The Power of Memories

Listening to a song can bring back some pretty intense memories – your first real kiss, your first heartbreak, or happy moments with the family. In times of hardship, many people turn to the music for memories of happy times when life was easier. It is the same with a thought, or something you may read that can soon turn into a memory.

A song triggers an emotion that matches the sentiment felt at the time the event happened. Like the other day, listening to the Donny Osmond “Young Love” reminded me of my first proper kiss and smoochy dance with Lynn a friend who became girlfriend material. Has I listened I could picture the whole scene as if I was there watching as a spectator.

Another song scarred deeply into me was a David Bowie track “Space Oddity” which I find haunted to the fact that it relaxes me and the words are magic. When I play it, I feel like I am drifting in wide-open spaces alone like astronaut Major Tom. It takes me back to a hot summer day sitting on the rocks watching the tide on the River Taff come in or laying at the point watching the clouds drift by.

Take a man on TV talking about old comics, it lead me to seek out the first edition of ‘Battle Picture Weekly’; I wanted that memory back. Without him on that day and time, the need to find and buy the comic may never have happened. I did buy it.

Almost all sensory experiences can trigger nostalgia, like this morning a memory out of the blue of Spike Milligan had me seeking out his Q series TV show and the opening theme tune I loved. I was soon on YouTube looking for that memory. The internet as opened the door to easier access to your memories.

Over the years, there have been many heart-breaking moments the earliest been a girl I liked would never be a girlfriend or the fight with my best friend and we were never the same again. The power of the brain is strange at times where past childhood memories are more vivid than a few years back highlighting the complexity of the brain and its infinite capacity to store information.

It is the same with food. I have been longing for something at was a regular on our table as a kid Braising steak and gravy it was beautiful but can I make it today, yes but it just doesn’t taste the same has mum made, so a memory destroyed.

Family is much easier when you are young but still fractious at times but family is for life. For every bad word or squabble, there are more happier times.

Will George be the Christmas No 1 - Last Christmas

DAYS away from December and there is little or no excitement about who could be this year’s Christmas No.1. I have to say I have not really thought about it in a long while even the newspaper seen to have forgotten that could be down to the lack of interest of the artist thinking it is cheesy.

The reason for my interest was an article in ‘The Morning Star’ newspaper. Not a paper I read regular but an article caught my attention that I found amusing. So what is it! The People’s Assembly are aiming for the Christmas top spot with an anti-austerity song. Sons and Daughters in collaboration with Captain Ska are presenting the track “Tories out for Christmas” which could be a rallying call to the left as a protest.

I have no idea of the runners and riders of those chasing the prestige No.1 but the bookies Ladbrokes have laid odds on artists and groups in contention for this year's Christmas No. 1 spot including Ed Sheeran (3/1), the X-Factor winner (4/1), Mariah Carey (5/1) and James Arthur (12/1). I have no idea what they may be putting out but Mariah Carey it must be her classic ‘All I wanted for Christmas is you’ a favourite of mine. No Slade or Wizard but you can bet they will feature in the top 30 of the charts.

But the money is on the classic 1894 Christmas No.1 George Michaels’s ‘Last Christmas’ the is a bit of a campaign stirring on social media as a fitting tribute to the singer following his death Christmas Day last year. I hope it makes No.1 one I like the old cheesy Christmas hits even, wait for it Cliff Richard! Yes, there I said it.

Campaigns are the new way to hit the top Christmas spot, which have become popular to stop Simon Cowell and the winning X Factor wannabe hogging the lime light. He (Cowell) looks to have given in to the public the date of this year’s release will be earlier. I noticed that on Twitter there is another campaign to make AC/DC No 1.

11 Weeks into my Diet

THIS morning after a shower, I saw the weighing scales poking out from under the wardrobe and thought to myself it has been awhile since we had interacted so why not. Switched them on I jumped on waiting for the great reveal.

I had my fingers crossed for a downward result I have kept to my plan and cut out all the sweeties and now having a regular breakfast, which seems to help. This morning I had a sausage sandwich, just the one with the sausage baked in the oven. The main meal tonight is a favourite Chicken Curry cooked in the slow cooker no fat and the Chicken is from the healthy eating section, cost more but better for you in the long run.

The scales don’t lie a small loss, yippy. That is unless you use the ones in the nurses room at the health centre they speak with a fork tongue maybe I should take mine over. I am happy as I said before I have set no targets, no goals I will just truck along. I happily told the wife who didn’t get the bunting out but congratulated me but it gave me a smile.

The thing is I have not missed all the crap I was eating especially when I have control like last night. My son walked in with some Quality Street for his mum, she quickly offered me first pick to harvest my favourites, and I declined as I reminded her of my diet. Before I would have snapped her fingers off to make my choice.

I am not worried about Christmas I have a plan to pick a few must have items, like ‘Pigs in Blanket’ crisps the pain of walking past them in the supermarket hurts and to top it off I have just seen them for sale in the corner shop just around the corner. I left them on the shelf but a few months ago, I would be sitting here eating them.

Not long before the Christmas Radio Times is out.

