TONIGHT (Sunday, February 27) is the 83rd annual Academy Awards.
The King’s Speech is still the hot favourite to take Best Film at this year’s ceremony.
Also in with an outside chance is The Social Network, which is a film about the social networking site Facebook.
The Best Director category is proving to be a very close award to predict. Experts are saying David Fincher, for The Social Network has the best chance. Fincher is the man behind Se7en and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, both excellent films.
Many are saying Colin Firth is the most likely to receive the Best Actor award for The King’s Speech. While for Best Actress, Natalie Portman is favourite for Black Swan.
Black Swan was the last film I saw. In my opinion it is a very good psychological thriller, although over the top in its violence at times.
There is a sense of impending doom throughout the film, you constantly think something bad is going to happen.
It was also difficult to work out, at times, if Natalie Portman’s character is actually hallucinating, or not.
Meanwhile, I was glad An Audience with Ken Dodd was repeated on Saturday.
The audience were laughing throughout the show and Dodd must have relentless energy to keep going.
He just tells joke after joke, and never stops.
His theatre shows normally go on for hours, even though he is now well into his 80s.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Monday, 21 February 2011
Happy as Larry
IT was funny to see 10 Downing St has a new cat called Larry.
Larry has been bought to deal with a rat problem at the home of the Prime Minister.
ITV reporter, Lucy Manning, had reported on the issue and had asked the Prime Minister’s spokesman, if Downing Street would be getting a cat. She was told no at first, but the government did a U-turn and decided to get a cat.
The cat arrived last week and was reported to being stressed about meeting the Prime Minister.
Lucy Manning had to wait an hour outside 10 Downing Street while a Russian minister departed and the cat rested. But she was finally able to film Larry, although he left four scratch marks on her arm.
After meeting Larry she said she was “happy as Larry” to give up being the cat correspondent.
Meanwhile it is National Chip Week this week (starting Monday, February 21).
If you are a fan of French fries, during this week, you will be able to win the chance to eat them in your dream destination, across the globe.
To win the competition, called The Chip Factor, you have to go to your nearest chippy and film yourself singing a song about chips.
Entries should be uploaded to www.lovechips.co.uk.
I think if I could eat chips anywhere in the world, it would be in a restaurant on the promenade of a town in the Mediterranean, or in the Caribbean.
Finally let’s hope Liverpool can beat Sparta Prague on Thursday and make it through to the next round of the Europa League.
Larry has been bought to deal with a rat problem at the home of the Prime Minister.
ITV reporter, Lucy Manning, had reported on the issue and had asked the Prime Minister’s spokesman, if Downing Street would be getting a cat. She was told no at first, but the government did a U-turn and decided to get a cat.
The cat arrived last week and was reported to being stressed about meeting the Prime Minister.
Lucy Manning had to wait an hour outside 10 Downing Street while a Russian minister departed and the cat rested. But she was finally able to film Larry, although he left four scratch marks on her arm.
After meeting Larry she said she was “happy as Larry” to give up being the cat correspondent.
Meanwhile it is National Chip Week this week (starting Monday, February 21).
If you are a fan of French fries, during this week, you will be able to win the chance to eat them in your dream destination, across the globe.
To win the competition, called The Chip Factor, you have to go to your nearest chippy and film yourself singing a song about chips.
Entries should be uploaded to www.lovechips.co.uk.
I think if I could eat chips anywhere in the world, it would be in a restaurant on the promenade of a town in the Mediterranean, or in the Caribbean.
Finally let’s hope Liverpool can beat Sparta Prague on Thursday and make it through to the next round of the Europa League.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Golf's greatest prizes
THERE the golf tournaments the professionals most want to win – the majors.
The majors are made up of The Masters, The US Open, The Open and The US PGA.
First to be played is The Masters, which is held at Augusta National every year.
This year the event – the 75th – will be held from April 7-10.
Last year’s tournament was won by Phil Mickelson. It was the third time he had won The Masters.
Following the Masters will be the US Open. The event will be staged at The US Open Championship Congressional Country Club from June 13-19.
Last year, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was the first European golfer to win the title since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
The third major of the year is golf’s oldest tournament – The Open.
This year Royal St George’s will host The Open and the best players in the world will gather on the south coast to compete for the Claret Jug.
It will be the first time The Open has been played at St George’s since 2003 when Ben Curtis of America took the title, with Vijay Singh coming second. Tiger Woods was fourth that year.
The Open is now played at four courses in England and they are Royal Birkdale, Royal St George’s, Royal Lytham and Royal Liverpool. Luckily three of them are in the North West. The Open will be returning to this region in 2014, when it will be played at Royal Liverpool.
The last major of the year will be the US PGA and it will be held from August 8-14 at the Atlanta Athletic club at Johns Creek in Georgia.
