Messages

That would explain a lot.

Nah, just yo' mother...

What about my father?

[The Sopranos]

Rampaging through The Sopranos after hearing they're having a go at making a prequel film.

I remember it being good, not having watched the series in a decade or more, and I'm pleased to report that, in this instance at least, my memory hasn't steered me wrong. Superb television packed with compelling characters, engaging story lines and laugh out loud humour.

So who am I, Barry Norman? Go see the f*ckin' thing for yourself an' make your own f*ckin' mind up. I ain't your goddam mother, for Christ's sake. And fetch me some of that ziti, you fat f*cking c*cksucker.

Jeez. Kiss your dog with that mouth?

[Early Man]

Early Man. Yet another great film from Nick Park and Aardman. While the film is funny in itself, a lot of the wit is in the scenery gags behind the action. A fun and charming film.

[The Foreigner]

The Foreigner. I hadn't watched this one because of reports that Jackie Chan wasn't really in it all that much and that it wasn't very entertaining. Wrong!

Chan was wonderful as a distraught father looking for justice for his murdered daughter. He's completely believable as an aging ex-soldier falling on old skills to do what needed to be done.

Pierce Bronson is also equally as believable as an ex-IRA soldier and all around arsehole.

A very well done and entertaining film.

Have your photo taken with Donald Trump. Or Boris Johnson.

Just rest your tray on their foreheads.

I did the same thing. It's rather irritating that we've been conditioned by Marvel/Disney to sit through the credits for something that may or may not happen. 

[Deadpool 2]

Deadpool 2. Not far behind the original in terms of humour and action. Generally a fun film all round. It's been a while since I left the cinema smiling, but I did with this one.

Gardner Dozois (70), modern SF's greatest (human) editor. One name dominates my bookshelves, taking up one entire bookcase and spreading into the ones either side, and it is his. His countless anthologies have introduced me to many of my favourite writers, and allowed to follow the current work of many others. He seldom steered me wrong. RIP.

A name I've seen over and over again in science fiction magazines and anthologies. I don't think science fiction would have been the same without his guiding hand. RIP.

Astronaut Alan Bean. Fourth man to walk on the moon. Aged 86. RIP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44268960

Margot Kidder, 69. She's still my ideal Lois Lane.

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/margot-kidder-superman-actress-dead-at-69-w520293

For my sins I'm currently working through the Dune novels.  Currently on Children of Dune.  Thought I had read these before but I think I might have only got through the first one.  It's a fascinating dissertation on tradition, religion, power, ecology, prognostication ....

I've been rereading the series for the umpteenth time and am up to God Emperor of Dune. Many people struggle with this one, but for me it ranks nearly alongside Dune.

It looks as if it's finally going to happen. A third Bill and Ted film!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dc6Pre77AY

[Princess Bride]

Just got in from a morning out a Sheffield 'Highland Fling', slightly disappointing family fun day, all a little hot and tired I sat down to notice Princess Bride was on Channel 4 and as luck would have it on 4+1 I was just in time for the sword fight... no intention of watching it, other stuff to do, but the family slowly drifted into the room one by one and by the time Vizzini dead drops to the right my wife declared, shall we get the DVD out and watch this properly.

Cheers all round.

No, just, no other film can do what Princess Bride can!

So true.

Any time it's on in the cinema locally my wife and I make a point of going to see it. Through countless viewings it has never lost its charm.