The One Where Biffy Nailed It. On A Little Screen.

Tonight I watched a Biffy concert.

Live.

On my iphone. Through the ITunes Festival App.

Technology is a bit cool, sometimes, isn't it?

New single August 23rd.



Beautiful.

The One Where Even When We Won, We Lost

I was thinking t'other day... It's mental United haven't won the Champions League more.

The times we have, were two of the greatest nights of my life... but sometimes it's the nights you go out, you remember the most.

The One Where I Think The Rolling Stones Have Always Been The Soundtrack To My Life

I picked up Shine A Light on a 2 for £12 at  Blockbusters. I got it with Nine, for Mrs T. I'm glad one was a success.I can't claim to be a huge Rolling Stones fan. If nothing else because @DiaryOfALedger reads the Blog, and would call me on it.

What I can claim, though, is to have grown up with their music.

And there is a reason for that.

The One Where I *Finally* Get Bill And Teds...

What do you mean, you're bored of Inception Parody trailers??

FFS.

The One Where ET Finally Gets To Meet Buzz Buzz

I remember my first ever trip to the cinema... I hope Ethan does too...

The One Where *You* Decided

And the winner was....

Close call, though. Cheers for voting. We had fun with that.

Review up tomorrow.



Until then...

Oh damn. Not a great last image to see. Cheers Google.

The One Where I Run To The Garden With A Toy Hammer, And Try To Be THOR

O. M. G.

The One With Mild Spoilers If You Can Work Out WTF Is Going On!

So that should be a lot clearer, Dad... Yes?

The One Where It's My First Birthday

I HEART LOVE FILM


Especially after they gave me a rental for my one year anniversary today!

But what did I get this week...? Here's a clue...

The One Where I Rediscover "AT Reads Film..."

It's been a while since I've done an "AT Reads Film... So You Don't Have Too".

I don't know why.

But I've seen a couple of cool things, worth grouping together...



Not so much, "Wow" - just really cool. And no doubt adding more levels to the film, for me. I saw it on Chud, which is a cool, cool site.

The One Where Titans Clash

I suppose in many ways my cinema review of Clash prompted this very Blog.

I wrote, and still do on a Monday, on GCs Blog. There, I had this to say... http://diaryofaledger.blogspot.com/2010/04/clash-of-titans-review-by.html


And, in seeing the Blu Ray, I stand by every word.

The One Where Three Is The Magic Number

Well, that was nice.



Toy Story 3 wraps up a trilogy that I really feel part of. I feel like I've grown up with the characters, and if the fat cats in Hollywood can stay away, it's the perfect closing act.



So, I thought I'd throw it out there.

The One Where The Avengers Assemble

You don't ditch Ed Norton. Ever. That would be like United saying Rooney can leave, because he's "not a Team Player".

However, there were options to replace him as Hulk.

Jaoquin Phoenix was my fave. Especially at it seems he's not really head mental... and was just pretending to be...

Adrien Brody was another. After seeing him in Predators, I thought that was a good shout.

Then... then, they started mentioning Mark Ruffalo. The guys a dude. I love him in everything I've seen him in. Zodiac and Shutter Island though? Well they were special.

Throw in Jeremy Renner who was robbed at the Oscars this year, for Hurt Locker... and in the words of Ari Gold... *BOOM*

Avengers Assemble!

Personally though? I like to think Ed Norton got sacked for this...

The One Where We Got Routed. Again.

"Why Do We Fall, Master Wayne? It's So We Know How To Get Back Up"

The One Where You Decide (In BB Voice)

VERSUS

A few weeks ago everyone wrote about twitter. Even the tea lady. To be fair, I didn't, because I had fallen out of love with it. Or "lost my MoJo", as @diaryofaledger would say.

So I tried something.

The One Where Machete Uses Intestines As A Rope

"It's The Part I Was Born To Play, Baby!"

I make no apologies for this being the third post of the day. 

Seriously.... This is in danger of being cooler then Expendables. There. I said it.

The One Where Mad Mel Can Carry A Tune

"Hey, sugar tits"



Look... don't misconstrue this as Mel hatred. I love him. He clearly has issues.

But.

And it's a big but...

Would it be wrong to rush Lethal Weapons 5 into production, going full circle, will Mel as Riggs again... suicidal. Gun and whiskey in hand, Ala the first one... you know, before they all went wrong?

And Mad Max... By all means hand it to Tom Hardy. The guys a dude... but surely there's space for Mad Mel?

Make it happen, Hollywood.

The One Where Two Legends Make A Film... Just For Me

"Can You Guarantee My Safety?"



