This is one of the most incredible short animated films I have seen lately. It is difficult to explain why such an abstract clip is so engaging and thought-provoking, so full of energy and mystery. It's not only well drawn and spectacularly animated, but it has a very enigmatic atmosphere and energy. At watching it, I thought of those energies that create and keep together different elements in a conglomerated rock, the way some geological elements bond and conglomerate forming almost unbreakable rocks. However, this is not a lesson in Geology, it is a minimalist piece in which cubical animated stones gather and mate following indescribable energies that attract or reject a stone cube to each other. It is a courtship dance, in a way. It doesn't matter if the events happen in a sci-fi planet or in a fantasy world, in the present or the past. One wonders, why this is happening and what brings the different elements together. What are those energies that we see in the story and what is coming. One wants more!
On the other hand, the story not having a main character, cute or hate-able, to which pin the viewer's attention, this has to have a specific visual narrative, sound, music and magic to keep us watching. I found amazing that Boulbès was able to create so much with so little elements.
The film is elegantly minimalist, energetic and powerful and the interpretation options are wide. Therefore, it will satisfy any inquisitive mind and animation lover looking for something new.
A mesmerising conceptual short film from the point of view of conception, realisation and cinematic narrative. Not for everybody, as it is very abstract.
I was really excited about what we would get in Forrest Place, that landmark that would make Perthites proud, that piece of art that would give a special feeling to the heart of the city, reflect its spirit and enhance the lovely area of Forrest Place. Then, the sculpture by James Angus came out. Ploff ploff!
First thought that came to my mind - Are we turning Forrest Place into a playground for giant toddlers? It does look, to me, like one of those fun elements that you find in play areas in children playgrounds and parks. It also reminisces of play-dough, but without the touchability of it. It also reminisces of a frozen photographic shot of a drop of liquid splashing up and into a gelatinous bowl, but without the beauty of it. Well, there are three thoughts in here for the price of one. I am on thoughts sales today.
Second thought - It is a giant vase of the 1960s/1970s! Have you ever seen those white ceramic vases of Italian and Nordic design that are in vogue again but are so very five decades ago? No? Well, you will certainly come across one in some decorating magazine, as I did, little after the unveiling of this sculpture. The similarity was considerable.
Third thought - Do we need it to be and feel that "plasticky"? And to be that fluorescent green? The material, texture and colour you use in a sculpture is everything, more than the shape itself, and as important as the concept behind, if any. If the same piece we have now was made of bamboo, mate metal or dark wood, for example, Forrest Place would look very very different, much classier to start with, and more futuristic. Future leads to sustainability, organicity, and integration between the natural and the social, between organic and synthetic materials. so the use of only new materials is, at a certain level, quite regressive.
I truly preferred the project by Jean Bernard (https://situate.dca.wa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/32677/MetaisWeb_P3.pdf), which is indeed much more interesting and futuristic to me, or even this light and ethereal entry https://situate.dca.wa.gov.au/Gallery/gallery_7/6
I do not hate the sculpture, but I do find very difficult to love it and get enthusiastic about it. I do not think it will survive the pass of time or will become a quintessential image of Perth, in the good sense, as the Swam Bells building is, for example. The sculptures associated with the Guggenheim in Bilbao reached idiosyncratic fusion with the city from the moment they were placed there. This is hasn't happened in Perth, yet, and I doubt it will happen, but, well, I will tell you when I get to my sixties if it is still around!
Situate Sculpture is just a t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e name. I dunno, another name is needed. The Angus' reminds me of burgers, so no-no. The Next Big Green Thing? Grassy Roots? Doughreen? Futuramia? Hang on? Nice nicknames wanted!
