Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
@russeldmclean.bsky.social
Novelist, screenwriter, freelance dev editor. Crime/thriller/sff/horror. General miscreant. Dad of cats. Scottish. Latest Book: THE FRIDAY GIRL (as R.D. McLean)
https://www.russeldmcleanbooks.com
https://www.russeldmcleanbooks.com
Since its the start of December, I guess tonight's watch shoukd be a Christmas movie... BATMAN RETURNS (1992, dir Tim Burton) should set the mood nicely...
December 1, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Since its the start of December, I guess tonight's watch shoukd be a Christmas movie... BATMAN RETURNS (1992, dir Tim Burton) should set the mood nicely...
Finally got to see @realgdt.bsky.social's NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021) (missed it first time round cos I was isolating) and my God it is a near perfect contemporary take on classic noir. Beautiful in appearance, dark in soul, it's shockingly brilliant & a true must-watch.
December 1, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Finally got to see @realgdt.bsky.social's NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021) (missed it first time round cos I was isolating) and my God it is a near perfect contemporary take on classic noir. Beautiful in appearance, dark in soul, it's shockingly brilliant & a true must-watch.
Rather rubbish day with bad reaction to new medication leaving me feeling unwell. So comfort viewing needed & for me comfort is generally a daft action movie - THE TERMINATOR (1984, dir. James Cameron) fits the bill...
November 28, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Rather rubbish day with bad reaction to new medication leaving me feeling unwell. So comfort viewing needed & for me comfort is generally a daft action movie - THE TERMINATOR (1984, dir. James Cameron) fits the bill...
In a cockadoodie kinda mood today, so this evening's watch is MISERY (1990, dir. Rob Reiner), with both James Caan and Kathy Bates on top form as author Paul Sheldon and his "number one fan" Annie Wilkes... I can only imagine how Annie would feel about the strong language in my books...
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
In a cockadoodie kinda mood today, so this evening's watch is MISERY (1990, dir. Rob Reiner), with both James Caan and Kathy Bates on top form as author Paul Sheldon and his "number one fan" Annie Wilkes... I can only imagine how Annie would feel about the strong language in my books...
Tomight, to misquote Chilli Palmer is Get Shorty, I'm watching Charlton Heston be a Mexican -- yes, I'm watching TOUCH OF EVIL (1958, dir. Orson Welles) in the beautiful Masters of Cinema steelbook blu ray edition (the 1998 restorarion version based on Welles's notes)
November 23, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Tomight, to misquote Chilli Palmer is Get Shorty, I'm watching Charlton Heston be a Mexican -- yes, I'm watching TOUCH OF EVIL (1958, dir. Orson Welles) in the beautiful Masters of Cinema steelbook blu ray edition (the 1998 restorarion version based on Welles's notes)
Out end of Jan '26 from @canongate.co.uk is the 3rd Rilke novel, THE CUT UP. Rilke's like a gay, Glaswegian Philip Marlowe; rumpled, morally righteous but legally dubious. & Welsh's stripped back prose sings. Absolutely superb, as always, from the awesome @louisewelsh00.bsky.social. (read via e-arc)
November 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Out end of Jan '26 from @canongate.co.uk is the 3rd Rilke novel, THE CUT UP. Rilke's like a gay, Glaswegian Philip Marlowe; rumpled, morally righteous but legally dubious. & Welsh's stripped back prose sings. Absolutely superb, as always, from the awesome @louisewelsh00.bsky.social. (read via e-arc)
Favourite genre of spam? The one where they forget to fill in the personalised blanks...
![A spam email that reads:
hope this message finds you well 😊. I wanted to follow up on my previous message regarding [specific topic or request]. I completely understand that your schedule may be busy, but I just wanted to make sure my message didn’t get overlooked.
I am very interested in [the purpose of your message e.g., collaborating, discussing an opportunity, receiving your feedback], and I would greatly appreciate the chance to connect with you. If there is any additional information or clarification you need from me, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m more than happy to provide whatever is necessary to make this process as smooth as possible 👍.
Your input and response are extremely valuable, and I truly hope we can move forward with this conversation. Thank you so much for taking the time to review my message, and I look forward to hearing from you soon ✨.
Warm regards,
Becky Nashley](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vi3jzeefp3t63m6bpkcvnrhq/bafkreiauesblj5vka2fhalqbczv63ipkq4dtzcwaoeg4mshjjqjwo7x2ye@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Favourite genre of spam? The one where they forget to fill in the personalised blanks...
