Christian Ainley my day to day

  It’s the first of the month and that means a new Apple challenge. This month it’s a simple one  Burn at least 1106 calories a day for 14 days. 

  With two nominations, one for supporting actor Kieran Culkin and best director Jesse Eisenberg I’ll be looking at A Real Pain.  Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg the is an odd couple comedy. Two cousins head out to visit their ancestral homeland in honour of their late grandmother. Of course their personality types are completely different one a reserved thoughtful type and the other louder more aggressive.  It’s Jeese Eisenberg’s second project in which he’s take directorial lead and it’s ok. When you compare it to the films in this category it’s probably an outsider at best. The movies best hope of an Oscar is with Culkin as he delivers a great performance as the reserved and thoughtful Benji.  Culkin’s performance is good and does propel the film along and as the viewer you do empathise with him and find David his juxtaposition irritating at times.  There are better road trip movies for sure, if you’re a fan of Jesse Eisenberg then you’ll enjoy this f...

  When I was young we only had the four channels and for BBC One’s autumn Saturday evening Drama it was Bergerac when looking back with nostalgia the scripts were basic and a bit repetitive but you never noticed then and sometimes the acting was a bit, in need of work but as it followed Allo Allo I don’t think we noticed. It was so popular at the time that when the BBC tried to cancel it there was out cry and it came back for another series.  As bad as it was I have a soft spot for the original, I even have the box set on DVD and I put it on every now and again not for it’s quality but because it transports me back to the mid to late eighties and being a child sitting on the carpet watching John Nettles running around Jersey destroying his relationships and getting the bad guys.  Now there’s a reboot on U Drama and it’s been bought up to date, a big contrast from the original. Damien Molony takes over as Jim Bergerac and he’s good it’s difficult to take on a roll that was...

  In order to try and reclaim some fitness and pay off some of yesterday’s calories it’s back to the gym today.  Started off on the rowing machine and got a record 3912 meters it sounds better than 3.9 km doesn’t it !  Then it was onto a back work out starting with deadlift only adding 20kg to start and then 30kg nice slow lifts.  Reverse flys next starting out at 50kg and working up to 72.5kg it was good and a struggle towards the end.  Wide lat pull downs starting at 50kg and going up to 70kg. Rowing weight machine next 53kg start and going up to 72kg I did peak to soon and had to drop it down for the last set.  Rear delt rope pull starting with 17kg and going up to 28kg nice and slow and concentrating on form.  Narrow lat pull downs to finish starting at 50kg and going up to 65kg a real struggle towards the end.  I came home and chilled.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  I was to young for Dylan, I did buy a CD of his greatest hits when I was in my 20’s it wasn’t for me. I know he’s a genius and one of the most influential people of the twentieth century but I was listening to Dylan in the 2000’s and it was lost.  I’m continuing with my Oscar themed blogs and tonight’s movie is A Complete Unknown or Bob Dylan’s bio pic. Maybe it’s my age now but the music used in the film obviously Dylan, has grown on me. When presented with a context it fits in and you’ll get the feeling of the time, the Cuban missile crisis and panic in New York and the big city’s as Dylan is pushing for stardom in the folk clubs around the city.  A great movie with a deserving subject and it deserves all of its nominations. The soft warm light it’s filmed in really gives us a feeling of it’s time, a film look as opposed to a clean 4K image. It’s worth a watch I don’t think it’s going to win a major award as there is tough competition. It might get a nod in another ca...

