I loved those films (though I never got beyond series one of the Sopranos, brilliant etc etc but I was intimidated by the sheer number of episodes watching characters who I didn’t like and didn’t care about) but I’ve stopped watching a lot of crime based stuff, partly for this reason, partly because it’s predictable and there’s enough real stuff about. But I’d give an honourable exception to King of Thieves, the film based on the Hatton Garden robbery, with Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone, Michael Gambon and Paul Whitehouse. Actors of this calibre will always make whoever they are playing interesting, but in this case they never made them likeable. They all hated each other and there was no trust or ‘honour’ between them, Broadbent in particular played a very nasty piece of work brilliantly. I have no experience of this world, but I’m guessing the constant suspicion and fear of those meant to be on your team must be par for the course.
Same with the drugs trade, so I’m told. Everyone’s out to either rip you off, make more profit for themselves or sell bad gear. Trust no one. So I’ve read in books, Curtis Warrens being one of many.
Yeah, I saw King of Thieves recently. I think that's the third film I've seen about Hatton Garden and it was easily the best.
On Sky Arts now, a review of Clint Eastwood’s career as a director. I’d never really appreciated how many excellent, intelligent films he’s made.
Couldn’t agree more, a load of 8ollocks. Totally overrated drab little film. Made me want lop my own fingers off as a preferable way of spending 90 mins. Nearly as as uninspired as recent R’s performances.
I realise I'm inviting middle class ridicule (alright Stainesy) but we had a family dinner party last night involving the Taskmaster game. Really good fun.
It won a bafta as best British film,, it qualified as British because channel four put money in to make it
One of the best things on tv at the moment. I was planning to do this at Christmas but we didn"t leave the table til nearly 9pm. Is this a bosrd game or app? I was developing my own games....
We had the board game. It's basically just a lot of cards with tasks on but really good fun after dinner when you've had a few. Perfect for Christmas. As you say, the TV show is great. We've watched every episode back from the start.
Has anyone on here got an e reader? My wife wants to buy me one for my birthday later this month instead of carting loads of books on holiday. She said she doesn't know what one to get. Has anyone got one and would you recommend it?
I have a Kindle Paperwhite, use it when I’m travelling. Massive memory, will hold thousands of books, you only need to be online to download them, battery lasts for weeks, light as a feather, no glare from the screen, easy to read, all in all I really like it. Takes a bit of time to get used to how you navigate around, and not so hot on books with illustrations like maps.