Rollerball (1975)

Just finished watching the original Rollerball movie, well worth staying up for in my opinion....always loved this film, ever since hearing Bach's "Toccat in D Minor" in the ads and seeing the poster blurb:

"In the not-too-distant future, wars will no longer exist. But there will be Rollerball."

Set in 2018, crime and wars have been eradicated. Various Corporations rule the globe. The masses are controlled by the violent, brutal game known as Rollerball. Rollerball's star player is Johnathan E (played by James Caan) a veteran of the sport for ten years. But to the powers-that-be of this futuristic world, Johnathan's continued success is an anathema to their Corporate ethos, and led by the sinister, manipulative Bartholomew (John Housman), they scheme to retire him - one way or another.

Whenever I hear corporate jargon like There's No 'I' In 'TEAM' I always think of Rollerball, and considering this film was made in 1975, it seems more prophetic today.

PS: I won't even bother with the 2002 remake....

Jade Goody...the Musical???

The life of Jade Goody, the 27 year-old reality TV star who died last month of cervical cancer, will be the subject of a forthcoming musical, according to Danny Hayward, her former business partner.
A TV talent show to find an "ordinary girl" to play Jade is being planned.
TV plan to find Jade musical star

I'm not going to comment on the late Jade Goody.
But with all due respect, wouldn't a donation to the cancer charities represent a more lasting legacy?

The Damned FA....

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and Hull boss Phil Brown are charged with improper conduct by the Football Association (FA).
The charges relate to Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup fifth round replay win over Hull.
Fabregas did not play because of injury, but came on to the pitch at the final whistle and was implicated in a spitting controversy with Hull assistant Brian Horton.
Fabregas and Brown charged by FA

This is absolute nonsense from the FA, who should be ashamed of themselves.

That paragon of virtue Wayne Rooney, rants at the referee and punches a corner flag after being sent off in United's defeat at Fulham, and what was the response from the mighty Football Association?
SWEET FA!!! The silence was deafening (so much for their "Respect" campaign then)....

However, it appears this august body now wants to nail Fabregas for coming onto his own pitch after the match, wearing his street clothes (a black hoodie jacket, jeans and trainers), appearing belligerent towards the Hull players and allegedly spitting in the general vicinity of Brian Horton.
What a farce!!!
(PS: I can't believe that I congratulated Hull's entry into the Premiership last year - now I hope they get relegated)

Happy Saint George's Day

Still feeling low about Arsenal at present (and Tuesday's 4-4 draw with Liverpool didn't help either), but just wanted to say a quick "Happy Saint George's Day".

While I understand fears about St George being hijacked by racist elements, a muted response to celebrate the day of England's patron saint isn't the answer, either.

Saint George represents ALL English citizens. Making St George's Day a public holiday would be a good start to reclaim him from the far right...
Dr John Sentamu calls for public holiday on St George's Day

Gutted...

Chelski beat Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley to reach the FA Cup final.
Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea

What can I say? It bloody hurts to see Arsenal get this far, only to fall at the penultimate hurdle...and right now I just feel GUTTED!!!

Usually I don't criticize Arsène Wenger, but in my opinion he got his tactics and the team selection wrong. Yes, I know we still have the Champions League semi-final to come, and fourth place in the Premiership to secure, but bloody hell - this was the FA CUP SEMI-FINAL!! So why rest Arshavin, Nasri and Song??? Unless Wenger decided fourth place in the Prem and the European Cup are more important than the FA Cup. If that is the case, then I fear he miscalculated, because right now I'm seething.

But I'll still be watching the game against Liverpool and supporting the team next Tuesday. Today was a setback, but it's not the end of the world.
Just don't screw up like that again, Arsène...

PS: ordinarily I'd wish Chelski all the luck for the final, but the thought of this player getting a winner's medal sticks in my craw, to be honest....

Lisa Phillips

Today I'm taking the opportunity to wish a belated "Happy Birthday" to former glamour model Lisa Phillips.

If the information on the Adult Film Database & Internet Adult Film Database is correct, Lisa was born on 17 April 1970 (in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to be more precise), which makes her 39 years old (however, I understand both the Internet Movie Database & FreeOnes quotes Lisa's date of birth as 18 April 1970 instead, but lets not quibble).
Lisa began modelling around 1988 and was active during the early and mid-1990s. According to one website, Lisa retired to the Canadian wilderness and now lives a quiet life.

Many happy returns, Ms Phillips...
Lisa Phillips on the Internet Movie Database

Meanwhile in North London (continued)....

Arsenal beat 10-man Villarreal 3-0 and set up a Champions League semi-final showdown with Manchester United.
Arsenal 3-0 Villarreal (agg 4-1)

A good performance by the lads last night, and that's all that needs to be said.

Now it's Man United in the semi-final.
Bring it on...

Doctor Who (continued)...

