i am a real goer

I have just returned from my fifth cinema visit this week. My previous post outlines the first three trips but I went twice today. I saw the Korean movie The Host or Goemul which is vaguely based on something that happened with some formaldehyde that was improperly disposed of. It is a reasonable film, and I sense it could be a continuation of the breakthrough into Hollywood of Korean films. We have already seen the impact Chinese and Japanese film has had on the world cinema scene, with Park Chan-Wook's Oldboy leading the way from the Korean market.

This evening's viewing was "Stranger Than Fiction", the latest offering from Marc Forster and starring Will Ferrell. The storyline is a little darker than one would expect from a Hollywood film but is nonetheless funny in places. Maggie Gyllenhaal puts in a really good performance as Ferrell's love interest and Emma Thompson carries on the "weird woman" vibe that has been a feature of her past few films (Nanny McPhee, Harry Potter, Love Actually).

Having seen most of the latest releases over the past few days, I will probably take a break from the cinema for a few days, though I am off to the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow so maybe I will post on that!

Timmy "Korean and Komedy" Magic

abba museum to open in stockholm

BBC News reports, much to the excitement of Richard Wright and I, that there will be an ABBA museum opening in Stockholm in 2008.

If that's not a good excuse for a return visit, I don't know what is

Timmy "Thank You For The Music" Magic

casinos, catwalks and craziness

Today I visited the cinema for the 3rd time this week so thought I would update you with brief reviews.

On Sunday night, Cinema Club convened at Wandsworth to see "Casino Royale", the new James Bond film. Although it is suggested that it hasn't got all the things that a Bond film should have (explosions, gadgets and multitudinous women) it is the truest to the Ian Fleming original book and is definitely worth seeing.

Yesterday I saw "The Devil Wears Prada". It is a chick flick and it doesn't appear to have much of a storyline, but fills a bit of spare time. A good performance by Anne Hathaway as she makes a name for herself in Hollywood.

This afternoon I saw "Jackass Number Two". It is gross but hilarious.
Guys - go alone or with other chaps.
Girls - avoid it, you won't like it!

Timmy "Movie-tastic" Magic

salvos in a spin

BBC News reports that international super-weirdo David Blaine is embarking on his latest endurance feat. He is currently in a large gyroscope near Times Square in New York, and will escape from shackles within the gyroscope after 3 days.

Upon completion of the task Blaine will take 100 under privileged children chosen by the Salvation Army on a shopping spree in New York. Blaine stated that the Salvation Army was close to his heart since they provided him with clothing as a child.

Let's just hope that the Army capitalizes on this publicity, whether adverse or not, around the fast approaching festive season

Timmy "I'm spinning around" Magic

thallium et al

Anyone who has seen the news in the past few days will have noticed there is a former Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko, who has been hospitalized with suspected thallium poisoning. This mention of thallium led me to think about Tom Lehrer, an American mathematician, satirist and entertainer, who is the only person I know of who has managed to fit the word "thallium" into a song.

It's certainly well done as is much of his other material

Timmy "Elementary" Magic

northern ireland - different country or same country?

There has been some friendly banter in recent days as to whether Northern Ireland is a different country or not?

Wikipedia thinks it =is but the CIA says it isn't!

Answers via the comment section please

Timmy "Is it or isn't it? Magic

bandwagon leaping

I don't like jumping on bandwagons very much so I won't! But what I will do is point you towards Lloyd Kinsley's blog. He does blog frequently and his posts are always funny or insightful - or both.

Well worth reading is his "Thursday Thought" where he asks for answers to interesting questions!

Timmy "Lard loving" Magic

travels of the magic

In recent weeks I have been traveling around the UK doing various things!

As has previously been mentioned, I was in Wales for an interview with South Wales Police. I didn't get it so am staying in London to hopefully join the Met.

I also visited another Celtic nation when I went to see my parents. I might post some photos later on if I can get motivated!

This weekend I visited Market Harborough in Leicestershire (I think!) with the Rink Band. It was a good laugh and we had some jolly banter. My kit playing was on top form - if you get the chance to hear it you should.

As an aside, I can thoroughly recommend the latest series of Family Guy - it's quite funny.

Lastly I need to congratulate John on raising heaps of cash for the Army and apologise for not giving him any money...

Timmy "Destined for the Met?" Magic