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Showing posts with the label eurythmics

Burns Night

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It's here again, the night when Scots (and many more people) celebrate the birthday of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns . When non Scots think of Scotland, Burns is someone that easily comes to mind. He's certainly earned his place as a personification of his country. My father, a Scot himself, always thought so. To me, Burns is only one face of Scotland though. Here's my list of other, great Scots. Deborah Kerr (1921 - 2007), Glasgow born actress who starred in The King and I, Casino Royale and From Here to Eternity, to name but a few. The epitome of grace, sophistication and intelligent wit. Billy Connolly (born 1942 in Glasgow), another great wit. One of the few comedians who could reduce both my mother and father to tears of laughter. J M Barrie (1860 - 1937), author and dramatist, the man who brought us the well-loved, eternal child, Peter Pan. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930), physician and writer. A prolific creator w...

Window No. 2

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There's something about Christmas that breaks down the most cynical of film-makers to emotional blubberers. Not that there's anything wrong with being emotional or having a weep. I can weep and blubber with the best of them at a good film. Only last night, I got tearful over the happy ever after of Shrek 2. I'm blaming it on hormones but I secretly suspect that the festive season is the culprit. If you think about Christmas films, for the most part you'll find them to be about good will to all men. Even 'Home Alone' (demonic yet angelic looking child tortures idiotically inept burglars) is really about family and home. Let me know if you can think of a Christmas film that is truly cynical and doesn't offer up some kind of message about coming together and forgiveness and just generally loving mankind. One of the best Christmas films that I've seen is It's a Wonderful Life with the brilliant James Stewart in the lead role. If you haven't heard...