[ITNT:] Virgin Money buy Northern Rock

Hey reader!

Founded by Richard Branson, Virgin Group subsidiary Virgin Money bought out Northern Rock plc for £747million from the government.

I had to go into this.

Why?

Read on and see the breakdown of the respective companies, and who it affects.

Anne Hathaway's "Paparazzi Rap" on Conan Show

Hey Viewer!

Just check the clip below and watch how amazing Anne Hathaway is <3

"Anne Hathaway's Lil' Wayne Style Paparazzi Rap - Conan on TBS"

"Horrible Bosses" (2011) QUICK film review

Hey boss-haters!

As I'm playing catch-up on a bunch of things been happening lately that I might have missed out on, I'm gonna do a series of quick reviews from recent cinema flicks, starting with Horrible Bosses. Most of us can relate, and most of us hate, does this film live up to that feeling we get? Read on to find out!...

Quick Review
A great cast for the bosses, a good choice or protagonists, and an great small role by Jamie Fox, the actors were good overall, and in their characters they grow into enjoyable people to follow throughout. Three different problems, and one solution. I like the idea, and I like that they don't shy away from the link of the idea of killing an unrelated person's 'problem' as presented in the films by Hitchcock (Strangers on a Train) and DeVito (Throw Momma from the Train) by actually mentioning it in a rather funny plot.

You see the characters pushed too far and the story rolls very well like that, it works. The dialogue is great, and perhaps has some of the funniest one liners ("You can't win a marathon without putting some bandaids on your nipples!") People laughed throughout the film at the pretty packed showing I saw. Overall a solid round of fun with a shot of madness. a worthy comedy by far, and surely the best way to laugh off overhanging problems of an existing horrible boss.

Overall Rating

8/10

[ITNT:] Facebook In Trouble For Recognising People's Faces

Hey Reader,

So I read on Metro today (which was actually in the news yesterday) how people are going crazy about Facebook being able to recognise who is in what picture using facial recognition software, enough for European privacy watchdogs to look into it as a legal matter.

Now let's think this through. We're on the internet - it's open source, access to all. These photos that can recognise who is in what photo? Interesting idea. It's been around for some time though, it's not new (see Google's 'Picasa'). Why could it be right? Easier to tag people, privacy settings pre-exist allowing who to see you in what pic through your profile. Why could it be wrong? Maybe someone you don't know happens to have your photo and it auto-tags you in. I don't know truth be told, it's just an assumption as I've not seen it in action. However, going solely off what I've read...

Judging a Person...

Hey reader,

Came across this from a friend's tumblr page, and it left me thinking...

Tumblr link: IYSA: Judging a person...

Interesting theme in the X-Men films was how people who feared mutants as monsters in turn actually acted as monsters. It's seen throughout history that when people are judged, it's for the worse. It has that negative connotation, unlike passing a compliment - effectively a judement, a view or opinion, of how someone has performed.

Tupac would say, and even had a tattoo stating; "Only God Can Judge Me" and at the end of the day, it's my opinion he's right.

"X-Men: First Class" (2011) film review

Hey reader!

Before they were growing jokes of mutant superhero films, they were amazing mutant superhero films. The fifth instalment of the X-Men franchise is here. But is that a good thing?

Check out below my views on the film, and for any other info on the film or franchise, see my pre-release post.

Brief Plot

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

Review

The thing I've loved about X-Men is the fact that it's a lack of reality (no matter how scientifically grounded it is) and being a superhero franchise which isn't faltered for not being 'real' (e.g. Nolan's Batman films, Iron Man, while films like The Incredible Hulk and Thor get that question - X-Men are simply accepted) however, what I love more about the films are the strong themes or story in them, making them particularly superb films (at times). Of course, awesome comic book characters combined with arse-kicking action helps! Let me tell you, the action is great through out, and for a surprisingly cheap CGI-heavy film (at only $120 million, compared to most at +$150 million), it pulls the punches.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011) Pre-release

Hello martial-artist-panda-loving readers!

With Kung Fu Panda 2 expected for release soon in the UK (10th June, 2011), despite seeing its release tomorrow at my local cinema, I think it's an ideal time to get a quick look at the flick and the events that took place in the first flick, perhaps my most loved non-Pixar CGI flick alongside Surf's Up (2006).

About
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Main Stars: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dusitn Hoffman, and Gary Oldman
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
UK Release date: 10 June, 2011
Running time: 90 minutes
Release platform: 2D, 3D

In the News Today: Who's Really Retarded?

Secret filming caught patients being
dragged and slapped by support
workers

Hey reader,

Saw an alarming bit of news on the BBC today, which is an excerpt from its undercover TV documentary show, Panorama, which includes footage of the mentally handicapped in an institute, a place created to care for those who cannot do for themselves, being physically abused to terrible levels for amusement, and is paid for by us UK taxpayers.

This all happened at the Winterbourne View, Bristol, UK. Click below for more information on what happened, and to see the footage:

BBC News - Patient abuse caught on film labelled 'torture'

Panorama is airing in the UK on BBC1, 31st May, 2011 on BBC1 at 9pm - see it also on the BBC iPlayer.

