tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37778094745363748802024-03-29T03:29:26.518+00:00What, Free? Various Random Stuff & Posts SubmittedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-46616082141918902252024-02-29T11:10:00.012+00:002024-03-21T13:07:41.344+00:00Gender, Labels & Grammar<div><p>It seems that the very people who dislike being labelled are labelling themselves. If he/she prefers to be genderless then, unless it's relevant (e.g. medical issues), I totally agree. However, the common practice of using 'they' instead of the singular, genderless 'it' (or maybe create a new word) makes 'them' seem scizophrenic. </p><p>For example, an extract from Wikipedia "<span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>They co-created, co-wrote and starred in..." refers only to Mae Martin and does not include any other person(s) who co-created/co-wrote or starred. It's confusing. Also, I can't bring myself to say 'they is brilliant'.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>It's a grammar thing which I know that I need to accept, similar to the common mis-use of 'different to' (cringe) or 'compared to' and </span></span><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>'people that...' </span></span><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>(see notes) but, well, it's difficult. </span></span><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>Don't get me started on 'could of' or 'your' when it should be 'you're'... </span></span><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>Language changes between generations and my generation was traditionally taught. </span></span><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>All I can do is quietly accept declining standards of grammar and not deliver a rant to the perpertators (unless, of course, they ask me to). <br /></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uMawjGGptUJA0VvM93gfN2sJxSfOAhgMDXZRSId8iZzvpnxWys3Y05p-ycfLIlzndqJT9tlqdDksmY_7fL6PTDIY9gnnCVnliXlsAx4pKIaZ87DS_gHbP8t4x4UtYMsAeDeO7Yev86ZEILmC3_YaL_XXooCKtQrVDxbM_EwqIKKty-_nhki5ORAr4OyB/s1024/3%20people.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uMawjGGptUJA0VvM93gfN2sJxSfOAhgMDXZRSId8iZzvpnxWys3Y05p-ycfLIlzndqJT9tlqdDksmY_7fL6PTDIY9gnnCVnliXlsAx4pKIaZ87DS_gHbP8t4x4UtYMsAeDeO7Yev86ZEILmC3_YaL_XXooCKtQrVDxbM_EwqIKKty-_nhki5ORAr4OyB/w200-h200/3%20people.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>On the topic of labelling, I've never felt the need to belong to a group, whether non-binary, feminist, political or anything else. People are people and it's nobody else's business if there are differences - it's what makes humans interesting. Imagine how boring life would be if we were all the same; might as well be robots. <br /></span></span><p></p><p>Similarly, religion. Be atheist, hindu, christian, or whatever you believe. Explain your choice if asked but do not, ever, bully the rest of the world to join you. Religion is your belief, just as Santa Claus is a 3-year old child's belief. In fact, on the face of it, there is more evidence of Santa's magic than any god's miracles, in recent times. Take comfort in your belief but please don't force it upon others. </p><p>~ ~ ~ </p><p>Notes </p><p>The Grammar Thing:<br />- different from (always, unless using the American 'different than'); <br />- compared with (when comparing like with like; 'compared to' should only be used when the comparison is not comparable, e.g. a person and a summer’s day; <br />- people <i>who</i>, not people <i>that</i>, please. Simple guidelines: <br /><i><span> -- </span>Who</i> is always used to refer to people (the person who...);<br /><i><span> </span>-- That</i> is used for mostly everything else, e.g. objects, animals, groups <br /><span> </span><span> </span>(the cat that... that team that...)<i>.</i></p><p>Non-gender-specific: There is a place for 'they'. For example,
when writing a business plan, it can be introduced as a term which can
refer to he, she or more than one person, thereby avoiding multiple
future edits. </p><br /><br /><p><i> </i></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-65908168035930942682024-01-26T13:57:00.000+00:002024-01-26T13:57:20.351+00:00Fool Me Once (NetFlix Series)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjjCXNvnCsFpXMM3XVL8Fj0CBea7Juzo_wFFVVLaPf0Aoj0oMKbrumJbW_afMbrIbM5BwRgxhGUuMwQXQ3JUvndrvsWed68dOBo-GwFHBhA1zQmfaIYEo7egLYdnzjhEM-VKwi6T7Kvgj3G0k71zRXU7LHJZxND61wPiJcGnekLjAshp6kbnO0NF99Vgz/s1280/netflix-3733812_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1280" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjjCXNvnCsFpXMM3XVL8Fj0CBea7Juzo_wFFVVLaPf0Aoj0oMKbrumJbW_afMbrIbM5BwRgxhGUuMwQXQ3JUvndrvsWed68dOBo-GwFHBhA1zQmfaIYEo7egLYdnzjhEM-VKwi6T7Kvgj3G0k71zRXU7LHJZxND61wPiJcGnekLjAshp6kbnO0NF99Vgz/s320/netflix-3733812_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'd never come across author Harlan Coben until recently when his name kept cropping up - his work is all over Netflix. I've not yet read any of his books and, so far, I've seen only one TV serialisation of a book, <i>Fool Me Once</i>, by screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst. This was compelling and I watched the eight episodes over two evenings. <p></p><p>The book was set in/near New York but the Netflix series was set in England, starring Joanna Lumley, Richard Armitage, Michelle Keegan, Marcus Garvey and Adeel Akhtar. </p><p>The plot has twists and turns and the main storyline is essentially about the rich and powerful buying off (or killing off) anyone who could damage their reputation and therefore wealth. Knowing who to believe and who can be trusted provides the tension. </p><p>A secondary storyline is about the ordinary people whose lives are disrupted by events from the main storyline. This provides the break between the shenanigens of the 'unreal' world of deceit and death, which is as far from the ordinary viewing public's lives as any sci-fi. That said, it's a gripping series and worthy of inclusion in your list of things to watch. </p><p><i>Feel free to leave a comment if you agree, disagree or wish to add your views in any way. </i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-45700041449231568172024-01-26T00:44:00.002+00:002024-03-05T12:06:49.827+00:00Directed by Dexter Fletcher<p>Born in the mid-1960s in Enfield (now a London borough), Dexter Fletcher is an actor, film director and producer. He is the British equivalent of USA's Ron Howard. Both became famous as actors and have gone on to direct some great films. Fletcher's quirky style brings enjoyment to a mostly family audience, through such movies as:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sunshine on Leith (2013) </li><li>Eddie the Eagle (2015) </li><li>Rocketman (2019) </li><li>Ghosted (2023) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimIN3m3TuxpUXM0Fdv5jC9s6kApBqhqNI-ffatiNdyT3BySpLHmdAz-CijwBmGgP6qBjG7oCK3o25JwYqTV1-5OPS_TbfqtyMuI6-bq5GXLhNeenFTfYvYa2WgVfads6g8L-EtU5toy5abmdW5bTvaqsH4vroTpXCLuvlF5sIMe2ajqEk64y9PURsfp_n/s1024/marvel%20superheroes.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimIN3m3TuxpUXM0Fdv5jC9s6kApBqhqNI-ffatiNdyT3BySpLHmdAz-CijwBmGgP6qBjG7oCK3o25JwYqTV1-5OPS_TbfqtyMuI6-bq5GXLhNeenFTfYvYa2WgVfads6g8L-EtU5toy5abmdW5bTvaqsH4vroTpXCLuvlF5sIMe2ajqEk64y9PURsfp_n/w200-h200/marvel%20superheroes.jpg" width="100" /></a></div></li></ul><p>I've just got round to watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jGtUj8lE1U" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ghosted</a>, which features big stars in small roles (e.g. Anthony Mackie and Ryan Reynolds). It's a love story, it's an action-packed spy film, it's humorous. Summary: a recommended watch; great fun!</p><p>I know that I watched Sunshine on Leith and Eddie the Eagle, both of which I enjoyed, but it was so long ago that I can't remember details! Not a fan of Elton John but I may watch Rocketman some day. </p>Unrelated quote: <br /><span class="dcr-19anx8e">‘<i>I am constantly mistaken for Ben Elton...</i>' - </span><span class="dcr-19anx8e">David Baddiel. </span><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-81865353902294313282024-01-19T16:01:00.006+00:002024-02-28T13:24:05.034+00:00Time for more Book Reviews! <p>Surprisingly, there are very few book reviews on this blog yet I read so many! These have included some by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Ian Cummins and numerous others but I'll just review a couple of these books in this post. </p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">1. Terry Pratchett's Discworld Novels.</b></p><p>I'm just a couple of books from having the whole set. I re-read the ones I have in 2023. If you know and love Discworld, there is nothing I can add but, if you want to try a few, here is some useful information. <br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Death</b> appears in many of the books. Obvious when you think about it, really. He is a weary old bag of bones with a strong sense of duty (well, except for that one time...) and has a grand-daughter Susan, a horse named Binky and a manservant, Albert. His speech is denoted in small capitals, such as <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>I COULD MURDER A CURRY</span></span>. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Lord Vetinari</b> is a dictator although that seems a bit harsh, considering how well he runs the main city of Ankh-Morpork by keeping ahead of everone and everything. He is also in many of the books. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>The Wizards</b> of the Unseen University provide the mad-cap element and the <b>Witches</b> from varioius other regions of Discworld are generally practical and helpful within their communities. <b>Rincewind </b>is a failed wizard who travels throughout the Discworld and has many adventures, featuring in several of the books.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>The Watch</b> reports to Lord Vetinari, they are responsible for law enforcement and are, for the most part, let by <b>Captain Vimes</b>. There are also guilds who are allowed to control their own (otherwise unlawful) business within parameters set by Lord Vetinari; these includethe assassins guild, thieves guild, etc.. The Watch is featured in many of the Discworld stories, particularly those set in Ankh-Morpork. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Moist Von Lipwig</b> is featured in three stories. He resurrected the Post Office, ran the bank and was instrumental in the Rail system.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Ankh-Morpork</b> is a truly cosmopolitan city, home to humans, wizards (including one orang-utang), dwarfs, golems, trolls, at least one werewolf and a vampire - you name them, you'll find them there. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Gods</b> have a following. Between them, they cover everything, including cutlery drawers, but are not usually significant in most of the stories. </p><p>There are many other characters popping up now and then and the themes of stories are parodies of the world we live in but with a quirky, humorous twist. <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc1T5yxnq1MG50Kvy2oAOydFSkTlLhLyzsk2llxhyD-5Mzw0mtXW0hvExKKFJZYAMIEI3D-XeZhYCo-vwc6ex3N1T-DHmVqAeARyeuf072TJKKul_dRmwYK0mcJ8Mx0h8D5BERpIVciMhsLGZRmvCrU8BriPUTLKs28XOnrrsY3s4w_nlV3R2a5-aG8Nj/s1280/graphics-2420746_1280.jpg"><img alt="Discworld" border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1280" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc1T5yxnq1MG50Kvy2oAOydFSkTlLhLyzsk2llxhyD-5Mzw0mtXW0hvExKKFJZYAMIEI3D-XeZhYCo-vwc6ex3N1T-DHmVqAeARyeuf072TJKKul_dRmwYK0mcJ8Mx0h8D5BERpIVciMhsLGZRmvCrU8BriPUTLKs28XOnrrsY3s4w_nlV3R2a5-aG8Nj/w640-h624/graphics-2420746_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b> </b></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">2. Neil Gaiman - Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett) and a book of his short stories.</b></p><p>Perhaps you've watched Good Omens on TV? I had already read the original book and subsequently the script of the first story. It was excellent. The sequel (without Pratchett) was not quite as captivating, in my opinion. </p><p>Gaiman's book of short stories illustrates just how many weird ideas are floating around his head - not all happy thoughts, either. He's a good writer and, to be fair to him, I am not a fan of short stories, but if it's your way of escaping your life for a while, by all means give it a go. <br /> <br /></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">3. Ian Cummins - The Wrong Briefcase, My Time Again, Social Murderer.</b><br /></p><p>Three different novels, three different genres. Take your pick.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>The Wrong Briefcase</b> is like a TV drama in that it's about people who you may know through work, the local pub, parents at the school, neighbours, etc.. It focuses on two characters. One is an ambitious man, Mark, whose life is changing; the other is James, a family man and our link to his father Harry's business. The story begins with Harry deciding to invest all his cash for his upcoming retirement to secure his and his wife's future - but he leaves the briefcase full of money in a taxi. The next person to use the taxi is Mark who picks up the briefcase, thinking it's his own, forgetting that he didn't have one with him that day. Harry turns to his son, James, to help find the briefcase but suddenly dies, leaving James to 'tidy up' his affairs. The book follows Mark with his new found wealth and James as their lives change but never cross. Of course, there's a good twist at the end. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>My Time Again</b> is about a man, Graham, who has lived for 70 years when he is transported overnight back to 1970, when he was starting at University in London. His body is now that of an 18 year old but his seventy years of memories are still in his mind. This leads him to make different choices second time around. The author uses real life events to guide the story along, with Graham occasionally trying to change outcomes. But what may happen when his seventieth birthday approaches plays on his mind and he is determined to unravel the mystery before it's too late. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><b>Social Murderer</b> is darker than the previous two books. Whilst murder-mysteries are the most popular of genres, I prefer less death and more feel-good. That said, however, it's a well thought through story of trying to identify the murderer before he continues his killing spree. Eventually, the detective finds out that victims are randomly chosen from their social media profiles - hence 'social murderer' - with the qualifying criteria being that their names that can be arranged in a specific pattern to solve a simple puzzle. The murderer has promised a huge reward for the first person who solves the puzzle. Will he/she be caught before the puzzle is finished and the prize claimed?<br /></p><p>So that's it. You can buy Pratchett's and Gaiman's books practically anywhere; <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B08LSRKY1Z/allbooks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ian Cummins' books</a> are all available on Amazon books and Kindle.</p><p>P.S. I posted <a href="https://postsubmitted.blogspot.com/2013/11/book-reviews-2013.html">this book review</a> years ago and can only remember the first and last books mentioned! Sadly, my Kindle is over ten years old and has stopped functioning. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-33096504513752553892024-01-19T11:54:00.001+00:002024-01-19T11:54:54.409+00:00I Used To Be Famous - British film<p>A few years after Del-boy put Peckham on the map, along comes Vinnie D. </p><p>Co-written, directed and starring Eddie Sternberg as Vince Denham who used to be in a famous band twenty years earlier, this story is a reminder that people are complicated creatures. </p><p>Vince is down on his luck. Alone in his flat, he reflects on his life choices which led him here, mainly shaped by his inability to stand his ground and visit his younger brother in hospital, who died while the band was on tour. He is not happy with his life and dreams of becoming famous again.<br /></p><p>While practising a new song on his electronic keyboard, sitting on a bench in Peckham market, a young man, Stevie, starts drumming along with the song until Stevie's mother arrives on the scene and takes him home. </p><p>Long story short... Stevie is autistic and drums as therapy. Vince joins the therapy group and shows understanding, helping other members gain self-confidence. The two team up (against Stevie's mum's wishes) and get a gig at the local pub. They are well received until some guys wander in and begin to shout derogatory comments about the music and then start picking on Stevie. Vince protects his younger friend and a fight ensues. Obviously he is then banned from the pub. </p><p>With various people posting short videos on social media of Vince and Stevie playing in the market and at the gig, Vince is eventually poised to make a comeback tour... </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb2ZN0KBrHIfCWQL2QzjYYSs7HuoV5d3wAN8lqqyNMuzwBk0B03HgozfoB0-P1ugOvihTZxBBOpdOOv3NGppkef53rVo5QpWprDZkAYpss79mF2LbaCZbQrqe2jvssvXOqXxaAyeU0iOtbxlZeMpNoVGbH5pWlshncgSbg4z9QhncOArlXeiu3yONfRZA/s1024/_ab85b5e0-99a9-4309-b433-b754ba54b9c1.jpg"><img alt="AI generated image of drumming" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFb2ZN0KBrHIfCWQL2QzjYYSs7HuoV5d3wAN8lqqyNMuzwBk0B03HgozfoB0-P1ugOvihTZxBBOpdOOv3NGppkef53rVo5QpWprDZkAYpss79mF2LbaCZbQrqe2jvssvXOqXxaAyeU0iOtbxlZeMpNoVGbH5pWlshncgSbg4z9QhncOArlXeiu3yONfRZA/w320-h320/_ab85b5e0-99a9-4309-b433-b754ba54b9c1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Released 2022, currently on Netflix. <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-33570205845500292302024-01-17T14:05:00.005+00:002024-01-19T09:36:25.818+00:00Indiana Jones - the fifth and final film<p><b>Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny </b></p><p>Everyone was excited about the next Indiana Jones movie until the studio started to shoot itself in the foot and put out negative vibes. Even after it was released, there was no love for the film at Disney. Unsurprisingly, one of the highest budget films was not a box-office success and, at the time, made huge losses. These factors niggled at an audience who wanted to love Indy's last adventure (bearing in mind that Harrison Ford must be nearly 100 years old by now). </p><p>So we waited. We've now watched the movie and have our own opinion on it. Generally, the public awarded a 3.6 rating and we wouldn't argue with that but we believe it could have been higher with a better final cut. For example, it's a long film at 2h22m and much of the first half dragged on a bit therefore just removing 20 minutes or so from the first half of the film would have been beneficial. Possibly the scenes where old Indy became younger Indy, thanks to CGI, were only kept in to justify the CGI cost? </p>That aside, once the action got going, it was entertaining.