For the past half hour or so, I've been reading through the list on Wikipedia showing the line of succession to the British throne. There are some very interesting entries there.

King Constantin II of Greece is number 424 in the line, and his wife, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece is number 232, because she is the sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who is much further up the line.

The Duke of Edinburgh (better known as Prince Philip, the husband of current ruler Queen Elizabeth II) is number 485 in the line!

The most interesting of all, to a patriot like myself, is that the first non-British on the list is our very own King Harald V of Norway and his descendants - and this means that we beat the Swedes again! LOL!

What's more annoying is that the antiquated British laws surrounding throne succession prefer males to females, so Princess Ingrid Alexandra, number two in line in Norway, is below her little brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, in the British line, even though he is number three in Norway. Silly! (Of course, I should probably add we had a similarly antiquated law ourselves until 1990, so I'll soon get off my high horse...)

This proves once and for all, if there ever was any doubt, that the European royal houses are basically built on in-breeding. Just goes to show what the class system does to you. ;-)

In other news, I paid my first visit to a proper off-licence on Christmas Eve; it was the local one and they had a nice selection and nice prices. No need to stand in line in Morrison's, in other words! Unfortunately the wine I chose tasted so nice I quickly finished half the bottle during my Christmas lunch yesterday, making the Christmas special of Doctor Who slightly difficult to follow, but all the more fun!

I started the day watching the original Miracle on 34th Street, which was more modern than I had anticipated (being from 1947 and all), and then continued with Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings, which I hadn't seen in years. Panic struck on the 23rd as I simply couldn't find my copy of Love Actually, so I had to settle for Freaky Friday (which I love anyway, so no matter, really) that night. I couldn't let another day without the festive Richard Curtis flick go by, though, and ventured back to the Shelves of Disarray on Christmas Eve to find Love Actually most probably exactly where I'd left it. There was much rejoicing.

Yesterday also featured a very welcome look back at the Blackadder series, filled with new interviews with the contributors, actors etc. Who'd've thought that one of the most memorable scenes in a comedy ever (the end of series four--if you don't know what I'm talking about, I seriously doubt we have anything in common), was actually quite shit in its original format and was made into such an iconic scene only due to some brilliant editors? Wow.

Labels: Alan Rickman, comedy, film, Norway, TV

Since we went to the theatre way too early on Tuesday (after a short meal at Burger King and then getting the hell out of there due to Leicester Square being filled with silly teens screaming at their High School Musical 3 (yes! THREE! I don't see why they bothered making the first one!) idols (the premiere was on)), we hung about the Wyndham's for a while. At one point I said "could we just nip around the corner, to see The Blue Door (as in "the infamous blue door from Alan Rickman's run in Private Lives at the Albery (now Noël Coward) in 2001")?", and so we did. Within just a few minutes we spotted two theatre celebs; Daniel Boys (I had completely forgot Avenue Q is showing at the Noël Coward) and Douglas Hodge. I was very, very close to running up to the latter to say how much I loved him in La Cage at the Menier, but then I remembered I didn't, really, and commented to C instead that "that guy's been making out with Philip every night for months", as he turned the corner. It would have been funner if I had said it really loudly, of course.

Labels: Alan Rickman, philip quast, theatre

Alan Rickman has one of the most pleasant voices in the world. (Personally, I think they didn't take into account certain other voices, but We Who Know Better know...uhmm...better.)

I can hardly contain myself: Last week was the last episode in the spring series of The Gadget Show, and tonight will be the first episode of the summer series! Squee!

Labels: Alan Rickman, philip quast, technology, TV

Since I'm having difficulties concentrating on anything these days, it's quite a miracle that I've been able to enjoy three days of listening to lots of music and even watching a couple of films.

Went to see Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street yesterday, and it was very well made. Unfortunately I felt it was slightly too long, but I have a feeling this was because I saw the stage version three times in July and have heard three different (but not that different) recordings quite a few times since then. Loved the gloom; very fitting and very Tim Burton. I think they made a very good choice when picking him to be the director. Timothy Spall was excellent, as per usual, and so was Alan Rickman. Really liked all the actors in this one, to be honest. Johnny Depp has grown on me (very slowly) over the past few years, and although Helena Bonham-Carter seems to be rather weird in real life, she was spot on for the part of Mrs. Lovett.

