Category Archives: Uncategorized

Director: Liesl Tommy  Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans. Production: United States The editors of this slow-paced opus should have shown a little more respect for weary audiences. It takes nearly two and half hours to cover barely half the life of legendary singer Aretha Franklin. Backed by Franklin herself (and held up forContinue reading “Respect (2021)”

The annual announcement of the Ballon d’Or nomination list can turn even the most rational football fan into a conspiracy theorist. It usually prompts an avalanche of unanswered questions. Who are the faceless group from France Football that compile the contenders? Is it nothing more than a shallow, predetermined popularity contest? Why are goalkeepers andContinue reading “Ballon d’Or bias – why were Chiesa, Insigne and Verratti overlooked?”

Director: Prano Bailey-Bond Starring: Niamh Algar, Michael Smiley, Nicholas Burns Production: United Kingdom None of the infamous video nasties can be considered as terrifying as the sight of Mary Whitehouse and Margaret Thatcher in quick succession. A time establishing montage shows the gruesome twosome – a vile conservative activist and fearsome Prime Minister who supportedContinue reading “Censor (2021)”

The Football Italia opening titles concluded with his image of euphoric celebration. He gamely danced the Lambada alongside host James Richardson on Gazzetta Football Italia. Winning the Scudetto with Sampdoria miraculously helped restore his hair as he comically wore a wig in a brilliant post-match interview.  Four different nicknames were bestowed on the lightning-fast winger. Continue reading “Attilio Lombardo”

Fabio Quagliarella marked a historic milestone with a moment of typically effortless panache. The enduring symbol of Sampdoria scored his 100th goal for the club with an exceptional combination of style and technique as the Blucerchiati overcame second tier Alessandria in the Coppa Italia. The century strike was an instance of irrefutable class, a tiltContinue reading “The magic of Quagliarella”

In the tumultuous world of Serie A one thing is certain: a revolving door of managerial arrivals and departures. Except this summer it was as if the usually brisk merry-go-round was cranked up to warp speed.  A raft of top class players exited Italy – including Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma, Inter striker Romelu LukakuContinue reading “Serie A Coaching Chaos”

September 2008 Rows of light grey stretch like an unfolded fan. The vast swathes of buildings shrunk to miniature. Bridges criss-cross the River Han as if stitched onto a sheet of blue fabric. Couples attach padlocks with signatures, some with initials and dates, others with timely messages on the fence below the observation deck. TheContinue reading “Seoul skyline 서울 스카이 라인”

September 2008 A parade of disaffected outcasts. A game of dressing up. A cathartic expression of individuality. A meeting place for like minded souls with shared interests in manga, anime, music and film. A marked message of defiance to parents and oldsters. A place where you could be uncomfortably comfortable. Somewhere to fit in whenContinue reading “Harajuku 原宿”

July 17-20, 2009 A posse of snow sprinkled peaks stand impassively, almost competing for attention. They stare out onto a sheet of water, a shade of turquoise in colour, basking in their own reflection as the glass like surface acts as a mirror. Usually this kind of spectacular landscape could only be witnessed in aContinue reading “Tromsø”

Rescind the result. Stop the celebrations and hand back the trophy.  Italy cheated and the European Championship final must be replayed. Football needs to come home.  For one England supporter, if we can call them that, the Azzurri’s victory was all too much. Clearly the red mist descended in blinding waves when a petition wasContinue reading “Replay the Euro 2020 final. Or perhaps not.”