This, That and Trivia

Hey everyone. I hope you're all well and in good spirits as we continue this journey through the winter season. I know it's a little more snowy back home but it's not a whole lot better here. A little bit warmer, maybe, but rainy just about every day of the week. We also had some hurricane force winds the other day. I've never seen so many older folks clutch a building for support in my life.

Not a whole lot to report on from me, so I imagine this won't be the longest post of mine. I just finished writing all the words to my long essay (finally - 6,200ish total) so now I'll take a break for a few days before I go back and do some actual editing. At least the hard part is over. Otherwise my other work is coming along fine. I had an interview with Adam Stephen Kelly on Saturday last week; he's a columnist on Ain't It Cool News, an "all things movie and more" website. So I'll be typing up a feature on him in the near future. I'm extraordinarily jealous of him: he's been in the journalism game for four years, film writing for the last two or so and a writer for a great international website. And he's 21. But he was a nice guy, willing to talk of just about anything I wanted to, so the article should write itself.


Let's see, beside continuing schoolwork it's just been movies, movies, movies. For any interested I would definitely recommend: Young Adult staring Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt, The Ides of March staring George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei (I felt I had to mention all of these excellent actors), The Graduate staring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft (I rewatched it while writing my paper and it's easily one of my favorite films). There were a few more but I'm not allowed to talk about them just yet This week I'm seeing War Horse (Steven Spielberg), Shame (Steve McQueen) and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (David Fincher) all of which I'm pretty excited about. Otherwise I also hope to catch Moneyball (Bennett Miller), Another Earth (Mike Cahill) and Hugo (Martin Scorsese) this week but we'll see if I make that happen.

It's only a little more than a week now before Tori's family gets here. I know she's really excited about it and I'm looking forward to it as well. It will be nice to see a few familiar faces. Plus we'll be making a trip down to London and I'm really looking forward to that. We may not be leaving the island just yet but at least we're doing a little traveling.

Well, as I just about finish my cup of instant coffee (mmhm...cough cough) I think I've run out of things to talk about. Let's see, in terms of what I'm actually doing today I can tell you I'm meeting up with a friend from my course for a little bit and most likely he'll give me shite for going to see War Horse tonight rather than Another Earth. I may transcribe another 5-10 minutes of my interview. And, OH, it's Tuesday so that means 2-For-1 price pizza at Papa Johns. Tori and I haven't had pizza for a few weeks and I think it's time we did it again. I don't feel it will be too difficult to convince her to go for it. I think that's it for today. I'm still working on a good sign off so here's another style attempt; it's a little movie trivia for the competitive child in all of us:

In The Graduate, Elaine Robinson is getting married at First Presbyterian Church? On which street is First Presbyterian located? (This is probably way too difficult to be the first one but good luck anyway).

Movies, Art and Food Jealousy

Hey everyone listen up -

Now that I've got your attention I have this to say:

Anyway, that being said, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week. I know I may have sounded a little off or down but trust me I had a wonderful holiday. Much better than I could have anticipated. Dinner at Blake's place was so damn delicious. Tori made some excellent twice baked potatoes. Our friend Kyle made awesome stuffing with sausage. Blake made the bird - chicken because we couldn't find a turkey - and some more stuffing, as well as some baked veggies. Minka made some squash soup. And our Scottish friends, Andrew and Stuart brought "American" food, which consisted of chocolate chip - and white chocolate chip - cookies, apple pie and blueberry muffins. Not bad for a handful of grad students that don't cook up much more than take out (I'm definitely referring to myself on that one).

This is my last week of the semester for class. I'm looking forward to having some time off and just getting my things done. I'm sure the first couple weeks will be chaotic but if I get my things done completely I will not care at all.

Let's see. This week I've seen two movies so far, and I'm hoping to see a few more. I went and saw The Descendants, which was done by the same director as Sideways - Alexander Payne - and definitely worth checking out. It's a beautifully crafted film set in Hawaii and staring George Clooney. The other film was 50/50, which Tori and I just saw tonight, and was awesome. A bro-mantic comedy - if I may - that is sure to make you laugh and possibly tear up a bit. Plus it's got Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen - who does an amazing job by the way - so you now know for sure you'll laugh. And because I'm a student of film I get to see these movies for free; how cool is that?

