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.
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
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
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