The government's Counter-Terrorism Act has received royal consent and makes it an offence to accidentally click on a link before you even know what it contains
It will be an offence to view terrorist material online just once -- and could incur a prison sentence of up to 15 years -- under a new UK law.
The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill has just been granted Royal Assent, updating a previous Act and bringing new powers to law enforcement to tackle terrorism.
But a controversial inclusion was to update the offence of obtaining information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism so that it now covers viewing or streaming content online.
Originally, the proposal had been to make it an offence for someone to view material three or more times -- but the three strikes idea has been dropped from the final Act.
The government said that the existing laws didn't capture the nuance in changing methods for distribution and consumption of terrorist content -- and so added a new clause into the 2019 Act making it an offence to view (or otherwise access) any
terrorist material online. This means that, technically, anyone who clicked on a link to such material could be caught by the law.
A musician found guilty of broadcasting grossly offensive anti-Semitic songs has had her conviction upheld.
Alison Chabloz has written many politically incorrect, humorous and insulting songs often targeted at jews but also more generally against the PC establishment. The songs have been published on many internet platforms including YouTube.
In May she was convicted of three charges relating to the songs and was given a suspended jail sentence by magistrates which she appealed against.
A judge at Southwark Crown Court has upheld her conviction ruling the content was particularly repellent. In the songs Chabloz suggested the Holocaust was a bunch of lies and referred to Auschwitz as a theme park.
Chabloz was convicted of two counts of sending an offensive, indecent or menacing message through a public communications network and a third charge relating to a song on YouTube.
She was sentenced to 20 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years and banned from social media for 12 months.
During the appeal Adrian Davies, defending, told judge Christopher Hehir: It would be a very, very strong thing to say that a criminal penalty should be imposed on someone for singing in polemical terms about matters on which she feels so strongly.
The case started as a private prosecution by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism before the Crown Prosecution Service took over. The group's chairman, Gideon Falter, said: This is the first conviction in the UK over Holocaust denial on social media.
Social media giants will face tough new laws to prevent the spread of knife crime, the Home Secretary threatened -- as he spoke of fears for his own children's safety.
Sajid Javid said it was time for a legal crackdown on social media images promoting gang culture, in the same way that child sex abuse images and terrorist propaganda have already been outlawed.
In a warning to online firms, he said:
My message to these companies is we are going to legislate and how far we go depends on what you decide to do now. At the moment we don't have the legislation for these types of [knife crime-related] content.
I have it for terrorist content and child sexual abuse images.
Google is among several firms which have been criticised for hosting content glamorising gang culture. Rappers using its YouTube video platform post so-called drill music videos to boast about the number of people they have stabbed or shot, using
street terms. The platform has taken down dozens of videos by drill artists, after warnings from the Metropolitan Police that they were raising the risk of violence.
ASA's rule writing arm CAP has published new standards to restrict gambling ads from being seen by under 18s.
This follows a review of the evidence on advertising's impact on under-18s and rulings by the Advertising Standards Authority. The last review was carried out in 2014.
The evidence suggests that exposure to gambling ads that comply with the UK's Advertising Codes is, of itself, unlikely to harm under-18s. Targeted restrictions are still required, however, to address the potential risks associated with
irresponsible advertising. While the advertising rules don't need to change, we have introduced new standards to strengthen how they apply in practice.
The new standards:
prohibit online ads for gambling products being targeted at groups of individuals who are likely to be under 18 based on data about their online interests and browsing behaviour;
extensively list unacceptable types of content, including certain types of animated characters, licensed characters from movies or TV and sportspeople and celebrities that are likely to be of particular appeal to children, and references to youth
culture; and
prohibit the use in gambling ads of sportspersons, celebrities or other characters who are or appear to be under 25; and
adds to existing guidance on the responsible targeting of ads, covering all media (including social networks and other online platforms)
In particular, the standards provide examples of scenarios to help advertisers understand what they need to do to target ads away from under-18s. For example:
Social media -- gambling operators must use all the tools available to them on a social network platform to prevent targeting their ads at under-18s. This includes both ad targeting facilities provided directly by the platform based, on their
platform users' interests and browsing behaviour, and tools that restrict under-18s' access to marketers' own social media content.
Parts of websites for under-18s -- gambling operators should take particular care to avoid placing their ads on parts of websites of particular appeal to under-18s. For example, a football club's website might have a strongly adult audience
in general, but it would be inappropriate to place gambling ads in pages dedicated to younger supporters.
Social and online gaming -- gambling-like games or games that feature elements of simulated gambling activity are often popular with children and young people. Such games should not be used to promote real-money gambling products. Where
social and online games feature marketing communications for gambling games, they should not be directed at under-18s.
