I don't really have much to say on this, the end of June. I've had a pretty lazy month since I finished second year at the end of May. I've gone shopping, had a couple of day trips out, been to the cinema a lot, caught up with friends; it's been good!
Speaking of cinema, maybe I should catch you all up on that. So, I've been to see Frankenstein, as per the last post, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which turned out to be incredible but bloody scary! Snow White and the Huntsman, which I also wrote about before. Actually, Lincoln is the only one I hadn't written about. Oh well! I still want to see Rock of Ages, Ice Age 4, Brave and The Amazing Spiderman. Any other suggestions?
The other main thing I've been doing is reading. I've still got a huge pile of books next to my bed to be read (ha, awkward rhyme) and as I cannot stop buying books, the pile is not exactly lessening. But I'm getting there! For those interested, here is a link to my book review blog, where earlier today I posted about the books I plan to read next. Not everyone's thing, I know, but I'm afraid that's the best I've got today!
Sorry for the short post. Really, it's just because I noticed it's the end of June and I've only written 3 times this month! Hopefully I'll think of something more topical and interesting for next time. Until then!
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Frankenstein
You may or not have been aware that Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller were in a production of Frankenstein last year. I was no aware of this so I won't blame you for not knowing. My point is, they filmed a show and played it in cinemas around the country. This is what my friend Sarah and I went to see the other night.
.jpg)
Because there was an option, we chose to see Benedict Cumberbatch play Victor and Jonny Lee Miller play the Creature. Both were incredible, but I am glad we got to see Mr Cumberbatch with hair!
Danny Boyle, the director person who wrote this version, decided to follow the creature's point of view, which meant there was a painful first 5 minutes where we watched him try to stand up, all alone. It really was heartbreaking actually, seeing the steampunk workers fear and hit him. And get chased away when he was just hungry.
For those who know, the book is from Victor's point of view, his letters and diary entries. Because the play is from the Creature's, we saw him kidnap William, learn English, get shunned from society which made me at least sympathise with him way more than I did when I read the book. It was especially impressive to see him learning to speak from the blind old man, although daunting that he quoted Paradise Lost when we, English Literature students, barely understand it!
The ending was horrible, poor Elizabeth getting raped and murdered on her wedding night, Victor being too shaken up and weak to shoot his creation and chasing him all the way to the North Pole. It was an amazing show and I am really glad we saw this version, though I do not doubt Mr Cumberbatch would have been a brilliant Creature. The troubles with cloning, playing God, messing with humanity, what makes us unique were all potent themes in both the book and the production. I'm so glad we went to see it and even though it wasn't live, we did sit in plush sofas in the balcony!
Monday, 18 June 2012
Snow White and the (really hot) Huntsman
So, the other day my friend and I went to the local cinema to watch Snow White and the Huntsman. Yeah. That happened.
I wasn't all that fussed about watching it, partly because the trailer was all action-based and not necessarily my thing, partly because I have a thing against Kristen Stewart. I don't know what it is, it's nothing personal but since Twilight, I get the impression that she can't express ... expressions. I'm not gonna say she can't act because they were moments in the movie - Snow White that is - that she was really good at playing the innocent princess but a lot of the time, she has this seemingly permanent smirk on her face and it annoys me.
Anyway, the movie was still pretty good. Chris Hemsworth was brilliant. I will admit, he is the main reason I watched this film. The evil queen was sufficiently creepy, her brother was just pervy and the seven dwarfs were adorably tough. Did you know that Blackbeard was one of them? That was a pleasant surprise!
Oh, I have to tell you this. At one point near the beginning, Snow White runs away from the evil queen by slipping down the sewer which opens out half way down a cliff into the sea. As she is tying up her skirts and preparing to jump, my friend leaned over and said 'No, don't do it Bella!' Don't know about you, depending on whether you've read or seen New Moon, but I found this hilarious!
