Creepy Simon Cowell

Some people say Simon Cowell isn't the charming and friendly face he appears to be. 

I found his donation to the IDF after they targeted and bombed 500 children to death in Palestine most repugnant.

Closer - 2004

For some reason I feel we were regulars down the Pickle Factory in Bangkok when I watched this first. I may be wrong on that as the memory plays tricks.

Those were among the best Pizzas I ever ate, though I did subsequently review many in Jomtien many years later.

What struck me watching this 13 years later is how contemporary it all seemed at the time. 

30 somethings getting to grips with pre social media and aging rapidly as we progressed or otherwise professionally and emotionally.

The movie isn't as polished or flawless as these actors could make today, though Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen and Julia Roberts are still professionals with a legacy that has not tarnished.

BBC2 - Elizabeth 1's Secret Agents

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (a commoner who rose through the ranks, went to Cambridge and spoke five languages) feels like Elizabeth 1's handler in this brilliant BBC2 documentary series. 

I'm watching it as I wish to see how the TV academics are going to handle the John Dee (original 007) subject as the issue of magic has to be processed in a reasonably informed manner.

It reminds me of that Director of MI6 FT interview a few years back where it's pointed out that Oliver Cromwell's spymaster portrait hangs over Sir John Sawyer's desk. 

The handler always playing off the power dialectic, which for Cromwell and Elizabeth was Protestant versus Catholic. 

These days SIS use the Mickey Mouse ISIS threat to steer the state a course of stability through existing power factions. Usually to keep the Corporation city of London minted.

Update: An excellent podcast on Thomas Cromwell.