nevermind

"This is England"

“This is England” Sean Meadows film offering, comes off as something of a beautiful lament for the 1980’s. But there is nothing saccharine about the images he draws from: The Falkland War, our Iron Lady Maggie Thatcher, Miners Disputes, Unemployment:

Acting as the backdrop to something like the “everyday tale of a young boy’s short distant travel in the summer of 1983”, from bullied & oppressed flared wearing ginger, to skinhead. His charming indoctrination into a small, tight knit crew of skins is dealt with admirably, and without much deliberation.

The original skinheads, their sensibilities and beliefs are only briefly touched on – these, remember, are 2nd generation skin’s – what there about, to begin with, seems more like benign resignation that life in England in the 1980’s had little to offer; and of course, to a certain faction, they were absolutely right:

But focus is put, quite rightly, on the positives of belonging to something; something with meaning, something solid – a feeling our main character is certainly in desperate need of:

What Meadows does so perfectly here is understated reality. Every character feels so very, very real. If you, like me, where 13 years old in ’83 – then this is incredibly familiar territory
Unlike the films of say “Scum, or Made in Britain that were made in the 80’s and were dealing with similar topics on a grander scale:, the anger, frustration, pessimism & confusions of the time are kept to just one character here – who’s return into the crew brings change, and ultimately this is where the films heart rings out. (You might want to compare some of the more darker commentary to American History X,)

This is, quite honestly, one of the most beautifully accurate and painful films to come out of England in a very long time. It does not try to answer questions; it tries to show how a seemingly good souls can become seduced, changed & Ultimately, damaged:

Meadows’ lament may well be the most poetic British cinema we’ve seen so far this decade

"T'rific"

You basically cannot get any more Cockney than Mike Reid's character Frank Butcher from Eastenders. It's against the Laws of Engerland....

Famous for, among other things, these "classics";

"What do you think I am, some kind of pilchard?"

"You get smart with me pal, I'll come down there and give you a dry slap"

OK, taken out of context, it's not exactly Shakespeare... but you just can't get better than Mike; he started out as a comedian (first appearing on "The Comedians", which at the time was fairly cutting edge stuff, but today looks incredibly dated with its' mother-in-law jokes and "blue material") and TV Show Host (my childhood memories consist of Mike bellowing out "Run Araaahhhnnd"

Most people know & Love him as Frank Butcher from Eastenders; But he's also done some other quality, heavier parts, in my opinion, most notably in the tragically unknown "underworld" in which he plays a murderous Taxi Driver. absolute classic performance.

It's widely assumed that our friends over the water haven't got a fucking clue what we're talking about most of the time. Films like "Snatch" & "The Long Good Friday" are often met with frowns associated with foreign language films, which I suppose they are, (it's not unknown for the US Audience to use subtitles. what you really need is some kind of babel fish! ) this handy translator should help theidiots from now on, and here's a useful list if you're ever up in town, use these words as often as possible in order that you "blend in" and you don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself;

Brass = Broke No Money (also "easy lady")
Blower = Phone
Yard or Manor = Home
Filth, Copper,Old Bill, Pigs, Fuzz, Rozzers = Police
Gash, Pum Pum, Wifey = Girlfriend
Grass or Snake = An informer
Hookie, Sucked, Jacked = Stolen Items
Jack Jones = to be alone
Iron or Iron Hoof = Homosexual

Yes - we love stereo types, or at least, I do: Eel Pie & Mash, Isle of Dogs, Pearly Kings & Queens, Greyhound Racing, Alf Garnett,
gangalnd shootings -

There is nothing, nothing better in life, than a proper fucking Cockney - "Boiled Onions"

...."Two Old Chairs in the back of the Van Ee Eye Ee Eye Oh, "

"I Can Assure You Officer, I've Only Had a Few Ales"

"Jesus H Fucking Christ, I feel Minge...." That hideous feeling of pig shit in your brains, dry mouthedness, bloodshot eyes that can only see from behind inch thick sunglasses, Slight wooziness to everything. Hangovers s-u-c-k.

My bad, and on a school night as well, tsk tsk....damn it all to hell - why can't I just go out, get arse holed, and then wake up without any of the downside. WHY? it's not bloody fair I tell you. My liver is 37 years old, surely, by now it must know better that to keep on quivering like a half dead Salmon.

I'm reading "Smoking in Bed: Conversations with Bruce Robinson" creator of Withnail, Screenwriter of "The Killing Fields"; utter genius & raconteur. My favourite quote so far:

"I can't blame (her) for my alcoholism, I can only blame wine & my mouth for that"
Quite so Bruce, you beautiful man, quite so

"Damn, I'm Hungry!"

soooooo, it's been a while, sorry - I've been out of town: just a few things I wanted to show:

Get me a God damn Burger!
This is cool!
Bush: Idiot Savant? or just.plain.stoopid?
Remember Manimal?...... I've always wanted to be a wolf!
We are all doomed!
never owe rent to this bitch!
The Japanese are crazy aren't they?
Germs + Women = genius commentary
Tiger Woods must have started this way
A flood tide of filth is engulfing our country!

I promise to be back with avengence....

The Dude Abides

Gervais; ok, your a bit fat, but damn you're funny!

The Dude Abides#links

"What shall we do now Mark?.....

Build a tent in the living room and eat Dairy lea? Is that what you want? 'Cos that's what's gonna happen!"

-Jeremy: Peep Show, Series 2

Hussah! Peep Show returns to UK screens on Friday 13th April for series 4. Prepare to laugh until you're a bit sick on yourself....

All 3 previous series are up on my tube right now: They've also set up a myspace page with video and pic's and stuff. It really is one of the best shows on on UK telly.
YOU MUST WATCH: If you don't know who "Super Hans" is.....