John
@epouvantail.bsky.social
Baseball, football, cricket, hoops, music, films and books. #cufc #redsox #baskonia #mcrbball
batflipsandnerds.com
batflipsandnerds.com
Reposted by John
The thing about Casablanca being the greatest film of all time is people don't believe you and then they watch it
You ever stop and think about CASABLANCA? You ever stop and think about "Welcome back to the fight, this time, I know our side will win?" You ever think about a bar full of people defiantly singing La Marseillaise, played by a soundstage full of Jewish refugees? You ever think about CASABLANCA??????
February 15, 2026 at 12:26 PM
The thing about Casablanca being the greatest film of all time is people don't believe you and then they watch it
Me watching all disciplines of snowboarding, a pastime I have never tried 👇
Tuning into Olympics coverage takes me from “who is Hashimoto?” to, three minutes later: “wow, this really isn’t like Hashimoto.”
February 8, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Me watching all disciplines of snowboarding, a pastime I have never tried 👇
Reposted by John
*looking at the Mona Lisa* there is no way a turtle painted this
February 3, 2026 at 4:29 AM
*looking at the Mona Lisa* there is no way a turtle painted this
Is it a Rangers match if you don’t see the phrase ‘Tavernier (Pen)’ on the scoresheet?
🏴📈 Rangers move up to second in the SPFL and cut Hearts’ lead to three points.
With the leaders losing and Celtic’s game postponed, the Gers have taken full advantage.
With the leaders losing and Celtic’s game postponed, the Gers have taken full advantage.
February 4, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Is it a Rangers match if you don’t see the phrase ‘Tavernier (Pen)’ on the scoresheet?
Done my best to scroll past the dreadful looking Aronofsky AI slop.
Will say this - it still looks better than Mother! IMO
That film was absolutely crap.
Will say this - it still looks better than Mother! IMO
That film was absolutely crap.
January 29, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Done my best to scroll past the dreadful looking Aronofsky AI slop.
Will say this - it still looks better than Mother! IMO
That film was absolutely crap.
Will say this - it still looks better than Mother! IMO
That film was absolutely crap.
‘Have you ever seen anything like this?’
Still incredible that, as a Carlisle fan, I get to say - ‘yep, I have mate’.
Still incredible that, as a Carlisle fan, I get to say - ‘yep, I have mate’.
The CBS studio reacting in real time to Benfica's stoppage time goal
January 28, 2026 at 10:34 PM
‘Have you ever seen anything like this?’
Still incredible that, as a Carlisle fan, I get to say - ‘yep, I have mate’.
Still incredible that, as a Carlisle fan, I get to say - ‘yep, I have mate’.
Reposted by John
Djimí Gláss
January 28, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Djimí Gláss
Reposted by John
Grindcore is taken guys
January 28, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Grindcore is taken guys
Got SSN on at my in-laws. Breathless reporting that ‘a Saudi club’ would like to sign Dembele.
Aye, no shit. I bet they do.
I want Carlisle to sign Bukayo Saka.
Absolutely laughable nonsense.
Aye, no shit. I bet they do.
I want Carlisle to sign Bukayo Saka.
Absolutely laughable nonsense.
January 27, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Got SSN on at my in-laws. Breathless reporting that ‘a Saudi club’ would like to sign Dembele.
Aye, no shit. I bet they do.
I want Carlisle to sign Bukayo Saka.
Absolutely laughable nonsense.
Aye, no shit. I bet they do.
I want Carlisle to sign Bukayo Saka.
Absolutely laughable nonsense.
January 23, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Roxy a genuine worst of all time player. In the same breath as S2 Ross.
Two days in a row she’s gone in hard on someone who’s annoyed her at breakfast whilst claiming she’s always thought they were off. Dismal #TheTraitors
Two days in a row she’s gone in hard on someone who’s annoyed her at breakfast whilst claiming she’s always thought they were off. Dismal #TheTraitors
absolutely ADORE the fact that Harriet essentially banishing herself has already been forgotten about and hasn't changed the gameplay at ALL #TheTraitors
January 15, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Roxy a genuine worst of all time player. In the same breath as S2 Ross.
Two days in a row she’s gone in hard on someone who’s annoyed her at breakfast whilst claiming she’s always thought they were off. Dismal #TheTraitors
Two days in a row she’s gone in hard on someone who’s annoyed her at breakfast whilst claiming she’s always thought they were off. Dismal #TheTraitors
Spot on. Casting this season has been excellent. Format wrinkles have been fun, but - much like a good Traitor - that true success is hiding in plain sight.
Series 3 was good because the format is good, but there was a lot of self centred wallies who had forgotten it was a game.
#TheTraitors
Series 3 was good because the format is good, but there was a lot of self centred wallies who had forgotten it was a game.
#TheTraitors
This series of #TheTraitors has been a joy because we’ve enjoyed watching smart people staying quiet, smart people sneaking, and smart people imploding like nuclear reactors — it’s really fun watching so many tactical approaches, all of which have their flaws
January 14, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Spot on. Casting this season has been excellent. Format wrinkles have been fun, but - much like a good Traitor - that true success is hiding in plain sight.
Series 3 was good because the format is good, but there was a lot of self centred wallies who had forgotten it was a game.
#TheTraitors
Series 3 was good because the format is good, but there was a lot of self centred wallies who had forgotten it was a game.
#TheTraitors
Here’s a note from back in 2025 when this take was current:
The Geese album is properly, properly good.
Also great that something this uncompromisingly weird has got both critical and mainstream plaudits.
The Geese album is properly, properly good.
Also great that something this uncompromisingly weird has got both critical and mainstream plaudits.
January 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Here’s a note from back in 2025 when this take was current:
The Geese album is properly, properly good.
