127 hours....

....I had heard the story of Aron Ralston long before this film came out.


A photo Aron Ralston took of himself whilst trapped.

There was such a media frenzy surrounding his survival story from 2003, it made it across the pond. And rightly so - a true feat of strength and character. So, then, I was interested to see quite how Danny Boyle could make a feature film out of such little action.



The film opens in a triple split screen, music pumping bundle of energy.....which quickly comes to represent the adventurous spirit of Ralston and how he views life. But, when the accident happens in Blue John Canyon, (his arm becoming trapped under an immovable bolder), the film descends in to more a social study. Of human character and spirit.


A still of James Franco re-enacting the moment Ralston captured of himself, above.

James Franco, playing Ralston, was excellent - and had to be as the camera was always on him. The monologues in to his handheld camera descended in to hallucinogenic rambles as a lack of food and water took it's toll, and the realisation that the only way out, was cut off his own arm.



And so he does. And we watch - a man, with a blunt blade, cutting himself free using the last dregs of energy he owns. It is incredibly moving to watch. It provokes me to think, would I have done the same? Would you? I hope we need ever find out. Typically, today, Ralston continues to be a climber and mountaineer, has a wife and family and has learnt from his experience - in that, now, he'll always leave a note to say where he is going!

BOXPARK....

...."An industrial retail market space".



Coming to my doorstep later this year apparently. I'm not totally convinced, although it is a better use of space than as it currently resides - unused grassland. Watch this space.

Ivvet hits 30....

....Ivvet is next to hit the third decade and celebrated on Saturday night with drinks at the Boogaloo.


Nisha, Kat & Ivvet

On top form as ever, another midnight rendition of Happy Birthday was sung as appropriate.

Welcome to Romford....

....Kelly told me about this, as a friend of hers, Timothy Foster, directed it. It is a 30minute short documentary film, based around Romford's A1 mini cab service and the nightly passengers they carry. It is hugely engaging - particularly when it could have slipped in to drunken, puking passengers only.


Six-zero and some friendly passengers.

The split screen device allows us to watch how the cab driver interacts with their customers - which vary from first internet dates, post wedding journeys, a forlorn widower and of course, the obligatory snogging couple. Despite cameras being set up in numerous cabs, most of the action is captured from within the car of 'six zero'. The driver, (known only to the viewer as six zero), is able to conduct an almost inquisition of his passengers, managing to do so in an inoffensive way. As a result, guards are let down and real people are captured in natural moments. I found it sweet, funny and shocking in equal measure. Channel 4 describe it here, and you can watch the full episode here. (Which I urge you to do).

Black Swan....

....Much has been talked of this film and plenty written. Having said that, I have not actually read any reviews, but heard the word 'dark' bandied about a lot. And sure it is, but then the story it is portraying - Swan Lake - is a dark one in itself.



Director Darren Aronofsky, has taken that edge and twisted it in to a horror film. It seemed to me that the film overtly portrayed life imitating art - with Nina Sayers, (played by Natalie Portman), handed the role of Queen Swan.



Portman's performance held the required intensity and flawless beauty, but sometimes, like the scratches on her own back, was an irritant. Nina, (Queen Swan), is a ballerina with such focus, dedication and drive for perfection, that her life became a replica of the performance she craved to master - meaning a constant battle with the Black Swan within her.



The soundtrack, not just musically, but the sound engineering, was brilliant. Panting breath, raps of wind and more, all invading your inner ear, as your mind is messed with by the scene in front of you. The cinematography too made for an eery intensity from the start, even in the most mundane moments - something was always afoot.



In reaching the crescendo of the Swan Lake performance, we also reach the crescendo of the film, but not before a psychological twist and then turn. I really enjoyed it. I am not placed to say if the ballerina performances were passable, but the acting was top drawer. My only niggle was that at times it was in danger of slipping in to the slightly mock horror, (ie, some of the gory moments unintentionally bordered the hilarious), but managed to stay just on the right side. Well worth a watch.

The King's Speech....

....Much lauded, I watched this film tonight.



Aside from the subject, (that the film title makes obvious), it is the relationship between King George VI, (Bertie, played by Colin Firth) and his speech therapist, (Lionel, played by Geoffrey Rush), that is at its heart. And what a relationship it is, with Rush stealing the show with an exceptional performance of eccentricity and humour. Together, he and Firth produced some funny and truly touching moments, whilst around them the film built up tension as the prospect of a war time speech loomed.



The speech itself was not flawless, but delivered with true nerve and ultimately, success. Throughout, the supporting actors, including Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pearce were also a joy to watch, whilst the direction by Tom Hooper was superb, with detailed, considered scenes that captured the spirit of the time and the King's personality beautifully.



