Watched 'Ethel And Ernest' on the beeb last night. The story of Raymond Briggs's parents and his life had a real ring of honesty about it. No punches pulled. As with 'The Snowman' it was beautifully crafted and it was a stunning piece of social history.
As someone who grew up in post war London I recognised so much. Getting our first telephone, our first TV, our first car. There is a lot of propaganda about right now about how hard done by the younger generations are compared with us old gits.
What couple today puts a mattress on the bare un-carpeted floor of their first home and hangs sheets at the windows. Today people expect to furnish right away, they expect holidays, cars, televisions, computers, individual phones. They expect child care and help from the state and on it goes.
I'm not against any of it, but the idea that we had it so much better is laughable. Yes, property is very expensive in many places, but our mortgage rates peaked at seventeen percent, we made do with second hand things and yes in most families people found a way for both parents to work. I know a retired nurse who worked nights, so she could be there for the kids during the day, snatching sleep in short bursts here and there.
Today she quite often babysits for her grandchildren. Each generation has its challenges and difficulties, I thank my lucky stars I missed both world wars. I wonder how many people between the ages of twenty and forty would recognise Raymond Briggs's world. I do and it was tv at its very best for once; a creative, storytelling treasure.
It also shone a light on the cheerful attitude that permeated much of working class London, so different from the BBCs soap opera version. And a reminder that things really aren't so bad for those coming along now.
Three cheers for Raymond.
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Thursday 29 December 2016
Thursday 13 October 2016
It's About Storytelling
Watched the first episode of the new BBC series 'The Missing' last night, strong cast and good acting. Only reservation was the constant jumping around in time. I think flashbacks or jumping forward can add to the telling of a story when used judiciously, over use the device and the story just becomes disjointed and more difficult for people to follow and understand. At the end of the day it's about storytelling, so only nine out of ten on that basis. Nice cliffhanger at the end though.
If you're starting to think about Christmas already!
If you're starting to think about Christmas already!
Tuesday 11 October 2016
Is It Strictly Or Is It Us?
Strictly Come Dancing has been accused of being racist. I don't think the show itself is racist, but I wonder where British society is at. Many Brits seem to have got back in touch with their nasty side in the run up to and after the recent referendum.
Radio DJ Melvin Odoom was the first black contestant to leave Strictly and in all honesty he wasn't the most graceful of dancers. Next to leave was soap actor Tameka Empson. Again, as a layman, I think she was just pipped in the dance off. However it was the public vote which put her in the dance off and that may be a reflection of the racism we've seen growing with a little help from Farage and Boris The Turk.
Sorry, I sound a bit racist myself there; I have nothing against Turkish people at all, indeed, two of my best and most respected friends are Turkish, but Boris using fear of Turkey, when he of all people knows better was hypocrisy on an epic scale, so I just wanted to remind people of his heritage and two faced nature not denigrate Turks.
Back to Strictly and racism may have played only a minor part, it's impossible to know. I have noticed a tendency for people at the bottom of the leader board to attract a sympathy vote which puts better dancers out, also unfair. It is also to some extent a popularity contest and that's not right either, but it's more acceptable than racism. Racism is never acceptable and Britain IS struggling with it right now and we should be better than that.
Malcolm Snook on You Tube
Radio DJ Melvin Odoom was the first black contestant to leave Strictly and in all honesty he wasn't the most graceful of dancers. Next to leave was soap actor Tameka Empson. Again, as a layman, I think she was just pipped in the dance off. However it was the public vote which put her in the dance off and that may be a reflection of the racism we've seen growing with a little help from Farage and Boris The Turk.
Sorry, I sound a bit racist myself there; I have nothing against Turkish people at all, indeed, two of my best and most respected friends are Turkish, but Boris using fear of Turkey, when he of all people knows better was hypocrisy on an epic scale, so I just wanted to remind people of his heritage and two faced nature not denigrate Turks.
Back to Strictly and racism may have played only a minor part, it's impossible to know. I have noticed a tendency for people at the bottom of the leader board to attract a sympathy vote which puts better dancers out, also unfair. It is also to some extent a popularity contest and that's not right either, but it's more acceptable than racism. Racism is never acceptable and Britain IS struggling with it right now and we should be better than that.
Malcolm Snook on You Tube
Saturday 8 October 2016
The Most Significant Watch In The World
Yesterday I reviewed an episode of Grand Designs but mentioned I'd watched another really good programme the same evening - a rare event indeed. The other programme on the BBC, getting it right for once, was Nicholas Parsons, of Sale Of The Century and Just A Minute fame, revealing his love of clocks and watches and telling the story of the watch Breguet made for the tragic Marie Antoinette Queen Of France.
What a story it was too. The watch itself is probably the most intricate masterpiece and the most valuable watch on the planet. Its story does not disappoint. Forty years in the making, with every point of friction cushioned with sapphire, with every complication known to Breguet, his patented tourbillon plus day, date and leap year calendar and what we would call an automatic movement but which Breguet called perpetual.
