Popcorn: The Smell of Cinema

For anyone who knows me well enough (or even those who have only just met me), they are aware that I have a love for movies and going to the Cinema. I can't place when my love for cinema began exactly. Seeing a new film on the BIG screen, the surround sound, munching on some sort of confectionery while you watch, (usually Malteasers for me).

It is a past time I will never get tired of. Perhaps it's just one of those things I was always meant to enjoy. Or maybe there's a deeper reason I enjoy the occasion of going to the Movies. It started long before I went with friends. It could of been when Mum took me as a child to see Bambi (one of my earliest memories). I mean I recall being pretty engrossed in the film while my sisters couldn't sit still. (admittedly they are younger than me though).

Or perhaps it is because of my Dad who to this day I still go to the cinemas with to enjoy a latest release film. He has taken me to see a number of movies over the years. Apollo 13, Independence Day and all the Star Wars movies just to name a few. And as I've got older I have taken him to see a few movies.

Perhaps it was both my parents combined who could of been responsible for the love I have of film and Cinema. Whatever the case, I love cinema and going to the movies. Which is why I designed a brochure about going to the Cinema and the different types of Cinema there are. Well for a Uni assignment. I don't think there would be a need for such a brochure in the real world. People like going to the movies and seem to already know about the Cinemas that they have available to them.

Basically the assignment was to design a DL Brochure around any subject we desired, so long as what we designed looked good and was designed in some way that could represent the subject matter. The information within the brochure was entirely up to us. And so I present to you my DL Brochure design for the assignment, a brochure about Cinemas and going to the movies which I have appropriately (I feel) titled "Popcorn."

Everything was designed by me and the photography was taken by myself as well. The next part of the assignment is to create a webpage with the same subject matter. It wont go live onto a server, but perhaps I'll take a screenshot when it's complete and blog about it later.

Ready? BREAK!

Today I am free! Free for 2 whole months it would appear as today was the end of the First Semester at Uni. And there is excitement while I post this as the Caps lock on the work 'break' might suggest. I try to keep my blog post title's interesting or unique in some way all the while being relevant to the blog post they are headlining.
While it is clear why I have used the word break somewhere in the post title some of you may ask why I have chosen to make it sound like the beginning of a play from an American game of football. Well thats simple; 1. It's because it's the first title that came to mind and 2. I might have been watching a little too much Blue Mountain State in the passed month.

Now while I still will be working any hours i receive from my casual employment at The Honeysuckle Hotel this 2 month break between Uni semesters is the longest break I have had in I don't know how long. And to be honest, I think I deserve it. The one thing I want to do over the Uni break is keep myself occupied, this way I wont get bored and waste the time off that I have. As I said earlier this year, I wish to be productive. So I guess this particular post today is a checklist of everything I wish to achieve in the holidays.

Alright, in no particular order here is my list;

1. Go to Crescent Head while Naomi is on placement. Eat out in Port Macquarie. Toast Marshmallows over an open fire and look at the Stars
2. Have drinks and catch up with Dave Nixon
3. Catch up with Tom Raymond
4. People I need to call and catch up with;
   - Nikki
   - Adam
   - Panaho
   - Wayne
   - The Vellings
5. Go for a run EVERYDAY. Rain hail or shine
6. Read the last 2 Hunger Games books
7. Wash the Car
8. Re - watch Alien, watch Aliens and go see Prometheous
9. Watch Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge
10. Create a Zine
11. Contact Eleane and create some final designs for Femme Modelle
12. Play the Playstation
13. Do some more Cooking and learn some new recepies
14. Do some creative design work. Maybe begin thinking about how I want my portfolio to look

I'm sure I will add other things to the list during the holidays, but I think that this is a good start.

Oh shit I'm 24!

The other day, on the 29th of April I once again had reached another anniversary of my birth. Yes it was my twenty fourth birthday. And just saying that out loud makes me feel really old. Naomi likes to comment on my age and how old I am by fondly referring to me as a fossil. Of course she is exaggerating, I'm not that old in the grand scheme of things and am only like a year and 5 months older then her.

