The Amazing Spiderman - thought this was quite OK, certainly a lot better than I expected. I never particularly connected with Raimi's Spiderman films, which I felt put exaggerated character focus in the way of fun. This one has almost nothing of Peter's, Aunt May's or the villains' internal struggles, and focuses squarely on the fight between Spidey and the Lizard. Simple, but charming. Not sure they needed to redo the background story, though - the new one is more efficient but for those who care less faithful to the comics.

Cheers,

EJ

In the plane: the remake of Total Recall, with Colin Farrell. In spite of all the evidence, loved it.

Cheers,

EJ

A colleague-friend of mine kindly lent me this Alfred Hitchcock film box-set, i think he’s just getting his own back for all my old duff movies I lend him to watch.

The only one's in this group i’ve seen before are The Birds, and Psycho, although not for a while so time for a re-watch. I enjoyed watching Vertigo on the telly just a few weeks ago which is excellent imo.

However, despite the obvious dated and peculiar outlook of many of this set here, I am enjoying most of them. So far I’ve watched Saboteur, Torn Curtain, Rope [very ropey alright!], Shadow of a Doubt, Marnie, Frenzy, and last night Rear Window.

Anyone got a favourite Hitchcock film?

Debs

+1 for Vertigo, Disturbia is based on Rear Window

"Dial M for Murder" is probably my favourite, along with "Frenzy" and "North by Northwest".

I never really thought that much of "Psycho", it starts very well and promisingly but always seems to become a little dull to me as it progresses. I bought "Vertigo" a while back on the basis of its excellent reputation but like "Pyscho" it seemed a little dull to me.

The box set, if it is the one I've seen in HMV etc, (looks like it) is excellent VFM but suffers a little IMO by several of the films being presented full frame (4:3) rather than in their theatrical aspect ratios. A minor point perhaps, but this never fails to bug me with any film.

Peter

Thirty-nine Steps with the actor out of Goodbye Mr Chips! I cannot remember his name, but that is me!

ATB from George

Robert Donat.

Dear Martin,

Senile dementia is not just looming! It has arrived! Thanks!

Very best wishes from George

PS: He is also in that film about the Chinese Missionary - Donat was the Mandarin! Again the name escapes me, but can you suggest other great Donat films please?

Peter,

you've made some very good points; Dial M for Murder, and North by Northwest is not included in this box-set and i was hoping to see it with having the Bernard Hermann music on vinyl [along with Vertigo and Psycho music] which sound quite good imo. But i've not [or don't remember] seeing the film N by NW before.

I'm glad i didn't buy this set, not really films i really need to have in my collection, so perhaps it's very nice of my friend to have lent it me.

I've forgot to mention The Birds, which again was on the telly not long ago, a fantastic very scary film which imo gets better with age somehow. My first viewing of The Birds was when i was very young [probably too young] at a time whien it seemed really frightening.

As for the aspect ratio fudge, i just set my panny on the most suitable zoom adjustment to sort that out ; )

Debs

Debs,

Yes I think "The Birds" is excellent too, and made a very big impression on me as well when I first saw it as a youngster. "North by Northwest" is a classic and certainly worth watching.

 I too love Bernard Hermannn's scores and they are available in several different versions for some films, eg. N by NW. The original soundtrack album, as released on vinyl at the time of the film's release, was in fact a re-recording made by Hermann for commercial release, and not the actual recording used in the film. This is quite common practice when releasing film soundtracks commercially. Later other re-recordings became available, notably one conducted by Laurie Johnson, (The Professionals, The Avengers etc) who was a great friend of Hermann's. Fairly recently I think the specialist soundtrack label Intrada Records released the complete recording of the original film sessions, ie. the actual music used in the film. Have a look at the Intrada Records website and also Screen Archives if you have an interest in film soundtracks.

Peter

Dial M For Murder & North By Northwest ......How could I forget those two?

My fave is "North by Northwest" but I also really enjoy "Rope", "Rear Window" and "Vertigo", "Strangers on a Train", "Psycho", "Suspicion",  "Notorious", "To Catch a Thief", "Dial M For Murder", "Under Capricorn".

One of his greatest - and most underrated - periods is his time in the UK before going to Hollywood. This produced "The 39 Steps", "Blackmail", "The Lady Vanishes" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much".

For someone who made so many films, Hitch made surprisingly few duffers.

And the divine Madeleine Carroll. What man wouldn't want to be handcuffed to her?

Hi George,

Sorry, only just seen your message.

The only other Donat films I have are:

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness - which you mention above, and is a favourite of Juliette's; and

The Wilmslow Boy.

....but I am always willing to buy others, please report back!