In other news, I got some marks back after finishing second year. My core exam was pretty poor but considering I suck at exams, it wasn't that surprising. Still got a 2.1 overall, which I am pleased with. Also got my last essay of the year back: 58. Not too bad, considering I forgot to use secondary sources! Again, still got my 2.1 overall, so I'm happy =D
I believe that is about it. Hopefully, I will be going to see Benedict Cumberbatch play Frankenstein in an encore performance of last year's production on Thursday. It's a film, though, so we can't see him at the stage door or anything, which kind of sucks but still, it's Benedict Cumberbatch! So, with any luck, I will have an amazing review to give you next week. Until next time!
I wasn't all that fussed about watching it, partly because the trailer was all action-based and not necessarily my thing, partly because I have a thing against Kristen Stewart. I don't know what it is, it's nothing personal but since Twilight, I get the impression that she can't express ... expressions. I'm not gonna say she can't act because they were moments in the movie - Snow White that is - that she was really good at playing the innocent princess but a lot of the time, she has this seemingly permanent smirk on her face and it annoys me.
Anyway, the movie was still pretty good. Chris Hemsworth was brilliant. I will admit, he is the main reason I watched this film. The evil queen was sufficiently creepy, her brother was just pervy and the seven dwarfs were adorably tough. Did you know that Blackbeard was one of them? That was a pleasant surprise!
Oh, I have to tell you this. At one point near the beginning, Snow White runs away from the evil queen by slipping down the sewer which opens out half way down a cliff into the sea. As she is tying up her skirts and preparing to jump, my friend leaned over and said 'No, don't do it Bella!' Don't know about you, depending on whether you've read or seen New Moon, but I found this hilarious!
In other news, I got some marks back after finishing second year. My core exam was pretty poor but considering I suck at exams, it wasn't that surprising. Still got a 2.1 overall, which I am pleased with. Also got my last essay of the year back: 58. Not too bad, considering I forgot to use secondary sources! Again, still got my 2.1 overall, so I'm happy =D
I believe that is about it. Hopefully, I will be going to see Benedict Cumberbatch play Frankenstein in an encore performance of last year's production on Thursday. It's a film, though, so we can't see him at the stage door or anything, which kind of sucks but still, it's Benedict Cumberbatch! So, with any luck, I will have an amazing review to give you next week. Until next time!
Monday, 4 June 2012
Balls and boats
Ah, the month of June is upon us already which for me, and I'm sure many a university student, means that the summer has begun. Or it would have if English weather hadn't decided to make it rain! And as I have finally finished my second year of university and no longer have essays to deal with, I thought I would regale you with an update of the fun-filled weekend I started the summer off with.
Friday 1st
Haircut, met boyfriend for lunch, the normal stuff that I'm sure you are not all the interested in. It was a full-on day though. The parents drove me into Bath to my friend Sophie's house where I would be spending the night after the Summer Ball. But more on that later. First, we walked into town, had dinner at Wetherspoons and wandered to Waterstones where Cassandra Clare, of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, was giving a talk and signing books.
This was my first book event since I went with my family to see Caroline Lawrence, of The Roman Mysteries, many years ago and I fainted. Not dramatically or anything, but from the heat in the museum. Anyway, I was looking forward to seeing Cassie Clare, even though I hadn't quite finished her first book yet. So although the spoilers for her newest book (City of Lost Souls) were lost on me, I had a really good time. She was entertaining and adorable and I got my book signed without making a fool of myself.
Then, Sophie and I had to rush back to her's because we had to get ready for the Ball! And I do mean Ball, even though it turned out to be a marque in a field. We got dressed up and everything! I got blisters from my heels and trod on my dress and got elbowed so many times but it was really fun! We danced and drank and no one threw up, which is always a plus. And finally, my long day was over, collapsing in bed around 2 in the morning.
Saturday 2nd
As you can imagine, my Saturday was mostly spent sleeping off the effects of Friday night. Good times though, good times.
