SaFety NoT GuarAnteeD - Film Review

Safety Not Guaranteed Trailer

An unusual classified ad inspires three cynical Seattle magazine employees to look for the story behind it, they discover a mysterious eccentric named Kenneth, a likable but paranoid supermarket clerk, who believes he's solved the riddle of time travel and intends to depart again soon. Together, they embark on a journey that reveals how far believing can take you.

This film is not based on a real life story. It is, however, based on a real life ad, which ran in the classified pages of Backwoods Home Magazine in 1997. It read: ‘Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. Safety not guaranteed.’

While everyone else spent a decade speculating about the ad’s origin, writer Derek Connolly and director Colin Trevorrow have gone a step further; inventing a backstory that pieces the mystery together. In doing so, they’ve pulled off something almost as impossible as time travel – a lo-fi indie romance with a deadpan wit that is never glib, and a touching sweetness that is never cloying.

Aubrey Plaza is Darius, a despondent magazine intern with a face like Wednesday Addams and the sardonic manner of MTV’s cult cartoon teenager Daria. Together with her jackass superior, Jeff (Jake Johnson), and geeky fellow intern Arnau (Karan Soni), Darius is sent to track down the mooncalf who posted the ad. And so they discover Kenneth (mumblecore vet Mark Duplass), an eccentric shelf-stacker who claims that his time machine is real and that government agents are following his every move. Is he just insane or a troubled genius?

People love films for many reasons, I loved this film because the main focus concerns lost dreams and missed chances, and the truism that we all long for a time machine every once in a while. Why wouldn't we? We all fuck up and wouldn't it be great to be able to jump on a time machine and sort it out....or would it? Surely life is about making mistakes and learning from them? That is what makes us who we are? If we could just go back in time every time we fucked up life would be meaningless, how would we ever develop as individuals? Saying that, I wish I could go back to February the 9th 2013 and not be such a dick! Oh well, I haven't got a time machine and on that day I will always have been a dick! (if anybody reads this and has a time machine please e-mail me ASAP) :-))))

Another reason why I enjoyed this film is because you leave the cinema with lots of thoughts in your mind. Imagine If you could go back in time, what time would you go back to? 

The Sixties every time for me!

Imagine being able to see the Beatles and the Stones in their prime!

What time would you go back to? Or would you?

The film is about things we should have done but never did. 

Things we did but can't change.

Would we change them if we could or are things meant to happen for a reason? 

Ultimately, it reinforces the fact that life is for living in the present not in the past!

'why would you want to go back in time when you could be having the adventure right now?'

4/5 film - A fun watch with many facets 

BriTiSh SeA PoWeR LIVE @ Rescue Rooms Nottingham 10/04/13

I have seen British Sea Power on a couple of occasions before but always at festivals. There is something uniquely lovable about their eccentricities, the stage is usually decked out in branches and random paraphernalia, tonight is no exception! An amazing backdrop of lights and projected films give a theatrical experience, there are also a pair of stag's antlers?? That's before you even listen to the music!

Fortunately, I checked Facebook for tonight's on stage times and discovered that British Sea Power were doing a 'Quiet Set' first followed by the support band Brown Brogues and then a Main 'Loud' Set. A mad rush to meet friends and get to the venue followed, just in time to find BSP on stage! 

"Even the show's structure is unconventional. BSP perform two sets, wildly different in style and volume, interspersed by madcap guitar duo Brown Brogues – a mix of the Cramps and the White Stripes. BSP frontman Yan introduces the band's quieter set as "a gentle warm-up. Relax your buttocks." Subdued brass gives the new song Radio Goddard – a tribute to the songwriter Geoff Goddard, author of many of the hits produced by Joe Meek – the air of a colliery band. With a chorus revolving around the quaint phrase "Dear boy", the song also becomes a lovely epitaph to a lost England of tea rooms, Bakelite radios, Terry-Thomas and Ian Carmichael."

Unconventional, but then BSP are not your average indie band. Machineries of Joy is BSP's sixth studio album over a ten year period and by now they should surely only able to manage a 'Best of Compilation' with a couple of new tracks thrown in to keep the fans happy. Instead, Machineries of Joy contains some of their best work to date. I adore the title track 'Machineries of Joy' with it's 'Elbowesk' overtones and tonight they start their 'Loud Set' with it. A journey through their back catalogue then ensues, from B-sides, to singles, to new tracks, it's all here. It's not often I leave the Rescue Rooms at 11.15pm after a band has played 24 tracks in 3 sets! I had to go for a sit down and quick pint in Spanky's afterwards to recover. 

'Machineries of Joy' Live @ Rescue Rooms

I must admit to having fallen a little out of love with BSP over the last couple of years. But, like an overplayed album, if you leave it long enough, you play it again and you realise why you loved it in the first place. The new material from BSP is some of their best yet. Combine that with a back catalogue of some great songs and you have the makings of not only a fantastic night of entertainment but a sense of something a little special happening. On tonight's showing, this is a band of musicians reaching the height of their game, could they better this? I hope so!

