"Drink From Me... And Live Forever"

The One Where Chud Makes Me Want To Impale My Own Eyes


On Saturday, JMcG and I will brave Twilight Eclipse... in the hope that we may get laid. (Not by each other). This, from Chud.com, makes me think it may be the longest two hours of our lives...

REVIEW: TWILIGHT SAGA - ECLIPSE

"Can I Trust You?"

The One Where United Cheer Me Up From World Cup Blues




Couldn't happen to a nicer person. United Legend decides he wants to leave, and play for Liverpool. Err... No. Did you also see the beloved Tevez, tutting that he was being subbed? From idolising Maradonna, to outright dissent... not like him.

Then, Ozil apart, the find of the tournament... Hernandez. Click that link to see what all United fans have dreamt of...



That goal inspired me into a bet. £10 he scores 10, and plays in 20, for United. In all competitions. Easy money.

"The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore" by @diaryofaledger

Polly Jean Harvey how I love you so.

'Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea' is an album that I try to introduce to anyone that'll listen to me.  As a piece of work it sits uncomfortably with much of PJ's output, commercially acceptable rock, less kooky, anger contained, with the romance and lightness of touch missing from her earlier albums.

"I Will Not Give That Order"

The One Where EA May Have Done, Done It Again

More Medal of Honor Videos

Hmmm.... Interesting.

"This Mission... Just Got A Whole Lot More.... Impossible.

The One Where I Imagine This Is The Greatest Six Million Bucks Robbery In The History Of The World

So... Lamps "scored", the Ref, or his assistant missed it... The keeper boots it to Klose, who scores. The forth officials are watching a video replay... Lamps *did* score. What happens?

It doesn't work, does it? So, instead of reinventing the wheel, why not just use UEFAs tried and tested six officials? Someone whose job is to spot all the shirt pulling, and goal line instances. It's in the Champions League next year, as well as that other tin pot trophy, so...

"Whose Coming With Me? Whose Coming With Me?"

The One Where We Were Thumped At Home





Sometimes, just sometimes, Football throws one of these up.

"Think Man... THINK!"

The One Where You May Have Missed My Thoughts Of The Day

"We Sure Shook The Pillars Of Heaven, Huh?

The One Where I Want The T Shirt

"You Can Be My Wing Man Anytime"

The One Where Daddy Day Care Started On Thursday

Then Friday...

Oh. My. God. @McleveyArtist is a genius. Thanks you, matey.

Ball Park, in this heat? Even ET thinks that's a stupid idea!

"This Place Is A Game Reserve"

The One Where I Think They Nailed It... And Ripped Out His Spine

"I Love My Country"

The One Where I Watched It With 3/4 Ledgers And 100 People In The Partners Dining Room.

Passion was back. Passing was back. Determination was back. Pride was back. But two image will stick with me, after today. Two men I will never truly love, epitomised the Spirit England needed today. John Terry, and Fabio Capello. They were immense today. JT might not have been right to do that press conference, but I thought what he said was spot on. It was a Captains speech.

And kicking off Sunday, means I get to watch it, rather than being drunk on  a boat Saturday night.

There are no words. Compare the reactions of these two England players.

Capello and Rooney joining in? = Even better.

"Is He Serious?" "Always"

The One Where I Put My Top Ten Trailers Down Here, As Promised Last Night On @DiaryOfALedgers Site

Great, great voice over. And the opening five seconds, with that noise? Unsettling is not the word.

When one image is enough...

Way to pimp out an awesome Soundtrack! ...And cast! "You play with matches, you get burned"

I talked about this last night... again, great music... and that money shot. "Simple game..."

The opening minute... Genius. Pure, simple genius. 

The first title card... then the second. 

You Bastard, Lucas.

Brutal. Fantastic use of music, especially the editing to the change in pace. And a great film. I knew nothing of it, until I saw it on a list, ironically, similar to this. There are hidden gems, after all.

Haha. I still can't believe they did this...

How did they keep this secret???

"Sometimes when I look deep in your eyes I can see your soul" by @diaryofaledger.

James - Laid

AT wrote last week on my site about movies that are underrated so I thought that this week I'd talk about my favourite underrated album.  'Laid' by James.

"Trust Me... I'm A Cop"

The One Where I Post There, He Posts Here, But He Writes There, And I Write Here... Got It?


So this is Gray, knowing music... Over on his Blog, I feel the need to look at the pros and cons of movie trailers.

