New Year, New Possibilities, New People

Previously on Planet Esther...

Shameless
What’s that you cry across the far reaches of cyberspace? Where is the link to the long agonised over review of Shame? Alas it never came to be, so Manchester Salon was not left rapturous over my succinct profile and erudite words of wisdom.

In the end I felt I didn’t really know what I could add to a discussion. Yes it’s about sex addiction. Yes it’s fantastically acted, insightful, full of pathos and incredibly engaging. You will never hear “New York New York” the same way again. Yes, I recommend you watch it. It is a fantastic portrayal not just of loneliness, and obsession and futility but also of siblings with a complex family dynamic.

So there you go, my micro review. If you fancy something meatier, the review that did appear in Manchester Salon is here. http://www.manchestersalon.org.uk/shame-cornerhouse.html

So that was last year. This year has come and it’s full of new possibilities. And new films.


Square eyes, round belly
As usual, I am trying to see as many awards nominated films as possible, but I’m generally behind with my viewing and refusing to watch War Horse so it’s not as comprehensive an attempt as last year. I’m also watching more TV these days, I’ve finally caught up with Fringe, I'm addicted to The Good Wife (they could kill off Alicia and I'd still stay for Diane, Kalinda, Eli and ven Cary and Zach) and I have found a new addiction in the form of a webseries called “The Mis-adventures Of Awkward Black Girl”. http://www.awkwardblackgirl.com/episodes

**Warning ** It does contain some offensive language but is genuinely sweet at it’s core. In fact if you, like me, are facing a Valentine’s Day without a special one, this shows hope that there is someone for EVERYONE! After uber-nerd Carlton Banks left my life, I never thought I’d relate to a TV character who shared my ethnic roots and I never really looked for it, so this has come as a delightful surprise. Not since Ross’ “you’re over me, when were you under me?” and Aeryn Sun/John Crichton’s galaxy wide struggle for true frelling love, have I been so much so invested in a fictional romantic decision. Note to self: do not start watching a series 24 days before the season finale airs. That's going-to-see-a-Katherine-Heigl-film-with-high-hopes level of torture (curse the 27 dresses anomaly!)

Please enjoy Season 1 online and wait eagerly with the rest of the Awkward Nation for season 2. What other webseries fans, whilst waiting for the show to go live, send me recipe tips for show related food? More importantly who doesn’t want Angry Birds Cup Cakes!! http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/03/angry-birds-cupcakes.html

Perfect Poetry

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, some people have a gift for words, and I can’t say it enough, Leeanne Stoddart’s poems are positive and full of joy, and if you want to impress your other half with words which will enlighten their soul. It’s more original than flowers and chocolate and will last longer. Preview it and buy it here! http://leeannestoddart.com/bookpreview

Spread a little love and it all comes back to you...
I’m all about discovering new and interesting creative people and met this guy recently. In addition to being added to the list of people whose blogs I would happily spend a Sunday afternoon browsing he has also recently sent out an altruistic post aimed at getting work for his mates: read his stuff, buy him a pint if you meet him http://iam.peteashton.com/hire-them/

Next time on Planet Esther...
I will be overwhelmed by your support of Leeanne’s book. Having propelled it to best seller status and I will be regaling with tales of my travels Leeanne’s PA/publicist a post necessitated by her global success. Make it happen people!

More likely I’ll be talking about the Oscars.

Some tweeps mentioned in today’s blog:
@shamefilm ; @manchestersalon ; @awkwardblackgirl; p_nut_butta ; @peteashton and of course me- @shegeekmcr

See you in the future.

It's Only Words...

I have been asked to review Steve McQueen's new film Shame for an online publication.

Initially I was excited, since I relish in sharing things I’ve loved & feel it is my nerdly duty to steer people away from the potentially disappointing loss of those hours which could have been spent contemplating the universe, eating or looking at funny Youtube videos. Or spending their time watching something that did not suck.

So reviewing is great. But... I've been asked to provide a biography & a picture, which leads to unnecessary over-thinking and “oh my god why do I have no pictures taken sober” anxiety.

And true horror...writing about myself in the third person.

Outside my head, I am on draft number 5. I have scoured the online profiles of other people on the site, to get the tone just right. I convince myself that I can edit all my relevant interests and a justification for strangers to spend their time reading my words, into a succinct paragraph. I cut anything that sounds like I am angling for Claudia Winkleman's job on Film 2011.

Inside my head, I am hamsterwheeleing through “can Esther avoid use of the third person” “does it sound like an online dating profile” “is it too dry” “will anyone get my joke” “will they even get that it’s a joke” “do I sound like a humungous tool” “how much does it cost to hire someone to do this for me”

Seriously. I’m agonizing over approximately 80 (Too long? Too short?) words of gubbins. It’s turned me into Woody Allen.

Here goes - less of a bio, more of a manifesto:

Hi I’m Esther.

You are probably reading this because you know me.
You may not agree with my opinions, but I hope you do, or don't think I'm crazy to hold them.
I do this because I watch a lot of stuff.

I am often trying to be as funny as I am informative.
I sometimes get irritated by irrational things. (Someone is trying to remake Oldboy...REALLY)
I sometimes love irrational things. (Twilight - ok love is the wrong term, but I've invested more time in them than I should)
Sometimes I hold contradictary thoughts about the same subject (I am obsessed with Twilight but totally see where this guy is coming from. He may despise Twilight, but he's funny doing it.)
I prefer to spread love not hate. However, I have no issue with spreading strong evidence based dislike (Brett Ratner -please do not contaminate the world with tastless racist, tacky, dumb derogatory verbal diarrhea. It's comments 6&8 that really make me want to punch him. You don't have an impressive enough body of work for people to ignore you being repulsive. But don't get me started on Roman Polanksi.)
Sometimes I rant.
Sometimes I digress.
Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air.

Please read what I write, deliberate, cogitate, ruminate (I'm not that deep it won't take long), and hopefully enjoy. If you like it, I am grateful if you recommend it.

Damn that's 238 words...Draft 7 here I come.

*****

And the photo. I am self conscious about my face. I don't think I'm hideous but I don't think I'm photogenic and tend to overcompensate by overposing. I am pathologically incapable of keeping a straight face. The comedy picture is not likely to be an option. That said, they don't know me so maybe I can pretend to be Claudia Black.