a matter of life and death (stairway to heaven) 1946 - michael powell and emeric pressburger

Although an oldie, this is one of my favourite films, with a decent story, superb effects (especially for when it was made), and a Frenchman (Marius Goring as conductor 71) who dresses wildly, is pretty camp and funny, and could easily have been my role model.
A Matter Of Life And Death was renamed Stairway To Heaven in the USA, even though it specificity does not state in the film that the celestial type place is Heaven, and in fact, was probably all just in the imagination of Peter Carter (David Niven) who is a pilot who jumped out of his damaged plane, but somehow miraculously survived, even though he bailed out minus a parachute.
Carter meets the female radio operator he had been talking to when he jumped, falls in love with her, and refuses to join the afterlife when he is visited  by apparitions encouraging him to do so (as his time on Earth should have been up). He then has to argue his case to stay for longer before a celestial court, while he is simultaneously under a life threatening operation.
A mixture of black and white for the imagination/afterlife parts and technicolor for the earthly bits is used, which is the opposite of 'The Wizard of Oz' (but l prefer this film).
There is plenty of upper class 'What Ho!' type language, arguments whether 'the rules' or love should be followed, and disagreements regarding the merits of England and The USA.
A spiffing tale

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shane (1953) - george stevens

Alan Ladd stars as Shane, the mysterious stranger who is trying to give up his gunfighting past.  He befriends a family and tries to settle down, but (of course), the family and Shane are hassled by the baddies (including an impressive Jack Palance). Shane is worshipped by the families young boy, and avoids any confrontation with the bad guys, until he eventually cracks, goes into town, and sorts them all out (naturally).
A classic.

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elton's copying our décor

Watching a documentary on Elton John the other day, and was surprised by this. By this, l mean the Damien Hirst painting in the background. After Homer stalking me, it also turns out that Elton is copying the décor in our humble abode, as we have the same in our living room. Rather sadly, his will be the real thing, and ours is definitely a print.

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it's official - homer is copying me

Watching 'The Simpsons' last night, Homer behaved like me. He appeared with a Vodka bottle and a jar of mayonaisse, mixed them together, drank them, and then fell over. I'm sure he must be stalking me.

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crappy bloody stinking snowy weather

After the rather excellent January we had, the snow that fell at the beginning of February is taking some time to shift. Although l have been indoors 99% of the time while l have been off work, it's still annoying. Then again, it doesn't take a lot to annoy me.
There had better not be any more snow tonight, as l am planning to go to the Boro tomorrow to watch the Manchester United v Liverpool game with Robbo (and maybe see the baby).

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mystery computer artwork for sale

Go on, try and guess who's artwork this is. It's a famous man, and some have sold out already.
You can sell anything when you are well known, as you are either 'talented in other fields', or any kind of crap produced by you becomes collectable, good or bad.

If you want to find out who it is - go here.

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bananas (1971) - woody allen

One of the classic early Woody Allen films, Bananas has Woody (as Fielding Mellish) falling for Nancy (Louise Lasser), losing her, and then going on holiday to San Marcos to get over it.
Unfortunately, he is set up to be killed as a patsy, but escapes and joins a gang of rebels, becoming their leader (as the old one let power go to his head).
He comes back to the USA, where he is recognised, put on trial, but still gets the girl in the end.
Some classic dialogue and physical comedy, but l preferred watching it years ago, when it still seemed fresh, not as it is now (dated).
Nowadays l prefer the 'Annie Hall' type films of his, but l would still rather watch this than most of what passes for American 'comedies' these days.
And yes, it did feature a young Sylvester Stallone bullying Woody on the subway.

toodle pip.

breakdowns - art spiegelman

I must have been drunk or hallucinating or something recently, as this book arrived in the post, and l can't remember ordering it. Hurrah! An excellent surprise for me, as l didn't have it already, and l love Art Spiegelman's cartoons.
Breakdowns covers his early years, the start of Maus, and his various issues (he ended up in a mental institution), using different comic styles.
There is also a fair bit about how comics work, but a lot of this was in Metamaus, so l had prior knowledge of that.
Still, an unexpected bonus, that l read in one sitting.
Let's hope there are some more on the way that l also don't know about.

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outrageously gay beer advert

For Grain Belt Premium beer, which is based in Minnesota. It might be an old advert (from 2007), but it sure as hell is gay.
Mmmmmm   I'm feeling thirsty




For beer.

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pavel 183 artwork

Very similar in style to the Banksy artworks (some would say a rip off), Pavel 183 is based in Moscow, but has also produced some great stuff. His website is here, and there's a BBC report (with video) on him here. The top one (when it is lit up) is my favourite.
Banksy's website is here.
Now where's my bleeding spray can........

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