Music and film

Robbie William's Christmas album, The Present is out and seems to be a traditional mix of songs, but with some interesting duets, ie. with Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and others.

Charlie's Angels, has obviously proved over the years to have some enduring popularity, what with the successful TV series of the 1970's-1980's; the film from 2000; despite the aborted TV series in 2011 and now, the 2019 release. The three lead actresses have at least received deserved praise, but the film itself...

Various Artists

Dream Boats and Petticoats: just a little more to add, re. originals artists, which includes too many to mention, (52!), from the 1950's through to the 1960s.

I do quite like Jane McDonald. She has an endearing personality and an attractive voice and is able to put her vocal twist on her own original songs and on any covers.

I am definitely interested in her Live Christmas Concert DVD, which will be released on 22 November.

The Good Liar

The Good Liar is in the cinema now. I did'nt realise that it was based on a book. Have to say it seems like a intriguing story. The film has both Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, so that in itself is exciting.
                                                                              The big release of the year has to be Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. The saga has to end, the trailer says, if only to move on and generate new...stories...the franchise has to move off in some other direction.

X Factor

I'm interested in getting previous series CD's or DVD's of the X Factor. There must be many available, given that it's been going for so long: the best and worst bits (ie. humiliating the contestants, which seems harsh). In addition, I look forward to following up the current                X Factor : Celebrity series.

Stevie Wonder

Songs in the Key of Life was a great album by Stevie Wonder. He is one of the great musicians/ artists of the 20th Century.                                    

An interesting collaboration was the one with Julio Iglesias: My Love, a beautiful and lyrical song.

Possible CD buys...

Looking at possible Christmas buys: there is a compilation album, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, etc. It's a collection of classic songs by the original artists.        

Another album of intererst is Rockbird, by Debbie Harry...some particularly good songs on it: my favourite is French Kissin' in the USA.

Slyvester Stallone

Slyvester Stallone is one of my favourite actors. Ok, not the most versatile of actors, (they say), but still, he has created some of the most memorable characters in Cinema. If you asked anyone to name any of those characters, then they would probably say Rocky or Rambo. Rambo, even given the simplicity of the story, was a character stuck in the torment of Vietnam and what was it that he would even recognise that wasn't part of that nightmare.