Horsemen Review

I have watched a lot of films. No idea why, or how the time becomes spare, I just sit and enjoy. How I discover these films is by following actors. When I am engulfed by what these talented people bring to my screen for 120 minutes I have to find more and more. Johnny Depp and his effortless adaptability to any role; Clive Owen and the depth he

brings to his alpha-male characters; Audrey Tautou and her flawless portrayal of complicated women that you can't help but fall in love with.

Todays movie was a follow up of Ziyi Zhang: Horsemen.

Horsemen was indeed a suprise. It follows Detective Breslin as he tries to discover the story behind a series of grusome murders that have something to do with the Apocalypse. What stands out most about this film is the incredibly graphic nature of it all. This is indeed a goarry film, a genre I am certainly not used to seeing. Unfortunatly I chose to watch this movie on a pl

ane, so I can't imagine what the woman next to me must have been thinking!!

Breakng away from the big distraction the movie was quite inciteful. It explores the religious elements of the Apocalypse very well, though the sedistic nature of the killers and the psychology involved could have been more effectively portrayed. Throughout the film I was kept excited and interested in a very unpredictable storyline with many unexpected twists.

Tough the acting was good, it wasn't anything special with the exception of Ziyi Zhang. I am so used to watching her in brilliant Chinese cinema where she excels in both the martial arts and the culutral elements of her roles. This film, being American, would be

out of her comfort zone and she nailed

it (inside joke for anyone that has watched the movie). Her character was complex and incredibly dark and she remained belivable and produced a stunning all-round performance.

I can only sum up this movie by who I think would enjoy it. I can't recommend Horsemen to any of my friends as they may be quite stunned by the goar of it all and never speak to me again. Anyone who likes goarry films will love it for it's truly graphic scenes, but also appreciate it's complexity and the fact that it's not just a mindless bloody film. Any fans if Ziyi Zhang are indeed missing out by not watching this, but it's not one to watch on your own, on a plane or if you are feeling paticularpy feint or weak hearted.

Thanks for Reading

XmasRights

Happenstance Review

As I said from the start, there is no end to the randomess of my blog. Any of the few people who read my posts on Twitter and Google would be expecting another technology segment. However my thoughts have been provoked by a film.

"The beating of a butterfly's wings over the Atlantic can cause a hurricane in the pacific."

Happenstance (Le Battement D'Ailes Du Papillon) follows several individually interesting and contrasting people and their constantly intertwined stories. This is a formula that has been done many times before, but what puts this film above the rest is that it's French. I adore french films, and their intricate attention to detail. Characters are thouroughtly thought out and are portrayed by their minor quirks rather than their more obvious attributes. A good example is in Amelie where characters are described by their love of cracking fingers or skipping stones. This film stands out as the grand story is approached like a character. As we slowly pan away from the minor stories and see where they all link; we find it's the small details that join the stories together. This brings to life the idea that even the flap of a butterfly's wings can drastically alter fate for better and for worse.

The strands that make up the grand story kept me intersted throughout and definately make this a film worth waching if you wish to relax and think. Each story has it's own attractive flavour and the combination gels together perfectly. The actors themselves did a fair job. I was drawn to this film by Audrey Tautou being in it. Her performance was flawless as always, but she didn't have a big enough roll to really shine through. That can also be said for the other actors.

Overall I think this is an excellent film about the human condition and I am very pleased it was produced in France. It adds a very nice perspective to a frequently used technique.

Thanks for Reading

XmasRights

Difficulty of Maths over an Engineer's Lifetime

Why is Twitter so popular?

Why on Earth is Twitter so popular? It's always been something I can't explain. When one of the many internet twits is asked what Twitter actually is we're forced to draw a blank or compare it to Facebook status updates. A feeble and unimpressive description. Even so, Twitter is become phenomenally popular and useful with everyone from CNN to Britney Spears to some Household pets collecting a following to keep track of their small daily events.

Just today I saw a board for the Evening Standard printed with "BRITAIN DEFENDS NHS ON TWITTER" posted on it. This had me thinking: 1) Slow news day? and 2) What has Twitter become? I am proud to use the very common rock-band phrase: "I used it before it was popular", back when Twitter was simply a way to let a few people from around the world know your coffee regime and to keep track of Stephen Fry. Tweeting was like telling your simple thoughts to a brick wall and following interesting, but not fascinating. Now Twitter has become the portal for so many mediums of communication. The Evening Standard has dubbed it an acceptable opinion poll. Sky Sports used it as a way of giving updates on the action in the Ashes cricket matches. The Teen Choice awards offered an accolade to Ellen DeGeneres based on one of her tweets. David Pogue used it to write a book (The World According to Twitter, which I am proud to be a part of). The list goes on and will continue to go on and on. This is what free speech turns into; Twitter is nothing like Facebook Status updates because they are broadcast to friends. We say what we can about ourselves without being extraordinary. With Twitter we can and do say whatever we like without judgement.

The Iranian election was a particular turning point in how I saw Twitter. Tweets became important and necessary. It gave the Iranian people a chance to discuss their thoughts across the entire country away from the riots and the unreliable news coverage. It became a peaceful way to deal with a serious political issue.

And so we cycle back to the original question: why is Twitter so popular?

Because it's open and it's free. We are free to use it however we like and say whatever we like in 140 Characters. We can be creative, witty, resourceful and we do this without the shackles of censorship. There is something very liberating about truly feeling freedom of speech, especially when you see the wall you once talked to has a huge network of people who share your thoughts and ideas and are genuinely interested in what you have to say.

But what do you think?

Why do you think Twitter has become so immense? and How would you describe Twitter to your friends?

Thanks for Reading,

Yours,

XmasRights

The State of the Music Industry

Recently I was asked to write 100 words about the state of the music industry. Not as long-winded and waffle-y as my usual posts, but here it is:

"There is a shocking contrast between the Music industry and Music itself. Music consists of the artists, the free thinkers, the boundary pushers. The Music Industry seems to be a group of angry old men, unable to adjust to the new mediums of our generation. Instead of embracing how we now listen to music, they wish to control it with DRM and frivolous lawsuits to flash their wallets. How foolish to think they can change a still rebellious group. Why not embrace the internet as what it is: the most powerful advertising outlet in history. When will they learn!!"