The Ipcress File

Always nice to be able to take some time out from work to watch a film and that is the position that I find myself in for a pleasant change. The film I have chosen is rather old but I always feel that doesn't matter too much if the film is good and this one is good. It Len Deightons, "The Ipcress File" a spy thriller of the best kind, from 1965.

The film starts with a the kidnapping of a scientist and the death of his secret service bodyguard who gets replaced by the lead character Harry Palmer a former sergeant with a criminal past who starts to investigate the case of the missing scientists. Harry Palmer has a natural contempt for authority and  is surprised to be selected for such a mission and believes he has been chosen because he is expendable. So starts a story that sees our hero becoming not only a target of the kidnappers but the CIA too. The question being can he solve the mystery of the Ipcress file.

Don't want to go into much detial but it is a wonderful film made in the time of the cold war and the classic bond films and a fine example of this type of British Film. Although it might seem at times a little dated it is a reflection of the time it was made. Personally I looking forward to watching it again.

Bill Kerr dies at 92

South African born Australian Bill Kerr died yesterday watching his favourite show on television, the American show Seinfeld, at his home in Australia . He was the last of the major cast members of the 1950's radios "Handcock's Half Hour" to leave this earth, and once a familiar voice to millions and still can be heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra, even today.  

He was born on 10th June 1922 into the lime light, and his first appearance was on the stage in his mothers arms. He use to famously say "I was such a hit, I retired in 1922 and made a comeback at seven". He grew up in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia and by the age of 10 he began to work in radio for ABC in 1932 and preformed child parts for about 8 years, making his first of many feature film appearances in 1934 as a blind child. Eventually the Second World War came and interrupted the his career.

After the war he moved to Britain and worked in variety shows and went to appear on BBC radio series Variety Bandbox. He was billed as s "the boy from Wagga-Wagga.", a place many of the British audience thought of as a comically surreal, end of the earth, magical place somewhere left of Narnia. During the time on the on the show he used the catch phase "I'm only here for four minutes." which became the trademark of his act.

In the fifties Bill Kerr became the Australian lodger in the hit radio show "Handcock's Half Hour"a show that is till being repeated today on BBC radio 4 Extra. Originally his character was brighter than Tony Handcok's, the shows star, but as the programme was developed he became dim-witted character who became the butt of Hancock's jokes. In all he made 102 episodes of the of the radio show, but never appear in the television version of the show because the writers, Galton and Simpson realised they would need a smaller cast for the television version of the show.

He wasn't just know to radio audiences during this time, he was also well known for his theatrical success appearing on the West End stage in both plays and musicals. In addition to this he worked on many films such as "The Dam Busters" in 1955 and "The Wrong Arm of the Law" in 1963. This and other work kept him in Britain until 1979 when he returned to his native Australia to settle in Perth where he concentrated on character roles and appeared in many films, plays and on television until he retired in 2006.

For me I will remember him in "Handcock's Half Hour" as a voice that became familiar to me as my love of radio grew as child, a format I still prefer to that of television. So influential where the shows that he made with Tony Handcock and Sid James that they were included in the underground radio stations of the BBC's Wartime Broadcasting Service (WTBS). A radio service designed to provide information and morale-boosting broadcasts for 100 days after a nuclear attack. 

I wish family, friends and his many fans all over the world many laughs in the future after the sadness of his pasting is no more. He left us countless hours of his work to enjoy for many years to come and for new generations to enjoy. 

Born of Hope

So you have twenty five thousand pounds and you want showcase your work and that of others, why not make a feature film and put it on line. That what it seems a group of people did when they made the film "Born of Hope" based on the work of J.R.Tolkin.

It is a great example of what you can do with next to nothing in this internet age. If you have a good idea, a good script and actors and you end up with something like this. I won't spoil the film by talking about the story line, but I will say it is worth watching. I really hope all those that took part in the filme do well, some of them unemployed actors and film makers. It is a great showcase for their work.

