Up - One of the best films I've seen in a long time...

There's been an awful lot of buzz recently about the latest film from those clever chaps over at Pixar and frankly, it's completely justified.

This film is without a doubt one of the best animated films films I've seen in a long time.  The story is incredible, the opening 10 mins will have a lump the size of a grapefruit in your throat and if you cry at films tears streaming down your face as my friend had - luckily with the appearance of Russell you've soon forgotten all about it. It's nice for once to get the whole "why is the grumpy old man so grumpy" out the way early on and get on with the rest of the (terrific) story.  

Aside from the old man Carl the rest of the characters are brilliant, especially Dug.  My family has had several Golden Retrievers over the years (still has two infact) so I'm well used to their personality.  Sadly most films never quite capture this properly, either portraying them as very faithful, intelligent dogs (trust me, they may be loyal but they aren't bright)..until now.  Dug is without doubt the most perfect depiction I've ever seen, dense, excitable, relentlessly enthusiastic and the hatred of squirrels is just uncanny!

Anyway. I don't want to spoil the story with more details but I strongly suggest you see it - i've not seen it in 3D yet but I'm more than willing pay again to see it.

Here is a link to the cinema - you have no excuses not to find out where it's playing and go and watch it...

 

Roadsworth - This is seriously cool

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"During the period of 2001-2004 Roadsworth went ballistic on his home town of Montreal, enforcing a new visual language upon its streets. A language of road lines turned in to electrical wiring, barbed wire, fishing hooks, birthday cakes, animals hanging off of shadows and more. Like so many street artists, he was busted and persecuted to the full extent of the law. Lucky for him, community support was unanimous and he got off with mild community service term, forced to paint his public patterns only when commissioned to do so by the city. Roadsworth has since been invited to paint in numerous countries, and even has even been commissioned to paint Montreal’s city hall. Behold the words of the original street-preacher. Not enough for you? Check him out at his website, or in the new, highly acclaimed film Roadsworth: Crossing The Line."

This is seriously cool - why can't I have things like this in Balham?!

If someone could get me one of these that would be awesome....

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The Leica M9 is possibly one of the most beautiful cameras ever made. Sadly they are not cheap (£4,850) which is the same price as a decent second hand Ford Focus...

Still, you can't put a Ford Focus in your pocket, and like expensive watches there is something really cool about expensive cameras that is just unexplainable....

The most dissapointing car launch so far this year...

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I never thought it was possible but Maserati have made one of the greatest looking cars of recent years look terrible.

It looks fat, bloated, slow, and, most worringly, like a BMW 6 series from some angles which frankly is never a good thing.

So dissapointed - not what you want first thing on a Monday morning.

(here is the original just make me feel better)

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This Week

Things I like

  1. Riding into work again - it's been too long
  2. Swimming
  3. Warm evenings and Pub Gardens
  4. Aim "Cold Water Music" - Top album
  5. Having the flat to myself for a week

Things I don't like

  1. The condition of the roads - I ride a single speed, bumpy roads sap your speed
  2. Smelling of chlorine most of the day
  3. The price of beer
  4. My iPod running out of batteries and having broken headphones
  5. Having to tidy up after myself

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Is this the best looking (new) car in the world?

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The new Alfa Romeo 8C GTA.

Doesn't it look amazing?

According to Autoexpress:

"The body panels are carbon fibre, as is the bodykit, which comprises chunky side sills, a road-scraping chin spoilerand race-style rear diffuser. A stripped-out cabin with bucket seats and the bare minimum of kit, as well as more carbon fibre trim wherever possible, will help slash the kerbweight.

Expect the 8C GTA to tip the scales at 1,450kg – around 150kg less than the standard coupé and only 100kg heavier than its premier rival, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. And to give it any chance of competing on level terms with its scorching counterpart, Alfa knows the 450bhp 4.7-litre V8 will need some attention as well. An ECU remap is likely, along with lower-friction components and a higher rev limit to help push power past the 500bhp barrier.

With the GTA’s lightweight construction and an extra dose of horsepower, acceleration should be phenomenal. A 0-60mph time in less than four seconds seems feasible, plus a top speed approaching 200mph."

And it's a bargain it just £200,000 - who needs a house?!