I have no one else to blame but myself.  I really wanted to see this movie and now I really want my money back.  I have been a die hard Sex and The City fan since the HBO series first hit our screens.  It provided a voice to women all over the world and put fashion, friendship and fucking on the map.

When the series ended there were woman all over the world that mourned it’s passing.  However, much like John Farnham‘s career it wasn’t over just yet.  They put the gang back together for a movie.  The movie opened to mix reviews, but on the whole it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.  It remained somewhat true to the winning formula and provided another glimpse into womens lives.

With the success of that movie it was only a matter of time before they decided to do it all again.  It’s at this point that I’m reminded of the Kenny Roger’s song The Gambler; you’ve got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them and know when to work away.  It seems that Darren Star and Michael Patrick King got a little greedy and decided to hold em when they should have walked away and it’s the audience that pays the price.

It’s been awhile since a film has made me angry and unfortunately this one managed to push all my buttons.  The movie left me with so many questions, and not the kind of navel gazing questions that a good film should leave you with.

When did it become fashionable to cheat?  Why is it impossible to portray married life as a happy decision?  When did they forget that the audience requires a story not just some pretty frocks?  Does McHammer know that Samantha stole his pants?

I am so tired of seeing film after film where marriage is portrayed in a negative light.  When did it become fashionable to bag marriage?  It seems somewhat befuddling to have these women, with the exception of Samantha, spending their 20s and 30s trying to tie a man down only to have landed him and now they’re unhappy and doing their best to ruin their marriages.

Two years in to their marriage and Carrie is questioning whether they’ve become an “old married couple”.  She’s lamenting the lack of ‘sparkle’ in her marriage.  It’s a marriage it’s not a Kate Spade handbag!  A marriage moves through peaks and troughs and it’s how you work together to deal with those that really makes a marriage sparkle; not buying your partner “a nice piece of jewelery”. While on vacation she runs into an Ex-boyfriend and risks her marriage on a kiss with an old flame.

What happened to chastity?  What happened to loyalty? It’s another example of the instant gratification society at it’s best.  Things get hard and I want it now, so I’ll get it anyway I can regardless of the impacts.  What the hell?  What happened to responsibility?

In the first movie we had to deal with Steve and Miranda dealing with infidelity and it seems the story well ran dry because here it is again.  While Carrie’s off locking lips with Aiden, Charlotte is stalking her husband via iPhone from the Middle East worrying about whether he’s cheating with the no bra wearing Nanny.  Can Americans not keep it in their pants?  Is it a cultural thing?

Charlotte suspects her husband won’t be able to keep his hands off the Nanny when they all witness their men perving on the Nanny.  If the same were true for them then their men should have serious concerns given the way they ladies ogle the Australian Rugby team.  Why is it not ok for men to look, but it’s a field day when it comes to the women?  It’s an insult to men and makes me wonder how poorly the writers must think of women if they think we would be interested in this kind of story line.

There’s a scene where Miranda and Charlotte talk about being mothers.  The scene is stilted and lacks any  polish.  It’s as if the scene was thrown into the movie to try and cover the Mother’s in the audience. It added nothing to the story, nor did it provide any commentary on being a wife and a mother.  At least in the series we could always count on the writers to provide some insight into what it’s like to be a woman going through these issues.  This time they just managed to give mother’s permission to get drunk.

The portrayal of the Middle East is also disgusting in this movie.  The constant references to being sexually backwards and repressing is insulting.  If being sexually backwards means having a touch of modesty and respecting your wedding vows then call me backward.  Given the current global climate this movie has done nothing to improve the relationships between the Middle East and America.  If anything it’s managed to paint the Americans as the culturally retarded.

This movie lacks the wit and insight that the series provided.  It moves from one poorly constructed scene to another and tries to cover it all with a quick dash of fashion and some poorly made one liners.  I think the fake review from the New Yorker in the movie could apply to this movie; they need to stick to what they know – the single life.  All they have managed to do with this movie is butcher all the good, innovative work that was done in the HBO series.  I know I certainly won’t be spending any more of my hard earned cash on this franchise.

