Waiting for Transformers 2 screening

Wow, it’s been 3 months since my last post. That’s pretty poor form. I’ll have to do something about that.

At the moment I’m in The Eastern Hotel at Bondi Junction, waiting for a 7pm screening of the new Transformers movie. I’m very excited. Excited enough to write a post on the Shuffle…

The room is currently filled with beautiful people who I assume are used to attending movie premieres. I, on the other hand, feel very out of place. At least when we sit in the cinema, it should be dark enough for me to blend in…

Star Wars Retold By Someone Who’s Never Seen The Films

I love this. It completely made my Friday.

Who Will Watch Me Watching The Watchmen?

So I turned 29 last week, and one of the presents my lovely wife gave me to celebrate my slow and deliberate approach to retirement was a copy of the graphic novel Watchmen. You know: the one they’re making a movie of.

Now despite my slightly geeky disposition, I never really threw myself headfirst into comics. When I was a teenager I did start collecting X-Files comics, but that was more an obsession with the X-Files than with comics themselves. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always been a fan of Superman, Batman, Spiderman and their superhero kindred, but more their on-screen and merchandising aspects than the comics from which they are based.

So it was with some surprise (to me, at least) that I initially found reading the graphic novel format a bit… well, a bit weird. For someone who reads as much as I do, the notion of actually taking time to take in each comic square – both pictures and text – took some getting used to. But the end result is one of fascination – not only did I absolutely love Watchmen, but it has become something of an obsession – I find myself constantly thinking of the characters, the imagery, the awesomeness that is Dr. Manhattan…

It’s also gotten me very excited about the movie. I’ve probably watched the trailer half a dozen times since finishing the book. And pretty much every scene in the trailer, I can picture the illustrated frame in the book. Considering how bad movies based on novels tend to turn out, I’m hoping that the opposite happens for this graphic novel.

I’m also hoping to read even more graphic novels, although I am a little bit lost for somewhere to start. Any suggestions for me, people of the Internet?

And if you’re a bit like me at the moment and can’t get enough of the Watchmen trailer, click through to watch it again…

Damn! The Internets Are Slow at 64kbps

So slow! It seems I exceeded my peak-time download limit this month, and now I’m paying the price. I’ve been capped at 64kbps, and considering that I work from home and that I work pretty much exclusively online, this isn’t an enviable position I find myself in.

On the upside, I got a review copy of Iron Man on Blu-ray today, which should distract me from the online frustration for quite a few hours. And with my new TV, it’s going to look awesome!

Say Hello To My New TV

Last week, we had our brand new, 50-inch Panasonic plasma delivered and installed. When I say installed, I mean “stuck up on the wall”.

Coupled with the new entertainment unit, the loungeroom is starting to come together. Now all we need is a surround sound system…

I wrote up a feature for Giz on the wall-mounting process that I’d thoroughly recommend reading and, if you are so inclined, Digging.

The end result of wall mounting is a gorgeous look, but getting it done by a professional is thoroughly recommended. We’ve watched a few movies (including The Frighteners on HD DVD and The Shawshank Redemption), and both looked absolutely spectacular. This weekend it’ll be Iron Man on Blu-ray…

Birds Of Tokyo At Wollongong Uni

Last night, Lauren and I made the long trip down to Wollongong to see Birds of Tokyo. Aside from leaving me half deaf, it was amazing – the singer Ian Kenny’s voice is sensational. See for yourself below:

What Really Happens After You Beat Bowser In Super Mario Bros.

I love it!

Seinfeld’s Microsoft Ad Hits The Intertubes

There seems to be a real split in opinions over this ad. I like it – probably because it doesn’t actually try to sell me anything. It tries to entertain, and while it’s not hilariously funny, I actually had a smile through most of it.

I think the lack of any mention of Windows or Vista was a good move, incidentally. As soon as they say anything about Vista, the Internet minions will cry out against it just for that fact.

I’m looking forward to the next few ads, to see how they develop.

N is Here

Stephen King has teamed up with Marvel to create a webcomic of one of his short stories. The result is awesome. There’s a new episode every weekday until August 29 – at the momnet we’re up to episode 14, and it’s a bit of a cliffhanger.

I love it when traditional outlets like books and film harness the web for good. Like Dr Horrible’s Singalong Blog, this one looks like it’s on the “must buy” list. Check it out here.