Critical Divide
@criticaldivide.bsky.social
Standing at the Critical Divide. News and views from the frontline and beyond. With @chrispickard.bsky.social
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them”
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them”
August 15, 2025 at 8:59 AM
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them”
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them”
“Cleopatra,” with Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Rex Harrison, opened to the British public on 1 August 1963. It would win four Academy Awards from nine nominations. One of the most expensive movies ever made it took until 1973 to brake even.
August 1, 2025 at 11:37 AM
“Cleopatra,” with Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Rex Harrison, opened to the British public on 1 August 1963. It would win four Academy Awards from nine nominations. One of the most expensive movies ever made it took until 1973 to brake even.
As test between England & India gets underway at the Oval, a reminder that it was 31 July 1956 that Surrey's Jim Laker took all 10 Australian wickets in second innings for England to win 4th test at Old Trafford. He took 19 Australian wickets for 90, 9 for 37 and 10 for 53.
July 31, 2025 at 10:13 AM
As test between England & India gets underway at the Oval, a reminder that it was 31 July 1956 that Surrey's Jim Laker took all 10 Australian wickets in second innings for England to win 4th test at Old Trafford. He took 19 Australian wickets for 90, 9 for 37 and 10 for 53.
60-years ago, 29 July 1965, The Beatles held the Royal World Premiere of "HELP!" at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus. Film had 7 new Beatles' songs and for many fans of the group, the film offered them the first chance to see the fab four perform in colour.
July 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
60-years ago, 29 July 1965, The Beatles held the Royal World Premiere of "HELP!" at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus. Film had 7 new Beatles' songs and for many fans of the group, the film offered them the first chance to see the fab four perform in colour.
Now exactly 50 years since Bob Marley played London's Lyceum Theatre on 17 and 18 July 1975 as part of his Natty Dread Tour and made his historic recording, the live album that introduced him to a much larger audience, helped by his now iconic track "No Women, No Cry”.
July 18, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Now exactly 50 years since Bob Marley played London's Lyceum Theatre on 17 and 18 July 1975 as part of his Natty Dread Tour and made his historic recording, the live album that introduced him to a much larger audience, helped by his now iconic track "No Women, No Cry”.
The Royal World Premiere of “Cromwell,” starring Richard Harris and Alec Guinness, took place 55-years ago in London on 16 July 1970. Close to 4000 costumes were made for the film and it would win the Academy Award for best costume design.
July 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The Royal World Premiere of “Cromwell,” starring Richard Harris and Alec Guinness, took place 55-years ago in London on 16 July 1970. Close to 4000 costumes were made for the film and it would win the Academy Award for best costume design.
It was forty years ago today, (13 July 1985)
Bob Geldof taught the bands to play.
They’d been going in and out of style,
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile.
So may I introduce to you the acts you’ve known for all these years?
Geldof’s Lonely Hearts Club (Live Aid) Bands….
Bob Geldof taught the bands to play.
They’d been going in and out of style,
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile.
So may I introduce to you the acts you’ve known for all these years?
Geldof’s Lonely Hearts Club (Live Aid) Bands….
July 13, 2025 at 10:34 AM
It was forty years ago today, (13 July 1985)
Bob Geldof taught the bands to play.
They’d been going in and out of style,
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile.
So may I introduce to you the acts you’ve known for all these years?
Geldof’s Lonely Hearts Club (Live Aid) Bands….
Bob Geldof taught the bands to play.
They’d been going in and out of style,
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile.
So may I introduce to you the acts you’ve known for all these years?
Geldof’s Lonely Hearts Club (Live Aid) Bands….
60 years ago Ronnie Biggs escaped from HMP Wandsworth on 8 July 1965. It was the escape that made Ron a household name and in the end the most famous of the Great Train Robbers. The full story can be found in “The Great Train Robber”
July 8, 2025 at 9:31 AM
60 years ago Ronnie Biggs escaped from HMP Wandsworth on 8 July 1965. It was the escape that made Ron a household name and in the end the most famous of the Great Train Robbers. The full story can be found in “The Great Train Robber”
6 July 1964 saw the Royal World Premiere of Richard Lester’s “A Hard Day’s Night” with The Beatles. It took place at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus, closed to traffic as 12,000 fans jostled for a glimpse of the group. It would open in the US on 11 August.
