Very Late Review 11
Once more I hand you over to Megan, the editor of the Very Late Review, in which readers are asked to submit their verdicts on a wide range of the many many things on offer to the people of the world. The aim of this is to bring me up to date with popular culture and popular opinion. I’m indebted to Megan as ever for editing this feature, which has been going well over a year now. At the end of the feature, as usual, there’s a new bunch of stuff for you to pass judgement on. As always, you can review any or all of them, supplying a mark out of ten where possible. Thank you, and here’s Megan.
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I promised Mr Watson I’d do this ages ago (as I figured he’d be busy/away from internet whilst on tour), so I really must apologize for the delay; I have been in trivia contests, dragon boat races, and rehearsing for a film in which I play a figurehead at the top of a circus tent, so almost every spare moment I have lately has been devoted to staring at walls, drooling a bit, and pining for more time off. (Only a slight exaggeration.)
Oh well, better late than never, onwards and upwards, etc.! Here we go:
Hawaii
Not going to both with numbers here, as only two people who rated it didn’t admit to not having been there. Many of you would love to go (citing volcanoes and beaches and general awesomeness – a friend went a couple of years ago just to go on LOST tours, so all his holiday photos have him in a DHARMA Initiative jumpsuit), except perhaps Juliet, for whom beaches are equated with misery, and Lydia, who says it is ‘crap’ because her mother’s ex- liked it. Heh.
Dan in Real Life/The Switch/He’s Just Not That Into You/Similarly formulaic films, often starring Jennifer Aniston, this century’s Meg Ryan
As usual, bias sneaks into my VRL summary: I really thought these might be more, well, panned, if not flat-out loathed. But I work in The Cinema of the Jaded, so that might be colouring things. Some of you agreed with me on the formulaic bit, but that didn’t bother all of you. A couple of the films (none seemed to have seen all of them) got quite high praise. Also, thank you Sam for reminding me that He’s Just Not Into You was based on a self-help book based on an idea from ‘Sex and the City’.
Memorable quotes: ‘It depends what sort of Steve Carrell fan you are. If you love him from Anchorman, (Dan in Real Life) is not the movie for you. I love this movie. It’s willing to be sad and funny and genuinely painful in places.’ (LisaD); (The Switch is) your typical Hollywood schmaltzy romcom…watchable, but maybe that’s just because after 6 hours on a 747 I would have watched anything.’ (Josie); ‘It was obvious what was going to happen after about 20 minutes.’ (Alex – about The Switch); ‘I think there were too many characters (in He’s Just Not That Into You)and all the men looked very similar which was confusing.’ (Beth); ‘I found (He’s Just Not That Into You) really rather disappointing. It had so many great people in it, but it was just so predictable and blah.’ (Tibbs)
Average Score: 5.6/10
Diving score: 4/10
Full marks: 0 out of 13 reviews
Nul points: 0 out of 13 reviews
Being Human
I am not terribly familiar with this one (I think it might air here on BBC Canada?), so I can’t editorialize here. It seems, though, that it started out very strong, but is less awesome several series in. Perhaps uniquely (not sure?), and definitely interestingly, Lizzy prefers the American remake and says it spoiled her for the British one. That sounds very rare indeed.
Memorable quotes: ‘Being Human fits in with Misfits (and to a lesser extent skins) in being the sort of programme that if you try and describe it – “There’s a vampire and a werewolf and a ghost and they… just sit around watching The Real Hustle” – it sounds like you might have gone a little bit mad. But it works so well.’ (Josh (the magnificent one); ‘The first two series were stellar. Unpopular opinion: Mitchell was a twat and I didn’t like him, so that hampered my enjoyment of the third.’ (Miz); ‘There are so few really gripping drama series out there and maybe it’s not for everyone (my mother described it as ‘Satanic’) but it is seriously addictive and worth watching, especially with the balance between comedy, mundane drama and darkness.’ (Kathryn); ‘Series One was wonderful, a breath of fresh air in a world of shitty twilight vampires and sparkles, and i’ll admit I quite fancied Mitchell even though I didn’t want to.’ (Misha)
Average score: 8/10
Diving score: 8.5/10
Full marks: 2 out of 15 reviews
Nul points: 0 out of 15 reviews
Will and Kate (formerly Middleton)
As I write this, the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on their way to Ottawa (where I live) to celebrate Canada Day (tomorrow). This will make getting around for the next few days very difficult, as the hub of activity is, well, ALL OF DOWNTOWN. So, my bias is not in their favour so much right now, even though I don’t really have anything against them personally. I am in (probably rare?) agreement with Russell Brand on this one: I don’t really think the Royal Family are necessary, but I’d probably be pretty giddy if I met any of them.
Perhaps not surprisingly, y’all feel similarly in many ways; feelings from (paraphrasingly) ‘awwww, how romantic’ to ‘what’s the point?’ to ‘I feel weird about rating people’.
