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Threads (1984)
So relevant to 2024
Years, or rather decades after this came out - and I saw it then, i remember those terrifying times when we all lived in fear of the 4 minute warning.
I lived in Sheffield , on those big hills.
What has changed? Putin has his finger on the button, Iran has conflict, there is no difference is there. We live one button press away from Armageddon, it's only a matter of time before Russia goes rogue and we end up in War Games OXO where nobody wins.
Essential viewing for anyone interested in how the world got to this point or where we are going to and what the consequences will be for all of us - northern or not.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
And still we don't listen!
Nearly two decades after this and films like 2012 were made and nothing has changed really.
Ok, so some token nods to climate change have happened, the rise of the internet - consuming most of the power in the world, the consumption of power in the world fuelling global warming with renewable energy only taking a tiny fraction of the required amount.
OK, It's bit framing and drastic, and things don't happen that fast, unless it's like - say COVID- but that would never happen would it?
The 21st century will be the last for humanity- each civilisation - means, Egyptians etc only last spout 5,000 years before they destroy everything and our time has come.
Coco (2017)
Pixar meets Tim Burton
A strange film as a kid navigates the underworld., filled with day of the dead skeletons - not the rotting zombies they should be, but cleanly dressed skeletons.
Cliche Mexican references abound, acoustic guitars, uni rows and references to Frieda Khalo and her mono row and art that will go over the kids heads! If only they knew the sad story of Frieda, the pain she endured and horrific final art she produced, along with her husband!
It's not a bad film, but it's no Up or Toy Story, playing on the same motif for far too long, when you know what the out will be! A cute cartoon dog called Dante, (Inferno?!) and a few cute zombies - are, I mean skeletons are not enough.
The biggest plus Coco is not relatable- whereas other Pixar film are!
Joker (2019)
Dark look into DC
With the release of the new Joker movie imminent, this still stands up as one of the darkest origin movies made.
Phoenix plays it to a tee as we see his descent into insanity, how society turned him into the monster we all know. It more of a social commentary than a superhero movie with excellent cinematography akin to the best of David Lyn h or David Fin her. It holds up to multiple viewings, Arthur Fleck becoming more twisted every time you see it - creepy as hell.
I can't wait for the new Joker movie, if it is anywhere near as good as the first it is going to be one hell of a ride.
Well done DC 😀
Below Deck (2013)
Why?
Why would anyone go on Below Deck or any of the spin offs, and pay plus tip for the intrusion?
'We are never told how much the guests pay for yhe intrusion into their private lives, but if the tip averages at around $2000, then at around 10 per cent that means it was $20-30k for a couple of days being filmed by a camera crew on an incompetent crew!
Seriously, Do these people not watch tv, or are they so vapid that they do not care and just think any exposure is better than no exposure? I can tell you many stories where that did not end well.
Gangsters, pimps and ho's who will end up with a 9mm round.
The Cleaner (2021)
Deadpan comedy for the 21sg cenury
You have to give it to Greg Davies, he gets the best cameos and guests on his show, from Taskmaster to The Inbetweeners.
The Cleaner, an awkward man forced into a strange job of cleat up crime scenes after the body is removed. A job that needs to be done by someone I suppose!
Series 1 may have been the best, the place to start with a binge if you have never seen it before, or worth revisiting on a cold and dark winter day.
It always seems to end well for the hapless Cleaner though, in one way or another- he loves his job, and, let's face it - you would have to to be a Cleaner- like Leon!!!!! !
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Depp shines
Johnny Depp in almost a prequel to Fear and Loarhing showing shades of Hunter S Thompson as the wildly eccentric Willy Wonker
Not quite as dark as the original , it's still pretty out there for a kids film, but a fun way to spend a couple of hours as Depp takes you through his madness.