This weekend Tori and I are planning on hitting up the Glasgow School of Art MFA Auction, featuring some work from our friends Blake and Kyle. Anyone in the Glasgow area should attend and check out the work from these and other very talented artists. (Though, I imagine if you're reading this blog you're miles and miles away - don't let that stop you from making it to the show).

In other news, I don't have much. Everyone have fun this weekend like I know I will. This is David Rowley reminding you to watch movies and never leave yourself stuck with the question "What would have happened had I _________?"

(If you're still looking for some hidden pronouncement at the beginning I apologize, there's nothing there. I couldn't think of a clever hook to wrap your brain-balls into my writing so I went with a figurative call out. Cheers.)

Happy Holidays! Cooking and updating

Hello Hello,

How's everyone doing this holiday week!? I'm not bad though it could be going a little better. I'm mostly a little down because nothing in Glasgow (not surprisingly) reminds me that it's Thanksgiving week. I've got Tori and a few people to remind me but who's reminding them? Exactly.

Anyway, I'm prepping for tomorrow the best way I can: listen to stand-up comedy and attempt to make desert for tomorrow's dinner at Blake's apartment. What am I making you ask, why chocolate chip cookies of course. Pretty much the only thing I feel slightly confident I can made (decently). I've linked up the recipe if anyone is interested in trying the cookies I've just attempted. Right now I'm midway into making them so by the time this actually gets posted I may remove the link. Who knows, the cookies could be crap. I don't expect them to be though, unless I burn them, because the dough tastes pretty damn good. I'll get back to you on this.

I've been pretty busy trying to get my papers done the past couple weeks. Today I just hit the 3,500 mark for my longer essay so technically I only need another 1,000 words to be done and I still have two movies to discuss plus an introduction and conclusion. I'm expecting to exceed the word limit by nearly 2,000 words so I'll have to edit, but it's easier to cut out as opposed to look for bull shite to insert. Otherwise, I've finished my seven movie reviews, I simply need to work them over once or twice and I'll be perfect. That leaves just my two feature articles, which don't worry me too much since I've been writing features for the past two years in journalism classes. It's picking the subject that's difficult not the writing. But that's just my opinion.

Let's see, beyond schoolwork Tori and I have managed to get out a wee bit to further explore some tourist spots in Glasgow. Specifically, we finally made it out to the Kelvingrove Museum. And it was pretty neat. I can only look at art for so long - I do what I can but at a certain point my eyes get droopy - but fortunately this place is like four museums in one. Here are an assortment of photos:

Ghosts in armor, prepared for battling tourists

Oh, look at the white balloons; wait, why are they looking at me?

Just hanging around, watching
the people pass by

There was a lot more to see but the lighting wasn't amazing in the museum. Sure there were lights making every display easily seen but often time there would be glare on the photos. These were just a couple of neat things that turned out alright. A couple of knights, open area, one of Salvador Dali's sketches, and a stone marker from where (supposedly) Mary, Queen of Scots watched the Battle of Langside unfold. I like the display stuff and historical aspects more than the art. Probably just because I get jealous of their talent.

But the best part of the exhibit was without a doubt the basement completely devoted to one of Rock's greatest bands: AC/DC. There was a ton of old footage and concert posters on every wall. Letters written to different mothers and girlfriends. It was really cool.

 It was a nice way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon when the sun didn't want to come out.

Well I think that's all for me. Oh, and I just finished up with my cookies and...they're not bad. I'm no chef and I've certainly had better chocolate chip cookies but i think they'll be a nice addition to the holiday meal tomorrow.

Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Dr Strangelove: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Procrastination

I have work to do yet I find myself doing just about anything else that will distract me from tasks at hand. I'm productive while procrastinating; I liken it to finishing a movie that you weren't sure you wanted to see in the first place. That being said this post is just another aspect of my procrastination.

I have a lot of things I could be working on right now. I need to go back and re-edit some of my old reviews to tighten them up. I need to figure out two topics for my feature article. (They have to deal with film in some way so if you've got any ideas...). And I need to write another 4,000 words for my final (and only actual graded) essay. I'm about to re-watch Dr Strangelove: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb which is something I do need to do. And for those who haven't seen this film, stop reading this ridiculous blog, go out and find a copy of this fantastic movie. As Robert Phillip Kolker (critic) has stated - and accurately so - "our history in the years since Dr Strangelove has tended to imitate the film even more than the film, at the time of its making, imitated history." The movie is great, no doubt one of Stanley Kubrick's best.

