Across the Blogosphere...

Its been a long time since I have written a linkage post. Since the finish of the podcast, I have tried to ensure that the site is as accessible as possible. Those A-Z's continue, the Incredible Soundtrack's have reached their fourth post whilst a new Top 5 List was created through the recent spat of music-in-movies obsession begun by Anomalous Materials and his Desert Island 'Movie' CD's.

There has also been some recent passings in the death of Elizabth Taylor and Farley Granger. Interestingly enough, though Taylor is much more of an icon, I have seen more Farley Granger films in Strangers on a Train and Rope than the zero films I have seen with Taylor in. At any rate, the Hitchcock Geek discusses the passing of Granger whilst A Shround of Thoughts discusses the passing of Taylor.

Last year, Blog Cabins had a beast Ladies of the 80's Tournament and so, inevitably, he has followed this up with the Ladies of the 90's Tournament that is currently running. Its a strange beast these tournaments ...  pitting hotties against each other. Hot or Not. Reminds me of The Social Network and the first Fash Mash - "Left", "Left", "Left", "Right", "Left"...

The Dark of the Matinee is always celebrated across the Blog world - and with good reason - especially as he has written a pretty controversial post about Americanism in movies. I was halfway through writing a comment and my laptop shutdown so I never replied to his post. But I will do in due course... because he has got a point.

Finally, a friend of mine, Mark, wrote a great post pondering 'What If..' Ronald Reagan died from his wounds following the assasination attempt on his life. What has this got to do with films? Well, indeed the reason the assasinator attempted to kill Reagan was because he wanted the attention of Jodie Foster...

Across The Blogosphere...

First off, credit where credit is due - primarily to His Majesty himself - Fletch from Blog Cabins who helped me to cover all the blogs I love to read. I am on blogger and have always used the Blogger Dashboard and, obviously, that is exclusively covering blogger blogs - all the Wordpress blogs are a distant few clicks away. Thus, personal favourites such as Cut The Crap Movie Reviews and The List only get sporadic attention when I remember to check.

Nevertheless, Google Reader is 'my friend' as Fletch told me and I have now consolidated all my blogs into that list. It still might be a while before I have all the external blogger blogs covered, but so far, I am a happy chappy.

Links to check out then!

First up, the Kid in the Front Row has watched something at the Hackney Empire - a theatre only a stones throw from the school I teach in. He watched 'Staff Benda Bilili', having seen a documentary about them. He mentions how the audience was primarily white and middle-class - which jarred a little with the artists performing. I must say, when I saw the last Pantomime at the same venue in Hackney, I had a similar feeling - and it was made double-strange because the area itself is hugely multi-cultural with a huge afro-carribean community... the Hackney Community seem to be the last people to go to the Hackney Empire.

At least a year ago, the Alfred Hitchcock Geek explained the numerous parrallels art has with Hitchcock movies. Specifically noting how Edward Hopper influenced his city-scapes - this latest post on how Cezanne influenced 'The Wrong Man' merely adds to the incredible depth of Hitchcock movies.

Finally, for the football - or 'soccer' - folk amongst you, Co-presenter of 'The Simon and Jo Film Show', Jo, and presenter of 'Bournes Brain Baffler', Richard have started a 'Football Blog' called 'The Beautiful Game'. Its new and growing and is currently in the process of an overview of the World Cup. They really appreicate feedback, so football folk amongst you, get stuck in!

Across The Blogosphere...

Due to my ongoing problem about gaining internet at my home (alas, I only have it at work!) I am still un-prolific on the grand scheme of things but obviously, the 'Favourite Film Faces' and 'Across The Blogosphere' posts must be continued ... and the podcast continues too.

So, in the style of The Fast Show: "This week I have been mostly reading ..."

Tom Clift on 'Plus Trailers' finally puts together his Top Films of 2009 - it is always good when you revisit these lists of years gone by. The travesty of having 'The Box' making the top 10 whilst 'The Hurt Locker' doesn't is beyond me. Though some may be happy (Jo, you mothf....) that 'Watchmen' is somewhere in the list ... something I particularly think is ridiculous.

Movies and Other Things report the cast announced for M. Night Shyamalans film post-Airbender. First off, Willis was in 'The Sixth Sense' and 'Unbreakable' and, Shyamalan does make 'classic' films. 'The Sixth Sense', 'Unbreakable', 'Signs' and 'The Village' are all incredible films ... though we shall have to see if 'Lady...Water' and 'The Happening' get more popular in time. I must say, since'The Lady in the Water' was released more and more people have come round to it. Sarah tells me it is her favourite Shyamalan movie!

Fletch see's debt troubles highlighting a troubled man in debt, whilst a friend of mine who changed from her blog from originally being a Travel blog to a not-so-much-travelling-but-pregnant blog discusses the latest difficulties during pregnancy. Thought I'd throw in a random blog amongst all the film banter just in case a preggers blog-reader wants some mutual understanding.