<br /><p>Resurrecting the Nazi element as the antagonists was a terrible idea but the fantasy element of the franchise (e.g. Arc, Aliens) was topped by time-travel. The antagonists meet their doom in the distant past as Indy meets with Archimedes who, apparently, discovered how to time travel around 2000 years ago. </p><p>All in all, quite entertaining and a must-see if you've seen the others. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1QzvWp1xNBkJEYZZii1-cMiayJSAD6C8HVR5UIoQ7ND-8APVX0M57DpEPtxLtjcbRIxp7Jw9b0niczQWC9ZheHerd61ShxmEgzueVRXJ-LKKq5Hoi-ZNs59tXC0gKdNymCVKC6yb31Q4eLIZ5J21ppNlOk_rXFxbm7G7EBOgHghnkK6sgGHcOno2ZH67/s960/kisspng-fedora-indiana-jones-gift-hat-gadget-santa-hat-5b040751d1c1f7.7477245115269906738592.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1QzvWp1xNBkJEYZZii1-cMiayJSAD6C8HVR5UIoQ7ND-8APVX0M57DpEPtxLtjcbRIxp7Jw9b0niczQWC9ZheHerd61ShxmEgzueVRXJ-LKKq5Hoi-ZNs59tXC0gKdNymCVKC6yb31Q4eLIZ5J21ppNlOk_rXFxbm7G7EBOgHghnkK6sgGHcOno2ZH67/s320/kisspng-fedora-indiana-jones-gift-hat-gadget-santa-hat-5b040751d1c1f7.7477245115269906738592.png" width="320" /></a></div>Personal ratings by release:<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Raiders of the Lost Arc ~~~ 5* </li><li>Temple of Doom ~~~ 4* </li><li>Last Crusade ~~~ 5*</li><li>Crystal Skull ~~~ 4* </li><li>Dial of Destiny ~~~ 4*<br /></li></ul><p> </p><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-63966346371531928812024-01-12T19:35:00.007+00:002024-01-26T00:45:45.549+00:00Movies: Freelance, Witless Protection, About My Father - our ratings<p><i>We've watched three more films on three consecutive evenings, wow. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxK6tTnIERjJbZdCUNmH5s0Ca9vq06rHI9ZuwdIjzV1bnHfN4IiVT013gDGUQGJ1odkIaasAUeNtIwQl_JFgikiCzqvkJeF1KHVr7alz1j1ptAsAY0yu-cevrFS2XaxR_IdQu6ZX2O6MuyDcDWDkDFtvSJgL6n-aspGQa-gVOXdvoQBGrpwP60dDL1Vr_/s871/audience.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="871" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxK6tTnIERjJbZdCUNmH5s0Ca9vq06rHI9ZuwdIjzV1bnHfN4IiVT013gDGUQGJ1odkIaasAUeNtIwQl_JFgikiCzqvkJeF1KHVr7alz1j1ptAsAY0yu-cevrFS2XaxR_IdQu6ZX2O6MuyDcDWDkDFtvSJgL6n-aspGQa-gVOXdvoQBGrpwP60dDL1Vr_/w640-h376/audience.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><b style="color: #990000;">1. Freelance</b></p><p><i>Genre: action and humour. </i>If this had been made at the end of the last millenium, it would be starring Arnie and possibly co-starring Antonio Banderas. However, it was released in 2023 and stars John Cena, Alison Brie and Juan Pablo Raba. It's not a new plot but it was entertaining and for that, we give it 4 out of 5 stars. Cena and Brie were good and Juan Pablo Raba was excellent. </p><p><b style="color: #990000;">2. Witless Protection</b></p><p><i>Genre: comedy.</i> We nearly abandoned this quite early on as it's cringey rather than funny but we let it run and there was some worthy humour. Added to that, the plot developed nicely, so we can award 3 out of 5 stars. For those of you who know of the comedian 'Larry the Cable Guy', the humour is probably typical but for the rest of us (especially Brits), this is a B-list movie. </p><p><b style="color: #990000;">3. About My Father</b></p><p><i>Genre: comedy.</i> Based loosely on the relationshop between the writer/leading actor Sebastian Maniscalco and his father, played by Robert De Niro, this hardly believable plot is entertaining, with characters who you may like or loathe as the story unfolds. It's entertaining, so somewhere between 3 and 4 stars out of 5. </p><p><a href="https://postsubmitted.blogspot.com/search/label/film" target="_blank">Click here for more film info</a>. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-9464980957370096552024-01-05T19:04:00.002+00:002024-01-10T18:14:25.542+00:00Film Review: Uncharted <p><i> "Nuns. Why did it have to be Nuns?"</i> </p><p>I've been looking forward to seeing this film for such a long time. I'm not a gamer but I've watched some of the Uncharted stories from the games plus the fan-made short with Nathan Fillion as Nathan Drake - so I know a little but not enough to enrage me if there are deviations from the game plots. </p><p style="text-align: center;">
</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v5CZQpqF_74?si=LsvMWWILwQa3-i6q" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>I watched this with someone who knew nothing about Uncharted at all. For example, he asked what sort of film it is and I said that it was a little bit like Indiana Jones. </p><p>The main characters are Nate (Tom Holland) and Sully (<span>Mark Wahlberg) whose connection is Nate's brother, Sam (missing, presumed dead). The film begins with the brothers as naughty boys, Sam leaves younger brother Nate to be raised in an orphanage by nuns. Eventually Nate comes of age, leaves the orphanage and gets a job as a barman, supplementing his income by stealing stuff. </span></p><p><span>Sully finds Nate and, after some cat-and-mouse games, they team up to search for Magellan's gold. Of course, they are not the only ones on the trail so they encounter some rough enemies, including the woman who shot Sam. </span></p><p><span>At the end, as with Indy's adventures, there is a wistful but not unhappy ending to the film, followed by a teaser for a sequel which, at the end of 2023, we are still waiting to hear if/when it's to be given the green light. I hope so.</span></p><p><span>I enjoyed this film and the person with whom I watched it also enjoyed it (possibly not as much as me though). If I had to name one thing that niggled me, it was the destruction of two perfectly preserved, centuries-old sailing ships. But then, I have to remember that it's not real, just a story. </span></p><p><span> </span>
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-71872944627810452002023-12-20T11:33:00.002+00:002023-12-22T13:34:22.514+00:00It's CHRISTMAAAAS!<div><p>For so many generations, it's great to see Noddy Holder return to the limelight every December. Slade's Number One hit from 1973, <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://youtu.be/PTslBTBl1X8" target="_blank">Merry Christmas Everbody</a></span></b>, is still played relentlessly at joyous festivities throughout the UK, 50 years on. Who would have predicted that? Maybe Bing Crosby? Written by Irving Berlin, <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://youtu.be/FMyBJAZFiqI" target="_blank">White Christmas</a></span></b> was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942, during WWII, and is still in the Christmas charts every year. <br /></p><p>The leading contender for the 2023 Christmas Number One in the music charts is <a href="https://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Last Christmas</span></b></a> by Wham, from 1984, presumably referring to Christmas 1983 which was 40 years ago and the same year that <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCpXMy5GalI" target="_blank">Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth</a></span></b> reached No. 3 in the charts, a collaboration by David Bowie with Bing Crosby, six years after it was recorded, just a month before Crosby's unexpected death. <br /></p><p>In the 2023 race, the leader is is closely followed by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl's <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://youtu.be/j9jbdgZidu8" target="_blank">A Fairytale of New York</a></span></b>, released 1987. </p><p>These are all great songs which we are happy to sing along to year after year yet, with the exception of Noddy Holder, the people who sang the main lyrics are no longer around. We're so lucky that they left us their voices to listen to every year. <br /></p><p>If your favourite isn't listed, put it in thecomments! <i> </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Merry Christmas, Everybody</i>. </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ8I8iTRNXWs26u9ZoDOSqCd9gWeH6KYp0v8ehX39pwh4DwYBL0A10LVHXXjJWSx5ZSkeSQuhsV0ZPIXYgZ_6EMz5YTd9hUYQ1PiMJsJd_O3LeD4vBMCCN0aXV2K_eEqs_uNS3c9_1HaiWOro5Ew-7YKpML7elLk1XLe55H51eIc15IKQYhDehBUbWwIn/s4096/%E2%80%94Pngtree%E2%80%94christmas%20wreath%20of%20fir%20branches_13448129.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="4096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ8I8iTRNXWs26u9ZoDOSqCd9gWeH6KYp0v8ehX39pwh4DwYBL0A10LVHXXjJWSx5ZSkeSQuhsV0ZPIXYgZ_6EMz5YTd9hUYQ1PiMJsJd_O3LeD4vBMCCN0aXV2K_eEqs_uNS3c9_1HaiWOro5Ew-7YKpML7elLk1XLe55H51eIc15IKQYhDehBUbWwIn/s320/%E2%80%94Pngtree%E2%80%94christmas%20wreath%20of%20fir%20branches_13448129.