So I'm going to have a rant about Indiana Jones. It might contain a few spoilers so if you don't want to know, just skip to the next box. Or skip the part inbetween the huge spoiler warning sections.



So yesterday Gemma and I headed down to Highpoint to catch this latest incarnation of the bloke in the fedora. Going into the cinema I was never really expecting that much - I'm a big fan of the previous films (less so Temple of Doom though) and while I was a bit excited about a new adventure, I knew that it had been 19 years since the last one, and that Lucas' obsession with CG shit would lose some of it's grounded-in-some-form-of-realism. Man, I was surprised. Very surprised.


Not that it was good. Oh no, it was far from it. For me, it was awful. Absolutely disappointing. But where to begin? The non-existent plot? The bland, boring, characters? The blending of CG and set pieces? The utterly absurd moments during the film? The lack of any type of suspense or humour? The farcical "villains" and the feeling that Indy was just reciting lines? The feeling of relief when the credits roll that I never have to sit through that shit again? The complete lack of any emotional feeling? The ending? Fuck. I'll just start typing. Here on lie ze spoilers.



Firstly, the story. From what I gathered, it's set in the late 1950s and the Russians are trying to get a hold of this mythical artifact which will be better than any kind of weapon. Ok, thats basically the premise for Raiders just pushed back and with different villains. Here is where it starts going all odd. This "artifact" isn't one based in some form of human reality. It's a psychic mind control like device, except this device is a crystal skull. From an alien. Which just happens to be ridiculously magnetic but not if you cover it with some cloth. The skull is one of 13, a missing one in fact, that when brought back to the original resting place would form this ultimate weapon.

If I wanted to see a movie about aliens and spaceships, I'll just go see any other science fiction film out there. It's not what I expected in an Indy film, and I definately didn't like it. The skull itself is given way too much screen time. Where is the wonder and suspense? The Last Crusade built up the whole movie towards the grail, and the moment when the Ark is found in Raiders is one of wonder. But in this one? It's behind a cut open mummification of some 15th century Spanish conquisitor, just kind of sitting there. But leading up to it, there's a drawn out crawling through cobweb filled passages sequence which doesn't have any danger (bar a scorpion) or intrigue.

What happens to it then? The ruskies capture them as they leave this temple and take them to the jungle, where they meet Marion (from Raiders) and some old friend called Ox. Ox originally had the skull, and put it back, but had stared at it too long in the process. The only way to understand him and find the location of this temple? By getting Indy to stare at it. Right. Only after there was a very slight threat that they would kill Marion. After over twenty years of not seeing her or talking to her, leaving her before their wedding. Why would Indy work so willingly together with the enemy? And he does it with no fight whatsoever, no struggle. Just a "get me a map!"

I just don't get it. Just like how I didn't get Mutt. A 50s greaser wouldn't talk like that, or act like that. He wouldn't be able to fight off a utterly unmenacing Cate Blanchett in a sword fight (coincidently her chosen - and I assume most proficient - weapon) while straddling a gap between two jeeps that are slowly moving apart - all the while having his balls whacked by a number of plants. I mean, what the fuck. And then there's Cate Blanchett's Russian villianess, who was entirely unmenacing. She was no real threat, never was. Then there is Mac, who changed sides so often it just got stupid. And Indy still wanted to save him. He was double crossed twice! Why save him?! I did like John Hurt's crazy portrayal of Ox though.

I couldn't understand the characters, the lack of charm, likeability (or hateability), humour or empathy towards any of them. Harrison was just going through the motions, no substance in what he was doing, no wonder when he worked something out or discovered something. But that is nothing towards some of the outlandish scenes within this film. Surviving an atomic blast by being inside a lead lined refridgerator? Mutt suddenly becoming Tarzan and a horde of monkeys fighting off the villains? The "drysand" scene? The absurd little throwbacks to the previous films (Marcus and Henry Snr's photos on his desk. How did they die? It can't have been old age!)?

