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It has been reported that Ridley Scott is working on a movie based on…Monopoly.

Yes, that Ridley Scott.

Yes, that Monopoly.

Oh dear.

I’ve been watching a lot of films lately now that most of my friends have time to spare, and generally enjoying myself as well. Most recently I saw The Simpsons Movie, which I know I enjoyed even though I can’t put my finger on why yet. (One of my most annoying traits is not being able to appreciate anything completely without seeing or hearing it at least nine times and being able to quote it impeccably). It’s a decent enough film, and I think probably one I’ll like more on repeated viewings.

I’ve seen the fifth Harry Potter as well, which wasn’t quite so rewarding. To be honest I’ve never rated the films highly, and while the films are never bad, I can’t help but feel a little indifferent towards them, and if you’re looking for a full adaption of the book, you’re going to be very disappointed.

That said, Luna Lovegood was perfect. (By the way, I’ve finished the seventh book too, and can give it my thumbs up. A fitting end to the series.)

Cinema wise, the thing that is really annoying me is the fact that some genius somewhere is responsible for Ratatouille being released in the UK on October 12th, three and a half months after it’s release in the USA. I’ve been looking forward for this film since I saw the first teasers, and I can’t understand quite why there’s such a big gap in the release dates. I suspect some marketing guy is responsible, however, and if it is I’d like to know just quite what was going through their head, given the reviews.

Le sigh.

I’ve talked about a few things on my LiveJournal yesterday, and since I have the opportunity I figured I might as well go into a bit more detail. Pick and choose whichever you want to read about.

Blink, the Doctor Who episode shown on Saturday, is supposedly one of the scariest episodes of the new series, and after seeing it I’m inclined to agree. Credit for this has to go to Steven Moffat, who I believe to be the best writer on the crew. The “Doctor-lite” tone of the episode meant that the supporting characters had to be strong enough to carry the complicated plot (temporal physics and time travel make for great stories), and fortunately Steven does this well – something proved by Billy Shipton, a character who’s given at the most ten minutes of screen time and yet still manages to leave an impact on the viewer as… well, you’ll have to watch it if you don’t know. And those statues…who says Doctor Who’s not scary anymore?

I also got to see Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End this weekend, and following the general pattern I’ve seen, I like it while critics hate it. It was everything you expect from a Pirates film – swashbuckling, epic voyages, all that jazz. It also had a nicely complicated plot, which critics are getting annoyed about. I’m a little confused by this, given that the same critics are usually among the first to cry out that Hollywood is producing unoriginal uninspired film with linear plots. If a pirate film didn’t have treachery, shaky alliances, and mutiny, I’d be severely disappointed. Go and see it.

You may remember me going crazy over Hot Fuzz a few months ago so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I now possess the DVD. The film’s as great as ever, and a quick glance over the extras has shown a few gems. Of particular hilarity is the edited for TV “Hot Funk”, and the usual selection of outtakes and features. Get it now.

I am useless at inane conversation. This is why I never write anything in here, because as soon as I do I look at it and think “What? What were you thinking? Nobody wants to hear about ARG’s and Nintendo and how you actually have to do some learning while at uni instead of trying to find yet more ways to tell us how interesting you aren’t.”

So, in a vain attempt at rebellion, I’m going to try and make this post about absolutely nothing at all. Admittedly, it’s an objective that’s bound for failure, but if I don’t write something soon I may go crazy with heat and exam induced delusions. And that is not something anyone wants to see.

I’m still annoyed at the university for having the nerve to put two exams on the Saturday of my 20th birthday. If I was responsible I’d see it as some sort of transition into adulthood, where I “put irresponsibility behind me” – but I’m not. Instead I’m planning on not turning up as a sign of protest…or something. I’ll work out the details later.

If anyone is interested, me and Jon made a film about breadsticks last weekend, which you’ll find here.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wTy41aFeeFc]

Not much else to report, I’m sorry. At least I’ve manage to avert insanity for a few hours…

I’ve seen Hot Fuzz. For all of those who want to know what it’s like – it’s brilliant. Amazing, in fact. Got quite a bit of gore and whatnot, but there is some hilariously funny stuff, from “never taking a shortcut before” to Peter Ian Staker to the sea mine to the crossword to the final epic battle of good and evil. A must see.

I should point out that it’s not Shaun Of The Dead. That’s not to say it’s not as good as Shaun Of The Dead (it is), but they are different films. I’ve seen the film twice now, and the second time was more enjoyable than the first, because by then I’d cleared my head of all preconceptions about it. The first time I saw it I ended up being far to analytical about it and not enjoying myself as much as much. Don’t make that mistake. This is not Shaun Of The Dead with villagers and police officers, this is Hot Fuzz, as this comic points out.

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright are now my favourite film people. They were already pretty high up my list for signing my Shaun Of The Dead DVD, but this puts them right at the top. I think the best think about them is that they are not “film stars” – they are people who genuinely enjoy what they do. Edgar Wright in particular is the kind of person who I want to be – he’s proof that you can craft a genuinely good artistic work without having to be pretentious or arrogant about what you do.

In summary – I liked it. And you will too.

I’ve recently rediscovered one of my favourite TV shows after buying the DVD set on a whim. Jonathan Creek was a really impressive show when it was on, and now I can claim to own the entire series on DVD, so good for me. I’ve been spending the past few nights randomly dipping into episodes, and really enjoying myself as well.

I also got QI Series One, which is also great. Some of the stuff on there is hilarious, though I can’t quite remember what exactly. Someone once pointed out to me is essentially five people talking rubbish for half an hour, and he was right – but it’s brilliantly funny rubbish.

Because I’m in a comedy mood tonight, I think I’ll talk about something I’m really looking forward to in 2007 – Hot Fuzz

This. Looks. Brilliant. There was a point when I was hearing about this and thinking “there’s no way this could ever be as good as Shaun Of The Dead” Now, this has got to be my most anticipated film of the new year.

Who says comedy is dead?