West End Festival

I went along to the opening of the West End Festival yesterday. It was all happening only ten minutes walk from my flat, so I thought I’d take the time to go along.

It seemed a good excuse for the many burger vans of the town to come out in force. It was also a beautiful day for the city’s many panhandlers and street drinkers.

I watched the parade go down Byres Road and wandered along to Kelvingrove Park, where it linked up with the Glasgow Mela.

It was a lovely day and some of the paraders were quite entertaining.

I took plenty of photographs, as you can see below.

Here is a couple of features on the parade. First in the Herald and then from the BBC. Finally the Evening Times.

Man Fakes Death Avoids Gorman

This is a funny story from Dave Gorman's blog about how a man faked his own death to avoid appearing on a radio show with him.

36 Quai des Orfevres

I went to see 36 Quai des Orfevres last night. A French police thriller, it stars Daniel Auteuil and Gérard Depardieu.

Two of France’s biggest actors, they play rival cops chasing down the same violent gang. The film was exciting and very entertaining.

It evokes several different films for me. There’s a touch of Heat, a bit of L.627 and a pinch of Narc in there.

It did take quite a few liberties with plot points to keep things moving.
Some of the twists and turns don’t seem logical, but that doesn’t spoil what was an excellent thriller.

Voodoophone Premiere

Last night I went to the premiere of the short film Voodoophone at the CCA. Written and directed by Seth Hardwick I actually read for a part in it nearly two years ago.

It’s the story of a demonic mobile phone who communicates the owner’s thoughts to people. It’s kind of a comedy Tales of the Unexpected.

Having read the script a few times I knew the story, so what struck me most was the direction. It was extremely well directed, lit and photographed. It looks a much more expensive film that in actually was.

Seth is taking it around the numerous short film festivals of the world. Hopefully it will win a few awards and eventually get picked up for a television transmission.

Generators

It’s thanks to The Generator Blog for introducing me to these things.

This site lets you paint your own Jackson Pollock. Nothing you couldn’t do in Photoshop, but still quite fun.

This site provides you with a graph of your website. The picture at the right is Talking Pish in graph form.

This is the colour index

blue: for links
red: for tables
green: for the DIV tag
violet: for images
yellow: for forms
orange: for linebreaks and blockquotes
black: the HTML tag, the root node
gray: all other tags

United 93

A film about the events of 9/11 was always going to be controversial, no matter who made it or how long they waited. United 93 had the potential to attract more controversy as it focuses on events that no one can really be 100% certain about.

You can say that the film supports a Government approved version of the events. That it acts as a piece of propaganda that makes Americans look like heroes. We can argue for days over who did what or who said this or that.

However as a piece of cinema this film is absolutely outstanding.

The film has received a bit of criticism for making a German passenger look cowardly while the Americans take on the hero roles.

The situation played out on the plane seems logical enough to me. I’m sure there would have been people who wanted to overpower the terrorists, especially when they heard what had happened elsewhere. I’m also sure that there were folk who were just hoping it would all calm down and the plane would land safely.

Remember this was a different time. Hijackings of planes didn’t mean instant death. The assumption that the terrorists could have been reasoned with or if everyone complied they would get out alive would have been the most logical one to take at the beginning.

There is of course artistic licence here and there as in all films of this type. For example the black box indicates that the co-pilot was still alive at the time of the plane’s crash. The film shows him being killed early on.

As a piece of filmmaking it’s brilliant. The tension builds and sticks with you throughout. The film starts off as another mundane regular day, slowly becoming one horror after another as people, affected in different ways, watch with bewilderment and horror, the events unfolding in front of them.

There is nothing sensational about it. Paul Greengrass may well be the best director working who can handle this type of story. The direction is excellent and the fact that there is not a recognisable face among the excellent cast pulls you in to the film’s realistic docu-drama feel. As does the fact that a lot of the major players on the ground, including National Operations Manager for the FAA Ben Sliney, play themselves.