What would normally be brass parts were gold. The watch is believed to have been commissioned by a member of the Swedish aristocracy who was at least an admirer of the queen and possibly her lover. He stipulated unlimited time and unlimited budget and he got his wish, but not the watch which was finished some time after the queen had been executed in the French revolution.
The watch eventually came into the hands of a British industrialist and collector, before being bequeathed to a museum in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem it was stolen by a brilliant burglar. The heist was the biggest robbery in Israel's history and the police were unable to solve the case.
The Breguet company were dismayed and, after years of searching, using original records and photographs they set about making a replica. As many as a hundred craftsmen worked on the project for several years and just as they finished an antiques dealer in Jerusalem received a call from a lawyer and incredibly found himself face to face with the lost original.
The thief had never sold it and confessed on his deathbed to his wife who contacted a lawyer to broker the return of nearly one hundred stolen watches of great significance, none more so than the Marie Antionette.
Nicholas Parson tells the story with charm, intelligence and insight. Marvellous to see him still going I won't reveal his age but he's a most impressive gentleman. You can find the programme at the BBC website for a short while.
Gifts for watch enthusiasts.
What a story it was too. The watch itself is probably the most intricate masterpiece and the most valuable watch on the planet. Its story does not disappoint. Forty years in the making, with every point of friction cushioned with sapphire, with every complication known to Breguet, his patented tourbillon plus day, date and leap year calendar and what we would call an automatic movement but which Breguet called perpetual.
What would normally be brass parts were gold. The watch is believed to have been commissioned by a member of the Swedish aristocracy who was at least an admirer of the queen and possibly her lover. He stipulated unlimited time and unlimited budget and he got his wish, but not the watch which was finished some time after the queen had been executed in the French revolution.
The watch eventually came into the hands of a British industrialist and collector, before being bequeathed to a museum in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem it was stolen by a brilliant burglar. The heist was the biggest robbery in Israel's history and the police were unable to solve the case.
The Breguet company were dismayed and, after years of searching, using original records and photographs they set about making a replica. As many as a hundred craftsmen worked on the project for several years and just as they finished an antiques dealer in Jerusalem received a call from a lawyer and incredibly found himself face to face with the lost original.
The thief had never sold it and confessed on his deathbed to his wife who contacted a lawyer to broker the return of nearly one hundred stolen watches of great significance, none more so than the Marie Antionette.
Nicholas Parson tells the story with charm, intelligence and insight. Marvellous to see him still going I won't reveal his age but he's a most impressive gentleman. You can find the programme at the BBC website for a short while.
Gifts for watch enthusiasts.
Friday 7 October 2016
Sheffield Boy In Puglia
My TV Review blog is a bit of an indulgence really; I don't watch tv avidly, don't do soaps or the real housewives of anywhere, Kim Kardashian is a mystery to me other than what I see in the news. It was a genuine surprise then to watch two programmes in a single evening which I felt worthy of comment.
The first was an old Grand Designs, on Channel 4, about a couple of British artists who built a Roman style villa in Puglia complete with home made mosaics. A place large enough to run art courses and they must have done over ninety percent of it themselves with almost bare hands and nary a tradesman in sight, not to mention a minuscule budget once the land was paid for.
I've always liked the programme, the insights and gentlemanly not to say kindly manner of the presenter Kevin McCloud. On many occasions I've been thoroughly impressed by the industry and vision of the contributors. These two took the biscuit though. They had some help from friends and family, but their industry was mind boggling. I have a home in the neighbouring region and I know how hot it can get down there in summer. These two were my generation and the work they did was superhuman, no other word for it. And skilled, building Roman arches around a wooden former with no previous experience for example.
Tomorrow, or maybe later, the other one!
Malcolm Snook blogger and traveller
The first was an old Grand Designs, on Channel 4, about a couple of British artists who built a Roman style villa in Puglia complete with home made mosaics. A place large enough to run art courses and they must have done over ninety percent of it themselves with almost bare hands and nary a tradesman in sight, not to mention a minuscule budget once the land was paid for.
I've always liked the programme, the insights and gentlemanly not to say kindly manner of the presenter Kevin McCloud. On many occasions I've been thoroughly impressed by the industry and vision of the contributors. These two took the biscuit though. They had some help from friends and family, but their industry was mind boggling. I have a home in the neighbouring region and I know how hot it can get down there in summer. These two were my generation and the work they did was superhuman, no other word for it. And skilled, building Roman arches around a wooden former with no previous experience for example.
Tomorrow, or maybe later, the other one!
Malcolm Snook blogger and traveller
Tuesday 4 October 2016
Unreported World
Channel 4's 'Unreported World' has won awards and quite rightly too. Recently they have put the spotlight on Yemen where the sight of children dying of malnutrition will make you weep. The war in Yemen is between Sunni and Shia, yet again, with Saudi Arabia backing one and Iran the other, again. There's no moral high ground for Britain or America though, again.
