The African Queen (1951 100min.) [More4 10.15am &+1]
Classic First World War romantic adventure starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. East Africa, 1914: when her home is destroyed by invading Germans, a prim missionary finds an unlikely saviour in the scruffy, gin-drinking captain of a small steam-driven riverboat, The African Queen. Together, the indomitable pair begin a treacherous journey downriver to conduct their own private battle against the enemy.
Custer Of The West (1967 135min.) [BBC2 11.15am]
Western starring Robert Shaw. After brilliant military successes in the Civil War, General George Custer goes west to command the Seventh Cavalry and finds himself caught between warring tribes and the political needs of his superiors. The tense situation leads to the fateful Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Rocketeer (1991 104min.) [Ch4 1.10pm &+1]
Fantasy adventure starring Bill Campbell and Jennifer Connelly. In 1930s Hollywood, a young pilot discovers a mysterious rocket-powered backpack and becomes a superhero. But the device soon attracts the unwanted attention of a Nazi spy masquerading as a movie star.
Ice Station Zebra (1968 145min.) [BBC2 1.30pm]
Alistair MacLean's Arctic adventure, starring Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine and Patrick McGoohan. When a secret film capsule from a Russian spacecraft lands near Station Zebra, the tiny weather base is plunged into the shadowy world of the Cold War and a potentially cataclysmic confrontation between two deadly superpowers.
Up (2009 92min.) [BBC1 2.50pm]
An old man attaches thousands of balloons to his house so he can fly it to South America, and fulfil his late wife's dream of exploring the jungle. However, once airborne, he finds he has an unwanted stowaway in the shape of an excitable boy scout. Pixar animated adventure, with the voices of Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai and Christopher Plummer.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939 97min.) [Ch5 3.55pm &+1]
Classic musical fantasy starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley. When a huge tornado hits Dorothy's home in Kansas, she is whiskedoff far away into a strange and dazzling world. There she must escape the clutches of the Wicked Witch of the West and find her way to the Emerald City.
Beguiling, bewitching and still brilliant.
The School Of Rock (2003 104min.) [Film4 4.05pm &+1]
Musical comedy starring Jack Black as Dewey Finn, an out-of-work heavy metal guitarist who cons his way into a job teaching at an expensive private school. Introducing the uptight students to the joys of rock music, Finn sets about grooming them for a battle-of-the-bands contest.
It's Jack Black's film as he bumbles, blunders, grins and goofs through the warmhearted script ; he's clearly having a lot of fun with the character and the young cast respond with glee to his grandstanding performance.
Joan Cusack is in fine form as the tightly wound principal who also falls under his spell and the film is littered with moments of verbal dexterity and slapstick which, while aimed squarely at a young audience, means that there's plenty here for the older viewer to enjoy.
Richard Linklater directs with confidence and with the sure handed approach he had previously employed on Slacker and Dazed And Confused - he avoids the obvious pitfall of allowing the story to wallow in sentiment and keeps the energy level high throughout.
Good, well made entertainment with a lot to offer to a wide range of viewers.
ET – the Extra-Terrestrial
(1982 109min.) [ITV2 6.45pm &+1]
Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi adventure, starring Henry Thomas and Dee Wallace, and featuring Drew Barrymore. Ten-year-old Elliott has a new friend, but he's from another planet and nobody must know he's here.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010 93min.) [BBC3 7.00pm]
Teenager Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) belongs to a belligerent Viking tribe that sees dragons as their mortal enemy. But Hiccup is a secret dragon-whisperer and when he helps, rather than kills, a wounded Night Fury dragon nicknamedToothless, he sets a new course for his family and friends.
Entertaining and rather fun. Visually it's top notch CGI animation but the script and some of the voice work falters at times.
Not essential viewing but a nice way to pass an hour and a half.
Toy Story 2 (1999 88min.) [BBC3 8.30pm]
Animated comedy adventure sequel, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. When his young owner, Andy, goes off to summer camp, Woody is stolen by a toy collector who recognises him as a valuable doll. Woody's erstwhile rival, Buzz Lightyear, leads a rescue party to save him - with chaotic results.
My personal favourite of the Toy Story films.
Pitch Perfect (2012 107min.) [Film4 9.00pm &+1]
A new student finds herself a social outcast during her first year of college, but soon acquires a new circle of friends in a band of misfits with a shared talent for singing. She joins their a cappella group and leads them to compete in the campus music competitions. Comedy, starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Elizabeth Banks.
Light hearted (but not lightweight) campus set big sister to the Glee TV series. High paced and bursting with energy; the story may not amount to much and the plot takes a fairly straight line from A to C but it's all done with such wit and performed with charm and verve that it's difficult not to get swept along.
Made In Dagenham (2010 108min.) [BBC4 10.55pm]
Comedy drama based on a true story, starring Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins and Miranda Richardson. In 1968, workers at the Ford auto plant in Dagenham - one of the biggest employers in the UK - go on strike, demanding equal rights for female staff. The unassuming Rita O'Grady finds herself at the centre of a movement that is destined to change the lives of women for years to come.
A timely reminder of what the British film industry can do apart from frocks'n'bonnets literary adaptations, alleged comedy films with floppy haired posh people and soft-hearted dramas about the elderly.
The always excellent Sally Hawkins leads a solid gold cast : Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson (note perfect as Labour legend Barbara Castle), Daniel Mays, Rosamund Pike, John Sessions (as Harold Wilson), Rupert Graves, Geraldine James and even Toby off of The West Wing and Trigger off of OFAH all pop-up at various points.
A warm, witty, affectionate slice of social history focussing on one of the pivitol moments in the development of British society with a well-realised sense of time and place and a script that makes its points well without feeling the need to bash you about the head with them constantly.
Thoroughly recommended.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012 117min.) [Film4 11.10pm &+1]
Romantic comedy drama starring Bradley Cooper and an Oscar-winning Jennifer Lawrence. Thirty-something Pat is discharged after a mandatory stay in a mental-health institution imposed on him after he assaulted his wife's lover. After moving back in with his parents, Pat continues to struggle with his bipolar disorder - a situation made worse by his refusal to take medication. When he meets young widow Tiffany, they form an uneasy friendship, despite Tiffany having problems of her own.
Goldfinger (1964 105min.) [ITV1 12.40am friday &+1]
Spy adventure starring Sean Connery. Agent 007 James Bond investigates ruthless criminal Auric Goldfinger, a man with an insatiable appetite for gold and a desire to become the most powerful man on Earth.
20,000 Days On Earth (2014 93min.) [Film4 1.30am friday &+1]
Documentary about Nick Cave, exploring his creative process by following him over the course of one day. The film explores Cave's personal archives and features recordings of his sessions with a psychoanalyst, and includes contributions from friends, family and musical collaborators, including Kylie Minogue and Ray Winstone.
Strictly speaking not a documentary : it's an imagined 'typical day' in Cave's life, during which he reflects on his life up to that point.
As well as his own recollections we also see him at work with some of his collaborators and in conversation with showbiz friends.
There's a wealth of anecdote, some great performance footage and a hilarious story about meeting Nina Simone.
Although uncritical in it's approach it's a very well constructed film and Cave is certainly an engaging host.
Even if you don't know or care for his music there's more than enough entertainment value here : for the fan it's an absolute treat.
Thursday 31 December 2015
Wednesday 30 December 2015
Freeview film choices : wednesday 30th of December
Chicken Run (2000 80min.) [BBC1 10.30pm]
Animated comedy adventure, with the voices of Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks, Miranda Richardson and Mel Gibson. A clutch of hens, led by head chick Ginger, suffers life on a grim 1950s egg farm. When the avaricious owners decide to move into the meat-pie business, the chickens fear the worst. With the help of American rooster Rocky, the birds start to plan a prisoner-of-war-style escape.
Made by Aardman Animation but lacks the warmth and grace of the Wallace & Gromit stories : still, it’s fun for a young audience although I do wonder how many of the references to POW camp films like The Great Escape and Stalag 17 will mean anything to them.
Ponyo (2008 98min.) [Film4 11.00am &+1]
Animated adventure inspired by The Little Mermaid, from director Hayao Miyazaki and featuring the voices of Liam Neeson and Cate Blanchett. When young Sosuke saves the life of a beautiful fish who washes onshore near his coastal home, he soon discovers that she is no ordinary creature.
A superbly told story with Studio Ghibli's usual high quality hand-drawn animation and a top of the range English voice cast. As with all Miyazaki's films there's messages and parables for the older viewer as well as a terrific and rewearding viewing experience for children.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 95min.) [ITV1 12.30pm &+1]
Whimsical fantasy, based on the classic children's book by Roald Dahl,starring Gene Wilder. Most children, at one hungry time or another, dream of visiting a chocolate factory. For young Charlie Bucket the fantasy comes true when he finds a golden ticket in a candy bar: an invitation to tour the giant factory of eccentric sweet tycoon Willy Wonka.
After The Producers, Gene Wilder's finest hour was playing the sinister Willy Wonka, who escorts poor but honest Charlie Bucket, Charlie's grandpa and four other not-so-honest children around his choccy factory in this trippy, nightmarish Roald Dahl fantasy festooned with even trippier and more nightmarish musical numbers ("oompah loompah doopity do!"). Ghastly fates await the kiddies - one is turned into a giant blueberry, another falls into a chocolate river and gets wedged in a pipe. Truly the stuff of nightmares, so it's hardly surprising to learn that it's Marilyn Manson's favourite movie.
Carry On Spying (1964 83min.) [Ch5 12.10pm &+1]
Spy spoof starring Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor. Chaos ensues when four incompetent British secret agents set out to recover a secret formula stolen by the subversive organisation known as STENCH.
Under appreciated entry into the classic comedy series.
White Christmas (1954 115min.) [Film4 1.10pm &+1]
Musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Old army buddies Phil Davis and Bob Wallace travel with the glamorous Haynes sisters to the Columbia Inn in Vermont. There, Phil and Bob are reunited with their old commanding officer, General Waverly, who is now struggling to keep the hotel going. The visitors decide there's only one answer - to put on a show.
There’s two really good things on show here : Danny Kaye’s show stealing performance and the direction by Hollywood veteran Michael Curtiz (who also directed Casablanca). Bing gets to sing That Song and Vera-Ellen’s dancing is seriously impressive.
Annie Get Your Gun (1950 103min.) [Ch 5 1.55pm &+1]
Classic musical western starring Betty Hutton and Howard Keel. When Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show rolls into town, Annie Oakley gets the opportunity to impress with her sharp-shooting skills and is pitched into a contest with the show's womanising star Frank Butler.
Freaky Friday (1976 94min.) [Ch 4 2.35pm &+1]
Body-swap comedy starring Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. One momentous morning, 13-year-old Annabel Andrews and her mother Ellen simultaneously wish they could change places but are alarmed when it really happens. Each thought the other had an easy life. How wrong they were.
Calamity Jane (1953 96min.) [Ch5 4.05pm&+1]
Musical comedy western starring Doris Day and Howard Keel. Spirited cowgirl Calamity Jane brings a glamorous singing star to the Deadwood saloon. But her new friend turns into a love rival, and Calamity begins to wonder whether a woman's touch is more effective than a six-gun.
Some whip-cracking songs (Just Blew In From The Windy City, especially) and Day's astonishing one take only Secret Love plus some fine acting, a great story and David Butler's assured direction add up to a musical that can be watched over and over again with just as much pleasure on each viewing.
Monsters Inc (2001 88min.) {BBC1 4.20pm]
Animated comedy from the makers of Toy Story and Finding Nemo, featuring the voices of John Goodman and Billy Crystal. Blue-furred giant Sulley and his one-eyed partner Mike live in Monstropolis and are expert in gathering the screams of Earth children which provide the power for their otherworldly realm. However, when one unafraid little girl accidentally follows the creatures home, their lives are changed for ever.
Alice In Wonderland (2010 104min.) [BBC2 5.50pm]
Fantasy adventure based on the books by Lewis Carroll, starring Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp. At a garden party to celebrate her engagement, the now teenage Alice spots a white rabbit from her childhood dreams and follows the creature down a hole that leads to a strangely familiar world. But the place she remembers is now inruins and Alice is soon pitched into a battle against the evil Red Queen.
Even the most ardent admirers of director Tim Burton's signature psychedelic style struggled with this.
Some scenes are allowed to drag on far past the point at which they should have ended while others that deserve more care and attention are thrown away in minutes.
The end result is an unfocussed and slightly baffling film, unless you have an intimate knowledge of the original book the viewer can spend a lot of time trying to work what exactly is going on.
The decision to add 3D effects in post-production doesn't help either, even when viewed in 2D the visuals seem oddly disjointed.
A massive disappointment.
Toy Story (1995 88min.) [BBC3 8.00pm]
Animated comedy adventure about the secret world of toys, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Woody the cowboy doll is young Andy's favourite toy. But when Andy receives Buzz Lightyear - a brash state-of-the-art space ranger - for his birthday, Woody's position is undermined and the two toys become bitter rivals.
Prince Of Persia : The Sands Of Time (2010 111min.) [BBC3 9.15pm]
Fantasy action adventure starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley and Gemma Arterton. Prince Dastan is framed for murder and is forced to go on the run in the company of a mysterious princess. The key to his salvation is a magic dagger that can shift time and give its owner supreme power, but there are others who also covet the artefact.
Commits the cardinal sin for an action movie of having dull action sequences. And the rest of it is no better.
Film adaptations of video games simply don't work, do they?
Vertigo (1958 128min.) [BBC4 10.00pm]
Classic psychological thriller starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. San Francisco detective "Scottie" Ferguson resigns from the force when his intense fear of heights leads to the death of a colleague. He's persuaded to accept a commission from an old college friend to trail his suicidal wife, only to find himself falling in love with his mysterious quarry.
A fantastic, floating, hallucinatory study of obsessive love wrapped up in a mystery thriller.
Needful Things (1993 115min.) [Ch5 10.50pm &+1]
Horror starring Max von Sydow and Ed Harris. Evil has come to the peaceful community of Castle Rock, Maine, in the shape of a devilish stranger called Leland Gaunt, whose store "Needful Things" promises to fulfil the deepest desires of the community - at a price. Soon, Gaunt's malevolent influence has the townspeople turning against each other in irrational outbursts of cruelty that begin to escalate into horrific violence.
Workmanlike but rather over long adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name.
Sleepy Hollow (1999 100min.) [Film4 11.10pm &+1]
Gothic horror fantasy starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Unorthodox detective Ichabod Crane is sent to the village of Sleepy Hollow following a series of decapitations. However, his investigation is hampered by the locals' belief that the murders are being committed by the ghost of a headless horseman, and by his growing infatuation with the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's retelling of the classic American folk-tale has shocks, surprises and bags of tongue-in-cheek humour.
The Shipping News (2001 106min.) [BBC2 12.15am thursday]
Drama, from the director of Chocolat and The Cider House Rules, based on the bestselling novel by E Annie Proulx and starring Kevin Spacey and Julianne Moore. After the sudden death of his trailer-trash wife, unassuming nobody Quoyle moves to his ancestral home in a fishing village in Newfoundland with his daughter and finds a job writing a column for the local paper. As he becomes immersed in the lives of the people there, he establishes a special connection with a local single mother and widow, Wavey Prowse.
The Fighter (2010 110min.) [Film4 1.20am thursday &+1]
Oscar-winning biographical drama starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Welterweight boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward dreams of a shot at the big time, but loyalty to his dysfunctional family - particularly Dicky, his drug-addicted half-brother and coach - threatens to block his path to greatness.
Animated comedy adventure, with the voices of Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks, Miranda Richardson and Mel Gibson. A clutch of hens, led by head chick Ginger, suffers life on a grim 1950s egg farm. When the avaricious owners decide to move into the meat-pie business, the chickens fear the worst. With the help of American rooster Rocky, the birds start to plan a prisoner-of-war-style escape.
Made by Aardman Animation but lacks the warmth and grace of the Wallace & Gromit stories : still, it’s fun for a young audience although I do wonder how many of the references to POW camp films like The Great Escape and Stalag 17 will mean anything to them.
Ponyo (2008 98min.) [Film4 11.00am &+1]
Animated adventure inspired by The Little Mermaid, from director Hayao Miyazaki and featuring the voices of Liam Neeson and Cate Blanchett. When young Sosuke saves the life of a beautiful fish who washes onshore near his coastal home, he soon discovers that she is no ordinary creature.
A superbly told story with Studio Ghibli's usual high quality hand-drawn animation and a top of the range English voice cast. As with all Miyazaki's films there's messages and parables for the older viewer as well as a terrific and rewearding viewing experience for children.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 95min.) [ITV1 12.30pm &+1]
Whimsical fantasy, based on the classic children's book by Roald Dahl,starring Gene Wilder. Most children, at one hungry time or another, dream of visiting a chocolate factory. For young Charlie Bucket the fantasy comes true when he finds a golden ticket in a candy bar: an invitation to tour the giant factory of eccentric sweet tycoon Willy Wonka.
After The Producers, Gene Wilder's finest hour was playing the sinister Willy Wonka, who escorts poor but honest Charlie Bucket, Charlie's grandpa and four other not-so-honest children around his choccy factory in this trippy, nightmarish Roald Dahl fantasy festooned with even trippier and more nightmarish musical numbers ("oompah loompah doopity do!"). Ghastly fates await the kiddies - one is turned into a giant blueberry, another falls into a chocolate river and gets wedged in a pipe. Truly the stuff of nightmares, so it's hardly surprising to learn that it's Marilyn Manson's favourite movie.
Carry On Spying (1964 83min.) [Ch5 12.10pm &+1]
Spy spoof starring Kenneth Williams and Barbara Windsor. Chaos ensues when four incompetent British secret agents set out to recover a secret formula stolen by the subversive organisation known as STENCH.
Under appreciated entry into the classic comedy series.
White Christmas (1954 115min.) [Film4 1.10pm &+1]
Musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Old army buddies Phil Davis and Bob Wallace travel with the glamorous Haynes sisters to the Columbia Inn in Vermont. There, Phil and Bob are reunited with their old commanding officer, General Waverly, who is now struggling to keep the hotel going. The visitors decide there's only one answer - to put on a show.
There’s two really good things on show here : Danny Kaye’s show stealing performance and the direction by Hollywood veteran Michael Curtiz (who also directed Casablanca). Bing gets to sing That Song and Vera-Ellen’s dancing is seriously impressive.
Annie Get Your Gun (1950 103min.) [Ch 5 1.55pm &+1]
Classic musical western starring Betty Hutton and Howard Keel. When Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show rolls into town, Annie Oakley gets the opportunity to impress with her sharp-shooting skills and is pitched into a contest with the show's womanising star Frank Butler.
Freaky Friday (1976 94min.) [Ch 4 2.35pm &+1]
Body-swap comedy starring Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. One momentous morning, 13-year-old Annabel Andrews and her mother Ellen simultaneously wish they could change places but are alarmed when it really happens. Each thought the other had an easy life. How wrong they were.