I didn't do any massive celebrating for my birthday, but I still had a pretty great day! Naomi made me an amazing birthday brunch which was very filling but ever so tasty. After that I had work, but only for 4 and a half hours. After which I walked home and managed to catch Naomi starting to watch Kill Bill Vol. 2 which we watched and passed the time with before meeting my family at Grill'd at The Junction. Presents were kindly given and we all then enjoyed some tasty Burgers. Baa Baa Burger was my Burger of choice for the night, quite possibly my favorite one on the menu.

After we all gorged ourselves on Burgers and Chips Naomi and I went to the Charlestown Square for the 9.30pm screening of The Avengers! In 3D in the Titan XC cinema, the biggest screen in Newcastle! The movie was EPIC to say the least. Amazing special effects and cool action with a bit of humour. Take all this with some Malteasers and wash it down with a Pepsi and you have yourself a very enjoyable night at the movies. All in all it was a pretty great birthday. Next year I will be a quarter of a century! I don't know how I got so old so fast.

The amazing Brunch Naomi made me

Avengers Movie Poster

Saving Six months, Faeturing "Tom Crap and Katie Hollow Head"

Ok ill get the obscure title out of the way first. This is in reference to a conversation Heath , Wayne and I were having before seeing the second Half of the new Batman Movie, "The Dark Knight". It was refering to the fact that Katie Holmes was not reprising her role in The Dark Knight and we all agreed that that was indeed a bad choice, because it rocks. Anyway we started talking about how its probably better she didnt come back and then for some reason started playing around with her name to show how stupid we thought she was for passing it up. In the end we settled on the name "Katie Hollow Head" and her husband, "Tom Crap".

So to more important or perhaps less child like matters. The second half of my title, "Saving Six months" is in reference to the fact that February is about six months away, and it was said thay come February we would go to Queensland. At this point in time im a little worried of that outcome and will have to be doing some serious saving I think. After Car rego and Greenslip as well as a bloody $400 phone bill! And not getting as much work as I would like, this may become a difficult task. Plus end of year is coming up. Birthdays, Christman, and summer which may mean BBQs, Parties and new clothing and stuff. It is possible, I will just have to sacrifice a bit. I want to have around $3000 for the trip, and it is possible, I will just have to watch my bank account and money spendings.

Since my last post we have finished the second half of season 3 to Entourage, however we have not yet watched season 4 due to work hours and other peoples avaliability clashing. But we will get there.

As I first mentioned we finally got to see the dark knight in its awesome glory. Since my rant the bloke who stuffed up got fired and they fixed everything that was wrong about it. Im going to go see it again with Dad on tuesday its that good. Easily the best movie of this year so far. Whilst we were there we got to see the Quantom of Solace trailer which looks pretty awesome itelf, cant wait for that one.

And now for something completely different, lol.

The last two nights I have been dreaming about being with a girl. (No not like that you sick freaks, lol) like as if I was in a relationship. The strange thing is this girl is no one specific. I remember most of it and I dont recognise the girl so im not dreaming of anyone I know. I do know that this girl is really pretty though. Exactly my type. Maybe thats it, my mind just made her up to fit what it is I may look for in a girl. I dont know. Anyway im still looking for a girl. On wednesday night when I was at work this really pretty girl came in. Wouldnt mind seeing her again.
Personally I think all the girls are in hiding for the winter. Or out during the day as Heath says. Perhaps another reason to look foward to summer.

Anyway thats whats on my mind at the moment.

Catch ya's later.

Roaring Rants issue # 2: Forum 6 kills Batman

If you were there for the first screening of the new Batman Movie you would know that it was indeed a dark day for “the Dark Knight”, where the real villain was the Forum 6 Cinemas.

“Heath Ledger would be turning in his grave”, my mate turned to me and said in reference to the absolute joke it was today down at the Forum 6.

Let me explain why even only 20 minutes into the movie my mates and I were planning on asking for our money back.

When the lights went down today at around 11am to probably the most anticipated movie of the year, and the trailers began, there were already problems. The sound quality was off. Way off! It was so noticeable and frustrating it was all I could concentrate on. I went downstairs to inform the staff of the problem in hopes it would be resolved before the movie started. It however was not. And the sound was not fixed until about 20 minutes into the movie. Even after 5minutes into it my mate went and told them about the problem, even after I had already informed them.

