Showing posts with label as. Show all posts
Showing posts with label as. Show all posts
Monday, July 10, 2017
PM congratulates Donald Trump on his assumption of office as President of the USA
PM congratulates Donald Trump on his assumption of office as President of the USA
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Mr. Donald Trump on his assumption of office as President of the United States of America.
"Congratulations to Donald Trump on assuming office as US President. Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years.
Strength of the India-USA strategic partnership lies in our shared values and common interests.
Looking forward to working with President to further deepen India-US ties & realise the full potential of our cooperation", the Prime Minister said.
Looking forward to working with President @realDonaldTrump to further deepen India-US ties & realise the full potential of our cooperation.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2017
Strength of the India-USA strategic partnership lies in our shared values and common interests.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2017
Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on assuming office as US President. Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2017
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Available link for download
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Presenting Math as an Art
Presenting Math as an Art
I was disconnected from the internet for most of the August and got a luxury of time to read a few deep-hidden non-fiction books from our library. One of these books was a shocker - a light, eloquent, captivating and constructive critique of the ways mathematics is percieved and presented at schools, universities and most of our households. It is a very refreshing and convincing analysis from a former scientist and experienced math teacher and I am going to recommend it to every teacher, parent and high school student. The book is: "A Mathematical Lament" by Paul Lockhart. It is subtitled: "How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form."
Dr Lockhart suggests that math is an art and should be treated exactly like music and painting. We should not be learning math because it is applicable to our daily lives or essential in our future occupations, but rather because the process and the result bring joy to our soul like listening to or producing music does. Forget all the bad math associations you have nurtured and think of a pleasure that discovery of any pattern brings to us. And the sweet mental game of attempting to explain this pattern.
Dr Lockhart suggests that math is an art and should be treated exactly like music and painting. We should not be learning math because it is applicable to our daily lives or essential in our future occupations, but rather because the process and the result bring joy to our soul like listening to or producing music does. Forget all the bad math associations you have nurtured and think of a pleasure that discovery of any pattern brings to us. And the sweet mental game of attempting to explain this pattern.
Take for example this curiosity:
1 = 1
1+3 = 4
1+3+5=9
1+3+5+7=16
1+3+5+7+9=25
Fascinating! Sum of the subsequent odd numbers produce results that are all square numbers.
But why?
Can any square number be represented as a sum of subsequent odd numbers?
If we let our mind wonder about this for a while we may be able to come with an explanation, perhaps even as thrilling as this one:
Any square number can be drawn as a square, such as this big and colorful 5x5. Any square can be split into such colorful parts.
Count the number of little pieces in these parts. They are 1 (purple), 3(green), 5(yellow), 7(blue) etc. These are our subsequent odd numbers. Looks like any square can be split into such pattern.
Lockhart writes that in school "the rich and fascinating adventure of the imagination has been reduced to a sterile set of facts to be memorized and procedures to be followed." Being math expert, math lover and experienced math teacher he suggests a number of directions to improve such math education:
- "Mathematics is an art of explanation." This means that students should be allowed to pose their own problems, to be wrong, to be creatively frustrated, to have an inspiration, and to cobble togather their own explanations and proofs."
- Math history is fascinating and provides a great base for captivating storytelling. Instead of handing kids formulas to memorize retell them stories of ancient and contemporary mathematicians and their search for solutions to the fascinating problems that are wrapped in these formulas today.
- Like other arts math should be subject to debate and critisize in schools. "Is this argument sound? Does it make sense? Is it simple and elegant?"
- Forget proper notations that are frequently a source of frustration. "Math is not a language, it is an adventure." DaVinci, Pollock,and Warhol each created art in their own way.
The author also cleverly warns that although math is and should be presented as an "art" subject, such shelving may be dangerous as "useless" art disciplines are frequently the first to be cut off from the curriculum in time of budget cuts.
This book will definitely change the way you think about math.
It may boil your blood from anger with the author or on opposite, the current math curriculum against which he convincingly stands.
It may explain you why you always hated math classes but liked riddles and puzzles.
It surely will inspire you and teach you a few tricks that you will rush to share with your kids as I did.
Available link for download
Monday, May 15, 2017
OAuth Token as Salesforce SessionId in SOAP API PHP
OAuth Token as Salesforce SessionId in SOAP API PHP
Hi All,
Most of the time developers who write applications in php/java or any other language, using salesforce soap APIs (partner wsdl or enterprise wsdl), they hard-code the username/password and security token in their code or in a property file. But there is one issue in this approach, anytime, if your org password or security token get change, your application may down. You have to update the credentials in your code or property file on server to get your application work.
