solitaryroads's Blog

... Sometime, I hope to be around to delete a few more of my EP stories, I just feel like some really aren't worth bothering with and there is a selection that get comments on that I wrote a year or more ago that no longer express how I feel.

The Weather her in the UK has been unseasonably mild, I know the last couple of years I have been spoiled with the cold and snow... but this year it's getting ridiculous, pretty much since the beginning of Winter (I class that as December 21st) the temps during the day have been in double figures around 11c average, it should be half that. These past few days feel like they're getting back to the norm', but for how long?

I so desperately want some snow before the Spring really gets here. This weather is not just confusing me, the birds are out in merriment and the bulbs are beginning to sprout, the garden is full of Crocus bulbs getting ready to flower. Everything  is beginning to turn green again, and I'm not ready for that.  

Thor... The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders. 

 


Rise of the Planet of the Apes... An origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. 

 


Manic (2001)... Following a disturbing and violent fight at school, Lyle (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is admitted--against his will--to Northwoods Mental Institution. There he joins a group of troubled teens: withdrawn Tracey (Zooey Deschanel); bipolar Chad (Michael Bacall); rebellious Sara (Sara Rivas); confrontational Michael (Elden Henson); and fragile Kenny (Cody Lightning). At Northwoods, Lyle must decide if he will allow his rage to rule his life, or if he is willing to find the source of his anger and work through it.

 


Cabin Fever... Eli Roth makes an auspicious debut with CABIN FEVER. Taking an otherwise traditional set up for a horror film, Roth infuses it with enough energy and originality to make it feel completely fresh. Five friends, just finished with college finals, head for a cabin in the woods to party and embrace their newfound freedom. 

 

Happy New Year, all the best for 2012!

Hello.

Hope you've been well.

Apologies for not being here personally to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you all had a great Holiday. I had a great few days, shame that it seems to pass by so quickly as I get older.

Christmas Eve I turned 29 and for the first time in 3 years I survived it without feeling like complete shit. A combination of having to work (much easier to be distracted) and the oldest of my younger Bros and his girlfriend put on a little evening celebration. Cheese and Wine, lots of both did the trick. Woke up feelin' a little full Xmas, but by lunch I was ready to get stuck in to more food and wine. I swear I've eaten more these past few days than I would normally in a couple of weeks. But I'm not complaining, I'll fit back into my jeans once new year is over (and I have to be able to fit back into them as I got the Purple Skinny Jeans I've always wanted, great gift from bro and his girlfriend).

I wont be receiving DVD rentals for a couple of weeks, it's easier to take a little holiday than hope they survive the British postal service this time of year. But if you're interested in the Films I'm watching check out my other blog 

well I was suppose to be getting a early night, I've been tired during the day, and haven't been able to sleep till almost morning and yet again here I sit/lay and its 3:55am. Damnit. I'll catch up tomorrow, as I wont be getting DVDs I might actually finish the book pile getting slowly bigger by the bed.


Nighty night. Sweet dreams all. 

Take Care.

Bad Teacher... A comedy centred around a foul-mouthed, junior high teacher who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, begins to woo a colleague-a move that pits her against a well-loved teacher.

I watched this, this afternoon, really enjoyed it, very funny and anything with Jason Segal in is instantly more enjoyable. 

 


The Experiment (2010).... 26 men are chosen to participate in the roles of guards and prisoners in a psychological study that ultimately spirals out of control. (A remake of the 2001 German Film Das Experiment... which I have seen.)

 



Open House... A couple on the verge of a nasty divorce attempt to sell their empty love nest and move on with their lives, separately. After a successful open house they are horrified to discover, days later, that a potential buyer didn't leave their home. While Alice is being held captive in the basement, the unannounced house guest moves in upstairs. She senses her capture is being kept a rebellious secret. She knows her way only way out if she can only get out alive.

 


Passed Away (1992)... A crazy bunch of family members must spend the weekend together when their dear old dad suddenly passes away. Dealing with the grief is easy... dealing with each other isn't... 

