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Set up for a War with Saddam
Robert Fish argues in The Independent, that we’re being suckered into going to war. Very persuasive arguement too – look out for the “drubbing” of UN inspectors to determine when we’re likely to see the war.
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Building the Impossible
Two science programmes on the same channel in the same week, and we end up with this? Now I’ll admit to having a soft spot for programmes which build things, like Secrets of the Ancients and it’s ilk. Yes they have some slightly contrived tensions amongst the participants as they decide how to deal with…
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Politics in Films
David Thomson has written an interesting piece in today’s Guardian about the lack of politics in today’s films, with producers scared to introduce it, or maybe not even knowing how.
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The Quiet American
The Quiet American seems to have gone through something of a long gestation between being made and arriving on our screens. According to this article from the Washington Post, the film has been ready to screen for over a year, having previewed on Sept 10 2001. But things are not that easy for a film…
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Horizon: Homeopathy
BBC2 has just shown a most entertaining Horizon on homeopathy. It investigated the claims made by homeopathy; claims that have absolutely no scientific basis as we currently understand it. A few months ago I read the fascinating book, Voodoo Science by Robert Park which goes through many scientific “debunks” of modern times. But he also…
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Lord of the Rings: Extended Version
Thanks to Geoff, I now have a copy of the Extended Version of Fellowship of the Rings. Of course the first thing I had to do was look for my name on the fanclub. Yes – I spent good money on joining the official fan club as a charter member, and my year’s subscription bought…
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Digital Switchover
I see that Tessa Jowell is claiming that the digital switchover is likely to be in 2010. I just can’t see that. While many homes are now “digital”, they only have one receiver which means additional TVs and videos are not. There are also vast tracts of the country that are simply not covered by…
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Die Another Day
Oh dear. I really wanted to enjoy this. I really love Bond films. I’m a fan. But there are some major problems with this film. First of all, let me say that director Lee Tamahori has done a couple of interesting things here. Bond is captured and tortured through an opening credit sequence that does…
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The Heart of Me
This was the closing film at the London Film Festival, and I must admit that I’m at little disappointed with it. Based on a novel by Rosamond Lehmann, The Echoing Grove, the film tells the story of Rickie Masters (Paul Bettany), his wife Madelaine (Olivia Williams), and in particular her sister Dinah (Helena Bonham Carter).…
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David Blaine
I’m lucky that I work in London, since I have most things available to me – that includes books signings. David Blaine is in London to promote his new book, and I must admit that I do find books on magicians fascinating, particularly if they include some history and maybe a little bit of explanation.…
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Small Site Amends
Yup. Some more site tweaks now sees my last five books and films handily available to read. All thanks to the FilterCategories plugin.
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Cheap(ish) PDAs
It’s taken a while, but finally Dell has released their $199 and $299 Pocket PCs to the market. Just a couple of minor riders – the prices require you to mail in for a $50 rebate (they bank on you not mailing in), and secondly they won’t reach Europe until February/March next year. And can…
Podcasts, Radio, TV, Books, Cycling, Photography and More
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Yellowface/All The Lovers In The Night
Yellowface by R F Kuang I first came across R F Kuang with last year’s very enjoyable Babel, an alternate history of the British Empire told in a world where magic exists and is controlled by an elite group of individuals. Yellowface is very different, but no less enjoyable. It’s a book about books, and…
Hadrian’s Wall
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