#turns out famously good movies that have stood the test of time? they can be good movies !

[kerryweaverlesbian]

Citizen Kane good moooovie! Cares about women! Character studies! Questions of perspective! Good movie!

[tamseel]

Steal the Spotlight: Iconic Women’s Celebrity Jackets to Elevate Your Style

There’s something undeniably captivating about the way celebrities carry themselves, from red carpet glamour to off-duty streetwear. One essential piece that ties it all together? The perfect jacket. Whether it’s a timeless leather biker jacket or an ultra-chic bomber, celebrity jackets have a way of becoming trendsetters. In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of women’s celebrity jackets, exploring key trends, styling tips, and the best ways to channel your favorite star’s signature look.

The Rise of the Celebrity Jacket Trend

In the world of fashion, what celebrities wear often defines trends that ripple across the globe. From the classic movie wardrobes to today’s street-style stars, jackets have been a standout element of their wardrobes. Think of famous looks from films or iconic paparazzi shots where a simple jacket turned an entire outfit into something special. These celebrity jackets not only add flair but also serve as a staple for layering and completing any look.

Timeless Celebrity Jacket Trends

The Leather Biker Jacket One of the most iconic is the leather biker jacket, famously worn by stars like Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, and Rihanna. Known for its rugged, edgy style, the biker jacket has been a fashion mainstay for decades. It can be paired with virtually anything—from skinny jeans and boots to feminine dresses, giving you that cool-girl vibe. Celebrities love leather biker jackets because of their versatility. You can wear one to a concert, on a casual coffee run, or even throw it over a dress for a night out. The options are endless, which is why this trend has stood the test of time.

The Bomber Jacket Whether it’s Kendall Jenner spotted in an oversized bomber or Hailey Bieber rocking a cropped version, bomber jackets have become a staple in every celebrity’s wardrobe. Bomber jackets bring a sporty yet stylish edge, offering endless ways to style them, whether you’re heading to the gym or brunch. Celebrities like Zendaya have mastered the art of dressing up a bomber jacket with chic boots and tailored pants, while others keep it casual with joggers and sneakers. The bomber jacket is the ultimate blend of comfort and style, making it a go-to for many stars.

The Oversized Blazer Oversized blazers have had a major fashion moment in recent years, with everyone from Blake Lively to Bella Hadid embracing this trend. It’s the perfect way to add structure to a casual look while maintaining a touch of sophistication. Celebrities often style their oversized blazers with fitted jeans, boots, or even as part of a power suit for a more polished look .The oversized blazer is a celebrity-favorite for good reason: it exudes confidence, making any outfit feel effortlessly cool and chic.

The Trench Coat Made famous by icons like Audrey Hepburn, the trench coat has continued to be a celebrity favorite over the years. Modern stars like Meghan Markle and Rosie Huntington- Whiteley frequently wear trench coats in both classic beige and bold colors. This timeless jacket is perfect for transitional seasons and can instantly elevate a casual outfit. Pair it with boots and a scarf for an autumn-ready look, or with a simple turtleneck and jeans for something sleek yet understated.

The Faux Fur Jacket If you’re looking to make a statement, take cues from celebrities like Lady Gaga or Beyoncé, who have often been seen in faux fur jackets. These jackets scream luxury and drama, and they’re the perfect choice for making an entrance at a high-profile event or turning heads on a night out .From cropped faux fur jackets to full-length glamorous coats, this trend is all about standing out and embracing bold fashion choices.

How to Style Celebrity Jackets for Everyday Wear

The Effortlessly Casual Look Want to look like you just walked out of a celebrity’s off-duty wardrobe? Pair a leather biker jacket with ripped jeans and a basic white tee. Add some ankle boots and a pair of aviator sunglasses to complete the look. This effortless style is one of the most popular celebrity-inspired outfits and can be pulled off with ease.

Sporty Chic with a Bomber For those who love a sporty vibe, go for a bomber jacket over an athleisure set. Celebrities like Rihanna and Gigi Hadid often pair their bomber jackets with joggers or leggings and trendy sneakers. You can also accessorize with a baseball cap or a sleek crossbody bag to give your outfit a polished finish.

Power Moves with an Oversized Blazer Celebrities frequently style their oversized blazers with tailored trousers for a polished look, but you can take it a step further by pairing it with denim shorts and sneakers for a laid-back yet powerful aesthetic. Whether you're going for casual or professional, the oversized blazer is incredibly versatile.

Glamorous Nights in Faux Fur Nothing says glam quite like a faux fur jacket. Whether you’re wearing it over a slip dress or an all-black ensemble, a faux fur jacket can take your evening look to the next level. Celebrities often opt for rich hues like emerald green, deep burgundy, or even leopard print to make a bold statement.

The Sophisticated Trench Coat Look A classic trench coat is always in style. Celebrities frequently wear trench coats with high-waisted trousers or skinny jeans for a streamlined look. Complete the ensemble with a pair of sleek boots and a minimalist handbag for a sophisticated, city-chic vibe.

Where to Shop Celebrity-Inspired Jackets

Looking to recreate these celebrity looks? Many popular fashion brands offer similar styles at various price points. Here are some places to find your perfect celebrity-inspired jacket:

Designer Brands: If you're willing to splurge, brands like Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Burberry have created many iconic jackets seen on celebrities.

Mid-range Options: For more affordable but equally stylish options, try stores like Zara, Mango, or Topshop, which frequently stock celebrity-inspired pieces.

Sustainable Fashion: If you prefer eco-friendly options, check out brands like Stella McCartney and Reformation, which offer ethical alternatives to high-fashion trends without compromising on style.

Conclusion

From edgy leather biker jackets to glamorous faux fur coats, celebrity jackets are as diverse as the stars who wear them. The key to pulling off these trends in your everyday life is to balance bold statement pieces with your personal style. By investing in one or two iconic jackets, you can instantly elevate your wardrobe and channel your favorite celebrity’s signature looks.

So, whether you’re dressing up for a night out or keeping it casual for a day of errands, there’s a celebrity jacket trend out there for everyone. Steal the spotlight with these must-have outerwear pieces and let your style shine.

[spanglepuck]

Kaner/Artemi "written in the stars” AU Preview 

Ok! First off, this AU was created so @povverbottoms and I could have a stable, not angsty foundation to throw a whole bunch of fluffy 7288 fics on - even though at first glance the premise sounds a bit angsty. 

Basically this AU “deviates from canon” after the Blackhawks 2015 cup win. Instead of trying to ride out their capspace issues, they rip the band aid off so they can start developing a younger and more stable core, etc. etc. To do this they trade Kaner and Sharpy to the Stars. In the same year the Stars sign Artemi Panarin from the KHL. Kaner and Jonny still have a great relationship. There’s no hard feelings between Kaner and Chicago, and then some really good things come out of the trade for him. Anyway, below is the literal fluffiest “Kane is traded” AU you’ll ever find. 

warm underneath my skin

The trade didn’t come as a shock. How could it when they’d been discussing waiving his no move clause since February? It started basically the day the rumors of the cap staying flat began to spread. Patrick played harder, put it out of his head - I’ll do whatever’s best for the team - and then they pushed through game after game of the playoffs. Maybe, Patrick thought, this will change things.

Nobody brought it up in the wake of the cup final. Nobody said a thing and Patrick didn’t give it one single thought when he stood next to Jonny on top of a float, the entire city of Chicago pulsing victorious red and celebrating with them.