Calamity Jane (1953 96min.) [Ch5 4.05pm&+1]
Musical comedy western starring Doris Day and Howard Keel. Spirited cowgirl Calamity Jane brings a glamorous singing star to the Deadwood saloon. But her new friend turns into a love rival, and Calamity begins to wonder whether a woman's touch is more effective than a six-gun.
Some whip-cracking songs (Just Blew In From The Windy City, especially) and Day's astonishing one take only Secret Love plus some fine acting, a great story and David Butler's assured direction add up to a musical that can be watched over and over again with just as much pleasure on each viewing.
Monsters Inc (2001 88min.) {BBC1 4.20pm]
Animated comedy from the makers of Toy Story and Finding Nemo, featuring the voices of John Goodman and Billy Crystal. Blue-furred giant Sulley and his one-eyed partner Mike live in Monstropolis and are expert in gathering the screams of Earth children which provide the power for their otherworldly realm. However, when one unafraid little girl accidentally follows the creatures home, their lives are changed for ever.
Alice In Wonderland (2010 104min.) [BBC2 5.50pm]
Fantasy adventure based on the books by Lewis Carroll, starring Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp. At a garden party to celebrate her engagement, the now teenage Alice spots a white rabbit from her childhood dreams and follows the creature down a hole that leads to a strangely familiar world. But the place she remembers is now inruins and Alice is soon pitched into a battle against the evil Red Queen.
Even the most ardent admirers of director Tim Burton's signature psychedelic style struggled with this.
Some scenes are allowed to drag on far past the point at which they should have ended while others that deserve more care and attention are thrown away in minutes.
The end result is an unfocussed and slightly baffling film, unless you have an intimate knowledge of the original book the viewer can spend a lot of time trying to work what exactly is going on.
The decision to add 3D effects in post-production doesn't help either, even when viewed in 2D the visuals seem oddly disjointed.
A massive disappointment.
Toy Story (1995 88min.) [BBC3 8.00pm]
Animated comedy adventure about the secret world of toys, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Woody the cowboy doll is young Andy's favourite toy. But when Andy receives Buzz Lightyear - a brash state-of-the-art space ranger - for his birthday, Woody's position is undermined and the two toys become bitter rivals.
Prince Of Persia : The Sands Of Time (2010 111min.) [BBC3 9.15pm]
Fantasy action adventure starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley and Gemma Arterton. Prince Dastan is framed for murder and is forced to go on the run in the company of a mysterious princess. The key to his salvation is a magic dagger that can shift time and give its owner supreme power, but there are others who also covet the artefact.
Commits the cardinal sin for an action movie of having dull action sequences. And the rest of it is no better.
Film adaptations of video games simply don't work, do they?
Vertigo (1958 128min.) [BBC4 10.00pm]
Classic psychological thriller starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. San Francisco detective "Scottie" Ferguson resigns from the force when his intense fear of heights leads to the death of a colleague. He's persuaded to accept a commission from an old college friend to trail his suicidal wife, only to find himself falling in love with his mysterious quarry.
A fantastic, floating, hallucinatory study of obsessive love wrapped up in a mystery thriller.
Needful Things (1993 115min.) [Ch5 10.50pm &+1]
Horror starring Max von Sydow and Ed Harris. Evil has come to the peaceful community of Castle Rock, Maine, in the shape of a devilish stranger called Leland Gaunt, whose store "Needful Things" promises to fulfil the deepest desires of the community - at a price. Soon, Gaunt's malevolent influence has the townspeople turning against each other in irrational outbursts of cruelty that begin to escalate into horrific violence.
Workmanlike but rather over long adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name.
Sleepy Hollow (1999 100min.) [Film4 11.10pm &+1]
Gothic horror fantasy starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Unorthodox detective Ichabod Crane is sent to the village of Sleepy Hollow following a series of decapitations. However, his investigation is hampered by the locals' belief that the murders are being committed by the ghost of a headless horseman, and by his growing infatuation with the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's retelling of the classic American folk-tale has shocks, surprises and bags of tongue-in-cheek humour.
The Shipping News (2001 106min.) [BBC2 12.15am thursday]
Drama, from the director of Chocolat and The Cider House Rules, based on the bestselling novel by E Annie Proulx and starring Kevin Spacey and Julianne Moore. After the sudden death of his trailer-trash wife, unassuming nobody Quoyle moves to his ancestral home in a fishing village in Newfoundland with his daughter and finds a job writing a column for the local paper. As he becomes immersed in the lives of the people there, he establishes a special connection with a local single mother and widow, Wavey Prowse.
The Fighter (2010 110min.) [Film4 1.20am thursday &+1]
Oscar-winning biographical drama starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Welterweight boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward dreams of a shot at the big time, but loyalty to his dysfunctional family - particularly Dicky, his drug-addicted half-brother and coach - threatens to block his path to greatness.
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Freeview film choices : tuesday 29th of December
Carry On Nurse (1959 85min.) [Ch5 12.30pm &+1]
Comedy starring Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey and Hattie Jacques. The nursing staff on the men's surgical ward at Haven Hospital find themselves having to cope with the endless antics of their amorous patients.
The Dam Busters (1954 119min.) [C5 2.15pm &+1]
Classic wartime drama, starring Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave, about the audacious RAF mission to destroy the Ruhr dams with "bouncing" bombs designed by aeronautical engineer Barnes Wallis.
The film works because it's less about heroic acts of bravery and more about the skill, ingenuity and ability of inventor Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) and the team of flyers led by Guy Gibson (Richard Todd).
Add in director Michael Anderson's solid work (the flying sequences are especially well done), the fact that there's (unusually) a well written role for a woman (Ursula Jeans as Wallis' wife) and Eric Coates' stirring theme "The Dam Busters March" and you have one of the definitive British films from the 1950's cycle that looked back to the events of the previous decade.
Coraline (2008 96min.) [Ch4 2.30pm&+1]
Animated fantasy, featuring the voices of Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher. A little girl finds a hidden door that leads to an eerie parallel world where her "Other Mother" lavishes her with attention, but she soon feels stifled and wants to go home.
Henry Selick, who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas, adapted this deliciously creepy stop-motion animation fantasy from the children's book by Neil Gaiman.
Coraline (superbly voiced by Dakota Fanning) is bored in the big old house she's just moved into with her parents, who are too busy to talk to her, so she goes through a door leading to a parallel world where mum and dad are lots more fun, even if they do have buttons for eyes, and where the already weird neighbours (Ian McShane as a Russian acrobat with a mouse circus; French and Saunders as ageing burlesque stars with Scottie dogs) are even weirder.
There's even more to this magical parallel world than meets the eye, and some of it turns out to be not very pleasant.
There's a slightly ill-judged addition of a young male character who wasn't in the original book but adults as well as children should enjoy this spooky, imaginative modern children's classic, almost worthy of being set alongside Spirited Away.
Just a note of caution : some of the more intense scenes may not be suitable for the under tens.
Paranorman (2012 88min.) [Film4 4.20pm &+1]
Animated horror comedy featuring the voice of Kodi Smith-McPhee. Young Norman Babcock has the ability to see and talk to ghosts, but no one in Blithe Hollow believes him. When he discovers that a witch's curse hangs over the town, he realises that it is his destiny put an end to it.
Entertaining fun which builds to a teriffic final twenty minutes or so.
Finding Neverland (2004 96min.) [BBC2 5.55pm]
Fictional account of the evolution and creation of children's classic Peter Pan, starring Johnny Depp as Scottish playwright JM Barrie. In the early 1900s, Barrie's lacklustre career is reinvigorated when he befriends the four fatherless Llewelyn Davies boys and their recently widowed mother, Sylvia. As their relationship develops, the seeds are sown for Barrie's most famous work.
Rather charming fantasy with the young Freddie Highmore outstanding as Peter.
Johnny Depp reigns it in a bit and gives a warm and thoughtful performance and Kate Winslet’s Sylvia is a compassionate and caring presence, neatly balancing out Barrie’s flights of fancy and mercurial nature.
Master And Commander : The Far Side Of The World (2003 132min.) [Film4 6.10pm &+1]
Period adventure drama based on the novels by Patrick O'Brian, starring Russell Crowe. In 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, British frigate HMS Surprise is out-gunned by a French warship and badly damaged. Despite severe injuries to his crew and his opponent's greater fire power, uncompromising captain Jack Aubrey patches up the Surprise and sets off to seek revenge.
Thoroughly entertaining seafaring adventure story.
Russell Crowe reins it in a bit as the driven but human ship's captain driven to pursue a French pirateer seeking revenge and glory while Paul Bettany gives a quiet, thoughtful but well rounded performance as the ships doctor and resident biologist.
There's some spectacular CGI effects and model work (the rounding of Cape Horn in a full-on storm is especially well done) and Peter Weir spends enough time with the main characters and a strong supporting cast to add some human interest to the action sequences.
Genuinely exciting in places and very well photographed and shot - although it did unconvincing box-office business it's by no means a failure.
Warmly recommended for a chilly autumn evening.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994 136min.) [ITV2 9.00pm &+1]
Prison drama, based on a story by Stephen King, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Maine 1946: sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover, mild-mannered banker Andy Dufresne tries to adapt to the brutalities of prison life. Over the years, Dufresne's friendship with long-term inmate "Red" and the discovery that his financial expertise is suddenly in big demand make his ordeal easier to bear.
The Purge (2013 81mins.) [Film4 9.00pm &+1]
Futuristic horror thriller starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.
Writer/director James DeMonaco throws a lot of subtext and moral questioning into what is, in essence, a survival of the fittest, horror thriller : but the two excellent leads are up to the job and deliver an entertaining film superbly assisted by lead villain Rhys Wakefield.
Erin Brockovich (2000 125min.) [C5 10.45pm &+1]
Oscar-winning biographical drama starring Julia Roberts. When she loses a lawsuit following a car accident, unemployed single mother Erin Brockovich browbeats her lawyer, Ed Masry, into giving her a job. Soon she discovers that a power company has been dumping toxic waste and poisoning the residents of a small town. Masry's firm takes up the case - making Brockovich the unlikely linchpin in one of corporate America's biggest ever lawsuits.
Despite some surprisingly flat direction by Steven Soderburgh the film keeps you interested thanks to an all-guns-blazing performance by Julia Roberts.
The film is over-long and loses its way several times : but the powerful central story and Roberts’ cyclonic acting keep you interested in the characters and their story.
Wolfcop (2014 75min.) [Film4 12.35am wednesday &+1]
Alcoholic police officer Lou Garou follows up on a disturbance call in a remote area, but blacks out shortly after arriving on the scene and the following night he transforms from a man into rage-fuelled werewolf. During the day, Lou struggles to remain in control while working to uncover the mystery of cursed him and why. Comedy horror, starring Leo Fafard.
It's a very long way from being brilliant and the 'story' extends very little further than the set-up ; but its short running length, some well done effects and a few moments of inventive humour mean that it's not an utter waste of time.
Comedy starring Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey and Hattie Jacques. The nursing staff on the men's surgical ward at Haven Hospital find themselves having to cope with the endless antics of their amorous patients.
The Dam Busters (1954 119min.) [C5 2.15pm &+1]
Classic wartime drama, starring Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave, about the audacious RAF mission to destroy the Ruhr dams with "bouncing" bombs designed by aeronautical engineer Barnes Wallis.
The film works because it's less about heroic acts of bravery and more about the skill, ingenuity and ability of inventor Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) and the team of flyers led by Guy Gibson (Richard Todd).
Add in director Michael Anderson's solid work (the flying sequences are especially well done), the fact that there's (unusually) a well written role for a woman (Ursula Jeans as Wallis' wife) and Eric Coates' stirring theme "The Dam Busters March" and you have one of the definitive British films from the 1950's cycle that looked back to the events of the previous decade.
Coraline (2008 96min.) [Ch4 2.30pm&+1]
Animated fantasy, featuring the voices of Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher. A little girl finds a hidden door that leads to an eerie parallel world where her "Other Mother" lavishes her with attention, but she soon feels stifled and wants to go home.
Henry Selick, who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas, adapted this deliciously creepy stop-motion animation fantasy from the children's book by Neil Gaiman.
Coraline (superbly voiced by Dakota Fanning) is bored in the big old house she's just moved into with her parents, who are too busy to talk to her, so she goes through a door leading to a parallel world where mum and dad are lots more fun, even if they do have buttons for eyes, and where the already weird neighbours (Ian McShane as a Russian acrobat with a mouse circus; French and Saunders as ageing burlesque stars with Scottie dogs) are even weirder.
There's even more to this magical parallel world than meets the eye, and some of it turns out to be not very pleasant.
There's a slightly ill-judged addition of a young male character who wasn't in the original book but adults as well as children should enjoy this spooky, imaginative modern children's classic, almost worthy of being set alongside Spirited Away.
Just a note of caution : some of the more intense scenes may not be suitable for the under tens.
Paranorman (2012 88min.) [Film4 4.20pm &+1]
Animated horror comedy featuring the voice of Kodi Smith-McPhee. Young Norman Babcock has the ability to see and talk to ghosts, but no one in Blithe Hollow believes him. When he discovers that a witch's curse hangs over the town, he realises that it is his destiny put an end to it.
Entertaining fun which builds to a teriffic final twenty minutes or so.
Finding Neverland (2004 96min.) [BBC2 5.55pm]
Fictional account of the evolution and creation of children's classic Peter Pan, starring Johnny Depp as Scottish playwright JM Barrie. In the early 1900s, Barrie's lacklustre career is reinvigorated when he befriends the four fatherless Llewelyn Davies boys and their recently widowed mother, Sylvia. As their relationship develops, the seeds are sown for Barrie's most famous work.
Rather charming fantasy with the young Freddie Highmore outstanding as Peter.
Johnny Depp reigns it in a bit and gives a warm and thoughtful performance and Kate Winslet’s Sylvia is a compassionate and caring presence, neatly balancing out Barrie’s flights of fancy and mercurial nature.
Master And Commander : The Far Side Of The World (2003 132min.) [Film4 6.10pm &+1]
Period adventure drama based on the novels by Patrick O'Brian, starring Russell Crowe. In 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, British frigate HMS Surprise is out-gunned by a French warship and badly damaged. Despite severe injuries to his crew and his opponent's greater fire power, uncompromising captain Jack Aubrey patches up the Surprise and sets off to seek revenge.
Thoroughly entertaining seafaring adventure story.
Russell Crowe reins it in a bit as the driven but human ship's captain driven to pursue a French pirateer seeking revenge and glory while Paul Bettany gives a quiet, thoughtful but well rounded performance as the ships doctor and resident biologist.
There's some spectacular CGI effects and model work (the rounding of Cape Horn in a full-on storm is especially well done) and Peter Weir spends enough time with the main characters and a strong supporting cast to add some human interest to the action sequences.
Genuinely exciting in places and very well photographed and shot - although it did unconvincing box-office business it's by no means a failure.
Warmly recommended for a chilly autumn evening.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994 136min.) [ITV2 9.00pm &+1]
Prison drama, based on a story by Stephen King, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Maine 1946: sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover, mild-mannered banker Andy Dufresne tries to adapt to the brutalities of prison life. Over the years, Dufresne's friendship with long-term inmate "Red" and the discovery that his financial expertise is suddenly in big demand make his ordeal easier to bear.
The Purge (2013 81mins.) [Film4 9.00pm &+1]
Futuristic horror thriller starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.
Writer/director James DeMonaco throws a lot of subtext and moral questioning into what is, in essence, a survival of the fittest, horror thriller : but the two excellent leads are up to the job and deliver an entertaining film superbly assisted by lead villain Rhys Wakefield.
Erin Brockovich (2000 125min.) [C5 10.45pm &+1]
Oscar-winning biographical drama starring Julia Roberts. When she loses a lawsuit following a car accident, unemployed single mother Erin Brockovich browbeats her lawyer, Ed Masry, into giving her a job. Soon she discovers that a power company has been dumping toxic waste and poisoning the residents of a small town. Masry's firm takes up the case - making Brockovich the unlikely linchpin in one of corporate America's biggest ever lawsuits.
Despite some surprisingly flat direction by Steven Soderburgh the film keeps you interested thanks to an all-guns-blazing performance by Julia Roberts.
The film is over-long and loses its way several times : but the powerful central story and Roberts’ cyclonic acting keep you interested in the characters and their story.
Wolfcop (2014 75min.) [Film4 12.35am wednesday &+1]
Alcoholic police officer Lou Garou follows up on a disturbance call in a remote area, but blacks out shortly after arriving on the scene and the following night he transforms from a man into rage-fuelled werewolf. During the day, Lou struggles to remain in control while working to uncover the mystery of cursed him and why. Comedy horror, starring Leo Fafard.
It's a very long way from being brilliant and the 'story' extends very little further than the set-up ; but its short running length, some well done effects and a few moments of inventive humour mean that it's not an utter waste of time.
Monday 28 December 2015
Freeview film choices : monday 28th of December
An American In Paris (1951 108min.) [Ch5 10.50pm &+1]
Musical starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Jerry, an American painter living in Paris, is loved by the rich and beautiful Milo. Perversely, he then fallsin love with a poor orphan who is engaged to somebody else.
Terrific example of the post-war MGM musical with Gene Kelly at the height of his powers ; the slight story doesn't matter one bit as director Vincente Minnelli creates a magical world on the screen and Kelly and the sublime Leslie Caron light up the screen.
Wonderful entertainment.
Spirited Away (2001 124min.) [Film4 11.00am &+1]
Oscar-winning animated fantasy adventure. On the way to their new suburban home, Chihiro and her parents stumble across what appears to be an abandoned theme park. But after eating in its deserted restaurant, mum and dad are transformed into pigs and the family is trapped in a spirit-filled fantasy world. Alone and frightened, Chihiro is helped by a mysterious young boy who gets her a job in a strange bathhouse, while she tries to work out how to save her parents and escape.
Terrific Hayao Miyazaki animation, produced the old-fashioned hand-drawn way, about a young girl who sets out to rescue her parents from a fantasy world ruled by twin witches where they have been turned into anthropomorphic pigs.
A wonderful (in both senses) film.
Bolt (2008 92min.) [BBC1 11.00am]
Animated comedy adventure featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus. Bolt is the canine star of his own Hollywood TV series, in which he plays a dashing superhero. But having lived his whole life on the show, he thinks his exploits are genuine. So when an accident lands him in Manhattan,Bolt has a rude awakening when he tries to get back to LA with only the usual complement of doggie powers at his disposal.
This may not be a stone-cold classic like Up, but is a lively enough action-adventure which doesn't insult the intelligence of either children or adults.
John Travolta provides the voice of the title character, a canine TV star who believes he actually does save his young mistress (voiced by Miley Cyrus) from villains on a weekly basis. Accidentally cast out into the real world, he has to make his way home from New York City to Hollywood with the help of a stray cat and a scene-stealing hamster.
