John Hodson
@mgcroadster.bsky.social
Journalist since '73, now retired, film geek for longer. Rejoiner, lefty, love films of all eras. Recovering Man Utd. fan of six decades. Uses admiration of John Ford as a Rorschach test. No followers without a profile - sorry!
Pinned
John Hodson
@mgcroadster.bsky.social
· Dec 21
Done all your Christmas shopping but still have that one person left to buy for?
Gift a Bed! 🎁
For £32, you can provide a night of much needed rest for someone who would otherwise have nowhere safe to sleep.
Save the stress and gift a bed today.
www.gmmayorscharity.org.uk/gift/p/gift-...
Gift a Bed! 🎁
For £32, you can provide a night of much needed rest for someone who would otherwise have nowhere safe to sleep.
Save the stress and gift a bed today.
www.gmmayorscharity.org.uk/gift/p/gift-...
If you can, please support this; from his early teenage years, our late son James did what he could to support Manchester's homeless, whether it was a gift, food, or simply a kind word. It's a charity that means a lot to us & we give every year...
Like the first cuckoo of spring, is the introduction to the [checks notes] Mens Mixed Skeleton the first time the BBC decide now is the time for Ennio Morricone..?
February 15, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Like the first cuckoo of spring, is the introduction to the [checks notes] Mens Mixed Skeleton the first time the BBC decide now is the time for Ennio Morricone..?
Reposted by John Hodson
Almodovar’s debut is chaotic, rough, vulgar and captures post-punk, post-Franco Madrid. Dodgy sexual politics aside, its female characters and settings herald Almodovar’s signature. #Filmsky boxd.it/d8gt1l
A ★★★ review of Pepi, Luci, Bom (1980)
MUBI HD streaming Pedro Almodóvar‘s debut is a post-punk tale of excess that epitomised the post-Franco transition to democracy in Spain and the La Movida Madrileña movement that began in Madrid and s...
boxd.it
February 15, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Almodovar’s debut is chaotic, rough, vulgar and captures post-punk, post-Franco Madrid. Dodgy sexual politics aside, its female characters and settings herald Almodovar’s signature. #Filmsky boxd.it/d8gt1l
Reposted by John Hodson
First watch: Election (1999). Funny to think of this coming out the same year as American Pie and even sharing an actor (Chris Klein). Although it shares much of the idiom of the high school gross-out film, it becomes archetypal Alexander Payne cringe-core about a (early) middle-aged loser... 1/2
February 15, 2026 at 9:56 AM
First watch: Election (1999). Funny to think of this coming out the same year as American Pie and even sharing an actor (Chris Klein). Although it shares much of the idiom of the high school gross-out film, it becomes archetypal Alexander Payne cringe-core about a (early) middle-aged loser... 1/2
Reposted by John Hodson
Catherine Wheatley is worth reading on this and other films: www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-so...
The Taste of Things review: a feast for the senses
Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel share a delicate chemistry in a French culinary romance that communicates the passionate artistry of cooking.
www.bfi.org.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Catherine Wheatley is worth reading on this and other films: www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-so...
Reposted by John Hodson
Or Babette's Feast. The sensual delight of #TheTasteOfThings runs deep.
Goodness me! What an utterly sensual delight and the best combination of high romance and haute cuisine since THE AGE OF INNOCENCE - to the iPlayer for Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel in THE TASTE OF THINGS... #FilmSky www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002rlpp
The Taste of Things
French romance set in 1889, focusing on the enduring bond between gourmet chef Dodin and his cook of 20 years, Eugénie. Dodin resolves to woo Eugénie by cooking for her.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Or Babette's Feast. The sensual delight of #TheTasteOfThings runs deep.
Reposted by John Hodson
'Morning...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=9HKN...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=9HKN...
Paul Simon - Obvious Child (Official Video)
YouTube video by PaulSimonVEVO
music.youtube.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:33 AM
'Morning...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=9HKN...
music.youtube.com/watch?v=9HKN...
This is really generous of Ian, and a gorgeous spot. From here, @thedukeslancaster.bsky.social staged the climax to their 1990 'Play In The Park', Prospero climbing high to the tower at dusk to weave one last spectacular act of magic in their fabulous production of 'The Tempest'...