  The medical drama series has been done lots of times let’s see, Greys Anatomy, New Amsterdam, ER the list goes on and on. If you’re of a certain age you might remember when ER first aired and the fake fly on the wall approach was pioneered. The shaky hand held camera work that made it feel as if you were part of the scene.  Berlin ER is trying to bring you that formula it’s unique selling point, well it’s set in Berlin and it’s in German if you have Apple TV you can select English on the sun menu though. The first episode gives you the impression that it’s going to be a normal run of the mill medical drama equivalent to a mediocre ER episode until bam the punch comes, I’ll give it a few episodes and see how it goes !  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

Today is the last Thursday before lent and it’s celebrated in Poland with very large donuts. We’ve got half a dozen to celebrate today with and I’m sure if you go to your nearest polish deli there will be lots available. Enjoy your donuts and have a happy Lent !  Polish donuts 

Another Vietnam war book to review and a little bit later in the conflict this one as it starts in early 1969  with an introduction explaining how he arrived as a lieutenant in the conflict zone.  Concentrating on the supply convoys and detailing their activities and what it was like to be in one and in command of a convoy it’s a different aspect to the Vietnam war that hasn’t has had much published about it. From the point of soldiers who were sent out on patrol those on supply runs were having an easy time of it. The books explores the dangers that were faced and how it felt to be on the front lines after the war and swung against the United States post Tet offensive.  Frank McAdams went back to University after the war and this book is based on his work towards his degree. Coming home from an unpopular war and being able to write about it at University after such a short time is a testament to the author. The work is completely open and celebrates his mistakes as well ...

Coralie Fargeat’s last film Revenge was a feminist master piece forget the IMDb star rating it’s absolutely top draw so her follow up film had big boots to fill !  Before I get into this film which is about aesthetics I should point out that I am old and overweight and Demi Moore who is nearly 20 years older than me looks brilliant and much better than me on her bad day !    A surrealist look at Hollywood and the way it treats or hopefully used to treat its female stars. Dennis Quaid as the over the top producer Harvey really grabs you out of the blocks and lays the foundation for what’s coming, Demi Moore plays Elisabeth an aging former Oscar winner who now has a keep fit segment on national tv, Harvey the producer wants a younger fitter replacement and fires her on her birthday. On the way home from the studio she notices her billboard being replaced and ends up in a car crash. While being treated she’s handed a USB drive that advertises ‘The substance’ you take it and ...

  I’m a bit more aware of my myself today, I haven’t lost anything at least so I headed to the gym. It was cross trainer intervals to start on 15 it felt really good and I remembered to pick up my phone and zip it in my pocket !  As it was shoulders I started of with the press machine only 20kg to start but building up to 35kg and really struggling though.  Lateral raise machine next and again starting on 20 and working up to 32kg it was ok and I got a good 10 reps at the end.  Military press next I used a weighted bag 20kg because the bar was in use and the bag was a lot more dynamic and felt different I might try and maintain using it. Then on to a 30kg bar to finish off. Upright rows next and again with the 20kg bag to kick off and moving on to the bar 30kg it was a bit of a grind.  Some front plate raises to finish the shoulders set 10kgs to start then 15kg and finishing on 20kgs  I had a bit of time so I did some abs only light at 57kg I called it a da...

  A short train ride from the centre of Berlin there is the Deutsches Technikmuseum. Built around a former freight yard of the Anhalter Bahnhof train station, when it originally open it concentrated on rail rolling stock but has grown to encompass all forms of transportation and manufacturing.  Junkers JU-52 If you have children who like trains, planes, boats and technology then this museum is a no brainier. With a wide variety of exhibits to explore it’s a good day out. Take a picnic and some drinks as the café can be a little expensive. Daimler Benz aero engine 

  A bit different today, nominated for best makeup at this years academy awards a different man shows us a different perspective. An actor with a facial disfigurement gets the chance to be altered and get his dream face. But life isn’t the same now he’s just a run of the mill guy who no one notices. His acting work dries up and the dream turns to a battle to be recognised.  The make up of the disfigurement is good and it’s got to be in a good position to win but beyond the make up as a film it takes you on a journey and gives food for thought, yes it’s trying a bit to hard at times but you can forgive that, it’s not over the top. It’s a thought provoking film and you’ll identify with the character on some levels as he struggles.  ⭐️⭐️ have fun stst safe 👍🏼