It's a diverting variation on comedies like Tropic Thunder and Galaxy Quest, in which actors find themselves in genuine life-or-death situations, with our mutt having to face the fact that he doesn't really possess powers such as heat vision or a super-bark.
Anchors Aweigh (145 133min.) [Ch5 1.00pm]
Musical starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Joe and Clarence are two sailors on shore leave in Hollywood. Joe plans to spend the time enhancing his reputation as the navy's champion "wolf", but then he and Clarence stumble across a small boy called Donald and his beautiful aunt, Susan. Life will never be the same again.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992 85min.) [Film4 3.05pm &+1]
The inimitable puppets are joined by Michael Caine for their own special interpretation of the classic Dickens Christmas tale in which miserly Scrooge is visited by ghosts to help him mend his selfish ways.
Genuinely funny retelling of the Dickens classic with the added bonuses of some great songs and Michael Caine as Scrooge.
High Society (1956 102min.) [Ch5 3.55pm &+1]
Romantic complications arise when a playboy composer sets out to win back his ex-wife. However, she is about to marry another man - and the situation becomes even more entangled when a cynical reporter enters the fray. Score by Cole Porter.
The musical remake of George Cukor's immortal 1940 film version of Philip Barry's play "The Philadelphia Story" has three things going for it :
1. The absurdly fantastic cast : Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Celeste Holm in the leads, able support from John Lund, Louis Calhern, Margalo Gillmore and Louis Armstrong.
2. The script . John Patrick's screenplay pops and fizzles and bubbles, ranging from loss, regret and remorse to acid put-downs and on the money one liners.
3. The songs. Cole Porter wrote some of the most vibrant and downright clever songs of the twentieth century and you get a whole slew of them here. "True Love" , "You're Sensational", "Well, Did You Evah? " (the Sinatra v Crosby freestyle head to head) and "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? "
For shame the soundtrack album is currently out of print.The ninnies.
In amongst the light as feather satire, poking gentle fun at the foibles of the American upper middle class, there's the terrific two hander by Sinatra and Holm as the two reporters from the proto-"Hello" "Spy" magazine and the ice cold glamour of Grace Kelly. There's even a risque hint at extra-marital sex!
It'll have you grinning for the whole of it's two hour running time, it's a joyful thing and an undiminishing pleasure on repeated viewing.
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011 100min.) [Film4 6.55pm &+1]
Sci-fi action adventure starring James Franco and Freida Pinto. When scientist Will Rodman's programme of drug experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease is shut down he secretly takes an offspring from one of the chimpanzees he was using into his home and names him Caesar. Caesar has inherited the effects of the trial drug and begins to show remarkable intelligence, a development that will put him on a violent collision course withthe humans who have abused him.
There's justification for the revisiting of the classic Planet Of The Apes film series on the basis that new technology allows the film makers to use motion capture and CGI rather than people in suits to portray the apes.
Caesar, the ape at the centre of the story, is mostly a motion captured Andy Serkis while the team behind Avatar's special effects help to fill the screen with any number of virtual but believable primates.
In the original series Rise came after the Charlton Heston starring first film and it does make sense, if revisiting the series, to begin with the originsof...story.
And it's done rather well...some of the dialogue is a bit clunky and some of the human acting is a bit too knowing for the tone of the piece and themoral questions raised by the story are largely sidestepped.
But those quibbles aside director Rupert Wyatt delivers some great set-pieces and a touching story and the special effects are very, very good.
A well crafted big-budget Hollywood blockbuster that is extremely watchable.
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011 90min.) [BBC3 8.30pm]
Animated comedy adventure sequel with Jack Black as the voice of martial arts master Po. In order to stop the plot of evil peacock Lord Shen, Po must embark on a journey to discover the truth about his childhood.
Slightly disappointing sequel that essentialy rehases the good bits from the first film but without adding very much in the way of anything new.
Behind The Candelabra (2013 113min.)[BBC2 9.00pm]
Freeview premiere
Biographical drama starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. Flamboyant pianist Liberace was already one of the most famous entertainers in the world when he was introduced to young Scott Thorson in 1977. Scott is at first seduced and then overpowered by the larger-than-life character and his opulent lifestyle. But their six-year relationship is volatile and is kept secret from Liberace's adoring fans.
Directed by indie darling Steven Soderburgh and with a host of big names in small supporting roles (including Rob Lowe and Debbie Reynolds, who are both very good) this is an affectionate portrait of one of the great American showmen that neatly balances the two aspects of its subjects life : the glittering live performances and the equally glittering but sequestered private life. It’s also very good on the lengths that Liberace and his friends have to go to in order to keep his personal life behind closed doors.
There’s a real warmth in Douglas’ wonderful portrayal of a man tortured by loneliness and loss and the whole film is as camp, endearing, glitzy and eccentric as the man himself.
Papillon (1973 144min.) [BBC4 11.00pm]
Drama based on a true story, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Henri Charrière, nicknamed Papillon, is sentenced to life imprisonment on the notorious Devil's Island, French Guiana, for a crime he did not commit. For 13 years, Papillon is subjected to savage punishment and hardships, but his resolve to escape to freedom remains.
McQueen is charismatic and enigmatic in the lead but Hoffman steals the film out from under him with an assured, quiet, thoughtful performance.
Worth watching this (overlong) film for these two greats of modern American cinema and their contrasting styles.
The Omen (1976 106min.) (Ch4 12.50am tuesday &+1]
Nicely put together supernatural thriller with Richard Donner's direction creating an unsettling atmosphere, an excellent script by David Seltzer and a top-notch cast that's led by Gregory Peck and (the wonderful) Lee Remick but superbly supported by David Warner, Billie Whitelaw and Patrick Troughton.
All manner of unpleasant shennanigans occur when Peck foolishly adopts a child abandoned at an Italian monastery.
One of the best horror films of it's decade and stands up surprisingly well to repeated watching, certainly more so than the bloodless 2006 remake or any of the sequels to the original film.
Terminator 2 : Judgment Day (1991 145mins.) [Film4 1.15am Tuesday &+1]
James Cameron's science-fiction action thriller sequel to The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton. Tormented by the imminent threat of a nuclear holocaust from which intelligent machines will emerge to crush the last vestiges of human existence, Sarah Connor has been institutionalised and separated from her son. Informed of the future, she knows that young John Connor will survive and become leader of the human race. However, the machines of 2029 know it too, and once again they send a cyborg assassin back through time to terminate the potential saviour.
The China Syndrome (1979 116min.)[Ch4 2.45am Tuesday &+1]
Political drama starring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas. Television reporter Kimberly Wells is working with freelance cameraman Richard Adams at a nuclear power plant when an accident nearly causes a meltdown. Adams films the near-catastrophe, but the owners want the incident covered up.
Jack Lemmon is outstanding in this very well constructed, taut and exciting “what if” thriller. Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas provide the support and both are exceedingly good.
Musical starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Jerry, an American painter living in Paris, is loved by the rich and beautiful Milo. Perversely, he then fallsin love with a poor orphan who is engaged to somebody else.
Terrific example of the post-war MGM musical with Gene Kelly at the height of his powers ; the slight story doesn't matter one bit as director Vincente Minnelli creates a magical world on the screen and Kelly and the sublime Leslie Caron light up the screen.
Wonderful entertainment.
Spirited Away (2001 124min.) [Film4 11.00am &+1]
Oscar-winning animated fantasy adventure. On the way to their new suburban home, Chihiro and her parents stumble across what appears to be an abandoned theme park. But after eating in its deserted restaurant, mum and dad are transformed into pigs and the family is trapped in a spirit-filled fantasy world. Alone and frightened, Chihiro is helped by a mysterious young boy who gets her a job in a strange bathhouse, while she tries to work out how to save her parents and escape.
Terrific Hayao Miyazaki animation, produced the old-fashioned hand-drawn way, about a young girl who sets out to rescue her parents from a fantasy world ruled by twin witches where they have been turned into anthropomorphic pigs.
A wonderful (in both senses) film.
Bolt (2008 92min.) [BBC1 11.00am]
Animated comedy adventure featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus. Bolt is the canine star of his own Hollywood TV series, in which he plays a dashing superhero. But having lived his whole life on the show, he thinks his exploits are genuine. So when an accident lands him in Manhattan,Bolt has a rude awakening when he tries to get back to LA with only the usual complement of doggie powers at his disposal.
This may not be a stone-cold classic like Up, but is a lively enough action-adventure which doesn't insult the intelligence of either children or adults.
John Travolta provides the voice of the title character, a canine TV star who believes he actually does save his young mistress (voiced by Miley Cyrus) from villains on a weekly basis. Accidentally cast out into the real world, he has to make his way home from New York City to Hollywood with the help of a stray cat and a scene-stealing hamster.
It's a diverting variation on comedies like Tropic Thunder and Galaxy Quest, in which actors find themselves in genuine life-or-death situations, with our mutt having to face the fact that he doesn't really possess powers such as heat vision or a super-bark.
Anchors Aweigh (145 133min.) [Ch5 1.00pm]
Musical starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Joe and Clarence are two sailors on shore leave in Hollywood. Joe plans to spend the time enhancing his reputation as the navy's champion "wolf", but then he and Clarence stumble across a small boy called Donald and his beautiful aunt, Susan. Life will never be the same again.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992 85min.) [Film4 3.05pm &+1]
The inimitable puppets are joined by Michael Caine for their own special interpretation of the classic Dickens Christmas tale in which miserly Scrooge is visited by ghosts to help him mend his selfish ways.
Genuinely funny retelling of the Dickens classic with the added bonuses of some great songs and Michael Caine as Scrooge.
High Society (1956 102min.) [Ch5 3.55pm &+1]
Romantic complications arise when a playboy composer sets out to win back his ex-wife. However, she is about to marry another man - and the situation becomes even more entangled when a cynical reporter enters the fray. Score by Cole Porter.
The musical remake of George Cukor's immortal 1940 film version of Philip Barry's play "The Philadelphia Story" has three things going for it :
1. The absurdly fantastic cast : Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Celeste Holm in the leads, able support from John Lund, Louis Calhern, Margalo Gillmore and Louis Armstrong.
2. The script . John Patrick's screenplay pops and fizzles and bubbles, ranging from loss, regret and remorse to acid put-downs and on the money one liners.
3. The songs. Cole Porter wrote some of the most vibrant and downright clever songs of the twentieth century and you get a whole slew of them here. "True Love" , "You're Sensational", "Well, Did You Evah? " (the Sinatra v Crosby freestyle head to head) and "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? "
For shame the soundtrack album is currently out of print.The ninnies.
In amongst the light as feather satire, poking gentle fun at the foibles of the American upper middle class, there's the terrific two hander by Sinatra and Holm as the two reporters from the proto-"Hello" "Spy" magazine and the ice cold glamour of Grace Kelly. There's even a risque hint at extra-marital sex!
It'll have you grinning for the whole of it's two hour running time, it's a joyful thing and an undiminishing pleasure on repeated viewing.
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011 100min.) [Film4 6.55pm &+1]
Sci-fi action adventure starring James Franco and Freida Pinto. When scientist Will Rodman's programme of drug experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease is shut down he secretly takes an offspring from one of the chimpanzees he was using into his home and names him Caesar. Caesar has inherited the effects of the trial drug and begins to show remarkable intelligence, a development that will put him on a violent collision course withthe humans who have abused him.
There's justification for the revisiting of the classic Planet Of The Apes film series on the basis that new technology allows the film makers to use motion capture and CGI rather than people in suits to portray the apes.
Caesar, the ape at the centre of the story, is mostly a motion captured Andy Serkis while the team behind Avatar's special effects help to fill the screen with any number of virtual but believable primates.
In the original series Rise came after the Charlton Heston starring first film and it does make sense, if revisiting the series, to begin with the originsof...story.
And it's done rather well...some of the dialogue is a bit clunky and some of the human acting is a bit too knowing for the tone of the piece and themoral questions raised by the story are largely sidestepped.
But those quibbles aside director Rupert Wyatt delivers some great set-pieces and a touching story and the special effects are very, very good.
A well crafted big-budget Hollywood blockbuster that is extremely watchable.
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011 90min.) [BBC3 8.30pm]
Animated comedy adventure sequel with Jack Black as the voice of martial arts master Po. In order to stop the plot of evil peacock Lord Shen, Po must embark on a journey to discover the truth about his childhood.
Slightly disappointing sequel that essentialy rehases the good bits from the first film but without adding very much in the way of anything new.
Behind The Candelabra (2013 113min.)[BBC2 9.00pm]
Freeview premiere
Biographical drama starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. Flamboyant pianist Liberace was already one of the most famous entertainers in the world when he was introduced to young Scott Thorson in 1977. Scott is at first seduced and then overpowered by the larger-than-life character and his opulent lifestyle. But their six-year relationship is volatile and is kept secret from Liberace's adoring fans.
Directed by indie darling Steven Soderburgh and with a host of big names in small supporting roles (including Rob Lowe and Debbie Reynolds, who are both very good) this is an affectionate portrait of one of the great American showmen that neatly balances the two aspects of its subjects life : the glittering live performances and the equally glittering but sequestered private life. It’s also very good on the lengths that Liberace and his friends have to go to in order to keep his personal life behind closed doors.
There’s a real warmth in Douglas’ wonderful portrayal of a man tortured by loneliness and loss and the whole film is as camp, endearing, glitzy and eccentric as the man himself.
Papillon (1973 144min.) [BBC4 11.00pm]
Drama based on a true story, starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Henri Charrière, nicknamed Papillon, is sentenced to life imprisonment on the notorious Devil's Island, French Guiana, for a crime he did not commit. For 13 years, Papillon is subjected to savage punishment and hardships, but his resolve to escape to freedom remains.
McQueen is charismatic and enigmatic in the lead but Hoffman steals the film out from under him with an assured, quiet, thoughtful performance.
Worth watching this (overlong) film for these two greats of modern American cinema and their contrasting styles.
The Omen (1976 106min.) (Ch4 12.50am tuesday &+1]
Nicely put together supernatural thriller with Richard Donner's direction creating an unsettling atmosphere, an excellent script by David Seltzer and a top-notch cast that's led by Gregory Peck and (the wonderful) Lee Remick but superbly supported by David Warner, Billie Whitelaw and Patrick Troughton.
All manner of unpleasant shennanigans occur when Peck foolishly adopts a child abandoned at an Italian monastery.
One of the best horror films of it's decade and stands up surprisingly well to repeated watching, certainly more so than the bloodless 2006 remake or any of the sequels to the original film.
Terminator 2 : Judgment Day (1991 145mins.) [Film4 1.15am Tuesday &+1]
James Cameron's science-fiction action thriller sequel to The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton. Tormented by the imminent threat of a nuclear holocaust from which intelligent machines will emerge to crush the last vestiges of human existence, Sarah Connor has been institutionalised and separated from her son. Informed of the future, she knows that young John Connor will survive and become leader of the human race. However, the machines of 2029 know it too, and once again they send a cyborg assassin back through time to terminate the potential saviour.
The China Syndrome (1979 116min.)[Ch4 2.45am Tuesday &+1]
Political drama starring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas. Television reporter Kimberly Wells is working with freelance cameraman Richard Adams at a nuclear power plant when an accident nearly causes a meltdown. Adams films the near-catastrophe, but the owners want the incident covered up.
Jack Lemmon is outstanding in this very well constructed, taut and exciting “what if” thriller. Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas provide the support and both are exceedingly good.
Sunday 27 December 2015
Freeview film choices : sunday 27th of December
My Neighbour Totoro (1998 92mn.) [Film4 11.00am &+1]
Animated fantasy adventure from the director of Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. Sisters Satsuki and Mei move to the country with their professor father and soon encounter a mysterious forest sprite named Totoro, with whom the girls share a multitude of magical experiences.
The logo of Hayao Miyazaki's production company, Studio Ghibli, is based on the title character of his wonderful animated tale of two sisters whose mother is in hospital. They and their dad move into a house next to a mystical forest, home of friendly spirits such as Totoro, a non-specific furry creature, and a bus which is literally a giant cat.
It's an extraordinary evocation of childhood (I didn't grow up next to a Japanese rice-paddy but, watching this, I felt as though I had) that touches those parts that even the best American animation can't reach.
A children's classic.
subtitled version.
The Cockleshell Heroes (1955 93min.) [BBC2 1.45pm]
econd World War drama directed by and starring José Ferrer, and also starring Trevor Howard. Major Stringer heads a group of Royal Marines on a dangerous secret mission that involves planting mines on enemy ships moored in Bordeaux.
Terrific, excting, World War II adventure with neat direction by it's star and a very fine cast which includes Trevor Howard, Anthony Newley and Dora Bryan.
Often overlooked by film historians (maybe because of the inclusion of moments of tension lifting humour) but it deserves to be ranked among the very best British-made WWII films.
Mary Poppins (1964 133min.) [BBC1 1.50pm]
A practically perfect Edwardian nanny brings magical fun, laughter and adventure into the humdrum lives of a young brother and sister - much to the alarm of their disciplinarian father. Disney's musical fantasy, starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber.
Bang on-the-money Disney film. Terrific songs, great story, near pefect casting and some very well done merging of live action and cartoons.
Very close to film-making perfection.
The Searchers (1956 113min.)[Ch5 2.25pm &+1]
Classic western starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter and Natalie Wood. John Ford's masterpiece tells the story of Ethan Edwards and his five-year search for the last surviving member of his murdered family - a young girl captured by Comanches.
One of the definitive Hollywood westerns in which John Wayne undertakes a grisly mission of revenge and redemption following a personal tragedy.
The film has a lot to say about the racist nature of many frontier pioneers, but it says it quietly in the service of the story rather than bashing you round the head with the message.
It's about people who are lost and attempting to find themselves in all senses of the words; all wrapped up in a beautifully photographed package.
The Million Eyes Of Su-Muru (1967 87min.) [Movies4Men - freeview 48, Freesat 304, Sky 325 - 3.10pm &+1]
A beautiful, evil woman aspires to world domination by eliminating male world leaders and replacing them with female agents. Action adventure, starring Frankie Avalon, Shirley Eaton and George Nader.
Entertaing spoof of the sixties Glamorous Spy sub-genre : Wilfrid Hyde White and Klaus Kinski are among the supporting cast in a film that's very much of it's time and yet has a level of oddly beguiling charm.
Hugo (2011 120min.)[Ch4 3.35pm &+1]
Fantasy adventure starring Ben Kingsley and Asa Butterfield. An orphan boy who lives in a Paris railway station is befriended by an old shopkeeper and his goddaughter. Together they join him on a quest to unlock the secrets of a mysterious automaton - the boy's only link to his dead father.