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Beebopalula</i><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-42463397934252742312023-12-12T12:23:00.007+00:002024-01-20T10:48:57.796+00:00History (well, School Days in the 1960s)<p><b>Intro: </b><i><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was a bit of a 'goody two shoes'. In junior school, I once had to write 200 lines "I must not talk in class" - I didn't mind the lines as I enjoyed writing. However, I hadn't been talking and I made a point of telling the teacher when, as an adult, I saw him at a bus stop in the rain and offered him a lift. I now laugh about how ridiculous that was! In senior school, I had one detention when the whole class was kept behind for something (not sure what as, once again, I wasn't part of it). It consisted of staying half an hour late in school, which was great because I managed to complete half my homework! </span></span></i><br /></p><p><b>Part-1</b></p><p>In the summer of <b>1965</b>, the pupils in class 4A (now Year 6) parted ways at the end of term. Although many would be attending the local comprehensive, Peter was accepted at the boys' grammar school in a nearby town and I would be starting at the girls' grammar school in another nearby town. I only mentioned Peter because, years later, I discovered that he and a friend's brother were in the same class at grammar school.<br /></p><p>During the summer break, I was kitted out (at enormous expense) with the appropriate uniform of tweed skirt, tie, blazer, mac, white shirts, ash green cardigan and/or jumper, green beret, scarf, white science coat and PE kit: green culottes, big black gym knickers, white polo shirt, hockey boots and a hockey stick. There was also a summer dress in a specific fabric but this was deferred until summer term, a few months away.</p><p>In the first year (now referred to as Year 7), we were placed into classes by age and there were two other girls, Christine and Elizabeth, with whom I shared a birthday. <br /></p><p>We were also assigned to 'houses' but, as nobody paid any attention to
these, it was soon phased out. I was placed in St Winifred's, which warranted a
yellow button badge and determined which musical I could see in London for a Christmas treat - it was <i>Paint your Wagon</i>. I think <i>Oliver</i> and <i>The Sound of Music</i> were on offer to the girls in other 'houses'. <br /></p><p>The 'first-years' were housed in an old building with the science labs. There was a Christmas outing to the local church and we all had to wear our berets - the one and only time I ever did. It was very icy that winter and I slipped over and broke a tooth as I walked across the courtyard. </p><p>Once a week during autumn/winter, we played hockey and I was so useless that my hardly-worn, expensive hockey boots were as-new when I finally gave them away. I must also have had plimsoles to play tennis (also useless) and athletics (even worse) during the spring/summer; I wasn't too bad at gym. It's a shame there was no squash or badminton because I was OK at those when I grew up.<br /></p><p>In the summer term, the girls wore a collared dress with optional cardigan. In June, our end-of-year exam reults determined our destinies for the following year. </p><p>During that first year, I met Mo who, apparently, I was friends with as a baby when her parents and mine were neighbours, before both familes moved out of North London and lost touch (we're still friends). Anita was another classmate who was to feature in my life after we left school... more about that if I write a post about the 1970s. </p><p>September <b>1966</b>: arriving at school on the first day of term, my long hair in braids as per the rules, one of the prefects mistook me for a newcomer. Obviously, that hair was instantly set free! I soon realised that most of the rules applied to first year girls only and then, afterwards, nobody bothered! <br /></p><p>Thankfully, I was placed in the arts stream rather than the science stream. The main difference being that we were not taught taught Physics and Chemistry but we did study English literature and all the usual lessons: English Grammar, Maths, French, History, Geography, plus Biology, Art and a choice of Needlework or Cookery. There were the compulsory PE and RE lessons too.</p><p>I was an average student, so we'll leave academia behind and concentrate on the fun side of being a young teen in the late 1960s. </p><p><i>Update: Just remembered how fashionable my 11-year old self was! Christmas, 1965, my parents bought me a blue anorak and blue stretch trousers with a strap that looped under the foot to stop them riding up. A year later, my Christmas present was a sleeveless, polo-necked skinny-rib top in white with a mustard colour mini-skirt in crimplene ... CRIMPLENE!!! </i><br /></p><p><b>Part 2.</b></p><p><b>1966-1970</b> were the best years to be a carefree teenager! As far as homework interfering with the social side of life, it didn't. Most of the time, I did whatever homework we were assigned during the morning during lunchtime and whatever was assigned in the afternoons was started on the bus journey and completed the following morning by getting in forty minutes before school started. Those were the good old days when pupils were trusted to be in their classrooms without supervision.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvewnNUzo79GieU1xiZyNN4yTlX1XubKwLC7U1GweuF7o8IF6etU0FmVi-ruzLnnvpgbXr7Dx3jxiGB_3RhPdZWTfGZiETtOomy0IIldsJP44FSsVUiaiK_LmRV7BzblzSdOnk4GmKCfQdUJnX7xTl_nQfPaX3rPKLGwd2aFq2CYWr8g62ba86FF_Eh0fR/s278/greencoat.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="182" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvewnNUzo79GieU1xiZyNN4yTlX1XubKwLC7U1GweuF7o8IF6etU0FmVi-ruzLnnvpgbXr7Dx3jxiGB_3RhPdZWTfGZiETtOomy0IIldsJP44FSsVUiaiK_LmRV7BzblzSdOnk4GmKCfQdUJnX7xTl_nQfPaX3rPKLGwd2aFq2CYWr8g62ba86FF_Eh0fR/s1600/greencoat.jpeg" width="182" /></a></div>My school mac was originally designed to cover the knees but we turned up the hems by about 8" to be mini-length coats. Similarly, skirts were turned over and over at the waist to become mini-skirts. Outside of school, it was mostly mini-skirts, which got higher as stockings were replaced by tights, but I also had a lime green trouser suit which I wore endlessly! <br /><p></p><p>As with many teens in the '60s, music filled my head. Having been introduced to Buddy Holly's songs by my older brother when I was about five years old, Beatlemania arrived soon afterwards. In fact, I was lucky enough to be taken to a Beatles concert in 1964 - how many people can claim that?! Some of the other artistes my parents took me to see were: The Moody Blues ("Go Now" with Denny Laine), The Tornados ("Telstar"), Susan Maughan ("Bobby's Girl") - I'll add any others as I remember them. </p><p>My brother gave me my first ever record. It was a 78 RPM of Buddy Holly and The Crickets, "Think It Over" / "Fools Paradise" (he had started collecting the new 45 RPM 'singles'). In fact, he also gave me my second record - a single - "Can't Buy Me Love" / "You Can't Do That" by The Beatles, as he had bought their LP (33 RPM) and both songs were on it. For any young people who are unsure what RPM means, it signified the speed of the turntable - revolutions per minute. <br /></p><p>Some of my other <b>favourite bands in the 1960s</b> were: Manfred Mann and The Animals, The Monkees, The Kinks, The Troggs, Small Faces, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch. Late 1960s: Amen Corner, The Herd, The Equals, Beach Boys; then a host of Tamla Motown artistes: Jimmy Ruffin, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, etc. I'm sure I've missed loads. At age 13ish, a schoolfirend, Marina, and I saw The Small Faces (Stevenage Locarno) and The Monkees (Wembley Arena) and I went with another couple of schoolfriends to see The Amen Corner and The Bonzo Dog Do-Dah Band, both at Tottenham Royal, when I was around 14 or 15.<br /></p><p>My introduction to politics was via The Marine and Broadcasting Offences Bill, which was put together by Harold Wilson's Labour Government in 1967/68. It's sole purpose (in my opinion) was to close down Radio Caroline and Radio London so that the music we listened to could be controlled by the government. I have loathed politics and politicians ever since. No wonder there are so many rebellions by teenagers.<br /></p><p>As I have now mentioned Tottenham, another of my weekly past-times was watching <b>football</b>, mostly at White Hart Lane. I usually went with Gill, my best friend from school, and took my younger brother. This started in 1967 and continued for several years - my younger brother is a season ticket holder and hasn't missed many games since. Jimmy Greaves was my hero. I still follow the club but mostly from my cosy armchair. <br /></p><p>In the summer of '68, I had a 'phone call from another schoolfriend,
Pat, who was on a Caravan holiday with her parents near the Essex coast
and was bored silly - am I free to spend the next week with her family?