Pop back here tomorrow, and I'll give you my Top Ten movie trailers, and why.

"I Fly Strictly Solo"

I was on a mission to legally find some of Adam Duritz's solo stuff, when I found this... two of my fave bands. Together. Kind of got me thinking... if you could put a "dream team" together... who would it be?





Then, this... Great song.



And finally... Adam Duritz > Pre Counting Crows.



As ever with CC, this post is dedicated to Ricky B and the lovely Mrs Harwood.

The One With A Captain Marvel

I remember this like it was yesterday. The season...and the VHS! I tracked it down for my dad, for Xmas a few years back. Got me thinking... imagine they did this every season? Fascinating.





And of course, as a United fan... this deserves it's own post. David Hirst - Who are ya???

"Gotham City... Whoaaaa"

The One Thats Better Than Dark Knight...

Holy Crap! Awesome. Take your mind off England.



Cheers to LiveForFilms... AGAIN.

"Is She Pissed, Or Leg Mental?"

The One Where I Wonder If Wayne Has Given Up, Is Injured, Or Has Just Gone Head  Mental

I'm trying to think of what to say about all that, last night. I have never supported a team, that put in such a desperate display.

"We're Not Getting Out Of Here Alive"

The One Where I Can Actually Take Pictures At The Ball Park... (So Look For The Film Re-Enactments)


OK... so guess the movie, and you get a prize.

The day starts with an iPhone. And all of it's protective wrapping.

"My Team Is Dead... They're All Dead"

The One Where I Couldn't Do What I Wanted, So Problem Solved Like The Logical Guy I Am

If you knew what I'd been through to get here, you wouldn't believe it.

"He Seems Nice"

The One Where I Finally Take Notice Of SPVTW

I have only done one post today. Indulge me. This. Looks. Class.

"One Shot... One Kill"

The One Where I Moan About Going For A Run, And Do My Best Ever Doodle Buddies.

I promised proof, so here it is. I didn't want to go a run today. I go to the gym four times a week now, so I was milking the thought of not needing to go. But I do need to go. So I went.

^ That's me looking out the bedroom window and seeing people. And the Sun. Looking hot.

^ Twenty minutes in, like Maximus before me, I contemplate Elysium.

"Now A Question Of Etiquette... Do I Give Her The Ass, Or The Crotch?"

The One Where I Ran Out Of Time, So Copied KJ

In honour of KJC, and her wordless wednesdays...

"This Clock Never Seemed So Alive"

I spoke to a woman today who has been in bed for six years. Can't move. She probably won't see out of the month.

Shocking day. Want to see the end of it... then this.

'Are You A Jap?? Honestly... You Sneak Up Like One"

The One Where I Prove I Can Stick Out A TV Series

I didn't want Pacific to end. It's everything I want in a TV series. Short, sharp, fulfilling.

There's very little that could have been trimmed here.

It's everything that Lost and 24, should have been.

"Lets Go Out Tonight..."

‘How Soon is Now?’ by @diaryofaledger

The One Where GC Writes About A Band Who I Would Probably Like If I Spent A Bit Of Time With

The Smiths were one of the first ‘indie’ bands to really grab my attention.  I came to them a bit late, i.e. after they’d ceased to be but I fell for the way their music resonated with me.  Time and time again Morrissey’s lyrics seemed to be about my life. 

"Freeze Sucka!"

The One Where I Say I'll Forgive The Shawshank Sheep, If, IF, They'll Watch Three Classics

I write over there on a Monday. When he's on time, he writes here.

It's not rocket science, so stop going on about it.

"Guy Gets On A Subway And Dies... Think Anyone Will Notice?"

The One Where I Hope I Never Die On A Subway For Six Hours Before Anyone Notices

I love Tom Cruise, blah, blah, blah.

This film represented a real departure for him, though. He was a bad guy, went with the grey hair. It was a departure, from what Hollywood expected. Wanted. Most actors will do anything to work with Michael Mann, though - and here, Cruise goes for the film ahead of Box Office.

The film benefits it being original. A hit man hijacks a taxi for the night, so he can take out five hits. As a premise, it's up there with Speed. A simple idea.

