Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

So, this is basically a big Michael Bay spectacular. Things explode left right and centre, and Megan Fox is smoking hot. That is basically everything you get from the new Transformers.

One thing is that the US military, had far too big a role. I want to see the robots fight and not to see how much Michael Bays love the US military damnit!!!

So, if you liked the first film, you will like this too. Its a good action flick, with barely there plot and thats about it.

"Palestine, Peace Not Apartheid" By Jimmy Carter

Well, firstly after reading this book, all the controversy over it, is made doubly nonsensical after reading.

Its basically a factual take on the situation. Its sober, calm and reasoned and incredibly fair to both sides of the conflict. Carter basically doesn't pull any punches, when it comes to either side, and basically apologists of Israel aren't used to people actually calling Israel on there bull shit.

The book gives the history of the situation, presents the why of the conflict and potential solutions.

The book is highly recommended reading, if you want to learn more about the conflict.

The Hangover

An excellent comedy, which if you have seen the trailer, you already know what its about.

The execution and the performances are what really make this film. It is highly recommended and very funny. Well worth seeing.

Terminator: Salvation

Well firstly:
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There was a lot of potential to this film, but ultimately it didn't live up to its potential.

Firstly, the start is really excellent, the helicopter crash scene is really well done. From here however, we basically go from action scene to action scene and there is very little reason to care about the other characters, and there is the whole aspect of some people not buying to Connor's being the saviour of humanity, which is mentioned at the start, but is barely touched on in the film.

If the film gave us more reason to care about the characters, who aren't John Connor or Kyle Reese, who care about due to earlier films. We see Connor's pregnant wife, but we know nothing about there relationship for example.

There is also the whole messiah aspect, which really could have been interesting, but is only barely touched on. We didn't really get to see what it meant for the resistance.

Now, onto Marcus, who's story was very interesting, but it was underdeveloped. The script really need more work imho.

Now the performances were excellent, the special effects were also top notch, especially the CGI Arnold.

So, ultimately a interesting movie, that didn't quite live up to it potential.

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Night at the Museum 2

A decent enough kids movie, its basically a repeat of the first film, just on a far large scale.

Only worth seeing if your kids wants to see it.

Looking for Eric

An excellent film, directed by Ken Loach.

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It basically tells the story of a huge Man U fan, who's life starts to fall apart and as a coping mechanism, conjours up Eric Cantona as a personal advisor of sorts.

The story and the performances are both fantastic and this is well worth seeing.

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Michael Jackson has passed away

From Sky.com/news
Michael Jackson 'Dies Of Heart Attack'


Michael Jackson dies in hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack, according to website TMZ.

Click here for full story

Just saw this on Sky News. The music industry has lost one its greatest genius and he will be sorely missed.

RIP Michael.

Iranian reformist protests

Its pretty late, but read the following article by Robert Fisk about the current protest going on in Iran, after election results were in all likelihood altered to elect the incumbent. Will discuss more of my opinion, on this tomorrow, but here is a link to the afore mentioned article:

Robert Fisk: Fear has gone in a land that has tasted freedom


In defiance of the ban on foreign reporters, The Independent's Middle East correspondent ventures out to witness an extraordinary stand-off on the streets of Tehran


Wednesday, 17 June 2009

The fate of Iran rested last night in a grubby north Tehran highway interchange called Vanak Square where – after days of violence – supporters of the official President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at last confronted the screaming, angry Iranians who have decided that Mirhossein Mousavi should be the president of their country. Unbelievably – and I am a witness because I stood beside them – just 400 Iranian special forces police were keeping these two armies apart. There were stones and tear gas but for the first time in this epic crisis the cops promised to protect both sides.

"Please, please, keep the Basiji from us," one middle-aged lady pleaded with a special forces officer in flak jacket and helmet as the Islamic Republic's thug-like militia appeared in their camouflage trousers and purity-white shirts only a few metres away. The cop smiled at her. "With God's help," he said. Two other policemen were lifted shoulder-high. "Tashakor, tashakor," – "thank you, thank you" – the crowd roared at them.

This was phenomenal. The armed special forces of the Islamic Republic, hitherto always allies of the Basiji, were prepared for once, it seemed, to protect all Iranians, not just Ahmadinejad's henchmen. The precedent for this sudden neutrality is known to everyone – it was when the Shah's army refused to fire on the millions of demonstrators demanding his overthrow in 1979.

Click here for the rest

Drag Me To Hell

Sam Raimi makes his triumphant return to the horror genre. Starring the lovely Alison Lohman, the story is about a bank loan manager, who has been cursed after refusing a old woman's request for a loan extension.

The film is nothing short of brilliant and puts the vast majority of other recent horror films to shame. We are given a fantastic blend of scares, and gross out comedy.

If you like Sam Raimi's past efforts, or just good horror films, then you will love this. This film is highly recommended.

US President's Speech to the "Muslim World"

A transcript of the speech can be found here:
President Obama Addresses Muslim World in Cairo


Well, an interesting speech to be sure. There is a lot to agree with here and a lot to disagree with.

Firstly, there is no "Muslim World" and no place called Islam. To try and address 1 billion people, who have some vague similarities due to a common religion. How exactly anyone can address 1 billion people is beyond me, take for example, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, those 2 countries could not be more different. However, it is best to put this aside and look at the content of the speech.

The first part of his speech is about violent extremism (more or less, there is other stuff mixed in there). While, I agree that the US has every right to defend themselves by going into Afghanistan, because of 9/11, but there tactics there have been pretty counter productive, especially due to the Iraq invasion. If the US can get it act together there, maybe then can actually effect a positive change. Giving aid to Pakistan to build schools and hospitals, and aid to develop Afghanistan is a step in the right direction.