It stands alongside Capote for me as the best film of the year.

Nibblerinos

This is the church up the road from me. This looks like an excellent idea for an evening out. Even if it is designed to get people into church.

Totally Looped

Totally Looped are a Los Angeles based improv company. They provide new dialogue to old movies. Dan Castellaneta is one of their number. There is a pretty funny video clip over on their website.

Tom's One to Watch

Not much more I can add to Fizz's post below, however I'll stick my neck out and add one more player to that list. I think England's Peter Crouch will be one of the stars of this World Cup.

After a few years of moving from club to club (QPR, Porstmouth, Aston Villa, a loan spell at Norwich) he really began to shine in 2004 with Southampton. His form earned him a move to then European champions Liverpool and an England call up.

Out of the 4 strikers England are taking Crouch is the only one who has both, plenty of experience and full fitness. Not only can he score goals but he's also a provder.

At 6'7" he's the tallest player ever to play for Liverpool, and England are using his height well as he knocks down Beckham's cross balls, ostensibly for strike partner Michael Owen. Height isn't the only thing he offers as he also controls the ball well for a big guy.


I think we may well be seeing that robotic dance a few times over the next few weeks.

Fizzy’s “World Cup Ones To Watch”

Lukas Podolski - Striker - Germany

Just bought by Bayern Munich and expected to be the wonder-boy of the German team, having scored prolifically for the national team so far. A Pole by birth, his presence adds flavour to the Germany v Poland match on June 14th.







Aaron Lennon - Winger – England
If Sven has the sense to unleash the fire-brand Spurs youngster on the opposition, England may well do better than any of us up here are hoping. Fast, skilful and utterly fearless Lenno may well be the man to provide England threadbare attack with the ammo it needs. If he plays.





Khalid Boulahrouz - Centre Back – Holland
Known to HSV fans as “Khalid the cannibal” because he “gobbles up the opposition” this guy is an uncompromising but well balanced defender who uses the ball well. With Holland going with a largely new look defence, the reliability and consistency Boulahrouz offers will be vital to the Dutch.





Leo Messi – Attacking Midfielder/Forward - Argentina
Barcelona "ace" Messi is the most exciting prospect to come out of Argentina since Maradona. Given that Argentina are taking their best side for many years to the World Cup, this kid could provide the extra magic required to take them all the way. The only doubt hanging over him is the injury he picked up against Chelsea in the Champions League, which he has just recovered from.




Robinho - Striker - Brazil
Real Madrid star Robinho has had a disappointing first season in Spain, and blows a little hot and cold, but given he’ll be getting his supply from Ronaldiho, Kaka, and Ronaldo he should have an excellent chance of proving he justifies the hype he was the subject of just last year.











Johan Elmander - Attacking Midfielder/Forward - Sweden
Rangers target Elmander has been described as a “Zatlan Ibrahimovic with more pace” and as Bronby manager Michael Laudrup’s best ever signing.
So not much to live up to then as the lad understudies to both Zatlan and the legendary Henrik Larsson. The twice Danish player of the year may not be a natural goal-scorer, but is renowned in his homeland for crafty yet direct play in front of goal.







Franck Ribery – Attacking Midfielder/Forward – France
When your club knocks back a £9m bid from Manchester Utd for you just before the World Cup, some player would find it a bit unsettling, but count on this lad to live up to the tag of “the new Zidane” even if he only gets a bit part in Les Blues campaign.




Mehdi Mahdavikia – Right Winger/Right Full Back - Iran
The man who scored what would be the winner against the USA in that classic 1998 grudge match is still Iran's main attacking threat. A stalwart for Hamburg in recent years, he has been voted his clubs player of the year twice in 2003 and 2004 and is generally considered Iran’s greatest ever player.








