Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Warlock
The book I'm currently reading, and the third and final in the Egyptian series from the fantastic author Wilbur Smith.
A stunning series, which i am looking forward to finishing, purely because I'm really excitred to know what's going to happen to the current crop of characters. In all the three books, only one character, Taita, remains from book to book, and the series spans 3-4000 years (you'll understand if you read the books!). I thoroughly recommend them. The first book contained some stunning characters and you really felt for them, whilst the second book was more a rip-roaring adventure in the vain of Indiana Jones. The final book, well I'm not sure what it is yet...
A stunning series, which i am looking forward to finishing, purely because I'm really excitred to know what's going to happen to the current crop of characters. In all the three books, only one character, Taita, remains from book to book, and the series spans 3-4000 years (you'll understand if you read the books!). I thoroughly recommend them. The first book contained some stunning characters and you really felt for them, whilst the second book was more a rip-roaring adventure in the vain of Indiana Jones. The final book, well I'm not sure what it is yet...
Friday, June 24, 2005
Sony and the PSP importers?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1512591,00.html
Insanity. How can a company expect goodwill from anyone based in Europe? First they admit the European market is leazst important, then they release the PSP 10 months after Japan and the USA get it, and now they want to track down each individual owner and take back their 200 quid toy and software?
The mind boggles.
Insanity. How can a company expect goodwill from anyone based in Europe? First they admit the European market is leazst important, then they release the PSP 10 months after Japan and the USA get it, and now they want to track down each individual owner and take back their 200 quid toy and software?
The mind boggles.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Google portal?
http://www.google.com/ig
Not sure how many people will use this - currently - as its a work in preogress, doesn't seem to do things that well and most panes only work in the US (weather etc.). BUT it has potential, and hey, its Google ;)
Not sure how many people will use this - currently - as its a work in preogress, doesn't seem to do things that well and most panes only work in the US (weather etc.). BUT it has potential, and hey, its Google ;)
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
"You know how to whistle don't you Steve? You just put your lips together and blow"
http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=7846
One of my personal favourite film quotes from this top 100 as presaented by the American Film Institute. Pretty cool.
Other faves:
"Made it, Ma! On top of the world!" Just before dying...
“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” (It IS Laurel and Hardy ;))
“Yo, Adrian!” he he
“Oh, no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast,” Very true
There are way too many for me to keep listing them, but I had fun reading the whole list myself, so why don't you do the same?
One of my personal favourite film quotes from this top 100 as presaented by the American Film Institute. Pretty cool.
Other faves:
"Made it, Ma! On top of the world!" Just before dying...
“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” (It IS Laurel and Hardy ;))
“Yo, Adrian!” he he
“Oh, no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast,” Very true
There are way too many for me to keep listing them, but I had fun reading the whole list myself, so why don't you do the same?
Paul Collingwood
What a day! Great innings (second fastest ODI ton by an Englishman), first englishman (only second person ever after Viv Richards) to get a ton and a 5-for in one match and then the only man ever to get 6 wickets and a ton!!! Hero - now, do we hear the calls for his promotion to the test team ;)?
England Vs. Bangladesh ODI 21st June 2005
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
KP and the Ashes?
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes2005/story/0,15993,1511028,00.html
I don't know. I think the guy is amazing and I can't wait to see him bat on thursday, but that is in ODIs. Tests are a different matter, plus all the present incumbents are in superb form. I say have him as first reserve as clearly The Portly Assassin has been demoted to third choice over the past six months.
Just think, Thorpe or Bell get injured, the ozzies are privately happy and then they see KP take their place. What a replacement. It has been quite some while since we had 11 top players, let alone 12 or more...
I don't know. I think the guy is amazing and I can't wait to see him bat on thursday, but that is in ODIs. Tests are a different matter, plus all the present incumbents are in superb form. I say have him as first reserve as clearly The Portly Assassin has been demoted to third choice over the past six months.
Just think, Thorpe or Bell get injured, the ozzies are privately happy and then they see KP take their place. What a replacement. It has been quite some while since we had 11 top players, let alone 12 or more...
Friday, June 17, 2005
Batman Begins
What happens?
Bruce Wayne, wanting to avenge his parent's death, goes from being a mixed up kid confusing right and wrong, to an all-round fighting dude who has the money, and the brains, to set up a one man avenger-type business where he becomes the Bat-man. Supervillains and dastardly plots follow with Batman having to finish things once and for all with a shadow from his past whilst trying to sort out his life, and ensuring those around him continue to have one.