"X-Men: First Class" (2011) Pre-release

Hello mutated film-watching reader!

With just a few days to the release of X-Men: First Class, I thought it would be an ideal time to reflect on the franchise so far with info on this one, and the story to what has released so far.

About

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Main Stars: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon
Studio: Bad Hat Harry Productions, Donners' Company, and Marv Films
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
UK Release date: 1 June, 2011
Running time: 131 minutes
Release platform: 2D

Applying for a USA Visa

Hey travelling reader,

So anyone who has travelled to the USA since March 2010 knows about the visa system.

"The Hangover: Part II" (2011) film review

Hey drunkards!

A wedding in Thailand, and no bachelor night? Who has the roofies?!?

Here's a lil background on the film, and my thoughts of it too.

About
Director: Todd Phillips
Main Stars: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis
Studio: Legendary Pictures, Green Hat Films
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
UK Release Date: 26 May, 2011
Running Time: 102 minutes

Brief Plot
It's Stu's turn to get married, but he opts not to have a bachelor night after what happened in the events of the previous film, The Hangover (2009). However, he's getting married in Thailand and after being convinced to have a drink by a fire on the hotel beach along with Doug, Phil, Alan, and his fiancée's 16 year old brother, Teddy... waking up to Phil, Alan, Stu, Teddy's finger, and a monkey, in an unfamiliar place with a very familiar situation.

[Click for the Trailer]

Review

I loved the last film. It was clean adult laughs (minus the credits scene) at a stage in my life when going wild is a rare option, and it was awesome fun throughout. I wouldn't call it an original idea, but it was presented in a way that managed to really capture the heart of funny predicaments which ceaselessly proceed. It was a complete laugh! Then Todd Phillips did Due Date (2010), and after all the hype I felt after The Hangover (2009), it couldn't even touch the feet of the pedestal I had placed Hangover on. It was so similarly styled, and it had Galifianakis in it, a character who worked but I grew tired of in that film, as well as the rest of the jokes in Due Date. Despite all the fun I had in Phillips' earlier work (Road Trip, Old School, and Starsky and Hutch), this concerned me for Hangover 2.

[Shared Link] Eli Pariser: Beware Online "Filter Bubbles"

Hey Reader,

Came across an interesting link that made me think about the input we receive over the WORLD wide web, and how in fact we're being more confined.

LINK: Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles" | Video on TED.com

"Filter Bubble"

Give it a watch, at 10 minutes it's worth a look for the regular internet user.

-Harish, out

"Attack the Block" (2011) Film review

Hello reader!

So let me get this straight... there's an alien invasion... NOT in the USA? Hmmm...

About
Director: Joe Cornish
Main Stars: Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega, Nick Frost, and Luke Treadaway
Studio: Big Talk Productions
Distributor: Optimum Releasing
UK Release Date: 11 May, 2011
Running Time: 88 minutes

Brief Plot
A teen gang in South London defend their block from an alien invasion.
[Click for the Trailer]

Review
So when I heard that there was a flick releasing around the summer about an alien invasion hitting an estate in South London, who end up in a mini-war against ghetto kids, I just put my head in my hand and tutted. "Why? ...just, why??" Then I saw the advert, and I was caught off-guard, it didn't strike me as cheesy as when I saw the trailer to Anuvahood, as good or as bad as that film might be. I was cracking smiles. Then I find out Joe Cornish is the writer and director behind it? I'm interested.

Epic Black Ops Tomahawk Kill

Hey reader,

Quick clip on a funny yet brilliant tomahawk throw in Call of Duty: Black Ops, in my opinion:

-Harish, out

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011) Film review

Ahoy, mateys!

Here's my review on what I thought of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. If you want more information on the film itself, see my pre-release post.

Brief Plot

According to Walt Disney Pictures, the story is:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love -- or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

Review
As a fan of the franchise, I was pretty excited about seeing this. The adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow must continue, and did it just! It quite literally carries on with Jack Sparrow on his quest of the Fountain of Youth, the note it was left upon in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and On Stranger Tides it takes Sparrow straight into ye olde England, where mayhem ensues as he catches word that he has been searching for a crew there, much to his surprise.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011) Pre-release

Hello film-watching reader!

With Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides on release mode, a film I'm looking forward to watching, I thought I'd drop some background info on the flick pre-release, just so you and I can keep track of what's going on, as well as knowing what to expect in this film with info on who has worked on it and the trailer.

About
Director: Rob Marshall
Main Stars: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Geoffrey Rush
Studio: Walt Disney Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Studios
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures, Motion Pictures
UK Release date: 18 May, 2011
Running time: 137 minutes
Release platform: 2D, 3D, IMAX 3D

The PlayStation Network is (finally) ACTIVE!

Hey gaming readers!

If you are not aware, the PlayStation Network (PSN) which has been down for around 25 days is now officially back online, allowing 77 million gamers worldwide to play online once again!

In this post, we'll briefly look at the events that happened since it went down, and what to expect when getting back into online gaming via PSN. [UPDATED: PSN users have been offered gifts for the experience, see what this European user was given at the bottom]
 

That Awkward Moment...

