Game of Thrones
True Blood
New Girl
Supernatural
The Thick of It

The first character you fell in love with:

Tyrion
Bill
Schmidt
Dean
Malcolm Tucker

The character you never expected to love as much as I do now:

Jon Snow
Jason
Nick
Sam
Still Malcolm!

The character you can’t stand:

Joffrey! Die!
Rev. Newland
None…
Gabriel
Anyone on the oppsistion

The character you would shag anytime:

Clegane
Eric Northman
Schmidt
Castiel
Malcolm Tucker!

The character you’re most like:

Tyrion
Lafeyette
Jess
Sam
Terri Coverley

Who are your 3 favorite characters from each show in order?

Daenerys, Tyrion, Jon
Sookie, Eric, Pam
Jess, Schmidt, Nick
Dean, Sam, Castiel
Malcolm, Ollie, Terri

You folks do one!

Sy, x

Around the tender age of 4 (a lot of stuff happened when I was that age, the discovery of porn, poetry, Prada etc) I fell in love with Batman and all that he was about due to the classic show. As I was a pretty spoiled kid I would ask my aunt for all things Batman related to be added to my list of material collections which circulated around The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghost Busters memorabilia. I always got what I wanted, and before I knew it I was eating my dinner off Batman and Robin’s faces. With my spoilt attitude to all things material, my auntie never forgot to give me a dose of strict reality. She got me reading before I started school, due to her training as a nurse and midwife which lead her down the route of a no bullshit policy when it came to kids. Along came the comics! I hated reading, I hated the piano and more than anything I hated the fact that my new fictional loves were from thin books with awesome captions, but in order to get more merchandise I had to jump over this hurdle. Days and weeks went by before I finally gave in, and I tell you, I was hooked!

So, lots of Batman filled my tender brain, and at the same time Superman would live on the living room table too. I had no idea who he was, why my aunt assumed I would like him, but I swore allegiance to Batman by the age of 6 and nothing would ever tear that bond apart. Okay!? Good.

I entered the world of the DC Superhero after watching the legend that is Christopher Reeves playing as the Super-est Man alive! The films and the idea of possibly marrying Mr. Reeves was enough to persuade me. I read up on Superman and his daily routines of saving the world, but it was the darkness and crazy laughter from the pages of Gotham that kept stealing me back. The Batman stories always seduced me no matter where I went, even with my stint with Marvel comics fandom. I read the popular titles ranging from The Uncanny X-Men to Spiderman, from Iron Man to Black Panther. Eventually Batman called me back.

When Clark & Lois started I was hooked to man and the hero that was Clark Kent. Over the years my fascination and lust with Superman developed into some sort of contingency plan when Batman wasn’t exciting me. Sure enough, Superman was a gentleman amongst the pages, but he was too nice and that bugged me so I would leave him as if on cue. Back and fourth my curiosity went between Mr. Super guy (Superman) to Mr. I-am-rich-and-too-fly-for-this-shit (Batman), but eventually as time would have it I grew closer to the darker side of the literary world. Superman became a distant memory, even during the Smallville years. I watched the show for a while, enjoyed what I could but by then John Constantine was beckoning me.

That has basically been it, up until last September when DC Comics relaunched a new revamp of the hero lines. I started collecting the New Superman series, but felt I was missing out big time. Along with Action and Detective comics, I compiled a list of graphic novels and collections to give myself a sense of fresh air for a while. If you folks could add recommendations in the comment section below that would be great!

So after a bit of shopping on my comic book day, I bumped into a total stranger who had a wad of Superman titles in his hand. Now, I am a pretty random person and I will walk up to total strangers and commend them on their fabulous shoes or lush hair colour. I was having a nice debate about my dislike of a particular comic book company in recent years and watched him listen. He was bopping his head along and smiling away, so I asked him for his input and that was it. I asked him about what Superman titles he would suggest and he walked me over to the large shelves and pointed out two main titles to begin with. He was ever so excited I tell you! So was I!

Below are the novels I picked up, I shall review them once I get round to them! For now, keep me keen and recommend!!! I have turned a new leaf, and Superman is now my other lover… Along side the Bat.

