Hot Heart

Lies! I'm never content.

Given what the current writers did with him in the flashbacks, I'm kinda glad he's no longer around. No subtlety or depth to anything whatsoever.

Pfft, she has chemistry enough for both of them. I actually really liked that bizarre relationship because it has the 'normal' cliches, except subverted because they're both killers; so it becomes cute in a fucked up way. And it would be remiss of me not to mention Ray Stevenson, who was also great. Shame that pretty much every storyline, main and side/extraneous, wound up being crap by the end point.

I can't really say it was great, but it had its moments. I was only really watching for Yvonne Strahovski anyway.

Remembered this. Some people may find it funny...but it's only for people who have seen Chuck and S7 of Dexter, because of SPOILERS: http://sarahwalkerftw.tumblr.com/post/35150927963

I've been trying to play a bit more Halo 4 recently, despite the matchmaking being really erratic with skill levels AND DESPITE NO ONE ELSE HERE PLAYING, TOO. Unlike Reach, it seems like it's worth sticking with and learning the game a bit more. Though, I've often found myself with an OK K/D ratio but not faring so well in the points. It's a tricky dynamic since it's usually my teammates giving away lots of points...but scoring more than me. Some maps I do really well on, and others I'm pretty much useless. Plus, I've got the season pass and a live subscription so I might as well be playing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD9qvF4z8cE

I'll forgive you this time, Dean. THIS TIME.

Crazy, Stupid, Love. Actually bought this for my sister, so wound up watching it with all my sisters. Not the usual sort of film I'd go for, but I'd read good things. It's really well-crafted and has a great cast. It also has lots of memorable lines and moments, with a funny twist in there, too. A little cheesy at points, but that's par for the course.

Judging by the statement, 'Also got a couple of soundtracks', followed by the images for two soundtracks, I would say yes, he bought them.

Yeah, I'm not fond of found-footage, but here it's used really well. Some of the reasoning behind its presence may be a little flimsy at points, but it does make use of other sources (CCTV, bystander smartphones), as well as the power of telekinesis, to mix it up a bit. I think there's a subtle theme of vanity in there as well, supported by the choice.

I rewatched it with my sisters, and a second viewing doesn't really help it. Or at least, it helps in some regards, but fares worse in others. I get the sense this really wasn't the film that Nolan wanted to make, and it's too rushed. And yeah, I didn't ask for it for Christmas myself, and I'd only pick it up to complete the trilogy.

The Girl (It's a TV film but it counts.) Despite being about Hitchcock and his relationship with Tippi Hedren - a topic ripe with potential - it is poorly conceived and written. As someone who wrote essays on Hitchcock while at university, I feel it does a disservice to everyone involved and feels very much like a 'years later hearsay' portrayal rather than something researched. It's well-known that Hitchcock felt actors should be treated like cattle and that he had an 'obsession' with ice cold blondes, and could become quite controlling. Vertigo is as close a manifestation of these psychological issues as you'll ever see. The film ignores crucial information (as well as facts) to up the drama and craft a story, but also turn Hitchcock into a real villain. There's no subtlety or depth: Hitchcock is a pervert that wants to sleep with Hedren (which later includes outright demanding sexual favours), while she's the poor, tortured innocent. I don't dispute that she was innocent (and a terrible actress), but Hitchcock was never so overtly sexual. It would've been far better to see his 'frustration' done psychologically. He makes her suffer through a violent scene over and over, but it's not done in order to enchance a performance (like Kubrick deliberately 'torturing' Shelley Duvall on The Shining, for example); he's just being a dick. I don't believe that she would've stuck around for years if the treatment were that bad, unless she was obsessed with the fame that came from being Hitchcock's 'girl'. Unfortunately, that's a side we never see developed. You're just told what to think. Overall, it loses any legitimacy and impact, by being too one-sided. (I would've stopped watching it, but we were at a family friends' house...which just made me extra angry. )

Watched a few over the holidays. Let's see... Chronicle. In basic terms, it's sort of like a found-footage Carrie, with superpowers. Though, it has a little more story and reasoning to it, I didn't quite buy the sudden shift for one of the characters. If more time were spent on some development there, instead of 'doing funny shit', it might've worked better. That doesn't stop it being highly entertaining, and a lot of credit must go to the director for putting the whole thing together on a relatively low budget and using the found-footage gimmick innovatively and effectively. Zombieland. A really good mix of gory horror and humour, with a great cast (and cameo). A little predictable in some regards, but no worse for it. Plus, Emma Stone was pretty hot. The Inbetweeners Film Movie As a fan of the series, I loved it. The premise and some of the jokes aren't exactly original, but they're usually pulled off rather well by the cast. While it's maybe a bit too happy an ending, it's a decent sendoff. Though, with the amount of money it made, I can see them making another...

Assassin's Creed 3. Umm...OK.

2. Get new clothes. 3. Act different. 4. Grow a moustache. 5. Buy robes. 6. Buy lotions. 7. Get a new bedspread 8. Get new curtains. 9. Switch to shag pile carpeting. 10. Buy weirdo lighting. 11. Get new friends (orgy friends). ...nah, I'm not ready for it.

That was one of the unexpected gifts. I can try and find out where they got it, because it's completely new to me. Onto...or into?

Killing time until this evening's showing of Dark Knight Rises, courtesy of my sister, so I did images for a change. A mixture of things I asked for and some well-chosen 'off-list' gifts. Plus, I got a load of new clothes picked by my sisters (one of whom is very keen on fashion), so I get to dress far better than I probably would if I chose them myself. You'll probably see me wearing one or two bits in photos at some point. I also got Skydrift (with all the DLC) as well as KOTOR II from the lovely MetalCaveman, but photobucket doesn't seem to want to upload those.

1. Two chicks at the same time.

Phew, good job I didn't post the staple, 'Two chicks at the same time', because it would have been a GREAT FAILURE.

Kung Fu Strike: The Warrior's Rise Got the demo a while ago, and had been meaning to give it a try. Since it was 75% off in the Steam sale, I decided now was the time. What little there was in the demo still seemed really neat. Fast, fluid 3D beat-'em-up with an art style that sort of apes SFIV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBFJp2F3d4