Rev Stan's other stuff

Funeral song

I want this song played at my funeral

05 I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

My Chemical Romance

New camera phone pics and celeb spots

OK so I finally worked out how to take pictures. Technique needs a little improvement but here are my first 'snaps'

The first pic and a rarity: Mosh not doing a v-sign or hiding

And now for a more normal pose (technically this was the fourth pic)

The pic above was taken last night in the pub just after I'd made a tit of myself staring at a familiar face across the bar, only to realise when they walked away it was actor Joe Armstrong who plays Allan A Dale in the BBC's Robin Hood. He sat on his own, drank a pint and then left. While he was there I was secretly hoping that Richard Armitage and Jonas Armstrong would turn up to keep him company.
Second celeb spot in less than a week as Daniela Denby-Ashe who was on my bus home. She's probably best known for her role as Sarah in Eastenders back in the 90's and then Janey in sit-com My Family.
I'm hoping for someone big as my third spot or Ben Whishaw, haven't seen him for a while, he must have been practicing following me without being seen.
Neither of the above, of course, are as good as my friend Lisa not being able to check into her hotel room this week because the previous occupants - Metallica - had yet to check out...

QotD: Unexpected Dinner Guests

You have four unexpected guests showing up for dinner in less than an hour, you haven't been to the store in days, and you want to impress them with a delicious meal. What do you serve them?

Take away from the Tumnam Thai.

More Muse news

Speaking to BBC 6 music at last nights NME awards Matt Bellamy revealed the band are half way through recording their new album and it "could be their best yet". He also said this one was proving a lot easier to record that Black Hole and Revelations...

Muse news

The boys picked up best live act at the NME awards, they've even posted a pic on twitpic. Curiously the stage looks like the set of Lord of the Rings: The Musical.
With a new album in the making, I'm hoping they tour again in the Autumn.

Update: They've just won best album artwork for HAARP (er.. must be proud of that one) Dontcha just love twitter?

QotD: Lenten Sacrifices

Today is the first day of the Season of Lent. Are you giving anything up for the next 40 days?

Nope. Am over all that and besides my food intolerances do a pretty good job of cutting all the naughty things out of my diet.

Bloggers vs the NUJ

This is a bit of a diversion from the usual inane crap I write here at vox but I'm quietly quite proud to have a friend and a colleague written about and interviewed by the Guardian's Organ grinder.
Many people have expressed their opinion in a far more erudite manner than me but my early, brief comment about how the incident has tainted my opinion of the NUJ, of which I am a member, still stands.

Sunday afternoon cinema: Anvil

Wouldn't have chosen this but Mosh really wanted to see it and it's had glowing reviews from some film reviewers whose opinions I respect so decided to the treat him (well it is his birthday tomorrow).
I think my favourite scene sums it up. The heavy metal band whose five minutes of fame was twenty years ago are on 'tour' in Europe. They turn up to play a gig in a bar where there are about a dozen people, one of whom is sat in an arm chair near the 'stage' moshing away.
It's a very entertaining film and quite touching in places. Definitely recommend it even if you don't like the music.

Images

QotD: Rules When I Was A Teenager

What was the worst rule your parents imposed when you were a teenager?

For the consequences later in life it has to be not having pudding until you've finished your main course. It takes a real concerted effort now to leave food on my plate when that is by far the healthier way to eat.

First pic from new camera phone*

*Except it's a video because I haven't bothered reading the instruction book yet...

MOV00004

Celebrity journalism pushing the boundaries

Ryan Seacrest lies to celebrities on the red carpet, telling them stuff is great when he doesn't believe it. This is an story? I imagine that 99% of people bull shit to celebrities 99% of the time that's why most of them are so f***ed up!
Reading 'stories' like this makes me want to become a celebrity journalist because coming up with 'angles' to copy like this must be a piece of piss.

Lost my appetite

Thanks to Stephen Fry for drawing my attention to this site via twitter. My 'favourite' is the pizza burger.

Entertainment QotD: Oscar Snubs

Who do you think was snubbed by this year's Oscar nominations?

Benicio del Toro. He was genius in Che.

Benicio: robbed

QotD: Expert-Level

If you could be an expert in any one field, which one would you choose?

Film making. Not documentaries but drama's. I'd like to make actors suffer for their art and make films that put a smile on people's faces or cry.

War Horse

Have heard so many good reports of War Horse, which is playing for a second time at the National Theatre, that expectations was high.
Based on a children's book by Michael Morpurgo it is the story of Albert and his horse Joey whom his father bought at auction, while drunk, using the money that was supposed to pay the mortgage. It is set in the years before and during the first world war and with a minimum of props and sets brought spectacularly to life.