Shunsuke Nakamura – Attacking Midfielder - Japan
Celtic fans will know all about Naka’s silky skills, but many feel this is the World Cup during which he will emerge from the shadow of Shiji Ono and Hiditoshi Nakata as Japan’s creative force. They face a tough group however and he will have to be at his very best to shine.








Nikola Zigic - Striker – Serbia & Montenegro
This 6’ 8” beanpole will partner Ex Chelsea forward Kezman up front and boasts a remarkable scoring record for club and country. He’s not just a big lad either, with a tremendous shot and a deft touch on the deck as well. For a big man.







DaMarcus Beasley - Winger/Striker– USA

Lighting fast if a little light on dribbling skills, Beasley gets into dangerous positions through his speed and tremendous strength. Expect the USA to be similarly fit, mobile and efficient.









Carlos Salcido – Defender Right/Centre- Mexico

Carlos Arnoldo Salcido Flores is a typically South American footballing anomaly. A strong central defender who can also play on the right, he is known for his blistering attacking play and pace and is often behind devastating counter attacks for his club side Chivas de Guadalajara. Mexico have been great value in the last few world cups and are taking a talented squad once again.





Sabrosa Simao – Right Winger - Portugal

Benfica winger Simao has been a target for Liverpool for over a season now and with a goals record of 72 in 172 from the wing it’s not hard to see why. This is the first chance the As Águias skipper has had to get his teeth into a major tournament fully fit and is part of a very strong Portugal side.








Niko Kranjcar- Attacking Midfielder/Forward – Croatia

Kranjcar is as hyped and feted a Croatian youngster as there ever has been. A gifted attacking midfield player, he has also been utilised as a striker for club sides Dynamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split. Sometime criticised for his physical condition, he reportedly turned up for Croatia’s training camp over-weight. But no-one denies his talent and the fact that he in most part carries an average Croatia side’s hopes for success this time round.



Jaroslav Plasil – Left Winger– Czech Republic

Monaco midfielder Plasil has so far failed to live up to the hype he generated when he first burst onto the international scene. While he is recognised as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation, his fitness and temperament are often sited as a problem. Yet to shine on the major stage, perhaps with Nedved and Jankulovski aging now is his chance to grab the limelight alongside Tomas Rosicky.



Didier Zokora - Defensive Midfielder– Ivory Coast
If you like a big, physical midfield enforcer, you’ll love Didier Zokora. Nicknamed “The Maestro” by St Etienne fans, this guy will be at a big, big club shortly after the World Cup finishes. Many tip him to finally prove the ideal replacement for Roy Keane at Manchester United.





Sulley Muntari – Midfielder – Ghana

Udinese man Muntari has been a major hit in Italy this season, proving a tough but elegant player in the centre of midfield. Look for him to outshine his more illustrious colleague Michael Essien.









Tomasz Kuszczak – Goalkeeper – Poland
West Brom keeper Kuszczak will have to recover from a huge blunder in the warm up game with Colombia in order to stake his claim as potential keeper of the tournament.
Despite being agile and tremendously fast to react, Kuszczak has also shown himself up as occasionally blunder prone and not always the best decision maker.
However he is the kind of keeper who can be inspirational, keeping you in a match single-handedly as Baggies fans found occasionally last season, and that may prove essential in Poland campaign.



David Villa – Striker – Spain
You get one thing and one thing only from this guy – goals; lots of them and from all over the park as well. Villa scored a remarkable 28 goals in 38 games for Valencia last season. Have Spain at last found the trigger man they need to finally fulfil all that potential?

Sketchy Interview

This is an interview with Dave Foley on the new Kids in the Hall DVD release and on sketch comedy in general.

A Nice Story

Here’s a nice ting I discovered in the Sunday Herald. It’ll be of little interest to anyone visiting here though. Margaret-Anne, a girl I used to work with several years now runs tours to Rosslyn Chapel.

That’s about it. A dead nice person worked in a rubbish office decided to set up her own business doing something she loved.

Here’s the article and here’s her company website.