A Mid-Life Crisis Waiting to Happen...

A Musical Interlude

2012-02-04T15:56:00.000Z

Last Wednesday was a rather good day. I managed to pick up a review copy of Tom-All-Alone's (more on that next tuesday when I post my review) and I stumbled across the soundtrack to the BBC version of Sherlock on Spotify. When I tweeted that very fact I got a thank you from David Arnold.

Told you so!

As is often the way with these things I got me to thinking. What soundtracks have totally got under my skin and always illicit a positive response from me? After a bit of thought and in no sort of order whatsoever I have come up with the following list.

Sherlock by David Arnold and Michael Price - Thoroughly modern but also captures the original Victorian setting and mood of classic Holmes as well. Evocative stuff.

Tron Legacy by Daft Punk - I have to admit I was highly dubious when I originally heard that Daft Punk were going to be on board for this but I was one million percent wrong. Many people have said that this is the best thing about the sequel and the more I think about it the more inclined I am to agree. Huge sprawling electronica with an anthemic nod.

The Warriors by Barry De Vorzon - There is a lot to be said for music that captures a time period accurately. The main theme is a perfect example of this. 70s through and through. Weirdly I heard this before I ever saw the film and I always thought it was bloody sinister. (No I don't know where that came from either).

Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore - An entire trilogy of beautiful, moving themes. Makes me start to well-up every single time I think about (Yes I know I am a big softie, would you care to make something of it? You would! Then pistols at dawn it is. I demand satisfaction)

Flash Gordon by Queen - Well, if you're gonna do cheese you best do it well. A wonderfully camp soundtrack to go along with a wonderfully camp film.

I could go on forever, I really could, but its just started to snow so I'm going to go and watch that instead.

Till next time

Keep it musical

Mr C

Pablo Cheesecake Goes Haywire and then Grey

2012-01-28T18:17:00.000Z

Its time for another one of those posts that devotes itself to one of my favourite things - the silver screen. Over the last couple of weeks I've been to the cinema a couple of times.

First up was the latest Steven Soderbergh film, Haywire.

Don't let the pink gloves fool you. She would kick your ass

I took great delight in watching retired MMA fighter Gina Carano hold her own against some big Hollywood names. She plays Mallory Kane an operative for a private security firm who is burned by her boss and seeks revenge against everyone who set her up. Carano comes across really well in the film. Tough as nails, resourceful and a match for any obstacle in her path. I think I would happily watch a sequel to this.

Soderbergh has a knack when it comes to large ensemble casts and having the likes of Antonio Banderas, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas and Ewan McGregor on board probably helps. The twin highlights of Fassbender getting his ass kicked and a rooftop chase across the streets of Dublin were well worth the price of admission.

Next The Grey (or as Mrs Cheesecake has re-christened it Rambo with Wolves). I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect. So far I've only seen two Joe Carnahan directed films. I enjoyed Smokin Aces quite a bit, The A-Team was passable but not brilliant. The Grey, however, is just excellent, I cant recommend it highly enough. Liam Neeson is a bit fucking epic in this. I wouldn't dream of giving anything away but I can guarantee some serious excitement and also a rather captivating story. I was on the edge of my seat, man vs nature proves to be fertile ground when it comes to the action genre.

I heard the other day that originally Bradley Cooper was supposed to star in this one. I'm so glad Neeson did instead. The final minutes of this film are just breathtaking. Neeson brings a craggy gravitas to his role that will bring a tear to your eye.

Who let Liam near the mini bar?

Anyway I think that's enough for now.

Till next our paths cross

Cheerio

Mr P Cheesecake Esq

Keep on Running

2012-01-14T21:04:00.000Z

The first two weeks of the 2012 challenge are complete. Thoughts so far? Well, unsurprisingly it's been fucking hard. I've had a think about it and I don't think, prior to this month, I have actually run at all this century. (Thats probably not good is it?) So far I have managed 18k so only 482k to go. Why only 18k? I have to be honest and fess up, I only managed 3k the first time out. Since then however I managed a solid 5k each time I have gone to the gym. Perseverance appears to be the watchword

I'm also pleased to note* the fact that I have managed to get slightly faster on each occasion. Not massively so but I guess its can only be a good thing to be improving. The key thing, I think, is that I have to keep reminding myself that this is a long term goal. I plan on going to the gym twice a week for the rest of the year. I will run 500k in 2012 and if I'm going to I don't want to over do it first month out.

The best way I can think to celebrate this momentous(-ish) achievement. An appropriately themed bit of music I think.

Later Peoples

Pablo 'The Running Man' Cheesecake

*feel free to insert - I'm quietly smug about

2012 - The Year of the Cheesecake?

2012-01-01T17:55:00.001Z

Happy New Year!

What does 2012 have in store I wonder? Mrs Cheesecake and I were talking about the highlights of 2011 this morning and I released she was able to list many more personal achievements than I. Don't get me wrong I am intensely proud of her but also quite a bit jealous. I need to set myself some proper goals for a change. So here goes... (you can mock me about not completing them later in the year, say August?)

Project Cthulhu

I have started to save, thanks to some generous relatives at Christmas, and my first goal will be to get the design finalised and my first 3hr session booked. I reckon for around Easter. We shall see. The next update will be over on the project page. (See the link on the right hand side of the page)

He Don't Have What We Call The Social Skills

I'm not too bad when I talk to people online and if I've known you for a real life for a while I'm ok as well but when it comes to meeting people for the first time I am still a bit of an oaf. I need to try a bit harder to get on with people. I'm just terribly shy, underneath all the bluster I mean. I'm nice most of the time, honestly.

On The Cusp of Less Rubbish-ness

I was going to call this section of the post On The Cusp of Greatness but if I am being 100% honest with myself greatness might be aiming a little high. Less rubbish seems a much more acceptable and achievable goal.

So what is the grand plan I hear cry? Well it is only a matter of days before the 2012 challenge begins in earnest. I plan a 500km run in 2012 (I must be off my fucking chump). I managed 20000 sit ups in 2011 but I think this endeavor is considerably upping my game.(I've joined a gym and got a new pair of trainers and everything). Why am I doing it? Really just as personal challenge. To see if I can manage it I suppose. I need to loose some weight anyway so why not try some incredibly foolish way to do it.

I'm sure there will be further progress updates in the future, either that or I'll be dead. We shall see. Time will out as they say.

Fuck it I'm bored of wittering now (that probably doesn't bode well for all these lofty bloody goals does it?)

ho hum

Later

What do you get the Cheesecake who has everything?

2011-12-25T14:11:00.000Z

Merry Festivities everyone! I hope today is treating you well. As has become traditional over the last few years Mrs Cheesecake and I have spent the day, just the two of us, in our little house. The wind may be blowing outside but inside all is cozy and very relaxing.

Later we have the twin delights of Dr Who and Downton but before the tv takes over my day entirely I thought I woud share details of all the fabulous presents I received.

A new wallet (I have to admit my old one was getting a little ragged looking around the edges)
A TARDIS iphone cover
A Kindle
Thermal socks (I'm wearing them now and can confirm they are very toasty)
A leatherman multi-tool
5 ebooks
Some cash toward Project Cthulu (I expect some genuine movement on this plan in the New Year, stay tuned)

Quite a haul eh? I know I am an extremely lucky Cheesecake. I hope everyone else got what they wanted. I certainly did.

Have a spectacular festive season. Be good, look ok for one another and read stuff.

Later Xmas Chums

Pablo Cheesecake and The Game of Shadows

2011-12-19T19:21:00.000Z

Though we finished work last Friday today was our first proper official day off for Christmas. What did we do then?

First off a trip to the cinema in a very wet and miserable Nottingham. We decided to see the new Sherlock Holmes. My overall impression was extremely positive. The additions of Stephen Fry and Jared Harris to the cast were perfect. Harris makes a wonderful Moriarty (I kept catching glimpses of his father in his performance, all a bit spooky) and Fry is just as good as Mycroft. I going to go out on a limb here and suggest this is a better film than its predecessor. The scale is much larger than before and Downey Jr and Law have a rather marvellous chemistry/bromance going on that is very evident on screen. You never question the two performances for a second.

After the cinema a huge Chinese buffet beckoned (I am still full now hours later). We also did a bit of last minute shopping. Mostly for ourselves it has to be said. I got a Gruffalo pen and a new notepad. I dont need either of them but I did crave them.

No it's not a self portrait....cheeky.

Once we got home I decided to do about of online shopping. I have received a few Amazon vouchers so it was time to load up my new Kindle with some choice items. After a bit of browsing I have 5 new ebooks and a Leatherman multi-tool.

Finally to round off the afternoon I sat and watched Laputa - Castle in the Sky. I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and this is my favourite. I just adore it. If you haven't ever seen it I suggest you seek it out now. Go on, bugger off......Now, I mean it....

Bye bye

An Elementary Cheesecake

This Made My Year

2011-12-17T13:00:00.000Z

This morning I cracked open my review copy of Hell Train by Christopher Fowler. I've been looking forward to reading it but have managed to hold off starting it because I had other books to read first. Bottom of the first page I saw the following

Woot!

Mrs Cheesecake will tell you I came over all emotional (I am a big softie really). My little review website is on that page and just look at the other names on there. I was genuinely stunned (still am truth be told).

Here's a link to the original review I wrote of Roofworld.

.....Thats all really, I just wanted to share.

Cheerio

An Extremely Pleased Cheesecake

Been Far To Long Again Hasn't It

2011-12-06T21:25:00.001Z

Honestly I really do like writing a blog. I know that may seem like an out and out lie but it really is the truth. I have just been pretty busy of late and whenever that happens the first thing to suffer is my Mid Life Crisis. I promise I will try harder next time. Anyway on with the latest (long awaited?) update.

A Fat Man Busts a Gut in 2011

The finish line is clearly in sight, only 500 sit-ups to go. Another arse spankingly daft personal challenge very nearly complete. Side effects of this nonsense? weight has dropped from 17st 8lbs down to 15st 11lbs. The crazy thing. I plan on doing something just as fucking stupid next year. I want to lose another couple of stone. What epic foolishness have you got planned then? I hear very few of you cry. Ok I am going to run 500 kilometres. I shit you not. I have my gym induction booked for next week and everything. I might even by some new trainers. 10km a week for 50 weeks should do the trick. I even get 2 weeks off for good behaviour. I'll update this topic again next year when I am up and running (Oh suit yourself).

Tis The Season To Be Cheesecake

Christmas is just round the corner. I am looking forward to it. Two weeks off work and lots of tasty treats. I am a big fan of Christmas. My usual grumpy demeanour is slightly less grumpy than normal. I do hope there is snow (one of my earliest memories is of snow, always warms the old cockles). I have also have snagged a crackin gift for Mrs Cheesecake. I think she will like. Some nice lateral thought has gone into this one. My main gift is going to be a Kindle. Hmmm gadget-tastic. There is bound to be more swag on the day. I'll probably post about it.

Lets not forget though, Christmas isn't just about presents. There is some crackin TV to watch as well.

Only Scotland Could Do This

So it was a bit windy the other day back in the Auld country and needless to say the social networks were abuzz with all the action. What did the cheeky young scamps christen this weather related phenomena? #HurricaneBawbag. Yup, only Scotland could name a hurricane after slang for the scrotum. I salute the entire country for the best hashtag in the history of Twitter.

Till next time

Adios Amigos

Oh before I go. I forget to mention Brian Blessed is now on Twitter. Follow him, you know you want to.

CHEESECAKES ALIVE!!!

The name is Cheesecake....Pablo Cheesecake

2011-11-11T10:29:00.001Z

Music is a huge part of my life. When I was young I had a bash and lets just say I didn't set the world alight with my efforts. Enthusiastic yes, talented less so. That said I still have a strong appreciation for good music done well. Irrespective of the genre, type, style as long as it is performed well it has the ability grab my attention and maintain it.

Let me try to give you an example. Earlier today I was sitting down to write a book review. I tend to chuck iTunes or Spotify on in the background as a bit of music tends to get my old brain working. Half way through I realised that I have stopped writing and instead I'm day dreaming about being a spy. Where had this thought come from? The book I was writing about had nothing to do with spies but some how Bond had managed to sneak in there.

Before I go any further I should clarify when I talk about Bond I mean this guy.

Sir James Bond

What do you mean 'Who is that?' Dude it's only David Niven as Sir James Bond from the 1967 version of Casino Royale. The closest thing you'll get to perfection my friend.

The music though is the key. If it is done well I am so easily distracted it is frightening. The track in question was this marvel.

This is a work of Burt-Bacharachien genius. Brashy and ballsy but also delicate. Jazzy and epic at the same time. I adore the multi-layered sound. I can't drive but this always makes me day dream about driving a sports car along a long stretch of winding road somewhere in the south of France. (I have no idea where this comes from either. It's good though isn't it).

The Return of The Curse of the Brown Trousers

A while back I wrote about my panic after buying a brown pair of trousers. After their arrival and I tried them all appeared to be well and I thought that chapter of my life was over. NOT SO. After a only a couple of weeks this happened.

Fucking Annoying

I bent over and bloody things only ripped on the arse. Weird thing is I dont even have that big an arse. If anything my arse is somewhat lacking. The good news is that fortunately Mrs Cheesecake is a dab hand with a needle and thread and she swooped in and fixed them. I'm pleased to report they haven't ripped since.

Coffee

I have a love/hate relationship with coffee. If I drink to much it gives me a headache and makes me a a bit narky. So much so that I made a decision about a year ago to stop drinking it. I have over the last couple of weeks I have start to dabble again but on a much smaller scale. Why? Because it is time to get myself down to Starbucks and get myself a redcup. The Eggnog Latte will be mine. Oh yes it will.

And Finally

I got these in the mail this week and I had to share.

Awesomeness in book form

The only question.Where to begin?

Enough of this light hearted procrastination.....onwards!

Toddle Pip

The Venerable Sir Pablo Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake vs That There London

2011-11-06T17:53:00.000Z

It's not very often that Mrs Cheesecake and I get the opportunity to head of to the big city but yesterday we had a perfect excuse. Mrs Cheesecake is a rather huge fan of Michael Sheen (don't believe me? check out www.michael-sheen.co.uk, all her own work don't cha know). Anywho, we had scored some tickets to go and see Himself (that's what he is known as in our house) as Hamlet at The Young Vic.

As the show wasn't on until 7pm we decided we would check out a bit of the city we hadn't experienced before. I should state for the record I was also jonesin for a Starbucks Eggnog latte and figured I could cater for coffee habit along the way.

So prior to the show - Borough Market. Awww man this place is food porn of the highest order. Every direction you turn there are loads and loads of specialist vendors hawking their wares. It is a blissful assault on the senses. Within the first 100ft we had walked past someone making grilled garlic king prawns, someone else selling hot mulled wine and another selling pates, relishes and many varieties of salami. Best part, without a doubt, LOADS of free samples. I just didn't know where to start.

Eventually, after much umming and ahhing, we ended up joining a queue for a stall called Roast to Go. The queue was pretty long but I took this to be a good sign, turns out it was totally worth it. I got a salt beef, mustard and pickle sandwich while Mrs Cheesecake had turkey and cranberry. It may have been the best sandwich I have ever eaten (and I really do mean EVER!)

More wandering about and I got to try some splendid cheese, an exceptional terrine and a great wild mustard relish. I think that if we had the time, the cash and the inclination we could have spent the entire day at there.

The evening found us at The Young Vic and we had pretty epic fucking seats, 4th row ain't at all shabby. We've seen a good modern take of Hamlet before, starring the Tenth Doctor and Jean-Luc Picard, but this interpretation was a different class. The performances were all mesmerising but Sheen was exceptional. Nothing better than a bit of live theatre.

I reckon that'll do for now. Much as I enjoyed visting that there London. It is nice to be back in our little house, fussing the cat on the sofa. I have some serious mooching about scheduled so best be off to do it.

Laters Taters

Ohh by the way, before I forget, after such a hectic day it may not be a massive surprise to discover that I completely forgot about, and didn't manage to get, the coffee I was hoping for. Perhaps next week.

A Week of Cheesecake

2011-10-22T21:05:00.001+01:00

This week a bring you a random assortment of the stuff that has happened in our house

The Seven Day Sandwich

Mrs Cheesecake and I enjoy watching Man vs Food. I you haven't ever seen it I strongly advise you check it out, it fucking rocks. Anyway it got us to thinking about all the strange a delicious looking foods that our American cousins have access. How easy would it be to replicate this sort of culinary adventure in the UK? We decided we would give it a go. We set our sights on creating a Reubens. The primary ingredient is salt beef. Just to make things interesting we thought we would have bash a preparing our own salt beef. Turns out this takes the minimum of seven days. The beef has to be soaked in water that contains various herbs. Was it successful? We will find out tomorrow. I am hoping for something along these lines.

Paging Dr Cheesecake

A few months ago I entered a competition to appear in a book by the publisher Abaddon. Bugger me if I didn't go ahead and win. The prize was to have an academic named in one of the appendices in the novel Savage Knight by Paul Lewis. I decided the nominate Mrs Cheesecake instead and today the book arrived. I had a rummage and low in behold on page 279 the following....

This may be the coolest fucking thing ever. I'm sort of jealous I gave the prize away now. She'll be in print forever. Immortality achieved at last.

2011 Challenge Update

We are well and truly in the final stretch. After nearly 10 months I have managed over 16000 sit ups. Less than 4000 to go. Happy days. Actually that is not entirely accurate. I have to think of what I am going to do in 2012. I've done the huge cycle trek (500km in 2010) so I am looking for suggestions for next year. No not chin ups I am to tall for that. Perhaps I should come up with some sort of weight training program? I'm sure I can come with something. Hey you never know one day I may not be fat anymore. Stranger things have happened. Admittedly I'm unsure what these stranger things are but you get the gist.

Ohh before I forget, if you feel the urge you can still donate to my just giving page. Well I say mine. It is one that I share with my amigo @Seabrie. Together we are Two Fat Men. Impressive non?

Sunday Night Whimsy

I am a creature of habit. After a long hard week I enjoy putting my feet up and giving my self over to the Lords of Whimsy. What, you may ask, is this? I have this theory that someone, somewhere invented a rule that every Sunday night there has to be a lavish looking TV show on. Disagree? I submit the following as evidence. Hamish Macbeth, Monarch of the Glen, Lark Rise to Candleford (known as Lark Rise to Bumble Fuck in our house - I don't know why either), Spooks, Downton Abbey. Now don't get me wrong. These shows ain't Shakespeare but but sure as hell are entertaining.

Oh well enough of this jibber jabber

Stuff to do

Laters Taters,Adios

Mr C

UPDATE

Just realised this my 150th post. Can't let this go by without a Fuck Yeah! I can also pretty much guarantee that there will be 150 more. I mean where the hell else am I going to waxy lyrical.

Lazy Technology

2011-10-16T08:36:00.001+01:00

Does tech enhance our lives and make things easier or does it just make us big old amorphous lazy blobs? I've been thinking about it and after much pondering I think I'll go with the second conclusion.

Why would you come to that staggering conclusion Pablo?

