the answer me jesus 8 ball

The 'Answer me Jesus' 8 Ball has sold out, but if you want to ask Jesus any questions, go here.

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a church up a tree

A church up a tree. This would usually be followed by 'only in America', but the tree/church hybrid is actually located in France in a small farming village called Allouville-Bellefosse. It's called Chene Chappelle (chapel oak), and the tree is about 800 years old. The chapel was first built in 1696, after the tree was hit by lightening and two monks thought it would make a good sanctuary to the Virgin Mary.  Now I'm not religious in any way, shape or form, but it's one of the many places l would like to visit.

#Sings#  'If l only had more time (and money)'

Those crazy French monks etc

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putting gays behind electrified fences because "Im agin it"

Much as l am loathe to give this tosspot publicity, this has to be heard in all it's idiotic glory. It's from Pastor Charles L Worley from North Carolina, and he is, without doubt, one of the most stupid, ignorant and unchristian preachers l have ever heard.
The 'queers' will die out if they are locked up behind electrified fences will they?   Where does this brainless sack of crap think they came from in the first place?  Other queers/ lesbians / homosexuals??
Heterosexuals, that's where.
Sometimes it's too easy to take the piss out of idiots, but the scary thing is, people in his congregation follow and believe him.
Where's another Waco when you want one?

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the robe (1953) posters - henry coster

A pretty crap film (a bad Roman wins Jesus's robe, then converts), but the posters for 'The Robe' have a certain look about them, especially the heavily altered one at the top. I've  never seen Richard Burton looking so smooth (and no doubt, never will again).

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red state (2011) - kevin smith

Red State is a strange film, as it purports to being a horror movie, when in fact, it is more of a high school thriller, with a load of religion (and a Waco type compound) thrown in for good measure. I usually love most films by Kevin Smith, and was reluctant to slag off the movie, but it was too long, didn't hold the suspense, and felt disjointed, as if it was two or three movies botched together.
Some high school lads decide to answer an advert offering sex, so they go to a trailer park to meet the woman. They then end up in a church, in an enclosed compound, with a charismatic (yet crazy) preacher, who certainly does not have much time for the sinful, especially those he classes as 'fags'. There's a rescue and escape attempt, and the 'rapture' at the end, but ultimately, apart from the scenes in the church, there was no heightened drama.
I did think the rapture idea was good, and Michael Parks (as Pastor Abin Cooper) was superb, but (sadly) it was a disappointment.
Saying all of that, l am still interested in seeing Vulgar (which inspired Smith), and it's scary to think that there are real versions of Pastor Abin Cooper out there.
I'm thinking mainly about Fred Phelps, and all the other narrow minded idiots at the Westboro Baptist Church, l know where l'd like to put their 'God hates Fags' signs.

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tartuffe (or the imposter) - molier

l will be the first to admit that l had never heard of Tartuffe (or the imposter) until a couple of weeks ago, so, as l have a curious mind, l decided to give the book (by Moliere) a go. You have to give old books some slack, as this was written in 1664, and a lot of the humour does not travel well over the centuries, so l did, but it will definitely not go down as one of my favourite reads. Orgon, the father of the family, is under the influence of Tartuffe, a pious, apparantly extremely religious man (and ex vagrant), and trusts everything he says, even though his loved ones try to convince him Tartuffe is a fraud, not that religious, and has been trying it on with them. Ruses are concocted so Orgon can witness his (so called) friends treachery with his own eyes, until he finally comes to his senses, only to remember he has signed away his deeds to him. I can see why it was banned in those God fearing times, and it could easily be (and probably already has been) updated to appeal to a modern audience, but this is just the sort of thing that, when performed in the original way, with have intellectuals  and pretentious idiots rolling in the aisles with laughter, falsely in my eyes. I'm glad l have read it and understand the significance of the work, but that's about it.

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the church up a tree in tennessee

                           

This is a Church Treehouse in Crossville, Tennessee that was built by the (I assume self-proclaimed) Reverend Horace Burgess (above).
Now l don't want to wish ill upon him and his future congregation, nor tempt fate, but wouldn't it be ironic if, after all his hard work and devotion to the cause, it was struck by lightning and burnt down.

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goya's ghosts (2006) - milos forman

I was actually enjoying Goya's Ghosts right up to the point where they released Ines (Natalie Portman) from prison. Then it just seemed like a farce, with her gurning her way through the rest of the film in a less than convincing way (to say the least). 

She had been Goyas's model, until she was imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition (who nobody expected) and tortured for following Jewish rituals (not eating pork).

Brother Lorenzo (an excellent, thoughtful, and brooding Javier Bardem) agrees to assist Goya (and Ines's family), to try and get her released, but succumbs to his desires when praying with her (she is, after all, naked).

Lorenzo defends the Inquisition and 'The Question', until he is put to 'The Strappado' himself, after which he confesses to being a monkey, and then disappears, only to return later with the all conquering French army (and a smug grin on his face, seeking revenge).

Ines (and the other prisoners), is released and searches, (with the help of Goya) for the child she said she had in prison (Lorenzo's). 

There is a lot of turmoil around the Peninsular War, but the only thing in the film worse than the gurning and shuffling,  is Alicia, the unbelievably toothy child of Ines (also played by Portman), when she is eventually found.

She came across like a bad Spitting Image caricature of Janet Street Porter back in the midsts of time.

If l had stopped watching the film after an hour, l would have recommended it, but it just gets sillier and sillier as it goes along. 

 It all ends badly, as Ines is pretty insane, Goya goes death, and Lorenzo is garrotted. 

Bardem was great all the way through, but that was it, as l could take or leave the portrayal of Goya.