Sunday 3rd
Ah, yes. The Diamond Jubilee. Mum had made plans for us to go up to London to see the floating pageant thing down the Thames. We were all dubious at first, especially after our train got cancelled and we got separated on the next available, very crowded, train. But we finally made it, had lunch at Paddington station before setting off for Chelsea, our logic being we would be able to see all the boats set off. We soon realised that our logic had failed us. Even though the boats were not set to sail for another hour, it was packed. Like, there were at least 5 rows of people between us and the river. So, once the 1000 boats were floating past us, I was torn between looking behind us at the giant TV and sticking my camera in the air, hoping to get a focused picture of the river. It was fun though. We made friendly conversation with most of the people around us, chatting with them for most of the afternoon as we tried to watch the Queen and the royal family and the Mayor and other important people float past.
Didn't find out until this morning that we missed the boat with John Barrowman on. So disappointed.
Anyway, we walked up to The Mall, the giant road leading to Buckingham Palace, because Mum wanted a picture, when it started raining. Like proper chucking it down. For an hour. So not only did my legs feel like there were about to fall off but now I was soaked through my coat. Then of course, we couldn't find a taxi until we reached Piccadilly. Just go get a map of London to see how far we walked. In the rain. With aching feet.
So yeah, that was my weekend. I am still pretty tired so I'm taking it easy, reading and catching up on YouTube videos. Talk to you when something else interesting happens. Don't hold your breath though.
Friday 1st
Haircut, met boyfriend for lunch, the normal stuff that I'm sure you are not all the interested in. It was a full-on day though. The parents drove me into Bath to my friend Sophie's house where I would be spending the night after the Summer Ball. But more on that later. First, we walked into town, had dinner at Wetherspoons and wandered to Waterstones where Cassandra Clare, of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, was giving a talk and signing books.
This was my first book event since I went with my family to see Caroline Lawrence, of The Roman Mysteries, many years ago and I fainted. Not dramatically or anything, but from the heat in the museum. Anyway, I was looking forward to seeing Cassie Clare, even though I hadn't quite finished her first book yet. So although the spoilers for her newest book (City of Lost Souls) were lost on me, I had a really good time. She was entertaining and adorable and I got my book signed without making a fool of myself.
Then, Sophie and I had to rush back to her's because we had to get ready for the Ball! And I do mean Ball, even though it turned out to be a marque in a field. We got dressed up and everything! I got blisters from my heels and trod on my dress and got elbowed so many times but it was really fun! We danced and drank and no one threw up, which is always a plus. And finally, my long day was over, collapsing in bed around 2 in the morning.
Saturday 2nd
As you can imagine, my Saturday was mostly spent sleeping off the effects of Friday night. Good times though, good times.
Sunday 3rd
Ah, yes. The Diamond Jubilee. Mum had made plans for us to go up to London to see the floating pageant thing down the Thames. We were all dubious at first, especially after our train got cancelled and we got separated on the next available, very crowded, train. But we finally made it, had lunch at Paddington station before setting off for Chelsea, our logic being we would be able to see all the boats set off. We soon realised that our logic had failed us. Even though the boats were not set to sail for another hour, it was packed. Like, there were at least 5 rows of people between us and the river. So, once the 1000 boats were floating past us, I was torn between looking behind us at the giant TV and sticking my camera in the air, hoping to get a focused picture of the river. It was fun though. We made friendly conversation with most of the people around us, chatting with them for most of the afternoon as we tried to watch the Queen and the royal family and the Mayor and other important people float past.
Didn't find out until this morning that we missed the boat with John Barrowman on. So disappointed.
Anyway, we walked up to The Mall, the giant road leading to Buckingham Palace, because Mum wanted a picture, when it started raining. Like proper chucking it down. For an hour. So not only did my legs feel like there were about to fall off but now I was soaked through my coat. Then of course, we couldn't find a taxi until we reached Piccadilly. Just go get a map of London to see how far we walked. In the rain. With aching feet.
So yeah, that was my weekend. I am still pretty tired so I'm taking it easy, reading and catching up on YouTube videos. Talk to you when something else interesting happens. Don't hold your breath though.
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Vampires and Hell
Hey guys.
So this will be a quick one, just to let you know I'm still alive, if anyone was missing me which they probably weren't.
