770MB worth of video uploading to YouTube. At last guess it seems to be on track to take about ten hours, give or take.
The video is only 17 minuets long but took about 3 hours to render out. I may have been a bit lax on the settings. I started work on it last night at about 11pm and set it to render at about have five this morning. I then started the upload a about 9am. If it dose take the ten hours It will have almost been 24 hours to get a video made and uploaded.
Not that the video is finished. Its just a work in progress I promised to show people today, hence the crazy night of work. It would ease me more if the upload speed was faster I don't dare do anything else online because I don't want the upload to fail. hence this blog.
This is the ramblings of someone who has had about 6 hours sleep since Monday morning.
Anyway time to fill some of the time listing to the last few hours of the fourth 'Dark Tower' book and the next two episodes of 'Person of Interest'. I will probably to a blog on 'PoI' when the season is done, its a great show.
That's all for now, time to spell and sanity check this post.
(This system is strange. The red underline only comes up sporadically and sometimes disappears for a time. It make checking for typos a pain.)
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
Goodbye Georgie
Schutzenwald Georgia - Standard Wirehaired Dachshund
We have had Georgie for more than ten years but have known her since she was born. She was from a litter of pups my Granddad bred. She was a pedigree Dachshund who went to a fair few shows and won a good deal. She came to my family a short wile after she herself had a litter.
She was such a lovely and soft animal, never viscous and always wanting a fuss. Her personality was great and was loved my many, even fleeting meetings left a mark on others.
I have so many memory's with her and hundreds of photos. Over the years she became a solid part of the family.
I now shed many tears. She has affected me and my life so very much. She has always been there never judging always loving. Her death though on the cards for a week or two has been painful.
I don't feel the need to say more here...
So farewell Georgie I will miss you.
Sunday, 1 May 2016
2016 The Year of Films [May]
Onto May. Here is the list of films I've watched this month. Click here to go to the year index.
01. Captain America: Civil War [Cinema] (01.05.16)
Very well handled, from motivations to screen time and direction. Loved the new guys and the interactions between them all. Awesome film.
02. Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (02.05.16)
A film of three very distinct parts. They are all fantastic parts that form a very odd jigsaw. From hard action to Peter Pan; it's tone swings but then from Mad Max what can we expect (or trust).
03. No Country for Old Men (06.05.16)
A anti action film of sorts. Very well put together but missing the parts that would make it a action film. There are no big shoot-outs shown, but the film is full of tension and drama. The plot is creative and well told but in a way where they leave a fair bit out and you have to infer a lot.
04. From Up On Poppy Hill [Ghibli] (07.05.16)
First Ghibli film I've seen in a while in English. Its in the same vain as 'Only Yesterday' and 'Whisper of the Heart', funny at times and very emotional, with a well paced story, beautiful visuals and music. Loved it.
05. Moon (08.05.16)
A few small (and somewhat rare) SIFI ideas smashed together to make a nice little film. Not mind blowing but well executed in plot and direction. Bad dated CGI but the music and sets were great. Not a fan of the background science but at least it was mainly window dressing to hang the plot upon.
06. The Wind Rises [Ghibli] (13.05.16)
Hayao Miyazaki's last film. A sad tale of a aeronautical engineer as he goes through life pre war making planes for the war to come. Some nice touches like the voice acted sound effects and the dream parts. Looks and sounds beautiful.
07. Predator (20.05.16)
Some very cool effects for its time and the Predator is well realised. The are some hard to follow action scenes; it was shot of firing - reverse shot of explosion, not very engaging. Over all I like the tone of the film and it dose a good job of letting small details tell the story.
08. Pitch Black (21.05.16)
Holds up well, some dodgy effects on the creatures but Riddick's vision effect was still cool. The edit felt off like with BatVSup it was a bit rushed. Nice little sifi romp with some good character moments between the great action. The best thing by far was the visual style and some of the shots were beautiful.
09. Know Your Ally: Britain (28.05.16)
A American documentary from 1944, very much a propaganda piece that show them who they are fighting with and it also is a response to Nazi propaganda designed to feed discord. Very interesting look into history and at how we are perceived by the Americans, very staged and a bit too nice but it was a fun watch. [LINK]
10. Rogue Farm [Short] (29.05.16)
Based on a work by Charles Stross its a short animation of life after loosing a apocalyptic alien invasion. The is a fair bit to it; from the nature of aliens, to Human singularity's and the evolution of the conciousness past the need of a body. Some nice shots but the character models and animations is very dated. Nice look and feel to it overall.
