Films and books to make the days and weeks ahead that little easier

[Indy 3,283]

Blazing saddles in parts was funny too.

[Canary Wundaboy 1,358]

I plan on using video games to pass the time, have a massive pile of shame built up and can’t wait to start ripping through it.

[benchwarmer 624]

The Godfather trilogy always does it for me.  Part II is the best imo.

 

[Drazen Muzinic 1,444]

16 hours ago, Disco Dales Jockstrap said:

Yojimbo - the film they remade in the west as 'A Fistful of Dollars'. Pleaseeeee don't be put off by the subtitles; its a really great film. Badass lone Samurai cleans up town:

https://archive.org/details/Yojimbo_201703

Enjoy!

OTBC

Double recommend this. I'm a BA Film Student and Kurasawa is an unsung genius in much of the West.

Check out The Seven Samurai too - turned into The Magnificent Seven.

 

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by Drazen Muzinic

[Molly Windley 76]

So fed up with modern tv offerings I cancelled my license back in June

Recommended offerings from Youtube - 50 Steptoe and Son`s

Crown Court - 100+ episodes

I didn`t Know You Cared - Uncle Mort in all 3 series

 

[Drazen Muzinic 1,444]

Contagion

28 Days Later

The Andromeda Strain

Outbreak

Twelve Monkeys

The Host

Quarantine

 

[Herman 9,713]

Loads of Hancock's Half Hours on there as well @Molly Windley

[PurpleCanary 5,554]

I like the Shardlake books although I thought Tombland was overlong and not well plotted, with too much plodding around on horseback. As a starter book I would much more recommend Sovereign, set in York.

For those who appreciate atmospheric spy books and haven’t discovered Alan Furst you are in for a treat. But ignore the last four, which have been awful by his standards. The books (apart from two set mainly in France) don’t have to be read chronologically, so anything among the first eleven, from Night Soldiers through to Spies of the Balkans, will have you wanting to read the other ten.

For viewing the original Das Boot is excellent, as is the recent TV series follow-up, but I think for the latter you may need access to Sky Atlantic or get the box set. On Netflix there is Godless, a spectacular western series with Michelle Dockery and Jeff Daniels.

PS. Drazen, I agree about Kurosawa, having just finished a box set of all his classics.

[Aggy 752]

I think this message board needs to relax the limit on “reactions” in these corona-times, as there are a number of posts above I would have liked had I had any left!

36 minutes ago, benchwarmer said:

The Godfather trilogy always does it for me.  Part II is the best imo.

 

I’ve never seen any of the godfather films (despite playing the PlayStation game when I was a kid and having recently got into a number of other gangster films). Could be a good way to spend a weekend!

[Bill 1,788]

Thought I would read the dictionary last night

 

 

.................I got up to p

[Making Plans 936]

1 hour ago, Disco Dales Jockstrap said:

THERE'S A FIVE HOUR VERSION??!!??

Well that's one day sorted...

OTBC

 

"The Original Uncut Version" (282 minutes) - yours for a tenner

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Das-Boot-The-Mini-Series-DVD-2004-Original-Uncut-Version-Remastered-SEALED/264669023648?epid=30481942&hash=item3d9f80cda0:g:DOoAAOSwa-NdkNpW

[Disco Dales Jockstrap 1,891]

2 hours ago, Drazen Muzinic said:

Double recommend this. I'm a BA Film Student and Kurasawa is an unsung genius in much of the West.

Check out The Seven Samurai too - turned into The Magnificent Seven.

Now you're talking my language!

Kurosawa was an amazing director; I particularly like his films where Toshiro Mifune is in the lead role. Yojimbo, Seven Samurai, Sanjuro, Rashomon, Throne of Blood...brilliant everyone.

OTBC

[kick it off 1,948]

Bone collector is a cracking book as detective stories go.

[dylanisabaddog 4,867]

39 minutes ago, kick it off said:

Bone collector is a cracking book as detective stories go.

If you like detective stories try the Brodie series by Kate Atkinson. 

[Mello Yello 2,280]

Got the 'Das Boot' DVD set, superb.....Phoenix nights and the Office sets etc,etc......and do some cycling, jogging or solitary walks in the nearby Norfolk countryside.....and a bit o' six foot separation socialising with the neighbours.....and assisting them when required

Oh and 'Kes' both the book and film.....marvellous.....