One alternate solution for this issue is to use OAuth token in your code and write one automated code which will refresh your oauth token whenever it gets expired. The approach which i am going to tell in few moments has a benefit that you dont have to modify your code much. The place where you setting your sessionid, you just need to change that place, instead of getting sessionid from login method, you simply need to change with oauth token way.
Here is a complete process to achieve this:
1) Go to your org, Setup->Remote Access, make New remote access entry there for your application. Give return url for the file which will get oauth code returned. In my example, i used this url
http://localhost/oauthsample/tokenprint.php
You will notice that you will get Consumer key and Consumer secret.
2) Make one php file at this location oauthsample/tokenprint.php with below code. The purpose of this code is simply print the oauth code.
3) Now use your browser, prepare this url and invoke from address bar of browser
As soon you invoke this url, you will see the generated oauth code on screen, copy the "GENERATED CODE" from the browser window.
4) Now use following html code, run it in your browser, by simply double click, fill the values in each field.
5) After you execute this, you will get xml output on screen something like this:
Here you will get two important things, one Refresh Token and second "access token".
6) Now, in your PHP/Java code you need to replace your session id with this access token. There is another thing in your code "server url", this you need to hard code something like below (make sure to use instance url of your org) :
7) Now, how to deal with expired token? For that you need to either make a separate method for it, or simply you need enclosed you code in try, catch block and look for INVALID SESSION exception. That exception will come whenever you try to access server contents and your token is expired. So the idea is, whenever that happen , simply catch that exception and use below code to get new access token. In below code, simply replace the different fields with your org info like consumer key, secret and important "REFRESH TOKEN" which we got in step #5.
You are now all set, now you dont have to worry about user credentials updation or revealing it.
Let me know if you face issue in any step.
Thanks
Aslam Bari
Most of the time developers who write applications in php/java or any other language, using salesforce soap APIs (partner wsdl or enterprise wsdl), they hard-code the username/password and security token in their code or in a property file. But there is one issue in this approach, anytime, if your org password or security token get change, your application may down. You have to update the credentials in your code or property file on server to get your application work.
One alternate solution for this issue is to use OAuth token in your code and write one automated code which will refresh your oauth token whenever it gets expired. The approach which i am going to tell in few moments has a benefit that you dont have to modify your code much. The place where you setting your sessionid, you just need to change that place, instead of getting sessionid from login method, you simply need to change with oauth token way.
Here is a complete process to achieve this:
1) Go to your org, Setup->Remote Access, make New remote access entry there for your application. Give return url for the file which will get oauth code returned. In my example, i used this url
http://localhost/oauthsample/tokenprint.php
You will notice that you will get Consumer key and Consumer secret.
2) Make one php file at this location oauthsample/tokenprint.php with below code. The purpose of this code is simply print the oauth code.
<?php
var_dump($_REQUEST);
?>
3) Now use your browser, prepare this url and invoke from address bar of browser
https://login.salesforce.com/services/oauth2/authorize?response_type=code&client_id=<your_consumer_key>&redirect_uri=http://localhost/oauthsample/tokenprint.php
As soon you invoke this url, you will see the generated oauth code on screen, copy the "GENERATED CODE" from the browser window.
4) Now use following html code, run it in your browser, by simply double click, fill the values in each field.
<form method="post" action="https://login.salesforce.com/services/oauth2/token">
<input type="hidden" name="grant_type" value="authorization_code"/>
<table>
<tr>
<td>
GENERATED CODE
</td>
<td>
<input type="text" name="code" />
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
CONSUMER KEY
</td>
<td>
<input type="text" name="client_id" value=""/>
</td>
</tr>
<td>
CONSUMER SECRET
</Td>
<td>
<input type="text" name="client_secret" value=""/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
REDIRECT URL
</td>
<td>
<input type="text" name="redirect_uri" value="http://localhost/oauthsample/tokenprint.php"/>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<input type="submit" />
</form>
5) After you execute this, you will get xml output on screen something like this:
Here you will get two important things, one Refresh Token and second "access token".