Interesting at first (albeit mostly fiction), then crap (but with a funky hat).

As a footnote, rather sadly, 'The Strappado' is still used as a torture device today (including by the USA).

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tyrannosaur (2011) - paddy considine

Not exactly a feel good movie, but Tyrannosaur is one of the best films l have seen for a long time. It's gritty, believable, and really drags you into it, so you can empathise and care about the characters.
Peter Mullan is always excellent, but l was surprised at how good Olivia Colman was, playing the victimised, religious, do gooder of a wife.
It's a story that involves violence, redemption, belief, companionship, a funeral, and lots of alcohol, which certainly gets my boat a floatin'.
Joseph (Mullan), is a violent self destructive character who meets and falls for Hannah (Colman), who works in a local charity shop. Joseph helps her leave her violent marriage, but discovers she has a secret back at her house.
Written by first time director Paddy Considine, and filmed in Leeds (probably on my brothers estate), everything about it is great, apparently based on Considine's childhood (but not autobiographical).
If you can get past the early killing of a dog, and you enjoyed 'Nil by Mouth', this film is for you.
Stick around for the end credits, as there's this. Magic.



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the singing detective's belief system

Re-watching 'The Singing Detective' tonight reminded me (as if l needed reminding), what a great series it was. I've only just seen episode one again, but there was plenty in that to hook you straight away, and in fact there were scenes l thought featured later in the series. One of my favourite scenes in part one (apart from when he is getting greased up), is when he states his belief system as Malthusianism (from 2.30m to 3.10m). Pure class indeed, with great acting, and it's also superbly written (Michael Gambon and Dennis Potter).
Looking forward to the rest of them already.

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newcastle city hall from the stage

I have been to many concerts at Newcastle City Hall over the years, and although it holds just over 2,000 people, it does not look that large in this shot from the stage. Pretty deceiving l'd say, as l never realised how much you could make out so many of the audiences faces from upfront.

The man in the shot is Jason Issac, who l have no idea about, but my guess is it may well be a religious meeting of some kind (I can't be bothered looking it up - fill your own boots if you want to).

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living with the amish - channel 4

The rather lovely Jonathan (in the middle)

I have only seen the first episode of this series, as it was on while the FPO was upstairs looking busy and l was fiddling about downstairs (calm down missus - only with a necklace). The show was the usual kind of boot camp journey, with plenty of back stories, but what came across the most was how the Amish family involved (Jonathan and Marietta) were so nice, helpful, open minded and humble, something l thought l would never think about an Amish family. In an ideal world, l would like to live my life with that attitude (without the religion aspect of it), but l am just too darn cynical and selfish (blame my parents). At least l do my one good deed a day, so that's a starter for ten, and helps keep me in the good books, just in case (are you paying attention God??). Anyway, as the good lady herself (Marilyn Monroe) said..

I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

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holy flying circus (2011) - owen harris

This is a drama based on Monty Python and their real life struggles with censorship when they released Life Of Brian. The drama is done in a Pythonesque fashion, featuring men dressed as women, cartoons, surreal humour, and the cast members playing characteristics of their screen persona's (John Cleese as he is in Fawlty Towers etc). Pretty well done in my eyes, and the people who played Cleese and Michael Palin were especially good (Darren Boyd and Charles Edwards). It's a shame there isn't more of this kind of thing on the TV, l would spend less time on the computer.

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brassed of - coco the scab

The sort of childrens entertainer l would actually like to see.

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the exorcism of anneliese michel

After thinking about The Exorcist in the earlier post, l have been reading about Exorcisms, and in particular, the Exorcism of Anneliesse Michel (and the ensuring prosecution). The above clip has tapes from the Exorcism (which went on for months) and some photographs of her. The film 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' is loosely based on the events, and there is still a lot of debate as to whether she was possessed, if the priests and family did the right thing (she dies of dehydration and malnutrition), and if she should be classed as a saint.

To me, much as l love the films, the demonic stuff is all rubbish and she suffered from a mental illness (probably Depression and Dissociative Identity/Multiple Personality Disorder). The priests and family failed her insomuch as they did not provide (as we say in the trade) a 'Duty of Care', resulting in her death. It's still interesting hearing and seeing Exorcisms, just to witness the sheer (and unwarranted) belief that the 'victim' is possessed. Maybe she was prepared to do anything just to get some attention (that is not an official medical diagnosis). Once again, l blame God.

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the exorcist 3 scary clip

Thinking and reading about the Exorcist films earlier, l was reminded of this clip from Exorcist 3. A truly scary moment (although the first Exorcist film is still the best). Try not to soil yourself while watching it.

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free the amish eight!

The Amish men in the top picture are from Kentucky. They have all been fined for refusing to put a reflector on the bag of their buggies like on the buggy above (their religion forbids bright colours) and have been jailed for not paying the fines.

They won't last two minutes in the slammer - look at how tall they all are (between about 5'3'' and 5'9''). Plus those beards give the other prisoners something to grab hold of.

Surely if the their Lord was on their side, he would have made them taller.

That's why l belong to Eric (and am a strapping 6' exactly - De Vinci's perfect Vitrivuin man).

Amen and praise the Good Lord Eric.

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the usa air force stop the 'jesus loves nukes' training

The USA Air Force have decided to stop their 'Jesus loves Nukes' training. This is the kind of stuff that you just couldn't make up. It's a funny old World out there (if you look hard enough).

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scarborough flat in a church for sale

This is a Church in Scarborough that has been modernised and is presently for sale. It looks pretty impressive, but l am not sure l would want to be staring at the plate glass window in the top photograph every day. Is that sort of filth allowed in a Church?

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