The Wii's out, so lets's celebrate with a few things.
Obviously a console with such a concept will make a few ennemies.
On the other hand, you can't really say no to its qualities, not to mention that from a scientific approach, it doesn't seem too bad...
And on top of that the possibilities are endless.
Anyway you'll know that in a few years you might be able to recycle it like one of it's sisters...
A fnny video to conclude, try that in reality!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Pan's Labyrinth.
If the brothers Grimm or Andersen had made movies today, it might have been something close to this.
This is not to say that the latest from director Guillermo Del Toro is a copy of the work from those authors. Quite the opposite since this movie is so full of his universe that is a very personnal movie of his.
What I mean is that this is, in essence, a pure fairy tale. And in that it has to be beautiful, but also cruel.
In a way, it's better to know as little as possible when seeing this.
It's about using imagination to escape from the harsh & horrible reality. It's about creating his own monsters to flee from the real ones. How the most rationnal and intelligent mind can become a monster, due to his lack of dreams. And how imagination is the way to saving yourself...
It's a wonderfully crafted story that keeps you on your toes from the beginning to the end. It's a fairy tale, but one that children shouldn't see, as the uncompromising violence of some scenes are not for the faint of the heart. One that keeps you thinking long after it's over. Because, like a fairy tale, behind the story lies something about us, humans.
Cruelly violent, beutifully sad.
This is a masterpiece.
Below is a very interesting article written by Guillermo Del Toro for the magazine Empire.
This is not to say that the latest from director Guillermo Del Toro is a copy of the work from those authors. Quite the opposite since this movie is so full of his universe that is a very personnal movie of his.
What I mean is that this is, in essence, a pure fairy tale. And in that it has to be beautiful, but also cruel.
In a way, it's better to know as little as possible when seeing this.
It's about using imagination to escape from the harsh & horrible reality. It's about creating his own monsters to flee from the real ones. How the most rationnal and intelligent mind can become a monster, due to his lack of dreams. And how imagination is the way to saving yourself...
It's a wonderfully crafted story that keeps you on your toes from the beginning to the end. It's a fairy tale, but one that children shouldn't see, as the uncompromising violence of some scenes are not for the faint of the heart. One that keeps you thinking long after it's over. Because, like a fairy tale, behind the story lies something about us, humans.
Cruelly violent, beutifully sad.
This is a masterpiece.
Below is a very interesting article written by Guillermo Del Toro for the magazine Empire.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Lunar Park.
I thought I'd try the latest Bret Easton Ellis novel.
I was looking for books and although I was looking for kind of light books, to read easily, 1 of the usual quotes on the cover was referring to it as "extremely funny". I actually doubted that very much.
I have read American Psycho from the same author and the 1st adjective I would NOT give to this would certainly be "funny". And from what I know, the rest of Ellis' work is pretty heavy. American Psycho was quite a difficult experience, not to say traumatic.
Thinking of it maybe I just took it the wrong way. I can actually remember watching the movie "C'est arrive pres de chez vous" (Man Bites Dog in it's English version), which uses the same kind of black humour and actually hardly finding anything funny in there. My cousin who was watching with me was laughing his ass off, so it kind of helped me see, but I couldn't really see beyond the shocking side of what was presented to me. But on the 2nd viewing, then 3rd and so on, I got what was funny... Now I love it! ;)
So maybe if I re-read American Psycho, I could see it from a different perspective. But still, feeling nearly physically ill when reading a book (as I did with this one) didn't happened to me on many occasions... It's quite strange, when you think of it, I mean reading a book is already quite cerebral exercise, you have to make sense of all letters and words and sentences, as opposed to watching TV or a movie, where you just get the images straight in your face. So to read something that "tough", is really to put yourself consciously through this pain. It's a lot easier to stop reading than stop watching. You'd have to be a bit masochistic... The drive there was to see how som sense could be made of all this senseless violence and sex and drugs. This emptiness. It's still an experience, what can de made of it? And as painful as I felt it was, I think it was worth it. It's great book. Anyway.
So this "extremely funny" quote I found quite out of place, but I thought it could point at a book a bit more lighter from this acclaimed author. A bit more easier to read.
Well lighter wasn't really the word. Easier to read definitely. My, I was hooked and couldn't take my eyes off it, chapter after chapter.
This is a expertly written story, that tackles a number of themes, mainly fatherhood and father-son relations but also fame, boredom, ego, creation, forgiveness, love... All that wrapped in a sort of tribute to Stephen King (I thought of The Shining on several occasions, I have no doubt this was intended), with a seemingly "normal" word (although it's Ellis' trade mark twisted upper-class world we're talking about here) that slides progressively into horror.
It kind of makes me regret my lack of litterary culture there, because I'm sure I've only scratched all the book's references and metaphors. It especially references a lot to te author's previous books, which I haven't all read (although I have been warned that Ellis should be read in order!!). But then again the point is more to make something for yourself.
