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25.01.2022 Film Review: The Lady In The Van (2015) Biography/Drama/Comedy Running time: 1hr 44mins Rated: M Director: Nicholas Hytner Stars: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent Screenplay: Alan Bennett (based on his memoir) ... In a flashback at the start of The Lady In The Van, we see a younger Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith) hit and kill a man with her van, from which she is then on the lam and which colours the rest of her life. Flash forward to the early 70s and the enigmatic Miss Shepherd sets up camp in her van in the gentrifying London neighbourhood of Camden Town, much to the chagrin of its residents. She shares her locale on the street around, but soon beelines to playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings), who lives alone and whom she senses will be most tolerant to her situation. Soon she talks her way into parking in his driveway, using his amenities and before long he finds he is becoming almost her caretaker, including in the eyes of her various social workers. But there is much more to this cantankerous old lady than meets the eye and an odd friendship and respect begins to grow over time, along with mysteries and discoveries. Based on Alan Bennett’s actual memoirs and adapted by him for the big screen, The Lady in the Van is plugged as a mostly true story and it is beautifully written and acted. I know very little of Alan Bennett but am now keen to discover more. He uses a wonderful storytelling device where there are two parts of his personality living in the house, interacting with each other and narrating the proceedings. Maggie Smith is simply incredible. We all know she’s a fine actress but this role was made for her and she blew me away. There is a certain scene in the film where Bennett describes a rather complex look on Miss Shepherd’s face and Smith nails it. I was mesmerised. She’s awful and fantastic all at once but you can’t help feeling for her. Nicholas Hytner is not what you’d call a prolific director. This is his sixth outing in that role and his third with writer Alan Bennett, their first being The Madness of King George in 1994, then The History Boys in 2006. He’s also directed The Object of My Affection (1998) and The Crucible (1996). So not prolific but considered. This is such a great film. It is small budget and no effects: just great old fashioned storytelling and great acting. Noice. 10/10.

25.01.2022 This is great and shows just how much work can go into 10 seconds of film... https://fstoppers.com//behind-scenes-filming-plane-crash-9

24.01.2022 Another list, but one of my favourite "genres" if you will. Like this list?

24.01.2022 Which one is your favourite? The Shining is mine, but it was a tough pick...

23.01.2022 Film Review: T2 Trainspotting (2017) Drama Running time: 1hr 57mins Rated: R Director: Danny Boyle Stars: Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, Robert Carlyle, Anjela Nedyalkova, Kelly Macdonald, Shirley Henderson... 20 years after the first cult classic hit our screens, Trainspotting 2 (T2) has arrived with a full entourage of fireworks, big brass bands and (not really) mass hysteria Generation X has come full circle and here we are: now middle aged and ready to not feel so. Renton (McGregor) has been hiding out in Amsterdam for the past two decades, after famously ripping off his childhood buddies at the end of the first one. Fresh from a heart attack and a split, and with the deadly Begbie (Carlyle) behind bars, he decides to return to his roots, tracking down Spud (Bremner), Sick Boy (Miller) and his dad, to mixed response. But it was never going to be a simple homecoming, was it? Attraction to Sick Boy’s sexy business partner Veronika (Nedyalkova) complicates things, and with Begbie now on the lam, things are going to get interesting. I was absolutely horrified when I first heard T2 was on the cards. Sequels to much loved classics historically don’t go well (Blues Brothers 2000, looking at you to name but one!) and this film is seminal for me. But when I heard that it was to be based on the original follow up memoir by Irvine Welsh, with the screenplay by same the guy as Trainspotting (1996), Shallow Grave (1994) and The Beach (2000) (John Hodge) AND directed again by Danny Boyle, I became more excited. Pre-buzz indicated this might be a film on a par with the original. Verdict? Well it's a mixed bag of good and not so good. It’s kinda nice to be reunited with the lads. There’s plenty of cringey moments and squirmy laughs ala the original, like a warm, familiar junkie hug (erm... that didn't come out QUITE right... ). But there’s way less magic and originality. The new soundtrack isn’t bad, and there’s several nods to the original masterpiece. And then you have the uncomfortable realisation that Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie have not moved on, are stuck in their youth, and maybe, sentimentally, you wish you were too. But what I absolutely loved is that this story is told with Spud gently at the centre one can’t help but imagine he’s Welsh and as the sweetheart of the original, and the sweet heart of the sequel, with the others lamely stuck in their ways, he’s the underdog with the lyrical voice and redemption at hand. 8/10. (as seen in Bellbottom Magazine)

22.01.2022 Have two buy-one-get-one-free passes to One Chance tonight @ Nambucca Cinema @ 7.20pm if you're interested. Just comment below or PM me and they're all yours!

