As a child, I loved the book Where the Wild Things Are. I think, on reflection that it's one of the books my parents bought me on a day I'd been foul-tempered. We had a policy that I would get a book a week, to ensure that I turn into the verbose polymath I vaguely resemble on a good day, if you squint a bit. Frequently I would get to choose these books, but on certain weeks, dependent on bouts of ill-behaviour, I would end up with Naughty Nigel or Ffangs the Vampire and the Kiss of Truth. But that is by the by.
Where the Wild Things Are is a book that stands up to adult inspection, mainly on account of just how charming Maurice Sendak's illustrations are. I knew it was being adapted into a movie, but it seemed like a fools errand, even for someone as talented as Spike Jonze. There has also been a lot of talk of studio interference, massive reshoots, problems with the costumes and CGI integrating. Basically, everything that could derail a film has been claimed to have happened to this one, shy of Ragnarok. Still, the first trailer is here, and it looks astonishing. Visually, it's captured the look of the book to a tee. It also, if I'm reading things correctly, seems to have stretched out the story of Max and his temper in a believable and useful way. I am, not to put too fine a point on it, sold.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Speaking As A Mother
We already knew that Jenny McCarthy's tiny mind thinks "vaccination bad", but now we also know that it's parsed "botox good". Whilst it's good that she's not anti-science per se, it seems distasteful that someone who has contributed to the increase in child mortality from easily preventable diseases would refer to a chemical designed to keep you looking like a young-ish trout for as long as possible as "a saviour". Her contributions to the cult of "Speaking as a Mother" cannot be understated.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Because Supervillains Need Bailing Too.
The marvellous Jon Hamm of the marvelous Mad Men makes a marvelous Lex Luthor, albeit in a shitty, shitty bald cap. Play on.
"Lex Luthor Bailout" with Jon Hamm - watch more funny videos
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Bring Back The League Of Nations
On the topic of the UN, I have long held the opinion that I think is fairly prevalent in Britain, that being: "Good sorts, staggeringly incompetent, but they mean well, what what?", but this might change my mind.
Essentially outlawing free speech as regards to religion, apparently this resolution is to be observed in all member states. A slight problem is that it is, of course, it goes against the provisions in the U.S. constitution guaranteeing free speech. If the largest of the member states cannot legally follow this directive, then it is hopefully doomed to failure.
I find it difficult to even address the fundamental witlessness of this bill. It sounds like the sort of thing that might be put forward at a high school Model General Assembly. It should be no surprise to anyone that the main sponsor of this bill is Pakistan, a muslim state where 75% of the female prison population are there for being raped. I can imagine there is precious little more deserving of all the criticism that can be hurled at it.
Essentially outlawing free speech as regards to religion, apparently this resolution is to be observed in all member states. A slight problem is that it is, of course, it goes against the provisions in the U.S. constitution guaranteeing free speech. If the largest of the member states cannot legally follow this directive, then it is hopefully doomed to failure.
I find it difficult to even address the fundamental witlessness of this bill. It sounds like the sort of thing that might be put forward at a high school Model General Assembly. It should be no surprise to anyone that the main sponsor of this bill is Pakistan, a muslim state where 75% of the female prison population are there for being raped. I can imagine there is precious little more deserving of all the criticism that can be hurled at it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Addendum.
Incidentally, you should all read the biography page for my new nemeses. Apparently the psychic world is not too hot on grammar.
Bullshit Parade.
It is a proven scientific fact that thinking about something often causes it to happen. Some call this quantum physics. Others simply call it "faith." We ask that you open your mind to joining in with a unique psychic force that will change our lives through the power of thought.
Do you know what makes things happen? Doing things. I know, I too was amazed that there is often, frequently and sometimes observed link between cause and effect. It's spooky! When you do stuff, stuff will happen! Try making some toast - you will get delicious buttered toast! Try thinking about toast - you will almost certainly get hungry. It's science! It's full of scientifically-proven science! Oh, it's so scientific, you could rub yourself in it and people would mistake you for Alan Turing!
There is nothing like the faintest hint of a crisis to bring the charlatans hurtling out from under their stones. One effect I will guarantee from this gibberish - they will find some sort of vague market wobble, and attribute it to positive thinking. Then they will start asking for money.
Charlatans, quacks and crooks typically thrive in times of upheaval. We are suckers for miracle cures and quick fixes. These people aggravate me more than your common or garden buffoon, because their crookedness is so frequently dressed as piety. There is a cultishness to quackery, evinced recently with the MMR scare and similar nonsensical medical squeamishness. Now we have kids dying from easily preventable diseases, more and more people are getting illnesses that were almost extinct a decade ago, and there is still not one documented link between MMR and autism.