Hello reader!

That awkward moment when Rex Grossman tries to hold on to one ball and has two more thrown at him.

So clearly you're game for a laugh if you've read the title and immediately cracked a smile, (unless... it's that awkward moment when you're continuing to read and are wondering "Harish, what the hell are you talking about?") as these jokes, which look at popular or fictional awkward moments and are parodied.

Here I hope to bring it with 10 of many of my favourite "that awkward moment" jokes, in no particular order...

Cutting People Off

Hey reader,

Relationships and Bridges

So I put forward to my ex-gf to not contact me, even if I contact her. We had been in on and off contact since last year when she dumped me. I thought I could maintain a bond afterwards as she stated she wanted us to be friends and prior to the break-up I had made her the centre of my friends circle... so I tried, but I found it hard.

It's weird to some (particularly when a grey area of a bond hits), but I think it's healthy. Sometimes we cling on to people because they have been a huge part of a persons life. This was a complicated situation to me as their were many aspects that confused me and bothered me enough to feel the need to let it go, no matter how hard I have tried to overlook issues and move forward. I think we need to realise that because people have been close, it doesn't mean we should force a relationship out of it. I mean, I won't be doing that with people that were my best friends when I was 10.

There are many different types of relationships, ones you have with family, friends, that special someone, job, day-today ones (hair dresser, guy at the newsagent, etc) and more, and to me it's important to understand which are important/vital, and to evaluate them too.

Rising Above Negative Circumstances

Hello, readers!

Click to see the bigger picture...

So I was at mandir (Hindu temple) on Sunday, and something that's stuck with me since was the interesting topic of Tolerance.

You: "But how is that even worth my time reading, Harish?"

Tolerance is a key to blissful living. You're interested in a lifestyle liberated of the shackles of conflict, right?

Let me ask You: Have you come across a point in your life where you felt like you're going under and you can't deal with it? or how about that you're a person who when you talk, you put another person's feelings down, causing pain, but are oblivious to it/enjoy it/don't understand why it is that certain people find it hard to get along with you?

I'm not asking us to accept a fly in the soup, harassment, a beating spouse or shoddy work offered by a contractor, I'm discussing our tolerance of negative situations which should realistically be beneath us, and to handle these situations in a smart way.

This particular post will look at why it's important to be tolerant, and how. If you're ignorant of this need for a person to have such embedded character, it's actually probably more useful for you, but understandable if you choose to avoid it.

President Obama's REAL "Bin Laden is Dead" Speech

Hello reader,

So I've been scouring the net, amused by funny outcomes since the announced death of Osama Bin Laden. Below, find a video, jokes, and photoshopped images on the situation...

The thing that got me started was the following video by Alphacat on YouTube:

Shared Link: Substitutes for Alcohol in Cooking

Hey there, reader!

As a self-proclaimed cook, when I have the time I like to spend time in the kitchen cooking food the way I'd prefer it.

The problem is, there are many recipes out there which look great but require alcohol. As the majority who eat my food aren't drinkers, I've always found it to be a bother when I tried such recipes.

Until now.

"Thor" (2011) film review

International "Thor" poster

Hello reader!

Interested in seeing Thor? See my view on the film (as well as a little info) for what it counts, hope it helps!

About
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Main Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Stellan Skarsgård

Studio: Marvel Studios

Distributor: Paramount Pictures
UK Release date: 27 April, 2011
Running time: 114 minutes


Brief Plot
Thor is a powerful, but arrogant, warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
[Click to see Trailer]

Review

What to Expect

Hello, reader!

Welcome to my blog! Curious to know what I have to offer that's different from other bloggers?

I have no idea! I don't follow any, nor have I regularly read blogs.

What I can tell you is a brief bit about me, so you get an idea of what I may post (should it interest you to know.)

I am a British-born and raised 20-something male of Asian-Indian ancestry. I love films, am fond of superhero flicks despite acknowledging that they aren't the greatest out there. I love listening to music with a great beat or very thoughtful and/or witty lyrics. A preferred genre would be hip-hop, despite being open to all. I'm into modern day-to-day technology, like smartphones, tablets, home entertainment systems etc. I also am a user of the PlayStation 3. Despite these interests, I love to be active and being out with friends to shoot some pool, go bowling, watch big football (soccer, to the Americans) games, or just to hang out. I'm a follower of the Hindu faith, pretty spiritually inclined. I like to cook in my spare time (I'm a vegetarian, so expect recipes to be shared as I find it cool trying new things) and I do hope to make time to learn instruments like the guitar, keyboard and tablas (North Indian drums) and be more literary-inclined (feel free to recommend good books!). I love travelling around, seeing new places, and just generally making the most of life.

There's a bunch more I could add, but I think you get the idea.

So why am I here? Hoping to meet people through this who are just as interesting to share experiences and learn cool stuff off. But mostly because I'm selfish and want somewhere to keep my thoughts written down or share things I find interesting online.

Hope y'all enjoy as much as I do =)

-Harish, out