Last year’s event was won by another European. Germany’s Martin Kaymer took the title at Whistling Straits.
The majors are made up of The Masters, The US Open, The Open and The US PGA.
First to be played is The Masters, which is held at Augusta National every year.
This year the event – the 75th – will be held from April 7-10.
Last year’s tournament was won by Phil Mickelson. It was the third time he had won The Masters.
Following the Masters will be the US Open. The event will be staged at The US Open Championship Congressional Country Club from June 13-19.
Last year, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was the first European golfer to win the title since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
The third major of the year is golf’s oldest tournament – The Open.
This year Royal St George’s will host The Open and the best players in the world will gather on the south coast to compete for the Claret Jug.
It will be the first time The Open has been played at St George’s since 2003 when Ben Curtis of America took the title, with Vijay Singh coming second. Tiger Woods was fourth that year.
The Open is now played at four courses in England and they are Royal Birkdale, Royal St George’s, Royal Lytham and Royal Liverpool. Luckily three of them are in the North West. The Open will be returning to this region in 2014, when it will be played at Royal Liverpool.
The last major of the year will be the US PGA and it will be held from August 8-14 at the Atlanta Athletic club at Johns Creek in Georgia.
Last year’s event was won by another European. Germany’s Martin Kaymer took the title at Whistling Straits.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
JR is back
DALLAS is to return after a break of 20 years.
But will the eighties soap opera work today.
Many of the original actors have signed up, including Larry Hagman as JR Ewing, Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen.
Dallas ran from 1978 to 1991 and was shown here on the BBC. Another similar programme to run at the same time was Dynasty.
Dallas was about Texan oil barons and the problems within their families.
JR was the villain and best remembered character. The show’s most watched episode – who shot JR? – was seen by 360m people all over the world.
It has been said the new series will feature the Ewing offspring and their battle for power of the family business.
The pilot has been written, but it has yet to be said when filming will start.
I wonder if the same soundtrack will be used in the new programme.
Meanwhile new Liverpool owner John Henry has given a clear indication the club will be staying at Anfield, instead of moving to a new ground.
Anfield is a unique place and there can’t be many sporting arenas to rival the atmosphere there on a match day, especially when Liverpool play Everton or Manchester United.
John Henry told an American sports channel: “The Kop is unrivalled.”
But will the eighties soap opera work today.
Many of the original actors have signed up, including Larry Hagman as JR Ewing, Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen.
Dallas ran from 1978 to 1991 and was shown here on the BBC. Another similar programme to run at the same time was Dynasty.
Dallas was about Texan oil barons and the problems within their families.
JR was the villain and best remembered character. The show’s most watched episode – who shot JR? – was seen by 360m people all over the world.
It has been said the new series will feature the Ewing offspring and their battle for power of the family business.
The pilot has been written, but it has yet to be said when filming will start.
I wonder if the same soundtrack will be used in the new programme.
Meanwhile new Liverpool owner John Henry has given a clear indication the club will be staying at Anfield, instead of moving to a new ground.
Anfield is a unique place and there can’t be many sporting arenas to rival the atmosphere there on a match day, especially when Liverpool play Everton or Manchester United.
John Henry told an American sports channel: “The Kop is unrivalled.”
Monday, 31 January 2011
Murray falls at the final hurdle again
THE King’s Speech has the most nominations for this year’s Oscars.
The film about George VI and his battle with his stammer is up for 12.
Favourite to pick up Best Actor is Colin Firth for his portrayal of the king. He was also nominated last year, but missed out to Jeff Bridges. Firth has already, this year, won a Golden Globe for playing George VI.
But I think Geoffrey Rush’s performance in the film was better.
He is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. However all the press attention has been on Firth. In my opinion it is Rush who brings the humour to the film and his is slightly unpredictable.
The film has already taken £20 million at the box office.
Favourite for Best Actress is Natalie Portman for the film Black Swan.
Meanwhile, what a shame Andy Murray could not make it third time lucky and take his first major title at the Australian Open.
He has now reached three finals, the first being The US Open in 2008, the second last year at Australia and the third this year, also at Australia, but he has yet to take a set in the final.
Many have said this year was his best chance so far as both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been knocked out.
Howvere Novak Djokovic was too strong for him and applied the pressure from the first game. Murray’s first serve percentage was low and he looked beaten from very early in the game.
The film about George VI and his battle with his stammer is up for 12.
Favourite to pick up Best Actor is Colin Firth for his portrayal of the king. He was also nominated last year, but missed out to Jeff Bridges. Firth has already, this year, won a Golden Globe for playing George VI.
But I think Geoffrey Rush’s performance in the film was better.
He is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. However all the press attention has been on Firth. In my opinion it is Rush who brings the humour to the film and his is slightly unpredictable.
The film has already taken £20 million at the box office.
Favourite for Best Actress is Natalie Portman for the film Black Swan.
