Shaw quote.

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." George Bernard Shaw

One to memorise I think.

The Owl Service.

A chance discovery of the full series on DVD at Newcastle Central Library has got me hooked on The Owl Service, an adaption of Alan Garner's book of the same name.

I brought it home (as I often do with these series) in the hopes that it might turn out to be that bloody series I vaguely remember from being a kid with the golder masks and the waterfalls, but it hasn't.

Still, even taking the late sixties production into account (actually, that helps with the atmosphere if I'm honest, makes it look a little bit Wicker Man) it's very very good, which I should have expected considering it's by Garner. A mixed cast*, but interestingly filmed, and with some beautiful ideas. I think the book is definitely worth a look.

*Michael Holden, the Welsh boy who plays Rhys (on the left in the below picture), in particular impresses. I tried looking him up, expecting to have seen him do at least moderately well, only to find he died eight years after in rather unpleasant circumstances.

Can you do...

...my little film quiz?

(Made during breaks in reading through horrid notes on horrid industrial documents.)

Facewhoops.

If you don't see enough of this sort of thing on your own PC, then lamebook.com should be on your favourites list.

And it's all real too.

Et In Arcadia Ego.

Have been in London this weekend, very much enjoyed myself too. Much drinking, consumption of caffeine, seeing of friends and of course, plays. Good birthday fun all the way.

First we saw The Libertine (at Clapham's Landor Theatre, which is really a pub with a spare attic), a play I've never been awfully keen on (though that's largely thanks to my memories of the particularly shoddy film) but found myself very much enjoying for more reasons than my friend was in it (Graeme Thompson). Had to repress a fit of the giggles at the start when Graeme (playing the lead) came onto stage, his wig and costume making him look a little like Annie Lennox circa 1992, but otherwise very much enjoyed it. A decent cast and (thankfully, considering the budget) minimalist set put a lot of energy into a play which really needs it.

Most excitement was reserved for the much recommended production of Arcadia, at the Duke of York Theatre. Now Arcadia is my favourite play, ever. It has a combination of intelligence, humour and drama I've never seen matched. And Septimus Hodge is the foremost of my literary (I say literary, because I've only had the opportunity to read it up to now) boy crushes.

So a fair bit to live up to then. But it does, spectacularly (and tragically). I've no real desire to go into review mode about it but it's good. I already knew Samantha Bond and Neil Pearson would be good, but they weren't alone, Dan Stevens and Ed Stoppard in particular deserve to have spectacular careers. Believe me, Stoppard's casting has to be more than nepotism, he was the best thing in it for my money, he practically made Valentine the star of the show.

God bless Lemony Snickett.

And Stephen Merritt of course.

You know what it is.

Orson Scott Card is really starting to get on my tits.

Michael's Africa photos.

Well, my brothers back, and he's brought me a genuine Masai shield and lion club (used), which have become possibly my favourite things ever. His photos are up now.

Album 1.


Album 2.

A new favourite website, maybe.

Possibly it’s appeal won’t last but how brilliant is bestoldgames.net? With some lovely freeware downloading and a link to the equally ace DOSbox it’s allowing access to some gems, for free, that you may otherwise not have the opportunity to experience.

Another World is the current 32-bit classic of choice, but a quick browse of the site also proffers such delights as Lemmings, Dune, Gods, The Chaos Engine, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Titus the Fox, Alone in the Dark*, Duck Tails and Discworld. Truly a Pandora’s box of wicked temptation



This is one of those developments, alongside the ever glorious ScummVM (allowing us access to the older works of Lucasarts and Revolution among others) that make the internet (and the world) a little bit of a better place. Speaking of which, can I make a miniature plea right now that Revolution’s update of Beneath A Steel Sky might be Nintendo bound. Be a nice little addition for the DS this...



And for a final touch of very exciting news, Studio Ghibli is working on a DS game called, Ninokuni: The Another World...



*Seriously, Infogrammes were ace, am still pissed off that they changed their name to Atari.

Fairy tale chainsaw action.

My finishing the dissertation reward was going to be the Broken Sword Director's Cut, but then I saw this...