Fearful Symmetry

27 April 2008

Super! Super! Super! Superman!

Indian Superman sings and dances with Indian Spider-Woman.

26 April 2008

"The Definitive British space opera... i.e. Bloody Miserable"

Blake's Back! British science fiction classic Blake's 7 is getting the Battlestar Galactica treatment.

Created by Terry Nation as 'Robin Hood in Space'

The original program famously finished with one of the most downbeat endings of all time.

However it is probably now more notorious for it's less than special special effects, but what can you expect for fifty quid an episode?

It's been kept alive by fans ever since it was first broadcast.

Now the big question is who on earth can fill Jacqueline Pearce's stilettos as Servalan?

21 April 2008

Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Android

What makes a classic Western even more classic? Blasters and force-fields, that's what.

20 April 2008

Salvador Dali On What's My Line?

Appropriately surreal...

Now I just need to see the legendary 'Saggar maker's bottom knocker' episode on the British version.

19 April 2008

I'm Loving Aliens Instead

"He'd speak wistfully about some future day when he'd have less work on and could investigate the paranormal for real. And now that day has come."

Jon Ronson attends a UFO conspiracy conference with Robbie Williams. Compare and contrast, Dan Aykroyd.

18 April 2008

"Sid James is Silenus... Barbara Windsor is Aphrodite. Hattie Jacques is Athena."

The Carry On films have been a much-loved part of British life for the last 50 years, and they may even be making a new one.

This give a quick feel of what you might of missed (slightly NSFW)

And though it does have its knockers, one person liked them so much he made a religion out of them, literally.

Art Good Enough To Eat

Smartie Art by Prudence Emma Straite; who previously has made works of Dali (and whole rooms) from chocolate and the Pope (and the Coliseum) from pizza. (Radio 4 doc - real audio) (PS. The blue Smartie is back)

09 April 2008

Zero Stars

It's not often that something gets a zero star review in the Guardian but this Spanish version of the Peter Pan play sounds a cracker.

My youngest daughter - a stoic survivor of such theatrical catastrophes as Fireman Sam Live on Stage and The Man in the Iron Mask - refused point blank to return with me after the interval.

There's another hilarious review in The Telegraph:

I think it is fair to say that, if the audience can't be bothered to save Tinker Bell from death, then a production of Peter Pan must be counted a failure.

A bit more background on the play.

08 April 2008

110 Best Books

The perfect library - According to the Torygraph... at least there's a 'Sci-fi' section among the usual suspects (And one or two bizarre choices - Pelzer! What the heck!

Mum And Dad Are Getting Ready For The Party...

Growing up in 70s and 80s Britain you were exposed to some rather disturbing Public Information Films on the television:

Not compared to the times at school when couple of classes would be trooped into the hall to be shown special films that would either convince you that literally anyone could be get you as in Say No To Strangers part one, part two or simply end up traumatized for life after seeing something like The Finishing Line (sadly only the first 5 mins)