The Fall Mountain Energei

Still I love the Fall - it's not the same loving the Fall now that John Peel has passed on though - he sort of gave the whole business of being a Fall fan some dignity and some credibility. They'll always be great but it's not the same now their biggest cheerleader isn't there to get us going.

Canadian Great War movie

Interesting article about the forthcoming Canadian movie about the Great War.

Mel to do Lethal Weapon again

Troubled star Mel Gibson is considering revisiting the Lethal Weapon series to win back his fan base. It's funny that he is in trouble for his alleged anti-semitic comments. To think he was making a mini-series on the Holocaust, now axed. What cynicism. I don't like his historical movies - they have played the anti-English card a few too many times for my liking.
Wiki on Mel Gibson

Oswego reenactment

Angelmakers - a strange tale of mass murder

This is an interesting tale being brought to life on film. It is based on the true story of a village in Hungary where after the First World War 300 husbands were murdered by their wives when they returned from the trenches. To find out more you'll have to read the above article! Based on the documentary on this fascinating subject. Official site

Drop Dead Summer Issue out

This great magazine is hitting the newstand - looks like we got an album review.

Film 4 Studio Ghibli Season

At last something good to watch on free to view television - so far Film 4's selection could be best described as obvious or already seen too many times but this is a great season. Worth watching if you're not acquainted with this masterful Japanese animation.

Frosties 'It's Gonna taste great' myth

This is an interesting myth about the super-annoying Frosties advert, most of which involve the kid being dead. The ad was described by David Whitehouse of the Guardian as "a jingle being sung by a boy at the exact moment his voice breaks, in a tone so monotonous it appears to be operating at a frequency which toys with people's bowels." watch the advert here

WW2 reenactment video

A video of the War and Peace show a few weeks ago at Beltring showing the 2nd Battle Group and some Americans battling it out. So if you missed it then you can console yourself.

Bushy Run 1763

This is a battle fought on this day in 1763 between British Crown forces, mostly highlanders and natives of Pontiac's uprising Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, and Huron. Photographs of the reenactment
Battlefield site
One Mile to Bushy Run Station print More Bushy Run reenactment photos

Clerks 2 getting rave reviews

It's a great thing that this sequel is getting the thumbs up from all and sundry. It could so easily have been a disappointment like many Kevin Smith films have been but this one is definitely hitting the mark. So what are you waiting for!
Clerks 2 It Kicks Ass!
Clerks 2 - A sequel worth waiting 12 years for
Clerks 2 - a perfect sequel

Big Green Gathering news article

Internet upgrade for Domesday Book

Kittanning 1756

This battle from the French and Indian war is being reenacted this September in Pennsylvania- it being the 250th anniversary.
Activities surrounding this event include: the Trek from Fort Shirley to Kittanning, the "William Thompson: The Forgotten Patriot" exhibit, an art exhibit, an original play, "The Battle of Kittanning," a Native American village, a military encampment, a remembrance service at Blanket Hill, a march through Kittanning, two reenactments of the Battle of Kittanning, and Antiquing Along the Allegheny.
The Trek will leave Fort Shirley in Huntingdon County on Aug. 28, 2006, and will follow Col.l Armstrong's route to Kittanning, traveling through Huntingdon, Blair, Cambria, Indiana, and Armstrong counties. Those participating in the Trek will be wearing authentic clothing, and will be setting up camp each night along the way. For more information about the Trek, or for more information on participating in some, or all of the Trek, visit www.reenacting.net/kittanning2006.
Official site and guidelines
Artwork from Larry Smail

Kasabian Empire video

Kasabian's new video is a mini epic set in what looks like a Crimean War battle - not really sure - the production values are high for a pop video and worth watching even if you're not a fan.

Ghost Whisperer

Occasionally I succumb to some trashy tv - most of it American and usually stuff that's aimed at women and also pretty stupid and things don't get more trashier and more stupid than the Ghost Whisperer but I can't help watching it. What's the matter with me? Anyway the plot is this perfect newlywed played by Jennifer Love Hewitt who communicates with dead people as in the 'I see dead people' type of way. Usually they want our heroine to interject with the living. There is always this scene where they, the relatives, say something like 'get out of my house, how dare you come round here talking about our little Billy you creep' and then have to have their mind changed by some spooky occurrence. It is so cheesey, so unoriginal, and so corny I suppose it is kind of compulsive viewing.

Nag Nag Nag Cabaret Voltaire video

This is worth watching - it's the only CV track I like but it's a good 'un.

Festival of History

12th-13th August - Kelmarsh Hall Northants. Event has many attractions - topping the bill this year is a World War One dogfight and a medieval village. Other activities include battles from the English Civil War and the Dark Ages

Big Green Gathering

Daughter is off to this festival that takes place a few miles up the road near Cheddar. I think this makes her officially the family's most hippy-like member - where did we go wrong? My view on the Green theme is that is makes it more of a festival of hypocrisy, but maybe we shouldn't deny people the opportunity to delude themselves for a few days if that's their bag.
Photos here

Drugs the real deal

Independent newspaper article on drugs. 'This is the first ranking based upon scientific evidence of harm to both individuals and society. It was devised by government advisers - then ignored by ministers because of its controversial findings'.
Seems to me quite shocking - but I suppose it doesn't take into account quality of life for example, or the effect on mental health, just deaths.