  It is one of those days, you know the one where you put something down and spend 20 minutes looking for it, yeah one of those days !  So I went to the gym after work started off on the rowing machine and did a good 30 mins.  I moved on to triceps, tricep machine to start it was jammed on 42kg so I stuck with that and just slowed down the motion.  I went on to cable rope pull downs it, starting at 10kg and working up to 21kg a bit different than I’m used to as it was a different machine .  Over head pulls next starting a bit higher a 12.5kg and working up to 21kg  Then bar pull downs starting at 12.5kg and going up to 21 again all a bit lower than my normal weights, I’ll have to try the normal machine next time.  Then I noticed that I didn’t have my phone, I checked my gym bag and no luck. Went to all the machines I’d used and still no joy. I could still hear the book I was listening to so no one’s stollen it. I spent a good 15 minutes looking around ...

  British Airways A319 It was out and about today and an opportunity to take some plane pictures a change from just plain pictures. No real story just some pics. Boeing 787-9 Virgin Atlantic  Cathay Pacific 777 Heathrow Control Tower  Virgin Atlantic 787-9 ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ Rolls Royce Trent engine under  Maintenance 

I’m duty bound to repeat the warning at the start of this documentary, this documentary investigates a sexual assault and as such may contain triggers for people if this applies to you prepare yourself and think about measures you can take to isolate yourself from them!  A young female journalist Shiori is lead through a hotel lobby protesting and tries to get away from her companion she is subsequently sexually assaulted. Latter reported to the police and despite the CCTV footage and eye witnesses there is deemed to be insufficient evidence for the case to proceed. Shiori is forced to take her case to the civil court and lays out a landmark case in Japans outdated legal system.  Firstly I want to say how brave it was for Shiori to make this documentary and take the step of sharing it with the world. In a culture that values privacy it must have been incredibly difficult.  This film is nominated in the documentary category, it should win, it’s very powerful but I think it...

  I saw the trailer for this and it’s one of those that grabbed me for a few days and I’ve forgotten about it until now when it popped up on the Sky cinema suggestions. Based on a book that charts the history of a midwestern motorcycle club from 1963-1973 and its descent from a social club to a criminal enterprise. A strong cast including Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Tom Hardy (Dark Knight Rises). As the club evolves there are hard choices to be made between relationships and gang loyalty. A taste of Americana seeing life in a simpler time, some good actors pull this film along but I can understand why it passed me by at the cinema. If you are into bikes and the bike culture you’ll enjoy otherwise I’d give it a miss.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

𝒯𝑜𝓇𝓃𝒶𝒹𝑜 𝒢ℛ4  𝒟𝑜𝓊𝑔𝓁𝒶𝓈 𝒟𝒞-3 & 𝒞𝑜𝓃𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓁 𝒯𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇  My friend Saqib saw me today and asked me when I was going to make a post showing some more pictures of planes. Now I’m bound by copyright rules so I can only construct a blog containing pictures that I have taken, yes company’s vociferously protect their copyrights even from the likes of me.  ℱ-104 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝒻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑒𝓇 R.A.F Gatow was on the frontline of the Cold War positioned on the boarder between East and West Berlin  it was from here that many R.A.F chipmunks flew over the east to take photographs for intelligence gathering.  ℰ𝓃𝑔𝓁𝒾𝓈𝒽 ℰ𝓁𝑒𝒸𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒸 ℒ𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻-3 During the blockade of Berlin it was one of two airfields used in the early stages of the Berlin airlift. A third was built later by French forces with amazing speed to help take the pressure from Tempelhof and Gatow. 𝒢𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓃 ℳ𝒾𝑔 29 Throughout the Cold War there was a large East German military base...

