The less said about this movie the better so as not to spoil things as the plot plods its way into a top movie. As she did in Salt, Angelina Jolie continues to positively devour the spy/thriller heroine role, fabulous eye candy more gorgeous by the year and I'm smitten... absolutely.
Johnny Depp, is the consumate foil, shedding all trace of Jack Sparrow or the Chocolate Wonka, a tribute to this man's versatility. Look up his guitar capabilities on You Tube, Minor Swing and Caravan, from the movie Chocolat, and bits from Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Keep an eye out for a rumoured role as Tonto in a re-make of the Lone Ranger.
The Tourist, top movie, 5 out of 5!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Movie: Tron: Legacy
Surprise, surprise...
Thought this might be a kids movie, and it sort of was, but when the opening bit had the hero low-flying a souped up Ducati, well...., you just knew big kids were in for a blast as well, great special FX, gripping action, and a fair story-line although the shmaltz dragged a bit in the middle.
Old Jeff Bridges has had a great year with his movies, and the hero, Garrett Hedlund, played a steady, not over-done, role, reminded a bit of Rob Hamill, (Luke Skywalker), only with a nicer touch of maturity. He's come along well since a bit part debut in Troy, a lead role in the sci-fan Eragon, and a step-stone of parts in box-office successes up till now. Something to look forward to in the coming year is a lead role in the Kerouac novel based Coppola movie On The Road, (jees, I'll have to have a talk to these blokes about flogging my blog name, lol), filmed in Canada, Argentina, Mexico, and USA. Also starring are Vigo Mortensen, LOTR, Kristen Stewart, Twilight, and Kirsten Dunst.
The Tron female lead, Olivia Wilde, more than held her own against the boys, we'll see more of her in the coming year, couple of sci-fi's including Cowboys & Aliens with Daniel Craig, and Now with Justin Timberlake.
You might remember her from that cranky comedy Year 1 with Jack Black. It was panned as a stinker by the critics, but I thought it was a pretty good laugh, I think there's a bit of Jack in all us blokes.
Anyway, I give Tron: Legacy 3 out of 5, and I've now got a pair of 3-D specs I can use at the next stuff comin' at ya screening!
Thought this might be a kids movie, and it sort of was, but when the opening bit had the hero low-flying a souped up Ducati, well...., you just knew big kids were in for a blast as well, great special FX, gripping action, and a fair story-line although the shmaltz dragged a bit in the middle.
Old Jeff Bridges has had a great year with his movies, and the hero, Garrett Hedlund, played a steady, not over-done, role, reminded a bit of Rob Hamill, (Luke Skywalker), only with a nicer touch of maturity. He's come along well since a bit part debut in Troy, a lead role in the sci-fan Eragon, and a step-stone of parts in box-office successes up till now. Something to look forward to in the coming year is a lead role in the Kerouac novel based Coppola movie On The Road, (jees, I'll have to have a talk to these blokes about flogging my blog name, lol), filmed in Canada, Argentina, Mexico, and USA. Also starring are Vigo Mortensen, LOTR, Kristen Stewart, Twilight, and Kirsten Dunst.
The Tron female lead, Olivia Wilde, more than held her own against the boys, we'll see more of her in the coming year, couple of sci-fi's including Cowboys & Aliens with Daniel Craig, and Now with Justin Timberlake.
You might remember her from that cranky comedy Year 1 with Jack Black. It was panned as a stinker by the critics, but I thought it was a pretty good laugh, I think there's a bit of Jack in all us blokes.
Anyway, I give Tron: Legacy 3 out of 5, and I've now got a pair of 3-D specs I can use at the next stuff comin' at ya screening!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Norfolk 12/10 #2
The flight finally got off the ground near midnight Thursday, representing most of the week gone for us travellers planning the week on Norfolk, return flight due following Sunday, less than 4 days away.
Fortunately for AirNZ, the treatment they'd accorded by way of interim accommodation and meals had pretty near everyone still in good spirits, with renewed respect and loyalty to the company, despite the fact some flights from Aussie had popped in and out of Norfolk during that time. The early winter disruption of European flight schedules and the repercussions on trans-Pacific flying, smack in the pre-Xmas week, obviously affecting AirNZ's ability to provide service.