Although the documentary has been accused of being a mockumentary, or at least a staged story, the directors continue to deny it. To me, the important fact is that, disregarding whether this is a real doco, a re-enactment or a mocko, the film poses the viewer poignant questions on our modern culture, the Internet, our online persona, social networks and human communication. Catfish poses many interesting questions about self-perception and identity through the Internet: Is the image we present to our Internet buddies our real self? In which way? In which degree? Is our edited life profile a real representation of who really are deep down inside? Is it necessary to present our real self to the world through the Internet to communicate with others? Does the way we present in real life and the virtual life differ and in which degree? It also shows the need of modern society to hide to connect, and to connect using a enhanced beautified portrait of ourselves. It also portrays the ugly face of many online dating experiences, those that dating sites forget to mention, or the people involve forget forever.
This is is one of the best documentaries I have seen in the last 12 months. It is very entertaining, very real, in the sense that is a sort of visual video-diary, and the experiences and feelings that Nev shows are naive and raw, as flawed as ours could be, very human and believable. Moreover, the editing is fantastic as well as the tempo of the story. It is thanks to those, not just the story, that the viewer gets hooked on a film that is visually not very pretty looking or interesting a priori.
A very engaging, warm, fresh and intriguing documentary.
This is the sequel to Night Watch, a movie that I haven't watched and, after watching this film, I will never do.
Day Watch is a moronic senseless and pretentious film, with pedestrian acting, and good special effects. The movie is boring since the beginning, a long agony to watch through til the end. It is badly edited, with a poor direction of actors, a stupid script and clichéd images. Day Watch is a collection of film sinners that cannot be ignored, and that should be used in film schools to demonstrate what not to do when directing.
The movie, and the director, could be excused if the movie was a low budget film with amateur actors, but this is, instead, a Russian super-production with some good actors. Some bad movies really make you laugh, or at least they are entertaining, so at least you get something out of them. But this is not the case here, as the movie is pretentious and serious beyond belief even in those scenes that are supposed to be funny.
One of the worse films I have seen for a long time. It is difficult to understand why such a stupid bad film has a rating of 6.5. It is beyond belief.
The best thing about the film? The poster and special effects.
Nordstrom is a upscale chain store that specialises in clothing, accessories and beauty products for men and women. They offer a huge selection of products that include medium-range designers and upper-range ones, plus their own brand products.
The online store is one of my favourites on the Internet because of the range of products and styles they have, from very cheap to very expensive, from classic to fashionista, their extraordinary customer service, their clear details about the products and shipment, and their formality.
Their website is very well structured, easily navigable, clean, and with an instant zoom system that really brings the products to life. Their photos of the products are extremely accurate and you get a very close idea of how the product looks like, and almost how it feels like. They rarely beautify the product. Their individual pages have, beyond the zoom and multiple angle views, a great written description of the product with accurate measurements of the same. The customers can leave their review of the item, and they usually do, so you get a good idea of some of the issues or virtues of the product you are interested in. There is also a section called discussion in the same page, where you can ask other customers for advice or details about the product. As good as it gets.
The accessories section (bags, watches, wallets, jewels, etc.) is fantastic, classy and a real must to fashion aficionados on a budget. If you don't have budget restrictions you still can go to the designers section and pay a fortune for your favourite designers and products. Each section is updated weekly, sometimes daily, and the sales section is constantly updated, too, with discounts that usually go from the 30-50%. A reason to keep an eye on Nordstrom.
Their online chat and customer service is outstanding. Their operators are friendly, honest and so very helpful. The best customer service ever. The HR team really does a good job at selecting the operators, as you feel like a royal when dealing with them. So well they treat you!!!
Moreover, they have a free international return policy that allows you to return your purchase if you don't like it or are not completely satisfied with it. This means that you can return an item that is not defective or faulty any time. Besides, you won't be paying any return fees. How cool is that?!
They have regular customer surveys asking for your opinion on the website, your level of satisfaction on different matters, and asking for improvement suggestions. They do really care about the customer.
