Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026@simonrjohnson.bsky.social ICYMI Takes one back... www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...theguardian.com‘We wanted it to be a battlecry’: how Republica made 90s anthem Ready to Go‘The day Saff came into the studio with red hair, I said, “We’re gonna be massive!” It was the missing link’ 120
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 26/09/2026@warmovietheatre.com Victory! I have just got the 16 year old to watch the greatest classic action war film. Her verdict -"I really enjoyed it". We did have to pause the cable car escape to explain who was who, but i consider this a win.static.klipy.comBroadsword Calling Danny Boy Richard BurtonALT: Broadsword Calling Danny Boy Richard Burton 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Moodstatic.klipy.comHan Solo: Never Tell Me The OddsALT: Han Solo: Never Tell Me The Odds 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026The 16 year old has decided to do English Literature for A-level, so I agreed to read the set texts. First up "Dracula". Very much the curates egg of a book. Stoker handles the action/horror well - the log of the captain of "The Demeter" reads like a treatment for "Alien" (or numerous Dr Who's) 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Introducing the 16 year old to "Le Relaid de Venise". Been a while for me but still glorious. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Looking at the A-level Criminology syllabus (the 16 year old is considering it), and I'm slightly disappointed that it doesn't involve a final project where you plan a heist. 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Happy Birthday America,and what better present than @roberthutton.co.uk and @duncanweldon.bsky.social absolutely nailing Hegseth- he wants us to believe he's a napalm pissing hardman, whereas we can all see he's a paper pusher with delusions of grandeur. (1/n) 181
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026It's possible the "shelf-of-the-unread" is getting a bit out of control. 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Shameless plug for @warmovietheatre.com - my favourite podcast. Great to hear old classics being discussed and has introduced to a fair few excellent films I'd never heard of ("The Train" and "Sahara" for instance). Also has made some utter stinkers enjoyable. I hear they have merch too... 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Note to self: when on holiday relaxing on a beach avoid all social media. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 21/07/2026A Singapore Sling in the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel with "The Complete Raffles" 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Up to page 35 and we've had "whited too many sepulchres", "aliquid amari" and now "Earl Godwin's piece of bread". This will be an education and chances are I shall be speaking like a naval officer of the Napoleonic wars in the office ere this book is done. 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026JR: Two excellent history books- "Agent Zo" by @claremulley.bsky.social and "Wounds" by @fergalkeane.bsky.social. HT to @warmovietheatre.com for bringing both to my attention. 121
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 10/06/2026Well this is rather wonderful @simonrjohnson.bsky.social I suspect you might like this. youtu.be/6-W9ow4OL-Q?...youtu.beI Turned Darth Vader’s Theme into a Bach FugueYouTube video by Lucas Brar 120
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 04/06/2026RIP Marjane Satrapi. "Persepolis" is brilliant, moving, graphic novel. BBC News - Oscar-nominated Persepolis author Marjane Satrapi dies aged 56 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukMarjane Satrapi: Oscar-nominated Persepolis author and director dies aged 56The French-Iranian author and illustrator was known for her graphic novel series and Oscar-nominated film. 020
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 25/05/2026In a positive development, meat on the barbecue is now hotter than if I'd just left it on the side in the kitchen. 020
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Life on Mars - Bowie Damn I wish I was your lover - Sophie B Hawkins Radio Ga Ga - Queen Stupid Thing - Aimee Mann Ready for it - Taylor Swift Off to the Races - Lana Del Rey Dressed to Suppress - Metric Falling in love again - Marlene Dietrich Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits Hey Jude - The Beatles 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 20/04/2026Maybe time to reread "The Silmarilion", grab a word at random, set up a company that purports to be AI with that name and watch the VC dollars flow in. "Gorgoroth Inc" with the "Ungoliant" agent perhaps. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 11/04/2026@warmovietheatre.com turns out the star of this week's problematic moment had quite an improbable life story, search for Anna Gaël, get the Marchioness of Bath. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Th...en.wikipedia.orgAnna Thynn, Marchioness of Bath - Wikipedia 131
