Pink Palace

Enough Said.....

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

What is it about Johnny Depp. Lets be honest. The man is brilliant. From 'Captain Jack Sparrow', one of the most brilliant Characters to grace the silver screen, to his portrayal of J.M Barrie in 'Finding Neverland' to this, his most recent role and arguably his best, Willy Wonka.

Johnny Depp owns this film. I love everything about this film. But I do wonder what it would be like without Depp. Would it hold together as well.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory flings Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton together, again. The duo has now made 5 films together (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the soon to be release Corpse Bride), and they seem to work so well together.

I love the book and I love the original film with Gene Wilder. But this is something new. This is something special. This film has meaning. This film has a point, which has always been there, but not pulled off as well as this film does. This film ends, in a way which makes more sense. Its more complete.

The look of the film is brilliant. Charlie's house is astonishing, and the factory just comes to life. The supporting cast are solid, and enjoyable. Deep Roy stars as all the Oompa Loompas and does ok. Oompa Loompas just annoy me, but this is a bit more fun. Oompa Loompa land is perfect. A brilliant addition.

I love this film, but mainly because of Depp.

The back story of Willy Wonka is perfect, and gives a little more flesh as to why Wonka is the way Wonka is.

My only gripe with the film is it could have been edited a bit more to reduce the length to under 2 hours. There is no need for this film to be over 2 hours long. But, this is one for the DVD collection, without a doubt.

"Everything in here is eatable. Even me. But that's called cannibalism and that's frowned upon in most societies" Willy Wonka

4.5/5

Keris and Em's Wedding

Check out the photos from the big day at the flickr link, on the right of the page. Some gems in there I think.

What a great day Saturday was. But lets back it up a little.

Friday night.

Keris and I watched the Swans in their most glorious hours. Hoorah the Swans. I would be in Melbourne next Saturday if I were not moving stuff into my new place! But the game will be watched!

After a Friday night game of 'corner ball' in the church hall, we (Keris, G-Rad, Fox and I) headed back to Keris' place at Lindfield to enjoy some good conversation and some whiskey. Bedtime soon prevailed.

Saturday morning was enjoyed with some bacon and eggs, followed by a viewing of our beloved Anchorman and a few Simpson’s episodes.

Got ready at Keris' parents place, everyone was pretty calm. Headed to the church, all again seemed calm. The wedding went well and was great to see such powerful singing at a wedding.

Froze our backsides off at Balmoral for photos, then Renee (one of Em's bridesmaids) had the corner of a ceramic platter served right into her forehead before the reception started. Nasty blow.

Great speeches. Keris Dad gave one of the all time best I thought. From the heart with a few laughs. Very good indeed.

Was too tired to carve it up on the dance floor......but I left that to Mark 'Camel' Lawrenson.
Jim

The Brand New Abode

The above is a picture of my new abode, sort of. I think we are on the apartment on the other corner of the building (to the left). But as you can see highlighted, thats one big balcony. And that square part on the corner which comes out is perfect for entertaining :)



Everyone loves a dishwasher.

Very nice to know that no one else has lived in the place before. Its only downhill with the aprtment from here :)

24

Inspired by Tubemans post, titled '26'.

I turned 24 on Monday.

My good friend Foxie calls 24 the 'year of discovery'. When I hear '24' all I can think of is a T.V show which I have never seen, yet people talk about so often.

I wonder what is ahead. They say "Time flies when you are having fun". But lets be honest folks. Time flies.

My 21st was 3 years ago. I was skiing on my birthday 7 years ago. I can even remember getting into double digits for my age 14 years ago.

Lots of things happen every year between birthdays.

Wouldn't it be great if 24 was remembered for its dramatic change to be more like Jesus.

24 and changing. Not 24 and counting.

Jim

Go you Swannies!!

Darth Vader once said "This will be a day long remembered"

The same can be said about Friday the 9th of September 2005.

The greatest Live sporting event I have ever witnessed in my life, and possibly ever will. The only greater sporting moment I can think of (not live though) was when Australia Tied with South Africa in the world cup cricket to go through to the next round.

Down and out, the hapless swans had me on the brink of tears, had me thinking could the Aussies win the cricket so at least there was some sporting highlight of my weekend and had me thinking, if I leave now, there will be no lines to get out of the carpark.

Enter Nick Davis.

4 goals in the last 12 minutes, one of them on the buzzer, to bring the swannies home by 3 points. The loudest cheer arouse from the crowd. People jumping up, people hugging people they had never met. High fives galore, and smiles from ear to ear all round the ground.

In over 100mins of football, the Swans had scored 3 goals. Yet somehow, they managed to score 4 in the final 12. Go figure.

Till next Friday when the swannies meet St Kilda for a place in the final,

Go you Swannies, go.

To The Rescue

Weather

"I get the news I need on the weather report.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, I’ve got nothing to do today but smile."

Simon And Garfunkle Circa 1970 and Jim Circa Sep 8 2005 on hearing its going to be 27 degrees on Saturday.

Top 8 Upcoming Films for 2005

The below order is in release date and outlines films I am not going to miss. Hopefully there will be some nice pleasant surprises along the way as well.


1) The 40 Year Old Virgin
Release Date: 6/10
Stars: Steve Carrell.

Any film which has 'brick' from Anchorman in it has to be good. Plus rottentomatoes.com gives it 85%. For a comedy, that means, dont miss it!

2) Elizabethtown
Release Date: 3/11
Stars: Orlando Bloom and Kirstin Dunst.

Is this the next 'Garden State'. Two brilliant stars, directed by Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous), during an outrageous memorial for a Souther patriarch, an unexpected romance blooms between a young woman and man.

3) Flight Plan
Release Date: 10/11
Stars: Jodie Foster

A claustrophobic, Hitchcockian thriller. A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plane. Count me in!!

4) Saw 2
Release Date: 17/11

Need I say more?

5) Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire
Release Date: 1/12

Yes. Yes. Yes.

6) King Kong
Release Date: 14/12
Stars: Adrien Brody, Naomi Watts, Jack Black
Director: Peter Jackson.

Peter Jackson looking to make a better film then Lord of the Rings = brilliant!

7) The Chronicles of Narnia
Release Date: 26/12

Ummmmm.....can I buy tickets now?

8) Broken Flowers
Release Date: 26/12
Stars: Bill Murray

Bill Muarry - you lost me with "Life Aquatic", i am hoping you will win me back. As the devoutly single Don Johnston (Murray) is dumped by his latest girlfriend (Delpy), he receives a anonymous pink letter informing him that he has a son who may be looking for him. The situation causes Don to examine his relationships with women instead of moving on to the next one, and he embarks on a cross-country search for his old flames who might possess clues to the mystery at hand.

SCG vs Telstra Stadium

Isn't it funny how the bandwagon works.

I went to most of the Sydney Swans Home Games this year at the SCG. Most of them were pretty packed, but not sold out.

Now that the Swans are in the finals, it appears everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon and hold the game out at Telstra Stadium so that 40,000 more people can go.

Ridiculous. The SCG is the swans home ground. They play better there, and have a better record.

Maybe if this 40,000 wanted to go to every home game, then I would agree. But the slack dogs who jump on the bandwagon have to miss out, sorry.

Jim 'SCG Member' Clifton

Anarchy

Would you risk your life to save it?

The question of looting in the current situation in New Orleans is interesting. Desperate for food, warmth, water. Would you loot?

My immediate reaction when I hear of looting occuring is of disgust that we as humans turn into animals. But what would you do if you were in dire need of water and food? What if you had nothing to eat or drink for 2 or 3 days. What would you do to get what you needed?

Jim