Ryan's Daughter (1970) - Film Review - David Lean Classic

Talking to the carer this morning the subject of “Doctor Zhivago” came up and we both expressed our love of the film and I suggested she watch another of David Lean’s films “Ryan’s Daughter”. I was soon searching the internet for a copy of the film to watch and that didn’t take long. However, it is a major investment in your time with the film 3h 26min long.

David Lean's production of "Ryan's Daughter “is an outstanding piece of cinematic artistry. I don't understand why "Ryan's Daughter" was so poorly received by critics of the time although John Mills won Best Actor in a Supporting Role and the film won Best Cinematography. That was the year (1971) George C. Scott declined the Best Actor award for Patton.

It's a romantic drama set in a small village on the Irish coastline. The mood of the villagers is as changeable as the waves that crash upon the shore. David Lean uses the sea for dramatic effect as he alternates between the village people and the sea itself. John Mills as Michael the inquisitive village idiot is superb as we watch him play with a box of explosives.

Sarah Miles plays Rosy torn between the love for her Irish schoolteacher husband (Robert Mitchum) and an unbridled passion for a newly arrived British officer (Christopher Jones). Village gossip virtually destroys Rosy's life.

The war hero and a Victoria Cross winning share a passionate kiss while alone and soon they were meeting at every opportunity her husband becomes suspicious of Rosy, but keeps his thoughts to himself.

Trevor Howard as the local much-respected priest gives a compelling performance as one who tries to keep the peace in a troubled village. The shell-shocked officer with dreadful memories of his time in the trenches in France has a distinct presence on screen. His part requires little dialogue, the emotions being portrayed through eye and body language.

Some of the loveliest scenes I thought were those of the high cliffs and broad beaches where Rosy often walked alone with the incoming tide. Unfortunately, footprints in the sand can reveal the most intimate secrets! The wild storm in which the locals attempt to salvage boxes of ammunition from a ship in raging seas is one of the most realistic and exciting sequences, I have seen. 

The scene of Rose’s husband taking the schoolchildren to the beach, he follows footprints in the sand that lead to a cave in the cliff side were a passionate liaison between his wife, and the officer had taken place Michael watching.

After the storm villagers storm into the schoolhouse and seize Rosy, convinced that she informed the British of the arms shipment. Ryan her father watches in shame and horror as his daughter takes the blame for his actions. The mob shears off her hair and strips off her clothes as her husband fights to save her from the crowd. Showing an act of kindest to Michael, he leads the officer to a cache of arms, including dynamite, that was not recovered after the storm. After Michael runs off, he commits suicide by detonating the explosives.

The film ends the next day, at the schoolhouse, Rosy and Charles are preparing to leave for Dublin, but they have to enduring the taunts of the villagers as they go.

We are reminded constantly in the film that the sea is the dominant player. Photography, sound effects, and music blend into a perfect whole. In one, word...sublime!

My Rating

My Bikes Over The Years

I was watching a TV show this morning and the presenter when to a bicycle museum and it got me thinking about my bikes I owned. A beginning of a memory.

Dad and I reckoned I had five or six different bikes in my life time the first being the standard three-wheeler for a child of four or five it had a blue seat and the rest was red with a guard around the seat to stop you sliding off. It is like the one pictured and giving me great memories thinking about my bikes and me.

My next bike was a favourite but not the number one that comes later. It was a child’s tricycle bike all light blue with a bin mounted on the back it was cool. I remember rattling up and down the street and around the corner if mum was not watching. My next bike was a bit of a non-event coming with stabilisers I was soon off them but I had little memory of the bike as with age I came the ability to wander further from home and tended to want to run and jump about leaving my bike in the passageway most of the time. I did learnt to ride it without stabilisers though.

So that in mind, my next bike was a bit of a wait but it was my favourite, “I loved my Red Raleigh Chopper Bike”. Yes, that chunky cool non-racing bike built like a tank. You were never going to win a race or climb many inclines, slopes or Leckwith Hill without getting off and pushing, but it was fun coming down. It was the ultimate cruiser handy to give a chick a lift with the long seat. The only thing I hated about a chopper was the gear mechanism – it was fiddley and a pain in the backside.

I cannot remember what happen to my chopper I was growing and feeling the need for speed so I upgrade to a racing bike. We as a group of friends we would knock up the miles on our bikes so maybe I was tired of being tail end Charlie.

My final bike was a Claud Butler racer I sold my other bike to a second hand shop and bought an air rifle. How the Claud Butler fell into my hands was I stole it from a certain bike shop not a million miles from where I lived and it turned out to be the longest bike I ever owned. I would ride for miles and miles it helped me get through a serious bout of depression taking me away from the pressures of life. It ended up sold in 1984, sold to help fund a trip to watch Cardiff City play away.

Aresnal v Cardiff City - Sala

Over the last week I have been very quiet on social media on the subject of Cardiff City I have been surprised just how affected I have been by the whole Emiliano Sala story. I have watched from the sidelines always knowing this was going to end in a disaster. Heart breaking for his family and everyone who cares.