It's the kind of book I would like my friends to read and appreciate so we could discuss it. There's a lot there. From a plot point of view, it's a very entertaining puzzle of a book. If you start on the themes here, you'll be there for ages.
I guess that at the point I am in my life a lot of that resonnates quite heavily with what I have on my mind.
It's ultimately quite despaired, as with his other books. Even more so because Ellis is putting himself (or at least a stand out of himself) on the line here. It's a bit like Fargo (the Coen borthers' movie) which tells you at the beginning that all of it is true. You watch with an all different perspective. Here it makes you wonder how much of it true, maybe it makes it more "human". Although in the end, it doesn't really matter... True or not, it's what you make of it that counts.
Ellis is presenting himself as one of his characters, lost in drugs out of boredom, selfish, a loser (although a succesful one). He ends up grasping for redemption, but with no hope of ever getting it.
A way of saying that you actually have to lose everything (with no hope of getting it back, giving it up in a way) in order to really realise what really matters.
All that in a horror novel. Because it's always creepy and it gets really scary. It explores the theme of the author haunted by its creations and the way to exorcise them. How can you get rid of something you actually created yourself...? When you invent lives, can't you get lost between your creations and reality?
And all this clicks into place, making a story underlined with a complex canvas of ideas that manages to be entertaning and deep.
To me this is an important book.
I was looking for books and although I was looking for kind of light books, to read easily, 1 of the usual quotes on the cover was referring to it as "extremely funny". I actually doubted that very much.
I have read American Psycho from the same author and the 1st adjective I would NOT give to this would certainly be "funny". And from what I know, the rest of Ellis' work is pretty heavy. American Psycho was quite a difficult experience, not to say traumatic.
Thinking of it maybe I just took it the wrong way. I can actually remember watching the movie "C'est arrive pres de chez vous" (Man Bites Dog in it's English version), which uses the same kind of black humour and actually hardly finding anything funny in there. My cousin who was watching with me was laughing his ass off, so it kind of helped me see, but I couldn't really see beyond the shocking side of what was presented to me. But on the 2nd viewing, then 3rd and so on, I got what was funny... Now I love it! ;)
So maybe if I re-read American Psycho, I could see it from a different perspective. But still, feeling nearly physically ill when reading a book (as I did with this one) didn't happened to me on many occasions... It's quite strange, when you think of it, I mean reading a book is already quite cerebral exercise, you have to make sense of all letters and words and sentences, as opposed to watching TV or a movie, where you just get the images straight in your face. So to read something that "tough", is really to put yourself consciously through this pain. It's a lot easier to stop reading than stop watching. You'd have to be a bit masochistic... The drive there was to see how som sense could be made of all this senseless violence and sex and drugs. This emptiness. It's still an experience, what can de made of it? And as painful as I felt it was, I think it was worth it. It's great book. Anyway.
So this "extremely funny" quote I found quite out of place, but I thought it could point at a book a bit more lighter from this acclaimed author. A bit more easier to read.
Well lighter wasn't really the word. Easier to read definitely. My, I was hooked and couldn't take my eyes off it, chapter after chapter.
This is a expertly written story, that tackles a number of themes, mainly fatherhood and father-son relations but also fame, boredom, ego, creation, forgiveness, love... All that wrapped in a sort of tribute to Stephen King (I thought of The Shining on several occasions, I have no doubt this was intended), with a seemingly "normal" word (although it's Ellis' trade mark twisted upper-class world we're talking about here) that slides progressively into horror.
It kind of makes me regret my lack of litterary culture there, because I'm sure I've only scratched all the book's references and metaphors. It especially references a lot to te author's previous books, which I haven't all read (although I have been warned that Ellis should be read in order!!). But then again the point is more to make something for yourself.
It's the kind of book I would like my friends to read and appreciate so we could discuss it. There's a lot there. From a plot point of view, it's a very entertaining puzzle of a book. If you start on the themes here, you'll be there for ages.
I guess that at the point I am in my life a lot of that resonnates quite heavily with what I have on my mind.
It's ultimately quite despaired, as with his other books. Even more so because Ellis is putting himself (or at least a stand out of himself) on the line here. It's a bit like Fargo (the Coen borthers' movie) which tells you at the beginning that all of it is true. You watch with an all different perspective. Here it makes you wonder how much of it true, maybe it makes it more "human". Although in the end, it doesn't really matter... True or not, it's what you make of it that counts.
Ellis is presenting himself as one of his characters, lost in drugs out of boredom, selfish, a loser (although a succesful one). He ends up grasping for redemption, but with no hope of ever getting it.
A way of saying that you actually have to lose everything (with no hope of getting it back, giving it up in a way) in order to really realise what really matters.
All that in a horror novel. Because it's always creepy and it gets really scary. It explores the theme of the author haunted by its creations and the way to exorcise them. How can you get rid of something you actually created yourself...? When you invent lives, can't you get lost between your creations and reality?
And all this clicks into place, making a story underlined with a complex canvas of ideas that manages to be entertaning and deep.
