What have you been Watching?

I've been mainly on ITVX and to a lesser extent BBC iPlayer the last month or so.

I haven't even plugged in my new telly yet, it's still got the protective bits on.

Watching telly on the biggish computer screen, with this site only a click away, is why I've been so active on here lately. Too much some might say?

The telly seems like an optional extra now, but good to have in case the broadband goes down.


So, it's been Carry on films and 70's and 80's comedy. Bless this House, George & Mildred, Rising Damp, Randal & Hopkirk (Deceased), etc.

If I want a bit more serious it's Thunderbirds, and Captain Scarlet. Fireball XL5 seems a bit dated now, although I still love that tune.

In the early hours it's Brian Cox or anything spacey.


Defo no 'News'(or the deaths & moaners shows, as I call them) programmes. If anything big happens I'm sure I'll read it on here.


I'm also trying to learn the Greek Alphabet (for 'The Chase').


Up the Omicrons!

Watched Festive Classic comedy/drama, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ (1946) based on ‘The Greatest Gift’ by Philip Van Doren Stern (in turn loosely based on the 1843 Charles Dickens novella 'A Christmas Carol'), written, produced and directed by Frank Capra for RKO Radio Pictures.
“Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings!”
“Attaboy Clarence!”
Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Ward Bond, Frank Faylen, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Todd Karns, Lionel Barrymore and Gloria Grahame.
Grahame (November 28, 1923 – October 5, 1981) appearing here as Violet Bick was the quintessential "Femme Fetale" in Film Noir movies in many people's eyes yet appeared in a wide range of genres, appearing in such classics as: 'Crossfire' (1947, for which she received an an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress), 'Song of the Thin Man' (1947), 'The Bad and the Beautiful' (1952, wining the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress), 'In A Lonely Place' (1950), 'Sudden Fear' (1952), 'The Big Heat' (1953), 'Human Desire' (1954), 'Not as a Stranger' (1955) and 'Oklahoma!' (1955).
This festive classic tells the story of a bumbling Angel called
‘Clarence’ (Travers) sent down from heaven to show the selfless George Bailey (Stewart) what life would have looked like had he now ever been born. “It would be better if I had never been born”
A wish Bailey makes when he’s desperate to find lost money after potential financial ruin from the town’s hard-nosed businessman Mr. Potter (Barrymore).
Like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ this displays the small-town American values of “no place like home” and an honest work ethic married to a spirit of fairness. Wearing these social themes proudly on his sleeve Capra shows a strong family and community moral code in the homely Bedford Falls, released right after WWII, to be hugely
important.
There are definitely some dark nourish moments and the revelations after being shown an alternate life echoes Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. “Please God, let me live again”.
Donna Reed as George’s childhood sweetheart Mary and Lionel Barrymore as the heartless Mr. Potter are really excellent.; however Stewart (in his first picture after serving in WWII) just excels in the lead role, giving an iconic performance.
Italian-born American film director Capra made some of the finest movies of the 1930s and 40s: ‘Platinum Blonde’ (1931), ‘The Bitter Tea of General Yen’ (1933), ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934), ‘Mr. Deeds Goes to Town’ (1936), ‘You Can't Take It with You’ (1938), ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’(1939), ‘Meet John Doe’ (1941), ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1945) and ‘It's a Wonderful Life’ (1946).
Although audiences found the story "too bleak", this has become almost everyone’s favourite Festive movie. Much loved this has deservedly nominated for five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Sound Recording, Best Film
Editing) becoming a classic due to its universal sentimental and uplifting appeal. “Merry Christmas”
Simply wonderful festive cinema.

apparently Wednesday has broken all streaming records on Netflix. Gonna watch that as the Adams family is classic TV

Something dis tinctly familiar about your prosaic style kent.

Thank you for suggesting my writing is prosaic. However if there was a hint of an alias in there too… wrong

Nick

This may sound silly, but the Muppet’s Christmas Carol is very good. Michael Caine plays Scrooge wonderfully. He took the role very seriously and it shows, and I appreciate his very professional efforts. Its still got the gothic horror feel and is a little unnerving in its war. It’s a great version of that very old tale.

*I missed the other thread on this topic and this post probably fits better over there so off it goes.

Watched The Blackfoot Trail - based on a true story where a young couple go camping in the forests of Canada and encounter a bear. Not a comfortable watch but compelling.

Now I'm hooked on Couples Therapy (BBC I player) - a series where couples with marital issues visit a psychological therapist. (Hoping to pick up a few tips).

Watched Wednesday, binge watched in fact.  Being retired means I have time.

Loved it.  Will watch it again.  The cast really suit their roles including the lead.  And a surprisingly good storyline.  

Been watching the WEF in Davos getting trashed on you tube.Caught a glimpse of Jay Silverheels and Michael Ripper whilst channel hopping.