I remember reports about a plane going down but at the time didn’t know who was involved. Tuesday when the story was breaking about who was on board my dad and I were discussing how much we were looking forward to Sala joining the club and hoping Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock had found a goal scoring striker. I clicked on the BBC sport website to check the Arsenal game and was shocked by the news that Cardiff’s new record signing was on the plane.

We were both shocked and when I read the plane had gone down in the sea our concerns grew.

The authorities scoured the area looking for Sala and the pilot but found nothing not even any wreckage of the plane. The search was called off on Thursday afternoon but a fundraising site was set up with €300,000 being pledged so far to finance a private search, the fund page was only set up Saturday morning.

He never kicked a ball in anger, never trained, I doubt he met the players but I understand the effect it has had on Cardiff City fans and others. The day he said yes to the deal he became one of ours and we as fans invested in him has much as the club did. We were ready to welcome him with open hands as our saviour but if he failed but played good football, we would still love him.

My sons and others wonder why I rate Robin Friday so highly but I always tell them I saw him play. Yes, he was a bit player in the history of Cardiff City and joined the club with many issues but on the pitch he was special. I wish I could have seen Sala play.

What happens now? I suppose Warnock will need to find a replacement for Sala and it has been reported Cardiff tried to get an extension on the transfer window claiming it took months of watch and talking to Sala and this club to broker the £15million deal that brought the player to Cardiff. It was dismiss by the Premier League. The deal for Sala was completed so are Cardiff libel to pay Nantes the transfer fee has I have no idea. I suppose it will be played out in the press one day soon.

Cardiff are reported to have an interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Lucas Alario in the search to bolster the attack options and the Welsh Club willing to pay a €1m loan fee with an option to buy for €15m … rumoured.

The Bluebirds travel to London to face Arsenal in the Premier League earlier in the season at the Cardiff City Stadium in a pulsating game the Londoners walked away with a victory 3-2. To find the last time Cardiff win away in the league you have to look way back before I was born 1960 with Cardiff beating them 3-2 and mum and dad were waiting for me to enter the world a month or so later. 

The pundits are queuing up to give the game to Arsenal but I believe and always will until the hammer comes down on the season whatever it holds.

Cardiff boss Warnock admits he will wait and see which players are in the right frame of mind to play at Arsenal following the disappearance of Emiliano Sala. Cardiff captain Sean Morrison is definitely out as he recovers from an appendicitis operation.

This is our league table Brighton are four points ahead of Crystal Palace but this table is not written in stone clubs could escape and drop in. 

Mid-week fixtures that matter.

Huddserfield v Everton

Fulham v Brighton

Newcastle v Man City

Man Utd v Burnley

Southampton v Crystal Palace

'The Porn Oscars' - The AVN Awards

Everyone, maybe not everyone is talking Oscars in this time of awards ceremonies but one award show slips under the sheets, literally. The AVN awards. If I post some of the categories it would be a dead giveaway, “All-Girl Performer of the Year”“, Best Lewd Propositions Movie” yes the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo and awards is the world’s largest adult extravaganza and took place in Los Angeles.

They also have the ‘AVN Hall of Fame’ with many a name from those teenage/young adult days when VHS video was king. The likes of Juliet Anderson (Aunt Peg), British pornstar Kay Parker who moved to America where she joined the industry and Honey Wilder three of the hottest pornstars of the time in my book and still giving fond memories.

All-Girl Performer of the Year

I managed to watch some of the event live. The red carpet is always interesting and awash with silicon, big lips, few clothes the kind you will not be seeing at the Oscars and towering heels which should carry a health and safety warning. The red carpet host seemed to have done a scene with just about everyone and I had no idea who she was this Charlotte Stokely.

She carried off one of the biggest awards of the night the ‘All-Girl Performer of the Year’ I loved her comment “I have had to lick a lot of p***y to win this”. She looked ok and not as built as most of the other ladies. I think I prefer the red carpet then the event itself I have little interest but Cardi B was the musical turn for the evening she I do know via reputation in the more sleaziest British press. The former stripper herself dressed to impress see picture in blue.

I suppose I should celebrate some of my favourite categories like Most Epic Ass Abella Danger, Most Spectacular Boobs Angela White and they are natural boobs a plus point in a world of falsies. Without a Hottest Granny category something closer to my age range I suppose the Hottest MILF will have to do won by Kendra Lust someone I have heard of before having only watched an interview she was in a few weeks ago.

The commercial side will sell you anything sexual clothes, toys, and things there is no need to talk about but the big draw … you could probably see your favourite pornstar and an adult company stand, booths they are called in the USA. Where you can buy just about anything as the annual pilgrimage of adult entertainment aficionados head to Las Vegas, where they are able to meet stars they see on screen and can get a photo or autograph as proof. Some pornstar do ply the trade of escorting the ultimate fan experience.