Lets not give up on 2010 just yet...

The One Where Flash And I Saw Toy Story 3

I know Toy Story and Toy Story back to front, word for word. The Blu Rays for Ethan may have been our smartest ever purchase for him.

JMcG and I checked it out last night. To see if it was to scary for him - as we plan to go next week. And to test the 3-D.

Here's the verdict...

The One Where I Just Want Another Bond Movie Already

I've kept fairly quiet on the whole Bond thing.

I have great memories of seeing both Living Daylights, and Goldeneye "re-launch" Bond, with my Dad - as well as shocking memories of my Dad seeing Licence to Kill, with out me, because it was a 15. :'-(

The One Where I Liked Mrs Ts Love Film More Than She Did

"This Is Why Superman Works Alone"


I HEART LOVE FILM

I bet I've vouched for George Clooney longer than you have. From Dusk Til Dawn was my first 18 at the cinema. I thought he was a great call for Batman. Solaris is one of the most underrated films of the last ten years. So this, (^), this I'd been looking forward too, for a while. And...

The One Where I Revisit 12 Monkeys

Back To The Future - Retro-Respective Review: 12 Monkeys.

"5 Billion People Will Die In 1997..."

So far as opening lines go, that's quite punch, isn't it?

@ChestyMorgan has been kind enough to read recently, and requested something on Terry Gilliam.

'Bless me dark father for I have sinned' by @diaryofaledger

Possibly the only album I ever bought purely on the basis of the cover From Here to Infirmary stands as one of my best impulse purchases ever.  Yeah it's balls out rock, but lyrically this is one of my favourite albums ever, the wry humour and story telling conjuring images of a washed up has been in a dirty, dark America.

The One Where I Fall In Love With Chris Nolan

So over on Grays splendid site, tonight I praise Nolan.

Oh get over it. It was him or Leo!

The One Where I Try And Get Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks, eh?

The One Where I Think Joseph Gordon-Levitt May Be The Epitome Of Cool

Every once in a while, your girlfriend/wife make you watch a Rom-Com.

Every once in a while, you enjoy one more than her.

The One Where You Just Have To Laugh At Football

Haha. Calm down, calm down Liverpool fans... you'll like the next one.

The One Where We Review Inception

I'm as guilty as anyone for hyping this film up. I trust Chris Nolan, though. See Diary of a Ledger Monday, for more on that. He doesn't seem to think like others. He crafts a story, and tries to be unique in the way he tells it - fully aware there may not be any truly unique ideas left in the world.

The Ledgers went to see Inception last night. Gray will review it, so hit the link above for that. Cheese? Who knows. It may be the sort of thing that pulls him out of self imposed retirement. Below, though, as a trial, is JMcG and my opinions.

Literally cut and pasted from a FB chat. Unedited, so apologies for any naughty language. But Inception is the sort of film that makes your jaw drop, and your mind melt - all the while thinking... Holy shit. They actually did it.

The One Where The Wait Is Over

The One Where ET Makes 4 Hours In A Ball Park Fly By

ET masters Platoon, for @SoulsTheGoal, first time of trying

The One Where I'm Outed

This post is (finally) dedicated to Mrs H!

The One Where I Wonder If A Prophet Is All That

I HEART LOVE FILM

I love Gangster films. Love them. The British ones that got churned out in the 90's tested my patience, but... the under belly of crime. Life on the streets? Gun running. Love it.

A Prophet was delivered to me, on the promise of being one of the best gangster films ever. EVER. That's a big word.

The One With "Good For You!"

Disclaimer: I do not approve of bullying, punching women, or Racists.

The One Where Even I Think It's A Bad Idea!

The One Where I Don't Think I Need To Sell It, Anymore

"Victory!" - Johnny Drama



Nice.

The One Where I Wonder If A Bluey Can Look Too Good

Can a Film look too restored? Can you tweak it too much? Am I really so old that films of my childhood are included in such debates?

The One Where JC Rises Again...

I've written a little something on Grays site. Go look. It's about the movie event of the year...

I'll give you a clue...

The One Where It's All Over

It's been a strange World Cup. I can't say I haven't enjoyed it. I have. I've loved the fact my rota has allowed me to see almost every minute. I just feel quite distanced from it all.

My thoughts on England are well documented. My thoughts on the pressure put on Rooney - and how he was a scapegoat for under performing. My thoughts on, despite trying, not being able to galvanise support for the likes of Stevie Me or JT.

I've watched from the sidelines, and taken it all in.

So, what are the highlights?