To me this is an important book.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Survival tip.
You have to work on a relationship to keep it going...
It's a matter of life & death, as you can see from this educationnal video... :)
It's a matter of life & death, as you can see from this educationnal video... :)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
On a more serious note...
That's a lot of posts for a day but this video (in French but it has to have been tranlated in other languages since it was originally in spanish) should be seen and thought about...
Nothing really new but it's always a good thing to be reminded of such simple things.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8867512033765032709
And in the mean time, in the US, people are fighting for... Food? Not really.
Such a nice world...
But thankfully some people are working to save it, starting with recycling air. Now you know what to do.
Nothing really new but it's always a good thing to be reminded of such simple things.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8867512033765032709
And in the mean time, in the US, people are fighting for... Food? Not really.
Such a nice world...
But thankfully some people are working to save it, starting with recycling air. Now you know what to do.
Music.
This is genius.
Respect.
Actually it reminds me of this video which a friend sent me a while ago and is also amazing...
And this one isn't bad either...
Respect.
Actually it reminds me of this video which a friend sent me a while ago and is also amazing...
And this one isn't bad either...
1up!
Anyone who has played Mario Bros. has wondered how hitting a brick with your head could make a mushroom grow and give you another life...
Well apparently this would now be possible and you don't even have to bang your head!
Original news from Gametronik
Well apparently this would now be possible and you don't even have to bang your head!
Original news from Gametronik
Casino Royale.
A new James Bond movie is always a small event.
I thought the last one was a bit rubbish and originally I wasn't too thrilled to go see this one but the enormously positive buzz around it finally won me over.
And I have to admit that this is one of the best action movie I've seen in a while.
It manages very succesfully to be a authentic Bond movie (with gadgets, lots of varied & colourful locations, a lot of action, women...) and still manages to break the mould and renew the franchise, thanks to bold choices.
As has been said everywhere, Bond's character is a lot more "on the edge", making up for a grittier and more violent atmosphere.
The plot is entertaining, making room for set pieces that, although being quite over the top, never seem too much of a stretch (unlike the later Brosnans) and refuses any final climax, which is brave.
The cast is excellent, Daniel Craig is perfect for the role, Mad Mikkelsen makes a charismatic villain and Eva Green impersonnate a sensitive & multilayered Bond girl...
So all in all, I'd say that this is a movie that reminded me of the early Sean Connerys (which still stands a my favorite Bond), while adding something new and interesting to the character. So it gives one of the best Bonds ever made...
I'm quite looking forward to seeing what they will do next! :)
I thought the last one was a bit rubbish and originally I wasn't too thrilled to go see this one but the enormously positive buzz around it finally won me over.
And I have to admit that this is one of the best action movie I've seen in a while.
It manages very succesfully to be a authentic Bond movie (with gadgets, lots of varied & colourful locations, a lot of action, women...) and still manages to break the mould and renew the franchise, thanks to bold choices.
As has been said everywhere, Bond's character is a lot more "on the edge", making up for a grittier and more violent atmosphere.
The plot is entertaining, making room for set pieces that, although being quite over the top, never seem too much of a stretch (unlike the later Brosnans) and refuses any final climax, which is brave.
The cast is excellent, Daniel Craig is perfect for the role, Mad Mikkelsen makes a charismatic villain and Eva Green impersonnate a sensitive & multilayered Bond girl...
So all in all, I'd say that this is a movie that reminded me of the early Sean Connerys (which still stands a my favorite Bond), while adding something new and interesting to the character. So it gives one of the best Bonds ever made...
I'm quite looking forward to seeing what they will do next! :)
Isms...
Racism, sexism...
Most people would deny they are racists, but still there are racists everywhere.
Proof with that article from Le Monde (in French), showing statistics saying that if you have a foreign name (that surely shows you're not "really" French), you'll be in trouble looking for a management job...
What a nice society we live in...
Most people would deny they are racists, but still there are racists everywhere.
Proof with that article from Le Monde (in French), showing statistics saying that if you have a foreign name (that surely shows you're not "really" French), you'll be in trouble looking for a management job...
What a nice society we live in...
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Japanese culture...
A Japanese friend sent this video to me.
It's very useful if you plan on going to Japan, to make sure you behave properly... ;)
Very funny.
The original link (marvels of YouTube)...
It's very useful if you plan on going to Japan, to make sure you behave properly... ;)
Very funny.
The original link (marvels of YouTube)...
Friday, November 17, 2006
Geek litterature.
(J-at-chaperon) bool question = (to)?(be):(!be);
Those guys ono BashFr are geniuses...
Can you imagine writing Hamlet in Java? :)
Those guys ono BashFr are geniuses...
Can you imagine writing Hamlet in Java? :)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
BashFr quotes...
No worthy ones for days and suddently, here they come!!