Goes to show, keeping the troops well fed will keep your Brownie points up.
And, Thursday dawned fine and clear on Norfolk, first time the locals had seen the sun for weeks. Running into flight compatriots around the island, they were surprisingly philosophical about the whole deal, and thoroughly enjoying the few glorious days they had left.
More like a lot of fellow travellers returning to their island home, I was visiting whanau for Xmas, so there was less at stake by way of lost accommodation and holiday.
So, Norfolk Island...
5 miles by 3, 650 miles north of Auckland, 900 east of Brisbane, part of the Commonwealth of Aussie.
First thought settled by 14th/15th century Polynesian seafarers, more likely a way-station for those blown off course from the Kermadec route.
In 1774, old Cookie again, in his second voyage in the Resolution made the first sighting by a European and he named it after the Duchess of Norfolk.
It was noted by the early Poms that the place grew native flax, so not long after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney, some soldiers and a handful of convicts were dispatched to develop the industry, but this petered out.
However, because the place was so remote, a second penal settlement phase took place, as somewhere to send the worst of the worst convict, which some say, lacking the social experimentation that was taking place at Port Arthur, was more terrible a place to be consigned to.
In the mid 1850's England implemented penal servitude back home and the transportation process was discontinued, and on June 8 1856, the next settlement began with the arrival of descendants of the Bounty mutineers from Pitcairn Island, who form the basis of the island's 1800 odd population to this day.
Its a great place to holiday, only an hour and a half from Auckland, AirNZ runs once a week, tourism of course, the island's main industry. It's a busy little place, but one of it's main delights to us outsiders is the security of being able to leave your car and home unlocked.
The lack of taxation and social welfare as we know it has engendered a culture imbued with community values, exemplified by everybody waving to all and sundry when driving past, an inculcated recognition of the other person.
Then there's the scenery, surrounding sea and cliff-scapes, and my favorite Pacific beach, Emily Bay, where
Fortunately for AirNZ, the treatment they'd accorded by way of interim accommodation and meals had pretty near everyone still in good spirits, with renewed respect and loyalty to the company, despite the fact some flights from Aussie had popped in and out of Norfolk during that time. The early winter disruption of European flight schedules and the repercussions on trans-Pacific flying, smack in the pre-Xmas week, obviously affecting AirNZ's ability to provide service.
Goes to show, keeping the troops well fed will keep your Brownie points up.
And, Thursday dawned fine and clear on Norfolk, first time the locals had seen the sun for weeks. Running into flight compatriots around the island, they were surprisingly philosophical about the whole deal, and thoroughly enjoying the few glorious days they had left.
More like a lot of fellow travellers returning to their island home, I was visiting whanau for Xmas, so there was less at stake by way of lost accommodation and holiday.
 |
| Part of the old convict ruins |
So, Norfolk Island...
5 miles by 3, 650 miles north of Auckland, 900 east of Brisbane, part of the Commonwealth of Aussie.
First thought settled by 14th/15th century Polynesian seafarers, more likely a way-station for those blown off course from the Kermadec route.
In 1774, old Cookie again, in his second voyage in the Resolution made the first sighting by a European and he named it after the Duchess of Norfolk.
It was noted by the early Poms that the place grew native flax, so not long after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney, some soldiers and a handful of convicts were dispatched to develop the industry, but this petered out.
However, because the place was so remote, a second penal settlement phase took place, as somewhere to send the worst of the worst convict, which some say, lacking the social experimentation that was taking place at Port Arthur, was more terrible a place to be consigned to.
 |
| Burnt Pine shopping centre |
In the mid 1850's England implemented penal servitude back home and the transportation process was discontinued, and on June 8 1856, the next settlement began with the arrival of descendants of the Bounty mutineers from Pitcairn Island, who form the basis of the island's 1800 odd population to this day.
Its a great place to holiday, only an hour and a half from Auckland, AirNZ runs once a week, tourism of course, the island's main industry. It's a busy little place, but one of it's main delights to us outsiders is the security of being able to leave your car and home unlocked.
