Sausage Party - Film Review

After watching X-Men: Apocalypse last night on Sky Movies I noted the next film was ‘Sausage Party’ an adult animation and with an 18 certificate making it unsuitable for kids a plus for me.

The film in a nutshell…. We have a supermarket where the food is happy and alive remember this is a cartoon wanting to be picked and go to the “beyond” outside the store. They believe there is some kind of utopia outside and they could have sex all day.

Yes I said sex! Especially a randy bunch of hot dog sausages and Frank in particular who is lusting after Brenda, the hot-dog bun. Like I said this food is randy including all the other products so when they are finally sold Frank and Brenda are overjoyed they will be doing it soon. They are joined in the trolley by a jar who had a taste of outside “beyond” and was brought back to the store who tries to tell them there fate. Also in the trolley is a douche who when the jar commits suicide is involved in causing a mess which finds Frank and Brenda on the floor of the shop.

Frank and Brenda then traverse the giant store looking for the truth behind going beyond. They encounter a lesbian taco and bagel, and have an angry douche on their heels looking for revenge for the incident. In the meantime, Frank's friends learn the truth of the beyond. Humans slaughter them for food.

I stayed up for this shit and I am not going to write a review just my opinion. Awful, disgustingly unfunny, worst, the most stupid and meaningless movie I have ever seen. The only laugh I could muster that people paid money to watch it be it at the cinema or on DVD. It was like some kid have written it, childish. Sitting in a corner giggling at writing a smutty word or sniggering at the thought of a sausage and a bun getting it on.

So, if you think constant swearing and a never ending supply of "putting my sausage in you bun" references add up to good comedy, you will probably love it.

The final scene is so outrageous, an orgy and the strangest foursome you would ever seem involving a sausage. Bun, taco, and bagel that gave me a bit of a giggle for quite a while.

Sunday Crush – Linda Hayden

The voluptuous and gorgeous blonde actress Linda Hayden made a strong and lasting impression on me in my early years of teenagehood. I remember her in a few Hammer horror films her virginal innocent look played well for these type of films.

Her first role was in Baby Love, playing an amoral 15-year old who seduces a man (who may well be her father), his wife and his son so you can see why the above description.

In the early seventies she was popping up on TV shows with fleeting appearances in ‘Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em’ and ‘Crown Court’ she was dating and starred with Robin Askwith in a few Confessional films at the time.

It was before the film she turned my head and made into my numerous crush file. It was series of promotional shoots in the British answer to ‘Playboy’, the magazine Penthouse that I found discarded one day. They were a set of her and Fiona Richmond who we will see celebrated one Sunday soon. The film Exposé (1976) was also known as ‘Trauma’ and ‘House on the Straw Hill’ it was over a year before I saw the film in which Hayden plays a sexpot secretary in the sleazy thriller.

Loading the Jukebox – 8 Zombies The Cranberries

For me one of the most iconic tracks by the Cranberries along with “Linger”. Who can resist the rasping vocals of Dolores O’Riordan and the haunted entrance into the song? The song was written during the bands English Tour in 1993. It was a protest song about the “Troubles” infecting Northern Ireland and beyond.

It was written in memory of Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry two young boys killed by the IRA in 1993, Warrington. In the video of Zombies the band are filmed in a derelict building interwoven with Dolores O’Riordan covered in gold surrounded also with children in gold. Other clips sees children playing war games and featured British soldiers on patrol in Northern Ireland, which was controversial.

The track won the "Best Song" award at the 1995 MTV Europe Music Awards and as of April 2017, the video has over 510 million views on YouTube. Footage of the soldiers was banned from being shown in the UK and the video below is the unbanned version.

Must see TV - Week beginning 29/04/2017 - My Choice

Another quite week of TV just catching up with odds and ends but I love the finale of Hinterland a wonderful piece of television.

Election news has been hovering up my TV time I have been watching lots of news from the man my eldest son has told me. It is all false news beamed in from the man. Who knows he could be right and I am a puppet.

The Island with Bear Grylls was a welcome return and I love the young old divide. When the oldies landed on their island within hours they had fire while on the youngsters island it took them three days to make fire. Looking forward to the battles to come.

Saturday – Channel 4 – Carol 9pm

A love story CAROL follows two women from very different backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change.