The first down of the company is that the shipping and payment is done via a third company, called Fiftyone, a fact that slows down the shipping, as the payment has to be verified before the shipment order is accepted and transmitted to the shipment place. It can take up to two or three days and you could find that the product you have ordered is no longer available. Furthermore, each item you order is processed and packed independently, as if they were sold to two different people, so the shipment fees sky-rocket. That is so, because Nordstrom is not doing the shipment directly. Therefore, you will be subject to the practices, polices and restrictions of the brands you are shopping from. As a result, you think twice before ordering anything, as some of the shipping fees can be very high. Other companies selling of the net wave the shipping fees if the purchase is over 100 or 200 dollars, which really incentives the sales. This should be the aim of Nordstrom, too.
The second down, derived of the brands restrictions, is that those brands decide if they want to ship internationally or not, and some don't. Therefore, some brands for which you pay double in Australia cannot be purchased online, while others with limited sale places in the country can neither be ordered from. This is a great inconvenience, and a short-sighted policy that harms the sales of both Nordstrom and the brand company that is not selling internationally.
If Nordstrom took charge of shipping their products itself, and had a direct control on that, their shipping fees, shipping and delivery would improve, and the restrictions for the shopper would minimal. Both Nordstrom and the international customer would benefit.
Still this is a model online shop, and a model company that treats with care its customers and offers an awesome service and a great range of products.
I recently ordered some Microsoft Software online from Officeworks, as the store in Perth city did not have it, and it was taking ages to get it from Sydney. I cancelled my order with the store and I put my order online, using their website, with great results and satisfaction.
The website is very easy to browse and to add items to your shopping cart. However, you have to register to be able to purchase, which is something that could easily be avoided if they had a "purchase as a guest" option; this also would certainly generate more business for them, as many people are put off by online registrations. Nevertheless, I am surprised at how serious they are, and the fact that you can customise your account so you don't receive any promotional mail/email. That is always a guarantee of seriousness to me. The only down is the tracking area, which does not show activity beyond the "order received". I don't call this a tracking device, but an "order received" device. A tracking device not only shows the receipt of the order, but also the dispatch of the parcels and the different transit spots of the same; this was never the case when I checked my account. That could be certainly improved; if you don't live in a city area or you put your order on a Friday evening, is takes about 4 days for your parcel to arrive, and you want to know if the parcel has been dispatched.
The website states that the delivery is done in the next two working days for free in city areas by courier if your over is over $55. I thought that, like in many other websites, the statement was a declaration of intentions, but they were actually right and serious about their commitment, and I got my items delivered on the same day. This has happened every time I have ordered. I am most impressed.
Officeworks offer some of the best prices for the office and school supplies in Australia, with frequent specials, clearings, and regular discount catalogues. What is more important, they offer a super-easy to shop online and get your order at home in time record.
Actually, after my experience with the real store, I prefer their online service. That is a lot to say.
The only thing I don't like about the online store is their idiotic patronising censorship on reviews. No wonder most items don't have any.
Most recommended!
UPDATE JANUARY 2015
I still love Officeworks and I buy a good deal of staff online from them. The people on the phone at Customer Service are usually lovely, but there are a few issues that you have to beware of:
> You can be waiting for your call to be taken by a representative about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, you are bombarded with Officworks self-promotion. What happened to the right music being used? Or, "your call has progressed in the cue message"? Or the minimum period wait is X sort of message?
> Customer Service can give you contradictory replies to the same question.
> They don't tell you aproximate time of delivery.
> They cannot contact the driver to tell you an approximate time of delivery either, or if they are going to be in the morning or afternoon. So you cannot leave your place unless you want your purchase to be leaved at your door and trust the Universe that nobody will take it.
> The delivery on the same day tick box is not on view any longer. It used to be clearly visible. Now, the next business day delivery is used as a default, so bear that in mind.
> The track your order in your account is completely worthless and inaccurate. What is the point in having a tracking system that does not do just that?
UPDATE 3/12/2019
I've been buying from Officeworks for years having different local stores as home store where the supplies would be dispatched.
POSITIVES
> They free delivery minimum expenditure is low and easy to achieve.
>
You can get your items delivered on the next day if you order a day
ahead or that day before 11. I've done that multiple times and received
my parcels in less than 24 hours.
