Peter Alexander
@laughandaguise.bsky.social
Falkirk fellah into jazz, cinema, theatre and bowls - lawn, not ceramic. Scotland the brave, not Scotland behave! 🏴
Humorous, moving, thought-provoking and authentic. Can't ask for much more in a film. And "I Swear" provides all four. Excellent cast and performances, too. Particularly Shirley Henderson. A hit. Go see.
October 13, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Humorous, moving, thought-provoking and authentic. Can't ask for much more in a film. And "I Swear" provides all four. Excellent cast and performances, too. Particularly Shirley Henderson. A hit. Go see.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra's Big Band Jazz In The Afternoon gig at the Tollbooth in Stirling directed by Sean Gibbs whose Robert Burns-inspired tunes were excellent. Next up for the band: Eastgate Theatre in Peebles followed by St Brides Centre in Edinburgh.
October 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed the Scottish National Youth Jazz Orchestra's Big Band Jazz In The Afternoon gig at the Tollbooth in Stirling directed by Sean Gibbs whose Robert Burns-inspired tunes were excellent. Next up for the band: Eastgate Theatre in Peebles followed by St Brides Centre in Edinburgh.
The wall of anger masquerading as peaceful protest which last night in Falkirk stood & stared & sniggered outside a hotel housing asylum seekers fleeing threats of death, torture & persecution was chilling. Empathy, compassion & reason sadly lacking. Aw Jock Tamson's bairns?
September 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The wall of anger masquerading as peaceful protest which last night in Falkirk stood & stared & sniggered outside a hotel housing asylum seekers fleeing threats of death, torture & persecution was chilling. Empathy, compassion & reason sadly lacking. Aw Jock Tamson's bairns?
Excellent article in today's Herald about Geoff Bailey's updated book Falkirk or Paradise: The Battle of Falkirk Muir which is due to be launched at Falkirk Library.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2530915...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2530915...
Why did nobody remember this bloody Scottish battle for three centuries?
It had everything: drama, bloodshed, political infighting, a blind drummer who somehow escaped capture, and three thousand spectators jostling for a…
www.heraldscotland.com
July 19, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Excellent article in today's Herald about Geoff Bailey's updated book Falkirk or Paradise: The Battle of Falkirk Muir which is due to be launched at Falkirk Library.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2530915...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2530915...
"I loved and supported Aaron as my son," said De Niro of his trans child, "and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don't know what the big deal is. I love all my children."
At last, a positive story about trans people and their loved ones.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
At last, a positive story about trans people and their loved ones.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Robert De Niro shows
www.bbc.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 5:08 AM
"I loved and supported Aaron as my son," said De Niro of his trans child, "and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don't know what the big deal is. I love all my children."
At last, a positive story about trans people and their loved ones.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
At last, a positive story about trans people and their loved ones.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Thoroughly recommend @lauracarreira.bsky.social's debut feature On Falling which quietly and devastatingly explores the soul-destroying nature of the gig economy and the rise of social disconnection in modern society.
April 26, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Thoroughly recommend @lauracarreira.bsky.social's debut feature On Falling which quietly and devastatingly explores the soul-destroying nature of the gig economy and the rise of social disconnection in modern society.
Despite dominating possession and playing the better football, only one win in five for Falkirk, conceding late goals in four of them. Controversial decisions aside (offsides, red cards, hand balls), they should be home and dry by now. Surely they won't blow it against Hamilton!
April 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Despite dominating possession and playing the better football, only one win in five for Falkirk, conceding late goals in four of them. Controversial decisions aside (offsides, red cards, hand balls), they should be home and dry by now. Surely they won't blow it against Hamilton!
While I appreciate that the Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of a woman in the Equalities Act 2010 will bring great comfort, relief and joy to many. Trans people, one of the most vulnerable, vilified and victimised groups in society, have never felt so scared. Empathy required.
April 18, 2025 at 2:47 PM
While I appreciate that the Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of a woman in the Equalities Act 2010 will bring great comfort, relief and joy to many. Trans people, one of the most vulnerable, vilified and victimised groups in society, have never felt so scared. Empathy required.
Slow down, appreciate and connect.
And when a storm brews, prepare for the worst but hope for the best; accept and adapt.
What's not to like about the Oscar-winning charmer Flow.
And when a storm brews, prepare for the worst but hope for the best; accept and adapt.
What's not to like about the Oscar-winning charmer Flow.
April 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Slow down, appreciate and connect.
And when a storm brews, prepare for the worst but hope for the best; accept and adapt.
What's not to like about the Oscar-winning charmer Flow.
And when a storm brews, prepare for the worst but hope for the best; accept and adapt.
What's not to like about the Oscar-winning charmer Flow.
Three episodes into Adolescence and it truly is one of the most original, riveting, disturbing and memorable dramas in recent years. Exceptional on so many levels.
March 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Three episodes into Adolescence and it truly is one of the most original, riveting, disturbing and memorable dramas in recent years. Exceptional on so many levels.
Today's cobwebs-clearing excursion: a leisurely stroll around Linlithgow Loch followed by a cultural keek into the Palace and the adjacent St. Michael's which much like the town's motto is indeed kind to strangers. But beware of the beak-snapping swans. What a neck!
March 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Today's cobwebs-clearing excursion: a leisurely stroll around Linlithgow Loch followed by a cultural keek into the Palace and the adjacent St. Michael's which much like the town's motto is indeed kind to strangers. But beware of the beak-snapping swans. What a neck!