21.01.2022 What a nice chap he is...

21.01.2022 Lovely little video essay about Incredible's Director Brad Bird https://vimeo.com/189791698

20.01.2022 Film Review: T2 Trainspotting (2017) Drama Running time: 1hr 57mins Rated: R Director: Danny Boyle Stars: Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, Robert Carlyle, Anjela Nedyalkova, Kelly Macdonald, Shirley Henderson... 20 years after the first cult classic hit our screens, Trainspotting 2 (T2) has arrived with a full entourage of fireworks, big brass bands and (not really) mass hysteria Generation X has come full circle and here we are: now middle aged and ready to not feel so. Renton (McGregor) has been hiding out in Amsterdam for the past two decades, after famously ripping off his childhood buddies at the end of the first one. Fresh from a heart attack and a split, and with the deadly Begbie (Carlyle) behind bars, he decides to return to his roots, tracking down Spud (Bremner), Sick Boy (Miller) and his dad, to mixed response. But it was never going to be a simple homecoming, was it? Attraction to Sick Boy’s sexy business partner Veronika (Nedyalkova) complicates things, and with Begbie now on the lam, things are going to get interesting. I was absolutely horrified when I first heard T2 was on the cards. Sequels to much loved classics historically don’t go well (Blues Brothers 2000, looking at you to name but one!) and this film is seminal for me. But when I heard that it was to be based on the original follow up memoir by Irvine Welsh, with the screenplay by same the guy as Trainspotting (1996), Shallow Grave (1994) and The Beach (2000) (John Hodge) AND directed again by Danny Boyle, I became more excited. Pre-buzz indicated this might be a film on a par with the original. Verdict? Well it's a mixed bag of good and not so good. It’s kinda nice to be reunited with the lads. There’s plenty of cringey moments and squirmy laughs ala the original, like a warm, familiar junkie hug (erm... that didn't come out QUITE right... ). But there’s way less magic and originality. The new soundtrack isn’t bad, and there’s several nods to the original masterpiece. And then you have the uncomfortable realisation that Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie have not moved on, are stuck in their youth, and maybe, sentimentally, you wish you were too. But what I absolutely loved is that this story is told with Spud gently at the centre one can’t help but imagine he’s Welsh and as the sweetheart of the original, and the sweet heart of the sequel, with the others lamely stuck in their ways, he’s the underdog with the lyrical voice and redemption at hand. 8/10. (as seen in Bellbottom Magazine)

20.01.2022 The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) Adventure/Comedy/Drama Running time: 1hr 37mins Rated: M Director: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz Stars: Shia LeBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Hayden Church, John Hawkes, Wayne Dehart, Yelawolf... Tyler (LeBeouf) is a troubled delinquent eking out a meagre existence in North Carolina and angry at the world after the death of his brother. When his temper gets the better of him, he is forced on the run from Duncan (Hawkes) and Ratboy (Yelawolf). He crosses paths with Zak (Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome, also on the lam after escaping the nursing home where he’s incarcerated and tracked by social worker Eleanor (Johnson). The two become unlikely allies as they evade their pursuers cross country and rivers on their way to find Salt Water Redneck (Church), Zak’s wrestling hero whom he believes can help him realise his dream of becoming a pro-wrestler. At its core a heart-warming bromance, PBF is a crowd-pleasing charmer. Clearly low budget and often ad-libbed, this only adds to the sweetness of a gentle script, and genuine performances. The bond between the two lead actors is obvious and lovely. Directors Nilson and Schwartz met Gottsagen at an acting camp eight years prior where he told them his dream to be a professional actor and asked them to make a film for him. They built the film around his interests of wrestling, swimming and having fun and his open, good nature were all built into his character. His ability to get on with people from all walks of life also shines through. By taking so much inspiration from Gottsagen’s life the directors have created a warm, joyous film, showing that people of disability can act and realise their dreams. LeBeouf shines and fascinates. After several years of bizarre behaviour, he’s delivering solid work again. He’s the puzzle that doesn’t fit in the Hollywood box wonderfully unpredictable. Next up LeBeouf gives us Honey Boy, also creating a lot of buzz, based on his tumultuous childhood and starring himself as his father. Written whilst in court-ordered rehab for trouble he got into whilst filming PBF it’s sure to be another one to watch. The scenery is hypnotic, the performances spot on. My only gripes are the ending is rather rushed and Johnson’s character is something and nothing. But other than that I defy you to walk away unmoved. 9/10.

