iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Today I was finally able to answer the question "What kind of jackass would it take for me to side with Jacob Rees-Mogg?"

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ok very non blue sky, but this is appalling. Who gets to decide what is shameful? When the pendulum swings the other way who protects the former shamers.

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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.com

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy Richard Burton

ALT: Broadsword Calling Danny Boy Richard Burton

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Re your question about depictions of prostitution in non-vietnam war films, the obvious example that sprang to my mind is "Catch-22", where if memory serves it's quite central to the plot.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

You are mixing 2-d and 3-d measures there, almost as if you are deliberately trying to smoke out maths pedants.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

That ring belongs in a museum.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Nuance, on social media? Can't see it catching on alas.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Damn Melville has a way with words. #MobyDick

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

That said characters are overwrought which could be a Victorian thing but I'm sure I've read better in other Victorian literature. And somewhat surprisingly Dracula is hardly in it, though when he is, he's properly evil.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The 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)

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Introducing the 16 year old to "Le Relaid de Venise". Been a while for me but still glorious.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

What if Harrods decide not to sell the shoes, not because of any inherent problem with them or the maker, but because if they do a self appointed mob of balaclava wearing ruffians will descend on the store and cause a ruckus and they just can't be bothered with that?

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Fortunately for them, the left is extremely proficient at forming circular firing squads.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

There is no arguing with that. But I'll wager there's fun to be trying.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I've now tested this with the prompt "Deep space 9 is the best star trek series" and it comes up with a surprisingly convincing, if cringey, argument each time.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Off the back of this I'd recommend the jan25 3 episode "we have ways" series on the women of SOE with guest @claremulley.bsky.social. Excellent stuff which covers Violet Szabo among others and also answers why they only got the George Cross.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Looking 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.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Not a comment on her specifically, but seems to me that the further towards political extremes one is the more one is willing to jettison scientific evidence in favour of ideology.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Finally listened to this episode. My nominee for best death: Goose, told via medium of flashback.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Fascinating, I'd not made that connection. GMF also has interesting things to say about war crimes of the type shown in this film in "Quartered safe out here". Probably no surprise that he's somewhat ambivalent on them.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Finally on the subject of "in event of war, break glass" characters, I'm reminded of the George MacDonald Fraser short story "Captain Errol" (4/4)

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

In some ways the Invasion of Grenada is perfect in that noone knows why they're doing it, but their job is to not ask questions to get on with the job in hand under fire, and while the US had superior numbers, may not have felt like it to advance divisions (speaking as an armchair warrior). (3/n)

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I'd agree that it's great as a training film, but I disagree with Duncan in that they do need the skirmish at the end to demonstrate that Clint has done his job.(2/n)

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Happy 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)

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Not seen any video clips yet, but I'm hoping you wore matching shirts.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Return of the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Python: upgrade at your own peril.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Excel: I think you'll find that is a date.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Nastiest nazi I have a good hit rate, failing mainly when the enemy is off screen (for example way to the stars), best death is a bit more random.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I'd say key question there is how does it stack up when compared with Jeff Wayne's "War of the worlds".

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

There's also "War of the worlds" which whilst I've not seen it, may be a war film.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Not sure I'd recognise him without civil war facial hair.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

There's "Born on the 4th of July" as well.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I'm keeping "Clown Town" as a carrot to reward myself with after some of the denser reads. However if the denser read turns out to be not at all dense, then "Clown Town" gets pushed back further.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

It's possible the "shelf-of-the-unread" is getting a bit out of control.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Shameless 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...

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Note to self: when on holiday relaxing on a beach avoid all social media.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

14 hour flight from Singapore to London, how better to spend just under a third of that time than watching a clearly spliced together miniseries and marvelling at some truly tremendous facial hair. For all that, very engrossing film. Now for the podcast.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

A for me, if only so I can try and guess the nastiest nazi and the best death.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

A Singapore Sling in the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel with "The Complete Raffles"

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Up 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.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

MacNee/Rigg era Avengers is a constant reference point for me, nothing to do with age, just what was on C4 growing up. Look forward to your next book

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

You kindly signed a copy for me at the IWM podcast festival last year, sorry it's taken me this long to get round to it. In answer to your question, neither slight misquote from "Raiders of the lost ark".

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Next up, another @warmovietheatre.com inspired read. This could be the start of an expensive habit.

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Mark Hoyle @markhoyle.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

"Wounds" - @fergalkeane.bsky.social. An account of the Irish rebellion and ensuing civil war and the lasting impact they have had, told through the history of his family and the area they lived in. By turns enraging, saddening and always thought provoking.

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