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Madam Secretary is a television programme that, I saw advertised on the Freeview channel Drama, initially I demurred from bothering with it, for the spurious rationale that it was a yank TV show.

Eventually I decided to give it a shot for the sole reason, that why not how bad could it be?

Now I find that I am watching more than one, episode a time which for me is a personal revelation, my own view for what, its worth is that its an okay show, channel hopping as I do I see far, too much American material, shows and films.

I seriously find it inevitable to at least, subconsciously compare yank shows, and compared to so much dross, out there this show is a veritable prize.

Madam Secretary is well made, scripted, acted, staged and filmed, the stories are intelligent, and far too believable, from the political machinations, the stupid office infighting, the family situations, of spoiled privileged brats.

I have only seen Tea Leoni in a tiny handful of movies, none of which really asked her to properly act, that is my honest assessment and here, we see her not only spread her wings, we see her sour majestically. Finally I think she has a part, to not only test her acting abilities, but also to allow her to show herself, as a human being through her work.

Whether this part was tailor made for her, it should provide a perfect showcase, to enable her to get far better acting opportunities, than she has been presented with.

I am a political animal so I relish and lap up the machinations, as a foreigner and as a republican socialist, I can also view them from a thoroughly biased perspective.

On the show's characters I find the two in the Secretary's staff, Geoffrey Arend and Patina Miller, specifically irritating and immensely annoying. In particular their relationship is irrelevant, their continual bickering is childish, to behave like this even in off duty moments. Well in an ordinary workplace it may be considered as commonplace, but in that pressurised environment, it should be considered totally unacceptable. It shouldn't need the intervention, of a hired gun to sort matters out, it should never be allowed to reach that state.

As a character Geoffrey Arend is far, too much of a loose cannon, for anyone's own good especially his own, the character of Patina Miller is someone, that I have to wonder just how much, thought process actually went into, her decision making process in even applying for her position.

The fact that I am getting so involved in the show, is a testament to the acting abilities, of both Matt Mahoney, and Daisy Grant, in managing to encapsulate their parts so perfectly, that their characters manage to get under my skin so completely.

I caught up with this programme by accident, I was watching a television series Whitstable Pearl, on the Freeview TV Channel Drama, and Darby and Joan was advertised on there.

Drama now has another TV programme, from the antipodes to match, with the other ANZAK shows.

It's an okay show something that I have, found easy enough to watch principally, because it hasn't as yet sunk into, the mire of an archetypal soap, opera but it's getting there gradually.

I know the actor Bryan Brown as an, Aussie actor for me it's his face, that rings the proverbial bell as one of those that, appear regularly in Australian movies.

Honestly I find Darby and Joan, to be a somewhat contrived, rational for a television show, which commences with, Joan's story of her husband.

The accident between Joan's camper-van, and Darby's Landrover was well avoidable, as the show unfolds I am left, continually asking why does, he bother to stay around her.

Joan seems more than happy to, involve Darby in her travails, but when it comes to anything related to him, she ensures that she can, pry into every facet of his life, and actually expects to be able, to do so by some sort of right.

Now we are getting to see some of, the skeletons popping out of Darby's, closet from his colourful life history.

What of course is inevitable in shows, of this sort is a romantic entanglement, between the two actors involved this is, stamped into the series DNA with the title.

I'd heard about this television programme, and I'm just getting around to watching it, it's got a particular interest to me because, of my brother Murray emigrating to Australia.

£10 Poms works well enough as a drama series, with various character situations of immigrant families, and the local Australians within the settlement area. It was easy enough to get into the differing stories, which were well and engagingly told, the actors certainly took their parts well.

I won't give anything away about the ending, but the way it appeared to me there, would have to be another series, though not all of the possible loose ends, were satisfactorily addressed.

I had heard about the Australian government immigration policy, but I didn't know any of the details, especially of how long it lasted.

Murray joined the merchant navy with a mate in 1967, luckily for him he was a skilled toolmaker, which made him a junior officer, it also enabled him to make, the most of a golden opportunity. The company Blue Funnel Line had a cargo vessel, travelling out to Savannah in the USA, which was stopping off in Australia on route, the vessel was short of one crew member. Normally Murray would have to work up to it, before he could take advantage of the opportunity, but it was the case of the right time and place, and too much of a good chance to turn it down.

He obviously enjoyed the experience, so much that we had no sooner, got used to him being in the merchant navy, that we had to acclimatise ourselves, to him emigrating to Australia.

