Mini Mov Revs

Did a triple bill at the cinema on saturday, here's some quick reviews:

Sweeney Todd - Excellent. Another classic from Tim Burton. Brave enough to mix musical performance with comic slasher violence, it's kind of a niche movie, but defnitely up my street. Once you get into the mood of it, it absorbs you in it's brilliantly scripted songs and storyline as they weave through the wonderfully crafted scenes. 9/10

In the Valley of Elah - Based on true events, I liked this movie, similar to Tommy Lee Jones's previous war law movie, Rules of Engagement, but with a more real, gritty feel to it that concentrates more on the people affected. It isn't afraid to put up some thought provoking and controversial themes. 7/10

Alien Vs Predator: Requiem - After being battered with soo many harsh reviews I'm going to actually say I liked it, it does what it says on the tin. I liked the first AvP movie, and this time around the action is all good, sprinkled with some horror and gore, that follows a cheesy, perfectly ignorable plot. I could have done without yet more American teens and a token love story crowbarred in there, but at least a fair few of them get whacked, melted and eaten along the way. 7/10

And now for something completely different.

A self portrait, an abandoned old house and a Wiltshire sunset.

Bristol Zoo

Some more pics from Bristol Zoo, a few new faces and some familiar ones, a few good photos and some snaps.

Lion tears.

Hungry Pygmy Hippo.

Alter Bridge

Excellent Alter Bridge gig in Bristol on friday.

A short movie taken by Angela.

Listen to more Alter Bridge at http://www.myspace.com/alterbridge

Just a little patience

Ouch. I've been keeping an eye out for Canon to supersede their 5D model and was hoping they were going to announce it at the PMA trade show in the US, but no luck. They announced a nice looking 450D (Rebel XSi), but I really wanted a full frame camera next.

I guess I'll carry on waiting for the 5D mark II or 7D (whatever they're going to call it) and look on jealously at the Nikon D3 features.

Un-natural nature

Some pics taken in a make shift tabletop studio while the dark, rainy evenings continue. Black cloth, a lamp, a torch, a tripod, some white and black card and a few yoga positions (to hold the card in place for the ~5 second exposures).

This mornings sunrise..

Cracking sunrise this morning, makes a change from

solid blankets of grey clouds!

Was on the way to work, so this is about as scenic as I could find without being too late in.

Nice weather for ducks

A few quick snaps to kick off a slow start to 2008..


Flooding around Chippenham

Mov Revs - Afghan special

A dismal start to 2008 for my photography, unfortunately. Some movie reviews to get the year started, hopefully followed by some photos at the weekend..

Mov Rev: Charlie Wilsons War

A fantastic film about a fantastic story with some fantastic performances. Tom Hanks & company pour bucket loads of style and subtle emotions over the solid framework of the script. An interesting view on 1980's Aghanistan and a scarey view of 1980's political processes, which I imagine are pretty much the same these days. I can't really think of any bad points unless maybe you are easily offended by 80's clothes or you are Russian.

1986 out of 2008


Mov Rev: The Kite Runner

Another really good film about Afghanistan, anyone would think film companies are getting funded by the US government to raise pubic awareness or something! Again, some good acting, some amazing sets and locations and a good story. Can get a little slow in some places I thought, but then it is that kind of film so maybe I was being a little impatient. Some fascinating glimpses into recent Afghan history, with a few scenes providing a few shocks to enhance the polarisation of the good and bad times.

1980 out of 2008