"You And Me? I Don't Think We're On The Same Page"

The One Where You All Realise War Of The Worlds Is Vastly Underrated

I've always "liked" War Of The Worlds. I always thought it was full of cool ideas. The Tripods being here all along, and "them" "riding the lightning down to earth", to pilot them. I thought Cruise was excellent. Bit of a dick, not a good Father - not by choice, but by not knowing/being allowed to try. Dakota Fanning was at her peak. I liked the fact that, as spectacular as it all was, the camera was shoulder mounted most of the time. When the army go over the hill, and launch a counter attack, the camera doesn't follow. It was a fresh approach.

Well, I don't remember the last time I saw War. It certainly wasn't on a 50" Plasma, in 7.1. And that might have changed things. This Blu transfer highlights how good the effects are. The whole film has a sense of realism, amongst the other wordly goings on. Some of the imagery works so well, in a post 9/11 world.

"You Gotta Be Effing Kidding Me" (Again)

The One Where I Try To Reassure Everyone We're Not Out Of The World Cup... Yet.



Oh dear. Kind of makes you glad, you only saw the secong half, with a pint of JD and Coke, in a strangers Hotel room.

"I'd Give Up Forever To Hold You"

Wedding Of The Year Exclusive Pictures * Ledgers Welcome New WAG With Open Eyes * Tears.

"You Complete Me. You. Complete. Me."

The One Where I Realise LiveForFilm.Com May Now Be My Fave Site In The World



Kubrick vs Scorsese from Leandro Copperfield on Vimeo.



Tarantino vs Coen Brothers from Leandro Copperfield on Vimeo.


Wow. Just wow. I'm a movie fan, but seriously... these are phenomenal.

"Bow Before Zod"

The One Where We All Love His Little Beard

So I'll be at Flashes wedding, as this posts. Drunk. MC and I have hip flasks.

"Glory Days, Don't Let Them Pass You By"

More FIFA Soccer 11 Videos

This World Cup Fever is catching, you know?

"What We Need Is A Great Big Melting Pot"

The One Where I Try To Forgive And Forget Stevie Me

I tried to pretend I wasn't interested in the World Cup. It lasted until last night. Then I realised I was faking it.

"Tonight, It's Very Clear..."

The One Where I ReDiscover Ralph Fricking Macchio!

Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio from Ralph Macchio

Perfect.

"Do You Know What I Did, To Get Back To You?"

The One Where His And Her Movies Became His And His Movies

I HEART LOVE FILM

Armored

Spelt wrong. Not a good start. Anyway...

"Baby, I Love It Because You Gave It To Me, But It's One Ugly Tie"

The One Where Leo And I Take It To Second Base

I love this film. Love it. I've not known many films to polarise like it, recently. I love that too.

It creates debate. Makes you think. Makes you re-run it in your head.

Cheers to KJC for this. Brilliant.

"...Charles..."

The One Where They Both Come Off Badly

"Lets Play"

The One Where The West Was Won

So... I was always going to kill Sarahs Donkey. It's what I do. What I never dreamt possibly, though... was that she would believe it had been shot by Bandits. Especially when it had a whacking great knife, sticking out of its gut. it was ruined by sarah being genuinly upset at the image of a dead donkey. I had learnt my lesson.

"Now... Dance, Monkey"

The One Where I Love Art Work Again, Don't Dismiss Kiefer Sutherland For A Change, And I Hail Tom Cruise (Come Back King)

It's been quite a busy week for films. It seems quite a few projects are getting the green light, and others are speeding ahead. Good. The more I think about it, this summer only has Inception for me.

"Is There Gonna Be A Fight, Wyatt?"

The One Where A Home Made Mortal Kombat Movie Over Shadows John Hillcoats #RDR Movie

John Hillcoat is now 3/3.


But this below?? This is a serious, WTF moment. V cool.

"I Vote We Go Back To The Slaughtered Lamb"

The One Where I Fall In Love With WolfMan. Again.

If people didn't like WolfMan because of this picture - I'd say that was OK. This was the first image. The promise of no CGI. Of Benicio, looking like he was born to play the part. It's not the movie that I just watched. Four years later, there will be two camps. Those that are gutted. Then those that are glad the movie is here in any shape, or form.

"Hear My Cry, Hear My Roar, Lend Me Your Ears, See Me Soar"

The One Where Gray Writes About A Cool Band, I've Never Heard Of (Joke)

One day... many years from now... Gray will write these before the publishing date. You know. So they publish together.

In the mean time, I give you @diaryofaledger!