Today I finally watched Spun, after it's been sitting on my shelf, still in its shrink-wrapped form, for at least three quarters of a year. Mickey Rourke was really cool in this film, and Brittany Murphy was as brilliant as ever. Liked the filming as much as I enjoyed the cinematography in Requiem for a Dream.

Got a few CD's this week; The Best Country Album Ever (which apparently I had won in a survey I took many moons ago), Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 (with lots of Californian punk rock), some comedy album with lots of old and newish gems, and In Sorte Diaboli by Dimmu Borgir. Needed to know what the fuss about their latest album was. Think I need to hear it a few more times, because I didn't think it was better than my favourite album of theirs, Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, but some albums have a tendency to grow on me (like Superfamily's Back in Paris, which I remember telling Cato was very uneven the first few times I heard it, but has now become a dear favourite.)

So, anyway, I've been very good these past few days and have actually sat down just to listen to a lot of music. Thanks to Last.fm, that most diabolical site, one band or singer has taken me to another, then to yet another and so forth, so I have listened through a lot of songs I had even forgotten I had. I have listened to some comedy as well, mostly Grrreg, but that's just because I am getting fed up of the seemingly endless repeats of the UK version of Whose Line on Dave, and I am sort of saving the episodes available on 4oD.

Ooh, by the way, I remember seeing the poster at my local cinema last week, but I forgot to mention the fact that I am hopeful regarding the film version of the excellent, comedic teenage angst book Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging. I have deliberately not read anything about the film, so I just wish I am not being lured into a false sense of security here.

Well, time to go to bed, I feel. Bit too early, but I am planning on watching the news (and possibly Newsnight) in bed, so that will take at least 30 minutes.

Have fun, everyoink!

Labels: Alan Rickman, comedy, film, greg proops, literature, music, musicals, TV

Watching Djokovic vs. Federer in the Australian Open (hey, I work in the sports business, and FOR ONCE the ones in charge of the nearby telly aren't watching cricket or horse racing, so I enjoy watching tennis when I can), Federer just lost (hahahaaaaah!) and things are finally becoming interesting in the world of tennis. Federer actually isn't unbeatable! Wonderful.

There are other competitions heating up as well, but those are on a more personal level. My harem of future husbands has expanded to three (previously mentioned Dale Winton and Julian Clary are just silly candidates, of course, and don't count towards the total), so they will all have to fight harder for my attention. Dennis tried creeping up the field again yesterday as I investigated my flatmate's brand new MFP and scanned a few newspaper clippings etc., but I'm afraid he is not yet a match for Philip, who is currently struggling even though he is appearing on stage in London in my fave musical and therefore VERY approachable; struggling because of That Other Bucket Midge (I should NOT have looked at that video this morning) who has, annoyingly enough, taken over my teeny weeny world with what seems to be absolutely no effort whatsoever, just by being so bloody charming. Bastard.

The trouble with those "admiration videos" put on YouTube by drooling teenaged girls (or, more often than not, by perfectly normal (although slightly bored) housewives and business women), is that they choose these songs that will then forever be connected to the person in question. For instance, I have three such videos among my favourites (the one with Philip Quast is different as he is ACTUALLY a singer, so they've just put one of his own tracks on there): One is for Whose Line in general and features Perfect/Exceeder, Mason vs. Princess Superstar, a song I already love. Then today's newly added Greg Proops drooling video features Biology by...uhmmm...is it Sugababes or Girls Aloud? I always forget. Anyway, I love that song as well. But then, THEN you have the video which I have dubbed my Marton Csokas fave video, but which also features other actors apparently in the same league as him, and the track on this particular video is Flawless by George Michael, which I originally thought was incredibly boring, but which now always makes me think of Marton. And Jason Isaacs. Hmm.

Speaking of my flatmate's scanner, I found my cherished Playbills from May 2002 and scanned them. So, just to prove that YES, I actually went to New York to see Alan Rickman on stage (and is he still in my harem of future husbands? Is he fuck), and YES, I actually got their autographs, here they are in all their glory:

Private Lives Playbill (signed by the whole cast; Lindsay Duncan, Emma Fielding, Alan Rickman and Adam Godley) and, for good measure, the Noises Off Playbill, signed by (let's see if I can remember) Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince, Patti LuPone and Robin Weigert. I'm still frustrated about the fact that I didn't get T.R. Knight's (he was in a hurry) and especially Katie Finneran's (I didn't dare ask, for some bizarre reason, when she actually LOOKED STRAIGHT AT ME with a "any more fans around?" kind of look in her eyes) autographs, but then again I'd already made enough of a fool of myself during that trip...and I'm never going to let myself live that one down, apparently.

