Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Film Reviews # 1

Josie and the Pussycats is a film based on the sometimes Archie comics characters released last year to a critical panning and Box Office misery.

This is a great shame because it is excellent!

The story is based around the rise to stardom of a small town girl group called, not surprisingly, Josie and the Pussycats. A ruthless record company rep plucks them from obscurity and molds them to become the 'next big thing'.
Its basically a musical/ comedy that cruelly exposed the music and advertising industry. The film is littered with product placements in the most obvious way possible. Which is its whole point.

Its contains some absolute classic one - liners and throwaways. The cast are excellent and Rachael Leigh Cook is superb as the titular character Josie. Oh and did i mention that she is absolutely georgeous. This may have coloured my view of the film somewhat.

The outstanding thing for me however was the music. Jane Weidlin from the Go Gos was involved and it shows. Every song is a punk/pop classic and the video for '3 small words' on the DVD extras is worth the purchase price alone.


Buy the soundtrack - watch the movie- you know it makes sense!

(did i mention Rachael Leigh Cook?). Thought so!!

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

THE NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE

Dontcha just love 'em!!!

Today my employers, The Northern Ireland Civil Service introduced a NO SMOKING policy throughout all thier establishments in Northern Ireland.

As a smoker you can probably guess that i am less than impressed. It was a loooooooong day today.
You may be surprised to find that i agree with the principal behind this. Not the offical line i.e. 'to improve the health of the workforce'. This is bollocks!!

It will increase the productivity of smokers throughout the service. In particular those smokers who wrongly believe that they are somehow entitled to a 'smoke break' and will frequently leave their workplace to use the smoking room. They are the people who killed the goose that laid the golden egg.

What really bugs me about the whole episode is this:-

They have also made going outside for a smoke during OFFICAL tea breaks a disciplinary offence! My tea break should be mine to do with what i please, smoke, sleep, yak whatever. Not allowed any longer. However, it still seems to be allowed to go for a paper, scone etc during tea breaks which is strange. Whether or not you can smoke whilst making the journey for your paper is anyones guess.

Don't like it......no not one little bit!

Monday, January 03, 2005

CRUSADERS 1 COLERAINE 1

At last a point!!!!


What more does a manager have to do to be sacked. Halfway through the season and 1 from bottom.
At least we scored a goal!
Its going to be a long, long season.