The Boondock Saints 2

 

Not as enjoyable as the first installment. There was a rough charm to the original Boondock saints, the toilet killing. It was like watching a group of lads down the pub make a multi million dollar movie

Julie Benz, stars as an FBI agent and it was lovely to see her again, and to hear her do a dixie accent, as well as dress up a cowgirl

The Father's back story probably didn't need covering. 

There is some funny banter- The Panic room joke was good. 

It feels too long, the accents are hoky- I think there is a reason why we don't see much of Sean Patrick Flahetry, as opposed to Norman Redus, Oh  and it seems to be recalling an Ireland /Boston of the 1960s. The catholic belief of the brothers is a bit unusual. They are quoting the Old Testement and the book of Revelation- which is not saintly 

Still apparently there will be a third

Nicolas Brendon

 April 12, 1971 – March 20, 2026

Actor, Artist, brother, and stutterer 

A troubled life, a troubled man 

 I first became aware of his work in Buffy the Vampire slayer. I have to say I loathed the character -Which is of course praise for Brendon. I am suprised to learn that SMG wanted her Xander to get together 

See him in the Zeppo

I do wonder knowing what we know now, that Xander's family having alcohol issuses was a dig at Nicolas 

Chuck Noris

 March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026

Father, Airman, Martial Artist, Actor

One of the first multi media stars- aside from film and tv work, he also lent his skills to computer games, cartoons and professional wrestling

I find myself rewatching Invasion USA, as it a mirror on 1980s life. 

A Cock and Bull Story

 I had thought of going to see this, when it was released in the cinema 20 odd years ago. It is still current but I am not sure that is a good thing. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are playing themselves in a film about the making of a film of the novel Tristram Shandy. Which I should go and read

Brydon mocks Coogan, and his work throughout. There are numerous references to Alan Partridge

There are a lot of the mainstays of the British comedy scene of the 00s,  Stephen Fry, Walliams, Ronnie Aconda, Dylan Moran- two black books alumni as well as Byrdon and Coogan.

Coogan's wilder sex life is referenced. This is a warts and all portrayal of Coogan. He is being interviewed by Gruey to head off a story about an affair with a lapdancer. This Coogan is vain, oversexed, and anxious about being upstaged. We are treated to  a cameo Gillian Anderson-who seems to be playing an early version of Thatcher We are gifted a glimpse of Keely Hawes bottom 

There is a lot about the reality of making a film. Coogan and Byrdon having to be driven to and from the set. The costumer feeling of the strain of the constant demands of the stars. 

Mark Williams playing a film historian is having a lot of fun-despite the frustrations his character must feel

I was intrigued by Uncle Toby in this novel. Is he the first war gamer? He has apparently recreated an accurate model of the Seige of Namur. Is this the first LARP? 

The novel takes place during the clash between Dr's and Midwives. There is some medical equipment on display, which is pleasing 

I liked it, I am glad I saw it. I should just read the novel

The 39 Steps

 Now this is a great film

It is almost 100 years old. I found a lot to enjoy here

I loved the dialogue. This is a great banter film, People asking about horse races, and dog racing. Mick the Miller, and Mae West get name checked. There is a dig at Chelsea FC-indeed Hammersmith is mentioned so there is a local lad in the writing staff somewhere  The underwear salesmen on the train to Edinbrugh, sharing dirty limericks. The crowd asking about Derby winners. The punch up!

People eat a lot of fish in old movies, it is all haddock and herring here

Hey it's Frazer from Dad's army playing a Wee Free. I did like his wife Margeret's description of Sauciehall and Argyle street

Is that an early helicopter searching for our protagonists in the glens? This film is nearly 100 years old. There is an Air Ministry- No car radios. Telegraphs, and the Professor does not cause alarm showing someone a pistol in company 

Kudos to the land  lady of the hotel, her scene where she shoes the spies away-believing they are chasing a  newly married couple - is a little gem. 

A great movie- I did hear a bit of Mr Chumley Warner in Donat's voice. Hey if your going to steal, steal from the best. I am glad I watched this

QPR v Middlesbrough

A thrashing 

 

Gladiator 2

 Yes, they didn't need to make a sequel  It is notable the Derek Jacobi spends his last moments in this film looking confused before he died. 

It starts with Romans or really North Africans with clothes pegs and goes downhill from there. There are Great White Sharks in the arena. We hear a lot of names, Caracalla and Geta- who seem based on Edward 2 and his lover in Braveheart. Jurgatha and Numidia, Thrax but these are not the historical characters. There are constant scenes of archers using bows like rifles There are constant hydrocarbon created fires. 

Thrax seems to spend his time hanging out in bar- does Geta has syphilis ? People keep saying vae victis, some one has tamed a rhino. 

This should be forgotten in another time it would have been straight to video

Pedro Pascal probably thought the St Sebastain death was subversive