My YouTube playlists (random link.)

In other news, and this time it really IS news, I heard this morning that "my" presidential candidate, Dennis K. Kucinich, has given up the race against the other twats Democratic candidates. So now I'll have to choose between the three heads of the monster. Reports like this naturally make me very skeptical, so I'll have to take a close look at the way their campaigns are going.

Labels: Alan Rickman, comedy, current affairs, dennis storhøi, greg proops, jason isaacs, marton csokas, music, musicals, philip quast, sport, theatre, TV

It took six years from the film was made until it was finally (very quietly) released. I picked up my copy earlier today and really couldn't understand why it never had a cinema release (especially considering the crap they often put out there. Safe, Here on Earth and Red Planet, anyone?) I thought Alan Rickman was better than ever. Very funny.

If you're interested, you can pick up The Search for John Gissing here. No more need for an automatic eBay notice that one has to renew every year! (I've had mine active for four or five years.)

Labels: Alan Rickman, film

I'm guessing pretty stupid.

Personally, I have managed to delete 99% of my Alan Rickman photos, collected through the last six years, during the last hard drive move. So if anyone has any photo of him that is a must-have, I would appreciate a link, because I can't be bothered to go looking for them all over again. It's really quite amazing how I have managed to do this, and there must have been more than a thousand photos altogether, just disappearing.

Still, leaves a lot more space for other things, and luckily my two most important collections are still intact. ;-) However, having more pictures of Jonathan Ross than of Alan Rickman is slightly disturbing.

No, my Wossy collection is not one of the most important ones. :D

And don't you just love Onion?

Labels: Alan Rickman, computers, humour, personal, technology

I am currently very much looking forward to the following:

Spider-Man 3 - dubbed "Speidermann" by me by mistake yesterday; funny only to Norwegians, I suppose.
Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End - well, Geoffrey Rush is back, so what's not to look forward to?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - the fifth film had BETTER have a lot of Snape in it!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - the last book will be released in exactly three months from today and I should probably start thinking about taking a few days off at around that time! After all, I will be going through serious withdrawal and pain after having read it.
The final performance of Evita - it'll be my eighth visit and I am sick and tired of spending so much money on that show. If only I could actually afford it, it would not have been such a problem (duh), but as my debts seem to be growing and not decreasing with every down payment, I really should stop spending my money on...anything, really.

See why I need to have something to look forward to? Jeez, now I've depressed myself. Off to read Freakonomics.

Labels: Alan Rickman, evita, film, geoffrey rush, literature, musicals, personal, philip quast, theatre

More than a week, in fact.

I have been reading through all of my blog posts (593 in total, counting this one) in order to add tags to them all. Also, I did not correct any spelling mistakes etc., as I believe in the First Draft Theory.

It was great fun reading through my blog, as there were a lot of things I had completely forgotten about. Even the most mundane everyday stuff was interesting to read about, so that should be a great incentive for updating more often.

Btw, the previous post, with the World Leader test thingie? Turns out I had already done that one years ago, and that time I got Che Guevara.

Since last I updated this thing, I have been working, watching a few films, playing a few games, and shopped A LOT on eBay. In fact, I have upgraded my wardrobe quite a bit. It was time to get back to the real me, because that bit of me has been dormant for six years.

Last night I went to see Evita for the sixth time (I thought it was my seventh, but my blog says otherwise) and it was as fabulous as ever, although I must admit I had a hard time keeping a straight face because even in the most emotional scenes I kept picturing Mark Heenehan as Tinky-Winky (which he played at some point in his career). I should never have been told that little fact.

Then I stood by the stage door for the first time in about four years, which was nice, especially since we actually got something out of it. The few others who had stood there to begin with, disappeared within the first 30 minutes (oh ye of little hope), so then just the three of us (the brilliant minds behind The Philip Quast Guide and myself) were left. I was actually going to leave straight after the show, seeing as I was getting up early to go to work this morning, but luckily (in this case) I am easily persuaded (in other words, Captain Wentworth would not have liked me) (bad Jane Austen reference, sorry) and stayed despite my growing headache. I always get a headache when I go to the theatre. Maybe it's the air, maybe it's the tension, who knows.

