Written by Nicholas Phipps, based on novel by Richard Gordon.
Dirk Bogarde, Muriel Pavlov, James Robertson Justice, Donald Sinden, Shirley Eaton.
Seems to go on forever. Tries and fails in various private practices. Still, scene in which he has finally become a good doctor is great.
Laughed quite a bit.
4x3 TV print does seem cropped (VistaVision original). Eastmancolor.
Saturday, 11 July 2015
Friday, 10 July 2015
Quick Change (1990 Howard Franklin & Bill Murray)
Bill's only film in the director's chair was made with screenwriter Franklin (who based it on Jay Cronley's book). (Bill's only Oscar nomination, by the way, was for Lost in Translation. He has big fans in this household, partly perhaps because of his rich long association with Wes Anderson, though Groundhog Day has yet to be bettered.)
He, Geena Davis and the overacting Randy Quaid are on the run from a bank heist, pitted against an unforgiving New York (replete with a wonderful Spanish joust) while Jason Robards, the only intelligent cop in the city, pursues them.
Someone has commanded Taxi Driver's Mick Chapman to shoot all the night scenes high key, which makes everything look overlit and artificial.
He, Geena Davis and the overacting Randy Quaid are on the run from a bank heist, pitted against an unforgiving New York (replete with a wonderful Spanish joust) while Jason Robards, the only intelligent cop in the city, pursues them.
Someone has commanded Taxi Driver's Mick Chapman to shoot all the night scenes high key, which makes everything look overlit and artificial.
Thursday, 9 July 2015
True Detective Season 1 (2014 Creator / writer Nic Pizzolato)
Dark, creepy goings-on in swampy bible belt don't exactly make a Louisiana tourist board promo. Matthew McConaughey (fantastic and barely recognisable in either incarnation) slightly steals the mumbling honours away from Woody Harrelson (making the most of his unpleasant character) in ultimately redemptive tale. Sometimes wanders off on its own philosophical journey via McMumbles' character. Solidly builds story and characters over its seven and a half hour runtime.
Good design / locations (finale filmed at 19th Century Fort Macomb).
Michelle Monaghan is Woody's long-suffering wife. Has one stand out scene of tension in ep 4 as McM escapes from bikers in a long continuous take.
Nice little touches that are there for a reason (the little girls' dolls - an eerie touch that remains unaccountable, the kid who identifies spaghetti head, the smell of aluminium).
Also has that rarest of things in a US series - a sex scene that is actually sexy.
Good design / locations (finale filmed at 19th Century Fort Macomb).
Michelle Monaghan is Woody's long-suffering wife. Has one stand out scene of tension in ep 4 as McM escapes from bikers in a long continuous take.
Nice little touches that are there for a reason (the little girls' dolls - an eerie touch that remains unaccountable, the kid who identifies spaghetti head, the smell of aluminium).
Also has that rarest of things in a US series - a sex scene that is actually sexy.
Sunday, 5 July 2015
Last Chance Harvey (2008 Joel Hopkins & scr)
Written by Brit Hopkins for the acting giants Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman (who contributed his own version of the wedding speech). With Eileen Atkins, Lian Balaban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff.
A very pleasant experience.
Featured location is Somerset House, not the V&A as I thought.
A very pleasant experience.
Featured location is Somerset House, not the V&A as I thought.
Tootsie (1982 Sydney Pollack)
Screenplay credited to Larry Gelbart (who created and wrote MASH, and The Notorious Landlady) and Murray Schisgal from a story by Gelbart and Don McGuire. Dustin Hoffman is wonderful (winning BAFTA) and Jessica Lange won Ocar. Support from Teri Garr, Pollack, Bill Murray, Dabney Coleman, Charles Durning, Geena Davies.
Still fun.
Still fun.
The Big Blue / Le Grand Bleu (1988 Luc Besson)
A film as old as our relationship.