It was interesting, (and warming), to read in the closing credits, that Bertie and Lionel remained close friends for the remainder of their lives too.
Inevitably, the film has several Oscar nods, and whilst I don't think that Firth should win, I do think that Rush deserves best support. Well worth watching.

Crime Watch UK....

....So, the Met Police, to much uproar, have set up a website making available local crime figures in your area. The site allows you to tap in your postcode and see what offences, from burglary to violent crime, have been committed on your doorstep. On the morning of launch, 5,000 eager residents blocked the site for a few hours, before sanity was restored.



Clicking around my area it seems anti-social behaviour is the top offence, swiftly followed by violent crime. (Here's hoping that doesn't affect the price tag of my house too much!) Within hours of the launch, the backlash began, with this witty photoshopped image tickling my fancy, taking a stab at our dear government.

(click to enlarge)

South America. Done....

....Kelly and I returned on Monday from our month long trip in South America. Just to remind you, we were given the opportunity after I won an award at work. In memory of Matt Elliott, a former employee of AMV who tragically died, the 'Radiator Award' is a 2 week travel bursary that, in his spirit, should be used for the 'adventure of a lifetime'. We extended our 2 weeks to a month and late last year booked the trip with Trailfinders, them helping us to work out the most suitable, productive route to take. So it transpired we were to visit Argentina, (Buenos Aires / Mendoza / Iguazu Falls), Brazil, (Rio) and Colombia, (Taganga / Sierra Nevada for the 'Lost City' trek / Cartagena).

This is, (as briefly as possible), how it all shaped up:

Buenos Aires, Argentina.
We spent 5 days here, staying in the San Telmo district, with it's antiques shops and a market on Sundays. Our highlight was an empanada cooking class in the suburbs of the city. It was hosted by Teresita, at her lovely home and included a vast, meat laden barbeque with plenty of wine. We also saw in New Year whilst we were here, dining al fresco on Plaza Dorrego - a superb evening. We also enjoyed Recoleta cemetery and La Boca.


(New Year's Eve)

Mendoza, Argentina.
We took an overnight bus, that was more akin to flying business class, to reach Mendoza. Here we completed a vineyard tour, in Chacras de Coria, by bicycle, spent a day horse trekking in the shadow of the Andes and ate our best steak, at Don Mario.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina.
Perhaps the highlight of my whole trip, the falls blew me away. They can be witnessed from both Brazil and Argentina, which we did. In one day. The sheer volume of water and the noisy rage that ensues, is breath taking. Our accommodation here was also spectacular in its own, hidden, secretive way. A wonderful couple of days.


(Our accommodation & the falls)

Rio, Brazil.
This, due to its brief nature, could almost be considered a token visit. Only 3 days. But boy was it worth it. We crammed in Corcovado, (statue of Christ), a Favela tour, Santa Teresa and time on Ipanema beach.

Taganga, Colombia.
We landed at Santa Marta, but our bags didn't. We moved on to Taganga where we had accommodation. 27 hours later, our bags were returned. Two hours after that, they were gone again: stolen, after our room was broken in to. One hour after that, they returned once more, after being gathered from the hillside behind our hostel, minus a few items. Drama. As a result of this, our time in Taganga wasn't as productive as we hoped, but still enjoyable.

Cuidad Perdida, (Lost City), trek, Sierra Nevada, Colombia.
An incredible five day trek, reaching the city on day three, then retracing our steps a day quicker on the return. The trek itself was a challenge, with some gruelling hills and ravine crossings, whilst the city exceeded all expectations in its scale, history and beauty. We were treated exceptionally well throughout, with our guide Ali & his team being informative, helpful, master chefs and fruit providers at the most crucial times. We walked with wonderful people and so had a wonderful time.

Cartagena, Colombia.
The final destination of our holiday and the most architecturally beautiful. The old city, surrounded by a thick defence wall, with cannons peeping out, used to keep pirates at bay way back when. The buildings within these walls have remained untouched, providing an almost living museum of colonial housing lining intertwined streets, each charismatic in it's colour and decay. Down the road, the oh so different new city, where high rise hotels and casinos are the backdrop to Cartagena's beach. It isn't the greatest beach, so Kelly and I visited the truly Carribbean Playa Blanca to really relax.






(Havana Cafe, Cartagena)

Home. London.
Now we're back, it has taken this week to fully recover. We lost a night's sleep due to travel, so have been catching up ever since. It has also taken a week to fully recognise just what an incredible month we have had. How fortunate we have been, what truly memorable sights and fantastic people that we've met. I would like to take the opportunity to once again thank AMV, for the generosity of the award, but also for the great spirit in which it is given. Also to thank Matt's parents, Rick & Sue and his sister Sarah for their endless positivity and warmth - the gift of a journal that they gave me, now fully filled, will be appearing on these pages very soon. (You can follow Rick & Sue on their antipodean adventure here.)