The cap is raised 2.4 million dollars for the 2015-2016 season. There are lots of factors working in his favor, Patrick knows - and none of them are enough. Patrick doesn’t know where he’d cast his vote if he had one, but even he knows that the organization is paralyzed, and they decide to rip the bandaid off - one 10.5 million dollar band aid. It’s a short term hit that gives the organization the room to build itself back up again - they can’t keep putting duct tape on it forever, so they say.

When they ask him to waive his NMC he almost says no. But apparently Patrick’s not that selfish.

We’ll make whatever deal we settle on conditional on an late summer announcement.

They’re making sure his victory laps aren’t tainted; they don’t want to spoil Chicago’s party either. He tells Jonny right after, though - he only cries a little. Jonny’s also the first one he tells when the call finally comes.

“It’s Dallas,” he says, laying on his childhood bed in Buffalo. “I’m going to Dallas.”

It’s not the worst situation he could be in. Dallas has weaknesses, but it’s not like he was sent to Vancouver or something. Plus, Sharpy’s coming with him.

The Stars are steadily on the rise, and then they give Patrick two things on the first day of training camp that will make all the difference in Patrick’s first year in Texas.

First they give him an alternate captaincy - a real and permanent one. There’s nothing honorary or contingent about it. We want you to really take on a leadership role here. You’ve got experience on multiple cup winning teams, and we think you’re ready to step up here.

“I thought they’d give it to you,” Patrick tells Sharpy later.

“This isn’t Chicago, Pat. You’re nobody’s little brother anymore,” Sharpy says, and then ruffled his hair. “Ok, you’re still mine, but you know what I mean.”

The realization is strangely liberating. He’ll miss Jonny fiercely - and he does - and losing that security is kind of terrifying. Yet, the fact is that, up until that moment, Patrick’s entire career has existed in the context of Kane and Toews.

So, Patrick’s new A feels different than any other he’s worn before. The crisp white on bright green feels heavier, but grounding in a way that Patrick’s never experienced before.

The second thing that Dallas gives him blows the first out of the water, though. The Stars sign a young KHL star and effectively bestow upon Patrick Artemi Panarin.

They set the 2015-2016 season on fire. Patrick’s breaking personal records, skating harder, and having even more fun playing that he thought was possible. Every time that Panarin’s body slams into Patrick’s in celebration he’s afraid that he’s going to burst, too full of simple hockey joy.

Patrick’s always had trouble finding a linemate who could keep up with him - turns out the right guy was hiding in St. Petersberg and doesn’t speak more than a lick of English. Patrick couldn’t care less, though, because their understanding of each other goes far beyond words. On the ice it’s like a sixth sense - and off the ice it isn’t much different.

Sharpy’s got a new baby so Patrick limits himself to one dinner a week with him and Abby as not to get in the way. There also aren’t any Russian players on the Stars besides Artemi - Patrick knows how they tend to stick together - plus the kid seems kind of shy, at least out of his element as he is not speaking the local language. So Patrick’s first step in taking his A seriously is to make sure that his new liney is looked out for. It doesn’t take long until Artemi is sticking to Patrick like a bur, and they’re getting along so famously through their language barrier that Tyler starts claiming they can read minds.

“Ok, what am I thinking right now?” he asks Patrick one day after a game against the Oilers.

“That your faceoffs sucked today and how embarassing that is considering McDavid wasn’t even in the lineup,” Patrick deadpans as he pulls his pads off.

Artemi shakes with a brief burst of laughter and Tyler seems to care much more about that than the insult to his person.

“The fuck! Last week I asked you if you were hungry and you looked at me like I had two heads!”

That just makes Artemi’s brow furrow a little and he looks to Patrick, tilting his head to the side in question. Patrick just smiles and shakes his head once, which smooths out the expression on Artemi’s face.

“Dinner?” he asks, absently bumping his fist against his stomach.

Artemi nods enthusiastically and Tyler just sputters indignantly.

The Russian’s English improves quickly though, helped along by the amount of time he spends at Patrick’s. It’s easy to hang out since they live in the same building. It also doesn’t hurt that Patrick’s pointedly turning over a new leaf in Dallas and not putting himself in any situations that might end in trouble, and Artemi doesn’t party, or even drink, during the season either, so they end up very much homebody-buddies. At the beginning they get along with No-English-Required activities like Mario Cart or watching tape, but slowly they move on to movies and dumb TV.

“English homework,” Artemi once mumbles in his defense when Patrick tries to turn the channel away from a zany cooking competition show.

Patrick highly doubts that Iberico Ham is going to be on Artemi’s vocab test, but he’s not going to argue. He’s honestly just too charmed by the kid. Artemi’s too much a sweetheart to exploit Patrick, but he wonders what Artemi could get away with if he tried.

Luckily, Artemi seems content with the window-side corner of Patrick’s couch and a ride to practice in the mornings.

That first year they make it to round two of the playoffs before going out against the Sharks in game seven. It sucks in the moment, but then they’re planning for next year, and there’s a surprisingly familiar feeling in Patrick’s chest. It’s… exciting being a part of something new again. The team is hungry. Jamie wants it desperately.  Artemi and the city want it. Patrick wants to give it to them. He wants it for himself.

There’s no shame in the locker room on clean out day. It’s not a bunch of false platitudes when they say that they’re close, that they know where thier holes are and that they’ve got something here that will be great with just a few adjustments.  

“When we get it, Temi, I’m gonna hand it to you,” Patrick says when the reporters finally clear out. “Gonna put it in your hands.”

Artemi presses his shoulder into Patrick’s, looking down at his toes before glancing up at Patrick out of the corner of his eyes. He smiles mischievously.

“Maybe - I put in yours.”

Patrick barks out a laugh, and for the first time in years, he feels like he’s truly only looking forward, his past like balloons instead weights trailing behind him.

“It’s a deal.”

I hope people can get into this even though the premise is a little risky. Also fun fact, this first fic is a SICK FIC. BECAUSE THERE JUST ARENT ENOUGH IN THE WORLD. The above was literally like all the seriousness to get it set up and then it’s gonna be like... hurt/comfort adorable soft trash. Hope you like it!

[quotespicture]

https://quoteswithpicture.com/gallipoli-1981-movie-review/

Gallipoli (1981) Movie Review

By Stuart McLaren (Norwich, UK)

  Having revisited this film recently, I was genuinely surprised at how well it has stood the test of time and what a cracking story it was. The film’s major backdrop is the disastrous Dardanelles campaign in the First World War and, in particular the role of Australian troops in that theatre of war. The film was directed by Peter Weir, of Picnic at Hanging Rock fame, and starred a young Mark Lee and a young Mel Gibson (…whatever became of him)? The stars were supported by a great cast of believable character actors.

The film also gave us, in its final scene, one of the most iconic still frames and film poster photographs from 20th Century cinema. For my money the Gallipoli final frame shot is up there with the female robot from Metropolis, Charles Foster Kane surrounded by newspapers and/or booming from the campaign lectern and the isolated rickety house on the hill from Psycho.

The early part of the film deals with the story of Archy (Lee) and Frank (Gibson) and how they meet, turn from rivals into friends and then go off to enlist in the Australian Army. Archy is the beaming eternal optimist of the pair, while Frank is the more experienced, world-weary, cynical, jack-the lad character. It should be mentioned that Archy is the better runner of the two protagonists, which we glean from a country fair prize-money race where Jack is well beaten by Archy. The athletic ability of the two runners will become significant later in the film.