Link's to some more footage I took, enjoy! 

'Remember Me' Live @ Rescue Rooms

"No Lucifer, No Lucifer" Live @ Rescue Rooms

Quiet set

1. True Adventures 
2. Hail Holy Queen 
3. Blackout 
4. Radio Goddard 
5. What You Need the Most 
6. Main Set
6. Machineries of Joy 
7. Lights Out For Darker Skies 
8. Bear 
9. When a Warm Wind Blows Through the Grass 
10. Spring Has Sprung 
11. Salty Water 
12. A Light Above Descending 
13. It Ended On An Oily Stage 
14. Waving Flags 
15. The Great Skua 
16. Mongk II 
17. Loving Animals 
18. No Lucifer 
19. K Hole 
20. Apologies to Insect Life 
21. Lately 
22. Encore:
22. Remember Me 
23. Carrion 
24. All In It 

Ibiza - part 4 (Accosted by 3 Ladies from Leeds)

My last night in Ibiza had arrived. It had been a great 4 days and it was a Friday night. What to do?

I went down stairs to the hostal bar for some food and a beer to contemplate. I'd said hello to a group of ladies by the pool earlier in the day and they came into the bar and sat opposite. We got chatting, Rachel, Abi and Lauren were from Leeds. They asked me to come and sit with them.....the night had begun! :-)

                                                                    Rachel

The drinks started to flow...................................................................................

                                                          Lauren and Abi

It was then decided that we should go into town................................................

                                                            Straws = Cocktails

Cocktail time......................................................................................................

                                                                   Oh Dear!!

Random drinks..................................................................................................

                                                                     No idea!!

This led to dancing.............................................................................................
I will always remember this night when I hear this song!
Rihanna - Diamonds
I actually danced and sang to this bad boy!!???
It felt good at the time! ;-))))

                                                            Dancing = Drunk
This led to falling over!
Not me, Lauren, fell over and managed to fracture a rib!
We carried on drinking.......................................................................................
We went into a bar inhabited by really tall people!!

                                                          They were 8 foot tall!!
We carried on drinking......................................................................................
It was the early morning before we went in search of food..................................

                                                                 
Before we headed back to the hostal and continued drinking in the girl's room.

I retired to my room at about 4am after a fun filled night.
Safe in the knowledge I had at least four hours sleep before having to travel home by bus and plane absolutely 'hanging out my arse.'

They say a picture can say a thousand words!
I'm smiling to myself as I look at these on this blog post. :-))
A great end to a fabulous break.

Cost =
Ryanair flights £55 return
Hostal Marino £80 (£20 per night)

Benefits = Priceless
Fun
Sun
Good Times

Ibiza - part 3 (Cafe Del Mar)

The best things in life are free!! 

Sitting on the steps leading down to the sea outside of Cafe Del Mar and watching the sunset....wow!

The birds were just flying in and out of shot, dancing and floating on the air currents.

Managed to bag this shot! I love it! 

I now have it on my desk, I just have to look at it, close my eyes and I'm there.

A beer in hand, 

sun shining on my face,

 as free as a bird, 

without a care in the world! :-)

Such a beautiful view!

It's difficult to describe how peaceful it all felt just sat there, when normally your day is so hectic you barely have time to eat your lunch.

Go and see it for yourself, you will not be disappointed! :-))

There is only one song - Energy 52 Cafe Del Mar

Energy 52 Cafe Del Mar

Ibiza - part 2

I slept ok but forgot about the number one rule of travel - always bring ear plugs - I'd looked at them at home but hadn't bothered to pack them? Mmmm! A couple of disturbances through the night but nothing too bad.First things first, open the curtains to see sunshine! Yeah! The weather in Ibiza is unpredictable at this time of year so a big win! A quick snack and plenty of water and time to head off for a run.

Ibiza is ideal for off road/trail running and biking, something I never really appreciated the other times I'd been here. I ran from the Hostal down to the sea and along the coastal path. It was absolutely stunning!

This then ended with a quick dip in the sea...................fookin freezin!! ;-)))
I felt wide awake though!!

As expected, I got lost on the way back to the Hostal. A short 30 minute run ended up being a nice 45 minutes. I had nothing much planned for the rest of the day so it wasn't that much of an issue.
I had booked the trip at the last minute and mainly just to get a bit of sun and have a rest, read and reflect on a variety of things. A run always clears my mind and sets me up for the day.

I'd managed to read some of Book One of the Murakami novel IQ84, the title being a reference to Orwell's 1984,' which in typical Murakami style involves the use of magical dreamlike phenomena and using the device of a parallel dimension into which characters slip through cracks or portals. The novel starts by one of the main protagonists, Aomane, going down an emergency staircase leading down from a city expressway which leads into a different time zone with two moons...she realizes things will never be the same! 

