Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and All the best for 2012 everybody!

I can't believe another year has gone, but let's hope this year is a better and more peaceful one or is that asking too much?

So let's recap last year briefly shall we?
Okay, so Bin Laden was killed as was Colonel Gaddafi. London rioted over several things and started a new trend is retail shopping.
The British government, fuel and energy providers, local councils shafted us all by continuing raise bills, cut services and tell the public sector workers they'll be working for longer but receiving less pension.

Prince William got married to Kate, Prince Philip spent Christmas in hospital after under going heart surgery.
US pulled its troops out of Iraq, Kim Jong-Il died leaving his son in charge who recently told the world nothing is going to change.
Egypt and Libya joined other countries and removed their government from power after having enough of their crap. While finally Iran is accused of creating nuclear weapons by the West, but is preparing hold talks with everyone to clear the mess up.

As for Hollywood, there were plenty of remakes, sequels and new original movies kicking ass at the box office including Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Paul and The Inbetweeners Movie.

TV didn't escape is share of problems with Charlie Sheen being sacked from Two and a Half Men over his comments about the show's producer.
UK X-Factor had its fair share of controversy with accusations of vote rigging being thrown about after Amelia Lily's winning song hit the shelves before the winner was officially announced. However, Amelia came third and Little Mix won just to prove that there was no rigging of the votes what-so-ever - just tactics to prove the public wrong.
Ricky Gervais presented the Golden Globes for the second time which raised a few eyebrows and complaints over his comments. Its good to hear he's presenting it for a third time this year.

Then we lost a few great celebrities over the year such as Pete Postlethwaite, Liz Taylor, Susanna York and composer John Barry to name a few.

So let's hope this year is better and those who predict the end of the world will take place this year are wrong!

All the best people! :-)

IS Hollywood Running on Empty?

Ghostbusters getting a re-release at Theatres

What is going with Hollywood?
It seems that remakes are hot off the production table along with 3D re-releases of classics.
But what's the deal with all these remakes and re-releases? Are the film studios taking less risks with new talent because of the current financial situation?
Maybe, but if you're a talented writer trying to sell your kick-ass script to a Hollywood studio, you must pretty frustrated right now seeing studios pump money into re-releasing classics such as Ghostbusters and Jurrasic Park at cinemas as well as commissioning remakes of films that have just to say reached their tenth anniversary such as Spiderman.

Spiderman is prime example of an un-neccessary remake as it seems Sony have decided that the Toby Maguire adventures weren't good enough, even though the first was a box-office smash. They've decided to start all over with them and pretty much re-film the first original film with a different cast.

The Fantastic Four movies are another set that have fallen foul to a remake even though Fox have admitted that both films were a box-office success. They've decided to reboot the franchise within six years of the first film's release.

The other trend which has hit the big-screen is 3D. Yeah, 3D has come a long way since the old red and blue lensed specs we used to get and I can see why so many studios are opting to film in 3D as it is awesome when it works.
However, I was under the impression that 3D films only worked when they were filmed using 3D lens? But it seems that studios are re-releasing non-3D films from years ago in 3D.

Lucas is planning to cash in some more on the Star Wars saga by re-releasing all six movies in 3D in 2012, and Paramount also plan to re-release Top Gun in 3D.

In my opinion, it seems Hollywood is running out of ideas and trying to cash in on the old instead of cashing in on the new and as a film fan I'm becoming very bored of re-releases and remakes.
It seems that Hollywood need to regrow a pair and start making new and daring films from new talent that are trying hard to get into the industry.

Go Hollywood take a risk... I dare you!

Time For Action!

Well, the economy is getting worse. America has less money than Apple Inc., and the British arrogant morons government have decided to take more money out of our pockets (money I wish to add a lot of us have very little of) by asking workers to pay around £100 a month extra into their pensions and get less when they retire. Seems fair doesn't it?

They've also noticed that nobody is really spending and things are getting worse. No shit Sherlock!

Oil companies and energy suppliers have announced billions in profit. Well good for them they deserve it. Like hell they do!

Its greedy companies like these along with our greedy government who are pushing the economy back into a recession. Well, when I say back into one, did we really come out of one?

Now the government are scratching the knob on their heads to think of another money making plan they can put together which will plummet the country further into the recession and leave us with less money that we cannot afford to part with.

What they should be doing is actually listen to the public and company directors who are all struggling and ask them what should they be doing to help. Yeah, yeah, yeah as if that will ever happen. Its been decades since a government actually listened to the people and followed up their promises, but if they did take notice to what we had to say then slowly the country will walk clear of the recession and the economy will begin grow again. Companies would be saved, people will be solvent again instead of worrying whether or not they'll have a roof over their heads in six months time and food on the table.

It seriously annoys me when the likes of BP are boasting of the profits they're making and is it a wonder why when fuel prices are so high?

