"Take a bow son!!!" - Football season 2008/9 previews!

Ok…so Andy Gray doesn’t commentate on League Two games, much less would he utter such dramatic phrases for any of the typically bumbling goals we score, but the mighty Rochdale’s season has now begun and that calls for a nifty preview blog!

Last season, an amazing latter half of the season, saw the Dale reach the playoff final where we were, quite frankly, p0wned but a fearsome (for League Two anyway) strike duo. So what’s in store this season?

Well one things for sure, like most teams in L2 this season, the fear of relegation is that much more lukewarm, thanks to the triple whammy of points deductions. Rotherham, Bournemouth (n.b. Seth Rogan’s team “Bourne-mouth?”) and Luton have all been punished and will all start the season in the negative. This kind of cushion is a weight off my mind, despite the Dale’s quality surely meaning they’re nowhere near the rear end of the season come May 2009. On the other hand, look at Leeds, a deduction could be the kick up the arse these teams need for a huge surge up the table.

Summer transfer news?

We missed David Perkins in the final last season, and now he’s gone all together! Hopefully signing Jon Shaw from Halifax will bag plenty of goals along with last season’s top scorer for Rochdale, Adam Le Fondre.

My prediction this season?

With Keith Hill in charge, I do have faith and think 2nd place, automatic promotion could be in sights. Could I handle another day at Wembley? Sure, but we have to be a lot more solid across the park and not rely on the legend that is Gary Jones giving 1200% in every position going.

This week sees the first league home game of the season, and it’s only against local rivals, Bury. Given the result of our last local derby (you’re coming straight back down Stockport!) the Dale will be out to regain local pride. I’m delighted to be heading down for the game, in a season I hope to catch at least 10 home games.

Some league called the...Premier League?

As for the big stuff, I think Chelsea will come back and win the Premiership. Scolari is an incredible manager and you can already sense a more excited and confident collective at Stamford Bridge. Manchester Utd will push them the whole way, while I do believe Liverpool will keep in step until very late on in the campaign. As for the bottom? You really can’t see any of those teams promoted staying up can you? Windass and all, Hull will be rock bottom.

Fargo Yah?!

So, I've dedicated this week to watching "new" movies yah? And tonight, I finally watched the Coen's 1996 classic, Fargo.

I know I know, how on earth am I only just seeing this film. Yah. True. I can't believe it either. But there it is. Ok?

So, for those of you equally crazy to have not seen this flick, Fargo follows a botched fake kidnapping set-up by the wonderful William H. Macy and the persistent work of policewoman Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) trying to solve a series of murders.

One thing I must say right from the off...I couldn't have imagined the film to be so sentimental for such a dark tale. The relationship of Marge and her husband Norm is quite easily one of the sweetest unions I've ever seen on the big screen.

And Marge? She is simply a terrific character. A true movie hero. Dogged and right, she does her job well and is justifiably successful in the end.

A short and sweet thumbs up. Countless words of praise have made their indelible ink on Fargo, but I just wanted to add my praises, for an understated epic thriller with a huge dollop of Coen's black humour and squirting of crimson.

And the accents, oh yah? How can we forget those!

New film festival launches in Edinburgh.

The Chris Welton film festival started with a bang last night, with an unannounced screening of the 1993 classic children's movie, Rookie of the Year.

One of the all time great "kid miraculously gets good at sport - plays against adults, and wins" movies, Rookie of the Year stars future American Pie star Thomas Ian Nichols and future big ball of crazy, Gary Busey.

Nicholas plays Henry Rowengartner, a normal kid, who after an accident, becomes a major league baseball pitcher - with hilarious results.

The flick was greeted with spirited laughs from the sold out (*capacity of 1*) "Front Room" early yesterday evening, in a reorganised schedule from the planned "Control". (Organisers cite "Monday blues" as the reasoning)

Particular highlights include the spirited, if not rather underused, display by Scrubs star Neil Flynn (Janitor) as a very believable first baseman and Nichols' hilarious capers trying to steal bases by taunting an overweight pitcher.

The festival takes a break this evening but will return on Wednesday evening with Fargo, The Lost Boys, Fast Food Nation and Control all included in the screening lottery.

The Chris Welton film festival is in its first year and focuses on films recently bought for cheap prices from various outlets...but mainly £3 from Fopp.

You can support the Chris Welton film festival by letting Chris enjoy his evenings undisturbed watching films.

Ends

Editors Note: For more information go to www.chrisfilmfestival.co.uk