Images: favourite films

Hi. I've added images of the favourite films that have been noted in my profile. If someone is able to tell me for sure that borrowing images in this way is prohibited due to Copyright, do let me know. For now, here they are.

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

The Hours (2002)

Adaptation (2002)

The Shining (1982)

Manhattan (1979)

Greeks go wild as sexy Helena wins Eurovision

I didn't actually watch it, but I found this headline on News Corp's website quite funny.

Am at Uni working on an assignment for my 'Foreign Policies of the Great Powers' subject. The assignment question is: Since the end of World War II Australia has sought to establish a close partnership with the United States. In your view, have Canberra’s efforts to tie in more closely with the United States been in Australia’s national interest? And, what have the advantages and/or disadvantages of pursuing such a close alliance with Washington been?

Despite my disgust and disillusionment with the current US Administration, I am arguing that, for reasons of the unforseeable, Australia should keep closely associated with the United States. I won't go into detail here. ('Thank goodness!' you're saying.)

Went out for dinner with William and Luke (my flatmates) last night. Just locally, to Hawken Drive, to a Thai restaurant, 'Bangkok Delight'. I'd been there before with David and Briana, and knew it was quite nice. But the damn prices had gone up. Overall, quite good. I think some of the prices are unjustified. But, then again, you find that everywhere.

I need a haircut, because my hair's getting on the long side at the moment. I should do something radical with my hair and surprise everyone. But what on earth can I do? Not many options, apart from the usual making it a different colour or just making it really short. Why am I discussing this?

I really have nothing of interest to report. I have to get this assignment out of the way. Due on Wednesday afternoon.

G'night.

Twentieth of the fifth

The streets were covered in ice last night. You would go outside, and it was literally, 'crunch, crunch, crunch'. And the temperature dropped dramatically too. It was fantastic. Looked exactly like snow from a distance.

I'm just starting to get over the most disgusting cold. I hate being sick. It's so miserable.

I saw 'Downfall' recently. It was really good. Bruno Ganz, who played Adolf Hitler, was superb. And it was quite surprising to see Eva Braun portrayed as such an effervescent, cheerful person.

Adios.

Commercials: Our gift from the devil

An article in The Weekend Australian's 'Review' section on Saturday highlighted the absolute madness surrounding the utter crap that is chucked at us every single day in this crazy, crazy society.

I absolutely deplore, despise, hate, and am infuriated by advertising, and I am mainly referring to television advertising, ie. commercial breaks. The writer, Graeme Blundell, hit the nail on the head when describing this aspect of television. But even the word, 'aspect', seems inadequate when referring to TV commercials. It has absolutely taken over. Ad breaks are getting longer and louder. This is undeniable. The quality of the ads has also hit an all-time low. Ads aimed at being inspirational or humorous fail dismally. The constant portrayal of women as flawless, sexual goddesses; and men as dumb, uneducated losers is incredibly worrying.

I honestly try to avoid commercial television as much as I can. Not just because the quality of programming is total shit, but the ads are never-friggin'-ending. I'm going to single out Network Ten here: the worst of the lot. I am forever puzzled as to why they are not being seriously questioned on why, so very often, the ads run longer than the actual program does, and why when the ads begin, I suddenly can't hear myself think because some dickhead is screaming his lungs out in order to inform me that Super A-Mart is cutting 15% off all stock this weekend.

I can't speak on behalf of anyone else, but when I turn the TV on, I turn it on to watch the stuff that's in the TV guide. Certainly, I accept that commercial stations will have commercials (hence the name). But commercials that go for an eternity? Commercials that appear every five minutes? Commercials that yell at me? Commercials that are so not-funny that they are embarrassing? Commercials that even appear on the screen during the program itself, in fancy digital fashion, reminding us of the apparently-vital information that coming-up-next, the unbelievably-fake-looking members of Desperate Housewives will reveal an amazing secret?

I'm sorry for this cynicism. But I do honestly believe that television, in general - and primarily due to Networks Seven, Nine and the awful Ten - is sitting at a very low level currently. I blame the 'rise of reality', along with the ever-growing influence of companies wanting to get their pointless, unimaginative messages across to us. I admit that the majority would probably disagree with me.

We have been 'dumbed down' by all this shit on our television screens. I am not for a second suggesting that I never tune into the commercial TV stations. Indeed, they sometimes broadcast things that I like to watch (Ten rarely, rarely does this... But it has once or twice). But if things continue the way they are... the Australian accent will disappear, the level of societal intelligence will plummet, the amount of unnecessary cosmetic surgery will rise, etc. etc. etc...

This has been very pessimistic, very negative, very cynical. But I'm afraid that this is the only attitude I can adopt when discussing ads, ads, ads, ads, ads, ads, ads, ads, ads...

Long live the ABC and SBS. Whilst SBS recently began commercial advertising, at least these only appear in-between programs, and in minimal doses.

I'm sure it is only a matter of time before another blog-outburst like this. And probably on the very same subject. Think what you like, but opinions are opinions. And we are all entitled to them.

