2025-11-14 19:41:15
I am currently working on a project that requires localisation for providing native language content to various diaspora and migrant communities. As a curiosity, I wondered just how many distinct languages there.
According to Ethnologue, there are approximately 7,159 separate languages in current use.
This number changes frequently though as new languages are discovered — something that actually blows my mind! The count also drops as languages become extinct. Nearly half of that 7000 are considered "endangered" with less than 1,000 speakers.
Even in Britain, where I live and British English is the official language, there are 13 other languages spoken around these Isles.
2025-11-14 19:03:26
Ad Infinitum drop another single, "Regicide", with their new "electronica" tinge. Big fan of Melissa Bonny and her numerous projects; concerned the electronic direction might overlap Ad Infinitum with Rage of Light. A solid offering though — I'm looking forward to a full length album.
Classic Katatonia down-tempo sludgy doom metal on KISS cover "A World Without Heroes". Don't ask me how but it has a "Spaghetti Western end theme" vibe to it. Better than the original, not as good as Cher's version.
Getting a lot of airtime this week is "No Man's Sky: Journeys" by 65daysofstatic and Paul Weir. Apparently not a soulless product tie-in but a snapshot of a work that has been evolving for nine years. Or a new interation of an infinite soundtrack to an infinite universe. Or 80 minutes of gorgeous sci-fi bangers. Or all of the above.
Lush, expansive, lonely — this doesn't sound like a video game soundtrack or a rock album. Gorgeous.
Absolutely banging djent-y metalcore from Poppy on her new single "Bruised Sky". Clearly hanging out with Courtney LePlant has rubbed off. B-Side "Unravel" is a soaring anthemic track that wears its early noughties' influences proudly on its sleeve. Another album I'm looking forward to.
Michigan rapper, NF released his second EP, "FEAR", this week. Six tracks of typically vulnerable lyrics that are all listenable — even the Machine Gun Kelly collab. Stunning cover art!
Finally, no Emmelie de Forest, it's too early for Christmas music! I will review your "Kisses for Christmas" EP at a more appropriate time!
2025-11-14 05:46:00
Back in September when I was watching "Under The Bridge", little did I know lead actress Riley Keough is American Royalty — granddaughter of the King himself, Elvis Presley!
2025-11-13 07:09:54
Brian DePalma's 1983 gangster movie, "Scarface" is a polarising classic.
Al Pacino's delivery of Oliver Stone's eminently quotable script garnered him a nomination for Best Actor at the Golden Globes. Giorgio Moroder's score was also nominated.
But I didn't know until today that the movie is a remake of a 1932 movie about Al Capone!
Written by Ben Hecht and directed by Howard Hawks, "Scarface" tells the tale of an immigrant gangster rising through the ranks.
I think I need to track down a copy and give it a watch. I guess reboots aren't just a recent development!
2025-11-12 04:10:28
Novelist Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein: or A Modern Prometheus" and invented an entire genre of literature when she was 19 years old following the death of her premature daughter.
Seeing Victor Frankenstein through a lens of grief casts a sympathetic shadow over a man often portrayed as a "mad scientist".
Knowledge is Knowing Frankenstein isn’t the Monster, Wisdom is Knowing Frankenstein is the Monster
Alexandra Melnick, Millsaps College, "An Exploration on Mankind and Monstrosity"
2025-11-11 06:24:44
Mentions murder, suicide
"Beloved" is a strange term to use to describe the slimy ambulance-chasing lawyer from "The Simpsons" but Lionel Hutz was a favourite of many people thanks, in part, to the excellent voice talents of Phil Hartman.
Hartman also voiced Troy McLure in "The Simpsons" and Jiji the cat in the excellent Ghibli anime "Kiki's Delivery Service". Interestingly, Hartman was due to play Zapp Brannigan in "Futurama" — a character written especially for him. Now I know that, it seems really obvious!
In late May 1998, Hartman and his wife Brynn had an argument on returning home from a meal. This led to Brynn shooting his three times in the face and chest. Brynn confessed to several friends before fatally shooting herself.
Rather than replace him, as a mark of respect, Matt Groening retired Hartman's characters in "The Simpsons" and, so, Lionel Hutz never spoke again.
“Mr. Simpson, this is the most blatant case of fraudulent advertising since my suit against the film, The NeverEnding Story.”