Feb 2007
Hot Fuzz Review
28/02/07 00:10 Filed in: Personal
Just come back from watching the late night showing of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wrights latest film "Hot Fuzz".
Before I begin I should mention something. Ever since catching, almost by accident, an episode of the first series of 'Spaced' and being almost immediately hooked. Spaced was a situation comedy about a young non-couple Tim and Daisy sharing a flat in a house filled with some slightly odd characters. Brian the yet to be discovered and somewhat socially introverted modern artists. Monica the alcoholic land lady. Try not to think The Young Ones and instead try and imagine a more affectionate League of Gentlemen with a homage to many film motif running throughout the series.
It was both fresh, original and very, very funny and justifiable won the writers Jessica Stevenson and Simon Pegg many admirers. All two series (they always planned to end while it was still on top) were directed by then relatively unknown director Edgar Wright.
Now closer to today, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright co-wrote and Wright directed the 2004 monster (pun intended) hit Shaun of the Dead. The film cost around £3m to make and grossed umpty thrumpy million in return. Around the £20m mark and that's just on box office sales. Shaun of the Dead was one of fastest selling DVD's.
No wonder then that Working Title pictures feel somewhat obliged that when Edgar and Simon come knocking, to hand over the blank cheque and smile sweetly.
It's got to be said that nobody, with the exception of John Carpenter, can make a small budget stretch so far and look so good. I've no idea how much Hot Fuzz has cost to make, but the mere production values are extraordinary.
Was it any good? Yes, it was excellent. It's no Citizen Caine but then it hasn't got any pretensions to being anything but a great action comedy (with the emphasis on comedy) and so refreshing to see it doesn't take itself TOO seriously. Everybody looks like they are having a superb time making the film and it really shows. Nobody seems to be having more fun than Timothy Dalton as slightly dodgy spiv supermarket manager Simon Skinner.
If you like a good laugh then Hot Fuzz is a great funny. If you love Spaced, laughed out loud during Shaun of the Dead and have seen far to many buddy buddy cop movies then do yourself a favour my friend and get over to your nearest cinema and pay good money to see this film.
Back to our Carpenter analogy. Lets hope nobody offers Edgar £25m for a film or, like Carpenter, he'll turn Escape from New York into Escape From LA. Ten times the budget and a tenth as good a film.... ooooooh bad show. That and 'Ghosts of Mars' (Vampires perhaps broke even) toasted his career... and I REALLY like John Carpenter movies on the whole.
Escape from New York, Halloween, Christine, The Thing. I even liked Price of Darkness, In the mouth of Madness and my first real 'horror' film The Fog (aged 12). On which subject, why is it just a PG in Canada while in the UK it's a 15?!?! Originally this was a AA. Which actually stands for Adult Accompaniment. Confused? I am.
But in case this makes you a little down... go see Hot Fuzz.
Before I begin I should mention something. Ever since catching, almost by accident, an episode of the first series of 'Spaced' and being almost immediately hooked. Spaced was a situation comedy about a young non-couple Tim and Daisy sharing a flat in a house filled with some slightly odd characters. Brian the yet to be discovered and somewhat socially introverted modern artists. Monica the alcoholic land lady. Try not to think The Young Ones and instead try and imagine a more affectionate League of Gentlemen with a homage to many film motif running throughout the series.
It was both fresh, original and very, very funny and justifiable won the writers Jessica Stevenson and Simon Pegg many admirers. All two series (they always planned to end while it was still on top) were directed by then relatively unknown director Edgar Wright.
Now closer to today, Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright co-wrote and Wright directed the 2004 monster (pun intended) hit Shaun of the Dead. The film cost around £3m to make and grossed umpty thrumpy million in return. Around the £20m mark and that's just on box office sales. Shaun of the Dead was one of fastest selling DVD's.
No wonder then that Working Title pictures feel somewhat obliged that when Edgar and Simon come knocking, to hand over the blank cheque and smile sweetly.
It's got to be said that nobody, with the exception of John Carpenter, can make a small budget stretch so far and look so good. I've no idea how much Hot Fuzz has cost to make, but the mere production values are extraordinary.