Ninety percent of Yemen's food is imported and more than seventy percent of that comes in though one port. that port is blockaded by Saudi Arabia AND they've taken out the cranes that unload the ships using British and/or American missiles. Now the flour that does arrive is rotten before it can be used and civilians and children are dying, again.
How do our bloody politicians sleep at night? Do what's right, not what's expedient, stop the bloody arms sales, especially to Saudi and start being part of the solution not part of the problem.
Malcolm Snook author and believer in peace.
Ninety percent of Yemen's food is imported and more than seventy percent of that comes in though one port. that port is blockaded by Saudi Arabia AND they've taken out the cranes that unload the ships using British and/or American missiles. Now the flour that does arrive is rotten before it can be used and civilians and children are dying, again.
How do our bloody politicians sleep at night? Do what's right, not what's expedient, stop the bloody arms sales, especially to Saudi and start being part of the solution not part of the problem.
Malcolm Snook author and believer in peace.
Tuesday 20 September 2016
Your Starter For Glory
Last night's University Challenge was a blinder, the best I've ever seen. It's not the first time there's been a tie break, but the passion of the contestants was something to behold, one of them so passionate in fact he has apparently become an internet and twitter sensation. Well, I don't know about that and it's not the first tie break ever, but it was the way the game was played, with feeling and gusto that made it stand out.
If you're not familiar with the format teams compete over a starter question, if a team interrupts and gets the question wrong they lose five points, get it right and not only do they get ten points but they also get three bonus questions where the other team cannot buzz in. Normally there is no point interrupting a bonus question, but Wolfson College Cambridge, playing School of Oriental and African Studies did this many times in order to avoid wasting so much as a second when playing catch up.
It seemed contagious too as SOAS made several interruptions on starter questions and lost points accordingly. Despite several penalties on both sides and the lead changing constantly, it was a very high scoring game for both teams, finally resolved by a sudden death starter question after a tie at full time so to speak. Remember, interrupt a starter question and get it wrong and you lose five points, so the pressure was intense. It was also fascinating as a match between old and young effectively as well, something most unusual. I won't spoil it for you in case you watch it on iPlayer, catchup or whatever.
Anyway, all eight contestants were post grad students, but the SOAS team were considerably older. I watch BBC's Mastermind too, where I can usually answer a smattering of questions, but University Challenge is in another ball park completely, it has always amazed me that people so young can have learned so much, in so short a time. Sadly the speed of it means I fail to retain much of what I should be learning, but as entertainment, when something happens the way it did last night, it's hard to beat.
You can find out for yourself whether the older or the younger team prevailed. It's to be hoped that the losers will go through as one of the top losers. Sadly a contestant on one team appears to have died between filming and screening, sincere condolences. This was TV history.
Something for the hobbyist
If you're not familiar with the format teams compete over a starter question, if a team interrupts and gets the question wrong they lose five points, get it right and not only do they get ten points but they also get three bonus questions where the other team cannot buzz in. Normally there is no point interrupting a bonus question, but Wolfson College Cambridge, playing School of Oriental and African Studies did this many times in order to avoid wasting so much as a second when playing catch up.
It seemed contagious too as SOAS made several interruptions on starter questions and lost points accordingly. Despite several penalties on both sides and the lead changing constantly, it was a very high scoring game for both teams, finally resolved by a sudden death starter question after a tie at full time so to speak. Remember, interrupt a starter question and get it wrong and you lose five points, so the pressure was intense. It was also fascinating as a match between old and young effectively as well, something most unusual. I won't spoil it for you in case you watch it on iPlayer, catchup or whatever.
Anyway, all eight contestants were post grad students, but the SOAS team were considerably older. I watch BBC's Mastermind too, where I can usually answer a smattering of questions, but University Challenge is in another ball park completely, it has always amazed me that people so young can have learned so much, in so short a time. Sadly the speed of it means I fail to retain much of what I should be learning, but as entertainment, when something happens the way it did last night, it's hard to beat.
You can find out for yourself whether the older or the younger team prevailed. It's to be hoped that the losers will go through as one of the top losers. Sadly a contestant on one team appears to have died between filming and screening, sincere condolences. This was TV history.
Something for the hobbyist
Monday 12 September 2016
Self Serving BBC
BBC News had a technical problem with a report on their main story about NHS Providers saying they cannot meet targets with their current funding, let alone go to a full seven day service as politicians, most of whom have no experience running a business, let alone a big corporation, have decreed. BBC switched from the report even though we could have heard what was being said and only the picture of the reporter was faulty.
Later in the broadcast the programme did a self serving piece of promotion for its own radio show 'The Archers', as if the story line hasn't had enough publicity. This is soap, not news, not real life, they didn't go back to the lost report at all. It's no longer much of a news report at all. Disgraceful. thank goodness for Channel 4 News.