If you want to watch the film then it is avaliable on YouTube just follow this link. It is worth the time and effort if you are a fanatsy fan, but don't expect the effects to be as good as that of it's fifty plus million of it Peter Jackson conterparts but the musical score is lovely as is the direction and the acting. I can assure you, it is a lot better than a lot of simular type fantasy productions that come out of the US television industry costing a lot more that are shown over here.

Eric Sykes

It was sad to read about the passing of Eric Sykes at lunchtime. A great man who will be missed by many whose lives he has touched in some way. Thankfully like so many in the entertainment business we will always have the legacy of his works to make us smile.

Eric Sykes was probably one of Britain's best-loved comedy actors and writers and I think Stephen Fry summed up the man so well on Twitter when he described him as "An adorable, brilliant, modest, hilarious, innovative and irreplaceable comic master."

Over the years he has graced our both small and big screens. One of the most successful shows being Sykes which stared Eric with the cuddly Hattie Jacques as an unlikely pair of oddly sexless twins, leading gently whimsical lives in Sebastopol Terrace, East Acton. What made it a success was the venerability which he and his costar had in abundance, which allowed you to connect to the characters at an emotional level that made for a gentle sort of humour that became his trademark. 

However he was more than just one series wonder and his genius can be seen in the short silent film he made with the late Tom Copper called "The Plank". He never really retired and carried on working until his death despite various health and physical issues, and he even landed himself in a role in one of the Harry Potter films, "The Goblet of Fire". Thankfully he was work was recognised and over the years he won numerous awards, all of them well deserved.

Like so many I wish to send add my condolences to his family and friends at this sad time. The world has lost a very funny and talented man and I'm sure if it was possible we would thank him for all the laughs he gave us over the years.

Films and more FIlms

On of the things that I have been doing recently is watch films and I'm glad to say that has continued from last week in to this. It nice to just have a little time to sit down and lose yourself in a good story.

There is something good about sitting down and watching a film that is either entertaining or has a message for us all contained with the story and it writing. In the case of the later if you add this to some excellent acting you know you are going to be in for a treat. It is those films that have taken my interest this week so far, and probably will for the rest of the week too.

Lord of the Rings Fest

Next on the list of films to see in over the coming week or so is the Lord of the Rings trilogy that was such a hit with film goers and fans of the works of J.J.Tolkien. The films were made by the famous New Zealand film director Peter Jackson and adapted from the books by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Stephen Sinclair.

It has been ages since I sat down and watched all three films in there extened versions and to be honest I can't wait to start watching them. It is a wonderful story and the films although omitting some parts of the original books and slightly playing with the order of the story manage to do a fantastic job. For this one I'm bound to be joined by Emily who is a massive fan of the films and the books and who came blame her for liking a good story.

Harry Potter Fest

The house is quiet and it is time for some me time. They way I have decided to spend it is watching some films I love. The films in question are the Harry Potter movies I have on DVD and there is no better way to escape the real world than to drift into the dream world of a good fantasy film.

I just love losing myself in the stories and they are so well written that they are a joy to watch. I'm sure I will be joined by Emily and Catherine when they get back from their mums. They love them too. I'm really looking forward to just watching some films relaxing for however long it takes to get through them.

Inglourious Basterds

It has been a good week for film on television and another one was shown lasting. I sat down and watched Inglourious Basterds which was directed and written by Quentin Tarantunio and like most of his work I wasn't disappointed by the experience.

It is not a film for the faint hearted, set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, it tells the story of a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" that have been chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. 

Like most of Quentin Tarantino works it is a no holds barred assault on the senses. It makes no apologies and asks for no forgiveness in dealing with the subject matter of the film. Quentin Tarantino doesn't care if the audience are offended in fact that seems to be part of the point of the film, and that keeps you watching from start to finish. What is interesting that given the brutality of the film it is mixed with humour which makes it a emotional roller coaster of laughter and disgust. The end result is a brilliant film.

