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Midsomer Murders: Crime And Punishment. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Neil Dudgeon, Fiona Dolman, Nick Hendrix, James Atherton, Frances Barber, Neil Morrissey, Sam Troughton, Manjinder Virk, Philip Bird, Phoebe Campbell, Marty Cruikshank, Emilio Doorgasingh, Susan Fordham, Ty Hurley, Vicki Pepperdine, Sara Powell, Katy Cavanagh, Joe Sims, Clive Swift.

When those who watch become all powerful, is it any wonder that those under the microscope start to wreck a little havoc of their own, to tip the balance back in the favour of common sense rather than authoritarianism, the pettiness of the small minded that can lead to people in rural villages falling out with each other.

Midsomer Murders: Crime And Punishment. Television Review. full post

(409 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

The Shell Of Former Glory In Bootle.

Disused, broken shell,

no sign of work, no indication

of what you are meant to be, just

sitting in cold winter sun

for the last three years

and a symbol of everything that the town

has become, left to rot,

shame of the county,

the once fine building

is our children’s first place

to let off fireworks like cannons

in battle, for this is a war within itself

and the stakes are higher

than at any time;

you were once resplendent, towering glory,

The Shell Of Former Glory In Bootle. full post

(110 words, estimated 26 secs reading time)

Ben Granfelt, Another Day. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Should we all be so fortunate to see another day, to do over, to Mulligan the bad parts in which mistakes were made and in which hearts possibly were broken, taken apart by the inconsiderate word or the misplaced thought, nothing that should ever lead the virtually innocent to any Hangman’s Tree, not for just the smallest offence, not for the largest indiscretion.

Ben Granfelt, Another Day. Album Review. full post

(427 words, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Tarnished Brass.

Your doorbell has never worked

so I knocked harder to try and rouse you,

to no avail, either sleeping

or just not in the mood to give me shelter,

your indifference at answering the door,

to give me access for a while

as the rain falls down around my head,

causing clouds to gather, to become storms

that grumble and fork lightning deliver

internal solitude but become the reason for others

to avoid the sparks; I will not knock

upon your door any longer,

I see your doorknocker is but a novelty

Tarnished Brass. full post

(104 words, estimated 25 secs reading time)

Chris Wood, So Much To Defend. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Seldom is the man who conveys around a camera and reality close to his eye, many forget one, some always deny the other, their choice, their take on truth and certainty; life is after all what we ourselves see and believe and whilst we might disagree with other’s perceptions, there is still So Much To Defend.

Chris Wood, So Much To Defend. Album Review. full post

(411 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Hopkin’s Disease.

How does she do it, Hopkins,

so much bile and hate

in one mealy mouthed squished

heart. I would

ignore her but she refuses to go away

as I was taught at school

and home

that if you give no quarter to the verbal

spouting gob talking shit bully

they disappear long

into the night, their shadow blissfully forgotten.

If only there was a way to lose you.

 

Ian D. Hall 2016

Permanent link to this post (75 words, estimated 18 secs reading time)

Janet Robin, Take Me As I Am. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It is a cry of anger, frustration or absolute certainty, the moment when you reach a point in a relationship with someone, platonic or otherwise when you understand they are with you just so they can try to change you, to turn you into something you are not; the strong minded, the resolute and the clear thinking know and appreciate this and stick to their guns no matter what. Take Me As I Am, for better or for worse, each person has the right to be incredible no matter what.

Janet Robin, Take Me As I Am. Album Review. full post

(402 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Sherlock, The Six Thatchers. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington, Louise Brealey, Sian Brooke, Lindsay Duncan, Mark Gatiss, Rupert Graves, Una Stubbs, Marcia Warren.

It is one way for a television writer to divide an audience and more than half enjoying the spectacle of seeing a former British Prime Minister’s bust of her head smashed to the ground in annoyance and righteous anger and fair play to both Stephen Moffat and Mark Gatiss for having the courage to be bold in making it a part of the return of Sherlock and its opening episode of series four, The Six Thatchers.

Sherlock, The Six Thatchers. Television Review. full post

(430 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Peter Pan: The Play That Goes Wrong. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: David Suchet, Dave Heam, Chris Leask, Ellie Morris, Henry Lewis, Charlie Russell, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill, Nancy Zamit, Michael Bodie, Bryony Corrigan, Niall Ransome, Harry Kershaw, Adam Meggido, Rachelle Beinart, Rebecca Hyland.

Many times you may have found yourself wondering what it would be like to see your favourite play acted out on television, not in a sense that television sanitises it, completely takes over and muddles up the magic on stage but to catch it raw, completely as it is with all its minor fluffs and possible dropped lines; would it give it a different perspective, would it generate more income for the theatre world which is stretched by budget constraints and a typical government that doesn’t care about the arts, just the bottom line.

Peter Pan: The Play That Goes Wrong. Television Review. full post

(402 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

I’m Not In Love: The Story Of 10cc. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

They remain an enigma, the product of fusion, of two distinct writing styles between the members that graced the name and the now iconic nature of the band, a natural progression from the 60s fashion in which they could trace the first roots of the group and one that quite rightly is still performing today, albeit with only one original member at the helm. 10cc were a group of diversity, of experimentation and of a solid reliability, you could not fault them in the day and anyone taking time out to devour the rich back catalogue will soon follow the point that you don’t have to just like 10cc, you have to love them unconditionally as well.

I’m Not In Love: The Story Of 10cc. Television Review. full post

(494 words, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)