That’s all for now, sweets x

Looking at my bank statements and rifling through the possible credit rating letters has been quite the fun pastime. Why? I don’t have any credit cards, nor any loans. I don’t even have an overdraft limit on my account as it reads: Overdraft Limit, £0. Good or bad? Either way, the money grabbers will dislike the fact that I haven’t succumbed to selling my soul for money that isn’t mine. Alas, I will have to in order to be judged fairly in order to be a teacher, and hopefully later a lecturer on the English Literature circuit. Sounds easy yes?

I’m an adamant kind of person, spoiled too, very talented and quite intelligent. With the almost normal life I have had, being in front of the camera or on stage whether it be performing or teaching in my spare time is the joy of my life, along with books. I don’t have a degree in teaching, hence why I am prepared to do what I can, even sell my soul to the bankers, in order to show people the white paper stating I am qualified to teach your teens and young adults. It will cost me a bomb and a half, but I am willing to do whatever it takes. If a genius were to stumble across my YouTube channels and decide that he likes my approach, I would hope he would call me and offer me an apprenticeship in teaching. That will not work, because that person does not exist…

I am lucky to have friends in the intellectual market and on the degree circuit. It is great to know I can have a steamy debate over the existence of God, or argue about whether Rochester or the Marquis de Sade were insane perverts or liberal icons wielding the sword of hidden truths and desires. I love being inspired by my friends who are qualified and and working from various subjects within literature, modern languages, the sciences or the arts. They are all having a wonderful time, and I have been left behind due to bad advice from previous teachers who didn’t give me the opportunity to expand my brain. I have had to expand it myself, and I have worked incredibly hard to obtain more than the needed amount of A Levels and other level 2/3 qualifications, dying to sort my invisible career out so I can live amongst other intellectuals and be challenged every single day. Some of you know how frustrating it is to be boxed up when you know you don’t belong in that box. It’s barbaric to say the least.

Now, this is where my slightly stupid and inquisitive side comes out… He does one become a teacher without a degree? Seriously, I need to know. It is all well and good to get a degree, but a lot of people assume that going university will automatically give them a decent career after graduation. Only a small number of post-grad students get into the career of their choice, due to work experience and an incredible amount of hard work. Fingers crossed I will work harder than I have ever pushed myself so I too can be happy. Recently the papers went rife with reports on how degree clad teachers were annoyed at their colleagues who were teaching without degrees. The teachers were upset at the fact that these individuals had been teaching roughly the same amount of time they have, doing an amazing job like them but were being paid the same when they apparently didn’t have the right. Who said a degree over work experience was better? I am sure the government said so years ago. As a young black woman without a degree, and only 3 years experience via my blogs and online, trust me I won’t get a job and no one will take me seriously. I can only prove my worth with that piece of paper and debt that could crush an elephant.

I have so much I wish to share, wish to explore and wish to teach, but at this stage I have a year of college left. I have months to sort out my future and apply for the zillionth time for a place at university and hope to the Gods that I get a place this time (now that less students are applying due to the rocketing fees). I am determined to be one of thousands who will still prove that us poor folks can and will make it. These aren’t the medieval times. There is no need or logic to keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor. Seriously.

Sorry, I couldn’t find the links I wanted, but I will try later today so check back!

Sy, your teenagers future teacher (and Shakespearian scholar?) x

As for his Youtube videos, I just had to share a few of my favourites in a bid to inspire you folks like he has inspired me!

Share the love people!!

Maykel Nunes

Sy x

15) The Craft – It is just one of those films that will take you back to a fairly experimental early teen-hood; or at least mine. I had my very early beginnings in wanting to find out about paganism and witchcraft because of this film, and I also saw it as a film that helped spell out teenage angst from the 90s.

Coupled with: Practical Magic

14) Battle Royale – Still one my favourite Japanese film. Since this film I have watched others from various genres, but this film still comes out on top.

Coupled with: Audition

13) Girl, Interrupted – I saw this film at a sleepover and that was when I developed a serious girl crush on Angelina Jolie and her amazing acting style. The book was amazing too, very personal, in depth and totally fucked up – excuse the swearing! In a huge way, being someone who isn’t regarded as 100% normal myself, I was able to connect to this film in a relatable way. It has stuck with me ever since.

12) The Devil Wears Prada – I love fashion, writing and ambition. This film had an easy and fun story and I pick it up every time I need a boost and a break from The Expendables and the Hangover franchise.

Coupled with: Sex and the City Movie & Sex and the City 2

11) Le fabuleux destin d’amélie Poulain – Still one of my all time favourites!! My previous quick review is found on the link in the introduction.