Oh, yes. My dad drove me there and I had a great time - it was the only
the second holiday I had ever had (the other being Butlins in 1966 in
wet Wales). I remember that my favourite song at the time was "Bad Moon
Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival - it's still one of my
favourites. </p><p>Gill and I used to go <b>roller skating</b> every week at 'Ally Pally' and often went to discos at the weekends. I lived miles from anywhere and always had to find the best bus route to wherever I was going; sometimes I would arrange to stay over at one of my friends' houses instead. </p><p>When I was 15, I stayed with some 'cousins' in Essex, not far from Southend. They were actually family friends but I had always called their mum 'Aunty Vi'. They had a flat roofed house and the boys and I used to jump off the roof onto the lawn. Why? No idea! They also had a motorbike (a 350 AJS) which they were too young to drive but they walked it to some local wasteland and rode around. I tried but accelerated too hard and I fell off the back as the bike reared - no harm done but they wouldn't let me near it again. I remember that my favourite songs during that time were "Band of Gold", "The First Cut Is The Deepest" and "Don't Play That Song For Me" by Freda Payne, P.P.Arnold and Aretha Franklin, respectively. </p><p>At some point during those football years, I had all my long hair cut off to within 1" in my scalp and started wearing jeans, which is still my staple to this day. I have a photograph of me looking 'hard' with my new haircut, jeans and a blue and white scarf. Hilarious!<br /></p><p>As 1969 handed over to the next decade, I passed most of my O-levels and spent the summer waitressing in a café, which I loved! My favourite song at that time was David Bowie's "A Space Oddity". I started a real job in September and life was still fun but that's for another post, another time. Thanks for reading. <br /></p><p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bernie</span></i><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-3080567257408854042023-11-15T15:05:00.001+00:002023-11-15T15:05:00.149+00:00Review: Last Night in Soho<p>I wanted to watch the film, Last Night in Soho, ages ago because I like the song (Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch, 1960s) and I like the Director (Edgar Wright) plus the cast had some good names (Matt Smith, Diana Rigg and a host of other names) but my favourite character, John, was played by Michael Ajao.</p><p>Billed as a psychological horror, the film is about Eloise (another 1960s hit song, featured in the film), a teenage girl who is accepted at a fashion design college in London. A quiet personality, she had little in common with girls she shared halls with so decided to find her own lodgings. Around this time, she began hallucinating about events that happened in the past (taking us back to the 1960s again) which were so real that she became part of that life, skilfully taking the movie into a thriller/horror genre. </p><p>It's too difficult to go into details - you can watch the film if you need to know them - but the nightmare eventually ends and you realise that Ellie isn't going insane but is sensitive to the strong psychic vibes of the 'ghosts' in the room (oh yes, There's a Ghost in my House by R Dean Taylor, 1970s, was also on the playlist, as were: A World Without Love by Peter & Gordon, Don't Throw Your Love Away by the Searchers and Wishin' & Hopin' by Dusty Springfield, to name a few). </p><p style="text-align: left;">'Nuff said. I think I liked the movie. If it's your cup of tea, give it a go. Here's the trailer:<br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AcVnFrxjPjI?si=KtidD9_Dun9Fk1uX" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><table class="tracklist"><tbody><tr><th id="track1" scope="row"><p><br /></p></th></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-58553621431527541502023-11-10T15:05:00.001+00:002024-01-29T12:29:54.036+00:00Review: One Night in Miami<p>Another one that I'm not sure whether to recommend. It's an account of a fictional evening following Cassius Clay's victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, shared with other icons of the day: Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Malcolm X. </p><p>In the film, they spent most of the evening in a motel room. The boxing champ, the American footballer, the singer and the activist. Guess which one was the least fun, interrupting the celebrations with his ranting? Malcolm X seemed almost schizophrenic, jumping from rants to normality throughout the film. </p><p>Being British, I'd never heard of Jim Brown who retired from (American) football to become a reasonably successful actor (the character was played by Aldis Hodge who is known for such roles as Hardison in Leverage) but he seemed like a nice, level-headed guy, the best of the bunch. Sadly, Jim Brown died earlier this year. </p><p>And who hasn't heard of Sam Cooke? A great voice, he released many songs during his short time on earth (shot and killed a few months after the film was set), including: You Send Me, Wonderful World, I Can See Clearly Now, Cupid, Twistin' the Night Away, Another Saturday Night, Change Gonna Come... and more. </p><p>Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali shortly after his rise to fame, encouraged to change religion by Malcolm X. Most(?) people alive today will know who he is, a much loved character who sufferered from Parkinson's Disease in later life. I don't know much about Malcolm X so I don't feel that I have the right to comment here.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The film is an Amazon original. Here's the trailer: <br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/onX-F41ej6o?si=zKaQRawqY9KeFDAv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><b>Summary</b>: a well-acted and well made film with light moments and humour. Personally, I am always uncomfortable with stories from the 1960s/70s that comprise some elements of ugly truth, such as racism, sexism and other prejudices.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-1413224694974451142023-11-06T16:56:00.007+00:002023-11-07T11:13:45.104+00:00Review: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain<p>I'm not sure whether to recommend this or not... </p><p>Benedict Cumberbatch is a very good actor and his make-up artist was excellent, taking him from a young man to an old man waiting to die, then an old man who decided to continue living. </p><p>Based on a true story, <i><b>The Electrical Life of Louis Wain</b></i> is a quaint story of life from late 1800s to early 1900s - the ups and downs of life in an upper middle-class family with very little money. It highlights the absence of free will for many people of the time: the poor and the powerless, women who need to 'marry well' and even the proviledged classes who do not conform to society's rules. In this respect, it perpetuates how a collection of weathly men determined the value of others and it illustrates how harridan leadership spills into everyday two-faced gossip when people don't conform to the ideas of the rich and powerful. This can be accepted as history or, for some, an example of how little things have moved on 100 years later.<br /></p><p>That aside, the story is that Louis had to take on the role of head of the household when his father
died. With no discernable income, he has to provide for his many
sisters and unwell mother and pay for a governess - an educated woman who is appointed by the eldest sister to teach the younger ones.</p><p>But this is also a also a love story. Louis Wain is a lovely, if awkward, person who, these days, may be considered to be 'on the spectrum'. He falls in love with the governess, which is frowned upon by people who know the family, as she is someone from 'the servile class'. The couple moves away and Louis takes various artistic commissions to support her, his sisters and his mother. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXj1Z7-Yj_RlhybGXd0FtAy37hND0YQnjH8G2DK1vwEuVRuM7Y9UvtZmywLdKuPPuJ2wu58zO5iEBmQKADmmGMQEjUoQiouLH1CrqYJrrqKteXgLk5x8hsrQfUEXTzY32RZnoakkOrsvWPlQ4UrX3lZx8EiXqgorxWs2YbMcYUES_NUb8ti1B6lcKiFUw/s1280/kittens-3535404_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXj1Z7-Yj_RlhybGXd0FtAy37hND0YQnjH8G2DK1vwEuVRuM7Y9UvtZmywLdKuPPuJ2wu58zO5iEBmQKADmmGMQEjUoQiouLH1CrqYJrrqKteXgLk5x8hsrQfUEXTzY32RZnoakkOrsvWPlQ4UrX3lZx8EiXqgorxWs2YbMcYUES_NUb8ti1B6lcKiFUw/w400-h266/kittens-3535404_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There's a lot more to the story and, inevitably, there are sad moments. Go ahead and watch it - especially if you like cats - but be sure to line up some happier viewing to follow. <br /></p><p></p><p><i>The Electrical Life of Louis Wain with Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy and Toby Jones.</i></p><p><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Wain" target="_blank">Louis Wain wiki</a><br /><br /></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-89377074459967379462023-10-04T00:42:00.001+01:002024-01-20T10:47:41.087+00:00Music from Blues to Pop<p>Many British groups in the 1960s started off as blues bands then moved over to pop music under pressure from record labels wanting to make more money (for the band, too, to be fair).</p><p>In the mid-60s, Amen Corner had minor hits with <i>Gin House Blues</i> and <i>World of Broken Hearts</i> but their big break came with their third single - <i>Bend Me, Shape Me</i> - a pop song.