Was it any good? Yes, it was excellent. It's no Citizen Caine but then it hasn't got any pretensions to being anything but a great action comedy (with the emphasis on comedy) and so refreshing to see it doesn't take itself TOO seriously. Everybody looks like they are having a superb time making the film and it really shows. Nobody seems to be having more fun than Timothy Dalton as slightly dodgy spiv supermarket manager Simon Skinner.
If you like a good laugh then Hot Fuzz is a great funny. If you love Spaced, laughed out loud during Shaun of the Dead and have seen far to many buddy buddy cop movies then do yourself a favour my friend and get over to your nearest cinema and pay good money to see this film.
Back to our Carpenter analogy. Lets hope nobody offers Edgar £25m for a film or, like Carpenter, he'll turn Escape from New York into Escape From LA. Ten times the budget and a tenth as good a film.... ooooooh bad show. That and 'Ghosts of Mars' (Vampires perhaps broke even) toasted his career... and I REALLY like John Carpenter movies on the whole.
Escape from New York, Halloween, Christine, The Thing. I even liked Price of Darkness, In the mouth of Madness and my first real 'horror' film The Fog (aged 12). On which subject, why is it just a PG in Canada while in the UK it's a 15?!?! Originally this was a AA. Which actually stands for Adult Accompaniment. Confused? I am.
But in case this makes you a little down... go see Hot Fuzz.
Not out of the woods yet
26/02/07 18:00 Filed in: Personal
So, here's a quick Saab update.
After FIVE (yes, five) attempts of getting answer out of Wilson & Co Saab in Bolton I finally managed to got the service manager (Mike Knowles) on the phone. The drop in date is going to be Thursday 1st May.
Quite a start to the month in my mind. But there you go.
"Considering the service should have been done at the time of pick up, will this service be free.". I ask.
Pause... (sigh) "Yes. No charge."
So I'm feeling a little better and perhaps there may indeed be a brain somewhere in Saab Bolton and perhaps my car can be dealt with in a timely fashion.
Only problem is that now the air-con isn't blowing cold and the otherwise perfect steering is now giving out funny noises when turned under stress as though its just a little too much hassle to turn the wheels. Don't get me wrong, the wheels turn fine. So I suspect a worn/tired/dead drive belt on the powered steering pump. Something that would have been picked up in the original service.... except there wasn't one. You can be sure I'll mention it now.
Wish me luck dear reader... I'll need it.
After FIVE (yes, five) attempts of getting answer out of Wilson & Co Saab in Bolton I finally managed to got the service manager (Mike Knowles) on the phone. The drop in date is going to be Thursday 1st May.
Quite a start to the month in my mind. But there you go.
"Considering the service should have been done at the time of pick up, will this service be free.". I ask.
Pause... (sigh) "Yes. No charge."
So I'm feeling a little better and perhaps there may indeed be a brain somewhere in Saab Bolton and perhaps my car can be dealt with in a timely fashion.
Only problem is that now the air-con isn't blowing cold and the otherwise perfect steering is now giving out funny noises when turned under stress as though its just a little too much hassle to turn the wheels. Don't get me wrong, the wheels turn fine. So I suspect a worn/tired/dead drive belt on the powered steering pump. Something that would have been picked up in the original service.... except there wasn't one. You can be sure I'll mention it now.
Wish me luck dear reader... I'll need it.
And it goes on... Wilson and Co Saab pulls another stunt
26/02/07 09:57 Filed in: Personal
Just to give you the latest, and to save time for both of us. Saab Wilson & Co in Bolton have done the following;
After three days of calling (and never getting a call back) I've found the following.
1. Gap insurance and Warranty details do exist, should have been sent.. but in the six months since purchasing the car they have not been.
2. The car was NOT been serviced before delivery. Despite this being part of the sales package, causing a delay (while it was being done) and being something that both sales staff highlighted as a benefit.
At present Simon Burrows, the Sales Manager, is trying to find out from Stratstone Saab in Birmingham why the car wasn't serviced and I'm having to wait until the outcome of this before I can get the package I paid for.