6) Now, in your PHP/Java code you need to replace your session id with this access token. There is another thing in your code "server url", this you need to hard code something like below (make sure to use instance url of your org) :
$mySoapClient = $sfConnection->createConnection(partner.wsdl);
$serverUrl = "https://ap1.salesforce.com/services/Soap/u/25.0/00D90000000Abcd";
$sessionId = "<<ACCESS TOKEN>>";
$mylogin = $sfConnection->attach($serverUrl, $sessionId);
7) Now, how to deal with expired token? For that you need to either make a separate method for it, or simply you need enclosed you code in try, catch block and look for INVALID SESSION exception. That exception will come whenever you try to access server contents and your token is expired. So the idea is, whenever that happen , simply catch that exception and use below code to get new access token. In below code, simply replace the different fields with your org info like consumer key, secret and important "REFRESH TOKEN" which we got in step #5.
<?php
function getNewToken(){
try{
$url = https://login.salesforce.com/services/oauth2/token;
$fields = array(
grant_type => "refresh_token",
client_id => "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
client_secret => "xxxxxxxxxxx",
refresh_token => "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
);
foreach($fields as $key=>$value) { $fields_string .= $key.=.$value.&; }
$ch = curl_init($url);
//set the url, number of POST vars, POST data
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $fields_string);
curl_setopt ($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER, false);
//execute post
$result = curl_exec($ch);
//close connection
curl_close($ch);
$json_a=json_decode($result,true);
return $json_a;
}catch(Exception $e){
var_dump($e);
}
}
?>
You are now all set, now you dont have to worry about user credentials updation or revealing it.
Let me know if you face issue in any step.
Thanks
Aslam Bari
Available link for download
Sunday, April 9, 2017
PLAYLIST Beautiful As Days Can Be
PLAYLIST Beautiful As Days Can Be
For the past few years, Ive shared an autumn playlist on the blog. (Heres last years if youre curious.) Im completely aware that its not fall just yet but I figured that I might as well get you in the spirit since, before you know it, well all be in a pumpkin patch, sipping Salted Caramel Mochas. (The far superior autumnal beverage.)
I know a lot of people feel depressed when the weather gets chillier and the days get shorter but for me, its the complete opposite. I feel content in the fall. I dont know what it is but the brisk air does wonders for my mental health. I still feel a certain amount of sadness but its an exciting kind of sadness. Its less despondency and more hopefulness. These songs sum up my feelings going into September and October in the midst of recovering from a pretty rough spring and summer. While the breeze gets a little cooler, I get excited for the first time in a while. The changing of the seasons always comes with some significance but autumn is the most beautiful to me because it represents a necessary death. Just like leaves must die (and do so very beautifully) to make room for fresh, new foliage, we must learn when to shed our layers. This could mean a friendship, a career, or a romantic relationship. It doesnt mean these things never had any special meaning, it just means that all good things must end and we need to known when to let go because resistance would only cause us more pain. The trees let their leaves fall and just rest for some time, and so must we. This is especially important for me this year, as Im learning life in general just isnt as "easy" as I thought it would be. Knowing that after every demise there is a beautiful new beginning is helping me to get by and giving me the peace to make tough decisions for the sake of my mental health.
My sorrow, when shes here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane. Robert Frost
xo,
e.m.
Available link for download
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Protecting the Perimeter Old Attacks Work Just as Well as New Ones
Protecting the Perimeter Old Attacks Work Just as Well as New Ones
When we think about external threats to information security, often our first thoughts are of hacker attacks on the network perimeter—say, advanced persistent threats (APTs) targeting large companies and governments. One example is the compromise of the Equation Group with publication of some of the groups tools for breaching the network perimeter. But as it turns out, many of the exploits have been known for a long time, although the “cherry on the cake” was a zero-day vulnerability for SNMP services (with SNMP standing for “Security Not My Problem”). While we do not have a full list of the compromised exploits, we can start with the other end of the equation by evaluating the state of protection of corporate perimeters with the help of real-world vulnerability statistics.
One such study was presented at PHDays VI as part of Positive Research 2016. The sample spanned approximately 10,000 accessible addresses and 15,000 vulnerabilities over a two-year period (2014–2015). Note that these numbers include ONLY network perimeters with above-average security. Only companies with asset inventory and vulnerability management processes (which, in turn, enable collecting statistics) were included.
Lets start with the “sexiest” morsel from the published exploit pack: the SNMP 0-Day. Is this something to be worried about? Our study shows that the answer is “yes”. A few reasons:
Based on these statistics, we clearly see that the SNMP exploit is very dangerous and can be used to breach the network perimeter of many companies and organizations.