The strange thing for me about the £10 Pom, was what Murray told us about the Embassy Australia House, I understood from what he said, about his experience that the scheme had ended, before he chose to emigrate. He was informed that the Australian government, was seeking skilled tradesmen and he was, vetted about what skills or trade he could bring, when he replied about being a toolmaker, that appeared to clinch it.

I only know what actually happened, when he got to Australia from what little I can remember, him saying about his experiences there. It sounded as if it was a matter of having to jump through official hoops, in a process of getting settled in Australia.

From what Murray said he had, to live in some form of camp, which operated as a form of settlement area, where he was supposed to stay for a period. Before he was able to apply for citizenship status, as well as to get a chance to look for work, and find out if there were any local families, with available accommodation.

Whitstable Pearl I saw this programme pop up on the Drama Channel, and I decided to check it out via the UKTV App.

I was never any good at geography and funnily enough, I thought that Whitstable was somewhere in the West Country, so I checked it up to confirm that I was right and, was really surprised when I discovered where it actually is.

In the first episode DCI Mike McGuire, says that he was visiting the area, but after several episodes in he is still here, his excuse to Pearl Nolan was that he "had decided to hang around" When the show started he, was the only old bill in evidence, now he is accompanied by a DS Nikki Martel, but no other old bill are seen.

I realise that Whitstable is a small community, but surely it must have its own police force, so where the heck are they?

The character of DCI Mike McGuire appears, to me to be somewhat of a dry dull tedious type, and frankly the acting of Howard Charles, doesn't exactly bring the person to life for my mind, he is far too wooden in his characterisation.

DCI Mike McGuire Is being provided with, what appears to be some kind of back story, or more accurately some aspects of a past, is being allowed to seep out of his environs.

Kerry Godliman is an actress that, I haven't seen that much of on the box, browsing through her Filmography on IMDb, I wanted to see how many, of the shows I had actually heard of. There aren't that many that I know, and only the ones that feature Ricky Gervase, stand out as those that I remember watching. Her acting in Derek and After Life, is good within these shows but, nothing to really jump for joy about.

In making Pearl Nolan the central character, an effort was being made to make something of her, in building a story, and scenario, for her rational, a world of family, work, and community is created.

It's no real surprise that there is some form, of love interest that is being, floated into the Kentish breeze between, our eponymous heroine Pearl Nolan, and the taciturn obstreperous old bill DCI Mike McGuire.

Whitstable Pearl as a television drama is okay, it's always good to see different locations featured, that don't normally get shown on the TV, and Whitstable makes for an interesting backdrop. I am totally unfamiliar with either, the town or the surrounding areas, and it will make for an interesting, aspect of an otherwise ordinary show.

Notorious crime boss Jimmy 'The Gent' Vincent, ends his term in stir and after his release, an 'Audacious' diamond robbery is committed, and the guilty gang use the self same M. O. as The Gent.

Coincidence or not the instances continue to pile up, with an autobiography in the hands of the publishers, and the body of Jimmy the Gent is found in his pool.

Will the extended family of thieves fall out, when the Willsden old bill commences to interrogate them individually, or will they continue to remain as thick as thieves?

Mod Lewis is mistaken for Dangerous Davis's underworld informant and duffed up.

I haven't seen that many of the latter episodes of Rab C Nesbitt, and I am catching up with this one on That's TV (UK) Freeview channel number 56.

One of the things absolutely guaranteed, to have me in stitches, is the sight of blokes in drag, like Les Dawson and Roy Baraclough, as their characters Cissie and Ada.

Seeing Rab in drag as 'his alter ego' Candy, to con the SS is absolutely hilarious, and how such an obvious man's man, could bare to be seen in public, in such gear certainly beats me.

As I have barely seen many of the episodes, between the earlier ones to this series, I haven't kept up with the changes, in actors portraying the characters.

So I don't know when the original actor, stopped playing Gash Nesbitt, and this one started or why they changed.

But this actor quite apart, from looking totally different, is quite literally wooden in his acting, and not a patch on the original actor, who made the part his own.

I have finally just seen the 4th and Final episode, of the ITV television drama series entitled, Mr Bates and the Post Office, but in all honesty it is so much more, than simply that.

It really seems for me to have to say this now, but without the advent of this TV drama series, I would never have even heard of the case, or indeed any aspect of it.

While that simple fact speaks volumes, of me and my overwhelming ignorance, it should always say far more of how, the Post Office as a huge public corporation, has quite literally been able to get away with murder.

For in reality the deaths from suicide of sub postmasters, that have been caused by the Post Office's gross malpractice, is firmly on their hands.

ITV has had something of a track record, if not exactly of a tradition for investigative journalism, through regular programmes such as World in Action, and primarily of providing a television access, to one of the world's very foremost, journalists John Pilger.

