When I was a child there were a number films that were always on television whenever there was a national holiday. You could rely on them to appear like clockwork and these included The Great Escape, The Wizard of Oz, James Bond and Zulu. Thirty-five years on and not much as changed except for the… Continue reading The 50th anniversary of the film Zulu & the 135th of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift
Category: Popular Culture
Posts predominantly related to Popular Culture
Speaking up for Foreign TV and Movies
I’m a big fan of film and television, I don’t mind admitting it. It has to be the best shows though. If it is anything vaguely classed as reality or celebrity than it’s not for me. Really it my television shows have to either have the best actors, best production values or tell a story… Continue reading Speaking up for Foreign TV and Movies
How to collect autographs… mostly Star Trek & how I beat the odds!
One of the things I used to enjoy doing was collecting autographs. I have collected autographs since 1982 and probably have over 100 now. Most of them are sci-fi related but I have autographs from the world of sports, tv and cinema, music and even politics. I’m not a big believer in paying for autographs… Continue reading How to collect autographs… mostly Star Trek & how I beat the odds!
Halloweens of past and present (updated)
This week sees the beginning of special part of the calendar which for various historic reasons see 3 of the most important events of the calendar taking place in what would otherwise be a dark and dreary part of the year. October 31st is of course Halloween and to celebrate we have a Full Moon,… Continue reading Halloweens of past and present (updated)
The Secrets of The Real Downton Abbey
September sees the return to our televisions screens of Downton Abbey in the UK and in January to the USA (more on that in the next week or two). Downton Abbey is actually the real life home of Lord Carnarvon at Highclere Castle set in a massive estate in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Whilst the… Continue reading The Secrets of The Real Downton Abbey
Falling out of love, with Football
Today is the one year anniversary since the London 2012 Olympics. I’ve said how much before I enjoyed it but what I didn’t realise at the time would be how it changed sport for me and it seems I’m not the only one. In Britain, the number 1 sport is and usually was football (soccer)… Continue reading Falling out of love, with Football
The Man Who Planted Trees and The Green Wall of Africa
About five years ago, I watched part of a short animated film entitled The Man Who Planted Trees. It is the most lovely short French film (an English version can be viewed here) and it tells the story of a man in an early 20thC European Alpine valley that was desolate and empty of life… Continue reading The Man Who Planted Trees and The Green Wall of Africa
My Zombie Safe House – Where would you go at the end of the world?
Obviously this is a stupid question that I don’t expect anyone to answer for a number of reasons. First of all, with all the ways the world could end, zombie apocalypse is unlikely to be the one. Secondly of course, officially Zombies don’t exist (although Russia is reportedly developing a serum that turns people into… Continue reading My Zombie Safe House – Where would you go at the end of the world?
Glastonbury – Then and Now
This weekend sees the world-famous musical festival in the sleepy Somerset town of Glastonbury. From out of nowhere a new city of around 180,000 people will settle down in the fields to enjoy music, dance and traditionally lots of mud. More of that later as the festival is only the latest event that has attracted… Continue reading Glastonbury – Then and Now
Going To The Cinema Alone…. Specifically For The Great Gatsby (2013 film)
For the last few months whilst being without a job I have made it my business to go to the cinema once a week on a Tuesday during which I get to see films for half price. It may be a surprise but these 2 hours or so at the cinema are the only time… Continue reading Going To The Cinema Alone…. Specifically For The Great Gatsby (2013 film)
Stephen Liddell 