this before. I have read all of Len Deighton’s thrillers before, mostly during that ongoing 5 year commute to Leicester for my job in the late 90’s. I’m in a mood for familiar things, so here we are. I’ll probably re-read all of them, if I have the time left.

biochemist, but this will lead to the discovery of conspiracy within the depths of British intelligence.

Unnamed intelligence officer and not Harry Palmer, because the name ‘Harry Palmer’ was invented for the films and never existed within the novels. The spy was never given a name.

I have read

One book ends, another one begins. Next up: #TheIPCRESSFile by #LenDeighton. Note the uppercase spelling of IPCRESS. It is correct, because it is an acronym, and that is how it appeared at the original publication. Detail is important.

An unnamed intelligence officer searches for a missing

Renny Harlin is still making films. Back in the day I liked Renny Harlin’s films.

not particularly passionate horror fan I thought it was perfectly serviceable. Not a strong story, and the weakest of the recent trilogy. The worst you could say about it was that it was not focused, a bit slow, maybe even a bit boring. Maybe the should have just done the two movies?

Good to see

#TheStrangersChapter3. Maya has survived, but a worse nightmare is about to unfold.

Horror aficionados are really passionate critics. I’ve been taking a look at the comments on IMDb. Poor rating overall. Lots of one and two stars out of ten along with ‘worst film ever made’ barbs.

It isn’t. As a

Genuine reaction, that. Seemed to be puzzled people leaving the screening I attended. Glad I saw it in IMAX. As I said, looks absolutely beautiful.

I believe some Bronte enthusiasts are up in arms about it. Will have to look into why.

grim, dark, cold and had a black actor playing Heathcliff, which I think was a first. Kind of a brilliant film it was too.

Emerald Fennell’s version? Frequently artificial high camp. Quite a vision, though. Beautiful and intense imagery and full throated performances. Did I like it? I don’t know.

#WutheringHeights. The tragic love story of Cathy and Heathcliff. You know how it goes.

Or maybe you don’t? Never read the book, so the only information I have about the story was picked up from the only adaptation I have ever sat completely through: Andrea Arnold’s 2011 version. That version was

#HappyValentinesDay, y’all!

Was on a sure thing for later, but not any more. Apparently Sabrina Carpenter has no interest whatsoever in watching the Villa/Newcastle game, so she had to go. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.

We in the UK might moan about the heat, but cannot have everything.

Jim Ratcliffe said that the UK had been colonised by #migrants.

Well, he’s not wrong. If Homo Sapiens originated in Africa, then you could say that the whole world, except Africa, has been colonised by migrants. Perhaps we should all go back to where we came from? Bit crowded, would have thought.

Zero interest in the #WinterOlympics, but currently there is a couple who are doing a routine to a Proclaimers song and that can only be a good thing.

Late. #BadBunny headlined half time show at the Super Bowl. Good for them. Would have been more impressed if it had been Bugs Bunny because a) He was cool and b) He was a cartoon and so proof that AI has finally taken control.

I’m on a series of courses on AI soon. 🥱 Waiting for the scales to fall.

as a woman overwhelmed with grief. Great to see a packed cinema at the MAC as well.

#HIsForHawk. When her beloved father dies, Helen decides to get and train a Goshawk. But is her relationship with the bird helping or hindering with her grief?

Based on a true story. Thought this was really good. Claire Foy is really an amazing and underrated talent. Totally convincing and hurting

Interesting. Man just got on the bus, unwrapped an entire pack of #custardcreams, put them one-by-one into the discarded tickets slot, and then got off.

🤔

Ritual hatred of custard creams, perhaps? Or hatred of the person who has to empty the discarded tickets bin? We will never know.

Have to admit it, #Rasputin by #BoneyM is a bit of a tune. Dreadful video, though.

So, on #WorldRecordStoreDay, 18th April 2026, do I go out and purchase the album A Quick One by The Who on beautiful orange and green vinyl? Double album, mono, original album and extra disc with b-sides, Ready Steady Who EP, rarities.

(You don’t own a record player, Rob.)

🤔😦

always something that yer Rob has time for. Know nothing else about her, of course. Typical, these days.

So. Are we talking about the music at the #Grammys yet, or still just about the clothes, or lack of them, being worn by the lady pop stars on the red carpet?

We’re not?

Shame.

Flag to the mast. Last year, really liked Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. Straightforward pop song with a chorus is

And once or twice watched Groundhog Day. All it takes to be an expert.

Day on 15th July. Glanced at that as well. Bugger all to do with timeloops. Something to do with the weather. Thanks google. Worth remembering that just because it is on the internet doesn’t mean that it is true.

Timeloops, eh? Tricky things. Am an expert because I am watching The Lazarus Project.

Looking for something to write about, because I am always looking for something to write about, it popped up that today is #GroundhogDay.

Happy Groundhog Day!

One of the links that came off that was a question: What is the British version of Groundhog Day. The answer came back as St. Swithin’s

would like to admit.

Kudos as well to the filmmakers for managing to get a multiple screen cinema release for a low budget indie film, and for supplying extensive work for the makers of fake blood. 🩸

budget and the fact that it was somewhat incomprehensible (but willing to accept that the latter point might be because I am a bit dim).

Imagine it is the kind of film that I will catch on TV in a couple of years, totally follow and proclaim to be a work of genius. It happens more times than I

#IronLung. The stars have vanished. The planets have gone. The human race is facing extinction. On a desolate moon, a small submarine searches for something in an ocean of blood.

Interesting experiment which didn’t quite work. Defeated, somewhat, by the lack of light and shade in the story, the low

way.

Brilliant. Fast, hyperkinetic, chaotic. Thought this was fantastic. Nice surprise to find it was so good. I didn’t know a lot about it. Just saw the single trailer.

I really like Timothee Chamalet in films. Don’t think I have seen a single film where I did not like him.

#MartySupreme. Marty has confidence in his ability as a table tennis player. He has an unshakeable belief that he is great and his greatness will give him success. But the rest of the world may not feel that way and real strength will be measured in how you get past them and what you learn on the

to yourself.