So much so that there didn't seem to be, the need for anything other than straightforward factual programming, and I have to wonder what has happened to this?

With the series Mr Bates and the Post Office, it seems to have fallen to the drama department of ITV, to pick up the mantle of investigative programming, and from my viewing of the episodes, they have done so superbly.

I simply can't not emphasise this point enough, that in ITV dramatising the landmark case, they are doing far more than that, they are providing an immense public service. Especially to all of the people, directly effected by it, the broadcasting of this is providing continual publicity, for their just cause, that money cannot buy.

The acting was truly magnificent by, absolutely every actor involved in this series, such that it would in my humble opinion, be unfair to pick and choose individual, actors for their performances, for after all this TV drama, like that of the true life drama, is not about any one individual person.

Monk is an American television detective show, that I caught on the box some years ago, that I haven't seen for years, but when I saw it listed on Netflix, I simply couldn't resist rewatching it. What makes it all the more enjoyable, is that I cannot remember any of the episodes, so it feels like rewatching them.

Monk is a detective series that I got into fairly quickly, it didn't take that many episodes to get hooked on it, I enjoy such shows although, most of them do happen to have been, made in the United Kingdom.

I have got into only a few American cop/detective series, ones that for some reason stand out from the invariable formula.

I had seen Tony Shalhoub as an actor, in the family movie Paulie, as the character of a Russian janitor, Misha Vilyenikov.

It is a while since I saw the film, but I do remember enjoying it, and in particular his performance.

I was surprised when I saw an ad for Monk, it was seeing his face that I recognised from the movie, so initially I decided to watch because he was in it, and I wanted to see something else that he had done.

He is a prime reason for me to watch the show, because I think that he is absolutely brilliant, Monk is such an apparent basket case, and Tony Shalhoub manages to encapsulate, each and every nervous tick that the character possesses.

I don't recall seeing any of the, other actors in any other show, but they all fit their characters like the proverbial glove, especially Bitty Schram as Sharona Fleming.

She is absolutely perfectly cast in her role, and just so tasty that no one, would ever guess that she was with Adrian Monk. I would love to know her character's back story, to see how the heck she got lumbered with Monk.

Her character works so well together with Monk, and he trusts and relies on her, far too much for either of their own good, especially for her son Benjy Fleming (Kane Ritchotte)

I stumbled upon Fat Friends while, trawling through Netflix programmes, and decided to give it a go. Its not a traditional comedy show, in that it blends humour with tragedy.

Fat Friends is really the stories, of totally different people, whose lives are intertwined, by family, friendships, work, and their social lives.

I think that it gives a human perspective of weight, of how it impinges on our lives, and those of our family, friends, colleagues, and the local community.

I think that its both funny and moving, as I laugh with the real people, and feel for and empathise with them, throughout their trials and tribulations, the actors really are their characters, as fully rounded human beings.

Slimming is truly a business a global phenomenon, there are seemingly innumerable Diets, with various dietary and slimming aids, including pills and potions.

'Expert Opinion' proliferates through magazine, newspaper columns, and individual books, all professing to provide "all of the most demanding questions and queries".

Huge fortunes made are by companies, that seek to cash in on the slimming phenomenon, many of whom are not content to rely on, traditional advertising and marketing, to ensure their profit margins. They either get involved in existing Slimming clubs or societies, or else they launch their own, not necessarily directly linked to them, but acting as subsidiaries.

Weight has for far too long been seen, as something of a vexed topic, certainly in western societies, principally this revolves around body image. Of how people see themselves, and of how other people, see or perceive them.

Looks are of prime importance in western societies, with expectations of personal appearance, being foisted on us all, everywhere we look, from the very day we are born.

Much of this is done in more of a subliminal way, and it's not really simply a modern phenomenon, aspects of it are actually quite ancient, in their theories and practices.

The ideas of what women and men, are supposed to be as human beings, of what roles we are supposed to perform in society, is perhaps the oldest consideration of all.

But our appearance follows this intrinsically, within the considerations of body weight, women have born the brunt, of those who seek to be Opinion Makers, and see it as way to ensure a hefty profit. The notion of the 'Body Beautiful' is persistently promoted, through advertising on the telly, and in women's magazines. This is continually emphasised through, the images of the so called 'Ideal Woman' as appearing as, television presenters, news readers, chefs, weather 'Girls'. All of the jobs that the male television executives, imagine that women may be called on to perform, in front of the camera for the viewing populace.

When it comes to advertising, the women who stand a cat in hells, chance of even being considered, are those who fit a narrowly defined, category of what is supposed to be aesthetically pleasing. But to whom are the andvertisers approaching, just who is the target audience?