Quote n° 4669
from Le super flux RSS BashFR.org
(YoupLaBoum) j'ai jamais aimé 15h11
(YoupLaBoum) vivement 15h12
Quote n° 4668
from Le super flux RSS BashFR.org
(Lisa) bon vs rigolez pas sur ma tof hein ^^
(Ferry) t'inquiète : )
(oOSephyOo) meuh non
(wa_za) ba t'es bien ^_^
* BamAWAY is now known as Bam
(Bam) PUTAIN LE THON
* Lisa quit
(Bam) je vous jure c'est la DERNIERE fois que j'en mange pour faire plaisir à ma mère
(Bam) pourquoi elle est partie la nouvelle ?
Quote n° 4666
from Le super flux RSS BashFR.org
(gael) L'osti de corbeau sur une branche effouaré
(gael) Pognait en son bec un cheddar
(gael) L'criss de renard, que l'odeur faisait tripper
(gael) (Lui tint à peu près ce langage)
(gael) "Hé ! Dis, toué le gros mallard !
(gael) C'pô une joke, mais si tu beugles
(gael) Aussi bien que tes plumes nous aveuglent (je brode :p)
(gael) T'es vraiment le best, ça a pas de bon sens"
(gael) Aussitôt pour checker si c'est pô d'la bullshit,
(gael) Il ouvre grand son bec et pitche l'cheddar à terre
(caro) gael est le pro du québécois
Quote n° 4669
from Le super flux RSS BashFR.org
(YoupLaBoum) j'ai jamais aimé 15h11
(YoupLaBoum) vivement 15h12
Quote n° 4668
from Le super flux RSS BashFR.org
(Lisa) bon vs rigolez pas sur ma tof hein ^^
(Ferry) t'inquiète : )
(oOSephyOo) meuh non
(wa_za) ba t'es bien ^_^
* BamAWAY is now known as Bam
(Bam) PUTAIN LE THON
* Lisa quit
(Bam) je vous jure c'est la DERNIERE fois que j'en mange pour faire plaisir à ma mère
(Bam) pourquoi elle est partie la nouvelle ?
Quote n° 4666
from Le super flux RSS BashFR.org
(gael) L'osti de corbeau sur une branche effouaré
(gael) Pognait en son bec un cheddar
(gael) L'criss de renard, que l'odeur faisait tripper
(gael) (Lui tint à peu près ce langage)
(gael) "Hé ! Dis, toué le gros mallard !
(gael) C'pô une joke, mais si tu beugles
(gael) Aussi bien que tes plumes nous aveuglent (je brode :p)
(gael) T'es vraiment le best, ça a pas de bon sens"
(gael) Aussitôt pour checker si c'est pô d'la bullshit,
(gael) Il ouvre grand son bec et pitche l'cheddar à terre
(caro) gael est le pro du québécois
WiFi 2.0
A very interesting article from the BBC wesite about wireles energy transfert!!
Soon we might just loose the plugs...
Soon we might just loose the plugs...
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
The Prestige.
I remember very well when I first saw Memento in the cinema... This feeling, at the end, this deep satisfaction to have seen a movie that's entertaining, that was so stimulating for your brain and that was so beautifully executed...
I mean, that's why I go to the cinema. To get this sense of wonder... It's magic.
Well Christopher Nolan is back to work with his brother (as he did for Memento), adapting a script from a Christopher Priest novel (of the same title).
And they took the "magic" part quite litterally as it describes the rivalry between 2 magicians trying to steal each other's secrets.
The problem about writing about this movie is that you can't write about it... You can't tell the story. It would spoil it all.
This is the type of movie that entirely revolves around its plot and characters. No funky camera gimmicks here, mainly handheld camera, everything is done just to keep the audience at character level and set the eerie atmosphere of this Victoian era set story.
But aside from its main plot, with the development of its characters, it also manages to be a lot deeper than just your average rollercoaster (like Memento).
It's about secrets, obsessions, rivalry, love, revenge, tricks... How all this (especially obsession) can destroy a person.
But who's tricking who?
The story is a masterclass in storytelling, making you follow multiple flashbacks and flashforwards without ever being too confusing. It basically works like a magic trick. You're being misled all along, always on your toes, being thrown from one feeling to another towards the different characters, never able to know what to expect, trying to get a trick that you'll only if the director lets you...
It's genius.
Obviously that wouldn't stand if the cast wasn't on par. Well let me reassure you, it is. Hugh Jackman & Christian Bale are simply amazing, delivering very nuanced performances, never all dark or all too clear. The 2nd roles are also examplary (but wo would doubt Michael Caine?).
It definitely feels like this is Christopher Nolan's element. Twisted tales of tortured people. With this kind of quality, he can make as many as he likes!
I mean, that's why I go to the cinema. To get this sense of wonder... It's magic.
Well Christopher Nolan is back to work with his brother (as he did for Memento), adapting a script from a Christopher Priest novel (of the same title).
And they took the "magic" part quite litterally as it describes the rivalry between 2 magicians trying to steal each other's secrets.
The problem about writing about this movie is that you can't write about it... You can't tell the story. It would spoil it all.