What's it like?
Let me begin with some background. I'm a guy born and brought up in the UK. As such comics were never a major thing for me (aside from the Beano and Dandy of course ;)) so I learnt about the major and not so major comic creations from America via both film and TV. Superman is my earliest superhero/comic book memory, although I'm sure I'd seen the Adam West Batman and Batman/Spiderman/X-men cartoons previously. As I grew up I looked for more information on Batman, Superman and the like andcame to the conclusion that Batman and the X-men could not be beaten as characters. It was the darkness behind them all, and the variety in the X-men which caught my ey. Sure, Supes was a great hero, but slightly boring. Spiderman was fun but no substance. The Hulk, well, he's a bit different, isn't he? Out of Bats and Wolverine's gang, Batman was always number one. A deep, dark and thrilling character whose motivation isalways a little on edge and leads to a wild and frankly somewhat scary character. But one who fought for the good guys. Anyway, for a long time Burton's Batman was my favourite film starring a comic character, but come the X-men in 2001, and the start of the recent wave of comic movies, I had a new first. A fantastic film so well put together with variety, action, well defined characters and an arc which you could believe. A great film that lead to an even better sequel where very little could have been done better and the whole piece just exuded excellence. Then Singer left for Superman, the X-men (number 3)had a million script/cast/director changes and now it looks to be on its way to a rushed and under-par movie. Not what Singer and co. set in motion when seeding plots throughout the first and second movies. But, along came Batman. A new vision of the character, an origin picture, with full freedom given to Nolan, the director and Goyer, the writer. A chance to make the definitive Batman movie and to set up a series of planned movies. A pre-planned trilogy (going on recent allusions made by Goyer), if you will. Yesterday, I finally saw this, my most wanted film of the summer.
Whether you think X-men are better than Spiderman, if you're a Marvel geek or a DC fanboy or really only ever liked Superman's first movie, you'll like this. No, you'll love it. The film is astonishing in everything it does. From the tone to the casting to the story arc to the set-up and more, it just excels. From the opening act where not a single second of boredom creeps in, through the exposition of the second act and the show-down in the third, you will love it. Its easy for me to say you'll love it when its a 'comic book' movie and I liked Hulk, but I assure you it is so much more than that, and less. You see, if you hadn't heard of Batman, you would not suspect this film to be in any way related to a comic.
The film is an Origin story first and foremost. That in itself is impressive as most films, aside from hulk, just skip through the origin in 10 or 20 minutes and get on with it, if they even allow you that. Bruce Wayne becomes Batman for 140 minutes here. Wow. As such it begins with Bruce in an Asian prison of some kind where he is found by Liam Neeson's character, who is working on behalf of Ra's Al Ghul, the leader of the league of Shadows. He persuades Bruce he can learn how to fight evil and save Gotham, his home city, something his father started but was unable to finish. The reason for that was his Father's and Mother's murder, witnessed by Bruce himself, and something which he also blames upon himself. After this first act he goes back to Gotham, a city worse off than when he left it but also a place where he is thought dead. Over time he, and Alfred, his family's long serving Butler, instigate a plan, with the help of some others whereby he fights crime. He becomes Batman.
The acting throughout the movie is highly impressive. Christian Bale feels more like Bruce Wayne than anyone else before him, and although its hard to seem 'good' when dressed in a batsuit manages to pull it off. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Katie Holmes have rather small roles, which will be expanded upon in future films due to the nature of their characters' situation. Even with just a few minutes though, they manage to fill the screen,especially in the case of Freeman who is his usual enthralling self. Sir Michael Caine is Michael Caine when playing Alfred, but you could not picture it any other way. He is as he should be. The villains of the piece are as crazy/intellectual/scary as you'd hope for and the whole group combine to form a cast as strong as any in recent years. In fact, its the kind of cast you would just watch. Like anything with Al Pacino, or Denzel Washington in is just good, irrelevant of what they're saying, this is good. But, that doesn't mean the script itself isn't strong.
David Goyer and Christopher Nolan have come up with an origin story, detective piece, summer action movie, emotional drama and managed to seed future films all in around 2 hours. Nothing is rushed and everything seems purposefully put there. The main bad versus good plot is actually quite restrained, helping to foot this film in the real world it so desires to be (and, ultimately, is), whilst managing to incorporate new ideas with a historical footing - you'll see what I mean.