20.01.2022 OK it's big, it's flashy, it's a blockbuster franchise... everything I normally hate but... pretty hard to resist with Mr Bardem in it, don't you think?

19.01.2022 http://nofilmschool.com//these-are-101-funniest-screenplay, Wot, no Withnail? What else is missing or shouldn't be there?

19.01.2022 The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) Adventure/Comedy/Drama Running time: 1hr 37mins Rated: M Director: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz Stars: Shia LeBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Hayden Church, John Hawkes, Wayne Dehart, Yelawolf... Tyler (LeBeouf) is a troubled delinquent eking out a meagre existence in North Carolina and angry at the world after the death of his brother. When his temper gets the better of him, he is forced on the run from Duncan (Hawkes) and Ratboy (Yelawolf). He crosses paths with Zak (Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome, also on the lam after escaping the nursing home where he’s incarcerated and tracked by social worker Eleanor (Johnson). The two become unlikely allies as they evade their pursuers cross country and rivers on their way to find Salt Water Redneck (Church), Zak’s wrestling hero whom he believes can help him realise his dream of becoming a pro-wrestler. At its core a heart-warming bromance, PBF is a crowd-pleasing charmer. Clearly low budget and often ad-libbed, this only adds to the sweetness of a gentle script, and genuine performances. The bond between the two lead actors is obvious and lovely. Directors Nilson and Schwartz met Gottsagen at an acting camp eight years prior where he told them his dream to be a professional actor and asked them to make a film for him. They built the film around his interests of wrestling, swimming and having fun and his open, good nature were all built into his character. His ability to get on with people from all walks of life also shines through. By taking so much inspiration from Gottsagen’s life the directors have created a warm, joyous film, showing that people of disability can act and realise their dreams. LeBeouf shines and fascinates. After several years of bizarre behaviour, he’s delivering solid work again. He’s the puzzle that doesn’t fit in the Hollywood box wonderfully unpredictable. Next up LeBeouf gives us Honey Boy, also creating a lot of buzz, based on his tumultuous childhood and starring himself as his father. Written whilst in court-ordered rehab for trouble he got into whilst filming PBF it’s sure to be another one to watch. The scenery is hypnotic, the performances spot on. My only gripes are the ending is rather rushed and Johnson’s character is something and nothing. But other than that I defy you to walk away unmoved. 9/10.

17.01.2022 Congratulations Parasite! Making Oscar history as the first non-english language film to win Best Picture! YAY! Bong cleaned up the major awards today... also scoring Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film. Well deserved, goosebumps!

16.01.2022 Film Review: The Trip To Italy (2014) Comedy/Drama Running time: 1hr 48mins Rated: M Director: Michael Winterbottom Stars: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Rosie Fellner, Claire Keelan, Timothy Leach ... After being contacted by The Observer to reprise their Lake District road trip (seen in The Trip (2010)), Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan team up again to do a series of restaurant and travel reviews, this time in Italy. Following in Lord Byron and Percy Shelley’s footsteps, the men travel to Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and end in Capri. Done in a semi-fictitious, documentary style, their long-standing professional collaboration, friendship and banter forms the core of the film. This time, the tables have turned behaviour-wise. Brydon’s seemingly happy family man finds temptation at several turns, whilst previously badly-behaved Coogan is yearning for closer ties with his son. The scene is set for the two to treat us to a series of their fantastic improvised impersonations, with many laugh-out-loud moments (for me, anyway). Director Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, The Trip, Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland) has a capable hand, however, it’s too long by half: in fact, I had to stop watching it about half way through and didn’t think I’d pick it up again. The banter is great, but wearying at times. At nearly two hours long, a good half hour chop chop would have served it well, but pick it up again we did and it was worth it, ultimately. The film is basically an excuse for those of us who have either been to Italy or desperately wanted to their entire lives (ahem) to travel how the other half lives and take in some amazing locations, coastline, restaurants, food and boat rides, all to a soundtrack of opera and Alanis Morissette. Strap yourself in for an overlong, but enjoyable, ride 7/10.

