Disney Love

Two beautiful videos which make me both love Disney and people's imaginations. Happy Friday!

Sand Painting

Sarah Blasko: No Turning Back

This song (and the beautiful animation) has been a bit of personal anthem at the moment, as things on thesis front heat up. Again (!)

Last week I was offered a pretty dream job, with the understanding that it would have an immediate start. I ended up turning it down, as I really need to finish my PhD, but I've wondered ever since whether I made a big mistake.  

Papercuts Short Film

A Whale of a Time

Way back in May I told you about the Beached Whale cartoon done by some incredibly talented friends: Jarod, Bosh and Macca. A Youtube sensation with over 5 million hits, tonight it debuts on ABC 1 (that's our national broadcaster, international friends) as the beginning of an eleven part series!

Truly huge amounts of work have gone into the series and you can see some hilarious 'making of' snippets right here.

Also, check out Alice's interview for more info.

Buffy versus Edward

For years I have adored the Buffy series and really struggle to love Twilight. Don't get me wrong - I tried (I read the books, hoping to find the love) but I just can't get on board. (This article sums up a lot of my problems with it). So this mash-up is just delicious and oh-so-satisfying! EDITED TO SAY: this article and this one, too might also be of interest. But if you love Twilight, perhaps don't click through...

I've been feeling like this lately...

On the Wire

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After reading lots of rave reviews about the HBO series, 'The Wire', I finally got myself a copy of the first two seasons. I'm not even at the end yet, (trying, without too much discipline, to pace myself!) but I can say it's one of the best tv shows I've ever watched. I am obsessed. Not since my love affair started with the West Wing back in 2003 have I fallen for a show like this. (Incidentally, and much to The Pal's - and my own - annoyance, I have also started quoting a character called Omar, who says, "indeed" a lot. Like, "Kate, are you ready for dinner?" "Indeed").

Apparently Barack Obama's favourite show - maybe another reason I decided to get on board? - The Wire is set in the mean streets of Baltimore, featuring a predominantly mixed race cast. The viewer can see both sides of the story, so to speak, from the perspectives of the cops and the drug runners (and later, stevedores, junkies, players, clockers - you get the picture). But it's not nearly as clear cut as Law and Order or other cop shows of the genre. For one thing, it's really difficult to judge (or warm to) any of the characters - no one's good; no one's bad. Not necessarily a revelation, you might say, but in this case, it actually adds to the charm of the characterisation.

I listened to a fabulous interview with Richard Price, one of my new favourite authors and a writer on The Wire, he describes the whole series as being like a rampaging, sprawling, nineteenth century novel. I can't help returning to this description time and again, as I meet characters, leave them and wander into new stories, and come back to old friends. Price's own Clockers, which I have raved about before, almost reads as The Wire in book-form - some of the lines in Season Three are lifted directly from the book.

I'm also really interested that this is, in fact, another cops and robbers show. I'm not normally drawn to these (although I did enjoy Underbelly recently) and wonder how the genre may keep iterating as audiences get savvier and better clued in to guess the narrative tricks.

Any new shows that have caught your eye?

When I say 'new', there are actually five season of The Wire out - great news for first-time watchers!

Talented Friends Tuesday

I'm incredibly lucky to have lots of creative and talented people as my friends, and thought I'd showcase some of their work every Tuesday. (Any talented friends reading are more than welcome to nominate themselves or others!)

This week, some of my lovely and deeply hilarious friends have made a wonderful video about a beached whale from New Zealand. Eeeee! I love it so much.