Oz the Great And Powerful (2013 125min.)[BBC1 4.05pm]
Freeview premiere
Fantasy prequel to The Wizard of Oz, starring James Franco, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz. After being caught in a terrifying tornado, travelling magician Oscar Diggs finds himself in a fantastical land where his dodgy carnival con-tricks convince the inhabitants that he is a powerful wizard. He also becomes involved in a power struggle between three witches that has devastating consequences for everyone in the land.
Sam Raimi's film was a box-office disaster and received some serious mauling from the critics on its original release.
However, if you're in the right frame of mind and don't go in expecting anything along the lines of the classic Wizard Of Oz it's an entertaining, if somewhat lightweight, watch.
Raimi has made the transition from low budget cult films like the Evil Dead to the mega-million dollar franchises of Spider-Man etc. and his talent and imagination behind the camera still shine through even in low wattage entertainment such as this.
Escape To Victory (1981 111min.) [Ch5 4.45pm &+1]
Second World War drama starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and Pelé. As a propaganda stunt, the Nazis arrange a football match between the national German team and a squad made up of prisoners of war. However, the PoW team see the game as a chance to attempt an audacious escape.
"You'll believe John Wark can act...." etc.
Deep Impact (1989 116min.)[BBC2 6.10pm]
Science-fiction drama starring Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni and Morgan Freeman. A reporter believes that she has discovered a sex scandal in the US government. As it turns out, "Ele" isn't a mistress, but something used to describe an event so cataclysmic that it could destroy the planet.
Mimi Leder's film got rather crushed (ha!) on it's original release by the similarly themed Armageddon that was around at the same time.
But it's a very well made disaster movie which chooses to focus more on the human side of impending global destruction rather than the heroics of the astronauts.
Robert Duvall and Téa Leoni are very good in the lead roles, there's a strong supporting cast (including The West Wing's Toby Ziegler and Mark McCormack) and the special effects are spectacular.
Wallace And Gromiti n the Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005 81min.)[BBC3 7.10pm]
Animated comedy adventure featuring the voices of Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. As the annual Giant Vegetable Competition approaches, enterprising Wallace and Gromit cash in with their humane pest-control outfit, "Anti-Pesto". But business turns sour when a huge, mysterious beast begins destroying every garden in the area.
Wallace and Gromit are as charming as ever in this affectionate horror movie send-up. The cheese-loving inventor and his dog (not just a loyal hound but business partner, housewife, fixer) try to catch the mutated rabbit that's threatening to devour the village's annual crop of giant vegetables.
The painstaking stop-motion, Peter Sallis' Yorkshire accent, vicars and village fêtes all hark back to Watch with Mother, though children’s TV was never this stuffed with puns, double entendres and so many pop culture references you'd need several viewings to catch them all.
Kung Fu Panda 2008 88min.)[BBC3 8.30pm]
Animated adventure featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie. Ancient China: Po the Panda lives in the Valley of Peace and dreams of becoming a kung fu master despite the fact he is clumsy, overweight and a complete beginner at martial arts. So when he's accidentally chosen to be the legendary Dragon Warrior, he is overjoyed. However, his joy is short-lived as the evil snow leopard Tai Lung has escaped from captivity and is on his way to the Valley to take his revenge on Po's mentor.
Miami Vice (2006 126min.) [MovieMix -freeview 32, MoreMovies - Freesat 143, Sky 185 - 9.00pm]
Action crime thriller based on the classic 1980s TV series, starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. The personal and professional lives of undercover cops Crockett and Tubbs get dangerously intertwined as they close in on the head of a sophisticated drug smuggling organisation.
Michael Mann (Heat, Blackhat etc.) updates the 80s cop mega-TV series and fills the screen with fast paced action sequences and some bone crushing violence.
Not well received by fans of the original series it still has plenty to recommend it to fans of the genre.
Lovelace (2013 89min.0 [Film4 10.40pm &+1]
Biopic starring Amanda Seyfried about famous porn star Linda Lovelace. After starring in the hugely successful Deep Throat in the early 1970s, Linda is thrown into the spotlight, but behind closed doors, the heat becomes too much for her to bear.
Surprisingly human story behind the legend with a brilliantly nuanced and subtle lead performance from Amanda Seyfried. Stays the right side of tacky exploitation and benefits from great work by Sharon Stone and Hank Azaria as important people in the life of the titular actress.
Interesting.
Desperado (1995 104min.)[MovieMix -freeview 32, MoreMovies - Freesat 143, Sky 185 - 11.50pm]
Action adventure starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. Mexico: pursuing his quest to avenge the death of the woman he loved, an embittered mariachi homes in on his final target, a vicious gang boss called Bucho.
Superbly directed by Robert Rodriguez with some jaw dropping action sequences and a highly amusing turn from Steve Buscemi.
Telstar : The Joe Meek Story (2008 111min.)[BBC2 12.15am monday]
Biographical drama starring Con O'Neill and Kevin Spacey. In the 1960s, music producer Joe Meek invented new methods of recording that resulted in a string of hit records. But behind the genius lay a troubled soul who struggled to come to terms with his sexuality and was prone to violent outbursts, which would ultimately lead to tragedy.
Terrific film which not only tells the life story of the troubled pop genius but is also filled with amusing little scenes from the history of 60s British pop.
As well as the spot-on central performance by O'Neill and a charming cameo from Spacey there's great work by Pam Ferris as Meek's put-upon landlady and downstairs neighbour (there's a priceless scene where plaster cascades from the ceiling as Meek attempts to get just the right 'stomp' sound on a Honeycombs recording).
Good work too from JJ Feild as Heinz, Tom Burke (songwriter Geoff Goddard) and Ralf Little as a young Chas Hodges. Even James Cordon (as Clem Cattini) can't ruin the mood.
Novelty casting to look out for includes: Justin Hawkins as Screaming Lord Such and Carl Libertine as Gene Vincent; and there's a host of familiar faces in tiny roles (including Hodges himself, John Leyton, Mike Sarne and Rita Tushingham).
A thoroughly entertaining period piece - there's a tragic story at it's heart but the strength of the script and the acting are such that it entertains while telling it's story.
Highly recommend.
Bronson (2008 88min.) [Film4 12.30am monday &+1]
Biographical drama starring Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson (born Michael Peterson), a bare-knuckle boxer who was jailed in 1974 for armed robbery and went on to become one of the UK's most notorious prisoners.
This is the based-on-real-events story of a Luton-born crook who changed his name by deed poll and earned himself the title of Britain's most violent man.
It's really a one-hander by Tom Hardy who is superb as the titular character who's spent two thirds of his life in prison.
Credit too to director Nicolas Winding Refn who opens the story up from it's per force constrained limits and attempts to examine the psychological character of the film's subject.
Very violent in places and not for the easily shocked, although most of the unpleasentness is presented in halucinatory flashback accompanied, in the style of A Clockwork Orange, by bombastic classical music.
A tough but very interesting watch and Hardy is absolutely outstanding.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 79min.) [Film4 2.15am monday &+1]
Tobe Hooper's notorious horror classic, starring Marilyn Burns. Sally, her brother and three teenage friends visit rural Texas to pay their respects to her grandfather's grave. After an encounter with a crazed hitch-hiker, they stop off to explore the old family home and come into contact with the next-door neighbours from hell.
Tobe Hooper's notorious horror classic being shown as a tribute to its 'star' Gunnar Hansen, who ded recently.
That Touch Of Mink (1962 94min.)[Ch4 2.50am monday &+1]
Romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. Wealthy businessman Philip Shayne meets unemployed Cathy Timberlake under inauspicious circumstances when Shayne's limousine splashes mud on her dress. But his suave manner soon wins her over.
Cary Grant and Doris Day, directed by Delbert Mann. Gig Young and John (Gomez Adams) Astin in supporting roles?
Something of a treat.
Animated fantasy adventure from the director of Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. Sisters Satsuki and Mei move to the country with their professor father and soon encounter a mysterious forest sprite named Totoro, with whom the girls share a multitude of magical experiences.
The logo of Hayao Miyazaki's production company, Studio Ghibli, is based on the title character of his wonderful animated tale of two sisters whose mother is in hospital. They and their dad move into a house next to a mystical forest, home of friendly spirits such as Totoro, a non-specific furry creature, and a bus which is literally a giant cat.
It's an extraordinary evocation of childhood (I didn't grow up next to a Japanese rice-paddy but, watching this, I felt as though I had) that touches those parts that even the best American animation can't reach.
A children's classic.
subtitled version.
The Cockleshell Heroes (1955 93min.) [BBC2 1.45pm]
econd World War drama directed by and starring José Ferrer, and also starring Trevor Howard. Major Stringer heads a group of Royal Marines on a dangerous secret mission that involves planting mines on enemy ships moored in Bordeaux.
Terrific, excting, World War II adventure with neat direction by it's star and a very fine cast which includes Trevor Howard, Anthony Newley and Dora Bryan.
Often overlooked by film historians (maybe because of the inclusion of moments of tension lifting humour) but it deserves to be ranked among the very best British-made WWII films.
Mary Poppins (1964 133min.) [BBC1 1.50pm]
A practically perfect Edwardian nanny brings magical fun, laughter and adventure into the humdrum lives of a young brother and sister - much to the alarm of their disciplinarian father. Disney's musical fantasy, starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber.
Bang on-the-money Disney film. Terrific songs, great story, near pefect casting and some very well done merging of live action and cartoons.
Very close to film-making perfection.
The Searchers (1956 113min.)[Ch5 2.25pm &+1]
Classic western starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter and Natalie Wood. John Ford's masterpiece tells the story of Ethan Edwards and his five-year search for the last surviving member of his murdered family - a young girl captured by Comanches.
One of the definitive Hollywood westerns in which John Wayne undertakes a grisly mission of revenge and redemption following a personal tragedy.
The film has a lot to say about the racist nature of many frontier pioneers, but it says it quietly in the service of the story rather than bashing you round the head with the message.
It's about people who are lost and attempting to find themselves in all senses of the words; all wrapped up in a beautifully photographed package.
The Million Eyes Of Su-Muru (1967 87min.) [Movies4Men - freeview 48, Freesat 304, Sky 325 - 3.10pm &+1]
A beautiful, evil woman aspires to world domination by eliminating male world leaders and replacing them with female agents. Action adventure, starring Frankie Avalon, Shirley Eaton and George Nader.
Entertaing spoof of the sixties Glamorous Spy sub-genre : Wilfrid Hyde White and Klaus Kinski are among the supporting cast in a film that's very much of it's time and yet has a level of oddly beguiling charm.
Hugo (2011 120min.)[Ch4 3.35pm &+1]
Fantasy adventure starring Ben Kingsley and Asa Butterfield. An orphan boy who lives in a Paris railway station is befriended by an old shopkeeper and his goddaughter. Together they join him on a quest to unlock the secrets of a mysterious automaton - the boy's only link to his dead father.
Oz the Great And Powerful (2013 125min.)[BBC1 4.05pm]
Freeview premiere
Fantasy prequel to The Wizard of Oz, starring James Franco, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz. After being caught in a terrifying tornado, travelling magician Oscar Diggs finds himself in a fantastical land where his dodgy carnival con-tricks convince the inhabitants that he is a powerful wizard. He also becomes involved in a power struggle between three witches that has devastating consequences for everyone in the land.
Sam Raimi's film was a box-office disaster and received some serious mauling from the critics on its original release.
However, if you're in the right frame of mind and don't go in expecting anything along the lines of the classic Wizard Of Oz it's an entertaining, if somewhat lightweight, watch.
Raimi has made the transition from low budget cult films like the Evil Dead to the mega-million dollar franchises of Spider-Man etc. and his talent and imagination behind the camera still shine through even in low wattage entertainment such as this.
Escape To Victory (1981 111min.) [Ch5 4.45pm &+1]
Second World War drama starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine and Pelé. As a propaganda stunt, the Nazis arrange a football match between the national German team and a squad made up of prisoners of war. However, the PoW team see the game as a chance to attempt an audacious escape.
"You'll believe John Wark can act...." etc.
Deep Impact (1989 116min.)[BBC2 6.10pm]
Science-fiction drama starring Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni and Morgan Freeman. A reporter believes that she has discovered a sex scandal in the US government. As it turns out, "Ele" isn't a mistress, but something used to describe an event so cataclysmic that it could destroy the planet.
Mimi Leder's film got rather crushed (ha!) on it's original release by the similarly themed Armageddon that was around at the same time.
But it's a very well made disaster movie which chooses to focus more on the human side of impending global destruction rather than the heroics of the astronauts.
Robert Duvall and Téa Leoni are very good in the lead roles, there's a strong supporting cast (including The West Wing's Toby Ziegler and Mark McCormack) and the special effects are spectacular.
Wallace And Gromiti n the Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005 81min.)[BBC3 7.10pm]
Animated comedy adventure featuring the voices of Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. As the annual Giant Vegetable Competition approaches, enterprising Wallace and Gromit cash in with their humane pest-control outfit, "Anti-Pesto". But business turns sour when a huge, mysterious beast begins destroying every garden in the area.
Wallace and Gromit are as charming as ever in this affectionate horror movie send-up. The cheese-loving inventor and his dog (not just a loyal hound but business partner, housewife, fixer) try to catch the mutated rabbit that's threatening to devour the village's annual crop of giant vegetables.
The painstaking stop-motion, Peter Sallis' Yorkshire accent, vicars and village fêtes all hark back to Watch with Mother, though children’s TV was never this stuffed with puns, double entendres and so many pop culture references you'd need several viewings to catch them all.
Kung Fu Panda 2008 88min.)[BBC3 8.30pm]
Animated adventure featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie. Ancient China: Po the Panda lives in the Valley of Peace and dreams of becoming a kung fu master despite the fact he is clumsy, overweight and a complete beginner at martial arts. So when he's accidentally chosen to be the legendary Dragon Warrior, he is overjoyed. However, his joy is short-lived as the evil snow leopard Tai Lung has escaped from captivity and is on his way to the Valley to take his revenge on Po's mentor.
Miami Vice (2006 126min.) [MovieMix -freeview 32, MoreMovies - Freesat 143, Sky 185 - 9.00pm]
Action crime thriller based on the classic 1980s TV series, starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. The personal and professional lives of undercover cops Crockett and Tubbs get dangerously intertwined as they close in on the head of a sophisticated drug smuggling organisation.
Michael Mann (Heat, Blackhat etc.) updates the 80s cop mega-TV series and fills the screen with fast paced action sequences and some bone crushing violence.
Not well received by fans of the original series it still has plenty to recommend it to fans of the genre.
Lovelace (2013 89min.0 [Film4 10.40pm &+1]
Biopic starring Amanda Seyfried about famous porn star Linda Lovelace. After starring in the hugely successful Deep Throat in the early 1970s, Linda is thrown into the spotlight, but behind closed doors, the heat becomes too much for her to bear.
Surprisingly human story behind the legend with a brilliantly nuanced and subtle lead performance from Amanda Seyfried. Stays the right side of tacky exploitation and benefits from great work by Sharon Stone and Hank Azaria as important people in the life of the titular actress.
Interesting.
Desperado (1995 104min.)[MovieMix -freeview 32, MoreMovies - Freesat 143, Sky 185 - 11.50pm]
Action adventure starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. Mexico: pursuing his quest to avenge the death of the woman he loved, an embittered mariachi homes in on his final target, a vicious gang boss called Bucho.
Superbly directed by Robert Rodriguez with some jaw dropping action sequences and a highly amusing turn from Steve Buscemi.
Telstar : The Joe Meek Story (2008 111min.)[BBC2 12.15am monday]
Biographical drama starring Con O'Neill and Kevin Spacey. In the 1960s, music producer Joe Meek invented new methods of recording that resulted in a string of hit records. But behind the genius lay a troubled soul who struggled to come to terms with his sexuality and was prone to violent outbursts, which would ultimately lead to tragedy.
Terrific film which not only tells the life story of the troubled pop genius but is also filled with amusing little scenes from the history of 60s British pop.
As well as the spot-on central performance by O'Neill and a charming cameo from Spacey there's great work by Pam Ferris as Meek's put-upon landlady and downstairs neighbour (there's a priceless scene where plaster cascades from the ceiling as Meek attempts to get just the right 'stomp' sound on a Honeycombs recording).
Good work too from JJ Feild as Heinz, Tom Burke (songwriter Geoff Goddard) and Ralf Little as a young Chas Hodges. Even James Cordon (as Clem Cattini) can't ruin the mood.
Novelty casting to look out for includes: Justin Hawkins as Screaming Lord Such and Carl Libertine as Gene Vincent; and there's a host of familiar faces in tiny roles (including Hodges himself, John Leyton, Mike Sarne and Rita Tushingham).
A thoroughly entertaining period piece - there's a tragic story at it's heart but the strength of the script and the acting are such that it entertains while telling it's story.
Highly recommend.
Bronson (2008 88min.) [Film4 12.30am monday &+1]
Biographical drama starring Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson (born Michael Peterson), a bare-knuckle boxer who was jailed in 1974 for armed robbery and went on to become one of the UK's most notorious prisoners.
This is the based-on-real-events story of a Luton-born crook who changed his name by deed poll and earned himself the title of Britain's most violent man.
It's really a one-hander by Tom Hardy who is superb as the titular character who's spent two thirds of his life in prison.
Credit too to director Nicolas Winding Refn who opens the story up from it's per force constrained limits and attempts to examine the psychological character of the film's subject.
Very violent in places and not for the easily shocked, although most of the unpleasentness is presented in halucinatory flashback accompanied, in the style of A Clockwork Orange, by bombastic classical music.
A tough but very interesting watch and Hardy is absolutely outstanding.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 79min.) [Film4 2.15am monday &+1]
Tobe Hooper's notorious horror classic, starring Marilyn Burns. Sally, her brother and three teenage friends visit rural Texas to pay their respects to her grandfather's grave. After an encounter with a crazed hitch-hiker, they stop off to explore the old family home and come into contact with the next-door neighbours from hell.
Tobe Hooper's notorious horror classic being shown as a tribute to its 'star' Gunnar Hansen, who ded recently.
That Touch Of Mink (1962 94min.)[Ch4 2.50am monday &+1]
Romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. Wealthy businessman Philip Shayne meets unemployed Cathy Timberlake under inauspicious circumstances when Shayne's limousine splashes mud on her dress. But his suave manner soon wins her over.
Cary Grant and Doris Day, directed by Delbert Mann. Gig Young and John (Gomez Adams) Astin in supporting roles?
Something of a treat.
Saturday 26 December 2015
freeview film choices ; saturday 26th of December
Puss In Boots (2011 90min.) [BBC1 3.25pm]
Animated comedy spin-off from the Shrek series, featuring the voices of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. The dashing Puss in Boots goes on a quest for magic beans and a goose that lays golden eggs. It's an adventure that will bring him into conflict with Jack and Jill, his childhood friend Humpty Dumpty and masked feline Kitty Softpaws.