  After two easy days I had to get back to the gym and get my leg day in this week.  It was cross trainer intervals for a warm level 14 and I managed to cover 2.68 km not too shabby. It was on to the squat machine next and starting at a reasonable 40kg I worked up to 90kg for my final set, feeling brave today !  I took this to the leg press machine plates, starting at 50kg and working up to 110kg my first time over 100kg and it felt ok. I need to start higher next week !  Leg extensions next starting off at 50kg and working up to 72.5kg it was tough for the final set. Leg curls I was able to mirror the extensions as the two machines were from the same brand !  Seated calf raises to finish and starting with 50kg and moving up to 60kg.  It was nice to get out and I actually enjoyed my leg work out so for those of you that hate it you need to do it more often !  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  Something a bit different this morning, the cinema of the former Soviet Union is not something we experience much in the west so this morning I was up early and thought I’d give it a go !  Director Elem Kilmov was 10 years old in 1943 when the film is set and draws on his own personal childhood experience to bring this film to life. A young boy finds a rifle buried at the site of a previous battle and uses it to join the resistance movement. The young and innocent Flyora is soon caught up fighting against a brutal enemy and the horrors of war age him so with in weeks he’s turned grey and the young boy is no longer recognised. A powerful anti war film that underlines the horror of war and the effect it has on those involved and those who have to live with its consequences.  If you do get a chance to watch this powerful film it’s well worth a look of course it’s in Russian so expect sub titles. The direction is brilliant as is the acting. You’ll feel all the empathy with ...

  In the late nineties and early two thousands Robbie Williams was a huge music star. With songs going straight to number one he was the golden one.  This film charts Robbie’s rise from auditioning for a boy band to headlining Knebworth in front of 125,000 and signing a recording breaking £80 million deal with EMI to keep him with the label.  Using Robbie’s songs to almost make this film a musical the film is broken up into chapters. It’s really good viewing and lets you into the insecurities of the performer. It’s a good watch and you’ll even recognise those early 90’s hairstyles.  If you are a fan or you were a fan of Robbie Williams this is a must watch it’s simply a no brainier. For the rest of us who were around and listened to his music playing endlessly on the radio it’s good to get the inside track on the megastar.  While I can see why it’s in the Oscar race it’s a far cry from the competition. I think it’s going to get its 15 minutes of fame and then fa...

Another entry in my Oscar nominated films The Apprentice was announced in 2018 but struggled until Abbasi, Stan and Strong joined the project in 2023. Receiving an 8 minute standing ovation at the 2024 Cannes film festival and huge media attention the controversy of the subject ment it struggled to find a U.S distributor. Despite legal challenges Briarcliff Entertainment bought the rights and released it in October 2024.  Focusing on Donald Trumps early business career, a young Donald Trump turns to Roy Cohn a contentious lawyer in New York with hard reputation to fight a race discrimination case against his father Fred Trump. Cohn manages to blackmail the lead prosecutor and make the case collapse. Trump falls further into Cohns orbit and sees him as a mentor. Trump’s develops the Tump tower and starts to belittle Cohns achievements and the wedge is increased between the two former ally’s. Trump meets the beautiful Czech model Ivana Zelinčková and pursues her until the eventually ...

Today we went on a trip to High Wycombe, there’s a young tube channel Gary eats where he reviews quirky restaurants and in one he goes to a 40’s themed restaurant The air raid shelter cafe. Of course we had a look around the town centre and the shops to on the way there.  The air raid shelter is a short walk away from the town centre itself based in an old pub. Using google maps on your phone it’s dead easy to walk to from the Eden shopping Center.  We went in had a little look around at the decor and found an area to sit down. Looking at the menu it’s quite simple breakfast staples and simple lunches burgers and sandwiches. Now we did get there just before one on a Saturday and found somewhere to sit.   We sat in a small nook where there were two nice little arm chairs and there were two padded tea trays to eat from. We had a look at the menu and decided due to the precarious nature of where we were sitting we would just get a snack. So two bacon baguettes and two mochas...