 

Middle of Nowhere... A witty, warm-hearted comedy about two precocious teens and their unusual families. A pair of co-workers at a small-town water park - restless troublemaker Dorian (Anton Yelchin) and the tightly wound Grace (Eva Amurri) - form an unlikely bond when Dorian cooks up an illicit plan to earn big money.

(I enjoyed this, would watch this again, it had all the right ingredients for a great drama with a nice amount of humor.)


Simon Says... When five college friends decide to spend their vacation by a riverside, little do they realise that most of them won't be going home again.

(Turned out I'd seen this before but being a fan of Crispin Glover I didn't mind, it wont be for everyone.)


Circle... The FBI and US Marshals race against time to pursue an escaped Greek mythology obsessed serial killer who is headed to his childhood home where six graduate students are studying his surroundings for their thesis.

(I really didn't enjoy this. It was predictable, I worked out the twist pretty early on. The ending was infuriating, it just ended unexpectedly, nothing was resolved, no horrifying conclusion, we weren't even really left hanging that point I didn't care, it just ended... almost like they'd run out of time and couldn't be arsed to give us something to perk up the already weak and holey plot.)


127 Hours... 127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary.

(I am currently half an hour in and being a fan of James Franco and having enjoyed a number of Danny Boyle Films, I'm guessing this will be no exception.)

Besides my Laptop breaking down a couple of times in the last couple of months the reason I haven't been present here is my other Blogs, I can't believe it was November 17th when I last posted a DVD post here. My other blogs have been taking up a lot of my time, and of course now getting set for Xmas is taking up some time too. Though I have finished shopping, I've still got a lot of wrapping to do, not all mine, my Brothers too, I really am a very good sister.

If you're interested in checking out my other blogs here they are;

Films, Books and Me

Miscellaneous Mayhem... this is where I post literally everything and anything that appeals, I enjoy or am inspired by.

A Quote Extravaganza

And if you too blog at tumblr and want me to check out your blog let me know, I'm always up for following more blogs that appeal. I am completely obsessed with blogging and checking out others. I deleted my blogger one, it was too similar to this one. Which is another reason I was neglecting you.  

Scream 4... Sidney Prescott, now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey and Gale, who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill and her Aunt Kate. Unfortunately, Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger.

 


 Sand/Sandstorm... Running away from the twisted violence of his family, Tyler Briggs moves to a secluded beach town where he spent time as a child. As he begins his new life, his brothers show up looking for trouble. They assault his girlfriend, brutalize his friends, and that's just the beginning.

 


I added every Norman Reedus Film lovefilm had available and so far am getting at least one everytime. I'm not complaining, do you remember when I did the same with Keanu Reeves.

Of the last batch; one was awful, one I enjoyed and two weren't my cup of tea.

I hated An American Haunting, is was tedious, it flitted here and there and about 45mins in I really wanted it to end. It's theme was incestuous rape, wrapped up in a supernatural horror. Bizarre and not very well done to boot.

Enjoyed Last House on The Left, though I don't think I'm going to be able to watch the TV show Raising Hope with Garrett Dillahunt and see him the same way again.

Couldn't really stand Casablanca, the plot was boring, Bogarts Voice grated and Ingrid Bergman's was beautiful but dull, not my first Bergman film and she appears to be very much a Keira Knightley, one dimensional. That said, of course it wasn't a terrible film, just really not for me.

No Regret, wasn't bad just not the film I was expecting. A lot edgier than expected and not really emotive enough to draw me in.


Here's hoping for a better selection this time.

No Regret (Korean ~ 2006)... Romantic drama that interweaves the bliss of love with the harsh politics of class distinction. Sumin, an orphan from the countryside, goes to Seoul to study art design. Supporting himself with odd jobs, he comes to the attention of Jaemin, a man from a rich and conservative background. But, Sumin loses his factory job and begins to prostitute himself in order to survive. Despite the vast differences in their socio-economic status, Jaemin is determined to win Sumin's heart. 

 


The Last House On The Left (2009)... After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang led by a prison escapee unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging to the parents of one of the victims -- a mother and father who devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics. 

