It's a common northern expression in England to say "The weather doesn't know what to do with itself today", and this has never been truer than today. The meterological events of today are (in chronological order) : Rain, Sun, Hail, Rain and, now (as I write), Snow!
And people think that climate change isn't an issue.....
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Coding and the silver screen
It's been a while since I blogged last (frankly, not had much opportunity over the Christmas / New year period), and this one isn't exactly war and peace, however, just thought I'd share the following couple of websites which, frankly, had me ROTFL (yeah, I don't use these acronyms really, not since leaving the IRC scene a few years ago anyway, but that seemed a perfect excuse).
Both of these sites are about the way that IT, and coding in particular, is represented on both TV and the movies. I've covered this in a previous blog, but these were hilarious.
Both of these sites are about the way that IT, and coding in particular, is represented on both TV and the movies. I've covered this in a previous blog, but these were hilarious.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Forensic Anthropology
Those who have read my blog know that I am a big fan of Angel, for two reasons really. One is that it's got Vampires in it, and I'm a big "Vampiro-fiction" (my term, sounded good at the time!) fan, but also the quality of the writing was second to none, in my opinion, beating Buffy big time.
I am also a big fan of David Boreanaz, so it was with some hope that, about a fortnight ago, I watched the first episode of Bones, starring David Boreanaz as FBI agent Seeley Booth and Emily Deschanel as the forensic anthropologist assigned as his partner. Well, what a superb TV series. I got the
box set and have just (as in, about 20 mins ago) watched all of series 1.
Absolutely brilliant. Now, don't get me wrong, some of the plots require some extreme
"suspension of disbelief" moments, especially in the science of the forensics involved, computer generated holography which sometimes has to be seen to be believed, for example, but get over that, although it doesn't detract in the slightest, and what you end up with is a well-written and gripping hybrid between
CSI, X-Files and Waking the Dead.
The interplay between the cast, especially between Boreanaz and Deschanel, is enthralling, with the supporting roles, Brennan's team and the rest of the FBI, being
almost as important as the leads themselves. Again, the X-Files "will-they-won't-they" tension is built and built, and there's definitely an emotional rollercoaster, not only for the characters, but for the fans as well, with
episodes ranging in subjects as diverse and emotional as childhood cancer,
Iraq war veterans, racism and, of course, murder and suicide.
A stunning series, am now trying to catch up on series 2, currently showing on Sky One.
I am also a big fan of David Boreanaz, so it was with some hope that, about a fortnight ago, I watched the first episode of Bones, starring David Boreanaz as FBI agent Seeley Booth and Emily Deschanel as the forensic anthropologist assigned as his partner. Well, what a superb TV series. I got the
box set and have just (as in, about 20 mins ago) watched all of series 1.
Absolutely brilliant. Now, don't get me wrong, some of the plots require some extreme
"suspension of disbelief" moments, especially in the science of the forensics involved, computer generated holography which sometimes has to be seen to be believed, for example, but get over that, although it doesn't detract in the slightest, and what you end up with is a well-written and gripping hybrid between
CSI, X-Files and Waking the Dead.
The interplay between the cast, especially between Boreanaz and Deschanel, is enthralling, with the supporting roles, Brennan's team and the rest of the FBI, being
almost as important as the leads themselves. Again, the X-Files "will-they-won't-they" tension is built and built, and there's definitely an emotional rollercoaster, not only for the characters, but for the fans as well, with
episodes ranging in subjects as diverse and emotional as childhood cancer,
Iraq war veterans, racism and, of course, murder and suicide.
A stunning series, am now trying to catch up on series 2, currently showing on Sky One.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Shed 2a
I have a mate who's deadpan humour is equalled only by his astounding knowledge of
world history. For example, not many people know the level of detail of the jacobite rebellion, or the Wat Tyler revolt as he, and yet still work in IT (I told him, "forget IT, use your knowledge for good, young paduan, wear plaid and/or corduroy and represent
Fragfest college, Oxbridge on University Challenge", but he ignored me... wise, he is not).
Anyway, when you have a close interaction with people like this, you pick up certain traits and concepts. One of his favourite concepts is cultural osmosis, the idea that you pick up tidbits of information just from living your life in a given culture.
This information is not learnt in the traditional sense, but soaked up like a sponge, just by living. For example, we all have general knowledge, i.e. trivia that we can't seem to identify where we got it from, we just "know it", such as knowing the words to "Maybe Tomorrow" by Terry Bush, and knowing that it comes from the TV series / film, "The Littlest Hobo". You're not sure why you know this, you just do.