The One Where Flash Puts Finger To Mac Keyboard

Contrary to popular belief, I didn't hold a gun to his head, and make him write. Flash had used an Unlimited pass for a while, and I caved and got one. If I go twice a month, I'll get my monies worth. Then Flash had the idea of writing an alternate review for whatever we saw. We have a few ideas... One would be one person writing the review, then the other writing there's around it... questioning it, or agreeing... and writing it like a conversation. Another, is writing both reviews like a court room scene, where I accuse the film of something, and Flash gives the counter argument, then you guys can decide if the film is guilty or not.  And so... Ladies (and Gents), I give you... JMcG, and his take on Predators... I had been looking forward to Predators since it was first announced. However as AT and I sat in the cinema bar having a pre-film beer last night, he hit me with it - early reviews were mixed; some saying it was average at best. I was slightly concerned. I needn't had been.... As soon as THAT Alan Silvestri score kicked in and the title filled the big screen, my concerns began to fade away. This, after all, was a Robert Rodriguez labour of love (he wrote the original treatment of the script in 1994) and there was no way he was going to produce an average (at best) Predator film. The film is a direct sequel to the original Schwarzenegger classic. It completely ignores Predator 2 and the AVP films (thank god). The haters will say it is just an inferior re-hash, simply updated and with a few new plot devices. I can't really argue with that, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. The jungle setting is back, albeit a jungle with a twist, and the the action and gore levels are plentiful. The cast is solid (even Laurence Fishburne's off-beat turn which garnered harsh criticism) with Adrien Brody making a more than competent action star. He has clearly taken his new found persona seriously, bulking up massively, and his intense portrayal of Royce is what drives the story on. AT has since issued me a 'Brody body challenge'. Watch this space. Predators is not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination and there are some minor niggles. Some of the effects looked a little ropey at times and there is a plot twist in the final act which didn't really serve the story in any meaningful way. Those minor niggles aside however, I thoroughly enjoyed Predators. There is enough fun dumb action here to satisfy the average film fan and enough nods to the original to satisfy the fan boys like myself. **** AT and I both liked Predators so this is probably not the best way to start an alternative review section, however I'm hoping we will have some disagreements down the line and each get the chance to fight our corner. What's that you say? Wolfman? Next time baby.... Cheers matey. My review is here, next time they will be posted together. I hope you're not Predatored out... I have to tell you about the new Blu ray of the original, soon. Say... Tuesday?

The One Where Keegan Lost It

"I Will Love It"

I was thinking of this, the other day.

Sky announced the other day that United will play Newcastle on the first Monday Night Football of the Season. Exciting. Not nearly as much as the prospect of watching it with Russ, a.k.a Geordie, though.

Perfect time to come down, mate... if you're brave enough...? (Fair play, he has confirmed he IS brave enough... maybe it was the signing of the mighty Perch?)



Centre Parcs. We couldn't find a pub with it on. So we listened on the radio. Then... the next day, strolling through The Plaza.... a sign. From last night. Footy had been on. FFS.

Lets cheers ourselves up, eh?



It's other worldy, isn't it? Put Keegan into YouTube. It's the first vid. None of his goals. Not him leaving the pitch on a chopper. That makes me happy. I'm not sure there is a better example of someone losing it, live on TV. Not losing his rag, but literally looking like he has lost the plot.

When you think of the Managaers who have suffered with illness, especially heart related... isn't this an example of why they should look to protect more managers?

Keegan bottled it for England too, but what the ordinary fan doesn't always consider is the pressure. Itmust be immense. Look at Newcastle now. How different would it have been if Eric hadn't (beautifully) tucked that chance away.

Thoughts like that, and yes, united fans have them too, are why we love the game... Yes?

Lets leave it there with an alternate reality...

The One Where Roni Gets A Single White Female

If Footballers putting up with this, wasn't enough...



They get this too. No pressure. Get it wrong, and Pauley gets it.

Seriously though, what else does he know, eh?

I'll scribble down my World Cup thoughts, and post them after the Tournament. How do you get motivated for a 3rd Place Play Off, though?

GC said, if England get there, I'm not watching. I kind of agree.

The One Where E.T Wants To Phone Home

"It Could Be Worse... My Nose Could Be Gushing Blood"



Ethan has been really cute today. Mrs T has abandoned our Son, and he seems to be old enough to "get" that.

So...

The One Where The Blog Gains Another Ledger

BREAKING NEWS: JMcG, AKA Flash,  AKA Vincent Chase has signed on to Diary Of A Maverick Ledger. As part of me enduring Rom-Coms with him, outside of Blockbuster Season, he will write an alternative review, for whatever film we review. If nothing else, this guarantees more chicks will read the site. In other news... Flash has also accepted my challenge of getting a Brody Body. It's like a race. And I regret it immediately.