Influencers -- gambling operators should take particular care when identifying influencers to promote their products or brands. They should take into account the influencer's likely appeal and obtain audience data (for instance, the
age-breakdown of a follower or subscriber-base) to ensure that under-18s are not likely to comprise more than 25% of the audience.
Affiliates -- responsibility lies with gambling operators to ensure that affiliates or other third parties acting on their behalf to publish or disseminate ads that comply with the advertising rules.
BBFC decisions from 09 February 2019 to 11 February 2019
Sorry Angel
Sorry Angel is a 2018 France romance by Christophe Honoré.
Starring Vincent Lacoste, Pierre Deladonchamps and Denis Podalydès.
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong sex, language ( 132:30s ) :
2019 cinema release
Summary Notes
1990. Arthur, 20 years, studying in Rennes. His life changes when he meets Jacques, a writer who lives in Paris with his young son. All summer long, Arthur and Jacques enjoy and love each other. But Jacques knows that this kind of love needs to
live fast.
The White Crow
The White Crow is a 2018 UK / France biography by Ralph Fiennes.
Starring Oleg Ivenko, Ralph Fiennes and Louis Hofmann.
This Valentine's, Naag and Pammi will redefine romance for you in Kala Shah Kala, an upcoming Indian-Punjabi comedy film which celebrates the much maligned and universal butt of jokes - the color black. Lovely (Binnu Dhillon) a happy go lucky and
charming guy struggles to find the love of his life because of his dark complexion. Pammi (Sargun Mehta) is everything he dreamed of, and for a while it sure seems like a match made in heaven, but alas Lovely will have to prove yet again that
it's not the color of the skin that matters but your heart and soul that matter and always wins.
Planeta Singli 3
Planeta Singli 3 is a 2019 comedy romance by Sam Akina Michal Chacinski.
Starring Piotr Glowacki, Sylwia Gola and Tomasz Karolak.
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong sex references ( 101:02s ) :
2019 cinema release
Film on DVD
BBFC decisions from 09 February 2019 to 11 February 2019
Invincible
Invincible is a 2018 Russia action war drama by Konstantin Maksimov.
Starring Andrey Chernyshov, Vladimir Epifantsev and Oleg Fomin.
The movie inspired by real events tells the story of the KV-1 tank's crew heroic deed. Having a losing fight, the crew of Semyon Konovalov destroyed 16 enemy tanks, 2 armored vehicles and 8 vehicles with enemy personnel near Nizhnemityakin farm
in Tarasovskoye district of Rostov region. This is the story of not the poster heroes, but broken, cheerful, and very diverse guys who just wanted to live. At the decisive moment they managed to do the only right thing and performed the deed
worthy of the legend.
Last Days in the Desert
Last Days in the Desert is a drama by Rodrigo Garacia.
Starring Ewan McGregor, Ciaran Hinds and Tye Sheridan.
On his deathbed, the reigning king bestows power to an unexpected heir who must find strength within himself to unite his people against the violent crusades which threaten their freedom.
A Star is Born
A Star is Born is a 2018 USA romance by Bradley Cooper.
Starring Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper and Sam Elliott.
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong language, drug misuse ( 130:08s ) :
2019 Warner Home Video [16:9] video
Summary Notes
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers-and falls in love with-struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer - until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's
career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
Additional Material:
A Star is Born - Music Videos: Shallow With Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - Music Videos: Look What I Found By Lady Gaga [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - Music Videos: I'll Never Love Again By Lady Gaga [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - Music Videos: Always Remember Us This Way By Lady Gaga [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - Jam Sessions and Rarities: Midnight Special [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - Jam Sessions and Rarities: Is That Alright By Lady Gaga [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - Jam Sessions and Rarities: Baby What You Want Me To Do [Additional Material]
A Star is Born - the Road To Stardom: Making a Star is Born [Additional Material]
VoD
BBFC decisions from 09 February 2019 to 11 February 2019
3 Days in Quiberon
3 Days in Quiberon is a 2018 Germany / Austria / France drama by Emily Atef.
Starring Marie Bäumer, Birgit Minichmayr and Charly Hübner.
1981: One year before her death, famous actress Romy Schneider retreats to a spa hotel in the town of Quiberon, Brittany. Visited by her close friend Hilde, who has come to offer the support she needs to fight her own demons. But it is more than
just the reunion of two old friends. When two journalists from the STERN arrive to conduct an interview, Hilde tries to shield her friend from their invasive interrogation tactics. For three days and nights, the interaction between the quartet
ranges from sensitivity to brutal manipulation, an emotional roller coaster ride, by the end of which Romy seems more vulnerable than ever. Yet perhaps she has rediscovered her zest for life and the inner strength to carry on.
