Is it a criticism to say that Spider-Man 2 had the same plot as Superman 2? Probably not, one way or another the film was going to be based on something, and rather another relatively successful film than some untried comics. Whilst not a direct reha[…]

Friday Trivia Quiz: thought it might be a larf to go back and excerpt the FIRST EVER POSTS from some prominent-ish blogs, both ancient and recent. Wag of the finger to those whose archives don’t work, though. Some obvious candidates have been a[…]

I have zero interest in cricket as a rule. But this Robert Key bloke has captured my attention a little while I procrastinate over editing a particularly fatuous press release. I have to applaud when someone who is frankly a bit tubby excels in sport[…]

The Independents’ That Summer column has now been running for a decade. Writers contribute holiday tales where the only criteria is a memorable experience.
From awkward fumbles with French exchange students to getting arrested in awkward places[…]

The documentary revival continues apace. I can only respond to this shower of neo-Griersonian glibness with a point of fact — ‘The Sorrow and the Pity’ was made for TV — and await next year’s leader on how fantasy c[…]

Jack Kirby fans reprazent: very very glad to see this back on the web. Also much more terrific old material at I Want A Blog. “No one saw the old man’s GRIM SMILE.”[…]

Facts about The Lyric on Great Windmill Street.
1) It is one of the emptiest pubs in Soho on most nights.
2) Despite being rather nice inside in a trad dingy style, and having friendly bar staff.
3) And a juker.
4) It has “Endless Art” on[…]

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that I did leave my bag of new CDs on the tube on Wednesday night. This is some kind of karmic payback for either a) picking up and keeping the dropped £20 note outside the Streets ‘gig’ som[…]

Pop Factor: 807 Controversy Score: 153
A little cold, a little forbidding, perhaps even a little too well-drilled: typical Girls Aloud. Their singles are design objects: beautiful, impeccably put together, never neglecting the practical (i.e. you c[…]

Quick Question: what was the first pop song to introduce the idea of jealous people/haters envious of the artist’s success? Does this particular ‘meme’ have a pre-80s or pre-hip-hop life? I’m sure it must but can’t think[…]