Wanderin' Star

Just a quick tonal study of one of the toughest men ever to kick down Hollywood's door. A real war vet, he came to acting late...but boy did he make up for it.

Never less than brilliant, my five favourite performances are: "The Dirty Dozen", "Point Blank", "Hell in the Pacific","Emperor of the North" and "Gorky Park.

For our younger viewer's...it's the incomparable Lee Marvin.

Excelsior Out!

Hello, to Jason Isaacs...believe it or not!

Available to buy as print, and other stuff, at: http://gastongrimsdyke.deviantart.com/gallery/


Having recently made Twitter contact with the majestic Mark Kermode i'm throwing my hat in the ring for the most unusual "Hello, to Jason Isaacs" of all time...in that it's not spoken it's ILLUSTRATED!! 

AAYYTTHHAANNQQUEW!!

Hopefully it will merit a mention on 5Live's splendid film review show this Friday. Maybe even by...the Co-Host?

Excelsior Out!

Well, it is only a theory...

Available to buy as print, and other stuff, at: http://gastongrimsdyke.deviantart.com/gallery/

Here's number two in my series of "Greatest Current American Sitcoms"...the majestic "Big Bang Theory". Perceptively written and beautifully played it speaks to the geek in me (that would be me then) with every line.

It's finely crafted pop-culture references and kooky characters make it a "must-see" in our house. With a new series about to burst onto our screens I urge you to see it at all costs. Once it takes a bite out of you addiction ensues.

"BAZINGA!"

Excelsior Out!

Empire vs The BattleSheep

Ladies and Gents, I give you the completion of my "Three Colours Critique" trilogy...the staff of Empire Magazine. Beginning with Messrs Kermode and Mayo, then the mighty Kim Newman, the trilogy is...ahem...my life's work realised, and combines my love of cinema with my facility for caricature.

To judge the accuracy of my work I suggest you visit Empire's excellent magazine/website (see what I did there) and check out these wondrous writers, and their terrific prose. 

I think they're decent likeness' corralled in a reasonable in-joke.

I hope all concerned are flattered rather than appalled. I know, from Twitter, that Olly Richards was a little apprehensive at being given the "Excelsior" treatment.

It is meant in good natured tribute and, hand on heart, it's from an "Empire" reader who has been with the magazine from issue one. More power to your keyboard pounding lady and gentlemen, it's never less than a compelling read.

Excelsior Out!

Excelsior gets the Horrors!!

The good folks at SFX (the peerless Russell Lewin) have seen fit to print me once again in a Spooky, Oooky and throughly informative Horror Special. Thanks Russ, fun, as always.

Put me straight on matters horrific too. For years i'd been rabbiting on about a video nasty called "Brutes & Savages" containing real footage of a man being eaten by a crocodile...turns out that scene is FAKE! Cheers Russell, in my defence i was only a nipper when I saw it.

Make Mine SFX!!

Excelsior Out!

Excelsior in Mac Format

Your very own Excelsior made it into this months "Mac Format" magazine thanks to the mighty Dave Bradley and the, self confessed, grump Alex Thomas. I'm delighted with the results, my sorry efforts never looked better. Enjoy.

Excelsior Out!

#TeamSalmon

Last Saturday the BBC launched it's latest series of "Strictly Come Dancing", to great viewing figures. Today I post a good luck message for actor,spiritual guru,would be dancer and my Twitter mate...Colin Salmon. He's a terrific actor with a magnetic screen presence, and all round good egg; and he and Kristina are more than deserving of your enthusiastic support.

Hope everything goes splendidly for you big man, the Mitchell family will be cheering (and voting) you, & Kristina, on all the way.

Always remember: Why did the good Lord give us mountains if not to teach us how to climb?

You have all our faith.

Update: Colin and Kristina have seen, and approved, this tribute. Two prints are winging their way to them as we speak.

Excelsior Out!