If you're making so much money and boasting about it, how about you drop the bloody price of fuel and I don't mean by a penny like the government did in March thinking they were doing us a favour. You can afford to do it, but you choose not to because of greed.

In March, the government claimed they couldn't get rid of fuel duty or VAT on fuel because it would take years to process all the paperwork. Utter rubbish! They don't want to get rid of it because it would leave a big gap in their pockets - Greed!

The only way we are going to get out of this recession and build the economy back up again is to get us to spending again. How? Lower VAT from 20% down to 12%, this will make food, appliances, etc cheaper to buy again. Cut the cost of fuel down to below a £1 a litre, this will make fuel more affordable to the average family household so they can afford to go out on day trips again without worrying about how many miles they do. It will also help companies to keep their fleet of vehicles on the road and improve services. Wait a minute! If people start to go out more, they might begin to spend more. Yes they will because they'll be able to afford to! Can you start to see a pattern forming here? Shame the government can't! Cap the cost of gas and electric supplies. The recent 19% rise is unacceptable, that is pure greed from the companies who are now boasting of high profits, yet they feel the need to up their prices? Stop companies offering payday loans or force them to lower the APR down to a reasonable rate such as 19% instead of 1200%.

Already I've presented just a handful of solutions, solutions that realistic and would help the economy greatly, but it will never happen as greed will always win. 

This country seriously needs to stand up for itself and show the government enough is enough.

The only people who are getting rich are those who are taking from the poor. The government are talking from their arse when they say there's nothing more it can do to help. There is a hell of a lot they can do, they choose not to because they will begin to lose out.

Something seriously needs to be done and soon, otherwise this country will get to the point of no return and the economy will take decades to recover, especially as there are so many selfish, greedy people out there.

Butterkist and King Cones

My blog has bugger all to do with the title I just couldn't think of anything to call it.
Anyhow, hope your all well. I thought I should write something as I've not done so since March, but it has been a busy couple of months for me.

In March, I was hired to help re-write a script for a play which was due to be performed in May. So for a month I worked closely with the show's director and we managed to pull off a miracle. The show 'What the Window Cleaner Saw!' toured the part's to the UK and was an overall success. So much so that the company behind it - Northeast Producers have extended the tour, which is nice.

While that was going on, I've busy working on the series 'Solid Venom' which is being produced by Danish production company 'Skumfidus Film'.

I finished writing the first season earlier this year, with the series in pre-production stage as casting and everything else is currently being organised.

I've been asked to direct the series, but I'm only prepared to direct one or two of the episodes, which they seem happy with.

Although I had nice surprise to be sent some examples of the graphic novel to Solid Venom which is currently in production. The artwork is superb and I'm excited to see something of mine in this form.
I don't know when it'll be finished or when its due to go on sale so I'll have to keep you informed with that one as soon as I know.

As for the film I was shooting last year - 'Christian', that is to be re-shot and I'm currently rewriting the script as its now going to continue on from the Solid Venom series.

Continuing on with the writing theme, I've also began writing a new comedy sci-fi series called 'Some Kind of Heroes'. I'm not allowed to give too much away at present until the scripts have been approved, but I'm quite excited about this one.

Anyhow time to chew the fat.

One subject that I know is on everyone's mind in the UK is the price of petrol.
I'm sorry but why is it so frigging expensive again? Mmm, wait... its because we've got a greedy Government!

Okay, yeah I know that the price of Crude Oil and the Dollar has something to do with it too, but its still not an excuse to have it so expensive in the UK compared with mainland Europe.

In France the cost of Unleaded is £1.10 a litre and Diesel is 94p a litre.

So why is it £1.34 for Unleaded and £1.40 for Diesel in the UK??? Why is Diesel so more expensive in the UK that mainland Europe? There is no excuses of it other than its filling the fat-arsed MP's pockets that's all.

This country is on its arse financially, yet our Government feel need to bail out every other country from their financial problems including the banks and its us, the taxpayer that get's the bill for it all. But do we get any financial help to help us pay for everyday things? No! Has our wages increased? No!

In my opinion, if the country wants to get out of this financial struggle, then lower the cost of everything to get people spending again. Without us spending, the financial problem isn't going to get better.
How is the rise in VAT and fuel bills amongst other things helping the economy? It isn't! Who are the ones benefiting from these rises? I'll give you a clue - it isn't us.

Our shitty useless Government need to take a step back and stop thinking about themselves and start thinking about those who put them in power, before we start to see rioting on the streets and our Government being overthrown because its citizens have had enough.

Seriously, sort it!

That's all I've got to say about that! ;-)

Underrated Movies

I was sat thinking the other day on the amount of films that are seriously underrated and deserve better attention than what they currently getting, which is a real shame as its these films I find are far superior than an overrated, over advertised film starring the same cast that are currently starring in every film showing on a multiplex.

With the constant remakes doing the rounds at cinemas. I want to watch something different and original - WATCHMEN is definitely one of those films.

