zelig - woody allen (1983)

A spoof documentary about Leonard Zelig (Woody Allen), a man from the 1920's who transforms himself all of the time, morphing into a version of whoever he is in close contact with, which makes him famous, and also a celebrity patient of the psychiatrist Dr Eudora Fletcher (Mia Farrow) who tries to cure him, but (of course) ends up falling in love with him. Like in Forest Gump, Zelig features old newsreels that have been doctored to include him, which is very cleverly done, but as with the Tony Blair film (see below), l thought it was another movie with more style than substance. A clever pastiche, but it left me unmoved, and there wasn't that much to laugh at. Thinking about it afterwards, l much preferred Forest Gump, which might have gone for some easy laughs, but it at least fulfilled the role of being both funny and moving (and with clever newsreel manipulation). That's why of course, some films become so popular, because they are done so well and therefore appeal to a mass audience (and life is like a box of chocolates).

toodle pip

the stone roses reformation

Wow! Something l thought l would never see. The Stone Roses have reformed and are going to be doing some gigs pretty damn soon. Speaking as a man who loved the band, has seen them already (and before they became famous), and even likes the much maligned Second Coming album, l won't be going to see them again, mainly because l don't want to ruin the memories l already have of them. However, just on the level that they were all mates who fell out, it is great to see them together again and supposedly getting along. Even if they have just reformed to make some decent money out of the live market before it is too late, good luck to them. Look at how happy they all are. Ain't it sweet?

toodle pip

a hard day at the colburn gym

Phew! What a day it's been. I have just spent ages trying to get into the blog, and had to change my password to do so. This is after being at work since 3pm yesterday, working overnight, and then finishing this afternoon, with a trip to the gym being thrown in. I was surprised there was not a lot of people using the facilities, but l suppose they might all have been at work. Luckily, l was not working out either, l was merely dropping someone off and then picking them up again an hour later. It's still what l would call hard work, so l have a right to moan about being knackered. Good to see the old sports field through the back doors, as they were the scene of many of my splendid goals and footie high jinks when l was younger (before the harrowing knee injury). Oh happy days indeed, when the sun always shined, the air was crisp, l looked like a God, and the pretty girls swooned on the sidelines (or was that one of my dreams?). Getting older - what a bastard!!

Saying that, there are currently two sisters removing clothing in my bedroom, with a promise of getting all hot and sweaty. l will have to go and investigate. Hope the old ticker doesn't choose now as the time to pack in, or l shall be shaking an angry fist at the heavens.

toodle pip

the comic strip presents - the hunt for tony blair (2011)

A one off special, 'The Hunt For Tony Blair' was filmed as a film noir style murder mystery suspense thriller, in which Tony Blair ( Stephen Mangan) is on the run for murder, ends up killing more people, but may have been innocent (and gets seduced by Margaret Thatcher along the way). There are some great performances ( Nigel Planer as Peter Mandelson, Tony Curran as Robin Cook), surpassed by Steven Mangan as Blair himself, but it just wasn't that funny or thrilling. A great idea, and superbly filmed, but ultimately, l found it to be a let down, which was a shame, as some of the earlier Comic Strip stuff was excellent. Mind you, l also found the some of the early stuff to be hit and miss, so it should not have been that much of a surprise to me. I am also pretty dubious when so many well known comic actors are involved in something, as the plot and writing are often poor (see Carry On Columbus or St Trinian's for proof). A classic case of style over content.

toodle pip

an american football player in 1920

Just look at that outfit! Look at the height of the shorts/pants/trousers! Look at his mad glare!!!

toodle pip

judy and sally geeson

I'd kind of forgotten about these two sisters until l re-watched 'To Sir With Love' this evening (Judy Geeson was in it - see below). At one time (when l was a nipper, back in the day etc) they were both on the screens a lot, but it never really occurred to me at the time that they were related. I suppose when l was younger l wasn't that bothered, even though l fancied Sally Geeson in 'Bless This House', with the rather marvellous Sid James as her father (I still can't believe she let me down to run off and marry William G Stewart in real life). Then there was the 'Carry On' films, '10 Rillington Place' (which is superb), the already mentioned 'To Sir With Love', 'The Fenn Street Gang', 'Here We Go Round The Mullberry Bush' and 'Poldark (which l have never seen)' amongst others. The above pictures are from Judy comic, which states Judy is talented, but Sally is pretty. I bet that led to some pisstaking over the Geeson Christmas Turkey.

I have also just found out that Judy shares the same birthday as me (10th September), but in a different year. What a lucky girl she is, as are the other people sharing that day of joy, such as Johnny Fingers (from The Boomtown Rats), Cynthia Lennon, Siobhan Fahey (from Bananarama), Joe Perry (from Aerosmith), Don Powell (from Slade), Carol Decker (from T'Pau) and Jose Feliciano (solo). Phew! Rock and Roll celebrations all around!!!!!