15.01.2022 Hunt For The Wilderpeople(2016) Drama/Comedy Running time: 101mins Rated: PG Director: Taika Waititi Stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Stan Walker, Rhys Darby, Taika Waititi... The old cliché about being under a rock applies if you HAVEN’T heard of Hunt For The Wilderpeople by now. Slow to get released here and in the US, the film has gradually been building momentum, until now it’s a runaway train of adoration and publicity. And it’s hard, really, really hard, to put all that energy and hype back in its box, as even when you enter the cinema you hear the usher exclaiming, You’ll love it! It’s hilarious! to the entire audience. No pressure, then. Ricky Baker (Dennison) is an apparent bad egg. Abandoned by his mum, bouncing from foster home to foster home, Ricky is on his last chance before juvenile detention. Delivered by child services worker, Paula (House), to the remote farmhouse of heart-of-gold Bella (Wiata) and her cantankerous husband Hec (Neill), it looks like Ricky has finally struck it lucky. But after a series of misfortunes and misunderstandings, Hec and Ricky find themselves on the lam with Paula in hot pursuit. Before long it’s a manhunt, with the whole of New Zealand seemingly after them, and this odd couple must learn from each other and work together to stay free and learn some valuable lessons, with help from a few new friends along the way. So, as you can see, it’s been done before: the odd couple on the run; enemies to friends, that kind of thing but Waititi infuses his creation with such charm and light that it’s not a problem. Neill and Dennison have great chemistry together and you can see Sam Neill’s enjoying himself immensely. The main star of the show, though, is of course New Zealand itself. Not since The Piano and Boy do I feel like I’ve been treated to such a glorious journey through the heart of the country, and not just all the pretty bits like so many films. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a great cameo from Darby (of Flight of the Conchords fame) as Psycho Sam. There’s just one thing, ok two... Ricky is the least bad egg of any bad egg you’ve ever heard of. And lastly, it’s a bit rough around the edges: it feels like it could use the kind of polish that only more directorial experience brings. But they’re small quibbles and it’s easy to see why the film has quickly become the highest grossing New Zealand film of all time in Australia and New Zealand and has already entered the Rotten Tomatoes Top 100 Movies of All Time list. Although it’s PG, I would say it’s suited to tweens and up as it’s not really a younger family film at all 9/10.

14.01.2022 Couldn't happen to a nicer guy :)

12.01.2022 Film Review: Gone Girl Thriller. Running time: 149mins Rated: MA. Director: David Fincher Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Missi Pyle, Patrick Fugit... Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) are living in small town USA in a marriage that is coming apart. They’ve gone from living large in New York, to both losing their jobs and moving back to Nick’s home town to nurse his terminally ill mother. One day, Amy disappears. There’s suspicious blood spatter in the kitchen and a smashed up table inferring foul play. As the bad state of the marriage becomes more apparent, doubts begin to surface as to Nick’s innocence as he is caught out in lies and one piece of evidence after another starts to pile up against him. Is he innocent, is someone trying to frame him or is something else going on? This is movie making at its best. The script is taut, tense, brilliant. The characters are all well formed and believable. The casting is spot on, right down to the smaller players. Affleck continues his career trajectory upwards in another piece of excellent acting. And Pike... wow! She is simply incredible. I think probable Oscar nomination for this one. Coon, as Affleck’s twin, was also a standout. David Fincher earns my respect again with another classy, seamless piece of direction. From early thriller gems such as Seven, The Game and Fight Club, and more lately The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Fincher makes films that grab you by the scruff and refuse to let you go until the credits start to roll and I love that! With Gone Girl he keeps you guessing about the characters in the film so much your sympathies roil about all over the place. And the skill of his vision, his direction, is evident when you realise you’ve witnessed a story arc so well crafted that it’s almost a perfect circle. I predict Gone Girl will also get nominations for Best Director and Best Film too, if not more. One of the best flix of 2014 9/10.