Memorable quotes: ‘I’m not a royalist by any stretch of the imagination, but I love the fact that we have a Royal family, even if they don’t, on a practical level, do much!’ (Laurs); ‘Well I’m sure they’re lovely people and that they love each other very much… but I couldn’t give a shit about their wedding.’ (Tom Beasley); ‘I don’t know much about Kate but she certainly isn’t offensive. I have respect for Will because he makes a point of doing the things he wants to do, such as his degree and his career. Plus, they do both have to put up with quite alot, like all the attention. I think there could be much worse people to represent our country.’ (Rachael); ‘I find it absolutely astonishing that in 2011 we even have the institution of monarchy.’ (Andrew)
Average score: 5/10
Diving score: 5/10
Full marks: 1 out of 21 reviews
Nul points: 3 out of 21 reviews
Sushi
A foodstuff that Mr Watson has started trying to embrace of late. Again, a mixed bag of feelings from the Watsonians, however. Those who don’t like fish struggle with it. Some just don’t really get it. Others find that it makes them anxious. I love sushi (which is unfortunate, given that I live so far from the sea), but I’m not sure why people feel so much pressure to like it. It’s okay not to like things!
Memorable quotes: ‘I’m not really a big fan of fish in general, but this is one thing I LOVE.. I could quite frankly eat it all day and not complain once.’ (Andrew); ‘I love it. Wasabi is an amazing cold cure. It blasts through in seconds.’ (Alice); ‘I’d love to try. I know I like raw salmon, and from the sushi dishes that I’ve read about, it sounds rather interesting – just it’s expensive.’ (MusicalLottie); ‘I’m scared of it. Also, food should not be served on a conveyor belt ‘ (DaveB) ‘More people would like sushi if more people tried sushi.’ (Aislinn)
Average score: 6/10
Diving score: 6/10
Full marks: 2 out of 14 reviews
Nul points: 0 out of 14 reviews
Sudoku
Another one that is beloved by many, and causes anxiety in others. A favourite pasttime or a complete waste of time? Probably both. Stephen King wrote a (brief) piece about it a few years ago that said Sudoku was a sign of a postliterate society (easily Googleable), which is a really depressing thought.
Memorable quotes: ‘I’d love to know how to classify easy vs medium vs hard -I assume the number of steps you have to go through to get to a conclusion? Or the number of routes to reach a conclusion reducing makes a puzzle harder? Anyway – fun. Some are unsolvable too which is refreshingly eastern.’ (Clembear); ‘Give me a book to read on a long train journey over this anyday!’ (Jen); ‘They are way more satisfying than any puzzle involving solely the numbers 1 to 9 should be.’ (Tom Beasley); ‘There are other things I would much prefer to be doing with my time. Unless, of course, a sudoku race is involved (doing a sudoku at the same time as someone else doing the same one). Races are fun.’ (Georgie); ‘Awfully addictive, and sometimes so frustrating you feel like tearing the damn thing up and yelling ‘WHO WINS NOW!?’ (Ingrid – oh, man, have I ever been there)
The Moon
All but one of you rated the Moon very highly (see below for details) because it’s pretty, because it might be made of cheese, because it makes for awesome eclipses, etc. Don’t forget that it makes tides, werewolves, and (maybe) ER/A&E units go crazy when it’s full. And check out Tibbs’s write-up of all (well, many) things awesome in the sky!
Memorable quotes: ‘Not a big deal, just a piece of rock. There are many other satellites in the system so why should this particular one be special in any way?’ (Juliet); ‘Can’t really knock the Moon, can you? Oddly blamed for various manias and supernatural transformations, which seems harsh balanced against its sterling work lighting the night. Briefly a tourist hotspot in the 60′s/70′s, though this has died down.’ (BenH9); ‘Love the moon! It entertains me on my 20min walk from the tram stop to my apartment in Melbourne late at night (generally after comedy).’ (Georgie); ‘Can’t say I’ve ever been. Don’t think I could put up with RyanAir for that long…’ (Tom Beasley); ‘It’s clever enough not to show it’s full self all the time so you don’t get bored/complacent with it’s full loveliness.’ (Sam)
Average score: 9.5/10
Diving score: 10/10
Full marks: 19 out of 23 reviews
Nul points: 0 out of 23 reviews
Bon, thank you all (again) for participating. Until next time!
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And here are the subjects under discussion for VLR 12:
BLUE VALENTINE (film)
BON IVER (new album by act of same name, or you can review the old one)
BACKGAMMON (board game)
ALTON TOWERS (destination)
SCRUBS (TV show)
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
Posted by Cathy on July 17, 2011
Late as usual:
BACKGAMMON (board game) looks impressive and mysterious but I have no idea how to play it. I’d like to though. I think I’d like to grow up to be one of those old guys you see playing it in the park or the street when on holiday 6/10
ALTON TOWERS (destination) I don’t do rides. Why on earth pay good money to be scared and feel sick? I think suffering from travel sickness as a child has added to this. People I know go for whole weekends, several times a year, and I have a cousin who went there for his honeymoon! But it doesn’t interest me in the slightest and I have never been. HOWEVER, I’m told the spa and waterpark there are quite good, which are more up my street, and (more importantly) there is supposed to be an amazing and huge crazy golf there! Which gives it bonus points. But the general purpose of the place brings it down to 4/10
SCRUBS (TV show) I LOVE SCRUBS! Admittedly, the last couple of series were definitely going downhill fast, but I have still eagerly watched every series, and will always stick the reruns on in the background on a weekend afternoon etc. Mine and my partner’s lives are peppered with quotes and references from this wonderfully absurd sitcom 10/10
UGG BOOTS (fashion item) I’ve never developed a strong opinion of them. My partner hates them with a passion, and I find it annoying to see them worn in the summer or when people are walking on the side of them rather than the sole. The boring adult in me thinks this can’t be good for them. But I think they look ok in the right circumstances, and do look very snug 6/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE I would never choose white chocolate, but once I have a bit, I remember how nice it is and really enjoy it. And good quality Green & Blacks type stuff is in a different league all together. Plus, combine it with raspberries and something magical happens. I never really get the reason why it’s the default chocolate for very young kids though. 6/10
Posted by Hannah on July 15, 2011
BON IVER (new album by act of same name)
Once again, beautiful and majestic. Absolutely loving the new slight distorted electronic folk sound. 8/10
SCRUBS (TV show)
Quite like Scrubs. I’m not yet a HUGE fan, but really enjoyed watching the first couple seasons on TV. Hmm, I should really take advantage of the brothers full collection more. 7/10
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
Comfortable, warm, to be worn at home. This rule however is consistently broken and therefore the score is lowered. 4/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
I don’t particularly like milk chocolate, so anything that is white chocolate is (white) gold. 10/10
Posted by lisan66 on July 12, 2011
BACKGAMMON – I’m not actually reviewing this, because I’ve only just found out what it is. It’s always (well, sometimes) mentioned, and I jsut nod and assume it’s a card game and refuse to ask to play it. I feel slightly foolish now.