Archy is coached by his Uncle Jack (Bill Kerr) and that element is one of the weaker points in the film, although not from an acting point of view, as the scenes involving Archy and Jack establish a very close bond and loving respect between the two characters, as Jack tries to compensate for Archy’s missing father. The weakness is the mantra that Jack instils in Archie to motivate him when running, which involves references to steel springs and leopards (an incongruous mix) and just doesn’t sound like the sort of thing that character would have said back in 1914/15 where the early part of the film is set. It almost feels like the film is trying to do an impression of Chariots of Fire (also 1981) in this respect; although as Chariots was released in May and Gallipoli in August of the same year, I guess that must just be coincidental.

The film then progresses to Archy & Frank’s journey across Australia to Perth. Having illegally jumped on a cattle train, without knowing its destination, they awake the next day to find that their carriage has been abandoned in a stockyard and the next train is 3 weeks away. At this point, they embark on a perilous foot journey across the desert. This is where the director really captures the heat and oppressive atmosphere and sheer scope of the Australian landscape, with plenty of wide panning and long-shots although, surprisingly, very few shimmering heat-wave at ground level shots. Maybe Mr. Weir thought the definitive heat wave long-shot had, famously, already been achieved by David Lean in Lawrence of Arabia (and nobody would seriously argue with that); or maybe he just didn’t have the right lens or camera to hand? Either way, we get the message that the duo are suffering from the heat and lack of water, and in very real danger of not surviving. Spoiler Alert: They do survive.

The desert journey plot leads to one of the very best scenes in the film when, by pure chance, they come across their saviour, a camel driver/traveller (beautifully played by Harold Baigent) who provides them with food and water. The scene around the campfire is brilliant. From the rancid, fly-infested meat that is offered to Archy & Frank – which nobody would eat unless they were starving – to the topic of conversation. Our heroes tell the traveller about going to Perth to enlist and join the war, to which he replies “What War”? When it is explained that Britain and its colonies, along with France and Russia, are at war with Germany, the traveller’s laconic response is simply…“I met a German once. Good fella, he was”. The subsequent conversation reveals the extent of the traveller’s ignorance – through no fault of his own – with regard to European nations and world geography, which just enhances how remote and out of touch the Australian hinterland would have been in those times. At one point he admits that he went to “a city” once, and “didn’t like it” – a speech that, funnily enough, is repeated virtually word for word in Crocodile Dundee which was released five years after Gallipoli.

The film then progresses to Archy and Frank’s attempt to join the glamorous Light Horse Regiment. Archy is underage, but that is overlooked because of his horsemanship, while Frank’s lack of affinity with horses is shown up when he attempts the simple riding test that acts as an entry requirement for the regiment. Frank’s failure to get a horse even moving, causing much amusement for the other volunteers and army personnel. So, the two friends are separated and Frank eventually joins the less glamorous infantry, along with a bunch of old work mates he runs into in a Perth bar.

The Australian army is then shipped overseas to Egypt for basic training, before being deployed into the war zone. There are some very amusing scenes of the “fish out of water” type regarding the soldier’s adventures in a foreign land, their dealings with the locals and first experience of a foreign culture and, for some, their first time being away from home. Frank’s mate Snowy (David Argue) does a good turn as the suspicious of everybody xenophobe. Other good scenes in this part of the film include a misunderstanding about a market stall, the infantry men mimicking upper class British cavalry officers, and a memorable speech by an infantry medical officer about the dangers and debilitating effects of venereal diseases, which he knows will fall on deaf ears. The actors/soldiers all manage to convey the sense of that unique form of male bonding, good natured ribaldry, laddish behaviour, rowdiness and “no-worries” attitude (known as “larrikinism” in Aussie slang) that Australians have become associated with throughout the world.

In an attempt to relieve the boredom, the high-ranking officers arrange a fake battle in the sand dunes between the Light Horse (by now on foot) and Infantry regiments. This descends into a free-for-all punch-up, and then gets even more chaotic as the soldiers realise that by playing dead (i.e. a casualty of the fake battle), they will not have to run around in the intense heat – at which point an exasperated Sergeant screams “You can’t all be dead”! However, Archy and Frank are reunited during the fake battle, and Archy subsequently persuades his Commanding Officer to allow Frank to transfer to the Light Horse, on the basis that the cavalry units will not be using horses in the war zone and that Frank is a good runner and would make a good army foot messenger, a vital function in trench warfare. Frank joins the Light Horse much to the chagrin of his infantry buddies who think he is being a snob and just fancies himself in the ostentatious uniform – which he clearly does.

Eventually the troops embark on the journey to the Dardanelles peninsular, and this is where the serious part of the film takes hold. The historic reference point is the Battle of the Nek (from bottleneck) in the Gallipoli campaign, which in truth was a disastrous attempt to attack Turkish machine-gun armoured emplacements by means of an uphill infantry charge from the Allied occupied trenches. While this may seem like a ridiculous strategy to modern eyes, it should be borne in mind that the First World War was the first full-scale industrialised war, in terms of armaments, so there was precious little direct officer experience of that kind of warfare at the time. The Battle of the Nek took place on 7th August 1915, WW1 had begun in July 1914 and Turkey had entered the war in October 1914.   

One of my usual pet hates in “movieland” is glaring inaccuracies such a people using modern language in historical dramas, displaying modern sensibilities/political views that just wouldn’t have existed in the relevant era, etc. I think we all watch movies as a form of escapism, and to get fully immersed in the story and period being portrayed. Unfortunately, when a jarring inaccuracy occurs it throws your belief in the story and characters, which can ruin the rest of the film. Gallipoli, on the other hand, is in the very high percentiles for its historical accuracy and period detail, with just a few very minor tweaks to enhance the story and to emphasise the anti-war message.

So, some historical context. The Dardanelles campaign is often referred to as “Churchill’s folly”, or “Churchill’s biggest mistake” both of which are really misnomers. While it is true that the idea of attacking what he called “the soft underbelly of Europe” as an alternative to “chewing barbed wire” on the Western Front was Churchill’s idea – he was then First Lord of the Admiralty and, therefore, in charge of the Royal Navy – his idea was purely for a naval manoeuvre and attack. The idea being allied warships would progress through the Dardanelle Strait, bombarding the Turkish defences and then attack Constantinople/Istanbul from the sea. The overall aim (if successful) being to knock Turkey out of the war, and thus establish a second Eastern Front (Russia was already fighting on the first) from which to attack Germany, thus splitting the German forces.  However, many of the warships used were outdated and subsequently sunk by Turkish bombardment from the land and/or the mines the Turks had laid in the narrow straits. 4 warships were damaged by mines, 3 of them sinking, on just one day of the campaign. It was only after the failure of the initial naval attack that an amphibious landing of troops was conceived, and not by Churchill alone, but by the British War Council.

For those who like their numbers, in all somewhere in the region of 450,000 Allied troops took part in the Gallipoli campaign, including British, French, Australian, New Zealand, Indian and Canadian troops. The Allies suffered around 250,000 casualties 46,000 dead, and most historians estimate that the Turkish forces would have suffered similar casualty rates. Undoubtedly the Allies underestimated the strength of the Turkish fortifications and armaments, and their determination to defend their homeland at all costs. The campaign ended in a humiliating defeat and withdrawal of the allied troops after a year of fighting, for no real gain. Churchill was, (rightly or wrongly) largely blamed for the strategic debacle and resigned from his Admiralty post, and subsequently took command of an Infantry Regiment on the Western Front.