Dry Martina
Dry Martina is a comedy drama by Che Sandoval.
Starring Antonella Costa, Patricio Contreras and Dindi Jane.
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong sex, sex references, language, drug misuse ( 99:54s ) :
2019 Netflix Services UK Limited VoD
TV on DVD
BBFC decisions from 09 February 2019 to 11 February 2019
Beat
Beat is a crime drama by Marco Kreuzpaintner.
Starring Jannis Niewöhner, Karoline Herfurth and Christian Berkel.
Featured Material:
Season 1, Episode 1, Beat Passed 15 for strong injury detail, drug use, sex, language (61:01s)
Season 1, Episode 1, Beat Passed 15 for strong injury detail, drug use, sex, language (61:01s)
Season 1, Episode 2, Pop Passed 15 for strong violence, injury detail, drug use, sex, language (54:23s)
Season 1, Episode 2, Pop Passed 15 for strong violence, injury detail, drug use, sex, language (54:23s)
Season 1, Episode 3, Bpm Passed 15 for strong violence, drug use, sex, language (66:30s)
Season 1, Episode 3, Bpm Passed 15 for strong violence, drug use, sex, language (66:30s)
Season 1, Episode 4, Loop Passed 15 for strong sex, language, injury detail, drug misuse (58:21s)
Season 1, Episode 5, Backspin Passed 15 for strong violence, sex, drug misuse, language (70:37s)
Season 1, Episode 5, Backspin Passed 15 for strong violence, sex, drug misuse, language (70:37s)
Season 1, Episode 6, Drop Passed 15 for strong violence, drug use, language (56:15s)
Season 1, Episode 6, Drop Passed 15 for strong violence, drug misuse, language (56:15s)
Season 1, Episode 7, Coda Passed 15 for strong violence, drug misuse (63:08s)
Season 1, Episode 7, Coda Passed 15 for strong violence, drug misuse (63:08s)
Season 1, Episodes 1-7, Subtitled Version Passed 15 for strong language, violence, injury detail, sex, drug misuse (431:41s)
The Dawson Watch
The Dawson Watch is a comedy video by Les Dawson.
Starring Les Dawson, April Walker and Debbi Blythe.
Featured Material:
Seasons 1-3, Episodes 1-7, Series 1-3 Passed 12 for moderate sex references, sexualised nudity, discriminatory references (559:15s)
Land of the Lustrous
Land of the Lustrous is a animation adventure drama by Takahiko Kyogoku.
Starring Sarah Wiedenheft (voice), Avery Smithhart (voice) and Savanna Menzel (voice).
Featured Material:
Season 1, Episodes 1-12 Passed PG for mild violence, threat, injury detail, sex references (302:25s)
New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam is a drama by Kate Dennis.
Starring Ryan Eggold, Janet Montgomery and Freema Agyeman.
Featured Material:
Season 1, Episode 1, Pilot Passed 12 for references to child abuse, bloody images (42:55s)
Season 1, Episode 10, Six Or Seven Minutes Passed 12 for moderate medical gore (42:57s)
Season 1, Episode 11, a Seat at the Table Passed 12 for moderate threat (42:56s)
Season 1, Episode 2, Rituals Passed 12 for moderate violence, bloody surgical detail (42:56s)
Season 1, Episode 3, Every Last Minute Passed PG for mild bad language, drug references (42:56s)
Season 1, Episode 4, Boundaries Passed 12 for bloody medical detail (42:51s)
Season 1, Episode 5, Cavitation Passed 12 for bloody surgery detail (42:47s)
Season 1, Episode 6, Anthropocene Passed 12 for moderate drug references, threat (42:53s)
Season 1, Episode 7, Domino Effect Passed 12 for moderate medical gore, upsetting scenes (42:55s)
Season 1, Episode 8, Three Dots Passed 15 for suicide attempt (42:51s)
Season 1, Episode 9, As Long As It Takes Passed PG for mild bad language, threat, surgery detail (42:53s)
Season 1, Episodes 1-11 Passed 15 for suicide attempt (471:50s)
Romance is a Bonus Book
Romance is a Bonus Book is a romance by Not Supplied.
Starring John-SUk Lee and Nayoung Lee.