SCRUBS – I like Scrubs, but it’s probably my least favourite sitcom of all the sitcoms I like. I’d watch it over certain tv shows no problem, but I’d never actually choose to watch it. It would more than likely happen that I’d decided not to watch anything else so I’d settle for Scrubs. 5/10
UGG BOOTS – I think that Uggs should only ever be worn in the when someone is unbelievably tired/hungover/tired and hungover and absolutely has to get dressed and face the world, and all they really want to do is wear fluffy socks but they’re not acceptable in uni, so you wear Uggs instead. (I don’t think that sentence makes much sense anymore, but I think I made my point). People seem to wear them in the snow a lot isntead of paying a tenner for wellies, which makes no sense because you get wet frost-bitten toes and your shoes get destroyed. But still, 7/10 for comfort.
WHITE CHOCOLATE – I’d rather have orange, dark and then milk chocolate, but if they al disappeared, then white is nice! It’s handy for babysitting/if you actually have your own kids, because it’s less messy/comes out of clothes more easily, and kids still think they’re getting proper chocolate. 6/10
Posted by David on July 12, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE (film)
Not the best film to watch whilst starting to plan a wedding. It was fairly depressing but very interesting as well. I just hope I never end up in the future room (7/10)
Posted by Josie on July 12, 2011
BON IVER – Beloved by indie teenagers nationwide, Bon Iver is the kind of band that you listen to whilst staring out of the train window and pretending you’re in a film. There are lots of whiny vocals that remind me a lot of Sigur Ros, particularly ‘Skinny Love’. Not my cup of tea. 5/10
ALTON TOWERS – Only good if you go on a Wednesday that’s not a school holiday. There are children and fat people everywhere if you’re idiotic enough to visit on a bank holiday, but if you manage to get in on a quiet day, the rides are fantastic (although I still can’t stomach Oblivion). Still very expensive though! And lots of walking. Pah. Walking. 8/10
SCRUBS – Has gone severely downhill in recent series, and I’m loathe to say it but I think it was Turk and JD’s “Guy Love” (and the series six musical episode where they sang about it) that really made it funny for me. The janitor is also a highlight. Zach Braff gets gradually more annoying, however, so I wouldn’t advise you watch past the third series before you tire of the whole “Turk/Carla” thing and “JD/Eliot” thing and “Dr Cox being a douchebag” thing. Funny though! And quotable. IDK. 8/10 for anything before series 4! 5/10 for anything after.
UGG BOOTS – I don’t care if they’re comfy. They’re the shoe equivalent of wearing pyjamas everywhere. And nobody wears pyjamas everywhere. 1/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE – MAKES ME FEEL ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD 10/10
Posted by Emily on July 12, 2011
BACKGAMMON
A seemingly dull game, but one I appear to enjoy nonetheless. It’s neither entirely luck based, nor entirely skill based, providing a nice balance between pointless (Snakes and Ladders) and difficult (Chess). I think it’s this mid-level difficulty combined with my general competitiveness that makes it, it my mind, a good game to play. 8/10
ALTON TOWERS
Great if you love roller-coasters, not so much if you don’t. I do, so love the place, but it does have its drawbacks, namely queue times and cost. If you can go at either end of the season, outside of school holidays and school trip season, it’s slightly more bearable. It’s also far more appealing if you can get hold of 2 for 1 vouchers or the like – they seem to float around a lot at this time of year, but then it’s also getting too late to miss the school children. It can seem somewhat stupid that you queue for hours for a ride that lasts mere seconds. But they’re a damn good few seconds. My view may be biased by the fact I live close enough to day trip, but this is countered by the fact I don’t know anyone who would want to go who has a car. Public transport exists, but only if you don’t mind getting up too early and getting back too late. When I think about it, I’ve not actually had to pay the two times I’ve been – the first being with school in year 6 when I was too small for most rides, the second being 4 years ago with a friend who’s Dad worked there, so we had free passes. Maybe that biases it too… Either way, it gets 8/10
UGG BOOTS
Waste of time, money, and resources. That said, I used to want a pair. I’m a better person now. 0/10
Posted by Andrew on July 11, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE
Sorry, can’t help, but I highly recommend the unrelated album of the same name by Tom Waits.
