Evening Hour

The Dark Knight Rises – Initial Thoughts

Jen — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 13:11:34 +0000

I had just turned sixteen when I watched Batman Begins in the cinema. I liked Batman, and had read a few of the comics, my first ever "serious" comic being The Dark Knight Returns (so that left an impression), but I wasn't a fan per se. But it's thanks to Christopher Nolan that I grew more and more invested in the Batman mythos and character. THIS was a Batman I was completely fascinated by. Now, four years on since The Dark Knight hit the big screen, we come full circle to the final film installment of Nolan's Batman series. I had to see it on the opening night, regardless of whether I had work the next day, I just HAD to be there. And what a way to say goodbye (as it were)! I've been a good kid and not paid too much attention to all the teasers and trailers and interviews and reviews, so I was still quite in the dark about the film's progress and story of the movie when I went into the cinema (but that's not to say I didn't meet some Tumblr spoilage). This is a film with such an extensive level of expectation and hype that it's simply impossible to please everyone, so the less you know, the less disappointed you will be. And that proved to work in my favour, as I loved just about every minute of The Dark Knight Rises, give or take a few issues, but that was a given. I probably will write a full review after I see it for a second time next week, as it's just one of those movies that warrants multiple viewings, but I thought I'd jot down my initial thoughts here. And open up a forum for anyone who's seen it and would like to chat about it! So please don't read on if you've not seen it. SPOILERS ABOUND.

Twi-washed covers gather round, please

Jen — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 04:53:12 +0000

I liked the Twilight book cover. It was a strong and simple concept, and it did look beautiful. I say this all in past tense now because so much over-exposure and repeated appropriation has killed its aura for me. Call it genius marketing, bandwagon jumping or shameless plagiarism--there's no dispute: the Twilight cover (designed by Gail Doobinin) ineffably represents much of popular fiction cover design today, loath as we are to admit it. So where am I heading with all this?

Soundtrack Review: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries – Music from the Television Series (2012)

Jen — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:07:28 +0000

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is one of the most lavish and endearing costume dramas on Australian television, and it's been a delight to look forward to a new episode every Friday night (only three left now—sad face anyone?), considering I hardly stay committed to watching live TV. It owes its popularity to a strong cast with great chemistry, slightly absurd but charming murder plots with a touch of Christie grandeur, meticulous set and costume designs and that quintessential Australian-ness. 1920s Melbourne has never looked classier. And then there is the fabulous music.

Illustration Friday: Swamp, Return

Jen — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:14:53 +0000

Have been so busy of late I’ve not had time to do any illustrations, but I whipped these up quite quickly: This week’s prompt: Return. I have a library books overdue so it’s been on my mind a lot … Last week’s prompt: Swamp. This drawing pretty much correlates with the above too! Or my [...]

Your Mission is to Watch Danger 5!

Jen — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:36:40 +0000

Australian comedy is at its most unrecognisable yet most unique in the fantastic show that is Danger 5, a six episode action comedy screening on SBS. I happened upon it after reading an article about the show in the Green Guide, and once I saw it was by the guys who did the YouTube sensation, [...]

Illustration Friday: Shades

Jen — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:15:53 +0000

Strangely enough it occurred to me after I drew this that I could have done something really perverse with the word shades (I guess THAT infamous fanfic is prevalent in many minds these days) but I think the shades of bygone fashions are infinitely more interesting… wouldn’t you agree?

Mad Men Party: Day Three: New Season! New You!

Jen — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:06:28 +0000

I MadMenned myself (that sounds all wrong). It’s an old game from season four, but it’st still fun to play vector dress ups: There’s also the Which Mad Man Are You? test. I got Joan Holloway. Sigh, if only …

Mad Men Party: Day Two: The Mad Men School of Seduction

Jen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:02:11 +0000

Kryan Jones has made this delightfully terrible collation of clips from Mad Men pick up lines ...

Mad Men Party: Day One: Nostalgia and Design

Jen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:03:39 +0000

I am one of the many, many fans who are more than eagerly awaiting the fifth season premiere of Mad Men, which begins airing on AMC in the States on March 25. It's been nearly a year and a half since season four ended, and we are simply salivating for more. So on a wild whim, for the next six days I am celebrating the new season premiere by having a Mad Men party. All are invited, wild conversations encouraged, and drink drink drink till your liver collapses! OK, so it's a virtual party, and I don't recommend binge drinking, but it's all about the vibe. I'll be covering bits and pieces of interest, including design, music, cocktails, book reviews, viral randomness and a season four catch up for the forgetful—it has been a very long time, after all.

Australian Women Writers Challenge 2012

Jen — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:25:35 +0000

As if I don’t have enough to do I have just committed myself to the Australian Women Writers Challenge (or #aww2012). Objective: This challenge hopes to help counteract the gender bias in reviewing and social media newsfeeds that occurred throughout 2011 by actively promoting the reading and reviewing of a wide range of contemporary Australian women’s [...]