Then there are the adult company parties where things get a bit friskier behind closed doors at a cost to the ordinary putter. On top of that nearly every hotel room is booked out as a modern day Soddam and Gomorrah descends. As the porn industry continues its move from DVDs to social media and free websites. The entertainers/pornstars are all over social media offering their own exclusive content not just pornstars but the ordinary girl next door. Sex will always sell even if it is free.

FA Cup and Welsh Cup – Oh My God Not Swansea

It was FA Cup and Welsh Cup games yesterday and as everyone knows I play a virtual game of road to the finals I pick a team in the earliest rounds and follow them until they loose then follow the winner of the game jumping from club to club until the final.

So I have a bit of a dilemma with the FA Cup my team until today was Gillingham who in the last round beat my team Cardiff City, bastards. It hurt, I have to be honest I wanted a cup run unlike many fans who see the league the priority.

I tuned into the draw just to see who we would have played if we had beaten the Division One opposition and it just happen to be our rivals from up the road Swansea. My dilemma is there are two teams I will never follow. The one previously mentioned, and Manchester United, and with them, both in the draw Monday what if they were drawn together an unbearable thought.

With Swansea, beating Gillingham whomever they draw will be my team in the next round until they (Swansea) are knocked out. Good to see Newport fighting it out for a replay against Middlesbrough with a late, late goal to end the game 1-1.

Route to Wembley (Bold my Team)

Fouth Round Swansea 4-1 Gillingham Att 15080

Third Round Gillingham 1-0 Cardiff City Att 7090

Second Round Proper Slough Town 0-1 Gillingham Att 2084

First Round Proper, (replay) Slough Town 1-1 Sutton United Att 426 (Slough won 8-7 on penalties)

First Round Proper Sutton United 0-0 Slough Town Att 1830

Fourth Round Qualifying Eastbourne 1-2 Slough Town Att 802

Third Round Qualifying (Replay) Bristol Manor Farm 0–4 Slough Town Att 541

Third Round Qualifying Slough Town 2–2 Bristol Manor Farm Att 486

Second Round Qualifying (Replay) – Sholing 0-3 Slough Town Att 327

Second Round Qualifying - Slough Town 2–2 Sholing Att 465

First Round Qualifying (Replay) - Hamworthy United 0-1 Sholing Att 149

First Round Qualifying – Sholing 0-0 Hamworthy United Att 230

Preliminary Round - United Services Portsmouth 1-3 Sholing Att 131

The Extra Preliminary Round - United Services Portsmouth 5–2 Andover Town Att -

In the Welsh Cup, I have no such problems with Cefn Druids making the long journey to just outside the capital city to face Barry Town United. From the score (3-2) it looked to have been a tight game but to be honest I always thought Barry would edge the game that is why I added them to my accumulator bet, which I won. Cardiff Met are still in the running to reach the final after a 3-1 win over Aberystwyth Town away I hope they don’t draw Barry in the next round.

I have my fingers crossed for a Cardiff based team to win the Welsh Cup it has been awhile since 1998–99 season in fact when Inter Cable-Tel beat Carmarthen Town. The game ended all squared at 1-1 with the capital team winning on penalties. Inter Cable-Tel had a few names and mergers with their final one being with University of Wales Institute and becoming UWIC Inter Cardiff. When the university underwent a name change in 2012, so did the team, becoming Cardiff Metropolitan University F.C.

Route to the Welsh Cup final (Bold my Team)

Fourth, Round – Barry Town United 3-2 Cefn Druids

Third Round - Ynysddu Welfare 1-3 Cefn Druids

Second Round – Monmouth Town 1-3 Ynysddu Welfare

First Round – Undy Athletic 3-4 Monmouth Town

Second Round Qualifying - Monmouth Town 4-2 Wattsville

First Round Qualifying - Treharris Western Athletic 8-1 Aberystwyth Exiles

Theatre Of Blood (1973) - Film Review - British Horror

So little to watch on TV this morning to get excited about so I tried to find a film and hit the jackpot with the British war film, “The Long and the Short and the Tall” (1961) and needs a review. However, I wanted more and literally fell on a follow up film thanks to it being mentioned on the radio, Theatre of Blood (1973) starring Vincent Price.

I couldn’t remember watching it for a while so took to Google to see if I could find a copy of the full film free. A couple of clicks later I had found what I was looking for and I settle back to watch it.

The plot is simple but ingenious. Edward Lionheart (Vincent Price) is a dreadful ham Shakespearean actor who committed suicide having failed to win a coveted Critics' Circle award he expected to win. Two years later, he reappears with vengeance in mind for each member of the Circle of Critics with a unique and bizarre murder based on his performances in Shakespeare plays.

The chief critic, Ian Hendry, soon figures out it’s Lionheart but the police are unable to find the supposedly dead man, and the murders continue as ordained.

Although nominally a horror film - and a very effective and funny one it is - 'Blood' brings together three genres very popular in the early 70s. There is the police procedural, in which inspector Milo O'Shea and his sidekick Eric Sykes start reading books in order to catch a killer. There is the all-star British cast in the film all set up and slaughtered with the opening slaughter of Michael Hordern by knife-slashing tramps, and the brilliant scene where his funeral is interrupted by a galloping horse dragging a corpse.

