Tomorrow is Thursday 18th September 2014 – a big day for the UK. The referendum vote to decide whether Scotland will leave our little island and become independent. So today I’m doing a personal top 10 – in honour of Scotland.
1. John Hannah – one of my favourite Scottish actors who not only is talented but also comes across extremely likable. My favourite role is one of his most recent – D.I Jack Cloth in hilarious spoof detective series A Touch of Cloth.
2. Trainspotting soundtrack – great book, memorable film. But I’m giving credit today to the soundtrack, which is pretty amazing, featuring songs from Blondie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. In 2007 Vanity Fair ranked it the 7th best soundtrack of all time.
3. Simple Minds – I’m a huge fan of 80s electro pop (and what of it?) and Simple Minds were one of the best and from Glasgow. Have a recap of their classic Don’t You Forget About Me, impossible not to sing along to.
4. Highlander – this really is a personal one of mine. When I was a teenager I got into a heated debate with my dad, on the phone, about the merits of Highlander. He got so annoyed that I didn’t like it as much as him he hung the phone up on me.
5. Braveheart – this historically inaccurate film starring an anti-semitic Australian was an obvious choice for me!
6. Kelly Macdonald – because she’s a brilliant actress and her American accent in No Country for Old Men was incredible. Plus she’s lovely.
7. Macbeth (2015) – in 2015 Michael Fassbender will hit our cinema screens in the newest adaptation of Macbeth. I just know he is going to be amazing in the eponymous, title role and I’m very excited to see it. And it’s another character Fassy can say he’s shared with McKellen!
8. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Mr Doyle was famous for his belief in the supernatural, despite being a physicist and writing Sherlock Holmes’ character as a sturdy non-believer of anything strange. Conan Doyle himself was one of the first people to state the Cottingley Fairies were real. He also had a great full name – Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle. Say it out loud. Now how many actors who work in theatre would like that for a name?
9. The Wicker Man – one of my favourite ever horror movies. Edward Woodward stars as the well meaning police officer who gets well and truly fucked over by the residents of Summerisle, led by a crazy haired Christopher Lee, who apparently loved his role so much he wavered his fee for starring in the film. Britt Eckland also starred, she’s rather pretty isn’t she –
Here she is doing her casual naked dancing …
And casually laying on a sofa…
10. David Tennant – THE BEST DOCTOR WHO EVER!
Great post Emma. Reading this now I can definitely say Macbeth lived up to my expectations, the presentation of the Scottish landscape was incredible! I agree with you on Kelly MacDonald too. LOVED her in Boardwalk Empire!
Yay!!! Thanks so much 🙂
I’m yet to see Macbeth but so pleased you enjoyed it. Was Fassy brilliant?
I’ve not seen Boardwalk Empire, drat! Is that the one with Steve Buscemi as well? In what I have seen her in though, she’s always been outstanding!
Conan Doyle is my favourite. I love Sherlock Holmes. Nice idea for a list.
Thanks very much! Thanks for visiting 🙂
The Trainspotting soundtrack is excellent. I also like Kelly Macdonald. She puts in a great performance in Boardwalk Empire. Fortunately Scotland didn’t break away.
Yay glad we’re still Great Britain not Good Britain 🙂 sounds a little bit too close to breakfast TV.
I’ve not seen Boardwalk Empire, but is that the one with Steve Buscemi?
Sorry for late response I’ve been on holiday!
Excellent list. #9 is especially talented xD
This is the day in question. Fingers crossed 😀
haha I’m glad you like no.9 too!! 🙂
Fingers crossed indeed.
Hey Emma? I know you’ve already got your perfect top 10 list, but can Jamie from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon be a runner up?
Yes!! Of course my pal, I’ll edit and add it to the post now with a link to your site 🙂
Aww. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
David Tennant definitely the BEST Dr. Who! And Sir Sean Connery has always been my favorite Bond.
I know!!! Who would have thought a modern day Doctor Who would have overtaken the greats but he really was brilliant.
He also played a transvestite called Davina in Rab C Nesbitt 🙂
Oh Good Grief! How could I have forgotten about Daniel Craig? I think he’s even more like the original Bond thsn Connery.
I just wondered because the Bond movies are not my expertise, in fact the very opposite. But all I ever really heard was he was more ‘action’ and shockingly………blonde!
🙂
Daniel Craig has made Bond a little more rough around the edges, in a good way though. And he won’t say ‘shaken, not stirred’in regards to his drink!
Ha ha really?! What is his signature saying then?
I suppose it would have seemed a bit corny but at the same time….it is tradition Daniel!!
“The name is Bond. James Bond.” Okay. Now I can’t get the Bond theme out of my head! And congratulations! You’re still the United Kingdom!
And let us not forget his brilliant acting in Harry Potter!
YES!!!
Sean Connery! the best, though only my 2nd favourite Bond.
Who’s your first? 🙂
I think Roger Moore as he made it fun as i grew up watching Bond it was more about the funny one liners and he pulled them off best.
This is funny. Connery’s my first pick because for me he was the most like the Bond in Ian Fleming’s books, but Moore is my 2nd choice because he was so much fun. Live and Let Die will always be one of my favorite Bond movies.
I don’t know much about Bond I’m afraid! I’ve only seen bits and bobs here and there. Any opinion on Daniel Craig?
It seems like Roger Moore is the most fun then! That appeals to me 🙂
This is brilliant!
Aww cheers Kim. I think you are brilliant. And very nice to me!!
I’ve seen your email btw, I will reply asap!! I hope you’re feeling better today and I’d love a Lacey of my own 🙂
Stop that! You’re giving me a swelled head! I didn’t even know that Scotland wanted their independence. Being part Irish, I’ve always been wrapped up with Northern Ireland. This will be interesting!
Part Irish! I had no idea. Until I read your comment 🙂
Did one of your parents or grandparents come from Ireland or was it further down the line?
You should have a swelled head, you’re great!!!!
P.S BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. (my all time favourite show!!!!!!!!)
Still surreptitiously watch reruns.
I had the them song as my ring tone not so long ago… ha ha!
#teambuffy!
It was my paternal grandfather who came from Donegal County. My maiden name is McCarthy.
Hello!!!
I LOVE IT!
#smooch
Entry no.9 (ooooh!) was just for you 🙂
I’m trying to sort out the dodgy spacing. Boo!
Hello to you too and glad you like it!!!!! #smooch (I actually just wrote #smooth then….how smooth)
#SmoothOperator
You know I’m singing that now 🙂
HA!! : )
Yeah…..I deserve that HA!
🙂
I see Eric is being his usual pervy self here… 😉
Excellent top ten! I’m a big lover of making top ten lists. Love the inclusion of the underrated Simple Minds! 🙂
LOVE Simple Minds!!!!
And yes he is definitely being pervy Eric ha ha ha
🙂
I’m a fucking gentleman!
#HA!
You fucking well are 🙂
YOU KNOW IT BABY!!!