July 6, 2025 at 12:54 PM
6 July 1964 saw the Royal World Premiere of Richard Lester’s “A Hard Day’s Night” with The Beatles. It took place at the London Pavilion in Piccadilly Circus, closed to traffic as 12,000 fans jostled for a glimpse of the group. It would open in the US on 11 August.
Nearly time for The Championships at Wimbledon and strawberries and cream. Play starts Monday (30 June) #Wimbledon2025
June 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Nearly time for The Championships at Wimbledon and strawberries and cream. Play starts Monday (30 June) #Wimbledon2025
Uma vez Flamengo! Following on from Botafogo's win over PSG, Flamengo put three past Chelsea. To be honest the score line flattered Chelsea.
June 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Uma vez Flamengo! Following on from Botafogo's win over PSG, Flamengo put three past Chelsea. To be honest the score line flattered Chelsea.
50 years ago - 20 June 1975 - “Jaws” premiered in the US, although in UK and Brazil it would become a Christmas release on 25 Dec. Highest-grossing of all-time in US until "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope". Second most watched film on UK TV. ITV4 screens it tonight at 21.00
June 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
50 years ago - 20 June 1975 - “Jaws” premiered in the US, although in UK and Brazil it would become a Christmas release on 25 Dec. Highest-grossing of all-time in US until "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope". Second most watched film on UK TV. ITV4 screens it tonight at 21.00
The World's 50 Best Restaurants for 2025 were announced 19 June in Turin. Ranking includes restaurants from 22 territories across five continents with 10 new entries. Maido in Lima,was named world’s best. Potong in Bangkok, highest new entry and highest climber Ikoyi, London.
June 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The World's 50 Best Restaurants for 2025 were announced 19 June in Turin. Ranking includes restaurants from 22 territories across five continents with 10 new entries. Maido in Lima,was named world’s best. Potong in Bangkok, highest new entry and highest climber Ikoyi, London.
The Academy has announced it will present Academy Honorary Awards to choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, actor and producer Tom Cruise, and production designer Wynn Thomas, best known for work with Spike Lee. Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award will be presented to Dolly Parton
June 18, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The Academy has announced it will present Academy Honorary Awards to choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, actor and producer Tom Cruise, and production designer Wynn Thomas, best known for work with Spike Lee. Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award will be presented to Dolly Parton
Here are the highest ranking champagne brands in the world, according to TasteAtlas' panel of chefs, critics, and tastings.
May 30, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Here are the highest ranking champagne brands in the world, according to TasteAtlas' panel of chefs, critics, and tastings.
A rarity at Festival de Cannes, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s critically acclaimed political thriller, “The Secret Agent”, picked up two of the main jury prizes. Best direction for Kleber, and best actor for Wagner Moura. The film was also awarded the Fipresci jury prize.
May 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
A rarity at Festival de Cannes, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s critically acclaimed political thriller, “The Secret Agent”, picked up two of the main jury prizes. Best direction for Kleber, and best actor for Wagner Moura. The film was also awarded the Fipresci jury prize.
Lest we forget, five years ago, in 2020, no film won the Palme d’Or at the 73rd Festival de Cannes because due to the pandemic there was no festival. Thankfully the festival would return in July 2021. Vive la France! Vive la Cannes! #CannesUncut
May 20, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Lest we forget, five years ago, in 2020, no film won the Palme d’Or at the 73rd Festival de Cannes because due to the pandemic there was no festival. Thankfully the festival would return in July 2021. Vive la France! Vive la Cannes! #CannesUncut
10 years ago, in 2015, Jacques Audiard won the Palme d’Or at the 68th Festival de Cannes with “Dheepan”. Audiard had won best screenplay at the festival in 1996 and the jury prize in 2009. Joel and Ethan Cohen headed the jury. Agnes Varda received an honorary Palme.
