Not sure if they've been mentioned here before but I've bought a couple books over the last couple weeks after finishing up Fever Pitch. Bought How Soccer Explains the World which appears to be an interesting book detailing how the game has caused clashes and coming together between civilizations, how it's affected economies, and everything else.

I also got The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro which is a book about a small ragtag club in a town of 5500 people in the mountainous region of Italy called Castel Di Sangro. Talks about their rise from Serie C2 in 1993 all the way to Serie B in 1996. They're currently below C2 again, but should be an interesting read and I've heard it talked up as a great book on a daily footy podcast I listen to while at work.

What a great book, especially the American writer angle - he really puts an interesting story across in a humourous tone and you could tell he'd really become integral to the whole 'miracle'. Very original book, a delight. Don't read many footy books but that one is so different it's well worth the time.

Now that was an extremely bad film indeed.It tried so hard to be clever that it just failed spectacularly.Truly one of the poorest films of all time.Why Ray Liotta put his name anywhere near that turkey is a complete mystery.

One film that i really like is Payback with Mel Gibson,great cast and a nice slick script to go with it.Very much an underrated film in my opinion.

Ray Liotta's made some stunningly bad choices in movies on the whole. Hannibal anyone? He's almost the stereotypical straight to video actor; if a film has him it makes me ponder as to it's quality these days. Then again, Mr De Niro's the same - great actor, poor agent

Payback is underrated. I think It is a remake, but surprisingly a good one. Guy Ritchie must have really suffered a talent drain from Madonna. He was once a promising young director, but he got found out. He's a one trick pony. Shane Meadows however, has done some very good films. I've seen This is England and 24/7 and I loved both.

Shane Meadows films are fantastic - if you enjoyed them, seek out his back catalogue - especially Dead Mans Shoes. Gary Stretch (the ex-boxer is in it) but acting wise, the guy who plays the Pete Doherty-modelled pop star in Rock N Rolla is excellent in it, as is the always terrific Paddy Considine. There's also a new Meadows film due out soon with the young lead actor from TIE.

Looking forward to Guy Ritchie's new film Rocknrolla! It's going to be similar to lock stock and snatch.

Also has anyone seen Cass? All about Pennant and the ICF. Apparently it's alright though I haven't seen it myself yet.

As a film in itself, Cass is pretty crap, kinda like a play for the day extended. Few of the same stereotypical actors from other films like Football Factory & Green Street in it, plus a few bit Brit actors. Guy that plays Cass does well though, but I think that's about it. BTW not judging it against how realistic/factual it is as I wouldn't it know TBH.

Think it's a given rocknrolla will be reverting to type after the disaster that is Revolver. The lead actor from Cass is in it BTW, but I'm sure we're onto the law of diminishing returns. I'll see it, but not expecting much - kinda like the Rovers then!!

What an adventure, thanks Jack - you thought (and did) big. Inspirational, a man of the people, humble yet successful, a true original. Sadly missed, but your dream lives on - what a legacy. One man, one vision - but made so many dreams came true for so many.

It was released on DVD this week, I missed it at the Cinema.

In regards to the US remake....From what i've heard it'e best avoided at all costs.

Good tip on the film; fitting description of a mix of them two movies. Was wondering what happened to the cinema release, normally I watch a lot at the flicks, saw this trailer months back & just presumed it may have gone straight to DVD/video. Maybe it had a limited release, or was a grower, or relying on net hype?

Anyways, what a terrific film. I especially liked the way it builds up the tension during the movie, and elements of the plot unfurled leaving them further into the mire. This was the film the Blair Witch should have been - I even thought it was better than the recent Diary of the Dead. I think it's great how these low budget films are reaching a wider audience. Have to admire the POV camerawork, makes you wonder how many takes they do making films like this whilst retaining continuity etc. It's a good measure as to the quality of the plot/direction/film in general rather than fancy effects or CGI, can't imagine they had a big location budget either as only really the two sets.

Will be interesting to see the sequel; seems they're trying to get it done before the Quarantine 'remake/reinvention'.

Looks like the post ref Little Elephant being (prawn) toast was correct, drove past yesterday evening & there's a banner up saying a mediterranean restaurant is opening soon?

Went Shimla Pinks in Manchester last night (too busy at EastZEast), was quite good, but still nothing beats Anaz (not even Curry Hell from Viz's Lord Harpole in Newcastle).

Anyone been to Vermillion in Manchester/Miles Platting/Sports City/Eastlands/ whatever 'reinvented' name it is this week?

Watched Spanish horror film REC last night, and bloody good it was.

Had the girlfriend screaming and refusing to look at the telly.The end is very disturbing.It's an excelent mix of 28 days later and Blair Witch Project.

I really recomend everyone to watch it.

Where is this on at please?

from a man city forum

I think I've just had a hernia from laughing so much.

Okay, it may all be bolsheviks, but it's funny all the same.

Think Spurs would clearly win their case if it went to the FA, for no other reason than Lahndhan bias. No doubt Spurs will do like what they did with Arnesen and Taggart tapping up - moan like beggary but then settle for hush money.

Doubt it. But we need to get rid of Ince and grab Big Sam or else City'll surely turn to him when Hughes leaves.

Hopefully, only grabbing Allardyce in a Malysian death grip, to throttle the blighter. Allardyce absolutely hates us; giving him the Rovers gig would be like a certain 70s Bacofoil-bedecked 'rock star' opening up his own creche, no?

Any ideas on when its due to open?

2nd September 2008, supposedly.

I think the fence Gate are opening the Spread Eagle at Barrow.

That's the blighter, thanks - good work! Yeah, 'revamping' it after it's last disastrous incarnation lasted a couple of months!