If you haven't seen it and you love Quentin Tarantunio's work then it is a must see. It grips you from start to finish and it makes reading subtitles a joy. Now it has been on film 4 it should be on again soon, so look out for it.

Cast Away

Last night I happened to notice that the film Cast Way was being shown on BBC 1 and I sat down to watch. Ir is a film that I first saw on the big screen when it was first released, and one that just amazed me at the time.

It is the story of a FedEx executive, played by Tom Hanks, who has to transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island. After setting up the background to the story the main character at the start of the film, Hank's character has deal with reality and frustrations of knowing that his chances of returning back to civilisation are virtually nil. After four years he has adapted to living on the island and surviving on his own. He learns to fish with spear, make fire, collect water, chart the sessions and weather, and even deal with his denial problems. All the time his hopes of getting off the island are kept alive by the photograph of his girlfriend. 

For me the interest in the story is twofold, I love the survival aspect of the film and the underlying love story. What makes it special, however, is the quality of the writing, the direction and the acting, especially by Tom Hanks. Hanks has a large part of the film all to himself with only a ball to keep him company and talk to. The whole film rests on his ability to keep the audiences interest and he does this with complete authority. You just don't want to take your eyes off the film in far of missing something important.

It is a wonderful film and Tom Hanks deserved more awards for the film than he actually got. It is a masterclass of film acting which was made easier by a wonderful story. If you haven't seen it, then do, it is one of those must see films that comes along every now and again.

Will Hay

No it isn't Monday and this is not the film of the week spot, but something to watch on a quiet Sunday while the house is empty and the girls are away to make me giggle. Many moons ago someone brought me a box set of films staring an actor known as Will Hay. The films date back to the mid nineteen thirties until just after the second world war and even today they are a treat to watch, which I guess has made it a present that has given me lots of pleasure.

Will Hay himself is rather an interesting character in there was more to him than being on the radio and staring in films. In fact he was one of the leading amateur astronomers of his time and back in nineteen thirty three discovered the white spot on Saturn shortly after becoming a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. But that was only one of his many sides, as he was one of the first private pilots in Britain and he gave lessons to the famous female pilot Amy Johnson. And finally before becoming an actor he was a translator speaking fluently in French, German, Latin, Italian, Norwegian and Afrikaans.

It is for his acting roles he is remembered for these days and the legacy he left us is his films. A whole string of comedies made as only the English knew how back then. He lead the way in a golden age playing a pompous and incompetent authority figures which inspired a generation that followed into the British cinema. Probably remembered by most for his role as a school master in films like "Boys will be Boys" he took on a number of other roles including a station master, fireman and police man. All the films are funny and bring a smile to the face if not a hearty laugh.

I'm really looking forward to watching a couple of them today and I will be starting with "Oh, Mr Porter" where he plays the role of a station master, the film I like the best. If you have never seen any of Will Hay's films then seek them out. They are still worth watching.

Forrest Gump

One of my favorite films is Forrest Gump, a film I didn't discover to well after it first appeared in the cinema but one I fell in love with when I watched it on the small screen. It also seems like an unlucky film as every time I get it on DVD it seems to disappear for one reason or another. I have had two copies of the film to date.

It is one of those feel good movies that leaves you full of hope and with a warm heart. The sort of film you should watch when you need your day or life brightening up. It is simply a film with magical properties and has a child like innocence that just makes it charming. It a film for an older family and one that they can all enjoy and just sink into. It way I want another copy of this film I love so much.

Natural Born Killers

Earlier in the week Film Four showed the 1994 Natural Born Killers. A film made by the director Oliver Stone. It is a story of two victims of traumatized childhoods that become lovers and who later turn into psychopathic serial murderers that are glorified by the media. It is based on a story by Quentin Tarantino the directory/writer of the film Pulp fiction which was released in the same year.