Steven King's original on DVD 'The Stand' which is quite appropriate at the mo.....💀😱

Well that's tonight's entertainment sorted...... 

[benchwarmer 624]

Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs if you like a lot of gore and a great soundtrack.

[Van wink 2,994]

8 hours ago, Making Plans said:

A great War film especially if you can get hold of the 5 hour version

 

great film

[Alex Moss 2,165]

9 hours ago, Aggy said:

I think this message board needs to relax the limit on “reactions” in these corona-times, as there are a number of posts above I would have liked had I had any left!

I’ve never seen any of the godfather films (despite playing the PlayStation game when I was a kid and having recently got into a number of other gangster films). Could be a good way to spend a weekend!

Good lord, you’ve never seen the Godfather trilogy? You really need to change that! Granted the 3rd film didn’t hit the heights of 1 and 2, but in the scheme of things, it’s still a lot better than a lot of films. Do yourself a favour and buy the boxset, you won’t regret it - 1 and 2 are generally regarded as two of the greatest films EVER made.

If you want something to likely see you through the entirety of the pandemic, and you are getting into ‘gangster’ stuff, then if finances allow, buy ‘The Sopranos’ boxset. Life based in New Jersey around the Soprano family led by Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini RIP). You will become addicted, that I can assure you. It’ll be like a book where you can’t stop turning the pages, many people argue it’s the greatest tv series in history, incredible storylines that will not only leave you on the edge of your seat but will make it clear why the real mob families in NJ actually started questioning how everything in the show was so accurate and true to life. Brilliant.

 

[kick it off 1,948]

13 hours ago, Aggy said:

Just looked up Black Sails and it’s supposed to be a prequel to Treasure Island, which I re-read maybe six months ago and remembered how good that was. I’ll give it a watch!

Let me know how you get on with it!

[Alex Moss 2,165]

I do love reading biographies and autobiographies, especially those about musicians. Of course music is very subjective and we all have our own tastes. But one book I’m reading at the moment is ‘The Gospel According To Luke’, which is the autobiography by a guitarist called Steve Lukather. Now Steve is best known for his work with a US band called Toto, but the reason I bought it is because it’s a very open account of his life as one of the most highly sought after session musicians in the popular music scene from the mid 1970’s onwards. In fact, Toto might be best known for hits such as ‘Africa’, ‘Rosanna’ and ‘Hold The Line’, but they were basically session musicians to every musical giant from that era onwards - Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Elton, McCartney, Ringo, Cher, you name it - many of those artists records are essentially ‘Toto plus said artist’, MJ’s ‘Thriller’ being a great example - Steve’s famous guitar riff on ‘Beat It’, and Jeff Porcaro’s sound, pocket, and perfect groove for whatever was put in front of him you will all of heard whether you realise it or not. It’s a great candid read, life on the Los Angeles session scene plus the tragedies and tribulations that occurred within the cliche cocaine and booze rock band. He has a great knack of recalling a story in a very amusing way - my favourite so far being what happens when you make the mistake of replacing the lead singer with another based on just a demo alone, and then taking him out at late notice on tour to fulfil dates without proper rehearsals, it was something straight out of Spinal Tap, trust me, I pissed myself 😂. Great read if you like music in general, highly recommended 👍🏼
 

[The Raptor 1,199]

13 hours ago, Disco Dales Jockstrap said:

Now you're talking my language!

Kurosawa was an amazing director; I particularly like his films where Toshiro Mifune is in the lead role. Yojimbo, Seven Samurai, Sanjuro, Rashomon, Throne of Blood...brilliant everyone.

OTBC

'The emperor and the wolf' great book about kurosawa and mifine and the films they made together. Well worth a read if you can get hold of it. 

Edited March 22, 2020 by The Raptor

[The Raptor 1,199]

I'm not a fan of the band at all and I don't think you don't have to be to enjoy it. The Metallica documentary 'some kind of monster' is a great watch. The band pretty much fall apart on screen. 

[Fuzzar 1,702]

The Beginners Guide to Self Defence is worth a read. 

As is How to Catch and Skin a Cat. 

[Making Plans 936]

If you are a muscian or if you just like music then this is a very interesting & informative Youtube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/pegzch

It's run by a very knowledgable and talented American guy called Rick Beato.

