And finally, my third posting in a single morning (surely a 'P.B') concerns the return of Gavin and Stacey imminently on the BBC. The 1st Series of this fantastic comedy followed the lives of Gavin and Stacey - an Essex boy and Welsh lass - charting the evolution of their long-distance relationship, wedding plans and eventual marriage with all the familial tensions along the way.
The characters are bright and endearing and the script is simple yet highly amusing. The comedy is not forced* and allows the narrative to flow easily with intelligent, funny dialogue punctuating the natural progression of their lives throughout.
I haven't seen a date announced for Series 2 yet so seize the opportunity to watch (or recap) on Series 1 before the new installment arrives.
* See comedic crap like Dinnerladies etc where circumstances are inexplicably forced in order to squeeze a gag or two in.
Friday 7 March 2008
Technology over practicality?
I love my car. Common - is such knowledge - among my friends.
It's jam-packed of technological wizardry. Largely unnecessary - but ultimately rewarding. At the weekend, however, a feature of this 'wizardry' became a bloody nuisance!
The computer highlighted that I had lost a significant pressure from a tyre and that I had possibly suffered a puncture. Great! one might think. No. The inordinately expensive tyres are "run-flats" meaning one can continue driving for ~100 miles even with a fully deflated tyre - therefore, none of the tyres exhibitted any physical external signs of deflation and the computer (in all its wisdom) is not sophisticated enough to point a finger at the offending tyre!
A trip to the garage ensued, whereupon the tyres were all re-inflated to their appropriate levels and the computer reset, with the disconcertingly vague instruction that I should "just keep driving on them and see if the warning re-appears". How reassuring.
I'll keep my comprehensive voice activation, active bolster sport seating, bluetooth connectivity, internet connection, Sat-Nav etc. but they can keep their tyre technology - I'll just have a tyre that's either flat or not. Simple.
It's jam-packed of technological wizardry. Largely unnecessary - but ultimately rewarding. At the weekend, however, a feature of this 'wizardry' became a bloody nuisance!
The computer highlighted that I had lost a significant pressure from a tyre and that I had possibly suffered a puncture. Great! one might think. No. The inordinately expensive tyres are "run-flats" meaning one can continue driving for ~100 miles even with a fully deflated tyre - therefore, none of the tyres exhibitted any physical external signs of deflation and the computer (in all its wisdom) is not sophisticated enough to point a finger at the offending tyre!
A trip to the garage ensued, whereupon the tyres were all re-inflated to their appropriate levels and the computer reset, with the disconcertingly vague instruction that I should "just keep driving on them and see if the warning re-appears". How reassuring.
I'll keep my comprehensive voice activation, active bolster sport seating, bluetooth connectivity, internet connection, Sat-Nav etc. but they can keep their tyre technology - I'll just have a tyre that's either flat or not. Simple.
Lars and the real girl
I watched this film last night after reading very mixed reviews and I quite enjoyed it. It was certainly an alternative take on mental health issues; particularly delusion.
The direction achieved a fine balance between comedy (used mainly, I think, as a means of assisting the audience to deal with such unfamiliar behaviour) and sincerity. If you can abandon prejudice and 'common' sense, Lars and the real girl (2007) is very easy to get involved in.
I try hard not to give away too much of a film's story when recommending it, so I simply say - watch it. I'm sure you'll either laugh or cry - and if the note hits the spot: possibly both.
A pleasant and refreshing take, 7.5/10.
The direction achieved a fine balance between comedy (used mainly, I think, as a means of assisting the audience to deal with such unfamiliar behaviour) and sincerity. If you can abandon prejudice and 'common' sense, Lars and the real girl (2007) is very easy to get involved in.
I try hard not to give away too much of a film's story when recommending it, so I simply say - watch it. I'm sure you'll either laugh or cry - and if the note hits the spot: possibly both.
A pleasant and refreshing take, 7.5/10.
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