A few weeks ago we finally took delivery of the shelving we ordered from Ikea and had delivered by Bring It Home.  The lads from Bring It Home were awesome.  Kept us in the loop about delivery times, moved all of the packages into the house for us and were just really lovely lads.  When they delivered the shelving they laugh and said “That’ll keep you busy for the next few weeks.”  To which I cavalierly replied “Not likely, they’ll be up by the end of the day!”  It was 4:00pm.

I was true to my word though, by 9pm that night we had everything built, installed and stacked with our stuff bar the one Billy that wouldn’t fit.  (My measurements were out by 6cm.  Whoops!)

I’ve been waiting for a sunny day to take some pictures of the completed project for posting, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the lounge will never be flooded with sunshine so I’d best just take the photos and be done with it.  (Plus I was inspired by the topic post at Meet Me at Mikes) So today I took some happy snaps.  I apologise for the quality, I really need to invest in a tripod because the natural light would have been good enough but I’m too shaky.  So here they are.

This is the view from our front door.   This is the view that I love to come home to.  That brown blur is George.  If you’re wondering why we have the bottom couple of shelves empty, do you see that brown blur – that’s George, she likes to chew and she especially loves to chew books.  The side with the board games is non-fiction.  All the “boring” books.  The picture beside the court jester rabbit is the 100+ year old map of Cambridge that I purchased while I was in London last year.  If you look closely you can see the first soft toy I’ve ever made adorning the Lonely Planet and Dictionary shelf.

HUBBY’s massive television has pride of place.  I’m ashamed to say it but we only ordered four of the Benno DVD shelves and they’re completely full.  We could probably do with two more and then we could probably do with stopping buying DVDs.    The two framed prints above the television are from Yumi Yumi – they are this and this.  Both are stunning and they never fail to get noticed.  I also have two Zukzuk prints, this and this, off to the side of the games shelf.  They greet guests as they come in and bring a smile to my face every time I see them.   (And they’re made by an Aussie!!! Ok, she’s a Kiwi, but in the true spirit of ANZAC I shall claim her just like we did Russell Crowe and Crowded House!)

On the other side of the television is “fiction”.

These shelves hold some of my favourite treasures.  There’s my rubber duck collection.  One day the shall go all the way across the top.  There’s my little sock monkey from Maribel Made, Ali Star.  There’s the gnome my Mum gave me when I was in Mount Isa – he’s hand made and he’s a miner!  There’s my Andrea Joseph print which I adore.  There’s my gnome from Brooklyn Rehab.  All the books I love to read and have read as part of my yearly reading challenge.  There’s my collection of vintage purple bottles.  My Belle and Boo print which makes my heart swell.  The little Bambi figurine that I found on a trip to Braidwood.  My tie died piggy bank.  There’s a photo with HUBBY and his mother who passed away last year.  There’s a photo of us together from our wedding.  HEAPS of things.  It gives me so much pleasure to have them all out on display.  Just little bits and pieces of our lives together.

There’s also this….

IT’S A MOOSE!!! Miss Alivicwil brought him back from Canada for me.  I love him!  He makes me giggle on the inside every time I see him.  Did I mention, IT’S A MOOSE!!!

So that’s the shelving situation in our house.  One of these days I’ll take better photos of all the little collections of things that we have going on.  It’ll have to be once I get a tripod though…

Remember that Census year where the Urban Legend went around that if 10,000 people filled out their religion as ‘Jedi’ the Australian government would have to recognise it as a legitimate religion.  When really the only thing it legitimised was how many dorks there were in the Australian public.  Well I’m counting on those dorks now!