May 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
10 years ago, in 2015, Jacques Audiard won the Palme d’Or at the 68th Festival de Cannes with “Dheepan”. Audiard had won best screenplay at the festival in 1996 and the jury prize in 2009. Joel and Ethan Cohen headed the jury. Agnes Varda received an honorary Palme.
20 years ago, in 2005, Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne won the Palme d’Or at the 58th Festival de Cannes with “The Child” (L’Enfant”). The Dardenne brothers second Palme after “Rosetta” in 1999. They would go on to win other prizes at Cannes in 2008, 2011, 2019 and 2022.
May 18, 2025 at 11:54 AM
20 years ago, in 2005, Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne won the Palme d’Or at the 58th Festival de Cannes with “The Child” (L’Enfant”). The Dardenne brothers second Palme after “Rosetta” in 1999. They would go on to win other prizes at Cannes in 2008, 2011, 2019 and 2022.
30 years ago, in 1995, Emir Kusturica won his second Palme d’Or at the 48th Festival de Cannes, ten years after his first. In 1995 it was for “Underground”. He had won best director in 1989 and has presided over the juries for main competition, Un Certain Regard & Short Films #CannesUncut
May 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
30 years ago, in 1995, Emir Kusturica won his second Palme d’Or at the 48th Festival de Cannes, ten years after his first. In 1995 it was for “Underground”. He had won best director in 1989 and has presided over the juries for main competition, Un Certain Regard & Short Films #CannesUncut
50 years ago at the 28th Festival de Cannes in 1975, Algerian director Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina won the Palme d’Or for “Chronicle of the Years of Fire”. The only African or Arab film to have been awarded the Palme. 1975.
May 15, 2025 at 9:34 AM
50 years ago at the 28th Festival de Cannes in 1975, Algerian director Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina won the Palme d’Or for “Chronicle of the Years of Fire”. The only African or Arab film to have been awarded the Palme. 1975.
60 years ago, in 1965, the Palme d’Or went to Richard Lester’s “The Knack …and How to Get It”. That year Olivia de Havilland was the first woman to preside over the Festival de Cannes jury, and the only female on the jury. “Mary Poppins” screened hors concours.
May 14, 2025 at 9:21 AM
60 years ago, in 1965, the Palme d’Or went to Richard Lester’s “The Knack …and How to Get It”. That year Olivia de Havilland was the first woman to preside over the Festival de Cannes jury, and the only female on the jury. “Mary Poppins” screened hors concours.
The famous Jury Grid from Screen International. One of the simplest ways to follow the films in competition at the 78th Festival de Cannes.
May 14, 2025 at 9:08 AM
The famous Jury Grid from Screen International. One of the simplest ways to follow the films in competition at the 78th Festival de Cannes.
70 years ago, Cannes awarded the Palme d’Or to “Marty”. It was the first film to win Palme and Academy Award for best picture. It would take until 2019, and “Parasite”, for another double winner, with last year’s Palme and Oscar winner, “Anora” becoming the third.
May 13, 2025 at 9:06 AM
70 years ago, Cannes awarded the Palme d’Or to “Marty”. It was the first film to win Palme and Academy Award for best picture. It would take until 2019, and “Parasite”, for another double winner, with last year’s Palme and Oscar winner, “Anora” becoming the third.
Counting down to 78th Cannes. First full festival was 1946, so here are Cannes festival posters from 70 years ago (1955); 60 years ago (1965); 50 years ago (1975); 40 years ago (1985); 30 years ago (1995); 20 years ago (2005); and 10 years ago (2015); as well as 1 of 2 from 2025
May 12, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Counting down to 78th Cannes. First full festival was 1946, so here are Cannes festival posters from 70 years ago (1955); 60 years ago (1965); 50 years ago (1975); 40 years ago (1985); 30 years ago (1995); 20 years ago (2005); and 10 years ago (2015); as well as 1 of 2 from 2025