Featured Material:
Season 1, Episode 1 Passed 12 for moderate bad language (65:08s)
Season 1, Episode 2 Passed 12 for moderate injury detail (60:56s)
Season 1, Episode 3 Passed PG for infrequent mild sex references (65:08s)
Season 1, Episode 4 Passed 12 for moderate injury detail, sex references (64:47s)
Season 1, Episode 5 Passed PG for mild bad language (62:39s)
Season 1, Episode 6 Passed 12 for moderate bad language (61:18s)
Coming Soon
BBFC decisions from 09 February 2019 to 11 February 2019
Trailers:
Shongram
Bumblebee
Additional Material:
Bumblebee - Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome [Additional Material]
The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2019 USA comedy drama by Simon Curtis.
Starring Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried.
Rated PG for thematic material.
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.
Summary Notes
A dog named Enzo recalls the life lessons he has learned from his race car driving owner, Denny.
The Fall of the American Empire
The Fall of the American Empire is a 2018 Canada comedy by Denys Arcand.
Starring Maxim Roy, Éric Bruneau and Vincent Leclerc.
Rated R for some strong violence, sexual content/nudity and language.
Sony Pictures Classics
Summary Notes
A shy and insecure delivery truck driver accidentally arrives on the scene of a major crime and happens to pick up two bags of cash and hides them in his truck. Though an interrogation of two tough police detectives isn't enough, the guy, who has
a doctor's degree in philosophy which makes his mind mingle with remorse, must find a way to get rid of this dirty money. Only the help of a prostitute and a former biker who came out of jail might get him out of trouble, especially that a gang
leader is very weary to get his cash back or kill whoever is responsible for this mess. However, even the two bumbling detectives are monitoring the case as well.
General Commander
General Commander is a 2018 UK / Philippines / Hungary action film by Ross W Clarkson (co-director) and Philippe Martinez (co-director).
Starring Steven Seagal, Megan Brown and Sonia Couling.
Rated R for bloody violence, and language throughout.
Lionsgate
Summary Notes
GRS operative Jake Alexander and his team of young recruits go after the most dangerous and notorious criminals with the help of a Hong Kong billionaire.
The Importance of Doubting Tom
Rated PG-13 for some suggestive material.
Adler And Associates Entertainment
The Kid
Rated R for violence and language.
Lionsgate
Lavender
Rated R for sexual content.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Inc.
Mia and the White Lion
Mia and the White Lion is a 2018 France / Germany / South Africa family adventure drama by Gilles de Maistre.
Starring Daniah De Villiers, Mélanie Laurent and Langley Kirkwood.
Rated PG for thematic elements, peril and some language.
Ledafilms Entertainment Group, Inc.
Summary Notes
Mia is 11 years old when she develops an extraordinary relationship with Charlie, a young white lion born in Mia's parents farm, in South Africa. During three years, they will grow up together and live a beautiful friendship. When Mia reaches the
age of 14 and that Charlie has become a magnificent adult lion, she discovers the unbearable truth: her father has decided to sell the lion to trophy hunters. Desperate, Mia has no other choice than to escape with Charlie in order to rescue him.
Saving Zoe
Rated R for disturbing violence/rape, nudity, language, drug use, drinking, and brief sexuality - all involving teens.
Blue Fox Entertainment
Share
Rated R for some disturbing sexual content, teen drug/alcohol use, and for language.
A24
Shazam!
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, language, and suggestive material.
New Line Cinema
Teen Spirit
Rated PG-13 for some suggestive content, and for teen drinking and smoking.
Bleecker Street
Vault
Rated R for language throughout, violence, drug use and some sexuality/nudity.
Grindstone Entertainment Group
The Wedding Guest
Rated R for language, some violence and brief nudity.
The Boys In The Band is a 1970 USA gay drama by William Friedkin.
Starring Kenneth Nelson, Peter White and Leonard Frey.
Cut by the BBFC for an X rated cinema release in 1970. Later uncut and 15 rated for home video. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
The film is reported as the first US studio film to feature the word 'cunt' in Michael's line Donald, you are a real card-carrying cunt. The BBFC were still censoring the word in 1970, eg in Ulysses , so presumably t was the word
'cunt' that was cut by the BBFC for this cinema release.
UK: Passed 15 for very strong language, strong sex references, discrimination, drug misuse after compulsory BBFC cuts:
2018 Second Sight (RB) Blu-ray
at UK Amazon released on 11th February 2019
Promotional Material
A group of thirty-something gay men gather to celebrate a birthday, but before long, tensions rise, secrets emerge and the insults begin to fly.
Director William Friedkin reassembled the original cast for his film adaption of the ground-breaking Broadway hit. Playwright Mart Crowley adapted his own play, creating a script full of acerbic speeches and cutting one liners for his cast of
unforgettable characters.