Returning to the film, the scenes prior to the battle depicting the landings, the day to day boredom of trench warfare (punctuated by periods of extreme stress and danger) and the gallows humour and fears of those involved are depicted well. The film shows that the troops fully realised what a bad strategic position they were in, encamped on a cliff face, with Turkish fortifications and machine guns occupying higher ground. Scenes such as the Aussie Insurance Policy raffle just emphasise the troops awareness of their own predicament.

Of course, the film focuses on Australian troops, when other nationalities were involved in the campaign, but this is an Australian film. Moreover, Gallipoli had a real significance in the development of Australia as a nation, because WW1 was the first time that they had entered the world political/military stage (and made a huge human sacrifice) as a relatively new independent nation, having gained independence from Britain in 1901. Which is why the Australian involvement in WWI is solemnly commemorated on Anzac Day (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps.) and other remembrance events. Nearly all the accounts of the war, both from participants and academic historians, pay tribute to the fighting skills, courage, audacious bravery, tenacity and sheer “bloody-mindedness” not to accept defeat of the Anzac troops. Therefore, it would be an act of gross impertinence to criticise an Australian film director for highlighting and celebrating those martial attributes.

In the film, Frank’s friends take part in an attack where one dies and one is so badly wounded that he is refused food and water in the makeshift hospital, thus raising Frank’s awareness of the scale of carnage. A word here about Frank’s mates, good acting throughout the film particularly the character of Billy (Robert Grubb) and Les (Harold Hopkins).

As the film builds towards the Battle of the Nek, and the disastrous infantry charges, Archy is offered another chance by his commander (an athletics fan) to act as a messenger/runner. He refuses saying he wants to take part in the battle, Frank is the only messenger we see in action. Confusion surrounds the whole enterprise, as telephone and written messages travel between the various commanders. The exact timing of the attack is not synchronised. An artillery attack that is supposed to accompany the first wave of Aussie troops going over the top stops too early, allowing Turkish troops to re-occupy their gun posts and trenches.

The commander in the Allied trenches, Major Barton, (another good performance by Bill Hunter as a fatherly figure concerned for his troops, but ultimately prepared to be sacrificed with them) attempts to relay the futility of the attacks to his superiors via Frank’s message carrying; after phone lines have been damaged. We see Frank dodging through heavily congested trenches while delivering messages back and forth. These scenes are accompanied by brilliant use of music from Oxygene II by Jean-Michelle Jarre – whose Dad, Maurice, also knocked out a few good film tunes in his time. Although Oxygene is a modern piece, and not composed as a film score, it perfectly captures the urgency, anxiety and dangerous nature of running messengers in trenches. There is even an underlying counterpoint that sounds like sniper shots and shrapnel blasts. This music is so appropriate, that I can even forgive the use of the ubiquitous Albinoni’s Adagio elsewhere.

The messages from the trenches are ignored by the superior commander, who cites reports of allied marker flags having been seen in the Turkish trenches, and demands Major Barton continues with the 2nd, 3rd & 4th waves of infantry attack, which Barton considers to be equivalent to murdering his troops. Frank then suggests Major Barton goes above his own superior’s head, in the hope the attacks will be called off, sending Frank on another important errand.

Once again, you can’t fault the historical accuracy, even if names of commanders have been changed, no doubt for fear of lawsuits. The Artillery did cease the bombardment early. There was a lack of synchronisation of commander’s watches, which led to that error. The real-life Acting Brigade Commander, Major-General John Antill, was given reports that marker flags had been seen in the enemy trenches, thus (mistakenly) leading him to believe that the attacks were successful and should be continued. There really were four waves of charges, even though those directly involved knew it was pointless after the first wave were slaughtered. Incredibly, there really was an order given for the troops to advance on one charge with bayonets only and no bullets in their rifles, meaning, technically, they could not fire at the enemy until being given a counter-manding order. The real trench commander Colonel Noel Brazier (Major Barton in the film) did call the attacks “bloody murder” and attempted to get them stopped by going to the overall commander Colonel Frederic Hughes who, according to historians, took much longer to come to a decision than depicted in the film.

The only slight quibbles I have, and I only mention them because I am British, is that we are told in the film that “the British are making tea on the beach” when in fact British troops were supporting the attacks in the actual events. And secondly, the Antill equivalent character in the film, Colonel Robinson (John Morris), is portrayed as an upper-class British Officer, when in fact all the Allied decision-makers in the real battle were Australian officers. However, this is a well-established movie and television trope, and us Brits are used to it; honest! Examples would be all of the bad Roman’s in Spartacus, Sydney Greenstreet’s villains in both The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca; George Sanders in All About Eve and voicing Shere Khan the Tiger in Jungle Book; right through to Stewie at his most evil in Family Guy…“What the deuce”! All villains with upper-class British/English accents. Talk about stereotyping.

That digression aside, the film makers seem to have done their research thoroughly in order to depict the communication failures, tactical errors, and the futile waste of life that occurred in the actual event. If you have any doubts about that I would refer you to the comments of the Australian war historian L. A. Carylon, who memorably described the combatants as “Lions led by Donkeys”. The same author is also equally scathing of the real-life commanders involved, stating that…”Hughes was the Brigade Commander and didn’t command; Antill wasn’t the Brigade Commander and he did”.

In the film, Frank finally gets a decision from the most senior officer and scurries back through the trenches. Meanwhile, Archy, Major Barton and their compatriots are about to go over the top, leaving written notes, their watches and other valuables pinned to their trenches. Yet again, this did really happen, indicating that the soldiers knew they probably weren’t going to survive. Frank is well aware that time is of the essence and is busting his lungs to get to Major Barton’s position, just as he is nearing the relative area, he hears the whistles being blown as the signal for the fourth infantry charge to go over the top. As viewers, we share his anguish at not making it in time and, of course, the hidden implication is that Archy, as the better runner, may have made it in time and thus altered the result.

At that exact same moment, Archy is seen nervously reciting that mantra to himself before leaving the trenches and running like mad towards the enemy position, seemingly without even carrying his rifle. Leading to the superbly poignant final frame of the film. If any slightly cynical movie viewers (and I would include myself in that group) think that scene is a bit far-fetched, guess what …think again! Apart from the silly leopard/steel springs mantra, the rest is almost certainly based on a true event. There are first-hand accounts from survivors of the battle, as well as the official history, “The Story of Anzac” by C.E.W Bean, where reference is made to  a soldier named Wilfrid Harper from Western Australia, serving with the 10th Australian Light Horse, who was killed in that final charge at The Nek. Wilfrid Harper was known for being a talented athlete and sprinter before the war, and according to the official account of the battle was… “last seen running forward like a schoolboy in a foot-race, with all the speed he could compass” (sic).

The losses at the Battle of The Nek may not have been the greatest in WWI, by comparison to the Somme, Ypres etc. on the Western Front, but the actual ratio of Australian casualties is horrifyingly alarming. The Light Horse (LH) Brigade consisted of 300 men from the 8th LH Regiment (234 casualties, of whom 154 were killed) and 300 men from the 10th LH Regiment (138 casualties, of whom 80 were killed).