The lack of taxation and social welfare as we know it has engendered a culture imbued with community values, exemplified by everybody waving to all and sundry when driving past, an inculcated recognition of the other person.
Then there's the scenery, surrounding sea and cliff-scapes, and my favorite Pacific beach, Emily Bay, where
 |
| Emily Bay |
you can swim in crystal blue-green waters, amongst coloured reef fish.
The fishing's said to be fun, although I'm yet to go out after them, and the cafe/pub life is well served for the occasional tourist, plus a top notch golf course.
 |
| Seascape |
 |
| Emily Bay to the right |
 |
| Low tide at Bumboras |
 |
| Xmas dinner under the canvas |
Monday, December 20, 2010
Movie: The Town
Ben Affleck leads and directs this movie, a good effort both acting and directing, but the movie itself's a bit depressingly violent, the sort of depiction of America that spoils it for the other 99.9% good folk we meet on the road.
There's plenty of suspense in that you're always expecting the characters youve identified with might get topped in their next heist. At times you're reminded of that story where the sherriff's being questioned over why put 68 bullets into a crim, and he replies, because that's all we had, so deserving were they.
But then, that's good literature, if it gets you on or off-side with the characters.
Story gets a bit fairytale to match the violence too.
By comparison, Clint Eastwood does his directional efforts better by theming good books.
Not really my cup of tea. 3 out of 5.
There's plenty of suspense in that you're always expecting the characters youve identified with might get topped in their next heist. At times you're reminded of that story where the sherriff's being questioned over why put 68 bullets into a crim, and he replies, because that's all we had, so deserving were they.
But then, that's good literature, if it gets you on or off-side with the characters.
Story gets a bit fairytale to match the violence too.
By comparison, Clint Eastwood does his directional efforts better by theming good books.
Not really my cup of tea. 3 out of 5.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Norfolk Island 10/12 #1
It had to happen to me one day.
The weather over the whole country hasn't been the best for the traveller last week or so, even if a welcome relief to the early drought conditions.
Got out of WAG airport without interference from fog, ditto getting into AKL for the Norfolk connector, but got spat out of immigration on account NLK airport's closed, so here we are, courtesy of AirNZ, travellis interuptus, put up overnight till the flight schedules come right.
Just have to mention this hotel, Holiday Inn Auckland Airport, about 10 mins courtesy coach from the landing strip.
Nice room, a standard one, flat-screen Bravia on the wall, twin sumptuous double w/ choice of soft or firm pillow, hi-speed internet (clocking at 9.11 kbps), no mini-bar, (but who needs that when you can get what you want room service), a decent bar, restaurant, and top obliging staff. It only goes up one floor, so minimal humping of gear involved too.
You can get all this, depending on occupancy demand for between $126 to $180 room rate, maybe cheaper if you book through the internet. Only bug-bear, and its a pretty normal one here in NZ compared with the rest of the world, you have to pay extra for your internet connection, $30 for 24 hrs here.
However, the coup de grace is the tucker. Just partaken of the evening buffet, salad bar, choice of mains, baked fish, baked chicken, lamb curry, or pork roast, plus baked taters/kumara, rice, and vegies, (the broc was overdone though), and a nice array of desert, baked sponge, var cheesecakes, fruit, or cheeseboard.
I'll resume my diet tomorrow......
after breakfast. (which incidentally was pretty good too)
Top marks to AirNZ for extending interupted travel courtesy to cover meals.
My roadie mate Rocket is a fan of http://www.wotif.com/ accommodation search and booking guide (international), and this place figures quite well there.
Excellent value.
The weather over the whole country hasn't been the best for the traveller last week or so, even if a welcome relief to the early drought conditions.
Got out of WAG airport without interference from fog, ditto getting into AKL for the Norfolk connector, but got spat out of immigration on account NLK airport's closed, so here we are, courtesy of AirNZ, travellis interuptus, put up overnight till the flight schedules come right.
Just have to mention this hotel, Holiday Inn Auckland Airport, about 10 mins courtesy coach from the landing strip.