WarHorse08

But all that is nothing compared to the horses, here a picture of the supporting horse in the story, Topthorne. And yes they are puppets that are big enough for a full sized adult to ride around on! The puppeteers, for three people operate each horse, move them so naturally that I couldn't take my eyes off them for the first half an hour.
It is the same puppet company that made the daemons for the NT's production of His Dark Materials a few years back. Then the puppet masters were dressed in black as the manipulated each individual daemon around the stage but you soon forget they were there and it is the same for the horses in War Horse.
It is a simple story, having been based on a children's book, full of humour but also very moving and doesn't shy away from some of the horrors of war.
Such has been it's success that when it finishes it's run in rep at the NT it is transferring to the New London Theatre. I'm not sure how well it will transfer as the NT's Olivier has a huge revolve which is used to dramatic effect and the staging really makes the most of the fact that the audience curves around the stage. I did enjoy it so much though that I would be tempted to go and see it again. Perhaps I'll take my Mum.

What do you call a group of Santa's

What do you call a group of Santa's, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Forgotten I'd taken this on my camera phone in the first week of December

Olympics site under construction

Olympics site under construction, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

As seen from a train to Norwich

Twilight series: the verdict

Twilight (Twilight Saga)

Stephenie Meyer

And so I've finished all four books in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. They have dominated my life for the last six weeks, almost in the same way that Harry Potter series does, but not quite.
Perhaps it is unfair to compare the two series, after all they are ultimately aimed at different audiences but their success and phenomenon surrounding them make them obvious contenders for a compare and contrast.
Meyers makes Rowling look like a writer worthy of receiving a Booker nod. OK so Rowling isn't the best writer and was given too much free reign in later books but the Harry Potter series has far more layers, revelations and she certainly knows how to make her characters suffer, something Meyers can only do in degrees.
There is much that is frustrating in the Twilight series: the poor writing in places, the indulgence, the overwhelming 'niceness', the sometimes awkward plot flow and decisions but all that can be forgiven for what is ultimately an addictive and fascinating premise.
I'm 37 and I want to be a vampire. There I've said it.
Having now finished the last book, I feel lost, all those evening looking forward to reading the next instalment. However, unlike Rowling, Meyers has left the door ajar and I ticked off at least three potential new story lines in the final chapters. So despite my frustrations, I'm almost hoping she does decide to write a fifth.

Here are my reviews for the individual books as I finished them:

Twilight
Sentimental and some vomit inducing romance but written in a such way that can press all the same buttons it would have done had I been 14 again and reading it. Because of this and the fact that it is nice easy read and shameless escapism I loved every page and am going straight on to the sequel.

New Moon

New Moon (Twilight Saga)

Stephenie Meyer

Certainly not a Booker winner, writing style is a little rough in places and Meyer openly admits her literary influences just in case you were sleeping as you read it.  But any book that can make me think of nothing else for three days and have me staying up until midnight reading because I've just got to finish it has got to get five stars. I'm an emotional and physical wreck and I have felt like I was 14 again. Am going to have a break before I read the next in the series to gather my strength.

Eclipse
Book concentrates on the relationships of the key characters with less big dramatic story lines than the previous two books. In fact it is more about the build up to the grand finale rather than the finale itself which is a little bit of a damp squib. Maybe a little indulgent at times and the Edward character is starting to become just a little too good to be true. But that said it got its hooks in and I cantered through it with much enjoyment. Straight onto the next and final book in the saga...

Breaking Dawn
Feel slightly sad it's all over for the Twilight series now, although she has left a couple of potential threads which could make further books. Meyers isn't JK Rowling and frustratingly often shies away from taking the drama to the next level (Note to Meyers: think carefully what you entitle your chapters as it can kind of spoil the tension when they give too much away). The first two books are the best. Although Breaking Dawn has more in it than Eclipse but I was still hooked and there is now a vampire-sized hole in my life.

Roll on the release of the Twilight DVD in April.

Want to add this link to Oh So Saucy's review of the books...

This made me laugh*

Thanks to www.twitter.com/stephenfry for tweeting this. Tis v. funny.

* There is a lot of swearing, sensitive ears have been warned.