All of which is pretty poor. I mean the fact that Stratstone said to Wilson & Co they serviced the car and didn't isn't anything to do with me. Wilson & Co sold me a car WITH a service and it's their responsibility to sort it out. Why I'm stuck in the middle of a dealer bitch slapping exercise is beyond me. What's a service to Saab anyway? I mean they pay their service staff £15-20k a year and parts at cost would be £20. So what's the REAL cost of keeping a customer over continuing to mess me about.
It's always an eye opener to me how some businesses deal with failure and others don't. For me (and I guess Ascolti) we looked at issues as being opportunities to prove our worth. So its always worth the extra mile (or several hours extra work) to resolve a customers problems because when they think about it in the future it won't be the problem they remember; it will be how much effort was put in to resolve it.
As for Wilson & Co, that's in Bolton, you'll understand that I'm not impressed. In a world where competition is high and service sells they really have a lot of running to make up. What makes this all the worse is that Saab has something of a premium brand image in the UK. I got considerably better service from 'Bargain bucket' FIAT. Who would often go out of their way to help me.
Why can I hear the chorus of "Who's sorry now" wringing in my ears.
After three days of calling (and never getting a call back) I've found the following.
1. Gap insurance and Warranty details do exist, should have been sent.. but in the six months since purchasing the car they have not been.
2. The car was NOT been serviced before delivery. Despite this being part of the sales package, causing a delay (while it was being done) and being something that both sales staff highlighted as a benefit.
At present Simon Burrows, the Sales Manager, is trying to find out from Stratstone Saab in Birmingham why the car wasn't serviced and I'm having to wait until the outcome of this before I can get the package I paid for.
All of which is pretty poor. I mean the fact that Stratstone said to Wilson & Co they serviced the car and didn't isn't anything to do with me. Wilson & Co sold me a car WITH a service and it's their responsibility to sort it out. Why I'm stuck in the middle of a dealer bitch slapping exercise is beyond me. What's a service to Saab anyway? I mean they pay their service staff £15-20k a year and parts at cost would be £20. So what's the REAL cost of keeping a customer over continuing to mess me about.
It's always an eye opener to me how some businesses deal with failure and others don't. For me (and I guess Ascolti) we looked at issues as being opportunities to prove our worth. So its always worth the extra mile (or several hours extra work) to resolve a customers problems because when they think about it in the future it won't be the problem they remember; it will be how much effort was put in to resolve it.
As for Wilson & Co, that's in Bolton, you'll understand that I'm not impressed. In a world where competition is high and service sells they really have a lot of running to make up. What makes this all the worse is that Saab has something of a premium brand image in the UK. I got considerably better service from 'Bargain bucket' FIAT. Who would often go out of their way to help me.
Why can I hear the chorus of "Who's sorry now" wringing in my ears.
Not so terrific service from Saab Wilson and Co in Bolton
23/02/07 17:51 Filed in: Personal
Apple really ought to buy Saab.
It would make me a happy chappy, because in the scheme of things I've had better service from Apple than any other manufacturer.
Now, I'm not saying that Apple is perfect, not by a long chalk. They hide the details of new and better systems from happy customers so that they spend hard earned cash and two days later the next best thing comes out. Everybody does this though, it's how you sell old stock. But for some reason, it's MORE displeasing when Apple does it.
The fact is that if you have visited a Saab dealership recently and should have had the good fortune to live near an Apple store; you'll have noticed something. It's something as subtle as a cockroach dashing across a white rug and its the basic fact that somebody at Saab appears to have ripped off the entire look and feel of an Apple store and installed it across all UK dealers.
It's that all white, black letters in bold black font look. The brochures are even more so. Saab is on the left above.
My problem with Saab, and to be exact Wilson & Co in Bolton, is that despite the assurances of paying more for a quality mark... the service is pretty poor.
Lets go through the list.
1. They have failed and continue to fail to send us proof of the Gap insurance we paid for.
2. They have failed and continue to fail to send us the details of the warranty that applies to the car.
3. They failed to setup our 'inclusive' AA membership.
4. They sold the car 'with new service' but it now appears that the service not carried out. Which is terrible because I was advised that the indicator light mustn't be right.