The oompah lumps are back and as diminutive as ever , the kids get taken down one by one as in the original with Gene Wilder and the final payoff remains the same. It's worth watching this. And the original in. Tandem as both have things to give to old and young alike. I can bet you want a chocolate bar by the end though 😀
Ash vs Evil Dead (2015)
Groovy
Occasionally a series lives up to the films. Evil Dead did, mainly because it has Ash, aka Bruce Campbell in it, back to reluctantly fight the Deadites as the disgraced Ashy Slashy. Now a disgraced serial killer.
We have new characters in the mix with Pablo and several other cameos popping up, and getting chopped down.
The Evil Dead jumped the shark with 2, got madder with 3 then got crazy with the series. It's a shame they remade it, very disappointing- Sam Raimi should have let it all die, (sic) with the excellent. Drag Me To Hell, but that is another story for another time 😀
For now, if you've never seen any of the Evil Dead series - start here!
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (2022)
Objective politics
I love Laura, she has a hard talking style but with a cheeky, soft edge. She plays hard with a sometimes cynical and cheeky edge.
The BBC can be a smidge on the right wing at times but she seems to get the big names out and into the limelight, though getting a politician to give a yes or no answer still seems to evade her!
It's a refreshing view on politics and politicians in a world of fake news and AI where you cannot believe anything you see in the news or on Tik Tube or FaceTwitXBook.
As ever, spread your digestion of news across various channels to gather opposing views before making a decision- but LK is a good starter for 10!
SAS: Catching the Criminals (2024)
Anyone who knobs the SAS kniows you donn public code yourself
Having known a few members of the Specially At Servicr, there is one common denominator.~ they don't let their identity be known for the safetyy, personal or those of their nearest and dearest.
This show, along south the similar SAS style shows are not only way outdated due to. Trickle down technology.but also dangerous to the cast and crew, and it is only a matter of time until one or all of them end up with a bullet to the.head or a zombie lknife through the chest.
Stop this kind of TV before we end up with another Jilll Dando - it will mappers sooner or later, mark n my words, you will see.(
Adam Richman Eats Britain (2024)
It's all the same
It doesn't matter which Axam Richman show you watch, they are all the same.
I have no doubt the food that he and his crew eats is delicious but he devalues his reputation and that of the establishments by constantly saying it it the best thing he has ever eaten - does that mean last weeks restaurant was second best, should he revisit it in hindsight?
A deeply flawed man and series with fiened sincerity from both Adam and the crew who back him up through the many series that bear his name.
Discovery+ and The Food Network should be ashamed of letting this trash onto the airwaves - it is fake news!
Celebs Go Dating (2016)
Another contrived dating show
So, we have had Married at First Site, Naked Attraction and so many more.
This is the most desperate dating show yet, with z list celebrities dating normal people who they have no interest in and live in the real world.
Never shown more so than in the current series, with Lauren Goodman brazenly wearing a necklace all through - Kyle Walker, the only reason she is on the show _ because she slept with him!
The experts, with an appalling track record should be sacked, I could do better with a pin and a copy of Hello! Not only are they destroying lives and leading people up the garden path, they are destroying their professional status, who should pay for their advice after seeing the results?
Greed (2019)
Mockumentary with loads of cameos
Coogan plays a wide boy
80's entrepreneur who cares not for the feelings of anyone but himself.
He contradicts himself constantly with failed business attempts and cares not. His fuschuia colour scheme for instance - hilariously followed by an advert for. Vision Express advert sith it's new Richie colour scheme on e4 😀
Having worked extensively in the fashion industry in Sri Lanka and seen the poverty first hand, travelling hours into the jungle each day, seeing the poverty and desperation of the natives, while they are exploited by Western big wigs.
Fortunately the tide is turning as we turn to pre loved clothes!
Hate Thy Neighbour (2016)
Louis Theroux did it first
Look at the episodes;
White supremacy., guns, nationalism etc - it's all been done years, if not decades ago by Louis Theroux.