There are some great scenes, and for me none more memorable than Price's disguise as Butch, the effeminate hairdresser. In general, the whole idea of hippies, homeless slaves (who seem to like big moustaches and afros) is just plain silly, but works in this case.

This was easily one of Price's best roles, second only perhaps to Don Medina from Pit and the Pendulum. He essentially plays an exaggerated version of himself, which makes for some fine subtle humour. In fact, dark comedy pervades this film, making for some very uncomfortable scenes. The gore and deaths are especially well done; all look very realistic and bloody. The writing was phenomenal, I love how they incorporated so many of Shakespeare's works into the film, even his lesser-known works such as Cymbeline, play important roles. To sum up, this is one of the all-time great horror films and is essential viewing for any horror fan.

My Rating

Body Snatchers (1993) - Film Review

Okay, the 1956 original paved the way and has to get the credit for that, but from an objective point-of-view, both the 1978 and this 1993 remake are better, scarier, more developed. I also liked “The Invasion” (2007) the same idea starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig with aliens and pods.

This film is set in an Army Camp. A teenager Marti Malone is spending her summer vacation traveling along with her father, an EPA inspector, her stepmother, and her young stepbrother to a military base where her father will inspect some toxic products. In a gas station bathroom on route to the camp a soldier advises her not to sleep, because they get you when you sleep, which scares her.

Once in the base, she buddies up with the daughter of the general in charge of the base, and a helicopter pilot Tim. Marti and her father see that people are acting strange, and sooner they find that aliens are cloning the human beings in the base and invading Earth. Beware the dustman who go from street to street collecting black bags, just the one and you no it's something sinister. Step-mom is first to turn and it’s not long before dad is away with the fairy’s her little brother succumbs to the pod people close to the end of the film leaving Marti and Tim to warn the world.

Marti have a good family body count she shot her father and chucked her little brother out of the helicopter.

The film convincingly portrays the body snatchers and their pods and the special effects alone make the movie worth a watch, even though the very end of the film is a favourite has Tim blasts away at army trucks full of pods.

As they escape to another army base Marti can’t get over what her step-mon told her, "Where you gonna go, where you gonna run, where you gonna hide? Nowhere... 'cause there's no one like you left."

There is little humour, little shows of emotion not all adding to the idea that people may be what they seem. A vastly underrated movie, as good as its predecessors.

My Rating

David Lush - Steak Pie

With the wife on a little trip to Penarth, I gave her an order to seek out and find a new pie for me to sample being a dutiful partner she returned pie in hand. Unwrapping the pie it was an impressive looking ‘Steak Pie’ made in-store at David Lush Butchers. Pricey but luckily the wife rolled up on discount Wednesday.  We would have to see if it was worth it.

It was a good-looking pie with a nice colour to the pastry and I couldn’t wait to get tucked in. It only needed warming in the oven, which is one of the big advantages of already cooked pies. I never use a microwave to warm up a pie. You can lose some of the crispness and firmness sticking a pie in one of them.

Coming in a foil tray, which I soon discarded and cutting through the pie I could see this was the ‘ultimate steak pie’, a real bad boy. It was what I was expecting from a homemade pie from the butchers. Filled with quality meat from top to bottom it felt solid, weighty, and dense I could have used it for a doorstop. There was a great steak, gravy ratio and the pastry was tasty and not soggy, I hate soggy pastry.

It is a taste sensation - everything about this pie was excellent. The steak was chunky and looked like they were of the tenderness of cuts and not overly chewy. The thick gravy immediately oozes out as if a dam had burst. Pity the wife didn’t buy herself one because I would have eaten hers as well. I would highly recommend you pay visit to the shop if you are anywhere and check it out. 

Rate this Pie 10/10

Brexit, Snap General Election, Second Vote ... Give Me Strength

Sitting in front of the TV yesterday morning watching the politic shows I cannot get over a possibility of a snap general election because this Brexit thing will never end. I can not see the Prime Minister getting a new deal to win the vote in Parliament.

Jeremy Corbyn as shown little interest in the Brexit debate is goal is a general election demanding the Prime Minister call one. The Opinion polls are consistently showing a tory win and it would be all about Brexit, the British people are sick about the whole subject. The second referendum is also on the agenda the first looks to be null and void by most politicians due because the outcome was wrong.

The vote was supposed to have been fix for remain to win but a small majority had other ideas. After a campaign scaremongering a second vote as been call for before the UK shrivelled up and sink into the sea. They care even trying to fix the vote via the question on the ballot paper some politician this morning was suggesting we should either vote on Prime Minister May deal or stay.

It will turn into an election circus I want to be able to see the news on TV without having to hear all the accusations, denials, and just plain lies.

I want to vote for the candidate of my choice because he or she is the best person for the job, not the lesser of two evils. I have no home for my vote if an election’s called I will not vote for Corbyn.