If you imagine positive thinking is going to save the world, try imagining what actual contribution might achieve. If you think that Jenny McCarthy knows more about medicine than your doctor, then I feel very sorry for your children. And if you thought that it would be cute to play on the terms 'herd immunity' and 'following the herd' then congratulations, because you have directly contributed to the deaths of several children, an increase in the rates of communicable disease in Europe and the US. And since the anti-MMR movement is so intrisically linked to new-age "medicine", I feel that I should point out that positive thinking will have all the effect that it always has - fuck all.
I sense a theme coming on.
Do you know what makes things happen? Doing things. I know, I too was amazed that there is often, frequently and sometimes observed link between cause and effect. It's spooky! When you do stuff, stuff will happen! Try making some toast - you will get delicious buttered toast! Try thinking about toast - you will almost certainly get hungry. It's science! It's full of scientifically-proven science! Oh, it's so scientific, you could rub yourself in it and people would mistake you for Alan Turing!
There is nothing like the faintest hint of a crisis to bring the charlatans hurtling out from under their stones. One effect I will guarantee from this gibberish - they will find some sort of vague market wobble, and attribute it to positive thinking. Then they will start asking for money.
Charlatans, quacks and crooks typically thrive in times of upheaval. We are suckers for miracle cures and quick fixes. These people aggravate me more than your common or garden buffoon, because their crookedness is so frequently dressed as piety. There is a cultishness to quackery, evinced recently with the MMR scare and similar nonsensical medical squeamishness. Now we have kids dying from easily preventable diseases, more and more people are getting illnesses that were almost extinct a decade ago, and there is still not one documented link between MMR and autism.
If you imagine positive thinking is going to save the world, try imagining what actual contribution might achieve. If you think that Jenny McCarthy knows more about medicine than your doctor, then I feel very sorry for your children. And if you thought that it would be cute to play on the terms 'herd immunity' and 'following the herd' then congratulations, because you have directly contributed to the deaths of several children, an increase in the rates of communicable disease in Europe and the US. And since the anti-MMR movement is so intrisically linked to new-age "medicine", I feel that I should point out that positive thinking will have all the effect that it always has - fuck all.
I sense a theme coming on.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Neologisms.
The result of Abstinence-only sex education? New words. Oh, and y'know, diseases and stuff.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Lookie here.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the incredible artwork being done by a guy called Olly Moss. Designing videogame box art to resemble Penguin-like classic book covers. They are delightful little bits of design, particularly if you're familiar with the games in question. There is a lot of information carried in simple lines.
The full set is here. Also, marvelous.
The full set is here. Also, marvelous.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Happy Hurtling Carrion Day!
This was meant to go up yesterday, but I went a-drinkin' instead.
Stood by the pond outside work on yet another miserable day, I was as surprised as anyone to see half a pigeon fall from the sky. The rear half, I believe, but I cannot be sure as it had been mauled by crows. In the spirit of this speedy lump of formerly sentient being, I am announcing that every January 22nd from here on out is Hurtling Carrion Day, the most sacred of holiday of People Who Are Me.
How do you plan on celebrating Hurtling Carrion Day in years to come?
Stood by the pond outside work on yet another miserable day, I was as surprised as anyone to see half a pigeon fall from the sky. The rear half, I believe, but I cannot be sure as it had been mauled by crows. In the spirit of this speedy lump of formerly sentient being, I am announcing that every January 22nd from here on out is Hurtling Carrion Day, the most sacred of holiday of People Who Are Me.
How do you plan on celebrating Hurtling Carrion Day in years to come?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
It's the Magic Disguised as Science of Christmas.
So then - The Christmas Who. Previous years have been less than stellar. This time around though, pretty good. For those of you that tend to watch this sort of thing via computers, there will be very minor spoiling.
David Morrisey - great. Really great. No winking, no campiness. It's a proper performance in Doctor Who. Apparently possible. Who knew? Dervla Kirwan not so much, but she has far less to work with. Still, the greenscreen gets chewed.
Giant fucking steampunk Cyberman? Fuck yes. Don't get me wrong, it's preposterous, but for scale and sheer appropriateness for the episode it gets a resounding whoop and an arm pump.
That will be all, internets.
David Morrisey - great. Really great. No winking, no campiness. It's a proper performance in Doctor Who. Apparently possible. Who knew? Dervla Kirwan not so much, but she has far less to work with. Still, the greenscreen gets chewed.
Giant fucking steampunk Cyberman? Fuck yes. Don't get me wrong, it's preposterous, but for scale and sheer appropriateness for the episode it gets a resounding whoop and an arm pump.
That will be all, internets.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Comic Fun, With Your Friend, Jesus Christ
I just can't even begin to comprehend the sheer awesomeness on display here. But I do have to share. Be warned though - reading these cartoons, even with adult supervision (snide remarks), can make you more stupider. It does at me!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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