Men have been the owners, and managers of the businesses, who make and sell the ideas, and the products, as well as the television, film companies, magazines and newspapers, that so assiduously promotes them.

Yes in deed many roles that have, hitherto been male bastions, are now being undertaken by women, but in reality just how much autonomy, are they really allowed to perform? Possibly much more importantly, whose ideas and notions are being pursued, to what extent are women able to decide for themselves, what ideas are promoted?

It's not for nothing that the issues, relating to weight and women, of how they perceive themselves, and of how they are perceived, is a topic of intense debate, as the consideration, that 'Fat is a feminist issue'.

As important and essential is the understanding, of how weight is a weapon aimed at women, it is not an issue that is confined to women, the attitudes towards men though different, also have a detrimental effect, on the people concerned.

The images that pervade of men, where their weight is concerned, largely figure them as objects of fun, and scorn, the typical calls of "tubby" or even of "lard arse" are all to common. Blokes are supposed to consider such terms, as merely being a matter of cheerful banter, and expected to simply laugh it off, that is at the very least, else they be victimised.

From the earliest movies the image, of the bloke with the ample figure, has been presented as the jovial fatty, film stars were made of Rosco Arbuckle, and Oliver Hardy. The film company was unable to, resist emphasising Arbuckle's size, by inserting the word Fatty, between his forename and surname, in all of his promotional advertising.

Laurel and Hardy were really promoted, on the juxtaposition of little and large, a thin Stan Laurel combined with the larger Oliver Hardy, the weight differences between them, was meant by the film company, to emphasise the humour of the situation.

Yes we the viewers were caught, up in the humour, and did we see the big bloke, as a figure of ridicule?

Slimming advertising has often made use of, the before and after scenario, of what the person looks like before, they embark on their slimming quest, and after they have achieved their goal. This device is very much, a double edged sword in its application, it's meant at outset to act as an inducement, to proceed with the slimming process.

But once the person has become a slimmer, it is used as more of personal jibe, to shame and castigate them, into toeing the line.

The carrot and stick approach, is a common aspect, of slimming clubs and courses, slimmers are given Goals, and Rewards, to both encourage them, to continue, and convince them that the whole endeavour, is really worth their time and effort.

The Stick, being the public naming and shaming, before their fellow club members, of any faltering and above all of their failures.

The original Dune movie came out in 1984, I recall the poster advertising at the time, and was also aware that it was based on a book.

That for me was as all there was, it didn't look remotely interesting to me, I am not really interested in films advertised as sci-fi.

So I didn't bother with either seeing the film, nor reading the novel and not even bothering to find out who wrote it.

Now for some strange reason, the movie was remade, which passed me by completely, with a sequel Dune 2 out now, in the cinema as I write this Review.

My son Jamie has seen Dune 1 and liked it, so much that he is keen to see Dune 2, He asked me if I wanted to see it with him, but I felt that I would prefer to see the original, film first to help me to decide.

But where to view it? Eventually we located it via the movie site Mubi, via the Amazon television App, and we both sat down to view it together, as he hadn't seen it either.

His verdict basically was that it was mediocre, in comparison to the newer version Dune Part 1, which for him was a great film.

But for seeing the original movie was more than enough, I have no interest whatsoever in viewing Dune 2, especially as to 'appreciate' it, I need to first see Dune 1.

For me Dune is an adventure yarn with mythology, blending with science fiction elements, the themes inspiring it are ages old, going back through the times, of folk tales and fantasy.

The notion of a male hero figure, leading 'His People' against a tyrannical villain, is the stuff of ancient mythology. Invariably his arrival has been 'Foretold' though some form of religious mysticism, and without fail the considerations born of monarchy, are considered absolutely essential.

There are Monarchies and Republics, usually vying for power, prestige and territory, with the Prince being the 'Chosen One' to provide the people's deliverance.

When I watched Dune I had absolutely no expectations for it, so I was able to see it without any baggage, I found it an average adventure yarn, I enjoyed spotting familiar actors, especially those ones that I hadn't seen in many movies.

However I found nothing in the tale, that made it particularly interesting, the story was not compelling enough to want to delve deeper into it, I couldn't relate to the 'Hero' at all. I was left considering that was, the entirety wrapped up in a nutshell, so my question was of where that story, could possibly be taken in the later films.

So really there is absolutely no need to bother, with making different versions of the story, when there is insufficient material to work with.

Tam and Frances as the oldest parents, in Britain are also suddenly seen as the, unlikeliest of celebrities.

Tam also being known as the meanest, and most miserable old scroat certainly in Craigland.