The One Where I Worried Predators Would Be AVP All Over Again

"Get To The Choppa!"

Predator. I remember my Uncle staying over, and him, Mum and dad renting it. I remember dad owning it on video. I remember him trying to let me see it, but getting it wrong. ("Dillon, You Son Of A Bitch", and also the skinned bodies in the trees... oops). Loved it. It was a classic of my time, growing up. On a par with Die Hard, even. We talked in school about how high everyone flew, in the camp raid. High. Very high.

The One Where The Ledgers Get Entouraged

"Call Me Jim"

OK, OK. I'm late to the party. Very late. BUT.... Whenever this happens, (recent examples include Kings of Leon, Biffy, and others), I end up becoming the biggest fan of all.

With Biffy, the official Ledger band, I found albums and tracks no one else had. With Kings of Leon, I got into them, just as the masses started to turn on them. And there's two points of interest for me, there.

The One Where I Rant At Sony For Making Me Wait...

"I Love It Because You Got It For Me... But The Truth Is... It's One Awful Tie"

I love my PS3. I really do. Sony winning the HD war forced my hand,  and I've not been back to the XBox in any meaningful way since.

That said, Sony frustrate the hell out of me. The PSN side of things, despite tweaks is a quarter of what it could be. Both aesthetically, and in a navigation sense.

I read game sites. Daily. I also read the plentiful game mags Gray gets - but PSN+ seemed to pass me by. Sony Boy (aka Gray) got it immediately. I was tempted. It's £40 for one years access, with Little Big Planet thrown in.

Hmmm... Then I thought, hold fire.

The One With The Star Wars HD War, And 3-D Telly Boxes

"Blu Ray Has 50g Of Storage... It's Too Dangerous"

So, with a little help from a geek on Audio, I have my Elite up and running. As a gaming machine, it offers me loads of options. But crucially, I have a HDDVD player, and shed loads of movies. With them, I don't need to re-buy them on Blu. Many of them, Transformers included, are widely regarded to look better anyway.

"You're A Slacker"

The One Where It's Finally Happening...


That, plus this = Heaven.



FINALLY!!!

"You're Being The Biggest Penis Ever"

The One Where I Still Want One





Haha. Cheers to @Moyesiah and @Rockonstratos for bringing this to my attention.

I still want one though. I need it. Haha.

"...It's The Ginger One"

The One Where You Can't Bottle Lightning (Twice)


I HEART LOVE FILM

I do still love Love Film.... I just find it a bit frustrating. I have ten odd films on my list, state what is my next three most wanted, and they send me my fourth.

Their pricing policy is genius, too. We get four a month, and it's... just... not... enough.

I'll keep it going though. It's cost me money, but saved me loads. I would have picked 44 Inch Chest on a pre-owned before. And, despite some fine acting, I would have regretted it.

"These Streets Used to Look Big, This Town Used to Look Like a City" by @diaryofaledger

'Your mission drive is to open up my eyes to the wicked lies and all the shite you say....' ahhhh The Stuffies, briefly the darlings of indie pop before self combustion and an average fourth album caused a premature split and Miles Hunt to try his hand at being an MTV presenter.  Not the best decision in the world Miles, but never mind, your band left us this.

"I'm Going To Fight For You, Until Your Heart Stops Beating"

The One Where I Don't Apologise For Liking Twilight

Everyone knows the real story of the weekend, and it wasn't Twilight breaking records... it was THIS!

Bring. It. On.

So... Twilight. 2/10 reviews. Worse film ever. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.

"One Thing Will Not Change... We Will Go Out To Win"

The One Where I'm Over England

Thankfully the press reaction this time hasn't focused on Wayne, like they were threatening too. Maybe they realised he would take it out on everyone on the pitch, this season?

I'll never forget '98, though. Probably *the* deciding moment for me, in the Club v Country debate.

What happened after '98 was inexcusable. Even more bizarre that most are lauding him as some sort of Ambassador after his performances in a sharp suit, on the bench. More passion than anyone on the pitch. Our Captain, and Wayne, included.

I'll watch Argentina v Germany around Flashes Saturday. England off my mind. Moments like this, make me kind of glad.

But, like all Hollywood movies... Becks had a happy ending.

"There Are Some Fish That Cannot Be Caught"

The One Where Tom Hanks Hijacks Daddy Day Care

The day started with some of my finest ever Doodle Buddies.