�

The other cost of the Australia fires

http://twitpic.com/1esri

Sunday cinema: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Bit of a movie marathon this week, Vicky Cristina Barcelona being the fourth film in a week and a fitting end to what has been a run of truly marvellous offerings on the silver screen.
Must admit I'm not a big follower of Woody Allen's films and it was the cast: Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and Penelope Cruz which made me want to see it.
As much as I've enjoyed Revolutionary Road, Benjamin Button and Frost/Nixon this week, Vicky Cristina was a breath of fresh air: I don't think I could have coped with another tear-jerker.
It is the tale of two americans Vicky (Hall), who is engaged, and her friend Christina (Johansson) who go to Barcelona to spend the summer. There they meet artist Juan Antonio played by Bardem who is recently divorced from the fiery Maria Elena played by Cruz and whom quickly sets about seducing both women.
Yes, there are some sad moments as some of the characters battle with what they want out life and love but on the whole it is a thoroughly amusing and sometimes laugh out loud funny film. Bardem and Cruz spark off each other superbly and are a joy to watch. Bardem smoulders and ouzes charm and I was charmed, totally.
And now I just want to go back to Barcelona

Winter sunset on the South Bank

Winter sunset on the South Bank, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Another beautiful winter sunset as I was walking back from town. Rest of pics at www.flickr.com/photos/revstan

More not quite Sunday cinema

A bit 'o Brad this afternoon: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button about a man who is born old and gradually grows younger.
It's a film of two halves. The first half seem to move soooo sloooowly, the inevitable conclusion a tiny pin prick somewhere around cup of tea time and I almost walked out.
But I  didn't and was duly rewarded with the second half, even ending up having a bit of a blub. It is a long film and that is its flaw but it is cleverly done. Good performances but I think the plaudits for Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett are more about Hollywood's obsession with beautiful people looking old/fat/ugly (Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones, Nicole Kidman in the Hours, Charlize Theron in the Monster...)
If your bum isn't sensitive to long periods of inactivity, go and see it.

BenjaminButton-poster

Not quite sunday cinema

So many potentially good films on at the moment I'm having to go mid-week in order to keep up. Last night I went to see Frost/Nixon and it certainly lived up to expectation. It's a well known event in history so there are few surprises but it still had me on the edge of my seat.

FrostNixonMovie

Perhaps it was that as journalist I could empathise with the pressure of the 'big interview' - not that I've ever done anything close to interviewing a disgraced president. But regardless of my background the journey to get to that event is intriguing and expertly told, analysing the the two men behind the names, their strengths and weakness laid bare. And that is where I was hooked, as a battle of mind and personality ensues.
The acting is superb, particularly Frank Langella who plays Nixon and I can't recommend it enough.

Car crash theatre?

Justin Timberlake wants to tread the boards. If it's in the West End, I'll be on the front row.

Oh bugger

The real downside of the freezing snowy weather is opens up new pot holes in London's roads. I hit one on my way home today. One of those unavoidable things when you have cars either side of you. I braced myself and stayed on my bike but my pannier, laden with shopping, didn't and ended up under the wheels of a car being dragged along.
Managed to retrieve it to find that my large carton of rice milk had been flattened emptying its contents all over my shopping, handbag, proofs I was taking home to read and the brand new t-shirt that had just arrived mail order. My bags of nuts and seeds had also burst and the contents were thoroughly dampened.
Fortunately none of my valuables: iPod, camera and mobile were damaged.
Had to gingerly cycle the rest of the way home with my pannier dangling over my handle bar as the hooks for the rack had snapped off.
Nice end to the day and now I have to buy a new pannier.

Some people will do anything to get out of doing some work

Early morning winter sun on the Houses of Parliament

Early morning winter sun on the Houses of Parliament, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Wanted to get some pictures of the Houses of Parliament with snow on it. Unfortunately by the time I was passing this morning it had all gone. Still managed to get a bit of ice in the foreground just to prove it was taken during the 'big snow storm of 09'.

RIP little Frank

RIP little Frankie, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

He may have been small and his life too brief but he'll be fondly remembered. *sniff*

Hi my name is Frank

Hi my name is Frank , originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

It's bloomin' cold out here, lemme in.

London snow

London snow, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

This is the view from my flat this evening. I've lived in London for 17 years and I've only ever seen it like this once before.

Sunday cinema

The long awaited Revolutionary Road today with Kate Winslet and Leonardo diCaprio together again for the first time since she snapped his frozen fingers off the edge of the drift-wood in the middle of the Atlantic.
This is an entirely different offering, no big budget effects it's a mature character piece set in the 1950s about a young couple coming to terms with the life they have ended up living, the sort of life that most people aspire to or happily accept.

Kate and Leo back together again

And it totally lived up to expectation. It slowly rips you apart so that it's not until the very end that you feel the full force of what has happened to these two people. And then it haunts you. Two sterling performances from Winslet and DiCaprio, the latter showing shades of acting ability I've never seen in him before.
Best film of the year so far.