This was not all. This was just the beginning. The first 2 minutes of the film were shown to us in the incorrect ratio, as well as beginning a little out of focus.Now you might say that 2 minutes is nothing to complain over, but this isn’t the first time it has happened to a film I’ve been to see at the Forum 6.

Now if you were there this morning on July 16th you will know what I’m leading up to, and for the rest of you I am about to explain why this morning many angry customers walked out of that cinema within the first hour of the film. Have you ever been to the movies when all of a sudden everything has just gone upside down? Have you ever been to the movies when the screen goes black and the lights come on? When the manger walks in and tells an audience that they may have to wait half an hour to see one of the most anticipated movies of the year,which cut out right in the middle of an action scene? Well if you were there this morning, you would have.

That’s right, an hour into the Dark Knight and the film had been cut wrong, showing the audience the film upside down. This went on for about a minute before the screen went black and the cinema lights came on. There were annoyed groans throughout the audience when the manager came in apologizing that there would be a half hour wait before we could see the rest of the movie. Now half an hour isn’t bad, but that Half hour turned into an hour and a half, of waiting, with no exact time period of when the movie would start again. The staff didn’t know what was going on, and it was hard to get onto the manager. It so turns out the movie wouldn’t play again until its 2.30 session time, when there were more people already queuing for that time slot. In the end people were refunded. No one could stay due to the fact they had prior engagements. I myself have to work that afternoon.

So here I am, rather angry at the forum and now having to wait 2 days for a movie I have already seen half of. Not only did I ask for my money back, I demanded a free ticket for when I come back to see the Dark Knight. In Focus! With the Proper Ratio! And Good Sound! The way it is intended. And let me tell you if I have to leave that cinema to tell the staff of any problems during my second screening I will be demanding my money back.

The reason I am writing about all this is because I’m not just some angry customer, no. This isn’t the first time I have been annoyed at the poor service the Forum 6has provided lately. The last two films I went and saw I had to leave the cinema to tell them to turn off the lights because no one had done it. The reason I am telling you all this is because I think there are customers out there who feel the same way. I feel that the Forum 6 cinemas need to pick up their act. They have become a second rate cinema. Unfortunately they are Wagga’s only cinema. They have no competition and are one of the few entertainment complexes in Wagga. Realistically they could charge whatever they wanted; they have the upper hand with no competition and as a paying customer I feel ripped off after days like today.

If you want to own a cinema do it right! People are paying to see these movies which themselves cost millions of dollars. And until the Forum 6 picks up its act they are butchering great movies like the Dark Knight and not giving their customers value for money.

Death Proof: a Grindhouse feature

Buckle up. Because a new kind of terror is coming, at 200 miles per hour!


Well I watched the extended edition of Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof", an extention of a Grindhouse feature. If by now you dont know the story, directors Tarantino and Rodriguez set out to make two films and show them back to back entitled "Grindhouse" as omage to the old Grindhouse exploitation films back in the 70s. It is unfortunate however that Australia has not seen the light of day of this particular movie, and nor will it, as the two films are being split, and extended. Just think you can order the DVD from America to see Grindhouse in its original Formate? well your are sadly mistaken as it is being split for its DVD release as well.

Anyway, back to "Death Proof". I have been waiting for the Grindhouse movie for just over a year now, and with no Australia release date confimed yet then it appeared I may not only never get to see Grindhouse, but the two Grindhouse features at the cinemas. So people I knowm sort other methods of finding the film, and so the other week a friend of mine presented me and some of my other mates, "Death Proof".

I watched it the other day in excitement that I would finally get to see a part of Grindhouse, even if it wasn't the Grindhouse I wanted, and I must say I quite enjoyed it. A lot of people would complain (and I know they have) that there is too much chick talking, and not enough Stuntman Mike and car crashing, but I enjoyed myself just the same, because in a Tarantino movie even if its just dialogue, you get entertainment, and some of the best and funny dialogue you can see in a film. I dont want to give too much away if you havent seen it, but here is what I enjoyed;

The Cars

The Dialogue

The 70s style, which was cool and strange at the same time seeing as how it was set in modern times.

Surprised by Stuntman Mikes charm considering who he is.