The film is not one for the children as it contains scenes of that can be described as shocking. In fact the original cut of the film was refused a rating in America which forced the director to edit the film, since many movie theatres simply refuse to show unrated films. In total around four minutes were cut from the original film before it was released and were later restored to Director's Cut of the film which was released on DVD.

It was described as "A bold new film that takes a look at a country seduced by fame, obsessed by crime and consumed by the media". Critically the film has received mixed reviews. Some of critics claim it never conveyed truth of the reality behind real life events despite the violence of the film while others loved it and went on to give it top ratings saying that the film was so interesting it can be watched again and again. Over the years the film has become a cult and loved by many while being loathed by others. It is the sort of film that gets that sort of reaction.

The orginal Quentin Tarantino screenplay was rewritten, while retaining the dialogue, but changing the focus of the story from the journalist to the murderous couple, thus making them the central theme of the film. Originally seen as an action film the events of the time changed the nature of the film and it became a satirical critique of the media in general and their involvement in news stories of the time. The director of the film saw the media as an body that marketed violence and suffering for the good of ratings, observing that they were heavily involved in the outcome of many of news stories they were reporting on.

The director shot the film in the style of a road film and said publicly that the film Bonnie and Clyde was a source of his inspiration. This can be seen in how the film is shot, for it takes idea of the multiple cameras shot from different angles at different speed used in the final scene for Bonnie and Clyde and uses it through out the film. In terms of the two works their are similarities as both sets of couples face the challenges of  society and the time they lived in although the outlook at the ending of each film is completely different, with one being pessimistic while the other is optimistic. Without giving the ending away, Stone said himself that "Natural Born Killers is ultimately a very optimistic film about the future. It's about freedom, and the ability of every human being able to get it."

I haven't seen the film in ages but after becoming  interested in the work Quentin Tarantino, after being introduced to his work some time ago, I'm really looking forward to seeing the film again. I recorded it to watch later because it was on so late at night. Although clearly not directed by Tarantino himself it does retain much of his original dialogue and for that reason it worth watching as it is to see how others direct his work.

Harry Portter - The Final Chapter

It all started in the movies at the end of 1997 when the film producer David Heyman received a copy of first book in what would become Rowling's series of seven Harry Potter novels. At first he dismissed the book because it's "rubbish title"until it was discovered by his secretary who gave him a positive review of the book. This was start the process that has lead to making of seven films that have grossed over six billion dollars and delighted audiences around the world. The final eighth film is due for release on 15th July.

I must say I have enjoyed the films to date and I know Emily is a massive fan of both the books and the films. There is sometime timeless about the story and you can watch the films again and again. The are really fun and exciting to watch, although I do wonder if changing constant changing of Directors of the series films was a good move. In fact I feel, like Lord of the Rings, it would have been better to film them one after another with little or few gaps all under the same directorship. Although this would have been a mammoth task Peter Jackson proved it could be done. I know Emily can't wait until it hits cinema and I can't wait until the day we can watch them all one after another.

Film - Sweeney Todd

The last of the film theme that continues the film theme of the Blog this week. Once again it is a film that makes excellent use of music, but not only that like yesterdays film it is directed by a great and film director that has his own distinct style of film making and direction the one and only Tim Burton.

The look and the fell of the film make it unique and once you combine this with an excellent sound track you have something that is truly original. It is both well acted and directed and really is the work of a team of incredibly talented individuals who made one of the best films of recent times. It that sort of film you can watch again and again and never really tire of. It is that good and I urge you all to watch it at least once and if you do I know many of you will be hooked on mastery of Tim Burton's works.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of this film any more, which is great shame because after writing this post I would love to see it.  I will have to look out for cheap copy or borrow a friends, and maybe onday I can sit down and watch it again and delight in it dark world.

Film - Moulin Rouge

Continuing the film that started with Artist of the Week I thought I would continue the theme in films with great scores or which make wonderful use of music. The first of two films I want to cover is Moulin Rouge.