I have an exam tomorrow. My last of two for this year. Thank God I picked modules without too many exams! My first exam last week went pretty good. It was seen, which means we had the question a week beforehand, but we were not allowed to take any notes in so I had to memorise my essay plan, which surprisingly I managed to do! I am only half confident on tomorrow's exam. Seen again and able to take notes in but I think I will only be able to be properly coherent and argumentative on one of the questions, not both. Want to know what I'm writing about? I thought so.
One question is about vampire fiction's criticism - I am looking at Carmilla ( from In A Glass Darkly) and Dracula, discussing erotic language and vampirism. The second question is about remote regions of the UK being just as fearful as the exotic Orient. Here, I will argue that neither are fearful but both draw on exotic description and horrific elements such as Hell. Pretty good, huh?
In other news, it's boiling hot in England right now. Probably not helping that I am not moving from the bed or the laptop, but meh. Too tired. After tomorrow, I will have the whole summer to relax and read all the books I've being putting off til after university's finished.
Apologises for the ramble. Any exams or final essays to submit before you can enjoy the sun? Until next time.
So this will be a quick one, just to let you know I'm still alive, if anyone was missing me which they probably weren't.
I have an exam tomorrow. My last of two for this year. Thank God I picked modules without too many exams! My first exam last week went pretty good. It was seen, which means we had the question a week beforehand, but we were not allowed to take any notes in so I had to memorise my essay plan, which surprisingly I managed to do! I am only half confident on tomorrow's exam. Seen again and able to take notes in but I think I will only be able to be properly coherent and argumentative on one of the questions, not both. Want to know what I'm writing about? I thought so.
One question is about vampire fiction's criticism - I am looking at Carmilla ( from In A Glass Darkly) and Dracula, discussing erotic language and vampirism. The second question is about remote regions of the UK being just as fearful as the exotic Orient. Here, I will argue that neither are fearful but both draw on exotic description and horrific elements such as Hell. Pretty good, huh?
In other news, it's boiling hot in England right now. Probably not helping that I am not moving from the bed or the laptop, but meh. Too tired. After tomorrow, I will have the whole summer to relax and read all the books I've being putting off til after university's finished.
Apologises for the ramble. Any exams or final essays to submit before you can enjoy the sun? Until next time.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Dark Shadows
Yes, it is time for another movie review - this time, the new Tim Burton film which has received very mixed reviews. Well, now it's time to add mine to the mix!
I had read some bad reviews before going to see this last night, which was probably a bad idea. I was really looking forward to this film and some critics almost ruined it for me. So, I knew what I was letting myself in for: a man cursed to be a vampire by a scorned lover, wakes up two centuries later to find his descendants living in his run-down house. Sounds great, right? A typical Georgian man, polite and proper, waking up in the 1970's, played by Johnny Depp.
I loved the basic story, the love between Barnabas (Depp) and Josette - although it take me a while to figure out for her name was because no one was saying it properly - going through what I am assuming was her descendant Vicky. And although she was a major psychotic bitch, I really loved the character Angelique, the witch that cursed him, his family, made Josette jump off a cliff, etc. She really made me laugh but seriously, she was insane! It takes some real devotion to hate someone for centuries!
I think the one thing that did annoy me with this film was that there was a lot going on - the seven people living in the house and all their motivations and history got a little confusing, especially with a random revelation with the daughter tacked on the end. Also, the Georgian gentleman in the free-love seventies was funny at the beginning but there is only so many times he can compliment a woman's birthing hips before it gets old.
Oh, Helena Bonham Carter was brilliant. Not the leading lady but still fantastic at the drunk psychiatrist that was stealing Barnabas' blood. I could see the twist ending coming but still good.
I can't really think of anything else to mention right now. The characters were engaging and funny and interesting to keep the film going good but with so much stuff, bits were skipped over and/or ignored. I would honestly recommend seeing this film, it was good but I think it could have been better. Plus, you do have to understand Tim Burton at least a little.
I had read some bad reviews before going to see this last night, which was probably a bad idea. I was really looking forward to this film and some critics almost ruined it for me. So, I knew what I was letting myself in for: a man cursed to be a vampire by a scorned lover, wakes up two centuries later to find his descendants living in his run-down house. Sounds great, right? A typical Georgian man, polite and proper, waking up in the 1970's, played by Johnny Depp.