Well, basically because I am lying in bed writing this post on my iPhone. Fuck - even for me that is lazy. I mean seriously I'm in bed writing a blog post on a phone. It's not even difficult.

On second thought perhaps this is a good thing? Maybe horizontal blogging is the future? If it catches on remember you heard about it here first!

A Random Ten Things

2011-10-14T23:17:00.000+01:00

Tonights post is brought to you by ten random things that have occurred this week in my life.

I'm obsessing about sandwiches again. This time something called a Reubens. Mrs Cheesecake has bought into the lunacy and we are going to prepare our own salt beef brisket. Takes about a week to do so don't be surprised if there us another update re: this in about seven days time.
So iOS5 landed this week. Based on what I have read on the interweb I have had a hassle free update. Some others have had some issues. I guess I have been lucky.
Fantasycon is going back to Brighton in 2012. The same team that were responsible for this year's con are going to be running the show again. Same hotel as well. I am pretty keen to attend I think. This year was a great deal of fun. Lots of real nice folks there this time out so I don't see why it shouldn't be the same again next year.
This years annual challenge is still going strong. To recap 20000 sit-ups in 2011. This week I have hit 15700. Possibility of completing challenge remains highly likely.
Werewolves continue to usurp my reading list. Poetry as well. Truly a eclectic mix.
I bought a body warmer. This must herald the return of the 1980s. I look forward to the return of day glo socks. They were fucking great.
I have admit defeat and concede that the pumpkins have not performed as well as I would have hoped. I think again the great British weather is entirely to blame. Next year there will be greenhouse and hopeful slightly more successful crops. The parsnips will get picked this weekend. My hopes for them are sightly higher.
No movement on Project Cthulu yet. Perhaps in the New Year If I'm lucky.
Tomorrow my brother in law is coming to visit and we are off to see The Three Musketeers. I have a great love for Frenchie styled movies. I love the numerous versions of The Count of Monte Cristo and also The Three Musketeers so this should be fun.
Messing about with my phone earlier I captured Freya up to mischief - No I don't know what she is doing either. I'm sure she is up to something though.

Cat in a bag

Nighty night,

Sleep Tight,

Don't panic there aren't any bedbugs that'll bite....

Just me hiding under your bed

And It's Hello From Me

2011-10-10T22:24:00.000+01:00

Damn you real life. Damn your black heart for getting in the way. *shakes angry fist at the sky* It has been ages since I have last written anything here. I've been busy. What with holidays, work, book reviews and everything else it life get quite cluttered. I've had a flurry of new followers on the Twitters and Facebook so I thought I might do a little introductory post/ Q&A thingee.

Who the Hell are you? Around most of Interweb I go by the name Pablo Cheesecake. You may be stunned to discover that this isn't my real name (I know I was). You can call me Paul if you like. I live in a little house with my significant other, the redoubtable MadNad as well as two cats (Odin & Freya) and a tarantula called Athena. When I'm not here or at work I run a book review website called The Eloquent Page. Gives me the chance to read a lot which can only be a good thing no?

What can you expect from A Mid-Life Crisis? Well, to put it in a nutshell, basically this is my on-going experiment trying to upload my consciousness on the internet. I like the idea of opening my brain giving it a shake and seeing what falls out. To give you a rough idea of the sort of thing you'll witness. In the past I've blogged about my quest for the perfect fish finger sandwich, my obsession with crappy movies and in one memorable instance I ranted while drunk about Tesco's plastic bags.

How often will I post? Your guess is as good as mine chief. This is the nature of random. Could be tomorrow cold be next week. I have no idea.

Will there be swearing? Fuck yeah. Probably lots if I'm honest. If it is in my head then it will eventually find its way onto the blog.

So I think that covers just about everything for now. Are we all strapped in and ready for lift off? Good show, lets see where we end up shall we.

Till next time
Please remember to tip your waiters and waitresses

Pablo Cheesecake

Trolls, The New 52 and a Bake-a-thon

2011-09-10T21:56:00.001+01:00

Pablo Cheesecake, Trollhunter

This morning Mrs Cheesecake and I went to the cinema and we saw the latest found footage movie, Trollhunter. I demand you go and see this film immediately. This Norwegian epic is such good fun. The scenery is breathtaking. The story was highly enjoyable and the trolls themselves are a sight to behold.

I enjoyed this so much I felt compelled to ask Mrs Cheesecake to help me recreate a scene from the film. If you have been lucky enough to see the film then I think you can agree that the result is spookily accurate.

Pablo Cheesecake - Troll Hunter

I would particularly like to draw your attention to the fact I am wearing my nice bright green socks (perhaps not obvious as the photo is quite small, click on the photo to em-biggen). My feet were freezing when we got to Norway this afternoon. Also worth pointing out my hair goes the same colour as the trolls when it needs to get re-dyed (sad but true).

I am slightly concerned that there is going to be an English language remake of this. That would be a damn shame. The Norwegian cast were pitch perfect and I really cant imagine this story working anywhere else in the world.

The New 52

I also dipped my toes back into the world of comics this week. After much pondering I decided to I pick up Swamp Thing and Animal Man from the new DC range. Both were rather good. It has been a long time (years) since I bought any comic and I have to admit I was sceptical but turns out I was wrong. I think I may have to pick up Green Lantern next week. How long will this rekindled love affair last? Only time will tell.

Cakeageddon

Mrs Cheesecake has found her own bliss this week. Today after we got back from town she made a huge rustic loaf of bread, an apple and blackberry pie, a red velvet cake? and roast lemon and herb chicken. Check out the Twitters for evidence of this epic feat. I am being totally spoiled by all this homemade cookery. It is epic. Even as I type now she is pottering around in the kitchen making a cream cheese frosting for the cake. I think my waistline may explode. At least I will die happy :)

I'm going to go and get some cake.

Cheerio

Cheesecake Away!

Hey, Hey Its Saturday

2011-09-03T15:37:00.000+01:00

Of Fantasycon and Holidays

Not long to go now till a two week holiday topped of with a visit to Fantasycon 2011 in Brighton. This will be our third FCon but I've never been to Brighton before so I'm looking forward to visiting somewhere new. There are a number of book launches that sound exactly great. Roll on our long weekend at the seaside. Hopefully I'll meet some of you there? I'll be the one with the bright red hair. More on that nearer the time I think.

The Curse of the Brown Trousers

(Before reading this update it would be well worth your while to check out my last post to understand the ins and outs of my trouser trauma. Hmmm trouser trauma sounds rude. Please note this is not erection related in any way. Just in case you were worried.)

They have finally arrived and I'm wearing them right now as I type. They seem to be very comfortable. Will this change my entire wardrobe? I dont think so. I'm still reticent to move into the realms of corduroy for example. At the very least I have a new choice I suppose. Like I've said before I'm not a fashionista so change is always a bit traumatic. Baby steps eh people?

Walking Music

This morning I had some errands to attend to and I decided I would do them on foot. Nice to get a bit of exercise and all that. I also decided it would be a good idea to take along my iPhone so I could listen to some sounds along the way.

My musical tastes are at best described as eclectic but I have a confession to make. Most of the time when I walk along the street this is what is playing in my head anyway.

or this

I fear I may have revealed to much. Oops. Oh well, never mind.

New Blogger

Looks like Blogger has a had a bit of an update. I am liking some of the new features. Certainly this first attempt at using it has been stress free.

Anyway enough of this waffle

Till next our paths cross

Your servant

Pablo Cheesecake Esq.

Trousers, Tattoos and Terror

2011-08-24T19:27:00.002+01:00

The Curious Case of the Brown Trousers

When it comes to fashion I am a bit of a one trick pony. I like black jeans or black combats, if I am feeling whimsical khaki green at a push. Last weekend, in a fit of pique, I decided I was going to break with tradition and try something new. In a moment of craziness I purchased a pair of brown trousers. They haven't arrived yet but I have been fretting about them ever since. What possessed me into this random act of fashion rebellion? For years I have been comfortable with my style (or indeed lack there of). I am still genuinely unsure if I will be able to where these when they do show up. The last time a tried something different, a pair of beige combats as I recall, my young nephew threw up on me and them. (Pureed sweet potato if your curious. Turns out bright orange is not a great accent colour in this case). More on this as the story develops.

The Great Tattoo of the Deep

Last week Mrs Cheesecake got some new ink. She is now the proud owner of a wolf paw print on the back of her neck. Jolly good it looks to. I am once again jealous. She has a number of other ideas and I look forward to them appearing over the fullness of time. In all honesty my tattoos are a bit lame and I am going through a phase of being slightly embarrassed by their crapiness. This did make me think about remedying the situation and so I started looking for ideas. I want to really go for it. Something striking and memorable. Something that I will be proud to be seen with for the rest of my life. After much research I have come to the following conclusion. I want something similar to this.

Isn't it stunning. I really, REALLY like this. Now we come to the problem. I was talking to the tattooist about getting a sleeve done and it takes quite a long time (well I suppose that is fair enough. I mean you'd want a good job wouldn't you) but it also costs quite a bit. Hmmm I'm not the best at saving my pennies. Roughly we are talking about 20hrs work at around £70 an hour. Do the math. Not exactly cheap is it. Would anyone like a kidney? Can I interest you in a slightly used spleen? If an eccentric billionaire happens upon this post I wouldn't say no to accepting your charity. I won't do anything kinky in return though. Well not too kinky anyway.

A Cheesecake The Goes Bump in The Night

Over the last couple of years I have developed a rather strange habit. If I sit an watch a horror film before I go to bed I will almost always have a bad dream. This in turn leads to me waking up in a blind panic. For example when I watched the Japanese version of The Ring I woke up later that night screaming. As I am sure you can no doubt appreciate Mrs Cheesecake poor nerves were somewhat frayed by this experience. On another occasion I have woken up, confidently explained there is either (a) someone in the house or (b) at the window. After which I immediately fall back to sleep. Mrs Cheesecake is not a massive fan of that either. Probably the weirdest one of all was the night I shouted "HOOTERS!!!" in my sleep. In that particular instance I do still maintain I was having a dream about clowns. Sleep and the sub-concious mind are a real enigma and I am constantly perplexed by the whole thing. The outcome of this new habit - no horror before bedtime. Damn shame as part of me really enjoys a good horror movie.

Sleep Tight

El Diablo Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake vs The Summer Blockbusters of 2011

2011-08-17T20:49:00.003+01:00

I'm an avid movie-goer. I love the experience of viewing entertainment on a screen so huge that it fills my entire field of vision. For me cinema is all about escapism. Tell me a story, entertain me, take me me away from trails and tribulations of real life for a short while. I was think about it earlier today and it seems that this summer all the big blockbusters are all essentially about exactly the same thing.

Please don't keep us in suspense Pablo - tell us dammit .

Ok seeing as you asked so politely, and there was no swearing, I shall. This year's crop of summer blockbusters are all about…….drum roll please…….. how fucking great America is.

Now I should stress before I go any further that I am a fan of the US of States and this is merely an cinematic observation on my part. That said everything your read here is true....probably.

Exhibit A - Captain America

Ok. I admit this was an obvious first choice. I also have to admit that in all honesty I can't give this one too much of a hard time. It was wonderfully done and by the final credits I was ready to join The Howling Comandos myself. There is no doubt this was all about the flag waving rampant patriotism but it was done extremely well. Fuck it...bring on The Avengers!

Captain America yesterday

Exhibit B - Super 8

Another example of Americana done terribly well. Who better than J.J. Abrahams and Steven Spielberg to provide a big old slice of late 70s nostalgia. Everything is wonderfully observed and the performances from the young leads were pitch perfect. Every scene offers a glimpse of the American suburbs at their best. I don't doubt this will become a bit of a classic.

Exhibit C - Cowboys and Aliens

Oh for fuck sake....Cowboys...... Do I have to spell it out to you?

and finally..... Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon

This is the one that really sent me a bit insane.

Michael Bay and his American tough guys chums, oh and Shia LeBeouf, kick the living crap out of giant robots with the assistance of other giant robots. It felt sort of like a two and half hour ad for signing up to the military. I can imagine Mr Bay sitting about in his Hollywood mansion pondering ideas and thinking 'well we've had every branch of the US Forces in the first two films. How are we going to top that? I've got it. Lets throw fucking astronauts into the mix!'

I swear to God at one point, toward the end of the film, when everyone was wistfully looking around at all the devastation that had been caused to the streets of Chicago I thought that this was going to happen*

*I also have to admit a certain amount of disappointment when it didn't.

Transformers 3 is firmly at number one on my list of the least subtle films of all time. On the plus side though all the explosions were all awfully pretty.

Till another time, most likely in the future.

I'm Pablo Cheesecake, you're not.

Fuck Yeah!

Ka-Blogged!

2011-08-06T21:53:00.004+01:00

A Treasure Trove

This afternoon Mrs Cheesecake and I were tidying out a room and I happened across an old box full of random comics. In amongst all of the regular Marvel and DC fare there were a number of independent titles that I had forgot I owned. Check these out

What can I say - I went through a phase when I was a younger that the weirder something was the more I was interested in it. The results I believe speak for themselves. There are others as well but things just get weirder and weirder so perhaps I'll leave those for another time.

Captain America Fuck Yeah!

It would appear that there is a distinctly comic book related theme to this post. Tomorrow Mrs C and I are going to go and check out the latest Marvel movie offering. The trailer looked pretty cool. Chris Evans appears to be a good choice for the Cap. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be jonesin for The Avengers at movie's end. Lets see shall we.

I am The Law*

Last week I received Marshal Law: Fear and Loathing , as a late birthday gift. If you haven't read this you should. This is a classic. Seek it out immediately. I demand you do this NOW!

Seriously though this fucking rocks. It is well worth your time.

* Never mind Dredd this is the future policeman you should be worried about. Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill really do know their stuff.

To infinity and beyond!
Captain Cheesecake

Birthday Swag

2011-07-24T11:20:00.002+01:00

Today is my birthday and I got lots of nice gifts. Here is what I got. (All of which I am totally chuffed with!)
To start with a few books

Heat Wave and Naked Heat from a new writer called Richard Castle. I predict great things.
Instinct by Jeremy Robinson
Jack Cloudie by Stephen Hunt
Outpost by Adam Baker

Then a rather classic graphic novel.

Marshal Law: Fear and Loathing by Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill

Some nice quirky music

Gravelands by The King (an Elvis Presley impersonator who does Elvis covers of only dead musicians. Weird I know but it's very cool. If you are familiar with Dread Zepplin then you will get the idea.)

Finally a laptop sleeve from the good people at Burgerplex

Bit mad eh?
Anywho time for cake
Later People
Mr P Cheesecake
37yrs Old

A New Post About Things and Stuff

2011-07-21T19:04:00.001+01:00

Pablo Cheesecake vs Himself

It was inevitable really. After years of moaning about everything else it was only a matter of time before I turned my attention to the worst offender of them all. The King of the Hill, El Numero Uno, The Big Kahuna, the Grand Fromage.........me.

What could possibly cause all this full on self-loathing? Hmm...how best to put it....Since I turned thirty my body has been failing me on, what seems like, a regular basis.

The most recent trauma is a recurrence of my thyroid issues. Now for those blissfully ignorant of this particular gland the thyroid helps to regulate energy levels in your body. Mine, putting it as succinctly as possible, is fucked. I have been using medication for a few years now to help manage the problem. A while back my doctor suggested a reduction in my meds. Initially everything seemed fine and, as is the way with these things, I promptly forgot all about it.

Cut to last week. In the space of one day I feel asleep at my desk at work, then on the bus on the way home and for a third time at around 8pm. As soon as I sit down and I am not focusing on anything I start to drift off and then fall asleep.

The worst part, without doubt, is that this is causing problems with my reading. I am sure most of you are aware that I run The Eloquent Page. I like to keep it ticking over and try to post a couple of reviews a week. For me a couple of books of week is an easily achievable goal. Unfortunately my thyroid is causing me no end of grief. No matter how much I am glued to the latest novel I am reading if I get too comfortable and relax and then I start to fall asleep. It is making things difficult to keep to a regular posting schedule. I am going to try to keep going and hopefully the boffins can sort me out. I just feel terribly disappointed. Literally at the point where things are starting to pick up with the site and I am failing myself.

Sorry. I apologise. Please excuse the self-pity. I just needed to vent a bit. its just so fucking annoying. I feel fine but can't stay awake. There are many people in the world that are way worse off than I am so I don't really have any right to complain.

The Linear Nature of Time

Days and months zip by and on a much more upbeat note, it is my birthday this weekend. Has it really been a whole year? I'm looking forward to spending a nice day with Mrs Cheesecake. She has promised a slap up lunch, always a bonus, and I know she has a couple of surprise gifts hidden somewhere. When it comes to birthdays and Christmas I am still a big kid. I love opening gifts and enjoy the festiveness of it all. If I think about it I dont really care what age I am. Every year seems to bring new challenges but also new joys. I'm just aiming to be happy in my own skin. Not the loftiest of goals but a good one I think.

Of Hobbits and Caped Crusaders

The latest production diary for The Hobbit surfaced this morning. Once again I find myself swept up in all the excitement. Peter Jackson is entirely the right man for the job, as he has proved already with Bad Taste and Braindead. (If you haven't seen either then seek them out immediately dammit! ) I think he did direct some other stuff but I am not sure what they are about.

Meanwhile Batman Live has finally started it's tour. Mrs Cheesecake and I have tickets for when it arrives in Nottingham. If it is as good as Doctor Who Live was we should be in for a real treat. Nothing better than a public entertainment is there? I have high hopes. I'm also looking forward to the forthcoming DC reboot. I just need to decided what titles to spend my hard earned on.

The Woes of a Gadget Whore

I was complaining a while back that I had owned my shiny new iPhone 4 for a while and was yet to receive a phone call on it. Now don't panic I'm not looking for your pity. I don't get a great deal of phone calls full stop but that's cool I contact my peoples via the social media and what not. I just wanted to relate the tale of what happened when I finally did get my first call.

Mrs Cheesecake rang to let me know she would be late. The phone started to vibrate (like the conscientious sod I am I tend to put it on silent. Which in itself is a shame as I have cracking ring-tone but I digress *see below*) Any way, I answered the phone with a flourishing swipe of my finger on the touchscreen.

"Hello" says I

....Not a peep in response

"Hello" again nothing.

Finally after about 30 seconds I remember that my headphones are plugged in to the phone but I am wearing them round my neck not on my ears. Turns out that once again, though I love my technology, I am the very definition of 'a tool'.

* Here, for anyone that has gotten this far, is my current ring-tone*

Till my next rant.

Laters

The Caped Cheesecake

Absence Makes The Cheesecake Stronger

2011-07-09T14:04:00.001+01:00

Normal Service will now be resumed.... again.....probably....

I haven't posted anything new for ages. I noticed earlier in the week that I had only written one post for the whole of June. I not sure what is going on. Maybe my sub-conscious has actively taken a dislike to my blog? I'm not sure why. Perhaps I have just not felt the need to divulge any of my goings on? Weird non? I'm pretty sure that I did stuff during the month of June, Alt.Fiction springs to mind, but I just didn't feel the need to write about it here.

