• OPINION

  It still remains an offer you can't refuse

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 31/07/2022

  » Francis Ford Coppola's epic film The Godfather has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, a frightening thought as I can recall queuing up to see it at a Bangkok cinema all those years ago. It was 1972, in the days long before multiplex cinemas emerged in Bangkok, so when a big film came out there would be massive queues at the theatre showing the blockbuster.

• OPINION

  Lots of promises as big day approaches

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/04/2023

  » With the Great Event, otherwise known as election day, just around the corner, like most countries in the world we will have to brace ourselves for regular helpings of political poppycock including plenty of promises from prospective candidates. Still, it could be fun.

• OPINION

  Back in the cinema again with 007

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 17/10/2021

  » Just got back from watching No Time to Die, Daniel Craig's fifth and final appearance as James Bond and the 25th film in the franchise. It was quite a decent send-off for Craig and entertaining enough to sit back and enjoy my first visit to a cinema in a couple of years.

• OPINION

  The milkman who became a secret agent

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/11/2020

  » To briefly escape from the US election mayhem, an appreciation of actor Sean Connery who died last week aged 90, seems to be in order. I had somehow thought Connery would go on forever, just like the Bond films. It is an intriguing tale of an Edinburgh milkman who became the most famous fictional spy in the world.

• OPINION

  A commuter's lot is not a happy one

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/07/2018

  » Commuting in Bangkok has never been much fun and last week it got a whole lot worse if you happened to be a regular traveller on the BTS. The word "frustration" springs to mind, with perhaps a touch of "exasperation", "agitation" and a general feeling of "disgruntlement". It was definitely not good for the blood pressure.

• OPINION

  Doubtful delights of standing in line

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/03/2024

  » It is encouraging to learn that the Prime Minister is concerned about large queues at Suvarnabhumi airport, particularly at the arrivals area. We've all probably experienced that sinking feeling after stepping off the moving walkway and being faced by a definitely non-moving formidable queue. It is especially grim if you've just suffered an exhausting long-distance flight and are already feeling knackered.

• OPINION

  There's nothing wrong in shedding a tear

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/09/2022

  » I admit to spending the best part of Monday afternoon stoically trying to fight off the teardrops -- and almost managing it. I was watching the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on TV and for an ancient Brit like me it was emotionally exhausting. Please excuse me for the sentimentality.

• OPINION

  New passport, pity about the mug shot

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/04/2021

  » A fortnight ago I picked up my new British passport. It was pleasing to see it had gone back to the traditional black colour and a similar size to the burgundy EU passports Brits have experienced for three decades. Alas, I probably won't be using it very much.

• OPINION

  Spaghetti westerns lose musical icon

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/07/2020

  » The death of Italian composer Ennio Morricone last week inevitably sparked memories of those old spaghetti westerns, including the so-called "Dollars Trilogy", in which his creative music was a crucial element. Those early Sergio Leone films were not known for extended dialogue -- he let the music do the talking and Morricone's distinctive scores hit the right note.

• OPINION

  From Billy the goat to William Windsor

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/04/2020

  » An unexpected outcome of the coronavirus is that around the world wildlife is taking advantage of empty towns and visiting the deserted streets. One such example is in Llandudno, a resort town on the Irish Sea in northern Wales. During the past week spotted strolling around the town centre was a herd of Kashmir (Cashmere) Goats, which have been enjoying themselves dining on the town's tasty hedgerows.

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