Gallipoli, therefore, is a largely accurate depiction of a historical battle that is/was of great significance to Australia. Peter Weir has created a really good film that, without in any way minimising the tragic events and the huge sacrifices made, manages to pinpoint the accepted command errors, while maintaining the viewer’s investment in the story of the main characters. As such, this is a fitting tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at The Nek, and a film that will probably remain meaningful for future, in a way that grainy footage written accounts from the actual events may not.

Gallipoli belongs firmly in the pantheon of great anti-war movies along with: All Quiet on the Western Front (original German version); The Big Parade; Paths of Glory; The Deer Hunter; Platoon and Born on the 4th July. There can be no finer praise for Mr. Weir’s film.

Rating: 5/5

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[ablanariwho]

English Medium, Indian Middle Class And The Story Of A Blast Furnace - Part III

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“ On your first day in school, I and your father went to drop you. You stood in the prayer assembly with 300 odd children from different grades. The students were all singing the school prayer song. There was a lump in my throat. Tears wanted to roll down my eyes. I felt happy and sad at the same time. I was thinking, you were no more a small kid. You had grown up. You had left my lap forever to join the big, bad world. But I was happy that finally, you started your primary school. Ten years later, you would walk out of this school with flying colours for higher studies.” That is how my mother still recalls her feelings on the first day of my school. Years after years, all parents, rich or poor, feel the same. It is a complex emotion. A mother experiences heartache as her baby grows up and leave her lap to take part in his/her role in the game of life. A sense of separation and not being needed by her child all the time pains her. But at the same time, she nurtures some dreams and aspires her child would fulfil that. She wants to see her child grow up and move on in life, study and learn, become successful.

The first and the most important parental decision Schooling is the first, most testing parental decision. Here an individual steps out into the world for the first time. Like many children, my baby steps into the big, bad world also started at my school. I don’t know who gave this beautiful world the tag of “Big Bad World’. Bringing the element of good or bad to this beautiful world always has been a human act.

Illustration by: Amit Shanklya

I not only suffered due to the social stigma of studying in a vernacular medium school, a ‘bad’, created by us humans. I faced other forms of harassment too. But I learnt a lot many things about life. I am sharing it here to create awareness among parents, both present and would-be. I want to talk about how the choice of a school can affect and influence a child’s life in various ways. I know parents cannot control everything about their children's well-being. But they need to be mindful of the exposures schooling causes, both good and bad. It would help them to understand their children better. They would know how to guide and support them towards wholesome grooming. During the initial years, my father and one of my classmate's fathers would ferry us to school and back, turn by turn. Later, during my adolescent years, I started walking down to school. My school did not provide any bus service. In my high school years, I used to travel by public transport. This exposed me, a growing and adolescent girl to the local eve-teasing ruffians. They were the sons and male relatives of factory workers and small-time local dons. Travelling by public transport also exposed me to groping and unsuitable male attention. It was difficult to manage such situations for a naïve, teenage girl. It was unsafe for a kid in that hormone-driven age to be exposed to such elements. Adolescents do not have the worldly wisdom to deal with such nuisance. This did not happen much with other convent going girls of my neighbourhood. They had the facility of a company school bus as their school was far in the city. Moreover, their mothers would escort them to and from the bus stand, where they were picked up and dropped.

The two sides of every life experience They say every experience in life has two sides. I experienced it through my schooling. I suffered due to bullying, shaming, and eve-teasing. But I learnt my mother tongue well. Funnily, sharing it is feeling like delivering the iconic dialogue by Shashi Kapoor from the movie Deewar. - “Mere Pass Maa Hai” in reply to Amitabh Bachhan’s dialogue - “Aaj mere paas paisa hai, bangla hai, gaadi hai, naukar hai, bank balance hai, aur tumhare paas kya hai?”

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Many of my English medium, convent school-going, Bengali contemporaries missed out on this. I would have been the most unfortunate person in the world if I had lived my life without knowing my mother tongue. I would have missed studying the treasure it has to offer in the world of literature. Bengali is one of the richest Indian languages and boasts of a rich literary heritage. It is famously represented by the first Indo-Asian Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and a whole galaxy of amazing authors and poets. Tagore’s work opened up a vast horizon of human experiences to me. It enabled me to delve deeper into the human mind. It guided my spiritual inclinations. It stoked the literary strains in me. It gave me a sense of pride in my identity and I didn’t have to ape or fake a foreign culture to camouflage mine. I am proud to belong to an endangered clan of Bengalis or Indians, who know well both their mother tongue and English. I am lucky that I read Tagore as well as Shakespeare. I had the unique opportunity of knowing the best of both the literary worlds of Bengali and English. Later, in my adult life, I could earn a few bucks by my mastery of both these languages.

Secondly, I got a broader perspective of society and life. The opportunity to study and spend 10 years with children from so-called lower economic strata in my school made me more grounded. It gave me a broader perspective of society and life. It taught me acceptance and being open-minded. It saved me from being a snob. Today, I am very proud of those classmates. Many of them are successful academicians, entrepreneurs, corporate or Army personnel. I admire their efforts to break free of the limitations their vernacular medium schooling might have imposed on them.

I am also grateful to a few of my teachers. They gave us high quality, healthy doses of learning, defying the limitations of the Bihar Board curriculum of my school.

Lemons are sour, but they make lemonade too

Despite the pain and hurt, eventually, every experience in life enriches us, makes us better and more mature human beings. Finally, it’s up to us, how we look at it, what we make out of it. Today, the pains and hurt have faded. Whenever I look back and revisit those experiences, it only makes me aware of the vulnerabilities of human beings. I understand how social and economic pressures influence people's mindsets. It causes a common prevalence of false vanity. It creates a lack of self-esteem and critical thinking.

Today, what matters to me are the fond memories of my school days and all those bitter-sweet lessons I learnt. And finally, I am grateful to my parents. They apparently, did a mistake by putting me in a so-called non-elite, janta class, vernacular medium school. By doing so they unknowingly put me in a lot of trouble. But they didn’t know how much they helped me to grow as a grounded and mellower person. They didn’t know that they gave me the best gift in the form of the opportunity to learn my mother tongue. It aided my ability to express my deeper thoughts, sometimes in poetic exuberance. At that point, they didn’t plan or envision all these. But they played instrumental in the hands of destiny to give my mind-space a panoramic view of life.

Parents are no God. They are the Archers in God's hands

Parenting is the toughest job, that tests and challenges their own growing up. There is no syllabus, no crash course or degree in the world to prepare us for parenting. it’s an on-the-job learning process from the day their baby is born till they live like their parents. No one can judge a parent unless and until they have passed their share of the tests and challenges, without a single blot. Parents need to keep their minds open to learning through their experience of raising children. They should not adopt a sanctimonious attitude. In the same way, children too should not develop God-complex about their parents. They can learn a lot from their parents. Parent's selfless service as well as their mistakes can teach us life lessons. Their weaknesses, flaws, compromises and failures make them human. Both parents and children need to see each other's constant, silent inner struggle. We need to recognize that. We all seek the higher meaning of humanity in a larger perspective. Parents and children help each other to become better human beings, through both their successes and failures.

Today, I am writing this, sitting in a big city. I have left the life at that industrial township, much smaller than the city I live in today, far behind. But I am still carrying the life lessons the icon of that industrial city - the blast furnace taught me. Life is like the blast furnace of the factory in our township. The raw iron ore of the human mind melts in the blast furnace of life along with coke and limestone of culture and society. Then it turns the hot metal of human intelligence into strong, shining steel!

