Brilliantly reviewed - if I may say so - here, film deserves elevation to pantheon of Top 200 and is utterly just what you need on your last holiday Saturday after a particularly thorough lunch with John and Beth.
Typically the French bastards have not bothered to subtitle the latest teaming of Sy with the writer/directors: Samba.
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Friday, 10 April 2015
As Good As It Gets (1997 James L Brooks)
A few reservations have grown up over the years. One is Helen Hunt. Is there something rather artificial about her performance? She won against Kate Winslet (Titanic), Judi Dench (who probably should have won for Mrs Brown), Helena Bonham Carter in The Wings of the Dove (needs a rewatch) and Julie Christie (Afterglow, looks like worth watching).
The other thing is that it feels curiously made so that almost every shot is a medium to close reaction and there's few scenes in which the principals appear together, almost like they all filmed their parts separately. I'm sure they didn't, it just feels like that.
The scene in which Harold Ramis comes to sort out her son though is still one of my favourites. Shirley Knight is the mother and Jack also won the Oscar.
The other thing is that it feels curiously made so that almost every shot is a medium to close reaction and there's few scenes in which the principals appear together, almost like they all filmed their parts separately. I'm sure they didn't, it just feels like that.
The scene in which Harold Ramis comes to sort out her son though is still one of my favourites. Shirley Knight is the mother and Jack also won the Oscar.
Easy Living (1937 Mitchell Leisen)
Last seen here.
Really good, Sturges writes beautifully for butler Robert Greig, who he uses memorably in Sullivan's Travels.
No problem at all with Mitch Liesen's directing and handling of actors and material.
Love the great double joke voiced by Louis Alberni about every girl needing a background and "backgrounds don't go more back than this".
And Milland: "You slave for 20 years and you're still behind the nut salad."
Really good, Sturges writes beautifully for butler Robert Greig, who he uses memorably in Sullivan's Travels.
No problem at all with Mitch Liesen's directing and handling of actors and material.
Love the great double joke voiced by Louis Alberni about every girl needing a background and "backgrounds don't go more back than this".
And Milland: "You slave for 20 years and you're still behind the nut salad."
Crown vs Stevens (1936 Michael Powell)
Made for WB in England, Powell's quota quickie isn't as stylish or as much fun as the previous year's Love Test. Patric Knowles gets caught up in a murder with his boss's wife Beatrix Thomson; though he really fancies interior designer Glennis Lorimer. Reginald Purdell is the worldly foreman, Googie Withers and Bernard Miles appear.
Basil Emmott shot it.
Basil Emmott shot it.
Thursday, 9 April 2015
The Babadook (2014 Jennifer Kent & scr)
If read as a commentary on being a (single) parent going through a tough time, Jennifer Kent's film makes more sense, in other words Repulsion rather than The Evil Dead. And it's also quite funny seen in that context. It's a remodel of her own 2005 stylish B&W short Monster.
Still has some horror nonsense absurdities however.
Essie Davis is given the opportunity to really let go in a creditable performance, Noah Wiseman is the kid.
I thought it was rather good.
Still has some horror nonsense absurdities however.
Essie Davis is given the opportunity to really let go in a creditable performance, Noah Wiseman is the kid.
I thought it was rather good.
Ocean's Eleven (2001 Steven Soderbergh)
Beautifully shot by Soderbergh himself ('Peter Andrews'), with the same rich oranges and blues as Out of Sight, which it resembles also in funky, cool way down to Stephen Mirrione's groovy cutting (though even he is not of course Anne Coates).
Rather disappointingly the team, led by Clooney and Pitt, don't appear to need any women, and instead comprises Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, Casey Affleck (brother of), Scott Caan (son of), Berni Mac and the appallingly bad cockney accent of Don Cheadle. Andy Garcia is far too colourless to be attractive to Julia Roberts - part should have been played by Mark Strong.
Good, entertaining and ingenious script by Ted Griffin, though the whole thing is all a bit pleased with itself.
Rather disappointingly the team, led by Clooney and Pitt, don't appear to need any women, and instead comprises Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Carl Reiner, Casey Affleck (brother of), Scott Caan (son of), Berni Mac and the appallingly bad cockney accent of Don Cheadle. Andy Garcia is far too colourless to be attractive to Julia Roberts - part should have been played by Mark Strong.
Good, entertaining and ingenious script by Ted Griffin, though the whole thing is all a bit pleased with itself.
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Carry On Girls (1973 Gerald Thomas)
A shade better than Convenience, perhaps through Babs Windsor's plucky 'Miss Easy Rider'.
Paddington (2014 Paul King & co-scr)
Not a beggar nor burka in sight in glossy depiction of a mythical though real London.
Hugh Bonneville I think doesn't have as much to do as his acting ability allows.
Not particularly well written but enjoyable enough, with Julie Walters fun as nanny; Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman having fun as baddy. Erik Wilson (Submarine) shot it.
Hugh Bonneville I think doesn't have as much to do as his acting ability allows.
