SwayBlog

The ObserverMoviesThe celebrated film critic David Thomson compares his favourite movies of 2001 and 1971 - and finds that complexity has given way to crassnessTen-best lists are for appointed film critics. The rest of us do what we can to like as many films as possible, and I find I can muster 10 for 2001, without too much cheating. In no particular order, they are Hannibal, Faithless, Ghost World, Moulin Rouge, Conspiracy, The Deep End, Mulholland Drive, Last Orders, In the Mood For Love and The Lord of the Rings.
Birmingham Stage Company’s Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams. Photograph: Mark DouetView image in fullscreenBirmingham Stage Company’s Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams. Photograph: Mark DouetOpinionSociety This article is more than 1 year oldBad grandmas are the new pop culture icons – and about time tooThis article is more than 1 year oldSally FeldmanThe feminists who demanded equal rights 50 years ago are revelling in another liberation, from the tired ‘old woman’ trope
Greece This article is more than 4 months oldFamilies of Yorkshire divers who died on Greece trip ‘may never know what happened’This article is more than 4 months oldInvestigation into deaths of Vincent Hong and Timothy Saville ‘let down’ by Greek authorities, says coroner The families of two men from Yorkshire who died on a scuba diving trip in Greece have been told they may never find out exactly what happened to their loved ones.
NFL This article is more than 14 years oldFormer NFL star Steve McNair was killed by jealous girlfriend, police sayThis article is more than 14 years oldLover shot Super Bowl quarterback four times and then killed herself after suspecting he was seeing another womanIt was in many senses a very modern American story: the retired football legend, the mistress, the perils of fame, and a murder that has gripped the country for days.
PhotographyObituaryHarry HammondPhotographer whose images caught the first wave of rock'n'roll-era pop stars in BritainHarry Hammond, who has died at the age of 88, was the first great photographer of British rock'n'roll, chronicling the first decade of that music, up to and including the emergence of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He photographed every major American rocker who visited Britain, from Bill Haley through to Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Eddie Cochran.
Vestiaire Collective authenticator Justine Bammez inspects a Hermès bag. Photograph: Amit Lennon/The GuardianVestiaire Collective authenticator Justine Bammez inspects a Hermès bag. Photograph: Amit Lennon/The GuardianFashionWith fashion lovers increasingly turning to secondhand luxury, bogus goods are rife. But at what cost? The rainbow-checked scarf arrives on time, by post, in a Ziploc bag. The tag reads Acne Studios, a high-end Swedish label, but the wording looks … off. I send a photo to a typographer friend.
Children's booksChildren's booksIf You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson - review'You might think that this is a boring love story, but it's all about how two people from different backgrounds have to hide their feelings'Jacqueline Woodson, If You Come SoftlyThis is the story of two teenagers who live in America, Ellie and Jeremiah. They both go to Percy Academy, a school in New York. On the first day of term, Jeremiah accidentally bumps into Ellie in the school corridor.
CIA This article is more than 3 years oldJerrold Post, CIA psychiatrist who profiled Trump, dies of Covid aged 86This article is more than 3 years oldFamily salutes ‘insatiable, roving curiosity, probing empathy’Pioneer in field predicted Trump would not concede defeatJerrold M Post, a psychiatrist who profiled dictators for the CIA and who declared Donald Trump a “dangerous, destructive charismatic leader”, has died of Covid-19. He was 86. 'Saddam, tell me about your mum'Read moreA pioneer in his field, Post’s assessments of leaders such as Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi and Kim Jong-il helped guide presidents and other US officials.
Marathon This article is more than 4 months oldMexico City Marathon expels 11,000 runners for cutting sections of courseThis article is more than 4 months oldTrackers suggest many participants did not run full courseSome athletes have said technology was not working properlyMore than a third of runners at this year’s Mexico City Marathon have been expelled after organisers say they cut out sections of the 26.2 mile course. An investigation was launched after complaints that runners had used cars, public transport and bikes to cheat during the race on 27 August.