But there remains another interesting question. Why would the toolkit of the Equation Group, which has been described as a “full-fledged nation-state cyber-arsenal,” contain so many exploits for old vulnerabilities for which patches were issued over five years ago? If this hacker group is so amazing, shouldnt they be using new, unknown vulnerabilities?
The answer is paradoxically simple once we restate the question. Why should hacker groups waste their precious time on finding zero-days if many Internet-accessible systems have not been updated for years?
Our study showed that three quarters of all the vulnerabilities found were over one year old; 30% were over five years old. Almost one in ten vulnerabilities were fixed a whopping ten years ago! During the time period of our research, vulnerabilities were found on 37% of systems.
A successful attack does not require using the latest-and-greatest vulnerabilities. Old ones will do the job just as well and are cheaper too. And importantly, potentially drawing attention to an old vulnerability is a much easier choice for an attacker than risking a precious zero-day.
But so far we have been looking only at exploits in non-public packs. What about exploits for old vulnerabilities available publicly, such as from MSF? To answer this question, we selected vulnerabilities with a CVSS rating of “High” that were present at the beginning of the research period on the test systems. We then cross-referenced them with known exploit packs.
The data shows that the tested perimeters are vulnerable to publicly available exploits. However, this sample contains a very small number of vulnerabilities. Does this actually mean that there are not many of them? As mentioned above, the breakdown of vulnerabilities in the previous figure reflects only the start of the study period, even though perimeter security is constantly in flux. The following charts show the change in security level over two years:
To summarize: breaching network perimeters with above-average security does not require non-public exploits, much less secret zero-days by APT groups. Standard tools and basic knowledge are more than enough in many cases.
How to stay protected
Based on our findings, we propose several main points for increasing the overall level of protection of the network perimeter:
One such study was presented at PHDays VI as part of Positive Research 2016. The sample spanned approximately 10,000 accessible addresses and 15,000 vulnerabilities over a two-year period (2014–2015). Note that these numbers include ONLY network perimeters with above-average security. Only companies with asset inventory and vulnerability management processes (which, in turn, enable collecting statistics) were included.
Lets start with the “sexiest” morsel from the published exploit pack: the SNMP 0-Day. Is this something to be worried about? Our study shows that the answer is “yes”. A few reasons:
- Our analysis based on honeypot systems shows that SNMP services are very popular with would-be intruders. Many hackers are well aware of the availability of these services, and those who dont know yet need only Shodan to find out.
- SNMP services are numerous and accessible on most modern network infrastructures. We have written previously how exploitation of SNMP vulnerabilities allows intruders to gain a foothold on the internal networks of telecom operators.
- Many SNMP services are running on obsolete software. Our research showed that in the category of DNS/NTP/SNMP services, the vulnerability rate reaches one in ten:
Based on these statistics, we clearly see that the SNMP exploit is very dangerous and can be used to breach the network perimeter of many companies and organizations.
But there remains another interesting question. Why would the toolkit of the Equation Group, which has been described as a “full-fledged nation-state cyber-arsenal,” contain so many exploits for old vulnerabilities for which patches were issued over five years ago? If this hacker group is so amazing, shouldnt they be using new, unknown vulnerabilities?
The answer is paradoxically simple once we restate the question. Why should hacker groups waste their precious time on finding zero-days if many Internet-accessible systems have not been updated for years?
Our study showed that three quarters of all the vulnerabilities found were over one year old; 30% were over five years old. Almost one in ten vulnerabilities were fixed a whopping ten years ago! During the time period of our research, vulnerabilities were found on 37% of systems.
A successful attack does not require using the latest-and-greatest vulnerabilities. Old ones will do the job just as well and are cheaper too. And importantly, potentially drawing attention to an old vulnerability is a much easier choice for an attacker than risking a precious zero-day.
But so far we have been looking only at exploits in non-public packs. What about exploits for old vulnerabilities available publicly, such as from MSF? To answer this question, we selected vulnerabilities with a CVSS rating of “High” that were present at the beginning of the research period on the test systems. We then cross-referenced them with known exploit packs.