Not particularly well written but enjoyable enough, with Julie Walters fun as nanny; Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman having fun as baddy. Erik Wilson (Submarine) shot it.
Tuesday, 7 April 2015
Performance (1969, rel 1970 Donald Cammell & scr, Nic Roeg)
Stunning collision of talents with atmosphere from Camell, technical skill from cameraman Roeg and dazzling experimental editing from Tony Gibbs (and Brian Smedley-Aston; and latterly Frank Mazzola), despite Warners' efforts to recut it and fuck with it. Gibbs was BAFTA nominated.
As well as some staggeringly beautiful imagery, Roeg and operator Mike Molloy also give broiling shooting e.g fantastic zoom / focus in a simple phone box shot.
Find it difficult to disagree with Bill Nighy, who thinks "James Fox's performance in it is one of my favourites by any actor in any medium" (quoted in 'Time Out 1000 Films to Change your Life').
With Mick Jagger, Anita Pallenberg, Michele Breton, Johnny Shannon, John Bidon, Stanley Meadows, Anthony Valentine, Kenneth Colley and Laraine Wickens.
As well as some staggeringly beautiful imagery, Roeg and operator Mike Molloy also give broiling shooting e.g fantastic zoom / focus in a simple phone box shot.
Find it difficult to disagree with Bill Nighy, who thinks "James Fox's performance in it is one of my favourites by any actor in any medium" (quoted in 'Time Out 1000 Films to Change your Life').
With Mick Jagger, Anita Pallenberg, Michele Breton, Johnny Shannon, John Bidon, Stanley Meadows, Anthony Valentine, Kenneth Colley and Laraine Wickens.
 |
| 25 Powis Square. All flats now, of course. |
 |
| Fox and Cammell on location at Lowndes Square |
Weirdly, it wasn't released in the UK until January 1971.
Lucy (2014 Luc Besson)
Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Min-sik Choi, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind-Tutt.
Absolute nonsense, delivered with panache. Short, though actually could have done with some fun scenes e.g. Lucy interacting with normal people.
Absolute nonsense, delivered with panache. Short, though actually could have done with some fun scenes e.g. Lucy interacting with normal people.
Monday, 6 April 2015
St Vincent (2014 Theodore Melfi & scr)
The terrific Bill Murray in grumpy form befriending son (Jaeden Leiberher) of neighbour Melissa McCarthy. Naomi Watts is his ex and Chris O'Dowd plays a refreshingly open-minded Catholic Priest.
Melfi's debut feature, his new one set to feature Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin!
Melfi's debut feature, his new one set to feature Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin!
If I Stay (2014 RJ Cutler)
I think it's difficult for an audience to connect with a film in which a disembodied spirit hangs around and gets frustrated no one can see it. Here it's played by Chloe Grace Moretz in quite a subdued fashion - we miss her persona from Kick Ass - as she's the victim of a car crash.
It didn't, I'm afraid, leave much of an impression.
It didn't, I'm afraid, leave much of an impression.
Sunday, 5 April 2015
Pretty Woman
http://nicksfilmjottings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/pretty-woman-1990-garry-marshall.html
No argument from me.
For the record, Q is currently blocking Spring in a Small Town, O Lucky Man, Bande a Part, Don't Look Now and The Jokers.
No argument from me.
For the record, Q is currently blocking Spring in a Small Town, O Lucky Man, Bande a Part, Don't Look Now and The Jokers.
Carry On At Your Convenience (1971 Gerald Thomas)
The Year of the Hot Pant, apparently.
Dreadful entry in series concerns lavatory factory and militantly striking union worker, who reckons without his feisty mother (Renee Houston, who had the distinction of being in both Cul-de-Sac and Repulsion). Scant plot also features budgie that can pick horse winners.
Usual outrageous performances from Kenneth Williams, Charlie Hawtrey, Sid James, the oddly endearing Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw (not sure what Babs was doing), Jacki Piper and the pleasant young man Richard O'Callaghan .
You have to admire the exuberance, though, of Eric Rogers' music.
Dreadful entry in series concerns lavatory factory and militantly striking union worker, who reckons without his feisty mother (Renee Houston, who had the distinction of being in both Cul-de-Sac and Repulsion). Scant plot also features budgie that can pick horse winners.
Usual outrageous performances from Kenneth Williams, Charlie Hawtrey, Sid James, the oddly endearing Joan Sims, Bernard Bresslaw (not sure what Babs was doing), Jacki Piper and the pleasant young man Richard O'Callaghan .
You have to admire the exuberance, though, of Eric Rogers' music.
'71 (2014 Yann Demange)
TV director (Top Boy, Criminal Justice) brings real energy to Gregory Burke's Belfast thriller, which could be in any war-torn city, and which echoes Carol Reed's Odd Man Out. Highlights are initial chase, sequence with super-confident boy, the moment he tenderly despatches his stalker, and the tense finale. Jack O'Connell's doing alright isn't he? Plus I thought I recognised Sean Harris.
Editor Chris Wyatt, camera Tat Radcliffe, music David Holmes.
Editor Chris Wyatt, camera Tat Radcliffe, music David Holmes.