WHILE looking into the TV schedule for next week to see if there was any interesting new series to put in my weekly TV segment on my blog, which has not been happening over the last few weeks. I put that down to Christmas. Thinking of Christmas my mind then drifted to Christmas and the pending release of the Radio Times Christmas/New Year edition, like when will it be released and how much will it set me back?

I can’t remember a time the Radio Times was not part of my Christmas the simple answer, never. It’s been the one constant other than receiving a present always there for reference more so years back.

As a kid, we would have it on order around our local shop and with my receding memory, the Radio Times would be first in then the TV Times. Back then the Radio Times just covered BBC TV shows, television, and radio while in the TV Times it was the commercial channel ITV. Listen up youngsters we had three channels in those distant dark days BBC One and Two and ITV.

I pick the above 1977 editions as examples both cost 26p back in 1977 and the devil in side me wondered what the two would cost on eBay. It was a bit of a shock and got me thinking why the hell didn’t I save them the two would set you back nearly £60 a nice mark-up.

In my home, it wouldn't be Christmas without a copy next to me even though I don’t need it. In these days of free information, does anyone really need a copy? Not really, however I will always part with cash to own it. The TV Times is still out there but there is no need to buy it as most channels including ITV are in the Radio Times these days.

We only have one TV in our house and I had no control over the television other than being the remote control for my mum and dad but I would sit there writing out a list of what I wanted to watch but I could dream. Today you can watch TV just about anywhere I have a phone, pad, laptop and TV of which in this house I am king, king of the remote control.

It’s scheduled to be released on Saturday 9th December in London and the South East and will be available nationwide by Tuesday 12th December. However its normally available at the first date around here.

Turkey, presents… a highlighter pen and a copy of the Radio Times Christmas double issue. Now that’s a proper Christmas! The Christmas Radio Times is so big (nearly 300 pages) and so jam packed full of interviews, features and the best TV, film and radio listings for a full two-weeks and I can’t wait.

Sunday Lust – Sarah Young - Pornstar

A switch this Sunday from Crush to Lust after listening to a radio discussion about British porn stars and one of the first names mentioned was that of Sarah Young. She started out as a Page 3 model for the Sun Newspaper at the tender age of 15/16 and progressing into one of the most famous hard-core porn actress in Europe. She was just over 18 would she was considering a move into the hard-core porn industry after it was suggested by a friend.

I remember before seeing one of her films I saw her on TV talking about having to relocate to Europe because of the anti-porn-laws in this country compared with the openness over the English Channel. The show could have been ’This Morning’ with Richard and Judy, and was adamant she wanted into this business and had no problem in working in the porn industry. Then off the interview she appeared on the hard-hitting current affair show ‘The Week’ looking into her and presumed violence in porn at the time.

The first time I saw her “in action” was in the video series Electric Blue hired from a video shop the British soft-core version without the extras due to government censorship in the UK. With censorship in mind I was in a video shop when it was raided looking for under the counter videos the likes of porn and other films not released on video yet. I have my name taken and asked what I was hiring.

I find it hard to believe she was shy seeing the business she decided to enter becoming one of the hottest stars of the golden era of pornography. Famed for her bust, 42DD she was stunning but after an illness she lost a lot of weight resulting in a reduction of her breasts. She then had cosmetic correction to her breasts to their natural size. Like most pornstars of the late, eighties/nineties were incredibly curvy and healthy and if you had big boobs and big hair all the better she had with plenty to spare.

She saw her industry not as cheap and nasty products she worked on big budget productions and hand had more than her fingers in more than the acting side of the business. Executive producer, writer, director, yes, Sarah achieved everything in the business most of her films were series like The Sarah Young Collection. Her popularity led to her opening sex shops in Germany.

But the changes coming into the industry made her worry that it was time to pack it in with the flood with low budget and cheap private productions. Big budget films were just too expensive and cheap and nasty 15minute/30 minute films flooded the market place with wham bam thank you ma'am where the dialog and story line were sacrificed. The opening of the eastern bloc made the whole situation even worse. Actresses from the east swamped the market lowing fees and the situation became intolerable for Sarah she called it a day and dropped of the world of porn.

She was rumoured to have moved to America to become a lawyer.

We can see from her pictures why lust! Do I really need to explain myself but don’t tell the wife we were married at the time.

Deck the Halls (2006) – Film Review – Christmas Film

NOT much on last night so we settle for the film above having seen it before we feel it was a good film for a night in with the central heating on. It was your normal Christmas fare with a guarantee happy conclusion.

So we have Steve (Matthew Broderick), he is Mr. Christmas in his small American town and he relishes is title problem is a new neighbour as a liking for the title so let battle commence. The neighbour Buddy (Danny DeVito) wants to do something big for Christmas, so he sets about decorating his home with so many Christmas lights to capture his goal to have his house seen from space.

All the lights and traffic begin to aggravate Steve. He attempts to sabotage Buddy's lights, but his attempts isn't very successful. He competes with Buddy in the town speed skating contest and loses this happens right through the film leaving Steve more desperate to win.

Some jokes were good, while the others were horrible. There is one "comedic" scene in particular, in which I despised. It is the gag where Steve goes to the police to report Buddy's antics, and the guy at the counter is wearing a bra and thong, why.