Saw the Doctor Who Easter special "Planet Of The Dead" - and almost wished I hadn't. As with the Christmas special ("The Next Doctor"), there was nothing particularly special about it (except for the warning by the old woman at the back of the bus to the Doctor). As for Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans, their characters were two-dimensional.
Considering that "Planet Of The Dead" was the first of four specials to mark the departure of David Tennant as the current Doctor, I found myself more excited about the trailer for the next special "The Waters of Mars".
Better luck next time, BBC...
Planet of the Dead (Wikipedia entry)

Happy Easter...

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, consider this:

The most expensive Easter egg ever made is said to be the "Diamond Stella Egg" which went on sale at the Piccadilly shop La Maison Du Chocolat in 2006 with a staggering price tag of £50,000 (about $73,000 at today's rates).

A chocolatier spent three weeks making the Diamond Stella Egg in a workshop in Paris. Standing 65cm (25in) tall, the egg is made of layers of dark chocolate and is stuffed with peach and apricot chocolates and pralines in the shape of fish - a French tradition at Easter. The outside is studded with more than 100 0.5 carat diamonds. Decorative stars lie alongside the diamonds, made of coloured milk chocolate.
Priciest Easter egg up for sale

What would Dr David Walker make of the Diamond Stella Egg? Not much, I guess, since he was behind last month's proposal for chocolate to be taxed in the same way as cigarettes and alcohol.
Dr Walker, a GP in Lanarkshire, suggested taxing chocolate in order to tackle obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, his motion calling for a chocolate tax was defeated by two votes at a British Medical Association conference in Clydebank.
GPs vote against 'chocolate tax'

Anyway, have a happy Easter everyone - even to those who would deprive us of the little pleasures in life....

Snatch Wars?

So, ever wondered what you'd get if you mixed "Snatch" with "Star Wars"?

Answer: London's own Lord of the Sith, Brick Vader - and he's not a nice geezer....

The return of Claudia Casali (continued)...

Folks - without further ado, presenting:

Ms. CLAUDIA CASALI !!!!



Photographer: Sahara
© Copyright Holder: Claudia Casali
Photos reproduced with kind permission of the copyright holder.

It's great to see Claudia active again, as she's always been one of my favourite glamour models, and if you want to see more of Ms Casali, you'll find her on "The Official Claudia Casali Website" (but only if you're over 18)...

In my opinion (continued)...

Some members of the press has labelled Melanie Brown's burlesque Peep Show strip revue at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas as "tacky".

Are they crazy? In my opinion, Mel B looks awesome - for a mother of two, her body appears to be in great shape.
And since the Spice Girls are no longer with us, the lady's got to make a living.
I only wish I could fly over and check out the show...apparently tickets are $65.00 (or $165.00 for the VIPs amongst us).
Tacky Spice: Mel B leaves little to the imagination in raunchy new burlesque show

The return of Claudia Casali (continued)...

Last September I mentioned rumours of glamour model Claudia Casali making a comeback.

Well it appears her website is up and running - details to follow.

According to her Yahoo! group, Claudia has also emmigrated to South Africa.....and considering the usual weather in old Blighty, who can blame her?

Water, water everywhere (continued).....

Back in 2006, I commented how a water company in Kent had been given the go-ahead to force 65,000 householders to install water meters.

Now I see that the Environment Agency has urged “near universal” water metering for England and Wales.

Ian Barker, head of water resources at the Environment Agency, said: "We need to use what we have more carefully because the sources on which we currently rely will become less reliable in the future." He said not all the messages about reducing water use in the home were getting through.

The report goes on to state water metering should be accompanied by suitable tariffs to protect vulnerable groups and make reducing water use more attractive.

But the Campaign for Water Justice called the plans a "travesty", saying the poor would be hit hardest.
Call for widespread water meters

Being my usual cynical self, I'm backing the Campaign for Water Justice. I haven't changed my opinion from the following comments I made years ago:

"First of all, "New" Labour once opposed water metering, before the 1997 election. They branded it "a tax on family life." But it's not the first time this government has done a volte-face (and it won't be the last).
Secondly we as consumers are being forced to pay for years of under-investment (by previous governments and then by the privatised water companies) in maintaining and repairing the infrastructure (pipes and treatment plants) which has played a part in these shortages.
Finally, I know operating costs has previously made this idea a non-starter, but shouldn't we look at desalination plants again? Being an island nation, we're surrounded by water."

April Fools?

When I first heard the news this morning that Newcastle legend Alan Shearer had returned to the club as manager until the end of the season, I really thought it was an April Fools joke.

Some joke - with eight games of the season left and Newcastle third from bottom in the Premier League, this appears to be a final throw of the dice by owner Mike Ashley. Hiring an inexperienced manager to save the club from relegation, appears to be nothing more than a desperate attempt to rescue what has been a disastrous reign at St James' Park.

It's a win-win situation for Shearer, though - if Newcastle are relegated, he won't be held accountable - if the club stays up, he'll be walking on water to the Geordie faithful.

Watch this space....
Shearer confirmed as Magpies boss