I wanted to update this blog because I haven't done so in a while but I keep coming up short with things to fill it with. At this point it's nothing more than a quickly put together stream of consciousness. I'd like to think it's something more than that but I'm not sure it is. Perhaps when I begin to travel a bit more this thing will pick up interest and excitement. Until then I remain a boring postgraduate student.

Please don't think my post too pessimistic, that is not my intent. These are just the ponderings of a gentleman with a little extra on his mind. The days are getting very short here, which may be another factor. Sunlight is only out for about eight hours and begins to set a little before 4:30pm. I'm taking more vitamin D to counteract the lack of sunlight.

Well I should probably get back to doing a little bit of work. I've got quite a few things I need to read for this week and at least four films to watch. I quite enjoy all this reading, writing and viewing, I just wish it weren't so time consuming and I could get out and explore some more.

So Two-Face, Harvey Dent and a Gnome walk into a party...

Happy Halloween! I hope everyone got into the spirit this year, I know I sure did.

After a bit of a worry that we wouldn't find a party to attend, we heard about a 'little' party a friend was hosting. Now when it comes to costumes I have never been one that has much success - creatively or enthusiastically - but this year I wanted to give it my all. So after deciding what I wanted to be I began the hunt to find the materials necessary to make Batman's 'Two-Face' possible (from the 90s animated series).



I spent about a week scouring different charity shops in the area for a white suit. I had luck finding a jacket and under shirt but trousers were a different story. I probably walked in and out of a dozen different places and I am certain some of the shop owners though I was staking out the joint. I finally gave up and just decided to go with a pair of black slacks instead.

Once I had my outfit, the next task was finding make up and spray paint. The make up was simple enough because there were plenty of art and costume shops in the area. Unfortunately the make up cost was much more than any other aspect of my costume and I still have a ton left over. I'm thinking I can use it to terrorize Tori every now and again for the next few months.

The spray paint was surprisingly simple to find. I understand its use as an art supply but where I bought it seemed to cater to graffiti artists. The walls were lined with custom shoes and a range of different prints. I felt awesome buying from there because I think the staff thought I was an artist working on a project. Little did they know I was just looking to recolor my very cheap suit.

It took me about three days and three cans of paint to color my suit appropriately. I was really happy with how it turned out, which led to my paranoia that someone might steal it from me while it hung outside to dry. Tori helped me with my make-up, taking the photo I gave here and making my face really pop. I had no idea she had the creative genius for movie make-up.

The party was an absolute blast. There were about 20 of us spilling out of the flat, drinking and chatting and just a good time. It ended up that we were there pretty late into the evening that by the time we got back home and I showered off the make-up it was 4:30 in the morning (easily the latest I've been out here).

It was a shame we only dressed up once this year but it was a fun time all the same. The next holiday is Guy Fawkes Day in November and I still don't know exactly what kind of a holiday it is but I'll get back to you on that.

Anyway, Happy Halloween everyone!

A slightly busier week

After a weekend burying my face in books and online journals I'm finding it difficult to write this blog so it may be a little short. For the past week I've been working on a thousand word review and a brief (2,500 words) essay about what makes a film great and what makes a 'favorite' film, and what matters more to the audience. Needless to say I will not bore any with my dissertation.

However, I will say that aside from the stress of school work this has been a pretty decent week. It started off a little poor but that was because Tori was gone from Monday to Wednesday on a team building field trip with her classmates. I was left to fend for myself in the harsh reality of Glasgow. This meant I had to eat out once or twice and find other food that just required heating up in the oven. Frightening I know.

But she got back Wednesday and said she had a great time so that was good to hear along with having her back. Thursday went well enough, I had peer review for my coursework and got some good feedback about my review style. Then we watched the film Body and Soul - released in 1947, a great boxing movie that Martin Scorsese used to model how he shot Raging Bull - and called it a day.