Malcolm Snook
Later in the broadcast the programme did a self serving piece of promotion for its own radio show 'The Archers', as if the story line hasn't had enough publicity. This is soap, not news, not real life, they didn't go back to the lost report at all. It's no longer much of a news report at all. Disgraceful. thank goodness for Channel 4 News.
Malcolm Snook
Tuesday 6 September 2016
BBC Crimewatch Debacle
Members of the public were outraged to see the BBC using a cliffhanger ending to get people to tune in to Crimewatch again next week. The tragic story was about a teenage girl raped and murdered many years ago. However, due to advances in the understanding of DNA the killer has now been caught and jailed. Well that's good, however.......
The BBC clearly should not have treated this as a drama, or as something to achieve ratings, but the BBC has its defence all ready. They say the story needed two episodes to be told. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think everyone is missing something.
Surely the whole raison d'être of Crimewatch is to get the public to help solve UNSOLVED crimes, not tell the story of solved murders at such length that it takes TWO episodes. The BBC are trying to defend the indefensible and popular dancing Jeremy might have had the foresight to just say no.
Malcolm Snook
The BBC clearly should not have treated this as a drama, or as something to achieve ratings, but the BBC has its defence all ready. They say the story needed two episodes to be told. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think everyone is missing something.
Surely the whole raison d'être of Crimewatch is to get the public to help solve UNSOLVED crimes, not tell the story of solved murders at such length that it takes TWO episodes. The BBC are trying to defend the indefensible and popular dancing Jeremy might have had the foresight to just say no.
Malcolm Snook
Plain Rude
On the whole Channel 4's F1 coverage is pretty good, but David Coulthard's arrogance in trying to buttonhole Valterie Bottas who was already involved in an interview with a lady presenter, from his home country, on the grid at Monza was appalling. DC did apologise later, no doubt after a flood of complaints, but at the time he didn't think he'd done anything wrong, saying something along the lines that Bottas thinks he's all big time now he's qualified fifth.
I haven't put that in quotes because it may not be word perfect from memory, but it is the gist of what he said, accusing Bottas of the very arrogance he actually displayed. We all make mistakes in the heat of the moment, but plain good manners, should be a basic human reaction, it wasn't a leg pull or a mistimed joke, it was BAD.
Malcolm Snook
I haven't put that in quotes because it may not be word perfect from memory, but it is the gist of what he said, accusing Bottas of the very arrogance he actually displayed. We all make mistakes in the heat of the moment, but plain good manners, should be a basic human reaction, it wasn't a leg pull or a mistimed joke, it was BAD.
Malcolm Snook
Wednesday 31 August 2016
Well Done Ch 5!
Watched Schindlers List on Channel 5 the other night. It is one of the greatest movies ever made, if you have a soul you cannot fail to be moved. Whatever you may feel about Israel and the Palestinian question today the world in the late thirties and through the forties was something very different. A vast and sinister conflict its hard, even for the generation after to imagine.
I sometimes think the human species has more in common with Lemmings than any other animal. We seem, yet again to be becoming more insular and some of the world's current politicians are manipulating our worries and fears the way someone else once did.
The tragedy of Poland and Polish Jews of the massacres and ghettos and extermination camps is, even now unbelievable, not that I'm in any way a holocaust denier. The story if Schindler is so well told that the film is a true masterpiece, the stronger the story, and this is an incredible story, in many ways the greater the risk to the film maker.
The reason I felt moved to blog though was that Channel 5 treated the movie with respect, they're a commercial channel but advertising breaks were few, short and far between, protecting as far as a commercial station can the art and the experience.
Well done Channel 5 great example.
Why not have a look at my facebook page.
I sometimes think the human species has more in common with Lemmings than any other animal. We seem, yet again to be becoming more insular and some of the world's current politicians are manipulating our worries and fears the way someone else once did.
The tragedy of Poland and Polish Jews of the massacres and ghettos and extermination camps is, even now unbelievable, not that I'm in any way a holocaust denier. The story if Schindler is so well told that the film is a true masterpiece, the stronger the story, and this is an incredible story, in many ways the greater the risk to the film maker.
The reason I felt moved to blog though was that Channel 5 treated the movie with respect, they're a commercial channel but advertising breaks were few, short and far between, protecting as far as a commercial station can the art and the experience.
Well done Channel 5 great example.
Why not have a look at my facebook page.
Friday 19 August 2016
About Time
Watched the movie 'About Time' on Film 4 last night. I've been trying to avoid commercial TV as much as possible, there are just too many ads these days and some I find patronising, others offensive, certain brands blacklisted as a result.
However, Film 4 has a tolerable amount of advertising and shows some good movies. In 'About Time' Bill Nighy plays Bill Nighy, diffident and charming and everyone else acts their socks off. OK it's not the world's greatest movie, but it's entertaining and it makes you feel good and it even has a message.
