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The Singing Detective (2003)
The Singing Detective (2003)
2003 | Comedy, Drama, Musical
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I’m going to break your rules, and I’m going to mention The Singing Detective, which was a TV series out of Britain with Michael Gambon. I don’t know if you ever saw it. Dennis Potter; it was so amazing. I remember watching that while I was acting training, in my first year of acting training, and I loved it so much, I got depressed, because I remember thinking, “I will never be able to act as well as Michael Gambon.” It was just so incredible."

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ClareR (5589 KP) rated The Disappeared in Books

May 25, 2019  
The Disappeared
The Disappeared
Amy Lord | 2019 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dystopian Britain
Set in the near future, Britain has become a one party, military controlled state, where reading the wrong book could mean that you are ‘disappeared’.

The Authorisation Bureau we’re responsible for the disappearance of Clara’s father, a university English lecturer, and she is determined to pick up where he left off. Along with her History professor boyfriend, they decide to teach a select group of students about the past and the books that they are now forbidden to read. But things do not go as planned. Clara has some protection, as her stepfather is a ‘high up’ interrogator with the Authorisation Bureau, but this can only go so far to protect her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this dark tale of an alternate UK. It was rather violent in places, but it’s message was ultimately that of hope. My only complaint (which isn’t really a complaint) is that we could have done with more from the resistance organisation, Lumiere. I would have loved to have read more about them.

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book, and to the author, Amy Lord, for reading along and answering questions.
  
I really enjoyed learning about the mythos of King Arthur and the legends and kinds that came before him and shaped his reign. Seriously, if you are at all into King Arthur and you want context on how these legends came about, pick this book up, it is worth the read.

In addition to this, I would read Pseudo-Ninnias' Historia Brittonum, Gildas' The Ruin of Britain, and Bede's Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum. They will all help to understand all of the source material for the Arthurian Romances.
  
TC
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The sequel to "A Shadow of Gulls", the Crow Goddess continues the story of Lugh the Harper and Cuchullain, although reading the former is not a pre-requisite to reading this.

Whereas the previous novel revolved mainly around the Ulster series of Legends (most particularly the Cattle Raid of Cooley), this novel takes place in both Roman Britain (the first half, and prior to the building of Hadrians Wall) and Ireland. The second part of the novel - the part in Ireland itself - concerns Cuchullains legendary death more than his legendary life.

Well worth a read!
  
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Buzz Aldrin recommended Churchill (2017) in Movies (curated)

 
Churchill (2017)
Churchill (2017)
2017 | Biography, Drama, History
6.5 (4 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"The movie Churchill! Well of course, yeah! I mean, I had hearing aids on but I couldn’t catch exactly all the words, but I knew the meaning behind them. It was just marvelous how, I guess, a politician could absorb so much of the strategy required to deal with the challenges that Great Britain faced. The guy who played Churchill, when I saw him in real life, I can’t imagine how they made him up to look like Winnie. He was bouncing all over the place, making facial expressions all the time."

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Eddie The Eagle (2016)
Eddie The Eagle (2016)
2016 | Comedy
8
7.6 (11 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Based on a true story, this film tells the story of Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards’s journey from childhood as he chases his dream of someday representing his home country of Britain in the Olympics. When Eddie’s dreams seemly are coming to an end he looks to defy his naysayers by becoming the first Olympic Ski Jumper to represent Britain in the modern Olympic era.

Taron Egerton (Kingsman: Secret Service) does a marvelous job playing Eddie. He portrays the good natured soul of this un-athletic and socially awkward yet endearing hero. As a result, he not only wins the hearts of the people around him, but of audiences as well. Coupled with the hard charismatic and athletic contrast of Hugh Jackman, who plays an ex-ski jump champion Bronson Peary, the two shine together in their contrast but find an unexpected friendship that provides opportunity for one and redemption for the other.

Through the course of the film, it is hard to not be inspired by someone who is whole-heartedly chancing his dream. As such, I would best described Eddie The Eagle as the “feel good movie of the year.” A clichéd and premature description this early in 2016, but appropriate nonetheless. Take the family to this delightful film.
  
V for Vendetta (2005)
V for Vendetta (2005)
2005 | Action, Thriller
A great unknown masked hero
Set in a universes where Britain rules all and disease has destroyed alot of people including a rare virus where people were experimented on for a vaccine our rare hero emerges as one of the ones who survied the testing. He is geared towards taking down all the culprits behind the testing and the current British rule. Our heroine is a girl who wants to fight but needs to know why is at one point shown the way through a very harsh manor. This movie is very underrated and some of the fight scenes are great.
  
The Witchfinder's Sister
The Witchfinder's Sister
Beth Underdown | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
A dark stain on human history
The story of Matthew Hopkins' sister is gripping from start to finish, almost gut-wrenching knowing what's to come. The witch trials in Britain are rarely documented unlike the trials of Salem. Hence reading this historical fiction almost brought the disgrace to life. You have pure empathy for the sister Alice, who attempts throughout to thwart her brother's evil plans. But it raises the question of complicity and innocence and how far gone Alice had crossed the line. Matthew's character is purely psychopathic, and he truly is a villain in every sense. A fantastic, detailed read.
  
The One Who Wrote Destiny
The One Who Wrote Destiny
Nikesh Shukla | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sweet but thin storyline
Nikesh Shukla's latest literary escapade is sweet, exploring familial ties and how fate plays a role in this family. The narrators include terminal cancer patient Neha, Kenyan-born father Mukesh, and hapless comedian brother Rakesh, each playing a role in their so-called pre-determined destinies.

The writing is witty and it's always wonderful to hear voices that represent BAME communities in modern Britain. But unfortunately it is a little thin in plot and storyline. It is a host of voices speaking about their perspectives and intricately joining together. An easy read.
  
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Joseph Mount recommended Dummy by Portishead in Music (curated)

 
Dummy by Portishead
Dummy by Portishead
1994 | Rock
9.3 (6 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I’m trying to remember records from when I was going through the most teenage, the most angsty periods of my life. I’ve got kids now, I listen to the radio sometimes, a I feel like as a teenager, what are you into? When I was at that age it was Portishead, I remember it soundtracking weird parties I went to where some kids were being more experimental with drugs. I remember it being quite an odd soundtrack to that time. And I think they’re a really brilliant band, one of a few uniquely British propositions, only Britain could produce that kind of group."

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