19 May 2014

Loving bad films is what I do

I don’t know about you but every now and again I like to roam the internet in my virtual pyjamas in search of interesting, quirky or funny podcasts, blogs or radio shows.

Occasionally, I will come across a gem but more often than not I don’t and have to resort back to old favourites.

I recently came across one such podcast called ‘The Flop House’, it’s a podcast about bad films, three American men discuss a film hailed a flop. They basically go scene by scene through the film highlighting the flaws in script, set, and acting, well basically everything. It is done so in a very informal way and is much like overhearing a conversation between a bunch of people on the train or the like. They are very upbeat, enthusiastic and giggly. They have a website which lists the films that they have covered (although it appears that they stopped updating this list in 2011) and they are currently on episode #152!

I like it because its informal and they often digress into silliness (which is a habit I myself am prone too) but some of the films on their list of past podcasts are favourites of mine! Booo!

Honestly, I am often told that I have bad taste in films (although I would disagree wholeheartedly with this of course) and also when I do discuss favourite TV shows or films people always question why they’re my favourites as I can be quite critical of them.

I do often start to write blog posts about films of TV shows but they can be quite lengthy and I feel as though I have to constantly defend my dislike of something mainstream that others worship at the feet of and so more often than not those posts end up on the blog cutting room floor.

Some of the flops on their list that are films I really enjoy are;
  • ·         27 dresses
  • ·         All About Steve
  • ·         I Am Number Four
  • ·         Mr Magoriums Wonder Emporium
  • ·         Prince of Persia
  • ·         Rock of Ages
  • ·         Seven Pounds
  • ·         Tango & Cash


Most of the others are films that I haven’t seen.

Is there a purpose to this post? YES!

I need to know that I am not alone in my love of bad films, is there a film you absolutely love that most people you know hate? Is there a film you tell people you like/or agree with them on its quality that you haven’t actually watched? (mine is breakfast club!) Is there an actor/actress whose films you will watch even if they are abysmal?


13 May 2014

Start Again - The Slow Readers Club

I am struggling to believe that I haven’t written a music review this year? But it seems that after my flurry in 2012 and quarterly attempt in 2013 that for 2014 I am still not off the starter’s blocks. Considering this blog started off life as a music one, what the hell happened? *slaps self-upside the head*

I intend to recap on those bands that I reviewed in 2012 and see what they have been up to. So let’s not waste anytime, let us seize the moment with a look at:



  
This might not be the same as my reviews of old where I regaled you war and peace style but I really don’t need to with this band! They were the 4th band I reviewed way back in 2012 & you can check out the war and peace review here. It covers their album and includes a short interview. Hailing from Manchester (a mecca for music) these guys released a single at the tail end of last year called Forever in your debt.


I am actually kicking myself that I missed their latest appearance at Water Rats, London and only realised this when I was looking at their website today. I wholeheartedly recommend those of you who can, to check them out when they hit the main stage at the Blackthorn Music Festival in July.

With their long awaited second album is due out later in the year it really can’t come too soon for me, and to keep us quiet until that time they have released a new single (May 12th 2014) called ‘Start Again’,


This band more than deserves your support and you can buy their latest single on iTunes, Amazon & Spotify

If you love great music then check out their album and their social media profiles via the following links:







Monster unleashed!

It’s that time of year again! That time of year when I unleash the monster that is 'Paranoid Solo Traveller' (PST!). There is a difference this time...and that difference is that I will not always be travelling solo this year.

I did wonder if I needed to change the name of my travel series but I decided against it as I am still that neurotic control freak and so it is with that in mind that I announce to you the 2014 travel reports that will be winging their way onto this merry blog of mine. I am hoping that if you are from or have been to these places then you may have some travel tips and advice for me, however I won’t accept the following advice: ‘Don’t go there!’.

The text in the square brackets like [this] indicate the type of travellers, this is important to remember because it will affect your travel plans and the type of experience that you will have and also exactly how much you will need to worry about and how much you can divide the preparation by. The sub lists indicate the individual blog posts that I anticipate will be posted in relation to that holiday, but they may not all appear in that order (as you should expect a few planning posts beforehand and some I can write now before I have even been) and the names may change. For example; all my US reviews are currently movie titles but after being to those places a more suitable name might occur to me.
  • PST! Holidaying in Hunstanton, Norfolk. [Family with children]
    • Booking a British holiday camp (Searles)
    • The British coastline
    • Off-site activities v on-site activities
    • No holds barred holiday camp review
    • Resources/Links

·         PST! Are large sporting events all they’re cracked up to be? Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, Scotland. [Family: no children]
o    Getting tickets to large events
o    Accommodation
o    Getting there & getting around
o    Itinerary planning the pros & cons
o    Sightseeing in and around Glasgow, Scotland
o    Sporting event review: Artistic gymnastics
o    Sporting event review: Athletics finals
o    Resources/Links

·         PST! Are the rumours true? Is it fantastic? Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland. [Solo travel]
o    Planning ahead
o    Getting there & getting around
o    Accommodation
o    Itinerary planning the pros & cons
o    Sightseeing in Scotland
o    Sightseeing in and around Edinburgh, Scotland
o    The Festival: Full review
o    Resources/Links

·         PST! The lost continent is partially found. West coast & Deep south, USA. [Solo travel & travelling with friends]
o    Planning ahead
o    Getting there & getting around
o    Accommodation
o    Itinerary planning the pros & cons
o    Sleepless in Seattle
o    Portlandia
o    LA Confidential
o    Memphis Belle
o    The Arkansas Traveler
o    Biloxi Blues
o    A Florida enchantment
o    Georgia
o    Resources/Links

·         PST! Bonjour! Disneyland, Paris, France. [Family with children]
o    Planning ahead
o    Getting there
o    Accommodation
o    Itinerary planning the pros & cons
o    Disneyland Paris: Full review
o    Resources/Links


Feel free to leave travel tips in the comments below.

Challenge 39: Watch 50 stand up shows (DVD or LIVE)

So I have been keeping notes on all my challenges and updating as and when something happens to move towards that goal, this is the notes fo...