Begins beautifully in black and white Greece - the kid playing the young Enzo is fantastic. (In fact there's an argument for the opening section being better than the rest of the film.) Then picks up well in adulthood (Sicily, Peru, Taormina - The San Domenico hotel). Fantastic underwater scenes, Jean-Marc Barr clearly at home with terrific supporting cast of dolphins (love the moment where he frees the captive dolphin in to the sea - then later spends the night with it!)
Enzo a great character, perfectly realised by Jean Reno - Q thinks only he could have played it so well. Rosanna Arquette is the largely irrelevant female.
Eric Sera was certainly appreciated for his music as only his credit is outlined. (Insanely, the US release replaced the score with a new one by Bill Conti - which judging from this link was terrible - what were they thinking??) Carlo Varini shot it in Panavision with occasionally uncomfortably wide lenses.
Begins beautifully in black and white Greece - the kid playing the young Enzo is fantastic. (In fact there's an argument for the opening section being better than the rest of the film.) Then picks up well in adulthood (Sicily, Peru, Taormina - The San Domenico hotel). Fantastic underwater scenes, Jean-Marc Barr clearly at home with terrific supporting cast of dolphins (love the moment where he frees the captive dolphin in to the sea - then later spends the night with it!)
Enzo a great character, perfectly realised by Jean Reno - Q thinks only he could have played it so well. Rosanna Arquette is the largely irrelevant female.
Eric Sera was certainly appreciated for his music as only his credit is outlined. (Insanely, the US release replaced the score with a new one by Bill Conti - which judging from this link was terrible - what were they thinking??) Carlo Varini shot it in Panavision with occasionally uncomfortably wide lenses.
Saturday, 4 July 2015
Juggernaut (1974 Dick Lester)
Seriously cool, almost documentary-like thriller in which no one but Omar Sharif seems to be acting.
Tony Gibbs is cutting lots of action scenes to voiceovers.
The kids seem a wonderful counterbalance to the tension.
Great cast comprises Richard Harris and David Hemmings, Anthony Hopkins, Shirley Knight, Ian Holm, Clifton James, Roy Kinnear, Freddie Jones and Roshan Seth.
Written by producer Richard de Koker with additional dialogue by Alan Plater - whoever did what it's full of very well-written, natural and often very funny dialogue. In fact thinking about it I'm sure we can assume that the funny dialogue is from Plater. Gerry Fisher is on camera.
Tony Gibbs is cutting lots of action scenes to voiceovers.
The kids seem a wonderful counterbalance to the tension.
Great cast comprises Richard Harris and David Hemmings, Anthony Hopkins, Shirley Knight, Ian Holm, Clifton James, Roy Kinnear, Freddie Jones and Roshan Seth.
Written by producer Richard de Koker with additional dialogue by Alan Plater - whoever did what it's full of very well-written, natural and often very funny dialogue. In fact thinking about it I'm sure we can assume that the funny dialogue is from Plater. Gerry Fisher is on camera.
Cold Comfort Farm (1995 John Schlesinger)
Broad adaptation of Stella Gibbons' presumably broad novel, by Malcolm Bradbury. Kate Beckinsale is the calm centre of village idiocy in which Eileen Atkins and Ian McKellen are somewhat overplaying. Satisfying story. With Sheila Burrell, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Rufus Sewell, an unrecognisable Freddie Jones, Miriam Margolyes, Maria Miles and Rupert Penry-Jones.
Shot by Chris Seager ( Five Daughters, The Girl in the Cafe) in 4x3 and edited by Mark Day (the two collaborated on Yates' State of Play and Sex Traffic and he cut the last four Harry Potters) for ITV.
Shot by Chris Seager ( Five Daughters, The Girl in the Cafe) in 4x3 and edited by Mark Day (the two collaborated on Yates' State of Play and Sex Traffic and he cut the last four Harry Potters) for ITV.
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
American Sniper (2014 Clint Eastwood & prod)
Based on Chris Kyle's autobiography 'American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History' (written with Scott McEwan and Jim De Felice, published 2012), well screenwritten by Jason Hall, who finished the first draft the day Kyle was killed. For example there's a lovely jump from Kyle with the boy in his sights to himself as a boy (though this of course may have been Clint's idea, or the editor's - how can you tell?). On that subject it is very well cut by Malpaso regulars Joel Cox and Gary Roach. They are able to make a fast action scene move really well but remain completely understandable, something many action films lose.