Friday was relatively lax until we got a surprise call from Blake who informed us that there was a small get together happening at a friend's place. So, Tori and I got dressed and headed out. When we got there we were immediately greeted with some delicious, smokey whiskey that for the life of me I cannot remember what it was called. Then the night proceeded into an evening of good conversation with many different people, some of which we were just meeting that night, followed by drinking games and pizza.

The next day left me with a bit of a headache but I got through it - for the most part. Tori and I spent the day together at the flat and decided to stay in for the evening. She made some delicious fried rice for dinner and though we probably could have had left overs I decided that one bowl wasn't enough for me.

Anyway, today was spent at the library for the last four hours working again. I knocked out 1,600 words (over two separate assignments) and have only a little remaining for class.

The weather has been consistently in the 50s during the day, though today we finally saw some great sunlight in the afternoon. At night it has tended to rain a little though not dropping in temperature too dramatically. This week all I need to do is hand in an assignment on Tuesday, get a haircut and prep for a job interview at a bookstore (wish me luck). The rest of tonight will be spent relaxing with my baber Tori.

Terror From the Sheet!

In the last month a terror has been striking flats around the greater Glasgow area. Locked doors cannot stop this culprit. No property is stolen and no physical assult has been noted but what this person/entity does is far more diabolical. Ladies and gentlemen what I'm about to show you may be disturbing to young audiences:

This writer has never been a witness to this devious character. Every time it strikes, I've been out of the flat, in the bathroom, or distracted in someway by something else. I'm told by Ms Tori Klein - who has been attacked on more than one occasion - this 'thing' goes by The Cocooner.



The habits of The Cocooner are as follows: it strikes when you're most vulnerable - lying in bed or reading a magazine on the couch - it wraps the person in any blanket or sheets in the immediate vicinity, and then it darts away before any witnesses can accumulate. I have found Ms Klein wrapped on several occasions, utterly terrified, begging me to believe her horrific tale. I do care a great deal about this little lady but I can't help but wonder if the strain of a new place in addition to returning to the academic atmosphere is taking a toll on her mind. Only time will tell but one thing is for certain, The Cocooner - if he/she/it does exist - will undoubtedly strike again.

Class on days that start with the letter "T"

Well, two weeks in and going strong.

My course work has started at the University of Glasgow and it's proving to be not too terrible a challenge. I have class twice a week for about 5-6 hours on each day. It's nice that we only meet twice a week but for that long period it feels like I'm back in high school. There are eight of us in the Masters program (three gents and five lasses) which has made it pretty simple to get to know people and feel easy around them. I was surprised to find out that many were like me in that they did not have background in TV or Film specializations. Many seem to have chosen this program because of a general love of the movies. That's what got me here.

In each course we watch a movie for the first part of the class - so far I've seen The Man With the Movie Camera, Á Ma Soeur, Citizen Kane, and Babe: Pig in the City - and then usually an hour and a half or so of lecture followed by general discussion of what we hear in lecture and saw in the film.

The course on Tuesday is History of Critical Writing (HoCW), which is pretty self explanatory. The Thursday course is my core course for film journalism. For that we tend to have critics and authors come in a teach a lecture to us about what it is they do and how they've gotten their start. It's nice hearing from people in the business but a little rough hearing about how this may be a dying trade. But I manage to keep my spirits up.

I tend to have to read a lot for each class and that's actually what I'm about to go do. Not a whole lot is happening with either. I have a 2,500 word essay due the 18th of October in HoCW and a 300 word review every week in the core course but neither are too terribly daunting. I'll update more when some more excitement happens.

Cheers!

Lights, Camera...one more week

Not a whole lot to report on in terms of what's going on with my schooling here in Glasgow. I just had my enrollment orientation today for Film Journalism and it went as smoothly as I could have imagined, aside from only four of the 12 people in the Masters program actually showing up. The professor seems like a pretty nice guy, he prefers being called, "Davy," to, "David," or "Dr Archibald." I met a few of my fellow peers in the program: one from Edinburgh, one from all over Europe (apparently it's "a long story") and one from Thailand. Everyone seemed chatty enough and got along well. Tomorrow I have more of a formal orientation for post-graduate taught students in the university's College of Arts programs so we'll see how that goes. Cheers!