I loved the basic story, the love between Barnabas (Depp) and Josette - although it take me a while to figure out for her name was because no one was saying it properly - going through what I am assuming was her descendant Vicky. And although she was a major psychotic bitch, I really loved the character Angelique, the witch that cursed him, his family, made Josette jump off a cliff, etc. She really made me laugh but seriously, she was insane! It takes some real devotion to hate someone for centuries!
I think the one thing that did annoy me with this film was that there was a lot going on - the seven people living in the house and all their motivations and history got a little confusing, especially with a random revelation with the daughter tacked on the end. Also, the Georgian gentleman in the free-love seventies was funny at the beginning but there is only so many times he can compliment a woman's birthing hips before it gets old.
Oh, Helena Bonham Carter was brilliant. Not the leading lady but still fantastic at the drunk psychiatrist that was stealing Barnabas' blood. I could see the twist ending coming but still good.
I can't really think of anything else to mention right now. The characters were engaging and funny and interesting to keep the film going good but with so much stuff, bits were skipped over and/or ignored. I would honestly recommend seeing this film, it was good but I think it could have been better. Plus, you do have to understand Tim Burton at least a little.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
To tweet or not to tweet?
Hey guys, it's been a while and my internet is buffering '2 Broke Girls' so I thought I'd do an update. By the way, anyone else been watching that? It is hilarious!
Apart from all the drama of trying to finish 2 essays this week - done one, by the way, nearly finished the second - I've been thinking about The Future! Imagine that in the booming voice that normally comes with things like Star Wars and you're good. My well-meaning but occasionally annoying mother wants me to start looking for work, volunteer or otherwise. I know I finish at the end of the month, but right now, I'm just trying to survive these essays and the impending exams!
The other thing I've been thinking about - and my friend Sophie has been nagging me about - is getting Twitter. I honestly don't see the appeal but according to Sophie it's a great way to get the attention of authors and publishers and reviewers, which would be perfect with my less-than-popular book review blog and my aspiration to get into publishing.
So. I looked it up earlier, even starting signing up. But the username I wanted to use (AwfulLofOfReading) is too long apparently. So now I don't know what to call myself. I don't want to officially go by my real name, I want to be known by my blog. So, any suggestions?
What else is new? I finished all lectures last week, which is apparently surprising to most people. Yeah, it is only May and I will have a long summer - that's the great thing about university! I have one more essay to finish, hand in one tomorrow and then next Tuesday. Actually, I have a few things to do up on campus next Tuesday - hand in my last essay, tutorial and pick up my exam. Ahh, the joys of seen exams!
Ok, I think that's about it. A lot shorter than I thought but seriously - twitter name! Until next time.
Apart from all the drama of trying to finish 2 essays this week - done one, by the way, nearly finished the second - I've been thinking about The Future! Imagine that in the booming voice that normally comes with things like Star Wars and you're good. My well-meaning but occasionally annoying mother wants me to start looking for work, volunteer or otherwise. I know I finish at the end of the month, but right now, I'm just trying to survive these essays and the impending exams!
The other thing I've been thinking about - and my friend Sophie has been nagging me about - is getting Twitter. I honestly don't see the appeal but according to Sophie it's a great way to get the attention of authors and publishers and reviewers, which would be perfect with my less-than-popular book review blog and my aspiration to get into publishing.
So. I looked it up earlier, even starting signing up. But the username I wanted to use (AwfulLofOfReading) is too long apparently. So now I don't know what to call myself. I don't want to officially go by my real name, I want to be known by my blog. So, any suggestions?
What else is new? I finished all lectures last week, which is apparently surprising to most people. Yeah, it is only May and I will have a long summer - that's the great thing about university! I have one more essay to finish, hand in one tomorrow and then next Tuesday. Actually, I have a few things to do up on campus next Tuesday - hand in my last essay, tutorial and pick up my exam. Ahh, the joys of seen exams!
Ok, I think that's about it. A lot shorter than I thought but seriously - twitter name! Until next time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)