Another scene, which hit the right button as Steve and Buddy at the town’s winter festival and on stage three performers with their backs to the audience start to make the move as the tune Santa Baby, starts playing. The tune Santa Baby has become a very sexy ode to Santa (just google it) and one of my favourite Christmas tunes for all the wrong reasons. As Steve and Buddy, egg themselves on with excitement. Just as they turnaround Steve shouts out "I'm your daddy!" actually he was because on the stage was his and Buddy’s daughters. But I must say, the scene where they're in the church washing themselves with holy water after seeing that is pretty funny.

The big question is can these two get into the true holiday spirit of forgiveness and harmony. Their families get along like a house on fire, but these two alphas are not playing easy. It’s a Christmas film so the goes without saying the ending is full of happiness.

Reviews for this film are pretty awful but it a Christmas not some Oscar masterpiece and feel good film just out to entertain and this kind of does that and that is all you can ask for.

Christmas cheer here at Dugdale Towns but not everyone is feeling it

THERE is a lot of "Bah Humbug" in the press and on social media, generally everywhere. Some people just can’t understand, wanting to be prepared for Christmas, come on people get over it.

I don’t think November is too early for the start of the festive celebrations from TV adverts, to shop shelves and people putting up their Christmas trees and decorations. On the latter maybe, then people should stop nosing through other people’s windows. I like those big outside displays as on a dark cold winter’s night it lightens up the night. I’m old enough to remember when people would display their trees in their windows something you don’t see much of now. Again, it would spark up a dull street.

Personally, I enjoy the build up to Christmas. However, before November is a bit of a no go area even for me a well-known Christmas nut. I truly hate TV ads as a rule, but Christmas times my hatred weakens like for the John Lewis ad. We have all but a few presents wrapped and ready so our Christmas is sorted, no worries because we plan.

Why shouldn’t my local butcher be taking orders for Christmas turkeys. I mean you could leave it to the last minute for a bargain but more than likely you will be disappointed. I have my order in so I won’t be crossing my fingers on a wing and a prayer come Christmas Eve. Whine away but most will still be doing their Christmas shopping unless they really like the idea of doing it at the last minute and having a mad dash around the shops. If you can buy the must have toy in August why not buy it or spread the cost over the year, why not. Those late shoppers will still be complaining and moaning about the shops being full and the shelves empty and that must have toy for Jimmy or Janet sold out.

It’s bad enough that the spiritual and moral message of Christmas — forgiveness and goodwill to all men — is sometimes forgotten in the mad rush to Christmas Eve it should be remembered.

Leave the last minute shopping fraternity to the nightmare in the dog eat dog out there. While the much-maligned early shoppers are sitting, back looking at a tree surrounded by presents, full food cupboards, and full freezers.

While I talk of full cupboards and presents around the tree please remember there are people out there who will have a miserable time. They could be alone, unwell or have a lack of money so why not try to spread some goodwill around your community. If you have, something spare, remember you could give to a food bank, toy bank there are many supermarkets, and others collecting for the needy.

Below are some helpful links to donate in my home town of Cardiff. Although if you search locally where you live, you should find similar help in your area.

• Where to Donate
• Cardiff Food Banks Locations

If you are in Cardiff’s St David’s Centre Just seek out Capital Street Stars in the shopping centre from the 1st – 22nd December and why not pick up a spare present and donate it and deserving kids across South Wales will benefit.

• Toy Bank - Cardiff City Centre

On The Road Again For Cardiff City Tomorrow

The roller coaster that is Cardiff City hit the road again with an unusual Sunday fixture at Nottingham Forest at 1pm. A game with plenty to play for ahead of the all-important December and holiday fixtures. I hate Sunday kick-offs unless it’s for the purpose of TV but as long as we win, I will be happy.

So a trip to Nottingham for the Bluebirds away following tomorrow which should be a tough test for the Welshman. The home team are just outside the top six in the league before today’s games while Cardiff are second but a Sheffield United win would see them drop to third.

Last season head-to-head Cardiff did the double over Forest winning away 2-1 and at home 1-0 and for this game there is a lot of talk of a draw the likely outcome. Both their form over the last five games are about equal Cardiff just edging it.

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock informed the press at his Friday press conference that Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore is out for another two weeks after having scar tissue removed from his heel very disappointing as fans have been hoping he was close to playing. Forward Omar Bogle will miss the game against Forest but will be available for Norwich next week after serving a three-match suspension for the straight red card at Bristol City.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing may return he’s back in light training and close to a return having missed the last two games. On the long-term treatment table Warnock, provided updates on the longer-term injuries to Jazz Richards and Kadeem Harris. Harris is scheduled for a return next week, and Richards is improving but may not be ready for Norwich.

A number of Cardiff players are carrying niggling injury’s Warnock is hoping to nurse them through tomorrow’s game and Norwich at home next weekend before a ten day break until the Reading game on the 10th December. Gunnarsson was reported to be has stiff as a board after 70 odd minutes after coming off at Barnsley. It was his first game back in a while also Paterson played his first full game in 10 months and it was only Bennett's second game back are all in contention for Nottingham.