Such that when he sniffs a chance, of anything remotely free he simply can't, get enough of a good thing.

But they both learn the harshest lesson, in business that sooner or later all good, things must come to an end.

Tam and Frances have only really the friendship, of old neighbours to rely on for support, but in reality how reliable can that , really be expected to be?

We finally get a chance to see a glimpse, of not only Jack's daughter Fiona, but also his wife who Victor, insists on calling a "spooky b##h"

I started watching this out of idle curiosity and have kept viewing it, more out of habit than actual enjoyment as it's only mildly amusing.

Steven Merchant writes and appears in it, my son Jamie really likes him but for he is simply okay. He's certainly quirky and amusing in a geeky sort of way, but I do find him a trifle one dimensional.

Christopher Walken is good in whatever he appears in, I have to check out his other stuff, as I haven't seen that much with him in.

Daren Boyd is the only other actor that I know, and I only remember him a BBC television show. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, as the character Richard McDuff. I don't want to be picky about his acting ability, it could just be that neither part really called for that much acting ability. Though I've been reminded of something that I had completely forgotten, that he was in the television comedy show Smack the Pony.

The other main characters are irritating, to a greater or lesser extent, starting with Rani and Christian, then Diane, Lady Gabriella and Myrna, each having their own quirks and annoyances.

The overall show is okay but the storylines, are somewhat unbelievable and I imagine, the Mary Whitehouse's of Bristol objecting strenuously, to the prevailing theme of drug peddling.

For me it was a shame that the show originally popped up on Amazon, but I have just watched series two on Netflix, which is much better so viewers are not limited, to where they can actually see it.

I don't want to give away anything of how series two ended, but there will have to be some amount of a rethink for the writers, to prepare the viewers for series three.

I came across this movie quite by chance, I'm watching it as a fan of Alec Guinness, and because I have never heard of it.

It also features the American movie legend Bette Davis, I've never seen any of her movies, and I had no idea that they had ever appeared together in a film.

Guinness appears here in multiple roles, not as in his famous movie, Kind Hearts and Coronets.

But as doppelgängers two complete strangers, meeting entirely by accident.

John Barratt and Jacques De Gue appear together only briefly. The whole point being that, they are meant to appear identical to one another.

There are several English actors that I had hitherto, only seen in television programmes. Geoffrey Keen as Gaston, Noel Howlett as Dr. Aoin, Peter Bull as Aristide. Together with Eddie Byrne as the barman, and Peter Sallis as a customs official.

I had no idea that Roger Moore had ever been in a movie related to Sherlock Holmes, and here he appears alongside Patrick Macnea as Dr Watson.

Remarkably enough it also features the legendary American film director, John Huston as Holmes nemesis Professor Moriarty.

My knowledge of Sherlock Holmes is courtesy of the, television and film representatives.

I have only relatively recently started to become, acquainted with Conan Doyle's actual written word.

Holmes appears to me to be a somewhat taciturn individual, as a person he strikes me as an atypical bachelor. His references to women are to say, the least somewhat oblique. And yet rather unbelievably he is not entirely oblivious to their existence.

For there is "that woman" as Sherlock Holmes is want to refer to one Eileen Adler.

I am only aware of her making but a fleeting appearance in Sherlock Holmes, life and then more in the nature of an advisory.

Yet here in this movie's storyline we have a fuller fledged narrative of the, yes actual relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. Here their meeting is scarcely adversarial, and of a far more cordial nature altogether.

Mention is made by Holmes to Adler of him, having helped her out in an incident.

Apparently they met by accident and spent, a memorable "Night in Montenegro".

All in all the movie is well made and performed all those involved, with Roger Moore while not the definitive Sherlock Holmes, he certainly gives a fair stab at it.

The mystery is engaging and entertaining replete with a chase through New York, the period involving horse drawn vehicles making it all the more so.

I started watching God's Favourite Idiot purely by accident, and frankly found myself getting fed up with it, now after a break I'm at a loose end, and find myself watching an episode, then what the heck the remaining episodes.

But watching this again reminds me, why I stopped watching the show, and makes me grateful that currently there is, only one series to have to plough through, though knowing the yanks they'll be, bound to come up with more of the same.

I have seen Melissa McCarthy before this show, and her appearance here simply, sums up for me what I think of her, I can't help finding her incredibly irritating. For me she appears exactly the same, in each and every part that she acts in, whatever the role I don't see her character, all that comes across instead is a thoroughly annoying person.

I haven't seen any of the other actors before this show, and I realise that this is to say the least unreasonable, but on the strengths of their performances here, I won't be looking out for any of them in any other television show.