I am a sucker for 90s neo-noir, but tonight's watch is a new discovery for me: ONE FALSE MOVE (1992, dir. Carl Franklin) with Billy Bob Thornton as a ruthless killer on the run with his partner & girlfriend, heading for a bloody confrontation with small town sheriff, Bill Paxton. Tense and terrific!
November 22, 2025 at 1:17 AM
I am a sucker for 90s neo-noir, but tonight's watch is a new discovery for me: ONE FALSE MOVE (1992, dir. Carl Franklin) with Billy Bob Thornton as a ruthless killer on the run with his partner & girlfriend, heading for a bloody confrontation with small town sheriff, Bill Paxton. Tense and terrific!
Ten years ago last night, me and @jaystringer.bsky.social did our second (and so far, sadly, final) Noir at the Bar in Glasgow -- check me doing what looks like supremely spooky hosting duties on the night in this pic... (And no grey hairs in my beard!)
November 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Ten years ago last night, me and @jaystringer.bsky.social did our second (and so far, sadly, final) Noir at the Bar in Glasgow -- check me doing what looks like supremely spooky hosting duties on the night in this pic... (And no grey hairs in my beard!)
Pam Grier outcools everyone on screen (including De Niro, Samuel L Jackson and Robert Forster) in tonight's watch, JACKIE BROWN (1997) which for my money is pretty much the best movie from Quentin Tarantino (possibly helped by being based on Elmore Leonard's novel, RUM PUNCH)
November 19, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Pam Grier outcools everyone on screen (including De Niro, Samuel L Jackson and Robert Forster) in tonight's watch, JACKIE BROWN (1997) which for my money is pretty much the best movie from Quentin Tarantino (possibly helped by being based on Elmore Leonard's novel, RUM PUNCH)
If you see this, QTP with a video game that transports you back to your childhood
(don't usually play these, but instantly had images of DAN DARE: PILOT OF THE FUTURE dancing in my head... which means I think I've REALLY aged myself...)
(don't usually play these, but instantly had images of DAN DARE: PILOT OF THE FUTURE dancing in my head... which means I think I've REALLY aged myself...)
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
If you see this, QTP with a video game that transports you back to your childhood
(don't usually play these, but instantly had images of DAN DARE: PILOT OF THE FUTURE dancing in my head... which means I think I've REALLY aged myself...)
(don't usually play these, but instantly had images of DAN DARE: PILOT OF THE FUTURE dancing in my head... which means I think I've REALLY aged myself...)
17 years ago -- SEVENTEEN! -- I launched my debut, THE GOOD SON on the world. Look at this picture! I had hair! It was completely black! It is currently available in Kindle and paperback with a new cover, so if you still haven't read it, you can do so right here: amzn.to/4oLiiUL (affiliate link)
November 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
17 years ago -- SEVENTEEN! -- I launched my debut, THE GOOD SON on the world. Look at this picture! I had hair! It was completely black! It is currently available in Kindle and paperback with a new cover, so if you still haven't read it, you can do so right here: amzn.to/4oLiiUL (affiliate link)
Staying in my recent 70s groove with tonight"s watch THE LONG GOODBYE (1973, dir. Robert Altman) with Elliot Gould's laidback take on Philip Marlowe providing an unusual but compelling take on the source material... Also featuring one of the best cats on film & the coolest PI appartment ever...
November 18, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Staying in my recent 70s groove with tonight"s watch THE LONG GOODBYE (1973, dir. Robert Altman) with Elliot Gould's laidback take on Philip Marlowe providing an unusual but compelling take on the source material... Also featuring one of the best cats on film & the coolest PI appartment ever...
Last night's watch: VANISHING POINT (1971, dir. Richard C Sarafian) in which a delivery driver pops pills to deliver a car cross country and winds up pursued by police across several states. A powerful commentary on police powers, the myth of American freedom and more wrapped in a high speed chase.
November 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Last night's watch: VANISHING POINT (1971, dir. Richard C Sarafian) in which a delivery driver pops pills to deliver a car cross country and winds up pursued by police across several states. A powerful commentary on police powers, the myth of American freedom and more wrapped in a high speed chase.