 


An American Haunting (2006).... based on a true state-documented case that took place during the 1800s, the Bell family of Red River, Tenn., was visited by an unknown presence that haunted the family and eventually caused the death of one of its members. What started as small sounds around the farm and the sighting of a black, yellow-eyed wolf escalated into physical brutality against certain family members and general psychological and physical torment.

 


Casablanca (1942)... The classic story of the owner of a nightclub in Vichy-controlled Casablanca and of the return of his former lover who is now a member of the Resistance. based on a play by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. 

 




You migt notice that is 4 DVDs instead of the usual 3, well I already thought Lovefilm was awesome, but now, I'll be getting 4 disks at a time for the price I'm already paying. Eventually I'll be adding a TV list so one of my DVDs will be TV related.

... here I be. I managed to spend today productively, cleaned my room and vacuumed from top to bottom, changed the sheets, cleaned the fish and did a heap of laundry. Just one job not done, and that was to clean the windows, no windolene or kitchen towles, so that's a job for next sunday. It's handy when there's no Footy on TV on a Sunday, I get so much done.

I'm currently watching 'For Whom The Bell Tolls', I know nothing about it, other than it's based on the book by Ernest Hemingway.  How'd it wind up on one of my Rental lists? Not entirely sure, I either added it after there was a Gary Cooper question on Pointless, or it was recommended by the rental website because of all the older films I've been adding lately. It's been on almost 30mins, so far and I can tell already, it's not going to be a watch again Film, I don't really know what's going on.

I'm now going to sift through more stories and delete the rubbish!

My mood: pretty busy

I know I haven't been very active lately, and I haven't really explained why... beacuse? Well I'm not entirely sure myself, I've been caught up in my blogging, it's extremely addictive more so I think than EP (I know how could I say such a thing!), currently up to 5 blogs including this one, I think that's the magic number for now, more on that another time.
The great thing about taking a bit of time away from EP is it reminds you just how special the people and place is. I've still got 000s of stories to go through and delete, yep that's right I never did finish my junk clearout, then I shall get back to searching out more groups I can relate to and get to writing more stories.

I really have missed you guys and after I've cleaned my room tomorrow, I hope to spend the evening here.
Take care, always.  xx

Morning Glory... A hotshot television producer is set the challenge of reviving a struggling morning show program, despite the constant feuding of its high-profile anchors. 

 


The Bleeding... Shawn Black is an ex-army ranger returning home after fighting for his country. When a sect of vampires attacks his family home they kill his parents, burn down his house and leave him for dead. Surrounded by carnage, slaughter and total mayhem Black takes the fight to the Vampire hordes in a desperate race to save the world from pure evil.

 


How I ended This Summer... A polar station on a desolate island in the Arctic Ocean. Sergei, a seasoned meteorologist, and Pavel, a recent college graduate, are spending months in complete isolation on the once strategic research base. Pavel receives an important radio message and is still trying to find the right moment to tell Sergei, when fear, lies and suspicions start poisoning the atmosphere.

 

I know, I know it's not till Monday, but when Halloween is so near to the weekend I like to extend it a bit. Halloween Film Fest and lots of junk food. I'll be starting a diet on Tuesday so I'm making the most of it, hehe.



Films watched so far...

Constantine
Friday 13th (Remake)
Ginger Snaps
Bram Stokers Dracula

Films to Come...

Insidious
Gingers Snaps II
Dracula (1931)
Gingers Snaps: The Beginning
I saw The Devil
etc...
 

Conviction (2010)... A working mother puts herself through law school in an effort to represent her brother, who has been wrongfully convicted of murder and has exhausted his chances to appeal his conviction through public defenders. 

 


RED (2010)... Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA's top agents - but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. 

 


I Saw The Devil (2010)... A psychotic serial killer is on the loose, committing some of the most diabolical crimes the police have ever witnessed. No one is safe as the body count rises and the killer continues his evil odyssey of sadistic butchery. But when the fiancée of an elite special agent becomes one of his victims, a personal investigation becomes a merciless and brutal game of vengeance. As one violent encounter leads to another, it's a game where the hunter becomes as unhinged as the hunted.

