the english patient (1996) - michael ondaatje

Well, this has only been out for about 15 years, and it was on TV last night while l was at work, so l thought it maybe about time l got around to checking it out. I'm sure just about everyone in the World apart from me knows the story already, but here goes. The English patient of the film (Ralph Fiennes) is burnt in an aeroplane crash, then, while he is tended to by Nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche), his life is told in flashbacks, some of which turn out to be deceiving. He drags his bloody book around (by Herodutus - the so called father of history), falls in love, and gets himself a bad name (in various ways). Everyone's acting is excellent, and the story did not pan out as expected, so it was not as excruciating as l thought it would be (which is why l had put off seeing it for so long). In fact, l could see why it appealed to so many and won it's multiple Oscars. l'll admit it, it was pretty good (although l prefer Lawrence of Arabia). Mind you, it was funny seeing Naveen Andrews in it (Hana's love interest Kip), as l kept being reminded of 'The Buddha Of Suburbia' (l never watched 'Lost'). If that was his own hair, it has got mighty, mighty long.

toodle pip.

the marriage of maria braun (1979) - reiner werner fassbinder

As l enjoyed 'The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant', (see here) which is also by Fassbinder, l thought l would crack on with some more of his stuff, hence the watching of this. Maria gets married (you could have guessed that part), but then searches for her husband, believes him to be dead, moves on with her life, meets him again, visits him in prison (for a crime she committed), becomes rich, and then gets re-united after an absence. All of this is as Germany is recovering after the Second World War, and it (the film) does not end happily. You could also look upon Maria as representing Germany and its people trying to move on and just survive, using whatever methods it takes, but harbouring a love for something in the past, that may well never have existed, but was craved for (love and a better future). That's my take on it anyway. It's pretty miserable and slow (like me), and also subtitled (unlike me), but it ticked the boxes l appreciate.

toodle pip

evil knievel ice lolly

In the 1970's, Evil Knievel was a huge star, mainly known for his uncussessful attempts to ride a bike across/over buses and/or The Grand Canyon. He obviously wanted to cash in while he could, and amongst the products available was this disgusting looking ice lolly. What l can't get my head around, is why they chose the hideous looking boy to star in the campaign. Sheer insanity.

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oxford street hmv in the 1960's

If only record stores were still like this....

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andre the giant

l am not a fan of wrestling, especially the USA version of, but l am a fan of drink and characters, and old Andre The Giant (real name Andre Rene Rousimoff) certainly was one of those.

He became famous as a wrestler, (especially his bouts with Hulk Hogan in the 1980's), but was also a huge (in more ways than one) drinker.

Over 100 bottles of beer in six hours? Two bottles of vodka to 'feel warm'? That my friends, is drinking.

Because of his condition (acromegaly), he did not expect to live very long, so he enjoyed life to the full until his death in 1993 (aged 46).

There's a great article about him here.

As l said before, a drinker and a character.

toodle pip

jeremy mayer's deer made out of typwriter parts

Very impressive. More works and info by Jeremy here.

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just william - richmal crompton

I used to love these books when l was a young kid, and read loads (if not all) of them.

Alongside 'Peanuts' books, comics (both American and 'The Valiant'), football (including magazines/annuals that featured football) and TV, they kept me (relatively) sane, although some would disagree with that bold statement.

I have just re-read this, and l could see what the appeal was, even though it was first published in 1922. The themes are (or were) still the same for a young boy, and it is really well written (by Richmal Crompton), capturing the speech, impulsiveness and martyrdom of an adolescent. Hats off to the old girl.

I can't say it bought back happy memories of my childhood, but it did remind me of my escapes from it. Great stuff.

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ron jeremy - the hardest working man in showbiz

This was actually a bit boring. Of course it is interesting in some parts, but it didn't have much of a story with which to keep you interested. There's the porn films (and being able to autofellate himself), trying to make it as a serious actor and comedian, how bright he is (and his talks), and his dealing with some celebrities and the law.

That all make sit sound more interesting than it was, but to me at least, it was disappointing, and he seems to have quiet a depressing life (even with the sex and fame).

Ron, (along with John Holmes and Jeff Stryker) is one of the most well known male porn stars in the World, but l don't think he is happy (despite his protests to the contrary).

Shame really, as he seems like a nice (but needy) guy.

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john howard davies has died

Who is he?

Only the producer who bought to the screen 'Monty Python's Flying Circus', 'Fawlty Towers', 'Steptoe and Son' and 'Mr Bean' (as well as 'The Good Life').

I remember him from years ago watching David Lean's 'Oliver Twist', in which he played Oliver (alongside Robert Newton, Alec Guinness and Anthony Newley), and as Tom in 'Tom Brown's Schooldays'.

