Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, the third installment in the popular series lasts a whopping hundred-and-sixty seven minutes. Twenty minutes in and already feeling the need to go pee-pee, the film and I really couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, not helping the fact that it's a series I already had mixed feelings towards. The one line review simply, is that the film is far too long and overblown, seemingly lasting forever. Two hours too long? Perhaps. An hour too long? Definitely.

Continuing on from the half-realised conclusion of the previous film, At World's End continues the story of our non heroes attempting to rescue chief non-hero Captain Jack Sparrow -as played by Johnny Depp- from the depths of Davy Jone's Locker, in what are undoubtedly numerous scenes that had the present audience puzzled out of their mind and confused as to the meaning of why everything was so god-damn white. As a premise it's one that should be applauded, if only for it being utilised in the first place, but the vast expanse of nothing is without a doubt an incredibly surreal scene that does, every so often feel out of place, especially in regards to the other sand & sea locales involved. It's striking because of this impact it has on the viewers, but while incredibly delicious in it's own right, it's a segment that doesn't really gel with the film altogether- something that seems to be a curse on many of the other subplots involved in the two hour plus viewathon.

With the opening premise of the film wrapped up within the first hour, numerous additional myths and stories are added to the fray, all of which soon intertwine and twist within each other, much to mass confusion from the viewer involved. Stories and plots seem to come from nowhere at all, with even a preposterous subplot involving a Naiad getting a look in. Naturally some of the subplots and themes in the film work better than others, but there's a real heavy focus on events and ideas from past films to try and carry the franchise forward as a whole, something that's achieved with mixed results. Most baffling is the evolution of character Elizabeth Swann throughout the series. In an era and locale where woman are merely classed as second-citizen, derogatory sex objects, the notion of Keira Knightley progressing through the ranks to eventual role of "Pirate King" is complete lunacy, and an idea that's far from well thought out. Additional characters too have a complete lack of believability about them, with Orlando Bloom seemingly changing factions every ten minutes, again, something that adds to the frustration and confusion of the film overall.

As an action flick though, and with the film treated as a "leave your brain at home" viewing, At World's End succeeds magnificently. Swordfights, explosions, and loads of rope swinging simply are the order of the day, and the film in this respect is a pleasure to watch- a constant assault on the eyes. In a similar boat (no pun intended) are the CG effects, which dominate the majority of the film, but once again are pleasing and very convincing throughout, even if a disregard for physics is a recurring theme. Comedy too, a theatrical device used in the previous films, makes a return, often marking a complete release from plot(s) that take themselves far too seriously. Never anything more than slapstick, these scenes are surprisingly enjoyable, and perhaps, make the franchise what it is to begin with. While they don't make for knee-slapping hilarity, they are well peppered throughout the film and do provide plenty of laugh-out-load moments, though with the serious content of the film, they're moments that are forgotten all too shortly afterwards.

PotC is that recent Hollywood stereotype- the big-budget release with no expense spared and little creative planning beforehand, a rut that all films now seem to be stuck in. As such it completes it's objective well, perhaps entertaining more than what it really should, and certainly making for a fun night at the cinema, but the whole story is pretty disposable and nothing to get too concerned about. As the final installment of the franchise (well, for now), At World's End could, no, SHOULD be remarkably better than what it really is, but with plenty of eye candy and on screen fireworks, this is one film that should be seen at least once, if only for the visual treats on offer.

The undisputed legends of the 90s alternative music scene The Smashing Pumpkins are set to reunite this year, with a live show tomorrow night at the Grand Rex in Paris the first step of that process. Their first live show in seven years, things, to say the least, should be phenomenal. The fact however that still only Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin are confirmed as playing is an undisputed cause for concern, as is the numerous friction-filled rivalries that have plagued the band since their formation. But hey, with an album to follow, lets not get negative about it all just yet.

Tonight, Tonight is without a doubt my favourite song by them, and to an extent, my all time favourite song ever. Soft pacing and with beautiful orchestral sections before plunging into the epic, headstrong and all-round massive chorus, clearly a pivotal moment in the history of the rock music single. The video that accompanies falls into a long line of fantastic promos by the band, with it's quirky and eccentric production, that, despite it's oddness, just seems oh-so damn fitting alongside the music itself. Argument over which of their video is the best of course is inevitable, with all of the band's promos having a unique sense of style alongside a very different avant-garde concept each time, but for me, hands down, Tonight, Tonight is the best example that the Pumpkins should be remembered for, and in regards to the coming shows and albums this year, further evidence that they are the band to watch for this year.

