What's all this Fuzz?

There has been a slight lapse in my blogging due to a nasty bought of gastric flu which has dominated my life for pretty much the whole of the last two weeks. This is a shame as I have had some good things to write about.

These include Hot Fuzz, Studio Ghibli, Cast Away and The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets.

The first is Hot Fuzz, filmed in Somerset's very own Wells. Until now nothing much has happened there and I never thought they could make it seem entertaining. Simon Pegg and co managed it though.

That's not the only thing they achieved though. This is a brilliant funny, innovative, enthralling film and I recommend it to everyone.

I'm currently reading The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, which was one of my recommendations on Amazon. I don't normally go in for this sort of chick lit and I now remember why.

I'm over half way through and I don't have that "I can't put this down" feeling. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect to get that on the first page as in Dan Brown books, but I do like to get it within the first hundred pages. Oh well, I'll persist.

I saw Tom Hank's Cast Away for the first time the other day and was pleasantly surprised. I seem to remember hearing negative things about it when it first came and so never rushed to watch it.

Sure it's a bit different but I think they way they portray his time on the island is brilliant. The ending's a bit annoying but hey. This is definitely worth watching.

Other films I've watched over the past couple of weeks include Studio Ghibli's Whisper of the Heart and M Night Shyamalan's Wide Awake.

Whisper of the Heart is not quite as surreal as some of the Ghibli films but it was still good, although in more of a girly, Disney sort of way. It's the prequel to The Cat Returns and in that respect is quite interesting.

Wide Awake was the film that Shyamalan wrote and directed before Sixth Sense. Although it wasn't as instantly brilliant as his other films it was still good in a child-like, developing style sort of way. Don't rush to watch it though.

On Sunday I'm going to a preview of Freedom Writers, a film about which I don't know so it'll be in at the deep end for me on that one. I'm also off to see Music and Lyrics next Tuesday. I know it looks like your average chick flick but I happen to like those so I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

I'll fill you guys in on all that next week but until then take care.

Lauz xx

PS I love my doggy Bonnie loads and loads and hope she gets better soon

Photo by r@chel*

Go get your face on Facebook

I've been exercising like a crazy bean this week so I haven't had too much time free for media consumption. I have watched You've Got Mail, listened to Mika and Gossip and been learning about Facebook.

I hadn't bothered to watch You've Got Mail in the past because I thought it seemed extremely predictable. Of course it was predictable but I didn't even find the story all that good and Meg Ryan was particularly annoying in it. It was ok for an evening to turn the brain off but I don't think I'll be watching that again in a long time.

The Mika album is strange. It's kind of a cross between Robbie Williams and The Scissor Sisters. There are a couple of nice tracks but I could happily live without listening to most of it ever again.

Gossip's current single is great but the album unfortunately is the sound of a one hit wonder. The sound, although funky, is very monotonous.

This weekend the boy and I went over to Swansea for a trip down memory lane. We had a really lush time and it was great to catch up with some old faces and places (thanks a lot peeps).

On a professional level though one really interesting thing stood out from the trip... Facebook is most definitely the social networking site of choice. The number of people who asked, "Are you on Facebook?" was shocking. When I said, "No just MySpace," the looks I got were generally those of disbelief.

This turn around seems to have happened extremely quickly and it seems that MySpace are going to have to do something drastic if they are to keep up.

The other cool site I learned about this week is Flixster. It's another social networking site but it revolves around your taste in films.

You can see how your opinion on films compares to that of your friends, find new films to watch and they are developing this site all the time. Apparently this site currently has the new media industry in quite a stir so it definitely seems to be one to watch.

I hope you guys are all ok.

Take care,

Lauz xx

Photo by djking

History of Love, Cold Mountain and Harry Potter

Back in the land of normal time zones thankfully. Only a couple of things to write about this week due to the fact that I've been travelling load. This week I watched Cold Mountain and read The History of Love.

Cold Mountain was ok. It had loads of big names in it (Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Renee Zellweger and Natalie Portman) and was a good story. However it was too depressing for my liking.

History of Love on the other hand was brilliant. It was beautifully written, a great story and very inspirational for the writer within me.

It's right in the vein of Time Traveller's Wife and I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed that book. Plus a film is being made of it so it's best to get in there before they ruin the story.

One very exciting thing about this week is the fact that the release date of Harry Potter was announced. I really can't wait.

I know it's a bit sad but I booked the Monday after it's release off work so that I can make sure I finish it before someone ruins it for me. It'll be three days of solitude for me.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Hot Fuzz. It looks brilliant plus it is filmed in a village near where I grew up. To be honest there are far better places they could have set it but never mind.

Hope you guys are all ok. Let me know what entertainment stuff you're rating at the moment.