BON IVER
Who? What? I’m 43, ask me about Haircut 100!
BACKGAMMON
Marvellous game. Skilful enough that it is rarely won by luck alone, but dependent on luck such that it is rarely won by skill alone. 8/10.
ALTON TOWERS
I have never been to Alton Towers, but I am taking this opportunity to score all rides which fling you around and upside down and basically make you feel like you are about to die as 0/10.
SCRUBS
Started very well but faded fast. Like many long-running sitcoms, the attributes of characters which initially made them appealing became overused and resulted in them just irritating (cf. Friends for the best example of this phenomenon.) 3/10.
UGG BOOTS
Hmm. Look away now, because I know this is wrong in so many ways, but on the right woman, in the right outfit, at the right time… I actually find them quite sexy. It should be said that this constitutes about 1% of viewings. Also, feel free to disregard my score on the basis that I have 30 years’ experience of not caring one jot about fashion. 4/10.
WHITE CHOCOLATE
Hard to get animated about it one way or the other, to be honest. Sorry. 4/10.
Posted by cymruangel on July 11, 2011
ALTON TOWERS: Why my family thought it was a good idea to take me there, I will never know , as I am not very good at rides. Usually once I’ve been persuaded to actually get on something, I really enjoy it, but I tend to get absolutely terrified whilst standing in the queue, and often talk myself out of getting on.
5/10 because I am sure it is great for some people, but not for me.
SCRUBS: It is responsible for my occasional use of the word “frick”. However, I’m afraid it is another one of those long-running tv things which was great when it started, but went downhill, because there are only so many types inter-racial/ sexist/ doctor v nurse problems can be resolved in a novel fashion.
6/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE: Excellent with raspberries. I find, however, that even the most expensive and ridiculous white chocolates pales in comparison (no pun intended) with the humble Milky Bar, which will forever have my heart.
9/10
Posted by KathJP on July 11, 2011
UGG BOOTS – Am I the only one who sees the classic fluffy Uggs and thinks of Frodo in Lord of the Rings? Thankfully, their current styles are far less hobbity. 6/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE – plain and in its native bar form white chocolate is one of the greatest comfort treats 9/10 but hot and/or in any type of dessert (cheesecake, muffins, sponges) it’s awful, just awful 2/10.
Posted by Ingrid on July 10, 2011
SCRUBS (TV show)
There are a lot of shows like it which i really dislike, but for some reason i find that i actually like scrubs. It is very easy to watch and somehow relaxing. Not the funniest thing, and some of the characters get a little annoying, but somehow it’s comforting and vaguely pleasing 7/10
Except for the new ones, which are frankly awful…
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
As fashion items, no i really really don’t like them. Not one bit. Especially when, as Misha says worn by overly make up laden teens in summer. 1/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
Mmm… I love white chocolate. But to be honest i love most chocolate. 10/10
Posted by Corey on July 10, 2011
Alton Towers: The older you get the less fun it becomes as the rides just aren’t exciting enough. Plus its getting that big one day isn’t enough any more, and the cost of the local hotels makes it the cost of a weeks holiday somewhere abroad…..(almost). Never go when its full price, collect the vouchers or look out for people at the entrance with a 2 for 1 deal wanting an extra person to get in cheaper and you can save money. In short, not worth paying full price, but if you get in half price it ain’t that bad. For a better day out in terms of price and size with equally good rides try Flamingo Land in PIckering, North Yorkshire.
Alton Towers: 6/10
Posted by Jen on July 10, 2011
ok….hereeeee we go…
BLUE VALENTINE – not seen it so will reserve judgement!
BON IVER – excellent…8/10
BACKGAMMON – got to admit i prefer chess – not my board game of choice 5/10
ALTON TOWERS – as someone who doesn’t really do rides its not really my idea of fun…but saying that if you’re all about rollercoasters go for it…5/10
SCRUBS – its good…but i never seem to watch the episodes in order – when its on telly it always seems to jump from series to series so its abit random to follow….i like it though its a good mix of comedy, sentimental morals and tunes! 8/10
UGG BOOTS – again not my thing…as many have said on here if worn correctly..i.e. when cold then fine…but they seem to have a scally vibe even though they are crazy expensive!!! 3/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE – im a chocoholic – sooooo bad though…i love the stuff – ideally milk choc is my fave but…when it comes to chocolate i just don’t care…amazin! 10/10
Ta!Jx
Posted by Rachael on July 10, 2011
@amycool I had boots like that when I was little too! Way better than Uggs.
Posted by Rachael on July 10, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE: I just bought the dvd but haven’t watched it yet. Ryan Gosling was brilliant in Half Nelson though.
UGG BOOTS: Not a fan, especially when teamed with a velour tracksuit. Or on men. 0/10
SCRUBS: I like it, it passes the time and doesn’t require much thinking. I also like that you watch the odd one here and there and still enjoy it, it doesn’t seem to matter too much if you don’t watch them all in order. 7/10
Posted by Tom Beasley on July 10, 2011
ALTON TOWERS
Unfortunately, for someone who would rather claw out their eyes with Russell Brand’s penis than set foot on a rollercoaster, Alton Towers holds very little appeal. It also doesn’t offer me very many places to hide when I’m sat near the ride holding a bout a hundred bags, looking like a transvestite who’s trying way too hard. At least Drayton Manor has a zoo…
4/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE
Largely the same as normal milk chocolate really… and it’s therefore awesome. Plus, the motherfucking Milkybar kid!