One thing I touched on earlier - this film is for anyone, even those who hate X-men and Spiderman and the like. Its true, it really does transcend all possible genres it could be shoehorned into and does so with aplomb. Its a little like the Bond movies in many ways - the reinvigoration, the main characters and the simple good versus bad plot at its centre. I would say, if pushed, its the Dalton's Batman. Why? Its how Batman should be, the same way Dalton was the closest to Fleming's Bond we've had. But again, if you don't like Bond films, this has enough for you too in so many other ways.
Any criticisms? Maybe its a little slow in the middle act and one of the major villains is perhaps slightly underused, but they are only minor points. All in all this film can't really be faulted and deserves to go and be followed by at least two more movies. The greatest Batman yet, without a doubt. The best actors, the best all-round story, the best director. Yes, Christopher Nolan has followed Insomnia and Memento by showing he can do it with any material, any money and any people. This man is up there. With batman, he has reached new heights. Not just in his career, but also in comic to film adaptations. He has shown how to do it right, well and in the
best possible way. Go see Batman. Now.
Conclusion?
***** - The best comic book movie ever? By a country mile. It just has everything you could want and its all done so very well. The film to see this summer and more importantly, the new beginning of a franchise that should have the world at its feet. "Why do we fall? - So we can learn to pick ourselves up"
Bruce Wayne, wanting to avenge his parent's death, goes from being a mixed up kid confusing right and wrong, to an all-round fighting dude who has the money, and the brains, to set up a one man avenger-type business where he becomes the Bat-man. Supervillains and dastardly plots follow with Batman having to finish things once and for all with a shadow from his past whilst trying to sort out his life, and ensuring those around him continue to have one.
What's it like?
Let me begin with some background. I'm a guy born and brought up in the UK. As such comics were never a major thing for me (aside from the Beano and Dandy of course ;)) so I learnt about the major and not so major comic creations from America via both film and TV. Superman is my earliest superhero/comic book memory, although I'm sure I'd seen the Adam West Batman and Batman/Spiderman/X-men cartoons previously. As I grew up I looked for more information on Batman, Superman and the like andcame to the conclusion that Batman and the X-men could not be beaten as characters. It was the darkness behind them all, and the variety in the X-men which caught my ey. Sure, Supes was a great hero, but slightly boring. Spiderman was fun but no substance. The Hulk, well, he's a bit different, isn't he? Out of Bats and Wolverine's gang, Batman was always number one. A deep, dark and thrilling character whose motivation isalways a little on edge and leads to a wild and frankly somewhat scary character. But one who fought for the good guys. Anyway, for a long time Burton's Batman was my favourite film starring a comic character, but come the X-men in 2001, and the start of the recent wave of comic movies, I had a new first. A fantastic film so well put together with variety, action, well defined characters and an arc which you could believe. A great film that lead to an even better sequel where very little could have been done better and the whole piece just exuded excellence. Then Singer left for Superman, the X-men (number 3)had a million script/cast/director changes and now it looks to be on its way to a rushed and under-par movie. Not what Singer and co. set in motion when seeding plots throughout the first and second movies. But, along came Batman. A new vision of the character, an origin picture, with full freedom given to Nolan, the director and Goyer, the writer. A chance to make the definitive Batman movie and to set up a series of planned movies. A pre-planned trilogy (going on recent allusions made by Goyer), if you will. Yesterday, I finally saw this, my most wanted film of the summer.
Whether you think X-men are better than Spiderman, if you're a Marvel geek or a DC fanboy or really only ever liked Superman's first movie, you'll like this. No, you'll love it. The film is astonishing in everything it does. From the tone to the casting to the story arc to the set-up and more, it just excels. From the opening act where not a single second of boredom creeps in, through the exposition of the second act and the show-down in the third, you will love it. Its easy for me to say you'll love it when its a 'comic book' movie and I liked Hulk, but I assure you it is so much more than that, and less. You see, if you hadn't heard of Batman, you would not suspect this film to be in any way related to a comic.
The film is an Origin story first and foremost. That in itself is impressive as most films, aside from hulk, just skip through the origin in 10 or 20 minutes and get on with it, if they even allow you that. Bruce Wayne becomes Batman for 140 minutes here. Wow. As such it begins with Bruce in an Asian prison of some kind where he is found by Liam Neeson's character, who is working on behalf of Ra's Al Ghul, the leader of the league of Shadows. He persuades Bruce he can learn how to fight evil and save Gotham, his home city, something his father started but was unable to finish. The reason for that was his Father's and Mother's murder, witnessed by Bruce himself, and something which he also blames upon himself. After this first act he goes back to Gotham, a city worse off than when he left it but also a place where he is thought dead. Over time he, and Alfred, his family's long serving Butler, instigate a plan, with the help of some others whereby he fights crime. He becomes Batman.
