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Love Will Dream Forever - 48 Hour Film Project Glasgow 2015

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Yet another film competition year has passed for the 48 Hour Film Project and once again our film group managed to make another wee gem of a film. The Genre we pulled this year was Romance - a bit of a challenge we made nice we film and I am delighted to present it to you here. Well done to all the film-makers who took part this year. The competition was tough! Happy Watching my friends! Jafwords.

The Martian landed and it was good...

Andy Weir did what I could only dream of at this point. He wrote a book, published bits for free, then adapted it for Kindle and then with a loyal fan base along comes a publishing house and picks it up. Then Hollywood knocks on the door and we get “THE MARTIAN” starring Matt Damon. I have got to admit I haven’t had time to read the Martian yet, although I know a man who has and part of his description - “it’s just one of those books you could miss your train stop for as you just don’t want to put it down.”  But it’s the film I want to talk about. Ridley Scott, the creative mind that brought us films such as Alien, Blade Runner & Gladiator brings this novel to life on the silver screen. With such an impressive catalogue films under his belt it must be hard to make a film better than your last, but with “The Martian” I think Mr Scott has achieved something special here. I won’t say it is his best, but it is certainly up there as a great. So what is the film about? Well the ...

Improvements to be made

I really do have to be honest with myself, I lack focus and direction when it comes to my writing. However, the question should then be asked "is this a good or a bad thing?" Let me tell you where I am just now. My second novel is still currently sitting with a status of "Currently Editting", which I need to admit is dreadful as its been like that for ages (I promise I will do more today). I am also now into creating my second issue of a comic which has the working title "Gates of Hell". The title works for the moment as it describes what's going on but I suspect I will change (simply becuase I don't like it). I see this comic stretching into 4 issues with around 25 pages in each. Keeping with the comic theme I created the first issue of a comic I called "Elysium Rising". I haven't  returned to this comic yet but I do intend to as I love the idea I created. The plan for this will be a simple three part but we shall see. Keeping up?...

A Video I helped to make...For my Jambos fans, this is for you!

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Writing is not my only creative outlet. For many years I have also been an amateur film maker. Around May of this year I was asked if I would help to make a video for the Foundation of Hearts and Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Okay automatic confession, I am not a Hearts Supporter - but I was  delighted to be asked to help make this film. Most of the Camera work is me with some bits lifted (with kind permission) from STV. The film was edited by Nick Walker and he has managed to create a very emotional advert for the Jambos! So even if your not a Hearts fan, sit back and enjoy this wee film about the club recovering from the brink of destruction.

Some words of wisdom.

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Pixels - the Arcade Fights Back

I was born at the start of the 80s and so fortunate enough to know computer games when they were really "COMPUTER GAMES"! If you never played things like Manic Miner, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man then your childhood must have been utterly empty. Thankfully, along comes Adam Sandler, the directing power of Chris Columbus and the writing talent of Tim Herlihy and we get all our old favourite games on the silver screen. First of all let's give credit to the original idea - a short film called "Pixels" by Patick Jean. If you haven't seen this then do this film maker the favour of checking out the short and from it you will see the numerous elements that were carried over into the feature film...so well done Patrick! But wait a minute! Pac-man is the bad guy? NO WAY!!!!  A few days ago I went and saw Pixels and with Mr Sandler involved I knew I was going to be in for a good time. I have to admit it I do love Adam Sandler films (and yes I am of the opinion there really...

A brilliant Trainwreck of a Comedy

The summer comedy Trainwreck finally pulls into the cinema station and after watching it last night it's time to give it my completely in depth and insight review (are you laughing yet?) So let's start off with the right tone straight away - if you want to laugh, then you must go and see this film. You pretty much know what you are getting when Judd Apatow is involved; either as director, producer or writer, he brings a solid pedigree of good comedy along with him. Mr Apatow steps behind the camera as Director/Producer and the writing credit is handed to the film's star Amy Schumer. The film is a romantic comedy which follows Amy Shumer as 'Amy' a Men's magazine writer who looks to be pretty much on a road to self-destruction (hence the title). That is until she meets Bill Hader's character, surgeon to athletes 'Aaron Conners' after being assigned to write a story on him for the magazine. Amy then starts to face a life she is totally accustomed t...

A Tribute to my Dad

A Tribute to my Dad
Loved and Missed.