Entertaining little film in which Puss impeccably voiced by Antonio Banderas teams up with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) for a series of swashbuckling adventures.
Plenty of laughs and some very smart computer animation.
The Croods (2013 94min.) [BBC1 4.45pm]
Freeview premiere
Animated comedy adventure with the voices of Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds and Nicolas Cage. A prehistoric family are made homeless by an earthquake and are forced to trek through hostile territory in search of a new cave, encountering weird and wonderful wildlife en route.
Slightly wooly and out of control but fast paced and fun. Younger viewers may have some difficulty following the plot but it's bright, sharp and colourful.
Despicable Me (2010 90min.) [ITV2 6.40pm &+1]
Animated comedy featuring the voice of Steve Carell. Behind the seemingly tranquil façade of small-town America, super-criminal Gru plots his biggest heist yet: to steal the Moon. But an encounter with orphan sisters Margo, Edith and Agnes proves that even the most dastardly villain has a soft centre.
Toy Story 2 (1999 88min.) [BBC3 8.00pm]
Animated comedy adventure sequel, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. When his young owner, Andy, goes off to summer camp, Woody is stolen by a toy collector who recognises him as a valuable doll. Woody's erstwhile rival, Buzz Lightyear, leads a rescue party to save him - with chaotic results.
My personal favourite of the Toy Story films.
From Russia With Love (1963 110min.) [ITV1 11.25pm &+1]
Spy adventure starring Sean Connery. James Bond is sent to Istanbul to help a beautiful Russian diplomat defect to the West with an important cipher machine. However, he is unaware that he is being drawn into a trap laid by criminal organisation Spectre.
In most people’s top five Bond films and a special favourite of Jockblue.
Sexy Beast (2000 84min.) [Film4 11.25pm&+1]
Cat-and-mouse crime drama starring Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley and Ian McShane. Former crook Gary Dove has put his life of crime behind him and is enjoying an idyllic retirement at his Spanish villa. But the peace is shattered when former associate Don Logan arrives from London to persuade Gary to do one last job - and he's not about to take no for an answer.
Don't be put off by the fact that it appears on the surface to be a Ritchie-style guns'n'geezers British gangster film. Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone are superb in the lead roles, quietly backed up by Ian McShane and Amanda Redman.
An exercise in sustained menace beautifully counterpointed against the backdrop of the sun drenched Spanish countryside.
Terrific.
Marnie (1964 130min.) [BBC2 1.00am sunday]
Psychological drama starring Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. Marnie Edgar is beautiful, clever and an expert thief. Her crimes and her hatred of men are the result of a deep-rooted neurosis, which Mark Rutland, a wealthy publisher, is determined to unravel. Discovering her criminal activities, he forces her into a loveless marriage and sets about investigating her mysterious past.
I love Marnie and consider it to be as interesting a film as any Hitchcock ever made.
I also know that it's intentional artificiality and super drenched colour photography really annoy some people.
But I would encourage everyone to see it at least once and hope that others will enjoy it as much as I do.
Under The Skin (2013 103mn.) [Film4 1.10am sunday & +1]
A woman roams the streets of Glasgow. She seduces a number of men that she meets but slowy her detachment begins to slip and she develops empathy with the people she encounters.
Sci-fi drama based on Michel Faber's novel, starring Scarlett Johansson.
I saw this film twice at the cinema on its initial release and was impressed and startled by it on both occasions.
Then it started to turn up in the 'best of the year' lists of critics and film writers whose opinion I respected and I was pleased that I wasn't alone in thinking that it was a very impressive piece of work.
Just to make sure I watched it again on DVD the other night and was pleased that it works just as well on thesmaller screen.
The first thing to say is that it's possible that not everyone will have the same reaction.
Although it has a linear narrative (the central character starts at Point A and travels to Point E via B,C and D)there's no attempt at exposition or explanation. We see what happens but never discover why or how or what theconsequences of the on-screen action are.
If you like your films to be literal and have resolution then you may find Under The Skin not to your taste. It's like a prolonged dream sequence or trance nightmare for much of it's running time only settling down into a more conventional approach in the final third.
The long opening section and near actionless first twenty minutes could see people reaching for the off switch; this is understandable but would be, in most cases, a mistake.
The other thing to say is that it's difficult to preview or review without disclosing plot spoilers and/or letting too much daylight in upon magic.
(I've edited down the Radio Times plot synopsis above to remove two fairly hefty spoilers)
There are three stars of the film : director Jonathan Glazer uses a wide mixture of techniques to tell the story.There's long, slow tracking shots and the use of a motionless camera at times which is most effective at giving a sense of place and isolation. He uses the tiny Go-Pro camera extensively to allow us to eavesdrop on unrehearsed, spontaneous exchanges between his leading actor and (non-actor, unknowing) members of the public and he uses some startling special effects work to give physical presence to one of the storys most striking and effective sequences.
Scarlett Johansson is on screen in almost every scene and carries the film throughout : there are only four credited acting roles and one of those is a non-speaking part.
It's therefore left to the lead actor to tell the story and she does it very, very well indeed. It's a remarkably subtle and smart performance from an actor who is physically virtually unrecognisable as the Hollywood actor we think we knew and who uses an impeccable classless English accent to great effect.
The rain sodden streets of Glasgow and the beautiful natural landscape of the rural areas around the city are thethird star. Beautifully photographed in both cases - whether capturing the push and pull bustle and hustle of thecity centre or the still and/or elemental natural world that Johansson visits as she steers her white van away fromthe metropolis.
The sound design is terrific and Mica Levi's clever score is very neatly wrapped into and woven around the story.
An engaging and rather special film that has the capacity to remain in the mind for several days after viewing and certainly one that rewards a second (or even third) watch.
Animated comedy spin-off from the Shrek series, featuring the voices of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. The dashing Puss in Boots goes on a quest for magic beans and a goose that lays golden eggs. It's an adventure that will bring him into conflict with Jack and Jill, his childhood friend Humpty Dumpty and masked feline Kitty Softpaws.
Entertaining little film in which Puss impeccably voiced by Antonio Banderas teams up with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) for a series of swashbuckling adventures.
Plenty of laughs and some very smart computer animation.
The Croods (2013 94min.) [BBC1 4.45pm]
Freeview premiere
Animated comedy adventure with the voices of Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds and Nicolas Cage. A prehistoric family are made homeless by an earthquake and are forced to trek through hostile territory in search of a new cave, encountering weird and wonderful wildlife en route.
Slightly wooly and out of control but fast paced and fun. Younger viewers may have some difficulty following the plot but it's bright, sharp and colourful.
Despicable Me (2010 90min.) [ITV2 6.40pm &+1]
Animated comedy featuring the voice of Steve Carell. Behind the seemingly tranquil façade of small-town America, super-criminal Gru plots his biggest heist yet: to steal the Moon. But an encounter with orphan sisters Margo, Edith and Agnes proves that even the most dastardly villain has a soft centre.
Toy Story 2 (1999 88min.) [BBC3 8.00pm]
Animated comedy adventure sequel, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. When his young owner, Andy, goes off to summer camp, Woody is stolen by a toy collector who recognises him as a valuable doll. Woody's erstwhile rival, Buzz Lightyear, leads a rescue party to save him - with chaotic results.
My personal favourite of the Toy Story films.
From Russia With Love (1963 110min.) [ITV1 11.25pm &+1]
Spy adventure starring Sean Connery. James Bond is sent to Istanbul to help a beautiful Russian diplomat defect to the West with an important cipher machine. However, he is unaware that he is being drawn into a trap laid by criminal organisation Spectre.
In most people’s top five Bond films and a special favourite of Jockblue.
Sexy Beast (2000 84min.) [Film4 11.25pm&+1]
Cat-and-mouse crime drama starring Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley and Ian McShane. Former crook Gary Dove has put his life of crime behind him and is enjoying an idyllic retirement at his Spanish villa. But the peace is shattered when former associate Don Logan arrives from London to persuade Gary to do one last job - and he's not about to take no for an answer.
Don't be put off by the fact that it appears on the surface to be a Ritchie-style guns'n'geezers British gangster film. Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone are superb in the lead roles, quietly backed up by Ian McShane and Amanda Redman.
An exercise in sustained menace beautifully counterpointed against the backdrop of the sun drenched Spanish countryside.
Terrific.
Marnie (1964 130min.) [BBC2 1.00am sunday]
Psychological drama starring Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. Marnie Edgar is beautiful, clever and an expert thief. Her crimes and her hatred of men are the result of a deep-rooted neurosis, which Mark Rutland, a wealthy publisher, is determined to unravel. Discovering her criminal activities, he forces her into a loveless marriage and sets about investigating her mysterious past.
I love Marnie and consider it to be as interesting a film as any Hitchcock ever made.
I also know that it's intentional artificiality and super drenched colour photography really annoy some people.
But I would encourage everyone to see it at least once and hope that others will enjoy it as much as I do.
Under The Skin (2013 103mn.) [Film4 1.10am sunday & +1]
A woman roams the streets of Glasgow. She seduces a number of men that she meets but slowy her detachment begins to slip and she develops empathy with the people she encounters.
Sci-fi drama based on Michel Faber's novel, starring Scarlett Johansson.
I saw this film twice at the cinema on its initial release and was impressed and startled by it on both occasions.
Then it started to turn up in the 'best of the year' lists of critics and film writers whose opinion I respected and I was pleased that I wasn't alone in thinking that it was a very impressive piece of work.
Just to make sure I watched it again on DVD the other night and was pleased that it works just as well on thesmaller screen.
The first thing to say is that it's possible that not everyone will have the same reaction.
Although it has a linear narrative (the central character starts at Point A and travels to Point E via B,C and D)there's no attempt at exposition or explanation. We see what happens but never discover why or how or what theconsequences of the on-screen action are.
If you like your films to be literal and have resolution then you may find Under The Skin not to your taste. It's like a prolonged dream sequence or trance nightmare for much of it's running time only settling down into a more conventional approach in the final third.
The long opening section and near actionless first twenty minutes could see people reaching for the off switch; this is understandable but would be, in most cases, a mistake.
The other thing to say is that it's difficult to preview or review without disclosing plot spoilers and/or letting too much daylight in upon magic.
(I've edited down the Radio Times plot synopsis above to remove two fairly hefty spoilers)
There are three stars of the film : director Jonathan Glazer uses a wide mixture of techniques to tell the story.There's long, slow tracking shots and the use of a motionless camera at times which is most effective at giving a sense of place and isolation. He uses the tiny Go-Pro camera extensively to allow us to eavesdrop on unrehearsed, spontaneous exchanges between his leading actor and (non-actor, unknowing) members of the public and he uses some startling special effects work to give physical presence to one of the storys most striking and effective sequences.
Scarlett Johansson is on screen in almost every scene and carries the film throughout : there are only four credited acting roles and one of those is a non-speaking part.
It's therefore left to the lead actor to tell the story and she does it very, very well indeed. It's a remarkably subtle and smart performance from an actor who is physically virtually unrecognisable as the Hollywood actor we think we knew and who uses an impeccable classless English accent to great effect.
The rain sodden streets of Glasgow and the beautiful natural landscape of the rural areas around the city are thethird star. Beautifully photographed in both cases - whether capturing the push and pull bustle and hustle of thecity centre or the still and/or elemental natural world that Johansson visits as she steers her white van away fromthe metropolis.
The sound design is terrific and Mica Levi's clever score is very neatly wrapped into and woven around the story.
An engaging and rather special film that has the capacity to remain in the mind for several days after viewing and certainly one that rewards a second (or even third) watch.
Thursday 24 December 2015
Freeview film choices : thursday 24th of December
Horton Hears A Who! (2008 82min.) [C4 10.55am &+1]
Animated adventure based on the popular children's book, featuring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell. In the jungle of Nool, Horton the elephant hears a voice coming from a speck of dust, and puts it on a clover for safekeeping. Imagine his surprise when he discovers the speck is a world in danger, and its people, the Who, need his help.
A fair number of laugh out loud moments.
Small Soldiers (1998 105min.) [ITV1 1.45pm &+1]
Fantasy action adventure starring Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith and featuring the voice of Tommy Lee Jones. When an overeager toy designer installs state-of-the-art military microchips into a line of action figures, the result is a battle royal between the Commando Elite and the peaceful Gorgonites. The problem is that the battleground is the suburban household of young Alan Abernathy.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946 125min.) [C 4 2.15pm&+1]
Frank Capra's classic fantasy drama, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. George Bailey is a small-town businessman who believes he has been a failure. Contemplating suicide, George meets his guardian angel and discovers what life in his home town of Bedford Falls would have been like had he never lived.
The Dam Busters (1954 119min.) [C5 2.45pm &+1]
Classic wartime drama, starring Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave, about the audacious RAF mission to destroy the Ruhr dams with "bouncing" bombs designed by aeronautical engineer Barnes Wallis.
The film works because it's less about heroic acts of bravery and more about the skill, ingenuity and ability of inventor Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) and the team of flyers led by Guy Gibson (Richard Todd).
Add in director Michael Anderson's solid work (the flying sequences are especially well done), the fact that there's (unusually) a well written role for a woman (Ursula Jeans as Wallis' wife) and Eric Coates' stirring theme "The DamBusters March" and you have one of the definitive British films from the 1950's cycle that looked back to the events of the previous decade.
Finding Nemo (2003 96min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Animated comedy adventure from the creators of Toy Story, featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Willem Dafoe. Clownfish Marlin is devastated when his only son Nemo is netted by a scuba diver on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Teaming up with friendly but forgetful blue tang Dory, Marlin leaves the safety of the reef to rescue his offspring.
Genuinely funny Pixar computer animation aimed squarely at younger viewers but with plenty of subtle in-jokes and undercurrents for the older audience.
The voice casting is inspired too, with Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush and Eric Bana among those contributing supplementary texture to a marvellous sensory experience.
The Australian seagulls and surfer dude turtles are wonderful creations.
Scrooge (1951 86min.) [Ch5 5.20pm &+1]
Classic British version of Charles Dickens's Christmas tale, starring Alastair Sim. On Christmas Eve, a tight-fisted businessman is visited by three ghosts who remind him of the true spirit of Christmas.
Says here they are showing the black and white original rather than the vile ‘colorised’ version which keeps popping up elsewhere. In which case it’s pretty much unmissable.
Mamma Mia! (2008 104min.) [ITV3 5.50pm &+1]
Musical romantic comedy featuring the music of Abba, and starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. On an idyllic Greek island, young Sophie Sheridan prepares to marry the man of her dreams. But a problem looks set to blight the big day as the bride doesn't know who her father is. So Sophie sends out invitations to three men who might fit the bill, hoping to solve the riddle once her guests arrive.
If you approach this in the right way (slightly boozed up and with low expectations) it's stupidly dumb entertainment for a couple of hours.
There are moments of genuine hilarity : mainly based around Pierce Brosnan's foghorn bellow style singing, Colin Firth's "dancing", Muriel bringing method acting intensity to even the most straightforward of Abba's songs and Stellan Skarsgard's utter bewilderment throughout.
Emerging star Amanda Seyfried is excellent in the face of all odds.
I Robot (2004 109min.) [Film4 6.45pm &+1]
Sci-fi action thriller starring Will Smith. Chicago, 2035: in a society that has become almost entirely dependent on robots, Detective Del Spooner is called in to investigate the death of eminent scientist Dr Alfred Lanning. All the evidence points to Lanning's superadvanced robot prototype being responsible, but everybody knows that robots are programmed never to harm a human...
Enjoyable action movie that doesn't over stay its welcome and is rather well put together and acted.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993 73min.) [ITV2 7.25pm &+1]
Animated musical drama featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, longs to escape the routine of Halloweentown. Through a door in a tree, he stumbles upon Christmastown where he engineers the kidnapping of Santa Claus and wreaks havoc among the inhabitants.
Top quality stop-motion animation with some great songs, sets, characters and voice work. Not just for kids and goths!
Superb set of songs by Danny Elfman too.
Casino Royale (2006 138min.) [ITV 2 9.00pm &+1]
Spy adventure starring Daniel Craig in his first appearance as 007. James Bond is awarded his licence to kill and sets off in pursuit of Le Chiffre, a corrupt banker who finances terrorism. Realising that the desperate Le Chiffre needs to win big on the gaming tables of Montenegro to pay off a dangerous client, Bond formulates a plan to ruin him in a high-stakes poker game.
Desperado (1995 104min.) [MovieMix/moremovies 11.05pm &+1]
Action adventure starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. Mexico: pursuing his quest to avenge the death of the woman he loved, an embittered mariachi homes in on his final target, a vicious gang boss called Bucho.
Superbly directed by Robert Rodriguez with some jaw dropping action sequences and a highly amusing turn from Steve Buscemi.
Dial M For Murder ( 1954 101min.) [BBC2 11.30pm]
Thriller starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. When he discovers his wealthy wife Margot is having an affair with novelist Mark Halliday, playboy Tony Wendice hatches a plot to ensure that he doesn't wind up penniless.
First in a short late night season of Hitchcock films on BBC2. One of his lesser films which the director himself didn't much are for and which he made only to fulfil his contract with Warner Brothers and was originally shot in gimmicky 3D.
However, it still has the fingerprints of a master film maker on it : Ray Milland is suitably suave and menacing and Grace Kelly gives a very fine, nuanced performance mixing together affection, suspicion and fear very neatly.
Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure (1988 86min.) [ITV1 midnight &+1]
Comedy starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. California teenagers Bill and Ted are eager to succeed in a history exam because failure will result in Ted being sent to military school and end the duo's hopes of becoming heavy metal rock stars. Then a representative from the future arrives and assists their studies by enabling them to travel back in time.
I watched this again recently and it's stood up to the passing of time quite well. Obviously some of the references are very much of the time but the charm of the two lead characters is such that it's still an enjoyable watch with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
Wild At Heart (1990 119min.) [Film4 1.15am friday &+1]
Drama starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. After serving time for manslaughter, Sailor Ripley is reunited with his girlfriend Lula Pace Fortune and the pair drive south from North Carolina on a journey of discovery and danger.
Director David Lynch attempys to temper his trademark visual style and flair to produce a more mainstream road movie but can't help chucking in all manner of weirdness and strangeness.
Cage gives one of the best perormances of his career and Laura Dern is effective in the role of the messed-up naif caught up in the madness.
There's a really strong supporting cast including Willem Dafoe, Isabella Rossellini, Harry Dean Stanton, Crispin Glover and Lynch regulars Sherilyn Fenn & Sheryl Lee, all attempting to keep this Twin Peaks meets Bonnie And Clyde story moving along.
It's slick, silly and fun as it attempts (and sometimes fails) to ride the rail between the surreal and the exciting
Animated adventure based on the popular children's book, featuring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell. In the jungle of Nool, Horton the elephant hears a voice coming from a speck of dust, and puts it on a clover for safekeeping. Imagine his surprise when he discovers the speck is a world in danger, and its people, the Who, need his help.