The data shows that the tested perimeters are vulnerable to publicly available exploits. However, this sample contains a very small number of vulnerabilities. Does this actually mean that there are not many of them? As mentioned above, the breakdown of vulnerabilities in the previous figure reflects only the start of the study period, even though perimeter security is constantly in flux. The following charts show the change in security level over two years:
To summarize: breaching network perimeters with above-average security does not require non-public exploits, much less secret zero-days by APT groups. Standard tools and basic knowledge are more than enough in many cases.
How to stay protected
Based on our findings, we propose several main points for increasing the overall level of protection of the network perimeter:
- Constant monitoring of the network perimeter, resulting in timely awareness of the services that are on the perimeter and Internet-accessible.
- Automated search for vulnerabilities in perimeter services, resulting in identification and eventual elimination of vulnerabilities.
- Removal of services from the perimeter when there is no compelling need for them. These services may include NTP, SNMP, database management, administration interfaces, and other potentially dangerous services.
- Implementation of a patch management policy, prioritizing systems with vulnerabilities for which exploits are publicly available as well as the most vulnerable systems. Remaining systems should be updated based on vulnerability and system criticality priorities.
- A comprehensive approach to information security. Protecting the network perimeter is a vital part of security, but the perimeter is by no means the only vector for intruders to gain access to company infrastructure.
Read the full version of our report on Corporate Perimeter Protection here: https://www.ptsecurity.com/upload/iblock/9db/network_perimeter_eng.pdf
Available link for download
Friday, March 31, 2017
PS Designs AS SEEN IN Features Winter 2014
PS Designs AS SEEN IN Features Winter 2014
Last week was a great week here at Pamela Smerker Designs and I just had to share the fun news!
My navy quatrefoil crayon box was featured in a styled shoot in BRIDES magazine (April/May 2014 issue). The credits do say "D & P Celebrations because the issue had gone to print before our company was split and the boxes came back to Pamela Smerker Designs. Either way a FUN feature, that I am proud of!! These NEW "Crayon Boxes" will be available in the shop next week along with many more products in new patterns & color choices.
I adore working with Rebekah from A Blissful Nest. You might recall the yellow striped mini gable boxes of mine that made an appearance at the BEAUTIFUL Butterfly birthday party she threw for her daughter Laurens 2nd birthday? Time has flown by and I was thrilled to be apart of Laurens 5th birthday party, all about horses! This party will be featured in the next month or so in several printed magazines!!
Last but certainly not least, my original artwork has been used to create this ADORABLE little boys t-shirt by Michele Brown of Sweet Threads Clothing. What is even more exciting is that we are going to create a whole party around this shirt... TOTALLY excited to share that one this Summer!! Stay tuned!! For now, be sure if you have a special little boy in your life to buy this shirt for him... I wish I had one!!! OH and I heard a girls version is in the works!!!
Looking forward to many more of these AS SEEN IN posts. Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you!!
DFTBA,
PS
Available link for download
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Oh Hey There An Update on Life as Head Girl and Whats On My Cinematic Mind
Oh Hey There An Update on Life as Head Girl and Whats On My Cinematic Mind
Hey guys, heres a voice from the past (like a month and a half ago or whatever). Does everyone remember me? If youre a little confused about me popping up in your feed/twitter/timeline etc etc etc, when I departed the blogging world on the night of the Oscars I told you it wasnt forever. I may not have blogged all of March, and this will probably be my only post for April but Im still here, chugging away. The reason? Im having my first weekend off in like, forever, thanks to a kidney infection which has slightly chucked my life off the rails for the past two weeks. And by that I mean Ive been forced to do this strange thing called relaxing. Which basically means that my parents and the doctor force me to stay home and I do more work. Hmmmm.
Anyways, this has been a crazy insanely busy term. I could probably count the amount of free lunch times Ive had in the past 11 weeks on my left hand. Not that Im complaining; I effing love being busy. Well, mostly with the extra-curricular things. School work is just the same as last year. Heres some cool things that happened in the last 11 weeks:
.JPG)
Got my name up the top of the prefects board, which still freaks me out immensely and every time Im in the hall I admit to staring at it for a minute and wondering if Im in real life or not. Kind of weird, but there you have it. Also, Im on the main page of the school website. All these reminders steal freak me out just a little.
In this past week me and my fellow head prefects went to a Young Leaders day, which is where there were five inspiring speakers there to inspire us leaders of the future. I actually felt like a better person for going to it (aside from the fact that I was pretty sick throughout the day), since the quality of speakers was so great. The theme was heroes, which was all kinds of awesome because they had a whole lot of references to movies. They even had a whole lot of clips from The Help which almost made me cry. Anyway, movie stuff out of the way, that day was just what I needed after coming off the back off a rough week.