Stone me, what a life. I will even forgive him for being involved with 'The Vicar of Dibley' (which is utter garbage).

toodle pip

cowboys and aliens and bud neill

I was talking to the FPO last night (someone has to) about this film, and how it is such a simple idea that l have never thought of (or come across) before. Obviously if the film is a big success, there could be all sort of follow ups (Vikings and Aliens, The Romans and Aliens etc).

Here's something along the same lines by cartoonist Bud Neill.

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coin art

How is this done?

It is hurting my brain thinking about it.

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miniature streets outside hamburg

This is by the German artist 'EVOL' and is a pretty original idea (as far as l am aware). It is in a field outside Hamburg, but which one, l couldn't tell you.

More of it l say, but make sure the drainage problem is sorted out in advance.

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spider-man workout

Ah, the innocence of youth, however, l think there is something a bit disturbing about this. 'Doc Knocker', 'I'm glad Mary Jane isn't here', spraying the kids with his sticky webbing.

Or maybe it's just me.

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chinese batman toy

I think they may have lost something in translation.

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fernando torres and andre villas boas

Looks like they are getting on well.

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sunday at home with the idiot rabbit

Off work till Wednesday afternoon, reading the paper, catching up on the TV, including 'Sunday Supplement' (which l love) and the third series of 'The Inbetweeners'. The idiot rabbit has even decided to get friendlier, lying across me with his little feet up on my leg. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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building bridges the georgetown and bayi rockets way

This is great. The good old US of A send over a basketball team (Georgetown) to play the Bayi Rockets on a goodwill trip to China, and it ends up in a mass brawl. You couldn't make this sort of stuff up.

Classic.

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a chess illusion

I love it, but this sort of stuff does my head in.

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a naked cat

Praise the Lord stupido jacko keeps his (or her) hair on.

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the sugar diet

No wonder l am so slim.

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a geek at his computer

I like the look of this room, (courtesy of Jonathan Worth) cluttered and interesting. I have read a few of the books behind him, but would like to delve into a lot of the others (and swipe some of the ornaments). If l only had more time........... (and money) The picture can be enlarged by clicking on it, but more information on the items can be found here.

toodle pip

pukklepop disaster 2011

After posting this the other day, another disaster has hit the Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium, leaving some dead and many injured. The weather in the video certainly looks pretty bad. Maybe l should stop going on about the conditions l had to endure at Reading Festival in 1977 (but l doubt that l will).

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alex james is promoting cheese at asda

This is pathetic. I love cheese as much (if not more) than the next man, but what a load of claptrap this is.

I assume the bread shaped blankets for sandwiches/cheese on toast etc will be not dissimilar from the cheese you can already buy that is cut into individual slices.

Cheese that will melt onto a baked potato? What, unlike normal grated cheese?

He is also going to be a guest blogger, but more importantly, is going to travel around the Asda stores to educate people about cheese. Hurrah!

The World can now rest in peace safe in the knowledge that we are about to be educated correctly.

What a tosser.

toodle pip

some japanese manhole covers

Japan - such a cool place. These are some of the souvenirs l will be bringing back when l eventually go to Japan. They will look cool in my garden (although carrying them back may prove to be a bit of an obstacle).

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taxidermy gone wrong (again)

This was done for The King Of Sweden (King Frederick 1) in 1731. Oh deary deary me.

In case you can't guess, it is meant to be a lion. A lion l would quite happily take on in a bar room fight (but probably still lose).

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benjamin zephaniah - 3 books - face - refugee boy - teacher's dead

I picked these up the other day for £1 each at the local charity shop, thinking l would give them a go, as l like some of Benjamin Zephaniah's poetry (on the odd occasion l have heard it). I did not realise at the time that the books were aimed at children/teenagers or whatever (with messages contained within), so l managed to get through all of them in one day. The verdicts were....

This one was good for highlighting the fact that people or events cannot always be judged at face value. What seems to be obvious, is sometimes a lot more complicated, so it is best to know as many facts as possible before leaping to a conclusion that could turn out to be wrong. A teacher is stabbed and killed, two boys admit it and plead guilty (and there were a lot of witnesses), and everyone thinks they are just evil scum. But of course there is more to it than that...

This one deals with a refugee coming to the UK with his father, and trying to gain a visa to stay in the country. Sounds a bit boring, but this is the one that nearly made me cry. Mind you, l was tired (and emotional) after slaving away at work, not sleeping enough, and then reading it at 6am when l couldn't sleep. Therefore, l have my excuses for being a big girls blouse (Lord knows l need them).

Some friends get involved with some bad lads, have a crash in a stolen car, one gets burnt, and everyone has to deal with the changes in their group dynamics. The worst one out of the three (in my humble opinion). Yawn.

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