5. I ran over a rock (better that than hit an oncoming truck or end up in a ditch) and damaged a wheel. They charged me £50 for a safety inspection but failed to notice that my rear brake like was spraying brake fluid out.
And finally;
6. Today I called the Sales Director and explained very nicely my problems and he promised to get back to me in two hours time. He didn't.
So what am I to do? Well, this for one. I'm blogging this because I know that I get at least a few thousand hits per month on my blog and next if I don't get satisfaction (which I will also blog in the effort to be fair) I will be contacted trading standards and just about anybody else I can think of because the car was not describe correctly at point of sale. Not to mention how very poorly the service has been.
So remember, that's Saab Wilson & Co, of Manchester Road, Bolton. Think before you buy.
It would make me a happy chappy, because in the scheme of things I've had better service from Apple than any other manufacturer.
Now, I'm not saying that Apple is perfect, not by a long chalk. They hide the details of new and better systems from happy customers so that they spend hard earned cash and two days later the next best thing comes out. Everybody does this though, it's how you sell old stock. But for some reason, it's MORE displeasing when Apple does it.
The fact is that if you have visited a Saab dealership recently and should have had the good fortune to live near an Apple store; you'll have noticed something. It's something as subtle as a cockroach dashing across a white rug and its the basic fact that somebody at Saab appears to have ripped off the entire look and feel of an Apple store and installed it across all UK dealers.
It's that all white, black letters in bold black font look. The brochures are even more so. Saab is on the left above.
My problem with Saab, and to be exact Wilson & Co in Bolton, is that despite the assurances of paying more for a quality mark... the service is pretty poor.
Lets go through the list.
1. They have failed and continue to fail to send us proof of the Gap insurance we paid for.
2. They have failed and continue to fail to send us the details of the warranty that applies to the car.
3. They failed to setup our 'inclusive' AA membership.
4. They sold the car 'with new service' but it now appears that the service not carried out. Which is terrible because I was advised that the indicator light mustn't be right.
5. I ran over a rock (better that than hit an oncoming truck or end up in a ditch) and damaged a wheel. They charged me £50 for a safety inspection but failed to notice that my rear brake like was spraying brake fluid out.
And finally;
6. Today I called the Sales Director and explained very nicely my problems and he promised to get back to me in two hours time. He didn't.
So what am I to do? Well, this for one. I'm blogging this because I know that I get at least a few thousand hits per month on my blog and next if I don't get satisfaction (which I will also blog in the effort to be fair) I will be contacted trading standards and just about anybody else I can think of because the car was not describe correctly at point of sale. Not to mention how very poorly the service has been.
So remember, that's Saab Wilson & Co, of Manchester Road, Bolton. Think before you buy.
Got a Sony CyberShot W30 and do not hear sound in iMovie?
18/02/07 12:07 Filed in: Technology
So.. like me. You have got yourself a Sony Cybershot W30 (and I've no doubt over Cybershots have a similar issues).
Why not, it's good value. Has a decent lens and offers plenty of shots per battery life.
But here's the bad. You plug in your camera, OS X detects it fine. You can import or simply copy of movie files over.
What's more, when you open them in QuickTime all seems well. The movies play, the sound is bright and perky.
The trouble only starts when you import the movies into iMovie.
iMove, as you know, converts any video footage into its default DV format and it is during this conversion that the sound is lost.
Careful examination of the native movie format of the Cybershot shows that it is Mpeg 1 640x480 MUXED. It's the MUXED part that's causing the problems. My other camera is an Olympus C-770UZ. It sports MP4 format, with AAC sound. So it's easy for iMovie to seperate video from sound.
Not so for the Mpeg1. iMovies needs a little help.
Now there are lots of options and applications out there that will do the work, and I don't claim to have exclusive knowledge. However, I did find an excellent, OpenSource solution that does just the trick.
The application in question is MPEG Streamclip by Squared 5. It runs on both Apple and Windows.
To convert your video, simply drop the video into the Dice (you'll see what I mean when you use the software). Then to cut all the corners you can choose File -> Export to DV...
Simply select you target location and the exported DV file not only has perfect audio, but its in the correct format to import into iMovie.
