30 April 2007

film sense-orship

Too young to see the film you star in because of the BBFC rating? Then make sure you get it shown in Bristol (a la Shane Meadow's This is England).

At last, an authority showing some sense over film censorship - and adjusting the certification to a 15. If only this had happened for Sweet Sixteen as well. Sadly, it's too late now.


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The Wiki-master interview

A fascinating glimpse into Jimmy Wales' take on everything net-ty.

> So what prevents renegade users editing each other into oblivion, and Wikipedia from becoming the world’s most unreliable resource?

> “It’s really about having a good community, having certain values within that community, and making sure the community has the tools they need to monitor the quality and maintain it over time,” says Wales. “Those are the real keys to what makes it work.”


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"15 minutes" - this sunday


15 Minutes (18)

The final in our Heroes and Villains series (and the last in this run of films…)
This Sunday, 6th May
Doors: 6.30pm Film starts: 7pm prompt
VENUE CHANGE ** please note that we've moved venues (contact for location details) **
If you want to explore the film's themes and issues: Post-film discussion: 9.15pm onwards Evening ends: no later than 10pm
Feel free to bring your own food, drinks and snacks.

25 April 2007

big voice for the little guys

howies do it again - a wealth of info on good ideas and good people, for our good planet home.

Little Big Voice lectures


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17 April 2007

11 April 2007

life on mars?...

Guess what? Sam was in a coma all along (cf Bobby's shower dream).

Sam's brain tumor and the swelling were the cause of his coma, and once operated on, he was hunky dory and back in the real world. All the 'clever' clues were actually his ward name, the room number, his surgeon... (It was around this time - 15 minutes from the end - that I started shouting at the TV.)

Except that once Sam was back, it didn't feel real to him. The life he'd longed to go back to - his family, the present - felt so much less real to him that he jumped off a roof - killed himself - to get back to 1973. And all because he'd promised Annie he wouldn't 'just leave'... Ah...

Questions...
If the 1973 life that Sam was living in ultimately was and felt more real to him than the present, why did he always want to go home so badly from 1973?
And why did he make the 'slightly' drastic choice of death in order to go back?
Surely he knew that was a cop-out (pardon the pun) - his mum, his girlfriend, his mates and colleagues would be distraught, guilt-ridden, at his recovery and sudden suicide?
One minute he was telling us that it was good to talk about it, the next jumping off the roof - why?
A copper of such principle, such a modern, ethical man, wouldn't choose to kill himself for racist, mysogynist fantasy-land?
He spent months trying to convince them that their methods made them corrupt, violent, sexist pigs (sorry again) - and yet he chose to go back and be one of them?
lf this is all correct, surely it's more accurate to say he was actually more mad than in a coma? Or both - the coma sent him mad?

And more...
Why did the Beeb commission a second series in the first place?
Why did I ever start watching it anyway?
lf it's true they made two endings, can they please let us see the other one?
Doesn't Jon Wilde's son's explanation seem so much better, more real, more satisfying?
Does it make me feel any better that one of the country's best TV critics doesn't seem to know what it means either?
Does all this mean Janet Street Porter's right, we get the TV we deserve?...

So many questions, and nere an answer to be found. Auntie, do the decent thing and 'Gene Hunt' the 80s spin-off now...


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08 April 2007

resurrection sunday


Be the change...

Sanctus1 and Be The Change presents the Change the Dream Symposium



Where on Earth are we going?
And what can we do about it?

These are two of the questions that lie at the heart of Change the Dream. It explores the link between three of humanity’s most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.

Using video clips from some of the world’s most respected thinkers, inspiring short films, and leading edge information on the state of the planet and its people, the day allows all of us to gain a new insight into the opportunity we have to shape the direction of our world with our everyday choices and actions.

Monday 7 May (bank holiday), 10.00 - 4.30
Nexus, Dale St., Manchester, M1 1JW
0161 236 0100

Cost: £10 (£5 unwaged) - any profits will be donated to suitable charities.
Fairtrade tea/ coffee provided. Lunch not included – bring or buy your own.

For bookings and info, please email bethechange@sanctus1.co.uk


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a realisation...

If you close your eyes and listen hard, the sound of rain on a hood sounds a lot like the patter of rain on a tent.

Thought that was worth sharing...


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