This is the type of movie that entirely revolves around its plot and characters. No funky camera gimmicks here, mainly handheld camera, everything is done just to keep the audience at character level and set the eerie atmosphere of this Victoian era set story.
But aside from its main plot, with the development of its characters, it also manages to be a lot deeper than just your average rollercoaster (like Memento).
It's about secrets, obsessions, rivalry, love, revenge, tricks... How all this (especially obsession) can destroy a person.
But who's tricking who?
The story is a masterclass in storytelling, making you follow multiple flashbacks and flashforwards without ever being too confusing. It basically works like a magic trick. You're being misled all along, always on your toes, being thrown from one feeling to another towards the different characters, never able to know what to expect, trying to get a trick that you'll only if the director lets you...
It's genius.
Obviously that wouldn't stand if the cast wasn't on par. Well let me reassure you, it is. Hugh Jackman & Christian Bale are simply amazing, delivering very nuanced performances, never all dark or all too clear. The 2nd roles are also examplary (but wo would doubt Michael Caine?).
It definitely feels like this is Christopher Nolan's element. Twisted tales of tortured people. With this kind of quality, he can make as many as he likes!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Spidey 3.
I can't wait for this thing to come out.
Here's a trailer posted at Ain't It Cool News. It's a work in progress with a lot of unfinished effects, but it's still great! And more importantly, what it has over the new official one released last thursday is... A shot of VENOM!!!! (^_^)
Sorry, the video was deleted...
Wait a minute! It's here!!
More seriously:
Here's a trailer posted at Ain't It Cool News. It's a work in progress with a lot of unfinished effects, but it's still great! And more importantly, what it has over the new official one released last thursday is... A shot of VENOM!!!! (^_^)
Sorry, the video was deleted...
Wait a minute! It's here!!
More seriously:
Another rant...
I've been quite pissed of at the medias lately.
In France, there was this hruesome story of that woman who killed 3 of her newly born babies and kept 2 in her fridge (without th father knowing they were event conceived).
Sordid, to say the least.
OK, the girl's completely crazy.
But suddently in the French media there was loads of similar stories. Baby killing women. What happened? Did that 1st story triggered a bunch of crazies to do the same?
Of course not. Crazy people have always existed!
But since it's kind of fashionnable at the moment, here you go, let's cover all the similar stories we find!
Like avian flu. There was this huge psychosis caused by the media about a year and a half ago and now what? Has it disappeared? No. Still there. Still pretty threatening. Bu hey the media don't talk about it. So no problem.
But they still need to keep us afraid, so let's get the baby killers on screen.
Crazy people on the streets! That's a good trick to get people to vote for security (right wing then). Strangely French presidential elections are next year...
I just can't believe how those guys are that irresponsible. Even Le Monde (who's usually pretty objective and also my primary source of info) does it.
On the side, but related, depending how they can present the info, it's amazing how they can manipulate you into thinking things that are WRONG.
Example: I just read an article in Le Monde saying that Elton John said that we should ban all religions. At 1st, reading it, I thought: well it's quite good it's not to him then. That's just a celebrity talking nonsense. How it was presented, his opinion was pretty simplistic and I don't think banning something is ever going to solve anything. It's just another form of oppression and how do people react to oppression? They FIGHT back of course! And what sense does it make to forbid what people think?
Anyway, I checked out the equivalent article on the BBC website, to see what they thought of it. And it turns out that this article goes into more details and that his opinion is not that simplistic (whatever you think of it), well at least the "religion ban" (which is still stupid in my view...) is only part of it and sounds more like a pun (when Le Monde made it look like the main thing he had to say).
But here you go! How just the presentation of the info can just change your feeling towards it... Nothing to mess around with...
Then again on Le Monde, it's a news flash, when on the BBC it's a proper article...
But it's quite a good thing to get reminded sometime how important it is to cross check informations from different sources. Always.
In France, there was this hruesome story of that woman who killed 3 of her newly born babies and kept 2 in her fridge (without th father knowing they were event conceived).
Sordid, to say the least.
OK, the girl's completely crazy.
But suddently in the French media there was loads of similar stories. Baby killing women. What happened? Did that 1st story triggered a bunch of crazies to do the same?
Of course not. Crazy people have always existed!
But since it's kind of fashionnable at the moment, here you go, let's cover all the similar stories we find!
Like avian flu. There was this huge psychosis caused by the media about a year and a half ago and now what? Has it disappeared? No. Still there. Still pretty threatening. Bu hey the media don't talk about it. So no problem.
But they still need to keep us afraid, so let's get the baby killers on screen.
Crazy people on the streets! That's a good trick to get people to vote for security (right wing then). Strangely French presidential elections are next year...
I just can't believe how those guys are that irresponsible. Even Le Monde (who's usually pretty objective and also my primary source of info) does it.
On the side, but related, depending how they can present the info, it's amazing how they can manipulate you into thinking things that are WRONG.