Perfect!
Why not, it's good value. Has a decent lens and offers plenty of shots per battery life.
But here's the bad. You plug in your camera, OS X detects it fine. You can import or simply copy of movie files over.
What's more, when you open them in QuickTime all seems well. The movies play, the sound is bright and perky.
The trouble only starts when you import the movies into iMovie.
iMove, as you know, converts any video footage into its default DV format and it is during this conversion that the sound is lost.
Careful examination of the native movie format of the Cybershot shows that it is Mpeg 1 640x480 MUXED. It's the MUXED part that's causing the problems. My other camera is an Olympus C-770UZ. It sports MP4 format, with AAC sound. So it's easy for iMovie to seperate video from sound.
Not so for the Mpeg1. iMovies needs a little help.
Now there are lots of options and applications out there that will do the work, and I don't claim to have exclusive knowledge. However, I did find an excellent, OpenSource solution that does just the trick.
The application in question is MPEG Streamclip by Squared 5. It runs on both Apple and Windows.
To convert your video, simply drop the video into the Dice (you'll see what I mean when you use the software). Then to cut all the corners you can choose File -> Export to DV...
Simply select you target location and the exported DV file not only has perfect audio, but its in the correct format to import into iMovie.
Perfect!
The 'Original' Zelda
11/02/07 01:46 Filed in: Technology
I've been just watching the superb video podcast Diggnation, for all those without a link you can find it here or via the iTunes Podcast directory.
Firstly, another great show guys.
But just to point something out, Zelda on the NES wasn't the first version of Zelda. Sorry to sound like a complete spanner, but Nintendo knocked out a pocket LCD game in the 80's under their 'Game and Watch'
Here is the Zelda Game and Watch in its box.
The Closed system and finally.
Open system.
And yes, before anybody else says 'There's nothing new under the sun' I've also noticed how much it resembles the Nintendo DS Lite.
Zelda links for Game and Watch can be found here.
While on the subject of Diggnation from the 1st February here is some of the actual video of the 'moving' mech. Its pretty lame. But hey.
Firstly, another great show guys.
But just to point something out, Zelda on the NES wasn't the first version of Zelda. Sorry to sound like a complete spanner, but Nintendo knocked out a pocket LCD game in the 80's under their 'Game and Watch'
Here is the Zelda Game and Watch in its box. The Closed system and finally. Open system.And yes, before anybody else says 'There's nothing new under the sun' I've also noticed how much it resembles the Nintendo DS Lite.
Zelda links for Game and Watch can be found here.
While on the subject of Diggnation from the 1st February here is some of the actual video of the 'moving' mech. Its pretty lame. But hey.
Lucky bl**dy swine
11/02/07 01:43 Filed in: Personal
In case you wondering what all the Florida images are about, a good friend of mine is (after 37 years of being alive) going for the very first time on a Disney holiday. He's off to Walt Disney World in Florida this Sunday.
So wouldbe burglars can now find an empty house at... Just kiding.
I'm glad I'm not the only person who had to wait until kids to find an excuse to get over there. My only regret being that I didn't do it years ago.... when it would have been cheaper
So wouldbe burglars can now find an empty house at... Just kiding.
I'm glad I'm not the only person who had to wait until kids to find an excuse to get over there. My only regret being that I didn't do it years ago.... when it would have been cheaper
Crimes against music - Seven of the worst!
03/02/07 14:30 Filed in: Technology
Often or not, I find myself having a quick look around YouTube now again and I somehow always manage to find the VERY worst in music.
I'm not sure if there is a specific category for this... and certainly it seems like Apple/Mac seem to be greatest inspiration.. but check out some of these pretty terrible musical tributes.
There would be more... but I can't be bothered looking harder
1. I'm the computer man
I'm particular keen on the bloke 'chair dancing'. But why is the 'Computer Man' dressed as an ice cream salesman.
Worst of all... after about 5 or 6 times you actually enjoying the b-b-b-biddy-bop bits. Tragic.
2. "I think we're a clone now"
This 'classic' from the old days of Apple - that's Apple MISUS Steve Jobs.
