Effing hacks.

You know when you do something against your better judgement and the result equals your worst nightmare?

You know you should not be surprised or disappointed but you are and can't help it.

You hang your head in shame at your stupidity at being duped.

Well, that is how I feel after shelling out the clams to see Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull.

The reviews were ok, even enthusiastic that they had pulled it off. I think they were paid or drugged or are sad fanboys who don't know a descent screenplay from used toilet paper.

It sucks big hairy balls. George Lucas is a fucking hack and deserves to have all his pencils confiscated lest he ever attempt to put them to paper again.

Sure, the first movie was the only really good one in the now quadrilogy and if there is another man out there that seems capable of making mountains of money out if shit sequels then Lucas is the man.

I should not be surprised he stuffed this one up too.

Harrison Ford must have needed the cash and Cate Blanchet (My Cate, what were you thinking?) should have known better.

I was bored. I actually turned my phone on to check the time and prayed for a call so I could leave the theatre. I laughed at one joke and only because it had nothing to do with the actual story on screen.

There was no need to jump the shark with this movie Mr Lucas. Fans would have enjoyed the ride with so much less.

Sure I sound like I have had a bad day and some may say I was not in the right mood for it.

Not so. Until 15 minutes into the film, I was having a great day. A fine meal with a fine woman after a successful day/week of work. I was looking forward to this movie. I was relaxed and had my sense of disbelief suspended and stowed in preparation for the 125 minute ride.

It was not me, it was the movie.

Do not spend your money.

Do not see the film.

Do not sully your eyes with the crap that is Indian Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull.

/RANT

Not a dry eye in the house...

Some things get to me. I have to admit that a well told story or film can make me go a big rubbery one. I don't like to see people suffer and even when on the outside looking in I still get caught up in the moment.

Amazingly this weekend I have just finished a book that I would put at the top of the heap and seen a film that got me too.

The time travellers wife by Audrey Niffenegger is at it's heart a love story. It is not the sort of book I would normally pick up but I was grabbed from the first page. I brief, Henry has a genetic disorder that has him involuntarily dragged backwards and forwards in time.

Clare is his wife and she met Henry when she was 6 and Henry was 36, Henry first met Clare when he was 28 and she was 20. They were married when Clare was 22 and Henry was 30. Confused yet? You would think so but the way this story is told makes it not only seem plausible but for me at least, I was lost in their relationship and the challenges they faced. I expect I will re-read this book in a few months time. I enjoyed it that much.

As for the film, Adam Sandler in Reign over me was a surprise for it's depth and touch. It is not a light story and deals with a case of post traumatic stress disorder. It is a straight role for Adam and he played it in a convincing way. I went into this one a bit wary because it touched on the 911 incident but thankfully it only brushed past this fact and maintained focus on the victim rather than the crime.

So there you go. Two stories that have enriched my life for their telling and have on one hand convinced we that true love is worth looking and fighting for and on the other, that once you find it, loosing it could fuck you up big time.

---

The rugby world cup is on! It is that time again when the good League and AFL loving citizens of Australia dust off their Wallabies scarves and beanies to follow the Rugby World Cup.

In the past I was never a big fan of rugby in any of it's forms but have to say that when the Rugby world cup came to Australia back in 2003 I got the bug.

I was luck enough to get roped into a bit of fun for the opening ceremony and when you are that close to the game you can't help but get caught up in the fun. I've forgotten how many people were in the stadium that night but being out in the middle of the ground for that ceremony was mind blowing.

We had quite a few nights down at Olympic park drinking up the atmosphere in the outdoor bars and big screen where you had the roar of the crowd and the best seat in the house.

Great days indeed. Go the Wallabies, bring the Webb Ellis Cup home for the third time eh?

Great film

I am a film buff. I love well made films, stories and concepts well written and transferred to celluloid or the digital equivalent.

I have just finished watching The Number 23 with Jim Carey. Now Jim has done some shit films but he has also done a couple of great ones. Fortunately he seems to be in the position now of choosing his roles carefully and it is paying off.

This is a dark little film that takes you on a twisted little journey. I was grabbed from the opening credits buy the little tricks played to show the links to the number 23.

Don't get me wrong, I am not into numerology, astrology or any of that crap. I am an avowed atheist who's only belief is that god and religion are a poor excuse for starting wars. The point is though that from the opening credits some very clever and compelling little co-incidences are thrown up on the screen that had me wanting more, I wanted instantly to know where this was going and WTF was it about 23 that this story was going to tell me.

If there is one criticism it is that the story told too much towards the end. My favourite films trust that the viewer is smart and can fill in the blanks. It is a rare skill for screen writers and directors to trust their audience with that job and unfortunately Joel Shumacher/Fernley Phillips failed a little in this area. Despite that the journey was fun and interesting.