9/10
Posted by Cath on July 10, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE (film)
A film full of promise which unhappily, when delivered, proved to be full of disappointment. Went into the cinema excited and happy. Came out depressed and with a quiet urge to maim someone for making me part with hard earned cash to sit through it. I am unable to explain why someone would have thought we’d want to watch two such potentially likeable characters become so hateful and treat each other so badly. Where’s the joy in that? 0/10
BON IVER (new album by act of same name, or you can review the old one)
Lovely 8/10
BACKGAMMON (board game)
Ok if you’re winning! 6/10
ALTON TOWERS (destination)
Where?
SCRUBS (TV show)
Never watched
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
These are NOT fashion items. As a garment for warmth and comfort they can not be surpassed, as I can attest to for at this very moment my feet are snug and warm, they’re in their very own personal doonas.
However, the Ugg Boot IS NOT something to be worn outside the house. Each nation probably has their own word for the wearers of the Ugg Boot in public. In Australia, I think perhaps it’s ‘bogan’. (The only exception to this rule is if you have had leg surgery, you’re in a brace and on crutches, you need to keep your foot warm and socks just aren’t enough. Even then, you can only have the Ugg on the injured leg, normal shoe on the good leg).
Inside your own home – 10/10
In Public – 0/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
Added with raspberries to many types of food, for instance muffins and mousse it is absolutely sensational. Otherwise, it’s OK. There are many better things to eat, but there are many more worse things. It has its uses and for that I am grateful. 7/10
Posted by Sarah on July 9, 2011
BACKGAMMON
I think I’ve only ever attempted to play this on a computer, however it is played in Lost and ties into the black and white theme, therefore it must be awesome. I’m gonna go with 8/10.
SCRUBS
This is near the top of my list of favourite TV shows. It’s a good switch-off programme – not hard to follow and reasonably funny, with some very funny bits. I love the characters. The Janitor is AMAZING. However, the newer version of Scrubs without JD and with a different theme and too many new characters is just not acceptable. Ignoring that new version, it gets 9/10 from me.
WHITE CHOCOLATE
Much better than milk chocolate (which is also much better than dark chocolate, in my opinion). The best kind of white chocolate has to be, without a doubt, white chocolate toblerone, which seems to only be available at Christmas or in airports, so it’s necessary to stock up! 10/10
Posted by MusicalLottie on July 9, 2011
ALTON TOWERS – I hate rides: they’re fast, I have no control, and most of them go very high. The only rollercoaster I ever braved saw me open my eyes once when we stopped halfway round, and I got off at the end absolutely hysterical, so never again. (My idea of an adrenaline rush is going down a slide at the swimming pool – and even many of them are too scary for me!) My friend has been a few times to Alton Towers and says the cable car thing is always broken, but she also says there are some nice nature-y bits of it too. So 3/10 for that.
SCRUBS – I haven’t seen up to whenever it is that the main character leaves, so my assessment is based on however many seasons that is. I found it amusing, often laugh-out-loud funny, and I liked that there was usually something deeper running through each episode. I’m a sucker for anything medical (diagnosing way before the fictional doctors, anyone?). However having seen The Big Bang Theory (and my DVDs of season 1-3 came today, hooray!) I can’t mark Scrubs as highly as I would have before, as TBBT is infinitely better. So … 6.5/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE – Meh. I do like Milky Bars, and in combination with milk chocolate I also enjoy it. However, I much prefer milk choc so I think 6/10
Posted by David on July 9, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE (film)
I really wanted to see this at the cinema but due to it’s limited release, and my limited free time, I’ve not seen it yet, although my sister has lent me the dvd so hopefully ill watch it tomorrow. (tbc/10)
BACKGAMMON (board game)
Only played it a few times against my Dad, don’t really understand the rules but i think my win percentage is about 75%. (7/10)
ALTON TOWERS (destination)
Loved going there as a kid with my family, remember the thunder looped being so loud you could hear it in the pilots village nearby. Last time I went although the rides were still great fun, I felt really old as the vast majority of the other visitors were 13-16 years (6/10)
SCRUBS (TV show)
I used to really enjoy it, but the pre watershed showings cut so much they didn’t really flow, or make me laugh (3/10)
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
Really not a fan, but have been told they and their much cheaper clones are very comfy. I would score them 0/10 but my partner did get some for our baby son, and i much as i dislike them they did look quite cute on him. (2/10)
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topic)
It’s not chocolate, it contains no coco so is not chocolate! (0/10)
Posted by lisan66 on July 9, 2011
I did just review, but it didn’t post because I forgot to type in my email address…..I’ll do it again later on
Posted by amycool on July 9, 2011
BACKGAMMON (board game) – I also often wondered what this mystical game on the back of the chess board was, and a few years ago I bothered to read some instructions and give it a go. It probably would have been better if we’d stuck with it and mastered it but I’ve now forgotten all the rules.
7/10
ALTON TOWERS (destination) – When I was about 12 my Dad had a friend who worked there and got us free tickets. I partly love and partly hate Alton Towers. I love the rides. Anything that goes very fast or very high or upside down gets my vote. I like the way that there are little areas and a big cable car to get around. I don’t even mind the queues at a quiet time of the year as it builds it up a bit. But the fast food and the bins covered in wasps and the other people in the queue who are a bit rough and the parking 10 miles away from the entrance and the price puts me off. Despite this, if given the opportunity (everyone I know hates rides so won’t go with me) I would go again.