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[itsiotrecords-blog]

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The television was a revolution in technology that changed practically everything about the world. News became more real as did entertainment. No longer were people forced to leave their home to be entertained by actors. What started with just a few channels and programs, quickly turned into many. Today, thousands of channels yield more programming that any individual could possibly digest. For better or for worse, television has become standard in virtually every home in the developed world. Over the years, some lines have been uttered on television that will never be forgotten. In many cases, those lines actually changed perceptions and sometimes realities. Some of these quotes were said by trusted news anchors, but others were lines said on sitcoms, dramas or other fictional programs. Even in the world of reality television programs that seem to dominate the airwaves today, some lines have been said that are just game changing. So often, it is who says the quote that makes all the difference in the world. Whether an actor, a journalist, a politician or perhaps just a regular citizen, with an audience of millions, important words can make all the difference. Television has provided an outlet for change time and time again. While not always a good change, the following quotes have definitely changed the world.

#1 The Walking Dead Among the most watched dramas in television history is AMC’s The Walking Dead. Fans of the show are loyal, committed and plentiful. One of the most talked about episodes was the episode titled “The Grove.” In this episode, Carol realizes that the little girl who’s name is Lizzie is a danger not only to herself, but to all those around her in the post-apocalyptic world of zombies and worse. When Carol takes Lizzie outside, she utters these famous words: “Just look at the flowers Lizzie.” No spoilers here, but the words associated had a direct impact upon fans for a very long time. It single-handedly helped those watching think carefully about how important community and the protection of that community is in a world like that. Indeed, this quote will forever be remembered by so many forever.

#2 Seinfeld Seinfeld gave us a great many quotes that have stood the test of time. In fact, this won’t be the only one on the list. But changing the world is a pretty tall order. On the Seinfeld episode titled “The Outing,” Jerry has to continuously defend his heterosexuality to a graduate student at NYU who is writing an article about him. She continues to believe that Jerry and George are homosexual lovers. Throughout the episode, they continue making statements about how they are not in fact homosexual, but always follow-up with “not that there’s anything wrong with that.” This was at a time when homosexuality wasn’t a major topic addressed on television. Seinfeld was able to take a controversial topic and add a comedic twist. The show essentially makes the statement that you are who you are, whether gay or straight. Thanks to the show, people found a very funny way to make an important social statement. Way to go Jerry… how could anyone not like him?

#3 Neil Armstrong NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong, is famous the world over as the first person to step onto the surface of the moon. On July 20, 1969, as he was coming out of the lunar module, Armstrong was famously watched by about a half a billion people on television. Every breath watching was in awe as Armstrong uttered words that changed the way we view outer space and exploration alike: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” NASA did have a few unmanned missions to the moon, participated in a multi-country effort to construct and staff the International Space Station, construct the Hubble Space Telescope and send probes to the furthest reaches of our solar system and beyond, all in an effort to take those next steps for all of mankind.

#4 Friends For ten years, Friends was one of the top sitcoms on television. As part of the famous Thursday night NBC lineup, millions of people settled-in to watch the group hang at Central Perk. Of all the great quotes, Joey’s line of: “How you doin’?” has most definitely stood the test of time. “How you doin’” has become the one thing you can say to someone you’re attracted to, when you have nothing else to say! In a sense, Joey has provided a bonding opportunity, pick-up line and conversation piece all in three little words. Of course, saying it as close to the way Joey would say it is also very necessary. The words sort of flow together with a hint of a New York accent included. I wonder how many people wound-up getting together as a result of this initial greeting?

#5 Star Trek In the entire Star Trek universe, encompassing virtually all the movies and spin-off series, one quote has surpassed all others: “Live long and prosper.” The origins of the phrase (and even the Vulcan hand gesture that accompanies the quote) are actually based upon an Orthodox Jewish blessing. Today, this phrase lives on and is known by fans, and those that wish they didn’t know what it means. Certainly not everyone enjoys Star Trek, but virtually everyone knows this quote and can connect it to the series. “Live long and prosper” is a simplistic and beautiful way to address another person. It is a wonderful sign of respect and perhaps the best way to wish people the very best. For Star Trek fans, there’s no better way to make an instant connection with someone than by sharing this quote.

#6 Walter Cronkite, CBS News Walter Cronkite is the king of all anchormen. He is a shining example of how journalism should be and is still seen as an influence to this day. But on February 27, 1968, he made a statement on the air that changed the world. The address was longer, but the final words capture his criticism of the war itself: “But it is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out then will be to negotiate, not as victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy, and did the best they could.” Because Walter Cronkite was a beacon of trust in news reporting across the United States, hearing these words helped reshape public opinion on the Vietnam War. The war raged on after this, but more and more people began to voice their own concerns as well. Thanks to the bravery of Uncle Walter.

#7 Seinfeld’s Festivus Back on the list is more from the hit sitcom Seinfeld. Few shows can claim that they are responsible for an actual holiday! In the show “The Strike” George is forced to relive the horrors of his childhood in celebrating Festivus, a holiday invented by Frank Costanza that is celebrated on December 23rd. In reality, Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe was actually inspired to include this, as it was his father that originally invented the concept of the holiday. The phrase: “It’s a Festivus miracle!” has actually become a common utterance as a way to describe something that is perhaps unexpected or coincidental, but certainly not miraculous. Books describing the holiday and countless references to it during the Christmas season have been a result of the show.

#8 Sheldon On The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory has been a CBS smash hit since 2007. Early on in the series, Dr. Sheldon Cooper, portrayed by actor Jim Parsons establishes himself as the egotistical, quirky genius that doesn’t quite understand most social conventions. But quickly, one nonsensical word would make its way into the world, used by millions to indicate sarcasm: “Bazinga!” Cooper uses the word “Bazinga” to indicate that he is being sarcastic. Later in the show, the word is used more frequently because of its surge in popularity. Indeed, the word has become so incredibly popular that it is trademarked and has been put on apparel. The world has made its way into general vocabulary and is recognized just about anywhere you go nowadays.

#9 Rodney King In 1992, alleged police mistreatment of African Americans was a hot issue, much as it is today. When Rodney King was beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers and the officers were acquitted in court, riots occurred in South Central Los Angeles over the course of six days. During this time, when questioned about the riots, Rodney King himself was quoted in the midst of the riots as saying: “Can we all get along?” This statement from a man that had been brutally beaten by police has been seen by many as a plea for equal justice and fair treatment. Over the years, the phrase has been used satirically, but at the time, it sent shockwaves. Those hearing these words sympathize with the desire for violence to come to an end in general. In fact, it seemed to be a plea for peace in general, even beyond the riots. Regardless of what exactly he meant, the phrase has lived on in infamy.

#10 Kennedy Assassination Millions of Americans remember exactly what they were doing when they heard the news that President John F. Kennedy had been shot and killed on November 22, 1963. It was a moment that shocked the entire world and is still remembered as a grave day in our nation’s history. Walter Cronkite’s famous quote sent chills across the country as he said: “We just have a report from our correspondent Dan Rather in Dallas that he has confirmed that President Kennedy is dead.” The assassination of Kennedy was mourned deeply by all Americans. It was a day that party politics was set aside and people of all walks of life came together to pay deep respect to the entire Kennedy family. These heavy words spoken by Cronkite sent our country into a new chapter of leadership in an instant.