A young woman in her 20s, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), is a clerk working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage.

As an immediate connection sparks between them, the innocence of their first encounter dims and their connection deepens. While Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage, her husband (Kyle Chandler) begins to question her competence as a mother as her involvement with Therese and close relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) becomes known.

Sunday – History Channel – Ancient Assassins 10pm

Hopefully an informative and entertaining new series shedding light on some of the highest profile Ancient Assassins, from Ancient Greece to Japan, bringing their stories and missions to life with dramatic reconstruction, documentary filming and expert testimony. Rulers have always needed their elite combat troops; men and women trained to perfection, skilled with weapons, able to infiltrate and disrupt the enemy and kill when necessary.

Each standalone episode will focus on one individual assassin or group and will explore their specific skills, how they trained, why they excelled. What exactly made them the most feared killers of their age, and how their exploits have influenced modern day tactics in warfare? Amongst other subjects, Ancient Assassins reveals how a Buddhist nun became a Kung Fu killer, how a Saxon fighting force finally overcame the Vikings, how Vlad the Impaler’s gypsy mercenaries halted an Ottoman invasion. How an elite Dutch tribe finally delivered Britain into the hands of the Roman Emperor Claudius.

Monday – Sky Cinema Premiere - X-Man: Apocalypse 9pm

Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshiped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible.

Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth is uncertain, Raven with the help of Professor X must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save humanity from complete destruction.

Tuesday – Discovery Channel – Gold Divers 9pm

Winter in Nome, Alaska so the search for gold gets underway. Dredge owner Emily Riedel is back looking for her piece of the golden pot of gold. She has never been lucky with her crews and needs the right team of divers and then there is Zeke. Hope the fighting Kelly’s are back a father and son team where daddy is not a versed in stealing from his sons at any chance.

Miners dive and dredge to scour the bottom of the sea from custom-built, barely-seaworthy rigs in a race to haul in as much gold as possible before the waters become too icy to dive. The easy gold is drying up, pushing miners to extreme new locations in a desperate search for gold. This series brings plenty of new challenges to the dredgers what will we see before the ice is back.

Wednesday – TCM – The Night of the Hunter 10.55am

A religious fanatic marries a gullible widow whose young children are reluctant to tell him where their real daddy hid $10,000 he had stolen in a robbery. 'Night of the Hunter' proved to be one of the best films I have ever seen. The cinematography is breath taking, especially the river journey of the two children who are fleeing for the evil and demented preacher who killed their mother. Never have I seen nature being portrayed in such a mysterious and dangerous way. The sharp contrasts of light, the dark church in the distance, which symbolises the dangerous preacher.

Robert Mitchum played a psychopathic preacher with a restrained malice who married and murdered Shelley Winters for her money – only to find that her young children had it, and he proceeded relentlessly to terrorize them…

Thursday – BBC1 – Question Times 10.45pm

Part of my TV religion and a must for a Thursday night ‘Question Time’ chaired by David Dimbleby. The panel changes weekly touring the country on the panel are politicians from the main parties along with journalists, business people, and others answering questions from the audience? The panel differs depending where it is appearing north of the border or in Wales or Northern Ireland with a local panel of guests.

With the General Election triggered, the discussions should be red hot from both the audience and the panel. This Question Time will come from Wigan.

Although, not broadcast live, it is filmed in one take, as if live and then shown 2 hours later in full.

Friday – Sky 1 – Jamestown 9pm

Jamestown is a new drama for Sky 1 from the makers of Downton Abbey. Set in 1619, follows the first English settlers as they establish a community in the New World as we follow three woman on their journey. Their passage is paid by the men they are to marry normally woman where sent as prisoners. The woman soon realise they have the control over the men of Jamestown where life is not easy.

Jamestown is an altogether more adventurous period drama charting the beginnings of the first British settlers in America with Sky hoping to have a success on their hand.

For a payment of 50 pounds of leaf tobacco men could buy themselves a bride. The chosen men it this case all come with problems. One is a drunk, another a brute and the other power hungry.

Cardiff City v Newcastle - Live on Sky - Last Home Game

Last home game of the season for Cardiff City but it should be a lively game with Premiership bound Newcastle the visitors. There is an outside chance that Newcastle could be promoted champions if they win tonight and their final game next weekend and Brighton lose their next two games.

