A really dark film about the rarefied world of the elite ballerina. Using the backdrop of a Swan Lake production, it shows the pressure to succeed, the self sacrifice, the competition and Darwinian nature of the ballet performer.
The dark aspects are truly dark and thought provoking - very unusual for a Hollywood film.
A good performance by Natalie Portman, who must have trained up for the role which is impressive.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Book read: The Algebraist by Iain M Banks
After having read the author was terminally ill, I decided to try and read one of his novels recommended by a work colleague.
So I read "The Algebraist", a good summary is here Banks revels in both the story telling but also the more comedic and logical conclusions of the fantasy world he constructs. The book is very long - and has a plausible plot, but also likes to draw upon absurdity of the everyday lives of the characters.
I'm not sure if I would read another, it definitely felt like a classic novel though - and deserves a place in the top 100 science fiction novels.
So I read "The Algebraist", a good summary is here Banks revels in both the story telling but also the more comedic and logical conclusions of the fantasy world he constructs. The book is very long - and has a plausible plot, but also likes to draw upon absurdity of the everyday lives of the characters.
I'm not sure if I would read another, it definitely felt like a classic novel though - and deserves a place in the top 100 science fiction novels.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Film: Female Agents directed by Jean-Paul Salomé
A film based on historical events of a special operation to rescue a captured British geologist from France shortly before the D-Day landings.
The rescue happens very early in the film, and with the remainder being devoted to the assassination attempt on the SS guard who is close to working out the methods and location of the landing - essentially the discovery that temporary harbours were to be used.
A good film and account - slightly non descriptive title that makes it sound more plain a film than it turns out to be.
The rescue happens very early in the film, and with the remainder being devoted to the assassination attempt on the SS guard who is close to working out the methods and location of the landing - essentially the discovery that temporary harbours were to be used.
A good film and account - slightly non descriptive title that makes it sound more plain a film than it turns out to be.
Book read: My Steve by Terri Irwin
I read this book while I was in Brisbane, the day before I visited Australia Zoo. It is a very heart warming series of anecdotes about Steve Irwin - and puts his life and achievements into perspective as well as describing more about the man behind the name.
He died tragically young but the book gives you the indication that he thought his time was limited, so made the most of the time he had.
He died tragically young but the book gives you the indication that he thought his time was limited, so made the most of the time he had.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Saturn V Rocket
Interesting article about NASA going back to the designs of the F1 rocket:
http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/04/how-nasa-brought-the-monstrous-f-1-moon-rocket-back-to-life/
http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/04/how-nasa-brought-the-monstrous-f-1-moon-rocket-back-to-life/
Monday, March 11, 2013
Australia visit - Sydney
My big holiday of all time was to visit Australia this year. It was only a few weeks after Malaysia.
The flight out was overnight leaving Heathrow at 9:30 pm on an A380. It was a long flight to Singapore, but being able to sleep was a benefit. March 2013 was the last month that Qantas were doing this route, after that it would be a stop over in Dubai - so it felt like the end of a long haul era.
Landing in Singapore, with just a one hour stop over before rejoining for another 8 hours on top of the 12 already flown. Landing in Sydney on Monday 07:30 am. It took a while to get through immigration, and out to a taxi to the hotel at Surry Hills arriving at around 11 am.
We stayed at a boutique hotel, and the first day was taken with catching up on some sleep - only venturing out in the evening to get some food.
Tuesday:
Visited the Opera house for a tour and walked around the Circular Quay
Wednesday:
Visited Manly and walked along the beaches.
Thursday:
China town, Natural history museum
Friday:
Sea life, and Australia museum
Saturday
Shopping and walked through the Quay area
Sunday
The flight out was overnight leaving Heathrow at 9:30 pm on an A380. It was a long flight to Singapore, but being able to sleep was a benefit. March 2013 was the last month that Qantas were doing this route, after that it would be a stop over in Dubai - so it felt like the end of a long haul era.
Landing in Singapore, with just a one hour stop over before rejoining for another 8 hours on top of the 12 already flown. Landing in Sydney on Monday 07:30 am. It took a while to get through immigration, and out to a taxi to the hotel at Surry Hills arriving at around 11 am.
We stayed at a boutique hotel, and the first day was taken with catching up on some sleep - only venturing out in the evening to get some food.
Tuesday:
Visited the Opera house for a tour and walked around the Circular Quay
Wednesday:
Visited Manly and walked along the beaches.
Thursday:
China town, Natural history museum
Friday:
Sea life, and Australia museum
Saturday
Shopping and walked through the Quay area
Sunday
Saturday, March 9, 2013
World Extents (3)
My Australia trip ran from 9 to 27 March, and once again my world extents were drastically extended. My new list reads:
- North - Northampton UK
- East -Brisbane Australia
- South - Sydney Australia
- West - St Austell UK
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