Monday 8 August 2011

Blame Lindsay.



The lovely Lindsay N Currie has recently been given an award where she has to write about five movies/books/ TV shows that she has recently enjoyed.

Now I have to plead ignorance as to how the award system works in the blogging world and am too lazy to find out. However she has kindly asked myself and several others to compile a similar list and as I like Lindsay it would be churlish of me to refuse.



1. BOOK. The Circuit by Bob Shepherd. A factual account by Shepherd who is a retired SAS soldier now working in the private security business, protecting CNN journalists in Afghanistan. Not as gung-ho as it sounds, he shows that training and meticulous planning are the key to keeping his charges as safe as possible and there isn't a firefight in the entire book. He makes an effort to get to know the locals and this gives him local knowledge and a lot of insight.



Reading military histories and sporting biographies must be a middle aged bloke thing, I never used to read them when I was younger but I read loads of them now. I'm turning into Alan Partridge.


2. TV SHOW. Sirens. This is a comedy drama involving a paramedic team in the city of Leeds. As I live in Leeds I spent most of the series pointing at the screen and saying ‘I’ve been in that pub/street/restaurant’.

Also a friend of mine was an extra on it and he told me it was originally going to be called ‘Naked Apes’ which is what ambulance crews call the mass of drunken pillocks lurching around Leeds city centre at night.

3. MOVIE. Blue Valentine. A great film about a blue collar romance that jumps from the beginning of the relationship when they are both fresh faced and eager to six years down the line when they both look knackered. With two outstanding central performances from Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. One of those films that you think about for days afterwards and a nice change from wizards, robots and exploding helicopters.


Sadder than watching a dying horse.

4. ALBUM. Kaos Legion by Arch Enemy. A European thrash metal band I have seen a couple of times, most recently at Graspop Festival in Belgium where they were gathering a lot of interest despite not been on the main stage.


You either love or hate this stuff as it is very fast, very heavy and the lass who sings sounds like a cat being thrown off a cliff.

I love it.

5. TV SHOW AGAIN. The Wire. Ok, I'm cheating here as I haven't watched this recently but as it is the best TV show ever made I think it deserves a mention.

It's set in Baltimore and charts the drug dealers, their bosses, the cops that chase them, the cop's bosses, the journalists chasing everybody and the politicians running the show.

Every character is totally believable it it really is the best drama I have seen. I could go on about it all day but instead I urge you to try it.

Be warned though, it sets the benchmark so high that everything you watch afterwards will be found wanting.

Full of Wirey goodness.

So there you go, that's some of the stuff that has recently been distracting me from doing more useful stuff like learning to play the bagpipes or picking the cat shit out of my flowerbeds. Enjoy.



44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok Tony now I'm curious as to where you are from? You use a lot of Americanisms but also a lot of British and Irish words too. I'm blond don't confuse me. It's a terrible thing to do. haha.
As for your question on my blog today... I'm ok. I've worded through most of my fears. Two main ones left. Fear of the dark (for obvious reasons) and fear of crowds, )I'm thinking also obvious reasons.) thanks for asking and thanks for stopping by and visiting those two teens. They are great girls with great minds that are just racing towards adulthood. Fun to watch them join in the adult world one day at a time.

Stina said...

I haven't heard of any of those, but I did crack up at your comments about Sirens.

mamtc said...

Nice post. Funny one

Jordan said...

I've been meaning to watch Blue Valentine but have been putting it off. It seemed like the kind of movie I should sit and watch without distractions so I've been waiting for a time when I have less crocheting to do. Hopefully I'll make time for it soon as your review made me want to watch it even more.

TexaGermaFinlaNadian said...

The Wire is AWESOME! Great show. I am going to nerd it up and say that it is up there right behind Battlestar Gallactica, haha. Neat list idea, I like!

D4 said...

You're.. from Leeds.. how was this a comment.. I'm.. what..

Vapid Vixen said...

Damn. I have Blue Valentine in my netflix queue. Don't know if I'm ready for something sadder than a dying horse. Cause that's pretty damn wretched.

Oilfield Trash said...

Good post Tony!!!!

Kelly Polark said...

I've heard lots of good stuff about the Wire. A Chicago cop said it's the best portrayal of realistic cop life.

Life, Liberty and Accountability said...

Sirens sounds like it could bring a few laughs

Baiba said...

thanks for following and commenting :)

Samantha VĂ©rant said...

I haven't seen or read any of those. But sadly, I have picked cat shit out of my garden. Note to self: wear gloves.

Padded Cell Princess said...

And I had you pinned as a John Barrowman's Tonight's the Night fan! ;) I actually have never watched Sirens; something else I watch is always on but I can't remember what. When I was back in the States last, my husband was still able to get us onto all the UK iplayers and my family got hooked on Take Me Out (despite us having to 'translate' a lot). I think I'll have to give Blue Valentine a watch, sounds good!

Diego Sousa said...

lol at the ebd! =D

Al Penwasser said...

When I saw the title, I thought you meant Lindsay Lohan's effect on drunk driving. Then, I read further.
Ohhhhhhh...........
But, seriously, I wonder if anyone lets Lindsay behind the wheel when she's had too many...?

Bart said...

looks gangsta

Hannah {Culture Connoisseur} said...