Theroux, while not being a professional comedian is equally as funny if not more in wierd weekends, disarming and integrating himself into the community.
Hunter S Thompson invented this style of journalism called Gonzo - where the reporter becomes part of the story. He died too soon, with politics in 2024 becoming more interesting with Trump being the most interesting president since Nixon.
Jamali just seems to be dragging up old themes from Thompson and Theroux, there really is no need for this or any of his other series! Do COVID, Ukraine, Cost of Living - things that are relevant NOW.
Molly's Game (2017)
A different poker movie
A true story- with Chastain playing Molly, an Olympic skier laid down by injjury who turns her determination to crime after seeing an opportunity as a pretty waitress.
With a surprising cast include Idris Elba she soon gets in over her head and onto the radar of the feds.
A lot of card movies, like 21, focus on the players, the card counters and cheats, whereas Mollys Game goes for the organisers who are the real crooks - without them there would be no players.
Elba shine as Molly's attorney and Chastain - almost unrecognisable from recent roles narrates with references to recent history along with her backstory.
A must for any gambling fan, or just a good drama.
Spy Kids (2001)
A fun spy spoof
One of the better spy /007 spoofs along with Cats & Dogs. A silly spoof on the spy genre with the usual cliches and gadgets you would see in any 007 movie.
Cummings shines as the Willy Wonka-esque villain with his army of thumpa-lumpas
Some surprising cameos - machete, Danny Trejo - definitely not associated with children's films, more the ultra violent Tarantino style movies.
It's a silly Sunday afternoon sort of movie, but if you enjoy the spy genre then its a lot easier to watch than the (new especially) bond films, and more kid friendly than some of the other offerings.
Definitely one to catch on terrestrial tv.
Clueless (1995)
Heathers for teens
Along with Mean Girls and Heathers, Clueless is a film about spoilt girls in Los Angeles who live in a different world and think they know it all.
Cher, played by Silverstone is not as malicious as Ryder in Heathers or the Mean Girls but the underlying message of oblivious to the social surroundings are the same!
Narrated in a similar style to the two aforementioned movies by Silverstone it's as pink as Barbie, never boring as she navigated teen life coming across new situations she has been closeted from by her privileged position.
It's a classic that shouldn't be overlooked- while not as gritty as Mean Girls or Heathers.
Married at First Sight UK (2015)
Sack the expetrts - a new low
Intimacy, you mean sex don't you? I've had seccwithout intimacy - it's just rutting. Would Mel like to join in?
3 weeks in, and still introducing new couples as more and more fall into disarray, proving the experts have no idea! Wannabe celebrities ruining real lives, though it's certainly celebrity in most cases.
With a horrible success rate, any so called expert would be sacked in any other job! Mel Schilling spreads herself thinly over various shows now, picking bad matches across various shows,
It's now full of so-called influencers after a few more followers on their feeds. There is hardly a genuine "contestant" in any series as it descends into the same old cliches. It's time has now been run - the whole dating genre has now degenerated into naked, swinger sex parties so it can't go much further can it?
Reality TV at its worst, no point in watching it any more! Unless they turn the tables on the "experts" to see if they walk the talk.
Eve has had more testosterone injections that has pumped her up and given her more bad skin than a teenager, as a 55 year old.boy I have been there and she/he looks more manly manly than me. Eninem?
Look at the stats! At 9 series, it's hardly an experiment
anymore is it? Series 9, with Eve and her muscles, broad shoulders and back, pick marked face from the testosterone injections, (tell me I am wrong?) I've lived in the gym for 30 years! It looks like Eminem now...
Red Dwarf (1988)
Philosophy in space
An absolute classic of British TV, you have to watch it from the start of Series 1 to learn the origin of the cast, Cat and all.
Later. When it's all about Spacebyg, it's not so goody and Holly is reply by the blonde bold dim wit..
A veery funny series that Iintroduces lots of actors into the world- including some that I know. Dealing with topics including mortality, pinkness and existential mortality.
