Words About Things

Ever since I read Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas I have wanted to travel across America in an open topped sports car, seeing the film cemented this desire. I don’t plan on ingesting a car boot full of drugs but driving cross country really appeals to me. Unfortunately I don’t have an attorney to take with me but I’m sure I can improvise. Las Vegas is the obvious choice for a final destination in particular Circus Circus although if it’s anything like it is in the film I may have to make a hasty retreat.

There are plenty of great books and films which use the wide expanses of the American landscape and a backdrop to events. The great thing about a road movie is that the constant movement drives the action forward so there is never a dull moment. Jack Kerouac’s On The Road is another fine example, a vibrant narrative driven by a cross country journey in a beat up old  Hudson. On The Road was written on one long roll of paper in a stream of consciousness style aided by large amounts of coffee, its physical dimensions referencing the endless highways which cross America horizontally.

I have always wanted to hire a car on one side of America and drive all the way across to the opposite coast stopping anywhere that seems interesting. I have even gone so far as to look into car hire in the USA to see if this is possible. Clearly this couldn’t be done in an ordinary car, it would need to be a convertible and preferably red, a Dodge Charger or a Ford Mustang would do fine.

If you’ve seen Saw (or Saw II, III, IV or V for that matter) you will be familiar with the combination of fear and exhilaration the series is known for. But, if you prefer your psychological torture a little more real how about a Saw themed rollercoaster with a beyond vertical’ drop of 100º from 100ft? If that’s your idea of fun then you need to get yourself to Thorpe Park to experience Saw: The Ride. Judging by the video below it’s pretty full-on.

Walking fashion disaster and reformed drug fiend Mickey Rourke has reportedly signed up to play a part in Iron Man 2. The star is due to play Whiplash who is based on the Crimson Dynamo from the original comic book. The Crimson Dynamo is an amour wearing Russian agent and not very subtle reference to Communism.

Rourke had originally turned down an offer of $250,000 to appear in the film as this would only just cover the cost of clothing his tiny dog. He has since been offered an amount more suited to his needs.

Emily Blunt was originally due to play the Black Widow AKA Natasha Romanoff in the film but had to leave the cast to to scheduling problems. Scarlett Johansson is now expected to play the part. This could be a big change for Johansson who normally seems to play a slightly self involved blonde tease.

Some have said that Olga Kurylenko would be better suited to the role of the Black Widow perhaps because she is from the Ukraine and bears more of a resemblance to the character.