Rather cringingly though, it is also the same birthday as bleeding Guy Ritchie and Colin Firth (Damn!).

toodle pip

to sir with love - (1967) james clavell

E.R Braithwaite himself, who the film is based on

Although it looks as though it was filmed in a completely different age, To Sir With Love is still an excellent and compelling movie, dealing with a new black teachers experiences with a tough (and mainly white) East End classroom. It is based on the semi autobiographical novel by E.R Braithwaite, and Sidney Poitier (who plays the teacher, Mr Mark Thakeray) gives a superb (and mainly restrained) performance. The children are cynical and distrusting of authority, but Sir manages to win them over by treating them as adults, while also managing to avoid the dangers posed by love struck Pamela Dare (played by Judy Geeson). Lulu is a pupil, and also gets to sing, and although it is more prominent in the book, another new teacher Gillian Blanchard (Suzy Kendall) also falls for him. In the end, he has to decide whether to take an engineering job, or stay on as a teacher with the next lot of kids. Guess what he does.....

toodle pip

sukiyaki western django - takashi mike (2007)

A really wierd film this, for starters, the voices are dubbed, even though they are already in English, and the colours are sometimes pretty bright. Sukiyaki Western Django is essentially a tale of two Japaneses gangs fighting, but it is also done in a spaghetti western style (with a cameo from Quentin Tarantino). Very strange indeed. It does have the odd funny bits, but not that many, as it's mainly pretty violent (although one funny bit is also a pretty violent scene). The classic tale of a stranger coming into town and sorting the gangs out, but l wouldn't say it is that great, certainly not as good as the Clint Eastwood westerns, or the Akira Kurosawa films. I did however, love the colours and backdrop.

toodle pip

noel gallagher in word magazine

Noel Gallagher is always a great interviewee, and this months The Word magazine interview is no exception. However, the cover illustration by Howard McWilliam is even better. Rather sadly, l think l am turning into him (Noel, not Howard, and without the money).

toodle pip

art brut video from darlington

Well, l finally managed to get the video of Art Brut in Darlington (15th October 2011) posted. The sound is bleeding awful, but here's 'Brand New Girlfriend'.

toodle pip

blue shaded picture pencil illusion

This is doing my head in.

toodle pip

clothes for people with down's syndrome

I thought this had to be a joke, but it turns out Downs Designs are making specially made clothes for people with Down's Syndrome.

toodle pip

amazing weather photographs

After the post below about the flooding in Thailand, here are some pretty excellent weather pictures. I don't know who took them, but it certainly wasn't me (I wish l had).

toodle pip

the flooding in thailand

I was talking to Jit after the football yesterday, and he was telling me about the flooding that has been happening in Thailand, and how bad it is (he has a Thai wife who is visiting family back in Thailand at the moment). I didn't even know there had been any flooding (I'm a busy man etc), but have just been checking out some of the photographs of it. In amongst them was the photograph of the old feller above, who is currently being rehoused in a shelter. I don't know how old he is, but he certainly has a lot of wrinkles (or laughter lines). Poor sod - he sure aint laughing now.

toodle pip

art brut - darlington 15th october 2011

Went to see Art Brut last night at Inside Out in Darlington, only to discover the venue had changed to a place round the corner, and the start time was 9.30pm. This certainly pleased me, as l was drinking, but the FPO was not so happy as she was driving back, which meant only an odd snifter of ale for her (unlucky!). We decided to go to The Green Dragon to see what that is like now, as l had not been in there for ages, and used to drink there all the time a few years ago. It has certainly changed. It used to be pretty scruffy, but it is now like a miniature disco with hardly any seats, and is crap. Luckily Art Brut saved the evening later on, as they were fucking brilliant, really rocking out (maaan) and also funny, with Eddie Argos walking amongst the crowd and ad libbing tales. I thought they would be good (which is why l bought the tickets in the first place), but they were much better than expected. It's just a shame there was not extra publicity and more people there to see it, as it must be depressing for them when the crowd is small. Rather sadly, that will probably be the cause of them breaking up, if they feel they are getting nowhere, or even going backwards with their career. I'll have to offer my services as publicity man, or it will all end in tears. If l manage to upload the video l filmed at the gig, l will stick it up later, but don't hold your breath. In the meantime, here's a clip from Germany.

toodle pip

bring me the horizon fight in salt lake city, utah 2011

Ah, this is like gigs in the old days when the punk wars were raging. Happy days.

toodle pip

the pajama club - daylight on later with jools

I'm not a big fan of Crowded House by any means, but this new offering from Mr Finn and 'er indoors is very splendid indeed.

toodle pip

could you pass the citizenship test?

Life in the UK: could you pass the citizenship test?

Yesterday David Cameron unveiled changes planned to the Life in the UK citizenship test, which must be taken by all those seeking indefinite leave to remain or who apply for a British passport. Could you pass the test as it stands?

The test is here.

Could you pass the test? l certainly couldn't.

toodle pip