The collected works of ScottyB

Watched Alexander on Saturday afternoon.

I’ve been meaning to watch this one for quite some time - regardless of terrible reviews and the critics tearing it apart for any timeline sequencing error and lack of historical factuality. With a cast including Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins, Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson, and Christopher Plummer though, I had to give this one a chance.

Unbeknownst to be before today, there are three versions of the film - an ‘Revisited’ cut, at a whopping 220 minutes, a major theatrical release version of 175 minutes and the ‘Directors Cut’ at a still lengthy 167 minutes. The latter of which I managed to procure from the local video rental shop.

I’m not sure which of these versions the critics have watched, but the comments about it being too drawn-out or boring - don’t seem appropriate, at least not to me. The visionary was quite Epic and put some of the much more popular flicks like ‘Troy’ to shame. The scenes from Babylon were just magnificent.

Even the scenes that were more ‘political’ or any of the numerous flashbacks had significant bearing to the film as a whole. I thought all was necessary to completely wrap up the tale - and to support the weight on the shoulders of all who were caught up in Alexander’s dream.

It is a tremendous story, played out fantastically by all of the actors involved. While it may not be historically accurate, its hard to argue that as being a pride point for any of these historic flicks… I feel they are to be watched for the epic battles and content.

After reading some of the comments on IMDB, it sounds like I should really try and view the full ‘Revisited’ version before coming to a complete conclusion though.

Regardless, an amazing watch - much enjoyed film.

Link: Alexander at IMDB
Link: Alexander at Dark Horizons

I’ve really, really missed my camera this weekend.

Kate and I went back to Glenrock Lagoon yesterday (Sunday) and decided to do the complete walk from the carpark through to the Lagoon (and beach).

It was a fantastic weekend, the weather was just sensational - not a cloud in the sky - just warm enough for shorts when walking and nice cool, comfortable nights.

After a massive brekky of scrambled eggs, loads of bacon and toast at Bill’s bakery, overlooking the Lake, we embarked on our voyage.

The first thing we noticed - apart from the abundance of people - man, woman and child that decided to come out with us on such a wonderful day - was the destruction caused to the forest trail by the Pasha storm in early June.

I’ve done the Glenrock walk a few times now, but the path was almost unrecognisable in places. Some of the man-made bridges had collapsed, others were crushed by fallen trees. Some washed away, bits and pieces of them hanging ominously over newly-created stormwater chasms - carved through the mountain-side like skeletal backbones of dirt and stone.

Trees covered the path in areas - diverting the flow of people, or severely slowing us all down! Forcing us to jump, crawl and shimmy over and under logs and branches.

Kate soon realised it was not a good time to be wearing a short skirt.

We soldiered on even when some had decided to turn back. The promise of rest spurring us on, despite people walking in the other direction telling us ‘That was the easy part’.. or other similarly deflating ideals.

Eventually we reached the sand. The sight of the Lagoon and the beach was a welcome change from the close forest, fallen branches and humidity. We retired to the shade behind some crumbling rocks and rested a while.

The walk back seemed shorter, faster - but definitely no less taxing - the downhill walk to the Lagoon is easy. And the steps you don’t even count on the way down become countless on the way back up.

The feel of the car seat was a welcome sensation - as was the taste of a nice Cadbury Picnic bar and some cool, fresh water when we arrived at the servo a few minutes later.

I missed the camera yesterday. Being able to stop, take in a scene, capture it for later. Catch a glimpse of the Ocean through the tree-tops, the moss on a fallen log, the vines engulfing an age-old towering tree. All resigned to the files of my imagination, rather than my computer.

Must get a new cammy soon..

Looks like he’s getting a Marvel movie too…

Marvel Studios is setting Matthew Vaughn to direct “Thor,” based on the Marvel Comics character. Marvel is aiming for a pre-strike production start this winter.

Mark Protosevich (”I Am Legend”) did the adaptation of the comicbook franchise that launched in 1962. Thor is a blonde-tressed, hammer-wielding hero who’s sent to Earth to protect mankind.

Vaughn’s deal is closing just as Paramount releases the Vaughn-directed “Stardust” today. The Neil Gaiman novel adaptation stars Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.

“Thor” marks Vaughn’s second effort at a superhero pic. He was attached to direct “X-Men 3″ before bowing out for personal reasons. Vaughn, who produced the Guy Ritchie-directed films “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch,” made his directing debut with the Daniel Craig starrer “Layer Cake.”

Marvel Studios will likely finance “Thor” using its $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch. Marvel has used that fund to finance both Edward Norton starrer “The Incredible Hulk,” which Universal releases June 13, and “Iron Man,” the Robert Downey Jr. starrer that Paramount will open on May 2.

I must admit to never really following the Thor series - comics when I was younger was a keen interest in X-Men, or Spider-Man. And I guess this was largely because as the ‘mainstream’ Marvel stuff, they had their own TV shows. Watching them avidly on CheezTV in the mornings was a prerequisite. Then you’d go to school and try to draw the characters in your ‘free-time’.

Thor was really one of the more ‘niche’ comics to me. I didn’t hear about him for many years after - and it was only recently, when I started playing Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, that I thought ‘Holy crap. Thor is cool’.

So the news of a movie based on the mighty Asgardian, Mjolnir wielding, lightning charged character can only be a good thing. Some awesome Marvel movie prospects on the horizon..

Fingers crossed for something with Deadpool

Link: Variety.com: Thor

Blog, blog, wonderful blog. Wherefore were’t thine blog?

Vanished into the dark limbo realm of downtime-space.

While the decision as to its future was made by the powers-that-be, the Lord Blogsith, unable to update, I ventured out into the cold real world and had myself a quite enjoyable weekend.

Still, it’s good to have you back.