7/10
SCRUBS (TV show) – One of those shows that is often on in the background. I occasionally find a joke funny but I’ve never been impressed enough to watch a whole episode.
5/10
UGG BOOTS (fashion item) – I don’t understand them. I assumed the point was that they’re very warm so good for icy/snowy weather. But they’re furry, so surely they’ll just get all wet and muddy and disgusting? When I was little, my sister and I had little boots from Wynsors that were leather (or something resembling leather) on the outside and lovely thick wooly material inside. They cost about £3 and were incredibly warm but also wipe-clean. Much better in my opinion.
1/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics) – Hmmm…I’ve always thought that white chocolate on its own isn’t very exciting, but when coupled with milk/dark chocolate it’s delicious. When I was little (a lot of when I was littles today) we used to get these Disney chocolate bars with a milk chocolate “frame” and a white chocolate character in the middle. The combination was incredibly nice but I would always carefully remove the frame and eat it last as milk chocolate is just better. I also love the kinder egg combination.
6/10
Posted by Lydia on July 9, 2011
SCRUBS: The only program I love despite wanting to punch the main character in the face a lot of the time. Sadly it got a bit shit after season 6. 7/10.
UGG BOOTS: I don’t understand why people wear these when they can hardly keep them on their feet. They end up walking in the leg bit. 2/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE: A second choice chocolate at best. 5/10
Posted by Phill on July 9, 2011
BLUE VALENTINE (film)
I have this out from LoveFilm at the moment – haven’t watched it yet. It was on Simon Pegg’s recommendation I think. I will post up when I have watched it…
BACKGAMMON (board game)
I have backgammon on my phone and play it regularly when I’m wasting time. I much prefer it to other common board games, for me it’s a good mix of random and skill (and doesn’t take too long). Helps to keep things interesting. Very frustrating sometimes though.
Score: 8/10
SCRUBS (TV show)
I really enjoyed this when it was on, there were some absolute genius characters and episodes. I saw pretty much all of it, although I’m not sure I’d go back and watch it all through again. Maybe cherry-pick my favourite bits. It’s one of those shows which, for the most part, I’m quite happy to watch when it’s on but wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it.
Score: 7/10 – good entertainment but not a masterpiece.
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
I prefer white chocolate to milk / dark chocolate. Does that make me some kind of freak? Well I don’t care. :p
Score: 9/10
Posted by Alex on July 9, 2011
ALTON TOWERS (destination)
It’s really good if you like big rollercoasters, have some half price vouchers and manage to get exit passes (friend in wheelchair etc). If any of the above don’t apply, don’t bother. 6.5/10
SCRUBS (TV show)
Scrubs is quite funny most of the time, and very funny some of the time. It also sometimes makes me cry. Not arsed if I miss it though. 7/10
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
Ugg boots are basically very expensive slippers. I appreciate that you can get a cheap Primark version that looks exactly the same (i.e. hideous) but in my experience the kind of people who wear Uggs wouldn’t dream of buying the cheap version. They’re ugly. I really take issue with Uggs. However, a friend once made me try hers on and it is like walking on a cloud. 2/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
Cheap white chocolate isn’t really chocolate. It’s OK, but I’d never choose it. Good white chocolate (as Cathy points out, Green & Blacks is particularly good) is amazing. 6/10
Posted by Dan on July 9, 2011
ALTON TOWERS
As theme parks go, Alton Towers is the best in the UK. Air is a particularly fun ride. That said, the endless queues and lingering sense of despair render it fairly disappointing. 6/10
SCRUBS
Started well, got better, then got worse. Generally funny with good characters but tends to get a bit too sentimental. 7/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE
Too sickly. 1/10
Posted by Sarah on July 9, 2011
SCRUBS (TV show) – I love Scrubs, brilliant and even the old episodes seem modern and fresh 10/10
UGG BOOTS (fashion item) Very comfy but do look odd. They are expensive though, so I have made a compromise and got myself a pair of UGG style slippers – Bliss 8/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics) I do prefer dark and milk choc, but would obviously snaffle a bar if it was within reach 7/10
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on July 9, 2011
Only scoring two as don’t know enough about the rest to pass judgement!