“To be Rock and not a Roll”

It’s not often you can pinpoint the exact moment you fell in love with a band, what song it was and where you were.  But I can with Led Zeppelin.

I was on a school lunch break at my friend John’s house with another friend Jamie.  I was told I ‘had to hear this.’  They looked excited so I sat down and waited.  A C90 was produced and stuck into tape player.  After the initial hiss a gentle, teeny tiny acoustic guitar started and was soon joined by pan pipes.  I looked at them to make sure they weren’t kidding.  Being the most gullible little fuck nut ever means I’m liable to be taken in by the odd wind up.  Slowly though the song grew.  Vocals joined in, a great voice.  The words passed me by but there was that strange feeling, like I’d heard the song before when I hadn’t.  At 4 minutes and 18 seconds the drums kicked in and I fell in love.  The song changed so much in that moment, the building and building to that most explosive, most spine tingling guitar solo of all time.  I can remember the hairs going up on the back of my neck hearing it for the first time and yet there was still more.  That last gasps of true Rock, Plant screaming the words.  Suddenly my world changed.

Stairway to Heaven, bless it, gets decried a lot.  It isn’t Zepp’s best song, but as introduction to a band it’s second to none.  Plant’s vocals and words, Page’s staggering guitar playing but most of all Bonham’s drumming all combine to deliver one of the most famous songs of all time.  Live it went on for several years but the original recording sounds like it comes from another world.  The whole of Led Zeppelin 4 is like that.  Jamie put it on a C90 for me; he even inserted a scrap of paper with some of the words from Stairway scrawled on it.  I still have that somewhere at my Mum’s.  I listened and listened to that album, poured over it.  It was approaching twenty years of age when I heard it for the first time, but it still sounded fresh and vital.  It still does.  It’s just a great album, maybe one of the greatest ever.

It turned out that the previous three were pretty special too and that what came later was even better.  My Mum had never heard of them.  In fact it seemed at the time that no one had.  Being me, I had to understand why.  They never released any singles.  Weird huh?  They were huge in the states, out selling the Beatles but the UK, despite people buying the albums rarely ever played them on the Radio.  Well not in those days prior to the commercial station boom.

Zeppelin changed the way I listened to music more than any other band.  I started to appreciate craft more than ever.  As much as I loved Queen it was easy to see how much of an influence Plant’s writing had been on Mercury.  This was a band that defined what it was to be ‘Rock and Roll’.  A band that lived the dream to its fullest and a band that made some of the greatest rock songs ever.  They still make my spine tingle.  They made me appreciate the blues; understand that music could be down right dirty and sexual.  They made me see that in ‘heavy’ there could be melody and more than anything else they started my love affair with quite/loud that pretty much defines my music collection.  They, or rather Bonham made me understand how vital a drummer could be, how a song can be so driven by one man and some sticks. 

One of the joys of Zeppelin is that Plant’s vocals are often as much as an instrument as the guitar, bass and drums.  There aren’t many Led Zepp songs that are gonna make your eyes well up at the emotion contained deep within the lyrics, but it’s about the sound.  Listen to something like No Quarter from 1973, the words are nonsense really with a few references to Thor etc but as part of the song, the mildly distorted voice just works.

Led Zeppelin were greater than the sum of their parts.  It’s just that the parts were pretty special to start with.  Last year I got to see John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page play with the Foo Fighters at Wembley.  My lasting impression was Dave Grohl’s face, utterly in awe of these men and his joy at getting to play two of their songs with them. 

Zeppelin were special.  Their influence was wide and far reaching not because they pushed boundaries, they just did that shit better than anyone else and they knew it.    

"You Can't Handle The Truth!"

The One Where I Write There, He Writes Here





I write there, he writes here.

Are we clear? ARE WE CLEAR?

"When There Is No More Room In Hell... The Dead Will Walk The Earth"

The One Where I Review The Latest Dawn Of The Dead Release, And Pine Over Cool Boxes.




So... Dawn of the Dead. We've got history... you and I.

"Life Isn't Like In The Movies. Life... Is Harder"

The One Where Luke, Ethan Becomes His Father

For those that think this is inappropriate... 5 minutes in, he was sound asleep!

Not doubting me, (and the power of moves) now, Mrs T - are you??

And now... for the WolfMan! Review soon. It's the extended cut, doncha know. And while you're reading... Hopefully... Hopefully... we'll have cracked Sweet Home Alabama.

#LedgerBandNight