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.

toodle pip

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.

toodle pip

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........

toodle pip

the killing (forbrydelsen) - series 2

Because l have been off work, there has been time to catch up on some of the Christmas time TV series, so, after ploughing through a couple of episodes a night, this has just been ticked off.
Once again Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabol) is back to investigate a killing, and then it all gets a bit complicated. The first series of  The Killing was up there as of the best things l have ever seen on TV, and this series can also be placed on such a high pedestal.
Afghanistan, punishment killings, false leads, racism, corrupt (and idealistic) politicians, romance, back stabbing and power games, madness........It's all there, and every episode manages to end on a cliffhanger.
Apart from the odd moment of shouting at the TV because leads weren't followed, or Sarah taking too many risks by herself (again), this was brilliant throughout. However, it's certainly not good for my dodgy ticker, as some of it was edge of the seat stuff (and squeaky bum time).
Brilliant - and Morse and the like can bugger off, there is no comparison at all to this kind of quality.
Time for a lie down, before series three comes out.

toodle pip

policeman chases himself for 20 minutes

An undercover policeman in Sussex chased himself for 20 minutes, before it was realised that the man he was after was himself.
How?
You may well ask, as it does sound unbelievable, but he was being directed by a CCTV operator who thought he had spotted somebody dodgy. The operator then described where the person was, and  the officer kept thinking he was just behind him, until the mistake was noticed (amid much laughter, thigh slapping and piss taking).
Coppers!
Just as gormless as the one l know above (and yes, they are getting younger).

toodle pip

fabio walks and 'arry is innocent

Who would have believed it?

toodle pip

antony sher - primo (2005) - richard wilson

 Victims in the concentration camps

 Antony Sher

Primo Levi

It's all joy and happiness around this house while l have been off work, as l am not back into work now until the 14th Feb. Hurrah!
On the other hand, after all the Auschwitz stuff in Maus and Metamaus l have just read, l have also re-watched Antony Sher in 'Primo', which is film of his one man play about Primo Levi's time in Aucshwitz, based on Primo's book 'If this is a man'.
One of the main things l like about Levi, is that he went into the camp as an unbeliever, and stayed true to his beliefs, although it must have been tempting to wish for some kind of consolation in faith. To stay true to yourself in such abysmal circumstances, must take fortitude and inner strength of the highest kind, as he says himself of Lorenzo Perrone, who shared some of his rations and gave Levi some clothes, thus saving Levi's life, and remaining as a man, while the Germans tried to dehumanise them all.
Sheer is fantastic in the role, and is totally believable on stage, even though he only uses minimal props (a chair) plus some lighting and music, to get the story across. He certainly gives a master class in how to act, and makes you despair at the idea that you could ever do the same, as the gravitas he projects, albeit in a controlled and calculated way, is unbelievable. Git.
There's also a possibility myself and the FPO may visit Auschwitz later this year, as we are thinking about going to Poland for a short break. More fun and laughter on the horizon to look forward to.

toodle pip

mia at the super bowl (rebel rebel)

There has been a lot of (overblown and exaggerated) fuss about M.I.A  giving the bird finger while she was performing with Madonna during the break in the Super Bowl this year (instead of singing 'shit').
Yawn.
It's just what M.I.A and more importantly, the sponsers would have wanted really, loads of publicity all around the world, even if they may protest (in an unbelievable fashion) about how offended they are.
As for M.I.A, she also won't do badly out of the episode, and she would have entered the general public's consciousness a lot faster than she would have done by the usual route of album/tour/publicity.
A clever move by her really, but, much as l enjoy her music (Arular and Kala are great), the rebel/outsider pose is pretty crap as far as l am concerned. She wants fame and money (ker-ching ker-ching) like most other stars. That is why she agreed to perform, with Madonna, at The Super Bowl, in front of  a world wide audience. Taking the moolah when she can, and good luck to her. She is also married to Benjamin Bronfman, who's father is #261 of the worlds richest people.
Jammy bastard - yes.
Rebel - no.

toodle pip

raising arizona (1987) - the coen brothers

I hadn't seen Raising Arizona for years, and l must admit, l had forgotten how good it was. I like the Coen brothers films anyway, but for some crazy unfathomable reason, when remembering this one, l didn't think it was up to much (Duh!). Probably watched it under the influence or something, as there was plenty for me to enjoy.
Herbert 'Hi' McDunnough (Nicholas Cage), falls for  a cop (Holly Hunter) while getting arrested all the time, and they eventually set up home together. Because she can't have a baby, they decide to steal one from a rich business man who's wife has just given birth to five, but things don't go according to plan (what a surprise). Two convict buddies (the Snoats brothers) escape and come to stay with them, and they are also being hunted down by a bounty hunter, Leonard Smalls 'The lone biker of the apocalypse'. Superb stuff.

toolde  pip

it was 37 years ago today - oxford v manchester united

Christ on a bike, time really is flying by. After thinking it had flown by since Edna's funeral, it is rather disheartening to realise that it was 37 years ago when l was at this match.
I was living in-between Oxford and Reading at the time (at RAF Benson), and although l supported Manchester United, l was going to all the Oxford United home games l could get to (when they still played at the sadly missed Manor Ground), and followed them as my second team (still do).
This is because l was still at school at the time, so choices where limited.
As this was the season Manchester United were playing in the old Second Division, I got to see both of them together at the same time, for the first time. I have seen other games between them since then, but this one was special.
As usual, l went with Jonathan Knapp, a school friend who's father ran a TV shop in Oxford. The usual routine was l would cycle to Jonathan's house in Chalgrove, we would watch Football Focus, and we would then get a lift through to Oxford (Headington actually) with his dad. Reverse process on the way home afterwards (but without the Football Focus).
There was a lot of excitement that Manchester United were coming to town, there were issues with the travelling away support, as there had been various hooligan escapades at other games, and Match Of The Day showed highlights that evening! Get On!
To top it all, Oxford United kept up their fine home record and won 1-0, and Manchester United walked away with  the Second Division trophy later that year.
Happy days all round (for me at least).

toodle pip

polacio goal - genoa v lazio - fantastico!

What a backheel by Polacio in Genoa's 3-2 win over Lazio.
As they say in Italy - fantastico gol di Polacio!

toodle pip