With an onslaught of poorly designed chat-show entertainment and repeats, you'd be forgiven for avoiding the Channel 4 Friday night line-up at all costs, but with a continued focus on Ugly Betty, repeats of Peter Kay's fantastic Phoenix Nights, and most importantly the fourth season of Peep Show, things have been better recently. Such a great feeling of course doesn't last forever, as last night,was the conclusion of the afore-mentioned series of Peep Show.

Successfully managing to bypass the stigmata of "difficult third season" that plagues so many shows nowadays, the fourth series of the show picks up largely from the events of the previous year, in particular Mark's marriage proposal to Sophie. For the first time in the show's history the entire series is driven towards this particular plot, with an ongoing continuation of references and scenes dedicated to this every week, unlike past weekly disposable plots from the previous years. It's something of a double-edged sword however, as it evidently restricts creativity and exploration in each of the episodes, with a lot of possible scenarios and character development often left out in favour of Mark's impending doom, so much so, that in essence, Jeremy doesn't really get a look in this season whatsoever.

This is something that occurs throughout the surreal world of the show, with many of the recurring characters barely appearing at all, perhaps the best example being fan favourite Johnson only appearing in a sole character-driven episode. What this means is that despite the entourage of characters that do appear in the show, season four is very much "The Mark and Jeremy Show" much like in the first year. Whether this appeals to you as a viewer or not is based entirely on your televisual preferences, but certainly, some expanded cast or further memorable guest characters like Liz May Brice as Sally in episode four, would do no harm.

With the show renowned often as being crudely hilarious and a mash up of other adjective verbs, this season is no exception, with notable examples including pissing oneself, burning down a farm and Jeremy sleeping with Sophie's mum. As ever these moments are always incredibly surreal and random in their execution, but continue to build on the frameworks of past season mishaps and blunders. With the show now in it's fourth year however, scenes like this are quickly becoming expected, and similarly in regards to Nip/Tuck, less shocking as each season passes. Like Nip/Tuck however, that's not to say these shock moments are still far from effective, but along with first-person narration, well, they're the tried and tested staples of this show regardless of what happens.

Series four of Peep Show is far from the funniest year of the show, with that accolade rightly belonging to the first season. Peep Show is a show that's still incredibly enjoyable and incidentally still far better than the majority of UK comedies namely the ones on offer from Ricky Gervais. As a concept it's one that's since of course aged, and certainly not as well as one would've hoped, but despite these faults and niggles, the fact remains that Peep Show is essential viewing- more so if you're a newbie- if only, because frankly, there is nothing like this on TV.

With it's bum firmly sat at a computer desk entering numbers for the whole of last season, the third season of LOST has been a roller coaster ride of adventure, mystery, absurdity and most importantly, answers. Be it the revelations and discovery of what island badguys The Others are upto or the answer as to what happens when afore-mentioned button isn't pushed. Alongside endless upon endless deaths, Season 3 has been a true return to form and one that depending on your TV interests, has either excited or scared you away completely. An idea which Wednesday's episode "The Man Behind The Curtain" enforces well.

The flashback episode of perhaps one of the most elusive and intriguing characters on the show to date, The Man Behind The Curtain examines the adolescent life and journey of none other than head Other, Benjamin Linus during the height of the DHARMA Initiative. Unfortunately what this episode is not as previously suggested is a 'history of the island' scenario, and we're not even seen the construction of the Initiative, but in true LOST fashion, what we do see is a glimpse of a single important event with numerous questions still preceding and following on from it. Though not obvious immediately, the flashback isn't really concerned with the DHARMA Initiative at all, and rather, focusses on their absolute downfall and the evil transformation of young Ben Linus, a story oh-so similar to Anakin Skywalker's doomed fate in the Star Wars canon , but all the same, two seperate plotlines that go hand in hand with each other.