</p><p>Earlier than that, though, Manfred Mann was a blues band. Original lead singer, Paul Jones left on good terms with his former band mates and his friend Mike d'Abo stepped in as front man. This marked the change from blues to pop.</p><p>Remember hits like <i>My Name is Jack, Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James, The Mighty Quinn, Fox on the Run and Ragamuffin Man</i>? All great songs; here's one: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8QNkhOerSU?si=Z2tqqwEnLP8uQe46" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></p><p>Paul still has a blues band and also toured with <a href="http://themanfreds.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Manfreds</span></b></a>, including Mike but, amusingly, the line-up didn't include Manfred Mann whose Earthband was famous for covering Bruce Springsteen's <i>Blinded by the Light</i>. Tom McGuinness also formed a band - McGuiness-Flint - biggest hit <i>When I'm Dead and Gone</i>.<br /></p><p>The band ccovered many Bob Dylan compositions but many of them also wrote songs, e.g. Mike d'Abo wrote <i>Handbags and Gladrags</i> for Chris Farlowe and covered by Rod Stewart. </p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Beebopalula</span><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-54329489516855078222023-10-01T01:54:00.004+01:002024-01-20T10:36:46.690+00:00Film Review: Nobody<p><b>Nobody</b> is a 2021 movie with Christopher Lloyd, whose character is the dad of the lead actor, Bob Odenkirk. It begins by showing the dull repetitive life of a family man which is disrupted by a break-in. The man, Hutch, does nothing (explained later in the film) but soon regrets his inaction and decides to track down the perpetrators. During his search, hints of his past life start to creep into the story.</p><p>When he finds the couple who broke in, he discovers that they acted out of desperation as they couldn't afford medicines for their sick baby. Hutch leaves, angry and frustrated, and catches a bus. During the journey, some drunks crash their car and catch the bus, still drinking, then begin to harass a young lady travelling alone. Hutch starts a fight.<br /></p><p>Afterwards, he learns that the younger brother of a notorious 'baddie' died following that fight - and the elder brother's endless supply of thugs and assassins was sent to hunt down Hutch.</p>How does it end? You'll have to watch it yourself - it's worth it. Here's a clip:<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZti8QKBWPo?si=ts7lgJ0WUh5Cuft9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>This will appeal to those who enjoyed John Wick, Seven
Psychopaths or In Bruges. Even if you aren't keen on fight scenes and
gun battles, it's a good film with humour so it's quite fun!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-82102568716563965852023-09-18T21:49:00.013+01:002023-11-29T17:01:20.920+00:00Ted Lasso and Wrexham<p>I often confused one story with the other. Ted Lasso was a brilliant TV series about a fictional football team based in London, whereas the other was a documentary of a real team in Wales, Wrexham.</p><p>Both were of interest to me, with my roots in both places.</p><p>I first discovered Ted Lasso (10 years ago - before the series hit the TV screens) when Jason Sudeikis played the character as coach at Tottenham Hotspur. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6KeG_i8CWE8?si=w6l_fD2-LxBwyGSS" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p></p><p>(My nephew is also a coach, currently employed by his dream team, 'Spurs. He appears in several of their videos, social media, etc.)</p><p>Moving on to the Wrexham story, Rob McElhenney persuaded Ryan Reynolds to jointly invest in the club and they have made such a difference! They've thrown themselves wholeheartedly into every aspect of the club and community. I'll be interested to see how far they can go.</p><p>And, yes, I've visited the ground at the invitation of the then owner Pryce Griffiths. Following his retirement and sale of the club, Wrexham AFC suffered years of turmoil until fans raised the money to rescue the club from administration. Rob and Ryan stepped in when finances were low and the rest will eventually be history.</p><p>As for Ted Lasso, it was always going to end after the third season and it was a great finalé. </p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-83779305923743910702023-08-30T15:50:00.014+01:002023-08-31T15:56:19.508+01:00Tough Guys with a Soft Centre<p>I really, really do not like traditional heroine stories from a bygone era. This also extends to most romance books and films, traditionally written from a woman's viewpoint, where she falls in love with the strong silent hero, for example.</p><p>That doesn't happen these days, does it? Oddly, I find myself fascinated by certain characters who are tough guys with a soft centre.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7V4qEt1a5e4OaCQ_vhII5X88WwqsH3HczMZxX2jqNIN62PVtLh-O62lYDMzA4vCdupqds-b6u_gwOzZ7nk5ehGM2-OFMYFpupqU3ehQOCMPiMHeRW13eKIBFfKkDQ1hAI95M67caGBURWygwBIvfIR4llIId3rKdowS0wVJvOx58DqwEethXYvfMgCDF/s1060/feline-guy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="783" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7V4qEt1a5e4OaCQ_vhII5X88WwqsH3HczMZxX2jqNIN62PVtLh-O62lYDMzA4vCdupqds-b6u_gwOzZ7nk5ehGM2-OFMYFpupqU3ehQOCMPiMHeRW13eKIBFfKkDQ1hAI95M67caGBURWygwBIvfIR4llIId3rKdowS0wVJvOx58DqwEethXYvfMgCDF/s320/feline-guy.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><p></p><p>To focus on two actors who play these characters very well, Adam Baldwin and Christian Kane (both who were up for the part of Jayne Cobb in Firefly and, I believe, are friends), I'll refer to the TV series (plural) <i>Chuck</i> and <i>Leverage</i>.</p><p>By the end of Chuck, I found that the story of the main two co-stars had played out but I was left wanting to know more about John Casey, whose character developed brilliantly as the series progressed. </p><p>In Leverage, Eliot Spencer was a straightforward yet complex person and I wanted to see more of him. But... did I want to know more about him? Debateable, given his brief descriptions of his past deeds. And it was great to see that Adam Baldwin had a guest appearance in S5. As far as Eliot goes, I'm delighted that, not only has <i>Leverage:Redemption</i> now aired but Christian Kane has the lead role in <i>Almost Paradise</i>, where he plays a similar character - tough, soft, not quite loveable.<br /></p><p>Having read an old <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.dragoncon.org/dailydragon/dc2018/broken-toys-and-found-families-an-interview-with-christian-kane/" target="_blank"><span>interview with Christian Kane</span></a></span> about adapting to his role in <i>The Librarians</i> (a series that I've been trying to watch for a while, having seen a Librarians movie, but it's an additional cost over and above paying for Prime/Freevee), I'm even more intrigued to watch his portrayal. There's a rumour of bringing back a new series of The Librarians but, of course, everything from the 'States is taking forever because of the Writers' strike. Money-grabbing studio execs are trying to save money on paying writers and supporting actors/extras. Wow, big businesses are greedy - who would've guessed!</p><p>I haven't seen <i>Angel</i>, where both actors have roles, because I wasn't
keen on <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> but I guess that has to be on my list? I'm
just curious to see how AB & CK fit these different characters. </p><p>Conclusion: the strong, silent hero is alive and well in the 21st Century. In the UK, <i>Chuck</i>, <i>Leverage</i> and <i>Leverage:Redemption</i> are free with Prime (I think that Firefly and Serenity are also available - but to buy).</p><p>Your relevant comments are welcome. <br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-5949786915542159152023-08-01T18:36:00.016+01:002024-01-20T10:50:50.148+00:00Nostalgia: Working in the 1970s & 1980s <p>In 1977, I was learning to write programs using a teletype (a big step from punched cards); I was good at Basic, reasonable at COBOL, not so great at Fortran. I loved working in the I.T. department (tho' it wasn't called that in those days); my colleagues were far better programmers than I was but I was very good at specifying requirements for specific needs of management so I moved into Management Information Systems. This involved specifying the program interface and training staff in using it. Good as it was, a similar opportunity arose in another division of the company which offered much more money plus a company car.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9tu_Yf8Fj3wtE1o9SCI_FwUsF44aZ3YPQ2JlHsWaGpQus0Zbh6WB9oSLLv95lC8ZPOH9MDuzRn8lZrApWU47bYJdzTDUhNHmJbZnnp07NrAEH7p6p5Jvo0l9cvZGnMvgrToApwoP29XxA36LjfxszKkBKBCqa1H2Kq6lXy4SW7R_NWIlBfCZyN-ZSQaL/s1563/TR7.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1563" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9tu_Yf8Fj3wtE1o9SCI_FwUsF44aZ3YPQ2JlHsWaGpQus0Zbh6WB9oSLLv95lC8ZPOH9MDuzRn8lZrApWU47bYJdzTDUhNHmJbZnnp07NrAEH7p6p5Jvo0l9cvZGnMvgrToApwoP29XxA36LjfxszKkBKBCqa1H2Kq6lXy4SW7R_NWIlBfCZyN-ZSQaL/s320/TR7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was around 1982. I got the job, sold my lovely old TR7 (bright yellow) and was supplied with a brand new Ford Sierra (a car that had only just been launched!) <p></p><p>It was a great job; I had to procure (or specify) software for a number of small business applications (e.g. estate agents) so that the sales people could entice these buyers with our multi-user desktop compter system. I had to prepare marketing materials, write instruction manuals and train the clients (hence the company car).