The game is live on Sky Sports 7pm.

To finish in the top half on the Championship league table, which looked like a pipe dream before the arrival of manager Neil Warnock, is all the Bluebirds are playing for now. We looked like relegation fodder scraping for points. Warnock has been a breath of fresh air at the club and I personally have faith in him for next season.

You can guarantee Warnock will want something out of the game. A win would be nice bloodying the nose of Newcastle and having some revenge on them for the 2-1 earlier in the season.

Speaking pre-game to press and media, he told them there was pride at stake.

“We need to put a good performance on in front of the TV cameras. With Newcastle, coming it’s a game that whets the appetite. It will be a good crowd and the Geordies will be coming to celebrate, said Warnock.

“Hopefully we can put one over on them. I was delighted they won on Monday because it adds more spice to our game. That’s what I was hoping for really."

“It’s about tidying up our own house, putting our own house in order. I will imagine we’ll be mid-table bookies wise next year because there will be some big teams, big clubs, and it will be difficult to get into that top area but that’s what we’ve got to strive for – first to get into that top 10, then the top six.

“That’s why I’m here, to have an opportunity like that.”

It is expected Cardiff will be at full strength against the visitors from the North East. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor missed the goalless draw at Wigan through illness but has trained this week and will replace Ben Amos. Top scorer Kenneth Zohore has been offered a new deal and will be fit after being rested at Wigan following a heavy workload.

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez will be without half a dozen senior players. In terms of injuries, they have had some players playing with problems. Captain Jamaal Lascelles will sit out the Championship game along with Grant Hanley, Vurnon Anita and Jesus Gamez.

Matt Ritchie will serve a two-game ban after admitting a Football Association misconduct charge relating to an incident in the tunnel after the Leeds United game.

Off the pitch, the taxman raided Newcastle. Many rumours but nothing official from either the club or the taxman. They asked for 10,000 tickets for tonight’s game but settled for 6,000 and in the end could only manage to sell over 3,000 after Cardiff expecting the large number moved season ticket holder to other seats to accommodate them.

On a sad note, it could be the last chance for Cardiff City fans to see Peter Whittingham playing for the Bluebirds with him being out of contract this summer. There has been no offer of a new contract and he should get rousing ‘Thanks’ and good luck on is future.

Hinterland - TV Review - Welsh/English Drama

I could not believe I missed ‘Hinterland’ last night I must have had one of those blank moments, so all praise the iPlayer the saviour of the day.

The base storyline surrounds DCI Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington) on the run from his London past who brilliantly plays a troubled man isolating himself in a town filled with secrets as dark and destructive as his own. Collaborating with the intelligent and complex DI Mared Rhys (Mali Harries), they form an engaging relationship as they embark on solving cases that involve the ultimate anti-social crime, murder, in Aberystwyth.

It was a brilliant finale DCI Mathias at his investigative best as a long-standing story line concluded. It was in and out stuff I was blindsided a few times who I thought was this or that turned out to be something else altogether. I had my ideas of who was involved in the child abuse and was right on the big fish from the first time he slithered onto the screen.

He had the face of someone with secrets to hide using blackmail to hide himself away but trying to blackmail DCI Mathias was always going to backfire as he continued with the case to the bitter end.

The story of Devil's Bridge and a children's home was part of the very first opening episode with DCI Mathias investigating a blood soaked bathroom and the disappearance of 64 year old Helen Jenkins. His inquiries focused on the home above the ravine spanned by the Devil's Bridge and child abuse was always swilling around.

The rumours of child abuse at the children’s home was getting louder and louder throughout the series has children now adults committed suicide or killed under mysterious circumstances and the more DCI Mathias and team.

Hinterland clearly intends to bring some Scandinavian darkness to the coast of Ceredigion in the world of subtitled drama. Filmed in Welsh/English surely the way to go with the content of S4C. Get the box set or checkout the iPlayer.

The Wheels on the Bus go round and round

The dentist this morning on the bus supplied by Cardiff Buses with free Wi-Fi you just have to love that. People knock Cardiff Buses they talk of smelly passengers, well I thought I smelt rather well this morning so were my fellow passengers. It is kids I hate noisy little buggers and teenagers making it loud with the music even with headphones on.