But by far the most insanely stupid idea was giant killer ants. It was so stupid I couldn't stop laughing. Ants that devour humans and take them back in their huge anthills. Ants that make a tower out of themselves to try and reach humans out of their reach. Millions and millions of ants. And everyone was running away from them. You know what it reminded me of? Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when they meet the killer rabbit. "Run away, run away!"




Maybe I'm just an old fan whining about these new reincarnations. But it's true. They're never as good as the originals. What happened to the likeable characters, the story that builds up to a climax, the moral underpinnings? Where's the humour? Where's the fun? Mainly, where's the entertainment?

I was not entertained. Not in the least.

You know, rants are never as good as when you first have them. When I came out of that film I had heaps, but now it just seems like some dribble.

Anyway, how are you chaps? Been a while eh?

News from my front. Gemma goes home on the 10th of July. For me, it's compounded by the fact the lease is up a month later and I'll be moving back to Macedon. Not quite sure how that'll impact on Uni or work, or what I'll do with the furniture. But we'll worry about that when it comes around.

Uni is busy, quite stressful. Gemma's exhibition opening went well, albeit with not that many people. She has sold a few books though, which is awesome!

Been playing many hours of GTA. We're starting to check out some of the places we've been meaning to go to but haven't got around to yet.

Doing late shift at work. I don't like getting home after 10. My whole night is gone.

Missing my family a bit.

Not looking forward to July.

Hey guys! We've been flat out, me with Uni, Gemma with her exhibition. And me being slow, I haven't updated the date in the journal! Oh noes! Anyhoo, it's been moved from the Wednesday to the Monday, but same time same place. And as always you can see some examples here at her blog. Remember, it's a massive occasion for her personally, so it'd be good to get as many people there to support her as possible.

Click on the following thumb for details:



Just incase you're lazy:




Come! I implore you! And bring friends!

Well, not a lot from my front. I'm hella busy with three assignments due on Friday. It's craaaaazy! Both Gemma and I are fine and healthy, fucking cold though. I need to do some cleaning today, but not until I've at least played a few hours of GTA IV. I'll be off to pick my copy up in about 5 minutes. Hooray!


Oh, drop by Gemma and give her some congrats, she got herself a DD on her book preview last week! If you're interested in buying any of the books, she's got a journal chock full of details.

Tell me about your week/s!



Oh, lastly, anyone know of a Mac video capture software, a bit like Fraps? I might show you some of the stuff I've been doing.

So the real reason I'm writing this journal is for Gemma. She's been chugging hard at her H is for Handmade book - images can be seen here at her blog - which is going to be exhibited in May. It's a massive occasion for her personally, so it'd be good to get as many people there to support her as possible.

Click on the following thumb for details:



Just incase you're lazy:




Come! I implore you! And bring friends!

Hi fools, how's it hanging? Tight? Constricted? Loose and free? Stuck to your nads?



Sweeeeeeeet.



Things are good down my way. Working 4 days, Uni 2 days. My classes are awesome. They are as follows:

• Interactive 3D Graphics and Animation - Programming subject based on C and OpenGL. Quite a bit of challenge since I am teaching myself C at the same time. However due to my good marks in Java I'm coping quite well. I'd show you what I've been doing but they're just little executables of cubes with falling rain which you can rotate and shit. But it'll get more interesting!


• Video Production - Pretty sweet but hectic subject, teaching us the basics of pre-production, lighting, filming and editing our own films. It's got a lot of content jammed into one, and so far it's been at the back of my priorities but it's going to have to come forward quite quite soon as there's shitloads to do.


• Imaging and Animation - Basically 3D stuff in Maya. My favourite subject of the lot so far. I've always been a kind of technical person kind of guy, and this stuff just appeals to that like you wouldn't believe. We've got a great teacher who explains stuff well and knows what shes doing - which is a bonus. Currently we've got to build an attic, and we're building it from scratch with mood sheets and concepts and stuff. I'm loving it, I just need to "get" Maya at home so I can do my modelling. Hoorays!