The acting throughout the movie is highly impressive. Christian Bale feels more like Bruce Wayne than anyone else before him, and although its hard to seem 'good' when dressed in a batsuit manages to pull it off. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Katie Holmes have rather small roles, which will be expanded upon in future films due to the nature of their characters' situation. Even with just a few minutes though, they manage to fill the screen,especially in the case of Freeman who is his usual enthralling self. Sir Michael Caine is Michael Caine when playing Alfred, but you could not picture it any other way. He is as he should be. The villains of the piece are as crazy/intellectual/scary as you'd hope for and the whole group combine to form a cast as strong as any in recent years. In fact, its the kind of cast you would just watch. Like anything with Al Pacino, or Denzel Washington in is just good, irrelevant of what they're saying, this is good. But, that doesn't mean the script itself isn't strong.
David Goyer and Christopher Nolan have come up with an origin story, detective piece, summer action movie, emotional drama and managed to seed future films all in around 2 hours. Nothing is rushed and everything seems purposefully put there. The main bad versus good plot is actually quite restrained, helping to foot this film in the real world it so desires to be (and, ultimately, is), whilst managing to incorporate new ideas with a historical footing - you'll see what I mean.
One thing I touched on earlier - this film is for anyone, even those who hate X-men and Spiderman and the like. Its true, it really does transcend all possible genres it could be shoehorned into and does so with aplomb. Its a little like the Bond movies in many ways - the reinvigoration, the main characters and the simple good versus bad plot at its centre. I would say, if pushed, its the Dalton's Batman. Why? Its how Batman should be, the same way Dalton was the closest to Fleming's Bond we've had. But again, if you don't like Bond films, this has enough for you too in so many other ways.
Any criticisms? Maybe its a little slow in the middle act and one of the major villains is perhaps slightly underused, but they are only minor points. All in all this film can't really be faulted and deserves to go and be followed by at least two more movies. The greatest Batman yet, without a doubt. The best actors, the best all-round story, the best director. Yes, Christopher Nolan has followed Insomnia and Memento by showing he can do it with any material, any money and any people. This man is up there. With batman, he has reached new heights. Not just in his career, but also in comic to film adaptations. He has shown how to do it right, well and in the
best possible way. Go see Batman. Now.
Conclusion?
***** - The best comic book movie ever? By a country mile. It just has everything you could want and its all done so very well. The film to see this summer and more importantly, the new beginning of a franchise that should have the world at its feet. "Why do we fall? - So we can learn to pick ourselves up"
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Revolution controller?
http://www.cubed3.com/media/2005/June/jesusraz/revcontroller.jpg
No, i don't think so. But hey, its the first mock-up of the controller I've seen (or maybe its real???)
No, i don't think so. But hey, its the first mock-up of the controller I've seen (or maybe its real???)
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Shoot 'em up
Twenty20
Monday, June 13, 2005
Microsoft Acrylic
A competitor for Photoshop? Supposedly. Whatever you think about MS anyway, the following is a link to a 180 day free trial of their photoshop alike. Great stuff.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/
X3
Oh dear. My favourite superhero franchise - by a mile (at least until I see Batman Begins this Thursday ;)) - and I'm worried.
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=20443
Why do people do this? Why rush something that could - should - be glorious? This movie has the potential to be amazing and although I didn't read details, and just the commentary of the script review, I'm scared. Really scared as with Singer etc. continuing what they started we would have, I truly believe, a killer movie. They would come back, too. But Fox seem to be against it. Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.
Maybe something will happen. Maybe Harry Knowles will turn the screw and all we be resolved. Let Singer do Supes, then ask him back - give him what he wants. I implore Fox to do this. If they're reading...
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=20443
Why do people do this? Why rush something that could - should - be glorious? This movie has the potential to be amazing and although I didn't read details, and just the commentary of the script review, I'm scared. Really scared as with Singer etc. continuing what they started we would have, I truly believe, a killer movie. They would come back, too. But Fox seem to be against it. Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.
Maybe something will happen. Maybe Harry Knowles will turn the screw and all we be resolved. Let Singer do Supes, then ask him back - give him what he wants. I implore Fox to do this. If they're reading...