(For those new to my Mid-Life Crisis. This blog is my stream of consciousness where I will talk about everything, well everything except books :) You can go to The Eloquent Page for that. Here you will find everything from drunken rants about Tesco carrier bags to the hunt for the perfect fish finger sandwich and not forgetting my epic quest for the world's greatest condiment. Essentially it is a big old rambling cathartic mess. Anyway back to the action. Sorry about the interruption. You should probably note I can't promise that it won't happen again.)

Pablo Cheesecake - How does your garden grow?

That's a bloody good question. The vegetable garden continues to provided mixed results. Admittedly the wildly erratic British weather has a lot to do with it. I have discovered that I like to potter around in the garden. Turns out that growing stuff is a rather marvelous thing. I've gotten into the habit of checking every day just to see what has changed. Recently, for example, the potatoes have taken over while the sweetcorn shows a certain degree of tenacity. The good news is that I can confirm there is garlic! In fairness the vast majority of the credit lies squarely on the shoulders of Mrs Cheesecake. She is the green fingered one. I just like to enjoy the various comings and goings as the seasons change.

Hugh Grant and Phone Hacking

I watched Question Time last on Thursday, that in itself is a bit of a rarity, and was as impressed by Hugh Grant as I was distressed by the politicians that where on the panel with him. Its not often that I get drawn into politics but the current situation that is occurring the in UK makes my blood boil. First that it took place at all and secondly that all the botched cover ups and so called investigations that have happened afterwards. That and the fact the the ring leaders appear to be getting away with it Scot free is a damned outrage. They are a shower of teflon coated oily fuckers, all of them.

Another Year Older

I'll be thirty seven years old in a couple of weeks. Have I matured any in the last twelve months? Thinking about it the quick answer is probably not. I continue to wander through life in a slightly befuddled and bemused fashion. Perhaps one day I will figure it all out. No doubt to be hit by a bus shortly thereafter. On a positive note at least I have passed the half way stage on my sit up challenge. 10600 situps done so far this year. 9400 left to got. No applause necessary. Tis but a trifle.

Blessed are the Cheese-Straw Makers

Today, while I wax lyrical on the interweb, Mrs Cheesecake has got her baking head on. So far she has made cheese straws, mini rosemary focaccia and a tomato, onion and thyme tart. We are of to a BBQ later and all these goodies are going with us. Fortunately I have had the opportunity to sample everything first. It's all good.

and finally.....There and Back again

I just watched the second video blog from the filming of The Hobbit. Again there was a spike in my excitement levels for this project. Everything just looks so right. The days really can't pass quick enough.

Till next time I remember that I have a blog

Stay Golden

Senor Pablo Cheesecake

A Week in the Life

2011-06-10T16:47:00.002+01:00

This week I have been on holiday. I've been incredibly lazy but only because I've been in dire need for some down time. In my attempts to create a never ending stream of consciousness I have discovered some stuff that I never knew before. Without any further folderol I give you.....

Things I have learned this week

Bakewell pudding is not the same as Bakewell tart. Both however taste great.
X-Men First Class was
I am exceptionally good at giving directions that sound correct but are, in actual fact, shit.
Weather forecasting is a mugs game.
Lausanne is on my to-do list
So is Bruges
Great joy can be had from watching a garden grow (Sounds soft I know, but its true).
Ikea may be versed in the black arts. They make me desire objects I don't need.
Hand cut chips can be a thing of rare beauty.
Managed to get to nearly 37 without ever seeing bees having sex and then stumbled upon it in the garden. That was truly un-expected.

Enough of this randomness
Laters Tatters

Saturday was brought to you by….

2011-05-28T17:01:00.004+01:00

Pablo Cheesecake Vs Captain jack

I saw On Stranger Tides today. It was…..hmmm……alright. It didn’t set my world alight but it was also by no means terrible. Mr Depp is consistently watchable but the film left me feeling a little underwhelmed. The set pieces were all enjoyable – the chase in London and the mermaid capture – but overall I was a bit meh about it all. I guess it suffers a bit from the law of diminishing returns. That said I do still want to be a pirate though.

The bookshop Beckons

After the cinema we wandered down to our local Waterstones. I purchased Anno Dracula by Kim Newman, Horns by Joe Hill and some George R R Martin for Mrs Cheesecake. The store still has it’s ‘lovely’ Erotica section next to the Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I have to admit I was I little intrigued by this…

I’ve checked and it has a five star review on Amazon you know. Also it has nothing to do with a sport called Ultimate Spanking – Just in case you thought it did.

Yet More Shops

After the visit to the bookshop/Spank-o-torium™ we had some lunch. Ostrich was on the menu and I have to say I was quite impressed. I admit I always expect something that resembles giant chicken and not lean beef. Any way lets just say it was tasty and leave it at that.

To round off our trip to town a swift visit to the sweetshop. Mrs Cheesecake had a hankering for a Sherbert Dib-Dab - who can blame her? I got a packet of Refreshers which I am going to go and munch right now.

Cheerio

Gardening is the new Rock and Roll....no really

2011-05-14T16:03:00.002+01:00

Our attempts to live 'The Good Life' took another step forward this morning with use finally completing the third raised bed. The potatoes, carrots and onions are doing quite well. The strawberries and rhubarb have exploded. I am still most excited about the sweetcorn and pumpkins. They are inside at the moment, but hopefully in a couple of weeks they can go outside as well.

Our garden this morning....fuck yeah!

If the sweetcorn works I am totally going to make my own popcorn from scratch.

Bank Holiday Balderdash (now with added piffle)

2011-05-02T16:31:00.001+01:00

expanding gastronomic horizons

I have uncovered a new taste sensation in the local supermarket. Ladies and gentlemen *drum roll* I give you the Port Royal Salt Fish Patty.

These rock! They are the best thing in the world ever. Hot and spicy, slightly smoked fish and chillies wrapped in pastry. They are Jamaican in origin and are epically moreish. Mrs Cheesecake is horrified by their smell and doesn’t like spicy foods so they are best described as a ‘solitary pursuit’. The humble Greggs sausage roll better watch its fucking back, that’s all I’m saying.

the bells, the bells

Yesterday afternoon while gardening I found a cat collar with a little bell on it. I figured it had come of one of nextdoor’s moggies so I popped it in my pocket with thoughts of returning it later. Needless to say within seconds I had gone back to what I was doing and forgotten entirely about the collar. Later, and for the rest of the day, I kept hearing a tinkling sound and every time I turned I expected to see a cat. By the end of the day I was beginning to question my sanity. You may not be surprised to discover that the collar is no longer in my pocket.

this is the end?

I have noticed a worrying trend of late. When I go to the cinema with Mrs Cheesecake I like to sit down with a medium diet coke and packet of Tooty Frooties.

Around 2hrs later, more often than not, I feel entertained and the diet coke has worked its magic so that my bladder is ready to explode. A swift exit is the thing most pressing on my mind. Why then must I sit an wait through ten minutes of credits just so I can get an extra two minutes of movie action? This happened during both films I saw on Saturday. Are you listening Hollywood! You shower of bastards! Stop with the extra scenes after the chuffing credits. Enough already. I demand that you cease and desist with all this foolishness. My bladder and I will be most grateful. This is not a cocking competition you know. Not every film has to have these little Easter Eggs for the intrepid few who manage to hold out.

With that in mind I have decided to add in extra content after the end of this post in order to keep people sat in front of their PCs for far longer than is necessary.

Till a time that is further in the future than now

Bye

Mr C

…

Ta da! Extra content. Woo it really was worth the wait wasn’t it? No I didn’t think so either. I should stress the eyebrows aren’t real. Unfortunately everything else is.

Thoughts For A Day

2011-04-30T21:03:00.003+01:00

This evening nothing but ten random bits of news and thoughts that have occurred this very day -

The car passed its MOT
Cats as a rule are sneaky escape artists
A watched vegetable never grows
My sense of direction is excellent
I ate my first Portobello mushroom
Pirate related post is always a welcome surprise
Dandelions are tenacious fuckers
Being awake and outside at eight am on a Saturday is just plain wrong
Viewing a car accident appears to occur in slow-mo
If there can be but one Cornetto - make it strawberry

So there, in absolutely no order whatsoever, you have it. A number of things

Sod the Royal Wedding…it’s the Friday Film Fest

2011-04-29T19:56:00.001+01:00

Today in the UK was the Royal Weeding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. I wish them all the best in the world but had fuck, and indeed, all interest in watching the televised nuptials. Mrs Cheesecake was of a similar mind so we decided that we could escape all the wedding-i-ness in the local cinema. Two films in one day? Hell yeah!

thor

Have you heard? Dear, dear Kenny Branagh has directed a Marvel superhero movie. Good news peoples - it is a lot of fun. Chris Hemsworth plays the titular Norse thunder-worrier with just the right amount of arrogance and swagger. He struts about hitting various bad guys with his mighty hammer, #notaeuphemism, and it looks like he is having a ball. I have to admit that when I saw him sans t-shirt he made me feel truly insignificant. He is utterly ripped while I am nowt but a humble wok smuggler!

Nice to see the return of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the cameo from Hawkeye. I am sure that The Avengers will rock. Asgard looked suitably shiny for my liking. Mrs Cheesecake was looking for something a bit more ancient Norse. Would have been nice to have a bit more screen time for, Cheesecake Family Favourite™ , Ray Stevenson but alas it was not to be. Perhaps another time? We think he fucking rocks.

Tom Hiddleston makes for a splendid Loki and I suspect we will see more of him in the future. If we can’t have Blessed then I guess Hopkins will do as a suitable replacement as Odin. He could have been a bit shoutier though.

Overall a solid addition to the Marvel Studio line I think

fast five

After a suitably gut busting lunch. Don’t act so surprised. I told you I was a wok smuggler already! We settled down to another guilty pleasure of ours. The latest in the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast Five.

The action was adrenalin fuelled. The car chases spectacularly stupid and the combination of The Rock and Vin Diesel on screen made Mrs Cheesecake come over all unnecessary. I swear at one point there was some much testosterone on screen I heard her ovaries pop.

All in all it was a lot of fun. Rio is an amazing looking place. To have such poverty next to such glamour. It’s all a bit of a headfuck really.

I’ve looked at all the reviews on IMDB and some loved it, some hated it. I thought it was daft as a bag of hammers so obviously worthy of my utter undying adoration. Nobody appears to mention the Star Wars sight gag though?

till next we meet

your royal correspondent

Sir Pablo Cheesecake

Living with A Percy Thrower

2011-04-16T16:44:00.005+01:00

We are quite lucky that our back garden is of a reasonable size. The front is tiny, but the back - she is quite big. Last year Mrs Cheesecake decided she was keen to develop a green finger so had a bash at planting some carrots, onions, potatoes and strawberries. The results were positive for the most part with the exception of the carrots which could best be described as "a bit mutated". Apart from that bizarreness it was a success. For reference we also inherited a pear tree and an apple tree so there was lots of fruit and veg available. This year Mrs C has decided to up the stakes a little. She is attempting the following:

Potatoes
Onions
Carrots (purple - see below)
Carrots (orange - in case the purple ones are just too damn weird)
Strawberries
Apples
Blackcurrants
Redcurrants
Plums
Pumpkins
Tomatoes
Blueberries
Pears
Rhubarb
Peas
Various herbs and garlic

Now we are not going all Good Life but I'll give her this much - Mrs Cheesecake aims big! If I could just convince her to purchase a sheep so I didn't have to mow the lawn I would be quids in. How much does a sheep cost?

Told you didn't I? - purple fucking carrots!

Sometimes I think too much...

2011-04-14T22:14:00.001+01:00

I apologise in advance for some of the content in this evenings post. Things get a bit heavy near the beginning. Ahh fuck it. I'll be honest it's the closest you'll every get to deep and meaningful from me so you best enjoy it will you can.

Am I Really Me?

Here is the head scratcher that I sometimes ponder in the wee small hours of the night. Before I get to the gist of this particular rambling I have to give you a bit of personal history by way of an explanation. When I was four and a half years old I was involved in a serious road accident. I was in the back of a car that was hit by an articulated lorry. The net result being that I was crushed between the front passenger seat and the seat that I was sat on. The back of my skull shattered into my brain and I was in coma for a number of weeks. Brain surgery fucking rocks btw! When I woke I had effectively rebooted. I had lost my memory, was unable to walk or talk. You may find it hard to believe but I was incredibly lucky. When I had first arrived at hospital I was only given hours. The fact that I am still here thirty two years later proves that I must be at least a little bit lucky?

Anyway back to my original point.

The thought that I keep coming back to is this - if the accident had never happened would I be the same person I am now? After the accident I was essentially Pablo Cheesecake 2.0. I had to re-learn everything. I wonder if I would have grown up to be different or the same as I am now. I often think about it. Have I replaced myself? Am I a totally different person from who I was before? Told you it was a mind-bender.

My Latest Brain Worm

For reasons I can't even begin the fathom the Katy Perry song 'Firework' is stuck on my head. Can't think why? I'm not what you would call a fan of her work. I'm sure she is fabulous, if you like that kind of thing. Phew we're back on shallow ground again, that's a relief. Katy Perry - Is she the one married to Brand?

The Hobbit

I watched the first production diary today and it filled me with warm and fuzzy feelings. Genuinely raised a smile. Later on I saw a tweet from Duncan Jones (director of Moon, Source Code) saying that this video reminded him of why he wanted to be a involved with movies in the first place. How cool is that?

Enough already

Later

A week of unhealthy obsession…..

2011-04-03T12:24:00.001+01:00

Once again Mrs Cheesecake is out in the fresh air attacking the garden with an admirable vigour. I, meanwhile, am hiding out in the spare room pondering the universe. This week I have mostly been obsessing about all the little things.

Pablo Cheesecake – Stat Whore

A negative I’ve noticed about running The Eloquent Page is that I have started to obsess about the number of hits the site receives on a daily basis. It’s ridiculous really. I get caught up with numbers, always have if I’m honest. I set myself a target and once I reach that I always have to try and go one better. If for any reason I get less than the day before I am thrown into a blind panic and start to question my entire existence.

This behaviour has to stop. I need to remember the reason I created the site in the first place. For those playing along at home the correct answer is - To get back into reading and to connect with others who love a good read.

In an effort to curb the madness and reclaim my sanity I am only going to post once this week, on Friday.

A game of cheesecake

This week I’m also attempting to take on my Moby Dick of reading, my great white literary whale, A Game of Thrones. I thought I should read before the TV show starts. I’ve mentioned in the past that I have never managed to read this book and I am more determined than ever to break the back of this beast. Unfortunately I am not off to a flying start, only 30 pages in *sadface*. Hell I should probably be reading it right now but instead I am waxing lyrical on the interweb.

green lantern

I saw the new footage of the Green Lantern on the internet yesterday. I was impressed and then I was panicked. Is it too good to be true? Have we been subjected to the best 4 minutes already and the movie as a whole will not the what I hoped it could be? Am I obsessing again about things that I have absolutely no control over whatsoever? I remain fearfully optimistic.

feel the Burn

I reached a milestone with the old situps at the beginning of the week. I have now sailed past 5000 and I am bang on track to achieve 20000 in 2011. Now that I have settled into a routine I am starting to panic that it is getting too easy and I wont reap any benefits. I’m worried that if there is less pain there will be less gain. I’ll be honest the KFC probably isn’t helping either.

Great Scott! I’m a gibbering wreck of a human being. Please feel free to return to your normal Sunday afternoon viewing while I go and rock slowly in the corner muttering expletives to myself.

Spring has just arrived but Winter is Coming?

2011-03-26T13:40:00.001Z

Ahhh Spring and a young (ahem) man’s thoughts turn to blogging. It seems this week that winter is finally receding and the weather is taking a turn for the better. On Tuesday I went to work without a jacket and last night I purchased a short sleeved shirt. Thinking about it this will probably encourage rain. Feel free to blame me I don’t care.

As I type Mrs Cheesecake is out pottering around in the garden. (I should point out that I was helping as well but once all the heavy lifting is done I tend to become superfluous to requirements. I don’t really excel when it come to the delicate stuff.)

game of thrones

We creep ever closer to April 18th and the UK debut of Game of Thrones. I remain steadfastly optimistic but I still haven’t got around to reading the first book. I should probably do that? I am sure it would make the whole televisual experience that much more exciting. In an even worse admission - I own a copy I’ve just never opened it. I know, I know. I should be taken out back a flayed to within an inch of my existence.

tech obsessive

I just cant help myself. I get a gadget and immediately I have a desire to replace it with the next new shiny that appears on the market. I think part of the problem is that I don’t research things enough. I got a new phone eighteen months ago and thought I was onto a good deal. Turns out I was just buying into the marketing hype. It truly is a massive steaming turd of a thing. I need to learn to take a step back and then breathe before I make a fucking decision. Still only one hundred and twenty three days and then I can get the phone I actually want.

ninjas

I recently said on The Eloquent Page that any book is enhanced by the addition on zombies. (I stick to that conclusion by the way). This got me thinking about films. Is there a cinematic equivalent? After much searching I believe the answer may be YES. I firmly believe that the addition of ninjas into any film can only be a good thing. Check this out insanity out!

Ninjas–Fuck Yeah!

I have to admit that I do enjoy a film when it is distinctly cheese-laden and this looks like it may fit the bill.

5000 and counting

I reached the first major milestone in this years exercise related buffoonery. 5000 out of 20000 situps are now done. I am bang on my schedule and I think I am starting to feel the benefits of this regime. Next big target is the half way point which, all things remaining equal, I should hit around the end of June. Remember if you are that ways inclined I do have a Just Giving page, in conjunction with the ever steadfast Gibbiot, where you can show your support.

Till later peoples

stay golden

Mr C

21st Century Frankenstein

2011-03-19T17:05:00.001Z

This afternoon Mrs Cheesecake and I went to the cinema but rather than see a film we saw a play. The National Theatre are using the wonder of modern technology to present digital screenings of their version of Frankenstein through out the UK at select cinemas. What an absolute treat it was.

Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller this production of Shelly’s classic novel is viewed very much from the monsters perspective.

In an interesting casting decision Cumberbatch and Miller alternate the roles of the Doctor Frankenstein and the Monster each performance. (We saw a performance with Cumberbatch as the monster.)

Both leads were exceptional though for sheer physical presence Cumberbatch may have nudged slightly ahead. That said I am sure if we had seen Lee Miller as the monster I would have felt that way about him. As I said the show is all about the monster.

The supporting cast were great. Karl Johnson stood out as an old blind man who befriends the beast.

The sets though quite minimal were very effective. Some imaginative lighting added to this.

The two hours flew by and I was completely engrossed in the story. If I had the opportunity I would be keen to see another performance with Lee Miller as the Monster for comparison's sake.

If you get the chance I strongly advise you check this out!

A Cinematic Deathmatch…

2011-03-06T12:20:00.001Z

Yesterday I went to the cinema with Mrs Cheesecake, as is our want on a typical Saturday afternoon. Actually if you have ever read my blog before then this fact will come as very little surprise.