A slow month I would have liked to have watched more but the was some quality. Best? From up on Poppy Hill
01. Captain America: Civil War [Cinema] (01.05.16)
Very well handled, from motivations to screen time and direction. Loved the new guys and the interactions between them all. Awesome film.
02. Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (02.05.16)
A film of three very distinct parts. They are all fantastic parts that form a very odd jigsaw. From hard action to Peter Pan; it's tone swings but then from Mad Max what can we expect (or trust).
03. No Country for Old Men (06.05.16)
A anti action film of sorts. Very well put together but missing the parts that would make it a action film. There are no big shoot-outs shown, but the film is full of tension and drama. The plot is creative and well told but in a way where they leave a fair bit out and you have to infer a lot.
04. From Up On Poppy Hill [Ghibli] (07.05.16)
First Ghibli film I've seen in a while in English. Its in the same vain as 'Only Yesterday' and 'Whisper of the Heart', funny at times and very emotional, with a well paced story, beautiful visuals and music. Loved it.
05. Moon (08.05.16)
A few small (and somewhat rare) SIFI ideas smashed together to make a nice little film. Not mind blowing but well executed in plot and direction. Bad dated CGI but the music and sets were great. Not a fan of the background science but at least it was mainly window dressing to hang the plot upon.
06. The Wind Rises [Ghibli] (13.05.16)
Hayao Miyazaki's last film. A sad tale of a aeronautical engineer as he goes through life pre war making planes for the war to come. Some nice touches like the voice acted sound effects and the dream parts. Looks and sounds beautiful.
07. Predator (20.05.16)
Some very cool effects for its time and the Predator is well realised. The are some hard to follow action scenes; it was shot of firing - reverse shot of explosion, not very engaging. Over all I like the tone of the film and it dose a good job of letting small details tell the story.
08. Pitch Black (21.05.16)
Holds up well, some dodgy effects on the creatures but Riddick's vision effect was still cool. The edit felt off like with BatVSup it was a bit rushed. Nice little sifi romp with some good character moments between the great action. The best thing by far was the visual style and some of the shots were beautiful.
09. Know Your Ally: Britain (28.05.16)
A American documentary from 1944, very much a propaganda piece that show them who they are fighting with and it also is a response to Nazi propaganda designed to feed discord. Very interesting look into history and at how we are perceived by the Americans, very staged and a bit too nice but it was a fun watch. [LINK]
10. Rogue Farm [Short] (29.05.16)
Based on a work by Charles Stross its a short animation of life after loosing a apocalyptic alien invasion. The is a fair bit to it; from the nature of aliens, to Human singularity's and the evolution of the conciousness past the need of a body. Some nice shots but the character models and animations is very dated. Nice look and feel to it overall.
A slow month I would have liked to have watched more but the was some quality. Best? From up on Poppy Hill
Monday, 25 April 2016
2319 Words.
Tonight in about three or so hours I have written two thousand three hundred and nineteen words.
I'm been struck with some kind of writing bug. I've mostly just written towards a goal of a sword fight. This fight is cool and has been in my mind for about two weeks now. I think I'm about about another 2000 words from the start of the fight.
It it any good? I don't know yet.
I've not even checked the spelling and typos (of which the are many) yet. But the point is to get the words down. 2000 bad word is better than none at all.
I like to write but sometimes I cant seem to, but today they just came poring out and the ideas flowed out with them. I was on quite the role and I promise to myself that I will do this more often. It was actually fun.
Now to see if I can make anything of this.
I'm been struck with some kind of writing bug. I've mostly just written towards a goal of a sword fight. This fight is cool and has been in my mind for about two weeks now. I think I'm about about another 2000 words from the start of the fight.
It it any good? I don't know yet.
I've not even checked the spelling and typos (of which the are many) yet. But the point is to get the words down. 2000 bad word is better than none at all.
I like to write but sometimes I cant seem to, but today they just came poring out and the ideas flowed out with them. I was on quite the role and I promise to myself that I will do this more often. It was actually fun.
Now to see if I can make anything of this.
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Drinking Hurts
How's that for a click bait type title.
I like a drink. Mostly only one at night usually, whilst watching a film or something. Sometimes I make a night of it with my mates but not that often. Just a nice drink and a good film or while doing some personal work is a nice way to round off the day.