Written, as well as directed by Richard Curtis, who I met once when I was working as an extra, I'm forced to wonder if he's not the current Charles Dickens. Different times and different methods of communication and entertainment, but you'd have to say he's a great observer of human nature, and the message about looking at things positively, seeing the good and making the most of your life is unarguably right - but it's not rammed down your throat.
Hell, I'd even watch it again; it took me a moment or two to recognise Servilia from HBO's Rome and where I'd seen some of the other lead actors before, great performances. I'm not criticising Bill Nighy though, he was perfect for that role and if some actors reprise themselves, Hugh Grant is another, no problem if the casting is right, better them than Costner as Robin Hood.
Now for my ad - well, we all have to make a living, here is one of my gift shops.
However, Film 4 has a tolerable amount of advertising and shows some good movies. In 'About Time' Bill Nighy plays Bill Nighy, diffident and charming and everyone else acts their socks off. OK it's not the world's greatest movie, but it's entertaining and it makes you feel good and it even has a message.
Written, as well as directed by Richard Curtis, who I met once when I was working as an extra, I'm forced to wonder if he's not the current Charles Dickens. Different times and different methods of communication and entertainment, but you'd have to say he's a great observer of human nature, and the message about looking at things positively, seeing the good and making the most of your life is unarguably right - but it's not rammed down your throat.
Hell, I'd even watch it again; it took me a moment or two to recognise Servilia from HBO's Rome and where I'd seen some of the other lead actors before, great performances. I'm not criticising Bill Nighy though, he was perfect for that role and if some actors reprise themselves, Hugh Grant is another, no problem if the casting is right, better them than Costner as Robin Hood.
Now for my ad - well, we all have to make a living, here is one of my gift shops.
Wednesday 22 June 2016
Impartial?
How did the Boris fan club get all the front seats at the great television debate on the referendum and why were the spotlights on a few hundred of them out of six thousand in the arena. One for the conspiracy theorists I think!
Personally I hope we haven't gone from the sick man of Europe to the cynical man of Europe. I'm in favour of a joined up world myself not isolated enclaves.
Unfortunately the remain campaign has been poor and so many issues have not been discussed, especially the positive things which come from European cooperation and believe me there are many. Same again last night, fear of recession and job losses, which is real, but not a positive, fear of terrorism, I like to think civilised people would continue to fight atrocity anyway, and the big red herring fear of immigration.
Something no-one has pointed out is that if Britain votes to leave there will likely be mass panic immigration, to get in before its too late, leaving a huge amount of sorting out later, along with all the rules and regulations the leavers want abolished, new trade negotiations and on and on. Chaos.
While the remain campaign has been poor and has largely ignored the positives to campaign based on fear, the leave campaign has been worse in its use of downright lies, blatant propaganda and yet again fear. Why are are politicians so in love with fear?
Maybe it's because they think they can control a fearful population, it's working for Trump in a divided America and the media is helping it along, both in America and here. Surely we can do better than that?
Britain looks divided and divisive right now, an overwhelming remain vote might settle things for a while. If it turns out we are as divided down the middle as the Americans right now it will be a tragedy and our shallow, partial media will share the blame with our mostly appalling politicians.
Personally I hope we haven't gone from the sick man of Europe to the cynical man of Europe. I'm in favour of a joined up world myself not isolated enclaves.
Unfortunately the remain campaign has been poor and so many issues have not been discussed, especially the positive things which come from European cooperation and believe me there are many. Same again last night, fear of recession and job losses, which is real, but not a positive, fear of terrorism, I like to think civilised people would continue to fight atrocity anyway, and the big red herring fear of immigration.
Something no-one has pointed out is that if Britain votes to leave there will likely be mass panic immigration, to get in before its too late, leaving a huge amount of sorting out later, along with all the rules and regulations the leavers want abolished, new trade negotiations and on and on. Chaos.
While the remain campaign has been poor and has largely ignored the positives to campaign based on fear, the leave campaign has been worse in its use of downright lies, blatant propaganda and yet again fear. Why are are politicians so in love with fear?
Maybe it's because they think they can control a fearful population, it's working for Trump in a divided America and the media is helping it along, both in America and here. Surely we can do better than that?
Britain looks divided and divisive right now, an overwhelming remain vote might settle things for a while. If it turns out we are as divided down the middle as the Americans right now it will be a tragedy and our shallow, partial media will share the blame with our mostly appalling politicians.
Monday 20 June 2016
BBC Question Time and News
David Cameron gave a poor performance on Question Time last night I thought. I'd hate to see us leave Europe personally and I'm not suggesting Michael Gove did better last week. Passionate Cameron may have been, but effective? I worry. When he was talking about controlling immigration from non EU countries he dodged the issue.
The stuff about terrorism could well do with being left out too, I'm pretty certain countries will co-operate over such a crucial issue. Pointing out blatant lies put about by the 'out campaign' is good, but most of the rest of what was said has been said many times and not apparently to great effect. Not that one can trust the polls either.
