Roman

I don't particularly doubt what you're saying in broad terms, but how do you know how his one-to-one dealings with Barclays have gone?

That's the beauty of the movies JL, we all think differently about them. I don't agree with much of what you say, although you've summed up the charge sheet from the original reviews, the vast majority of which HATED the film. Creasy is indeed raving - really off his head. And he dies at the end of the movie. So how this fits directly into a pro-Bush triumphalist tract I don't know. It's a revenge movie, as you say - part of a long tradition that predates Bush by several decades. (Countless examples, but Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs is a good place to start) I don't think the racial balance is quite how you describe. Isn't the girl supposed to be half-Mexican?; Creasy's helped by a Mexican journalist and a cop; and the story is set against the backdrop of the drugs and kidnapping business, as well as endemic police corruption, all of which are hardly unknown in Mexico. And hadn't the ravers left the building by the time it goes bang? I struggle to see how MOF is a 9/11 movie - there's even an argument for exactly the opposite. Taking up your allusion to Afghans, the last time I watched this movie I was on the Pakistani side of the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistanis (some of them Pashtuns) I was with all viewed it as fitting in with their own sentiments about the concept of honour. I hadn't even considered that - but in hindsight it made an awful lot of sense. That also rather strikingly demonstrated to me that movies can carry radically different meanings if you make a big culture shift. Oh, and I really like the cinematography. If you want to see a really pernicious film about the awfulness of foreigners, especially Middle Eastern ones, go and see Body of Lies by TS's brother. THAT is dangerous stuff.

Basically, Tony Scott is doing the re-make - with John Travolta in the Robert Shaw/Mr Black role I think. Personally, I like Tony Scott, and think that Enemy of the State and Man on Fire haven't got the credit they deserve - so I'm looking forward to it.

If you want to know where Tarantino stole the silly names from in Reservoir Dogs, watch The Taking of Pelham 123.

Give him time.

True, except I can't see Sundance ever resorting to an emoticon (about the only thing we've ever agreed on). But the case for more cynicism seems unarguable. Look what happened with the last 'takeover' in the summer. Who could have imagined - aside from SOS, of course! - that Wilde, after all he's said and done, would ally himself with Lowe? Not even the most cynical of those on here foresaw that.

Do we actually KNOW that the issue is always appearance money, though? Has someone confirmed that? It's just that it may not be the only explanation for certain experienced players not getting into the team. Some of them would have been brought here on fees that were staggered - x percent after 50 games, etc.

Don't think so. We need more cynicism, more argument, more provocativeness, more conspiracy theories. (and dare I say, the Beast needs to be let out of his cage to rant uncontrollably against our folly) Otherwise this site will descend into a smiley-faced southern branch of the Moonies.

Possibly the calm before the storm. The credit crunch makes any takeover rumour laughable. So player sales or administration by January is my bet for the next good old fashioned row on here, starting as soon as the transfer window opens.

Or find 16,000 extra fans by January! When they said 'fill the stadium' did they actually mean that? Or did they hint at some break even figure which would stave off both admin and having to sell?

This is true. And I can confirm that Stanley is a spy - he's only doing it to demoralise you. As, clearly, is WSS with that accent.

Non-denial denial. What exactly do you know? Admittedly it would be novel, because usually money only flows one way vis-a-vis IOW.

I hope no one from the navy catches you saying that.

Still, you could look on the bright side. Knowing the navy, they'll give the women the most stereotypical jobs. So what's the betting against the first ones ending up in the galleys? My brother was a cook on one of the nuclear-powered subs that disappeared for months (presumably pootling up and down Dogger Bank), and he happily assured me his cooking was about as bad as it got. Also one of the worst jobs to have in those conditions. So maybe you'll get better burgers?

When you say 'operational', what proportion of the Trident fleet is actually afloat (or at least able to sink without dire consequences) at any one time? I was under the impression a number of the subs were undergoing endless 'refits'.

Shyte at home, but away we're about second in the league. Which means those boycotting SMS but going to away games are having a whale of a time.

Me too! Trebles all round!* *(But given, the fact that the economy is otherwise f**ked for about the next decade, make those a single shot of shandy.)

Seems to me there's a lot less 'negativity' on here than there used to be on TSF or S4E. By negativity, I take it is meant criticism of the Board for various reasons. I clearly remember some truly epic threads on the two predecessors. So maybe there'll be more activity on here with MORE 'negativity' (ie interesting, challenging, provocative threads.)

See above, or see my PM to Ponty.

I think you need to sort a few things out with your colleagues.

So what you're saying is that, despite appearances, the forum is unmoderated. There is NO ONE around to respond to reports. I had the same experience the day before when a BNP advert was posted in the Lounge. I certainly don't expect you or anyone else to read every single post. but when a complaint is made, it needs to be taken seriously by SOMEONE. And tell me: is it a policy among mods not to respond in anyway directly to people who report offensive posts?

Even if I reported it? Don't you get those reports? If not what's the point of the report system? And thanks for the 'hey ho'. Nice considered response to a serious issue.

I'd vote for the 28-year-old Ivan Golac on the right, Bridge on the left. Anyone any good at cloning?

Makes no difference. The consumer's contract is with the retailer, not the manufacturer. In any case, warranties, product insurance, and refund policies (eg only allowing store credit rather than cash refunds) are often written as though shops can simply 'tweak' British and european consumer legislation to suit them better. They can't.

But he did write and direct Westworld, which to my mind counts as his best work.