Author: theroyalist

The Impossible

Disaster movies peaked in their early days. The Towering Inferno and The Poseidon Adventure remain the best two in the genre. Recent offerings, while having superior special effects, have edged closer to fantastical storylines. Epidemics that wipe out Earth and dangers from outer space have been the most fancied productions.

Today I saw a film based on the real life events of the Boxing Day 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It was called The Impossible. Sometimes the medium of celluloid can be a moving experience and this film had plenty of heart-rending scenes. Naomi Watts and the young actor that plays her eldest son, Tom Holland, gave emotionally charged performances. There were lots of wet eyes during the showing. Even big ugly me was finding it hard not to shed a tear or two.

I was going to upload the trailer but I feel trailers can sometimes give too much away. Seeing the upcoming releases in the previews before the main feature is one thing I am in favour of banning.

The War Journal: Frozen wastes

My old granddad always used to say “There’s two types of people in this world. Those that keep stuff and those that don’t keep stuff.” Me, I could hoard until the cows come home and as the song goes, I’m not the only one. My mate Chibber is also a hoarder. Continue reading “The War Journal: Frozen wastes”

The Modern Prometheus

You may have read of the former pub landlord from West Yorkshire that became the first person in the UK to have a hand transplant. Hoping not to lose my right appendage soon or at any time in the future if I do have a mishap I have asked for some special requests because, come on, if you don’t ask you don’t get. Therefore I would like Shane Warne’s wrist, Marvin Hagler’s knuckles and Warren Beatty’s fingertips. Thank you very much.

Going the whole whack and entering into Wildenstein territory if I needed a head transplant I’d opt for Martin Scorsese’s eyebrows…

Another Lowe point for the Beeb

The investigative journalists missed this one. Foul four on them. After much searching of my own I have uncovered a scandal from the seventies that will bring more shame to the disgraced BBC. For this one there should be arrests. There was a TV programme that conned viewers into thinking that what we were watching was for real. Yet the balls never lie. Continue reading “Another Lowe point for the Beeb”

Underrated: B Keeper

There are poetry workshops up and down the country and there are many poetry competitions going strong- some in places you would never imagine- yet still school children are taught the metrical classics of all the usual suspects. There are a couple of little-known rhymeteers out there that should be put into the syllabus. One such poet is the daring, modern, superbly sculpted pastoral poems of Mr B Keeper. Continue reading “Underrated: B Keeper”

Overrated: Joan Collins

The right wing journal, Standpoint Magazine, has two monthly features written by different columnists entitled Overrated and Underrated. These essays highlight the good points and bad points of various political and historical figures. I don’t do politics so I’ll pass on that one, Magnus; I’ll stick to the low brow. Other Charioteers are invited to indulge in over/under rated articles of their own. It would be interesting to read of their heroes and villains and could bring about lively debate. Continue reading “Overrated: Joan Collins”

The Falcon has reached its crest

While seriously enjoying Sky Atlantic’s four-part Falcón police series which ends on Thursday, I‘m seriously thinking of refusing to watch this genre in the future. Set in Seville, Falcón has had plenty of graphic scenes in its few outings so far: one victim having his tongue cut off, a young torero killed by a bull and a mother drinking poisoned milk. Then there’s Inspector Falcón himself, cutting corners, playing by his rules and ignoring the heat from the bosses down town. The clichéd maverick cop protagonist shows no sign of losing its mass market appeal. Continue reading “The Falcon has reached its crest”

Some Guy giving it laldy

The republicans were having a party
With cake ‘n things like that
They were drunk on the black stuff
And making jokes about Mick and Pat

Goodwill to all men and terrorists
Was toasted round the fireside
Tourettes Tony said “I don’t give a Farc!”
Before he was thrown outside Continue reading “Some Guy giving it laldy”

Catalunya Rising

The pro-Independence Convergència i Unió (CiU) party fared badly at the Catalan election yesterday. Losing twelve seats it failed to win an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament. Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, eager to keep the whole of Spain intact, toasted this ole result with the claim that “this was a slap in the face for Catalan independence”.

Rajoy’s dancing in the end zone might be short lived. Almost two thirds of the seats went to parties that back a referendum on independence. The CiU could join forces with minority parties to form a coalition that keeps the momentum for change on the agenda. Continue reading “Catalunya Rising”