It would be nice to see people talking about the good things which have come out of European co-operation, work on the environment and human rights. One questioner referred to Europe's share of trade being in decline in percentage terms, he wasn't very convincingly answered. Europe's output has increased over time but you can prove anything with statistics by choosing set periods and all sorts of dodges. I don't want to go down that path.
What I would say is that economies like China and India who came late to modern capitalism, have huge populations and lower wages to boot will obviously grow faster, which in turn means established countries decline percentage wise by comparison, even if they too are growing. If you were a new car marque and you sold one car in year one and two in year two you'd have grown by one hundred percent, but it would hardly be a huge success. India and China are making a success of things, but statistics will still flatter.
A bad night for TV then, and for the current debate. The good old BBC then repeated a large chunk of its own programme on the news. BBC news is decidedly weak, repetitive and self serving these days. It's short, shallow and dumbed down. If you're going to broadcast news it should be wide ranging, informative, unbiased and thoughtful. The BBC is hitting one out of four at best.
Malcolm Snook is published at Amazon, Nook and Kobo
The stuff about terrorism could well do with being left out too, I'm pretty certain countries will co-operate over such a crucial issue. Pointing out blatant lies put about by the 'out campaign' is good, but most of the rest of what was said has been said many times and not apparently to great effect. Not that one can trust the polls either.
It would be nice to see people talking about the good things which have come out of European co-operation, work on the environment and human rights. One questioner referred to Europe's share of trade being in decline in percentage terms, he wasn't very convincingly answered. Europe's output has increased over time but you can prove anything with statistics by choosing set periods and all sorts of dodges. I don't want to go down that path.
What I would say is that economies like China and India who came late to modern capitalism, have huge populations and lower wages to boot will obviously grow faster, which in turn means established countries decline percentage wise by comparison, even if they too are growing. If you were a new car marque and you sold one car in year one and two in year two you'd have grown by one hundred percent, but it would hardly be a huge success. India and China are making a success of things, but statistics will still flatter.
A bad night for TV then, and for the current debate. The good old BBC then repeated a large chunk of its own programme on the news. BBC news is decidedly weak, repetitive and self serving these days. It's short, shallow and dumbed down. If you're going to broadcast news it should be wide ranging, informative, unbiased and thoughtful. The BBC is hitting one out of four at best.
Malcolm Snook is published at Amazon, Nook and Kobo
Saturday 30 April 2016
Thought For The Day
Maybe I just get more grumpy the older I get, but it seems to me that commercial 'breaks' are getting longer, more frequent and more repetitive. The better the film or the drama, the more intrusive and overly frequent adverts grate. In fact I'm joining the box set generation even at my age. Play the drama I want, when I want and no ads!
However, is it possible that a TV channel which guaranteed all advertisements would be run before and after films, drama, in fact all programmes would steal a march on the others and achieve huge popularity? And commercial success? Will anyone have the courage to try it?
My Youtube
However, is it possible that a TV channel which guaranteed all advertisements would be run before and after films, drama, in fact all programmes would steal a march on the others and achieve huge popularity? And commercial success? Will anyone have the courage to try it?
My Youtube
Tuesday 19 April 2016
The Drama Contest
More 4 has 'Thicker Than Water' from those loveable Scandinavians who've provided so much great tv in Britain of late and the BBC has 'Undercover'. The first is gripping, as is 'Blue Eyes', incidentally, also current and as was 'The Bridge', 'Trapped' and '1864'. Further back 'Borgen' was excellent too. It's a great time to be a couch potato in the UK.
Compare the best of British and Scandinavian drama with the supposed benchmark of Hollywood and it looks to me as if Hollywood is coming up short. John Travolta produced and acted in 'The People Versus OJ Simpson', which was informative and entertaining just not unmissable.
'Undercover' is very British with highly topical content, and, as a dyed in the wool conspiracy theorist who thinks the police meddle in politics which they should leave alone, whilst letting down victims of crime almost all the time, 'Undercover' could have been made for me. I'm not convinced about UK police ethics concerning race or violence either, so 'Undercover' panders to my suspicions nicely.
However, the Scandinavians win by a short head for me, for years we were indoctrinated that British is best, not necessarily so. After years of travelling to supposedly dangerous places, my boat got burgled back home at Gallions Reach Marina in good old London. One of the things I most regretted losing was a DVD of the movie 'Pelle The Conqueror'. Great acting from Swedish legend of the cinema Max Von Sydow and a powerfully moving Scandinavian story, brilliantly told by all concerned. In fact we Brits think we're outward looking but a lot of Scandinavian history seems to have passed us by. Drama isn't fact but it is providing a degree of education.
I'm a big fan of the UK film industry and mentor to a young British film maker, but the Scandinavian film and tv industries are producing truly great viewing. It's a shame when it's on a commercial channel and spoiled by ads, but still, better than not at all. Thank you to all those involved in bringing Scandinavian drama to our shores, if you've missed it then settle down and take a look soon.
