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Sonatine

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Everything posted by Sonatine

  1. "Exit Stage Left" - if it wasn't for some colleague bringing in that album and playing it on our knackered old record player during my 6th form years back in the late 70s early 80s I would never discovered Rush.
  2. Three conspiracy theorists walk into a pub Don't tell me this is a coincidence!
  3. The only films I know of Arkin, were "Freebie and the Bean" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" In both instances, Arkin was the stand-out character, especially the latter when up against virtuoso performances from the likes of Pacino and Lemmon.
  4. Definitely an old-school director, but came out with some truly awesome films, of which the very much under-rated "The Sorcerer" ranks highly.
  5. "The West Wing" A little bit dated, but still packs a punch.
  6. Better Call Saul, so much better than the rather tedious BB.
  7. A film I had the pleasure of seeing way back in 1976 at the local cinema (having to queue up for over an hour) and even now, almost 50 years on, it still remains one of the best films I have seen (the head appearing from the holed boat still scare me) "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"
  8. I'm sure we all have songs that affect us personally for one reason or another. It could be due to a bad breakup, or the passing of someone close. Many reasons in fact. I have quite a few locked up at the dark recesses of my mind, some of which I choose to keep locked away, but there are others that sometimes bring back happy or sad memories. The three songs below have mixed emotions for me, mostly with past relationships that went sour, or in Rush's beautifully under-rated "Losing It" the ageing process and that even though we like to think we will live forever that the harsh realities hits us all sooner or later. Anyone else care to share? Bon Iver - Holocene Johnny Cash - Hurt Rush - Losing It
  9. I think it was either "Doctor, Doctor" or "Only You Can Rock Me", that first introduced me to the band back in the late 70s. So much so that I borrowed the album - Strangers in the Night - from my school buddy, and played it to death on my stacked hi-fi system with headphones maxed all the way to 11! Before then I thought Thin Lizzy's "Life and Dangerous" was the best live rock album I had listened to at that time, but after hearing Schenker caress his Flying V on Lights Out, I realised that "Strangers..." was the ultimate live album for its time.
  10. This was the first song I had the pleasure of listening too back in the late 70s while in 6th Form. Everyone raves about "Ace of Spades" and rightly so, but "Bomber" is just as mega, especially with "Filthy" Animal Taylor on drums giving it large, and of course Lemmy belting it out no-holds barred! Happy days!
  11. Many music critics suggest that this album is one of the most complete rock albums of all time. And who am I to disagree! This was at a time UFO were at their peak even though they were little more than a support band for the likes of Kiss back in the late 70s/early 80s. Everyone raves about Michael Schenker's lead guitar output on most of their albums, and to an extent this is very true, especially when you listen to Lights Out and Rock Bottom. But that said, lead singer, Phil Mogg, has a great voice, backed up by Paul Raymond on keyboards, Peter Way on Bass and Andy Parker on drums. A huge shame that the band went back into the shadows after Schenker left shortly after this album was released.
  12. This was the film that first introduced me to Raquel (and Ray Harryhausen) back in the early 70s when I was a mere teenager. Okay, so she couldn't act her way out of a crisp packet, but she played the role for laughs and did her best with the material provided. Soon after I saw her in "The Three Musketeers" (1973), which didn't stretch her acting abilities, but again she was pleasing on the eye and did her best with the limited acting role
  13. Mel Brookes. Loved his 70s films, especially Blazing Saddles
  14. Juvenile humour set in a English high-school and focusing on 4 dysfunctional boys as they approach adulthood. For me it rang plenty of bells when I was in the 6th form and more interested in booze, partying, girls, booze, girls, booze, girls and perhaps just a smidge of thinking about university and a career. Rated "15" - plenty of swearing and sexual suggestions, but nothing particular graphic. A really good laugh that just about stands the test of time.
  15. Ranks as one of my ultimate French classics. A superb tense thriller from start to almost finish. The only weakest link for me was the ending, which was just a little bit too silly and out of place with the drama leading up to it. Other than that this is a masterpiece of French cinema. 4/5
  16. "Leon: the Professional" Am a big fan of Jean Reno, and he was perfect for the role of Leon, a professional hitman and now unlikely child-minder for lost, lonely and vengeful 12 year old Matilda (another truly wonderful performance by Natalie Portman). And of course the appearance of wild man and cold-blooded killer, Gary Oldman, is a bonus. Despite repeat viewings I still feel a little uncomfortable with the "flirty" relationship going on - perceived or otherwise - between Leon and the 12 year old. But other than that this is a stellar thriller with an exceptional performance from Portman and a pounding score by the ever-dependable, Eric Sera. 4/5
  17. Can't get my head round the fact this film is something like 25 years old! Back in the day it was very much a "beer and curry" film. In other words you'd come home from the boozer with a dodgy curry and watch this on a Saturday night with the lads. It's still a great film, but am particularly pleased for Jason Statham, who went on to make some pretty good Hollywood gangster films back in the early 00s. 3/5
  18. Okay, so this no Citizen Kane, Godfather or a Shawshank, but for what it lacks in acting abilities, script, dialogue and drama it certainly makes up for in sheer unadulterated Saturday Morning entertainment! The dinosaurs are great (and still stand the test of time, almost); the action pretty decent, a few gory moments and a surprising ending. But let's not kid ourselves. What makes this film stand out (no pun intended) is the delectable Ms Welch. Easy on the eye, not so much on the ears. She made the film fun to watch way back when I was a kid over 40 years ago, to today after rewatching it for the first time in a decade. 3/5
  19. "The Wire" is my winter comfort food. Despite being over 20 years old it still feels real and relevant. And the amazing thing is that this show never won a single major TV award and also suffered with relatively low viewing figures. And yet it pushed so many boundaries for its time, not least a lesbian cop and a gay gangster by the name of Omar - a kind of Baltimore version of Robin Hood, tooled up with guns and a fear-factor reputation. For me he was he stand-out character from a superb show!
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2XDORONuuY&ab_channel=Rainbow Good old Rainbow and the taciturn Richie Blackmore.
  21. Despite being over 40 years old, this clip is so totally awesome, not least to see Townsend play a mean axe.
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