Released 50 years after its Broadway debut – a year before the Stonewall riots - The Boys in the Band still has the power to shock.
SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
Audio Commentary with Director William Friedkin and Writer Mart Crowley
Press freedom in Europe is more fragile now than at any time since the end of the Cold War. That is the alarming conclusion of a report launched today by the 12 partner organisations of the Council of Europe platform to promote the protection of
journalism and safety of journalists.
The report, Democracy at Risk, analyses media freedom violations raised to the Platform in 2018. It provides a stark picture of the worsening environment for the media across Europe, in which journalists increasingly face obstruction, hostility and
violence as they investigate and report on behalf of the public.
The 12 Platform partners -- international journalists' and media organisations as well as freedom of expression advocacy groups -- reported 140 serious media freedom violations (alerts) in 32 Council of Europe member states in 2018. This review of
the alerts reveals a picture sharply at odds with the guarantees enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. Impunity for crimes against journalists is becoming a new normal. Legal protections for critical, investigative reporting have
been weakened offline and online. The space for the press to hold government authorities and the powerful to account has shrunk.
Last year the murders of J31n Kuciak and fianc39e Martina Kusn3drov31 in Slovakia and Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, were among 35 alerts for attacks on journalists' physical safety and integrity. Alerts about
serious threats to journalists' lives doubled and were accompanied by a strong surge in verbal abuse and public stigmatisation of the media and individual journalists in Council of Europe member states.
Urgent actions backed by a determined show of political will by Council of Europe member states are now required to improve the dire conditions for media freedom and to provide reliable protections for journalists in law and practice, the report
warns.
The purpose of the Platform, based on a 2015 agreement between the Council of Europe and the partner organisations, is to prompt an early dialogue with member states and hasten remedies for violations and shortcomings in the protections for free and
independent journalism.
The Platform partners call on states that impose the harshest restrictions on journalists' activities' and freedom of expression to:
Restore rule of law safeguards and drop charges against journalists and release them as a step towards restoring a safe and enabling environment for independent media; Remove extremism and other laws criminalising media and end arbitrary exercise of
powers by the executive and regulators; and Take the necessary steps to put in place a structure of media regulation and ownership which safeguards media plurality and freedom.
In addition, the Platform partners call on all states to reply fully and in good faith to all alerts and to take effective measures in law and practice to remedy the threats to the safety of individual journalists and media.
The Council of Europe Platform was launched in April 2015 to provide information which may serve as a basis for dialogue with member states about possible protective or remedial action. While many member states responded to alerts in 2018, five
states declined to respond to any alerts, including those reporting very serious media freedom violations.
The 12 Platform partners are: the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), Article 19, Reporters without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ), Index on Censorship, the International Press Institute (IPI), the International News Safety Institute (INSI), Rory Peck Trust, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and PEN International.
Blackface refers to a long standing rule of political correctness banning white people from pretending to be black people. But now it seems that the pretence underpinning the rule is no longer required, and that any image of of a black face is now
considered politically incorrect
A fashion line of shoes associated with Katy Perry has been withdrawn after being accused of using blackface.
The sandals and loafers, designed with a face featuring prominent red lips, are no longer on sale at retailers including Walmart. A spokesperson for the Kate Perry Collection told TMZ : In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the
process of pulling the shoes.
Perry has released a statement describing the shoes as part of a collection envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism. She said:
I was saddened when it was brought to my attention that it was being compared to painful images reminiscent of blackface. Our intention was never to inflict any pain. She said they had been immediately removed from the website for her fashion line.
Christian Concern writes a long article criticising the relaxation of UK obscenity law and concludes:
We need your help to monitor the mainstreaming of sado-masochism and extreme pornography in British society from now on. Christians have a unique calling to shed the light of the Gospel on this problem, and to provide a witness to redemption in a
society that has completely lost its way regarding sexual ethics.
It will be an offence to view terrorist material online just once -- and could incur a prison sentence of up to 15 years -- under a new UK law.
A musician found guilty of broadcasting grossly offensive anti-Semitic songs has had her conviction upheld.
Social media giants will face tough new laws to prevent the spread of knife crime, the Home Secretary threatened -- as he spoke of fears for his own children's safety.
Cinema
Film on DVD
VoD
TV on DVD
Coming Soon
Blackface refers to a long standing rule of political correctness banning white people from pretending to be black people. But now it seems that the pretence underpinning the rule is no longer required, and that any image of of a black face is now
considered politically incorrect
Christian Concern writes a long article criticising the relaxation of UK obscenity law and concludes:
