Mark Allison
@markyallison.bsky.social
Writer and broadcast journalist / Contributor for BBC Culture, Little White Lies / Listen to the colour of your dreams
Reposted by Mark Allison
We need to stop trying to turn these things from small talk you have with your friends to kill time into things people think have actual right & wrong answers because they’re dull
British public’s verdict is in: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie
British public’s verdict is in: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie
Survey also reveals Britons’ favourite festive film, views on tear-jerkers and family cinema trips
When Macaulay Culkin recently said he didn’t consider Die Hard to be a Christmas film – wading into one of pop culture’s most heated holiday debates – he was booed by a live audience.
But it looks like the British people are behind the actor, with a survey revealing that Home Alone is the UK’s favourite festive film, while Die Hard has officially been voted not a Christmas movie. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:08 AM
We need to stop trying to turn these things from small talk you have with your friends to kill time into things people think have actual right & wrong answers because they’re dull
I've never watched Beatles Anthology series before, so I'm really enjoying the re-release on Disney+, but the AI upscaling on all the archive footage is monstrous historical vandalism. The lads' faces keep morphing into uncanny doppelgangers, and text is frequently mushed into gibberish.
November 28, 2025 at 10:28 AM
I've never watched Beatles Anthology series before, so I'm really enjoying the re-release on Disney+, but the AI upscaling on all the archive footage is monstrous historical vandalism. The lads' faces keep morphing into uncanny doppelgangers, and text is frequently mushed into gibberish.
Lots to say about One Battle After Another, but it's one of the best experiences I've had with IMAX. The Vistavision cinematography was unbelievably immersive. At times it felt like I was physically riding a rollercoaster.
September 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Lots to say about One Battle After Another, but it's one of the best experiences I've had with IMAX. The Vistavision cinematography was unbelievably immersive. At times it felt like I was physically riding a rollercoaster.
"...Knight’s going back to Bond’s beginnings as a Royal Navy Commander before being recruited by MI6... to perhaps chart how Bond attained 007 status."
Please, God, no! No more origin stories!
deadline.com/2025/09/jame...
Please, God, no! No more origin stories!
deadline.com/2025/09/jame...
Denis Villeneuve To Start Casting For An “Unknown” Brit Actor For ‘Bond 26’ When He Completes ‘Dune: Part Three’ — Breaking Baz
Deadline goes undercover to reveal the latest on James Bond casting, including the expected nationality, look and gender of the actor.
deadline.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:15 AM
"...Knight’s going back to Bond’s beginnings as a Royal Navy Commander before being recruited by MI6... to perhaps chart how Bond attained 007 status."
Please, God, no! No more origin stories!
deadline.com/2025/09/jame...
Please, God, no! No more origin stories!
deadline.com/2025/09/jame...
Cowboy, spy, journalist, paratrooper - Robert Redford had all my dream jobs when I was growing up. A blockbuster superstar who used his power to champion independent cinema, he represented all that American movies had to offer.
September 16, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Cowboy, spy, journalist, paratrooper - Robert Redford had all my dream jobs when I was growing up. A blockbuster superstar who used his power to champion independent cinema, he represented all that American movies had to offer.
Not sure how to feel about this. I like a lot of Knight's stuff but he's pretty hit and miss.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight set to write next James Bond movie
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight set to write next James Bond movie
Reports say British writer, whose credits include Dirty Pretty Things, will work with Denis Villeneuve on relaunch
British screenwriter Steven Knight has reportedly been tapped to write the next James Bond movie.
According to Deadline, Knight recently met director Denis Villeneuve and landed the job after various other writers were also considered. Villeneuve is currently filming the third Dune instalment. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 31, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Not sure how to feel about this. I like a lot of Knight's stuff but he's pretty hit and miss.
Some film students in the pub overheard that I'd just watched Barry Lyndon and asked me what I "liked about it". Felt like I was being physically assaulted.
July 23, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Some film students in the pub overheard that I'd just watched Barry Lyndon and asked me what I "liked about it". Felt like I was being physically assaulted.
I am not psychologically prepared to be older than James Bond.
Amazon and producers are interested in casting an actor under the age of 30 for James Bond, with Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson “at the top of the list.”
The film is eyeing a 2028 release date.
(
The film is eyeing a 2028 release date.
(
June 27, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I am not psychologically prepared to be older than James Bond.
Denis Villeneuve is probably the best choice we could have hoped for. Just don't mess with the gunbarrel and use the theme music a lot.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
James Bond: Denis Villeneuve to direct next 007 film
The Oscar-nominated filmmaker says he is a "die-hard" Bond fan and will "honour" the franchise.
www.bbc.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Denis Villeneuve is probably the best choice we could have hoped for. Just don't mess with the gunbarrel and use the theme music a lot.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
In 1947, British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin said the UK needed to build a nuclear bomb "with the bloody Union Jack on top of it." It's a real shame isn't alive to see his dream become reality in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.