As part of my ongoing cultural osmosis, I learnt a very interesting fact today ( and this has been verified by http://www.amazingstoriesthatarealmostcertainlytruewethink.com (well, actually, Bill Bailey's 2001 show "Bewilderness")), and that is that in the 1960s, Buckingham Palace was moved (for "security" reasons) to behind the Authorised Personnel Only door in the little chef on the A1 near Leicester.
In it's place, stands a shed. But, not just any shed, no sir... but a shed with a
holographic cloaking device, allowing it to pass for the real Buck Palace.
MI6 know this shed only as "Shed 2a" (Shed 2b, of course, being the
real Buckingham palace). A further bit of information for those shed-trivia-hungry
blog readers out there, is that the shed is really a Malmesbury 400GL with optional twin gabling.
This will probably stay with me for life. I hope it does for you as well.
world history. For example, not many people know the level of detail of the jacobite rebellion, or the Wat Tyler revolt as he, and yet still work in IT (I told him, "forget IT, use your knowledge for good, young paduan, wear plaid and/or corduroy and represent
Fragfest college, Oxbridge on University Challenge", but he ignored me... wise, he is not).
Anyway, when you have a close interaction with people like this, you pick up certain traits and concepts. One of his favourite concepts is cultural osmosis, the idea that you pick up tidbits of information just from living your life in a given culture.
This information is not learnt in the traditional sense, but soaked up like a sponge, just by living. For example, we all have general knowledge, i.e. trivia that we can't seem to identify where we got it from, we just "know it", such as knowing the words to "Maybe Tomorrow" by Terry Bush, and knowing that it comes from the TV series / film, "The Littlest Hobo". You're not sure why you know this, you just do.
As part of my ongoing cultural osmosis, I learnt a very interesting fact today ( and this has been verified by http://www.amazingstoriesthatarealmostcertainlytruewethink.com (well, actually, Bill Bailey's 2001 show "Bewilderness")), and that is that in the 1960s, Buckingham Palace was moved (for "security" reasons) to behind the Authorised Personnel Only door in the little chef on the A1 near Leicester.
In it's place, stands a shed. But, not just any shed, no sir... but a shed with a
holographic cloaking device, allowing it to pass for the real Buck Palace.
MI6 know this shed only as "Shed 2a" (Shed 2b, of course, being the
real Buckingham palace). A further bit of information for those shed-trivia-hungry
blog readers out there, is that the shed is really a Malmesbury 400GL with optional twin gabling.
This will probably stay with me for life. I hope it does for you as well.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Viruses, closed systems and Bill Bailey.
Well, it's been a while since I last posted, and for that I apologise whole-heartedly, but it's been a bit hectic at home. To say that for the last couple of weeks it's been like a plague-pit in the household would be an understatement. I suppose it's the problem of viral / bacterial infection(s) and closed systems, really. Kids go to nursery / mums and tots group, pick up god knows what, the office has air conditioning and the worse feng shui I can possibly imagine ;-) I think you get the picture.
Anyway, back to the posting. I'm a big fan of most stand-up comedy (with the exception of Jimmy Carr!), my faves being Eddie Izzard and Peter Kay, although I'm partial to Lee Evans and Jack Dee as well. One comic which I never really got into, although I thought he is ace in Buzzcocks, is Bill Bailey. However, all that changed recently with the purchasement of his 1996 Bloomsbury Theatre show on DVD,
Cosmic Jam. What an astonishingly funny show, a combination of "rock opera" ("Insect Nation" : investigating what life would be like if insects ruled the world),
and hilarious cockney music / rock fest (yes, really...). It's not often that I say this, but it was hilarious. It also gave him a great forum for showcasing his cracking skills with both the guitar and the piano, didn't actually realise just how
good he was at both instruments really. The DVD also has a bonus disc of a 2001 show ("Bewilderness"),which I'll watch asap. Highly recommended.....
The other thing I've finished watching, finally, is all five series of Angel. I don't mind saying that this is one american TV series I simply can't get enough of. True enough, there's some weak episodes, but that's going to happen with any long-ish running TV series (yes, even Torchwood... ;-)), but thankfully they're in the minority. The long running story arcs are brilliant scripted and executed (Joss Whedon has to take the credit here), it's gritty, dark, yet witty and it's far enough away from the Sunnydale teen-angst to make it amazingly watchable. I'm just sad that
there's only 5 series, and what's more... no more Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia.....