Example: I just read an article in Le Monde saying that Elton John said that we should ban all religions. At 1st, reading it, I thought: well it's quite good it's not to him then. That's just a celebrity talking nonsense. How it was presented, his opinion was pretty simplistic and I don't think banning something is ever going to solve anything. It's just another form of oppression and how do people react to oppression? They FIGHT back of course! And what sense does it make to forbid what people think?
Anyway, I checked out the equivalent article on the BBC website, to see what they thought of it. And it turns out that this article goes into more details and that his opinion is not that simplistic (whatever you think of it), well at least the "religion ban" (which is still stupid in my view...) is only part of it and sounds more like a pun (when Le Monde made it look like the main thing he had to say).
But here you go! How just the presentation of the info can just change your feeling towards it... Nothing to mess around with...
Then again on Le Monde, it's a news flash, when on the BBC it's a proper article...
But it's quite a good thing to get reminded sometime how important it is to cross check informations from different sources. Always.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Hope?
An article from Le Monde (so in French again but it's not my fault if those articles don't show on the BBC website!), about solar energy.
Prices are lower and lower and experts are saying that by 2030, it'll be the most cost efficient energy source...
When you think of it that's how we will get to alternate (and green) energies... By making them cheap!
Let's do that for the cars, hopefully before we finish to change the climate on the planet...
I found a link to something similar in English...
Prices are lower and lower and experts are saying that by 2030, it'll be the most cost efficient energy source...
When you think of it that's how we will get to alternate (and green) energies... By making them cheap!
Let's do that for the cars, hopefully before we finish to change the climate on the planet...
I found a link to something similar in English...
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Philosophie (in French).
Les gars de Nanarlandland ont une approche extremement interessante de la serie B (jusqu'a Z).
Cette explication de texte de Road House, sous le doux titre "Stoïcisme et pensée platonicienne dans Road house", en est un exemple parfaitement edifiant.
Cette explication de texte de Road House, sous le doux titre "Stoïcisme et pensée platonicienne dans Road house", en est un exemple parfaitement edifiant.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
I knew it!!!!
Cyber-demonstration.
Reporters without Borders is organising a "cyber-demo" against censorship on the internet, between today 11am until tomorrow 11am. This is to condemn the states that put cyber-dissidents in prison.
More info here.
Reporters sans Frontieres organisent une cyber-manif entre aujourd'hui 11h et demain 11h pour protester contre la censure sur internet et faire pression sur 13 etats censeurs.
Plus d'info ici
More info here.
Reporters sans Frontieres organisent une cyber-manif entre aujourd'hui 11h et demain 11h pour protester contre la censure sur internet et faire pression sur 13 etats censeurs.
Plus d'info ici
Monday, November 06, 2006
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
I always have a strange & uneasy feeling when I'm going to a movie that's hailed by (almost) everyone as "hilarious". What if I didn't find that funny? What if I didn't have a good time?
Laughter is so instinctive. You can't force it. Worse than that: when people see others laughing at something they don't find funny themselves, they tend to get really annoyed.
This movie is a clear cut: either you get it, or you don't. If you don't, you'll save your time leaving in the 1st 5min. If you do, you'll piss yourself for almost 90 minutes.
Well, luckily, I fall in the latter category! :D
That is a hell of a messed up film!
The guy has no shame and will stop at no offense.
Interestingly, the people he meets are quite up to par especially when it comes to people met in a rodeo or crazy evangelists.
It made me wonder how much of it was "real"? Obviously the character isn't. His chap Azamat isn't either. But all the people he meets seem to be genuine persons (especially seeing their reactions).
From what I have read, here for example, it seems that most of it is!
Which makes the whole thing quite a heroic stunt: he basically gets to stretch everyone's patience to the point he's getting thrown out. Wether you like it or not, you have to give him that. It definitely gets some mojo to sing, in front of a few hundreds Americans, an imaginary Kasakh anthem that says "Kazakhstan greatest country in the world, All other countries are run by little girls" (to the tune of their own anthem)...
On the other side, I will even raise this at the level of, say, a Bowling For Columbine in terms of documentary about the "US & A".
I mean as much as I like Michael Moore's work, it's entertaining, thought provoking but a view to see what he does is he has selected people to talk and make asses of themselves on camera.
That's what Borat does, under the cover of his fictionnal character. He makes people let down their guard.
The aim is different, it's not about proving a particular point, but it's still something about the USA... And our culture in general.
But even without analysing this stands as a magificently tasteless piece of filmmaking and is also gloriously entertaining!
If you want to find out more (beware of spoilers!) you can go here or here (BBC).
Update!
Now that Borat has reached France: articles from Le Monde & Telerama.
And here's an exert from Rolling Stone where Sacha Baron Cohen talks about Borat.
Laughter is so instinctive. You can't force it. Worse than that: when people see others laughing at something they don't find funny themselves, they tend to get really annoyed.
This movie is a clear cut: either you get it, or you don't. If you don't, you'll save your time leaving in the 1st 5min. If you do, you'll piss yourself for almost 90 minutes.