Saturday catch ups....

....After a stupidly long, (and much needed), lie in, Kelly and I met Ivvet at Nude for a holiday slideshow.



Soon after we cycled along to see Richie, Anne & Clem for an afternoon cuppa and catch up.





Very much back in the lovely London swing.

Doug hits 30....

....Doug turned 30 today and celebrated last night with drinks at Mason & Taylor.



Friends gathered downstairs for the evening, with a rendition of 'happy birthday' at the stroke of midnight. Cheers.

NEDs....

....None Educated Delinquents - a film a few of the guys gathered together to watch tonight. Officially, it was our first TBC night of 2011. Remember them?! We cycled for a pint at the Princess Louise, then on to dinner at Carluccio's by the Renoir Cinema in Russell Square. After having talked about the film when walking out and Liam & I all the way home, I am still not entirely sure what to make of it.



Certainly it's a brooding, dark, tension-filled two hours, that's for sure. There have been mild comparisons to Dead Man's Shoes or This Is England....but I immediately held more affection for them. I understood the narrative. Here, a smart Glaswegian boy, John McGuire, seems to have his destiny in his hands. But rather than chose the right way, adolescence and perhaps his immediate environment, (criminal older brother, alcoholic, wife-beating father), made him fall in with the local NEDs. Soon, McGuire's personality seems to change irrevocably, leading to fairly brutal scenes.



*SPOILER ALERT*

Two scenes left me somewhat baffled - one, with him at his most destructive, he fantasises about a Jesus statue coming to life and embracing him. Redemption? Seeing the light? Who knows. And then the final scene, where McGuire is confronted, inescapably by one of his victims. They lead one another through a field of lions - perhaps a metaphor....but for what I just don't know.



I didn't dislike the film, but I can't work out if I enjoyed it either. One thing is for certain, the acting, throughout, was exceptional. The cast gave you a sense of what it was really like to be walking in a Glasgow estate in the 70s. And believe me, it is not something I would like to have done!

The back pack....

....Kel and I are back from South America. A humongous post is needed and will follow soon. In short, it was fantastic.

Going, Going, Gone....

....From today there will be no blogging for month. As many of you know, Kelly and I are lucky enough to be spending four weeks in South America, taking in Argentina, (Buenos Aires/Mendosa/Iguassu Falls), Brazil, (Rio), Colombia, (Santa Marta/Cartagena). The reason we are going I mentioned in a previous post, so look here to familiarise yourselves.


Happy New Year. See you in 2011!

There will be a big blog update on our return in late January, but now we will have to leave for warmer climes. See you soon! x

Christmas 2010....

....A somewhat brief festive period back in Newcastle this year, as I arrived on Christmas Eve afternoon and left with the cockerel crowing on the morning of 27th. Christmas Eve was spent with the Clive and the (extended) family at his house before I met up with Chris for a quick couple of drinks in the Lonsdale.



Christmas Day followed our familiar routine, with Ruth and Andy driving up from Leeds that morning, before heading off to Church. The Brannens joined us at ours afterwards before we left one another for our respective Christmas dinners. Andy and Mum joined forces to great effect as usual, producing a five course extravaganza. Starting with asparagus veloute (soup), we ate scallops with pea puree & bacon, then a main of a three bird roast, (turkey / duck / chicken), before finishing off with cheese and mum's classic roulade.



Marvellous. A bout of Skype calling followed, plus a nap (of course) before heading back down to the Brannens for an evening of drinks and games. A great day, as usual.



(full reel)



On Boxing Day, after a relaxing morning, we all went for a walk along the snow covered sea front.



Friends Kate & David dropped by, before Clive (and the same extended family), came to spend the evening with us. A usual buffet, games and home-made quiz from Dad made for much fun and laughter. Another really good day.



(full reel)



I finish writing this before getting some sleep and heading back down to London tomorrow, ahead of Kelly and I flying out of Heathrow the same evening. A month of warmth and adventure awaits us. Woop!

Christmas comes early....

....Kelly and I celebrated our Christmas together a few days early, before she returns home to Cambridge and myself to Newcastle. We stayed in for the evening, eating in style with an all too familiar, but totally tasty Turkish from Tas Firin.



We treated each other well on the present front, with my highlight being a great pair of camel coloured cord trousers, by Norse Projects.



Amongst other things from me, Kelly finally got a pair of Converse and Ray Bans for our forth coming holiday.



Now we both have to do it all over again, (oh, the chore!), with our families, before returning to London on 27th to pack, do an about-turn, and head to Heathrow to leave the City behind for a month.