That's Uni shit. Elsewise we haven't done much else. Gemma's Mum came and left, so while she was here we she gallivanted and we did stuff, like going to Phillip Island and up the Rialto. It was great, although I was quite quiet for the whole 3 weeks. Sorry Hilary!

And her Dad gets here tomorrow morning! Busy!


Generally though, I'm pretty swell. Waiting for GTA IV (OMGOMGOMGOMG yeah). Playing San Andreas. Eating way too much junk food. Enjoying way too much cheap and brilliantly yummy pizza. Not going out enough.

Soooooo it's been a while, eh? I've been meaning to write a journal here and there, but whenever I start I find myself just closing the window.

Currently my job is going well, nice and steady and I've learnt quickly. People are friendly and helpful and it's funny watching the office politics when you have no idea of the history behind people.

Gemma's mum arrives here next week, Tuesday to be exact, for three weeks. Sad thing is though I'll be working mostly so I won't be as much of a chauffeur as I would've liked to have been. I know it'll be massively exciting for us all, but more so for Gemma since she has seen noone from England for just on a year now. My baby really needs to see her mummy.

Went to the Big Day Out last month, had an absolute blast. Fantastic day apart from all the dust. Rage, the main reason I wanted to go, surpassed all my expectations which is saying a bit since I've been expecting stuff for a decade or so. Bjork, while I'm not a big fan, was nearly as amazing, and she had some of the sweetest instruments I've ever seen (here are two parts of an introduction to it, a must see: Part 1 and Part 2, both youtube vids). Other notable favourites from the day were Carl Cox, Battles, Hilltop Hoods among others.

I've started on a bit of an image change, moving a little away from the tees and beige pants to something a little different, probably more mainstream. I just feel I need to look a little different, and change up what I've been wearing for .. nearly a decade. I'm liking it so far, but clothes are expensive so it'll be a slow overhaul.

Mum has been coming around and sprucing up our back garden. Although I haven't been the most hospitable or appreciative son so far, I have to admit it really has been quite a transformation so far. I still have to find some time to level out the stones and put down the rest of the quick decking stuff we got, but it's amazing what a few plants, some bamboo wall stuff, an umbrella and a lawn set can do. It doesn't look anything like the squalid little mess that it was before. Yay!

Gemma got herself some volunteer work at the Arthritis Victoria charity shop in Moonee Ponds. Currently she's only working one day (Tuesday) but she's hoping it'll pop out to 3 or something. It gives some variety to her day and she really enjoys going through little tidbits and stuff. So if you're in the area, pop in and say hey!

Not much else from me I don't think, not off the top of my head anyway. I'll see you doods around.

Helloooo there! How are you?


I'm fine thanks. What am I up to? Well. I'm now working 5 days a week - albeit part time - but I'm finally starting to roll in some of that debt. It's a decent job, specimen reception data entry at the main infectious disease lab in the state, so it's always busy. Plus, I get to see Mum more often too.

Saw I Am Legend last week with Tyson, and I was a little bit disappointed in it. While it had a lot of promise, and some great scenes (when he chases his dog into that abandoned warehouse thing) it also had a lot of scenes which seemed a little silly (the dock attack sequence springs to mind). Also the ending was a letdown. I'd give it a 2 out of 5.

I'm hoping Cloverfield will be better; going to see that this evening with Gemma.

What else? I've been playing a lot of Halo (still), awaiting Assassin's Creed to arrive in the mail, eating pizza and renting Hitchcock. I think I should read more.

How about you guys? <3

Maaaan, that was a cool film. It's pretty confusing, and I felt nauseous from the shaky cam (feeling my age? ). I feel that it lived up pretty much to some of the hype. More than makes up for my disappointment with I Am Legend.

Oh, and Assassin's Creed arrived. Yay!