A fair number of laugh out loud moments.
Small Soldiers (1998 105min.) [ITV1 1.45pm &+1]
Fantasy action adventure starring Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith and featuring the voice of Tommy Lee Jones. When an overeager toy designer installs state-of-the-art military microchips into a line of action figures, the result is a battle royal between the Commando Elite and the peaceful Gorgonites. The problem is that the battleground is the suburban household of young Alan Abernathy.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946 125min.) [C 4 2.15pm&+1]
Frank Capra's classic fantasy drama, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. George Bailey is a small-town businessman who believes he has been a failure. Contemplating suicide, George meets his guardian angel and discovers what life in his home town of Bedford Falls would have been like had he never lived.
The Dam Busters (1954 119min.) [C5 2.45pm &+1]
Classic wartime drama, starring Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave, about the audacious RAF mission to destroy the Ruhr dams with "bouncing" bombs designed by aeronautical engineer Barnes Wallis.
The film works because it's less about heroic acts of bravery and more about the skill, ingenuity and ability of inventor Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) and the team of flyers led by Guy Gibson (Richard Todd).
Add in director Michael Anderson's solid work (the flying sequences are especially well done), the fact that there's (unusually) a well written role for a woman (Ursula Jeans as Wallis' wife) and Eric Coates' stirring theme "The DamBusters March" and you have one of the definitive British films from the 1950's cycle that looked back to the events of the previous decade.
Finding Nemo (2003 96min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Animated comedy adventure from the creators of Toy Story, featuring the voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Willem Dafoe. Clownfish Marlin is devastated when his only son Nemo is netted by a scuba diver on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Teaming up with friendly but forgetful blue tang Dory, Marlin leaves the safety of the reef to rescue his offspring.
Genuinely funny Pixar computer animation aimed squarely at younger viewers but with plenty of subtle in-jokes and undercurrents for the older audience.
The voice casting is inspired too, with Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush and Eric Bana among those contributing supplementary texture to a marvellous sensory experience.
The Australian seagulls and surfer dude turtles are wonderful creations.
Scrooge (1951 86min.) [Ch5 5.20pm &+1]
Classic British version of Charles Dickens's Christmas tale, starring Alastair Sim. On Christmas Eve, a tight-fisted businessman is visited by three ghosts who remind him of the true spirit of Christmas.
Says here they are showing the black and white original rather than the vile ‘colorised’ version which keeps popping up elsewhere. In which case it’s pretty much unmissable.
Mamma Mia! (2008 104min.) [ITV3 5.50pm &+1]
Musical romantic comedy featuring the music of Abba, and starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. On an idyllic Greek island, young Sophie Sheridan prepares to marry the man of her dreams. But a problem looks set to blight the big day as the bride doesn't know who her father is. So Sophie sends out invitations to three men who might fit the bill, hoping to solve the riddle once her guests arrive.
If you approach this in the right way (slightly boozed up and with low expectations) it's stupidly dumb entertainment for a couple of hours.
There are moments of genuine hilarity : mainly based around Pierce Brosnan's foghorn bellow style singing, Colin Firth's "dancing", Muriel bringing method acting intensity to even the most straightforward of Abba's songs and Stellan Skarsgard's utter bewilderment throughout.
Emerging star Amanda Seyfried is excellent in the face of all odds.
I Robot (2004 109min.) [Film4 6.45pm &+1]
Sci-fi action thriller starring Will Smith. Chicago, 2035: in a society that has become almost entirely dependent on robots, Detective Del Spooner is called in to investigate the death of eminent scientist Dr Alfred Lanning. All the evidence points to Lanning's superadvanced robot prototype being responsible, but everybody knows that robots are programmed never to harm a human...
Enjoyable action movie that doesn't over stay its welcome and is rather well put together and acted.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993 73min.) [ITV2 7.25pm &+1]
Animated musical drama featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, longs to escape the routine of Halloweentown. Through a door in a tree, he stumbles upon Christmastown where he engineers the kidnapping of Santa Claus and wreaks havoc among the inhabitants.
Top quality stop-motion animation with some great songs, sets, characters and voice work. Not just for kids and goths!
Superb set of songs by Danny Elfman too.
Casino Royale (2006 138min.) [ITV 2 9.00pm &+1]
Spy adventure starring Daniel Craig in his first appearance as 007. James Bond is awarded his licence to kill and sets off in pursuit of Le Chiffre, a corrupt banker who finances terrorism. Realising that the desperate Le Chiffre needs to win big on the gaming tables of Montenegro to pay off a dangerous client, Bond formulates a plan to ruin him in a high-stakes poker game.
Desperado (1995 104min.) [MovieMix/moremovies 11.05pm &+1]
Action adventure starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. Mexico: pursuing his quest to avenge the death of the woman he loved, an embittered mariachi homes in on his final target, a vicious gang boss called Bucho.
Superbly directed by Robert Rodriguez with some jaw dropping action sequences and a highly amusing turn from Steve Buscemi.
Dial M For Murder ( 1954 101min.) [BBC2 11.30pm]
Thriller starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. When he discovers his wealthy wife Margot is having an affair with novelist Mark Halliday, playboy Tony Wendice hatches a plot to ensure that he doesn't wind up penniless.
First in a short late night season of Hitchcock films on BBC2. One of his lesser films which the director himself didn't much are for and which he made only to fulfil his contract with Warner Brothers and was originally shot in gimmicky 3D.
However, it still has the fingerprints of a master film maker on it : Ray Milland is suitably suave and menacing and Grace Kelly gives a very fine, nuanced performance mixing together affection, suspicion and fear very neatly.
Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure (1988 86min.) [ITV1 midnight &+1]
Comedy starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. California teenagers Bill and Ted are eager to succeed in a history exam because failure will result in Ted being sent to military school and end the duo's hopes of becoming heavy metal rock stars. Then a representative from the future arrives and assists their studies by enabling them to travel back in time.
I watched this again recently and it's stood up to the passing of time quite well. Obviously some of the references are very much of the time but the charm of the two lead characters is such that it's still an enjoyable watch with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
Wild At Heart (1990 119min.) [Film4 1.15am friday &+1]
Drama starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. After serving time for manslaughter, Sailor Ripley is reunited with his girlfriend Lula Pace Fortune and the pair drive south from North Carolina on a journey of discovery and danger.
Director David Lynch attempys to temper his trademark visual style and flair to produce a more mainstream road movie but can't help chucking in all manner of weirdness and strangeness.
Cage gives one of the best perormances of his career and Laura Dern is effective in the role of the messed-up naif caught up in the madness.
There's a really strong supporting cast including Willem Dafoe, Isabella Rossellini, Harry Dean Stanton, Crispin Glover and Lynch regulars Sherilyn Fenn & Sheryl Lee, all attempting to keep this Twin Peaks meets Bonnie And Clyde story moving along.
It's slick, silly and fun as it attempts (and sometimes fails) to ride the rail between the surreal and the exciting
Wednesday 23 December 2015
Freeview film choices : wednesday 23rd of December
Fly Away Home (1996 102min.) [Ch5 11.20am &+1]
Drama based on a true story, starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin. Amy finds life difficult with her eccentric father, but they are forced to overcome their differences when she rescues a batch of goose eggs from a construction site, then takes responsibility for teaching the birds to fly.
Blubtastic!
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989 126min.) [BBC1 1.45pm]
Action adventure starring Harrison Ford, Sean Connery and Denholm Elliott. When archaeologist Henry Jones disappears, his son, Indiana, joins in the search for him. In a desperate race against time, he encounters some old enemies and once again finds himself in pursuit of an ancient religious artefact.
The Glenn Miller Story (1953 107min.) [Ch5 2.30pm &+1]
Musical biographical drama, starring James Stewart and June Allyson. When the young Glenn Miller leaves university, he finds work as a musician on Broadway. Eventually he forms his own band and begins searching for the elusive sound that will make him a household name around the world. Many of Miller's greatest hits are featured including Tuxedo Junction, In the Mood, Little Brown Jugand Moonlight Serenade.
Shrek Forever After (2010 89min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Animated fantasy comedy, the fourth adventure about the grumpy, green ogre, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy. Bored with a life of domesticity, Shrek makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin that will allow him to return to something like his old life. Things don't go to plan, however, when Shrek finds himself in a land where ogres are hunted and he and Princess Fiona have never met.
Slightly disappointing fourth (and last?) film in the series, what was once novelty has now become routine and it lacks the zest and joie de vivre of the first film.
Has it's moments but falls flat far too often for something with it's pedigree.
Hairspray (2007 111min.) [Film4 4.20pm &+1]
Satirical musical comedy starring John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky and Michelle Pfeiffer. In 1960s Baltimore, chubby teenager Tracy Turnblad wins a place on her favourite television dance show. She soon faces a battle with ruthless station manager Velma von Tussle, who fears Tracy may steal the Miss Teenage Hairspray crown from her daughter.
Some great songs and likeable performances from Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky; Michelle Pfeiffer is superb as the panto villan and Christopher "Twinkletoes" Walken dances up a storm.
Look out for the cameo by the writer/director of the original film John Waters in the opening song.
Fun!
Clash Of The Titans (1981 113min.) [Ch5 4.50pm &+1]
Fantasy adventure starring Laurence Olivier and Harry Hamlin. Perseus, son of Zeus, sets out to win the love of thebeautiful Andromeda by overcoming the terrifying monsters set in his path by the other gods on Mount Olympus.They include a two-headed dog, the deadly Gorgon Medusa and a horrifying giant sea monster called the Kraken.
Larry Olivier overacting at Olympic standard and Ray Harryhausen's wonderful stop-motion animation creatures more than make up for the fact that the romantic leads have all the chemistry of a wet paper bag.
Enjoyable nonsense.
The Lady Vanishes (1938 92min.) [BBC3 7.30pm]
Classic thriller starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. One moment Miss Froy was sitting there, on the London-bound train from the Tyrol. The next she had vanished. Some passengers claimed she was never there, but Iris Henderson is convinced that she saw her. Was it her imagination?
Hitchcock in playful mood with a lightweight but brilliantly structured mystery thriller. Michael Redgrve and Margaret Lockwood are enchanting leads, there's scene stealing support from Mae Whitty and Cecil Parker and an amusing light relief turn from Music Hall act Radford & Wayne as a pair of cricket obsessed Englishmen abroad.
Mamma Mia! (2008 104min.) [ITV3 8.00pm &+1]
Musical romantic comedy featuring the music of Abba, and starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. On an idyllic Greek island, young Sophie Sheridan prepares to marry the man of her dreams. But a problem looks set to blight the big day as the bride doesn't know who her father is. So Sophie sends out invitations to three men who might fit the bill, hoping to solve the riddle once her guests arrive.
If you approach this in the right way (slightly boozed up and with low expectations) it's stupidly dumb entertainment for a couple of hours.
There are moments of genuine hilarity : mainly based around Pierce Brosnan's foghorn bellow style singing, Colin Firth's "dancing", Muriel bringing method acting intensity to even the most straightforward of Abba's songs and Stellan Skarsgard's utter bewilderment throughout.
Emerging star Amanda Seyfried is excellent in the face of all odds.
The Purge (2013 81mins.) [Film4 9.00pm (+1]
Freeview premiere
Futuristic horror thriller starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.
Writer/director James DeMonaco throws a lot of subtext and moral questioning into what is, in essence, a survival of the fittest, horror thriller : but the two excellent leads are up to the job and deliver an entertaining film superbly assisted by lead villain Rhys Wakefield.
The Anderson Tapes (1971 94min.) [Movies4Men 9.00pm &+1]
Crime drama starring Sean Connery and Dyan Cannon. On his release from jail after completing a ten-year sentence, Duke Anderson immediately begins plotting the daring robbery of an entire New York apartment building.
Absolutely of-it's-time star laden caper/heist movie handled with great ease by director Sidney Lumet and with a perfect Quincy Jones score.
Among the supporting cast : a very, very young Christopher Walken, the always great Martin Balsam and Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch in the Wizard Of Oz) in her last film role.
Dated in many ways it's still sufficiently well put together to entertain and amuse for an hour and a half.
In Fear (2012 81min.) [Film4 10/40pm &+1]
Psychological horror starring Iain De Caestecker and Alice Englert. Young couple Tom amd Lucy are driving to a music festival in Ireland and plan to stay at a remote country hotel overnight. But the signposts lead them in circles and, as darkness falls and the weather takes a turn for the worse, it soon becomes apparent that someone - or something - else is out in the woods with them.
Smart little low budget three-hander : the hand-held cameras and semi-improvised dialogue help to create a strong sense of mood, place and growing disquiet as it soon becomes apparent that All Is Not Well.
Enjoyable.
Rare Exports From The Land of the Original Santa Claus (2010 79min.) [Film4 2.20am &+1]
Dark seasonal fantasy starring Jorma Tommila and Onni Tommila. Santa Claus's tomb is unearthed in Lapland, just before local children begin disappearing. It seems he isn't quite the jolly soul of Christmas legend.
Wonderfully bonkers Finnish horror-comedy that messes around with the Santa Claus story and creates a brilliantly realised alternative universe in which an evil Santa rules despotically over a world of ensalved elves and helpers.
Terrific fun!
Drama based on a true story, starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin. Amy finds life difficult with her eccentric father, but they are forced to overcome their differences when she rescues a batch of goose eggs from a construction site, then takes responsibility for teaching the birds to fly.
Blubtastic!
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989 126min.) [BBC1 1.45pm]
Action adventure starring Harrison Ford, Sean Connery and Denholm Elliott. When archaeologist Henry Jones disappears, his son, Indiana, joins in the search for him. In a desperate race against time, he encounters some old enemies and once again finds himself in pursuit of an ancient religious artefact.
The Glenn Miller Story (1953 107min.) [Ch5 2.30pm &+1]
Musical biographical drama, starring James Stewart and June Allyson. When the young Glenn Miller leaves university, he finds work as a musician on Broadway. Eventually he forms his own band and begins searching for the elusive sound that will make him a household name around the world. Many of Miller's greatest hits are featured including Tuxedo Junction, In the Mood, Little Brown Jugand Moonlight Serenade.
Shrek Forever After (2010 89min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Animated fantasy comedy, the fourth adventure about the grumpy, green ogre, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy. Bored with a life of domesticity, Shrek makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin that will allow him to return to something like his old life. Things don't go to plan, however, when Shrek finds himself in a land where ogres are hunted and he and Princess Fiona have never met.
Slightly disappointing fourth (and last?) film in the series, what was once novelty has now become routine and it lacks the zest and joie de vivre of the first film.
Has it's moments but falls flat far too often for something with it's pedigree.
Hairspray (2007 111min.) [Film4 4.20pm &+1]
Satirical musical comedy starring John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky and Michelle Pfeiffer. In 1960s Baltimore, chubby teenager Tracy Turnblad wins a place on her favourite television dance show. She soon faces a battle with ruthless station manager Velma von Tussle, who fears Tracy may steal the Miss Teenage Hairspray crown from her daughter.
Some great songs and likeable performances from Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky; Michelle Pfeiffer is superb as the panto villan and Christopher "Twinkletoes" Walken dances up a storm.
Look out for the cameo by the writer/director of the original film John Waters in the opening song.
Fun!
Clash Of The Titans (1981 113min.) [Ch5 4.50pm &+1]
Fantasy adventure starring Laurence Olivier and Harry Hamlin. Perseus, son of Zeus, sets out to win the love of thebeautiful Andromeda by overcoming the terrifying monsters set in his path by the other gods on Mount Olympus.They include a two-headed dog, the deadly Gorgon Medusa and a horrifying giant sea monster called the Kraken.
Larry Olivier overacting at Olympic standard and Ray Harryhausen's wonderful stop-motion animation creatures more than make up for the fact that the romantic leads have all the chemistry of a wet paper bag.
Enjoyable nonsense.
The Lady Vanishes (1938 92min.) [BBC3 7.30pm]
Classic thriller starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. One moment Miss Froy was sitting there, on the London-bound train from the Tyrol. The next she had vanished. Some passengers claimed she was never there, but Iris Henderson is convinced that she saw her. Was it her imagination?
Hitchcock in playful mood with a lightweight but brilliantly structured mystery thriller. Michael Redgrve and Margaret Lockwood are enchanting leads, there's scene stealing support from Mae Whitty and Cecil Parker and an amusing light relief turn from Music Hall act Radford & Wayne as a pair of cricket obsessed Englishmen abroad.
Mamma Mia! (2008 104min.) [ITV3 8.00pm &+1]
Musical romantic comedy featuring the music of Abba, and starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan. On an idyllic Greek island, young Sophie Sheridan prepares to marry the man of her dreams. But a problem looks set to blight the big day as the bride doesn't know who her father is. So Sophie sends out invitations to three men who might fit the bill, hoping to solve the riddle once her guests arrive.
If you approach this in the right way (slightly boozed up and with low expectations) it's stupidly dumb entertainment for a couple of hours.
There are moments of genuine hilarity : mainly based around Pierce Brosnan's foghorn bellow style singing, Colin Firth's "dancing", Muriel bringing method acting intensity to even the most straightforward of Abba's songs and Stellan Skarsgard's utter bewilderment throughout.
Emerging star Amanda Seyfried is excellent in the face of all odds.
The Purge (2013 81mins.) [Film4 9.00pm (+1]
Freeview premiere
Futuristic horror thriller starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.
Writer/director James DeMonaco throws a lot of subtext and moral questioning into what is, in essence, a survival of the fittest, horror thriller : but the two excellent leads are up to the job and deliver an entertaining film superbly assisted by lead villain Rhys Wakefield.
The Anderson Tapes (1971 94min.) [Movies4Men 9.00pm &+1]
Crime drama starring Sean Connery and Dyan Cannon. On his release from jail after completing a ten-year sentence, Duke Anderson immediately begins plotting the daring robbery of an entire New York apartment building.
Absolutely of-it's-time star laden caper/heist movie handled with great ease by director Sidney Lumet and with a perfect Quincy Jones score.
Among the supporting cast : a very, very young Christopher Walken, the always great Martin Balsam and Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch in the Wizard Of Oz) in her last film role.
Dated in many ways it's still sufficiently well put together to entertain and amuse for an hour and a half.
In Fear (2012 81min.) [Film4 10/40pm &+1]
Psychological horror starring Iain De Caestecker and Alice Englert. Young couple Tom amd Lucy are driving to a music festival in Ireland and plan to stay at a remote country hotel overnight. But the signposts lead them in circles and, as darkness falls and the weather takes a turn for the worse, it soon becomes apparent that someone - or something - else is out in the woods with them.
Smart little low budget three-hander : the hand-held cameras and semi-improvised dialogue help to create a strong sense of mood, place and growing disquiet as it soon becomes apparent that All Is Not Well.
Enjoyable.