He posts new videos 2 or 3 times a week, mostly they run for 15 to 20 minutes and he concentrates of 3 main areas -

1. What Makes This Song Great - here he takes mostly well known songs and disects them bit by bit, instrument by instrument and section by section. There are nearly 100 songs and even if you only have a casual interest in music I think you'll find these interesting.

As Steve Lukather & Toto are mentioned above the video below is a good place to start

2. Music Theory and Composition - probably of interest only if you are a muscian

3. Top 20 Countdowns - self explanatory and interesting

There are a couple of other sections covering Film Scoring and Guitar Videos.

 

[Herman 9,713]

2 hours ago, The Raptor said:

I'm not a fan of the band at all and I don't think you don't have to be to enjoy it. The Metallica documentary 'some kind of monster' is a great watch. The band pretty much fall apart on screen. 

In a similar vein The Story of Anvil is also a brilliant, uplifting doc about a metal band. You don't and probably won't like their music but their attitude is great. A band that nearly made it but didn't stop dreaming. A real life Spinal Tap.

[FenwayFrank 2,456]

4 hours ago, The Raptor said:

I'm not a fan of the band at all and I don't think you don't have to be to enjoy it. The Metallica documentary 'some kind of monster' is a great watch. The band pretty much fall apart on screen. 

Same for me, not a fan of the band but really interesting, they have some good fall outs on screen 😁

[FenwayFrank 2,456]

2 hours ago, Making Plans said:

If you are a muscian or if you just like music then this is a very interesting & informative Youtube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/pegzch

It's run by a very knowledgable and talented American guy called Rick Beato.

He posts new videos 2 or 3 times a week, mostly they run for 15 to 20 minutes and he concentrates of 3 main areas -

1. What Makes This Song Great - here he takes mostly well known songs and disects them bit by bit, instrument by instrument and section by section. There are nearly 100 songs and even if you only have a casual interest in music I think you'll find these interesting.

As Steve Lukather & Toto are mentioned above the video below is a good place to start

2. Music Theory and Composition - probably of interest only if you are a muscian

3. Top 20 Countdowns - self explanatory and interesting

There are a couple of other sections covering Film Scoring and Guitar Videos.

 

I’ve seen a few of these, really enjoyed them

[FenwayFrank 2,456]

7 hours ago, Alex Moss said:

I do love reading biographies and autobiographies, especially those about musicians. Of course music is very subjective and we all have our own tastes. But one book I’m reading at the moment is ‘The Gospel According To Luke’, which is the autobiography by a guitarist called Steve Lukather. Now Steve is best known for his work with a US band called Toto, but the reason I bought it is because it’s a very open account of his life as one of the most highly sought after session musicians in the popular music scene from the mid 1970’s onwards. In fact, Toto might be best known for hits such as ‘Africa’, ‘Rosanna’ and ‘Hold The Line’, but they were basically session musicians to every musical giant from that era onwards - Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Elton, McCartney, Ringo, Cher, you name it - many of those artists records are essentially ‘Toto plus said artist’, MJ’s ‘Thriller’ being a great example - Steve’s famous guitar riff on ‘Beat It’, and Jeff Porcaro’s sound, pocket, and perfect groove for whatever was put in front of him you will all of heard whether you realise it or not. It’s a great candid read, life on the Los Angeles session scene plus the tragedies and tribulations that occurred within the cliche cocaine and booze rock band. He has a great knack of recalling a story in a very amusing way - my favourite so far being what happens when you make the mistake of replacing the lead singer with another based on just a demo alone, and then taking him out at late notice on tour to fulfil dates without proper rehearsals, it was something straight out of Spinal Tap, trust me, I pissed myself 😂. Great read if you like music in general, highly recommended 👍🏼
 

Haven’t heard of this but my sort of thing even though it’s not my sort of music. Might get it to read on holiday, if I ever get out of the country ! 

[FenwayFrank 2,456]

Has anyone read the autobiography of Anthony Kiedis ? I’ve heard it’s pretty good

[kick it off 1,948]

8 minutes ago, FenwayFrank said:

Haven’t heard of this but my sort of thing even though it’s not my sort of music. Might get it to read on holiday, if I ever get out of the country ! 

My mum is a big music books fan - will have to grab the gospel one as she won’t have read it and sounds right up her street. Thanks for recommendation