Artwork from the author of this blog.
Compare the best of British and Scandinavian drama with the supposed benchmark of Hollywood and it looks to me as if Hollywood is coming up short. John Travolta produced and acted in 'The People Versus OJ Simpson', which was informative and entertaining just not unmissable.
'Undercover' is very British with highly topical content, and, as a dyed in the wool conspiracy theorist who thinks the police meddle in politics which they should leave alone, whilst letting down victims of crime almost all the time, 'Undercover' could have been made for me. I'm not convinced about UK police ethics concerning race or violence either, so 'Undercover' panders to my suspicions nicely.
However, the Scandinavians win by a short head for me, for years we were indoctrinated that British is best, not necessarily so. After years of travelling to supposedly dangerous places, my boat got burgled back home at Gallions Reach Marina in good old London. One of the things I most regretted losing was a DVD of the movie 'Pelle The Conqueror'. Great acting from Swedish legend of the cinema Max Von Sydow and a powerfully moving Scandinavian story, brilliantly told by all concerned. In fact we Brits think we're outward looking but a lot of Scandinavian history seems to have passed us by. Drama isn't fact but it is providing a degree of education.
I'm a big fan of the UK film industry and mentor to a young British film maker, but the Scandinavian film and tv industries are producing truly great viewing. It's a shame when it's on a commercial channel and spoiled by ads, but still, better than not at all. Thank you to all those involved in bringing Scandinavian drama to our shores, if you've missed it then settle down and take a look soon.
Artwork from the author of this blog.
Thursday 14 April 2016
Dark Horse
On Grand National weekend I watched the film 'Dark Horse' about the famous racehorse Dream Alliance. I thought I knew the bones of the story and sat down for a feelgood experience. Now I'm not going to give it all away for those of you who haven't seen it, because I recommend you look out for repeats, or a way to get a hold of it.
Maybe I should be ashamed of myself being moved to tears at my age, but I found it the most moving thing I've seen on television in a long while. Jan, the lady whose idea it all was that a Welsh mining town in decline should breed a racehorse was utterly amazing, but she wasn't the only one, led by a cleaner from ASDA with a second job as a barmaid in a working mans club to make ends meet, a syndicate of ordinary people achieved the extraordinary and demonstrated humour, humanity and kindness along the way.
That the horse stole the show goes without saying, but my goodness a tour de force and what a great crowd of regular, decent people behind it all.
Malcolm Snook
Maybe I should be ashamed of myself being moved to tears at my age, but I found it the most moving thing I've seen on television in a long while. Jan, the lady whose idea it all was that a Welsh mining town in decline should breed a racehorse was utterly amazing, but she wasn't the only one, led by a cleaner from ASDA with a second job as a barmaid in a working mans club to make ends meet, a syndicate of ordinary people achieved the extraordinary and demonstrated humour, humanity and kindness along the way.
That the horse stole the show goes without saying, but my goodness a tour de force and what a great crowd of regular, decent people behind it all.
Malcolm Snook
Sunday 27 March 2016
The BBC is a curious organisation
A contestant is eased out of BBC's 'The Voice' for snorting Cocaine. They might have covered themselves in more glory if they'd offered to help her. After all pop stars aren't famous for being drug free beings, the BBC still has the ignominy of having turned a blind eye to child abuse hanging over it and they have a judge on 'The Voice' previously found guilty of assault and false imprisonment. The BBC, Broadcasting that's Bonkers and Confused.
Give em the finger!
Give em the finger!
Saturday 12 March 2016
Foreign Drama
Once upon a time we were all indoctrinated to think the BBC produced the best drama in the world. I do think the BBC has created some great drama, but I think those telling us it was the best in the world only compared it with America. Lets face it the Brits are very lazy about learning languages and subtitles ha, who needs 'em?
However, with shrinking budgets and more TV channels, suddenly were getting drama from Scandinavia, France and Italy, with subtitles. Now subtitles may detract, but I'm beginning to think not; actually they do force you to pay attention for one thing. However, if they are detracting then it makes the new drama we're seeing all the more remarkable, because it's great.
I really enjoyed the historical Danish drama '1864'; another Scandinavian drama, this time a crime drama 'The Bridge' was unmissable, with great acting and great characters. At the moment I'm watching 'Trapped' which is Icelandic and is also compelling, and then there's 'Thicker Than Water' also Scandinavian, Swedish in this case, which is, once again gripping.
Apologies to Daniel Craig but the Swedish adaptation of Stieg Larsson's wonderful trilogy, 'The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo' series was way better than the Hollywood version. Then there's the 'Inspector Montelbano' and 'The Young Montelbano' series, now sadly no longer being aired here. Italian crime drama with humour, in a style unknown in the UK really, for all that we pride ourselves on our sense of humour. Well done Italy, we got it!
