LowerTheTone.com

Unless you in a coma for the last a few years or dead, the whole planet knows that the man who succeeding in becoming the new president of the U. S. and A, is black. In the run up to the election, the only thing that took away from that point was that one of his competitors was a woman. (And as far as I know she still is)

Politics and economic viewpoints aside, no one can deny that it was deemed to be a show of the advancing of maturity, a knock of the head for racism or sexism (or any ism’s you want to throw in) in that a woman and a black man could run for President in the US and as we know, Obama won. Yay for him. That aside, Ireland has had 2 female presidents, Pakistan has had a female leader and well, Maggie Thatcher led the UK for many years and her Spitting Image dummy entertained us throughout.

So while its good for the US, its not the first demonstration that people around the world can park their prejudices when it comes to important matters.

But then I picked up a news article here during the week about Obama’s meeting with Bush in the white house. The article in its second paragraph read:

“It was the first time that Mr Obama, the first black US president-elect in history, has set foot inside the Oval Office”.

Its been how long since Obama’s campaign started? Its been how long since he was announced victor? The article was about Obama first official meeting as President Elect with the outgoing President. I doubt that one of the items on the agenda was that Obama was black. So why do the media still feel a need to describe Obama as the first black president elect, particulary in articles that have nothing to do with race?

I dont believe the colour of someone’s skins is a political trait, maybe Im wrong? Robert Mugabe is black, yet he shares no other political qualities with Obama. Why dont the media describe Ireland’s current Minister for Health as “badly dressed and overweight minister for health” when posting articles about her?

Maybe Im being pedantic. Or maybe I’m naive. Or maybe I’m just ranting.

On a lighter note, I always found this clip from South Park episode on racism (Chef goes Nanners) to be very relevent. (Not the “Im attracted to Cartman bit”!)

Fanboys erupted during the week, and Alan Moore rolled his eyes as 2009′s “Watchmen” director, Zack Snyder confirmed that the ending of the movie is different from the novel. You may recall my origina article linked here, where there rumours abound, well those rumours have been confirmed by Snyder.

Synder in an interview claims that the ending had always been different from the novel in every draft of the script he read. He also debunked rumours that a number of endings were films and tested. He went on to say that he “embraced” the revised ending. Which of course he would, with the paycheck he’s getting to direct!

My own personal view on it is mixed. I’m not a purist when it comes to these things. Despite many discussions when Transformers was being released about the robots looking more like Lego Bionicles and exo-skeletons, I was of the belief that it was the best template given we dont live in 1980 something anymore.

However, when I read the graphic novel, there were themes and the pirate sub plot which I felt did carry great meaning when reviewed in context of the ending. Sure the ending is a bit of the wall and one of the arguments for the side who welcome the change is that its not a realistic/believable ending in the vein of the realism in the story up that point. My counter argument is that superhero blue men making themselves big and small at random, who take holidays on Mars, is no less realistic than the novel’s ending!

OK nerdyisms aside, Im not put off by a revised ending. I’m not the type to picket the cinemas with Fr. Ted “down with this sort of thing” banners. I do hope though, that one of the rumoured endings surrounding Dr. Manhattan does not come to fruition.

Maybe I am a nerd afterall?

So its all about the sequels and remakes this week!
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“Wonder Woman” to hit the big screen with Beyonce?

Beyonce Knowles has revealed that she has been approached by DC Comics and Warner Bros to don the sexy outfit and whip to fulfill many fanboy fantasies. Yes and I know, that’s not Beyonce but having seen the picture above created by some fanboy somewhere, there is only one woman for the role if you ask me, hence why there is no picture of Beyonce in this article…

28 Months Later

Danny Boyle was interviewed during a promotion for his latest flick, “Slumdog Millionaire” and indicated he would like to direct the ‘threequel’ to the successful series. He went on to say “”I feel the idea is quite a strong idea, and it could well involve directing it. Yeah, absolutely.”

“Conan” – to be remade?

Well, yes actually. Its been in the news in recent months that iconic ‘Conan’ would be remade. Now it has a director. (sit down please) X-Men 3 direct Brett Ratner is close to signing. However Ratner is going to produce Beverly Hills Cop 4 first… Love him or hate him, its going to be shite in my opinion! More here.

“Oldboy” to be remade by Spielberg

According to Irish movie site, movies.ie, Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are eager to remake Korea’s Chan Wook-Park’s excellent 2003 film. Check out the trailer for the original below.

Read more…

Last week I brought you some info about Irish horror movie, Seer which was recently screened as part of the Horrorthon in Dublin. Last night I had the privilege of watching the movie.

Written by Martin Andrew Robinson, produced by Jim Cahill and directed by first timer, Eric Courtney, Seer were shot on a mere budget of €200k and tells the story of 7 strangers who wake up in a remote house in Wexford with no memory and a tag on their wrists to tell them their name. The lead role, Mary Perry, is played by Tara Nixon O’Neill who you may recognise from Pure Mule, Fair City or The Clinic.

As the plot progresses, the 7 strangers realise they can’t leave the house as a creature lurks on the grounds waiting to devour them on site. Dotted around the house are clues to what is going on, a child monitor and mirrors with pentagrams painted on them. Mary Perry is plagued by flashbacks and visions which suggest there is more to the events than first imagined.

