Off Topic The Review Thread

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Have a listen to the Gangster podcasts on Sounds. There's three series - the latest one on John Palmer (the guy smelting the gold in Gold). Paints him and Noye in a totally different light than the TV series. A total ****er.

Other series are on scouse drug lord Curtis Warren, who's empire was so big he made it on to The Times' rich list, and Paul Massey, Mr Big of Salford who even ended up running for mayor. Serious criminals, and definately not romanticised by the researcher.

Yeah I’ve read books on both “Cockey” Warren and Massey. Interesting stories
 
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It's something that's always bothered me. Some of the best drama - The Godfather, Good Fellas, The Sopranos - all require some level of buy-in, or empathy with, people who should really be considered to be beyond the pale.
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.
 
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.
 
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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.

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.

Just switched to Sky Arts and it's a thing about 90s movies. You must have a Midlands version.
 
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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.

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....
 
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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.
 
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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?
 
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.