If everyone stays fit, Warnock could face selection problems for the Norwich game a problem manager’s relish a nearly fully fit squad. A win tomorrow would lead us into a interesting December with six games and four of them at home.

Look into the world of the Porn Parodies

Readers of my blog no from time to time I like to look into the strange world of the porn parody film industry and a world where not much is out of bounds. Many film and TV shows have had the downgrade to porn parodies with politics a new popular target.

To void copyright issues they make small changes to titles of shows and films and one of my all-time favourites is “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” becoming “Buffy the Vampire Layer”! How about “Missionary Position Impossible” not starring Tom Cruise. Even the top BBC show Sherlock has been given the same treatment becoming Sherlock: A XXX Parody.

Politics caught my attention after seeing a advert in the Daily Star newspaper one of the most famous being “Who’s Nailin Paylin”, a parody of the right-wing politician Sarah Palin (Former Governor of Alaska) even presidents are not off limits Donald Trump and Barack Obama have received the honour of a porn parody.

British politicians have not escaped with our two female Prime Ministers Theresa May (Hard Brexxxit xxx) and the Iron Lady herself Margaret Thatcher paraded in The Iron lady's Garden both roles played by British pornstar Rebecca Moore. In Brexxxit xxx, Teaser Maynot cements the special relationship with Tronold Dump and the Scottish and German leaders get it on. For some reason The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon is named Knickless Virgin and The Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel becomes Angular Markin like a lots of film/series there is a lot of sex and little dialog.

She (Moore) starred in a spoof of the TV Series Benefit Street haply named “Friends with Benefits Street” money maybe tight but sex is free or for a can of larger . The Channel Television X seem to have cornered the market with these kind of parodies with the likes of The Great British Bonk Off, Bell Enders and not forgetting Poledick. Wait for it … even the royal family have had themselves parody! I say off with the actors heads. All good adult fun if you like that kind of thing.

Rebecca Moore

Uncoming Films - For the week Commencing 25/11/

For a second week in a row, there will be no TV segment due to hardly any new series for the upcoming week. Everyone seems to be holding back until after the Christmas period with a lot of one off Christmas specials about to fill up the schedule.

So it is films on my must watch list for your entertainment this upcoming week.

Saturday – Horror Channel – The Descent (2005) 9pm ***Film***

Not many films send me to bed looking over my shoulder but here is one that sent me to bed in a cold sweat. Knowing what is installed for this group of fit ladies is heart breaking.

A group of close female friends on a yearly adventure vacation find themselves trapped and hunted in a series of caves by an unknown force that lurks in the shadows in The Descent, the second horror feature from Dog Soldiers writer/director Neil Marshall. After suffering a devastating car crash one year before, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) is lured to the States with her friend Beth (Alex Reid) to a special spelunking trip by the fearless Juno (Natalie Mendoza), who abruptly fled from the U.K. after Sarah's accident.

Along with two old friends and a new acquaintance of Juno's, the group embark on a cave expedition that takes a turn for the worse after a rock fall leaves them stranded in an uncharted cave with no map and only a handful of supplies to last them the rest of the trip. As tensions arise in the group, they are faced with another danger -- one whose love of the dark is as strong as its lust for blood.

Sunday – Channel 5 – Fury (2014) 9pm ***Film***

Brad Pitt leads a tank crew in the final days of World War II the crew have been together since the North African campaign and have been through hell.

The year is 1945. Army sergeant Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) is the grizzled commander of a Sherman tank. Determined to strike a decisive victory for the Allies in the European Theatre, Wardaddy leads his five-man crew on a treacherous mission behind enemy lines. His mission complicated by the sudden appearance of a rookie soldier in his platoon, who is instantly disliked but the sergeant knows that victory is within reach, and vows to achieve it by any means necessary.

Monday – TCM – The Graduate (1967) 8pm ***Film***

Arguably one of the most iconic movie from Hollywood, which appears in most top 20 film is a joy, and on my top films. Who wouldn’t what a Mrs. Robinson?

Dustin Hoffman plays Benjamin Braddock, promising academic and track star, who returns to Los Angeles after graduation. At a party thrown by his parents, he has lured by old family friend Mrs. Robinson into taking her home. He first flees from her advances, but shortly thereafter begins an affair with her. Later on, Ben's unwitting parents goad him into taking the Robinson's daughter, Elaine, on a date. Ben falls in love with Elaine, which transforms Mrs. Robinson into a vindictive adversary.

Tuesday – Horror Channel – Severance (2006) 9pm ***Film***

When the president of a high-profile international-arms supplier takes his six best employees to an Eastern European mountain retreat as a means of rewarding them for all of their hard work, their team-building getaway turns into a life-or-death game of kill or be killed in Creep director Christopher Smith's suspense comedy thriller. Palisade Defence isn't just the leading supplier of weaponry for the war on terror, it's a company that truly cares about its employees we are told.

When the Palisade Defence’s European sales division exceeds expectations, the president decides that his dedicated employees deserve a relaxing corporate team-building retreat. The trip takes a turn for the worst, however, when a deadly enemy infiltrates the retreat with the singular goal of ensuring that no one gets out alive.