As for Intel stock crashing in response to the effects of RISC. Hmmm. Perhaps not. Think that might have been a little pre-emptive and I don't think Microsoft screamed that much. Sorry lads. Still, nice campus. Wonder what happened to the giant icons on the lawn?
One final point on this one - "Themselfes"
3. Apple tribute song - James Blunt's lawyers on stand by.
"Some would call it dorky, some would call it cheesy" - And they would of course be right. Still, nice piano.
4. Apple Song
You'll need to click through to YouTube to see this.
We touch the world... and make it deaf! Just about as close you can get to "What a feeling" by Irene Cara without having to take a visit to the nearest courts. I think the video slip with this video actually ENHANCES the soundtrack.
Apple, a company synonymous with media and good taste; long AFTER this video. Because this is just bloody awful.
Not to show biased... Here are some Windows songs.
5. Windows 386 Song... Somebody PLEASE shoot her.
This song is so shockingly misguided that it beggars belief.
Woah Woah Woah Windows 386, Woah woah rubbish ad. Woah woah dreadful idea.
Also, does Windows really remove your need to wear prescription spectacles? Quite a claim I think.
6. Windows 95 Launch Video
"Start me up!". Then about 30 minutes later when something crashes and brings down the entire OS you have "Start me up!" again. Song OK... sentiment not.
7. Expect more with Quest Software
Yes, expect 30 year old white nerds rapping. I'm sure it sounded like a VERY good idea at the time. But now... Oooooh.
Of course no computer related video would be complete without these Doom 3 guys.
Nothing to do with music... Just very funny
Can a boy REALLY scream that high? Wow...
For all those feeling just a little smug, just remember who it was who used to watch Doctor Who from BEHIND the sofa. You know whom I'm talking to. Anybody 35 years and older.
I'm not sure if there is a specific category for this... and certainly it seems like Apple/Mac seem to be greatest inspiration.. but check out some of these pretty terrible musical tributes.
Top Seven Worst Computer Related Songs!
There would be more... but I can't be bothered looking harder
1. I'm the computer man
I'm particular keen on the bloke 'chair dancing'. But why is the 'Computer Man' dressed as an ice cream salesman.
Worst of all... after about 5 or 6 times you actually enjoying the b-b-b-biddy-bop bits. Tragic.
2. "I think we're a clone now"
This 'classic' from the old days of Apple - that's Apple MISUS Steve Jobs.
As for Intel stock crashing in response to the effects of RISC. Hmmm. Perhaps not. Think that might have been a little pre-emptive and I don't think Microsoft screamed that much. Sorry lads. Still, nice campus. Wonder what happened to the giant icons on the lawn?
One final point on this one - "Themselfes"
3. Apple tribute song - James Blunt's lawyers on stand by.
"Some would call it dorky, some would call it cheesy" - And they would of course be right. Still, nice piano.
4. Apple Song
You'll need to click through to YouTube to see this.
We touch the world... and make it deaf! Just about as close you can get to "What a feeling" by Irene Cara without having to take a visit to the nearest courts. I think the video slip with this video actually ENHANCES the soundtrack.
Apple, a company synonymous with media and good taste; long AFTER this video. Because this is just bloody awful.
Not to show biased... Here are some Windows songs.
5. Windows 386 Song... Somebody PLEASE shoot her.
This song is so shockingly misguided that it beggars belief.
Woah Woah Woah Windows 386, Woah woah rubbish ad. Woah woah dreadful idea.
Also, does Windows really remove your need to wear prescription spectacles? Quite a claim I think.
6. Windows 95 Launch Video
"Start me up!". Then about 30 minutes later when something crashes and brings down the entire OS you have "Start me up!" again. Song OK... sentiment not.
7. Expect more with Quest Software
Yes, expect 30 year old white nerds rapping. I'm sure it sounded like a VERY good idea at the time. But now... Oooooh.
Of course no computer related video would be complete without these Doom 3 guys.
Nothing to do with music... Just very funny
Can a boy REALLY scream that high? Wow...
For all those feeling just a little smug, just remember who it was who used to watch Doctor Who from BEHIND the sofa. You know whom I'm talking to. Anybody 35 years and older.
