Film 2010 : Episode 1 - October 13th

With guest Danny Leigh - seems like a proper move buff!...

The Social Network

Both lavished praise on 'The Social Network' with West Wing writer Aaron Sorkin, and Director David Fincher. Unusual for how, according to Leigh, 'cinema is a lumbering beast with keeping up with events' - this movie does. Oscar nods abound, with interviews from the writer and the key members of the cast.

The London Film Festival

Debating what to call the troupe of other experts/enthusiasts:

• Chris Hewitt (him off Empire) with Darth Vader shoes, was at The London Film Festival. Anticipating '127 hrs' and 'Submarine'.
• Someone called Quirke (a more elitist film viewer) anticipating 'Bridge on the River Kwai', a newly restored print, and 'Howl'.
• A proper young dude (a blogger) anticipating 'Black Swan'.

Hewitt at the premiere of 'Never Let me Go', and speaking to the trio of protagonists Carey Mulligan, Kiera Knightly, and some other dude. It felt like he was interrupting a private social gathering, as they were all giggling uncontrollably, in mock jest at eachother. Felt sorry for Chris Hewitt who was trying to be serious, and was obviously not allowed into that inner circle of the joke being shared...

Leigh's most looking forward to 'Neds' - Anton Corben, and is his recommendation for the Festival.

Despicable Me

Leigh says he's smitten with the film, and was generally opposed to the comparisons with Pixar. Claudia found it a touch predictable but said she loved it. Were in mutual agreement about the film's finite nature, closing down the possibility of another franchise a la Shrek and Toy Story. People under 3.5ft will love it - according to the duo.

Charlie's Top 5 scenes to do with the Moon:

(The young blogger dude from before)

1. An American Werewolf in London
2. Enter the Dragon (Bruce Lee's apparently naff metaphor for the moon) - resonated with me and raised a chuckle!
3. AI: Artificial Intelligence (with the big fake moon chasing Law and Haley Joel)
4. The Truman Show (with Ed Harris being wistful in his sky-moon office)
5. Moulin Rouge (where the moon joins in singing with Kidman and McGreggor). Never noticed that before! Quite amusing!

Berated by Danny Leigh that the choices are made by an 8-year-old/12-year-old! Swiftly defended by Claudia professing her love for him.

Vampires Suck

Rolling Stone apparently gave it a four-word review "This film sucks more". Unfunny and offensive. There are more interesting things to do to pass time.

Over Your Cities, Grass will Grow

Claudia not really feeling it. Lacking dialogue and commentary. Leigh anticipated fisticuffs between the two, as he liked the film for it's engaging and immersive imagery.

A brief interview with Simon Pegg:

(with a massive Burke and Hare poster in the background)

Dream role?

Nic Cage's character in Raising Arizona

Guilty pleasure?

Rom-coms! A League of their Own in particular, viewed on a plane with Nick Frost. The moment when Hanks reveals death of a husband, said he found touching.

Fav films?

Dawn of the Dead (the Romero one)

Taxi Driver - a fantastic character study

Raising Arizona

Though the obvious one would be Star Wars!...

I have to admit:

Struggles with Gone with the Wind. The wife loves it, has got it on DVD. Sweeping, epic. Yeah, so what?... Ha ha!

The programme ended with a (supposedly exclusive) trailer for the upcoming Narnia movie. Looked horrible. A grotesque infatuation with CGI, a cartoon-like mash-up of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Perhaps it's a bit premature to say, but it's definitely one I'm NOT going to see...

________________________________

Impressions of the new format:

You can tell that the programme's not secure or self-assured enough to have Winkleman completely on her own: she has to have a seemingly wide-spectrum of 'qualified' people to act as a supporting cast. Predictably, proper film buffs deride the format with some saying it's all over the place, and others, such as myself, am indifferent but rather welcome the change.

I really liked the show with Jonathan Ross, but did feel it was just what he thought, his opinion, an enthusiast, not an expert. Here, it's a messy blend of everything, and you can pick and choose what you like - or not. Overall, it's neither garishly offensive, or light-weight in content - and was happy enough to see something different. I also quite liked the banter between the snobby elitist movie people against the triers and the unsung workers (notably Chris Hewitt and that blogger dude). I look forward to the next episode!