In four weeks time it will be Mothering Sunday. It can be hard if she's no longer around. As usual I will read out the names of our Remembered Mums. This year, instead of reading the names in church I'll be sounding them out from the balcony of THIS, the grand old Ashton Memorial in Lancaster. [1/2]
February 15, 2026 at 8:28 AM
This is really generous of Ian, and a gorgeous spot. From here, @thedukeslancaster.bsky.social staged the climax to their 1990 'Play In The Park', Prospero climbing high to the tower at dusk to weave one last spectacular act of magic in their fabulous production of 'The Tempest'...
Reposted by John Hodson
In four weeks time it will be Mothering Sunday. It can be hard if she's no longer around. As usual I will read out the names of our Remembered Mums. This year, instead of reading the names in church I'll be sounding them out from the balcony of THIS, the grand old Ashton Memorial in Lancaster. [1/2]
February 15, 2026 at 7:52 AM
In four weeks time it will be Mothering Sunday. It can be hard if she's no longer around. As usual I will read out the names of our Remembered Mums. This year, instead of reading the names in church I'll be sounding them out from the balcony of THIS, the grand old Ashton Memorial in Lancaster. [1/2]
Goodness me! What an utterly sensual delight and the best combination of high romance and haute cuisine since THE AGE OF INNOCENCE - to the iPlayer for Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel in THE TASTE OF THINGS... #FilmSky www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002rlpp
The Taste of Things
French romance set in 1889, focusing on the enduring bond between gourmet chef Dodin and his cook of 20 years, Eugénie. Dodin resolves to woo Eugénie by cooking for her.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Goodness me! What an utterly sensual delight and the best combination of high romance and haute cuisine since THE AGE OF INNOCENCE - to the iPlayer for Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel in THE TASTE OF THINGS... #FilmSky www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002rlpp
Reposted by John Hodson
Night! Xxx youtu.be/yFXX-7UaX_g?...
Roxy Music ~ Avalon (HQ Audio)
YouTube video by steelyman08
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Night! Xxx youtu.be/yFXX-7UaX_g?...
Reposted by John Hodson
Small Prophets: How a Humble Garden shed Steals the Show
When you think "star of a BBC sitcom", you don't usually picture a slightly ramshackle garden shed (or maybe 1930's once a garage now defiantly a shed). Yet in Small Prophets, the new Mackenzie Crook comedy, Michael Sleep's shed quietly…
When you think "star of a BBC sitcom", you don't usually picture a slightly ramshackle garden shed (or maybe 1930's once a garage now defiantly a shed). Yet in Small Prophets, the new Mackenzie Crook comedy, Michael Sleep's shed quietly…
Small Prophets: How a Humble Garden shed Steals the Show
When you think "star of a BBC sitcom", you don't usually picture a slightly ramshackle garden shed (or maybe 1930's once a garage now defiantly a shed). Yet in Small Prophets, the new Mackenzie Crook comedy, Michael Sleep's shed quietly becomes the show's true leading location - part laboratory, part sanctuary, part shrine to bad decisions. A show built on grief, hope… and jars…
www.shedblog.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Small Prophets: How a Humble Garden shed Steals the Show
When you think "star of a BBC sitcom", you don't usually picture a slightly ramshackle garden shed (or maybe 1930's once a garage now defiantly a shed). Yet in Small Prophets, the new Mackenzie Crook comedy, Michael Sleep's shed quietly…
When you think "star of a BBC sitcom", you don't usually picture a slightly ramshackle garden shed (or maybe 1930's once a garage now defiantly a shed). Yet in Small Prophets, the new Mackenzie Crook comedy, Michael Sleep's shed quietly…
Reposted by John Hodson
Haunting and lyrical. Beautifully told. It has a musicality to the accents that replaces any score. A tape deck that plays an incongruous selection of music. And everything is washed out with bone-deep loneliness. It could chill you to your seat but Bill Forsyth has too much heart.