> Pricing of products online is the same as products in store.
> Huge selection of items.
> Great return policies.
> Friendly delivery guys.
> Customer service operators on the phone have always been extremely kind and helpful.
NEGATIVES
>
The main downside is that, depending on the store you set as your
default, you will get a better or worse service. However, you can
manually change that. I have done as one of the stores I used to provide
me with supplies for my last relocation were sending wrong numbers or
not sending them or double sending then. I changed the store, and
problem solved.
> Office chairs used to be part of the next day
delivery for free. However, that's not the case these days, and you have
to pay 30+ bucks for being considered a bulky item, and next day
delivery isn't guaranteed.
> There are online and local retailers
selling some of the products they sell at cheaper prices, printer
cartridges among them.
My experience is very positive overall.
Coles is one of the two main supermarket chain in Australia, and I recently tried their online website store as my local supermarket has stopped delivering at home. I find grocery shopping online a necessity of the modern world, for busy families, people with tight schedules, people with mobility problems or with any temporal or chronic ailment.
The website needs registration, but it is safe, easy to browse around, and does not produce any spam. The web is well designed throughout, although I found awkward that "Your Account" was among the shopping tabs, not in the right top corner, which is standard in most websites that require registration. However, this is my only criticism to the design of the site that is extremely helpful and well thought through, and makes online shopping really easy for customers.
You can browse the store aisle per aisle, or even better, make a quick list of products using the online notepad (tab quick shopping), press search, and the engine searches the brands available for each product and shows them, product by product, so you choose your preferred brand/price/size. You can also create a list of staples you usually buy, save it as a personal list, and go directly to it next time you want to shop; you can create as many lists as you want. There is also a special section with the offers of the week, which are renewed every Wednesday, and also a section with online-only offers. Check them out because they can save you lots of money.
Although some of the staples have the same prices as in the real supermarket, I have also noticed that the offer in brands and items is much smaller and many products are more expensive. So, bear that in mind when shopping online.
One of the things I loved the most is that you can start adding products to your shopping cart, leave the site, and save your cart (and email it if you want) for another moment or day. Then you can log in again, check it out, add or remove products from your cart before checking out.
The shopping cart is always visible, on the right side of the screen, so you see what you are adding all the time. You can easily add or remove items by pressing remove or add/subtract number of items per product by pressing the arrows beside each product.
Another option you can select, and establish by default in your account, is replacement options; if you order something and they are out of stock, the store can replace it with the same product but with a different brand, which could be more expensive, or even cheaper, but it is up to you to decide whether is a good option for you. I personally never allow replacements, but I think it is convenient if you really need a product and the brand you selected is out of stock.
Checking out is very easy, but you need to set up your address first. You also have a box to leave some comments for the delivery man, like alternative number to call you, or a preferred place where to park their van, or specific instructions to find your place if located in a tricky spot. These comments can be saved and they'll be used by the system each time you shop online. Once the checking out is completed, you receive an email with your shopping cart list, estimate price, order number, and phone numbers to contact Customer Service in case of need.
You have a time-chart of deliveries to chose the one that suits you better, each one showing the delivery fee. The delivery men do arrive in time, and they even deliver on Sundays, so it is very convenient. I found the delivery prices very reasonable, 8 dollars per a 3-hour span delivery, and 13 for a 2-hour span delivery.
My recommendations to make the most of the Coles online site and save money are:
- buy in bulk,
- buy staples not fancy items,
- Check first the online offers and weekly offers tabs, as the prices can be dramatically reduced all around, and your fancy items could be affordable.
- discounts and specials change on Wednesdays.
- select a 3-hour span, so the delivery fee is the minimum\
- make sure that you leave in blank the box for replacement products in your account, as this could increase the price of your final shopping,
- Review your shopping cart list and the number of items of each product carefully before starting checking out, so you don't find that you've pressed 6 instead of 3 items by mistake.
- Check your delivery on arrival. If you find anything missing, call Customer Service immediately. They will credit the money of the missing product to your account for next time..
