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WATCHMEN

Well.. where to begin with this one? :-k

It’s 1985. Richard Nixon remains President of the USA. The Vietnam war has been won and relations with the USSR have reached a nadir with the world teetering on the brink of nuclear destruction. Watchmen, a group of masked vigilantes are now defunct (banned along with all “superheroes” by the powers that be) and cold war paranoia permeates.

When ex-Watchman “The Comedian” is brutally murdered, it sparks off a delicious conspiracy fuelled whodunnit (and why?) spearheaded by former colleague and pathological loner Rorschach, a wonderful noirish creation sporting a constantly changing ink-blot cloth mask. Add to the mix other oddball “heroes”.. a superhuman, super-blue hairless mutant (Dr. Manhattan).. an uber geek avian-themed tech wizard (Nite Owl).. a slick, svelte speed of light moral crusader (Ozymandias) and ballsy, mega sexy, kung fu kick the shyte out of you omni-babe (Silk Spectre).. and you have quite a cocktail.

But this is no.. umm.. ordinary superhero movie.
Oh no.
Zack (300) Snyder’s adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore is a smart, challenging and supremely stylish piece of work. Technically, it is a colossal animated storyboard, augmented by visionary graphic design, dark paranoid delight and an exceptional, eclectic soundtrack.
But in many ways it is the damaged people that walk this particular world that makes WATCHMEN the movie a triumph.
These people, these “masks” are utterly dysfunctional and lost.. not in any full circle, fortune cookie character-arc way that most superhero movies feed us nowadays, no. They are as freakish to themselves as they are to others. They inhabit (and are a product of) a selfish, destructive world that’s gone completely tits up. They eat cold beans from tins, they fail to get erections, they shoot pregnant women, attempt violent rape, experience neurotic rage, redesign skulls with meat cleavers, recall fond love and happiness, forge business empires, frequent restaurants to a wonderful musical backdrop of Nena’s “99 Luftballons” (yep, all this and more happens) whilst navigating the morally grey areas we ourselves must face day in day out.
All this together with trying to save and maintain the very fabric of humanity itself.
Tough gig.

Issues of social exclusion, political and personal compromise, loss and loyalty all clash, and to wonderful effect.
A virtually unknown cast add a fresh quality to the whole canvas, with nobody stealing the show as it were (although Jackie Earle Haley’s brilliantly seedy Rorshach does come close).

Very different.
Very thought provoking and entertaining.

=D> =D> =D> =D>

(WATCHMEN is currently available to rent/buy on DVD/BLU RAY)

[Sgt Pepper]

The timing is indeed curious. Though apparently on the “Wanted List” for decades, Polanski has travelled with quite a deal of “.. transparency across Europe” in this time – hoovering up award gongs et al in the process.
Methinks any political manoeuvering that may have kept him sweet throughout this time has finally turned sour, and, like all such sideshows, the bargaining buffer now becomes political punchbag.

Be that as it may (and regardless of these or any such insidious motives purported by those who condemn the decision to detain him), justice must be served. The time elapsed or the renown in which his work is held should in no way make up for or expunge Polanski’s nefarious activities of the past, for which he was convicted of by a court of law.
With this regard, to see some of the names appearing on lists petitioning for his release puzzles and disappoints me (not unless they know something we don’t with regard to his conviction? I somehow think not).

Yes, a truly gifted, artistic genius. A visionary creator of films that most directors can only dream of. A man with an horrific personal past of tragedy and destruction that is well documented, and indeed dealt with in his work. Yet despite (and indeed in many ways because of) this, it is no less crucial now than it was thirty years ago that he be held accountable for his crime and finally accept his conviction and adhere to any future rulings with regard to the case.