</p><p>So - what happened next? IBM took the world a step backwards by launching their single user Personal Computer. The first time the acronym 'PC' was used in this context. And the company I worked for decided to relocate. </p><p>Although I'd only been there a year and the company provided me with a car, a daily commute further south and across the Thames was too far to contemplate. They offered assistance for me to move house but I liked where I lived and didn't want to move 60 miles south-east. As luck would have it, I didn't need to.</p><p>I was approached by an ex-colleague who had heard of a new position opening up which he thought I'd be ideal for. Having said I was interested, I was invited for interview by my potential new employers. Of course I said yes but would be going on holiday in a week so could we meet before then? 'No problem' I was told. 'We'll send you the airplane tickets and book you into a hotel for a couple of nights, if that's OK'... </p><p>While I was to be based locally, it turns out that the co-owners wanted to meet me and to show me their working environment before I came on board. So I flew to LAX, stayed overnight at an airport hotel then caught a flight to Las Vegas to meet everyone at a trade show (COMDEX), stayed overnight in Vegas, flew back to LAX then to LHR. I just had time to get home and pack for my holiday, as we were leaving the next day!</p><p>Yes, of course I got the job. It was possibly the best job I've ever had. Responsible for product support (mainly COBOL) to existing clients/resellers and marketing to build on the client-base throughout Europe, I loved it! Oh yes, my company car was a VW Scirocco (eventually replaced by a Toyota MR2).<br /></p><p>I pretty much had autonomy in Europe and visited the company's selected dealers in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain... plus a couple of trips each year to Head Office in Los Angeles. Wow, I know I was lucky and enjoyed every minute of it. Business increased sufficiently to expand the team so I employed a better programmer for product support (whew!) and a marketing assistant. I also recommended an experienced salesman (an ex-colleague) to sign up larger accounts.<br /></p><p>Sadly, good times don't last forever. When the major co-owner died, the company was sold and incorporated by another one, which hadn't a clue how to run the business. Luckily, I was head-hunted by a rival company - but that's another story.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-12068344633069500722022-04-25T14:04:00.006+01:002024-01-20T10:51:32.952+00:00Star Trek & Picard<p><b>I've been simultaneously re-watching <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i> and watching <i>Picard</i> for the first time.</b> Still many series to go with Next Gen but, before I begin watching Picard S2, I decided to review S1. </p><p>The first episode was a bit of a struggle as the story was being established but, as the series progressed and the characters were introduced, it became very good. </p><p>Bruce Maddox was featured in Picard and, by coincidence, he popped up in the episode of Next Gen that I was watching. Without giving too much away, there were some 'old friends' from the USS Enterprise popping up in the series, too. </p><p>Picard 'died' in s1 but, obviously, there was no panic over this storyline if watching it now because s2 is already available and s3 has just been wrapped. That, incidentally, will be the final series. </p><p>The new characters bonded throughout series one and now I'm looking forward to the next adventures of Jean-Luc with Chris Rios on his ship, La Sirena, with Elnor, Soji, Raffi, Seven of Nine, and Agnes. </p><p>Meanwhile, lots of re-watching to do for the Next Generation. Then maybe Deep Space 9 and maybe Enterprise. <b>I've never seen Discovery or Voyager - would anyone like to recommend them to me?</b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCD9JUX2FfZZGf-xOpDm7Uj65qg40uYBTsPQq9NYuhWrMweTLzAIJwXNTSnYvS9geKZWeC8ZqVqEGjI4Yhau79bddW5gKp0EkPqcvpRVKxX0AnlBsWPIHpeRwGbZNI0lf5qnRuzQlBoezi6k9m3lDhUKGJQpAGnMrKXXH3VSnQRPYDjZ8ZQ8NQYFsPw/s1920/spaceship-g66b79a3d0_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCD9JUX2FfZZGf-xOpDm7Uj65qg40uYBTsPQq9NYuhWrMweTLzAIJwXNTSnYvS9geKZWeC8ZqVqEGjI4Yhau79bddW5gKp0EkPqcvpRVKxX0AnlBsWPIHpeRwGbZNI0lf5qnRuzQlBoezi6k9m3lDhUKGJQpAGnMrKXXH3VSnQRPYDjZ8ZQ8NQYFsPw/s320/spaceship-g66b79a3d0_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>UPDATE</p><p>I've now watched S2 and it was darker, with Chris Rios bringing a little light relief. It ended OK-ish though. Now waiting for S3...</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-52487780592088601832019-08-15T14:37:00.004+01:002023-11-10T16:19:37.060+00:00Review - Ready Player One - The Book<p><b>First of all, it's hard to believe that this is the author's first novel</b>. Secondly - how will Ernest Cline follow that! Almost ten years later, we're still waiting to find out.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIqO1TH3CsvWxF7NxY2HpmAEMrizrJMmOr5iyGx9pfWNSA2lu4TaTcC4leIjBgWfIoHTXN77i213U5pahAHxn046wHQs71fzyTELi_YNPans6QonopdM5Hmf7liSzUB3GJrCUi2QLhpX8i0AUEOAwiGPNXeQN0Qqz5oSGd4KKTEzDkh8ezyUJMfmBFQ4M/s640/IMG_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIqO1TH3CsvWxF7NxY2HpmAEMrizrJMmOr5iyGx9pfWNSA2lu4TaTcC4leIjBgWfIoHTXN77i213U5pahAHxn046wHQs71fzyTELi_YNPans6QonopdM5Hmf7liSzUB3GJrCUi2QLhpX8i0AUEOAwiGPNXeQN0Qqz5oSGd4KKTEzDkh8ezyUJMfmBFQ4M/s320/IMG_3215.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
For anyone who is not a 'gamer', I'd recommend reading the book before trying the film. I was given this excellent advice because the book explains references to games in the story-line in a way that the film doesn't, because it's focusing on the action. Special effects are a substitute for imagination, I guess. I was totally absorbed in the book - and I'm one of those weird freaks who has never, ever played a video game and I have no intention of doing so.<br />
<br />
The story is futuristic, set a couple of decades hence, but the over-riding theme is inspired by the 1980s. There are many references to that era to keep the interest of people born before then. Not just gamers and not just Americans - the story includes British and Japanese culture from around that decade. Rock and pop music, fantasy-world book authors, such as Terry Pratchett, plus many, many film references, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which made me smile - yes I remember the '80s.<br />
<br />
The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, was released in 2018. I've not seen it yet but I have discussed it with a couple of people who have watched the film but not read the book... READ THE BOOK! If there is a downside, it's that the font size used in the book is minuscule. It's all small print that required me to use a combination of reading glasses and bright sunlight or, in the evenings, I tried a daylight torch and a magnifying glass - neither of which were ideal. And I don't have enough hands to use both and hold the book open and turn the pages.<br />
<br />
It's a well-written book but the genre isn't for everyone. I loved it and I'm looking forward to watching the film in the near future.<br />
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<hr />
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p.s. I read Good Omens quite some time ago and recently watched the series on TV. And now I'm going to re-read the book...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-16564931839268895302015-01-28T10:00:00.001+00:002022-04-25T12:14:16.598+01:00Porridge: healthy, filling, tasty
Ingredients:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>1 spoonful raisins</li>
<li>2 scoops porridge oats</li>
<li>2 walnut halves, chopped</li>
<li>2 pecan halves, chopped</li>
<li>2 brazil nuts, chopped</li>
<li>4 almonds, chopped</li>
<li>cup of water</li>
<li>sprinkling of cinnamon</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Method:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>place raisins, oats, nuts, and water in bowl, quick stir</li>
<li>microwave on full power for 2 minutes</li>
<li>sprinkle cinnamon on top, stir in</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Notes:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>if too wet, microwave for another 15-30 seconds</li>
<li>if too dry, quickly stir in 2 or two spoonfuls of water <br />(or milk if you must)</li>
</ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-22894852768355189912014-11-15T15:45:00.002+00:002023-08-25T18:31:50.123+01:00Disappointment - a short storyAs business owners, we both work long hours in stressful jobs so a long weekend away with friends - also business owners in stressful jobs - was a lovely break. My overwhelming reaction on our return home was... Disappointment.<br />
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It was (almost) entirely my own fault - relaxing over the weekend must have softened my brain. We had left our teenage son, who was home from uni on a gap year, to fend for himself and we looked forward to seeing him. We had texted ahead and arrived home after a 7-hour drive via shopping at the supermarket, ready to make dinner.<br />