I want the fat lady to sing. I want the cows to come home. I am sick of hearing about May’s Brexit and Corbyn’s silence. I am sick of opinions, talking heads, racial bias, and prejudice.

It's really a surprise that any elections have come to this? I am not really surprise about the amount people disagree with polities now and sick of mud-slinging and dirty politics. When the people vote one way and the politicians just decide to deny the vote and vote against the people is wrong.

I have become a cynic of British politics. It is enough to make me want to burn my postal vote for any possible general elections but I will make do with spoiling my vote.

Long Trip To Newcastle For Cardiff

I suppose a point will do after reading most of the comments after last weekend’s Huddersfield game 0-0 draw but I still believe three points would have been better. The same away to Newcastle tomorrow if they win it will push Cardiff back into the bottom three, and the relegation zone. A must win game today, like every game, settling for a point won’t get us anywhere soon.

We can’t afford to lose! A point would keep the Welshman above Newcastle but we need to take every chance to extend our league points away from the dreaded bottom three. Newcastle have lost three of their last five games, draw two while Cardiff have a win, two draws plus to defeats giving Cardiff the edge. We can only hope so.

On the pitch, Newcastle have some issues but Cardiff will lose Captain Sean Morrison who was admitted to hospital this week with what the club described as "a procedure". Cardiff boss Neil Warnock could bring Bruno Ecuele Manga to cover in central defence, with Lee Peltier coming in at right back.

It’s confirm Warnock has signed striker Oumar Niasse, on loan from Everton could he be in line for a debut at Newcastle. Cardiff have edged closer to making Emiliano Sala their record signing after the Nantes striker underwent a medical on Friday. A fee of 18million is the reported cost, a record payment in the transfer market for Cardiff. The previous record was the £11m paid for Chilean midfielder Gary Medel in 2013.

This season for Nantes, he has scored 12 league goals plus a cup goal with 13 goals this season. Cardiff have only scored 19 goals this season says a lot. If the deal does come to furnish he will probably be too late for today’s game talk in the media suggest the deal will not be finalised until next week.

I just hope these two strikers don’t catch the Cardiff disease that inflicts striker’s ability to score goals.

Prediction time … like every game I believe in a Cardiff win no matter who they are playing but the pro-pundits are massing up against Cardiff … no change there.

Red Sparrow (2018) - Film Review

When I saw the teaser trailer for this film, I thought it was definitely worth a watch when it was premiered on Sky Movies. So I had to wait a while seeing I was not that desperate to see it in the cinema. I was pleased to see it was airing last weekend but I had kind of lost interest so only got around to watching it today.

I am a fan of a good spy thriller but it had better be better than the odd shot of Jennifer Lawrence tit. I like Jennifer Lawrence and I have to say I enjoyed her in this film. Lawrence may have been good in this film but Atomic Blonde starring Charlize Theron was the better spy thriller, only saying.

The film seemed to be one that could have the right mix of style, sex, and thrill. I saw some reviews of the film and they were fairly bad but I enjoyed it because I was entertained which is all I need in a film.

Jennifer Lawrence plays Dominika a former Russian ballerina who is thrown into the world of espionage by her uncle. Dominika becomes a Sparrow, a spy who uses their sexuality on their targets in an attempt to retrieve classified information. Then when tasked with spying on a CIA operative and then starts to question where her loyalties lie.

The film offers a lot of style, yes more so than substance shot well and the backdrop locations add to the brand of the film. Lawrence's accent seems wonky as hell. However, she's good in this. The film is long, maybe a little two long but I thought it was interesting enough. The film also offers brutal torture and violence and sexual scenes that will make people uncomfortable. Get past that and I think it’s a fairly decent spy thriller.

Its not overly smart and doesn't offer any thing that makes you feel like you experienced an excellent twist or exquisite storytelling. The film does manage to meet expectations and offer a bit of beauty on the screen, despite the rather ugly and violent nature of the film. Lawrence is very committed to the role and I still believe she's one of the best actresses in the industry today. Don't expect anything spectacular, but go in to see a decently made spy thriller that does not shy away from sex, torture and violence.

My Rating

I Liked To Mitch From School

I woke up this morning with memories of going on the mitch from school back in the day. Much to my annoyance, mitching was a fair bit of my schooling but to me it was part of school life in general. Could I put it down to my lack of final exams? Maybe not but mitching wasn’t an exam.

On waking up one morning, looking out the window I would just decide today is the day for a bit of mitching. Nothing was planned usually all you needed to do was front up at the bus stop (we were bused to school) and just ask around there was always someone up for a day off school. I really didn’t need anyone really, but it was preferred and helped wile away the hours.

It was crazy we would mitch technically a stone’s throw away from where we lived a mile or so from our front doors. Where would we hang out… around the Esplanade area and in an old school Eleanor Street most of the area was earmarked for demolition so we had plenty of places to hang out. Trying to stay clean was a major project.