10.01.2022 Sorry I've been gone awhile... I'll be good in 2020, promise! Thought the film buffs among you might dig learning a bit more about this amazing, and massively influential, artist. Vale, Syd, and thankyou for your incredible vision

07.01.2022 Gethin here: budding scriptwriters check this out - an infographic of the 300 scripts this professional script reader has read... http://i.imgur.com/T22gGBO.png

07.01.2022 In light of Parasite's exciting nominations at this year's Oscars, Best Picture, Best Foreign Language Film and Director, and generally kicking butt all award season, here's a flashback to my review a few months back. Great film, check it out. Parasite (2019) Drama/Comedy/Thriller Running time: 2hr 12mins Rated: M Director: Joon-ho Bong... Stars: Kang-ho Song, Yeo-jeong Jo, So-dam Park, Woo-sik Choi, Sun-kyun Lee, Ji-so Jung, Hye-jin Jang, Jeong-eun Lee, Myeong-hoon Park Parasite, Bong Joon-ho’s disquieting masterpiece about wealth inequality in Seoul, follows the parallel journeys of three families. The impoverished Kim family are struggling to survive, trying to leech any available wi-fi from their half-basement apartment, whilst folding pizza boxes to make enough to eat. Their fortunes change when Ki-woo (Woo-sik), the son, scores a job tutoring Da-hae (Ki-jung), the daughter of the wealthy Park family. One by one the rest of the family take positions within the Park household, pretending to only have a vague acquaintance, and ousting others from their positions: Ki-taek (Kang-ho), the patriarch, becomes the chauffeur. Sister Ki-jung (So-dam) becomes the young boy’s art therapist and mother Chung-sook (Jang) becomes the housekeeper. But then the former housekeeper returns and the resulting shift in story arc is almost seismic. Parasite, the first Korean film to win the Palme D’Or at Cannes, is creating a mountain of buzz and for good reason. Revelling in the Kim family’s changed fortunes is funny but uncomfortable viewing you’re not sure if you’re watching a comedy, a drama, a thriller you have no idea what is coming and there is an undercurrent of dread throughout the proceedings. After a sickly Hollywood diet of cliche, Parasite is a shock on many levels. Squirm in your seat, hand to mouth, can’t look away fare, you know that you are watching something that will keep you talking, thinking, for days. Bong’s movies reputedly often end back where they started but whilst the world appears the same, the protagonists and you, the viewer, are not. Highly recommended viewing. I can’t think of anything to fault it so 10/10.

07.01.2022 Hunt For The Wilderpeople(2016) Drama/Comedy Running time: 101mins Rated: PG Director: Taika Waititi Stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Stan Walker, Rhys Darby, Taika Waititi... The old cliché about being under a rock applies if you HAVEN’T heard of Hunt For The Wilderpeople by now. Slow to get released here and in the US, the film has gradually been building momentum, until now it’s a runaway train of adoration and publicity. And it’s hard, really, really hard, to put all that energy and hype back in its box, as even when you enter the cinema you hear the usher exclaiming, You’ll love it! It’s hilarious! to the entire audience. No pressure, then. Ricky Baker (Dennison) is an apparent bad egg. Abandoned by his mum, bouncing from foster home to foster home, Ricky is on his last chance before juvenile detention. Delivered by child services worker, Paula (House), to the remote farmhouse of heart-of-gold Bella (Wiata) and her cantankerous husband Hec (Neill), it looks like Ricky has finally struck it lucky. But after a series of misfortunes and misunderstandings, Hec and Ricky find themselves on the lam with Paula in hot pursuit. Before long it’s a manhunt, with the whole of New Zealand seemingly after them, and this odd couple must learn from each other and work together to stay free and learn some valuable lessons, with help from a few new friends along the way. So, as you can see, it’s been done before: the odd couple on the run; enemies to friends, that kind of thing but Waititi infuses his creation with such charm and light that it’s not a problem. Neill and Dennison have great chemistry together and you can see Sam Neill’s enjoying himself immensely. The main star of the show, though, is of course New Zealand itself. Not since The Piano and Boy do I feel like I’ve been treated to such a glorious journey through the heart of the country, and not just all the pretty bits like so many films. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a great cameo from Darby (of Flight of the Conchords fame) as Psycho Sam. There’s just one thing, ok two... Ricky is the least bad egg of any bad egg you’ve ever heard of. And lastly, it’s a bit rough around the edges: it feels like it could use the kind of polish that only more directorial experience brings. But they’re small quibbles and it’s easy to see why the film has quickly become the highest grossing New Zealand film of all time in Australia and New Zealand and has already entered the Rotten Tomatoes Top 100 Movies of All Time list. Although it’s PG, I would say it’s suited to tweens and up as it’s not really a younger family film at all 9/10.

