the day the earth stood still (1951)

I was watching 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' today.  A 'classic' movie from 1951, featuring the Christ like Klaatu and his companion, Gort. A film that clearly affected some musicians of a certain age, as there are a few references to it over the years. One of the most famous is Ringo Starr's 'Goodnight Vienna' lp, which features the spaceship, Ringo and Gort (not Klaatu, as most people think).

There was also a Canadian band that were called Klaatu, who released a 1976 album that sounded a bit like the Beatles, sparking rumours that it was an unreleased, or possible new product from the fab four themselves.  It's also the album that The Carpenters got 'Calling Occupants from Interplanetary Craft' from. God, my head is filled with so much crap it's unbelievable.

As for the film itself, the acting leaves a bit to be desired, the effects are pretty crap, and the ending is pretty sudden, but l still enjoyed it, despite many things annoying me about it as well, such as the lack of onlookers or interested parties when the spaceship is being guarded (by two soldiers!), but especially the clearly visible wires helping to hold up Helen when she is being carried by Gort.

Ah well, these are some of the sacrifices you make if you watch old films. The suspension of belief switch has to be turned right up to 10.

Remember kids - Klaatu Barada Nikto!

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jack jones is don draper

Jack Jones is Don Draper from Mad Men.
I claim my prize.

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slow club - tears of joy

Seeing as no-one else seems to have got round to uploading Slow Club performing 'Tears of Joy', l'll do it myself.
From their album 'Complete Surrender', and l love it.  One of my favourite songs of the year.

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moss gives evidence in the it crowd

I'm sure l have posted this before, but it is one of the funniest things l have seen on TV, and luckily for me, was repeated again last week.  Maurice Moss from The IT Crowd giving evidence in court.
It makes me laugh every time l watch it, and Richard Ayoade's (who plays Moss) expressions, speech, reactions, and comic timing are just perfect.

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mr parrot looking happy

Ah...what's not to love about the little boy?
Mr Parrot looking happy and contented.  You'd never guess that he is a vicious little bastard with other people.

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faith through a lens

 

                            

Photographs to do with faith, submitted for the 'Faith through a Lens' competition.  The winner was the bottom one, 'Circle of Faith' by Merryn Fawsett, although l preferred the ring one myself (and the story that goes with it).
If I'd have known about the competition earlier, l'd have entered my own attempt taken at Holy Island. 'The fruitless search for God in a brutal and Godless universe' (below).

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the sun is not looking happy

It's been a nice sunny day here in Catterick, the A1 has re-opened after the mysterious explosion, but the sun itself is not looking too happy about it.

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ten hours of bird songs - just add an idiot

I was playing this recording of ten hours of bird songs to Mr Parrot the other night, trying to confuse him.
Serves me right that l then went to bed, leaving the computer on and forgetting about it, only to be woken by the bird noises as they got louder, with me thinking that l had a birds nest by the bedroom window that was the cause of all the noise.
I was leaning out of the window and scanning the outside of the house for a good half hour before l eventually realised that the noise was coming from the computer.
I'm a bloody buffoon, and l hadn't even been drinking!

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american horror story - freak show

I'm loving the new series of 'American Horror Story - Freak Show' at the moment, it's been at turns, funny, scary, strange and clever, and l also think that it was a great idea to add contemporary songs into the mix,as well as having Elsa Mars dress as Bowie.
Two are featured above.  David Bowie's 'Life on Mars' and Fiona Apple's 'Criminal' (with the original videos as well).
As for the evil 'Twisty the Clown' earlier on (played by John Carrol Lynch) - he was one of the best characters l have ever seen on TV, and it was superb the way the viewers were made to feel sympathy towards him at the end, despite all the nasty and horrible things that he had done. That was an inspired piece of acting and writing.
The full list of all the music played in the series can be found here, and l am certainly going to miss the show once the series has ended.

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art work featuring junk and shadows

Here's some clever artworks.  Piles of seemingly random junk, that, when viewed from the correct angle, create what looks like impossible to achieve shadows.
More information and artworks can be found here.

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hitler is posted to catterick

Hitler is posted to Catterick, and he's not happy about it.
At least he knows about my local (the shitty wine bar at White Shops).

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nigel farage and parker from thunderbirds

Uncanny.
I'd prefer Parker as my MP though.

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lenny kravitz and his scarf

Lenny Kravitz usually knows how to rock a good look, and is generally a cool kind of guy, but this scarf that he is wearing / trying to escape from just looks ridiculous.  I know it is part of the rock stars duty in life to push boundaries and live on the edge (or it was back in the day), but bleeding hell, what was is thinking???
Anything for attention and to get noticed.

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birdman

'Birdman' by Nicholas Kahn and Richard Salesnick. A great idea and superbly shot. Originally featured here, but l came across it here.

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morrissey gets a job - brian brooks

Morrissey gets a job by Brian Brooks.
More pages and information here.

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igor verniy - dove of peace

This is how Mr Parrot will look if l get around to buying him some armour.
It is however, an artwork called 'Dove of Peace' by Igor Verniy.  If you like the look of these pictures, some more of his steampunk creations can be admired here.
The man's a genius!

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slow club - tears of joy

I heard this song for the first time earlier today on Sunday Lunch, and fell in love with it immediately.  It's Slow Club, doing 'Tears of Joy', and as l couldn't find a YouTube clip from Sunday Lunch, this will have to do, despite the other version having a more pronounced organ, which l preferred (stop giggling at the back).
Trust me, this is a top tune that will be featured in films and adverts in the future.

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mick and keef have a well earned rest

One of my favourite photographs of The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger and Keith Richard looking knackered backstage after a gig.
It's not easy being rock and roll, and you have to put the hours in (trust me....l speak from experience).

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rotterdam markethall / markthal

Now this is what you call a markethall!
Rotterdam Markethall / Markthal, which not only looks fantastic, but also has apartments built into it.
I guess that's handy for shopping, but l think l would like a bit more privacy.
More photographs and information here.

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vincent and noel battle for height supremacy

Either Vincent Kompany is shrinking, or Noel Gallagher is getting taller.

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marc bolan won't kiss you if you smoke

That's you womenfolk told!

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