Come dinner time we would head for Jimmy the Greeks fish and chip shop for a bag of chips and a drink with one eye out for anyone who may have known us but James St where Jimmy’s was situated was mostly boarded up ready to be bulldozed. Wearing a uniform, we did standout.

If it was sunny, we may sit around the New Park just chatting and hanging out or just have a wander along the riverbank and a chance for the odd fire. I was a bit of a firebug; I did like a good fire. Also, I liked the odd half day, school in the morning and a disappearing act during dinner break.

One of the funnier mitching missions which was always doomed to fail! On the bus home, we decide a mass mitch of all the boys from my class would be a great idea. When I say all one of us lived close to the school so didn’t get the message and found himself been in class the next day as the only boy in the class. It was never going to go unnoticed and the following day after the mass mitch of 4E, we found ourselves under the spotlight.

I was once asked if I would change anything about my schooldays meaning less mitching. No, I was never a bookworm and like I said earlier, it (mitching) was part of school for me and I did actually like school.

That first shave - Ouch - Oh what a bleeder.

Ouch

I cut myself shaving this morning, a bit of a rarity these days. After plopping a little piece of toilet paper on my wound to stop the bleeding I looked in the mirror, I had a smile on my face and I remembered that first few shaves they were bloody.

Back then you really took your life into your own hands every time you had a shave until you became somewhat of an expert. Most of us young lads would learn from our dad’s either watching or invited for a lesson, the latter would have been better for me.

I was a early shaver due to my Spanish ancestry, I was becoming hairy all over. In school I was soon ridiculed by my mates pointing to my emerging moustache, “Look, Peter’s got bum fluff”. Facial hair was banned in school and soon as it was picked up a warning would be issued. Dad used one of those ‘Double Edged Safety Razors’ I was just glad he didn’t use a ‘Cut Throat Razor’ they were totally scary. The name ‘Cut Throat’ doesn’t sound that appealing more like a nickname for a pirate or thug.

The day came to tackle my fluffy problem having sort some privacy for my first shave looking to avoid any embarrassment, that was never going to happen.. I was around 14 at the time and really didn't want to lose my fledgling moustache but it had to go but it became a battle between me and certain teachers. Handling the above-mentioned razor you first had to put a new blade in and they were bloody lethal. It wasn’t the first time I had tangled with these blades we had crossed swords before they were great for cutting stupid things I wanted to cut up and on them occasions I ended up bloodied.

Having only a bit of bum fluff above my upper lip, I lathered up for a full shave using a shaving stick and all I wanted to do was to lose the tuft of hair below my nose. However, you can guess what happen soon has I put the razor to my face I was bleeding there was a certain way of holding/angling of the razor. I must have cut myself four or five times and I was yet to shave one hair, lesson learnt. A few cuts later I stood there with my face covered with bits of blood soaked paper I didn’t really feel like a man, more like some idiot who just put his face to a grater.

Like most things you do for the first time. You hardly ever hit the floor running but I did get better with practise.

Sunday Crush – Julie Christie

I have not posted a Sunday Crush in a while and then watching ‘Doctor Zhivago’, there she was the beautiful Julie Christie a must for my list. She was icon of the "swinging London" era of the 1960s, hit girl whatever but she was a damn good actress was.

Her breakthrough film role was the (1963) film ‘Billy Liar’ that led to her next film ‘Young Cassidy’ (1965), the same year ‘Darling’ was released, which turned out to be a massive hit with Christie winning the Academy Award for Best Actress along with other awards.

Why a crush you just have to look at her she add style and beauty and she reminds me of another of my crushes Catherine Deneuve both being sophisticated looking in the world of fashion. Her mod style at the time, doe eyes, and tousled hair has put her solidly in the crush hall of fame.

She was very sexy, easy on the eye and it was easy to see why men were attracted to her as a youngster saw her as the perfect girlfriend material. She had a fine body, knew how to dress to show it for the best, and was a favourite of photographer David Bailey himself an icon of the time.

In the film world she starred in many films, but people with an interest in her movies will remember her starring role in ‘Don't Look Now’ (1973) with Donald Sutherland where they portray a married couple who travel to Venice following the recent accidental death of their daughter who drowned. The film was infamous or famous depending on your view for a sex scene involving Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland where the actors are rumoured to have engage in an actual real sex act in the film although both deny it.

This is a 'MUST WIN GAME' come on Cardiff

There is just a game then you have the must win games and Cardiff v Huddersfield is a “MUST WIN GAME” without doubt in anyone’s book. The visitors are propping up the Premier League and eight points below the Welshman and a win for the visitors will see the gap close.

I was disappointed with the FA Cup defeat unlike the South Wales Police Force. Who after the draw for the next round saw the fixture from hell that could have happened if Cardiff would have won. A West Wales v South Wales derby.