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 15/02/2026Things I discovered yesterday: 1. Pickle flavoured ketchup is a thing. 2. It is revolting. 3. In a shop it is easily mistaken for the real thing. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 15/12/2025JR "Sceptred Isle" by @helencarr.bsky.social, an excellent history of the 14th century chock full of brutal and or narcissistic kings, intrigue, overpowerful courtiers abusing a weak monarch, revolting french and plague. So nothing like modern times at all. Heartily recommended. 110
Reposted by Mark HoyleStephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Fantastic piece of work this 58422
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 22/11/2025I've yet to listen to the podcast, but I have done my homework, and watched this execrable film for the first and I suspect last time. While Peter Cushing is always good value, and he's carried a few stinkers in his time, this is beyond even his powers. 121
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 20/11/2025Earlier this year I walked across a frozen lake in outer Mongolia. How is it that Cambridgeshire feels colder than that right now? 010
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 08/11/2025Good moanng Amazon, this looks like it could be an innovative take on the JB Priestly play. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 07/11/2025 First got into @aimeemann.bsky.social in the early 90's with the release of "Whatever", been a fan ever since, so really happy to see this article. Not my top 20, but that's more down to the impossible task of choosing between so many excellent songs. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...theguardian.comA voice that still carries: Aimee Mann’s greatest songs – ranked!Thirty years on from the release of her acclaimed album I’m With Stupid, we count down the sucker-punching best tracks by the US singer-songwriter 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 27/10/2025Season 5 of "Only murders in the Building" stacked up and ready to binge watch. Some things in life are good. 100
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 04/10/2025Alien: Earth - 3 excellent episodes, 5 fair to middling. It's fine, but could have done with more alien and a bit less philosophy. Added points for Ade Edmondson who will forever be Vyvyan for me.media.tenor.coma man with a mohawk is sitting at a table with a sign that says vyvyanALT: a man with a mohawk is sitting at a table with a sign that says vyvyan 130
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 13/09/2025OMITB season 5 has started and I didn't realise? One the one hand poor form on my behalf, on the other, chance to binge watch what there is, so definite silver lining. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Having moved house, finally the new bookcases have arrived. Of course this now means I have to organise the books. Possibly a first world problem. 5230
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/08/2025Bravo @ftweekend.com, loving this crossword. FT Crossword: Number 18,141 - on.ft.com/3Vec5DJ via @FTon.ft.comClient ChallengePlease enable JavaScript to proceed. 100
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 03/08/2025JR "Blood and Treasure" by @duncanweldon.bsky.social. Engaging, well written account of 1000 years of conflict and the changing incentives behind it. Mr Weldon knows his military history and his economics and writes an excellent book. 171
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 31/07/2025JR "Knife" by Salman Rushdie, an account of his near murder and subsequent recovery. An amazing unflinching book. 010
Reposted by Mark HoyleSurprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · 22/07/2025The other day I drew a subway-style map for The Hobbit, and it was very well received. Some of you asked if I could do one for LoTR, so I have! Forgive the eel watermark; I'm working on making these something you can buy, if you like. 1132648736
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 21/05/2025Just read "John and Paul" by @ianleslie.bsky.social. A fantastic biography of Lennon and McCartney delving into what drove them rather than what just happened. Made me revisit the back catalogue and hear old favourites anew. 2151
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/05/2025Ok @ftweekend.com, while certainly plausible, I'll need more than two data points before I accept this claim. Maybe a log chart too. 110
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 17/05/2025@warmovietheatre.bsky.social Following a successful viewing of "The Rock" I'm now going through 80's action classics with the 15 year old. Don't suppose I can convince you that "Predator" is a war movie? 130
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 31/03/2025If he'd been in power 10 years ago, I suppose we'd have had a government drive on the importance of washing faces. 000
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 23/03/2025To my uneducated ear, John Williams is a god among film composers. TIL of this anecdote that makes me love him more. 021
Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Don't think I'd have used the word congratulations. 120