It has also been described as an epic romance and also addresses the issue of cults in Japanese culture,
'At least two cults are active in this story. One is a Christian sect known as the Society of Witnesses, whose pamphleteering members refuse lifesaving surgery. The second cult is more Aum-ish and more mysterious. It is called Sakigake (which might mean "forerunner", "precursor", or "pioneer"), and from two wounded escapees we hear some very nasty things about its leader.

As a big Murakami fan I am loving this book.

A pleasant wander into town and then a siesta before going downstairs to watch the football with the locals. I love siestas, I think I might have Spanish blood in me! I'd talked to Dan the previous night and he was there again to watch the football. It was Real Madrid v Galatasaray so the bar was pretty busy. One of the main reasons I love to travel is the opportunity to meet people you would never meet in your normal walk of life. It feels refreshing to think that, I would never have met this person if I hadn't traveled here, and this is definitely a big plus of stopping in hostels as it attracts a wide variety of interesting characters. A bit like a novel waiting to be written!

It turns out that Dan is writing a guide book to Ibiza, he is a trained cocktail barmen, he is interested in the same art as I am and he is a mad Daft Punk fan. I had been wearing a Daft Punk tee shirt when I first met him...coincidence or fate? Anyway, he was a lovely chap and we ended the night drinking rather large Rum and Cokes which were ridiculously cheap. A great day and night! I was also quite merry without spending a great deal of money. #Win :-))

Ibiza - Part 1

Usual last minute rush! I will never change unfortunately. Got the Bus Link to East Midlands Airport.
Arrived in plenty of time for the flight and no baggage to check in. Flying Light, so to speak. In the queue for customs got chatting to a guy, as you do when you are waiting. It turned out he worked for Talk Sport and he was a DJ, banter ensued. A lovely chap indeed, Geoff Peters, it felt like a good omen for the trip ahead. Time for a quick ceremonial pint in the Departure's Bar and then the crazy queue to get on the plane. Ryanair, it is what it is - #cheap #cheerful #cattleClass #doesTheJob and then £5 for a can of lager!
The flight however, was only £50 return! I was going to go to Brighton but that would have cost me £70 just to get there and back #NoBrainer!!

The flight was only two hours and fifteen minutes and mainly uneventful bar for a wobbly landing before the trumpets announced our safe arrival on time.I was longing to feel the warmth on leaving the air conditioned atmosphere of the plane. It has been so cold this year in the UK. Beautiful sunshine and warmth if a tad breezy but heaven indeed!

A quick queue through customs and then to sit outside and wait for the bus to Eivissa (Ibiza Town). For the first time in a long while the 45 minute wait for a bus didn't matter so much as I was sat in the sun....My God I have missed you Mr Sun!!!! I had a wait for the bus to San Antonio so just sat in a square with fountains by the bus stop. It was about 6pm and full of people enjoying the evening sun. Relaxing after work, reading, friends chatting and children running around the open space.

The short bus ride to San Antonio took about 20 minutes, now to find Hostal Marinio. From experience, I should have just got a taxi but memories are short. After an hour of walking/asking people who could barely understand my northern attempt at Spanish/going the wrong way/ I finally found my destination. I was greeted by the proprietor of the establishment and made to feel extremely welcome. The Hostal is a family run concern - Hostal Marino - Hostelworld link
I was given my room key's and told to put my stuff in the room and come down and have a beer and tapas and watch the football with the locals. A quick freshen up and down I went.

Barcelona v PSG was the game on TV and Ibiza is a Barcelona stronghold (they speak a form of Catalan on the island). The atmosphere was cracking as the game was a close 2-2 draw! The beer was ridiculously cheap at 2 euro 50 a pint and free tapas provided. I decided on the spot that I could live here.I got chatting to a guy called Dan at the bar. He was a fluent Spanish speaker (mucho jealous) he had been born in Spain but now lived in the UK so I didn't feel to bad. We talked about the usual stuff, football, travelling, music and the general news. The game finished and I went to my room to chill and reflect on what had been a fantastic day. :-))

G-Pad - ConTemPoRaRy DaNce

A few years back I went to some contemporary dance and loved it!
Watching people dance live is an amazing experience.
The physical demands of dancing combined with aesthetic movement to music is something I recommend to everyone if you haven't been.
Check this clip of one of the shows we went to see.
Cruel by the Debra Colker Dance Company at Nottingham Playhouse Theatre.

Debra Colker Dance Company - Cruel

Anyway, a few of us went the other week to watch a performance called Flesh Note. A great opportunity to get the G-Pad out!! This makes me laugh every time I look at it. A great drawing by my good friend John!

The performance was interesting to say the least!

This is actually two people. I would be 'in traction' if I tried most of the moves :-)