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BBC - BBC Two Programmes - Louis Theroux, Law and Disorder in Philadelphia

Basically, this part of Philadelphia has moved on a step from the typical drug running/impoverished community situation that takes place to some degree in many cities. Here, according to this documentary, a particular area of the city has become a constant warzone between the police and a large community of local drug dealers, where drive-by killings are commonplace. It does make you wonder whether this is the future we are facing for these kinds of communities – chilling.

What I drew from it was that, clearly, the approach of the police is not working. Someone send a copy to Obama. They need a new approach fast.

Chevyman

I recorded this. I read the background to it in Radio Times and decided to watch it.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

Steve Crook

They should also send a copy to every British newspaper to show that just because things are a bit worse than they were a few years ago, they are still nowhere near as bad as they are in many American cities

It's not just a small area of the city. It was quite a large area they looked at, and Philly isn't the only city where it's like that.

"The City of Brotherly Love"

Steve

Dame Starry

Saw a lovely programme on C4 about Anna Ryder-Richardson and her husband buying a run-down zoo near Tenby; it followed them getting it ready to open up to the public again.

She never swore like that on "Changing Rooms"...........

DS x.

dremble wedge

After reading about it on fellow forum member David Cairns excellent blog Shadowplay I watched (via Youtube) the odd, b/w and mostly silent but strangely enjoyable documentary/meditation on cinematic vampirism Cuadecuc vampir by associate of Luis Bunuel and heir to a yoghurt fortune, Pere Portabella.

CaptainWaggett

Dear Mr Prohack in which Cecil Parker not only gets top-billing (is this the only time he does?) but has a Turkish bath and, courtesy of a dream sequence, gets to wear a suit of armour. Excellent little film.

dpgmel

Not sure if he got top billing but he was the eponymous hero of Captain Boycott

CaptainWaggett

Not sure he was actually the hero but I'm sure you're right abut the billing. Another to seek out...

dpgmel

Well I suspose if you were a mid nineteenth century reactionary Tory landlord that would be correct .

Actually after I'd written it I realised what I had said but it was too late to change it ( well that's my excuse..... )

Steve Crook

Doctor Who: Blink
What a superb episode. It was shown again on BBC3
(Available on iPlayer)

It takes a confident writer to write an episode of a series where the name of the main character is the title of the series. You expect that main character to be in every episode. Well the Doctor was in this episode, but only just. He was a really peripheral character in it.

This isn't the only time when the Doctor hardly appears in an episode, but they are unusual and this is one of the best. The other characters, particularly Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan), carry it off beautifully.

And with a writer like Steven Moffat behind it you can be sure you're in for a fun ride with a very cleverly plotted script that might seem confusing at first but is all explained by the end.

Scary and exciting

Steve

James Fox

A great episode! My favorite from Season 3 after "Human Nature"/"Family of Blood."

Steve Crook

Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: The 60s Revealed
Channel Five

Documentary series featuring never-before-seen footage of iconic figures from the 1960s. Forty years ago, TV personality Bernard Braden conducted interviews with some of the biggest names in British popular culture. These celebrities now look back at these interviews and reflect on their experience of the 60s. The first episode features stars of music and fashion, including Tom Jones, Cilla Black, Lulu, Simon Dee and Ossie Clark.


Interesting to see some that are now familiar faces, back in the 1960s.
Equally interesting to see some that were familiar faces being interviewed now, looking at themselves 40 years ago.

Steve

dpgmel

Watched Jean Jacques Annaud's visually stunning Seven years in Tibet starring Brad Pitt as the explorer Heinrich Harrer, despite Pitt's miscasting I enjoyed the film especially once they finally got to Lhasa ( which seemed to take 7 years ! ).

David Thewlis as usual was very good as Pitt's colleague and friend

torinfan

The Robe.

Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving me everything inside and out .

Flossie 1

Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll...... I remember the Rock and Roll but the rest must have passed me by!