Anyway, that's when Philip Quast turned up with his bicycle and had a chat, which was nice.

Uhmm...

Yes, you're right.

I was much more ecstatic, of course. I am just trying to stay focused on the important things. Like not exploding. Or dying of a nervous laughing fit.

At least this time I remember what was being said. I don't remember a thing from my short chat with Rickers in NYC, and I honestly forgot everything but the embarrassment only hours after I met him. I must have learnt something since then. Or I wasn't as embarrassed. Or what was being said was actually interesting (Meeting Rickman, I did the talking, yesterday Quast did the talking. Huge difference.)

I am leaving work in 30 minutes and you will not believe how much I have been looking forward to these next few days off. Especially since yesterday's Grand National event; we were so busy I almost fell asleep during Evita due to being knackered! Eeek!

Labels: Alan Rickman, evita, musicals, personal, philip quast, sport, tests, theatre

Perfume - The Story of a Murderer; the story of a perverted moron, more like, but certainly a feast for the eyes, this film! Honestly, if you like beautiful photography and camera work, you should see Perfume. The plot was...interesting and silly at the same time, and the film lasted at least 30 minutes too long for such a plot, but at least a couple of my favourites were in it (Dustin Hoffman and of course Alan Rickman).

I have added a new link under "Things that matter"; Feel the Edge. It's all about charity, man! And, uhmm, snowboarding.

Labels: Alan Rickman, current affairs, dustin hoffman, film

Using last year's template and then adding and removing as I see fit:

Coolest Villain of the year
Bill Nighy for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Funniest Sex Swap Film of the year
She's the Man

Best Hasselhoff Moment of the year
His being slapped around in Click

Most Embarrassing Yet Funny Film Moment of the year
Jean Reno doing interpretive dance in The Pink Panther. Worth the whole film!

Best Steve Carell Film of the year
Dead heat between Over the Hedge and Little Miss Sunshine

Indie Album of the year
The Killers: Sam's Town

Musical Album of the year
The 2006 London Revival Cast: Evita

Album of the year
Pet Shop Boys: Fundamental

Funniest New Series
The Class, Warner Bros. (US)

Strangest Series Cancellation of the year
Day Break, Touchstone/ABC (US)

Most Disappointing Comedy Series of the year
Twenty Good Years, Warner Bros. (US)

Favourite Comedy Series Character of the year
(Much like the previous two years:) Anne from Little Britain, BBC (UK)

Favourite Comedy Series Sketch of the year
Numberwang from That Mitchell and Webb Look

Best Cliffhanger of the year
The series finale of Green Wing

Most Anticipated Film of the year
X-Men: The Last Stand

Most Anticipated Film for everyone else, it seemed
The Da Vinci Code

Most Anticipated Game of the year
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Best Game of the year
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

British Film of the year
Snow Cake (UK/Canadian)

Best Play or Musical of the year
Evita, Adelphi Theatre (surprised?)

Would Have Most Wanted to See
Idina Menzel in Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Most Anticipated Book of the year
Per Egil Hegge: Harald V

Funniest Book of the year
Julian Clary: A Young Man's Passage

Most Annoying Yet Strangely Catchy Song of the year
Lily Allen: Smile

Worst Idea of the year
Having yet another round of Big Brother. Enough, already.

Best Moment of the year
16 August, finally getting Philip Quast's autograph

Labels: Alan Rickman, bill nighy, comedy, computers, evita, film, gaming, julian clary, lists, literature, music, musicals, philip quast, tamsin greig, theatre, TV

I am currently shedding dry skin off of my nose. Dandruff, anyone?

So, and this has nothing to do with dandruff (I think) - I got the next two series of Waiting for God for Christmas, plus a few books, a couple of CDs, some soup (this may sound odd, but it was actually one of the most appreciated gifts I had all Christmas), a new brolly (a small one), another calendar (but this one I'm actually going to use, as opposed to the several calendars we've got from various local fast food restaurants for our patronage (oops) - even though one of them does show both English and Chinese bank holidays), some gift certificates and some other bits and bobs. Since I was alone I decided to spread the gift unwrapping a little bit across the day and opened the last one just before I started preparing for lunch.