#11 Bill Clinton Former President of the United States Bill Clinton, had a little problem that wouldn’t go away. The allegations that he had a sexual relationship with White House Intern Monica Lewinsky was dominating the news. On January 26, 1998, President Clinton told the nation emphatically: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” This statement heard the world over led to even more investigation and even more trouble for Clinton. As a result of continued investigation, President Clinton found himself later confirming that he did actually have an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky. He was subsequently impeached by the House of Representatives for lying under oath and even had to forfeit his Arkansas law license. All because of one giant lie heard over and over again on just about every television set in the world.

#12 Mr. Rogers Fred Rogers had his own children’s television program, Mister Rogers Neighborhood for over 30 years. In that time, he always taught children good manners and lessons in being a good friend and having self confidence. Over the years, Fred Rogers had a number of wonderful quotes both on and off of his television show. But one line that he uttered at the end of every show had a significant impact on generations of people: “You make each day a special day. You know how, by just your being you”. These beautiful words instilled self worth and confidence into children at an age where it was most needed. Thank you Mr. Rogers for being there for so many of us over the years. Even today and in your absence, the show continues to be there for many children.

#13 President Josiah Bartlet The television series The West Wing did a great deal to inspire Americans. It provided hope and a renewed patriotism for millions of people. The show took its role to uplift and inspire people very seriously. President Josiah Bartlet, played by actor Martin Sheen provided a large number of inspirational quotes during the run of the show. Perhaps the most inspirational came at a point when people needed to understand that our elected officials do not only represent members of their party, but of everyone. The quote: “I am the President of the United States. Not the President of the people who agree with me” resonated with so many people in our country. While the message doesn’t always seem to stick, this quote has continued to last and is a refresher of how the United States government is supposed to work.

#14 Kennedy’s Moon Speech On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech, aired on television that has famously become known as the ‘moon speech.’ In this speech, he commits the United States to the daunting task of sending a manned mission to the moon. These words shocked the world and resonated deeply, as there were currently no planned missions or training for such an event. His speech included the following: “We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

#15 Martin Luther King Jr. The 1963 March on Washington was a civil rights event in Washington D.C. During the event, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke, delivering the most famous speech of his life. His speech has become known as the “I have a dream” speech. These words were spoken multiple times through the speech and followed with the imagery of what an equal and unified country looks like from a social and racial perspective. This quote has been used to reference the civil rights movement and efforts to improve race relations in the United States for more than 50 years. This speech was in fact televised and watched by millions, along with those in attendance at the March on Washington. But the words live on now as one of the finest speeches in American history.

Source: TheRichest

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New Post has been published on http://superindykings.com/badfinger-so-talented-so-cursed/

Badfinger So Talented, So Cursed

Badfinger, was a very talented 4 piece rock band led by Pete Ham (guitar, piano, vocals),  Tom Evans (bass, vocals), Mike Gibbins (drums), and Joey Molland (guitar, vocals.)  Badfinger was the first band signed by the Beatles new record label, Apple. (Yes the Beatles had that name before Steve Jobs.) When the band was signed by Apple in 1968, they still had their original bassist, Ron Griffiths, (Evans was rhythm guitar and Molland had not yet joined the band) they also had their original name “The Ivey’s”, which would soon be changed to the name we’ve all known them as, Badfinger.  

After signing with Apple, things didn’t exactly hit the ground running.  There were some dubious people in the Apple chain of command that were acting a lot like typical executives at other record companies. John Lennon so famously intimated at the press confrence announcing Apple’s formation, that this company would be different. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t the case.  Badfinger was getting no input from any executives, nor any direction from the Beatles themselves.  Badfinger was recording songs on Apple’s dime and working with great people like Mal Evans (who was responsible for getting them signed to Apple), Geoff Emerick, Tony Visconti, Todd Rundgren (who they apparently hated working with, and Todd hated them even more), and the great, Chris Thomas.  The only problem was that nothing was being released.  The band would record a song and submit it to Apple.  In turn,  Apple would summarily reject it, with very little explanation as to why.  Badfinger felt somewhat abandoned and said so in a magazine interview, it was actually Griffiths who made the comments.  Paul McCartney saw the interview of discontent and offered to get them involved with his project for the film, “The Magic Christian”.  McCartney was commissioned to produce three songs for the film.   He had finished writing “Come and Get It” and offered it to Badfinger to record.  McCartney also used two of the then, “Ivey’s” original songs to complete his obligation to the film.  The film was released in the theaters and  “Come and Get It” was a big hit for Badfinger and put them on the map.  Even though Apple had the release of the movies soundtrack in their back pocket, from the production company Commonwealth United Corporation, it somehow got screwed up.  Some contractual snafu with using Thunderclap Newman’s “Something In the Air” in the film, nullified Apple’s ability to release the soundtrack through their label.  With the success of “Come and Get It” so present and without the ability to release the actual soundtrack from the film, Apple released a Badfinger record titled, “Magic Christian Music”.  The record consisted of the three songs from the film and various other Badfinger songs that had previously been rejected for released by Apple.  McCartney had produced the three songs from the film “Come and Get It”, “Rock of Ages”, and “Carry On Til’ Tomorrow”.  All good songs, but it was the Ham/Evans tune “Crimson Ship” that gave a glimpse of what lay ahead for the band.  Cool little tune, a nice hook and a great sound with Ham on piano and electric guitar with Ham/Evans harmonizing nicely on the entire song.  Just before the release of the record, the band fired Griffiths and replaced him with Joey Molland and their name was changed from The Ivey’s to Badfinger.

Though Molland contributed some decent material throughout Badfinger’s run, I believe his real influence on the band was in his guitar playing.  Ham was a really good guitarist in his own right, but Molland had a smoothness in his playing and a knack for more catchy melodic riffs like in “Baby Blue” and “It’s Over”.  Evans, probably the second best songwriter in the band, contributed some nice songs such as “Money” and “It’s Over” (great song and great guitar riff by Molland).  As talented as they were, Pete Ham was the primary songwriter, with such hits as “Baby Blue”,  “Day After Day”,  “No Matter What”,  “We’re For The Dark”,  “Lonely You”  and of course the legendary “Without You” (Evans was credited with co-writing “Without You”.)   Though “Without You” was not a hit for Badfinger, it was a huge hit for Harry Nilsson, #1 on the charts in the U.S.  Years later, Mariah Carey also covered “Without You” and it went to #1 in the UK.  

Next, was their release of the album “No Dice” which yielded three Pete Ham songs.  “No Matter What”, was the big hit from this record.  “Without you”, soon became a huge hit for Nilsson, and “We’re For The Dark” an often overlooked song, but is one of their best.  “We’re For The Dark” is a really nice song with a great orchestral arrangement by  Harry Robinson, (Robinson also did the arrangement for the track “Name Of The Game”  from the “Straight Up” release.)  “We’re for the Dark” was a song that really showed just how good of a songwriter Ham really was, and what could have been going forward.  Evans “Believe Me” was also a good song from this record, but their records were only going to be as good as the Pete Hams songs…he was the hit-maker for the band.