Also I like the very quick moment where we see the enemy sniper (Sammy Sheik) himself has a young wife and baby and thus is Kyle's complete counterpart.
Bradley Cooper is great - he looks like a wolf at times. Sienna Miller is his wife. With Max Charles, Luke Grimes, Kyle Gallner, Sam Jaeger, Jake McDorman.
Tom Stern shot it of course, digitally, in Panavision, and Morocco once again stands in for Afghanistan.
Prompted a discussion between us about how it didn't look like an old man's film (84), but you can't really make judgements like that as directors are different anyway.
The moments of humour are invaluable and it moves along with that some terrific momentum that marked Changeling.
Also I like the very quick moment where we see the enemy sniper (Sammy Sheik) himself has a young wife and baby and thus is Kyle's complete counterpart.
Bradley Cooper is great - he looks like a wolf at times. Sienna Miller is his wife. With Max Charles, Luke Grimes, Kyle Gallner, Sam Jaeger, Jake McDorman.
Tom Stern shot it of course, digitally, in Panavision, and Morocco once again stands in for Afghanistan.
Prompted a discussion between us about how it didn't look like an old man's film (84), but you can't really make judgements like that as directors are different anyway.
The moments of humour are invaluable and it moves along with that some terrific momentum that marked Changeling.
Entourage 7 & 8 (2010 - 2011)
I was wondering if E would end up with his dishy secretary Janet Montgomery.
The boys are all looking out for one another in big style.
Has a most satisfying conclusion (and post credits finale with the 'vacationing' Ari).
The boys are all looking out for one another in big style.
Has a most satisfying conclusion (and post credits finale with the 'vacationing' Ari).
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Hammer House of Horror - 'Charlie Boy' (1980 Robert Young)
Hilarious episode, awfully directed and acted, about a voodoo doll.
Angela Bruce is about the only decent actor in it - she was one of our 'Angels' and is still on TV.
Though Marius Goring is apparently in it.
Contains the great line "I'll drive faster on my own."
Just what was needed.
Angela Bruce is about the only decent actor in it - she was one of our 'Angels' and is still on TV.
Though Marius Goring is apparently in it.
Contains the great line "I'll drive faster on my own."
Just what was needed.
Jaws (1975 Steven Spielberg)
It's a very nicely made movie full of artful compositions and blocking making you wonder what happened to the kid?
Because it was the 40th anniversary and Midsummer's Eve (not that the latter has anything to do with it). The three Rs are great indeed.
The shark is funny.
There are not one but two shooting stars in it - just after the one that shoots past Scheider's head there's a second one in the very next shot.
Well shot by Bill Butler with Michael Chapman operating. According to Carl Gottlieb's film record 'The Jaws Log' (which has since been updated), Chapman was rock steady hand-holding the camera in most scenes (only the night discovery of Ben Gardner's boat was studio set - everything else was on location). Talking of the latter, he's played by local legend Craig Kingsbury, whose colourful, salty language inspired some of Quint's dialogue, and who can be seen welcoming Dreyfuss, commenting on the crazy armada, and whose prosthetic mask made every single person in the cinema jump.
Because it was the 40th anniversary and Midsummer's Eve (not that the latter has anything to do with it). The three Rs are great indeed.
The shark is funny.
There are not one but two shooting stars in it - just after the one that shoots past Scheider's head there's a second one in the very next shot.
Well shot by Bill Butler with Michael Chapman operating. According to Carl Gottlieb's film record 'The Jaws Log' (which has since been updated), Chapman was rock steady hand-holding the camera in most scenes (only the night discovery of Ben Gardner's boat was studio set - everything else was on location). Talking of the latter, he's played by local legend Craig Kingsbury, whose colourful, salty language inspired some of Quint's dialogue, and who can be seen welcoming Dreyfuss, commenting on the crazy armada, and whose prosthetic mask made every single person in the cinema jump.