February 14, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Haunting and lyrical. Beautifully told. It has a musicality to the accents that replaces any score. A tape deck that plays an incongruous selection of music. And everything is washed out with bone-deep loneliness. It could chill you to your seat but Bill Forsyth has too much heart.
Reposted by John Hodson
Remembering the great Alan Parker on his birthday.
Evening viewing recommendation:
The Artistic Triumph of Sir Alan Parker’s Still Beating ‘Angel Heart’
⬇️⬇️⬇️
cinephiliabeyond.org/angel-heart/
Evening viewing recommendation:
The Artistic Triumph of Sir Alan Parker’s Still Beating ‘Angel Heart’
⬇️⬇️⬇️
cinephiliabeyond.org/angel-heart/
February 14, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Remembering the great Alan Parker on his birthday.
Evening viewing recommendation:
The Artistic Triumph of Sir Alan Parker’s Still Beating ‘Angel Heart’
⬇️⬇️⬇️
cinephiliabeyond.org/angel-heart/
Evening viewing recommendation:
The Artistic Triumph of Sir Alan Parker’s Still Beating ‘Angel Heart’
⬇️⬇️⬇️
cinephiliabeyond.org/angel-heart/
Reposted by John Hodson
Tonight on YouTube, A MURDER OF QUALITY (1991), starring Denholm Elliott as George Smiley.
youtu.be/ZRAGRawq-84
youtu.be/ZRAGRawq-84
A Murder of Quality
YouTube video by MOVIE NIGHT
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Tonight on YouTube, A MURDER OF QUALITY (1991), starring Denholm Elliott as George Smiley.
youtu.be/ZRAGRawq-84
youtu.be/ZRAGRawq-84
Reposted by John Hodson
A romantic movie for Valentines Day: Tremors boxd.it/d8025j
A ★★★ review of Tremors (1990)
Having never seen it before and this with no nostalgia to fall back on, other than for young Kevin Bacon, I am forced to note that while this film is a whole lot of fun, it is also pretty flimsy. Ther...
boxd.it
February 14, 2026 at 8:13 PM
A romantic movie for Valentines Day: Tremors boxd.it/d8025j
Reposted by John Hodson
My ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 review of GANGS OF NEW YORK boxd.it/d80OUf
Scorcese's massive epic impresses in visual grandiosity. Wow!
DiCaprio's ascent to influence lacks veracity, plot gets bogged down in exposition, & screenplay tries to cover too many topics. But Day-Lewis chews the expensive scenery!
#filmsky 📽
Scorcese's massive epic impresses in visual grandiosity. Wow!
DiCaprio's ascent to influence lacks veracity, plot gets bogged down in exposition, & screenplay tries to cover too many topics. But Day-Lewis chews the expensive scenery!
#filmsky 📽
February 14, 2026 at 8:33 PM
My ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 review of GANGS OF NEW YORK boxd.it/d80OUf
Scorcese's massive epic impresses in visual grandiosity. Wow!
DiCaprio's ascent to influence lacks veracity, plot gets bogged down in exposition, & screenplay tries to cover too many topics. But Day-Lewis chews the expensive scenery!
#filmsky 📽
Scorcese's massive epic impresses in visual grandiosity. Wow!
DiCaprio's ascent to influence lacks veracity, plot gets bogged down in exposition, & screenplay tries to cover too many topics. But Day-Lewis chews the expensive scenery!
#filmsky 📽
Reposted by John Hodson
youtu.be/jQiYc3_WgJ8?... Jen Handorf's guide to Arrow Video movies *not* to watch on date night... Tho I suspect that a lot of my friends would choose these as ideal date night movies, because sometimes we're sickos :-)
JEN HANDORF | ARROW VIDEO STORE
YouTube video by Arrow Video
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM
youtu.be/jQiYc3_WgJ8?... Jen Handorf's guide to Arrow Video movies *not* to watch on date night... Tho I suspect that a lot of my friends would choose these as ideal date night movies, because sometimes we're sickos :-)
Reposted by John Hodson
A tiny handful of actors create roles so indelibly that it’s impossible to imagine anyone else ever having got near being cast. Thelma Ritter did it time and again. She’s glorious as Doris Day’s hard-drinking housekeeper in Pillow Talk but at her best here.
