Yep, just ask my mate Nigel Molesworth.

I also rewatched Victim last night, following the influencer trend 😀

Apparently Jack Hawkins, Stuart Granger and James Mason were all considered for the Bogarde role. Somehow I don't think we'd all be effusing here quite as strongly if one of those had been involved, great as they are....

Fwiw (not much probably) I do think there is something worthwhile in Baby Driver, but the way emotions are constructed/represented there isn’t comparable to the noir heists, almost a different genre. It does frustrate me when people can’t see the genius in the classic noir constructs.

#LetterboxdFriday
My #LastFourWatched, largely inspired by @jacquiwine.bsky.social (1961 vintage).

I can’t stop giggling at the idea of a cast list including Malkovich as “another pope” 😀

Absurdly excited to buy my pass for Cinema Rediscovered this July. Just finished the Curse of Queen Kelly (what a story), and itching to see the restoration.

(Clarification: only one of the attached pictures features Gloria Swanson 😀)

@cineredis.bsky.social @pamhutch.bsky.social

Love this film, even though it was far more chilling than anticipated. Those Sorrentino / Sevillo collaborations have a unique genius (even if they echo each other somewhat) - I also really enjoyed La Grazia recently, biking Pope and all.

A tasteful list - I expect nothing less. Will definitely be watching Whistle Down the Wind on TP this Friday. And it’s time for more Masumura for me after the fabulous selection at Cinema Rediscovered last year.

“The Air that I Breathe” by the Hollies has a similar effect on me.

Absolutely my fault for lazily clicking evil Amazon. Now, how to watch the dang film? 😀

I made the mistake of ordering via Amazon, ages ago. Turns out that is far from the quickest way to get a copy 😖 I know it’ll be worth the wait, though…

Not if it’s made of meat

Issue 120: Trans Cinema June 2023

Happy Trans Day of Visibility!

We've just unlocked our Trans Cinema issue from 2023, guest edited by poet Spencer Williams. It is now (and forever!) entirely free.

That is an excellent set of films for the vicarious. And let's face it, we're all vicarious as hell.

“Wild Suspense” is easily up there as one of my favourite all-time albums, such beautiful textures

Highly recommended talk in advance of Hippfest (or, for armchair cinephiles like me, Hippfest at home). If you want to see a beautiful Leni Riefenstahl on the slopes with a skiing goat, this is the place.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7tB...

www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/hippfest/hip...

This is a fantastic article - thank you!

Whoops - should have said @pfischer.bsky.social

Looking forward to seeing Paul Fischer in conversation with @pamhutch.bsky.social tomorrow at Lewes Depot, followed by a screening of American Graffiti. That's a film I've not seen since 1973 or 1974 (eek!).

Hoping Paul's book is a corrective to (admittedly enjoyable) Biskindian machismo!

It’s a simple decision tree: ask question will doing this make me (djt) look good? If it seems to, continue. If not, fire someone.

Ditto - looks like this is going to be a cracker! (hope I’ll be able to afford it) 😀

I just watched Mervyn LeRoy's "Hard to Handle" (1933), which starts off at a Depression dance marathon, with Jimmy Cagney as the shady entrepreneur in charge. Similar themes, but much more light-hearted (and pretty good).

#MARvynLeroy continues with a pre-code double-bill. Cagney as a wily con-man is upstaged by a great over-the-top turn from Ruth Donnelly. Then John Gilbert in an almost schizophrenic role is man of leisure-turned bootlegger, oddly distanced from the remaining cast. Marie Prevost is wonderful again.

With #Chabruary now expired (but #Marchabrol activated) we move to #MARvynlLeroy , sampling the pre-code collection now on the Criterion channel. Three zingers already in the bank.

Later in the month, #Silent2026 gets into full flow with the online portion of Hippfest. Who needs Easter?

Bad luck with Haaland and Kelleher, though the absence of one of them has had its compensations!

I agree Labour voters are mainly progressive in spirit - I do wish that what the govt do next will take notice of the Green Party’s idealism and embrace it without trying to undermine it unnecessarily. Know your enemies, guys.

Good luck - I am not sure it will work for you in the long run and I did prepare a little spiel explaining why, but it didn’t feel as though you were ever likely to be talked out of it. Definitely going to boost you up this week though! Hope it works for you!

Thank you, Melanie! Missed some because of my ineptitude with Microsoft Teams, but immediately went to watch "An Epic Poem" on YT, which was something I would never otherwise have found.

#LetterboxdFriday #lastfourwatched

Chabruary continues; diverting now into the first of a few Muriel Boxes.

Such a superb writer.