Lunch lasted for just about all of The Snowman and the plates and bowls had been removed by the time the Queen popped up on the screen. So much for overeating. Didn't even finish one portion. And the desserts were so rich I felt like a millionaire after eating a few mouthfuls.

And I almost made my way through Christmas without watching Love Actually, but then I suddenly got this urge to see Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth, and what better way than to watch the one film that puts them all together, eh? By the way, to those who have been wondering what Rickers is saying to Emma after the school play, you're not alone. Listen to the commentaries on the DVD.

Speaking of commentaries, I would really recommend the commentaries to This is Spinal Tap. It brings a new dimension to this already fantastic film, as the three actors Guest, McKean and Shearer stay in character as their alter egos/stage personas throughout the whole thing. It's quite brilliant.

And if I haven't said this already...you must see Best in Show. Seriously. In fact, anything with these guys (Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind and the brand new For Your Consideration). Or else you will simply have to be spanked. And not in a good way, either.

Woke up this morning to the most wonderful trail on BBC...apparently the long-awaited umpteenth series of Waking the Dead will be back "soon". Yum. And speaking of trails...they have started showing the trail for Perfume on telly. Slightly desperate for another film with Rickers by now.

I think I am going to vote for the inauguration of Midsomer Murders: Ghosts of Christmas Past as the traditional murder mystery for Christmas. I think ITV may be ahead of me, though, as they have been showing it three years in a row now. It's just that you can never have enough Quastiness, and this is the best showcase for that quality. Well, if not the best at least certainly good enough! Awaiting the arrival of Javert - Misunderstood Copper, a drama series of 52 episodes where Quast is contractually obliged to appear in every single scene.

OK, maybe that would be a tad too much even for me.

Every other scene, then. But then we'd need 60+ episodes. And lots of plot.

Good luck to the writers.

Labels: Alan Rickman, bill nighy, Christmas, colin firth, comedy, daniel hill, film, illness, Javert, philip quast, trevor eve, TV

Finally a non-Snape film starring Alan Rickman. And a pretty good one, too! I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Didn't even want to pause the film once (I often do). Both funny, sad and very interesting. I would recommend Snow Cake.

I would also recommend The Queen. All-round brilliant performances from the whole cast. I am also slowly becoming a fan of Roger Allam's.

Labels: Alan Rickman, film, roger allam

Just as I was turning in for the night I glanced at the date and thought "hmm...isn't it Alan Rickman's birthday today?




Our favourite wizard.


Our favourite angel.


Our favourite alien. Sort of. By Grabthar's hammer!

(And I realised I have way too many images of him, since it took me about an hour just to compile this tiny "best of".)

Current track: Nada.

Labels: Alan Rickman

I'm starting to panic about Christmas gifts. I have bought only a few and there's lots more to go. I think I have a couple more nailed down but I haven't bought them yet. I keep using my Mastercard, and I hate that. Have no other option, though. Hmm... Must remember to react sooner next year. The thing is, I haven't really got into the Christmas mood these past few years. I've been too busy or stressed out to realise it was creeping up on me. I may decorate the place this year, but I think I'll need some help to even be arsed about it. For me it's all about the telly this year; lots of Christmas specials to be watched and then relax for a bit longer. As if I haven't been relaxing for way too long already.

We went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire again today, or Harry Otter, as we've now dubbed it, after a well-spotted typo at the local cinema. It's a great film, I must say. Both the second and the third films were rather boring to see twice in a row, and the third one I haven't even been bothered about watching on DVD yet, even though I've had it since its release date, but the fourth one is truly brilliant. I actually had goosebumps and tears in my eyes when the Quidditch arena was revealed. And my favourite Hogwarts teacher (since I read the first book, mind!) is in a very funny study scene, so I'm pleased.

And then Peter Serafinowicz was a guest at this year's final episode of Have I Got News for You (hosted by Joan Collins), which was a nice surprise. I must say it's a bit difficult to be a fan of his when he doesn't appear in much at all. Story of my life as a fan, I'm afraid. Should be used to it by now, though.

This weekend I have been finishing the campaign in Age of Empires III and struggling with the career mode in SWAT 4. So much, in fact, that I eventually ended up playing Civilization IV just to "relax".

I am also currently totally hung up on the song Sleep by Texas. Funny thing, this Texas fascination I have, because I've never been a fan and I still don't consider myself one, and yet I love lots of their songs. It's weird, really.