Also great that something this uncompromisingly weird has got both critical and mainstream plaudits.
The Geese album is properly, properly good.
Also great that something this uncompromisingly weird has got both critical and mainstream plaudits.
The 👑
Happy birthday, Mark Hollis. I'm a day late but I've got all these records lined up for tonight 🕊️
January 5, 2026 at 10:24 PM
The 👑
No Richard Thompson on any of these lists.
All great players, but he is absolutely near the top of my pantheon.
All great players, but he is absolutely near the top of my pantheon.
No Memphis Minnie, Prince, Rosetta Tharpe, Mississippi John Hurt, or even Neil Young? No credibility
January 4, 2026 at 10:47 PM
No Richard Thompson on any of these lists.
All great players, but he is absolutely near the top of my pantheon.
All great players, but he is absolutely near the top of my pantheon.
Reposted by John
The final Calvin and Hobbes, which appeared in papers 30 years ago today.
December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The final Calvin and Hobbes, which appeared in papers 30 years ago today.
Reposted by John
A perfect 90's LP? Here ya go:
December 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
A perfect 90's LP? Here ya go:
Honestly think sending in Carse as a ‘pinch hitter’ is the worst thing England have done all series, despite the win.
Just taking the piss out of everyone - ‘we know best’.
Unlikeable morons, entirely lacking humility #TheAshes
Just taking the piss out of everyone - ‘we know best’.
Unlikeable morons, entirely lacking humility #TheAshes
December 27, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Honestly think sending in Carse as a ‘pinch hitter’ is the worst thing England have done all series, despite the win.
Just taking the piss out of everyone - ‘we know best’.
Unlikeable morons, entirely lacking humility #TheAshes
Just taking the piss out of everyone - ‘we know best’.
Unlikeable morons, entirely lacking humility #TheAshes
Reposted by John
5 reasons why The Shining is a Christmas movie;
1. Snow
2. Red rum
3. Hyperactive kids
4. Big snuggly jumpers
5. Huge family row ending with someone putting an axe through the door
1. Snow
2. Red rum
3. Hyperactive kids
4. Big snuggly jumpers
5. Huge family row ending with someone putting an axe through the door
November 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
5 reasons why The Shining is a Christmas movie;
1. Snow
2. Red rum
3. Hyperactive kids
4. Big snuggly jumpers
5. Huge family row ending with someone putting an axe through the door
1. Snow
2. Red rum
3. Hyperactive kids
4. Big snuggly jumpers
5. Huge family row ending with someone putting an axe through the door
Reposted by John
I've been meaning to write about the glorious/disastrous Futbology app since 2019, when I found myself at a Danish second division game for no real reason, other than the app told me there was a match close to where I was. So here it is!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
The story of Futbology – the app that allows football fans to tick off stadiums
Be warned: if this convinces you to get involved, the Futbology mindset is not just for Christmas, it’s for life
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I've been meaning to write about the glorious/disastrous Futbology app since 2019, when I found myself at a Danish second division game for no real reason, other than the app told me there was a match close to where I was. So here it is!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
The most obvious example of this for me is that people no longer say ‘excuse me’ - literally wide eyed when I hear it.
Instead people sprint up behind you and huff or try to cut past you without warning in a shop then grizzle when you nudge them due to lack of warning.
Just be polite ffs!
Instead people sprint up behind you and huff or try to cut past you without warning in a shop then grizzle when you nudge them due to lack of warning.
Just be polite ffs!
I sort of think that the Covid times for many people utterly killed any sense that we all live in this world collectively and that you are actually obligated to be mindful of other people, and I think it’s a problem that goes well beyond just the Covid denialists.
Few things make me as angry as 'National Slowdown Day' People are out there driving like absolute pricks, it is getting so much worse, and the best we have come up with is 'please stop'
As if a person with that level of selfishness is going to hear about 'Slowdown' day and think it applies to them
As if a person with that level of selfishness is going to hear about 'Slowdown' day and think it applies to them
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The most obvious example of this for me is that people no longer say ‘excuse me’ - literally wide eyed when I hear it.
Instead people sprint up behind you and huff or try to cut past you without warning in a shop then grizzle when you nudge them due to lack of warning.
Just be polite ffs!
Instead people sprint up behind you and huff or try to cut past you without warning in a shop then grizzle when you nudge them due to lack of warning.
Just be polite ffs!
Craig is spot on.
It’s a good song. McCartney knows exactly what he is doing!
‘Happy Christmas’ - as with all Lennon solo work - is absolute guff, though.
It’s a good song. McCartney knows exactly what he is doing!
‘Happy Christmas’ - as with all Lennon solo work - is absolute guff, though.
My most toxic holiday trait is that I like "Wonderful Christmastime." Both the original and The Shins' version.
December 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Craig is spot on.
It’s a good song. McCartney knows exactly what he is doing!
‘Happy Christmas’ - as with all Lennon solo work - is absolute guff, though.
It’s a good song. McCartney knows exactly what he is doing!
‘Happy Christmas’ - as with all Lennon solo work - is absolute guff, though.
Reposted by John
It’s a really dated opinion to write off Spielberg, without question one of the best to ever do it, as a hack. If you put a Top Ten list of his work you’d leave 5 bangers off of it
always funny to me when Spielberg talk gets going again, and those people come out of the woodwork to be like, "wah wah, he's not much of an artist and he is too commercial and he's directly responsible for the downfall of mainstream American art cinema"
boooooooooooooooooooooooring
boooooooooooooooooooooooring
December 16, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It’s a really dated opinion to write off Spielberg, without question one of the best to ever do it, as a hack. If you put a Top Ten list of his work you’d leave 5 bangers off of it
Reposted by John
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.