Wednesday – Sky Cinema Superheroes – Deadpool (2016) 10:35pm ***Film***

Based upon Marvel Comics' we have a lot of Marvel inspired films these days and it is rumoured Captain Britain could be making an appearance someday. There can't be many Marvel Heroes left in their library for them to turn into a film.

Deadpool is a most unconventional anti-hero, telling the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humour, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Thursday –Channel 5 – Seventh Son (2014) 9pm ***Film***

A powerful knight trains his young apprentice to do battle against a diabolical witch who is gathering an army to wage supernatural war on all of humanity in this adaptation of author Joseph Delaney's young-adult novel The Spook's Apprentice. Years ago, brave Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) succeeded in capturing evil enchantress Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), and locking her away to rot in prison. Now Mother Malkin has escaped, and she's hungry for revenge.

As her followers gather power, the dreaded witch reveals her infernal intentions to the noble knight who once imprisoned her, and who now has until the next full moon to train Tom Ward (Ben Barnes), the seventh son of a seventh son, to defend humanity against a threat whose evil knows no bounds.

Friday – Channel 4 – Wild (2014) 12am ***Film***

After years of reckless behaviour, a heroin addiction, and the destruction of her marriage, Cheryl Strayed makes a rash decision. Haunted by memories of her mother Bobbi and with absolutely no experience, she sets out to hike more than a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail all on her own.

This film powerfully reveals her terrors and pleasures --as she forges ahead on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.

Cardiff off to Barnsley Tonight

CARDIFF CITY have two away games on the trot they travel tonight to Barnsley 7:45pm and Sunday they face Nottingham Forest 3pm boss Neil Warnock will be hoping for more of the same after victory over Brentford at the weekend.

Two first-half goals via Joe Ralls and Danny Ward game the Bluebirds their 10th win of the season and they are still unbeaten at the Cardiff City Stadium. Sitting in third place, the Bluebirds are keeping up the pressure on top of the league Wolves and Sheffield United in second. Victory tonight could see Cardiff move into second if Sheffield lose.

Last season when the two teams faced each other at Barnsley (Oakwell) the game ended in a 0-0 draw and in the return fixture at the CCS Barnsley won in a high scoring game 4-3.

Cardiff have the better form over the last five games giving them the edge going into this game with their opponents languishing at the wrong end of the table in 16th place.

On the team front Cardiff have defender Lee Peltier returning from suspension, Cardiff midfielder Aron Gunnarsson came off the bench for the win over Brentford and could make a first start for nearly two months. As for Kenneth Zohore (ankle), he was doubtful for the Brentford game but his he fit enough to at least have a place on the beach it would be a good sign if he were.

Striker Omar Bogle is still suspended from the red card incident for which he received a three-game ban making him available for the home game against Norwich City.

The Lighthouse (2016) – Film Review

Come across a touch of gold last night while dodging the wife’s obsession with everything soap opera as on the iPlayer I found the film “The Lighthouse”. Growing up I had a fantasy about being a light housekeeper and went so far has to look for a job with Trinity Lighthouse. I had a fascination with the lighthouse on Flat Holm but by the early eighties, all the lighthouses were unmanned so it wouldn’t have been a good career choice.

Horror tends to disturb us much more when it taps into our own personal demons… The Lighthouse is a film based on a true story, the Smalls Island Incident of 1801, showing how our own demons can actually be the scariest of them all!

Thomas Howell (Michael Jibson) and Thomas Griffiths (Mark Lewis Jones) are posted at the Smalls Island Lighthouse, with the job of ‘keeping the light’ to protect sailors from the islands rocks. The temperamental nature of the weather on the Irish Sea leads to the two becoming stranded 25 miles from land in the Lighthouse and as their supplies start to run out, their grip on reality begins to fail.

While based on a true story, it is fair to say that the facts of the real case are used as a basic plan of where the story will run its course. This film looks into the souls of two men who had inner demons that took over them, and led to disaster. Taking us on their voyage to being broken by their own minds, it is interesting to see just how the film itself manages this.

Another aspect of the film is the fact that the characters seem doomed from the outset, there is an instant dislike between the two. One religious man hiding behind his belief from his past actions, and one lacking faith because of what he blames God for this leads to confrontation between the two on many angles. As with many films, we don’t need to believe in God to know that the omnipresent presence has an effect in a film like this.

The Lighthouse depends on the performance of Michael Jibson and Mark Lewis Jones, and while I wasn’t invested in the characters at first, they soon pulled me in and I become invested in the story. This is because of the nature of the performances. The more we understand the characters, and the more they are freed from the constraints of self-control the more powerful the performances are allowed to become.

After watching this film although a different era it scared me witless. I often dream of scenarios where I am along life rowing around the world or being shipwrecked alone. Someone told me they felt I was living in a castle with the drawbridge firmly shut to keep people out maybe she was right then but I would say the drawbridge has opened a bit. After the incident, Smalls Island a crew of three manned all lighthouses.