Current track: Nothing. Not even "Sleep".

Labels: Alan Rickman, Christmas, film, gaming, music, personal, peter serafinowicz, TV

Well, that was fun! I went to the local cinema, armed with M&M's and Maltesers (the latter bought as a last minute resort due to the small bags of M&M's that were there, and a very peculiar turn as I don't particularly like Maltesers, but that's what Harry Potter does to you), and had a couple of hours' worth of fun and excitement. This fourth film in the series was indeed the darkest one of the lot, but it was also the one which I think had the most humourous lines in it. And of course a big bonus in the list of cast as both Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs and über-villain Alan Rickman were present. I was grinning to myself (mainly because no one could see me in the dark).

That Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (if I remember the name correctly) is a very irresponsible seat of learning, I think. The lack of security for the students would scare any parent, muggle or otherwise. Anyway, I would of course recommend the film, but I'm pretty sure everyone who should see it will or already have. I'm going to see it on the big screen once more, I think, since my flatmate hasn't seen it yet.

We very nearly went to the premiere a couple of weeks ago. But then the rain stopped us (we both had the thought of the Fantastic Four premiere in mind) and when I, later that evening, heard of people having stood in line since the day before, I thought sod this, I'm not that much of a fan. Besides, I've already met the most important cast member and I already knew he wasn't on the official guest list, so I spent the evening at home instead.

In other news: I have started my new job. I started last Wednesday, in fact. My contact said it was in south east London. Well, fuck that, it's in Kent. Again. For God's sake, when are these people going to learn a bit of geoggers, I say! So I have to get up at six in the morning, it's dark and cold when I go to work, then I jump onto the tube (which is packed) and wait for the train (which is late) and then I sit on my arse all day in an office which is also more or less packed. Eight hours later I jump onto the train, which quickly fills up with teenagers on their way home from school (I believe), then onto the tube (which is packed) and a very fast paced walk home (because it's dark and cold). Sounds fascinating, doesn't it? Well, the fact is, it's nice to be working again. Especially now that we got our first electricity bill. Turns out this bloody place has even got the electricity messed up, so for the past six months we've been drawing from the normal rate even though we've been on the Economy 7 rate and heated up everything during the night. This country really is fucked up - all those bureaucrats and they still can't do it right. I don't understand how they could have won the war at all, being as it were against the overly efficient Germans and all.

I'm still an anglophile, though, rest assured.

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: Alan Rickman, film, jason isaacs, personal, ralph fiennes

...AKA The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy...

How I longed to hear the theme music and watch the film version of this brilliant radio show/book! The TV series is a laugh (on many levels) and should be watched by the core fans only. I'm not a core fan, meaning I don't actually own any rare, out-of-print "42" band aids or anything, but now that the film is out there really is no reason for the typical admirers to see the series.

I had to go to London to see the film before the summer (no, I didn't go just to see the film. I'm not that much a fan) and we ended up on the least original place in England when it comes to cinemas, namely Leicester Square. Not the Odeon, though, who charges you through the nose and back for a seat in one of their many centrally-controlled franchises. Argh. End of rant.

I had, unfortunately, watched too many trailers and features about the film, so by the time I saw the film I had already seen most of the funniest parts. That means I was kind of disappointed. But! The film itself was really good, and anyone with the slightest bit of an alternative edge to their sense of humour would like it. Sam Rockwell is spot on as Zaphod Beeblebrox and the Warwick Davies/Alan Rickman partnership that has become Marvin, the Paranoid Android is hilarious. Bill Nighy, however, overshadows whomever else is in his scenes - simply because he is Bill Nighy. Some of the special effects are stunning and spectacular and then there are some surprise cameos for the hardcore fans. :-)

Basically, you should see this. Just don't see any features or behind-the-scenes beforehand.

Current track: Eros Ramazzotti singing something on the radio.

Labels: Alan Rickman, bill nighy, comedy, film, literature, TV

One of my favourite bloggers had a bit of a crisis during the weekend, thinking he should stop blogging and sharing his thoughts and feelings. He luckily got back to normal the next day. I've never even considered stopping this blog of mine, because finally there's an online concept I can update easily. Not my strongest side, that, sticking with something. Ahem. I've got several websites out there somewhere (yes, some of them are still online, some are on my hard drive only and others have vanished forever), and they all died quietly when I just couldn't keep up with the constant updating anymore.