05.01.2022 Film Review: The Trip To Italy (2014) Comedy/Drama Running time: 1hr 48mins Rated: M Director: Michael Winterbottom Stars: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Rosie Fellner, Claire Keelan, Timothy Leach ... After being contacted by The Observer to reprise their Lake District road trip (seen in The Trip (2010)), Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan team up again to do a series of restaurant and travel reviews, this time in Italy. Following in Lord Byron and Percy Shelley’s footsteps, the men travel to Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and end in Capri. Done in a semi-fictitious, documentary style, their long-standing professional collaboration, friendship and banter forms the core of the film. This time, the tables have turned behaviour-wise. Brydon’s seemingly happy family man finds temptation at several turns, whilst previously badly-behaved Coogan is yearning for closer ties with his son. The scene is set for the two to treat us to a series of their fantastic improvised impersonations, with many laugh-out-loud moments (for me, anyway). Director Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, The Trip, Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland) has a capable hand, however, it’s too long by half: in fact, I had to stop watching it about half way through and didn’t think I’d pick it up again. The banter is great, but wearying at times. At nearly two hours long, a good half hour chop chop would have served it well, but pick it up again we did and it was worth it, ultimately. The film is basically an excuse for those of us who have either been to Italy or desperately wanted to their entire lives (ahem) to travel how the other half lives and take in some amazing locations, coastline, restaurants, food and boat rides, all to a soundtrack of opera and Alanis Morissette. Strap yourself in for an overlong, but enjoyable, ride 7/10.

04.01.2022 Film Review: The Lady In The Van (2015) Biography/Drama/Comedy Running time: 1hr 44mins Rated: M Director: Nicholas Hytner Stars: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent Screenplay: Alan Bennett (based on his memoir) ... In a flashback at the start of The Lady In The Van, we see a younger Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith) hit and kill a man with her van, from which she is then on the lam and which colours the rest of her life. Flash forward to the early 70s and the enigmatic Miss Shepherd sets up camp in her van in the gentrifying London neighbourhood of Camden Town, much to the chagrin of its residents. She shares her locale on the street around, but soon beelines to playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings), who lives alone and whom she senses will be most tolerant to her situation. Soon she talks her way into parking in his driveway, using his amenities and before long he finds he is becoming almost her caretaker, including in the eyes of her various social workers. But there is much more to this cantankerous old lady than meets the eye and an odd friendship and respect begins to grow over time, along with mysteries and discoveries. Based on Alan Bennett’s actual memoirs and adapted by him for the big screen, The Lady in the Van is plugged as a mostly true story and it is beautifully written and acted. I know very little of Alan Bennett but am now keen to discover more. He uses a wonderful storytelling device where there are two parts of his personality living in the house, interacting with each other and narrating the proceedings. Maggie Smith is simply incredible. We all know she’s a fine actress but this role was made for her and she blew me away. There is a certain scene in the film where Bennett describes a rather complex look on Miss Shepherd’s face and Smith nails it. I was mesmerised. She’s awful and fantastic all at once but you can’t help feeling for her. Nicholas Hytner is not what you’d call a prolific director. This is his sixth outing in that role and his third with writer Alan Bennett, their first being The Madness of King George in 1994, then The History Boys in 2006. He’s also directed The Object of My Affection (1998) and The Crucible (1996). So not prolific but considered. This is such a great film. It is small budget and no effects: just great old fashioned storytelling and great acting. Noice. 10/10.

04.01.2022 Paul Walker, star of the Fast and the Furious franchise, has been killed in a car accident where he was a passenger. He was only 40, poor bugger.