Rare Exports From The Land of the Original Santa Claus (2010 79min.) [Film4 2.20am &+1]
Dark seasonal fantasy starring Jorma Tommila and Onni Tommila. Santa Claus's tomb is unearthed in Lapland, just before local children begin disappearing. It seems he isn't quite the jolly soul of Christmas legend.
Wonderfully bonkers Finnish horror-comedy that messes around with the Santa Claus story and creates a brilliantly realised alternative universe in which an evil Santa rules despotically over a world of ensalved elves and helpers.
Terrific fun!
Tuesday 22 December 2015
Freeview film choices : tuesday 22nd of December
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984 118min.) [BBC1 1.45pm]
Harrison Ford returns as intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones in the second entry in Steven Spielberg's action adventure series. On the trail of fortune and glory in Shanghai, Indy is launched on a dangerous new quest that takes him to India via the Himalayas. With his faithful companion Short Round and nightclub singer Willie Scott, Indy goes in search of the magical Sankara stone and uncovers an ancient evil that threatens all who come into contact with it.
Shrek The Third (2007 88min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Animated fantasy comedy featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. When his father-in-law becomes ill, Shrek is expected to become ruler of Far Far Away. But the grumpy green ogre would rather live the quiet life with Princess Fiona in his beloved swamp. Travelling overseas in search of a true heir, Shrek is unaware that the pregnant Fiona is in danger from a rebellion led by jilted Prince Charming.
Kung Fu Panda (2008 88min.) [BBC2 7.35pm]
Animated adventure featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie. Ancient China: Po the Panda lives in the Valley of Peace and dreams of becoming a kung fu master despite the fact he is clumsy, overweight and a complete beginner at martial arts. So when he's accidentally chosen to be the legendary Dragon Warrior, he is overjoyed. However, his joy is short-lived as the evil snow leopard Tai Lung has escaped from captivity and is on his way to the Valley to take his revenge on Po's mentor.
Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa (2013 86min) [BBC2 10.30pm]
Comedy starring Steve Coogan. Norwich DJ Alan Partridge is unconcerned when his local radio station, North Norfolk Digital, is bought out by a multinational. But when he finds out that it's either himself or fellow DJ Pat Farrell who must go, Alan makes sure that it's his colleague who gets the boot. However, when a shotgun-wielding Pat decides to hold the staff hostage, it's up to Norwich's most famous son to save the day.
The Third Man (1949, 101min.) [BBC4 11.00pm]
Classic thriller written by Graham Greene, starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles and featuring Alida Valli. Holly Martins, a writer of western stories, arrives in Vienna after the end of the Second World War where he has been promised work by his old friend, Harry Lime.
One of the finest British films ever made, Graham Greene’s thriller is brought to life by director Carol Reed with stunning cinematography by Robert Krasker.
Led by Joseph Cotton’s central performance as Holly Martins, we discover through him the story of the disappearance of his friend Harry Lime, who appears to have died after becoming involved in racketeering. It is surely not too much of a spoiler to say that everything is not as it seems, and sure enough Harry Lime (played by a charismatic Orson Welles) shows up later on in dramatic fashion.
With many memorable moments, from the instantly recognisable zither music, to the stylishly shot chase through the sewers of Vienna, and the ferris wheel scene featuring the classic 'cuckoo clock' speech The Third Man bears repeated viewings and is a must see if it has somehow evaded you.
Shakespeare In Love (1998 118min.) [Ch4 1.30am wednesday &+1]
Oscar-winning romantic comedy starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. Will Shakespeare's career is in crisis: his money is running out and he's suffering from writer's block. Then he meets beautiful aristocrat Viola De Lesseps and his life - and the world of English literature - will never be the same again.
Fun.
Harrison Ford returns as intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones in the second entry in Steven Spielberg's action adventure series. On the trail of fortune and glory in Shanghai, Indy is launched on a dangerous new quest that takes him to India via the Himalayas. With his faithful companion Short Round and nightclub singer Willie Scott, Indy goes in search of the magical Sankara stone and uncovers an ancient evil that threatens all who come into contact with it.
Shrek The Third (2007 88min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Animated fantasy comedy featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. When his father-in-law becomes ill, Shrek is expected to become ruler of Far Far Away. But the grumpy green ogre would rather live the quiet life with Princess Fiona in his beloved swamp. Travelling overseas in search of a true heir, Shrek is unaware that the pregnant Fiona is in danger from a rebellion led by jilted Prince Charming.
Kung Fu Panda (2008 88min.) [BBC2 7.35pm]
Animated adventure featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie. Ancient China: Po the Panda lives in the Valley of Peace and dreams of becoming a kung fu master despite the fact he is clumsy, overweight and a complete beginner at martial arts. So when he's accidentally chosen to be the legendary Dragon Warrior, he is overjoyed. However, his joy is short-lived as the evil snow leopard Tai Lung has escaped from captivity and is on his way to the Valley to take his revenge on Po's mentor.
Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa (2013 86min) [BBC2 10.30pm]
Comedy starring Steve Coogan. Norwich DJ Alan Partridge is unconcerned when his local radio station, North Norfolk Digital, is bought out by a multinational. But when he finds out that it's either himself or fellow DJ Pat Farrell who must go, Alan makes sure that it's his colleague who gets the boot. However, when a shotgun-wielding Pat decides to hold the staff hostage, it's up to Norwich's most famous son to save the day.
The Third Man (1949, 101min.) [BBC4 11.00pm]
Classic thriller written by Graham Greene, starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles and featuring Alida Valli. Holly Martins, a writer of western stories, arrives in Vienna after the end of the Second World War where he has been promised work by his old friend, Harry Lime.
One of the finest British films ever made, Graham Greene’s thriller is brought to life by director Carol Reed with stunning cinematography by Robert Krasker.
Led by Joseph Cotton’s central performance as Holly Martins, we discover through him the story of the disappearance of his friend Harry Lime, who appears to have died after becoming involved in racketeering. It is surely not too much of a spoiler to say that everything is not as it seems, and sure enough Harry Lime (played by a charismatic Orson Welles) shows up later on in dramatic fashion.
With many memorable moments, from the instantly recognisable zither music, to the stylishly shot chase through the sewers of Vienna, and the ferris wheel scene featuring the classic 'cuckoo clock' speech The Third Man bears repeated viewings and is a must see if it has somehow evaded you.
Shakespeare In Love (1998 118min.) [Ch4 1.30am wednesday &+1]
Oscar-winning romantic comedy starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. Will Shakespeare's career is in crisis: his money is running out and he's suffering from writer's block. Then he meets beautiful aristocrat Viola De Lesseps and his life - and the world of English literature - will never be the same again.
Fun.
Monday 21 December 2015
Freeview films of the day : monday 21st of December
Build My Gallows High (1947 96min.) [Movies4Men - Sky 325, Freeview 48, Freesat 304 - 11.30am &+1]
Classic film noir starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and Kirk Douglas. Former private detective Jeff Bailey finds his violent past catching up with him when he's recognised by a customer at his gas station. The meeting reminds Bailey of the time he was hired to find the girlfriend of a gambler who disappeared with $40,000.
Cracking film noir with Mitchum giving a terrific performance and Douglas relishing the 'bad guy' role.
Superbly directed by black and white horror master Jacques Tourneur - under rated and overlooked for many years it's now considered on of the best Hollywood detective films of its time
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981 110min.) [BBC1 1.45pm]
Action adventure starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. Indiana Jones's outrageous exploits take him around the world in search of the legendary Ark of the Covenant, a religious artefact of unspeakable power wanted by the Nazis. With the help of an old flame, Indy takes on his enemies in a terrifying and death-defying battle to the finish.
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's definitve statement on their continuing obsession with the comforting nostalgia of American cinema.
A boys-own adventure serial remade on a big budget : packed full of cliffhangers, humour and special effects set pieces.
Harrison Ford creates an iconic role and there's good work by Karen Allen, Denholm Elliott and Paul Freeman among a strong cast.
It's a complete throwback, out of step with all of its contemporaries, but it's atmosphere and sheer joie de vive (and a perfect theme/score) allowed it to succeed and become one of the defining films of eighties Hollywood.
White Christmas (1954 115min.) [Ch4 11.50am &+1]
Musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Old army buddies Phil Davis and Bob Wallace travel with the glamorous Haynes sisters to the Columbia Inn in Vermont. There, Phil and Bob are reunited with their old commanding officer, General Waverly, who is now struggling to keep the hotel going. The visitors decide there's only one answer - to put on a show.
There’s two really good things on show here : Danny Kaye’s show stealing performance and the direction by Hollywood veteran Michael Curtiz (who also directed Casablanca). Bing gets to sing That Song and Vera-Ellen’s dancing is seriously impressive.
Shrek 2 (2004 88min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Sequel to the hit animated fantasy comedy, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. On arriving back from their honeymoon, Shrek and princess Fiona are invited to stay with her parents in the kingdom of Far Far Away. But King Harold is less than enchanted by his new son-in-law, and the Fairy Godmother has good reason to want the ogre out of Fiona's life. Cue assassin-for hire Puss-in-Boots...
Rather disappointing sequel to the rip-roaring original. Some very good sight gags and brilliant animation but the story and some of the voice work let too much daylight in on the magic.
The Others (2001 99min.) [Film4 1.30am &+1]
Atmospheric period horror thriller starring Nicole Kidman. In a remote mansion on the Channel Island of Jersey at the end of the Second World War, Grace is praying for news of her husband, who has been declared missing in action. Her children have an allergy to sunlight and cannot leave the house, so Grace advertises for some home help. Three people respond to her request, but their arrival coincides with a series of sinister occurrences.
Nicole Kidman gives a spirited (!) performance and director Alejandro Amenábar uses a style which will be familiar to those who have seen classic chillers such as The Haunting (1963) and The Innocents (1961) - shocks are delivered by suggestion and atmosphere, rather than CGI gore and guts.
The end result is a deeply satisfying, subtle and enjoyable film that, even when you know or work out the twist, still has plenty to offer.
Classic film noir starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and Kirk Douglas. Former private detective Jeff Bailey finds his violent past catching up with him when he's recognised by a customer at his gas station. The meeting reminds Bailey of the time he was hired to find the girlfriend of a gambler who disappeared with $40,000.
Cracking film noir with Mitchum giving a terrific performance and Douglas relishing the 'bad guy' role.
Superbly directed by black and white horror master Jacques Tourneur - under rated and overlooked for many years it's now considered on of the best Hollywood detective films of its time
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981 110min.) [BBC1 1.45pm]
Action adventure starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. Indiana Jones's outrageous exploits take him around the world in search of the legendary Ark of the Covenant, a religious artefact of unspeakable power wanted by the Nazis. With the help of an old flame, Indy takes on his enemies in a terrifying and death-defying battle to the finish.
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's definitve statement on their continuing obsession with the comforting nostalgia of American cinema.
A boys-own adventure serial remade on a big budget : packed full of cliffhangers, humour and special effects set pieces.
Harrison Ford creates an iconic role and there's good work by Karen Allen, Denholm Elliott and Paul Freeman among a strong cast.
It's a complete throwback, out of step with all of its contemporaries, but it's atmosphere and sheer joie de vive (and a perfect theme/score) allowed it to succeed and become one of the defining films of eighties Hollywood.
White Christmas (1954 115min.) [Ch4 11.50am &+1]
Musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Old army buddies Phil Davis and Bob Wallace travel with the glamorous Haynes sisters to the Columbia Inn in Vermont. There, Phil and Bob are reunited with their old commanding officer, General Waverly, who is now struggling to keep the hotel going. The visitors decide there's only one answer - to put on a show.
There’s two really good things on show here : Danny Kaye’s show stealing performance and the direction by Hollywood veteran Michael Curtiz (who also directed Casablanca). Bing gets to sing That Song and Vera-Ellen’s dancing is seriously impressive.
Shrek 2 (2004 88min.) [BBC1 3.50pm]
Sequel to the hit animated fantasy comedy, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. On arriving back from their honeymoon, Shrek and princess Fiona are invited to stay with her parents in the kingdom of Far Far Away. But King Harold is less than enchanted by his new son-in-law, and the Fairy Godmother has good reason to want the ogre out of Fiona's life. Cue assassin-for hire Puss-in-Boots...
Rather disappointing sequel to the rip-roaring original. Some very good sight gags and brilliant animation but the story and some of the voice work let too much daylight in on the magic.
The Others (2001 99min.) [Film4 1.30am &+1]
Atmospheric period horror thriller starring Nicole Kidman. In a remote mansion on the Channel Island of Jersey at the end of the Second World War, Grace is praying for news of her husband, who has been declared missing in action. Her children have an allergy to sunlight and cannot leave the house, so Grace advertises for some home help. Three people respond to her request, but their arrival coincides with a series of sinister occurrences.
Nicole Kidman gives a spirited (!) performance and director Alejandro Amenábar uses a style which will be familiar to those who have seen classic chillers such as The Haunting (1963) and The Innocents (1961) - shocks are delivered by suggestion and atmosphere, rather than CGI gore and guts.
The end result is a deeply satisfying, subtle and enjoyable film that, even when you know or work out the twist, still has plenty to offer.
Saturday 19 December 2015
Films on Freeview TV : saturday 19th of December
The Bishops Wife (1947 104min.) [BBC2 12.45pm]
Fantasy comedy starring Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young. An angel descends to Earth to help a troubled bishop, whose marriage and faith have been weakened by his efforts to raise money for a new church.
Charming, if slightly underwritten comedy, with Grant and his co-stars all in superb form.
The Muppets
(2011 98min.) [BBC1 1.15pm]
Musical comedy starring Amy Adams, Jason Segel and the creations of Jim Henson. Muppet fans Gary, Mary and Walter visit the Muppet Theater in Hollywood, but are horrified by its dilapidated condition. When it turns out a greedy oil magnate is determined to buy the building, the trio set out to find the members of the old gang and persuade them to put on a money-spinning show.
Triumphant return to the big screen for Kermit and his friends : there’s the well tested formula as before – knowingly bad gags, a race against time story, celebrity cameos and a frenetic pace. There’s also some really strong specially written songs.
Very well done and an absolute delight to watch.
A Knight's Tale (2001 126min.) [Film4 1.00pm &+1]
Romantic period adventure starring Heath Ledger. In 14th-century Europe, William, a young commoner, poses as Sir Ulric of Liechtenstein, a knight. But can he change his lowly destiny by winning jousting tournaments, or will the evil Count Adhemar discover the deception before William can win the fair Lady Jocelyn's hand?
A jolly film that at times captures the infectious silliness of The Princess Bride.
Ledger is good value in the lead role but Paul Bettany (as Chaucer) steals every scene he is in. Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy and Alan Tuyk offer excellent support.
There's a good deal of charm in the script (which is filled with knowing anachronisms) and it looks as though everyone involved was having a great deal of fun while making the film.
It is a shade too long and the jousting sequences are slightly too numerous but overall it's a funny, witty, well delivered couple of hours of undemanding entertainment.
Splash (1984 105min.) [BBC2 2.30pm]
A man is reunited with a mermaid who saves him from drowning as a boy and falls in love not knowing who/what she is.
Terrific Ron Howard film fantasy that made stars of Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Touching, warm and engaging.
Dad's Army (1971 90min.) [BBC2 5.00pm]
Comedy adapted from the popular TV sitcom, starring Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn. In 1940, with a German invasion threatened, the defence of Walmington-on-Sea is in the hands of Captain Mainwaring, the bank manager, and a motley collection of townspeople who make up the Local Defence Volunteers.
The received wisom is that feature film versions of TV sitcoms are uniformly awful. While this is often the case the Dad's Army film is something of an exception : possibly because the characters are so familiar that there's little need for introducions and we get straight on with the jokes and action.
It suffers a little from the extension of length but the warmth and wit of the TV series survives intact.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993 73min.) [ITV2 7.25pm &+1]
Animated musical drama featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, longs to escape the routine of Halloweentown. Through a door in a tree, he stumbles upon Christmastown where he engineers the kidnapping of Santa Claus and wreaks havoc among the inhabitants.
Top quality stop-motion animation with some great songs, sets, characters and voice work. Not just for kids and goths!
Superb set of songs by Danny Elfman too.
Star Trek (2009 121min.) [Ch4 8.00pm &+1]
JJ Abrams reboots the Star Trek universe in this prequel to the sci-fi franchise. Rebellious youth James Kirk is persuaded to join the Starfleet Academy, where he befriends Dr Leonard "Bones" McCoy and clashes with officer Spock. When an evil Romulan arrives from the future, the young crew of the USS Enterprise find themselves in the thick of the action.
If you're tired/bored/never bothered with the original TV series, it's multi-headed offspring and the increasingly daft film franchise in which the original TV cast grow older, fatter and slower then you might dismiss this as another entry in a pointless franchise.
But Abrams' film cleverly turns the clock back so that we meet younger versions of the familiar crew members as they meet for the first time, undergo training and take part in their first mission on the then new Enterprise.
Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto lead the cast and are both excellent - not impersonating Shatner and Nimoy but dropping in enough physical and verbal references to remind us that we are watching the characters who will become the Kirk and Spock that we know.
It's a clever, witty, smart and fast paced adventure story that requries no knowledge of the original output in order to enjoy the very well handled action sequences and entertaining story.
The only off-note is Simon Pegg's cameo as a comedy Scotty but the rest of the supporting cast are perfect in their roles (Karl Urban's McCoy especially so).
Wolfcop (2014 75min.) [Film4 11.25pm &+1]
Freeview premiere
Alcoholic police officer Lou Garou follows up on a disturbance call in a remote area, but blacks out shortly after arriving on the scene and the following night he transforms from a man into rage-fuelled werewolf. During the day, Lou struggles to remain in control while working to uncover the mystery of cursed him and why. Comedy horror, starring Leo Fafard.
It's a very long way from being brilliant and the 'story' extends very little further than the set-up ; but its short running length, some well done effects and a few moments of inventive humour mean that it's not an utter waste of time.
Thirst (2009 128min.) [Film4 1.00am sunday &+1]
Horror from the director of Oldboy. After selflessly offering himself as a guinea pig to help find a cure for a deadly virus, small-town priest Sang-hyun is transformed into a vampire.
But his attempts to balance his faith with his new carnal desires come undone when he begins a destructive affair with an oppressed married woman whose bloodlust quickly outstrips his own.
Superior Asian horror film that genre fans will love.
Fantasy comedy starring Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young. An angel descends to Earth to help a troubled bishop, whose marriage and faith have been weakened by his efforts to raise money for a new church.
Charming, if slightly underwritten comedy, with Grant and his co-stars all in superb form.
The Muppets
(2011 98min.) [BBC1 1.15pm]
Musical comedy starring Amy Adams, Jason Segel and the creations of Jim Henson. Muppet fans Gary, Mary and Walter visit the Muppet Theater in Hollywood, but are horrified by its dilapidated condition. When it turns out a greedy oil magnate is determined to buy the building, the trio set out to find the members of the old gang and persuade them to put on a money-spinning show.
