Blow This Photo Up

Sometimes when you're scanning the net [for a suitable photo for your blog profile], you discover photos of you that you knew nothing about.
Hideous photos.

[Apologies to Nancy and Duncan who now have their private photo album opened to the universe]



Free Movies

I missed a load of decent films before and after India's arrival. That's one thing as parents of a baby you miss out on: going to the cinema as a couple. Even before the birth, our visits were curtailled by Vic's girth and bladder: sitting down for 3 hours with no easy access to a toilet wasn't her idea of a good night out. I've been trying to catch up on those missed movies, with many of them now appearing on DVD. Although my exam retake revision doesn't help my cause, I've managed to watch Kill Bill Vol 1, Master and Commander, and City of God over the last couple of weeks.

All good movies, but it is City of God that ranks as the MUST SEE flick. If you've not seen it, treat yourself and rent it. The sunshine that burns brightly from the screen and the funky music are enough on their own. Add a pacy story, original cinematography and some excellent acting, and you're in popcorn heaven. Yes, it's in Brazilian and has subtitles, but don't let them put you off: the foreign lanaguage actually adds to the film, and it's been clipped-translated, so the subtitles are easy-to-read and don't get in the way. You might read in some reviews that the film is violent: don't believe the hype, there is some gunplay, but it's no bloodbath.

Unlike Kill Bill.

Thanks go to Sara and Stasher for signing me up with Webflix for my birthday -- 3 months of free DVD's!

And Master and Commander is superb: An action movie with many subtle layers. How refreshing to see us Brits not portrayed as the bad guys by Hollywood*. Even Crowe's "English" accent isn't too off-putting.

* Now its the rightful turn of the French! Hoorah!