Entourage Series 5 (2008)
Vince finally gets a movie break with Smoke Jumpers but his co-star and director are real shits. There's a most amusing magic mushrooms episode at the Joshua Tree. Turtle starts going out with Meadow Soprano (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and he reveals to her his real name. Even Vince's mum can't get him a job (with Gas Van Sant) and the unthinkable happens - Vince loses his temper. Then fires E.
E has another run in with the odious Seth Green.
Though the season ends on a high when Vince gets an unexpected phone call...
E has another run in with the odious Seth Green.
Though the season ends on a high when Vince gets an unexpected phone call...
Saturday, 20 June 2015
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970 Billy WIlder)
In memory of Christopher Lee, who just died aged 93. He played Sir Henry Baskerville in the Hammer version, Holmes himself in Sherlock Holmes und das Halsband des Todes (1962), Mycroft here, Holmes again in Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady/Incident at Victoria Fall, and was alleged to be Moriarty in the unfilmed Baker Street Irregulars, though my contention that he also played Watson seems to be false.
Poor old Robert Stephens - who's utterly fantastic as Holmes - was heavily drinking then and suffered a nervous breakdown - you can see his hands shaking occasionally. Colin Blakely is also good as Watson - his comic timing is great - note scene with butter knife. And talking of timing, Wilder does another of his energetic musical numbers featuring members of a ballet - note the perfect way in which the girls are fluidly replaced with boys. Screenplay is excellent - many very funny lines, though part two is less funny than part one. (Watson: "We need to get married!". Holmes "Now that would make people talk!") Note the way in which any normal director would give you some night to day transition shot - Wilder does it by using a joke with a policeman. Genevieve Page is the mystery woman and Stanley Holloway is in it very briefly (one of his last films, though he lived another 12 years) and Clive Revill displays the same perfect pitch performance that he demonstrates in Avanti as a Russian (note his timing when he opens and closes the curtain of the opera box). And how can anyone resist Irene Handl as Mrs Hudson?
Miklós Rózsa's theme is his own violin concerto and is wonderful. Chris Challis shot it in diffused style; the posh sets are by Alexandre Trauner.
But. 30% of the picture is lost. Wilder left the cutting to someone else while he pursued a mysterious film project which he couldn't subsequently remember:
It was another collaboration between Wilder and John Williams, but sadly he was cut.
Poor old Robert Stephens - who's utterly fantastic as Holmes - was heavily drinking then and suffered a nervous breakdown - you can see his hands shaking occasionally. Colin Blakely is also good as Watson - his comic timing is great - note scene with butter knife. And talking of timing, Wilder does another of his energetic musical numbers featuring members of a ballet - note the perfect way in which the girls are fluidly replaced with boys. Screenplay is excellent - many very funny lines, though part two is less funny than part one. (Watson: "We need to get married!". Holmes "Now that would make people talk!") Note the way in which any normal director would give you some night to day transition shot - Wilder does it by using a joke with a policeman. Genevieve Page is the mystery woman and Stanley Holloway is in it very briefly (one of his last films, though he lived another 12 years) and Clive Revill displays the same perfect pitch performance that he demonstrates in Avanti as a Russian (note his timing when he opens and closes the curtain of the opera box). And how can anyone resist Irene Handl as Mrs Hudson?
Miklós Rózsa's theme is his own violin concerto and is wonderful. Chris Challis shot it in diffused style; the posh sets are by Alexandre Trauner.