The only restaurants that stay open in Blackburn and Darwen are all you can eat buffets, good but cheap Indian restaurants, buy 1 get 1 free pubs and so on.

Burnley has some nice places though, Fence Gate is cracking. They seem to stay open elsewhere.

Haven't the Fence Gate opened up another place somewhere, memory fails me but think it was another restaurant/pub somewhere.

We're spoilt for good food TBH, esp getting over t'Rib Vall way, so many great places to eat - most needing a car like - that cater for a few different markets.

Blue Diamond owner sold that when he moved to the Spring Mill (Sylette). Alright that lad.... he played Christmas carols over the Christmas period rather than that wailing stuff.

Agreed - the guy took over the BD was good guy too, shame it didn't work out for him, can't believe some (seemingly good) Indian restaurants churn like they do (think our Thai friends may be the same too) whilst others keep going & going. Guess that's business.

Excellent Thai restaurant but somebody told me that it had closed down. Anyone know if this is true?

Unless it's been in the last three weeks? Have driven past in the evenings recently, and now you mention it, didn't see any cars on car park, if that means anything.

Think a problem with a lot of these places, that often only have a few customers per night on the less busy nights, is whether it's worth opening as much. I know the one @ Billington sometimes has been shut, or changed it's opening hours/nights. Being shut at the time of visit isn't the same as being closed down permanently I guess. Must be the credit crunch; used to go in the 'new' Blue Diamond at Roe Lee regularly, often no other customers in, although food the food very good, then it just shut down & reopened again.

Note the Shere Khan, or whatever it's called, is due a re-opening.

Went there the other week, the place is dying on its arse as the pub downstairs is now shut of sorts. They must have had a shed load of chili delivered that day as it overpowered everything and I like hot food.

The fact that my credit card got 'done' two days later made me wonder as well.

The Little Elephant in Darwen is better.

Yup, it is it a bit erm, eclectic or haphazard; can't work out the integration between upstairs & downstairs myself, and TBH not sure if they can. Been to LE 3 or 4 times, liked the food better in Bill although LE is still good, service was atrocious last time there. Think there's work to be done on both counts, though I think LE will last the pace better.

Sukis Darwen best indian in Darewn by far

I used to think that, until went to the Anaz. Akash is a good third choice. We're spoilt in the local area with regards to some great eating places, but my faves are

Indian - Anaz, then Sukhis. Shahjan can be good, but I'm not right into trendy places for eating - I go there to eat, not pose. Also like the Bengal at Clitheroe, owner used to be have the DilShad, which went pants when he left.

Chinese - I do like the Man Lee in Darwen, though I'm not from there. Kong City is good for the Sunday buffet.

Note about You & Yu, one should be able to judge the place before eating there, one look at the cars outside, the ambience, it's 'vibe', the decor/style suggests it's going to be a place more 'fashiony' than 'foody'. How many eating places locally do you know bring DJs in from Manc & further afield? Accept the point that a lot of the clientele aren't exactly 'nouveau riche', in fact it's mainly old money's family & friends, which are probably there several times a week! Still, Northcote attracts a similar type of crowd true, but they're just a bit older, less fashionable & keener to be seen LOL

Thai - the one at Billington, Siam Palace is it?

Italian - Checcos.

Mexican - Wellsprings

Traditional - Fencegate; Derby Arms, Longridge; Nabs Head, Salmesbury; Three Fishes, Whalley.

Chains - Nandos, Middlebrook. Any Colonel's chicken parlour!

Further afield - Yang Sing, Obsidian, Sams Chop House, Manchester.

Watched The Orphanage last night, And i gotta say i was a little dissapointed.

Del Toro has been involved in a couple fo stunning films, Namley Devil's Backbone and Pan's labrynth.But i feel this did not live upto the hype at all, and i'm still not sure as to what actually happend in the film or why the events happend, It was moody and creepy in places, But i just didnt get it.

Yeah, but it's not really a Del Toro film is it? It's like saying District 13 is a Luc Besson film as much as Nikita or Leon is.

I felt it was a one watcher; you could see DT's influence and yet also how the studio was riding his recent successes throwing his name into the mix.

I'm not ashamed to admit Mamma Mia was fantastically enjoyable too, in a completely popcorny feel-good way.

Ledger to get the supporting Oscar too, deservedly.

Question-would there be so much buzz about Ledger for the Oscar if he hadn't popped his clogs? Doubt it, but that's the Internet for you.

Whilst his acting for the role was superb - he truly was mesmerizing, inspired casting, and stole the film in every scene he was in (especially the pencil trick) it's really stretching it I think to pitch for an Oscar, the odds are truly against it. That's not meant to decry his perfomance at all, but history - and more than likely the Academy - tend not to be swayed by emotion. He'd possibly get a nod for Supporting Actor role at best I think.

Hell of an inspired marketing campaign for the film; bold move by the Marketing Manager @ Warner Bros, imagine his pitch.... Tell you what, what if we have the lead supporting actor die on us & the lead actor get arrested on the eve of the UK release?

It was a case of all the hype coming from it leading me to expect too much. It's not a bad film but, as everyone raved about it at the time, you just expect more.

Ooh, 'tis always the case, especially if one waits a while and watches a film that comes with a lot of hype/expectation, surely it can only be a disappointment? I had the same with Reservoir Dogs. In itself, a seminal, excellent, original (ish) movie, but given how everyone had said so much about how it was fantastic, I didn't see it as THAT good.

The exception to this concept was "Shawshank", but then again then didn't really get the vibe until after it had left general release.

Back to managing expectations, I can see parallels with over-hyping a good thing only to be let down with Villanueva........