My personal rating 9/10

Sunday Crush - Françoise Pascal - Mind Your Language

The Cast

Pascal was born in Mauritius, then a colony of the United Kingdom to French parents. Pascal is best known for her iconic role as the sexy Danielle Favre in the smash hit sitcom Mind Your Language where my crush began really.

Although I remember, she posed in the Penthouse magazine but thinking back it could have been off the back of the TV show I remember this or maybe I got my hand on a copy earlier.

During the seventies, in particular she was a regular on TV and films mainly small parts as the sexy French girl not as if it wasn’t true she was sex on legs. Mind Your Language is the sort of programme that could never be made now, in these days of political correctness but back then in 1977 when it was first aired it soon became one of the most popular shows on ITV.

For those who may not know what I am talking about here is the briefest of descriptions. A put-upon language teacher at an adult education centre tries to teach a class of immigrants from around the world English. His lessons do not always go as planned.

Pascal plays an amorous French au pair anything else would be a sacrilege maybe a French maid could have done if not an au pair. She instantly grabs your attention like with millions of watching males. She kind of plays a nymphomaniac but really has a crush on the teacher Mr Brown with plenty of innuendo. She had a body to die for under her clothes, a little search around the internet would prove that, but it was a case of plenty of cleavage on show and still what a sight.

WOW

Not happy with just Pascal the producers later throw Swedish actress Anna Bergman into the mix as competition for Mr Brown and she was another stunner.

Cardiff face Brentford today at the CCS

So looking forward to League Footballs return as the meaningless international break and Cardiff City begin their push for promotion with mid-table Brentford. A win and three point goes without saying is a must after the 2-1 defeat at Bristol City that saw them go just a point behind the Bluebirds in fourth.

Cardiff boss Neil Warlock could give a debut to free-signing Defender Rolf Feltscher for this game after impressing while training with the Bluebirds and earning himself a short-term contract.

After missing the last two game Joe Bennett is poised to make his return so in contention for Cardiff for today’s game. Kenneth Zohore is still have treatment (ankle) at could leave Danny Ward leading the attack with fellow striker Omar Bogle starts a three-game ban after being sent off at Bristol City. Also suspended Lee Peltier will miss the game.

Along with Joe Bennett midfielder, Aron Gunnarsson could be back in contention after a five-week absence. All at Cardiff would welcome it.

The corresponding fixture last season saw a 2-1 win for Cardiff and the return game at Brentford ending all square with a 2-2 draw. Over the last five games Brentford, have impressive stats, winning four of the five games and drawing the other much better an Cardiff with just two wins. In fact, the visitors are unbeaten in nine games after their poor start to the season and will surely push Cardiff undefeated home record this season so far.

No pushover here, looks like Warnock’s men will have to step their game up after Bristol City and with the man himself rating Brentford currently the best team in the league.

Upcoming Films - 18/112017

The TV schedule was pretty poor for the upcoming week so I decided to give you the films I am looking forward to watching next week. All the film are worth seeing again if you have seen them before.

Saturday - Channel 4 –Lucy (2014) 9pm

What to do with the wife watching Casualty … Spend an hour or so in the company of Scarlett Johansson and who wouldn’t. I have seen the film a few times than most but I have a soft/hard spot for Scarlett playing the title role in this film.

Lucy an American woman living and studying in Taipei, Taiwan her new boyfriend, Richard asks her to deliver a briefcase supposedly containing paperwork. It actually contains four packets of CPH4, a highly valuable synthetic drug and the mob boss and drug lord Korean Mr. Jang turns Lucy into a drugs mule.

Along with three other mules, they have the drugs forcibly sewn into their abdomens to transport the drug for sale in Europe. While Lucy is in captivity, one of her captors kicks her in the abdomen, breaking the bag and releasing a large quantity of the drug into her system. As a result, she begins acquiring increasingly enhanced physical and mental capabilities, such as telepathy, telekinesis, mental time travel, and the ability not to feel pain or other discomforts.

Her personality also changes into a more ruthless and emotionless one. She seeks out a scientist in Paris as well as contacting the French police to arrest the other mules she needs the CPH4 to finish her development. She rushes to France with Mr. Jang and his men chase to catch her but she reaches her goal and along the way kills a lot Jang men with the help of a French police office.

Sunday – Sky Cinema Premiere – In a Valley of Violence (2016) 9:50pm ***First showing on UK TV***

A mysterious drifter named Paul and his dog Abbie make their way towards Mexico through the barren desert of the old west. In an attempt to shorten their journey they cut through the centre of a large valley - landing themselves in the forgotten town of Denton - a place now dubbed by locals as a "valley of violence”.

The once popular mining town is nearly abandoned and controlled by a brash group of misfits and nitwits - chief among them, the seemingly untouchable, Gilly who is the troublemaking son of the town's unforgiving Marshal. As tensions rise between Paul and Gilly, Denton's remaining residents bear witness to an inevitable act of violence that starts a disastrous chain reaction, infecting the petty lives of all involved and quickly drags the whole town into the bloody crosshairs of revenge.

Mary-Anne and Ellen, two bickering sisters who run the town's only hotel, try to find the good in both men, while desperately searching for their own salvation. Only the world-weary Marshal struggles to stop the violent hysteria, but after a gruesome discovery about Paul's past, there is no stopping the escalation.

