Saw tons of DVDs too, as Mrs Five-Centres is currently working her socks off in Florence, between shopping spree. and I could stretch full length on the sofa. It was an opportunity too good to miss. My viewing pleasure was as follows:
That'll Be The Day/Stardust - David Essex is no actor, but he's perfect for these two. I liked Ringo Starr in the first one, not so mad on Adam Faith as the replacement manager (same character) in the second one though. The first one is better on detail and period stuff. The second one has crowd scenes that are quite clearly 1974, and no attempt is made to disguise it. Other cast include a pageboy-haired Peter Duncan, a mute Dave Edmunds, Karl 'Brush Strokes' Howman and an out of control Keith Moon. The age-old story of rock band makes good, resents attention lavished on lead singer who then goes solo and has a meltdown is something I could watch again and again. Hence these are two of my favourite films.
Peter's Friends, which I'd not seen for about 15 years, with Stephen Fry as himself. But a stellar cast, one quite forgets, most of which have either won Oscars, been nominated for Oscars, or star in top US shows. Except Tony Slattery and Alphonsia Emmanuel - whatever happened to her?
Salesman - The Maysles brothers bleak doc about travelling bible salesman in the suburbs of Boston. Shot in 1966 it's a verite look at some real life Willy Lomans. Quite startling.
The Hitcher - the Rutger Hauer version. He was menacing, but it's been done so many times since it's lost it's appeal.
The Leather Boys - Sounds dodgy, but I bought it because it features my road in the early 60s, when Battersea was down at heel and biker gangs and shrewish fishwives ruled. Quite interesting, though, as one of the gang was gay (a very young looking Dudley Sutton), though it was never openly spoken about, just inferred. Very daring for the time.
United 93 - Seen in before, no less harrowing though. You will them to overcome the hijackers, even though you know what happens in the end. It's weird and wrong to treat this film like some sort of Aiport '75 and you feel guilty for enjoying it, but I suppose it's a story that must be told.
Interiors - I'm never sure if this Woody Allen Ingmar Bergman pastiche is serious or not. It's so Bergman that it's like a French and Saunders pisstake. Still, I like it, and I especially like Geraldine Page, one of the greatest actresses of our time. She makes me feel nervous. I bet she was hard work in real life.
Sherrybaby - Got this in the US, don't think it's even out at the cinema yet, but it's a fantastic tour de force by Maggie Gylenhall who plays Sherry, an ex-junkie out of jail and trying to reconnect with her daughter while the world conspires to make life difficult for her. She's truly excellent and I heartily recommend this one.
Amazingly I did manage to do other things too, like have my eyes tested (i'm having contacts - going for a lesson tomorrow), but I'm feeling a bit sore-eyed today. Still, it's always worth it.
5 comments:
Larry Hagman's in Stardust as well, isn't he? Magnificent films, of course, probably only beaten in their glam genre by the mighty Slade in Flame.
The Woodmeister is being totally serious in interiors, no doubt. It's surprisingly good and watchable, along with September, his other much-derided Big Serious Film, but I still prefer the ones that straddle the funny/serious divide, especially Crimes and misdemeanours and the underrated Husbands and Wives.
Never heard of Salesman before - sounds fascinating.
Yes, Larry Hagman is the Allen Klein of the piece.
I thought Interiors probably was serious, but the homage is almost an unshamed copy.
Do get Salesman, it'd definitely worth a look, as is Grey Gardens by the same people.
I remember TBTD and Stardust from my youth. They've stood the test of time then? I'm always a little scared to revist past favourites..
I re-watched the Hitcher recently and you're right, imitation has diluted it. I understand it has been remade. Have you seen it? I'm sure it'll be dire.
In the Hitcher vein - have you seen Wolf Creek? Seriously unpleasant..
I first saw Stardust when I was about 13 and thought it was the filthiest, most corrupting thing I'd ever seen. Which is what every 13 year-old wants, isn't it?
In my book it's still the best film about rock music, that is until I see Slade in Flame, which my have the edge on it, or so I'm led to believe.
It was seeing a trailer for the new Hitcher that inspired to watch the original one. the new one looks quite good, but I'll probably give it a miss. remakes of old horror movies don't really cut it do they.
Not seen Wolf Creek, or Hostel or Saws II and III - I don't think I dare.
I agree Rich, I thought TBTD was sauce personified - there's a still a frisson today!
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