And here’s why… Australia’s own seriously funny Angus Sampson has a written and directed a little movie called The Last Supper.  The film’s website gives the following synopsis:

Set ten minutes before Jesus arrives at The Last Supper, 13 men at lunch fueled by wine and emotion. Satirising Man’s hedonism and greed, ‘The Last Supper’ explores race and religion whilst re-imagining two of history’s greatest betrayals… three if you count reality television. Written by The Age

The film screened at both the Sydney and Melbourne International Film Festival’s, and has sub-sequentially been put forward for consideration in The Inside Film Awards.  Inside Film says this about it’s awards:

The Inside Film Awards celebrates and champions Australian film and creative talent. We facilitate a unique dialogue between Australian filmmakers and their audience, support and promote Australian cinema and invigorate the national screen culture.

Let me just break that down for you in everyday movie goer: “Only the wanky survive.”  Which, if you ask me, isn’t in the “spirit of Australia”.  We’re all about taking the piss, seeing the underdog get up and drinking till you’re too shagged to shag and then passing out in the back of a ute at the local B&S with your pants around your ankles.  Um, ok, went a little too far into my own personal Australia there, but you get where I’m going with this.  Not voting for this film would be un-Australian. It would spit in the general direction of all that was achieved with the Eureka Stockade.

Australian’s don’t want to be invigorated, we just want to laugh at someone getting hit in the nuts.  It’s why Australia’s Funniest Home Videos has outlasted The Midday Show, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Bert Newton and the cockroaches.  So do yourself, and your country, a massive favour and show The Inside Film Awards who the force is with and vote for The Last Supper – it’s the Australian thing to do!

Click the banner to vote…

♦ Disclaimer: The makers of The Last Supper had nothing to do with this blog post, it’s just one crazy fans attempt to woo Angus Sampson and see Jedi get the proper recognition it deserves within the Australian Religious circles.  Oh and stick it to the film industry that thinks a film has to be all artsy and serious to be any good.  Who said you can’t be funny and profound?  Did no one see Dude, Where’s My Car?  Cinematic gold my friends, cinematic gold!

I don’t like Monday’s.  I hate having to get up and go to work for the man.  I think however that a Monday that starts with eye candy of this caliber can only be a good day.  So enjoy a little piece of Supernatural beauty in the form of Jensen Ackles.

Writer and Director John Hughes has died of a heart attack at the age of 59.  For those of you not born in to Generation X you might not realise the significance of this event.  But for those of you that love your movies and know a little thing or two about quality this day is a sad day indeed.

I remember sneaking down to a friends place to watch “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, I felt so dirty.  Singing along to Ferris as he rode that float.  Wishing you were as cool as he was, and had the engineering aptitude to rig up a sleeping dummy system.  They don’t make movies like that anymore…

Every Christmas we watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, another John Hughes classic.  This year we’ll watch and toast to the wonderful that was John Hughes.

To quote Grace from Ferris Bueller: Oh, he’s very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads – they all adore him. They think he’s a righteous dude.

John Hughes you were our righteous dude!

You’d have to have been living under a rock these days to not know that Tim Burton has teamed up with Walt Disney Pictures to release a new cinematic take on Alice in Wonderland.¹  Personally I find Tim Burton to be a little hit and miss.  Some things I really enjoy, but others (like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) I feel are a little contrived.  However it does not stop me from waiting eagerly for his next release, and it’s no different with Alice in Wonderland.

The images and trailers that have been put out by Disney already have me salivating.  The costume and set design look spectacular.  (I’m lusting after that blue dress of Alice’s!)  Not to mention the high caliber casting.  Johnny Depp will bring a certain kooky to the Mad Hatter that is sublime.  However, I think my favourite bit of casting news is that Stephen Fry will be playing the Cheshire Cat.  The man is marvelous, and that voice…. *swoon*

The release of the movie is scheduled for May 2010, so with just under a year to wait I’m looking for anything Alice to help fill the void.  Once again Etsy have come through with the goods.  Check out this Alice in Wonderland inspired front page.

So until May 2010 it’s just patiently waiting and riding out the Alice inspired trends… I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

¹ You can view the official trailer here -> clicky

Let me just start by saying: I am not a trekkie!  With that said, I was absolutely hanging to see this movie and I wasn’t disappointed.