Monday – Sky Cinema Select – The Danish Girl (2016) 8pm

I can see why I haven’t seen this film yet but our paths have not passed which will end tonight.

Inspired by the true story of Danish artists Einar Wegener and his wife Gerda, this tender portrait of a marriage asks: What do you do when someone you love wants to change? It starts with a question, a simple favour asked of a husband by his wife on an afternoon chilled by the Baltic wind while both are painting in their studio.

Her portrait model has cancelled and his wife asks would he mind replacing her, which he doesn’t slipping into a pair of women's shoes and stockings for a few moments so she can finish the painting on time. This awakens something in the husband that is going to change their lives forever turning this story into one of the most passionate and unusual love stories of the twentieth century begins.

Tuesday – Sony Movie Channel – Little Miss Sunshine (2006) 9pm

First time around the wife and I loved this strange film so much so we have watched it many time and will be watching again.

The Hoover family treks from Albuquerque to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in Redondo Beach, California, to fulfill the deepest wish of 7-year-old Olive, an ordinary little girl with big dreams. Along the way the family must deal with crushed dreams, heartbreaks, and a broken-down VW bus, leading up to the surreal Little Miss Sunshine competition itself.

On their travels through this bizarre landscape, the Hoovers learn to trust and support each other along the path of life, no matter what the challenge.

Wednesday – Horror Channel Wake Wood (2009) 10:40pm

A veteran and a pharmacist learn there is no cheating death after losing their daughter in a tragic accident, then taking part in a Pagan ritual to bring her back to life. Their nine-year-old daughter Alice killed in a vicious canine attack, Patrick and Louise move to the sleepy village of Wakewood to start a new life.

Once there, they encounter mysterious village leader Arthur, who claims he can resurrect Alice for three days so the grieving parents can say their proper goodbyes. If they agree, however, Patrick and Louise will be binded to Wakewood forever. Shortly thereafter, and the ritual is conducted. As Arthur promised, Alice returns to her parents as if she were never gone. But when three days pass and the time comes for Alice to go, Patrick and Louise discover just how frightening things can get when the rules are broken.

Thursday – ITV4 – American Gangster (2007) 10pm

Nobody used to notice Frank Lucas, the quiet driver to one of the inner city's leading black crime bosses. But when his boss suddenly dies, Frank exploits the opening in the power structure to build his own empire and create his own version of the American Dream.

Through ingenuity and a strict business ethic, he comes to rule the inner-city drug trade, flooding the streets with a purer product at a better price. Lucas outplays all of the leading crime syndicates and becomes not only one of the city's mainline corrupters, but part of its circle of legit civic superstars. Richie Roberts is an outcast cop close enough to the streets to feel a shift of control in the drug underworld. Roberts believes someone is climbing the rungs above the known Mafia families and starts to suspect that a black power player has come from nowhere to dominate the scene.

Both Lucas and Roberts share a rigorous ethical code that sets them apart from their own colleagues, making them lone figures on opposite sides of the law. The destinies of these two men will become intertwined as they approach a confrontation where only one of them can come out on top.

Friday – Sky Cinema Christmas – A Christmas Carol (2009) 8pm

The lovely bit of Christmas because everyone loves the story of Scrooge I know I do.

Robert Zemeckis directs this animated version of the Yuletide classic A Christmas Story. The story centres on Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), a penny-pinching miser who cares nothing for the people around him, least of all his hopelessly downtrodden employee Bob Cratchit (Gary Oldman) and infectiously optimistic nephew, Fred (Colin Firth).

On Christmas Eve, after a frightening encounter with the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, Scrooge is visited by three spirits -- the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come -- who take him and us on an eye-opening journey to expose the truths he is reluctant to face.

The Return of 'Peaky Blinders' …. WOW … TV Review

If you haven't seen it yet, you might want to stop here and catch up before you read any more, no one likes a spoiler so get to the BBC iPlayer.

After what seemed like forever, Peaky Blinders finally returned tonight and it was pretty bloody good. The end of the last season the Shelby family were carted off to prison all but Tommy Shelby and the opening last night saw then being led again this time to the hangman.

At the last moment Tommy comes to the rescue by blackmailing the Government and the King to release his family and along the way picking up an OBE for himself. We jump forward a year and the Shelby’s look to have all gone their separate ways. Tommy looks every bit the executive businessman still running the family business interests with his newly enquired OBE while the rest of the family are scattered.

Tommy Shelby

Crazy Arthur and his little family with his dashing new longer locks is pottering around his garden and looking after his chickens. John is shooting everything that moves on his farm and partaking of his wife Esme. Aunt Polly, deteriorating condition fuelled by whisky and phials of cocaine actually works really well as a representation of the broken family as she talks to the ghosts of children her son Michael still works with Tommy. While their sister Ada as returned from Boston for Christmas and visits each of them looking to bring them together.

With Christmas coming we were promised a New Year’s Eve family gathering but the postman look to have put that on the back burner after the Shelby’s receive sinister 'black hand' warnings from the mafia, it's obvious they're going to have to work together sooner than later. However, when Tommy discovers his new cook and his assistant are Italian he puts two and two together and comes up with the right answer they are mafia. With some torture and death, he finds out their plan to kill the family was due to take place on Christmas Day and there was me thinking Valentine Day’s was the mafia’s favourite day for a massacre.