It was the release of the album “Straight Up” that really made them legit in their own right, although they never really did get their proper due at the time…that has happened posthumously.  George Harrison started working with the band and was producing the record.  The “Straight Up” album really showcased their full musical range.  Starting with Ham’s soulful “Take It All” (Love this song), great Hammond organ part by Ham, followed by his rock anthem “Baby Blue” which thankfully found new life in the hit TV series “Breaking Bad.”  For me, those first two songs really embody what Badfinger was all about as a band.  A great Ham song, great Molland riffs, with Ham and Evans beautifully harmonizing vocals…classic!  “Baby Blue” is one of those epic tracks, it is a great song and a great performance.  Gibbons drumming is on full display, it starts with the half time opening and then goes to straight time on the first chorus.  He goes back to the snare just on beat 4 on the bridge but ever so slightly lays back a few times where it is perfect to do so, then slightly pushes the tempo going out…very musical, very nice.  Mollands guitar work is great.  The sound he has is perfect for the way he’s playing the chords, just the right amount of crunch and decay.  It’s one of those tracks where everything went right.  Evans and Molland’s, “Money” and “Flying” are solid contributions.  “Name of the Game” is a really nice Ham song that really shows his range, which is embellished nicely with a great orchestral arrangement by Harry Robinson.  Another great Pete Ham song, “Day After Day”, has been a huge song for the band that has stood the test of time.  This track really shows Harrison’s influence on the band, he played a patented George Harrison solo on the track and has his voice mixed in a bit here and there.  The almost omni-present (it seemed like he was everywhere back then) Leon Russell plays piano on the track.  The Band really loved working with Harrison in the studio, but he just did not have the time to work with them enough.  Harrison had other obligations and had to hand the project off to Todd Rundgren to finish.  Workiing with Rundgren was not an enjoyable process for the band.  Rundgren did not like them, and apparently had no problem letting them know.  It seems Rundgren did not think they were very good musicians…what an idiot.  They were great musicians, Todd Rundgren was an just ego maniac, but he did make decent records.  Having said that, the track “Perfection”, the acoustic guitars are so out of tune I can’t listen to it, which is a shame because it’s a nice song.  As great of a track as “Baby Blue” is, and it is a great track, it is a shame the drums were not tuned little better, you can really here that doingy sound on the toms coming out of the guitar solo.  What’s up with that Todd?  “It’s Over”, I think was Evans best song and a really nice finish to their best over-all record.  Nothing seemed to happen in a normal way with this band, so of course I have to point out a few things with this record.  For “Name of the Game”, you want to listen to the Geoff Emerick version which was recorded earlier and rejected by Apple for release, it is listed as “Name of the Game-the earlier version 2010 Remaster”.  Why Harrison thought there was a need to re-record this song is beyond me.  Harrison’s version, which was on the original release of the record, is almost laughable compared to the Emerick version with the Robison orchestration.  For “Baby Blue” you want to listen to the “Baby Blue 2010 Remaster” version, NOT the “Baby Blue U.S. single mix 2010 Remaster” version.

After “Straight Up” they had three very average releases.  “Ass” was the peculiar name of their next release.  It was a peculiar record all the way around, and not a very good follow-up to such a great record as “Straight Up.”  “Ass” yielded none of the big-hook hits that people were getting accustomed to with Badfinger.  Molland actually contributed most of the songs for the record, with Ham only contributing two average songs to the entire record.  Molland’s “When I Say” was the only real standout, though I also liked Hams “Timeless”.  It was probably Ham’s guitar playing on Molland’s song “Constitution” that was his real thumb print on the record.

Their next release was the self titled “Badfinger”, what a strange time for a self titled record.  This was another sub-par record compared to the standard they had previously set.  Molland’s song “Island�� is nice and Ham’s “Matted Spam” is interesting, (it should’ve been used in the Blues Brothers movie).  Ham’s “Lonely You” is the lone standout on this record, and I love this song, it is a great song.

The album “Wish You Were Here” again was a record devoid of a real standout song.  Ham had a couple of decent songs, “Dennis” and “Meanwhile Back At the Ranch.”  Molland had two good songs “Got To Get Out Of Here”, though I wasn’t crazy about the recording and “Love Time” and that was about it for this record.  Unfortunately this was the last record the band, in it’s full compliment, would make together.

Let’s be clear about a few things, Apple was a disaster as a record label and a business.  The only thing that has kept it afloat at all these years was the music catalogue it had amassed along the way, the recording side of the company was over after just a few years.  I think the Beatles thought they could just hire people to run it and everything would be fine.  The Beatles started Apple Records with very lofty and altruistic ideals for artists, yet The Beatles themselves did very little to nurture this.  Not to mention, they did nothing to protect Badfinger or anyone else they signed, from the very scenario they wanted their haven to eliminate.  Why didn’t Apple have management and business services in place to take care of their artists?  You would think it would have been a top priority for the company, given the Beatles own experience of having their publishing rights swindled from them for their earlier songs.  I’m not saying that Badfinger should not have signed with Apple, I mean it was the Beatles at the apex of their fame, who wouldn’t have signed with them at that time?  Would an established label have yielded better results for them?  It may not have made any difference.  It is just a shame that The Beatles did not deliver the artistic utopia they bragged about.  Having said that, signing with Stan Polley as their business manager was by far the worst mistake Badfinger ever made.  Why their manager, Bill Collins, felt the need for Polly’s services is beyond me.  Collins is the one that really failed them.  Had someone reputable managed them, their fate may have been very different.  Polley was a parasite-scumbag, who pilfered the bands funds and absconded with them.  These poor guys were living like college students.  They all lived in a communal house with a modest allowance and never did get their hands on the money their music had generated.  With Apple in disarray and virtually bankrupt, Polly had signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records for Badfinger.  Without getting into the weeds too much, (and there’s a lot of weeds with this bands story) basically, Warner had set up an escrow account for the band, which Warner had deposited 200k into (that is the equivalent of about one million dollars today), and Polly immediately cleaned out the account and went into hiding.  Upon learning of this action, Warner dropped Badfinger from their label and started a lengthy legal battle against Polley.  After Ham realized the band was penniless, and without a record contract, he sadly made the choice of committing suicide.  An ironic point, is that the Band could not even book any gigs on their own because of the contracts they had signed with scumbag, Polley.  (Again Collins had really let them down, I mean good grief, hire a barrister and get an injunction against Polley.)  Another point to be clear about, is that suicide is never the answer to any problem.  Their was talk about Ham’s growing erratic behavior at the time of his suicide, but there is no way to know if he was suffering from a chemical imbalance or not.  Ham and Evans were drinking at a bar that night, commiserating about their circumstances.  After their bender at the local Pub, Evans dropped Ham off at his house, and Ham went out to his garage-studio and hung himself.  Obviously, suicide is not a rational decision in any situation.  Was he just hyper emotional and the mix of alcohol blurred that line of reality?  Or was he really having mental health issues?  It is impossible to say.  What is clear, is that a very talented songwriter and musician died far too early, he was just 27 years old.  

After Hams death, Gibbins became a session drummer in Wales playing on such things as Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s Heartache”.  Mike Gibbins was a great drummer.  I always liked his drumming a lot.  Not flashy, just very tasty.  The remaining band members pulled themselves together and made a go-of-it a couple of different times.  They even had Gibbons back in the line-up once or twice, but without their talented leader, Pete Ham, it was never the same and not very successful.   Eight years after Hams suicide, Evans committed suicide as well and Badfinger was over.  Evans left a note that he was joining his good friend Pete Ham.  In 2005, Gibbins died from a brain aneurysm.

Molland, the lone survivor, has kept an iteration of the band going through the years, but as the only original member left and it was a mere shell of what they had previously been. Who knows what songs Pete Ham had left in him?  It is a such a shame we will never know.  The good news is, we will always have the recordings of Badfinger to remind us what they were, and what they maybe could have been