We saw the new James Purejoy flick, Ironclad. (I should stress I didn’t come up with the nickname Purejoy that was Mrs Cheesecake and her interweb chums.)

I enjoyed the film immensely you should check it out, but that is an aside.

I spotted Jason Flemyng playing a character called Beckett. Think medieval mercenary type and you’ll be on the right lines. *SPOILER* He dies *END SPOILER* After the film a thought popped into my brain, I freely admit this doesn’t happen often. Jason Flemyng seems to die in everything he appears in. Now I admit I haven’t seen his entire back catalogue but it appears just about everything I have watched, that he is in, he bites the bullet.

Behold the evidence

Deep Rising – Tentacled to death
Stardust – Taken out by ambitious sibling.
Solomon Kane – Dispatched by “The Purejoy”. It’s nice to see they made up in Ironclad.
Clash of the Titans – Removed from existence by “The Worthington” and he gets his hand chopped off and mutated beyond all recognition before that. Poor bastard.
Ironclad – Oh go and see the film for goodness sake!

Who else, I thought, suffers such cinematic bad luck? After sitting around for a bit scratching my head I remembered. Poor old Michelle Rodriguez.

Resident Evil – Milla Jovovich is the main female lead. Michelle didn’t stand a chance.
Bloodrayne – I’ve seen this but as it is a Uwe Boll film I am required by law to never speak of it again.
Fast & Furious – Well she lasted till the fourth film of the franchise. That’s not bad.
Lost – They are all already dead anyway so I’m not sure if this counts. (oh sorry *SPOILERS*)
Avatar- Even working with James Cameron can’t save you Michelle!

I reckon it’s about time Jason and Michelle were given a fair shake of the stick. Lets make a film where they get to cut about and dispatch the bad guys and neither of them die?

Oh suit yourself. It was just a thought.

Why isn't it Friday?

2011-03-03T22:10:00.002Z

Its been a while since I gave my brain a shake to see what would fall out. Not that I need a reason or anything but seeing as it's a Thursday and Mrs Cheesecake is involved in some hardcore gaming activity I thought I would type some of the letter keys on my keyboard and see where I ended up.

Politics...Fuck Yeah!

I got a letter today from a Mr Ed Milliband. Apperently he thinks we are friends. He wants to have a chat. I have been musing about my response for a couple of hours and I have come to the conclusion I would rather have my knackers trapped in a vice and hit repeatedly with a cricket bat. After the spectacular horror that was the last General Election I think politics and I need time away from one another. We'll still talk and try remaining civil, if only for the children's sake, but for the most part we need to go our separate ways.

Book Overload

This week for reasons I still don't fully understand I decided to read four books rather than the usual two. I won't be attempting that again in a hurry. My brain was completely frazzled by the end of the fourth book. All my free time was taken up with reading. I think I'll chock this one up as an experiment. I have learned my limits if nothing else.

Hmm tonight's effort short but sweet.

Night all

Movie Mash-up Madness and Celluloid Saturday

2011-02-19T18:39:00.003Z

Earlier in the week Mrs Cheesecake and I were discussing films. (Not and uncommon occurrence in the Cheesecake household). I had explained to her that I was delighted that with the release Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's new film it was now possible to craft an accurate movie mash-up poster of my real name. (What you thought Pablo Cheesecake was on my birth certificate? Seriously?) My real name is Paul Holmes and by combining Pegg and Frost's alien comedy with Robert Downey Jr's consulting detective...hell you get the idea. Mrs Cheesecake took things one step further, being the photoshop ninja that she is, and created the image below. Needless to say I was over the moon. I think she has very skilfully managed to capture my best qualities in movie poster form!

Fast forward to today and we decided to head to the cinema and see the aforementioned comedy. What can I say without spoiling all the best bits? I was in a beautiful geek dream. Anyone who has ever seen Star Wars, Star Trek, BSG , Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Aliens or in fact just about any other sci-fi movie/tv show will find something to enjoy here. I fucking loved it.

After a light lunch at the chinese buffet (I'm lying, they had to roll me out of the place) we moved on to our second cinematic offering of the day - True Grit. Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld were all great. I can imagine that there will be Oscars.

Mrs Cheesecake also bought me The Warriors on blu-ray as a little Valentine Day's gift so I can now round of this week with a bit of 70s style gang drama. Will The Warriors make it all the way back to Coney Island with all of New York after them. Lets find out.
Later Peoples
Mr C

The Tale of The Toaster

2011-02-12T14:32:00.001Z

This is essentially one big old rant so if your not interested I would look away now. Mind you there is a nice bit at the beginning about loving toast but after that….

Mrs Cheesecake are I are both fans of all things toasted. Crumpets, bagels and good old fashioned bread, they all fucking rock. A Sunday morning hardly goes by without some sort of toasted bakery product being involved. Jams and spreads are also always included and it cheers my soul at the start of the day (I think you get the gist, we like toast).

Recently we noted that our current toaster was on its last legs after many faithful years of service. Time for a replacement. Mrs Cheesecake shopped around online and found one on Amazon, a shiny Morphy Richards affair that seemed to meet our stringent toast related requirements. A couple of weeks later, once we had been paid, she went to purchase the toaster only to discover that it had nearly doubled in price!!! She decided to go straight to the source and purchase from Morphy Richards online as this was a cheaper option. The toaster was duly purchased and we sat back to await its arrival.

A week later a card from a courier company was awaiting for us when we got home from work.I may be paraphrasing a bit here but the card said something along these lines - Oh hey, we called while you were out, Oh no! We’ll try again tomorrow *smiley face*.

Next day the same thing and the day after that. Mrs Cheesecake decided to give the courier a ring. After nearly an hour of searching for a customer services number and navigating the tricky automated call logging system she finally got to speak to a real human being.

The phone call went something like this

MRS CHEESECAKE: Can you deliver to my work address as it’s easier to reach me there than at home.

COURIER: Sure. Let me just check the the item. (Slight delay) No sorry we can’t.

MRS CHEESECAKE: Why?

COURIER: Morphy Richards only allow us only to deliver to the billing address. I would suggest you give them a call. Here are there details.

So, armed with this information, Mrs Cheesecake calls Morphy Richards. She explains the situation and asks for the delivery address to be changed. Morphy Richards immediately respond with a firm NO, citing the same reason the courier gave. Mrs Cheesecake then enquires to the location of the toaster.

Morphy Richards were instructing the courier (there name rhymes with PHL) to only deliver to our home address. The courier would only delivery between 9 and 5. The hours we are at chuffing work.The only option available was to collect from the depot. Turns out that’s miles away. Mrs Cheesecake was told that it would stay there for a week and then be returned to Morphy Richards and she can request a refund at that time if she requires.

What a spectacular online shopping fuck up/fail (on almost all counts). Isn’t online purchasing supposed to be easy? You know hassle free and that sort of shit? We now both feel like this.

See you later

A disheartened Cheesecake

Turns out I was wrong...

2011-02-03T20:30:00.002Z

The second thousand sit-ups are the hardest. I've reached the next milestone in my personal challenge for 2011. Two thousand sit-ups done, a trifling eighteen thousand to go. So far so good. If I'm being honest things are getting easier. Each morning I can rattle through fifty sit-ups and then another fifty when I get home from work. I am now trying to concentrate on improving my form. I want to make every single one of the blighters count!

Food! Glorious Food!

2011-01-24T19:56:00.003Z

This past weekend Mrs Cheesecake and I went a bit of a bender. A tasty, tasty bender.

On Saturday night we dined at Piccolino in Nottingham. I had a splendid carpaccio of beef to start followed by roast cod with Italian sausage and chilli. Both were exceptional. Is is always my habit I had an expresso to finish. Mrs Cheesecake had mushroom bruschetta with pesto and goats cheese and then as a main course duck with apple.

Sunday lead us to The Priory in Portbury near Bristol. We had been due to go at new year but due to illness were unable to go. We had a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was truly sublime.

Back to the diet today but man what a blow out!

The first thousand are the hardest....

2011-01-18T19:00:00.001Z

I'm a celebratory mood this evening. I have hit the first milestone in this year's epic quest. 1000 sit-ups done. Only the trifling matter of another 19000 to go. Huzzah! I'd also like to take a moment to remind everyone that you can give a donation, by way of encouragement, to force me to continue with this nonsense. The link to the Just Giving page is listed below.

http://www.justgiving.com/twofatmen

I'd imagine there will be further updates throughout the year.

Cheerio

Behold the Cheese

2011-01-11T21:18:00.000Z

My musical tastes can only be described as eclectic. When listening to tunes on my trusty iPod styles flail wildly from the folksy goodness of Jethro Tull and Mumford & Sons to the hardcore Wagnerian anthems of Rammstein. Here is my latest hero...... one Richard Cheese.

Lets check out some of the maestro's work. First some Guns and Roses

Then some Depeche Mode

And to end some Star Wars

What great stuff. Jazzy clever covers that are incredibly well done. Richard and his band Lounge Against the Machine rock my socks. For the uninitiated I suggest you could do a lot worse than a bit of Dick at Night.

An App Store Purchase

2011-01-08T23:18:00.003Z

Finally made my first purchase on the new Mac App Store. I tried a demo version of Mars Edit a couple of weeks ago and I found it to be quite an easy blogging tool. I decided to bite the bullet and move from trying to buying. This little bloggerette is just a quick post to test the install. All seems well.
Goodnight

Pablo Cheesecake vs Internet Shopping

2011-01-04T20:16:00.000Z

There is a distinct possibility that there will be swearing in this post. (There consider yourself suitably warned.)

I'm essentially a laidback sort. I wouldn't normally say boo to a goose but recently I have had a bad experience with an online retailer that has pissed me of no end. I consider myself internet savvy and have bought enough things online over the years but seriously this was a fucking nightmare.

It was Mrs Cheesecake's birthday last September and I bought her a gift from an online shop. Turns out the item wasn't quite right so I returned it for a refund. Today I had to threaten legal action in order to get a response from the shop owners. This was after a dozen increasingly annoyed e-mails to the them that had resulted in no response. According to their website they pride themselves on their customer service. What fucking customer service motherfuckers!!!! Nearly five months to sort out a refund isn't customer service pal. I really wish I could name and shame but I haven't got the money yet but I now feel a bit more hopeful that I'll get the money back and finally get Mrs Cheesecake a gift she deserves.

Sorry for the rant but I had to get that off my chest. Better now. Normal service will be resumed shortly.

Hello Future it's me Pablo

2011-01-03T19:56:00.000Z

Just realised that I had got to January 3rd and I hadn't posted anything....

Welcome to 2011. Hope everyone has had a good festive season. Unfortunately my erstwhile partner-in-crime, Mrs Cheesecake to you, has been ill for the whole holiday. At the point where she started coughing up blood I forced her toward the local doctors and she is slowly getting better. It's taking time but I'm sure she will be back to her oldself soon.

I did my first 100 situps today. Only 19900 to go.....hurrah! (This is going to fucking kill me. I must be mental. Send help!). Seriously though. I think this may be a tougher challenge than I first assumed. Oh well one day at a time and all that.

In other news I got about £100 of Amazon vouchers for Christmas and had everything delivered to work so when I get into the office tomorrow there should be many boxes awaiting me.

I'm about to settle down to watch Stargazing Live on BBC2. The thought has just occurred to me I could just go outside and if I'm lucky I'd get essentially the same result. Admittedly there is less chance Mrs Cheesecake would join me in the endeavour.

Cripes 3rd Jan and I'm rambling already. No change there then.

Avanti
Pablo Away

Cheesecake & The Gibbiot vs Unhealthiness

2010-12-31T10:59:00.001Z

Hmmm Cheesecake & The Gibbiot sounds like an unconventional detective agency – I like that. (Nothing to do with the content of this blog just a thought)

Sometimes you get an idea. You think to yourself “I could do this thing and it would be good”. Then you share the idea with someone else and they say “Yes that is I good idea I will do it to”. Meanwhile back in your head the sensible part of your brain is finally awake and screaming “YOU AGREED TO WHAT!”

That is what has essentially occurred in this case. In a moment of, all to frequent, madness I decided I would try for 20000 sit ups in 2011. I then compounded my mistake by mentioning to this loon. It appears I will now have a fellow traveller on my journey.

Ok so it didn’t quite play out exactly that way. Cheesecake and The Gibbiot discussed it sensibly and we have agreed to this health inducing scheme.

I, for my part, intend to start on Monday 3rd Jan 2011. There you go I have actually written down a date thus committing myself to the whole enchilada.

Will every sit up be perfect? Probably Not. Will I be able to walk after the 1st week? Unlikely. Am I determined? Currently YES!

Wish us luck. Perhaps next time we meet I will be half the man I used to be? (You understand I mean that in a good why right? Wait…. where are you going? Please don’t run away)

2011 - The Year of the Cheesecake?

2010-12-29T19:01:00.000Z

I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now and I thought I would finally write something down. I have decided that in 2011 I'm going to go the whole resolution route. If my little escapade last year taught me anything it was that if I stick to a task I can complete it. Bearing that in mind I have decided I'm going to do the following.

20000 sit-ups in 2011. I figure if I can cycle 500 kilometers in 2010 then I can up my game and try something I bit more hardcore as it were.
More writing - Not in the way you think though. I've bought myself a diary and I'm keeping it to myself. I think it will help me make sure I remember things a bit better. I find unless I have a to-do list my personal time management really suffers. Fuck that sounds awfully grown up. Not sure I like the sound of this or not. Time will tell.
More reading - I think I need to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit more. I tend to fall back on the same genres and themes whenever I look for a new book. Hopefully this will broaden my horizons a bit.
Eating better - I always suffer a bit around Christmas. At the moment I am firmly wallowing in the post Christmas doldrums. I need to eat better. More of my five a day and all that. I hope this will work well in conjunction with point one.
Try and get over my shyness - Once I know you I'm all good but until I do I tend to be bit awkward and can a appear somewhat brash. This is all front on my part (God this is why I love the Interweb. I can pretend I am talking to myself and it is much easier to get this sort of stuff out there). I just need to get better at talking to people face to face.

So there you have it. Will I achieve all these goals? Will I be a farty blubbery mess by the end of January? Fuck knows. Hang around I'm bound to let you all know.

PabloCheesecake vs the Bookshop of Woe

2010-12-29T15:48:00.001Z

Strap yourself in. Things could get bumpy.

Unfortunately since just after Christmas Day Mrs Cheesecake has been feeling under the weather. Today in order to give her some peace and quiet I decided I would pootle of to town and spend some book vouchers I still had lying around.

I arrived at my local book emporium, not naming any names but it rhymes with Otterstones, to discover the Sci Fi and Fantasy section was closed. Arrrrggghhhh not the chuffing Dark Fantasy/Dark Romance ohh no. Nor the Erotica section which seemed to be doing a brisk trade. Nope my old fav was in accessible do to some sort of flooding?

Now I should stress this isn’t a moan about the staff. They are all very friendly and very helpful. My problem is that there were shelves and shelves given over to things like soft porn but they couldn’t have just moved that out the back for a bit? Seriously is Erotica selling better than Sci FI and Fantasy? (No not that kind of Fantasy you dirty sod) I just wanted to browse a little but I was denied. I ended up in the diminutive horror section. For reference this is stuck between Dark Fantasy and Erotica so I was getting the full on dirty mac stare from other patrons (which was nice obviously).

Later I stood and watched a while as various other geeks wandered up to the closed section looked around in a slightly lost/distracted fashion and then shuffled off in a irritated manner.

Damn but genre peoples are given short shrift aren’t we?

Christmas Booty

2010-12-27T16:10:00.000Z

If you are expecting me to enlighten you with a tale of Christmas bottoms then this is so not the blog your looking for.

Ahh your still here. Then I will outline, in brief, the precious prezzies I have snagged this Yuletide.

A pair of Doc Martens Paratrooper Pro boots from my other half. I can now stomp about till my hearts content.
Marvel heroes t-shirt
Farscape complete boxed set - 87hrs of sci-fi goodness. This may take a while to get through.
Hood, Scarlett and Tuck all by Stephen Lawhead - A nice trilogy reworking the Robin Hood legend.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol 1 & 2
A Moleskine 2011 diary.

Not bad for a 36yr old geek.

A hope everyone else was as lucky.

The Christmas onslaught continues...

2010-12-23T17:04:00.001Z

Up and out the house at 8am this morning. Straight to the local Tescos and we blitzed our Christmas food shop in two hours. The good news was that the shop was reasonably quiet so I didn't suffer my usual trolley rage. We have been saving vouchers all year so we were able to spend a small fortune and get lots of luverly grub and then get the cost reduced by 50%. I bought a tub of fizzy cola bottles and my annual twiglet habit has also been sorted for another 12 months.

I also purchased some splendid new lounge wear. Regular readers of my blog may remember my Animal PJs from earlier this year? Well this time I think I've gone one better.

They are, as ever, subtle and in keeping with most of the rest of my wardrobe. Marvel characters all over them. I'll have to see if I can find some DC ones as well. I may go all out and get some of the SpongeBob Ones to complete my collection.

Elsewhere we managed to do some tinkering around the house and completed a number of little DIY projects. The best example is that we finally have coat hooks so the bannister is no longer the de facto place for all coats. Nice to see the gargoyles next to the fire place as well.

Christmas is on the horizon and the next couple of days should be fun. I'm looking forward to seeing family and over indulging on an almost biblical scale.

Merry Christmas all. Have a good one friends.

I forgot the title....oops

2010-12-22T21:53:00.003Z

I really don't think I should be watching Pineapple Express after an afternoon of drinking. This film is seriously weird. Gary Cole is a comic god though. I've decided to try another blogging tool. Today's blog is brought to you by ecto. Much like Mars Edit it seems to cover all the bases when it comes posting a blog. I'll try it over the next couple of weeks and see how I get on.

A Christmas Tune

2010-12-19T19:29:00.001Z

There are many wonderful Christmas songs out there but this is my favourite with out a shadow of a doubt.

This was the encore at his gig in Nottingham last night and when he finished you could hear a pin drop. Just stunning stuff.

Twas the Thursday before the Thursday before Christmas

2010-12-16T21:16:00.001Z

Only got one more day of work left in 2010 so I'm starting to get excited at the prospect of two weeks out of the office. When it comes to Christmas I'm a big kid at heart. I look forward to falling asleep in front of old films on the TV, admittedly the low level narcolepsy probably helps with that.

I also like preparing food for Christmas dinner. This year I am going to engineer a monster trifle. It's been a while since the incident so I reckon it will be ok....Ohh sorry you want to no what the incident was do you? Ok I'll spill A few years ago in a fit of pique I purchased a family size trifle from the local supermarket. In a case of eyes bigger than belly, which I know is hard to believe, I demolished the entire thing. Turns out this was not a good idea. I don't think I have had trifle since. This year however I'm gonna get back on that horse.

I am also considering attempting to tackle one of my great white whales. Game of Thrones will be on TV next year and it seems sensible to read the books. I've got my posts for The Eloquent Page in hand so I think the time is nigh.