Yummy Curry

Oh man, just got back from dinner with Tori and boy am I stuffffffed. We went to a place called Mother India located about 10 minutes walking distance from our flat. It's across the street from the Kelvingrove Museum, which I'm thinking we'll be visiting sometime this week so I'll have pictures up of that place soon.

Anyway...

First let me begin by saying this was a quaint little place, probably seating no more than 40 people (and that's really packing 'em in), that made one feel like they were in a friend's kitchen. The staff were very pleasant and very helpful in letting us know what items on the menu were. The owner of the cafe wandered around the tables checking in with everyone, making sure peoples time there was spent in enjoyment.

Tori and I each ordered two dishes and sides of spicy rice and garlic pitta bread. I picked out a chili garlic chicken curry and spicy potato fritters, while Tori had chicken tikka and some spinach and potato burrito.  While my spicy potato fritters and Tori's spinach and potato burrito lacked a strong flavor, we still consumed most of them. The chicken dishes, on the other hand...forget about it. They were great! Tori's better than mine, but I gobbled mine up faster than I usually tend to eat. We each cleaned our plates and sat back in delight as we knew digestion would soon be taking place.

I must say that I'd never had curry before this evening but if we can continue to go to places like Mother India's my days as a picky eater could soon be a thing of the past. Cheers!

Kelvingrove Park and The Scott Monument

Let's see, what have been up to as of recent? Not too much in terms of the touristy thing. I've just been walking around my end of Glasgow with the hope of becoming more and more familiar with the streets around me. I took a stroll through Kelvingrove Park the other day.

It is an absolutely beautiful park though I hear I probably shouldn't be strolling through it after nightfall. Apparently it's the place to be if you're looking for a male prostitute - and with my hair I don't need that sort of mistake identity. Though, on the other hand, if I need narcotics I'm told that's the place to seek it out. No matter, during the day it is really a joy to walk through. There's playground equipment, a giant slide - which is awesome by the way - as well as numerous walking trails. Additionally, there are a few monuments devoted to war veterans. 

I begin classes this week; I'm really excited about that. My first will be on Tuesday from 12-5pm, so a bit of a long one but it only meets once a week. Then I believe my other course is on Thursday but I don't have the time for that one yet.

Oh I guess I forgot to mention that I took another trip with Tori to Edinburgh. She is loving her program and the people and I guess she found someone to carpool there with so that'll help save monies. Well, while we were in Edinburgh we went up the Scott Monument - dedicated to Sir Walter Scott - and had a wonderful view of the city. The monument is just over 200 feet tall, and it was 287 steps to the top lookout. Obviously I wouldn't recommend this hike to those afraid of heights but I also wouldn't recommend it for the claustrophobic. The stairwell is absurdly narrow and if I had been any taller my head would have scraped the ceiling. However, once you get to the top all that fades from mind and you get to see Edinburgh in all its splendor. Then you get to hit all 287 steps again on the journey down. Did I mention there is only one stairwell? Oh, and that there aren't any guides? This means that there are people going up and down at any given time so if a larger person is on their way down you might have to about-face and head down as well. There are four different lookout points so you won't have to go all the way back to the beginning but you may be waiting a while before you can continue upward. Below are a few of my photos, Cheers!

FUNNY GAMES REVIEW

I was disappointed with the last film I watched. However, I'm not entirely sure why.

The movie I watched was a psychological thriller featuring many "nana-nana-boo-boo-you-can't-touch-me," moments. I don't mean to be so vulgar but that was the first thought that came into my head and for two very specific reasons. The first is because one of the characters has the ability to break the forth wall, four times to be specific. Funny right. One of the villains in this film likes to repeatedly taunt the audience, begging anyone who's watching to yell at the screen. He asks the audience questions that have already risen in their own heads then knocks them down like an older sibling to a child. His sick sense of "funny," causes the blood to boil.

The second reason: We find out with twenty minutes left in the film that these villains have the ability to play God, reversing time and changing scenarios if they don't go according to their plan. What? If that's the case, what's the point in caring for the protagonists knowing they cannot possibly have any chance of survival? I was slightly disappointed in myself when the last person died because, at that point, I no longer cared.

Having said that there are indeed some very cool parts to this film.