My main issue with what Obama says here is that he seems to see Iraq as a simple mistake, which I find absurd. The US war against Iraq was a War of aggression, which is considered the supreme international crime and he even tries to excuse it by saying that the Iraqi's are better without Saddam, which is especially grating, as he has a huge problem with those who try and make excuses for 9/11. The US murdered 1000's in there war of aggression, and the criminals behind it, are still not behind bars and probably never will be.

Then, the 2nd major part is about Israel/Palestine. Firstly, I reject the Israeli narrative he presents. It is quite simple false. I know that Jews suffered what is perhaps the greatest crime in history, when Nazi Germany exterminated 6 million Jews, but to suggest this made it ok to establish a Jewish state in Palestine, against the wishes of indigenous population of Palestine is repugnant. What, was done to Jews by Europeans, did not give Zionists the right to go to Palestine to set up there own country and ethnically cleanse the indigenous population. Now, of course Israel is a reality and it should be excepted as such, but then so should the reality that its creation was a crime against the Palestinian people and that the Palestinian deserve justice for what was done to them.

Also, he make a good point about Holocaust denial, but the Israeli's have themselves denied the existence of the Palestinian people and more recently Israel approved a draft law to ban commemoration of the Nakba (the ethnic cleansing in 1948 by Zionists of between 700,000 and 900,000 Palestinians) by the Palestinians who still remain in Israel. It is absurd to condemn one sides denialism and not even mention the other groups denialism.

While, I agree with his comments about Palestinian violence against Israel, he seems to ignore Israel much greater violence against the Palestinians. The recent murderous rampage in Gaza, by the IDF, where they used weapons such as white phosphorous against civilians. While the siege in Gaza was briefly mentioned, it was however not condemned in anyway nearly as strong terms as his condemnation of Palestinian violence.

Now, he is right that both sides need recognize each other rights and that all involved will need to take steps to achieve peace, but the simple fact is that the US has enabled Israeli violence and the fact that Obama did not acknowledge this is disappointing. Will we actually see him take some concrete steps to reign Israel in? I mean something beyond mere words? If he expects the Arab states to use there influence to reign in the Palestinians, the US should be prepared to do the same with Israel.

As for his position on Iran's nuclear program. Personally, I can't take the US seriously here. We are talking about a country with more Nuclear weapons than anyone else and the only country to actually use them during war.

As for the parts, on Democracy, Womens Rights, Economic development and religious freedom, there isn't much to say, as I basically agree with everything said in those parts of the speech. So there isn't anything to discuss really. I do think he could have been more forceful about democracy, but considering the location of the speech, I could see why it wasn't done.

Ultimately the speech is interesting and welcome change from Bush, but words alone don't mean a whole lot and hopefully they will be back up by actions.

Coraline (3d)

Coraline is an animated film, based on the Neil Gaiman childrens book of the same name. Its a story of a little girl who finds another world via a magic door she finds in her house. Ok, so the film is way better than my description. Coraline is a great movie, its has the same level of quality as Pixar's efforts, which is high praise for it.

I saw this in 3d, which was good, but it wasn't really needed, as it didn't add much to the experience.

Overall, well worth seeing.

Infamous (Demo - PS3)

Infamous will be out over here on Friday, but in the meantime the demo is available and I gave it a try over the weekend.

The game plays as a bit of a cross between Assassins Creed and Crackdown. You play as a Super Human with electrical powers, in a open world city.

The games controls are fantastic and the titles hero Cole, is adept at climbing almost any surface. Then there are shooting controls, which are also smooth. Controlling Cole is a joy.

Then there is all the wacky fun you can have using your powers in the city and going around causing random mayhem.

The demo is excellent and well worth a download.

Terminator (Blu-ray)

Not watched this film in years and I was surprised to find that it has aged remarkably well. The Blu-ray make this film look as well as it is ever going to be, especially considering its age.

I don't think there is any need describe what Terminator is about. I would hope most people would know whats it about. If you don't go rent it, and you won't be disappointed.

So anyway, the film is fantastic and looks great in Blu-ray. Well worth a look, especially with the new Terminator movie coming out soon.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

An excellent book about a fictional take on the early days of American Super hero comics. The story follows the creators of the character "The Escapist" and there various trials and tribulations.

The story provides an insight into the early days of super hero comics, albeit via fictional prism. Still, the world that the author paints is incredibly vivid and the reader can very much see the world at the time.

This is an excellent novel and is highly recommenced, especially if you have any interests in comics at all.

Star Trek

J.J. Abrams new Star Trek is nothing short of completely fantastic. It breathes new life into what was a dieing franchise.

The casting was also inspired, especially Karl Urban who played Bones McCoy.

Then there is the story, which provided an excellent reason for why everything is different and provides a great adventure for the new crew. This is the best summer block buster in a long time. I can't recommend this movie highly enough. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.

Angels and Demons

The sequel to the highly successful"Da Vinci Code". The sequel is about an old enemy of the catholic church, the Illuminati returning to take there revenge on the church.

The movie is an enjoyable thriller and pretty much does what you expect. If you liked the first one, you will like this. A good pop corn thriller movie overall.

Synecdoche, New York

I really didn't enjoy this film. It was a whole lot of surrealist nonsense and really self indulgent.

I can see what the director was going for here, but honestly I didn't think it worked very well and was just bad. Don't bother seeing this.