UGG BOOTS – 10/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE – 10/10
As you can probably tell, if I was wearing my Ugg boots at this point in time and eating a bar of Green & Black’s white chocolate, I would be pretty happy
Posted by sarahthemonkey2 on July 9, 2011
Scrubs- I think I’ve seen up to and including 7 but after that I’m not sure I would want to go any further. Sometimes it’s on in the staff room at work and I wonder what has happened to some of the characters. 7/10
UGG- Too expensive and agree with Chris Addison that you cannot take anyone seriously who is wearing the things. Though I wear a lot of Croc shoes because I find them comfy. Maybe it’s the same with UGG but agree they should be an indoor shoe rather than an outdoor shoe. 1/10
White Chocolate- Mostly it’s too sweet for myself but I like it when it’s mixed with the milk chocolate in Kinder Eggs. So for Kinder Eggs 8/10
Posted by Madeleine on July 9, 2011
SCRUBS – Excellent show!… untill season 6. Then it’s a passable comedy with moments of hilarity. I love the absurdist humour, one of the few shows that could make me laugh out loud at home by myself. You get to know the characters really well and a lot of the humour comes from that (which is probably why the later seasons are so dissapointing because they become boring annoying characatures). Though the “serious” episodes can sometimes be a bit emotionally heavy handed, there are some moments of genuine pathos. 8.5/10
UGG BOOTS: I’m ashamed to be part of the country that brought this monstrosity to the world. Ugly, trashy, make your feet sweat. And it’s pretty much impossible to wear them without looking like you had 4 kids at 16 and smoked through all the pregnancies. 0/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE: God I miss white chocolate. 5/10 (Had to take half points of because of how disgusting the dairy industry is. DON’T GET ME STARTED. (Seriously, don’t))
Posted by Georgie on July 9, 2011
BACKGAMMON
I played this a fair bit in my childhood with my family… Along with a whole bunch of card games and the like. Even now, we still have a backgammon board sitting on the table and it is used every now and then. It can be dull, but if you’re playing with the right person it is fun (as anything is, I guess). And a bit of competition with my brother is always fun! 7.5/10
SCRUBS
I’ve only ever watched the first season in full… And it is amusing. But not great enough that I would want to watch all 9 seasons (or however many there are). This is proven by the fact that I actually have all seasons on my hard drive, have had for ages, and still haven’t actually watched them. 7/10
UGG BOOTS
They are warm and cosy. But I don’t think they should be worn outside of the house. Beth’s post pretty much sums up my opinion. However, if worn inside to cope with the freezingness of winter, I give them 8/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE
Love it, like most chocolates. It comes second to milk but beats dark. I love the combination of milk and white (in chocolate blocks such as Top Deck and Marble especially). 8/10
Posted by LisaD on July 9, 2011
SCRUBS – I really loved Scrubs for quite a while. I was a huge fan of John McGinley. (I have a fondness for actors that maintain a career over several decades doing lots of little indie films, it’s the Giamatti factor.) My favorite thing about the show was it came out at a time when TV was awash with doctor dramas, most of which were hopelessly melodramatic. The humor was fresh and strange and it had a snap to it. Then one day I turned on the TV to watch scrubs and it was shit. It had become hacky and tired (which seems to be the comedy version of hopelessly melodramatic). The characters seemed like caricatures of themselves. I had no idea what happened, but I didn’t stick around to find out. Life is too short. Seasons 1-4: 9/10 all seasons since: 1/10
UGG BOOTS – like crocs now and jellies before them, uggs are another shoe that are clearly hideous but people keep insisting they are awesome. They are hiccups in fashion, not fashion itself. 0/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE: I liked it more when I was younger, but now I like my chocolate extra dark. There’s a brand I found that makes 90-95% cocoa chocolate and biting into it is like eating candy made of opium. Compared to that white chocolate is a bit like licking paper. 2/10
Posted by Helen on July 9, 2011
BACKGAMMON
When I was a kid we had this one board game that on one side of the board had snakes and ladders, and on the other had backgammon. I would often look on the other side and ask ‘What’s this game?’ and mum would always say, ‘it’s backgammon, but turn it over we’re playing snakes and ladders’. She would always say this, and soon I got the impression that I shouldn’t of asked about backgammon, that backgammon was something that only adults knew about. I thought backgammon was risky. I thought backgammon was dangerous. I thought backgammon could well involve swear words. And for that backgammon gets 10/10, but now I suspect it is actually quite dull.
SCRUBS
First few series pretty good. It could make you laugh and then trip you up the next second, moving into something more serious and sad. But now it is pretty bad. And when I say pretty bad, I mean, really very shit. 4/10
UGG BOOTS
Many people have ugg boots. People get very excited by ugg boots. I’ve heard many a talk about Ugg Boots. I’ve heard accusations of Fugg Boots (fake ugg boots). I’ve heard commentries about who is wearing new Ugg Boots. I’ve heard shock at different shades of Ugg Boots. I’ve heard very long stories about the buying of Ugg Boots, and even longer stories about how some Ugg Boots had to be thrown out. And it is for these reasons, that I hate Ugg Boots. THEY ARE JUST SHOES. PUT THEM ON AND GET ON WITH YOUR DAY. WHY DID THIS HAVE TO CHANGE. IT WORKED SO WELL. 1/10.
Posted by Beth on July 9, 2011
I only have one comment to make, and that’s on ugg boots. I am from Australia, which is where they originated, so y’all can just belt up and listen to me*:
Ugg boots are INDOOR SHOES and they are UGLY and WORN BY BOGANS. They are warm and comfortable and favoured by grannies to wear when they nip down to the shops. They are NOT fashionable. They are UGLY. Every single Antipodean who sees some vacuous nitwit swanning around in her £200 ugg boots is laughing until they cry on the the inside.
Ugg boots cost $20 from “Big W”, i.e. the Aussie version of Woolworths (RIP). No self-respecting person should be seen dead in them outside of their own home, and even then they should only be seen in them by their immediate family.
British people, imagine if the most chav-tastic thing you can think of suddenly became fashionable. Something like…those enormous tacky heart-shaped earrings, or inch-think fake tan. Imagine how hard you would laugh at the rest of the world being taken in by it and paying hundreds and hundreds of pounds for it and thinking they were the height of sophistication. Yeah. That’s what the craze for ugg boots is like to us.