It’s hard to escape the legend that has become Captain James T. Kirk, and in turn William Shatner.  However, this film has managed to crawl out from underneath the mountain of Star Trek folk lore to deliver something contemporary and in a class of it’s own.  It didn’t hurt that J.J. Abrams directed either.

The plot is strong and addresses the obvious timeline issues, as well as setting the franchise up for even more installments.  You have to admire the smart business that has been employed with the release of this film.  It’s made a franchise that has been classically the domain of the “nerd” more mainstream and therefore increased revenue.  It would have been easy for the Studio to phone this in – let the brand suck people in, take their money and give them two hours of over the top production and crap script a la Star Wars.  So it’s refreshing to get a film that is determined in it’s vision and doesn’t insult the viewer.

The cast is strong, and while they give a nod to their predecessors they manage to make their roles their own.  As Captain Kirk, Chris Pine has a lot resting on his shoulders.  He manages to step away from William Shatner‘s portrayal and stamp his own flavour on the womanising space cowboy.  It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes as well!

The other character that people will be watching to see how true to the original it is, is Spock.  The pressure falls on the shoulders of Zachary Quinto.  Not only does he have to live up to the original, but he has to shake his cast typing as Sylar.  It’s a big ask, especially when the original Spock will be your co-star.   I think he manages rather well.  He seems to bring a level of emotion to the role that may have been lacking in the original Star Trek, which is ironic given that the character is supposed to be emotionless due to his race.

The ensemble cast is strong, with stand out performances from Karl Urban as Bones and Simon Pegg as Scotty.  Which is lucky, as this film really rests on the relationships between the crew and their captain.  As this is the first in what one can easily assume will be a line of films, the film gives a good amount of time to establishing the relationships.  It doesn’t make the mistake of assuming that all viewers will be die hard fans of the franchise, which is brilliant.

The only criticism I have about the script is the treatment of Nero, who is played by the wonderful Eric Bana.  In an attempt to build the premise of the movie it tends to suffer from a quick telling.  You’re not given a chance to really invest in the evil that Nero represents.  He just becomes an androgynous bad guy, despite Eric Bana being one bad looking mofo.

Eric Bana isn’t the only Australian connection in this film.  George Kirk, the father of Captain James T. Kirk, is played by Chris Hemsworth.  Australian’s will know him from Home and Away.  The resemblance to Chris Pine is remarkable, and one of the better casting choices when it comes to demonstrating genealogical links.  Another interesting casting choice was the use of Jennifer Morrison, Dr Allison Cameron from House M.D, as Winona Kirk. Along with Jennifer Morrison the appearance of Winona Ryder also provided some frenzied whispering in the theatre.  It’s always nice to play “guess the actor/actress” during a movie.

Unlike other movies that have relied heavily on the use of special effects, the cast and writing has not been overshadowed by the production qualities.  The effects, set and costuming complement the story and stand true to the original movies and television series.  Which in itself is a minor feat of brilliance given the decades of technological development that span this franchise.

In a time when Studio’s are insulting the movie going public left and right with crap that they sell as brilliance, it’s a nice surprise to be excited by a movie and not be disappointed.  If you’re going to take out a mortgage to go to the movies, make sure you see this film!

I really wanted to like this movie.  However, the bad writing stole my ability to overlook the cliches and bad directing.  It seemed like such a winning combination.  Matthew McConaughey has become a staple in the chick flick genre.  He’s got the looks, the cheeky smile and the comic timing to be the fixer upper lead man that every woman wants to love.  Jennifer Garner is the quintessential girl next door.  Even with Michael Douglas playing a pre-Catherine version of himself, the cast can’t save this film.