More please and lets keep Europe together and not become a bunch of 'Little Englanders'.
However, with shrinking budgets and more TV channels, suddenly were getting drama from Scandinavia, France and Italy, with subtitles. Now subtitles may detract, but I'm beginning to think not; actually they do force you to pay attention for one thing. However, if they are detracting then it makes the new drama we're seeing all the more remarkable, because it's great.
I really enjoyed the historical Danish drama '1864'; another Scandinavian drama, this time a crime drama 'The Bridge' was unmissable, with great acting and great characters. At the moment I'm watching 'Trapped' which is Icelandic and is also compelling, and then there's 'Thicker Than Water' also Scandinavian, Swedish in this case, which is, once again gripping.
Apologies to Daniel Craig but the Swedish adaptation of Stieg Larsson's wonderful trilogy, 'The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo' series was way better than the Hollywood version. Then there's the 'Inspector Montelbano' and 'The Young Montelbano' series, now sadly no longer being aired here. Italian crime drama with humour, in a style unknown in the UK really, for all that we pride ourselves on our sense of humour. Well done Italy, we got it!
More please and lets keep Europe together and not become a bunch of 'Little Englanders'.
Thursday 10 March 2016
Timothy Spall All At Sea
I think it was called back to sea actually. I've seen two of Timothy Spall's nautical jaunts and several of Timothy West and Prunella Scales great canal journeys in England and France. Have to say that West and Scales are charming individuals and Timothy Spall is a very likeable personality too, something to do with thespian lovies maybe. Timothy West seemed to have trouble getting to grips with the steering when they changed boats and there seems to be quite a lot of bridge and bank bashing, but nothing dangerous. Mr Spall is more of a worry really, says he has years of experience but gave away that much of that was on the canals too. In both the episodes I've watched he seems to have had difficulty with his navigation and planning which is a worry, maybe it was just for TV, to make it more interesting.
His barge is lovely, but not the best blue water boat, I watched it pounding badly the other night, I hope he takes very great care about the weather before going offshore and even then weather forecasters get it wrong, I hope he know his ports of refuge and when it's better to give up and turn back to the port you left. You might think if you're half way it makes no odds, but if a strong headwind comes up with waves to match the second 'half' can be much longer than the first half.
In the episode I just watched Mr and Mrs Spall arrived late (faulty navigation), at a marina with a state of tide sensitive lock. Being late there was not enough depth of water for them to enter and so they had to anchor offshore. Fortunately it was calm overnight even if it wasn't the next day. It was the first time the couple, with years of experience, had ever anchored. No shame in that, I know lots of people who never anchor off until they're forced too, but it's not so stressful with the right equipment, the right knowledge and the right planning. Actually it's a great way to get away from the madding crowd sometimes. Hence this book!
How To Anchor Safely - So You Sleep Well!
His barge is lovely, but not the best blue water boat, I watched it pounding badly the other night, I hope he takes very great care about the weather before going offshore and even then weather forecasters get it wrong, I hope he know his ports of refuge and when it's better to give up and turn back to the port you left. You might think if you're half way it makes no odds, but if a strong headwind comes up with waves to match the second 'half' can be much longer than the first half.
In the episode I just watched Mr and Mrs Spall arrived late (faulty navigation), at a marina with a state of tide sensitive lock. Being late there was not enough depth of water for them to enter and so they had to anchor offshore. Fortunately it was calm overnight even if it wasn't the next day. It was the first time the couple, with years of experience, had ever anchored. No shame in that, I know lots of people who never anchor off until they're forced too, but it's not so stressful with the right equipment, the right knowledge and the right planning. Actually it's a great way to get away from the madding crowd sometimes. Hence this book!
How To Anchor Safely - So You Sleep Well!
Shop Well For Less?
Oh dear, oh dear. Very unprofessional consumer programme from the BBC. Switching people from high price brands to cheaper products shouldn't be hard, where the quality is there, but if you're going to conduct product testing you have to be fair. They tested a number of waterproof jackets from different price brackets by getting Sheffield students to wear them and then spraying them horizontally with a hose. Now rain does occasionally come at your horizontally, but basically if you spray someone in the face, some of it will probably get inside the hood and trickle down. It's a non test. Send them all out rambling for the whole day when it's inclement and see who stays dry and who gets sweaty and who gets cold and all that sort of stuff. Dumbed down waste of time.
Back In Time For The Weekend
Great show, which showed us what life was like in the 50's, 60's, 70's etc, especially in relation to leisure time, right up to the present day. The family they chose were both personable and intelligent. Fun to watch but illuminating too even if you did live through it all as I did. If I heard correctly, I was a bit stunned when I did hear it, then Britain was the happiest country in 1977. Not so now. Where did it all go wrong? Thatcher certainly made everything become about money. Anyway the seventies may be the decade that taste forgot, but I sure loved 'em and I'm determined to try and be that happy always. Try it.
It's your choice!
It's your choice!
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