*I have have had QUITE a bit to drink tonight. Pls indulge me as a slightly-half-cut lush rather than a loudmouth Aussie who needs to shut up and let you get on with living in your country in peace.
Posted by Knox on July 9, 2011
Blue Valentine – can’t score as haven’t actually seen it, but really, really want to, just based on teh trailer and what other people have said.
Alton Towers – I liked it when I was ten, which was just before I stopped liking rollercoasters (not sure why, maybe the idea of death and mortality started catching up with me at that point!). Anyways, now just seems like a lot of money for not much fun. 4/10
Scrubs – I started watching Scrubs in the second series, I think. The one with the lead singer from ‘Men At Work’. I still sing that song, and that was a while back. Stopped watching when I pretty much stopped watching tv, but still love it and aim to get the box set. It’s funny, and ridiculous, Perry Cox is disturbingly attractive, and it just has a load of cool characters. And all that singing. 9/10
Ugg boots – my foster mum bought me a pair of ‘snugg boots’ last christmas (Quality Seconds’ version of Ugg Boots’). Her comment as she gave them to me: “I know your feet get cold around the house, so I’ve got you some nice warm slippers”. They are brilliant for keeping your feet warm, but foolishly appear to have no grip whatsoever, so pointless for walking in inclement weather (though maybe this is not the same as Ugg boots). I do like the way they look, though, and the fact you can wear them up or down. so: 5/10
White chocolate – I think I remember a back of the net (or was it the other one?) blog about white chocolate, that pretty much summed up it’s pointlessness in a way much funnier than I could ever hope to. Why does it exist?! It tastes horrible, and can’t even redeem itself by looking nice. The only good thing about white chocolate is the Milky Bar Kid (and not all those new weird adverts with adults dressed up as him either). 3/10 (all those marks are just for the MBK)
Posted by alot of rachels on July 9, 2011
Alton towers – as a rollercoaster fan I like Alton towers. it does have some great rides (Rita – shoots you 0-62mph in about 2.2 seconds, sonic spinball – it’s like being in a pinball machine, Air – one of the comfiest rides which I’d happily fall asleep on and thirteen- has a great surprise.)
BUT it’s horribly busy every day of the year and you have to be prepared to queue for 2+ hours for a ride. there’s other themeparks which have just as good rides (Flamingo land has a ride similar to Rita where you sit on a motorbike and are launched to 60 mph in 3 seconds but you’re just strapped in at the waist)
so, Alton towers does have the big famous rides but I’d happily go to other parks such as Flamingo land, Blackpool, Oakwood. they can also be busy but when I’ve gone it’s been significantly quieter.
(if you hate rollercoasters there are some amazingly pretty gardens at Alton towers too)
Alton Towers – 6/10
Scrubs – a show which easily passes the time. it’s enjoyable to an extent but a lot of the characters do start to grate (including the main guy) and it has the typical “we’ll end after this season…actually we’ll do another. And another even though most of the original cast have said no including the main guy”
6/10
White chocolate – 9/10 so good but there are some stupidly sickly bars out there.
Posted by Rachel on July 9, 2011
I only have one comment to make…
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
Often unintentionally used as a prop in causing great amusement when the owner is wearing them and it rains. Thankfully slowly dying out at my college (but being replaced by those Viv Westwood boots, unfortunately…)
Posted by Kathryn on July 9, 2011
BON IVER:
Ooh, I cannot praise the first album highly enough. It is beautifully stark and bare; you can almost hear the ice and the isolation it was written in. Maybe heartbreak is a cliched and over-wrought theme but here it works perfectly. The new stuff definitely has a different feel to it, more full and rounded and populous rather than just one man and a guitar. I haven’t had a proper listen yet so I’m not fully qualified to give an opinion, but For Emma, Forever Ago earns a 10/10 from me.
SCRUBS:
I’m in two minds about it. On one hand, it’s not very funny, often quite silly and a bit too… well, “American”, for want of a better term. Yet I do like it, as a comfort for when I’m at home, and also because I am amused at my medical student friend who really, really loves it and quite wants to be the main character. 7/10
WHITE CHOCOLATE:
Sickly sweet and with little or no actual cocoa content, thus forfeiting any right to be legitimately called “chocolate”. 3/10
Posted by Misha on July 8, 2011
BON IVER (new album by act of same name, or you can review the old one)
Lovely, entirely my kind of music, makes you think of whimsical things like trees and fields and rivers and what not, which is what I like in my music. 10/10
ALTON TOWERS (destination)
Never understood why it exists. Never been for that matter, what’s wrong with waiting for the fair to come round? 1/10
SCRUBS (TV show)
Didn’t see it til I got to uni (same as friends) quite entertaining, not the worst thing we’ve watched because we can’t be arsed to get up and find the remote etc etc, but I think if someone gave me a box set/links i’d probably sit and watch it, just wouldn’t chase it down. 7/10
UGG BOOTS (fashion item)
I HATE ugg boots when misworn, eg by small overly makeup laden teens in summer. When worn as they were meant, for warming your feet up apres surf when you can’t feel your hands to get your socks on, an excellent idea.
1/10 when misworn, 9/10 when used correctly.
WHITE CHOCOLATE (traditional category for people with no opinions on the other topics)
Yum, I think I actually prefer white to milk chocolate taste wise. My dad however hates it. 10/10