The show itself well the characters and their, characterisations were all incredibly annoying, and that goes for so many of them that, there is really no need to differentiate between them.

Religion and humanity is something, that crops up endlessly on the box, so the prospect of God and The Devil, fighting amongst us human beings, in the 21st century of the Christian Callander, right here on earth may have, surfaced at some stage as at least a concept.

But this particular version of it is clearly, the brainstorm of a television editorial committee, at the very least suffering the worst excesses, of a toxic brew of caffeine, sugar and junk food. This decision making process working, within an American corporation replete with its, requisite sense of "Balance and Fair play Department".

Producing as the end result a vain attempt, to please absolutely everybody, and have the characters themselves, being at odds with one another.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, it's just struck me that the movie title, may be somewhat prescient for both, the character and the actor Harrison Ford.

Because I simply have to ask of Mr. Ford, what on earth encouraged you, at your time of life to even dream, of embarking on this new adventure?

Why the inordinate fifteen years delay between, this and the previous outing in 2008?

Does your pension fund really require this top Up? Aren't you really just too long, in the tooth for these shenanigans? Is it a body double or the stunt man, putting his life at risk for your career?

But wait for in the movie we are actually, presented with not one but two Indiana Jones, the younger one along with Basil Shaw, fighting the Nazis in World War Two, and the second the old foggy moaning about the Beatles. Has Holywood found a time machine, for their hero to capture a younger Harrison Ford, for the movie's action sequences?

The movie commences and I have to ask the Nazis again, what is it with Hollywood and these vermin, haven't you finally plumbed the depths, of this particular sewer that you, have to inflict their atrocities on us again? Yes indeed we should never forget but, we don't really need to be perpetually reminded, by tinsel town of our own mortal history.

Fast forward past WWII and the Nazis are back, after Hitlers top scientist Werner von Braun, had been brought by the yanks to the United States, to pioneer their arms and space race with, their former allies but now enemies the Soviet Union.

What goes around certainly seems, the to come around for the Jones family, with Wombat/Helena certainly mixing in unsavoury company, she's selfish, idiotic, imbecilic. She's also obnoxious, opinionated, cantankerous, spoilt, greedy, avaricious, and a veritable chip off the Indy block?

Ah what can one possibly say, about the ubiquitous Toby Jones, it would appear that no movie however large or small, is complete without his stage presence.

I would have ended my Review here but, I've just seen a documentary about the actor, Harrison Ford and the character of Indiana Jones.

It's made me think that as this, has to be the very last of these movies, it has to be rather more than, a Review of just one film. So how does The Dial off Destiny work within the legend?

I started this Review simply describing what I was watching, but to sum the movie up it was, overall a good film within the Indiana Jones world.

It introduced us to a different character within that, Wombat/Helena was enthusiastically performed, by the actress Phoebe Waller Bridge. But while the character worked well, within the films narrative I sincerely hope that, the film makers don't ever attempt, a female Indy with her as the heroine.

It was nice to see characters brought back, Sallah was great and it was good, to finally see something of his family.

It was wonderful to see Marion again, Karen Allen really personified her character, Is she really back in Indy's life?

The best aspects of the movie is the consideration of, Indiana Jones finally coming full circle in his life, a fitting end for the character and of, Harrison Ford's superlative characterisation.

A Haunting in Venice makes the third Kenneth Branagh, Agatha Christie extravaganza, for such they truly are with, the epic big screen presentations, big budget top stars, and the bloke himself as the eponymous hero, and the Mr Director "Camera action", a latter day Mr. DeMille well hardly.

I certainly like his acting and while, I was surprised when he took up directing, I have been pleasantly surprised, with the ensuing cinematic results.

Does Kenneth Branagh = Hercule Poirot? Well this review is solely based, on movie versions that I am aware of, which are of Albert Finney, and Peter Ustinov.

What has to o tbe born in mind in comparisons, is not only the actors interpretation, but of the films themselves. Actors can only work with what is available, to them when the movie is being made, this may appear glaringly obvious, but principally they are made to, what may be a strict fiscal budget. This puts constraints on what is possible, in the way of available locations and screen sets, together with available technology, of cameras and equipment, along with wardrobes costumes etc, all play their parts in comprising what we the viewers, can be presented with in a movie.

Also of course the actors themselves, are but a part of the whole ensemble movie cast, their acting performances are modelled as much, by the movie's producers and directors, as by their own innate acting abilities.

Which is where someone like Kenneth Branagh, must be at a distinct advantage, because here he is not merely the actor, being expected to perform to directorial whims, he also gets to decide the actual shape of the entire movie.