Anyway, back to the posting. I'm a big fan of most stand-up comedy (with the exception of Jimmy Carr!), my faves being Eddie Izzard and Peter Kay, although I'm partial to Lee Evans and Jack Dee as well. One comic which I never really got into, although I thought he is ace in Buzzcocks, is Bill Bailey. However, all that changed recently with the purchasement of his 1996 Bloomsbury Theatre show on DVD,
Cosmic Jam. What an astonishingly funny show, a combination of "rock opera" ("Insect Nation" : investigating what life would be like if insects ruled the world),
and hilarious cockney music / rock fest (yes, really...). It's not often that I say this, but it was hilarious. It also gave him a great forum for showcasing his cracking skills with both the guitar and the piano, didn't actually realise just how
good he was at both instruments really. The DVD also has a bonus disc of a 2001 show ("Bewilderness"),which I'll watch asap. Highly recommended.....
The other thing I've finished watching, finally, is all five series of Angel. I don't mind saying that this is one american TV series I simply can't get enough of. True enough, there's some weak episodes, but that's going to happen with any long-ish running TV series (yes, even Torchwood... ;-)), but thankfully they're in the minority. The long running story arcs are brilliant scripted and executed (Joss Whedon has to take the credit here), it's gritty, dark, yet witty and it's far enough away from the Sunnydale teen-angst to make it amazingly watchable. I'm just sad that
there's only 5 series, and what's more... no more Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia.....
Friday, October 06, 2006
Nochnoi Dozor
Almost in an effort to prove that vampiric tendencies and the battle between good and evil isn't just confined to Sunnydale or Los Angeles, the acclaimed Russian director, Timur Bekmambetov released Night Watch, a movie adaptation of the russian novel of the same name by Sergey Lukyanenko, and starring, amongst others, the popular russian actor, Konstantin Khabensky.
It is the first in a trilogy, the second in the series released in russian cinemas in early 2006, called Day Watch. However, it has not yet been released in the UK.
The plot goes something like this. Two types of "other" (vampires / shape-shifters etc. etc.) exist, the "lights" and the "darks", and a delicate truce exists between them (and has done for a while, blah blah). This truce is maintained by both the "night watch" and the "day watch", kind of good and bad police forces each ensuring the other side obeys the rules of the truce. However, the most powerful "other" ever conceived is born in Moscow, causing a flurry of activity to try and "recruit" this boy over to which ever side he chooses.
The film follows the exploits of a single member of the "night watch" (i.e. the "lights") as he tries to protect the boy from the various vampires and shape shifters that exist everywhere (as they do in reality of course).
The plot itself is definitely the "see the outcome coming a mile off" kind, but that doesn't detract. It's an excellent film, and one of those foreign films, like Crouching tiger, hidden dragon and House of flying daggers before it, that is better watched (and i've seen both versions now) with subtitles rather than the english language dubbing (unless you can speak fluent Russian of course, but I can't). That's not to say the dubbing is bad, however, it isn't.
All in all, an excellent addition to the vampire DVD collection, one which, I might add, only adds weight to my theory of "increased vampire attractiveness" (which I blogged about earlier), in this film, vampires are definitely stylish.
It is the first in a trilogy, the second in the series released in russian cinemas in early 2006, called Day Watch. However, it has not yet been released in the UK.
The plot goes something like this. Two types of "other" (vampires / shape-shifters etc. etc.) exist, the "lights" and the "darks", and a delicate truce exists between them (and has done for a while, blah blah). This truce is maintained by both the "night watch" and the "day watch", kind of good and bad police forces each ensuring the other side obeys the rules of the truce. However, the most powerful "other" ever conceived is born in Moscow, causing a flurry of activity to try and "recruit" this boy over to which ever side he chooses.
The film follows the exploits of a single member of the "night watch" (i.e. the "lights") as he tries to protect the boy from the various vampires and shape shifters that exist everywhere (as they do in reality of course).
The plot itself is definitely the "see the outcome coming a mile off" kind, but that doesn't detract. It's an excellent film, and one of those foreign films, like Crouching tiger, hidden dragon and House of flying daggers before it, that is better watched (and i've seen both versions now) with subtitles rather than the english language dubbing (unless you can speak fluent Russian of course, but I can't). That's not to say the dubbing is bad, however, it isn't.