Dr Block (you will understand after the grindhouse movies if you already dont)

and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Lee

Heres a picture:

Time Keeps on Slipping

I thought I might do a post about what has been happening of late. I often do regular posts about tafe work, my thoughts and aimless ponderings or what I did on the weekend, if it was exciting but I havent really posted anything about whats news really.
Well it is the beginings of the month that is September and for me that means absolutly nothing, lol, except the promise I look foward to for half the year of an increase in temperature. I like the sun.

Tuesday I finished my Harry Nixon Electrical assignment, Yay! We have a new photography assignment, but that should be cool. Went and saw the Bourne Ultimatum as you will know or find out one post down. I still need to see Die Hard 4.
Bought some games on Tuesday, "007 From Russia With Love", its ok, but I might return it, not sure yet. And Tom Clancy's "Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory". Its the first time I have ever played a Splinter Cell game and I am quite enjoying it so far.

Holidays are coming up! Hoping we dont get any assignments to do during them cause that would suck.
Thinking about having another 4 day weekend and renting movies.
Going to Canberra for 2 days for cousin's 21st, should be good, might buy stuff when I go shopping.

I want an iMac.

Thinking about the future (next year).

Saving money, well some of it.

Want to travel to the states and see everyone I met

Want to move to Queensland

Love Thank God Your Here. [in Australia, the ORIGINAL and BEST (I saw some of the american one, wasnt impressed)]

Wish I could do something when hot chicks walk into work.

So that is basicly all the news and events in my life I can think up at this moment.

Ultimate Bourne

Remember Everything. Forgive Nothing

Yes the new Bourne Movie is out, and as you can probably tell by this post I have been to see it. Twice infact, within two days of each other, thats how awsume it is.
First of I should explian that I am a Bourne fan and this wasnt just a random outing to go see a movie, I had been anticipating its release for a while and if you are a fellow Bourne fan then you know why.
The plot to the Bourne movies are great, the suspence is high the action, fast and the music ties off these elements well giving an audience an awsume action packed trilogy, with Ultimatum the last instalment.
If you intend to see the Bourne Ultimatum I suggest you revisit the first two Bourne movies if you are not greatly familiar with them, because it will help. These arent just random new movies with the same characters, there are questions to be answered and a story to be told. Who is Jason Bourne?
The Bourne Ultimatum doesnt take long to take off, once the lights of the cinema go down you are hooked and the action doesnt stop after the Cat and Mouse scene at the Warterloo station in London, this is indeed the Ultimate Spy movie. I recommend it.

TRANSFORMERS! Robots in Disguise

No doubt from the title you will be able to guess what this particular post is about. And if you cant well.... you an idiot.
So last night on July 4th I went and saw the live action version of Transformers on the BIG screen. Yes the new Micheal Bay adaption of that old cartoon show. And I must say I felt like some kid in some kind of a store. I'll tell you what there is nothing like doing something that rekindles old childhood memories. Fuck the critics. I reckon I know more about film then them half the time. Ok so it was an obviouse Micheal Bay type film, but one I felt did the Transformers name justice.

I sat there in aww as I watched some of my favourite characters come to life. Bringing back memories of my youth as I sat in my room holding that particular character in my hand and Transforming him myself. (im talking of corse about the toys I used to own).
This film is everything you could want for a transformers movie. If the fact that you get shit like awsume action, explosions and the awsume CGI of notable characters such as; Bumblebee, Optomas Prime, Megatron, Starscream and Blackout, (just to name a few). You also get given Megan Fox, who lets face it.... is a fox. lol.

I highly recommend it.

Anyways, im going to Roll out!

Woho! 4 day Weekend

Well the weekend started for me, like most on a Friday evening. After having to go to work I went home and put Dogma in the DVD player, Dave was kind enough to lend it to me as I hadnt seen it and intended on renting it. It was such a cleaver and Funny movie.

No pleasure, no rapture, no exquisite sin greater... than central air.

I had to get up in the morning on Saturday to what turned out to be a rather busy and eventful day. Maccas for breakfast which was nice, then off to work, 9.30 til 1.30. Walked from work to the main street to do some mothers day shopping, as it was the first chance I had to do it all week. My DVD I had ordered from Sainity, Nick of Time, had also caome in so that was cool.