Coupled with: Beautiful Lies

10) In the Loop – Dark satirical film based on the British politics programme The Thick of It from the BBC.

Coupled with: Pretty Persuasion

9) Watchmen – Based on the epic comic book series from an award winning writer with a fetish for very grounded and highly charged individuals. Masterpiece.

Coupled with: Sin City

8) Clash of the Titans – the remake. I love it! It is my guilty pleasure, and the one of the last times I see Peter Postlethwaite – RIP.

Coupled with: Immortals

7) Perfume: Story of a Murderer – Ben Whishaw at his finest. This story is unpredictable, eloquent and just divine. It keeps you hooked from the start, unfolding as each scene rolls on. Utterly mesmerising!

Coupled with: Angels & Demons

6) The Expendables – For me, this is my ideal porn. Hot guys, action heroes I grew up obsessing over in a big fight to the finish. I have been a lover of Stallone since I was small, so anything with him in, I know will be a hit. (Including the sequel out 17 August 2012).

Coupled with: Taken

5) The Hangover – One of my favourite films for sure, and not just because of the amazing story line, the cool cast or the funny quips through-out, but it is just an amazing must-see-before-you-die kind of film!

Coupled with: The Hangover 2

4) Shame – no words can explain here, so read this review.

Coupled with: Scenes of a Sexual Nature

3)  Inglorious Basterds – I just love it okay?

Coupled with: Reservoir Dogs

2) The Dark Knight – Well… all of the Batman franchise but this film by far is the best! I’m just sitting here waiting for the 20^th July to come so I can see the last instalment. I also love the fact that they filmed some of the factory scenes up the road from me!

Coupled with: Batman Begins

1) Dracula – My most valuable and favourite film ever. If anyone dare tries to do a remake of the Cappola I will cry. I love the book, but most of all Dracula is a true vampire, not the tween glitter remakes in recent years. Sorry folks, but I am keeping it real.

Coupled with: Inglorious Basterds

Scenes of a Sexual Nature (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

– Sy x

from NY Times

Shame (2011) is poignant and mesmerising. The story is to the point in subtle and gentle ways, and it has managed to burrow into the mind of a true film story seeker. This film is most definitely one my new favourites, and it is down to the story, the detail of the shots and the amazing acting by Michael Fassbender. If you look into most films these days, there is a lack of brilliant acting; acting that would draw you into a deeper awareness of the characters on screen rather than who is playing them. For that, I highly recommend this film to true film lovers – of all genres!

The score and the music selections heard throughout the film go hand in hand in such a manner that you would instantly recognise the film, and feel the emotion of each scene. Each track is a way to narrow in on the mindset of each character, like the constant teasing of words from each song played when Brandon’s sister Sissy pops up. I loved how the shots open up the stirrings of Brandon’s character, one major example would be the scenes when he is mostly on his own, he is centred perfectly, but in other scenes when he is quite erratic the shots are unstable mimicking his emotional instability – the lack of control you miss when spending time with an unsuspected addict.

I have heard too many times that people will only see films with their favourite actors or directors, I do it too but every once in a while you come across an actor who really shakes you with his performance. For me, and for the sake of their acting and their ability to bring a character into your living room, Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown: Richard II, Perfume: Story of a Murderer) and Michael Fassbender shock the living daylights out of me. Shame is amazing. Fassbender is amazing. More importantly Brandon is unnerving. His addiction and the sexual scenes are pure art from where I stand. I felt profound sadness when watching Brandon unfold as the film rolled on, as he is not what most people would assume a sex addict would be. The story dealt with the pressures, stresses and possible reason behind his addiction, but from his point of view, the view that is often overlooked and I found this tremendous. Steve McQueen did an excellent job here, detailing the suffering that this lone man feels. I guess, as a young woman and a social animal, I never thought having a sex addiction was so lonely and so sad – I just want to give Brandon a hug.

I don’t want to give too much away, and I’m sure there are lots I would happily tell you all, but this is a film you need to see at least three times before you judge it. Seriously go buy it, enjoy it and have an open mind. Hopefully, you will be blown away like I was. For now, enjoy the trailer so it can wet your lips, and later wait with me on Steve McQueen’s next film 12 Years a Slave.

Other Links

NY Times Film Review – Shame

Rotten Tomatoes – Shame

Empire – Shame

Sy x