The premise is a good one.  A little like What Women Want combined with Failure to Launch. However the plot is rushed, and you’re never given a chance to believe that the relationship between the leads is enough to make this playboy change his spots.  Even the supporting actors seem to miss the mark.  The attempts at setting up tear jerker moments seem contrived and don’t add any credibility to the fact that Connor Mead is worth saving.  Adding to the lack of authenticity of the roles is the fact that Mead is the same last name as Ugly Betty‘s lead men which, for those of us that watch a lot of film and television, adds further distraction.

Jennifer Garner is the only saving grace in this film.  It’s hard not to like her, despite the terrible script.  She brings a certain charm to her scenes and definitely upstages those around her.  It’s hard not to envy Ben Affleck his good fortune in calling this woman his wife.  Yet her performance alone is not enough to save this film.

Hollywood needs to stop insulting the romance lovers with this formulaic attempt to make money by trading on big names.  It takes a lot more then a great set of dimples to make an endearing chick flick.  If you can, wait till it comes to the small screen.  It’s easier to be more forgiving of this films failings when you’re not paying $18 for a ticket, plus $30 for a drink and popcorn!

(Those stars belong to Jennifer Garner!)

I watched four new movies today – all different, but all great.  I don’t think I’ve seen this many good movies at one time ever.  Normally you get a number of movies and there’s one stand out and the rest are a mix bag of shit, crap and blah!  But not today, today I hit the movie jackpot.  So what did I see…

Changeling: A horrible story brought to life with such force.  Angelina Jolie had me entranced.  To think that a woman went through all that and still managed to get out of bed everyday.  She had a strength that is rare.  The movie was wonderfully paced.  It never once stalled or overshot the mark.  Another beautifully shot film by Clint Eastwood.  After seeing the tragedy that is Knowing last week I was so happy to not have an alien abduction “plot twist”!

Milk: Harvey Milk’s story was not one I knew, so everything came as a surprise.  Another story of a courageous life.  Sean Penn was outstanding.  I think it’s his best role yet.  Well it’s a tie with his role in I Am Sam.  I found it an interesting insight into the civil rights movement within the US.  It’s amazing to see the polarization of California.  Unfortunately the story is repeating itself with Proposition 8.

Slumdog Millionaire: I think this was my biggest surprise of the day.  I was expecting some art film that broadcast the plight of the Indian Slums.  Instead it was a magical story that unraveled against a pop culture icon, the quiz show.  The child actors were wonderful and the story had me gripped.  I understand now why the movie got as much hype as it did.

Gran Torino: Ok, I have a confession.  I’m not a fan of Clint Eastwood.  At least I wasn’t when I started watching this movie, but he sucks me in EVERY TIME!  Every time I pick up a Clint Eastwood movie I do it with a heavy heart – but every time he delivers.  It’s like my mind tricks me.  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.  The relationships are strong and believable.  It delivers a heavy message, but it doesn’t preach it.  It’s also marvelously shot and directed.

So that’s been my day at the movies.  I’m very happy with how my movie day has panned out.  I would recommend them all.  All of these have strong characters that you can identify with and champion.

I don’t know what it is lately, but I have been getting the spam comments from hella.  Heaps – all the time.  It’s crazy!  Although it is making my reading stats look good.

I’ve had a really big week.  None of which I can talk about.  Maybe one day in my memoirs.  Tomorrow we host our Australia Day BBQ and cricket match.  It’s shaping up to be a funny day.  Not a big crowd, but the right crowd.  I’m so under prepared for it, it’s not funny.  But that’s how I roll.  I’ve become a big fan of the last minute.  I don’t know when or why.  I’m hoping to work on that trait.  Not straight away though…

I did some shopping yesterday for the first time in a long time.  Went into the Canberra Centre and hit up my bookstore and Kikki-K.  I spent way too long in both.  Didn’t spend enough time in JB HiFi or Borders.  I’ve been chasing The Wire on DVD, and I was hoping JB would have it in.  But alas it’s another week of waiting.  Oh well.  My copy of Hercules Returns turned up this week.  I hope it’s as good as I remember it.

We’re running late for dinner, so I’m going to leave you with one of my favourite Etsy treasuries.  I love this one… bet you can’t guess why!