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We carried in our suitcases and shopping bags with no assistance from our loving son, who remained seated on the sofa, ignoring us. I wasn't disappointed just yet - this is normal behaviour that we are somehow resigned to. A dinner plate was by his side and we assumed that he had already eaten as we put away the shopping and prepared to cook just for ourselves rather than the family dinner that we had planned.<br />
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Meanwhile, my eyes had taken in the crumbs next to the sofa, the two dozen DVD/PS4 cases spread on the floor and a spilled pile of clean washing that I asked him to take up to his room before the weekend. Before I could hug my darling son, I expressed my disappointment and walked into the kitchen where I was met with a floor covered with all manner of foodstuffs - raisins, flour, toast crumbs, onion and garlic skin, dry spaghetti, carrot peelings (yes, I should have been pleased that he had eaten vegetables...)<br />
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I swept the floor whilst grumbling sarcastically in a low voice because I didn't want to walk in and immediately start an argument. I cleared the sink and filled the dishwasher. My husband cleaned the worktops and we cooked a quick meal. Setting the table, I was greeted by food spillage from a previous meal (or meals) glued to the place mat and table surface.<br />
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As we sat down to eat, our son informed us that he hadn't eaten - the plate was from his previous meal. Feeling guilty at the misunderstanding, I signaled to him to remove his headphones so that I could ask him if he'd like pizza (his favourite) which we'd brought home as a treat. Before I could ask, he announced that he would not be talking to me because I was mean to him.<br />
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No pizza, then.<br />
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Great homecoming/reunion, not! It wasn't until this morning that I looked in the shower room to find five wet bath towels (yes, yes, I should be pleased that he showered!!!)...<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-62752083361367997342014-09-21T16:44:00.000+01:002019-08-15T14:38:51.016+01:00DVD Film Review: I Love You, Man. <h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I Love You, Man (2009)</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;">A John Hamburg Film</span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;">Starring Paul Rudd & Jason Segal<br />Co-starring Rashida Jones</span> </b></h4>
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<i>Mike from Friends meets Marshall from HIMYM</i><br />
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Paul Rudd's character is an Estate Agent who proposes to his girlfriend and the wedding planning begins...<br />
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The groom-to-be has no male friends and is not close to his much older brother. He overhears the bride-to-be discussing his lack of friends with her friends and he sets out on a quest to find a best man.<br />
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After some desperate attempts to 'man-date', he is hosting an Open House to sell Lou (The Hulk) Ferrigno's property and starts chatting to Jason Segal's character about the food. They get along well and, despite Paul Rudd's character trying too hard to be cool, they become good friends but the friendship begins to affect the engagement.<br />
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There was a point where we were not quite sure if Jason Segal's character was trustworthy, as he asks for money for an investment but it was a valid, although unusual and interesting, investment.<br />
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The girlfriend, played by Rashida Jones, was charming throughout and everything works out well with the wedding going ahead at the end of the film. And we hope they all lived happily ever after.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beebopalula</span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-44591404510232200582014-09-21T15:19:00.001+01:002024-01-20T10:56:27.536+00:00Reviews of Recent Films, Summer 2014<i>Films viewed: A Long Way Down, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Postman Pat, The Amazing Spider-man 2, Captain America: the Winter Soldier.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">1. A Long Way Down</span></h3>
<i>Based on the book by Nick Hornby. Starring Pierce Brosnan (007), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Imogen Poots, Toni Collette.</i><br />
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I enjoyed A Long Way Down - despite the story being about suicide attempts which, in real life, are not funny. Four people determined to jump off a roof in London on New Year's Eve are surprised to find that they are not alone. The characters are sympathetic and the dialogue was often amusing. I just wish that I could remember some of the amusing quotes... sorry, you'll have to watch it yourselves.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">2. The Grand Budapest Hotel</span></h3>
<i>Cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel (but not Johnny Depp).</i><br />
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Wes Anderson's quirky film is an interesting recount of the hotel's ownership over 50-ish years and how the current and previous owners came to own it. A gentle, amusing comedy-drama; well acted, well made.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">3. Postman Pat: The Movie</span></h3>
You will recognise the voices of David Tennant, Stephen Mangan, Jim Broadbent, Ronan Keating and perhaps Rupert Grint. Quite a few plot holes but the under-7s will probably overlook them. Look out for the guest appearance by a Dalek.<br />
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<i>I think I may have become slightly de-geeked, reaching saturation point for superhero films, but here goes...</i></h4>
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<span style="color: #990000;">4. The Amazing Spider-man 2</span></h3>
I really like Andrew Garfield as Spiderman and this is a great film.<br />
Familiar storyline of Peter Parker losing the girl and having to battle with his best friend. If you've not overdosed on Spidey films during the past decade, you should enjoy this one.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">5. Captain America: the Winter Soldier</span></h3>
<i>Starring Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford.</i><br />
High-level shenanigans in the USA as SHIELD is infiltrated by Hydra and can no longer be trusted. The mysterious Winter Soldier emerges to battle with Captain America. Good, exciting storyline but how will they rebuild the city, yet again, in time for the next film - and where's the money coming from? Still, not as much devastation and destruction as in the Superman vs Zod battle.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">BP2</span></i></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3777809474536374880.post-67974051102364862602014-08-15T08:46:00.000+01:002015-01-24T17:23:08.840+00:00Beneficiaries of Cancer FinancialsPut simply, the British public pours £millions into cancer research and we celebrate when there is a breakthrough. It then takes years for the drugs to be made available to the NHS at an extortionate price.<br />
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Recap: the public pays for the research then the public pays again for the results - or not, because there's not enough money to cover the costs incurred by the pharmaceutical company. Specific costs include further development, testing, manufacture, packaging and sales commissions; shared costs include constantly upgrading laboratories, staff salaries, general business costs and shareholders profits.</div>
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What is the money cycle? This is not a factual statement, not even an educated guess, I am just wondering... </div>
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<li>Charity donations presumably passed to universities and non-profit trusts to aid research?</li>
<li>Do the pharma companies then have to bid for the research information or is it given freely?</li>
<li>If no one buys the drugs, does the whole investment get written off as a loss? </li>
<li>If so, wouldn't it be better to halve the cost of drugs to the NHS and recoup some of the expenses? </li>
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Compassion and emotion drive the campaigns, creating a demand for solutions and providing the blueprint in terms of research information, but commerce controls the engine. The NHS holds the role of completing the circle by bringing the benefits of cancer research to the British public.</div>
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There is an imbalance of power. The moment that Joe Public hands over the money, any control over its onward journey has gone. This applies both to cancer research donations and to compulsory NHS contributions.</div>
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Who has a workable solution?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0