This blog, however, is just the right format. And I don't care if it's boring. Still, some of you keep coming back, several times a day, to see if there's anything going on. You sad gits. *wink, wink*

If you're looking for my weekend report, there will be one. Right now.

We celebrated Grandma's 85th birthday on Saturday. The whole family turned up and I think we all had a great time. Even I had a terrific time. Got to talk to a lot of those present, and that's such fun these days because we're finally adults every single one of us. So we were discussing "grown-up things" even though we had been seated at the "kids' table". LOL! We still need to have one of those, apparently. The moral to the story is: Have a bigger house or a smaller family. ;-) Anyway, there were aunts and uncles and cousins and their significant others - half of us "youngsters" are married or seeing someone, the rest of us are very single. Thank Bob no one started asking "so, when are you getting married?" because it's always very difficult trying to explain to people that I'm just not interested. And no, I don't miss kids. I can't stand them. I'm so glad there aren't any kids in the family any more/yet. And they may just as well stop saying "well, you'll change", because I won't. But what on earth am I getting all worked up about - I just told you no one asked. LOL!

Today's our King's birthday, and Alan Rickman's as well. Hope they both are having a good time. They probably won't be at the same party, though.

Current track: AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long

Labels: Alan Rickman, party, personal

Their showing Galaxy Quest tonight made me fetch my DVD of said film. I must have seen it nearly ten times in the past three years. Which just happens to be the same period that I've been an admirer of Alan Rickman's (Alan Rickman's what? - I hear you say, but I'll pretend I didn't), and yet the two things have nothing to do with each other. Anyway, GQ is really funny, and I never thought I'd say that about a film starring Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver.

You really can't call it a cult film, though, can you, since it's a big budget production? Too bad. I'd say it deserves the same following as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, or at least close to that. Imagine interactive screenings of GQ. Woo-hoo!

Current track: Texas - Halo

Labels: Alan Rickman, film

Possibly one of the funniest lines ever uttered in a comedy. I first saw Robin Hood: Men in Tights in a Dutch truckstop in the summer of 1994, the sound was turned off and it had Dutch subtitles, but halfway through the film I decided this was definitely something I had to rent once I got back home. It was even better with the sound on. There were several new things I learnt about Robin Hood while watching that film. ;-) Well, it's been ten and a half years and it's still one of my favourite comedies and among those films I must have seen ten times or more. Of the three Robin Hood films that were released during the early nineties, this is the best, then comes Robin Hood (the one starring Patrick Bergin) and last and definitely least, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It is, after all, Kevin Costner, and not even a delightfully wicked Alan Rickman can really save that film. Back to the Mel Brooks version, it's got a brilliant cast (especially Cary Elwes and personal favourite Roger Rees (as the awfully camp Sheriff of Rottingham, the one with the terrible syntax problem)) and the lines are quite simply among the best ever written. It's all very silly and very Mel Brooksy. Three or more thumbs up!

The Golden Globes were announced yesterday (and I forgot all about it, since I don't have any channels anymore that would actually be bothered to transmit the whole show) - there was at least one very good choice made: Geoffrey Rush got the award for best actor in a made-for-TV drama. I've told you before and I'm telling you now as well as long into the future; he is amazingly gifted and deserves all the awards he can get his hands on. Seriously, he can make a crap movie turn into a brilliant one. There are hardly any of those actors around so I think we should pay more attention the minute one actually does appear. Typically, though, no one seems to have noticed his win over here; they listed quite a few of the winners but were all emphasising on the "well-known" (and not necessarily good) actors and series. It's all getting a bit tedious.

Speaking (as usual) about films, I went to the sneak preview of En folkefiende (Enemy of the People) tonight, and...uhmm...I'm not sure what to make of it. I guess the film was OK, and there was a lot of talent around (Jørgen Langhelle is quickly becoming a favourite of mine), but the theme was quite boring, so by the time the film finished I was surprised only ninety minutes had gone by. It wasn't half bad, though, there were moments that were very good, but the subject just wasn't very interesting and that ruined the film for me. Lovely scenery, though, very good for the tourism. Unfortunately, no one abroad would bother to distribute it. :-)

Current track: Leonard Cohen - Nightingale

Labels: Alan Rickman, award shows, comedy, film, geoffrey rush