Future Echoess goes into Light Soeed - some quantum physics are involved here I. Night humour with a punch of sattire.
Look beyond the laughter and you will find a philosophical debate of life and death.
The Expendables (2010)
Action star fest
All the action hero's of the 90's are here Stallone, Statham, Willis and Armie.
The OG is still the best. Going downhill afterwards and descending into parody but the first is the best, action packed and a lot of fun packed tightly into a nice package.
Stallone is excellent as ex military, in his usual sneering side mouthed self as he mouths his way through the film.
The music and soundtrack ramps up as the explosions get louder and bigger!
It's a ridiculous film from a time when movies were movies and not multi part mini series on Netflix, Prime or iPlayer.
Have I said enough, no? 10 charts to go? 😀
Withnail and I (1987)
Drugs and desparation
Before Irving Welsh did Trainspotting in 1969 there was Wirhnail and I. A couple of desperados living in squalid conditions with Richard E Grant as a hopeless alcoholic.
They head off for a holiday in an old jaguar, meeting the locals in increasingly funny scenarios including fish.
It goes madder as the movie goes on, you have to stick with it to get the full effect as they descend into madness and escape the capital.
It's a classic that should be viewed by anyone who is interested in cinema. Gay references abound which was subversive of its time, a groundbreaking comedy that should never be remade.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Angelina Jolie doesn't quite nail it
I lived in Derby, actually knew the girl Lara Croft was based on. We drank in the same pub and I went out with her girlfriend!
In the game she starts by sliding into a Tomb, and we are straight into the action!
I had the game on release on my PS1, before the internet - we used to use landlines to call each other up to solve puzzles we could not figure how to solve, because at the end of the day, that is what Tomb Raider is all about - solving puzzles.
It's not a bad film, just not a replacement for the first game. Jolie does a good job but has probably never played the game.
A little bit too much James Bond for me.
Forever Summer with Nigella (2002)
Food porn
Innuendo city! The skin tight, busty and lovely Nigella in her posh voice
- oozing cream
- meaty sausage loveliness
- in with the courgettes
- I want the courgettes to soften
- A few golden drops
- A mood enhancement of a different kind
Just a few quotes from the posho Nigella in a few minutes! It's funny actually and I would not say "No" if she turned up on my doorstep! She could cook for me any day...
Not sure I have any Jazz to play as a background though I might be able to find the BBC station on my little DAB as she gets it on in the kitchen to excite her.
It's a good cooking show, gives you ideas. If summer ever arrives in the UK where it's June and the heating is still on.
Storecuboard essentials though? I have some baked beans! Who actually has all this stuff in their kitchen - let alone a larder! Larders have all been knocked out these days!
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Video game retro magic
So many references in here to the games I used to play as a kid.it must have been a nightmare to get all the licenses 😀
Ralph is basically Donkey Kong - or Rampage, smashing buildings in video games but a really nice chap in reality! He has QBert as a mate - who can hate him after that.
Sequels about, no doubt going into VR soon, it's one of the best animated series around for any video game fans. Up there with War Games through to Ready Player One.
A huge fun fest and a top way to spend 90 minutes, animation has come a long way since Top Cat and Scooby Doo.
You can find it for free these days on streaming sites and a bit of googling!
Spaceballs (1987)
How did this get made?
A complete parody of Star Wars! Back in the 70s and 80s Mel Brooks did some very un PC, (today) of westerns and space films with stuff like Blazing Saddles and later with Spaceballs!
This could not happen in 2024 and no network would.broadcast it so enjoy it while you can and before it is cancelled.
It's still very funny if you watch it as a bit of fun, rather than trying to judge. Especially if you are a Star Wars fan. You will instantly recognise the references from the opening crawl onwards as Pizza The Hut and the rest of the crew come into the story. Gold robots, an evil empire, bounty hunters and all that.