Tag Archives: cinema

The Greatest Film Of All Time?

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OK, I’m going to put this out there

The Big Lebowski is the greatest film of all time.

I’ve been pondering this for some time now and I can’t see a reason why this claim cannot stand. It has everything one could wish for in a film. I mean, I have actually cried whilst watching this film. Little tears of joy have streaked down my cheeks as I can barely breathe with laughing so much. In fact it has now got to a point that I can no longer watch this film in bed on my iPod for fear of waking the wife up. I can put this film on at any random point and be laughing with in minutes.

The other thing with this film is: You either love it, or you hate it. I haven’t met many people who “kind of” like it. It’s like a cult. Today, I was doing the usual work stuff, and happened to say something to a colleague, and his reply was:

“Hell, I can get you that by 3 o’clock this afternoon…”

I replied:

“With nail polish”


And that was it, a mutual bond formed. We both were Lebowski fans. Pretty much anything that we needed to discuss was discussed with a comment from The Big Lebowski. Sadly I couldn’t contain the laughter and people kept looking at me, but there we go. Sean and myself do the same thing on email every now and again when we are bored, or need a little pick me up, so here are some to peruse at your leisure:

“Oh, come on Donny, they were threatening castration! Are we gonna split hairs here? Am I wrong? “

“You mark that frame an 8, and you’re entering a world of pain.”

“Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it’s an ethos.”

“Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o’clock this afternoon… with nail polish. These fucking amateurs…”

“Oh, the usual. I bowl. Drive around. The occasional acid flashback.”

“You know, Dude, I myself dabbled in pacifism once. Not in ‘Nam of course.”

“By the way, do you think that you could give me that $20,000 in cash? My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax…”

“Call the medics, Dude. I’d go myself but I’m pumping blood. Might pass out. Rest easy, good buddy, you’re doing fine. We got help choppering in.”

So we all agree right?

Robin Hood

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I have to say that I am rather looking forward to the new Robin Hood film

Although I do have a few questions:

  • Will Sean Connery have a cameo at the end? (If not, why not)
  • Will the tree in Hadrian's wall feature?
  • Will somebody be from Doncaster?
  • Will there be as many comedy sayings as in Prince of Thieves?
Myself and Sean spent many a good night in Majorca with a cigar on the balcony just reeling them off:

  • That's my wife…… crone (Simply the best quote of the film, one would argue)
  • I'll cut your heart out with a spoon. "Why a spoon sire". Because it's dull you twit, it will hurt more (I think a bit of spit needs to happen on this quote)
  • Cancel the kitch scraps, no more merciful beheadings and call of christmas
  • You, 10:30, you 10:45… and bring a friend
  • Hold, I speak. I cannot allow this wedding to proceed.
In fact, why is Alan Rickman not in this film.. OK I have decided, I don't want to watch the new Robin Hood film as it won't come close to the old one… 

This does bring up the question (since all I can think about is the upcoming wedding) – what if Sean Connery turns up at my wedding and says he won't let it proceed? To be honest, I like the guy, but I think I could take him.

Edge Of Darkness

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It's been a while since posting anything, so I will do the usual of just posting to other things. Last Sunday after the Stag Doo weekend, myself and Sean were just sat watching Silverado (which is a fantastic film by the way) when we got talking about actors you don't really see anymore. So obviously Brian Dennehy and Kevin Kline were in that list as they have bigs parts in Silverado but we also mentioned Mel Gibson. I'm not shy about the fact I like the odd Mel Gibson film every now and again. A few hours later I come across: Edge Of Darkness

Looks like a rather good film doesn't it. Anyway, turns out Sean has been told that instead of going to see this film we should just watch Payback again. My thoughts on this are: We watch Payback and THEN go and see Edge of Darkness. Payback is an awe-inspiring, magnificently brutal film of epically dark proportions. He has his toes hammered by a tough guy, I mean come on people – what more do you want?

So, my plans, when I can afford them are to have Mel Gibson weekend. Any suggestions on which other Gibson films can be included?

Happy days.

Way back when

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Recently I managed to get my hands on some of my artwork I did about 10 years ago and it now hangs on the wall in my house. I have to say that it really does bring back some memories, always good, from that period of of my life. So this was back around 2000 when I was finishing off my G.C.S.E’s and hadn’t started working at the cinema yet (and therefore not met my wife to be).

This is only going to make me look like a geek, which certainly isn’t the case (promise), but I use to go to art club after school so I could get a lift home from my mum once she finished work. I use to have to walk about 2 point something miles to and from school, and doing that in the cold of winter didn’t really appeal.

When I say Art Club, it paints a picture of loads of people who signed something to say they were part of it, or wore badges to demarcate them from the rest. This really wasn’t the case, it generally was just myself, Sam and one of the best teachers I ever had: Ian Watson. We basically listening to a lot of R.E.M., James, Manics, Catatonia and a load of other stuff, and just “faffed” around with our artwork. It was great, best part of any day really.

So the piece above was part of a collection that formed my idea of 20th Century Popular Culture and included loads of 3D artwork, which deep down I hope Ian still has, although to be fair to him he can’t keep everything. I even made about a 10 inch 3D model of E.T. out of clay, and painted him up good and proper. Sadly I gave this piece away to a blonde lady who was 2 years above me and had a nice smile, how very shallow I was!!

Good times, and maybe I should try and see if I can reclaim some more. I am sure there is a pair of 3D trousers modelled on the idea of Han Solo frozen in carbonite from Star Wars knocking around somewhere.

A Serious Man

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When it comes to watching films, there isn’t many that I would choose over a Coen Brother’s film.. Yesterday I went to see a Serious Man with Sean – we have waited a long time to go and see this.

Apart from Cineworld having issues with their projectors which meant the film jumped pretty much all the way through, it was fantastic. Immediately after the film, I have to say I wasn’t overly impressed in the same way I rant on about The Big Lebowski for example, however this morning on a rather dull commute into the office I regurgitated most of the outline to Becky. Looking back I have to say it is starting to make a real impression on me. Watching the trailer again before posting this made me burst out in laughter.

This is now the second time I have been to the cinema and have nearly been in tears during a Coen Brother’s film