I got the number 65 my dentist is in the Dental Hospital a bit of a journey taking close to an hour to get there from my bus stop in Canton and then travel through , Fairwater, Pentrebane, Llandaff, Whitchurch to the Heath Hospital a scenic route be with no free Metro what to do.

Years ago round election time the nerd in me came up with this boring game to while away the time by counting election posters when on the bus or walking around off somewhere. Much easier today than years back with political parties, giving away posted boards better than looking at windows. That could get you into all kinds of trouble.

It was easy to see it was going to be a two horse race between Labour and Plaid Cymru and by time I reached the hospital Plaid were the winners but I did not see any for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, or UKIP, could be because we have local elections before the big one.

Other thing I noticed was some guy was renewing driveways, his adverting was all over the place.

The passengers were a mixed lot. A woman got on the bus just after mine and no joke she was still on the phone as will put into the hospital. I looked around has I walked away she was still yapping away. I saw what I thought was a nice father and daughter running for the bus and the driver dually stop for them. However, after that kiss it was definitely not her father.

Some bloke jumped on the bus and one stop later got off it was only down the road a bit maybe he was doing some shopping he was wearing slippers. An older lady hit the roof because there were no free Metro papers on the bus. Just before the hospital, a bloke out of nowhere run alongside the bus and tapped on the door, which the driver opened.

Sometimes you just know someone is not a bus regular and this bloke had all the attributes of being a light bus user. As he sat down, I knew he wanted the town centre but this bus was not going that way and I was right the soon as the bus turned he asked if this bus when to the town centre.

I told him “finally” I expand if he got off the bus in a few stops he could caught a number of bus going that way. I like being a ‘bus wanker’.

Bananarama Originals to Tour - My Top Three singles

Well this is unexpected the news that the original line up of Bananarama will tour later this year. Siobhan Fahey, 58 - who left the girl group in 1988, will join Sarah Dallin, 55, and Keren Woodward, 56, after 30 years.

The new UK tour will run through November and December of this year. They will be playing my home city Cardiff on 27/11/17 at St. David’s Hall tickets go on sale Wednesday.

Back at the beginning, they had little chart success although they were attracting the media’s attention with their stunning looks.

They caught the attention of ex-Specials member Terry Hall, who invited them to collaborate with his new vocal group Fun Boy Three on a track giving then their first significant mainstream success. Later Fun Boy Three then guested on a Bananarama single, "Really Saying Something". They were the biggest girl group of the 80s and they had it all, the looks, the music and girls wanted to be them. The last time there were on stage together was the Brits 1988.

Old School .... Love

Fahey quit when becoming frustrated with the direction the band was taking and it was an acrimonious split, but the members recently reconciled.

Speaking about their reconciliation, Fahey said, "I was really touched because it wasn't for any other reason than we love each other and really loved what we did.

"These were my formative years. I never thought it would happen again."

After the split, she went onto form Shakespears Sister with Marcella Detroit. They had a massive hit around the world with the single "Stay".

After her exit, Bananarama became a threesome again with Jacquie O'Sullivan joining until 1992 when the two originals became a duo with her leaving. Chart success was hard to come by but their tours and performances still could draw a crowd and they have.

While Bananarama never had a Number 1 in the UK, their cover of Shocking Blue's Venus was a US chart-topper. The closest they got here was Number 3, thanks to Robert de Niro's Waiting (1984) and Love in the First Degree (1988).

A Look at Non-League Football

Reading the Non-League Paper this morning there are a lot of promotions and relegations settled and we will be welcoming Lincoln City back to the English Football League. In the play-offs Tranmere, Forest Green, Dag & Red, and Aldershot are going to fight it out for the last remaining promotion spot into the EFL. Three of them but for Forest Green have football league experience.

Celebrating winning the Bog Standard league in front of a 100 so fans must bring just as much joy as winning the Premier League in front of thousands. Your football club is your football club no matter who you support.

There are three Welsh teams in the English non-league setup could be four next season if Newport County fail with the great escape with two games remaining. So I decided to check out how their season ended for the three.

In the National League, formerly the Conference National. Wrexham with one game left will finish the season mid table. It has been a disappointing season for them.

In the Evo-Stik NPL Division One North league, Colwyn Bay lost their final game but finish 15th in the league.

Merthyr Town have finish there league season but still have the play-offs and could still win themselves promotion.