[Sgt Pepper]

USED TO LOVE HER

I used to love her
But I had to kill her
I used to love her
Mmmm yeah
But I had to kill her
I had to put her six feet under
And I can still hear her complain :roll:

I used to love her
Ooo yeah
But I had to kill her
I used to love her
Ooo yeah
But I had to kill her
I knew I’d miss her
So I had to keep her
She’s buried right in my backyard 8-[

Oh yeah

I used to love her
But I had to kill her
I used to love her
Ooo yeah
But I had to kill her
She bitched so much
She drove me nuts :twisted:
And now we’re happier this way

Oh yeah

I used to love her
But I had to kill her
I used to love her
Ooo yeah
But I had to kill her
I had to put her
Ooo six feet under
And I can still hear her complain ](*,)

GUNS N’ ROSES

[Sgt Pepper]

lol Thanks thistle :lol:

[Sgt Pepper]

THE DAMNED UNITED

Thirty five years ago, on Sept 12th 1974, Brian Clough was sacked as Leeds Utd manager.
He had been in charge for forty four days.
The film of David Peace’s excellent novel THE DAMNED UNITED comes to DVD/BLU-RAY with a great deal of baggage, controversy and expectation. The verdict? Well, say what you want regarding the authenticity of some of the apparent outrageous aspects of Clough’s Leeds tenure, but there is no doubting the brilliance of this movie.. due, almost completely, to an astonishing performance from Michael Sheen in the lead role.

Sheen’s uncanny ability to replicate the very essence of a famous figure (Tony Blair, David Frost) reaches its sparkling zenith with this remarkable portrayal of one of football’s most colourful, puzzling and deeply troubled characters.

Taking the two strand template applied in the novel, Tom Hooper’s film (under the screenplay stewardship of Peter Morgan) switches seamlessy throughout from the volatile hotseat at Elland Road to Clough’s early management days at Derby County until both timelines align perfectly in a fine example of literary and cinematic craftsmanship.

Sheen nails Clough .. right from the off. From the earnest ,formative period, when a perceived slight from then Leeds manager Don Revie steels (and in many ways embitters) the young manager into a furious obsession with success to his inherent hostility towards his new job and what in his mind Leeds Utd and it’s whole set up stands for…

Clip 1 – ELLAND ROAD

Clough’s great characteristics are in many ways his worst. The above clip showing the utter intractabilty and total belief that he is and always will be right.. a confidence shown in a different light in this next clip, illustrating the man’s irresistable warmth and presence when called upon..

Clip 2 – DERBY COUNTY

It is this quixotic temperament that determines the very successes the man has both professionally and privately in life and, significantly, also determines his failures. From the Leeds debacle and Derby resignation fiasco to his fraught, yet very tender relationship with right hand man and best bud Peter Taylor.

Leaving quite a fair amount of the more unsavoury aspects of the book to one side, THE DAMNED UNITED movie makes the right decision in not interfering too much with the natural fluidity and accessiblity of the source material, allowing the fine dialogue and great characters to speak for themselves.

Together with the awesome Sheen, fine performances from Colm Meaney (a very competent ,believable take on Don Revie), Timothy Spall (as the tragic, embattled Taylor) and Jim Broadbent make this a compelling affair.

Buy it 8)

=D> =D> =D> =D>

[Sgt Pepper]

Thanks for all the lovely messages friends :)
Very much appreciated .. thank you xx

[Sgt Pepper]

I’M OUTTA TIME

Here’s a song
It reminds me of when we were young
Looking back at all the things we’ve done
You gotta keep on keepin’ on

Out to sea
Is the only place I honestly
Can get myself some peace of mind
You know it’s getting hard to fly

If I’m to fall
Would you be there to applaud
Or would you hide behind them all?
‘Cos If I am to go
In my heart you grow
And that’s where you belong

If I’m to fall
Would you be there to applaud
Or would you hide behind them all?
‘Coz If I am to go
In my heart you grow
And that’s where you belong

If I’m to fall
Would you be there to applaud
Or would you hide behind them all?
‘Coz If I am to go
In my heart you grow
And that’s where you belong

Yes I’m outta time
I’m outta time
I’m outta time
I’m outta time
I’m outta time

OASIS

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Sexcellent 8)
The democratic process performing perfectly.. Wd all!

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Ok.. who are the planks voting Yes.. and like why?? :shock:

[Sgt Pepper]

“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice… :-k

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