  Before I start I have a question, when a historical drama series show a street view in an era when horse and carts were the primary means of transportation how can the streets be so clean ? If I cycle near a stables or I walk on an active bridleway there’s always piles of evidence ! But in a historical drama the streets are cleaner than the modern contemporary’s !  From the creator of Peaky Blinders a thousand blows follows two Jamaicans as they arrive in Victorian London and enter the underground scene of boxing and crime while dealing with the prejudice of the people around them.  Next question would a bare knuckle boxer in Victorian London have Hollywood white teeth ?  A good cast, a great writer and a large Disney budget come together to make a good series, yes I was nitpicking with my questions the sets are really good too.  I’d recommend taking a look at this one if you have Disney + it’s nice amd gritty at times and well worth a look ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have f...

  A retrospective look back at Jeremy Irons Oscar winning* film Reversal of fortune. Based on a true story and wealthy heiress lies in a coma and her philandering husband has been found guilty of attempted murder, he turns to professor of law at Harvard to get his conviction overturned. The professor assembles a team of lawyers and set out on their task, as their investigations gather pace you are take through it piece by piece and from both sides. Was Claus Von Bülow innocent or guilty ?  A stellar cast Jeremy Irons delivers a sinister performance of Claus where you’re never sure of his loyalties and of course Glenn Close as Sunny Von Bülow will pull you as a viewer in the opposite direction and make you doubt yourself.  I know it’s 35 years old now but it’s still as fresh as it was new. Completely worth a revisit to watch two actors at the top of their game with a fantastic supporting cast too.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼 * Best Actor In A Leading Role 1991...

  Another Oscar nominated film Anora. A contrast to yesterday’s choice Anora brings us right up to the present with its offering. A young sex worker from Brooklyn, New York falls on her feet when she marrys the son of a Russian oligarch in Las Vegas. When news gets back to his family chaos ensues.  Filmed like a modern fly on the wall documentary with some beautiful shots of Coney Island the dynamic camera work really brings this film to life. It’s a slow starter but once it gets going you’ll enjoy.  A stark contrast to yesterday’s slow paced offering, Mikey Madison is brilliant as Ani the protagonist of the movie.  While I think the academy will prefer The Brutalist for best picture this movie has to propel Mikey Madison into the frame for best actress in a leading role.  Forgive the slow start and enjoy the film it’s really good when it picks up.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  When I was about 7 or 8 we got a new wood panel kitchen door and the old one was put outside in the back garden and lent against a wall until it was taken to the tip. Well putting this old door against a wall fired my 8 year old brain and I wanted to camp underneath it. (It was summer time !) so by adding some plastic sheeting to the side my friend and I made a temporary camp and we slept under an old door in the back garden. It rained that night and we were both in soaking wet sleeping bags by the morning but we did spend the night there. Steve Wallis has a you tube channel where he goes stealth camping. In one episode he’s on a roundabout amongst some laurel bushes avoiding police patrols and community safety officers he builds up a lot of tension in his videos and they are fun to watch. He also has a website where you can view and a blog that’s been abandoned for around a year.  https://campingwithsteve.com/ Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  I think I’ve been pushing my luck as an old overweight man three days back to back at the gym so I’m going to pause this afternoon. It’s shopping day so I’ll wind back some of my hard work with some 19 crimes red wine ( on offer in Tescos ) and I’ll find something to watch. After watching The Brutalist for the full 3:21 of its run time I think I deserve something a bit lighter and refreshing.  Have fun stay safe 👍🏼

  As a child I loved James Bond and the franchise it’s self, I would get home from school put in a Bond video and sit glued to the screen. Moonraker was my favourite all the locations, the fight in the glass museum and the ending set in space. In fairness this might be why my grammar is so bad !  The studio that produced EON productions James Bond films MGM was bought by Amazon in May 2021. Amazon were keen to cash in on the Bond franchise and released a Game show based on it ‘007 race to a Million’ on their streaming service Amazon Prime. It was pretty good a mixture of physical challenges and questions based loosely on the Bond locations.  Amazon being the corporate juggernaut that it is wanted to cash in on their newly acquired brand but ultimately control resided with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson the heirs of Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli the original producer and owner to the James Bond rights. For the last four years they have held out and fought to keep the l...

