Mark Allison
@markyallison.bsky.social
Writer and broadcast journalist / Contributor for BBC Culture, Little White Lies / Listen to the colour of your dreams
I don't think he deserves to be crucified.
June 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I don't think he deserves to be crucified.
Went to an inexplicably 2003-themed pub crawl this year and did my duty.
June 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Went to an inexplicably 2003-themed pub crawl this year and did my duty.
Recently saw it projected on 35mm at the Prince Charles - they screen it a few times a year and I can't recommend it enough.
June 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Recently saw it projected on 35mm at the Prince Charles - they screen it a few times a year and I can't recommend it enough.
As another under-30 fan, I loved getting drunk and watching this film at uni. There's a fantastic authenticity to the dialogue - they all sound like men of their time, whereas most 21st century historical war movies just transpose modern sensibilities and mannerisms onto their characters.
June 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
As another under-30 fan, I loved getting drunk and watching this film at uni. There's a fantastic authenticity to the dialogue - they all sound like men of their time, whereas most 21st century historical war movies just transpose modern sensibilities and mannerisms onto their characters.
Lovely podcast lads. You mentioned James M McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom - this extract on the 54th's assault and the aftermath has never left me.
June 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Lovely podcast lads. You mentioned James M McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom - this extract on the 54th's assault and the aftermath has never left me.
I think half the MI films are genuinely good, and M:I 2 isn't one of them, but it's not terrible imo. It's got character, when a lot of the others tend to blend together. I can barely remember a thing from the third one, and I struggle to differentiate between Rogue Nation/Fallout.
June 1, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I think half the MI films are genuinely good, and M:I 2 isn't one of them, but it's not terrible imo. It's got character, when a lot of the others tend to blend together. I can barely remember a thing from the third one, and I struggle to differentiate between Rogue Nation/Fallout.
These towns first appeared in the previous game, which is set a few years later. Armadillo is thriving and Tumbleweed has become a ghost town because it was bypassed by the railroad. They inverted this dynamic for the prequel, likely for the sake of variety and as tongue-in-cheek wink to fans.
May 17, 2025 at 10:13 AM
These towns first appeared in the previous game, which is set a few years later. Armadillo is thriving and Tumbleweed has become a ghost town because it was bypassed by the railroad. They inverted this dynamic for the prequel, likely for the sake of variety and as tongue-in-cheek wink to fans.
Aha, didn't realise it was only WWII films, carry on. Astonished Pearl Harbour made the cut over Where Eagles Dare though.
May 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Aha, didn't realise it was only WWII films, carry on. Astonished Pearl Harbour made the cut over Where Eagles Dare though.
I'm always surprised that Lawrence of Arabia never features in these lists. Is it considered too premium a film to be lumped in with other war movies?
May 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
I'm always surprised that Lawrence of Arabia never features in these lists. Is it considered too premium a film to be lumped in with other war movies?
Incredible film. Went to an exhibition on war films at the IWM about ten years ago, and there was a fascinating letter from David Lean to Carl Foreman on display. Lean didn't think Foreman properly understood the hubris at the heart of Col. Nicholson.
May 8, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Incredible film. Went to an exhibition on war films at the IWM about ten years ago, and there was a fascinating letter from David Lean to Carl Foreman on display. Lean didn't think Foreman properly understood the hubris at the heart of Col. Nicholson.