Happy Birthday!
youtu.be/GZdJ-DOn2ss?...
Happy Birthday!
youtu.be/GZdJ-DOn2ss?...
Rear Window (1954) - “An Intelligent Way To Approach Marriage…” - Film Scene
YouTube video by Connor Nathan Hough
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 7:52 PM
A tiny handful of actors create roles so indelibly that it’s impossible to imagine anyone else ever having got near being cast. Thelma Ritter did it time and again. She’s glorious as Doris Day’s hard-drinking housekeeper in Pillow Talk but at her best here.
Happy Birthday!
youtu.be/GZdJ-DOn2ss?...
Happy Birthday!
youtu.be/GZdJ-DOn2ss?...
Reposted by John Hodson
My brother Garry has dementia and is currently lost somewhere in the Chester area. If anyone should spot him please call the police on 999. We'd appreciate reposts. @shitchester.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
My brother Garry has dementia and is currently lost somewhere in the Chester area. If anyone should spot him please call the police on 999. We'd appreciate reposts. @shitchester.bsky.social
Reposted by John Hodson
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of HIS BEAUTIFUL HANDS being published. This was by far the most difficult project I've ever worked on and it's sunk straight into relative obscurity (only eleven ratings and one review on Goodreads) - but it's the book I'm most proud to have worked on.
February 14, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of HIS BEAUTIFUL HANDS being published. This was by far the most difficult project I've ever worked on and it's sunk straight into relative obscurity (only eleven ratings and one review on Goodreads) - but it's the book I'm most proud to have worked on.
Reposted by John Hodson
Even in 1995, The Quatermass Experiment was still a relevant cultural reference!
Though as Margaret is talking about bubbling vats of suspicious liquid I think you’ll find she meant to say Quatermass II
Though as Margaret is talking about bubbling vats of suspicious liquid I think you’ll find she meant to say Quatermass II
February 14, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Even in 1995, The Quatermass Experiment was still a relevant cultural reference!
Though as Margaret is talking about bubbling vats of suspicious liquid I think you’ll find she meant to say Quatermass II
Though as Margaret is talking about bubbling vats of suspicious liquid I think you’ll find she meant to say Quatermass II
Reposted by John Hodson
The lovely Simon Pegg was born on this day in 1970, so here's that time I was lucky enough to interview him and Nick Frost:
Archival Interview: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost on ‘The World’s End,’ Spoilers, and How They’re Like the Avengers
Originally published on Flavorwire, 8/21/13 It began as a throwaway joke during the promotional tour for Hot Fuzz , the second film directe...
jasondashbailey.blogspot.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:25 PM
The lovely Simon Pegg was born on this day in 1970, so here's that time I was lucky enough to interview him and Nick Frost:
Reposted by John Hodson
Bob Fosse’s made his feature directorial debut adapting his hit stage musical “Sweet Charity” into an unconventional musical comedy. It was released on this day in 1969: crookedmarquee.com/crooked-marq...
Crooked Marquee’s Bad Romances: Sweet Charity — Crooked Marquee
Our round-up of anti-Valentine's fare continues with Bob Fosse's feature directorial debut, adapting his hit stage musical into an unconventional musical comedy.
crookedmarquee.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Bob Fosse’s made his feature directorial debut adapting his hit stage musical “Sweet Charity” into an unconventional musical comedy. It was released on this day in 1969: crookedmarquee.com/crooked-marq...
Reposted by John Hodson
For Valentine’s Day, why not watch Marty’s romance about wanting the wrong thing at the right time in the wrong society. Nothing says true love like choosing duty while your heart quietly sets itself on fire. boxd.it/d7Pnkd
A ★★★★★ review of The Age of Innocence (1993)
Watching The Age of Innocence to kick off Valentine’s Day felt almost mischievous. This is not a movie about grand gestures or reckless abandon. It is about the kind of love that tightens your throat ...
boxd.it
February 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
For Valentine’s Day, why not watch Marty’s romance about wanting the wrong thing at the right time in the wrong society. Nothing says true love like choosing duty while your heart quietly sets itself on fire. boxd.it/d7Pnkd