I tend to stick to a few drinks I like, my main poisons are Guinness, Newcastle Brown, Hobgoblin or Gin and Tonic. I'm don't much care for larger or most other 'party' drinks. I like something with both taste and a body to it. In short I like my drinks.
Well tonight I ran into a issue.
Well I should back up to just before Christmas when I fell ill for a bit. I was floored for a few days when I tried a drink in the evening (after feeling a bit better that day). I got massive waves of pain and felt like crap for a bit longer. Silly me for not waiting until I was better, or so I thought.
Due to not drinking in Lent I've not had much to drink this year so far, and what I have had has mostly been Guinness or GnT. Well I decided to stock back up and decided to get some of my favourites, Hobgoblin and Newcastle Brown. That night I settled down to watch 'Tales from Earhsea' (yep that long ago, late blog is late) I chose to have pint of my Newcastle Brown.
Only two or three mouthfuls in I felt uncomfortable and started to get hot. After another drink got pain in my chest. Only maybe a third of my way into the pint I was in a fair bit of pain. I brought back memory's of before Christmas and recalled it was the same drink as then.
I felt terrible all night and for most of the next day.
I don't know why I now have this reaction to one of my favourite drinks, but it sucks. I just hope its not part of some larger intolerance issue. Its a shame but that's life and hey, I may have to try more ales to find a replacement.
[This post has been in the works for far too long (11 days), I must get better at finishing up my thoughts before they go out of date]
I like a drink. Mostly only one at night usually, whilst watching a film or something. Sometimes I make a night of it with my mates but not that often. Just a nice drink and a good film or while doing some personal work is a nice way to round off the day.
I tend to stick to a few drinks I like, my main poisons are Guinness, Newcastle Brown, Hobgoblin or Gin and Tonic. I'm don't much care for larger or most other 'party' drinks. I like something with both taste and a body to it. In short I like my drinks.
Well tonight I ran into a issue.
Well I should back up to just before Christmas when I fell ill for a bit. I was floored for a few days when I tried a drink in the evening (after feeling a bit better that day). I got massive waves of pain and felt like crap for a bit longer. Silly me for not waiting until I was better, or so I thought.
Due to not drinking in Lent I've not had much to drink this year so far, and what I have had has mostly been Guinness or GnT. Well I decided to stock back up and decided to get some of my favourites, Hobgoblin and Newcastle Brown. That night I settled down to watch 'Tales from Earhsea' (yep that long ago, late blog is late) I chose to have pint of my Newcastle Brown.
Only two or three mouthfuls in I felt uncomfortable and started to get hot. After another drink got pain in my chest. Only maybe a third of my way into the pint I was in a fair bit of pain. I brought back memory's of before Christmas and recalled it was the same drink as then.
I felt terrible all night and for most of the next day.
I don't know why I now have this reaction to one of my favourite drinks, but it sucks. I just hope its not part of some larger intolerance issue. Its a shame but that's life and hey, I may have to try more ales to find a replacement.
[This post has been in the works for far too long (11 days), I must get better at finishing up my thoughts before they go out of date]
Sunday, 10 April 2016
So, Just How Good is Batman V Superman?
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
I saw batman v Superman at my small local cinema, it was in their smallest screen and for a Monday afternoon in the school holidays the were only about ten of us there. Not a good sign.
The viewing experience was ok cold have done with being higher up but I could see fine. The was no major distractions other than random things going through my mind. Such as; why has that lady brought her five year old to see this film? Strange parenting aside I enjoyed my time watching the film.
I went into this film very spoiled, not that I sort them out but I didn't go out of my way to avoid them. Heck I want going to see the film but my brother wanted to see it. People were throwing spoilers net anyway so I had a peek. Strangely I think I would have liked the film less if I was unprepared for what was to come.
The feel of the film is all over the place, from the dark look to the try hard dialogue and the crazy plot. Don't even get me started on the narrative.
It is a film of parts most of which would be good if they were framed in a way that they stood out or made some resemblance of sense within the story. It it like a film full of 'money shots' one after the other with no though or effort put in to get from one to another they just happen.
As with Man of Steel the main problem with the film is that it isn't Superman! Its a strange alien that looks like him who doesn't want to save people. He cares less about people who aren't his mum or Louis. The character is just broken.
Batman was ok, different from the Nolan Batman but a interesting look at him. Nice to see he has been around a while.
