tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76144168928789111752023-06-20T06:52:24.391-07:00Peter Holt's blogPeter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-88905790594478111262009-02-26T12:23:00.000-08:002009-02-26T12:28:52.953-08:00exponentially changing contextYes, it's American - and no, I can't speak authentically to the veracity of it's facts and figures, but this is a good illustration of why professionally we all need to run to keep up.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jpEnFwiqdx8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jpEnFwiqdx8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jpEnFwiqdx8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jpEnFwiqdx8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-83360206780086143532009-02-25T14:28:00.000-08:002009-02-25T14:29:36.568-08:00again, another classy tune<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cXeY696gZW4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cXeY696gZW4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-20843550181777441872009-02-14T13:16:00.000-08:002009-02-14T13:21:49.109-08:00ValkyrieUnmemorable as movies go, but built the tension well - which is no mean feat, considering we all kinda know the outcome.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sNvReY8clSU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sNvReY8clSU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Historically accurate? Not my specialist subject, but I guess probably some lapses, for dramatic effect. Still pretty good though in terms of characterisation - so three out of five overall, I reckon.Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-46900103849204872142009-02-02T14:33:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:34:33.221-08:00classy tune, and no mistake<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xYfsJ6rXgoc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xYfsJ6rXgoc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-42770153678357996342009-01-25T10:33:00.000-08:002009-01-25T10:34:30.752-08:00oh, and talking of anti-gay put downsThe finest ever put down of anti-gay religious bigotry .......<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xWqgD7lGneU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xWqgD7lGneU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-68868821455700217122009-01-25T10:03:00.000-08:002009-01-25T10:20:30.097-08:00Milk - the movie<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xz2F3JtP6Cc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xz2F3JtP6Cc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />Saw this today - have to admit I found it at least mildly mawkish. Nonetheless, it's well made, well cast, well acted, and worth a watch. Happily enough, it's not sugar-coated or over-varnished either. An interesting reminder of a fascinating and important bit of modern history.<br /><br />The movie has a little too much original newsreel footage in the first half hour for my taste, though interesting seeing Dianne Feinstein at the start. She's since a long-standing US Senator - and the woman who 'hosted' the Obama inauguration ceremony, introducing the speakers.<br /><br />Just a few months ago though - California passed Proposition 8, rescinding gay marriage. This guy got it right.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1HpTBF6EfxY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1HpTBF6EfxY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-65082029034119211972009-01-20T13:12:00.000-08:002009-01-20T13:31:41.256-08:00Obama - inauguration speech<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HK6bpI7mDYg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HK6bpI7mDYg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Measured, I'd say. I guess the two simple tests for me are first do I feel inspired hearing it (answer, well, a little) and secondly, do I remember any of it (well, honestly, no).<br /><br />On second listen, I guess the 'all are equal, all are free, all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness' line works well for me (even forgiving the 'god given' bit) - though it really lacked a peroration, or glorious crescendo.<br /><br />My largest wry smile was how the camera panned to George W Bush as Obama delivered the line 'As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.' - the closest he really came to sketching out clear blue water between him and Bush (over waterboarding, and the like).<br /><br />Well, I kinda know that with a crowd of two million you can't use call and response - but I do miss his 'yes we can'. Overall - clearly not a Kennedy.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BLmiOEk59n8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BLmiOEk59n8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Oh - and what on earth was the first President Bush wearing on his head?Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-88211541183057556282009-01-14T14:36:00.000-08:002009-01-14T14:49:03.694-08:00The secret's out .......I appear to have been 'outed' (it's been a while since that happened).<br /><br />Yes, sometime during 1985 I appeared on ....................<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/usdeiJP7xh0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/usdeiJP7xh0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Actual footage is, I am pleased to say, not commonly available on YouTube. I do have the video, though I tend only to let people see that when I get a new job and show a clip at a leaving party.<br /><br />So. Unlucky.<br /><br />Oh, and in my defence, I didn't know it was called a 'mullet' at the time, and it was the mid 80s, so we all made unfathomable fashion mistakes. And yes, I did ask Bob Holness for a 'B please Bob'.Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-72043907612423582942009-01-11T09:39:00.000-08:002009-01-11T09:58:08.438-08:00The Wire - best TV show ever?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AI9Hnd-zcA4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AI9Hnd-zcA4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I've finished watching Season 1 (courtesy of Tracey Paul, for which thanks again) of The Wire. http://www.hbo.com/thewire/<br /><br />Now, I admit I was a little slow to get into it (about 3 whole episodes, in fact), but it speedily grew on me. It's another police procedural, with a good ensemble cast - in Baltimore this time. No big name stars (well, not that I'd heard of anyway).<br /><br />I found the language pretty inaccessible (though I could always see how West Wing watchers who aren't political junkies would find the references to continuing resolutions double-Dutch).<br /><br />Early worries that the characterisation was two-dimensional evaporated over the series. Some of the hard-arsed cops turned out to be people - some of the real bad guys had souls too - but the writing is convincing rather than just trite.<br /><br />I understand that later series move away from the investigation/the streets - which will be interesting to see. Series two now on order, of course.<br /><br />Best TV show ever - well no, of course not - it ain't the West Wing.<br /><br />But right up there with Hill Street Blues, St Elsewhere, LA Law, ER, Twin Peaks (controversial there, eh?) and The Sopranos - yep, certainly is. Great theme tune too - still humming it.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mzIuUW9VUr0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mzIuUW9VUr0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614416892878911175.post-48925830181692174262009-01-10T12:50:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:06:39.679-08:00Slumdog Millionaire<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AIzbwV7on6Q&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AIzbwV7on6Q&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />Saw this today at the Tyneside http://www.tynecine.org . Not exactly a feelgood movie, but definitely worth a watch.<br /><br />Acting good - casting pretty good (three main characters cast at three different ages). Can't bring myself to comment much on the plot (ever since a review of Torch Song Trilogy spoilt it for me by telling me what happens - unexpectedly - to a main character at the end of Act 2).Peter Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16688187629114223251noreply@blogger.com1