The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

This is not a bad film, but neither is it a good film. Lightweight story, almost Mills and Boon, clunky dialogue at times, and probably one to many cliches and an Indian love interest sub plot that it could do without. However it is pleasant to watch, India comes over quite true to life although missing the smells, and it reminded us very quickly of our holiday there 18 months before. All our luvvies preform well, as you would indeed expect them to, but best performance goes to Penelope Wilton as her fraying marriage finally falls apart.
6.76 / 10

Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah @ Shepherds Bush Empire

A very AC/DC gig that started so well, then a rather bland directionless middle, then ending well. I managed to get a place on the barrier at the front and the first three numbers stormed along. At the end of those three number, the six photographers who were camped out stage side of the barrier, and who blocked our view from time to time, then left. So without anybodu blocking my view it was time to get out my camera. Managed to get off two shots before big bouncer told me it was not allowed. 'Thats a professional camera, its got a detachable lens, you can't use it.' Yes its a DSLR but hardly the quality of the professionals who minutes before were just in front of me. Christ its an Ebay second hand special 6meg Nikon, hardly professional. So I tucked it away, listened for a couple of more numbers, thought they were becoming samely, vocals not well mixed in. Strange group, looked like they had just left their day job, put some jeans on, and got up on stage.
So I left the front to seek out somewhere else, and yet again, pull camera out, one shot, and 'you can't do that here, its a professional camera.' So yet again I put it away, feeling rather pissed off as there in front of me, were the smart phones, held aloft, taking photos and videos. Whats the fucking difference!
The crowd were strange too. not a sell out, but still quite packed, but whilst a lot were enjoying the gig, with yes hands clapping above their heads etc. the end of each number was greeted with just polite applause. Set ends, no more,more, more, and again a ripple of applause. But everybody stayed, and sure enough, CYHASY came back on stage for a further three numbers which was already planned as they were listed on their set list taped to the stage in front of each member. Very strange gig, 5 or 6 very good numbers but the rest was average. Not the group I saw six months earlier at End of the Road Festival.

Chatted with one of the senior bouncers in the foyer afterwards, he knew about cameras and even he thought this ban was a joke and mainly historical. The tip was to get a compact camera, but can I afford an Olympus Pen?

The Iron Lady

Poor film indeed, so poor I fell asleep through the last quarter.
Went under duress, and was not my choice at Clapham's Picturehouse
Meryl Streep deserves an Oscar as does the makeup department.
5 / 10

Great Tracks No6, Sometimes It Comes So Easy by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Recorded in 2009, this Canadian alternative country group are virtually unknown in the UK and it is only due to hearing this track played by Bob Harris on his Beeb country show, they would have passed me by.
It starts with a false start, then just gets into a groove, and what a groove it is. Simple repetitious drumming on the snare drum with lead guitar and keyboard fill over the top, it just shows how by keeping it simple the end result is quite something else.
The rest of the album is good too somewhat reminding of one of those bands you come across playing in a bar/pub and armed with a drink in hand you have a bloody good time.