Exciting times!

69 Christmas dinner 2010....

....This year's instalment was with the familiar crowd. The 69ers, in Doug, Liam and I, plus partners in Ross, Kelly and Nick. (The latter reprising last year's role in the absence of an 'official' partner for Liam). After an aperitif in the Slaughtered Lamb, we ate over the road at Giant Robot in Clerkenwell. It is an Italian / American tapas bar, well styled, well staffed and well good in terms of food.


Nick, Doug, Ross, Liam, Kelly.

We loved our sharing dishes, ranging from meat balls and sliders, to cheese boards and seared tuna. After our fill there, we returned to the Lamb, before heading over for a late night digestif at Life bar. (I wouldn't recommend the latter, despite it's late opening hours, purely on the basis of it's customer service, as I was told to, "F*** off bitch", after asking for a half pint to be replaced that had been cleared by an over eager member of staff.) Charming.



We left soon after, but it didn't affect a really fun xmas celebration.

Newcastle weekend with Ben....

....I booked tickets a few months ago for Ben and I to go up to Newcastle. Largely because the tickets were such good value, but also to get Ben out of the familiarity of Islington and into the realisation that Newcastle is a wonderful place. Two days later, I suspect he agreed. After arriving late on Friday, we crashed out. On the Saturday we braved the icy chill down on the seafront, our reward being a cuppa and a scone in the ever marvellous Rendezvous cafe. After lunch we went up to town and specifically down on to the Quayside, to take on the river, bridges, Baltic and Sage spectacles.



After a quick pint in a true Geordie boozer, the Crown Posada, we returned home. Later that evening we met with Tom for a few local pints. On the Sunday, the snow had finally hit, but it didn't stop Andrew driving us in to Tynemouth. We visited the market, then walked on to Crusoe's for a warming beverage. After a hearty home made dinner from mum, we made off to the station to catch the train back to London, only to be told it, (and all others), had been cancelled. With neither of us working on the Monday, we decided to retreat back home, stay the night and make our journey the following day. (Which we managed successfully).



Despite that slight hiccup, it was a great weekend - relaxed and a good introduction for Ben. (The Bigg Market will, thankfully, have to wait for another time!)

Jem hits 30 with the Secret Ingredient....

....To celebrate her birthday, Jem gathered everyone in a random lounge in the back end of Stoke Newington. I kid you not. For it is here that the tenant of a shabby council flat has turned his lounge in to a restaurant every Wednesday night.



Feasting on a 10 course taster menu, (of only occasional success), we took over the whole room, brought our own booze and were waited on. It was, we all concurred, one of the oddest experiences of our lives, not least because of the totally unglamorous, (nay, rather unkempt), surroundings and the stray cat that seemed to want to share our dinner with us.



The food got better as the meal went on, but I wouldn't necessarily rush to recommend the experience, despite loving the premise of 'The Secret Ingredient'. Still despite all that, we managed to have a lovely time together in a strangers lounge and we all celebrated with Jem accordingly. Cheers!

Christmas pizza with Matt & Tess....

....Matt & Tess landed in London today and to show absolute sympathy with their jet lagged selves, we organised a dinner, with Phil and Maddi at Pizza East.


Tess & Matt

A perfect table by the window, over looking the East London Line was a great backdrop to a feast of brilliant anti pasti and wholesome pizza.


Maddi & Phil



Kel & Roy

A lovely evening together, (particulalry as we won't see them for about six months, aside from an xmas day Skype call!)



Merry Xmas guys!

X Factor Live final....

....Today saw the live final of X Factor. Yes, that's right. I've been watching and, admit it, so have you.


Gathered

Hannah & Max decided to throw a dinner party in celebration, where we were encouraged to dress in an X Factor theme.


Cher & Simon

Richie, (as Wagner) and Max, (as Cher) stole the show, with Hannah and Lynn manning it up as Simon Cowell.


Wagner

Both Doug and I suited it up to do our best Dermot impression, and Liam looked startlingly similar to one or both of Jedward.


Dermots'

Jedward

The show itself was a long, fattening, overdrawn affair, with a result of Matt Cardle winning, followed by Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction. In truth, the top two are actually very good singers, worthy of the likely fame that will ensue. But now it's over for another year, I think I will just about survive. Just. Merry X-MAS!

Nick birthday dinner (reprise)....

....Long after his actual birthday, a promised dinner between Nick, Richard and I took place.



Nick chose Inamo on Wardour Street, where menus are projected on to your table, from which you choose and order your food.


The image of your selection is projected on to your plate, controlled by the circular mouse, bottom right.

Pretty nifty. And the food was very good too.



The evening went on to be a pretty late one, but what else would you expect for (another) birthday celebration?! Cheers.