The most positive thing about this movie is its originality. I have never seen anything quite like it. (Technically it's a remake but I say original because the person who made the first film, both writing and directing, did this version - American - as well). I don't care if you can point out another one that came before; no other movie is quite like this. Also, there were specific scenes that seemed to run for nearly eight or nine minutes - single frame - which is an eternity in film time. This was what really built up the suspense in the film. These were scenes that forced the audience to the edge of their seat with the overwhelming sense to scream, "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MOVE!"

This movie gets a three out of five stars. I haven't done a star rating before (I don't think) so I'm giving it a shot. The reason I haven't mentioned the title of this film is because, right after my viewing, I was trying to figure out a way to describe this movie to a friend without the cliche of, "oh, you just have to see it, I can't tell you anything." That description disappoints four out of five times. Unfortunately, I don't think any description works aside from that one. In my own writing I feel I've already said too much and I don't think anyone who reads this would pay money to see this film. So, Funny Games, three stars. Cheers!

Back in the stone age

What's the longest time you've gone without internet or television readily available to you? Right now, I'm on day four. Sure it's not too bad, and I can always find a cafe or library to tap into their wi-fi but not having it at night is horrible. Most shops here tend to close up around 5:00 or 6:00, which makes for a long six hours of zero connection until I can finally go to sleep. And with my schedule, falling asleep at midnight is a challenge, usually it's closer to 1:30/2:00a.m.

But here I am now, at Big Mouth Cafe in Glasgow's west end. It's a nice little place to have a cup of joe and do some reading or web surfing. Not much has been going on in the past few days with Tori and I. We went to Edinburgh and hiked around there for a day. The place is really stunning. Stone buildings everywhere, a castle, and what I would call Gothic architecture in any direction you look. It seems much larger than Glasgow, and I'm pretty sure it actually is. Unfortunately, Edinburgh - to me - seems a little less friendly than Glasgow. People are in more of a hurry and bustle on by with their heads down. Not like in Glasgow, where people are smiling and offering help to any looking confused and befuddled.

I've got orientation coming up this week starting Tuesday and continuing through the week until classes start on the 12th of September. I'm really excited and my schedule doesn't look to be too challenging but with my luck I'm sure to be looking at it wrong. It seems like most of my courses will be in the same building so that will be nice.

A few days ago, Tori and I went to IKEA and all I want to say about that place is that it is the closest thing to hell on earth I've ever had to experience. I don't know what it is that makes me hate the place but when I was inside, I felt like I lost all sense of reality and my location on the planet Earth. Word to the wise, if you have to go there know exactly what it is you're looking for and get out as soon as you can.

Well the cafe is getting ready to close so I must go. I checked out two movies from the library here - which apparently costs money and isn't free, eff that noise - so hopefully in the next few days I'll have reviews for them. I won't say what they are but I will mention they're certainly not new movies, just a couple that I haven't seen yet. Until next time, Cheers!

Come on ride the train

After a sort of aggravating day, at least I can look back fondly on the train ride through Scotland's countryside. Tori and I took a trip on the rails to Edinburgh to map out the route to Edinburgh Napier Campus.

The trip on the train took about an hour and was surprisingly quiet. At one point I accidentally fell asleep on Tori's shoulder. Fortunately that wasn't until the trip back. It was really cool seeing the strewn about stone structures that littered the landscape. A house here and there, some barns, and even a few Scottish horses.

The most impressive thing, however, was how green and lush the rolling hills looked. More will come about Edinburgh, but for now this is all I've got to share. A little hint...it looks exactly how you'd imagine.

Italian lunch in Glasgow

Hey Everybody,

Just got back from strolling around the north/west side of Glasgow where Tori and I had lunch at a place called Mancini. Many who know me know that I'm a bit of a picky eater but this place was delicious. I had some lasagna that sat in a shallow meat and cheese sauce with garlic bread. However, because I was too hungry to wait for this meal to cool off before eating I've now scalded my mouth. Damn.

The only real negative thing about the meal - as is the case with eating at most places - was the lack of refills on refreshments. It's weird, but Coke actually costs more then beer or wine here and there are no free refills. And often times water costs money because it's bottled. It seems Glasgow is determined to make me drink as much alcohol as possible.

Anyway, not much new is happening here; we're still waiting to hear back from the letting agency if we got the place or not. I'll probably spend the next few hours reading and walking around the town. Perhaps a pub later tonight or drinks at the hotel, either way I'm thinking Glasgow will convince me to have a drink or two this evening. Cheers!