In his pre- match press conference yesterday morning, Boss Neil Warnock talked about his 'frustration' on the lack of signings quoting "like climbing a mountain with butter on your hands”. But it is true who will sign for a club playing with relegation hanging over their heads. Whatever happens Warnock and Cardiff are going to find it hard to fill their transfer quote of three to four new players
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The January transfer market is not popular with managers as prices, wages become inflated as clubs, and agents try to make the desperation of the clubs pay for them.

Back in August, both clubs fought out a 0-0 draw.

Warnock made many changes to his squad for the FA Cup fixture against Gillingham last weekend so we can expect the rested players back for this all-important game. Striker Rhys Healey could be in contention to be part of the squad for Huddersfield having return from a loan spell at MK Dons. There will be late fitness tests to key midfielders Victor Camarasa and Harry Arter, who both picked up slight knocks over the festive period.

Kenneth Zohore is not ready to return from a thigh problem but as stepped up his training and winger Kadeem Harris is struggling along with Jazz Richards (hamstring), Danny Ward (facial injury) have all been ruled out according to press reports.

Must see TV - Week beginning Saturday12 January 2019

My god next week on TV is poor barely nothing of interest to me. I have to point out these are my recommendations of TV shows and new series I want to watch. There are a lot more new shows like ITV’s “Vera” next week but I am not a fan so won’t be watching that’s why it’s not in my recommendations. Although I have added, “Call the Midwife because of the wife she loves it and because of that I have started watching.

Sunday – BBC 1 – Call the Midwife 8pm (New Series)

The wife will be over the moon with the return of the show and I will after becoming hooked myself, loving the fashion. As spring arrives, Nonnatus House welcomes two new nuns, the experienced Sister Hilda and newly qualified Sister Frances, who must acclimatise to the changing East End. A complicated multiple birth tests the skills of some of the midwives to the limit, but Trixie has to face her fears and Valerie deals with a shocking case that arrives unexpectedly.

Monday – ITV – Cold Feet 9pm (New Series)

Another season for this well loved drama series which I still love and I don't know why being so middle class. But then thinking back I love "The Good Life" the ultimate middle class offering from back in the seventies. Wedding bells ring for one of the gang, while Jenny and Pete can't get enough of each other, until some unexpected news sends her into a tailspin. Meanwhile, David and Karen lock horns when it comes to parenting, and Adam hears some hurtful home truths.

Monday – Comedy Central – Roast Battle 10pm (New Series)

Jimmy Carr returns with the stand-up comedy showdown, with judges Jonathan Ross and Katherine Ryan deciding the winners of the contests. Two roasters enter an arena filled with bloodthirsty comedy fans with just one simple mission: to bring their opponent to their knees with five of the most ferocious jokes their minds can muster. These gags won't be for the faint of heart. Expect a no-holds - barred assault where no topic is off-limits.

This is not a harmless comedy showcase or a friendly panel show... this is competitive roasting.

Tuesday – Fox – The Passage 9pm (New Series)

Thriller about a secret medical facility where scientists are experimenting with a dangerous virus that could lead to the cure for all disease - but also carries the potential to wipe out the human race. As an imminent flu epidemic threatens the US, Federal Agent Brad Wolgast is tasked with bringing in the experiment's latest chosen test subject, a 10-year-old girl. However, after meeting her, Brad's loyalties to Project Noah are tested and ultimately, he tries to protect her at any cost.

Wednesday – Sky One – Just Another Immigrant 10pm (Series)

Romesh Ranganathan, one of the most popular stand-ups in the UK, uproots his entire family, his supportive wife, three kids, his Sri Lankan mother and his eccentric uncle, and immigrates to Los Angeles. In a bid to make it in America he books a 6,000-seat venue to perform a gig with just three months to sell it out.

Abducted by the Daleks (2005) – Film Review - Awful Truly

Believe me, this is not porn but a typical soft-core film made with the British audience in mind. Back in the seventies where this film seems to come from would be late night fair the last film of the day at a cinema or at the Prince of Wales cinema the naughty adult flick house.

You will die laughing at this one if you like corny, which is why, despite this being an awful film I found myself liking it because it so awful. "Sex sells" goes the old mantra: even if there is, no sex so does this sci-fi non-sex romp, work, especially with the iconic Daleks. It worked for me in the sense I like an oddball film although the four woman running around naked was distracting.

What could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot actually, but it all makes for fun viewing. After all, being abducted by aliens, stripped naked and probed all over? What use are these fine full-bodied women to the Daleks other than extracting information.

The film opens with four blondes travelling in a car (sounds like a joke). They crash off the road and need to seek help but what would four blondes actually do… make their way back to the road or head into the forest. They pick the latter walking into the darkened forest in the dead of night. Where somewhere in the forest a serial killer is said to be lurking and where something unearthly is at large.

True to form, we see that they are all wearing the skimpiest of dresses, which barely cover their modesty, high heels and definitely no underwear. They get separated one just takes her skimpy dress off on show was a fine body but why! I think I will be wondering why for the rest of my life. No sooner than that, she was teleported to the Dalek mother ship but what does fate hold for her.