But. 30% of the picture is lost. Wilder left the cutting to someone else while he pursued a mysterious film project which he couldn't subsequently remember:
Source: http://bakerstreetdozen.com/lee2.htmlThe opening sequence was to feature Watson’s grandson in London claiming his inherited dispatch box from Cox & Co., there was also a flashback to Holmes’ Oxford days to explain his distrust of women [she turns out to be a prostitute]. All were shot, but deleted from the final print. So what happened? Well, it appears that United Artists suffered a number of major film flops in 1969 that pretty much scuppered the road show format for Wilder’s massive project. Studio exec’s ordered the film to be cut to fill a regular theatrical running time, whittling the film down to a 125-minute version. The episodic format made the pruning process relatively simple, so cut were the opening sequence, the Oxford flashback and two full episodes entitled “The Dreadful Business of the Naked Honeymooners” at 15 minutes and “The Curious Case of the Upside Down Room” at 30 minutes. We can only hope that the full footage can one day be restored, although a full print is not currently thought to exist.However, in 1994 Image Entertainment released a laser disc that did contain the soundtrack (without picture) to the “Upside Down Room” sequence and picture (without sound) for the “Naked Honeymooners” sequence. With any luck, perhaps something more will come to light before a DVD version is released.
It was another collaboration between Wilder and John Williams, but sadly he was cut.
Thursday, 18 June 2015
Entourage 4 (2007)
The infamous Medellin has been finished but no one's seen it yet, and no one sees it until the end of the season. Where it's shown at Cannes...
One of the good thing about this show is it does make you think about what (your favourite) actors are doing when they're not acting - auditioning, reading scripts, hustling, getting green lit, going into turnaround, being cancelled, becoming a producer, producing.... Having fun....
One of the good thing about this show is it does make you think about what (your favourite) actors are doing when they're not acting - auditioning, reading scripts, hustling, getting green lit, going into turnaround, being cancelled, becoming a producer, producing.... Having fun....
Monday, 15 June 2015
Entourage Series 2 - 3 (2005 - 6)
Finding it difficult to stop watching.
In the sweetest moment in the series, all their mums (led by Mercedes Ruehl) come to the Aquaman premiere. Ari is fired by a malevolent Malcolm MacDowell. We have now been firmly introduced to Lloyd (Rex Lee) and their tough PR agent from the hood Shauna (Debi Mazar). Ari's outrageous behaviour is getting worse - he calls E a 'cunt muscle' and says he'd rather 'stick needles in my cock' than talk to Drama. An annoying old friend now ex-con Domenick Lombardozzi (from The Wire) quickly wears out his welcome. 'Queen's Boulevard' has been colourised - Rhys Coiro plays the arrogant director Billy Walsh superbly. Turtle becomes a hip hop act manager. The boys attend a high school party thus making heroes out of two nerds - Vince even leaves them E's Maserati.
With James Woods, Bruno Kirby, Seth Green.
In the sweetest moment in the series, all their mums (led by Mercedes Ruehl) come to the Aquaman premiere. Ari is fired by a malevolent Malcolm MacDowell. We have now been firmly introduced to Lloyd (Rex Lee) and their tough PR agent from the hood Shauna (Debi Mazar). Ari's outrageous behaviour is getting worse - he calls E a 'cunt muscle' and says he'd rather 'stick needles in my cock' than talk to Drama. An annoying old friend now ex-con Domenick Lombardozzi (from The Wire) quickly wears out his welcome. 'Queen's Boulevard' has been colourised - Rhys Coiro plays the arrogant director Billy Walsh superbly. Turtle becomes a hip hop act manager. The boys attend a high school party thus making heroes out of two nerds - Vince even leaves them E's Maserati.
With James Woods, Bruno Kirby, Seth Green.
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Went the Day Well? (1942 Cavalcanti)
Gripping, shocking film displays casual disregard for life from the moment the vicar is shot dead in his own church, and must have hit the British public hard. Mervyn Johns opens by telling us that the story didn't come out until after the war and Hitler was defeated - a brave stance indeed.
Undercover Germans (led by Basil Sydney, David Farrar and John Slater) take over village (actually Turville, in one of its long line of movie appearances - even the windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is in it). A most useful cast of not terribly well known actors is gradually decimated. Leslie Banks, Valerie Taylor, Marie Lohr (who, as the plucky lady of the manor, is the last to expire saving the children from a hand grenade in a wonderfully understated moment), Harry Fowler, Frank Lawton, Norman Pierce, Elizabeth Allan, Thora Hird, Muriel George, Patricia Hayes. When reliable old poacher Edward Rigby is killed, then plucky boy Harry Fowler (Hue and Cry) is shot, we realise all the usual rules have been abandoned.
