If I tell you what happens, it won’t happen.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the epic superhero film Avengers: Endgame (2019). The phenomenal film, which brings to an end the Infinity War saga, is already the second highest-grossing film of all time.
If life seems jolly rotten,
There’s something you’ve forgotten!
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing,
When you’re feeling in the dumps,
Don’t be silly chumps,
Just purse your lips and whistle — that’s the thing!
And always look on the bright side of life.
Taken from the song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, as memorably used in the film Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979). The message of the song has become a British anthem, reached number three in the charts in 1991 and was even performed at the 2012 Olympics.
John Reid: So, tell me. What makes Queen any different from all of the other wannabe rockstars I meet?
Freddie Mercury: Tell you what it is, Mr. Reid. Now we’re four misfits who don’t belong together, we’re playing for the other misfits. They’re the outcasts, right at the back of the room. We’re pretty sure they don’t belong either. We belong to them.
Aiden Gillen and Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), the film biopic that tells of Freddie Mercury and his connection with the band Queen.
Bill Murier: Do you want to shoot 35 or HD?
Tommy Wiseau: We’ll shoot both on this film
Peter Anway: Digital and film? Like you’d need twice the crew, twice the equipment. I mean…they’re lit differently. It’s just not done.
Tommy Wiseau: I have a vision
Hannibal Buress, James Franco and Jason Mantzoukas in the hilarious biography The Disaster Artist (2019). The film tells of the making of The Room (2003), widely considered to be one of the worst films ever made, but which has since gained a huge cult following.
In the summer of love, or rather of madness, a whole set of stories are emerging. But there is one that has got everyone talking. When Kurt Vannes decides to win back his ex-girlfriend with the help of a literary classic, he sets off a string of events that will build to a dramatic finale.
It’s been a pleasure to share with you my favourite literary works since creating the blog, but this time I have very exciting news. This is my first ever short story published and something I had to share with you all. I’ve long been a fan of short stories and it’s wonderful to finally have something of mine within the genre in print.
If you want to find out whether Kurt’s big gesture does win her back, it’s available here in both Kindle and paperback form.
You all know how big a fan of cartoon strips I am. Have eight of my current favourites.
Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
Taken from the much-loved single Hey Jude by The Beatles in 1968, which unusually wasn’t on any studio album. It was their biggest hit in the US, spending nine weeks at number one, and topped the charts worldwide. It’s long been one of my favourite Beatles songs, along with Tomorrow Never Knows, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, In My Life and The End.
In this room you couldn’t buy your win, you couldn’t buy me and you couldn’t buy a seat at the table.
Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) in Molly’s Game (2017), based on the true story of a former Olympic-level skier who went on to run the most exclusive of high-stakes poker games.