Meanwhile, what a shame Andy Murray could not make it third time lucky and take his first major title at the Australian Open.
He has now reached three finals, the first being The US Open in 2008, the second last year at Australia and the third this year, also at Australia, but he has yet to take a set in the final.
Many have said this year was his best chance so far as both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been knocked out.
Howvere Novak Djokovic was too strong for him and applied the pressure from the first game. Murray’s first serve percentage was low and he looked beaten from very early in the game.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Olazabal new Ryder Cup captain
JOSE Maria Olazabal is a worthy successor to Colin Montgomerie as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain.
He will take the helm when the European team attempt to defend the cup in America at the Medinah Country club in 2012.
I am sure he will be a competent captain, although he probably won’t be as good in the role as Colin Montgomerie, who always seemed like he was born for the part.
Olazabal was vice captain of the Ryder Cup team in 2008 at Valhalla and also last year at Celtic Manor.
He is best remembered for his Ryder Cup partnership with Seve Ballesteros. They played 15 matches together and they were only beaten twice. Olazabal said the following on Seve last week: “We understand each other totally. We saw the shots the same way and didn’t have to talk a lot. We were fighters who never gave up.”
In his singles matches he won two, lost four and halved one.
It was Olazabal who was involved in the infamous Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999. He was playing Justin Leonard and Leonard holed a putt on the 17th green that looked like securing the cup. However Olazabal still had a putt to stay in the match, but before he could take it US players and wives ran across his line. He went onto miss the putt.
The opposing Ryder Cup captain will be Davis Love III.
Meanwhile it was pleasing to see Kenny Daglish’s first win in his second spell as Liverpool manager.
Let’s hope he can bring some much needed confidence back to the team.
He will take the helm when the European team attempt to defend the cup in America at the Medinah Country club in 2012.
I am sure he will be a competent captain, although he probably won’t be as good in the role as Colin Montgomerie, who always seemed like he was born for the part.
Olazabal was vice captain of the Ryder Cup team in 2008 at Valhalla and also last year at Celtic Manor.
He is best remembered for his Ryder Cup partnership with Seve Ballesteros. They played 15 matches together and they were only beaten twice. Olazabal said the following on Seve last week: “We understand each other totally. We saw the shots the same way and didn’t have to talk a lot. We were fighters who never gave up.”
In his singles matches he won two, lost four and halved one.
It was Olazabal who was involved in the infamous Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999. He was playing Justin Leonard and Leonard holed a putt on the 17th green that looked like securing the cup. However Olazabal still had a putt to stay in the match, but before he could take it US players and wives ran across his line. He went onto miss the putt.
The opposing Ryder Cup captain will be Davis Love III.
Meanwhile it was pleasing to see Kenny Daglish’s first win in his second spell as Liverpool manager.
Let’s hope he can bring some much needed confidence back to the team.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Blue Monday
TOMORROW is Blue Monday.
No it’s not New Order’s single, but the worst day of the year – according to experts.
It was Dr Cliff Arnall who came up with a mathematical formula claiming that tomorrow (Monday, January 17) is the most depressive day of the year.
Factors which have been highlighted are: terrible weather, the arrival of credit card bills post Christmas, and the fact that many people have gone back to work.
A number of suggestions have been put forward to help combat the January blues, these are: starting a new hobby, having fun and doing an activity you have been putting off for years.
It is a way of diverting your mind away from the negative thoughts.
Meanwhile it was standing room only at the Vue Cinema on Saturday for their screenings of The King’s Speech. You even had to queue before you went into the film.
I think work of mouth must be an important factor in the success of this film. People are going because their friends have seen the film, and recommended it.
The film shows how George VI was able to combat his stammer with the help of Lionel Logue, a speech therapist.
Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth portray the interaction between George VI and Lionel Logue very well.
It would be very surprising, if one or both of these actors did not win an Oscar.
No it’s not New Order’s single, but the worst day of the year – according to experts.
It was Dr Cliff Arnall who came up with a mathematical formula claiming that tomorrow (Monday, January 17) is the most depressive day of the year.
Factors which have been highlighted are: terrible weather, the arrival of credit card bills post Christmas, and the fact that many people have gone back to work.
A number of suggestions have been put forward to help combat the January blues, these are: starting a new hobby, having fun and doing an activity you have been putting off for years.
It is a way of diverting your mind away from the negative thoughts.
Meanwhile it was standing room only at the Vue Cinema on Saturday for their screenings of The King’s Speech. You even had to queue before you went into the film.
I think work of mouth must be an important factor in the success of this film. People are going because their friends have seen the film, and recommended it.
The film shows how George VI was able to combat his stammer with the help of Lionel Logue, a speech therapist.
Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth portray the interaction between George VI and Lionel Logue very well.
It would be very surprising, if one or both of these actors did not win an Oscar.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