Best wishes,

Lauz

Lady in the Water

M Night Shyamalan is famous for films that scare us in order to warm our hearts.

Sixth Sense, Signs and The Village are all ultimately comforting although their narratives are scary at times. Lady in the Water is no exception.

Based on a bedtime story Shyamalan made up for his kids, the film focuses on Cleveland Heep, caretaker of the Cove apartment complex. Heep lost his family some years ago and has since lived a quiet and introverted existence.

Then one night a mysterious girl, Story, enters his life from a place unknown. With help from some of the residents of the Cove complex he slowly pieces together Story’s tale.

It soon becomes clear that Heep has a bigger part to play in Story’s life that he originally realised, and that the residents of the Cove will have to help him if he is to save her.

As in most of Shyamalan’s films, the heroes are oblivious to the fact that they are such, and for most of it so is the viewer. It’s only at the final moment that the foundations of the story become apparent.

There has been much controversy over Lady in the Water from the very beginning due to artistic differences that Shyamalan had with Disney, who had made his previous four films. As a result it ended up being produced by Warner Brothers.

This is a particularly personal film for Shyamalan, not only because he created the idea for his children, but because he stars in it himself.

He always has cameos in his films but in this one he plays a bigger role, that of a struggling writer. It is a fitting part that makes the film seem all that more real and natural.

The film also stars Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Ivy Walker in The Village. This continuity in actors is another thing for which Shyamalan is known. He also used Bruce Willis and Joaquin Phoenix in successive films.

The DVD extras contribute to the magic. The Audition tapes are definite filler but Reflections of Lady in the Water and Lady in the Water: A Bedtime Story definitely add to the enjoyment of the film.

This is a truly beautiful film created and varnished with love and to be watched with patience. It is a must-see for anyone who fondly remembers the magic of childhood stories, and who loves to find beauty in unexpected places.

Shyamalan has created yet another masterpiece.

Maaary Pouppins

Well we ended up being in New York for an extra day. Although we were due to fly home last night, when we phoned to confirm our flight the airline said they had no recollection of our booking. Great.

We managed to prove that we had made a booking but they said the earliest flight they could put us on was Monday night (tonight). They've said they'll pay for our extra night's accommodation as they clearly made an error somewhere along the way. Joy.

All that aside, what are my thoughts on New York?

If you come in the winter you need to bring lots and lots of layers. It has been cold beyond belief here. However this has meant that we've been able to do things without queuing, as no other nutters are doing them.

When we went out to the Statue of Liberty for example. We just waltzed through the areas that had been cordoned of for queuing. Same with the Empire State building.

Incidentally I was very impressed with the value of those two attractions. To get a ferry to Liberty island, climb the statue, get a ferry to Ellis island, go round the museum there and then get a ferry back to the main land cost a mere 5 pounds. Bargain.

Similarly it cost us just 9 pounds to go to the top of the Empire State. Baring in mind that these are both ultimate American tourist spots I think that's great value.

We've had a few interesting experiences on the Subway. Whereas on the London Underground it's hard to end up stuck in unsavory residential areas, in New York it's not quite the same.

The Subway doesn't have the zone system like we do, nor does each platform explain where the next train is heading. This means that it's quite easy to end up in a place you don't want to be. Like Brooklyn or Harlem for example.

When we got of the train to find ourselves in Harlem we knew that wasn't good, mainly because this station alone warranted the presence of three police officers. We were so clearly out of place but for some reason my Mum seemed oblivious to the fact.

Whilst I tried to tell her to not make it obvious that we were English tourists, she was there asking in the Queen's English, "Do you want one of my mints?" Every one glances at us. I shake my head subtly and mouth to her not to talk. "Why won't you talk to me? And what's wrong with my mints?"

God. Mothers! Finally we make it to Central Park and from there head down Fifth Avenue for some shopping.

I never thought that I'd say this but I'm sick to the sight of Starbucks. If you go an entire block without seeing one I'd say you should probably go get your eyes tested.

Not only is there one on every block but it seems they're inside many of the tourists spots too: Trump Tower, Empire State, Macy's, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. It seems America is indeed sponsored by Starbucks.

Thankfully though it seems to be much cheaper here. We seem to be paying about 2 pounds for two drinks. You pay double that at home.

Another thing that made me laugh here was the Broadway production of Mary Poppins. Don't get me wrong it was brilliant, but also funny. Mainly due to their English accents.

"Just a spoonful of sugar helps the mediciiiiiine go douwn," pronounced just like that. It was cringe worthy.

However, the stage management was brilliant and I strongly recommend seeing a version of it. Be it Broadway or West End. Although bare in mind that it sticks more to the book than the film.

Right, I'm off back to the room for a bit now.

Best wishes,

Lauz

Photo by alextakesphotos'