The plot is dumb!
There I used as much brain power in that description as the writers did in coming up with the plot. its a bit harsh but man is the film dumb. The actions scenes are cool but far too dark. The was other thing I enjoyed like the music and Alfred but they don't carry a film.
I liked Wonder Woman. Her film looks like it could be good. :)
I wont mention all the logical problems the film has but they are numerous and are what ruin it at times.
A very poor film, it should have been so much better. I've put far too much time into this scattered bran post time to stop and watch a good film.
In the the end Batman V Superman is just a bad film.
Friday, 1 April 2016
2016 The Year of Films [April]
Here is the post for all the Films I've watched in April, be it at home or at the cinema.
Link back to the year Index.
01. Good Will Hunting (01.04.16)
A acting masterpiece. Such a good film and a very good look at how people of all kinds tick. Loved it.
02. Tales from Earthsea [Ghibli] (02.04.16)
A bit of a strange film, unlike most Ghibli films the characters are not very well defined. The narrative is weak along with the plot but my god is it a beautiful film. The weakness are not that bad and it is still a good film. I may have to look into the books.
03. Batman Begins (03.04.16)
More comicbooky than I remembered. Still a awesome film. Not much to say but he is Batman.
04. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice [cinema] (04.04.16)
Better than 'Man of Steel', a film with problems but a good core. Well a core that is off centre. Here is my small review.
05. Rambo - First Blood (04.04.16)
I don't know much about Rambo, It's far from what I was expecting. Not that I would want it to be anything else. Its a strange film but with some good messages to it which aren't totally undermined by the second half. Less mindless destruction and it would of been great. Its a great look into the effects of war and a solid action film.
06. Ponyo [Ghibli] (06.04.16)
A film that doesn't just defy logic it slaps it in the face. As you expect is a beautiful film; its light on plot but high on cuteness. The film makes no sense and it revels in the fact. Strange and awesome.
07. The Dark Knight (08.04.16)
Is there a more perfect superhero film? This is damn close to perfection.
It is long but very well plotted with threads that wind through that tie it all together.
08. Ghost in the Shell (10.04.16)
First time watching in Japanese with subs, it adds another layer to the film. I love this film, I couldn't have stumbles into a better one for my first adult anime all troughs years ago. Its a slightly updated version, more nudity than I remembered.
09. Edge of Tomorrow (11.04.16)
A bit of a rough start but a bloody good film. I'm not a fan of the way Americans represent the military, but I got over it. Nice concept well executed.
10. Arrietty [Ghibli] (13.04.16)
Wow, such a fantastic film. Based on the borrowers and done in a style that captures the essence of Ghiblie's best stuff but with some noticeable differences. Mainly the music, the was much more than normal and it was excellent.
11. Rejected [short film] (14.04.16)
A short form comedy animation and I laughed once. It is a cleaver little film but a bit too random for my liking. The one time I chuckled was at a Python style sketch about silly hats and that was at the stinger. I like the bleak style and the animation at the end but it needed something more.
12. The Last Witch Hunter (17.04.16)
Needs way less exposition, it falls at the show don't tell rule. Nice little film with some cool world building and action. The writing was poor but not unredeemable. All in all it was ok.
13. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (18.04.16)
Hosoda is fantastic, 2 for 2 so far. Nice look into time travel and its effects on a small scale. The voice work and art is awesome. The is some cool direction choices and the animation is smooth and looks good in his flat style. Next up from his is Summer Wars, cant wait.
14. 5 Centimetres Per Second (21.04.16)
Built out of three short stories with a small connection between the first two with the third being a continuation of the first. It is a look and love and relationship that just don't make it. Very well animated and directed with a nice calm feel to it.
15. The Dark Knight Rises (22.04.16)
Still a very good film and a fitting end to the trilogy. Some stuff gets kind of lost and the is a bit too much telling but it works and makes sense. The flow of time felt better this re watch but the a a few pacing issues. Solid film.
16. Dirty Harry (23.04.16)
Not what I expected, a film that carried on when I though it was about to end. Nice feel to it, slow and almost silent at times. Some of the stuff is old ground now, but its take on a bad ass who goes against the grain is well done
17. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (29.04.16)
Yep still a great film. I will write a post about it I think. But I will just say I like the ending, it is different and it works.