Not a Welsh team but an old foe of Cardiff City Hereford won the Evo-Stik Southern Division One S&W in front of over 4000 fans having only lost one league game.

Barry Town (United) have been crowned champions and next season will be back in the Welsh Premier League again after a 13-year absence after all their troubles off the pitch. The new Barry Town have shown strong fortitude battling through the Welsh Leagues to reach this new high.

Remember Salford City ‘Class of 92’ named so because five former Manchester United players own 50% of the club Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs need a victory in their last game to guarantee a play-off promotion spot.

The could be away back to the play-offs for Salford City if they fail. Darlington who currently hold a play-off spot are banned from the play-offs because their ground does not have enough fan seating to reach “Category A” ground requirements. It is not just Darlington (who are appealing the decision) it is happing across non-league football.

Another non-league club I follow closely is Channel Island based Guernsey who have been fighting relegation for most of the season but they were lucky threes team were worse than they were.

Sunday Crush - Pamela Sue Martin

Nancy Drew

All America girl Pamela Sue Martin is my latest crush from my archive. She came to my notice in the film ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ 1972, but it was as Nancy Drew a space was made in my heart.

The first TV series, Nancy Drew Mysteries and The Hardy Boys alternated every week. In the second season, the two shows were merged which lead to Martin leaving.

She was on the wholesome side playing a teenaged sleuth. No sex please I cannot remember if she had a boyfriend or dated one of the hardy boys but in my eyes, she was mine. It is unusual for me to crush out on a plain Jane my normal offering is based on a more sexual look.

Quitting the series over creative difference, Martin began cultivating a sexier, more adult screen image in films like The Lady in Red. She also had a spared in playboy that coursed a bit of a stir. She spent much of the early 1980s in the role of Fallon Carrington Colby in the prime-time TV serial Dynasty; her character wound up being killed in a car crash.

My fantasy Nancy

A Butchers Pie - Pie Review

I have walk past RJ Berry butchers in Canton so many times it would be hard to count. I knew inside he sold his own pies and I was thinking it was about time we were introduced.

I told the wife I wanted pie and chips last night and gave her instructions on where to get the pie.
The pie had a hefty weight as I put it on an oven tray before warming it up in the oven. The top has a lovely colour to it and I was really looking forward to getting my fork into it.

I clipped the corner of the pie and waited for the gravy to pour out but there was not even a trickle a bit of a disappointment I love a pie full with lovely gravy. The pie was full to the brim and the pastry looked inviting and tasted really nice.

There was plenty of meat filling; it was a steak pie, with a cost of £2.50 so I was looking out for skimping on the filling. The steak was chunky and not chewy or fatty and in every way works. What gravy was to be found was ok a bit thin not my kind of pie gravy. Not a 10 maybe but still a very tasty pie that I would be happy to buy again.

Must see TV - Week beginning 22/04/2017 - My Choice

This week my TV highlights were Car Share where John and Kayleigh nearly kissed but were interrupted by a phone call. The Last Kingdom is building up to the finale with sword and axes coming to the fore and blood all around. Talking of blood it was also great to see the History channels ‘Vikings’ back in the schedule with a new series and over on the Discovery Channel the ‘Deadliest Catch’ was back with the fleet chasing red crab.

The news of the election has me all giddy with all the information and general election chatter.

Saturday – BBC4 – Department Q: A Conspiracy of Faith 9pm

An old note is found in a bottle in Jutland, which has travelled long across the ocean. The note is hard to decipher, but when the Danish investigator from Section Q receives it, the odd personalities within the section find a new angle on it and try to unveil yet another old case even though the lead is cold.

Two intertwined cases linking the past with the present will require the aid of Department Q to catch an elusive serial killer, while time is running out.

Sunday - Channel 4 – The Island with Bear Grylls 9pm

This fourth series looks at the generation gap and if stereotypes about the young and the old ring true. Who is better equipped to thrive in a survival situation? I expect the young ones to party and catch some sun while the oldies will be complaining.

Of the thousands who applied just 16 were chosen to take part. As they face treacherous weather conditions, severely limited resources, and environmental hazards and near starvation, the two groups have a long, hard battle ahead of them.

