yourself a favour and pop some popcorn, pop in Love Bites and just relax and enjoy. Well deserving of a large popcorn thus far, and even better if you can share the popcorn.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239773894113944552.post-43869626481071395152011-06-25T10:45:00.003+02:002011-07-07T22:22:24.609+02:00X-men: First Class<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8IOSTySKRj2_PKkSFMGdlxvns7H5cqpGRluBySFzjDHXoETHU_ir0ELtntOAHRxBqjyS3a-pD-ywHA7BHItY2RSlIbkdZUYvJ6Ywek5s661INr-7NiT3M0OTlGa8YAhT-kIWILvjHgM/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have been a fan of X-men since I was a child; I watched the episodes as a child and was captivated in fantasies of my own super human abilities. Invisibility, teleportation, telekinesis (this one was always a favourite) and the human torch (so was this one) to name a few. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8IOSTySKRj2_PKkSFMGdlxvns7H5cqpGRluBySFzjDHXoETHU_ir0ELtntOAHRxBqjyS3a-pD-ywHA7BHItY2RSlIbkdZUYvJ6Ywek5s661INr-7NiT3M0OTlGa8YAhT-kIWILvjHgM/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8IOSTySKRj2_PKkSFMGdlxvns7H5cqpGRluBySFzjDHXoETHU_ir0ELtntOAHRxBqjyS3a-pD-ywHA7BHItY2RSlIbkdZUYvJ6Ywek5s661INr-7NiT3M0OTlGa8YAhT-kIWILvjHgM/s200/storm.jpg" width="140" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, Storm has always been my favourite X-men character, simply because I liked the feeling of strong wind blowing against me and could just imagine how it would feel if I could control that power. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://deatheaterchick.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But it’s interesting that we have such a liking towards stories of superhuman abilities: X-men, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813715/">Heroes</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120667/">The Fantastic Four</a> and you know there are many more. But I think it is more than just our desire to be better than what we are and to be special. I think it about relating to the ostracising and discrimination that these characters face. On some level most of us can identify with this feeling of being shunned because of whatever reason.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://deatheaterchick.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://deatheaterchick.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/cast.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But anyway, I don’t want to get too philosophical in my first post, I'll keep that for later. So <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/">X-men: First Class</a>, directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0891216/">Matthew Vaughn</a>; wow another great instalment in the X-men series. As could be expected from the same Director who brought us the magical <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/">Stardust</a> and the kick-ass... well... <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250777/">Kick-Ass</a>. I was afraid when I heard they used completely new cast for X-men: First Class, but that being said I don’t know what else I expected because Charles Xavier (my namesake) and Erik Lensherr where young back then and the actors need to reflect that. But what I thought was quite entertaining is the cameo appearance of some of the actors from the previous X-men films. I won’t say how or who in case you haven’t seen the movie, but go see it. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/Michael%20Fassbender%20Magneto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/Michael%20Fassbender%20Magneto.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Michael Fassbender as Magneto</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> The actor who plays Magneto (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1055413/">Michael Fassbender</a>) really does an excellent job, I also think he has the look and the skill to be a James Bond; he was truly exceptional in his delivery. What I'm glad about in this Origins story, is that I never found there was a shortage of visual effects and display of abilities. In the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458525/">X-men Origins: Wolverene</a> I craved for more visually satisfying effects that showcased the mutants abilities. I think the difference is that in X-men: First Class it was the origin of many main characters which gave them the opportunity to show more of every mutant’s ability. Personally I hope that the next X-men (there better be one!) should be the continuation from where this one ended. Because they have gone and shown most of the main characters' origins, the ones that are left now can be shown as Professor X gains students and Magneto... Well gains soldiers...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When talking to my friends about it and seeing the posts on Facebook, most people got the same feeling after watching this film. The desire to watch all the other X-men films again, which I think is a good thing. They left you wanting for more even after giving you a lot!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/o8ccSiH4olo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So if you haven’t watched it, go get yourself a large popcorn, and go see that film! It has to be seen on a big screen!</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Charl J. Naudéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337335889934022062noreply@blogger.com0