harold and maude (1971) - hal ashby

This is another one of those films that l had kind of heard about, but never got around to seeing, as l knew it was about the friendship/love between a young boy and an older woman. That was about all l did know, apart from the music was by Cat Stevens, who l did not really like at the time of the films release. I was however, mistaken in not seeing it before now, as l really enjoyed it (and the soundtrack). Harold and Maude is a romantic story, but it is more than just that. It has a very dark side to it and lots of black comedy, the kind of which appeals to me a lot. Harold Chasen (Bud Cort) is obsessed by death until he meets Maude (Ruth Gordon), who has a lust for life. They (of course) fall in love, but (of course) by the time she dies, he has discovered what it is like to enjoy life. It is kind of dated in places, but that didn't bother me, as l often like films more for being that way. I think l may even download the soundtrack now, as it impressed me that much (and l grew to like some of Cat Steven's stuff over the years).

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george harrison - living in the material world (2011) - martin scorsese

Living In The Material World is a documentary of George Harrison ("The quiet Beatle") by Martin Scorsese, and has just been shown on BBC 2 over two nights (because of course, it was pretty damn long). There were not a of of surprises, but it was enjoyable enough, even if it did skip over some aspects of his life (the drug addiction, his infidelities). It certainly had some great footage l had never seen before, but the most scary thing in it was undoubtedly Phil Spector's appearance, in his mad wig. He is 100% certifiably bonkers (as we say in the trade). Luckily for everyone, he is now locked up.

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the thing with two heads (1972) - lee frost

By Jove, The Thing With Two Heads was bad. Rotten, stinking the place out bad (and not even in an ironic so-bad-it's-good kind of way). It's just rubbish. I can't believe that Ray Milland (The Lost Weekend, Dial M for Murder) would get involved, but l suppose everyone's got to make some money somehow. He plays Dr Kirshner, a wealthy racist who is getting his head transplanted onto another body (due to his ailing health), but wakes up to find the only body available was a black man on death row. It doesn't get any better. Avoid at all costs.

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old city steps on a time lapse photograph

I can't remember who took this (old) photo, but it certainly has a spookiness about it.

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a cute baby hedgehog after a bath

What's not to like?

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we need to talk about kevin (book) - lionel shriver

As l am planning on going to the cinema to see 'We need to talk about Kevin', l thought l would read the book first, to see what all the fuss is about and so l could assess how much the movie adhered to it. The book is in (very long and precise) letter form, from Kevin's mother Eve, to her husband Franklin, after Kevin has killed some pupils at his school. It is also in the form of a thriller, references other high school killings, and questions nature v nurture. The book was really good, but it could have been shorter, as Eve didn't half ramble on a lot. I would have got out of that relationship pretty damn sharpish, or at least encouraged her to go on more of her foreign fact finding trips. According to the narrative of the letters, l think both of the parents were wrong in their childrearing approaches, but Kevin also just sounds like a little git of the highest (or lowest) order. I did think that Kevin should have remained impassive at the end, rather than becoming scared or unsure of himself. To me, that just seemed a bit of a cop out for a happier and hopeful ending. Then again, l am not a million selling author, just a stinking hippie.

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chocolat (2000) - lassie hallstrom

A strange one this, Chocolat has the look and feel of a French film but with everyone speaking English. It stars Alfred Molina as the mayor who tries to close the chocolate shop, Johnny Depp as a 'water rat' gypsy type, (who falls in love with the chocolate shop owner), and Judy Dench as the chocolate shop's landlady. Who runs the aforementioned chocolate shop? That would be Juliette Binoche (who is French). The little French town is religious and oppressed, and the chocolate shop and it's contents start enriching the villagers lives, despite opposition from the mayor and the young pastor whose sermons he has been influencing. A little bit too long, but the type of film l like, even if it did not need subtitles.

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invictus (2009) - clint eastwood

As the FPO has been slaving away on college work, l have still had plenty of time to watch stuff and read, so today was the turn of Invictus, the story of how Nelson Mandela unified South Africa, using rugby and the 1995 rugby world cup as an emblem of togetherness, forgiveness and looking to the future to create a 'Rainbow Nation'. Morgan Freeman is splendid (as he always is) playing Mandella, and Matt Damon (who has certainly beefed up a bit) plays Francois Pienaar, the captain of the Springboks. I put off watching the film because l have no interest in rugby, but it was pretty moving (but l still don't like rugby).

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recent (ish) photos from my camera

The Wine bar - busy as usual during the afternoon

Catterick Village residents (it's like a horror movie)

Scorton Car Boot Sales (every Sunday morning!)

The rabbit run before l hacked the overgrowth back

Rab still alive and kicking (well, alive at least)

Louise and Dazzers party for the house warming and little Lol

The wall in JT's

Idiots in the Wine Bar (Mr OC, Lonnie, Rich and Ditch)

Idiots dancing on a Friday night in Tunstall

Nothallerton Friarage Hospital waiting room (work in the morning)

The bloody grass before cutting it for bonfire night

Fireworks in the living room - no Health and Safety officer in sight

Mmmmm - Drink!

The Health Centre in Catterick Village (work in the afternoon)

An example of my sadness in front of the computer

The Health centre in Catterick (check up for me in the afternoon)

The river Swale on the way to Leyburn (opposite the caravan)

The beginnings of the bonfire and an idiot rabbit

Warming my tootsies at the end of bonfire night

Another late bedtime with the sun coming up

Bonfire night with a guy in the way

The idiot (and huge) rabbit being cleaned (and looking pissed off)

Thought l would share a few recent pictures that l had uploaded to the computer. What an exciting experience for everyone involved!

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pearl jam piss take with subtitles

I was watching the Pearl Jam documentary (Twenty) by Cameron Crowe earlier on this evening, and this piss take appeared on it. To me, it just got funnier the more times l watched it.

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crazy hallucinogenic cat video

This video is just weird. I sure picked a fine day to give up acid.

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