Monday 27 December 2010

Monday Movie Meme: Movie Marvels



Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

This week Molly and Andy at the Bumbles Blog are asking all about comic book movies, so here's my pick:
  • Batman (1966) - I almost went for Batman Returns, but went for the movie spin-off of the '60s TV series instead, just because it's got the most memorable scene in all the Batman movies.
  • Superman (1978) - The first blockbuster superhero movie and a great representation of the Man of Steel.
  • Akira (1988) - I've not read the manga it's based on, but the film's a terrific visually-stunning bit of animation.
  • V For Vendetta (2006) - Not all of it works, but the Valerie segment, which manages to be pretty faithful to the Alan Moore comic book original, certainly does. Also, there's lots of cool classic music explosions.
  • Stardust (2007) - Terrific fairy tale movie by the team who later did Kick-Ass, based on Neil Gaiman's novel which started out as a comic book (well, more of a story with pictures) illustrated by Charles Vess.
  • Wanted (2007) - High octane popcorn fun which is based on a comic book but with the supervillain element sucked out. I actually prefer it to the comic book, but that could be because I saw the movie first.

Sunday 19 December 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Ninja Meme, Part Two





You can play here.

26. Whose responses to Stealing do you want to read the most?

Those of the person currently reading this. Yep, that's right, yours. Honestly. Would I lie to you?

27. What color shirt are you wearing?

Grey.

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

I don't know. Not sure I ever have done.

29. Can you whistle?

Yes, but not to any tuneful extent.

30. Favorite colors(s)?

Blue.

31. Could you be a pirate?

No, just because I don't think there's that many openings these days. Plus, I sucked at the Monkey Island games.

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?

I once sang Rod Stewart's "Sailing" but that was decades ago when I was a student, and I was both dressed and a tad drunk; can't recall singing anything recently.

33. Favorite girls name?

Lynette.

34. Favorite boy’s name?

Mine, but I could be biased.

35. What’s in your pocket right now?

I have a variety of pockets; one's got various pieces of paper and a pen in it, the second a handkerchief, the third my wallet.

36. Last thing that made you laugh?

My niece being sarcastic.

37. Best bed sheets as a child?

None stand out in particular.

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had?

Being hit on a head by a rock, but that wasn't that bad.

39. Do you love where you live?

No, I like it rather than love it (probably because it's not got a HDTV).

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? How many HDTVs?

One. None.

41. Who is your loudest friend?

I don't know; I rarely listen to what they're saying anyway.

42. How many dogs do you have?

None at the moment.

43. Does anyone have a crush on you?

Not that I know of.

44. What are the most fun things you ever did?

Answering these meme questions. Yep, I lead a boring life.

45. What are your favorite books?

Comic books.

47. Favorite Team?

The A-Team.

48. What songs do you want played at your funeral?

Hopefully it's so far off, that the songs I'll want played at it haven't been written yet. Failing that, William Shatner's "You'll Have Time".



49. What were you doing at 12 AM?

Never sure whether 12 AM is midnight or noon. If the former, I was sleeping, if the latter I was doing this meme.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?

I've no idea, I was completely on autopilot.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Ninja Meme, Part One





You can play here.

1. What do you add to your coffee?

Milk.

2. What are you reading now?

This question. Oh wait, no, now I'm reading this answer. If you mean books, I'm reading three at the moment, Skunk: A Love Story by Justin Courter, Confessions of a Conjuror by Derren Brown, and finally reading the proof of a novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo two years ago.

3. Do you own a gun?

No, fortunately the law here prevents such things.

4. Are you registered to vote?

Yes, but I never do (though of course I'll feel really bad about it the next time the result rests on a single vote).

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?

No.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?

Yum, tasty.

7. Favorite Christmas Song?

At the moment it's Tim Minchin's White Wine In The Sun.



8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

If it's a work day then coffee, otherwise I like to avoid morning all together.

9. Can you do push ups?

Yes, but it requires a planet with lesser gravity so I usually avoid it.

10. What was the name of your first boyfriend/girlfriend?

Her name was Catherine, though she might have spelled it differently; I'll spare you her last name since she may still in denial.

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelery?

Of the minimal amount I possess, I'll have to go for my Spider-Man cufflinks. If you mean of all the jewellery in the world then I quite like the total impracticality of this Gotham City ring.


12. Favorite hobby?

Giving ambiguous meme answers.

13. Do you work with people who idolize you?

Yes, though they hide it incredibly well.

14. Do you have ADD?

No, and since I wouldn't want to upset any sufferers I'll avoid making any lame bad-taste joke here (or at least leave it till the end of the sentence).

15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself?

My gift for procrastination.

16. What’s your Middle name?

I've not got one, we couldn't afford such things, though my girlfriend kindly came up with a middle name of Chester for me.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.

What shall I answer? Hasn't this meme finished yet? Hope they don't ask me about three things I bought yesterday.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.

Coffee, a bacon barmcake, chicken curry.

19. Name 3 beverages you regularly drink.

Coffee, drinking chocolate, Vimto.

20. Current worry right now?

Falling asleep before I finish this meme.

21. What side do you dress to?

The outside.

22. Favorite place to be?

Wherever my girlfriend is.

23. How did you bring in the New Year?

It tends to bring itself in; not wanting to get older, I tried to barricade the door, but it got in anyway.

24. Where would you like to go?

The final question.

25. Name three people who will see today.

Lots of people will see today, so I'm stuck to name just three. Hopefully they'll all live to see tomorrow too.

Sunday 5 December 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Dwight Twilley Meme




You can play here.

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?

The latest book was Leigh Brill's A Dog Named Slugger.

2. The fictional character most like you?

The one in green eggs and ham who isn't Sam I Am.

3. The greatest album, ever?

Voice of the Beehive's 'Honey Lingers'. Possibly just my view and not the general consensus.

4. Star Trek or Star Wars? Why?

Star Trek, just because there's more to choose from, and it hasn't got Jar Jar Binks.

5. Your ideal brain food?

Fish.

6. Everyone is proud of a certain accomplishment, which one for you??

Answering this meme despite the onset of man flu.

7. You want to be remembered for ...?

My longevity.

8. Let's talk about recording artists. Who do you find the most inspirational?

The Inspiral Carpets. I also find them the most carpety.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?

Alan Moore's Swamp Thing story "The Anatomy Lesson". Failing that, something which would pay me lots of royalties.

10. Your hidden talents . . .?

I can play air guitar.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?

Probably something Charley the cat told me; he was always giving me advice as a youngster.



12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?

My blackberry phone.

13. What is the most comfortable clothes that you wear?

Shirt and jeans.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?

I've got an online friend called Riz (short for Boris) so probably him, just because Riz is similar to Ritz but with the T missing (maybe I'll have to invite Mr. T along as well, just for completeness).

15. Time travel: where, when and why?

Here, there and everywhen.

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?

Just stop answering meme questions like this one.

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . .?

Vimto.

18. Environment of choice: city or country, and where on the map?

A bit of both (just the city's too loud, just the country's too quiet).

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?

David backwards is diva with a capital D.

20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?

Answering this meme.