Well, luckily, I fall in the latter category! :D
That is a hell of a messed up film!
The guy has no shame and will stop at no offense.
Interestingly, the people he meets are quite up to par especially when it comes to people met in a rodeo or crazy evangelists.
It made me wonder how much of it was "real"? Obviously the character isn't. His chap Azamat isn't either. But all the people he meets seem to be genuine persons (especially seeing their reactions).
From what I have read, here for example, it seems that most of it is!
Which makes the whole thing quite a heroic stunt: he basically gets to stretch everyone's patience to the point he's getting thrown out. Wether you like it or not, you have to give him that. It definitely gets some mojo to sing, in front of a few hundreds Americans, an imaginary Kasakh anthem that says "Kazakhstan greatest country in the world, All other countries are run by little girls" (to the tune of their own anthem)...
On the other side, I will even raise this at the level of, say, a Bowling For Columbine in terms of documentary about the "US & A".
I mean as much as I like Michael Moore's work, it's entertaining, thought provoking but a view to see what he does is he has selected people to talk and make asses of themselves on camera.
That's what Borat does, under the cover of his fictionnal character. He makes people let down their guard.
The aim is different, it's not about proving a particular point, but it's still something about the USA... And our culture in general.
But even without analysing this stands as a magificently tasteless piece of filmmaking and is also gloriously entertaining!
If you want to find out more (beware of spoilers!) you can go here or here (BBC).
Update!
Now that Borat has reached France: articles from Le Monde & Telerama.
And here's an exert from Rolling Stone where Sacha Baron Cohen talks about Borat.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Muse & western.
This is the new clip of Muse (well not so new I've been told), as posted by Nanarland (Thanks guys! But it's on YouTube anyway).
Don't leave now if you don't like Muse (or just their latest albums), this one is a jem.
It's a parody of post nuke cheesy western and it's great.
Lots of fun.
Funny how now the music is linked to the images, I can definitely see a sort of Ennio Morricone vibe to the track that I hadn't noticed before... That might be because of my lack of culture though. :p
Don't leave now if you don't like Muse (or just their latest albums), this one is a jem.
It's a parody of post nuke cheesy western and it's great.
Lots of fun.
Funny how now the music is linked to the images, I can definitely see a sort of Ennio Morricone vibe to the track that I hadn't noticed before... That might be because of my lack of culture though. :p
Friday, November 03, 2006
Big Brother is watching you...
...in the UK at least.
A report has been filed that the collection of all sorts of data in the UK is beginning to be frightingly common.
That covers not only CCTV (4.2 millions of cameras exist, that's 1 for 14 people!), but also credit cards, mobile phones, club cards... That data is obviously used for "fighting terrorrism", but also for commercial use, in order to define our consuming habits... Nothing private here...
And those surveillance techniques are foreseen to be used more and more in the near future.
How far are we from the thought police, then?
Original article (in French)
An extended article gives a bit more details here.
That could include putting tiny cameras in the street lights at man's height, to photograph anybody that would pass... It's very scary...
I'll try and search an English version on the BBC website...
Here it is!
A report has been filed that the collection of all sorts of data in the UK is beginning to be frightingly common.
That covers not only CCTV (4.2 millions of cameras exist, that's 1 for 14 people!), but also credit cards, mobile phones, club cards... That data is obviously used for "fighting terrorrism", but also for commercial use, in order to define our consuming habits... Nothing private here...
And those surveillance techniques are foreseen to be used more and more in the near future.
How far are we from the thought police, then?
Original article (in French)
An extended article gives a bit more details here.
That could include putting tiny cameras in the street lights at man's height, to photograph anybody that would pass... It's very scary...
I'll try and search an English version on the BBC website...
Here it is!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
V For Vendetta.
I recently bought that movie on DVD so that's always a good opportunity to watch a movie again and therefore drop something about it here.
The fact that November 5th was just last WE is just another incentive...
It has to be the most faithful adaptation of an Alan Moore comic to the big screen. Admittedly, he asked for his name to be removed from the credits, because he wasn't happy with the screenplay. But the fact stays.
The message might be a bit different, because it has been adapted to a "post 9/11" audience, but still you have to recognise the courage requested to put a terrorist as a hero nowadays (even a righteous one).
It's not by far a perfect movie and you could argue of length here and there, you could get annoyed at the heavy dialogues or the "too scholar" direction.
It still remains a beautifully made movie, well acted, bold, emotionally charged and with a message that is universal and vital.
What is the difference between a hero and a terrorrist?
It takes an unflinching will to actually change something in the world, because fear of change is often the strongest. Therefore a free man would someone who doesn't fear.
I don't even need that much to make it stand without shame in my all time favorite movie list...
The fact that November 5th was just last WE is just another incentive...
It has to be the most faithful adaptation of an Alan Moore comic to the big screen. Admittedly, he asked for his name to be removed from the credits, because he wasn't happy with the screenplay. But the fact stays.