Monday – Channel 4 - 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 10pm

New day, new time for one of my favourite panel shows. Jimmy Carr is back hosting the comedy panel show's version of the words-and-numbers quiz, with David Mitchell and Cariad Lloyd, taking on Jon Richardson and Russell Howard. Sam Simmons joins Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner, while Rachel Riley looks after the numbers and letters.

Tuesday – Discovery Channel – Coopers Treasure 10pm

We have a new documentary series here that tells the incredible story of a legendary astronaut and the secret treasure map he began from space. In the 1960s, Gordon Cooper was one of NASA's original space pioneers, breaking the record for the longest space flight while completing a 122-hour mission. Sent to detect nuclear sites, it was on this mission he discovered something extraordinary that he would keep secret for over 40 years.

While in space, Gordon noticed a series of anomalies around the South Caribbean and photographed over 100 of them. These anomalies were dark patches that appeared on his photographs of the earth. He believed there was only one explanation for these and thought them to be sunken ships, including the lost fleet of Christopher Columbus so the search begins.

Wednesday – E4 – The 100 9pm

Set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed earth’s civilization so it was believed, when a spaceship housing humanity's lone survivors sends 100 juveniles back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet. The planet was not as empty as those in the space station believed which the 100 soon encounter.

The four series the 100 have battle for their place on new earth and have been joined by the rest of the people stranded in space. In the new series, the planet is once again in danger from a radiation storm.

Thursday – Sky Sci/Fi – The Martian 9pm

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney survives and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meagre supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return.

Friday – Sky Sports 1 – Cardiff City v Newcastle 7pm

There could be nothing else on my TV tonight than Cardiff City and football with a possible takeaway and a few bottles of lager and the wife on her laptop watching soaps.

Newcastle are bringing 6000 fans with them from the North East and that is the official travelling support. Some ingenious Geordies are bound to try to infiltrate the home stands. While Cardiff have nothing to play for other than finishing in the top half of the league table Newcastle are playing for promotion and a chance of finishing Champions and the Championship.

Election TV debates - Not to my liking

The crap about the TV debate is becoming very boring and we are only days into election fever with chicken (according to the press and others) being shouted in the direction of Theresa May for running scared about the debates. Even with Theresa May saying a strong no to it ever happening some TV channels are planning to hold debates without her.

ITV have confirmed plans to broadcast an election debate. The idea could be to try to bully Theresa May into taking part but she looks to be standing firm on her decision and Tories are say no member of the government should take part. The BBC has also hinted at plans to follow suit.

The children are coming out to play with both Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party calling for broadcasters to have an "empty chair" if Theresa May declines TV companies invitations. Last time there were seven leaders debating and there would have been a few more if the door was not shut in the face of Northern Ireland politicians.

The Daily Mirror already have someone into a chicken suit to chase her around. There could be a run on hiring them or buying a suit has other parties protest her appearances.

These debates are just a shouting match, a point scoring opportunity with the government of the day mostly on the back foot against the rest.

Here goes with my favourite saying, ‘I am not a fan’. They are to regimental for me to many no hope leaders when we only need two. If it were to happen, it should be between May and Corbyn the only two who could possibly form a government.

I like the idea of Theresa May and other leaders taking part in a “Question Time” televised question-and-answer session with voters but not a head-to-head election debate. It could take place over a number of nights with the lesser parties sharing an event.

We would have more time to hear the leaders and more questions being asked is what I would like to hear. However Mrs May has indicated that she is open to appearing on the BBC’s Question Time election special, in which questions are posed by David Dimbleby and a panel of audience members.

Football Pools - Betting - 8 from 10

I like a bit of a flutter as the ‘£1 Kid’ but I have never been interested in anything but betting on Football or Soccer for the American readers. Even as a kid, I would make lists and make predictions for fun simple times for simple things.

Mum and Dad did the pools with Dad doing Littlewoods while Mum would do Vernons and Spot the Ball which sometimes she would let me do 10 or 20 crosses under strict orders not to lose count. I could never understand why mum did Vernons when Littlewoods paid out more prize money. If there were, a spare coupon floating around I would fill it out for fun checking it out on Saturday.

Dad had a bloke in work who he would hand over the completed coupons to and with a large clientele at the factory as honest as the day he was born. I remember mum would insist the ‘no publicity’ box was ticked but there was never the need to worry as the big jackpot win alluded the family. Their poison was the basic 8 from 10 and if there was a chance of a win mum would get a book out full of crosses and have to perm her coupon.