That night I went out to the Saloon for Dans 21st. Adam, Dave and Wayne were there aswell. We played pool, and they had food going around, it was nice. The DJ played the songs we requested, but no Jungle Boogie. We went into the Cap when the doors from the Saloon opened up. It was fairly busy, but not as busy as it usually is. We went out on the dance floor and danced a bit, were there were some good cookies, lol. I was going to talk to one, but lost them in the crowd.
Poor Dave was deso driver for the night, and he kindly drove me home.

Sunday I awoke at 11.30, its good to sleep in. I turned my phone on and got the strangest msg from Heath, not even he knows what he was trying to say. Then to the video store! As I had most of the weekend off work, and I didnt have any due due assignments I had decided to go and rent some movies. Ones I have been wanting to see for a while.

The reason im in town, is cause of a Kansas City Shuffle

Lucky Number Slevin was the first on my list. Here in Australia it is entitled "The Wrong Man", but I still think Slevin is the best title. The others I rented were;
Mallrats, Donnie Darko, Inside Man, the 40 year old Virgin, Garden State and Children of Men.
So I had bought biscuits and dip, Piged out and watched movies, whilst having some rum. All in all, a good day.
This type of day continued troughout Monday and Tuesday. Only on Monday I spent most of my day on the Net, tlaking to randoms talking to me on Flixter. I now have a friend in Colorado.

So that was my 4 day weekend. Good Fun.

More Rum! My birthday weekend

Rock on! I had an awsume weekend on the weekend, being the 28th and 29th of April.



First of all, if you dont already know, it was my Birthday. I am know officially 19. Im getting old, lol. So yes seeing as how my actual birthday is on the 29th, which was a Sunday, we just went out the day before, which turned into Sunday.



On Saturday I went down the street and bought some stuff. (well, I coned mum into buying some things, lol) Not much just Dip, and Avacado. Oh and Chips, and some other things to make Nachoes. Anyway Newbie came over, (some of you will know his as Trent. And some of you will not know him.)


We pigged out on dip and biscuits whilst watching season 4 of Smallville, and started having a few drinks of Rum at 4.30. Trent got sick of Smallville, so I suggested we watch From Dusk Til Dawn, as he haddent seen it before. Matt then came around and he watched with us whilst drinking his Jim Beam. I got a message from Bec, who told me she would not be able to make it that night, and she accuesd me of being drunk! Just because I said I need to learn how to speak spanish.


The movie finished, (just in time) for us to leave and go to the farrer for dinner. I usually love their Chicken Kiev, but I have to say that night I was disapointed. Not up to its usual standard, lol.


After diner we went to the Vic. Poor Trent couldnt get in because he hasent got any ID yet. They wouldnt accept his birth certificate, lol. Inside we saw Luke. (you know, that guy who teaches us at TAFE). We were talking to him and his mate for a while, and it turned out they were the Band for that evening. It was pretty cool, they opened up with "My Happiness" by Powderfinger. So we rocked out to the tunes Luke was producing for a while then we went to the Capital at about 11.30. I had a get me and 4 friends in for free card, which was convenient because I rocked up with 4 of my mates.
Saw tones of people I knew, and a few people from Tafe were out again.





Chunky Adam and I got a pic taken:

All in all, it was an awsume night! Rum, shouting, laughing, Dancing and some good cookies. lol.

YES!!!

Yes! I have found something that is going to help me with my GUI assignment. The old school projector countdown that I wanted to put into it I found on Flash Kit, (thanx Josh for directing me there). So I dont forget, this is where I have to go, http://www.flashkit.com/movies/Animations/Old_Proj-Adam_Wes-11055/index.php
so yea I am a little excited that something I wanted to do is possible, I just need to make it now, lol.

In other news Rove was back on last night, and it wasnt too bad. Dave Hughes is going to be a regular on the show!! How cool is that?! Ross Noble was on last night aswell. Funny funny man. lol. I got his new DVD the other day. 4 discs! I thought that was pretty cool for 30 bucks. Might be getting Casino Royale today if I can. Best James Bond movie EVER. The 2006 one that is, not that crap 1960s whatever.

I work everyday this week except the easter holiday days, Friday and Saturday. I didnt realise that tafe wasnt on on Friday, only going 2 days this week how crazy is that? Plus Saturday is going to go off! Easter weekend and almost everyone I know is hitting the town. Aaaaawwwwww Yeah! lol.