Nice room, a standard one, flat-screen Bravia on the wall, twin sumptuous double w/ choice of soft or firm pillow, hi-speed internet (clocking at 9.11 kbps), no mini-bar, (but who needs that when you can get what you want room service), a decent bar, restaurant, and top obliging staff. It only goes up one floor, so minimal humping of gear involved too.
You can get all this, depending on occupancy demand for between $126 to $180 room rate, maybe cheaper if you book through the internet. Only bug-bear, and its a pretty normal one here in NZ compared with the rest of the world, you have to pay extra for your internet connection, $30 for 24 hrs here.
However, the coup de grace is the tucker. Just partaken of the evening buffet, salad bar, choice of mains, baked fish, baked chicken, lamb curry, or pork roast, plus baked taters/kumara, rice, and vegies, (the broc was overdone though), and a nice array of desert, baked sponge, var cheesecakes, fruit, or cheeseboard.
I'll resume my diet tomorrow......
after breakfast. (which incidentally was pretty good too)
Top marks to AirNZ for extending interupted travel courtesy to cover meals.
My roadie mate Rocket is a fan of http://www.wotif.com/ accommodation search and booking guide (international), and this place figures quite well there.
Excellent value.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Right Hand Rule
The change from left-turning giving way to approaching right turning, back to the old right hand rule, can't happen soon enough. Neither should we have to wait till after the RWC.
Most of us grew up with the right hand rule, give way to your right, and if turning right give way to everything.
Simple.
To give the controversy a bunt, I'll allege our current rule is responsible for 50% of intersection accidents and road rage, (its a lot simpler to whack someone, than figure out the difficult, lol).
We're the only developed country still doing it. Victoria reversed its implementation after 2 years, and I'll give them points for seeing its faults rather than attribute to any possible lack of Aussie ability to understand its workings.
I had a little reminder the other day how dangerous our current system is. I was in my right-hand lane, signalling to turn right at the lights. A bus was approaching from the opposite direction, so I stopped.
Right at the line, the bus indicated to turn to his right, and as the approaching left lane up till this time was entirely clear, I started my right turn too.
But, suddenly, from behind the bus, a motor, obviously vexed at being in the wrong lane behind a no-intention signalling bus, hooked out, shot across the intersection, and there we screeched to a halt, 4' apart, but me wearing some expletives from the driver. Fair enough, I broke a biker's rule never to go until the coast is absolutely clear.
But under the old right hand rule, where the left lane would have had unrestricted right of way and traffic flow, that motorist would have been in it, and completely visible to me.
Under our current system its a real bummer trying to decide which lane to approach an intersection in, even when you're first to it, because the vehicle pulling into the lane beside you, might be going in another direction, or more likely, will try to drag you off for lane rights across the intersection.
The proposed new rule does have one snag, the right hand rule wont apply at a T junction. This is plain nuts.
One other point, something similar to the old RHR still operates in USA, only its a left hand rule, and I think our conditioning to the current stupidity only makes assimilating to riding there the confusion it can be.
Even better is their 4-way stop system at uncontrolled intersections, first in has right of way, then subsequent, but we'd need to modify our national aggro for it to work here.
Actually, we've got roundabouts, which offer pretty near the same thing, and might even be safer.
Most of us grew up with the right hand rule, give way to your right, and if turning right give way to everything.
Simple.
To give the controversy a bunt, I'll allege our current rule is responsible for 50% of intersection accidents and road rage, (its a lot simpler to whack someone, than figure out the difficult, lol).
We're the only developed country still doing it. Victoria reversed its implementation after 2 years, and I'll give them points for seeing its faults rather than attribute to any possible lack of Aussie ability to understand its workings.
I had a little reminder the other day how dangerous our current system is. I was in my right-hand lane, signalling to turn right at the lights. A bus was approaching from the opposite direction, so I stopped.
Right at the line, the bus indicated to turn to his right, and as the approaching left lane up till this time was entirely clear, I started my right turn too.