I have never heard of any of these. I'm going to play my "ignorant American" card here. Blue Valentine sounds good. Movies that have the ability to make me depressed for days always intrigue me (how do they do that!?!) Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Saddest movie I've ever seen, maybe next to American History X.

Tony Van Helsing said...

Craziness: I'm Yorkshire through and through, born in Halifax (not the one in Canada) and now living in Leeds. I'm glad you are ok now and I'm following their sites.

Stina: Put up a list yourself and I'll see if I've heard of any.

Meandmy: Thanks for that.

Jordan: That's the first time I've seen anyone say they are too busy crocheting to watch telly.

Texa: Never watched the new Battlestar, I was too damaged by the disco inferno of the '70's series.

D4: I'm...from Halifax..I only live...in ..Leeds.

Vapid: Get it watched, sadness is necessary.

OT: chers my man.

Kelly: Your friend is right, totaly believeable. For instance a girl is found dead in the harbour, the City Homicie team say it isn't there responsibility and belongs to the Harbour patrol. Forensice wourk out the time of death, Harbor patrol work out the currents at that time and figure she must have floated into the harbour from the city,therefore hand it back to Homicide. Passing the buck like this is known in the British police as 'shonking'

Kid: I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Baiba: My pleasure.

Samantha: Always wear gloves when handling shit.

Padded: Take Me Out is a guilty pleasure of mine. I once met Paddy McGuiness in a toilet at the foot of Ben Nevis. Hang on, that doesn't sound too good.

Diego: I assume you enjoyed the blog.

Al: She's rich, she doesn't need to drive.

Bart: Banging.

Hannah: Ignorant American won't work, The Wire and Blue Valentine ARE American. I did see American History X but all I can remember is him stomping that bloke's head open against the kerb.

Padded Cell Princess said...

No that doesn't sound good. Especially since most of your readers here will now take that statement as you were on some sort of gay dating show...that ended in the 'restroom'. Kinky

Bob said...

I should already try and watch the Wire, huh?
But it's too long. Don't wanna waste another days of my life on tv show. :(

Rob said...

I'll check out the Wire, seems like you really like it haha.

MRanthrope said...

Haven't seen Arch Enemy since they toured in support of Anthems of Rebellion. That must have been in 05'? I read some good things about their new album. Maybe I'll check it out soon.

Tony Van Helsing said...

Padded: How many gay dating shows are based at the foot of Ben Nevis?

Bob: Watching The Wire is an affirmation of life. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Rob: Again, please watch it.

MRanthrope: I saw them four years ago but they have improved.

Fresh Garden said...

Great post! Great review!
Wonderful! Keep it coming!!

Hannah {Culture Connoisseur} said...

Haha- well then THAT'S embarrassing. We don't do much TV and such these days. Apparently I'm out of the loop.

And yes, that's much of what I remember too...the thought gives me nightmares.

Padded Cell Princess said...

Most of the commenters may not know what Ben Nevis is...could sound like a gay bar!

Tony Van Helsing said...

Fresh: I shall indeed keep it coming, thanks.

Hannah: Stay out of the loop, tilttle TV is nuc better than too much TV.

Padded: They probably think Ben Nevis is a bloke.

my day in a sentence said...

Wow. I'm usually up to date with stuff, but I have never heard of any of those. :D
Following, mate! :)

nowaysj said...

Can't stand evaluating the best of anything. Gives me ulcers!

dirtycowgirl said...

I loved Sirens too - very funny but it had moments that made me think as well.

I hope they make another series.

Tony Van Helsing said...

my day: Likewise following.

Nowaysj: Ulcers, blimey.

Dirty: Me too.

Rachel Neilson said...

Haha the Sirens part was funny!

Margaret said...

On a totally different note, my fantasies about England are not at all helped by the tragic rioting in London. Mr. Darcy would be very distressed.

Tony Van Helsing said...

Rachel: Glad you liked it, I get all excited when I see stuff I know personally on the telly.

Margaret: Mr Darcy nicked a 52 inch plasma screen from Dixons, the thieving fop.

nowaysj said...

Yeah brub, everything is better than everything else = ulcers.

Powdered Toast Man said...

I'm trying to learn how to play the xylophone. It is not easy.

Unknown said...

I have always wondered if The wire is a worth watching show. Hmmmm "] great post!

ScrewsAndFeathers said...

Yeah man, The Wire is good. It's rough and it's in your face, but I think that's just how reality is.

nowaysj said...

Fact remains, the Wire is some of the best television ever made. FACT

Sweet Lily said...

Wow! Cool! Awesome!

Unknown said...

Nice, sounds like you've been keeping yourself entertained lol.

Lindsay N. Currie said...

HA!!! Love it. I knew this would be more than highly entertaining!!!! Oh and FYI, I was just talking about the Wire to someone the other day. Thanks for doing this:)

Tony Van Helsing said...

Nowaysj: Ulcers=pain

Powdered: Yes, but it is the only thing beginning with X that people can think of.

Devour: Definitely worth watching.

Pieter: It's so rough it's in your face and up your arse.

Nowaysj: You are on the money.

Chris: I am always entertained.

Lindsay: Thanks for giving me homework, it's like being back at school.

Violet said...

Oh oh oh. Love the Wire. Started watching it via Netflix, and also the Soprannos. Yup, I'm late on the start, but dang- those shows are so well done, right???