That brings me upto date with P T Anderson’s films.
I had watched this a few years ago and remembered Daniel Day Lewis’ portrayal of a man gripped by misogynistic greed as quite remarkable.
There was humour in One Battle but you will find little here.
The Bluray has an interesting feature comparing early photography with the set designer’s dressing.
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Watching a classic like The Dogs of War (1980) is a great way to appreciate how the “mercenary chic” of the late 70s transitioned into the gritty realism of the 80s. It’s fascinating that you noted the inversion of the theatrical cuts—it’s one of those bizarre quirks of physical media history where the “International Cut” (approx. 119 minutes) is vastly superior because it restores the character depth and the JoBeth Williams subplots that make Christopher Walken’s performance feel even more haunting.
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A charming little independent produced by Morgan Freeman and featuring himself.
A well known actor who hasn’t worked for four years studies supermarket managership for an upcoming film part.
He strikes up a relationship with Scarlet in the 10 or less queue and helps rebuild her life.
I think he enjoyed making this story so much more than some of the other nonsense that has earned him a decent crust.
Watch out for Jim Parsons (Sheldon Big Bang) near the end.
Prime. Lovely.
A fresh stack of discs arrived. First big batch in over a year.
Mostly good stuff but sometimes you want junk food. Hits lots of spots including keeps the kids quiet. So my movie McDonalds was this:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Apparently it’s dire. Except it’s not. While certainly not great, it’s an earnest effort. Basically an 80s movie made now. Complete with a stop motion main ghost instead of the CGI used elsewhere and the odd shot slightly out of focus for no other reason other than film stock was expensive back then.
My kids loved it. I accept it didn’t need to be made. But awful it isn’t. Just manage your expectations.
I’ll send them to bed and watch a real movie next.
More indie joy.
A troubled young woman travels to Lanzarotte.
She chooses to be mute. Apparently the clue why lies in the Iris Murdoch book she is reading.She encounters a garrulous Irishman.
‘You say nothing.I can’t stop.
They help each other with life’s problems.
Tucked away in Prime video. Gentle and enjoyable.
The Prestige - my favourite Christopher Nolan film. From a time when he actually made comprehensible films. Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Michael Caine on brilliant form
Plus a cameo from David Bowie - what more could you want?
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Scarlet Johansson
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I watched this a few weeks ago, it is a great movie for sure.
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The Waitress
I’d been intending to catch this for years which then became decades and never got around to it. The pedigree is interesting. Adrienne Shelly was a protégé of art house director Hal Hartly and starred in his late 80s masterpieces The Unbelievable Truth and Trust (two of my favourite films). And as a writer and director, her work really has Hal Hartly stamped all over it though this story is more about the female experience of the illusion of limited life options that is all from Shelly. Sadly she was murdered after post production in 2006 and the film was posthumously released.
In terms of food as metaphor for emotion, it’s not quite up there with Babette’s Feast, Eat Drink Man Woman, or Like Water for Chocolate. But they don’t feature so many pies so you definitely feel like desert afterwards.
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justwatch.com shows it is available on Apple in U.K. for £3.49.
Has a trailer as well.
Think it will fit into my schedule this week. I am on a run of odd stuff at the moment. A Sundance award always helps. Thanks.
Bradshaw can only offer up one star in his Guardian review.
Film review are always a problem. Huge matter of taste and it’s clearly doesn’t have a male audience in mind. And it’s arthouse pedigree isn’t for everyone either. As with Hal Hardly movies that it emulates to a great extent, you’ll love it or loath it.
Some great movies got panned on initial release. I love Forrest Gump but Empire magazine rated it 2 stars initially.
I have seem films that got 8 stars on IMDB I thought were awful and some that got 5 I thought were great.
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‘Clearly doesn’t have a male audience in mind’
I often think my choices somewhat lacking in testosterone and perhaps better suited to the wives of forum members.
Old,old age alters perspectives.
Bradshaw’s tastes are similar to mine. Sadly the great critics Ebert or Kael have left. Kermode as he grows older seems to become more human.
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Struggling but loving family go out to celebrate New Year.
The ICE men commeth.
Prime. Recreation of an event that is touchingly and frighteningly retold.
Co producer Forest Whittaker.
Battle of the Bulge (1970)
First time watching this. Interestingly opens from a German perspective, with Robert Shaw as the war weary, potential tiger tank leader. His fanaticism returns as he is shown the resources that have been built.
The film did a reasonable job of showing the sacrifices made to slow the German advance. But, it is obviously simplified to fit the running time.
I would recommend watching Al Murray’s recent YouTube videos as companion pieces, including:
M
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The Big Fake on Netflix. 3 young men from the North try to navigate big bad Rome in the mid 70s. Corrupt politics, the brigade rossi, organised crime and the church. Nice twist at the end, oh and a kitsch disco soundtrack. We enjoyed it, critics rather sniffy.
Saipan on Amazon Prime.
The story of the Republic of Ireland’s I’ll fated preparations for the 2002 World Cup Finals in Korea and Japan. The decision to visit Saipan doesn’t end well for the captain, Roy Keane who is disatisfied with the lack of planning and attention to detail. Every expense was spared it would seem.
I enjoyed it and think most football supporters would find something to keep them entertained. Video footage of the actual participants in the credits showed how well the film makers captured the look of the period.
On DVD. A few days late but I associate this film with Easter just as much as Die Hard and Christmas. Another film from 1979 that owes it’s completion and release to Handmade Films.
Bob Hoskins is sublime from start to finish and I half wish I could walk through an airport terminal with the same authority he manages. The ending is much parodied and never bettered.
The soundtrack by Francis Monkman is a gem and I have a copy on vinyl.
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…have bought a few of those warehouses east of Tower Bridge for a few quid back then.
I love watching films like this then following the scenes on one of my favourite websites
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