(01-19-2023, 02:46 PM)CarlosCorbewrong Wrote:

(01-19-2023, 02:42 PM)SausEggBaton Wrote: Slow Horses series 2. Fooking ace bit of TV. Gary Oldman clearly cementing his pedigree as a fine, versatile and fabulous actor.

He plays a permanently intoxicated bad guy, doesn't he?

(01-19-2023, 02:52 PM)SausEggBaton Wrote:

(01-19-2023, 02:46 PM)CarlosCorbewrong Wrote:

(01-19-2023, 02:42 PM)SausEggBaton Wrote: Slow Horses series 2. Fooking ace bit of TV. Gary Oldman clearly cementing his pedigree as a fine, versatile and fabulous actor.

He plays a permanently intoxicated bad guy, doesn't he?

No. This time he's an MI5 Spy. 

(01-19-2023, 03:36 PM)Offside Wrote: I am watching the Mayfair Hotel Megabuild which is the refurb of Claridges in London where they are adding five basement levels including a swimming pool, and four additional floors on the roof.

If you are into construction and  engineering it is  amazing.  BBC Two - The Mayfair Hotel Megabuild[/url]

Of particular interest in episode 1,  is the fact that the basement is being initially dug by hand to avoid vibration which would damage the floor above, and disturb the guests.

The guys digging it out by hand are from Donegal.   Historically miners from Donegal built the hydro electric dams in Scotland - known as The Hydro Boys,  [url=https://www.luath.co.uk/politics-and-current-issues/the-hydro-boys]The Hydro Boys — Luath Press

and  the Tunnel Tigers,  Donegal's Tunnel Tigers | Donegal Diaspora

and also built most of the New York subway, the Channel tunnel  and large parts of Birmingham's concrete monstrosities in the 1960's.    

Most went on to die of silicosis of the lungs due to breathing in concrete dust. 

Of local interest is that Dirty Betts - The Talbot,  on the Hagley Road by the Kings Head, became a Donegal Bar where they gathered to drink. It was run by John Narbutt who also did the catering on matchdays for the WBA boardroom.  I'd often have a car full or food to deliver for him to the Hawthorns on Saturdays.  John went on to run the Queens Head at Belbroughton and his daughter had a pub in Clent I think. 

If you drank in the Old Chapel or the Plough in Warley when Paul and Ros Machin were landlords,  Ros's elder brother, the oldest of 14 ,  left Donegal to work as a Hydro Boy at the age of 14.  With the money he earned, he relocated most of his siblings to the UK to run various pubs around the Midlands. 

Well worth a watch.

(01-19-2023, 02:51 PM)SausEggBaton Wrote:

(01-19-2023, 02:44 PM)MassDebater Wrote: Quite enjoyed Stonehouse, but am struggling to find anything to watch lately, all the good stuff finished and it seems to be at the in between phase of stuff coming out.

The Witcher: Blood Origin was entertaining if you like that sort of thing, also season 2 of Vikings Valhalla landed on Netflix last week. I recommend The Last Of Us, even if you haven't played the game - but episodes are dropping weekly (on a Monday) for that from Sky Atlantic. Gangs of London is very much worth a watch if you haven't partaked in that yet (2 series available via NowTV/Sky Atlantic).

(01-19-2023, 03:36 PM)Offside Wrote: I am watching the Mayfair Hotel Megabuild which is the refurb of Claridges in London where they are adding five basement levels including a swimming pool, and four additional floors on the roof.

 
If you are into construction and  engineering it is  amazing.  BBC Two - The Mayfair Hotel Megabuild
 
Of particular interest in episode 1,  is the fact that the basement is being initially dug by hand to avoid vibration which would damage the floor above, and disturb the guests.
 
The guys digging it out by hand are from Donegal.   Historically miners from Donegal built the hydroelectric dams in Scotland - known as The Hydro Boys  and also built most of the New York subway, the Channel tunnel  and large parts of Birmingham's concrete monstrosities in the 1960's.    
 
Most went on to die of silicosis of the lungs due to breathing in concrete dust. 
 
Of local interest is that Dirty Betts - The Talbot,  on the Hagley Road by the Kings Head, became a Donegal Bar where they gathered to drink. It was run by John Narbutt who also did the catering on matchdays for the WBA boardroom.  I'd often have a car full or food to deliver for him to the Hawthorns on Saturdays.  John went on to run the Queens Head at Belbroughton and his daughter had a pub in Clent I think. 
 
If you drank in the Old Chapel or the Plough in Warley when Paul and Ros Machin were landlords,  Ros's elder brother, the oldest of 14 ,  left Donegal to work as a Hydro Boy at the age of 14.  With the money he earned, he relocated most of his siblings to the UK to run various pubs around the Midlands. 
 
Well worth a watch.
 

(01-22-2021, 08:20 PM)Offside Wrote: catching up on a few things during lock down.

Caught up on 

Better Call Saul -  Probably better than Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad -  A TV masterpiece.    The wheelchair explosion was TV history.

Life on Mars    -  a bit cliched but I live with a Manc who worked in that area at the time  and she understandably loves it.

Designated Survivor - bearing in mind the assault on the Capitol, it has considerable relevance.  But a bit cheesy.  Using  " The American People"  as a reason to expedite a certain chain of action is a piss poor rationale given their average IQ of 10.  

House of Cards USA - makes Trump look normal.  Was brilliant until Kevin Spacey got caught kiddy fiddling. 

Grey's Anatomy - complete drivel, Total utter shit. 

Madame Secretary - excellent but ran out of ideas towards the end.  Taught me a lot about the USA constitution which has proven to be useful over the past few weeks. 

Shitt's Creek  - a thin plot with limited potential.  Gave up after five episodes.  It's the 21st century's version of the Dick Van Dyke show or Beverly Hillbillies.  

The Wire - still watching it but the repetition of the characters' flaws is getting tiresome.    I'm up to where Stringer tells his boss that he had his nephew murdered in jail and drug dealing has been re-located to one area of Philadelphia.  Very funny seeing their amazement that a phone could send texts.  

Currently watching

Virgin River -  lightweight soppy USA love story interest in a stunning area of northern California.  The scenery is breath taking.  Small town America with everyone knowing everyone's business, but has some relevance with PTSD for the vets which is a very real issue for the vets and their families. 

The Mallorac Files - BBC afternoon TV  detective series.  Not a great plot or great acting but I love Majorca and have plans to live there so it is a good travel guide.  This series has gone global and viral and every other al that you can think of including Japan.