Wilkie Cooper filmed it, with a D. Slocombe assisting. The story was from Graham Greene ('The Lieutenant Died Last'), and ingeniously the various tricks and escape plans the villagers come up with all misfire, through the writing of John Dighton, Diana Morgan and Angus MacPhail. William Walton wrote the music, though in key sequences, there isn't any.
You'd think it must have been quite shocking for the audience of the time. But George Perry in 'Forever Ealing' says:
Undercover Germans (led by Basil Sydney, David Farrar and John Slater) take over village (actually Turville, in one of its long line of movie appearances - even the windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is in it). A most useful cast of not terribly well known actors is gradually decimated. Leslie Banks, Valerie Taylor, Marie Lohr (who, as the plucky lady of the manor, is the last to expire saving the children from a hand grenade in a wonderfully understated moment), Harry Fowler, Frank Lawton, Norman Pierce, Elizabeth Allan, Thora Hird, Muriel George, Patricia Hayes. When reliable old poacher Edward Rigby is killed, then plucky boy Harry Fowler (Hue and Cry) is shot, we realise all the usual rules have been abandoned.
Wilkie Cooper filmed it, with a D. Slocombe assisting. The story was from Graham Greene ('The Lieutenant Died Last'), and ingeniously the various tricks and escape plans the villagers come up with all misfire, through the writing of John Dighton, Diana Morgan and Angus MacPhail. William Walton wrote the music, though in key sequences, there isn't any.
You'd think it must have been quite shocking for the audience of the time. But George Perry in 'Forever Ealing' says:
".. it seems the reaction in its own time was more blasé. 'The scripting is indifferent, banal at times, and the direction lacks cohesion,' said the Monthly Film Bulletin. 'Artificial... trite melodrama' said Picturegoer.'It's sensational.
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Suspiria (1977 Dario Argento)
A masterpiece of mood through Luciano Tovoli's masterly and colourful lighting, Goblin's creepy score and Jessica Harper's bewilderment and fear. Quite nasty in its uncut form, but nevertheless a feast for the eyes and senses.
Shot with a very slow film stock, I seem to remember, and printed with the three strip Technicolor process to give it a unique appearance - the blacks in this film are so black that they make the borders around the letterboxed area look not dark enough!
Shot with a very slow film stock, I seem to remember, and printed with the three strip Technicolor process to give it a unique appearance - the blacks in this film are so black that they make the borders around the letterboxed area look not dark enough!
Imitation of Life (1959 Douglas Sirk)
Warning: force ten weepie ahead.
Sirk goes out on a massive high in story of black girl passing as white, with inherent difficulties. Lana Turner is not bad at all but Juanita Moore oozes warmth as the maid / mother, Susan Kohner also nominated as the daughter. With Sandra Dee, John Gavin and Robert Alda.
His compositions and camera moves are absolutely peerless; film has a great momentum (the editor is Milton Carruth, many credits since 1929). Lovely, artfully placed shadows by Russell Metty; scored by Frank Skinner.
Juanita lived to be 100, died in 2014. The last time we watched the film, she was alive.
Sirk goes out on a massive high in story of black girl passing as white, with inherent difficulties. Lana Turner is not bad at all but Juanita Moore oozes warmth as the maid / mother, Susan Kohner also nominated as the daughter. With Sandra Dee, John Gavin and Robert Alda.
His compositions and camera moves are absolutely peerless; film has a great momentum (the editor is Milton Carruth, many credits since 1929). Lovely, artfully placed shadows by Russell Metty; scored by Frank Skinner.
Juanita lived to be 100, died in 2014. The last time we watched the film, she was alive.
Ted (2012 Seth MacFarlane)
Sweet, funny movie about relationship between man and his toy bear (Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane) has plenty of humour, as you'd expect. With Mila Kunis and revitalising the career of Flash Gordon star Sam Jones.
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