June 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
In 1947, British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin said the UK needed to build a nuclear bomb "with the bloody Union Jack on top of it." It's a real shame isn't alive to see his dream become reality in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.
The final rankoning
May 27, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The final rankoning
I say this with a very heavy heart, but I did not get on with Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. A couple of reheated stunts from Roger Moore Bond films can't save this talky, confused slog of a film. The endless procession of fan service, callbacks and retcons puts Spectre (2015) to shame.
May 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I say this with a very heavy heart, but I did not get on with Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. A couple of reheated stunts from Roger Moore Bond films can't save this talky, confused slog of a film. The endless procession of fan service, callbacks and retcons puts Spectre (2015) to shame.
I feel like a lot of the world's problems can be traced to the decline of internet forums. Social media wasn't build to handle so many weirdos and hobbyists.
May 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I feel like a lot of the world's problems can be traced to the decline of internet forums. Social media wasn't build to handle so many weirdos and hobbyists.
Finished watching 9-hour holocaust documentary Shoah yesterday. Fancied something a bit lighter afterwards, so put on Terms of Endearment, not realising was was a cancer movie.
March 13, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Finished watching 9-hour holocaust documentary Shoah yesterday. Fancied something a bit lighter afterwards, so put on Terms of Endearment, not realising was was a cancer movie.
Now the dust has settled on the Oscars, I finally wrote down some thoughts on my favourite films from last year: clueddown.com/2025/03/08/t...
Top ten films of 2024
With the film industry still recovering from the 2023 Hollywood labour disputes, 2024 was always going to be difficult year for cinema. But there were still plenty of brilliant and original films t…
clueddown.com
March 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Now the dust has settled on the Oscars, I finally wrote down some thoughts on my favourite films from last year: clueddown.com/2025/03/08/t...
They don't build actors like Gene Hackman anymore. Never predictable, his presence could be fearsome, charming or pathetic, but always a little enigmatic. He dominated so many classic movies, more than I can recall.
February 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
They don't build actors like Gene Hackman anymore. Never predictable, his presence could be fearsome, charming or pathetic, but always a little enigmatic. He dominated so many classic movies, more than I can recall.
Haven't loved every decision made by Eon, but it's difficult to feel anything but dread about this www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
James Bond's long-serving producers give control to Amazon
Barbara Broccoli and co-producer Michael G Wilson annouce they are stepping down.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Haven't loved every decision made by Eon, but it's difficult to feel anything but dread about this www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Halfway through series 2 of SAS Rogue Heroes, and I'm a bit torn. I'm glad to see a British WWII drama with some money behind it, and it's enjoyable as pulp entertainment. But every historical event and character is sensationalised to the point of irritation. Mayne is really getting on my nerves.
January 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Halfway through series 2 of SAS Rogue Heroes, and I'm a bit torn. I'm glad to see a British WWII drama with some money behind it, and it's enjoyable as pulp entertainment. But every historical event and character is sensationalised to the point of irritation. Mayne is really getting on my nerves.
Reposted by Mark Allison
Wishing a happy 62nd birthday to Ralph Fiennes, seen here reprising his role as M in NO TIME TO DIE
December 22, 2024 at 10:25 AM
Wishing a happy 62nd birthday to Ralph Fiennes, seen here reprising his role as M in NO TIME TO DIE
Quite the triple bill today.
December 18, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Quite the triple bill today.
Watching Beatles '64 again, and it's very funny that every documentary about the Beatles, without fail, includes this shot of a sign greeting the lads at JFK airport which reads "ENGLAND GET OUT OF IRELAND"
November 29, 2024 at 10:29 PM
Watching Beatles '64 again, and it's very funny that every documentary about the Beatles, without fail, includes this shot of a sign greeting the lads at JFK airport which reads "ENGLAND GET OUT OF IRELAND"
Really enjoyed Beatles '64. Those already familiar with the Maysles Bros' footage might be a bit disappointed there isn't more focus on Beatles antics and performances, but the film does a good job of exploring what made them so revolutionary within the broader context of American culture.
November 29, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Really enjoyed Beatles '64. Those already familiar with the Maysles Bros' footage might be a bit disappointed there isn't more focus on Beatles antics and performances, but the film does a good job of exploring what made them so revolutionary within the broader context of American culture.
There's plenty to enjoy in Gladiator II, but if you are making a film without Russell Crowe, you should not, under any circumstances, include footage of Russell Crowe from another film. It will only remind audiences that Russell Crowe is not in this film.
November 25, 2024 at 11:02 AM
There's plenty to enjoy in Gladiator II, but if you are making a film without Russell Crowe, you should not, under any circumstances, include footage of Russell Crowe from another film. It will only remind audiences that Russell Crowe is not in this film.