Today's blues-bursting cycling odyssey: Sustrans route 76 from the Kelpies over the Kincardine Bridge along the Fife coastal path returning over the Forth Road Bridge and the south side of the estuary via Blackness Castle. Fair puggled and only one puncture. Thankfully not a lung!
March 17, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Today's blues-bursting cycling odyssey: Sustrans route 76 from the Kelpies over the Kincardine Bridge along the Fife coastal path returning over the Forth Road Bridge and the south side of the estuary via Blackness Castle. Fair puggled and only one puncture. Thankfully not a lung!
Rangers had to be on their A game to beat Celtic, but their first half performance was A+. Fast start, high press. Thoroughly deserving of their half time lead. They weren't as good in the second half which allowed a once again below par Celtic to claw it back only to be pipped.
March 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Rangers had to be on their A game to beat Celtic, but their first half performance was A+. Fast start, high press. Thoroughly deserving of their half time lead. They weren't as good in the second half which allowed a once again below par Celtic to claw it back only to be pipped.
Thoroughly enjoyed the true life survival thriller Last Breath. Gripping with a dry sense of humour and an emotional punch.
March 14, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed the true life survival thriller Last Breath. Gripping with a dry sense of humour and an emotional punch.
When "breasts, rhinestones and joy" fall out of favour, a showgirl without a show faces some tough choices in The Last Showgirl. Pamela Anderson is perfectly cast and her sweet, vulnerable and childlike performance is endearing. As is Jamie Lee Curtis's as a washed-up waitress.
March 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
When "breasts, rhinestones and joy" fall out of favour, a showgirl without a show faces some tough choices in The Last Showgirl. Pamela Anderson is perfectly cast and her sweet, vulnerable and childlike performance is endearing. As is Jamie Lee Curtis's as a washed-up waitress.
Fernanda Torres delivers an exceptionally nuanced performance in the slow-burning Oscar-winner I'm Still Here, but after a gripping ratcheting up of tension, the flashforward finale is less compelling.
March 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Fernanda Torres delivers an exceptionally nuanced performance in the slow-burning Oscar-winner I'm Still Here, but after a gripping ratcheting up of tension, the flashforward finale is less compelling.
My enjoyment of the latest Bridget Jones film would've been heightened if the ditzy breeziness had been curtailed, for it only really gets going in the final quarter when the focus shifts to the film's crux: living with grief and falling in love. On a side note, I thought the child actors were fab.
March 3, 2025 at 6:22 PM
My enjoyment of the latest Bridget Jones film would've been heightened if the ditzy breeziness had been curtailed, for it only really gets going in the final quarter when the focus shifts to the film's crux: living with grief and falling in love. On a side note, I thought the child actors were fab.
Reposted by Peter Alexander
Bargain alert!!!
February 22, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Bargain alert!!!
Sobering reality check for Celtic. Unsurprisingly outclassed by Bayern. Spent most of the 1st half on the back foot, reacting rather than creating. Much better in the 2nd. But losing goals at either side of the break was fatal. Fought back well to keep the tie alive, but an away win is a hard ask.
February 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Sobering reality check for Celtic. Unsurprisingly outclassed by Bayern. Spent most of the 1st half on the back foot, reacting rather than creating. Much better in the 2nd. But losing goals at either side of the break was fatal. Fought back well to keep the tie alive, but an away win is a hard ask.
Hard Truths is a hard watch because the main character is so hard to like. As a character study, though, it's fascinating.
February 6, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Hard Truths is a hard watch because the main character is so hard to like. As a character study, though, it's fascinating.
For a film about groundbreaking comedy, Saturday Night is - despite its snappy pace, anarchic energy and spirited performances - surprisingly humourless.
February 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
For a film about groundbreaking comedy, Saturday Night is - despite its snappy pace, anarchic energy and spirited performances - surprisingly humourless.
Bob Dylan comes out of A Complete Unknown like a complete and utter cunt. Albeit an extraordinarily talented, unique and enigmatic one. Excellent film, terrific cast and great performances, particularly by Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton.
January 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Bob Dylan comes out of A Complete Unknown like a complete and utter cunt. Albeit an extraordinarily talented, unique and enigmatic one. Excellent film, terrific cast and great performances, particularly by Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton.
While the artistic and technical ingenuity of Presence is impressive - a series of lengthy continuous shots from the POV of the boogie man - it's lacking in the thrills and chills department.
January 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
While the artistic and technical ingenuity of Presence is impressive - a series of lengthy continuous shots from the POV of the boogie man - it's lacking in the thrills and chills department.
I've not seen all of the films shortlisted for the Oscars, but The Brutalist is well worthy of its multiple nominations, particularly actor, director, score and cinematography. The three and a half hours was not an issue at all, as the film was beautifully crafted and totally engrossing.
January 27, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I've not seen all of the films shortlisted for the Oscars, but The Brutalist is well worthy of its multiple nominations, particularly actor, director, score and cinematography. The three and a half hours was not an issue at all, as the film was beautifully crafted and totally engrossing.
It takes a while for the heat of battle to rise, but William Tell is nonetheless a solid swashbuckler. To be continued...
January 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
It takes a while for the heat of battle to rise, but William Tell is nonetheless a solid swashbuckler. To be continued...