Time And Relative Dimensions in Tea (or Coffee for that matter)

2010-12-11T21:42:00.001Z

Looky looky what arrived in the post yesterday. This is just the best thing in the world and ( I know your wondering) yes it is bigger on the inside.

Assorted Bits and Pieces

2010-12-02T22:16:00.001Z

Mac Software

Now that I am more comfortable with my shiny new MacBook I've been delving into all the different applications that are available for me to try out. So far there have been a couple of apps that have impressed. I installed Delicious Library 2 last night and had a play. Wow how cool is this. Using the webcam it reads the barcode on an item eg book, blu-ray or DVD and then imports all the details direct from Amazon into a collection database. It works very well. I am seriously considering purchasing a licence so I can add all my books and DVDs. The demo version is limited to 25 records. Best feature is it tells you exactly what is imported. Spookily it sound a bit like Stephen Hawking!

The other app is NewsFire. This is an excellent RSS feed reader. It manages to cope with the 94 feeds I fool without so much as a grumble. It also displays the information in a very readable format. Best of all...it's free!

Tis nearly the Season to be Jolly

I know it's only the 2nd December but the wintry weather has made me come over all festive. I'm lucky that at the end of a long cold day I get to shuffle back to our little Hobbit hole and cosy up next to her inside the doors. I'm an Autumn\Winter kinda guy, what can I say I always have been. I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks of large dinners and putting my feet up in front of a roaring fire.

Movember

Glad to report I managed to raise £65 for charity in November. My moustache wearing helped raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer charities. Next year I am going to attempt something a bit bigger but more on that in 2011.

A New Tattoo

Mrs Cheesecake is getting some new ink. Arty type that she is she has designed it herself.

I, as ever, am jealous.

Good night peoples

I would cycle 500K and I would cycle 500 more

2010-11-29T20:44:00.001Z

After 11 months I have completed my mission for 2010. I have managed to cycle 500 kilometres. I did a bit of research and to give you an idea of how far that is Oxford to Aberdeen is four hundred and ninety eight kilometres. If you do the math you'll have worked out I could have done more as 2km a day times 365 days works out at 730km but I factored in things like holidays. I also only cycled five days a week rather than seven. I wanted a target that was sensible and achievable.

For 2011 I've decided I'm going to try something different. So here and now in black and white, drum roll please, I'm going to attempt 20,000 sit ups in 2011. Again I have set some parameters for this challenge. Only going to do sit ups four days a week as I intend to still take a couple of days off week and also still do some cycling. Every alternate day I will also be weight training.

You know how the saying goes. What doesn't kill you makes stronger. I sure hope so.

Roll on 2011another challenge ahoy.

Till next time

Mr C

Techno Excitement (take 2)

2010-11-26T22:44:00.001Z

MacBook Musings

I decided to take another crack at writing a blog using MarsEdit for Mac. I wanted to see if I could re-create the same look and feel as one of my standard posts from my PC. I really didn't take a proper in-depth look at the MarsEdit the last time I used it. I've looked again and I'm happy to note that all the functionality I have seen in Windows Live Writer is available.

World of Warcraft

The latest update, Cataclysm, will soon be upon us and I am looking forward to the changes that are due. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the archeology profession. I was amused when I read the archeology trainer is called Belloc, nice nod to Raider of the Lost Ark there. WOW is incredibly addictive and I'm sure large chunks of December will come and go will I play the game.

short and sweet this evening

Later taters

Cheesecake out

Techno Excitement

2010-11-24T19:26:00.001Z

After much ummming and ahhhing on my part I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase my first Mac. I decided I have grown accustomed to the mobility that my laptop gives me so it was really a toss up between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. I wanted to be able to upgrade my tech easily in the future so I have gone for a mighty Pro.

So far so good. I guess I would equate the experience with learning a new language. I've been using IBM compatible machines since the earlier nineties, my Mac experience so far is about two hours.

Oh I managed to upload and include a photo. There is hope I that I manage to tame this savage new beast after all.

Not a huge blog but be gentle I'm still learning.

Till next time

Pablo Mac 'n' Cheesecake

The Usual Tosh

2010-11-06T14:45:00.001Z

This week has been marred by a nasty case of man flu. I have a bad cough that sound like I’m barking (yes more than normal). My head she aches and my throat she is sore. Needless to say with only the weekend left to go before I go back to work I am finally starting to feel better. Bloody typical really. Anyway I will persevere with this post and see if any insightful gems appear. (I would’t hold your breath).

The walking dead

One of the highlights of the week was last night. FX showed the first episode of The Walking Dead. I have to admit to being suitably impressed. I haven’t read any of Robert Kirkman’s graphic novels but based on the first ep of the show I intend to remedy that real soon. Kudos to Andrew Lincoln and Lennie James for making a zombie apocalypse seem 100% believable. I was particularly impressed with how the psychological toll that both men have suffered was portrayed. Looking forward to next Friday all ready.

Does a lot of good work for charity

Whenever I give my time to a charity I have two simple criteria. Firstly it has to be a cause I believe in. Secondly it has to be fun. Since the beginning of the week I have been sporting a chopper moustache in aid of Movember.

The funds raised through Movember’s UK campaign benefit the The Prostate Cancer Charity, the UK’s leading prostate cancer charity. I have managed £50. That’s not bad but I’m sure we can do better (HINT, HINT). The team I’m in have raised over £100 so far. All good work just for looking a bit daft for a month. No great stretch for me I look pretty daft anyway!

Oh before I forget. If you haven’t already and want to donate my donation page is here http://uk.movember.com/mospace/607202/

World of Warcaft: Cataclysm

In around a months time the next update to World of Warcraft is launched. I think it’s fair to say that I have spent a quite large amount of time playing this game so I’m just a little bit excited about this release. Put it this way I wouldn’t bother trying to contact me on the 7th December.

Speaking of which I’m off.

Chopper Cheesecake

Just a typical Saturday

2010-10-23T17:20:00.016+01:00

Mrs Cheesecake and I pootled off to into town today. We started the morning with what turned out to be a truly uninspired breakfast at a local department store. I mean using powdered egg for the scramble? For fuck sake! I was lead to believe that rationing ended years ago. Couldn’t manage a few real eggs un-named department store? (c’mon we might need to go back one day). The only highlight of the whole escapade was that we ran into a demolition expert friend of mine called Thor. Ok admittedly he is only a few weeks old but I have high hopes he will one day embrace a life in demolitions. Strangely his mother refers to him by another name. Steadfastly refuses to call him Thor.

Afterwards we headed to the local cinema and sat down to watch Red. I’ve not read the graphic novel but I liked the look of the trailers I have seen. Turns out this is a real fun movie. Bruce Willis and Karl Urban beat the shit out of one another and Helen Mirren gets to do some epic wet work with some heavy munitions. Add John Malkovich, Mary Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, Brian Cox and Richard Dreyfus into the mix and this makes for a rather splendid comedy thriller. Mrs Cheesecake and I both rated the film. In her words ‘it was violent and brilliant’. I don't think I could have put it more eloquently myself.

Next week we are all about the sci-fi. We are going to see Dr Who Live. I am so excited it is bordering on illegal. Really looking forward to seeing the show. I have also managed to snag a couple of tickets to the Tron Legacy preview event. This could very well be the film of the year for me. Tron had a profound effect back in 82 so there is a distinct possibility that the sequel will be as mind blowing. If it isn’t IHollywood will incur my wrath (it’s ok I don’t really have a wrath but don’t tell them. I want them to be quaking in their Hollywood boots. It’ll keep them on their game).

In my head, if I were in Tron. I would be like this.

The more likely, and disappointing, reality would be like this.

Catch you on the Game Grid.

End of Line

Hmmm that blog seems to have wandered off into Tron flavoured waffle didn’t it? What do you mean you didn’t read that far? Ohh suit yourself.

The Post with No Name…

2010-10-19T19:16:00.001+01:00

Sounds ominous doesn’t it?

The truth couldn’t be more banal. It’s been ages since I wrote anything on my personal blog so I thought tonight would be a prime opportunity to do so. Immediately I had this idea I felt trapped. What should I call this mighty work? (The blogging world was my lobster so to speak). I wanted to write about just random thoughts and stuff that had happened in the last month but I just couldn’t figure out where to start. I very quickly discounted the titles Random Bollocks and also Never-ending Tosh. These both seemed to some up the content of what I was going to write but I just couldn’t bring myself to use either.

Hence the title. Now that I’ve got that out of the way let us begin.

TRON LEGACY

I managed to snag a couple of free tickets to the 23 minute preview event next week. I am so jazzed about this. I remember seeing Tron when I was knee high to a grasshopper and it blew my mind. Based on what I have seen so far of the sequel I can only expect it will do exactly the same. This is one instance where I think that 3D will enhance rather than detract from the viewing experience.

ZOMBIES ZOMBIES ZOMBIES

Zombie Appreciation Month moves on a pace over at The Eloquent Page. Three reviews down and two more to go. This Friday I’ll be posting my thoughts on Feed by Mira Grant.

It has been a lot of fun but I think I’m just about all zombied out. (Is zombied a word?) Looking forward to reading something (anything) that doesn’t include the walking dead. Just need a change of pace I think.

LIVING WITH A WEBBO

I like to tinker around on my little website or write some random nonsense here on my blog. My better half however is far more advanced at this type of technical wizardry than I. She runs http://www.michael-sheen.co.uk all by herself. It is bonkers the amount of time she puts in just to give her visitors a seamless M Sheen related experience. Hats off to her. She deserves some sort of Webbo award. I may make her one. Its ok she doesn’t read this blog she’ll never know I suggested it.

FEELIN AUTUMNAL

I am very lucky. Every working day I get to walk across a university campus and see the changing seasons. At this time of year the colours are truly remarkable. No matter how shit my day has been I am always cheered by the walk home. I’m also look forward to my favourite time of year – Winter. I love the dark nights and a roaring fire. Gosh I’m getting all dewy eyed just thinking about it.

Enough of this sentimental jabbering.

Adios

Pablo

100 Posts Young!

2010-09-29T19:28:00.001+01:00

Wow....100 blog posts. Who'd a thunk it. I actually started writing for fun back in the halcyon days of 2008 but didn't really get my blog head on properly until 2009. I was planning a big old celebration for reaching 100 (in blog years) but all I ended up doing was thinking about it. So here, briefly, are my thoughts. I've mentioned this before so if you’ve already read before please feel free to skip to the next bit of twaddle.

Writing a blog for me is a pressure value release type thingy (nice use of a technical term there). I write because I find it a cathartic experience. Real life can be, at times, a grind and waffling on my own little island in this ocean we call the internet is just plain fun as far as I'm concerned.

Went a wee bit philosophical there didn’t I. Can't be having that can we.

Enough of the preamble. What's in the grey matter I like to call my brain today. Lets give it a shake and see what falls out.

Pot Noodle, Wagon Wheels and Ruffle Bars

A million years ago when I was a nipper I remember that things were bigger. It certainly seemed that way? I was thinking about this the other day. The thought process goes something like this - Is it just because I am grown up (I use the term very loosely) things appear smaller or have items I recall as a child actually shrunk? I experienced this niggling doubt recently when I purchased a Pot Noddle - it seemed to be much smaller than I remember.

The same seems to be true of a lot of sweets I used to enjoy as well. I used to love Raspberry Ruffle Bars. They used to be bigger damn it. I'm also 100% sure that Wagon Wheels used to be the size of a small plate. Do they even sell them anymore?

Less than 100KM to go

As a little update, in case anyone cares. I have cycled past the 400KM mark on my epic journey. I now have a minuscule 93KM to go. This has been a real challenge for me and I'm quite (ok very) smug about it. I had no idea at the start of this year I would manage this. Ever since I broke my back I have struggled to exercise effectively but I think I have finally found something that works for me so yay!

What Tattoos Do You Do?

I have been considering getting more ink. I already have a number of tattoos but I think I want more. I'm a firm believer that tattoos should mean something to you. All the ink I have certainly means something to me. Yes even the tattoo of Bugs Bunny. (Long involved story I won't go into here but get me drunk and I will happily ramble on for hours). At present I cant decide what way to go. I should probably start by getting the Celtic knot work piece on my arm finished. Then perhaps next I should go with something in-keeping with my character? Maybe a self portrait?

After writing this bit above I discovered my sister got a new tattoo today. That has to be some sort of strange cosmic convergence or something?

In Conclusion

I guess as long as there is an interweb I will continue to prattle on. If your interested keep reading, who knows what we’ll find out. If not don’t let the virtual door hit you on the ass on the way out.

Ta Ta For Now

Pablo

Resident Cheesecake

2010-09-05T18:58:00.005+01:00

Everyone has to have a few guilty pleasures in their life. You know what I’m talking about. Those little things that you know in your heart of heats are embarrassing,cheesy or just plain wrong. I have decided to admit my own personal shame. Here goes…….

Hi.

My name is Pablo.

I enjoy the Resident Evil movies.

All of them.

Back in 2002 when I sat down to watch the first film I didn’t have high expectations but by the time, the mighty, Colin Salmon was sliced and diced the movie had won me over. Odd that this is yet another movie where Michelle Rodriguez dies. (Actually while I think about this how about letting her do movie version of Anita Blake? The first couple of books before it went off on that weird supernatural pornfest it is now)

2004 brought us Resident Evil: Apocalypse. More of the same. The sinister Umbrella Corporation continuing to reek havoc on the good people of Racoon City.

Three years later and Resident Evil: Extinction hit our screens. The contagion released had gone global.

As each film was released and the plots got more and more outlandish I discovered that they had managed to worm a place in my heart. They are cheesy as hell but I love the fact that the don’t take themselves too seriously. The Resident Evil films are brain candy of the highest order. They are dumb but they know it and they are loads of fun.

Resident Evil: Afterlife is due for release in the UK next weekend. It’s in 3D, which I admit I’m not totally sold on yet but I’ll still be there.

WOW. Now that was liberating. I may do this again at some point. I am sure that I have a few more cinematical skeletons in my closet.

Later
P

Pablo Cheesecake vs Scott Pilgrim

2010-08-28T17:14:00.001+01:00

(For those that are curious even though he looks awfully weedy he appears to be quite adept at kicking ass so there is a good chance that I would loose in our epic battle.)

versus

I saw Edgar Wright’s latest film this morning and thought it was, as I was already lead to believe, an epic tale of epic-ness.

Soundtrack was cool. Chris Evans and Brandon Routh were standout evil exes. Kieran Culkin got all the best lines. Great fun all round. Certainly in my top ten for this year.

Not a huge blog really just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the film. Look here’s me as an evil ex.

Whatever

Pablo Pilgrim

You sir are the grand-daddy of all liars…

2010-08-26T19:54:00.001+01:00

When I say you I actually mean me. I posted at the end of July and said that normal service would be resumed and then managed to post nothing to this blog since then. That was a bit shit wasn’t it.

What say we take another run at this….

Normal service has now been resumed (hopefully).

the eloquent page

The real reason I haven’t posted anything this month is that my book review site, www.theeloquentpage.co.uk pluggy plug plug, has been up and running for just over a month now. I’ve had some nice feed back. I’ve even managed to snag a couple of advance review copies of some books. Its an interesting process and I find I have to be a bit more structured when it comes to my reading. If I want to add new content on a weekly basis I have to make a concerted effort to read regularly every night. Not a complaint there more of an observation.

500K Trek

As of today - 351 kilometres down 149 to go. All things remaining equal I should finish hit my target around the end of November. I’m quite chuffed really. I really feel like I am in the home straight now.

Edwin Morgan

I went a bit misty eyed for Glasgow when I heard of Edwin Morgan’s passing. I remember reading ‘In the Snackbar’ as part of my English standard grade. We used think it was hysterical to call the poem ‘Innes Nackbar’. Teenagers really are arsehats aren’t they. It also got me thinking about all the other great things I read at school. Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon was a pretty epic read as I recall. Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfrid Owen is still firmly lodged in my brain as well. Ironically I studied Latin for two years and the Latin in this poem is one of the few things I remember. When I left school I had the lowest ever recorded score for a Latin exam – 2% in case your wondering. In hindsight I should have tried harder. Defining the word tandem as a bike for two people in the vocabulary test probably wasn’t a crash hot idea.

Till next time, Valete

Pablo Cheesecake

Random bits and pieces from my head to the interweb…

2010-07-30T20:00:00.001+01:00

Been a while since I wrote anything non book related. I am still reading daily but needed to flex my blogging muscles about something else for a bit of change of pace. I also get to waffle a bit more here than on the website.

Comic Con

Out of the new info that has been released at SDCC I am starting to get just a little bit excited about all the superhero films that are in development. I still have everything crossed that the Green Lantern will rock my socks. In my opinion if Whedon can get it right The Avengers will be a fanboy’s wet dream. Thor looks suitably shouty (still missing The Blessed but we cant have everything).

Mrs Cheesecake is wetting herself about Tron Legacy. I’ve seen the new footage and I have to agree.

British TV

Wasn’t Sherlock Holmes absolutely kick ass! The chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman was just great. Some people have accused Mark Gatiss of being to hammy as Mycroft but personally I thought he managed to make him appear just the right side of eccentric.

It’s brilliant programming like this that proves how top-notch Aunty Beeb can be. I tell you what the current government better leave well enough alone.

While we’re on the subject of TV I have to admit another growing excitement. I follow George R. R. Martin’s blog and I have heard nothing but good things when it comes to the casting for A Game of Thrones. Sean Bean and now today Charles Dance. Epic stuff. I will read the books before the show starts I promise.

Fantasy Con 2010

Not long to go until Fantasy Con. Mrs Cheesecake and I are attending the full Con this year. Looking forward to it. Last year we just managed the Saturday but this year we have planned a bit better. If your attending please do say hello. Can’t miss me 6ft 2, bright red hair, goatee beard and slightly maniacal look in my eye. As a disclaimer I am a lot less frightening once you get to know me. Mrs Cheesecake however is a nutter. It’s ok I told her I was going to write that.

A fat man cycles

At the beginning of the year I set myself a challenge. Cycle 500KM in 2010. This weekend I hit another milestone,the 300KM mark. Why the lunacy you may ask? Two reasons really. I’ve never been very good at finishing things. I thought if I set myself a grand epic task I could prove to myself I could accomplish something for once. Secondly ever since I broke my back I have not been able to exercise as much as I used to so. So far so good. I have a horrible feeling if I do manage this I’m going to have to increase the distance for next year. Oh dear.

Till next time

Mr C

Normal service will now be resumed…

2010-07-23T16:12:00.001+01:00

I’ve been on holiday for the last seven days and decided it would be a good idea to take a short break from the internet. I have glanced occasionally at Twitter and checked my e-mail but apart from that I have enjoyed a much needed internet free week.

In our extensive free time Mrs Cheesecake and I have managed to refurbish our living room. I have reclaimed my DVD and book collections from the boxes in which they have dwelt for years. The living room is now ours. We have managed to stamp our own mark on it. Perhaps not to everyone’s taste but it works for us.

Needless to say the cats offered their own unique brand of assistance.

Mrs Cheesecake also managed to find something that she thought she had lost years ago.