Two are so frightened in the forest, they do what any sensible girl would do, they strip off and go lesbian on each other, which means smoothing one another, but they are transported to the Dalek mother ship. A little bit more wiggling around and the three find themselves in the interrogation room. What about the fourth woman? She looks to have been replaced by another actress and working for the Daleks and whip in hand she gives the girls a few light taps. The Dalek’s excited fire off their ray guns at the ladies never regions.

The escape comes out of nowhere but the three girls captives are killed while the female interrogator escapes back to earth. I still have no idea for the change of actress but naked again, when will the serial killer catch her, well it did not take long before she was tied to a tree has her captor runs his hand over her boob’s first sexual contact is made. He wanders off only to be killed by another player in the film who turns out to be another alien who likes woman and was straight in for a feel up.

It was a case of beam me up Scotty. The Daleks killed the alien who was transported to the mother ship. Next, we find her sitting at the police station naked being interviewed until the astounding 'shock' twist in the final police station interrogation scene.

It is an awful film really but I like the odd films even with the atrocious acting. The woman are all Eastern Europeans mostly hire because the script calls for them to be naked for most of the film. There English was pretty bad says someone who was watching a Russian version but you could hear the English sound track in the background.

My Rating

Loading the Jukebox 15 - Every Breath You Take - The Police

One of the greatest things about Sting as a song writer is that he never talks down to his audience in his lyrics. The Police give you a mixture of rock, pop, and reggae but the truth is the band always had its own unique take on each of those forms that superseded such labels.

I was big on The Police and like with many of my favourite bands of that time you need look on further an towards the BBC2 TV The Old Grey Whistle Test a test bed for my developing musical tastes. After watching their first television appearance a week or so later I was laying on my bed listening to their newly release album Outlandos d'Amour, I was hooked well and truly.

What else is left to say about this tune, which has to be as nearly perfect as any mustered since The Beatles' reign over the music world? Musically, Sting proves himself quite a master as well, always able to take advantage of both simple and complex compositional impulses without making the slightest misstep. Summers' wonderful, haunting guitar riff is just as important to the song's success as the lyrics, but the structure of the piece itself is a foundational lesson in pop song writing.

The song reach top of the UK singles chart and at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards winning Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Sting received the 1983 British Academy's Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

British Toxic Politics

I rarely write about politics it is getting toxic worse than I can remember so here is my two-penneth worth at this crazy time. We are back at Brexit/Brexit all over the media with the children (MPs) back after a relatively quiet few weeks because Parliament was shut for the holidays. First, I voted to stay! To my shame I voted to remain in Europe after years of wanting out, do not ask why because I am still pondering why myself.

I will be honest I don’t remember making my mark on my postal vote maybe I was in some kind of time vortex or my ample body was taken over by aliens. I can in sure everyone that will not be happening again… If there is a second vote, it will be a straight out vote from me, why you may ask.

Well just, look towards the European leaders and their cronies who run the European Parliament blocking every attempt for a peaceful out come to the vote to leave. They feed crumbs off the table to the UK negotiation team. Just look what is sitting on the table now, rubbish that nobody likes but it is the only deal out there. The remainers' say they could do a better deal while Europe tells the UK the deal on the table is the only deal.

If this second vote were to return the same result, what is the betting there would be a call for a third, fourth, fifth until the right vote – to remain is cast? I can see an extension of the leave date because Theresa May’s deal will be defeated in Parliament and meanwhile over in Europe they are sitting back watching the UK rip itself apart.

It was interesting over the weekend to see a poll showing Theresa May and her Tories have taken a six-point (40%) lead over Jeremy Corbyn Labour (34%) - despite the Brexit civil war, which has plunged the parties into chaos. Labour want a General Election but these kind of figures do not look healthy. I was told it is a poll and I must not get excited. Why would I. The poll was commissioned by the ‘Peoples vote’ campaign by YouGov. Still it could all change after we leave the EU in March if we do.

The big question is simple why with Theresa under pressure from all side is doing so well and in others votes like “who would make the best Prime Minister” she regularly votes better than Corbyn.

I am no Tory I am a socialist but not the Corbyn kind; in fact, I detest him, I have never met him that may sound harsh but I just do not like his brand of socialism and the same with his cronies. I will not be voting (I will spoil my vote) for Labour or anyone in the next General Election it will be a first for me. If Corbyn and his allies are swept away then I may reverse my decision I am no hypocrite I feel strongly about where the Labour party is today. I know a number of other Labour supporters who have expressed the same feelings.

With everyone fighting for their piece of ground, politics has hit an all-time low with the voters has politicians they forget their job as they know better and what is best so why have elections. They are back at work after their 18 days festive break if I were your MP three/four days would have been sufficient for me I can a sure you, Vote Pete.

I think we will be leaving in March with no deal and we will see if all the talk of gloom and doom will come into force. There is a Commons revolt over the No Deal and they have a letter circulating with over 200 name of MPs tell Theresa May to rule out leaving without an agreement even if her proposals are rejected in Parliament.