Directed by one of Korea's most notorious and revered directors Kim Ji-Woon (A Tale Of Two Sisters), I Saw The Devil is as action packed and thrilling as it is extremely dark and disturbing. Reuniting the director with actor Lee Byung-Hun (A Bittersweet Life, Hero) it also stars Asian cinema legend Choi Min-Sik (Oldboy). 

 



A great selection, I've been really looking forward to seeing all of these.

I bring you sad news, In the early hours of the morning I lost one of my Fishy Family, I don't know what happened, but sadly Edgar is no longer with us.

I feel a cross between shock and sadness, I didn't really feel anything when I woke up, but now sitting here watching Klaus swimming around looking lost I feel sad for his little fishiness, the tank seems sooo big with just him.
It's really annoying, Edgar didn't even show signs he was sick, otherwise I could have got him some little fishy medicine, I have some on standby just incase, for Frankie as he's still a little delicate bless him. Really didn't see it coming. Thinking back he has been a little shy the last few weeks but nothing that caused me to be concerned.



(Edgar, just incase you've not read any of my posts previous is the Black Moore, he was so very cute!) My mood: pretty sad

... tomorrow nights Movie Marathon.

Love and Other Drugs...

 


Last Exorcism... Not sure I'm going to like this, apparently filmed to look like a fly-on-the-wall documentary. I am not a fan of home movie/found footage style production. 

 


The Unknown Woman... Italian with subtitles.

  

Love Like Poison... (2010). Anna a young teenager comes home from her Catholic boarding school for the holidays and discovers her father has left. Her mother is devastated and confined in the company of the local priest, who is also a childhood friend. Anna clings to her beloved grandfather. She also grows close to Pierre, a free-spirited teenager who cares little about God. Anna is preparing for her confirmation, but her budding desire for Pierre shakes her faith. She longs to give herself over, body and soul... but doesn't know if it is to God, or something else? 

 


The Tomb... (2008). A successful writer falls under the spell of the irresistible, bewitchingly beautiful Ligeia. By using him, and stealing people's souls, the beguiling Ligeia will stop at nothing to seek immortality and defeat her one true enemy - death! (Film adapted from a Edgar Allan Poe Story ~ The Ligeia, sadly a story I haven't yet managed to read of his)

 


Yogi Bear... (2010). Hanna-Barbera's beloved picnic-basket-stealing bear makes his big-screen debut in this live-action/animation mix children's flick from JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH director Eric Brevig. The tourists just aren't flocking to Jellystone Park like they used to, and when the budget starts to get tight, Mayor Brown (Andrew Daly) brings down the axe. But while the mayor can certainly make a quick buck by selling the land, what about the families who like to spend their summers in the great outdoors? When Yogi (Dan Aykroyd) and Boo-Boo (Justin Timberlake) discover they're about to become homeless, they realize that their only hope for keeping Jellystone open is to team up with their old enemy Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) and wage wildlife warfare against greedy Mayor Brown.

 

2 of 3 I have already watched...

Beastly... Can't say I enjoyed this, the girl from High School Musical can't act and the whole story was absolutely nothing new, boring, with a crappy ending. One for the kiddies, I feel.

 


Changement D'Adresse... Predictable and slow, it wasn't terrible, but the subject matter of boy meets two girls fancies one befriends the other yet, we all know he's got it the wrong way round doesn't make for entertaining viewing. (Can't find a trailer for this, but you're not missing much) 


And this is tonights Film...

Fright Night... Charley is convinced that his next-door neighbour is a vampire. He convinces a former horror film star of this and together they set out to nail the debonair bloodsucker...!

I'm getting in the to the spirit of Halloween nice and early, never seen this, every year they repeat  the 'Halloween' Films to death, but there are quite a few camp and scary horror Films from the 70s/80s that I've yet to see, adding as many as I fancy to my rental lists.

(Quite looking forward to this years remake of this too, Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell star in the new one. It's had good reviews, so hopefully I'll enjoy both.)

 
My mood: pretty productive