I also had the opportunity to see Inception last Saturday. What a fantastic movie. If someone had told me that it was possible to pull off a heist movie set in a character’s mind I would have been sceptical by Christopher Nolan has done just that. The cast were superb. I particularly liked Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I read the latest Batman 3 rumours with interest.

San Diego Comic Con is on at the moment. Man I wish I was there. I am such a geek it would be like achieving some sort of Nerd-vana if I got to attend. Maybe another time (in fairness though you would have to drug me to get me on a plane for a flight that long. I can hardly manage East Midlands to Glasgow so Trans Atlantic would probably cause me to wet myself repeatedly).

Really pleased with the initial responses regarding the launch of The Eloquent Page. It’s early days and I know I have to be more regular with new content but I’m still learning. I’m still quite new to this whole running a website malarkey so be patient. I promise I will get better.

Anywho back to reading. Need to get another review up on the site.

Later Peoples

The Eloquent Page

2010-07-15T21:32:00.000+01:00

After much procrastination on my part my latest internet endeavour is finally up and running. Check out and please comment on http://www.theeloquentpage.co.uk

- Posted using BlogPress from my mobile t'interwebs

Mobile Bloggage

2010-06-28T20:43:00.001+01:00

Trying out another mobile blog client. It's an interesting experience. All of the functionality from a full web client appears to be here but it is quite compressed.

I guess it's good for doing small blogs rather than writing epic essays. It appears I can auto-tweet/post to Facebook. Well it says I can. We'll find out shortly.

I'll have to take a look and see what it looks like once posted. Hmmm trippy interweb shennanigans.

- Posted using BlogPress from my mobile t'interwebs

Pablo Cheesecake v Man v Food

2010-06-24T19:50:00.002+01:00

As with most things I have eclectic tastes when it comes to food. I will try just about anything once. As an example I was recently in Wales on holiday and got the opportunity to try ‘laver bread’ which is made from seaweed and looks a bit like black/green snot. It’s really unusual to taste (tastes a bit like the sea) and not as unpleasant as it sounds. My convoluted point being that I enjoy trying new things when it comes to my gastronomic adventures.

Ensuring that I am kept bang up to date with all the latest taste sensations I have been doing my due diligence. I recently discovered the TV show Man v Food from the Travel Channel in the US of States. Check this out.

Adam Richman, the host, is a legend. He’s even on Twitter as well (@adamrichman). He dares go where other’s fear to tread. I want his job. Travelling from city to city trying out all the food challenges that the US has to offer. If they ever do a UK version of this I am going to apply for the job. Cheesecake v Food – I like the sound of that!

Mrs Cheesecake has been flexing her gastronomic muscles as well. She is has been working through the recipes on the Pioneer Woman website. This is gradually making me a larger but more contented Cheesecake. We haven’t had a bad recipe from this site. Please note butter and cream are your friend.

If that’s not enough Mrs Cheesecake has also started growing her own fruit & vegetables. Before you ask: apples, pears, strawberries, rhubarb, onions, carrots, potatoes and about a dozen different herbs. Damn we’re even reducing our carbon footprint by growing out own.

What’s next for this intrepid couple of gastronomes? Who knows. Stick around and you might find out.

Adios
Pablo Cheesecake

Wild Target

2010-06-20T18:21:00.001+01:00

I consider Bill Nighy to be a masterful actor. Yesterday I sat down to view his latest film, Wild Target. Nighy plays Victor, a professional hitman whose life is turned upside down with the arrival of his latest victim a con-woman called Rose, played by Emily Blunt.

Trained in the art of murder since his 7th birthday Victor is a ghost. So good at his job that his peers are in awe of him even though they have no idea who he actually is. Privately he lives a lonely existence in a roomy house where the vast majority of the furniture is unused and covered with plastic sheets. He is so non-descript you would walk past him in the street without a second glance.

Enter Rose, a flighty con-woman who has duped Ferguson (Rupert Everett) into purchasing a fake Rembrandt. Keen for revenge Ferguson hires Victor to take Rose out. Victor follows Rose and as he tries, in vain,to murder her he is slowly charmed by her free spirit. In the spur of the moment he saves Rose, and stoner Tony (Rupert Grint), from a second hitman and ends up becoming their protector.

The rest of the film deals with the unlikely trio and their escape from Ferguson and his cronies. Victor comes to realise he is missing out and is just existing rather than living.

Wild Target is one of those comedy films that doesn’t make you laugh out loud very often but does ensure you are always smiling. It sort of reminded me of Saving Grace in that respect. As an aside if you haven’t seen Saving Grace seek it out it’s brilliant. I left the cinema feeling amused and up beat.

Bill Nighy is great at showing the inner conflict of this character. He lets Victor’s emotions dance across his face. Emily Blunt is quirky and Rupert Grint likeable. Rupert Everett is as sleazy as ever while Gregor Fisher and Martin Freeman get some nice screen time.

Check it out. You never know you might like. It’s ok I won’t tell.

Flash Ahh-Ahh - Another Old Skool movie blog

2010-06-17T19:17:00.002+01:00

If Brian Blessed were a cake he would be fruit and nut. Now don't get me wrong I don’t mean that in a nasty way. He's is as mad as a bag of snakes and I love him for it. More on the King of Bellowing later, I just had to get that off my chest from the get-go.

There have been a number of attempts to bring Alex Raymond's creation to life. From the Buster Crabbe film serials, via Defenders of the Earth, right up to recent abysmal TV series (oh come on…it was shit and you know it). Hell there is even a 3D version in development right now. What I'm really interested in though is the 1980 film.

The Mike Hodges vision of Flash is deliciously camp. Rightly so in my opinion. Look at this example below of one of the original strips. Strewth he's got no strides on! That’s right Flash is all about no pants action.

With this as the source material there is really no surprise we ended up here. Actually it's quite tame in comparison isn't it.

The Cast

Everyone is great in this. Max Von Sydow is the worlds greatest pantomime villain as Ming the Merciless. Having Peter Wyngarde as Klytus is inspired as well. I understand why he had to wear a mask though. Can’t have Jason King stealing all the limelight now can we.

(As an aside. When I grow up I want to look like this)

Topol, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, Richard O’Brien, The dude from Blue Peter (yes I know it was Peter Duncan. It was a joke) they are all perfect. Damn shame Flash, Sam Jones, got dubbed but them as they say is the breaks. Even spotted a young Robbie Coltrane as a baggage handler near the beginning of the film. Though if you blink you will miss him.

Brian Blessed is brilliant as Vultan, King of the Hawkmen. His subtly nuanced shouting makes the film for me. He wanders around wearing a strange leather nappy/S&M outfit as though it is the most natural thing in the world. Why he is not playing Odin in Thor I will never know. He was robbed dammit.

The Music

It’s Queen people. Come on with this and Highlander they rocked the 80s movie soundtrack scene. Ok I’m not sure if there was actually a scene but lets just imagine there was. Just sit back and enjoy. Go to your happy place and let this nonsense just wash over you.

The film never did particularly well it the box office. Sam Jones even won a Golden Raspberry for his acting but personally I think this masterpiece needs your love. This is a pulp hero made flesh in the campiest manner available and it rocks.

All together now, FLASH….AHH…AHH…He’ll save everyone of us.

Flash Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake v The Internet Connection of Much Crapness

2010-06-14T19:28:00.002+01:00

I think it’s fair to say that everyone that reads this blog will be connecting to it via the technological wonder that is the Internet. I think it’s also fair to say that the speed at which you are able to access this content plays a large part in your enjoyment of said content. Recently my home interweb connection and specifically the ISP that provided it have been fucking me about in a grand old fashion.

Wait I’m getting ahead of myself here. Lets go back in time and I can explain from the beginning.

Since I have been using the internet at home, roughly since the mid 1990s, I have been using BT as my internet service provider. They have proven to be historically reliable and based on that I started to grow ever complacent with their diminishing service. Recently I checked the contract I had with them. It read something like this

“Dear Complacent Ass we have promised you up to 20MB broadband speed. We are now sat in our ivory tower quaffing champers and laughing at you. You are only getting 1.5MB. Ignoring your existence love and hugs BT” (I may have paraphrased slightly there).

Turns out you can only mess me about for a few years before I finally get the hint. Another well known ISP *cough* Virgin Media *cough* were able to offer me up 50MB for an additional fiver a month. The best part about it is, and this is the kicker, I’ve run a speed test a couple of times since changing supplier and I am getting at minimum 30MB. So even at worst the connection speed it is still nearly 30x faster than before.

**SPLUT** Sorry that was the sound of my head exploding like a ripe melon as I try to get my brain around that number.

If the story has an moral, and I’m not sure it has, its that BT can take a long jump of a short pier. I wouldn’t piss on them if they were on fire. They relied on my customer loyalty and when it came the the punch provided to little to late. I called them today to cancel my account. First question I was asked
“Is there anything we can do to stop you cancelling your account?”
“Can you provide up to 50MB broadband speeds?”
“Erm…..no”
“Then I guess there is nothing you can do”
*resigned sigh* at other end of phone.

Gosh I feel better I’ve go that rant of my chest.

Later Peoples

Pablo VirginMediacake

Testing, Testing, 123...is this thing on?

2010-06-14T12:49:00.001+01:00

I have been messing about with a MacBook for the last week and I thought it might be a good idea if I tried a blog to see how to experience compares against blogging on my PC. I've downloaded a trial version of the bit of software called Blogo and thought I would give that a whirl.

I have to say I am suitably impressed. The user interface is very clean and simple to use. There is no great difficulty figuring out all the formatting options. I should stress that I am still finding may way a bit when it comes to using the MacBook but I am sure this was exactly the same back in the day when I first started using PCs.

Hmmm not a long blog but I like to think at least a little bit educational.

I am curious to see what this looks like when it's posted.

Laters
Pablo MacCheesecake

Calling all the Heroes.....

2010-06-07T20:16:00.002+01:00

When it comes to film there is nothing better than sheer unadulterated escapism. I want, nay demand, the following: flying people, explosions, cunning stunts and superpowers. Over the last couple of years it seems that the big movie studios are starting to get my none too subtle hints. Comic book movies can be cool. Iron Man worked well. The Dark Knight was epic in scope. I am, and probably always will be, the eternal optimist so I’ve decided to take a look forward at what’s on the horizon when it comes to comic book adaptations.

The Green Lantern

I have high hopes for this. I like Ryan Reynolds and I reckon he can pull off Hal Jordan (oh that just doesn’t sound right now that I’ve typed it). If Ryan happens across this little blog I have but one thing to ask (ok two). Can you reign in the zany about 70% ?. While I’m making demands would like to see Kilowog in the mix as well. Ohh check out this most decent fan art I found on the interwebs.

Deadpool

Gosh it’s that chappie Reynolds again. This time as the merc with the mouth, Deadpool. Again Ryan if your reading this please feel free to go entirely the other way with this one. In fact the more batshit insane the better I think.

Captain America - The First Avenger

I saw The Losers (another comic book inspired movie fact fans) at the weekend and I enjoyed all the performances. Chris Evans did his usual charming goofball shtick. I’ve seen the concept art and he certainly looks the part but again like Reynolds in Green Lantern dial down the sass (good word there from Mrs Cheesecake).

The Avengers

We have much love for Iron Man here at Casa de Cheesecake. Judging by the pics seen so far The Mighty Thor will indeed rock. The Hulk will most likely be back and if rumours are true we’ll see Hawkeye and possibly Ant Man/Giant Man. Throw the First Avenger into the mix and it’s all good. I’m sure Joss Whedon can do the business. I always enjoyed his TV shows, even the ones that were cancelled way to soon.

Actually that reminds me. I was once in Belgium and saw an issue of The Avengers in Flemish. De Vergelders (who knew Marvel published in Flemish. That’s pretty cool.)

Rumour- Monger

There are loads of other adaptations we are likely to see soon as well. More Batman, unlikely it will be The Dark Knight Returns but we can live in hope. More Spiderman, a shame they are going for a reboot I enjoyed Raimi’s take.

One final thought. If anyone out there wants a cracking comic that would make an excellent film you could do a lot worse than Alien Legion. Consider yourself told.

Direct from the Cheesecake Cave

Captain Cheesecake

What makes a film for me…

2010-05-26T19:43:00.002+01:00

The other day I got to thinking. I was wondering about what makes a film special for me. What are the different ingredients that make a movie resonate and ensure I will return for more. I should stress I’m going to jump around in genres here a bit. There is no one film that will contain all these things (at least I don’t think there is?) After some thought I came up with the following list.

a Futile Gesture

Nothing better than a character(s) in a movie laying down their lives for very little point. With a cry of either "You go on without me" or "I'll hold them off" the plucky sidekick is instantly doomed and royally screwed. Examples: Almost the entire cast of Aliens, Miles Dyson (Terminator 2), Spoon (Dog Soldiers) Ok I admit boxing a werewolf is cool but be honest he was fucked.

Breaking the 4th Wall

Wikipedia defines this as “The presence of the fourth wall is an established convention of fiction and drama, which has led some artists to draw direct attention to it for dramatic or comedic effect. When this boundary is "broken", for example by an actor onstage speaking to the audience directly, or doing the same through the camera in a film or television program, it is called "breaking the fourth wall”

Mel Brooks is very good at this and he does it all the time, see the example below. Nothing funnier than a glimpse behind the curtain so to speak. Other good examples in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, National Lampoon’s Animal House and The Mask.

time travel / Time machines

Doesn’t matter if it’s Back to The Future, The Time Machine, Primer, Twelve Monkeys or The Time Traveller’s Wife. Messing about with the linear nature of the universe is just epic. I enjoy nothing better than the headfuck that is a good temporal paradox. I saw Hot Tub Time Machine the other day and it dealt with the macguffin that is time travel excellently. It was also great to see Chevy Chase on screen again as I love Fletch. I tried reading the article on Wikipedia about time travel but my head threatened to implode and then explode.

swords

Highlander alone should be reason enough to have this on the list but there are many other splendid films that feature the merry swash and buckle of swords. Kill Bill would not have been half as special if it had been all gun rather than sword play. Other prime examples include Zatoichi, The Sword and the Sorcerer and The Princess Bride.

The Lower Lip wobble

Something that always amuses me, when it really shouldn’t, is when an actor attempts subtle emotion on screen. Some lovely lower lip acting going on in this scene from Jerry Maguire. Fucking hilarious!

an epic finale

I have much love for Who Dares Wins, I’ve discussed it before at some length. One of the reasons is this ten minute sequence toward the end of the film. If your not that interested in watching the whole clip cut to around 9.05 and enjoy the macho hall jogging.

So there you have it. All you Directors out there please take note. All you need do is create a film that has even one of these elements and I’m there. Two or more and I will be your willing slave for life.

Cheerio

A Cinematic Cheesecake

Judging a book by it's cover

2010-05-17T18:40:00.003+01:00

One of my greatest pleasures in life is getting lost in a good book. I read a lot and enjoy seeking out my next purchase almost as much as the reading itself. Last weekend I shuffled off into town and found myself in my local bookshop with a crisp tenner burning a hole in my pocket.

At this point I'll pause briefly to explain one thing. I am a creature of habit and tend to stick with authors I know and trust. If I read a title from an author and enjoy it then they can be pretty much guaranteed my continued support for life, what can I say I am nothing if not loyal.

I do, however, occasionally like to dabble in the unknown territory of a NEW AUTHOR - please note when I say new author they could have been around for donkey's years it's just that I've never read any of their work. I guess I mean a new author to me. (Just so you know.)

After much rummaging and lots of uumms and aahhs I ended up picking up The Age of Zeus by James Lovegrove. Why? Check out the cover below and the answer becomes clear.

It's got fucking Anthony Hopkins on it! With added lighting coming out his chuffing head. How cool is that? If that’s not enough we have some military types and a helicopter flying near a mountain. Also a review of the author on the back by someone called Saxon Bullock. Saxon Bullock FFS what an absolutely epic name. Cha-ching I'm sold. (On a side note I can't believe I just wrote cha-ching in a blog. I feel like I've just jumped the blogging shark)

I had never realised before how much sway an interesting cover has on my book buying, When I buy anything from an unproven author the cover has got to grab hold of my brain. Here's another perfect example.

How could you not want to read this. I just oozes mysteriousity. Loving the art deco retro 1920/30s feel and it’s just a little bit creepy. I am so buying this.

Now some of you may consider my new book buying policy a trifle devil may care and I suppose your right. It is entirely possible instead of ending up with an exciting new author to enjoy I purchase something incredibly shit just because I was taken in by the shiny promise of the cover. Well so far so good. I’ll live with the risk. It’s a chance I’m just gonna have to take. That’s the kind of extreme bibliophile I am!

Now ssssshhhhhh! I’m reading

Mr Cheesecake

Undefined Randomness from the Cheesecake of Darkness

2010-05-10T19:04:00.003+01:00

Spies and Vikings

Its been an age since I purchased any new books. My e-reader is pretty full and I am slowly working my way through the backlog. There are however a couple of upcoming titles which I am very keen to get my hands on and will have to go old school a buy paper copies of both.

Mark Chadbourn's The Sword of Albion will hit the shelves soon and as I've got all his other books it seems likely I'll buy this one as well. Spies in Elizabethan England - oh yes I think so.

I am also really looking forward to Wolfsangel by MD Lachlan. I've heard lots of good things and so will be rushing out to buy once it is released into the wild. Vikings! Yeah I'll have me some of that. Hmmm when it comes to Vikings you do have to go some to top this though......

Consider the gauntlet well and truly laid down Mr Lachlan, good luck sir! Full Led Zepplin inspired goodness can be located here.

B-Movieathon

Even shite movies deserve some love. When I was a teenager I amassed a vast collection of B-Movies. I went though a phase where the longer or sillier the movie title the more interested I was in viewing it. How could you not love Class of Nuke'Em High Part II: Subhumanoid Meltdown?

Not long ago I realized a lot of the so called 'mainstream' stream films I've been watching were missing the sense of silly fun that comes with a good B-Movie. I decided it was time to get back in touch with my B-movie roots. I’ve purchased the following from Amazon and I await it's arrival in the next couple of weeks.

That's right peoples a 12 disc B-Movie boxed set. Hell Comes to Frogtown, The Stuff (come on who wouldn't love a film about a rampaging yogurt?) Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Night of the Living Dead. The list just keeps throwing out gems. Return of the Killer Tomatoes - you have to appreciate the joy of this. People need to know that one of George Clooney's first movie roles is about killer fruit.

'But Pablo' you cry 'B-Movies are laughably bad'. You are essentially right but lets not forget the heartwarming story of Mr P Jackson. I'm sure some of you may have seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy but would that exist, or indeed be as good, without the bugnuts insane delights of his earlier work? I demand you go now and seek out Bad Taste, Braindead and Meet the Feebles. Once you've viewed all three then we'll talk.

Gadget Envy

Mrs Cheesecake got a new phone recently. She is not a great fan of touchscreen tech so instead got herself a Crackberry 8900. I have to admit that even though it's not the smart phone I would buy for myself I do find it quite a neat little bit of techno-wizardry. I still have 12 months to go before I can get a new phone so I must gaze on enviously as she tweets and msgs effortlessly.