Ahoy

I got caught in the pouring rain walking to Uni yesterday, and got absolutely soaking wet. However, I did not utter one word of complaint. I adore the rain.

There's déjà-vu in Canberra, as the Howard-Costello show seems to be very derivative of the Hawke-Keating show. I can't actually remember the leadership tensions between Hawke and Keating, but from what I've read, it was very similar to the little competition between John and Peter. Personally, I wouldn't be at all saddened if Howard were to move on. And whilst the idea of a Prime Minister Costello isn't incredibly appealing, I really think that the current PM has become a bit of a smug bastard. Yes, I am appreciative of my youth allowance. Yes, I'm thankful the economy is in rather good shape (or so we're told). But he's done a lot of stupid things too. And he's led us for almost a decade now. A decade. As I mention in the profile, I cannot honestly say which Australian political party I support (because I don't know). However, I seem to be slowly leaning further and further away from the Coalition. And State-wise, whilst I admit the Cabinet is incompetent, I really think Beattie is a good premier. What do the rest of you think?

A bientôt.

Comments (enabled for all)

I've changed the settings, so I believe ANYONE can now post comments on each entry. Just select the 'Other' option after you've typed your comment, and you can then enter your name.

Birth

Saw 'Birth' last night at the Regent... Starring Nicole Kidman.

As far as I'm aware, the Australian release is very, very late. It's old news to the rest of the world. This film stirred up some controversy as a result of a scene wherein Nicole Kidman is in the bath with a ten-year-old boy (who, I must say, was a very irritating character. His acting was pretty dismal too, but that's all according to mere me). It was certainly an interesting experience to see this... A rather quiet film, slow in parts, but not necessarily in a bad way. The ending, to use Kieran's description, was 'ambiguous'. All the same, I would certainly be interested in knowing what others think of it, if, indeed, anyone has or will go to see it.

It's been brought to my attention that, in order for others to post comments on this site, I need to create a team of members. I should be able to work that out before too long.

At Uni now. Had a lecture at 12pm, got a tutorial at 3pm.

Links...

I finally worked out how to edit the links. You can now see the ones I've added (so far).

Moby: I'm a fan of his music. I think he's very clever, and I agree with a lot of his views and opinions on the state of the world. I check his Journal quite regularly, and it's always interesting to know what he's up to. He updates it almost every day.

The Clinton Foundation: I'm a strong supporter of Bill's. I went to see him speak when he visited Brisbane in 2002, as most of you know. Probably the best orator on the planet. He has his flaws (like we all do), but I think he has done and continues to do a lot of good in the world.

Meryl Streep: The finest actress in history (in my opinion). In fact, there is not one actor, male or female, who is superior. Brilliant.

The Life Aquatic: I added this to the links because this film is an example of the quirky, yet subtle, humour that I love so much.

The Office: Incredibly funny. Incredibly clever. You MUST see this if you haven't already.

1st...or 2nd?

I have already posted today under the entry titled, "Anthony JS". However, I do have some extra things to say...

I have tried to edit the links on this site, as well as trying other things (ie. photos...) to brighten the place up a bit. Yet, I don't seem to be having much success. As a result of my attempts, I've accidentally altered a couple of things, like colour... Kieran, I need your help. I don't understand why it's such a process to simply edit the links... I believe that YOU, even though it's not your website, are able to click on where it says "Edit Link" on the side, and it explains how to do it (in not the most simplistic way). If you are so bored that you actually take a look, and you happen to work out what to do, please let me know.

Today, I witnessed a brawl. I walked down to the convenience store to withdraw some money, and there were two guys, probably in their 50s, absolutely belting into each other. About five cars had pulled over, the passengers of which were entranced by the events... A couple were on their phones (maybe calling the police?). It was a pretty serious fight...they were still going when I came out of the store.

I must say, it's interesting that when stories like: Schappelle Corby, the 'Bali Nine', or the Michael Jackson molestation case arise, the media make sure the opinion of the public is sought... Oh, what's the public's verdict on this? The public have no idea what's going on! The public are not sitting in on the case each day listening to the evidence... they're not in regular contact with the judges.....they see 5-second snippets of people arriving at court on the news, and this is what their judgment is based on. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, absolutely. But really, the public's opinion on whether or not someone is guilty doesn't matter and is completely irrelevant.

"A Mr. Anthony Stoddart of Brisbane has told the media that he believes Mr. Jackson is innocent. Stoddart, who owns three of Jackson's CDs and whose brother and sister went to a Jackson concert in 1997, admitted to thinking all along that Jackson had done nothing wrong."

Anthony JS

Before I say anything else, I must acknowledge Ryan Baines. I have borrowed the idea of having a Blog from him. He has recently created one, and it has suddenly made me eager to create one of my own. I recommend you visit his site at http://ryanbaines.blogspot.com/.

Welcome to Anthony JS. I intend to use this site as an opportunity to share my thoughts with you (at least the ones that I think you might find interesting).

I'm really not completely sure what features I'll be adding to this site, if, indeed, I can work out how to add them... But I'm sure it will become slightly more interesting with time.

Please, do visit, because I don't want to be typing my entries for no reason.

Thank-you.