This entry is an absolute joy, from the story of the heckler(!?) to the HCU, topped off with Miracle of '22. I feel like this might be a song that means a lot to a lot of people – it certainly is pretty special to me in a once-in-a-lifetime way! And of course I remember the almost-vague backstory behind the song and feel good and thankful that the Scientists are still with us as we have come to love them.
Of course there is a time-travelling Hallmark Christmas movie featuring stars from Back To The Future! Taking time out from sleep to look this up is one of a few questionable choices I’ve made in the latter part of yesterday and early hours of this morning. Checking substack to see if another cover had arrived when I randomly awoke at 3am was not one of them, however. This cover is fabulous! I’m running out of ways to say that but I am so, so glad you decided to do this. Going to go back to sleep now and looking forward to see what tomorrow brings.
Lou, that’s dedication, reading, listening and typing a comprehensive reply at ungodly hours of the morning. I looked at my phone at 5 and saw the post had arrived and promptly went back to sleep. I take my metaphorical hat off to you.
I really enjoyed it but it's not the gentlest of Christmas movies. I do reckon you'd like it as a love of music features heavily 🤩 It's also briliantly made with tons of geeky train-based attention to detail plus some great vintage cinematography techniques. You can tell they had a lot of fun making it and Elwes in particular is brilliant (and unrecognisable!).
Another gorgeous version, love the new spin on the songs, also making me appreciate how amazing the whole Lobes album is, glorious from start to finish ❤️
I say this as a lover of the HCU but, hand on heart, these films *are* a bit shit (in the nicest way). It’s a big part of why I love them so much. The constant recycling of plot and actors is extremely comforting.
If something is 'extremely comforting' can it also be considered to be 'shit', though? Isn't that a bit oxymoronic? It's like the term 'guilty pleasure'. If something brings about joy, why should one feel guilt (unless it breaks spoken and unspoken moral codes...).
Well, this goes back to the conversation about what makes something ‘good’, doesn’t it? A lot of films bring me joy that I definitely do not consider high quality. Made for TV Christmas films are a strange breed because they definitely don’t fall into the ‘so bad it’s good’ category but I also know, hand on heart, that they are mediocre films outside of the context of Christmas. At Christmas time, however, I will watch them day and night. I guess what I mean is, it’s lazy film-making, but I enjoy being in on the joke. They regularly bring a tear to my eye too so I am genuinely not slagging them off. I am using ‘shit’ in its most affectionate context 😉 I also have a penchant for Hallmark murder mysteries but I can see very clearly that it is not the same as watching Peter Ustinov in Death on the Nile.
This entry is an absolute joy, from the story of the heckler(!?) to the HCU, topped off with Miracle of '22. I feel like this might be a song that means a lot to a lot of people – it certainly is pretty special to me in a once-in-a-lifetime way! And of course I remember the almost-vague backstory behind the song and feel good and thankful that the Scientists are still with us as we have come to love them.
Of course there is a time-travelling Hallmark Christmas movie featuring stars from Back To The Future! Taking time out from sleep to look this up is one of a few questionable choices I’ve made in the latter part of yesterday and early hours of this morning. Checking substack to see if another cover had arrived when I randomly awoke at 3am was not one of them, however. This cover is fabulous! I’m running out of ways to say that but I am so, so glad you decided to do this. Going to go back to sleep now and looking forward to see what tomorrow brings.
Lou, that’s dedication, reading, listening and typing a comprehensive reply at ungodly hours of the morning. I looked at my phone at 5 and saw the post had arrived and promptly went back to sleep. I take my metaphorical hat off to you.
Get on it Lou!! It's only available to stream for another week or so in the UK: https://www.channel5.com/next-stop-christmas
OK, this was cute! My favourite train-based Christmas film is still The Christmas Express with Dermot Mulroney and Danny Glover though.
Have you watched Last Train To Christmas with Michael Sheen and Cary Elwes?
Just looked this up and I’m pretty sure I have not. Is it one you’d recommend? It doesn’t look like one I’d immediately pick out.
I really enjoyed it but it's not the gentlest of Christmas movies. I do reckon you'd like it as a love of music features heavily 🤩 It's also briliantly made with tons of geeky train-based attention to detail plus some great vintage cinematography techniques. You can tell they had a lot of fun making it and Elwes in particular is brilliant (and unrecognisable!).
Good to know. I will definitely have a look. Thank you.
Loved this! I’ll genuinely be disappointed once we’ve had all 10 tracks from the album.
Another gorgeous version, love the new spin on the songs, also making me appreciate how amazing the whole Lobes album is, glorious from start to finish ❤️
I can't tell you how happy this has made my brain. Firstly, because this is my favourite track on the album and this version is just bloody gorgeous.
BUT ALSO the deep dive into the HCU???!!! Here's my 2022 review of BTTF-inspired Next Stop, Christmas from my annual cheesy Christmas watchalong: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl0Vg8Lo7pp/?igshid=ODhhZWM5NmIwOQ==
It's one of my favourite 'shit' (they're not shit! Chris - get on it!) Christmas movies of all time. 🧀🥰
I say this as a lover of the HCU but, hand on heart, these films *are* a bit shit (in the nicest way). It’s a big part of why I love them so much. The constant recycling of plot and actors is extremely comforting.
If something is 'extremely comforting' can it also be considered to be 'shit', though? Isn't that a bit oxymoronic? It's like the term 'guilty pleasure'. If something brings about joy, why should one feel guilt (unless it breaks spoken and unspoken moral codes...).
Well, this goes back to the conversation about what makes something ‘good’, doesn’t it? A lot of films bring me joy that I definitely do not consider high quality. Made for TV Christmas films are a strange breed because they definitely don’t fall into the ‘so bad it’s good’ category but I also know, hand on heart, that they are mediocre films outside of the context of Christmas. At Christmas time, however, I will watch them day and night. I guess what I mean is, it’s lazy film-making, but I enjoy being in on the joke. They regularly bring a tear to my eye too so I am genuinely not slagging them off. I am using ‘shit’ in its most affectionate context 😉 I also have a penchant for Hallmark murder mysteries but I can see very clearly that it is not the same as watching Peter Ustinov in Death on the Nile.
I feel like we need to discuss Diagnosis Murder / Murder She Wrote / Quincy, M.E. Let's take this offline! 🔎
Harmonies! Falsetto! Control! ✨👏🏽
What are the chances of hearing '22 live...? 🙏 4 2️⃣2️⃣