darrenmjones.bsky.social
Music, films, books, tea.
283 posts
378 followers
287 following
Getting Started
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Absolutely! Such a visceral experience. Not one I'll be revisiting soon, but an incredible film.
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Can't believe I didn't put Come and See on my list! I was relying on Letterboxd and didn't realise they would list the country as USSR. Bugger!
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Teens in the Universe is a bonkersly entertaining sci-fi film, complete with robots dressed in Elvis-style jumpsuits. It's on YouTube if you ever need it.
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I only watched it relatively recently, but it was amazing. I found a bunch of old Soviet films on Prime a few years ago. That plus the Mosfilm YouTube channel and Klassiki have dominated my viewing. Need to see more recent films!
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Ten Russian films:
Battleship Potemkin
Man with a Movie Camera
Ivan's Childhood
Letter Never Sent
The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!
Trial on the Road
They Fought for their Motherland
Spring on Zarechnaya Street
Three Poplars on Plyuschikha Street
Teens in the Universe
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A Cold Wind in August (1961). Much better than you'd think for an exploitation flick about a thirtysomething stripper falling for her 17 year old neighbour. Nicely written, well played and achieved real pathos by the end. Lola Albright was great.
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Yeah, it's great, isn't it?
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Thanks for mentioning Graham Hunt! I hate it when my release radar on Spotify chooses the single rather than the album when they are released together... so I don't realise the album is out!
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Yes, saw this a few years ago and loved it!
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When I started drinking leaf teas I used to find Ceylons a bit meh. Now I think they might be my favourite black teas, in terms of the variety you get from one relatively small island.
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I guess that's something! But it would put me off if I was voting. Wouldn't vote for both.
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Well, that's odd, because it warns you about that. Somebody must have ignored it.
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Also, time to admit that this is the only book I finished last year. It's free on Kindle amzn.eu/d/hUeP8jF
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I think it's ace. Instant purchase. Hope you like it!
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Only just listening to the new tommy oeffling album, but it might be his best yet. Currently name your price on Bandcamp tmomy.bandcamp.com/album/pictur...
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Guess they do it on the cheap, but it's good to have this stuff available.
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Ahhhh.. both on Cherry Red, so think it's their mistake.
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The thing that annoys me most about this compilation is that half the Lovehappy tracks have the wrong titles. And I can never remember which ones.
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Sorry, it won't take long! I tend to write impressions, rather than full reviews, so when I come back to them years later, they don't always mean much.
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I like that. Just read my review from 13 years ago and I need to see it again to understand what I meant... boxd.it/eZeh
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I need to see Lone Star again. It's been a while! But that would be the main contender.
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Thanks, I still need to see that. Thought I had, but apparently not!
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Matewan (1987). Might now be my favourite John Sayles film. Perfect mix of dialogue, righteous anger and great characters. So unusual to see a pro-union film. Didn't realise Will Oldham would have such a big role, but he was excellent.
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Small Change (1976). Truffaut centres the children's lives really well, particularly the boys. Again I was reminded of Bill Forsyth in places. Less keen on women being responsible for all the bad things that happened, and being ogled Benny Hill style.
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I saw it a while ago, but didn't find it as bleak and depressing as I was expecting. It was sad, but there was warmth and laughter, too. For me, it showed the value of treating a serious subject with a light touch.
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It's great. I really like it.
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May 2025 albums:
Florry - Sounds like...
Hudson Freeman - is a Folk Artist
Foxwarren - 2
IE - Reverse Earth
Le Volume Courbe - Planet Ping Pong
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No deep thoughts, but we had this played at our wedding, so plenty of good ones.
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Listening now. Lovely stuff, thanks!
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Haha, I'm not that old! Although....
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Thanks John! I love driving past it, but hadn't considered it was unusual for it to have such a prominent seafront position. I don't think I have parked there, but have been bowling a few times... *whispers* may have zoned out a bit during the prog rock section. Sorry!
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Me, too! When it gets on the 'leaving in less than 30 days' list that will make sure! Was surprised as you to see it on Prime. Thought Klassiki might have had it.
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Yeah, it's been there for a while! Still steeling myself to watch it, but I know I need to.
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Phew and ahhhhh....
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Have you seen La Moustache (2005)? The main character shaves off his moustache and nobody notices. Then they insist he never had one. Existential crisis ensues.
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Absolutely. Sometimes I would have a quick listen at the record shop, but most of them had to be ordered in, anyway, so just had to take a chance. I love The Ruby Sea!
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You've got to hope that will happen! I took a punt on the LP after seeing it in the lower reaches of a Melody Maker albums of the year list. This and Thin White Rope were my best discoveries from that.
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My first AMC album. Just wonderful.
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Great idea for a list! You could probably make a case for It's a Wonderful Life, too.
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I've got Millions Like Us, Tawny Pipit, Since You Went Away, The More the Merrier, I Want You. Perhaps Big Wednesday? Coming Home? Saint Jack?
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Yes, I loved those first two albums, in particular. Never got to see them live!
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What an album!