The Felice Brothers

Booked again for September
The Troxy in east London
Something to look forward to.

Babel

Saw this when it originally opened back in 2006/7 by accident having failed to make see Last King of Scotland as it sold out five couple in front of us. Fortunatly an American couple behind us said that we should see Babel and on their advice we did.
Stunned was our reaction afterwards and along with Pan's Labyrinth which we saw a few weeks later are still one of my favorite films of all times.
So it was a revisit on BlueRay linked to the stereo last night and proved to be nearly as rewarding as the first time we saw it.
Premise is quite simple in the mode of cause and effect, which Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu and writter Guillermo Arriaga seem to specialise in. (Have to put 21 grams on my films to see shortlist). Shot in Mexico, Japan and Morocco and with at least seven languages mixed into the pot it is an astonshing bit of work. It recieved seven Oscar and seven Bafta nominations and only took best film score in both. And deservedly so.
Even Brad Pitt was good! and Cate Blanchett was equally as convincing in her somewhat restricted roll.
See it.
9.5/10

Damned United & Revolutionary Road

Finally got around to watching Damned United on BlueRay last night and quite a fascinating watch it proved to be. I thought I was aware going on football wise back then, yes the mud heap that was Derby's ground sticks in the mind as does how dirty Leeds played, but the animosity between Clough and Revie totally passed me by.
Sheen does his rubber faced acting and becomes a convincing Clough and Meaney is equally good as Revie. Not sure about Spall as Taylor though, because he is always seen as being Spall.
There appears to be 11 major factual inaccuracies, which is disappointing and were not necessary, including a couple which Johnny Giles of Leeds took a writ out and got changed. The inaccuracies act to condense the story and make certain episodes easier to understand.
I went to the 1978 League Cup Final between Notts Forest and Liverpool which ended 0-0 at Wembley, the tickets coming from Clough himself. The source was his nephew, a Clough too, but very much a Middlesborough supporter. The flat in London I was staying in at the time was owned by a friend who also knew the Boro Cloughs, but was also best mates with the film's producer, Andy Harries.
8/10

Revolutionary Road

Two films in one night, did not really care much for this film mainly due to my total disbelief in watching DiCrapio in films, I just do not get him at all. The best part in the whole film goes to Michael Shannon as the disturbed son of the estate agent who sold the couple their house. He only has two scenes but he makes the most of the opportunity.
6.5/10

The Epstein and Bob Harris

Bullingdon Arms, Cowley Road, Oxford, Sunday evening. The Epstein are a local group who could be on a roll, strange coming a day before one of the other big Oxford groups Supergrass, have announced their demise.
A very Americana feel to their sound, all their own work with strong vocals and harmonies and a fine lead guitarist, although did wonder what the keyboard player contributed to the overall sound.
The show started off with Bob Harris announcing the winners of a local band competition, but he startled the audience by saying it was his birthday (cue someone presenting him with a birthday cake with flaming candles, a bottle of bubbly and a card) and that 43 years ago to the day, he was at the Roundhouse listening to early rushes with Mccartney of Sgt Pepper. On that album is 'When I'm 64' and what was he today? 64. From Roundhouse to the Bullingdon.....some journey!

Belle Epoque

My Penelope Cruz season continues with this early film of hers at the age of 18.
A rather charming Spanish farce which SWMBO got from the library, an excellent choice and keeps my interest in Spanish Films which have a lighter touch than their counterparts to the immediate north.
8 out 10

Point to Point and Bluebells (Easter Monday)

On the Gallops above Henrietta Knight's East Lockinge stables the annual Easter monday point to point took place, attracting I would imagine some 5000. Weather at least was dry and the great thing about it is that you can get very close up to the action. Walk the course between races in fact. We had a minor flutter with the horse coming in 3rd at 16 to 1. Which would have been fine as I always go each way, but SWMBO managed to put the stake on the nose(it was her first ever bet)
We also came across this small clump of bluebells showing their heads in the late afternoon sun. With reports that this seasons arrivals are late this must stand as a very early sighting

Sun Dogs

Treated to a pair of Sun Dogs for about 15 minutes through the train window as we mover westwards on the way home last night. Never a perfect pair as the thin cloud layer was interrupted by larger clumps, but between Reading and Didcot there they were, waxing and waning to my left. At one point the right hand one was hitting a particular cloud with such intensity that it appeared there was a second 'minor' sun in the sky.

Hero

Saw this when it first hit the UK shores but thought it was worth revisiting now that we have HD and Blueray. It remains my favourite of the Chinese Martial Arts films for it is gorgeously and breathtakingly stunning. I cannot recall any other film that is as visually arresting as this. One critic said "one of the most ravishing spectacles the movies have given us" and never a truer word was said.
See it
9.25/10