P.S. I have a Ron Smith aerial on the roof which I am thinking of having taken down - I stream my radio now. Would it be of interest to you?

It won't be easy to handle, I suspect it won't disassemble, and so you would need to have a van or a trailer!

Let me know.

M

Safe House

OK.

Realistic .....NO. But in the way that no action films are.

Enough going on to keep you occupied. The ending is pretty sign posted.

Worth a rent, not one for the collection.

M

Brave 

Pixar's latest is a huge success in my opinion. More then previous films, this is recognisably Disney (Brother Bear meets classic heroine), but it's just so well done and emotionally right on the ball. Feel good movie of the year.

Cheers,

EJ

A gorgeous movie. Highly rated. If I had to be critical, I was a little disappointed that they didn't spend more time on the introductory story of how Merida grew up. I have always liked the slower build up in Pixar movies like The Incredibles (the suburban life) and in Up (the marriage and events leading to the adventure itself). The patience with which those movies advanced the plot and took time to set the context and establish motivations is very appealing.

Brave

I too enjoyed this. I wouldn't put it in the same bracket as the Toy Story films, or The Incredibles, but still good.

M

Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai

Directed by Takashi Miike, who made The 13 Assasins.

I thought this was a well executed and thoughtful piece, heading towards a violent conclusion, that I felt was almost out of place; and certainly at some odds to the gritty realism of the rest of the piece.

The film opens in the middle of the narrative, and so information is revealed outside of the natural flow of time.

Set in the 17th century it is a time of peace, and so the opportunities for change have reduced, with society being far more set in aspic, to the dis-advantage of many.

This examination of Samurai society was where I felt the film's strengths are, with the examination of family management and politics.

Where this film dragged somewhat was in the loooong exposition that forms the centre of the movie.

The film is 2hrs long, and could be cut by 20% to great effect.

Still a recommendation from me.

M

Beautifully-packaged DVD-BluRay-book box set of The Passion of Joan of Arc. Amazing value for just £18.

The Passion of Joan of Arc

Great film.

M

Coriolanius

How do you define a great film?

Its screenplay must be a strong element.

Whether it is well acted?

Well directed?

Whether it emotionally connects?

Personally, although I do really enjoy some Shakespeare much leaves me cold. This is, if I am being honest, due to its taking hard work to understand and fully absorb.

Bernard Shaw said the the US and GB were two great peoples separated by a common language. The world of Shakespeare is separated from us by a changed language and idiom, and that is where some study is required.

In this film I suspect the screen-writer has taken effort to strip down the Shakespearean play to concentrate on a main narrative. He has then placed the action within a modern setting. This is an approach that has been frequently tried, but hasn't captured me before, here it did.

The acting was uniformly of a high standard.

The direction I would describe as workmanlike. This had the feel of a 'Made for TV' production. What did impress me was the editing, no fat on this AT ALL.

Emotional connection? For me it had this in spades.

I had never seen or read Coriolanius, and for those of you who are similarly ignorant this story revolves around a great warrior, and a man who is utterly inflexible, or perhaps utterly honest to himself and those to whom he presents himself; and here the story hits a thoroughly modern resonance.

This is a film that I am still processing, and through which I am evaluating the state of the Western world ....and that is recommendation enough for me.

A great film? No, I don't think so. But a bloody good screenplay well acted.

M

Hugo

I watched this in 2D, not 3.

Tour de force opening, and a film that I did react to emotionally. But an old man being led to redemption by a child always hits a certain resonance with me. However, over all, I found it all a bit contrived.

I HOPE that The Hobbit doesn't strike me the same way, but, it all felt a bit surreal and cartoonish. When my wife and I watched the trailers for this we got the same feel for what Jackson appears to be putting on screen.

I thought that Ben Kingsley, and the child leads were excellent, but I hated Sacha Baron Cohen's performance, felt like a refuge from 'allo 'allo.

Glad I watched it, but won't be added to the collection.

M

Hope you don't mind me joining in.  Richard Donat also stars in 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.  If you have watched 'V for Vendetta' it is our hero V's fav. film.

Evey: "Does it have a happy ending?"
V: "As only celluloid can deliver."

Regarding Hitchcock, I must have the majority of his films and would rate his earlier American work as the best - Rear Window, North By North West and Vertigo are my choice.  However, I rate 'The 39 Steps' are one of my favourite films and would watch it any time.

Karl

The CGI series 'Star Wars - The Clone Wars' continues to grow more adult - by season 4, it's developed into a violent series full of large scale warfare and its - mostly cruel - consequences. There is still room for likeable heroes and the occasional bit of humor, fortunately. Overall, much stronger than the films that bookend this series, and recommended for Star Wars nuts. Just don't let your young kids watch this.

Cheers,

EJ