Till next time. Don't you go changin.

Cheesecake Out

Centurion

2010-04-25T16:48:00.004+01:00

Before I start I have to admit there may be certain amount of bias in this blog.I have much love for Neil Marshall’s films.

Dog Soldiers was a brilliant werewolf flick. Loads of lovely nice dark humour. My brother-in-law, who is in the army, confirmed that the banter and actions of the squaddies were very realistic and well observed. Obviously with the exception of the fighting werewolves bit.

The Descent managed to scare the crap out of me and pisses on The Cave (which came out around the same time). Never seen night vision used more effectively for a scare before or since.

Doomsday is like the bastard son of Mad Max and is a hell of a lot of fun. It was nice to see Glasgow and particularly George Square/Queen St Station get trashed.

Today I sat down and watched Centurion. The story of the legendary Ninth Roman legion and how they went to the north of Britain to take out the Picts. As far as historic records are concerned the Ninth just disappeared without a trace. No one knows what really happened to them. Marshall has used this gap in the history books as the basis for the film.

Lots of familiar faces here. Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Liam Cunningham, Noel Clarke and David Morrisey. Lots of violence as well. Blood and guts all over the place. Picts vs Romans makes for multiple beheadings.

I loved it all. The action was first rate. The scenery was stunning and the pace was just right. One for the blu-ray collection when available I think.

I read the other day that Neil Marshall will be directing a new version of The Professionals. To wet your appetite here is my first foray into the world of You Tube. Enjoy!

Now that I have started fannying around with Windows Movie Maker fuck knows what will appear on Ya Toob next. Perhaps something special for the two year anniversary of the blog?

Valete

Pablus Cheesecakeius

Tele-visual Shite, Haribo & Volcanoes

2010-04-18T16:29:00.002+01:00

Random things that have caught my attention this week….

tv shite

Disappointed to discover that Auntie Beeb has pulled the plug on Survivors. It seems yet again that genre TV has had another kick in the teeth. The thing that annoys me most is that the second series ended on a fucking cliffhanger of all things.

Sci-Fi has become SyFy. God that makes me feel unclean just typing it. Some smart arse exec somewhere has decided that a perfectly acceptable channel name wasn’t sexy enough so a rebrand was in order. C’mon though SyFy. Sounds a bit wanky don’t you think. I’ve also noticed that they seem to be moving away from just sci-fi programming. In the US of States they have started showing wrestling. FFS I don’t have a problem with wrestling but on a science fiction channel?

On the plus side the new series of V started, after only 4 months of delay. Some of us did spot you were advertising it for January SyFy! No Marc Singer or Michael Ironside though.

haribo

I went to the cinema yesterday. I saw Cemetery Junction. Much as I wanted to not enjoy it (Gervais gets on my tits a bit) I couldn’t. It’s a good film and I would recommend you go see it. Perfectly captures the 70s. Breaking from tradition I purchased a bag of Haribo.While I was waiting for the film to start I read the ingredients. Have you ever read the ingredients on a packet of Haribo? Well have you? Some of the highlights include – beeswax, hibiscus and nettle. I kid you not. I still crave them mind you.

volcanoes

Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland erupted this week and has thrown air travel in Europe into utter chaos. Just goes to show that nature is ever unpredictable. I sort of like that. Should make us all more aware that we are but passengers on this little planet. That and volcanoes look really cool.

Till next time

Pyroclastic Cheesecake bids you farewell.

Gadget Show Live

2010-04-11T15:31:00.002+01:00

I’m a gadget head. I love all tech, hardware, software and gadge. Last year I found out about the Gadget Show Live about a week before the event happened. Needless to say by that point the event was well and truly sold out so there was no point in even trying to attend. This year I was ahead of the game and got my tickets sharpish.

I’ve never been to the NEC before. In fact I’ve only ever been to Birmingham once and that was another lifetime ago. The place is like it’s own little city. It is fucking enormous. I reckon it took us about twenty minutes to walk from the the station to the hall where the show was taking place.

One of the first things we saw were these immense statues. On a side note does anyone have £3000 I can borrow? On the understanding you’ll never get it back.

Mrs Cheesecake and I had also purchased tickets to see the Supershow hosted by the Gadget Show’s very own Jason Bradbury, Suzi Perry, Ortis Deeley and John Bentley.

The Supershow was fantastic (it did help we were 3rd row from the front so got an amazing view). There were some great tech related challenges and the crowd were kept involved with all the goings on. We also managed to get a bit wet!

After the show we wandered around the exhibition. The one drawback to the whole thing I suppose was that it was INCREDIBLY busy. The crowds were everywhere. This did make it difficult to stop and actually view anything without either getting in someone’s way or someone getting in your way.
On our way out we ran into the 10th Doctor and friends. Damn Daleks get everywhere don’t they.

Pablo Cheesecake Kicks Ass

2010-04-06T17:58:00.002+01:00

My final movie blog of the Easter weekend is Kick Ass. Someone on the interweb said that the Daily Mail would shit kittens over this one and I can see why. The film contains da da da “Adult Content”. You heard correctly folks there is violence,swearing, self abuse and self tan. They even use the c-word. I spotted it, more than once in fact, I am shocked to report that the word comics is mentioned.

All joking aside I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I have enjoyed all of Matthew Vaughn’s previous films but comic books are very close to my heart and I was a little worried. It is fair to say that I feel this way about every comic book adaption that makes it’s way to the big screen and will continue to do so. (I’m looking at you Green Lantern, Thor, Iron Man 2 etc).

My worries appear to have been groundless. The film worked pretty well and the changes to the story made the characters seem a bit more fun. Those who have read the comic know that the hero doesn’t get the girl. He does in the movie version. Oh shit spoiler alert! Damn sorry. Oh come on your only going to see the film if you know the book anyway aren’t you?

The cast were all good. I think Mark Strong and Chloe Moretz were exceptional.

Yes the film is violent. Yes the subject matter is undeniably silly but fuck it it’s only a movie.

Now where’s my lycra leotard? (if you knew me you would realise just how horrific a mental picture this actually is)

Captain Cheesecake

Clash of the Cheesecake

2010-04-06T10:35:00.002+01:00

This Easter weekend we’ve managed 3 films. We saw How to Try your Dragon. See my 5 year old nephew’s review here. After he left we decided next on the list was the remake, re-envisioning, rebirth of Clash of the TItans.

What did I think. Well the film was pretty good. It all looked epic. Ancient Greece was all sandals and togas. Mt Olympus was armour and shininess.

I did have a couple of problems with the film though. Firstly the 3D was wholly unnecessary. I don’t actually recall any point where it enhanced my viewing pleasure. I believe the film wasn’t originally meant to be 3D and it was added as an afterthought. I just think it was a bit pointless. I am willing to accept that 3D is meant to be subtle but this was just done badly. Which is a shame.

My other issue - Sam Worthington’s hair. What the fuck is up with that. To a man every other male on screen had long hair and most of them had beards. Ancient Greece = Metallic audience. That’s all good but then along comes Sam with the feckin buzz cut. How in the blue hell did he manage that? Are there ancient magical hair trimmers that have been handed down to Perseus as a gift from the Gods? Part of me actually hopes that there is footage of him wearing a long haired wig that is so bad members of the film crew are rolling about on the floor pissing themselves. Now don’t get me wrong Mr Worthington rocks the buzz cut but Perseus does not. Check out Harry Hamlin to see how it should be done.
The supporting cast were all good. I particularly enjoyed Mads Mikkelsen and Liam Cunningham.

In summary then the film was ok but Sam Worthington’s anachronistic hair detracted from my enjoyment.

In fact I’m so angry now…….Release the Cheesecake!

How to Train Your Pablo Cheesecake

2010-04-04T19:56:00.000+01:00

Yesterday Mrs Cheesecake and I had the pleasure of taking our 5 year old nephew, Nico (Unarmed and Dangerous), on his first trip to the cinema. We went to see How to Train Your Dragon in 3D. I told him that I would let him post a review on the internet of what he thought. See below for N(U&D)s insightful review. Not only that but his opinions of cinema in general.

His first reaction to the cinema was that he very much liked the giant television. When I asked him about the story of the film I got following response

"I did like the black dragon he was my favourite". As I said insightful.

Turns out that 5 year-olds don't really think much of the 3D experience either. He lasted about twenty minutes before the glasses came off.

I also don't think he was that bothered that the vast majority of ancient Vikings sounded suspiciously Scottish. Though he did claim later on that when he blows up the world we will all have to move to Scotland? and learn to speak Scottish.

Later

Toothless Cheesecake

PS I enjoyed the film but have no plans to blow up the world. The animation was great and I liked the characterisation of the Vikings and the dragons. Also I would quite like a beard like the head Viking had (To my knowledge the dragons had no facial hair)

From the brain of Pablo Cheesecake…

2010-03-25T19:34:00.001Z

Just some random shit from my brain to the interweb

fashion

I am not exactly a what you would call a snappy dresser. I have my own fairly casual look that I’m comfortable with but on occasion in a fit of pique I go a bit bonkers. (This probably explains the bright red hair, nipple ring and tattoos but the less said about that the better). My latest fashion purchase is fucking epic, not to everyone’s taste I’ll grant you but check these bad boys out.

Please note that this isn’t a photo of me modelling said jammies. I’m more of a keg that a six pack! Aren’t they fab though. Animal from the Muppets. How cool is that.

gadget show live

Mrs Cheesecake and I have got tickets to check this out at the NEC in a few weeks. Last year we missed out so I am real excited that I can attend. I love tech. I am going to be in my element. Mrs Cheesecake better nick my wallet or I am likely to go on a spending rampage. Actually I’ll probably have to hid her purse as well as she is as big a gadget freak is I am.

fantasycon 2010

Gonna get tickets to Fantasy Con 2010. This event is held in Nottingham, right on our doorstep, in September. Last year we only managed to attend one day but this year we are going for the whole thing. Again highly likely that the old wallet will take a pounding but you know what, fuck it.

kick ass & clash of the titans

I’m not sure which of these films I am most excited about. Both are now firmly on the horizon so Easter break will most definitely include more than one trip to the local multiplex. I also read recently that Tron is coming out on blu-ray. I may have to purchase that.

note to all readers

Please remember loyal Pablo Cheesecake fans that as ever there is an Easter egg in my blog. This *comprehensive* additional content is yours if only you can locate it!

Pablo Cheesecake vs The Third Dimension

2010-03-24T19:04:00.002Z

Lets set some parameters for this blog. For starters - I love film. All of it. Even the shit ones that no one else particularly appreciates. (I’m looking at you Rabid Grannies, Rollerblade Warriors, Blood Sucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh etc). I’ve always kinda been of the belief that every movie deserves to be loved. Why not. People invest a lot of their time, energy and creativity in an effort to entertain the masses. Good on them I say. Long may it continue.

Recently however I have noted a worrying trend. I’m concerned that this will effect my enjoyment of something I love dearly. What, I here you cry, could illicit such a reaction from the normally docile Mr Cheesecake? I’ll tell you, just two alphanumerics in a movie title…..3D.

Now before I continue lets get one thing straight. I don’t hate all 3D films. Avatar blew my tiny little mind. I expect Tron Legacy to do exactly the same. The key thing about the use of 3D in both these examples as that it’s used by the directors to enhance the visual style of each film. The extra depth enhances the experience. I get that and I consider it perfectly valid.

The sort of thing I have a problem with is things like. U2 in 3D, The Jonas Brothers in fecking 3D. Why do cinema goers have to be subjected to such shite. If your interested in seeing U2 or indeed The Jonas Brothers go to a fucking concert.

I’m also worried that films are getting made in 3D just for the hell of it. I heard that the last couple of Harry Potters are in going to be in 3D. For the love of great goggly moggly WHY! The previous films didn’t require an sort of enhancement like that to hold an audiences attention so why do it now?

3D has prompted great debate at Cheesecake Towers. I am my usual unsure and slightly sceptical self while Mrs Cheesecake has embraced this new technology wholeheartedly. She does agree however that 3D is not necessary for all genres but does consider it inevitable as it’s all about the dollar dollar.

Who knows where we’ll be in a couple of years? The Chinese have a curse. “May you live in interesting times” I guess currently for movies it is just that….Interesting.

A slightly unsure Cheesecake

Watched the movie…..got the T-Shirt

2010-03-15T19:39:00.005Z

Among my many and varied hobbies, all three of them, I collect t-shirts. I’ll be honest the more obscure the cultural or movie reference the more likely I am to buy. Over the years I have started to amass a reasonable collection

Now those of you that frequent my little sinkhole of cyberspace already know that I also like the silver screen *Understatement Alert*. Most of my t-shirt wardrobe does point to this fact . Check out some of the fine cotton I have below.

This first batch are all provided by the good peoples at Last Exit to Nowhere. They do fantastic work based on fictional companies that appear in film. As you can see I haven’t quite managed my first dozen yet but I am working on it slowly but surely. I will eventually own most of their catalogue I’m sure. Their t-shirts are all good quality, last well and are reasonably priced.

I don’t just do movie t-shirts though. I like to soothe the inner (and indeed outer) geek. Jinx do some splendid gaming and nerd wear for the discerning connoisseur. Behold!

Only a t-shirt inspired by one of the greatest books of all time.

Another one of my obsessions is pirates. Don’t even ask cause I can’t tell you why. Pirate Mod have a huge collection of shirts all of them sublime.

There are a few shirts out there that I am still keen to get my grubby little mitts on. This zombie related shirt is a work of pure genius. Nothing better than a bit of swearing to upset the neighbours.

Not going to tell you where that one is from. I wants to keep it all to myself.

To finish my little ramble about all things t-shirt related. I recently saw the trailer for Tron Legacy. I had a joygasm and this forced me to purchase this gem.

Till next time
Mr C

Who Dares Wins – Another one of those retro thingees

2010-03-09T19:06:00.003Z

Recently I wrote a little retrospective blog about Deep Rising. You can read it here. I have to say I enjoyed the experience. It was fun to revisit a film I hadn't seen in a while and remind myself of why I liked it in the first place. So much so that I've decided to do it again.

Who Dares Wins (known as The Final Option in the US) is an early eighties classic. In fact I’ll go further than that. I’m willing to lay down the gauntlet on this one. I don’t think there has been a more testosterone heavy movie committed to celluloid. This film just oozes action.

Lewis Collins, fresh from the TV nirvana that was The Professionals, is the hard as nails SAS Captain Peter Skellen. Deep undercover, he has to infiltrate a group of terrorists who are hiding out as part of the peace movement. The action begins with a crossbow bolt to the face and escalates to a terrific finale involving the storming of the American embassy in London. Ironically though the film is nearly thirty years old the subject matter remains pretty topical.

The rest of the cast are a veritable who’s who. Edward Woodward, Judy Davis, John Duttine (Day of the Triffids rocks), Richard Widmark, Tony Doyle. Even Ingrid Pitt gets a look in.

The score is by Get Carter supremo Roy Budd. The main theme has some crazy wacka-wacka guitars and dramatic keyboards. Music is used to great effect toward the end of the film when the siege takes place. There is a scene where Skellen runs down a corridor with the rest of the SAS team that is just perfect.

I revisit this film regularly. Now I know it ain’t for everyone. Some of the attitudes are (how can I put it politely) a trifle dated? It's ok though. We’ve all moved on. We’ve matured. We can view Who Dares Wins for exactly what it is a rock solid action flick.

One piece of advice though. Don’t watch the DVD while your ironing on a Sunday afternoon. Last time I did that I got all excited and had to go have a lie down.

Pablo Two Cheesecake Out

Solomon Kane – a Cheesecake’s view

2010-03-03T19:08:00.002Z

Recently I was in London and as part of the trip had the opportunity to meet James Purefoy. He's terribly good looking, impossibly dashing and, according to Mrs Cheesecake and friends, should be renamed James Purejoy. You can read about my escapades here.

After my return from that there London I finally got the opportunity to go see his latest film - Solomon Kane. Based on the stories written by Robert E Howard the film is a tale of a man seeking redemption. Set in an a muddy 17th century England Kane is at the outset essentially a scumbag. He kills, maims and destroys whatever he can. He cares for nothing but himself. Shockingly for such a nice chap a minion of Beelzebub turns up and explains that his soul is now damned and the Devil wants to collect. From this point on Kane tries to walk a peaceful path. He turns his back on his evil ways and tries to lead a good life. Needless to safe El Diablo is not such a push over and Kane is forced to face his demons (literally and metaphorically).

Somewhere on the net some person much wittier than I described Solomon Kane as a West Country Batman. I can see what they are getting at. The story fair smacks of Troubled Avenger. Not that this is a bad thing. Purefoy always manages to make Kane look pained when he has to resort to violence. Here is a man that wants nothing but peace but can't escape his past.

As an aside the following thought did occur to me. How old is Max Von Sydow? He seems to have made a career out of playing old men (with the exception on Ming and the Brewmeister Smith from Strange Brew. Actually if you haven't seen Strange Brew seek if out. Very odd and very funny).

Solomon Kane looks great. Its is meant to be all grungy and dark and it succeeds in spades. I think I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Jason Flemyng's character. He plays the main villain of the piece and i think he deserved a bit more screen time.

The end of the film is left wide open for a sequel and I think I would probably seek it out should one be made. Only if the following scene is used mind you. I apologise in advance to fans of Batman (1989)

[Solomon Kane dangles a thug over the side of a building]
Thug : Don't kill me! Don't kill me, man! Don't kill me! Don't kill me, man!
Solomon Kane: I'm not going to kill you. I want you to do me a favor. I want you to tell all your friends about me.
Thug : What are you?
Solomon Kane : I'm Solomon Kane. All right my lover.

Till next time

Solomon Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake – Random Thoughts

2010-03-02T16:22:00.002Z

Normally, dear reader, I tend to use my blog to discuss film, books and at a stretch fish finger sandwiches. Today I decided that for a bit of a change I would just write a bit about stuff. Just some random odds and sods and see where I end up.

The Winter Olympics

I make no secret about the fact that I am more an Autumn\Winter kinda guy. My first vivid memory is one of snow (strange as I was born in July). This has stayed with me throughout life and I always look forward to winter. It may also explain why I like lumberjack shirts but that's not really relevant here. I think this is why I prefer the Winter Olympics to the Summer games. This time around I have been somewhat lax in my viewing (ok INCREDIBLY lax). I only managed to catch the Men’s Ice Hockey final. I was fucking ace though. The US of States vs Canadia. The third period and overtime were very exciting. Mrs Cheesecake enjoyed the game as well. Always a surprise to be caught up in a sporting event as , anyone who knows me will know, I'm not what you would describe as sporty. Portly yes, sporty no!

Blogs and Blogging

Recently I've noticed that I am reading/following far more blogs than I did before. I blame Twitter, damn your soulless black heart *shakes fist*. Though I have tried to be resistant Twitter has successfully expanded my horizons and I now follow more than a dozen blogs. Previously I followed two. The topics range from movie news to book reviews with friends blogs thrown in for good measure. I've started using Feed Demon to manage the blogs I follow. I can heartily recommend this excellent tool it allows me to categorize and view the blogs in the order I prefer.