04.01.2022 Review: The Book Thief I've been wickedly slack, my bad, but I have the silly season and children as excuses so... :) Just thought I'd throw up (!) a quick summary of The Book Thief, which I saw with two lovely friends last week. In short: it's great but heart wrenching, reminding me of why I so often avoid dramas these days. The story is set in Germany, pre-World War II and follows young Liesel (Sophie Nélisse), whose communist mother has to give her and her young brother... up for adoption. Tragically her brother dies en-route, leaving young Liesel scared and alone in her new home, with gruff new mum Rosa (Emily Watson) and new dad Hans (Geoffrey Rush). Instantly forging a friendship with the infatuated Rudy (Nico Liersch), Liesel learns to read thanks to the love and patience of Hans, and we see events unfolding around then as Jews are beaten and removed, and war then erupts around them. When they are bound to take in a young Jew-On-The-Run, Max (Ben Schnetzer), to whom Hans owes a life-debt, all their lives are changed forever. Death, the Narrator, keeps an ever-watchful eye on them all. This film, this story, are incredibly moving. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to fall in love with them all. The acting is sublime... Emily Watson ripped my heart to pieces with her mindblowingly subtle portrayal of a gruff woman with more going on below the surface. I know it's unpatriotic, but if Cate Blanchett wins the Oscar for that Streetcar ripoff, Blue Jasmine, I will forever feel that Ms Watson was COMPLETELY robbed. Cate was good, don't get me wrong, but Emily Watson was gut-wrenchingly good. Geoffrey Rush... well, does he EVER do a dud? He was warm, intelligent, comforting, moral. You wish he was your dad. Ben Schnetzer (Max) is new on the scene but he's definitely here to stay - charismatic and fantastic. And the young star, Sophie Nélisse, was also mesmerising. And I haven't even mentioned all the other support cast... there were no duds. It was enthralling to watch a film about World War II told from the perspective of ordinary Germans - I don't think I've ever seen much of that before - and it was incredibly moving. The cinematography was beautiful, the sets and costumes authentic. Director Brian Percival has been best known till now for About A Girl, Pleasureland and several eps of Downton Abbey... I think it safe to say he has now cracked the big time. This is a must-watch, especially if you love the book (which I haven't read, but be warned - I hear it's a little different). Take the tissues, 4.5/5 PS Ok, wasn't short ;)

03.01.2022 Fans of Philip Seymour Hoffman may have seen him recently in Hunger Games 2 - Catching Fire and be wondering what on earth they're going to do without him for the last two films. Well the answer is he had actually pretty much finished shooting on the first and had only seven days left of shooting on the second. If you're interested in reading more, here's an article The Age ran today:

03.01.2022 http://nofilmschool.com//these-are-101-funniest-screenplay, Wot, no Withnail? What else is missing or shouldn't be there?

02.01.2022 Film Review: Gone Girl Thriller. Running time: 149mins Rated: MA. Director: David Fincher Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Missi Pyle, Patrick Fugit... Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) are living in small town USA in a marriage that is coming apart. They’ve gone from living large in New York, to both losing their jobs and moving back to Nick’s home town to nurse his terminally ill mother. One day, Amy disappears. There’s suspicious blood spatter in the kitchen and a smashed up table inferring foul play. As the bad state of the marriage becomes more apparent, doubts begin to surface as to Nick’s innocence as he is caught out in lies and one piece of evidence after another starts to pile up against him. Is he innocent, is someone trying to frame him or is something else going on? This is movie making at its best. The script is taut, tense, brilliant. The characters are all well formed and believable. The casting is spot on, right down to the smaller players. Affleck continues his career trajectory upwards in another piece of excellent acting. And Pike... wow! She is simply incredible. I think probable Oscar nomination for this one. Coon, as Affleck’s twin, was also a standout. David Fincher earns my respect again with another classy, seamless piece of direction. From early thriller gems such as Seven, The Game and Fight Club, and more lately The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Fincher makes films that grab you by the scruff and refuse to let you go until the credits start to roll and I love that! With Gone Girl he keeps you guessing about the characters in the film so much your sympathies roil about all over the place. And the skill of his vision, his direction, is evident when you realise you’ve witnessed a story arc so well crafted that it’s almost a perfect circle. I predict Gone Girl will also get nominations for Best Director and Best Film too, if not more. One of the best flix of 2014 9/10.

01.01.2022 As most of you will already know, the world lost one of its greatest actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman, on Sunday, New York time. He was only 46. After struggling with a lifetime of addiction, and despite a lengthy period of abstinence, prescription drugs got him into heroin again and alas, he has left behind a partner and three young children. The man was a simply brilliant actor, and by all accounts a lovely man. Goodbye, Mr Hoffman, I hope you have found the peace you were searching for. RIP :(