THE GUARD REVIEW

For everyone who saw and loved In Bruges, have I got the next movie for you…The Guard. This is a fantastic piece of cinema brought to us by John Michael McDonagh, the brother of Martin McDonagh, who was writer/director of In Bruges. This is the first major film directed by John Michael McDonagh and it does not disappoint.

Set in western Ireland, The Guard begins with an aerial view of a drunk driver cruising down the highway at high speeds. Right from the start it’s easy to understand where the humor will come from – Brendan Gleeson, who also played a large role in In Bruges. The car goes out of frame, skids, squeals, and crashes in front of Gleeson’s patrol car. Oh, did I mention he’s a cop this time? Quite the role reversal. The crash wakes him – slowly – from his day dream and he pulls up to check out the scene. After rummaging through the pockets of one of the people in the car he finds a bag of drugs, which he tosses away from the body, though, not before dropping a tablet of acid for himself. Cut to introductory credits.

If this doesn’t get you off, leave the theatre and begin questioning your understanding of what’s funny. The rest of the movie is comprised of smartass remarks and brilliant dry humor.

Don Cheadle plays a straight laced, by the books, FBI agent from the States investigating a drug smuggling scheme that’s rumored to be happening in the area. These two must work together to crack an overlapping case (Cheadle’s looking for the drug lords, Gleeson’s looking for murder suspects – the same people). It’s a good buddy-cop narrative between the two and they work really well together.

I don’t want to gush too much more over this movie, just go see it. I’ll leave you with a quote that should depict a fair picture about the humor in this movie:
Gleeson: I'm Irish. Racism is part of my culture.

See this movie. Until next time folks, cheers!

TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL

I just finished up watching Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, in the hotel on this rainy day in Glasgow, and, I must say, it was quite entertaining. I went into this movie thinking that it would probably be pretty stupid but after watching it in its entirety I was pleasantly surprised. The roles of hillbillies, Tucker and Dale, played by Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, were very funny. The chemistry between the two seemed very natural. They are supposed to be two bumbling fools that just purchased a piece of shit cabin in the middle of no where, which, Tucker continuously gloats as his "vacation house." All they want is a place they can call their own where they can fish to their hearts content. Unfortunately some paranoid college kids won't let them be.


The worst part about this film is the acting on the part of the college kids. None of them seem like they could be classified as anything more than a - and this is generous -  B-List actor/actress and it occasionally distracts from the actual comedy that's happening in the scene. The lead female, played by Katrina Bowden (Cherie from "30 Rock"), is the best of these young actors. However, that's not saying much since every other scene she's knocked unconscious and carried back to Tucker and Dale's cabin.


All-in-all, if you're a fan of the horror/comedy genre (Sam Raimi films or the works of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost ) then this is a film you'll enjoy. I give this film a 6.5-7 on a scale of 1-10 for the comedy and closer to a low 5/10 in terms of horror and gore. Check it out if you've got a free 82 minutes to kill and you'll be pleasantly surprised as well. Cheers!

Let's see how this goes...

It is now day six here in Scotland and I'm finally getting around to starting this up. It's been an interesting few days here with tori. We found a place we loved but it was snatched away from us. The bank we were hoping to open accounts at continues to give us the run around. Finding mobile phones has been hell, but fortunately we finally found a person willing to help us and we've got it settled. Extending our stay at the hotel cost more than we were expecting but it was something that had to happen. So, yes, it has been a little bit frustrating this week. However, we are in Glasgow and that's something that continues to put a smile on our face every morning.

Good news today, though, we found a flat that we're very excited about! It's in west side of Glasgow and located near everything we could possibly need or want. Jean, the woman who showed us the flat, was an absolute delight. She looked like she came up to, maybe, tori's waist and all she seemed to want to talk about was her upcoming vacation to New York City. She had more questions for us about the States then we had about the flat. It was a blast!

Anyway, now that we're awaiting our answer on the flat we have no plans for tomorrow. I imagine a walking adventure is in order and perhaps an evening at the pub. Three Judges has been my favorite pub thus far but there's plenty more to explore, and I think we're just the two people for the job.