Tea

Last year I was drinking way to much coffee. My daily caffeine intake was so high that by about 4pm I would normally have a headache. Another side effect - I was really short tempered. I had a tendency to come home and stomp about like a bear with a sore head (if you saw me you would appreciate just how apt that description is). For about six months now I have cut right down. I still take the odd coffee but we are talking about one or two cups a month. Instead I have moved to caffeine free tea bags. You know what. I feel loads better. I think I'm a bit mellower than I was before and the afternoon headaches have disappeared.

Health

While I'm wittering about health. You may recall I wrote at the beginning of the year that I had decided to set myself a physical challenge. For two reasons (1) I could do with the exercise (2) I wanted to commit to something and see it through to completion. With that in mind I decided to cycle 500km in 2010. Two months in an I am coming up on my first milestone. By the 13th March I will reach my first 100km. I'm glad to say I am finally starting to get into the groove with this. The first month was killer but the second was starting to get easier. I suppose I should mention I'm not just cycling I and weight training as well. I train five out of every seven days. I just have to try an keep up the momentum I suppose. I have allowed for interruptions in the my regime. I figure I can allocate up to twenty days off due to unforeseen circumstance. So far I am glad to report I have only used one day.

In another health related note I got a wisdom tooth removed today. The process was a lot easier than I imagined. I am concerned that once the anaesthetic wears off it may smart a little.

In fact I don’t think I can right anymore just now.

Later peoples and remember to brush regularly

Cheesecake Out

Live (ok nearly 24hrs late) from the BAFTA Red Carpet

2010-02-22T17:25:00.002Z

sunday

I’ve never been to a red carpet event before so wasn’t sure what to expect when Mrs Cheesecake and I headed to the Theatre Royal for 8 am. Mrs Cheesecake had very diligently checked out the BAFTA website and was aware that we had to go an collect wristbands before we would be allowed entry to the event.

When we arrived there was already as sizable queue but everyone was in high spirits even though it was raining. We queued for around 45 minutes and eventually found ourselves at the front where we were given our wristbands by some nice security guards. They explained that we were not going to get access to the red carpet site until at least 1.30pm.

Suddenly we had hours to kill and the weather by this point was fucking terrible. After some looking around we found ourselves having breakfast in Tuttons. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. I’m not sure if it was because they took pity on two drowned rats but their breakfast is sublime. The service was splendid and it turns out there is nothing better than a full English to the strains of Vivaldi for restoring one’s equilibrium.

The rest of the waiting time passed quickly as we wandered around Covent Garden and enjoyed a bit of cafe society. Mrs Cheesecake even spotted Richard E. Grant.

Back to the queue and eventually we managed to make it to the red carpet area. Again more waiting but it was good to watch all the comings and goings.

Enough of preliminaries lets get to the event itself. Between us Mrs Cheesecake and I got some ace shots and we saw a veritable cornucopia of stars.

Deep Breath…..here we go…we saw…..

Sharto Copley, Christoph Waltz, Matt Dillon, Noel Clarke, Oliva Williams, Jeremy Renner, Peter Capaldi, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Jason Issacs, Sam Taylor Wood, Aaron Johnson, Nicholas Hoult, Armando Iannucci, Tahir Rahim, Jane Goldman, Terry Gilliam, David Baddiel, Anil Kapoor, Claudia Winkleman, Colin Firth, Ann Marie Duff, Andy Serkis, David Morrisey, Nick Frost, Jonathan Ross, McKenzie Crook, Mark Kermode, James Corden, Kate Winslet, James Cameron, Prince William (yup royalty), Mickey Rourke, Robert Pattison, Quentin Tarintino, Clare Danes.

There were others as well but I honestly can’t remember them all. We got some top photos as well.

Here is one of Sharto Copley

and what does he write on an autograph?

If you can’t make it out it says YOU FOOKIN PRAWN! Class.

One conclusion I did come to is that Joely Richardson and Kate Winslet may not be human. I don’t mean that in a nasty way. Quite the reverse in fact. They are both absolutely flawless. Pictures do not do them just SERIOUSLY. Mrs Cheesecake felt the same way about Jonathan Rhys Myers. In other interesting news Clive Owen is really surprisingly short. Again don’t mean that in a nasty way just expected him to be taller.

Disappointment of the night. No Jeff Bridges or Michael Sheen. Well I don’t suppose we can have everything can we.

Ass Monkeys of the evening – All of the professional autograph hunters. They were all rude as fuck and kept making me angry. These are the cock javelins that get autographs just so they can sell then on for profit. Fucking ring pieces the lot of them. I think some of the stars were avoiding our area because of these assholes.

Oddly we ended up with one of the official umbrella like the one you can see in the Joely Richardson pic. Weird but true.

It was most definitely an experience.

No longer on the Red Carpet.
Pablo Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake vs That There London

2010-02-22T14:40:00.005Z

Saturday

This weekend Mrs Cheesecake and I broke with our cinema-going tradition and took a trip to London. We went for a couple of reasons. Firstly we fancied a break from the grind of work. Secondly the BAFTAs were on and we wanted to go in partake in the red carpet experience.

Though BAFTAs were on the Sunday we decided that we should go down to London the day before. We managed to cram quite a lot in so I will split our weekend over two blogs one for the Saturday and one for the Sunday.

By happy coincidence on the Saturday afternoon there was a signing at Forbidden Planet with this chap.

After arriving in London and checking in to our hotel off we went. He was in the store to do a signing to promote his new film Solomon Kane. While we waited for the signing to begin I was interviewed for LSQ TV. I shit you not. Little old me was plucked from the crowd and asked some questions. Check it out…. I’m the twat with the red hair and the very high opinion of himself. It’s even in freakin HD….

So after making it onto You Tube in a vox pop (always an ambition of mine) we actually did get to meet the director Michael J Bassett and James Purefoy. Mrs Cheesecake was also extremely pleased that she got a piccie.

After the brief meeting I got to indulge my wanton lust for all the good stuff Forbidden Planet has to offer. Though I could have quite easily spent a large fortune in the store I ended up limiting myself to two new paperbacks. I could have quite easily been more but I was trying to be good.

Saturday turned out to be quite a good day. Sunday however promised more of the same. Next blog Covent Garden and the BAFTAs!

Back from that there London

An exhausted Cheesecake

Pablo Cheesecake and the Lightning Thief

2010-02-16T14:23:00.004Z

Chris Columbus directed the first two Harry Potter movies. The story of a normal, average, everyday boy who discovers that he is a wizard and has to learn how to live with his new life. He has also directed Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. The story of a normal, average, everyday boy who discovers he is part Greek god and has to learn how to live with his new life.

I've read a number of reviews that start like that. 'Oooh it's the same director and has a similar premise. Isn't Hollywood scrapping the bottom of the barrel' To these naysayers I blow a huge raspberry. The myths of ancient Greece are good stories. They still resonate today. What kid isn't going to enjoy things like Medusa, satyrs and centaurs? Guess what people....Greek mythology is so 2010! Just wait till the re-imagining/reboot/remake of Clash of the Titans hits our screens later this year. That will wipe those smug grins of those faces!

Personally I enjoyed the film. Kevin McKidd, Sean Bean and Steve Coogan are good as THE BIG THREE - Poseiden, Zeus and Hades. It would have been nice to see a bit more of Steve Coogan though. Hades as a kinda of slightly faded rock-star type was fun.

The younger members of the cast all did pretty good job as well. Logan Lerman plays Harry, sorry Percy (and if the Hollywood rumor mill is to be believed he is a strong contender for the Spiderman re-hash/re-jig/re-finagle). His partner is crime is Ron, sorry Grover played by Brandon T Jackson.

The effects were good particularly Medusa's snakes and I liked the water effects towards the end. I guess some of the monsters may upset younger viewers so the PG rating is just about right.

I believe there are currently another four books in the series. I wouldn't mind seeing more. I haven't read the books but hope if more films are made we get to see a bit more of the Olympians. Hermes pops up in the current film and just looks just a bit sheepish. That was a bit of a shame. I would like to have seen a bit more of the other Gods.

From high atop Mt Olympus

Pablo Zeuscake

The Wolfman

2010-02-14T15:40:00.001Z

Yesterday was a busy old day. Two movies at the cinema and then a comedy gig at a local theatre.

The first film we saw was The Wolfman. Directed by Joe Johnston this is an update of the 1941 film which starred Lon Chaney Jr. In this version Benicio Del Toro takes the lead role supported by Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving and Emily Blunt.

The film really looks splendid, loads of attention to the small details. The costumes are all great and the scenery is suitably gothic and creepy. Filmed on location in Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Derbyshire

One of the things I particularly liked was the effects work for the Wolfman himself. Rick Baker is responsible and does a great job. The Wolfman makeup is very similar to the 40s version and it works really well. Rick Baker was responsible for the excellent werewolf effects in An American Werewolf in London and he still hasn't lost his touch.

One of the personal highlights of the film for me was Hugo Weaving's moustache. It was spectacular and not a hair out of place. I think I was just jealous.

The film movies at a reasonable pace and the ninety minute run time fairly zips by. Good news as well for all you gorehounds out there as the Wolfman rips many a cast member into small pieces. There are torsos, limbs and heads getting flung about all over the place.

Mr Cheesecake (of The Yard)

Tentacles of Doom - Deep Rising (a retrospective)

2010-01-29T18:15:00.006Z

Before GI Joe, Van Helsing and The Mummy Stephen Sommers directed what I consider to be his best film. A lovely intimate little monster movie called Deep Rising.

Now I know what your going to say "The Mummy was cool and all but I think Van Helsing was an unmitigated disaster and far to self indulgent. As far as GI Joe is concerned c’mon I'm not fucking 12".

Ok I get it. You don't like them. Fair enough. Your entitled to your opinion (it's wrong) but lets not argue.

Anyway I'm not here to talk about what came later. I want to talk about an often neglected gem of a movie.

Deep Rising was originally released in 1998 and disappeared pretty quickly from the box office. Recently a random comment in a totally unrelated conversation sparked a memory of the film. I realised that it was missing from my collection. I had a hazy recollection of enjoying the film and hoped it would be worthwhile viewing again. I decided I would pick it up on DVD. The film has been around for years so I figured even if I didn't like it I wouldn't be forking out a fortune for it. As ever Amazon delivered the goods, literally and metaphorically, so within 48hrs of my initial thought the DVD was in my grubby mits.

Brief synopsis of the story - Group of nasty mercenaries are hired to attack worlds largest/fanciest/most expensive cruise liner in the middle of the South China sea. Owner of their charter boat, his engineer and the 1st mate are forced to assist the mercs in their nasty scheme. When they get to the cruise ship however every passenger is gone and there is bucket loads of blood everywhere.... I don’t want to spoil the surprise lets just say evil tentacled sea monsters and leave it at that.

Now this ain't Shakespeare folks and the dialogue is a bit cheesy but all is forgiven cause the film nips along at a terrific pace and the action scenes are very well done. Kudos as well goes to Treat Williams. I always felt he deserved to be a bigger star than he actually is. His biggest success probably being Things to Do in Denver When Your Dead. He makes for a great action hero in my opinion.

The UK’s very own Jason Flemyng pops up as one of the mercs. He doesn’t last thought it has to be said.

I should stress as well that it ain’t just all nasty skin shrivelling horror. Kevin J. O’Connor plays the comic relief and he does it well. It’s the elevator muzak gag that made me seek out the film again in the first place.

The effects are good and still hold up today over ten years later. The guts and gore are reasonably moderate as it’s only certificate 15.

All in all a solid movie well worth consideration. Anyone who enjoys a bit of horror sprinkled liberally with some action and just a pinch of comedy will enjoy this and you can get it for about £4 (total bargain).
So I cant fly because of the chance of snakes. Boats are now out due to the possibility of pissed off Kraken beasties. Shit I’m going have to walk everywhere. Wait a second have there been any monster movies on buses???

Later

Mr P Cheesecake Esq

Ninja Cheesecake – Another bloody movie review

2010-01-24T15:05:00.002Z

I’m done with vampires. I’ve had it up to here with zombies. Werewolves are so last year.You can shove your pirates up your arse. 2010 should be the year of the ninja. Like every other movie fad in recent memory it would appear that the ninja is now due for a comeback.

Ninja Assassin is incredibly silly. There is no getting around that fact but good news it’s also incredibly gory. There are limbs, heads and various other body parts all over the feckin place. The story is pretty run of the mill but the action….oh the action is just great. To give you an example I don’t think I have ever seen characters fight in on coming traffic so realistically before.

Produced by the Wachoski Brothers the film does have hints of the Matrix about it . There is some nice slow-mo action going on and the way the throwing stars are visualized is very cool.

The end of the film kind of reminded me of Deadliest Warrior. Ninjas vs Government troops with machine guns. Who will win?

It was also great to see Shô Kosugi in the film. I still remember Nine Deaths of a Ninja and The Master from when I was just a nipper back in the 80s.

Stick to the Shadows

The Cheesecake Assassin

Avatar – A Cheesecake’s view

2010-01-22T18:20:00.003Z

As a preface to this blog I would like to point out that this has taken me the best part of a month to write. I normally rattle of my thoughts about a movie I've seen within about a day or two of seeing the thing. This time things have been slightly different. I did say a couple of weeks ago I would get around to posting my thoughts so here goes. I had to think about this for quite a while before I put pen to paper, so to speak.

Avatar

I liked Avatar. I liked it a lot. In fact after careful consideration I might even love it? Don't panic I'm not going to go all Twilight creepy on your ass. Allow me to try and clarify. Over the years I have seen a lot of films. Of those hundreds of films there are a select band that I will happily watch again. Within that group there are a lucky few that I love. Films that I have watched so many times they are like old friends.

Let me try and put my feelings into some sort of context. Do you remember the first time something really and truly blew your mind? Something that you knew was special. Something that was going to have an impact.

I still do.

Using my time machine let me take you back to 1978. Twice that year a mini-Cheesecake was taken to the cinema by his family. Each time the result was the same. The lights went out and after the obligatory ads and trailers the film began. In each case the heady mix of the rousing score and the mind bending visuals had an effect. Even now some 32 years later every time I hear both pieces of music the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I didn't realise it at the time but both movies in question were going to be a global phenomena. I believe the phrase du jour is 'game changer'. Of course I'm talking about Star Wars: A New Hope and Superman. I'm sure you had already guessed. Both are still as fresh and exciting today as they were then. They still evoke strong emotions from viewers. People still endlessly quote lines, recall their favourite scenes and debate plot points.

I believe, in the future, Avatar will fall into the same category. I've seen it twice and as I said before loved it from beginning to end both times. In my defence I should stress I am a ragging sentimentalist at heart. I also love nothing better than pure unadulterated escapism. The scope, the spectacle, the rush of sight and sound. It's all there.

'Fuck you Pablo' the detractors will say. 'The story borrows liberally from Fern Gully and Pocahontas'. In fairness they are probably right, but who cares. James Cameron knows how to deliver what an audience wants. The other thing that needs to be highlighted is that the obvious quality and attention to detail of this film. It will force others to raise their game. People will want more of this I can guarantee it. Cameron has spent years developing new technology in order to film the thing. He's made the environment seem very real and all that hard work shines through.

*Spoiler Alert*

The thought just popped in my head. Why does Michelle Rodriguez die in every film she's in?

*End Spoiler*

Since I started writing this news stories have appeared stating that there will be another two films set in the same universe. I look on with interest. Can Cameron give use even more? Hopefully we wont have to wait 12 years for the next installment.

Live and direct from Pandora

Mr C

Modern Vampires: Is there any hope?

2010-01-16T20:14:00.002Z

I’m not going to bash Twilight, honest I’m not. It would be far to easy to do. I’ve seen the first film I won’t be seeing anymore. It’s not my bag. If you enjoy it fair play to you. I’ll let you into secret though vampires don’t fucking sparkle.

Ignoring the Twilight phenomena is there any hope for the modern vampire movie? Today I have seen two examples of the genre. One good the other filled with good intentions.

Daybreakers

Written and directed by the Spierig Brothers this is an interesting take on vampire mythology. Vampirism is a virus and this film looks at the consequences of the vampire food supply running out. Starring Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill I enjoyed this quite a bit. Lots of nice touches about how the world’s population have adapted to being creatures of the night.

Your purist vampire aficionado may not like the modernization of vampirism but personally I doesn’t bother me. I enjoy original ideas as long as they are done well.

Blood: The Last Vampire

This seemed on the face of it to promise so much. Based on the anime of the same name I expected a lot. Overall it’s not terrible. Swordfights are always good but then some arse somewhere decided that adding some truly fucking horrible CGI was a good idea. I mean come on CGI blood? That’s a big no-no in my book.

Daybreakers got it right, Blood: The Last Vampire got it wrong. In a vampire movie the first commandment - there will be blood. Second commandment characters have to get covered in the stuff.

So is there hope for the modern vampire movie? I guess the jury is still out. The good news as long as films like Let The Right One In and Daybreakers continue to get made at least there is chance.

Always from the Dark

Vampire Cheesecake

Only Forward…What’s occurring 2010

2010-01-03T16:36:00.004Z

Recently I blogged about my highlights for 2009. I was thinking about it earlier and it seemed only sensible to take a look at what is on the horizons for the next 12 months.

Film

There are quite a few movies I am looking forward to this year. In fact the list is so long I am going to go with just a top 4. As usual no particular order on this.

The Road - Now I haven’t read the book, which I admit is unusual for me it being post apocalyptic and all, but I really like the look of the film. I am a big fan of The Vigg and the film looks really fucking dark so should be right up my street. It’s on release in the UK real soon so I will scribble down a review at a later date.

Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll -To clarify Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick was the first vinyl I ever bought at the tender age of 4 years old. The B-side was a track called There Ain’t Half been some Clever Bastards. Ian Dury and the Blockheads music had a profound effect growing up. Looking forward to seeing Andy Serkis take on the role.

The A-Team – Is an explanation really required? Hopefully this will be like watching an episode of the show. Tell you what there better be a fucking montage where they make a fully functioning tank out of a milkfloat, two weasels and some blue tac.

Tron 2, Tron Legacy, Tr2n, Tron 2.0 – Whatever the fuck they are calling it this week. It’s about computers and software and sci-fi and all things fucking geeky. I am so there.

As I said there are many more but I don’t want to go on about them to much, not yet anyway.

books

The Five Greatest Warriors – Matthew Reilly does great action novels. The pace is always breathtaking and the conclusion always leaves you wanting more (in a good way).

The Silver Skull – A new novel by Mark Chadbourn is always a reason for celebration. Those lucky blighters out in the colonies already have it damn them *shakes fist*

Blood Royal and Dark Side – Not one but two new Pax Britannia novels from Jonathan Green. How very splendid.

health

This year I have set myself the task of cycling 500 kilometres. This is around the distance from where I live to Paris. Hopefully I should be able to manage this feet of endurance as long as my back holds out. Should also improve my general health as well.

Anywho on that bombshell I’m off to begin the trek. Wish me luck

Avanti