18. Avengers: Age of Ultron (30.04.15)
In preparation for seeing Civil War. Such a good film, as good as the first. Love the dynamic between all of the members and the space given each. The plot makes total sense even the foreshadowing dream stuff.
A big month this one 18 films. 12 being first views and 7 being animation. Best is hard to choose but the one that stayed with me the most was 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time'. No stinkers and some nice surprises. Onto May!
Link back to the year Index.
01. Good Will Hunting (01.04.16)
A acting masterpiece. Such a good film and a very good look at how people of all kinds tick. Loved it.
02. Tales from Earthsea [Ghibli] (02.04.16)
A bit of a strange film, unlike most Ghibli films the characters are not very well defined. The narrative is weak along with the plot but my god is it a beautiful film. The weakness are not that bad and it is still a good film. I may have to look into the books.
03. Batman Begins (03.04.16)
More comicbooky than I remembered. Still a awesome film. Not much to say but he is Batman.
04. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice [cinema] (04.04.16)
Better than 'Man of Steel', a film with problems but a good core. Well a core that is off centre. Here is my small review.
05. Rambo - First Blood (04.04.16)
I don't know much about Rambo, It's far from what I was expecting. Not that I would want it to be anything else. Its a strange film but with some good messages to it which aren't totally undermined by the second half. Less mindless destruction and it would of been great. Its a great look into the effects of war and a solid action film.
06. Ponyo [Ghibli] (06.04.16)
A film that doesn't just defy logic it slaps it in the face. As you expect is a beautiful film; its light on plot but high on cuteness. The film makes no sense and it revels in the fact. Strange and awesome.
07. The Dark Knight (08.04.16)
Is there a more perfect superhero film? This is damn close to perfection.
It is long but very well plotted with threads that wind through that tie it all together.
08. Ghost in the Shell (10.04.16)
First time watching in Japanese with subs, it adds another layer to the film. I love this film, I couldn't have stumbles into a better one for my first adult anime all troughs years ago. Its a slightly updated version, more nudity than I remembered.
09. Edge of Tomorrow (11.04.16)
A bit of a rough start but a bloody good film. I'm not a fan of the way Americans represent the military, but I got over it. Nice concept well executed.
10. Arrietty [Ghibli] (13.04.16)
Wow, such a fantastic film. Based on the borrowers and done in a style that captures the essence of Ghiblie's best stuff but with some noticeable differences. Mainly the music, the was much more than normal and it was excellent.
11. Rejected [short film] (14.04.16)
A short form comedy animation and I laughed once. It is a cleaver little film but a bit too random for my liking. The one time I chuckled was at a Python style sketch about silly hats and that was at the stinger. I like the bleak style and the animation at the end but it needed something more.
12. The Last Witch Hunter (17.04.16)
Needs way less exposition, it falls at the show don't tell rule. Nice little film with some cool world building and action. The writing was poor but not unredeemable. All in all it was ok.
13. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (18.04.16)
Hosoda is fantastic, 2 for 2 so far. Nice look into time travel and its effects on a small scale. The voice work and art is awesome. The is some cool direction choices and the animation is smooth and looks good in his flat style. Next up from his is Summer Wars, cant wait.
14. 5 Centimetres Per Second (21.04.16)
Built out of three short stories with a small connection between the first two with the third being a continuation of the first. It is a look and love and relationship that just don't make it. Very well animated and directed with a nice calm feel to it.
15. The Dark Knight Rises (22.04.16)
Still a very good film and a fitting end to the trilogy. Some stuff gets kind of lost and the is a bit too much telling but it works and makes sense. The flow of time felt better this re watch but the a a few pacing issues. Solid film.
16. Dirty Harry (23.04.16)
Not what I expected, a film that carried on when I though it was about to end. Nice feel to it, slow and almost silent at times. Some of the stuff is old ground now, but its take on a bad ass who goes against the grain is well done
17. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (29.04.16)
Yep still a great film. I will write a post about it I think. But I will just say I like the ending, it is different and it works.
18. Avengers: Age of Ultron (30.04.15)
In preparation for seeing Civil War. Such a good film, as good as the first. Love the dynamic between all of the members and the space given each. The plot makes total sense even the foreshadowing dream stuff.
A big month this one 18 films. 12 being first views and 7 being animation. Best is hard to choose but the one that stayed with me the most was 'The Girl Who Leapt Through Time'. No stinkers and some nice surprises. Onto May!
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