  High on the list of this years Oscar nominated films the brutalist tells the story of a Hungarian Jewish refugee who lands up in the United States and has to readjust to a different culture, language and country.  Lásźlo Tóth has a skill for design as a licensed architect with a fresh slate, starting with the small it’s soon recognised and leads to bigger and bigger projects. While recovering from the after effects of escaping a brutal Europe it’s difficult to fit in to the American dream. Finding a benefactor to finance his projects there are questions to answer in a distrustful society.  His brutalist architecture like this film has to be looked at as a whole and how all the facets join together.  Brady Corbet the director uses tight camera angles to bring you up close to his cast there’s an intimacy with his project if it’s the cast or the set you’re really there. The use of light and space makes it feel like a product of its time. The sets are outstanding and I...

  Its to the gym again today despite being old and overweight my body is holding out for another gym season.  The weather is foul and the flat is cold so I’m better off in a warm gym for a few hours.  It was rowing to start, I managed to get the only working rowing machine which was good but I rowed slightly less distance than on the broken one two days ago ! 😖 It was the machine curl first only light to start with 20kg and slowly upping it to 42.5kg higher than my normal which was good !  I went on to barbell curls starting with 20kg and going up to 30kg the sets were back weighted so there were more of 30kg than 20kg. It became a bit of a strain towards the end of this and I had the most awful wind, lucky there was no one around.  Preacher curl next with an EZ bar, not heavy to start just 20kg on the bar to get going and then slowly raising it to 30kg. Preacher but with plates starting with 10kg and upping it to 25kg again back weighted.  Cable curls to ...

  𝒲ℐ𝒵𝒵 𝒶𝒾𝓇 𝒜321𝓃𝑒𝑜 My friend Saqib is mad about planes, he’s always keeping me updated on airlines and the aircraft types that are flying in. So just for him here’s a page of aviation pictures, I’m going to try and put the aircraft types underneath if I get it wrong I’m sure he’ll let me know.  𝒜𝓂𝑒𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝒾𝓇𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈 777 𝒱𝒾𝓇𝑔𝒾𝓃 𝒜𝓉𝓁𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒸 787-9 𝒞𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓎 𝒫𝒶𝒸𝒾𝒻𝒾𝒸 777

  It was a left turn on the way home and today I was resigned to going to gym. No excuses today.  It was cross trainer today but a different machine, I only bring this up because of a curious quirk on one machine I do 1.58 km in 30 mins and on the one immediately next to it I achieved 2.58 km in 30 mins with a very similar effort. Still the same amount of calories sadly for me, that’s what I should be burning more of.  It was a general gym session today so whatever I’ve missed out on in the other groups essentially. Forearms first and 17.5 kg building to 30kg behind the back to start then out in front.  Some lat pull down next but the wider grip, starting on 35kg and building up to 55kg  I wanted to get some traps in so I started with 2x 16kg and then went up to 2x 20kg  Bent over rows next on the bar starting with 20kg plate then dropping down to 15kg with a narrow grip.  Calf raises to finish starting with 35kg nice and slow then going up to 55 to fi...

  Leaving work I get into the car and I’m actually in ok shape, I’ve got no aches or pains and no excuses today. So I turn left to to gym but in my mind I’m thinking, ‘maybe the car park is full and I can use that as an excuse 🧐’ I get to the car park and it’s not full there a loads of spaces. I pick up my gym bag from the boot and make my way in.  It’s rowing to start and the only rowing machine available has the chain catching on the guide inside, I manage to get a good 30 mins and a record distance too.  On to dead lift next light at first just 10kg added to get the motion and then working up to adding 30kg. I’m mindful of increasing this too much as I’ll be cycling in a few weeks hopefully when the weather picks up and having a back muscle go into spasm because it’s been in the same half contracted position for a long time is not fun !  Reverse flys on the machine next starting at 42.5kg and working up to 65kg it felt good.  Rowing machine the weight one, s...