A proper classic this evening. Redford and Newman. A William Goldman script. What more could you ask for in a movie? Yes its BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969, dir. George Roy Hill)...
November 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
A proper classic this evening. Redford and Newman. A William Goldman script. What more could you ask for in a movie? Yes its BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969, dir. George Roy Hill)...
Well, I think this AI spammer wasn't paying attention when sending this to me, were they? Unless... am I a professor of law and have just forgotten?
November 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Well, I think this AI spammer wasn't paying attention when sending this to me, were they? Unless... am I a professor of law and have just forgotten?
Saw HOW TO GET AHEAD IN ADVERTISING (1989, dir. Bruce Robinson) late night in channel 4 when I was in my teens and have been searching for a copy for years. Richard E Grant as an advertising executive who grows a sentient pimple? If there was a "Russel film" pitch it's this one...
November 14, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Saw HOW TO GET AHEAD IN ADVERTISING (1989, dir. Bruce Robinson) late night in channel 4 when I was in my teens and have been searching for a copy for years. Richard E Grant as an advertising executive who grows a sentient pimple? If there was a "Russel film" pitch it's this one...
Its THE DRIVER (1978, dir. Walter Hill) vs The Cop in a stripped back noir tonight -- another 4k restoration of a cool classic with style and attitude to spare...
November 13, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Its THE DRIVER (1978, dir. Walter Hill) vs The Cop in a stripped back noir tonight -- another 4k restoration of a cool classic with style and attitude to spare...
Who knew Oprah Winfrey had a Gmail address and was interested in promoting a tiny wee Scottish crime writer, eh?
November 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Who knew Oprah Winfrey had a Gmail address and was interested in promoting a tiny wee Scottish crime writer, eh?
The first time I saw GHOST DOG: WAY OF THE SAMURAI (1999, dir. Jim Jaramusch) I had no idea what to make of it, only that I had seen something special-- it remains one of my favourite movies with Forest Whitaker's stunning performance as a samurai influenced hitman owning every frame...
November 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The first time I saw GHOST DOG: WAY OF THE SAMURAI (1999, dir. Jim Jaramusch) I had no idea what to make of it, only that I had seen something special-- it remains one of my favourite movies with Forest Whitaker's stunning performance as a samurai influenced hitman owning every frame...
Winding down after an excellent day at Aye Write with one of my fave comfort movies ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981, dir. John Carpenter) in glorious restored edition...
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Winding down after an excellent day at Aye Write with one of my fave comfort movies ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981, dir. John Carpenter) in glorious restored edition...
Back in the 90s there was a run of great Elmore Leonard adaptations -- OUT OF SIGHT (1998, dir. Steven Soserbergh), tonight's watch, was one of the best, finally showing us why George Clooney was a bona fide movie star (his charm is effortless here) and making the most of a superb supporting cast.
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Back in the 90s there was a run of great Elmore Leonard adaptations -- OUT OF SIGHT (1998, dir. Steven Soserbergh), tonight's watch, was one of the best, finally showing us why George Clooney was a bona fide movie star (his charm is effortless here) and making the most of a superb supporting cast.
After @aptshadow.bsky.social noted the unexpected Grecian origins of the original 1965 novel, how could I not have THE WARRIORS (1979, dir. Walter Hill) on the watchlist? Yes, tonight The Warriors come out to play...
November 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM
After @aptshadow.bsky.social noted the unexpected Grecian origins of the original 1965 novel, how could I not have THE WARRIORS (1979, dir. Walter Hill) on the watchlist? Yes, tonight The Warriors come out to play...
Clearly in a 70s mood with movies at the moment -- another favourite tonight with MARATHON MAN (1976, dir. John Schlesinger).. first time I saw this, I realised my childhood dentist was the spitting image of Laurence Olivier... which didn't bode well for future dental trips...
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Clearly in a 70s mood with movies at the moment -- another favourite tonight with MARATHON MAN (1976, dir. John Schlesinger).. first time I saw this, I realised my childhood dentist was the spitting image of Laurence Olivier... which didn't bode well for future dental trips...
The third round done, it's time to compile to word doc. and prepare to send to agent/editor. Still not perfect. Likely many changes, but... it's feeling like a book now... fingers crossed they like it...
November 3, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The third round done, it's time to compile to word doc. and prepare to send to agent/editor. Still not perfect. Likely many changes, but... it's feeling like a book now... fingers crossed they like it...