I had a bit of a late night TV session. Watched Gladiator II (from Sky movies) straight after BBC 1 had finished showing the first movie. I've always liked the first movie, but was a bit disappointed by the second. It was apparently directed by Ridley Scott, but I don't think he had much input otherwise. It was technically clever, though a bit far fetched in places (the arena fighting baboons & a Naval battle re-enactment in shark-infested waters within the Colosseum?) Being a bit of an anorak for simple historical flaws though I spotted one early on There was a brief scene in Egypt, with the Giza Pyramids in the background. The Pyramids were shown as they look today - with most of the smooth facing stone stripped away from them, and only a little remaining near the top of one. I believe I read once that the facing stones were not stripped from the Pyramids until stone-masons stole them while constructing Medieval Cairo, several hundred years after 200AD (The time of the movie).
I don’t see how the BBC can survive in its present form. Paying the licence fee is optional, and the majority of young people don't bother. They get some income from selling the likes of Dr Who and Strictly, but have to pay for the radio stations, including the wonderful World Service. It's constantly under attack from right-wing press and politicians, and Reform may well form the next government, so some sort of change in funding will have to occur, although I've no idea what.
MasterChef is back on the screen https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn92vw9gl74o I'm looking forward with some trepidation to Greg's Spotted Dick
He'll be this year's contestant with the challenge to overcome in his life - being a crap footballer.
I think Dame Helen Mirren is right about James Bond having to be played as a male character. I think most will agree. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jnen9zklpo One of the defining characteristics of Bond on the screen (I've not read the books) is that he has an eye for the ladies and they can't resist him. I know we live in a much more liberal society than we did when Bond first came to the screen in 1962, but the dynamic will still never be the same if Bond wass a female character behaving in a similar manner. However clever the script-writing. They changed the gender of Dr Who (several times now) but that's a different kettle of fish altogether. Despite the 21st Century sexualisation of the Doctor and the relationships with companions, sexuality is not at the core of the main character. Added to which of course, the writing genius of whoever came up with the idea back in the mid 1960's that he could regenerate. Make James Bond female, and the very soul of the character is changed beyond recognition. The same as if he were to be made gay, or swing both ways. Amazon MGM, please just don't go there. It was bad enough that Bond was killed at the end of Daniel Craig's last outing. Some heroes make the ultimate sacrifice. Sherlock Holmes for instance. But Bond doesn't die.
I was always a Roger Moore man until Daniel Craig came along for Casino Royale and blew my mind. Craig is Bond. I'll never watch another Bond.
Agree with you there @Ponders Revisited Though I liked Moore (I grew up in the late 1970's and he's the first I could remember going to the cinema to see) I found myself admiring the earlier Connery films a bit more in later life - until I saw the Casino Royale re-make. Daniel Craig is as flinty and cold as they come. Pretty much the perfect Bond in my view.