This particular clip shows all the artistry and genius of the director Baz Luhrmann who combines the skill of film making and theatrical direction with such skill. He takes the vision, style and artistry of the theatre and combines that with freedom of film to create the most spectacular and memorable works. In the clip you have the narrative threads linked by a three songs, performed by different actors as they travel though their individual stories interlinking the main plot of the film. This is then punctuated by the dancing and the strong beat of the song making the whole piece a audio and visual feast. This type of scene is the hallmark of Baz Luhrmann.

I can't do more than highly recommend this film to you even if it isn't the sort of film you would watch normally. Forget the story line and just immerse  yourself in the visual and audio splendour that is Moulin Rouge and take yourself back in history to the hight of Fin de siècle Paris.

Finally there is something strange about this film. Ever copy I have brought or owed have either been taken or borrowed by other people. I don't what it is about but they all want to own it and for some reason they end up owning my copy. I think I will keep the current copy I have under lock and key.

Artist of the Week - James Horner

Something a bit more unusual than the normal Artist of the Week when I pick a Band or an solo Artist and someone that I admire for there talent as a composer of film music. This weeks Artist of the week is the composer James Horner.

I came across his music really because of the film Breaveheart although I must have heard his music in other films many times over. Many might know of him from the films Titanic, A Beautiful Mind or even from Star Trek. The number of scores he has written for films is countless. In the days before mp3 people would put on the internet midi files of his music which people could download and play through the computer or playback through keyboards. Midi files were the data light versions of the mp3's of today. All the same there is something hunting and memorable about the music he composes and I have picked three tracks here that I feel reflect that, but these are just three of many.

James Horner was born in America in 1953 and he is a composer, orchestrator and conductor of orchestral and film music. He is noted for the integration of choral and electronic elements as you will here from the examples of his music in this post. He has now been working for over three decades and has scored over 100 films, with his score for 1997 film Titanic being the best selling orchestral film soundtrack of all time. He has received two Academy awards, and a total of 10 Oscar nominations and in addition to this he has won numerous other awards, including the Golden Globe Award and the Grammy Award. He started playing piano at the age of five and early years were spent in London, where he attended the Royal College of Music, before moving back to the America to continue his studies. Eventually he broke in to the film music business with the score of the 1979 film, The Lady in Red and within three years he was starting to compose music for major Hollywood releases. He has never faltered in the last 30 years producing one impressive score after another. He has to be one of the great film music composers of modern times.

This is not the sort of music I might listen to in a car, especially during the day but I do have many varied musical tastes and about the only music I don't like is opera and some songs from the past that get over played on the radio occasionally, mainly on stations like BBC Radio Two. Although I won't have it playing on the CD on the way to work, I do have a lot of work to do this week and I can see myself dipping into some of his music as I do all the preparation for the course I will be doing this half term. I hope you enjoy the change and it's back to normal next week.

Old Films

With the hustle and bushel of everyday life in this materialistic world we have created for ourselves their is something nice in being able to sit back and enjoy times gone by. Even times we don't remember that might have been the times of our grandfathers. It shows how far we have come, some times for the good and sometimes for the bad.

This weekend while the children were all fast asleep I lost myself in the world of the past for a few hours and sat down and watched some old Laurel and Hardy films I have had for quite a while. It was pure escapism to get away from modern life and enter a would where clowning formed the bias of comedy. It something I highly recommend people of all ages. This type of comedy is timeless and makes such a change from the modern comedy I love.

The Deathly Hallows

This month see the long awaited release of the first part of the final Harry Potter film "The Deathly Hallows". Emily in particular has been waiting for ages for the film to be released after reading all the books several times over since she was introduced to them.

I just hope it is as good as the third film which was clearly the best they have made to date. That film seemed to capture the darkness in the books better than any of the other films to date. If that can be repeated then we are all in for a fantastic film. Finally going by the length of time between the filming and the release it looks like they haven't fallen into the same trap as the final film of the Lord of the Rings which in places seemed rushed in the editing stage which spoilt the film a bit for me.