Triumphant return to the big screen for Kermit and his friends : there’s the well tested formula as before – knowingly bad gags, a race against time story, celebrity cameos and a frenetic pace. There’s also some really strong specially written songs.
Very well done and an absolute delight to watch.
A Knight's Tale (2001 126min.) [Film4 1.00pm &+1]
Romantic period adventure starring Heath Ledger. In 14th-century Europe, William, a young commoner, poses as Sir Ulric of Liechtenstein, a knight. But can he change his lowly destiny by winning jousting tournaments, or will the evil Count Adhemar discover the deception before William can win the fair Lady Jocelyn's hand?
A jolly film that at times captures the infectious silliness of The Princess Bride.
Ledger is good value in the lead role but Paul Bettany (as Chaucer) steals every scene he is in. Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy and Alan Tuyk offer excellent support.
There's a good deal of charm in the script (which is filled with knowing anachronisms) and it looks as though everyone involved was having a great deal of fun while making the film.
It is a shade too long and the jousting sequences are slightly too numerous but overall it's a funny, witty, well delivered couple of hours of undemanding entertainment.
Splash (1984 105min.) [BBC2 2.30pm]
A man is reunited with a mermaid who saves him from drowning as a boy and falls in love not knowing who/what she is.
Terrific Ron Howard film fantasy that made stars of Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Touching, warm and engaging.
Dad's Army (1971 90min.) [BBC2 5.00pm]
Comedy adapted from the popular TV sitcom, starring Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn. In 1940, with a German invasion threatened, the defence of Walmington-on-Sea is in the hands of Captain Mainwaring, the bank manager, and a motley collection of townspeople who make up the Local Defence Volunteers.
The received wisom is that feature film versions of TV sitcoms are uniformly awful. While this is often the case the Dad's Army film is something of an exception : possibly because the characters are so familiar that there's little need for introducions and we get straight on with the jokes and action.
It suffers a little from the extension of length but the warmth and wit of the TV series survives intact.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993 73min.) [ITV2 7.25pm &+1]
Animated musical drama featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, longs to escape the routine of Halloweentown. Through a door in a tree, he stumbles upon Christmastown where he engineers the kidnapping of Santa Claus and wreaks havoc among the inhabitants.
Top quality stop-motion animation with some great songs, sets, characters and voice work. Not just for kids and goths!
Superb set of songs by Danny Elfman too.
Star Trek (2009 121min.) [Ch4 8.00pm &+1]
JJ Abrams reboots the Star Trek universe in this prequel to the sci-fi franchise. Rebellious youth James Kirk is persuaded to join the Starfleet Academy, where he befriends Dr Leonard "Bones" McCoy and clashes with officer Spock. When an evil Romulan arrives from the future, the young crew of the USS Enterprise find themselves in the thick of the action.
If you're tired/bored/never bothered with the original TV series, it's multi-headed offspring and the increasingly daft film franchise in which the original TV cast grow older, fatter and slower then you might dismiss this as another entry in a pointless franchise.
But Abrams' film cleverly turns the clock back so that we meet younger versions of the familiar crew members as they meet for the first time, undergo training and take part in their first mission on the then new Enterprise.
Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto lead the cast and are both excellent - not impersonating Shatner and Nimoy but dropping in enough physical and verbal references to remind us that we are watching the characters who will become the Kirk and Spock that we know.
It's a clever, witty, smart and fast paced adventure story that requries no knowledge of the original output in order to enjoy the very well handled action sequences and entertaining story.
The only off-note is Simon Pegg's cameo as a comedy Scotty but the rest of the supporting cast are perfect in their roles (Karl Urban's McCoy especially so).
Wolfcop (2014 75min.) [Film4 11.25pm &+1]
Freeview premiere
Alcoholic police officer Lou Garou follows up on a disturbance call in a remote area, but blacks out shortly after arriving on the scene and the following night he transforms from a man into rage-fuelled werewolf. During the day, Lou struggles to remain in control while working to uncover the mystery of cursed him and why. Comedy horror, starring Leo Fafard.
It's a very long way from being brilliant and the 'story' extends very little further than the set-up ; but its short running length, some well done effects and a few moments of inventive humour mean that it's not an utter waste of time.
Thirst (2009 128min.) [Film4 1.00am sunday &+1]
Horror from the director of Oldboy. After selflessly offering himself as a guinea pig to help find a cure for a deadly virus, small-town priest Sang-hyun is transformed into a vampire.
But his attempts to balance his faith with his new carnal desires come undone when he begins a destructive affair with an oppressed married woman whose bloodlust quickly outstrips his own.
Superior Asian horror film that genre fans will love.
Wednesday 16 December 2015
Freeview film of the day : wednesday 16th of December
American Graffiti (1973 107min.) [Film4 1.00am thursday &+1]
Coming-of-age comedy drama directed by George Lucas, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard (billed here as Ronny). California 1962: four high-school graduates face up to their futures during a summer's night spent driving around the streets and chasing girls.
"Where were you in '62?"
With High School behind them and their futures due to start in the morning a group of friends spend the night cruising the strip in their small California hometown, listening to Wolfman Jack on the radio and getting involved in small but significant adventures.
Lucas graduated from the same film school as Francis Ford Coppola and Spielberg and while the former had The Godfather (1972) on his CV already and the latter was just a couple of years from changing the face of mainstream US cinema for ever with Jaws, Lucas only had the failure of his debut feature THX 1138 (1971), a dreary and dull sci-fi film to show for his talent and ambition.
Taking a back-to-basics approach he decided that if audiences didn't want to join him in a journey into the future he would take them back into his past. American Graffiti is an amalgam of events and people he recalled from his teenage years growing up in Modesto, California.
The central characters are composite stereotypes - Richard Dreyfus is the smart, sensitive loner; Ron(ny) Howard the conflicted All American teen; Paul Le Mat is John, the grease monkey car enthusiast whose interests extend no further than the Strip and his place on it and Charlie Martin Smith is the partial outsider - the nerd/dweeb whose loyalty and friendship is valued sufficently by the "cool kids" to allow them to tolerate his presence on the fringes of their activity.
From these building blocks Lucas and his co-writers then fashioned a believable world for them to live in - a world where small events are inflated to life-changing proportions and where it's safe to stay out all night and indulge in your favourite pastimes while the police and parents take a "boys will be boys" atttitude and the worst that can happen is your car gets wrecked or your heart gets (temporarily) broken.
The script, the cast, the recognisable near-past world and the direction are all spot on the money : it's a beautifully paced movie with moments of high energy counterpointed by smaller, quieter ones of reflection and repose. And it's funny; the script crackles and fizzes with great lines, clever physical gags and an overall sense of fun and innocence.
And then there's the soundtrack : a perfectly chosen selection of pre-Beatles teen pop that both acts as a background for events and as a commentary upon them. The inclusion of the voice of legendary cult rock'n'roll DJ Wolfman Jack and his anarchic links between records is inspired and adds another layer to the beautifully constructed sense of time and place.
Yet nagging away in the background all the time is the spectre of Vietnam : the kids of American Graffiti's world were the last for a generation who were able to indulge in such simple pleasures and dream of brighter futures without the fear of the draft and death in a foreign country hanging over them at every step. The war is never mentioned but it's there in the background all the time; as is the looming moment when American youth lost it's sense of innocence for ever.
JFK gets a passing mention, just enough to jerk you back from the lost fantasy world to the cold hard reality that's about to impinge on the lives of these (mostly) carefree young people in the most brutal way.
Lucas adds a postscript screen card that updates the story of the four main players ; two are dead, both well before their time, in senseless killings while two others have lived out their lives in almost excatly the way that we would have imagined. The physical location given for the grown-up Curt suggests that the Vietnam War was also a life changing event for him even though he never fought in it.
American Graffiti is an outstanding film that shows a film maker finding his populist touch and creating a fully functioning world for his characters to live in; an ability that he would develop further with his next projects which would reward him with enormous financial wealth but declining artistic recognition and respect.
For the time it's on screen the film is perfect, loveable and wholly believable - the kids are alright and so is everything else in the world. It's only as the end credits role that we realise that these certanties were to be gone for ever within a few short months and that there's no going back in the real world to a time of soda pop and fries at the drive-in with the thumping beat of rock'n'roll radio as your constant companion.
A genuine classic of mainstream American cinema.
Coming-of-age comedy drama directed by George Lucas, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard (billed here as Ronny). California 1962: four high-school graduates face up to their futures during a summer's night spent driving around the streets and chasing girls.
"Where were you in '62?"
With High School behind them and their futures due to start in the morning a group of friends spend the night cruising the strip in their small California hometown, listening to Wolfman Jack on the radio and getting involved in small but significant adventures.
Lucas graduated from the same film school as Francis Ford Coppola and Spielberg and while the former had The Godfather (1972) on his CV already and the latter was just a couple of years from changing the face of mainstream US cinema for ever with Jaws, Lucas only had the failure of his debut feature THX 1138 (1971), a dreary and dull sci-fi film to show for his talent and ambition.
Taking a back-to-basics approach he decided that if audiences didn't want to join him in a journey into the future he would take them back into his past. American Graffiti is an amalgam of events and people he recalled from his teenage years growing up in Modesto, California.
The central characters are composite stereotypes - Richard Dreyfus is the smart, sensitive loner; Ron(ny) Howard the conflicted All American teen; Paul Le Mat is John, the grease monkey car enthusiast whose interests extend no further than the Strip and his place on it and Charlie Martin Smith is the partial outsider - the nerd/dweeb whose loyalty and friendship is valued sufficently by the "cool kids" to allow them to tolerate his presence on the fringes of their activity.
From these building blocks Lucas and his co-writers then fashioned a believable world for them to live in - a world where small events are inflated to life-changing proportions and where it's safe to stay out all night and indulge in your favourite pastimes while the police and parents take a "boys will be boys" atttitude and the worst that can happen is your car gets wrecked or your heart gets (temporarily) broken.
The script, the cast, the recognisable near-past world and the direction are all spot on the money : it's a beautifully paced movie with moments of high energy counterpointed by smaller, quieter ones of reflection and repose. And it's funny; the script crackles and fizzes with great lines, clever physical gags and an overall sense of fun and innocence.
And then there's the soundtrack : a perfectly chosen selection of pre-Beatles teen pop that both acts as a background for events and as a commentary upon them. The inclusion of the voice of legendary cult rock'n'roll DJ Wolfman Jack and his anarchic links between records is inspired and adds another layer to the beautifully constructed sense of time and place.
Yet nagging away in the background all the time is the spectre of Vietnam : the kids of American Graffiti's world were the last for a generation who were able to indulge in such simple pleasures and dream of brighter futures without the fear of the draft and death in a foreign country hanging over them at every step. The war is never mentioned but it's there in the background all the time; as is the looming moment when American youth lost it's sense of innocence for ever.
JFK gets a passing mention, just enough to jerk you back from the lost fantasy world to the cold hard reality that's about to impinge on the lives of these (mostly) carefree young people in the most brutal way.
Lucas adds a postscript screen card that updates the story of the four main players ; two are dead, both well before their time, in senseless killings while two others have lived out their lives in almost excatly the way that we would have imagined. The physical location given for the grown-up Curt suggests that the Vietnam War was also a life changing event for him even though he never fought in it.
American Graffiti is an outstanding film that shows a film maker finding his populist touch and creating a fully functioning world for his characters to live in; an ability that he would develop further with his next projects which would reward him with enormous financial wealth but declining artistic recognition and respect.
For the time it's on screen the film is perfect, loveable and wholly believable - the kids are alright and so is everything else in the world. It's only as the end credits role that we realise that these certanties were to be gone for ever within a few short months and that there's no going back in the real world to a time of soda pop and fries at the drive-in with the thumping beat of rock'n'roll radio as your constant companion.
A genuine classic of mainstream American cinema.
Tuesday 15 December 2015
Freeview film of the day : tuesday 15th of December
The Possibilities Are Endless (2014 83min.) [Film4 11.25pm &+1]
Freeview premiere
Documentary following singer-songwriter Edwyn Collins' rehabilitation after he suffered two cerebral haemorrhages that affected his memory, weakened his right side and left him able to say four things - including the phrase `the possibilities are endless'. Edward Lovelace and James Hall's film tracks the former Orange Juice frontman as he and his wife Grace Maxwell slowly put his life back together and come to terms with the dramatic consequences of the haemorrhages.
An artfully constructed film that's part documentary and part impressionistic wander through the bruised and battered mind of it's subject.
The frail but still chipper Collins may be the subject of the film but Grace Maxwell emerges as the real star : tough talking, caring and endlessly patient.
The pair are utterly devoid of bitterness and rancour and seem simply to be delighted to be able to continue the journey through life that began when they met as teenagers.
It's a wonderfully uplifting and profoundly moving eighty minutes spent in the company of a genuinely delightful small group of people.
Highly recommended.
Freeview premiere
Documentary following singer-songwriter Edwyn Collins' rehabilitation after he suffered two cerebral haemorrhages that affected his memory, weakened his right side and left him able to say four things - including the phrase `the possibilities are endless'. Edward Lovelace and James Hall's film tracks the former Orange Juice frontman as he and his wife Grace Maxwell slowly put his life back together and come to terms with the dramatic consequences of the haemorrhages.
An artfully constructed film that's part documentary and part impressionistic wander through the bruised and battered mind of it's subject.
The frail but still chipper Collins may be the subject of the film but Grace Maxwell emerges as the real star : tough talking, caring and endlessly patient.
The pair are utterly devoid of bitterness and rancour and seem simply to be delighted to be able to continue the journey through life that began when they met as teenagers.
It's a wonderfully uplifting and profoundly moving eighty minutes spent in the company of a genuinely delightful small group of people.
Highly recommended.
Monday 7 December 2015
Freeview film of the day : monday 7th of December
Mud (2012 124 min.) [Film4 10.50pm &+1]
Two boys exploring an island on the Mississippi discover a fugitive has made his home there. He tells them he is on the run from bounty hunters after killing a man, and needs their help to be reunited with his lost love. As they ferry messages to the woman in question, the youngsters are forced to come to terms with the complexity of adult relationships. Drama, starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon.
The possible beginning of the re-evaluation of Matthew McConaughey after several years lost in the wasteland of landfill rom-coms.
He plays the title character and puts in a very strong performance while his two young co-stars (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) are both exceptional.
In fact there's some serious acting talent throughout the cast : Sam Shepard, Michael Shannon, Sarah Paulson, Joe Don Baker and Paul Sparks all turn up at various points.
Neatly handled by writer/director Jeff Nichols and making the absolute most of the scenery of its Mississippi River setting it's a small but tense drama with some very fine performances by all involved.
Interesting and involving.
Two boys exploring an island on the Mississippi discover a fugitive has made his home there. He tells them he is on the run from bounty hunters after killing a man, and needs their help to be reunited with his lost love. As they ferry messages to the woman in question, the youngsters are forced to come to terms with the complexity of adult relationships. Drama, starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon.
The possible beginning of the re-evaluation of Matthew McConaughey after several years lost in the wasteland of landfill rom-coms.
He plays the title character and puts in a very strong performance while his two young co-stars (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) are both exceptional.
In fact there's some serious acting talent throughout the cast : Sam Shepard, Michael Shannon, Sarah Paulson, Joe Don Baker and Paul Sparks all turn up at various points.
Neatly handled by writer/director Jeff Nichols and making the absolute most of the scenery of its Mississippi River setting it's a small but tense drama with some very fine performances by all involved.
Interesting and involving.
Friday 4 December 2015
Freeview film of the day : friday 4th of December
Black Swan (2010 103min.) [Ch4 1.05am saturday &+1]
Psychological thriller starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel. When aspiring ballerina Nina Sayers finally wins the coveted role of the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, it's a dream come true. But while her demanding choreographer thinks Nina is perfect for the role, he has reservations about her ability to portray the Queen's alter ego, the Black Swan - a part that comes naturally to her sensuous rival Lily. As jealousy consumes Nina, her hold on reality becomes increasingly blurred.
Darren Aronofsky's neo-giallo is a dark, hypnotic study of obsession set in the world of ballet.
The camera moves are superb : creeping hand-held shots, swooping crane , intense close-ups and a whirling camera right in amiong the dancers.
The story is a little overblown in places but Portman is excellent in the lead and there's a terrific came by Winona Ryder.
Very intertesting piece of work.
The Skeleton Key (2005 99min.) [MovieMix/moremovies (Freeview 32, Freesat 143, Sky 185) 9.00pm &+1]
Supernatural thriller, starring Kate Hudson. Live-in nurse Caroline takes a position in a decrepit mansion to care for the ailing husband of the mysterious Violet Devereaux. Intrigued by the secretive couple, she begins to explore the house but her snooping takes a sinister turn when she stumbles upon a hidden attic room that holds a deadly secret.
Well constructed piece of Southern Gothic directed with considerable style by Britain's Ian Softley who creates a world of suffocating heat, claustrophobia and alienation during the slow paced first two thirds of the film before conjouring up an (unexpected) denoument that probably isn't the one the viewer was expecting.
Some very good performances, especially from Gena Rowlands as Violet, and Softley's astute direction help paper over the deficiences of the script.
Enjoyable voodoo based nonsense.
Psychological thriller starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel. When aspiring ballerina Nina Sayers finally wins the coveted role of the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, it's a dream come true. But while her demanding choreographer thinks Nina is perfect for the role, he has reservations about her ability to portray the Queen's alter ego, the Black Swan - a part that comes naturally to her sensuous rival Lily. As jealousy consumes Nina, her hold on reality becomes increasingly blurred.
Darren Aronofsky's neo-giallo is a dark, hypnotic study of obsession set in the world of ballet.
The camera moves are superb : creeping hand-held shots, swooping crane , intense close-ups and a whirling camera right in amiong the dancers.
The story is a little overblown in places but Portman is excellent in the lead and there's a terrific came by Winona Ryder.
Very intertesting piece of work.
The Skeleton Key (2005 99min.) [MovieMix/moremovies (Freeview 32, Freesat 143, Sky 185) 9.00pm &+1]
Supernatural thriller, starring Kate Hudson. Live-in nurse Caroline takes a position in a decrepit mansion to care for the ailing husband of the mysterious Violet Devereaux. Intrigued by the secretive couple, she begins to explore the house but her snooping takes a sinister turn when she stumbles upon a hidden attic room that holds a deadly secret.
Well constructed piece of Southern Gothic directed with considerable style by Britain's Ian Softley who creates a world of suffocating heat, claustrophobia and alienation during the slow paced first two thirds of the film before conjouring up an (unexpected) denoument that probably isn't the one the viewer was expecting.
Some very good performances, especially from Gena Rowlands as Violet, and Softley's astute direction help paper over the deficiences of the script.
Enjoyable voodoo based nonsense.
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