So baring all these factors in mind, how does the lad himself compare? Pretty well over all, as an actor in his role he carves out, his own interpretation of the character, which after all is what actors have to do, they must interpret the part and make their own.

As a Hercule Poirot movie it takes the character, into this age and presents him to, what may well be a new audience to those, totally unfamiliar to the character of Poirot , or for that matter to the author Agatha Christie herself. In this way it can help to keep her work known, and hopefully encourage people, to discover what else she has to offer them.

Just watched Ghostbusters Afterlife on Netflix,and I can't believe that there was a thirty four years wait from, the second movie in 1989 why the wait? Bill Murray was 73, Dan Aykroyd was 69, and Ernie Hudson was 76, wait much longer and they would, have been on zimmer frames or wheelchairs, it's no wonder they had to leave it, to the end to put in an appearance.

It was all in all a good movie seeing the new generation, with Callie Spengler and the grand kids Phoebe and Trevor, I really loved how Egon Spengler appeared for his family rapprochement.

The weakest character for me is Podcast, who is frankly a prize pillock but then I suppose, he is virtually little more than an ameba, which makes more understandable.

For me the bummer in the entire movie, was the reintroduction of Gozer I mean enough already, as the yanks are fond of saying, we have to wait thirty four years for the third Ghostbuster movie and that's the villian. Was it simply so that Peter Venkman could get to utter his cheesy chat up come on?

It was nice to get to see Dana Barrett again, and Sigourney Weaver was certainly looking far better, for 72 than Bill Murray was at 73.

Just watching Welcome to Wrexham on the box, after of course hearing so much about this documentary, it's taken me quite a while getting around to bothering with it.

I must confess up front that I was taken aback, when I heard that these blokes were taking on the club. I'd barely heard of Ryan Reynolds, and didn't know Rob McElhenny at all before hand, as well as being totally sceptical about their motivations.

These feelings are really a part, of the general considerations about foreign investors, seemingly seeking to make a financial killing, and treating sport as merely, a commodity to be bought and sold.

Viewing the episodes some of these fears, appear to be well grounded because, neither of them had any clue about football, or of anything to do with its history, let alone the problems involved in managing a club.

They really should have done some basic homework beforehand, especially into the club itself, and what its particular requirements were.

They do really appear to be perpetually, simply considering a fiscal bottom line, and wondering when they are finally, going to see a return for their investment. The yanks were quick to reposition Wrexham, from being a community club with the support of a local company, into being one sporting an American corporations logo.

They are as yanks also used to seeing big money in sports, especially from big corporate brands which could be, why they considered Tic Tok as an advertiser. Though that international firm may have been, looking for a fiscal in to European sports, because they quickly moved into the sponsorship, of the women's rugby union 6 Nations tournament.

I write this review as a non football fan, whose sporting passion is rugby, but despite this I still like to keep a weather eye, on the form of what I feel as a 'local team'.

For me Wrexham as a team is 'local' but for a totally different reason, to the clubs local supporters and I have supported them regardless, simply because Wrexham are a Welsh team.

This really started before the football Premiership was even formed, when Wrexham were in the old 4th Division, I've seen something of their ups and downs, especially the off pitch shenanigans of unscrupulous, business tycoons simply looking to asset strip the clubs resources. So I can totally understand the clubs supporters, fears and trepidations and what, they may fear as some form of Deja vue, of whether this may be recurring with the new management.

But of course having celebrities involved does bring its inevitable baggage, that of the Svengali or magician to make sporting dreams come true. Because what can a clubs supporters, really hope to know about what's, actually required to run their football team. Fans and supporters have for so long been kept ignorant, by their clubs management often deliberately so, it will be a fine balancing act to build trust, between the clubs supporters and its new 'owners'.

It's an on going project and as a firm Wrexham supporter, I wish it well because the club definitely needs stability and certainty. I'm currently looking online at the clubs fortunes, and am particularly pleased to see, that they now have a women's team, I hope that this features in future episodes.

Granville finally imagines that his luck is in with the milk woman, but his biggest problem as ever is his uncle Arkwright. For getting shot of him from under their roof, for even a split second would be nothing short of miraculous.

But there might actually be a way around him, which revolves around Arkwright's unrequited feelings for nurse Gladys Emanuel.

I am a southerner so I have no idea whether, Arkwright is in any way typical of Yorkshire blokes of his generation. By that I mean being a tight wad, or as he would doubtless put it "fiscally frugal".

But either way he won't trust Granville, an inch with his shop, let alone all of his worldly goods.

Which is why he insists, on endeavouring to take it with him. Every last vintage silver coin of it, Arkwright really has only him self to blame.