But, suddenly, from behind the bus, a motor, obviously vexed at being in the wrong lane behind a no-intention signalling bus, hooked out, shot across the intersection, and there we screeched to a halt, 4' apart, but me wearing some expletives from the driver. Fair enough, I broke a biker's rule never to go until the coast is absolutely clear.
But under the old right hand rule, where the left lane would have had unrestricted right of way and traffic flow, that motorist would have been in it, and completely visible to me.
Under our current system its a real bummer trying to decide which lane to approach an intersection in, even when you're first to it, because the vehicle pulling into the lane beside you, might be going in another direction, or more likely, will try to drag you off for lane rights across the intersection.
The proposed new rule does have one snag, the right hand rule wont apply at a T junction. This is plain nuts.
One other point, something similar to the old RHR still operates in USA, only its a left hand rule, and I think our conditioning to the current stupidity only makes assimilating to riding there the confusion it can be.
Even better is their 4-way stop system at uncontrolled intersections, first in has right of way, then subsequent, but we'd need to modify our national aggro for it to work here.
Actually, we've got roundabouts, which offer pretty near the same thing, and might even be safer.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Arming the Police
Have just heard Police Assn's Greg O'Connor on ZB's Larry Williams Live, being questioned on his renewed stance for arming of police, (as in strapped to the hip), following the serious machete attack incident on a Taihape lawman.
If the police arm up, wont the crims follow suit? asks Larry.
Too late says Greg, the crims are already there, growing in drug based where-withall and resource to obtain. Theyre carrying to protect themselves from inter-gang dispute, but increasingly police, and inevitably, more public are getting caught as collateral damage.
Seems like a side-arm wouldnt have helped in this circumstance prods Larry.
Maybe not so if the crim knew at the outset he was out-weaponed, responds Greg.
Everyone from the PM and the Police Minister down dont support arming of police, says Larry.
Greg responds, it would be interesting to poll the public now, 9 lawmen killed in the line of duty in the last 2 years, multiple more attacks.
If the police cant protect themselves, how are they going to protect the public.
There might be a hue and cry about it right now, (on implementation), but in 6 months time, it'll be like nothing happened.
I'm on Greg's side.
In America all police are side-armed. All the ones we struck were polite, amiable, and helpful. I dont doubt they could be insistent.
The big difference between here and there is simply that we've got more and worse baddies in our society than America has, and this was somewhat of a shock to me to experience. As Greg said, we arent some peaceful little South Pacific paradise anymore.
I had a look up of police stats between our two countries, the rate of serious injury crimes, and crimes against property, per 100,000 of pop. is double here in NZ than in USA.
The situation regarding murders is the reverse, but I bet it wont be for long if we dont arm our police.
Or we'll end up like America before Wyatt Earp came to town.
If the police arm up, wont the crims follow suit? asks Larry.
Too late says Greg, the crims are already there, growing in drug based where-withall and resource to obtain. Theyre carrying to protect themselves from inter-gang dispute, but increasingly police, and inevitably, more public are getting caught as collateral damage.
Seems like a side-arm wouldnt have helped in this circumstance prods Larry.
Maybe not so if the crim knew at the outset he was out-weaponed, responds Greg.
Everyone from the PM and the Police Minister down dont support arming of police, says Larry.
Greg responds, it would be interesting to poll the public now, 9 lawmen killed in the line of duty in the last 2 years, multiple more attacks.
If the police cant protect themselves, how are they going to protect the public.
There might be a hue and cry about it right now, (on implementation), but in 6 months time, it'll be like nothing happened.
I'm on Greg's side.
In America all police are side-armed. All the ones we struck were polite, amiable, and helpful. I dont doubt they could be insistent.
The big difference between here and there is simply that we've got more and worse baddies in our society than America has, and this was somewhat of a shock to me to experience. As Greg said, we arent some peaceful little South Pacific paradise anymore.
I had a look up of police stats between our two countries, the rate of serious injury crimes, and crimes against property, per 100,000 of pop. is double here in NZ than in USA.
The situation regarding murders is the reverse, but I bet it wont be for long if we dont arm our police.
Or we'll end up like America before Wyatt Earp came to town.
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