I took some pretty photos a few weeks back. I still like my photography when I get the chance to do it.
Im hard at work with Stage Challenge with my Deputy Head Girl, Emma (whos birthday is today - happy birthday again girl!), and a team of totally amazing people. Weve had a lot of ups and downs but were finally right on track getting sponsors and getting our performance together. Theres under two months to go until show date, which definitely means that Ill be so far removed from this world and my life will be Stage Challenge from here on in.
If theres one thing Ive learned this term, its that support from others has pretty much been the greatest thing ever. It sounds kinda corny but when I cant do twenty things at once theres always someone to do one thing for me. People are amazing.
However, this isnt just a post on my life as Head Girl. While my movie watching has taken a significant drop (by this time last year I was well over 100 movies already, but this year Im around 80), Ive still been keeping an eye on the movie world. So heres ten movie related things that have been on my mind for the past few weeks:
Only God Forgives trailer - Theres no way that I cant compare this to Drive, it looks just a great as that. But what I love most, aside from all of the red, is Kristin Scott Thomas looking so badass. Ive always loved that woman (does she ever age?), but she looks especially fantastic here. And then theres that slow motion shot of Ryan Gosling in his suit getting ready to beat the crap outta some guy. Thats the stuff dreams are made of (okay, the violence isnt really necessary but you get where Im going).
Jessica Chastain being adorable on Facebook - every time Jessica posts something on Facebook I want to cry. But when she posted this super cute photo of her in front of a billboard showing her YSL Manifesto campaign on the River Seine, I was so unbelievably happy for the entire week. How adorable is she? The perfume is pretty amazing, too - I have a sample that I got last week tucked in my blazer pocket. Birthday present, maybe?
The Bling Ring trailer - Ive watched it 500000000 times and I still cant get enough. Sofia Coppola is perfection. Emma Watson looks stunning. Yeah, I cant handle waiting for it.
Spring Breakers - I just wanna see this so bad. Dont ask me why, because I really dont know. It just looks so different and out there. Plus, it didnt help that Alex at And So It Begins was so inspired by the movie that he came up with this awesome FYC for the Lammies.
The Great Gatsbys everything - I have the tiniest feeling that this wont be very good but it is one of my favourite directors adapting my favourite book with my favourite actor playing my favourite character. And theres also my favourite singer, Lana Del Rey, featuring a new song in the latest trailer. To go along with that, the production design looks stunning. One day Im gonna get rich enough to make a house that has everything in this slideshow. LOL.
.jpg)
Skyfall being more and more entertaining every time I watch it - I wasnt the biggest fan of Skyfall upon its release and now I finally know why: it is so unbelievably flawed it is actually kind of great. I really dont care that much for the story but Adeles perfect song and Roger Deakins perfect cinematography (along with sassy Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes) are the things I obsess over, and kind of detract from the really stupid decisions in the film.
Brit Marling - I saw Sound of My Voice the other day and I adored it, particularly Brit Marling. Ive loved her since I saw Another Earth this time last year, but she just keeps getting better. Cant wait to see The East. I wanna be her.
Matthew McConaughey domination is complete - Speaking of Matty M, hes in Christopher Nolans latest! Already my most anticipated film for like, ever.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Smashed - Another great performance I saw recently was Mary Elizabeth Winsteads turn as an alcoholic in Smashed. Jennifer Lawrence aint got nothing on that. Where was her campaign?
.JPG)
Schindlers List on Blu-Ray - I finally got my own copy of the 20th anniversary blu-ray of my second favourite film, which came just in time since my original copy has been watched a few too many times. Im actually too scared to take it out of its case, it is so pretty.
Roger Ebert - I was so saddened by the loss of Roger Ebert last week that I actually had to stop myself from crying when I found out at school. Ive always adored his writing and it was a huge inspiration for many of the reviews you saw here back in the day. Ryan at The Matinee wrote a lovely tribute to him, which pretty much sums up my feelings towards Mr. Ebert. May you rest in peace.
So thats it, folks - Ill probably be back in a few months, but who knows? Im greatly enjoying retirement, but Ill keep you all posted every now and again. Keep an eye on my Twitter and my Tumblr. Until then, everyone stay golden. Whats on your cinematic mind, Im missing these discussions!
Available link for download
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