There Are Mormons Everywhere!
Everywhere there are adverts for Mormons.
There Are Mormons Everywhere!
I suppose religious adverts on the buses follow the same rules as films. The more adverts there are. the worse the religion.
It gives me a bit of a problem in that I don’t travel on a bus advertising something I don’t like or disapprove of. Oxford Circus is also wall-to-wall with the adverts, so that gives me another problem, as that is a difficult station to avoid.
On A Bus To Oblivion
I was away when Oblivion opened, but it got two stars in The Times and this was the summary of their review.
Tom Cruise stars in Oblivion but that is about all that this derivative sci-fi has to offer
It certainly is appearing on lots of buses, which is always the sign of a dire film.
On A Bus To Oblivion
I suppose that the shape of bus ads makes Tom Cruise look taller.
What DVD Would You Like With Your Operation?
I can’t remember the last time I was put under anaesthetic for an operation. I suspect it was when I had a tooth out at about ten!
Some years ago, I looked at a database of cases of horse anaesthesia and was surprised how many died. An anaesthetist that I used to know, once told me that you avoid it if you can. I’ve also had two friends die during hip-replacement operations.
Now though, there is a report on the BBC, where Peterborough City Hospital is using films instead of anaesthetic. at least the lady in the picture looks pleased.
I have had two endoscopies without anything at all and I would recommend this. Admittedly, I was talked into it the first time at Addenbrooke’s by the smoothest surgeon anybody has ever met. He argued that I wouldn’t break teeth and I could help him with the procedure, by moving as he required. Not only was he smooth, but I felt no discomfort , except for a small release of wind.
The second one was in the same hospital and it was performed by a lady doctor, wearing a floral summer dress. Work out where my head would have been, as I lay down facing towards her.
I’ve also had a vasectomy, which was performed under a local. It was successful and nothing untoward happened.
If it’s possible, I will continue to avoid anaesthetic.
So I wonder what film I would choose!
I suppose Death In Venice would probably send me to sleep anyway.
A Parade In Cadiz
Returning to the Oriana, our coach was held up by a parade.
The pictures aren’t the best, but it was difficult photographing from the coach.
Seeing these parades, reminds me of probably the first serious film; The Pride and the Passion. I saw it with my father at the cinema in Felixstowe. I remember vividly the scenes where they hid the enormous gun under a float in the cathedral to hide it from the French.
I do wonder where they shot these scenes.
A Presentation By David Rose At The Duke Of Wellington
David Rose is one of the most important people in the history of British television and film drama.
Tonight he gave a fascinating and insightful presentation of his work at the Duke of Wellington in the Balls Pond Road.
I remember him in some ways for the work he did in the 1960s with Z-Cars and Softly-Softly. Did Z-Cars and the music scene in Liverpool in some way influence me to go to University in that city? If it did, David is worth a big thank-you, as I’ve often said that Liverpool made me. I did of course meet C there, although she was fairly local to me in North London.
His later work for the BBC in the 1970s, was not something I remember very much, as it was the time, when we were bringing up the kids and working hard, so we didn’t watch television very much.
If David’s presentation turns up at a venue near you, it is very much worthwhile seeing.
I just wish, I’d seen more of the plays and films he has produced. Sadly, it would appear that copies don’t exist of all of them, due to the BBC’s policy of reusing videotapes.
The Austin Maxi That Didn’t Get Into The Film
The Sunday Times yesterday told the true story of Argo yesterday and like so many other American films, the role of Brits, Canadians and New Zealanders have been cut out. It would appear from the paper that the British Ambassador in Iran at the time; John Graham, is not amused. It would appear that one of the heroes was the orange Austin Maxi, used to ferry the American diplomats about.
It may not be very sexy, but it’s true.
So I can cut Argo off my list of films to see, as I don’t watch films where the truth is bent for American self-gratification.
Twilight Cleans Up At The Razzies
I like this story from the BBC, abpout how the last Twilight film picked up nine awards at the Razzies. Here’s an extract from the story.
The five Twilight films have made a total of $3bn (£1.9bn) at the box office.
Razzies founder John Wilson said the worst thing about the franchise was that “people take it so seriously”.
“I believe that rather than 40 million girls who bought tickets, it was four million girls who bought 10 tickets each,” he added. “That makes me feel better about the American public.”
Kristen Stewart won the award for worst actress, but didn’t have the guts to attend, unlike Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock.
I’ve never seen any of the films, but I have seen their posters on the side of London buses. Usually, the more posters, the worse the film. Perhaps Skyfall was an exception, as I enjoyed that film.
An Irreplaceable Winner
Michael Winner who died yesterday, is one of those people you just can’t replace. You can always put him down as another Great British Eccentric like Patrick Moore or Henry Blofeld, but in some ways he was more than that!
He may not be looked upon as a great director of films, but he did make some good ones, although not all were to my taste. I remember the film, West 11, being discussed in the papers in the early sixties. It was one of the first serious roles for that tragic actress; Diana Dors. And then there was Hannibal Brooks, which must surely be one of the most unusual war films ever. But look at the credits and cast lists of his films and he certainly could persuade the best to work with him.
But no-one is saying this morning he didn’t have lots of personal charm.
As to his restaurant reviews, I can always remember C, searching for them in The Sunday Times and then having a good laugh.
I doubt, we will see the like of Michael Winner again!
Now Blockbuster Bombs
Now Blockbuster seems to have gone bust.
It certainly wasn’t my custom that kept them afloat for so long.
I think, I may have rented a video a couple of times, many years ago, but who does now?
If I want to see a film, I go to the cinema and have a full experience.
How many now to fill a whole in the evening’s viewing turn to the BBC’s iPlayer and the other channels’ equivalents.
The Anonymous Widower 