All in all, an excellent addition to the vampire DVD collection, one which, I might add, only adds weight to my theory of "increased vampire attractiveness" (which I blogged about earlier), in this film, vampires are definitely stylish.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Beyond Cyberspace (aka Hollywood's interpretation of Computing)
I would like to put it on record that I like The Lawnmower Man, a 1992 film starring Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Fahey. Supposedly based on an original Stephen King short story (although, Stephen King does not recognise this, since he deems it too far away from the original source), the film wasn't actually that bad. Okay, so it suffered from the "Hollywood" idea of computing, i.e. big flashing red and yellow login pages with enormous "ACCESS DENIED" images, but the story itself
did carry it somewhat.
Now, there are many words in the english language but, however, not one of them can truly convey the absolute feeling of despair while watching the sequel, Lawnmower Man II. I think it would be grossly flattering if I called the film an absolutely pile of
horse manure. This incarnation starred Matt Frewer (yes, of Max Headroom fame, and more recently, Eureka) as Jobe (the eponymous "Lawnmower Man"), and Patrick Bergin as the good Doctor Benjamin Trace.
This is the plot (in a nutshell... it almost seems like a waste of blog ASCII going on too much about it) : Set about a minute after Lawnmower Man I, Jobe is resurrected and (again) is improved by Virtual Reality (VR) to be an absolute genius again. Enter Dr Benjamin Trace who invents a pyramidal chip which can (somehow) enable access to any computer system.
The rest is mind-numbingly obvious, blah blah blah... access to all systems, blah blah blah.. The £2.99 I paid at Morrisons for the DVD is about £3 too much.
But, what does fascinate me (and I suppose more so since I work in IT) is the public "face" of computing from a Hollywood point of view. I've come up with the following requirements for whenever a computer system is shown on a blockbuster film, it's always made to these specifications :
Anyone who's even vaguely knowledgeable about computers are usually sat there wondering... "where do I get this software from?".
I'd therefore like to maintain a list of all films have computers which follow these specifications.
Here's some to start us off :
Any more examples of complete computer related hollywood idiocy?
did carry it somewhat.
Now, there are many words in the english language but, however, not one of them can truly convey the absolute feeling of despair while watching the sequel, Lawnmower Man II. I think it would be grossly flattering if I called the film an absolutely pile of
horse manure. This incarnation starred Matt Frewer (yes, of Max Headroom fame, and more recently, Eureka) as Jobe (the eponymous "Lawnmower Man"), and Patrick Bergin as the good Doctor Benjamin Trace.
This is the plot (in a nutshell... it almost seems like a waste of blog ASCII going on too much about it) : Set about a minute after Lawnmower Man I, Jobe is resurrected and (again) is improved by Virtual Reality (VR) to be an absolute genius again. Enter Dr Benjamin Trace who invents a pyramidal chip which can (somehow) enable access to any computer system.
The rest is mind-numbingly obvious, blah blah blah... access to all systems, blah blah blah.. The £2.99 I paid at Morrisons for the DVD is about £3 too much.
But, what does fascinate me (and I suppose more so since I work in IT) is the public "face" of computing from a Hollywood point of view. I've come up with the following requirements for whenever a computer system is shown on a blockbuster film, it's always made to these specifications :
- Login screens have to be in red or yellow with the words "PLEASE LOGIN" in bright green letters.
- Failed login attempts should be met with a bright-red "ACCESS DENIED" page, and always with an accompanying female voice repeating it.
- Once access has been granted (usually at the last possible second), then navigation through the computers "memory" (this term is intentionally kept woolly) should be either by a 3D city-scape, or via geometric shapes which only fit together in one way, thereby unlocking the information in the "file" (again, term kept intentionally vague), or indeed via green random ASCII characters falling down the screen on a black background.
Anyone who's even vaguely knowledgeable about computers are usually sat there wondering... "where do I get this software from?".
I'd therefore like to maintain a list of all films have computers which follow these specifications.
Here's some to start us off :
- Lawnmower Man (I and II)
- Wargames (and all done via acoustic dial up modem as well, cool....)
- Jurassic Park (the classic line, young girl navigating a 3D cityscape trying to find the "file" she's after, quotes the classic line "This is UNIX... I know this!". Honestly, love, you'll have to tell me what flavour of UNIX you're used to!
- Swordfish (ha ha ha, 'nuff said.)
- Matrix (original, "Reloaded" / "Remixed" / "Rejuvenated" (or whatever the hell the sequel's are called. (yes, I do know that they're called "Reloaded" and "Revolutions", I was being facetious)). Yeah, right, Cypher, you can see that text floating down the screen and understand it can you... clever boy.
Any more examples of complete computer related hollywood idiocy?
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