Eleven of Fifty-two

Just a quick point about yesterday’s post before I get to the blogging today; Rejection letters aren't bad. People seem to think that when you get a rejection letter it's someone telling you your book isn't good enough, but that's not what it is. It's someone telling you that their company can't invest in it based solely on the first 3 chapters. While it may be good or bad the fact of the matter is that the company only has a small snapshot of the book, a snapshot that isn't representative of the book as a whole anyway.
And even if it IS them saying that your book is bad, then first of all it's merely the opinion of some other person that you don't know and probably never will, and secondly that's no reason to get upset, it's good reason to get proactive. Enjoy your rejection letters, let them motivate you, let them push you forward. Don’t cry, sulk and bemoan the unfairness.
There are much better things to cry sulk and bemoan the un-fairness of, like how your book isn't published, but both Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey are.

Movie

Zombieland

Rule no. 1; Cardio.

Zombieland. Well... what is there to say about Zombieland that you can't tell from the picture? I mean it's got Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg (do people care about Jesse Eisenberg?) the little girl from definitely, maybe (I like Ryan Reynolds films, screw you) and an ass load of weapons. Hell you can forget the guys and the little girl; it's got Emma Stone and weapons in it! That alone is enough for me!

Rule no. 2; The double Tap.
Rule no. 3; Avoid bathrooms.

Zombieland is a post zombie Apocalypse film about four unlikely companions as they travel across the country going to separate locations. It starts out with Jesse Eisenberg's character, nicknamed Columbus, as he loses a car in a zombie attack. He's a paranoid socially inept shut in who believes that the reason for his survival is that he 'avoided people like they were zombies even before they were zombies'. He has a lot of insecurities, paranoias, phobias and a pretty awesome list of rules that help him survive in the united states of Zombieland.

Rule no. 4; Always wear your seatbelt.
Rule no. 6; The Skillet.

Columbus is on a journey back home to find out if his parents were alive, though he's not sure why, mostly just because it's the only thing left to do. While continuing to walk he stumbles across Woody Harrelson's character, nicknamed Tallahassee, a total jackass redneck who just loves the killing - and Twinkies. They agree to team up until Tallahassee gets sick of him.

Rule no. 7; Travel Light.
Rule no. 8; Get a kickass partner.

Wichita and little rock, played by Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin respectively, come into it a little while later while the guys are trying to raid a supermarket. The smart girls outwit the guys and steal their weapons and car, leaving them high and dry, but alive.

Rule no. 12; Bounty paper towels.
Rule no. 15; Bowling Ball.

When they next meet a similar thing happens; the girls trick the guys and steal their new weapons and their new car but this time Wichita and Little Rock let Tallahassee and Columbus go with them.

Rule no. 17; Don't Be a hero.
Rule no. 18; Limber Up.

The rest of the film follows the group as they grow closer together, become friends (and more). fighting zombies and generally surviving.

Rule no. 21; Avoid strip Clubs.
Rule no. 22; When in Doubt, Know your way out.

It's a really funny yet dramatic and kind of emotional film, the scene where you find out that Columbus' parents are most likely dead along with the smouldering wreckage of their home town is particularly saddening. The blend of comedy and drama works almost perfectly, there aren't any scenes I particularly remember bursting out laughing at, but I do know that I was amused all the way through, which makes sense, since it's a film about death and disaster. the comedy is there, but it’s naturally muted by the danger.

Rule no. 29; The Buddy System.
Rule no. 31; Check the back seat.

I think that my favourite thing about Zombieland is that you actually find out why there are zombies, and it's a subject that's particularly close to home after the outbreaks all over the world not 10 years ago; Mad Cow Disease.
"The plague of the 21st Century, remember mad cow disease? Well mad cow became mad person became mad zombie. It's a fast acting virus that leaves you with a swollen brain, a raging fever, makes you hateful and violent and leaves you with a really bad case of the munchies."
It's so simple it might be true!

Rule no. 32; Enjoy the little things.
Rule no. 33; Swiss Army Knife.

It's a really good film that I enjoy every time I watch it. If you haven't seen it you should go out and buy it.
"So until next time remember: Cardio, seat belts and this really has nothing to do with anything, but a little sunscreen never hurt anybody."

Follow the Rules.

Tell me this isn't awesome... Video
- James