Friday, 3 April 2015
The Odd Couple (1968 Gene Saks)
The film in which Matthau famously answers the phone 'Divorced, Broke and Sloppy', leading us to all sorts of silly answering names. This followed quite a debate about how recently we'd seen it, as it seems like we're always watching it, but aren't.
Submarine (2010 Richard Ayoade)
Richard Ayoade's debut is shot through with a healthy dose of his beloved New Wavers, especially Godard and Truffaut, though there are hints of Harold and Maude, Don't Look Now and others.
Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige are fine as the young couple, Noah Taylor and the exceptional Sally Hawkins play his parents. With Paddy Considine
It's no surprise at all to see the name of Chris Dickens in the editor credits as this is packed with sensationally quick cutting; with Nick Fenton.
Shot in Panavision by Erik Wilson.
It perhaps does not equal the sum of its parts but is really enjoyable. Started making me think about the best film endings, of which Les 400 Coups boasts one. (And Au Hasard Balthazar, which one day will actually come out on Blu-Ray).
Quite why Richard followed this with the dark and difficult The Double, we're not sure.
Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige are fine as the young couple, Noah Taylor and the exceptional Sally Hawkins play his parents. With Paddy Considine
It's no surprise at all to see the name of Chris Dickens in the editor credits as this is packed with sensationally quick cutting; with Nick Fenton.
Shot in Panavision by Erik Wilson.
It perhaps does not equal the sum of its parts but is really enjoyable. Started making me think about the best film endings, of which Les 400 Coups boasts one. (And Au Hasard Balthazar, which one day will actually come out on Blu-Ray).
Quite why Richard followed this with the dark and difficult The Double, we're not sure.
Only Two Can Play (1962 Sidney Gilliat)
Was it the glimpse of Mai Zetterling's bare bottom that earned this film the X certificate? How very much times have changed in a short period.
Peter Sellars is as good as ever in early role as Welsh librarian who becomes involved in the above lady and her bottom; wife Virginia Maskell cottons on quickly. Bryan Forbes has adapted Kingsley Amis' novel 'Only Two Can Play'.
With Kenneth Griffith, Richard Attenborough, Raymond Huntley, David Davies and John le Mesurier. Distinctive music by Richard Rodney Bennett, with a deal of drumming.
Peter Sellars is as good as ever in early role as Welsh librarian who becomes involved in the above lady and her bottom; wife Virginia Maskell cottons on quickly. Bryan Forbes has adapted Kingsley Amis' novel 'Only Two Can Play'.
With Kenneth Griffith, Richard Attenborough, Raymond Huntley, David Davies and John le Mesurier. Distinctive music by Richard Rodney Bennett, with a deal of drumming.
Thursday, 2 April 2015
The Half Naked Truth (1932 Gregory La Cava)
Super-zippy pre-Code comedy about the world's most unscrupulous PR man (Lee Tracy) and his relationship with showgirl, the barely-clad Lupe Velez, and associate Eugene Pallette. With Franklin Pangborn, Frank Morgan.
Has hilarious episodes e.g. copies of incriminating photo, and fast and funny dialogue e.g.
Bates: "Yes, she bathes in champagne. If you don't believe me ask her plumber. (Hangs up.)
No one believes anything any more."
Secretary: "Who could doubt a man of your veracity?"
Bates: "There's no need to use bad language."
So old it's a Radio Picture (before the Keith and Orpheum kicked in.)
Shot by Bert Glennon.
Has hilarious episodes e.g. copies of incriminating photo, and fast and funny dialogue e.g.
Bates: "Yes, she bathes in champagne. If you don't believe me ask her plumber. (Hangs up.)
No one believes anything any more."
Secretary: "Who could doubt a man of your veracity?"
Bates: "There's no need to use bad language."
So old it's a Radio Picture (before the Keith and Orpheum kicked in.)
Shot by Bert Glennon.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
The Love Test (1935 Michael Powell)
One of Powell's 'quota quickies', made at Wembley Studios and running a mere hour and a minute, most enjoyable tale (ostensibly about developing a fire-resistant celluloid) has what I call the early 30s British 'bounce' and is quite interestingly put together, e.g. the opening round bottle that turns into the pompous MD's face. Judy Gunn and Louis Hayward are the couple and amazingly that's Blimp's 'Hoppy' David Hutcheson as the rascal. With Googie Withers, displaying hardly any eyebrows, and Bernard Miles in his first (credited) screen role.
Whilst there's no credit for editor it seems quite likely it was John Seabourne who was working closely with Powell on these at the time (see 'A Life in Movies'), perhaps evident in a montage of shots of an air conditioning grille through which the hero is (rudely) demonstrating. And it's an early effort from cinematographer turned director Arthur Crabtree.
Whilst there's no credit for editor it seems quite likely it was John Seabourne who was working closely with Powell on these at the time (see 'A Life in Movies'), perhaps evident in a montage of shots of an air conditioning grille through which the hero is (rudely) demonstrating. And it's an early effort from cinematographer turned director Arthur Crabtree.
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