The New kid on the Block

Tommy’s idea is to run to somewhere they could feel safe and decides its back to Birmingham and their roots in the Small Heath area where it all started and to where the gang is the strongest.

As the order to gather in Birmingham Arthur is reached by phone and Michael after taking Polly and Ada to the meeting, goes to collect John and Esme who Tommy couldn’t contact. As a cart pulls up outside John’s house its easy to guess what happens next and up pops mafia gunmen John armed with only a rifle and Michael looks to be unarmed and the mafia killers have Tommy-guns and a hail of bullets riddles the Shelby’s. Are they dead because it looks like, and it begins?

So, that's the Peaky Blinders versus the mafia. Well, I think this series already looks like it could be the best yet and fans were over the moon to have it back on our screens, as well as the first peak of Oscar-winner Adrien Brody the leader of the mafia.

Salon Kitty (1977) - Film Review - Naziexploitation

I was watching American Pickers earlier and there was a segment of the programme about sexploitation book artwork from the fifties a favourite interest of mine and other art of the time along the same kind. A google search lead me to the 1977 film Salon Kitty that a few friends and me watched in the Prince of Wales when it became a movie cinema showing soft-core films. So I found myself revisiting the film.

It is regarded a classic piece of Nazi exploitation and a rather disturbing film. Salon Kitty is actually based on a true story of a brothel madam, Kitty Kellermann who is forced into working for the Nazis when she is arrested for helping Jews escape from Germany using fake passports. The Gestapo decide to use her brothel, Salon Kitty, by placing listening devices in every room listening in to conversations of the army elite while being entertain by the handpicked working girls.

Firstly, the film is unsettling in places and in one scene, where the prostitutes have an orgy with a group of dwarfs, is unnecessary and not based on fact just added for titillation. The lack of humanity of the Gestapo is shown in the audition process the potential prostitutes go through where they are group tested with young officers. Also, be prepared not just for conventional sex, but also lesbianism, transvestism and sado masochism, as the brothel catered for the kinkier tastes of its guests. However, once you get over this, Salon Kitty is a good film and based on true events. Many of the sex scenes are tastefully shot and everything is made on location.

Also a good sub plot when a prostitute, who is a Nazi, falls for a Luftwaffe officer who hates the Nazis and wants to defect to Britain and she gradually comes round to his way of thinking, although tragically he is found out by the bug in the prostitute's bedroom and shot by the Gestapo.

There is a scene where a terrified Jewish family encounter a group of revolting League of German Girls. The little innocent child has accidentally dropped his toy. The leader of the League of German Girls rather than helping the child on seeing the terror in its eyes and with one foul stomp of her foot destroys the toy with her shoe, obtaining pleasure in the process, and arrogantly walks on.

Ingrid Thulin is absolutely brilliant in this film as Madam Kitty, operator of the brothel, Salon Kitty. Helmut Berger is also very good in his role as the SS Officer who is charged with taking over Salon Kitty and turning it into a state run spying agency.

Downstairs in the cellars all conversations are being recorded. The full horror debauchery are limited but interesting. I'm not easily shocked but this really pushes barriers of taste and censorship. This is not a film for the lighthearted. It treats human life as something not worth very much in the hands of a criminal regime.

Another Novelty Advent Calendar …. From Greggs!!!

Christmas never fails to surprise me when it comes to companies searching for the last few pounds in your pocket but even I was taken aback spotting this advertised. Greggs the Bakers have jumped on the advent calendar free for all with the launch of their first ever Greggsmas advent calendar.

The calendars cost £24 but are actually worth up to £60, with vouchers being redeemable from 2 December up to and including 24 December. Each door reveals a festive scene with a uniquely Greggs twist one includes a nativity scene where the shepherds pay homage to a sausage roll in a manger. Tasteless I must say and I can see a Christian call to boycott/protest when they hear of this sacrilege.

You open the little door, which reveals a tear-off token that can be taken into any Greggs’ shops. Then it can be exchanged for a different treat every day from its Christmas and wider menu. Which is including the Festive Bake, flavoured lattes, sweet mince pie, and a sausage roll (of course). I wonder if you could save up your vouchers and present them all on Christmas Eve.

Gift cards are valid for an entire year.

Not being a fan of Greggs and any but one of their products this advent calendar will not be featuring to my build up to Christmas. I rather shop as locally as possible these big chain outlets, with their mass produced products leave me cold.

A limited number of the calendars will go on sale in selected Greggs’ shops across the UK from next Monday 20th November you wouldn’t want to miss out. Well I do has I don’t feel the season of goodwill to Greggs and at £24 I could buy something better. At my local Tesco yesterday they were throwing Cadburys, advent calendars out the door for a £1 bargain, wicked.

Off the vast menu, I can just about tolerate their sausage roll but it would never be worth £24 because the rest of the vouchers would be wasted on me. I could stand outside my local Greggs and flog them off at a discount.

No Sale