the purple rose of cairo (1985) - woody allen

I must have been one of the few people in the western hemisphere who had not seen The Purple Rose Of Cairo until l had nothing to do the other day. I had caught a few minutes of it here and there over the years, but as the FPO is still slaving away and hogging the computer, l watched it for the first time all the way through, and was glad l did. l won't go into great detail as the story must be common knowledge by now, suffice to say an actor (Tom Baxter played by Jeff Daniels) steps from the screen to fall in love with Cecilia, a disillusioned housewife (Mia Farrow). Mix ups and questions of loyalty ensure, and l was surprised at the ending, as l expected it to be pretty sloppy (and it obviously wasn't, otherwise l wouldn't have mentioned it). One of Woody Allen's better films (if you like him that is, it's a kind of love/hate relationship with most people). I'm firmly on the side of the lovers (with the early stuff anyway).

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my uncle ray - l love the man

While l was prating about on the internet today, l came across a picture of my uncle Ray and his wife (Maria) with one of their sons (they have three), Gary, (and his own family). It was really good to stumble upon this, as Ray was a star when l was younger, taking me to see Manchester United as soon as l showed any kind of interest in football (he supported them already, even though he had lived in Liverpool all his life). This was back in the mid 1960's, so it was before the glorious night of Wembley 1968 and all that went afterwards, and he was also like a surrogate father to me, as my own one was often a insensitive bastard when l was a kid. He still lives in Liverpool, we both still follow Manchester United, and l can't thank him enough for what he did for me. Even though l had to suffer the 1970's and 1980's with Liverpool winning everything, it was still worth it (especially in the last decade or so). Ray - you were (and still are) a star.

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machete (2010) - robert rodriguez

Machete has to be one of the most violent films l have ever seen, but the violence is also done in a kind of cartoon like and over the top way (Grindhouse fashion) so that it does not always appear real (to me at least). It stars a real life (ex) dodgy bloke (Danny Trejo) as Machete, and he gets involved with (amongst other things), assassination attempts, the cause of the Mexican illegal immigrants, corrupt police forces and drug dealing (and still manages to have sex with the ladies - even when injured and stinking). Plenty of stars are involved (including Cheech as a priest), and l was surprised to see how massive Steven Seagal is (or was), but the action and violence are the main reasons why anyone would want to see this film. It was just like being transported back to the 1970's (but without the Kung Fu).

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pictures of london during summer 1976

This all looks as though the pictures could have been taken in the 1960's (or even the 1950's), it looks so long ago. More pictures are here.

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einstein or monroe eye test

This worked for me. Turns out my vision is fine, Einstein was up close, and l did see Marilyn when l walked away from the computer.

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animation on a bike wheel by katy beveridge

Why have l never seen this sort of thing before? There must be a market for it (including putting adverts on the spokes). This demonstration is by Katy Beveridge.

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the cadillac ciel concept car

I don't have a great interest in cars (in fact pretty much zero interest), but even l must admit that this Cadillac Ciel Concept Car looks pretty amazing. It manages to be both retro and space age at the same time. I now have my fingers crossed for this weekends lottery win.

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more optical illusions

Optical illusions - l love them!

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l may be old but....

I should get this on a t shirt (but let's face it - l won't).

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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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one of the best optical illusions l have seen

It's even better when it is enlarged (isn't everything?). Really trippy maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannn.

Pass me my drugs.

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atomised (2006) - oskar roehler

I read the novel a year or so ago (in fact it was here), so l was curious to see Atomised as a film adaptation. It's a German adaptation (with subtitles) and manages to get the book across in the right (slightly strange) way, but it is not as pessimistic as the book (although it is in no way cheerful). Two brothers have issues with their sexuality. One is also a maths genius and they are both having trouble with relationships and their upbringing. It also involves genetics, cloning, and reproducing without actually having sex (it's a long story). I'm glad l have seen the film, but l must admit, l did prefer the book.

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better things (2008) - duane hopkins and the death of chatterton (henry wallis)

The Death of Chatterton 1856

A group of interlocking individuals, both old and young, deal with life, separation, heroin addiction and death in the West Midlands. Better Things is grim going, but has some great (reserved) acting and is very stylistic. I don't think anyone in the film smiled once, and there are at least three deaths, but that's my kind of film. Some pretty arty shots, especially near the end (referencing Henry Wallis' 'Death of Chatterton'), but it is certainly not cheerful.

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bees against tuberculosis

It's common knowledge that Eric the half a bee and his mates have been used for sniffing out drugs and have also been depleting in numbers (maybe this could be related?), but it has been discovered that they can sniff out people who have Tuberculosis. Clever little sods. Mind you, it's a good job they don't go sniffing round our idiot rabbits arse. They wouldn't last two minutes. More info here.

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strongmen on india's got talent

This is more like it! If stuff like this was on the UK version, l would actually watch it.

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jimmy fallon meets the doors - reading rainbow

From the Jimmy Fallon show, a spot on piss take of Jim Morrison and the Doors that could easily be an unreleased out-take. In fact, it is bound to show up on a Doors bootleg in the future. Superb! The Lizard King has risen again!!

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an ugly dog that only its mother could love

This makes our idiot rabbit look like a gift from Heaven.

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