Yeah okay, it didn't do well at the box-office, but there was a lot legal problems surrounding the production and the initial release of the film was put back five months in the UK.

Putting that aside, Watchmen is a film worth watching.

Set in an alternative 1985, when President Nixon has just been voted in for another term in office and nuclear war is inevitable between the Russians and the US. 

The Watchmen are a group of superheroes forced out of retirement after a colleague is murdered.

The film begins with the death of the Comedian. A gun-totting hero who worked secretly with the Government and had a political view on just about everything and didn't really care much for anyone other than himself. 

As Watchman vigilante Rorschach starts to piece together the clues, he begins to reveal a lot of dark secrets surrounding the Comedian and other members of the Watchmen, that make them realise its not just Comedian's name thats on the hit list.

What I loved about this film above other superhero films was that it wasn't a typical red, white and blue, God bless America film. It was gritty, dark, violent and proved heroes have their own problems to deal with and are just as human as everyone else.

With the brink of nuclear war hanging over everyone, you could feel the depression everyone was feeling and that threat of life being wiped out.

The original cinema release has a running time of just under three hours. 

Yeah its long and to be honest, don't expect constant action throughout as it doesn't happen. But when the action does kick-in, its brutal, no-hold barred graphic violence, which adds to the depressed tone of the film.

However, if you're going to watch it, then I suggest you get a copy of the ultimate version. There are three versions of the film and the ultimate cut has a running time of near three and a half hours. This cut is the directors cut with a short film called 'Tales of the Black Freighter' which is narrated by Gerard Butler, woven into the film which is also available on DVD/BlueRay as a separate film.

Overall, Watchmen is a gritty film-noir style superhero movie which is worth a watch especially if you're wanting something a little more original.

Why Bother?

Trying to satisfy people nowadays is like trying to get blood from a stone. Especially when you've been left to do everything yourself because everyone else has jumped ship no thanks to the people you trusted leaving you in the shit thanks to their attitude problems.

As you regular readers to this blog may know, I've been working on a feature for the past - well technically six years. Ten months ago I started filming and was excited as I was finally seeing the script begin to come alive.

But if I seriously knew what shit I was to experience over the following ten months, I wouldn't have bothered.
I've had a few people give me a hand where help's been needed, but all I've had is nothing but grief and you know what I'm frigging bouncing over it.
Since being left in the lurch thanks to my producer causing the trouble she caused. I've been left to do the editing, sound mixing, edit logs and everything else as well as juggle my personal life and a full time job and what thanks have I got from anyone? Sweet fuck all! I've had nothing but grief from those who've jumped ship and you know what? I'm very tempted to dump the frigging lot and start from scratch because seriously who the hell do you think you are?
You knew the situation from the start and yet I'm getting moaned at because things are not getting done to their schedules. Well excuse me! My schedule went out of the window when I was shit on from a great height and left to pick up the pieces.

So here's one for you. Go film a full feature with promises I had before they were broken, work with the grief I've had to deal with, shoot a film without support and a budget, then sit through over fifteen hours of footage which has to be logged, uploaded to an edit suite and then edited, sound mixed, CGI added, colour graded and then some while you work up to 12 hours a day in full time job while juggling your personal life as a single parent - then maybe I'd listen to your rants. Until then, stop giving me grief over what others have done. Let me get on with things. I am busting my balls trying to get this to work. I don't care some of you are unhappy with what you've seen so far especially when its untreated footage - seriously what do you expect?

Due to peer pressure and total disregard for the work I've put in, I've recalled the untreated footage I've had sent away to be processed (more time wasted) for everyone to view. I don't care if they approve or disapprove of the footage because I'm past caring and seriously what do you expect?

Although, I will thank those who have continued to help me in which way they could. At least you understand what I've had to deal with.

British Shite Broadcasting!

On February 1st 2011, Sky will launch its newest channel ' Sky Atlantic'.
This will be the home of HBO programmes on the Sky network, but is it going to be the super-dooper channel they've hyped it up to be?

Erm... No, not really hence why its probably free (for now) to Sky subscribers.

Sky have really rammed this channel down everyone's throats, with adverts starring the legend that is Dustin Hoffman, billboard posters, radio adverts and plugs about upcoming programmes getting their UK premieres on other channels.

But if you take a look at its schedule, its nothing really to shout about as its showing nothing but repeats throughout the day until the premiere's start at 9pm, which are then repeated throughout the night.

Its basic schedule consists of Star Trek, 24, ER and X-Files being repeated throughout the day from 6am.
Three out of those four programmes will be heavily edited as they're being showing before the watershed, so really what is the point?

You'd think with the backing this channel has got and the money its had pumped into it, you'd expect a better programming schedule than that!

Also, if its the home of HBO, then why not call it HBO instead of Sky Atlantic? Eventually, the channel will no doubt be changed to HBO in about a year or two, so why call it something different?

I think Sky are becoming too big for their own good and ripping its viewers off is something that is 'severely' being overlooked.