The movie Allelujah is based on a play by Alan Bennett, as a fan of his I would love to be able to see an actual theatrical version.

The scenario of this is not altogether as, far fetched as some reviewers imagine, certainly the ending is frankly all too believable.

Medical Wards like that depicted have been, under economic threats for decades, immense pressure is applied on all staff to 'Economise'.

The head doctors and nurses are forced, to dance a tightrope between patient care, and alleged 'fiscal responsibity'.

This really encapsulates the severe, crises of the NHS and Welfare State, this has been a creeping cancer that increasingly threatens, to totally eviscerate these essential pillars of our society.

I know this is a movie review but it's essential to be truthful, despite the efforts of conservative opinion to denigrate anyone, who has the temerity to believe in a fair and equitable society.

What particularly comes home to me personally, is that at 75 I must count myself inordinately fortunate, not to be in the position of those poor souls in the ward. So many of my relatives have not been so lucky, I live with their memories each and every day.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and found the acting of all concerned, to be absolutely brilliant.

My hats off to what I consider to be truly superlative performances, by a veritable who's who of British acting.

I found this film on the box and had to watch it, because of the intriguing subject matter.

I have to confess that it took me totally by surprise, as I had absolutely no knowledge that such a place had ever existed, especially given its location and war time situation.

In simply reviewing this movie I found myself, all to easily digressing into other aspects of the World War Two era.

Being born in 1948 I am tempted to explain to those, who weren't either born here or not in that time period, something of the actual reality of life.

The movies scenario is not as far fetched as it may appear, and I urge doubters to check up on our history for yourselves, instead of merely dismissing matters off hand.

There were Nazi sympathisers, and active agents in Britain, right through society unto the royal family, Oswald Mosely and his fascists, were far from merely isolated nutters.

Yanks of course became overtly agitated, regarding 'Reds' as a far greater threat, to their overly conservative society .

For the film itself I found it a good, quintessentially British movie, with a plethora of well known actors.

I simply can't get enough of Judy Dench, and it was good to see Eddy Izard try out his acting skills.

Sisu = My IMDb Rating 7/5 Stars

Just finished watching this movie and for the most part, it was a somewhat grimy tale of a Finnish Neanderthal.

The Germans and the 'Hero' conversed in English, but when what I initially took to be Russians arrived, they all presumably spoke that language.

Is the Star supposed to be some form of Finnish folk hero, he is portrayed as something straight out that countries folk mythology.

The movie had started out as a gritty overly violent type of 'Scandy drama', not my usual cuppa but I was endeavouring to persevere with it.

But it morphed into something well frankly farcical, and I found myself snorting hysterically at the increasingly outlandish precepts.

It took my son Jamie with his extensive knowledge of cinema, to put this into any form of context.

My review rating reflects this degeneration in Sisu's content, unfortunately IMDb does not allow any flexibility in its Ratings, to be able to satisfactorily reflect this phenomena.

Del Boy Trotter is back on his uppers it's like old times, as he's years of experience at being brassic.

In desperation he's scraping the bottom of barrel, by doing driving jobs for Boycie and Marlene.

Uncle Albert, a merchant navy old sea dogs French reunion, Denzil's new truck, cheap booze, and unexpected consequences = deja vue for the Trotter clan, Denzil and Trigger.

Uncle Albert was synonymous with nautical yarns, often dismissed as porkies but seeing is another thing, just how far afield did this old sea dog shake his leg?

This is a great episode of this perennial classic comedy, with the old flat at Nelson Mandela House, now home from home for the extended Trotter clan, as Rodney and Cassandra are now in residence.

It was one thing for Del and Raquel to have a nipper, but he is growing into Rodney's worst predictions, and exactly who does he take after?

Boycie is as thoroughly obnoxious as ever, that one really has to wonder what Marlene ever saw in him, his business acumen is showing as much promise ever.

Such that he has no room to joke or crow over the Trotters "Business Fiascos".

Both Denzil and Marlene have mysteriously disappeared, is this a mere coincidence or something far more significant, and just why has Boycie been acting quite so secretively?

The Official Receiver has been threatening to evict, the Trotter clan from their flat in Nelson Mandela House, Del is desperate not to open the official letters, that have been bombarding him, for fear of upsetting the family equilibrium.

An old photo of the very first ever Jolly Boys Outing, in 1960 depicts the original Pecham Posse, and proves to be the proverbial blast from the past.

Cassandra and Rodney have finally something to celebrate, a truly blessed relief from their previous tragic experience, as they commence their own chapter, of the Trotter family saga, with their daughter Joan.