I did not see it as gambling until I was older and saw it as a battle of wits or your ability to guess right. I probably would have had more luck than I did by sticking a needle in the coupon. You have to remember back then it was not like today were there is plenty of information available to help you make your decisions. Back then, you would have to deliberate the relative footballing merits of Darlington v Hartlepool that was not much. As I reach my teens, mum allowed me to do a line on the "8 homes", "4 draws", "5 aways" which sounds easy but it wasn’t.

I miss doing the Football Pools and I believe they are ceased trading these days but you can get a football coupon at the bookies. In the world of technology, I use the internet.

Film Review - The Fortune Cookie

Caught up with the film “The Fortune Cookie” made in 1966, starring pairing Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau for the first time.

Lemmon plays cameraman Henry Hinkle, who suffers a concussion when a Cleveland Browns football player accidentally bangs into him during a game. Henry recovers, but his brother-in-law--an ambulance-chasing lawyer nicknamed Whiplash Willie--wants to sue for $1 million. At first Henry rejects the idea, but he falters when Willie (Matthau) convinces him it may be a way to win back his ex-wife Sandy.

The Fortune Cookie works best as a comedy, with Matthau's shyster pulling out all stops to keep the fraud going. In one scene, Willie has an Oriental lunch delivered to the hospital so the "delivery man" can administer drugs to numb Henry's leg so he can pass tests given by the insurance company's doctors. When Henry asks if the deliveryman can administer drugs, Willie confirms that the man is a doctor...a veterinarian who lost his license to practice.

The film's other subplots deal with Boom Boom Jackson, the guilt-stricken football player who believes he's paralyzed Henry, and Henry's ambitious ex-wife Sandy Judi West.

Walter Matthau steals the film as Whiplash Willie. After years as a supporting player in dramas and comedies, he had perfected his rascally on-screen persona. He won a best-supporting Oscar for his portrayal of Whiplash Willie. It helps, of course, to have Wilder and frequent collaborator I.A.L. Diamond write your dialogue. Moreover, of course, Willie is a great character, because he is not only devious, he really is a smart attorney.

The Fortune Cookie earned three other Oscar nominations, including one for original screenplay for Wilder and Diamond. It has not aged as well as other Wilder films and it is too leisurely at 125 minutes. Still, Matthau, Lemmon, and West (this was sadly her only major role) are three fine reasons to watch it.

Loading the Jukebox – 7 Can't Stand Losing You - Steel Pulse

The first none Two Tone record on my jukebox and a cover to boot. This tune is by one of my favourite bands by another. It is I Can’t Stand Losing You’ by one of the greatest bands to come out of the late seventies ‘The Police’.

The cover band is reggae giants ‘Steel Pulse’ giving the song a reggae vibe and a slight update out goes “my LP records and they're all scratched” replaced by “CD collection”. Normal covers are nowhere near as good as the original but sometimes there is an exception and here we have one.

Brenda doesn't like it - General Election

Forget the Brexit election it is all about Brenda the lady interviewed by the BBC yesterday when correspondent Jon Kay's questioned her before she had heard about the 8 June election and her shock and disappointment of the news of an election went viral.

She said, "You're joking! Not another one? For God's sake, I cannot honestly - I cannot stand this.

"There's too much politics going on at the moment, why does she need to do it?"

Now every TV reporter and print reporters questioning a politician asks about her reaction to the news of the snap election are we looking at the Brenda election now. How long before we see Brenda t-shirts, mugs and other merchandise. Newspapers will want to interview her and she will be inundated with PR representation while she is big news.

A call to take part in ‘Question Time’ could be on the cards, maybe. Whom does she vote for I bet party leaders are praying that she is there Brenda?

Her response appears to have captured the mood of the country looking at social media while I am all for the upcoming weeks of politics.

I have already stated I am no fan of Corbyn and his mates and will be spoiling my vote and not voting Labour. However, I like my MP Stephen Doughty and after a decision, I cannot see why I could not vote for him, as Labour will not win the upcoming general election their best option is a hung parliament but in my book a pipe dream.

To the polls - 2017 General Election

Well that was a surprise a snap general election. Announced by Prime Minister Theresa May this morning arguing that ‘division in Westminster as risk the ability to make a success of Brexit’ will have sent shivers down the spine of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour who are predicted to be on cause for a massacre.

