Well, it could happen...

Freddie and me

I'm not really one for reading biographies.

I don't think I've ever read an autobiography before.

I've certainly never ready a biography of someone I'd never heard of and who didn't actually live that interesting a life.

I'd never even seen a graphic-autobiography before.

But the story of a Queen-obsessed boy from the UK, moving to the USA and remembering important events in his life and how they relate to Queen concerts and album releases sounded like fun...

So is it any good?

Well, its alright. Obviously if you don't like comics / graphic novels, then this one is not for you. Also, if you don't really care much for the music of Queen then you'd probably best avoid it too. But if you shed a tear on the day when Freddie died and have ever sung along to a Queen song holding a (real or imagined) half microphone stand, then you'll probably relate to this guy and enjoy the book.

The artwork is good and the story is touching. But when the two most significant events in the life of the central character are the death of his grandmother and the death of Freddie Mercury, its not exactly the greatest or funniest story ever told.

Possibly the most interesting sub-plot in the book is the relationship between the central character (a Queen fan) and his younger sister (a Wham! fan), how they are divided by musical differences, then united watching the Freddie tribute concert. Given this sub-plot, the book actually ends on a really heartwarming note... which you'll have to read the book to find out.

Perhaps not as good as I'd hoped it would be, but well worth a read if you're a geeky Queen fan.

Sin City

Life is cheap. This is the message of Sin City. I suppose the clue is in the title, but watching this film kind of eats away at your soul, steals away a little bit of your humanity. Everyone in this film is corrupt, amoral, depraved and a killer. There isn't even 'honour among thieves'.

Yes, its stylish. Yes, its visually glorious. Its even well directed, produced, etc., etc. But it places such a low value on human life and reduces everything to the basest level, so it cannot be a good film. You do want to watch, to try and work out what's going on, but there isn't even a good resolution to the movie - it ends with Sin City being just as depraved and corrupt as it was at the start. Lots of people have died; violently and pointlessly.

I feel slightly tarnished myself. I'm going to bed now. Good night.