More 24
Well, I'm ten episodes in now and 24 continues to be the most thrilling thing on TV. Episode six really blew me out of the water! Fantastic. This season seems to be plotted really well, and we've had Jack doing his Die hard thing and some soul patch which was nice! Not sure what's gonna happen in a couple of hours though...
Sunday, June 12, 2005
24
I've seen all of Lost and Alias this season. They were good/bad/brilliant in spurts. I wait to start 24 until I have all 24 eps. I watch the first. It blows out of the water anythning else I've seen for a year (since the last series of 24, actually). How does it do that? More importantly, please have done that throughout season 4 and continue to do so!!!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Cricket Manager
A fun little game me and Barney have been playing since it started a season ago:
http://www.cricketmanager.co.uk/
It's not overly in depth - you spend around 5-10 mins on it a day, which is nice. However the tactics etc., being cricket, do make it a fantastic little brain teaser. Anyway, I got promoted in my first season to the top division where I have just beaten last season's league champions - well chuffed. Thought you all should know ;).
http://www.cricketmanager.co.uk/
It's not overly in depth - you spend around 5-10 mins on it a day, which is nice. However the tactics etc., being cricket, do make it a fantastic little brain teaser. Anyway, I got promoted in my first season to the top division where I have just beaten last season's league champions - well chuffed. Thought you all should know ;).
Alias Season 4 finale
Just seen it. Good ep with a very cool ending. The season on a whole has been pretty poor, far worse than 2, worse than 3 and slightly less interesting than 1. The ep where Marshall is the main character was, however, one of the best hours of TV this year (bear in mind I haven't yet seen 24 season 4...).
A question though - WHY DO THEY THINK END OF SEASON CLIFFHANGERS ARE A GOOD THING? THEY SUCK. BIG TIME. Still, at least the ending was a good cliffhanger and making me wish I knew what came next rather than just being disinterested, hey?
A question though - WHY DO THEY THINK END OF SEASON CLIFFHANGERS ARE A GOOD THING? THEY SUCK. BIG TIME. Still, at least the ending was a good cliffhanger and making me wish I knew what came next rather than just being disinterested, hey?
Friday, June 10, 2005
Liverpool in CL 2005/2006
But we are entering at the first qualifying round stage :O
That means 6 competitive games before the season starts, assuming we win each round. Plus all the friendlies we don't have to cancel to fit in the CL qualifiers plus the Super Cup plus the World club cup and more if we get anywhere in any domestic cup or the CL. We played 60 competitive games this season and this could easily be beaten if we have decent cup runs again.
Oh well, I'm grateful we're in it and have a chance to defend it and reap the financial rewards. I just hope our premiership form etc. doesn't suffer as a result...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4613695.stm
That means 6 competitive games before the season starts, assuming we win each round. Plus all the friendlies we don't have to cancel to fit in the CL qualifiers plus the Super Cup plus the World club cup and more if we get anywhere in any domestic cup or the CL. We played 60 competitive games this season and this could easily be beaten if we have decent cup runs again.
Oh well, I'm grateful we're in it and have a chance to defend it and reap the financial rewards. I just hope our premiership form etc. doesn't suffer as a result...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4613695.stm
The Inside
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=20406
A very cool new TV show. The best new show I've seen since 24 back in 2002. It is THAT good.
A very cool new TV show. The best new show I've seen since 24 back in 2002. It is THAT good.
Big Daddy or Giant Haystacks?
iPod mini
I have finally taken the plunge and bought an MP3 player. I went for the obvious, albeit the small form factor version. Why? Many, many reasons that I just can't go into. Mainly because its taken me around 18 months to buy one :) - suffice it to say I'm looking forward to my new 6 GB toy with dock and remote when it arrives (hopefully today as its currently sitting in Gateshead with Flextronic logistics - ever heard of them?).
Luciano Howard.
Luciano Howard.
New Blogger?
Yes, that's me. A new blogger. Why? Well, I kind of have a website hosted on my Uni servers but I never get around to updating it and soon I'll graduate (hopefully) anyway. So I thought lets try Google's blogger. My very favourite computer based company (I think - GMail etc. are superb!).
So what will my blog contain? Hopefully a lot of interesting links thoughts and editorial. Probably just an annual update saying I'm still here though as I'll not get the time to update ;)
Anyway, keep visiting and I'll try and keep posting for you :D
Luciano Howard.
So what will my blog contain? Hopefully a lot of interesting links thoughts and editorial. Probably just an annual update saying I'm still here though as I'll not get the time to update ;)
Anyway, keep visiting and I'll try and keep posting for you :D
Luciano Howard.