It has only been hours since the announcement and the talk is Brexit so we can see where the next eight weeks are going. Anti-Brexiteers are seeing this as a final chance to stop Brexit and it is already being call the Brexit election.

The Prime Minister

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed Theresa May's decision to call a snap election, saying his party would offer an "effective alternative" to the Tories.

The polls took a battering after the last election but with Labour over 20+ points behind the Tories it is not looking good for Corbyn. In two weeks, there are local elections in some areas of the country and they have become even more important now for everyone as the latest position of their parties with the electorate.

Actual votes are better than polls few end up about local issues but are pointers to party loyalties.

I have always voted Labour but not this time I would never vote for anyone else. I do not like the politics of Corbyn and his cronies fighting battles of the seventies. We are yet to hear the bill from the unions for their support so this moment in time I will be spoiling my vote.

Mrs Vader

I have never been much of a fan of “Star Wars” the three films constituting the original Star Wars film trilogy were ok but then they when off planet with prequel trilogy and a sequel trilogy all of which just lost me.

Darth Vader for instance we knew who was inside the suit. It was the Green Cross Code man David Prowse but George Lucas claimed he wanted a "darker voice" for Vader. Prowse voice was deemed unsuitable with him having a West Country accent which must be the most un-intimidating accent ever and replaced him with James Earl Jones voice. 

However if Darth Vader looking like the attacked picture who know I could have felt the force. I find the uniform more pleasing to the eye and it is definitely not David Prowse in the Vader get up.

Could be the wife but i am sure he was single.

Bank Holiday Monday - A Brief History of Mine

It is Bank Holiday Monday and other than a quick trip out shopping to restock the cupboards, it will be a day in front of the TV, which is little effort. I have great memories growing up which would not involve sitting around the house even if it was raining.

Back then, there could be a charity football game over the park dads v mums along those lines or a pram race.

The first visit of the year to the seaside could be card on the train with a visit to Barry Island, which would open for the Easter weekend, which was a fun time out if the weather was right. We would never have shed loads of money but we could still party.

I would hit the amusement arcades playing the machines, which made me happy, but remembering not to spend my chip money because there is nothing better than eating a bag of chips at the seaside. There were other options, the cinema more likely if the weather was damp and dull if there was something worth watching. On the other hand, we would just hang out in the park or around the riverbank maybe a bit further afield over the burning ground.

But growing it was football in the shape of Cardiff City began to take over my life. Trotting along to Ninian Park on a Bank Holiday Monday consumed me more fun if it was an away game. Sad thing is I will be sitting at home later when Cardiff City take to the field against Nottingham Forest this is no protest about anything happening around or in the club this is a private mental health issue that one day I will explain fully.

Writing this I realised I was a shit dad has on a bank holiday we would rarely do anything as a family but for the odd trip or a visit to family we always seem to be skint but I would manage to have some cash for football.

What the hell... screw shopping we will have a takeaway tonight.

Sunday Crush - Charlotte Rampling – The Night Porter (1974)

Last Sunday just as I was going to update the latest crush on to my blog in the background on TV, a name was mentioned that gave this Sunday’s crush.

I saw the above named film years after its cinema release date, not until the early eighties on VHS already having known all about the film. I saw the film reviewed on BBC Film 74 by Barry Norman and because of the controversial subject matter in the press.

This is a bit of a strange one has the crush actually came before seeing the film that sparked my interest in the leading lady Charlotte Rampling. I have always liked striking artwork, pictures, and the famous picture of her used in poster and press release can definitely be placed in that category. Even today after all these years, the image still fascinates me.

It could be the simple black and white shot, black and white can be so more powerful than colour pictures. The picture looks androgynous and the figure could easily be male or female but has I know it is female I wonder what people who have never seen or heard of the film would make of the image today.

The picture in context of the scene in the film

There was a lot of criticism surrounding the film for its subject matter, where we see a holocaust survivor (Rampling) have a chance meeting at a hotel in 1957, with the Nazi officer (Dirk Bogarde) who tortured and had a sadomasochistic, sexual relationship with her.This resumed when they met again but will it end happily or are they doomed.

Has for the film not the greatest film I have ever soon nor is it the worst.