This article was published on the Australian Spectator website this weekend…its my review of Mary Queen of Scots – you can get the original here And the Oscar for most Woke Period Drama goes to… Mary Queen of Scots (although The Favourite ran it a close second). The woke checklist Women as the heroines (but still victims oppressed by the patriarchal society) – check. Men … Continue reading Mary Queen of Scots – Woke Movie of the Year
Each week this review looks at different aspects of culture Film: Mary Queen of Scots I have reviewed this film in more detail for the Spectator (in Australia) and will post it when they publish it next week. But for now let me summarise it in this way – This is a shallow, superficial and silly film – its not suitable for Christians (or anyone) … Continue reading Saturday Review 3 – Endeavour; Mary Queen of Scots; John Owen; Brendan O’Neill Podcast; The Bothy Band; Berties
TV – The Scots in China This is a short two part series on the Scots in China. Neil Oliver is a marmite presenter. You either love or hate him – many people find his voice really grating. I actually enjoy his style. The whole programme was intriguing- although it skirted some of the serious issues. How did the businessmen and media people justify working … Continue reading The Saturday Review (2) – The Scots in China; The Old Man and the Gun; Logic on Fire; Romans 9 – God’s Sovereign Purpose;
Saturday Review 1 – Stan and Ollie; Middlemarch; Les Miserables I hope to make this a regular feature – I read a lot of books, listen to many things and watch films, tv etc (when I get the time) – so each week I will try to review/reflect briefly on some of them. This week we begin with an unusual, quirky but rather good film, … Continue reading Saturday Review 1 – Stan and Ollie; Middlemarch; Les Miserables
In the United Kingdom (and in some other countries – notably those that used to be part of the British Empire) the day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day. This is probably because it was a day when tradesmen and servants were given ‘Christmas Boxes’ by those they served. Others think it may have been called Boxing Day because it became a day of … Continue reading Boxing Day, Babette’s Feast, Masterchef and Chrysostom on the Lusts of Luxurious Living!
We hadn’t been to the DCA for a while so it was pleasant to return and see this excellent film – Robert Redford’s last. He is a fine actor and none more so than in this tale of an elderly bankrobber, Forrest Tucker. For me he was outshone by Sissy Spacek who brought a life and depth to her character (as his wife) which was … Continue reading The Old Man and the Gun
Last week Annabel and I went to see 2001 – A Space Odyssey at the extraordinary Hayden Orpheum – the cinema itself is an experience – but I was delighted just to be able to see this film which is invariably described as one of the most important and influential ever made. I was so keen to see it and was thankful that Annabel … Continue reading 2001: A Space Oddity, a Human Masterpiece and a Spiritual Revelation
Billy Graham This week has been a significant week because of the death of Billy Graham – much has been written about him – most of it positive (although a few religious people and militant atheists have done their best to stick the boot in!) perhaps this from the New York Times is the best from a secular perspective. I also thought this article … Continue reading LED 25 – Billy Graham; Is the Netherlands a Narco State?; Dundee- the Death Drugs Capital; The Thought Police and Center Parcs; Apple Removes Easter; The Post; Google and the end of Science.
Welcome to LED no. 24….as always we try to bring you a mixture of articles and comments, which illustrate and illuminate the world we live in. The Oxfam Scandal – The stories about Oxfam (and other large charities) are appalling. It’s not just that Oxfam workers engaged in sexual abuse but that Oxfam knew and attempted to cover up. What intrigues me about this is … Continue reading LED 24 – The Oxfam Scandal; The Tom Daley Baby; Sexual Morality; Christian Leader Expelled from the Scouts; Voices of the Silenced: Celebrating a new South African President; Hi Magazine; Quote of the Week.
Everyone seems to love ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri’. It’s the reviewers’ favourite for several Oscars and it would not be too much of a surprise if it won best picture (it already won the Golden Globes for best drama). You can understand why. The screenplay from the Irish writer Martin McDonagh is razor sharp; the performances from the actors stunning (especially Frances McDormand as … Continue reading Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri – A Brilliant Film. I Hated It!
