jump to navigation

Don’t be such a scientist February 3, 2010

Posted by sarah in: science . Add a comment

I just finished reading a book called Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style, by a marine biologist-turned-filmmaker, Randy Olson. Olson quit his research career to go to film school, and is now an established science film director in Hollywood. One of his earliest efforts was this music video about the sex lives of barnacles. In this book, he talks about his experience of being a man of substance in a world of style, and gives advice to scientists on how to communicate research to a wide audience without boring, annoying or patronising them.

For all his good advice, I have to say Olson picked a rather unfortunate title. It’s impossible to buy this book as a gift for someone without seeming, well, rude. Being a scientist, obviously, I did just that for the scientist I share my life with. He wasn’t too impressed (but did finish the book, then placed it on my side of the bed).

(more…)

Watch Men save the planet March 17, 2009

Posted by sarah in: random, women . 4comments

I saw the film Watchmen last week, the adaption of a classic in the graphic novel genre with the same title by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It’s pretty enjoyable, especially if you’re in the mood for some great visual effects and gore. Lots of blood and bone-crunching. I’ve never been a big comic or graphic novel fan but I decided to read the book and in fact it’s really good! The drawings are beautiful and the writing is very imaginative with lots of depth. So if you want to know what the hype is all about but aren’t a fan of severed limbs and arteries then I recommend the book. I do want to say something about the female characters though.

(more…)

Jumping on the Batwagon July 25, 2008

Posted by sarah in: random . Add a comment

I went to see The Dark Knight yesterday so now I’m finally going to allow myself to read what everyone else has said about it. It’s an awesome film, and proof that big summer blockbusters don’t need to be crap. It’s got the great stunt, effects, the romance, but also a lot of depth, darkness, and the writing is great.

The BBC’s take on the acting performances is interesting: that Christian Bale’s Bruce/Batman performance overshadows Heath Ledger’s Joker, as the latter is more of a one-dimensional character. The journo reckons that Ledger’s Joker is only as brilliant as it is because of Batman’s nuance and depth. I don’t know which performance I thought was better as such but it’s undoubtedly true that the characters need each other to make it work – and the Joker explicitly says just that in the film. There probably is a good chance that Ledger will win an Oscar for Dark Knight and I just hope that Christian Bale receives the same kind of acclaim.

I’m a big fan of Chris Nolan’s films. I went to the same university as him, albeit a bit later on, and he’s definitely the coolest UCL alumnus ever in my book!