The message might be a bit different, because it has been adapted to a "post 9/11" audience, but still you have to recognise the courage requested to put a terrorist as a hero nowadays (even a righteous one).
It's not by far a perfect movie and you could argue of length here and there, you could get annoyed at the heavy dialogues or the "too scholar" direction.
It still remains a beautifully made movie, well acted, bold, emotionally charged and with a message that is universal and vital.
What is the difference between a hero and a terrorrist?
It takes an unflinching will to actually change something in the world, because fear of change is often the strongest. Therefore a free man would someone who doesn't fear.
I don't even need that much to make it stand without shame in my all time favorite movie list...
BashFr quote of the day.
(Snurf) eh tu comptes te déguiser pour la soirée halloween ?
(Vag) oui jme déguise en connard
(Vag) j'aurai besoin de tes lunettes, et de tes fringues
(Snurf) ...
(Snurf) enfoiré va
lol. :D
Rough translation:
(Snurf) Hey do you plan to dress up for halloween ?
(Vag) Yes I'll dress up as an asshole
(Vag) I'll need your clothes and your glasses.
(Snurf) ...
(Snurf) Bastard.
(Vag) oui jme déguise en connard
(Vag) j'aurai besoin de tes lunettes, et de tes fringues
(Snurf) ...
(Snurf) enfoiré va
lol. :D
Rough translation:
(Snurf) Hey do you plan to dress up for halloween ?
(Vag) Yes I'll dress up as an asshole
(Vag) I'll need your clothes and your glasses.
(Snurf) ...
(Snurf) Bastard.
Cinema rant.
I've found out that Spike Lee is planning a sequel to Inside Man...
Well although I'm not all against sequels, that makes me a bit doubtful...
You have some movies that scream for sequels, because they set up characters and a context that can leave place to further developments.
But here, as good as Inside Man is (and believe me, I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent heist movie), where's the space for development?
You have a bunch of guys who set up the perfect bank robbery. Why would they try again?
For Ocean's 11, that's fair enough, the guys are doing it for the challenge. It's not the case in this one...
Well obviously that's assuming that the sequel will be another heist. There's the possibility that the sequel could be completely different, where, say, you would see the guys being chased for what they've done in the 1st one. That could be interesting...
Then again, Spike Lee is not the kind of director you'd expect to make movies "just" for the money... So maybe he's got a good idea.
But at the moment it seems to be part of this seemingly endless flow of Hollywood's sequels...
We'll see.
In the same style (as "rise and fall of independent directors"), the Hughues brothers are going to adapt the series Kung-Fu (the one with David Carradine).
Again I don't really know if I have to be excited at that news... (^_^;
Well although I'm not all against sequels, that makes me a bit doubtful...
You have some movies that scream for sequels, because they set up characters and a context that can leave place to further developments.
But here, as good as Inside Man is (and believe me, I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent heist movie), where's the space for development?
You have a bunch of guys who set up the perfect bank robbery. Why would they try again?
For Ocean's 11, that's fair enough, the guys are doing it for the challenge. It's not the case in this one...
Well obviously that's assuming that the sequel will be another heist. There's the possibility that the sequel could be completely different, where, say, you would see the guys being chased for what they've done in the 1st one. That could be interesting...
Then again, Spike Lee is not the kind of director you'd expect to make movies "just" for the money... So maybe he's got a good idea.
But at the moment it seems to be part of this seemingly endless flow of Hollywood's sequels...
We'll see.
In the same style (as "rise and fall of independent directors"), the Hughues brothers are going to adapt the series Kung-Fu (the one with David Carradine).
Again I don't really know if I have to be excited at that news... (^_^;
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Extremists.
I've read on Empire this month that Fox is planning to create a production compagny called Fox Faith, dedicated to make "Christian movies".
Well as a Christian, I have to say "WTF"????
Those days, what I see is that, out of fear from "the others", people are already withdrawing to their own communities. And we know that it only breeds extremisms... Isn't this kind of thing going to actually make things worse?
What's a "Christian movie" anyway?
Anyone who is making a movie will be putting his own sensibilities into it. So if the person is a Christian, there's every chance that it will transpire in the finished work. What's the point in cataloguing everything?
To me it only seems to be a mean of propaganda for those far right evangelists.
In times where it would actually be important to talk to each other and more importantly understand the other's cultures, I don't thing this is really to the point.
Well as a Christian, I have to say "WTF"????
Those days, what I see is that, out of fear from "the others", people are already withdrawing to their own communities. And we know that it only breeds extremisms... Isn't this kind of thing going to actually make things worse?
What's a "Christian movie" anyway?
Anyone who is making a movie will be putting his own sensibilities into it. So if the person is a Christian, there's every chance that it will transpire in the finished work. What's the point in cataloguing everything?
To me it only seems to be a mean of propaganda for those far right evangelists.
In times where it would actually be important to talk to each other and more importantly understand the other's cultures, I don't thing this is really to the point.
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