As expected though, things aren't that simple. As well as answering and exploring some key questions to the history of the DI and one of this season's pivotal characters, numerous others are added to the endless "list of unanswered questions on LOST". And not just trivial fan-only queries either, no, new deliciously-absurd mind bogglers such as why there's no aging take precedent on any viewer's agenda. What's notable also in the episode was the long awaited reveal of Jacob- a man only previously mentioned by a select few characters, and certainly a moment which had a lot to live up to. As ever, things weren't crystal clear, but in a scene where an abandoned hut in the jungle shakes and vibrates and contains the actions of someone who's between morality planes uttering "Help Me", you know there's something sinister afoot, and certainly, further reminder that this show's no longer about the survivors of a plane crash. Easily the televisual scene of the year.

But this episode is just further reinforcement in a long line of episodes suggesting that these survivors, the characters we've watched for the last two seasons are no longer the stars of the show. Eclipsed in popularity by newbie Others Juliet Burke and Ben Linus as well as their supporting cast pf characters such as Tom Friendly and Richard Alpert, it's obvious immediately that the change warned by the creative powers behind the show aren't imminent, rather, they're now.

The Man Behind The Curtain comes at the pivotal point of the season where we're near the finale, answering and concluding plot points from early in the year while simultaneously leading up to conclusion of this season that's now only two weeks away. It's easy with this episode to feel out of your depth and in an endless loop as progress rarely ever seems to be made, but even if the show doesn't wrap up and conclude the way you want it to over the coming years, one thing's worth remembering.

It's been a damn good ride.

Via BBC News,

Arts and humanities students are much less likely to have made plans for working after university and expect less well-paid jobs, suggests research.

Almost half of arts students have no plans for after university - and expect to travel or take temporary jobs.

Fuck.

The truth is with me, I spent the majority of High School worrying about what I was going to do in the future and continually fumbled together plans with no real hope, so it stands to reason it's a trait that isn't going to leave me overnight. In a way I'm almost studying Humanities by accident, and certainly I'm one of those students that has no idea what I'm going to do once I've got the degree. But the news report- which isn't even news?- conveys this idea as being bad and in a negative light, when I think really this is the complete opposite. Certainly planning is involved in every aspect of life, but how about just moving on auto-pilot every now and then? I knew when I started my studies it would be hard to find a job at the exit of it all, something becoming more and more common with any course nowadays, but this is something that's purely interest driven instead of being the proposed entry into a career equaling lots of money. Sure, money's nice, but the truth is I'm not really bothered about what I do once I've emerged with the degree in hand.

As long as it's not cold or messy.

I love Peep Show, as well as Mitchell & Webb- a show and duo currently saving the Friday night schedules of Channel 4 from being a complete mess on a weekly basis. Now in it's fourth season it's easy to say that the show isn't as good as it used to be in the early days, but regardless, it continues still to be one of the funniest shows on UK TV.

Via Digital Spy-

American cable network Spike TV is reported to have done a deal with RDF USA subsidary Pangea to develop a US version of Peep Show.

Curb Your Enthusiasm executive producer Robert Weide is believed to be linked as as writer and director.

There needs be a law of some sort to prevent this kind of nonsense happening. The news that producer Robert Weide is (supposedly) behind the project is mighty encouraging considering the similarities between Peep and Curb, but all the same, i'm completely terrified this is going to turn out awful, and end up being a show that shares nothing with the original UK version other than the name. It could work of course, but the question is, will it?

My recent assessment (read, not my exam) came back in the post today, and surprisingly, it's the highest mark i've achieved since my 'higher education' started two years ago. For obvious reasons I have to refrain from posting the actual result, but with my exam resit now out of the way i'm incredibly pleased with the end grade, and hey, there's nothing better than success, right?

The assignment was to write a detailed commentary of The Battle of Austerlitz by the French painter François Gerard, and to evaluate, if any, the propagandist function that the painting had. Discussing the composition was good because it's something i've been doing since high school and regularly enjoy doing, but the second part of the question I found slightly baffling. I felt though that given the bad press surrounding Napoleon at that time, the painting did have a hidden agenda of promoting him in a positive light, and in a role of someone who was a hero. My tutor was impressed overall with my attempt, but deducted points from me for my discussion of Napoleon himself, saying that I was "a little hard on Napoleon towards the end of the essay". It's something I won't disagree with of course, because from what i've read I do have a very negative impression of him and his war-hungry attitude, but all the same, maybe those feelings and ideas should've been vented here and not in the essay.