It is easy to see that director Courtney is a fan of the horror genre. In many ways the film plays out as a horror siege, reminiscent of horror great, John Carpenter. The ambient soundtrack is dominated by atmospheric noises and percussion, a tool used very successfully in Carpenter’s “The Thing”.

So is it any good? Well as with any low budget horror movie, the realism is limited by the budget available. However Courtney does an excellent job as maintaining the tension without the need for quick scares. You do at times however feel like shouting at the characters that they should just try harder when trying to leave the house!

The acting and dialogue is weak in parts although thankfully we are spared from stereotype female actors screaming and running around confused. In fact it is many ways the male characters trapped in the house that assume the stereotype hollywood female persona! Many of the performances are wooden but it is not all lost. Michael, played by David Walsh, really brings life to his role playing the somewhat estranged father, distant from his wife and family. His wife, played by Rita Evelyn Smith, also puts in a strong performance.

Unfortunately however some of the cut scenes with the 2 parents do deter from the tension created in the house and we are kept guessing at the relevance throughout.

The climax of the film has a nice twist but the dragged out explanatory ending does take away from the mysticism somewhat, well for me anyway. I’m not the type of person that feels everything needs to be explained.

Overall the film is enjoyable and while it doesn’t offer anything new for the genre, it does hold its head high with graceful nods to previous horror classics and its restraint with the characters. While there is no denying that the low budget nature of the film does show but Courtney makes the best of use of his resources and putting together a much needed “Shroomless” Irish horror. I did wonder at the end of the film what Courtney could have achieved with a larger budget.

In Summary: Low budget Irish horror with dodgy dialogue and performances in parts but kept together with some tense scenes and atmos. Courtney is one to watch out for in the future.

Last week I promised an interview with Eric Courtney however due to scheduling clashes the interview has been postponed till later this week.

With all the furore on the US election at the moment, it gives me a great opportunity to plug this extremely nerdy yet somewhat relevent ad campaign for the “Vote Lando Calrissian” campaign! Enjoy!

Clip courtesy of funnyordie.com

So last night I joined the other brave souls and was brought for a paranormal adventure in Blarney Castle after dark with the guys from P.I.G.S. After packing my Long Johns, Pringles, Twix and naggin of whiskey, at 8:30pm things got under way. It was a cold night, but fortunately it was a dry one.

In total there was a group of about 30 people, so we were split up into 3 groups, myself, I joined the high spirited (no pun intended!) boards.ie crew! Eight of us in total. The boards.ie group were a great crowd and were able to have a giggle along the way.

After the introduction and safety spiel from the PIGS, we went on our way. Our first stop was the castle’s cave and dungeon. Not for anyone with a fear of tight spaces or for overweight American tourists… Despite the grim sounding nature of our first stop, it was actually quite pleasant and warm. Even when the lights went out. A brief EVP session was held. EVP, Electronic Voice Phenomenon, is essentially letting your recording device record and you ask questions of the ghosties in the hope that something is picked up on the tape.

Its when we moved into the next location that things got a bit more interesting, well for me anyway! We held another EVP session but it wasn’t until we were in the “family room” in the castle that things got interesting. The room had an eerie feel to it as it was open top and overlooked from the ledge where the Blarney Stone is seated.

I moved into the centre of the room to take a photo of some of the group at back wall. As I posed to take the photo, I felt something brush against my right shoulder, as if gently pulling down on my shoulder. Very creepy, yet not unthreatening. However it took me a few moments to announce it to the group, mainly due to the embarrassment of saying someone touched me but there was no one there!

We all had a feeling of being watched from the upper level however when we moved up there, despite one guy trying to kiss the Blarney Stone, nothing spooky happened and my camera battery died. I cant credit this to the spirit world, sometimes we’re just to thick to check before we leave!

Our final location to go to was the creepiest of all. The grounds. Before we entered the grounds, we held a brief EVP session. Our group medium and PIGS guide had the feeling of being watched from one of the tunnel. I was the opposite, I really felt like a woman was watching us from the other end! However I didn’t mention this to the group until one of the group mentioned feeling the exact at breakfast today!

Although nothing specific happened in the grounds, we all had the feeling of being watched. Although walking around Dolmens, “Witches Kitchens” and “Druid’s Circles” would make anyone uneasy!

The night drew to a close about 3am and despite our tired and cold faces, everyone seemed to enjoy the night. The guys from PIGS are a decent bunch. They add a nice touch of not taking it all too serious while maintaining their professional at all times.

What could have been a very nerdy event, was a very enjoyable one. More photos to follow in the coming days!

A big thanks to the PIGS team (Mark, Niall, Gavin, Graham and Colum) for making the event possible and bringing me along! You can visit their official site at www.thepigs.org

We all remember the train wreck of a movie that was the Da Vinci code following from the overwhelming success of a badly written book?

Well despite the lackluster response to the movie and the panning by the critics, director Ron Howard has pressed ahead with a sequel (or prequel to be more accurate) and Angels and Demons will be released next year. Personally I never really liked Howard as a director. Sure he has some blockbusters but I never found his movies edgy enough. Sorry Ron.

The book is very similar to Da Vinci Code in its style and dramatic coincidences! Anyway the teaser is below as well a a link to the official site with HD trailer.

Official site with HD trailer

Trailer: