Goodfellas (1990)

Posted on December 4, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #123
Martin Scorsese | 139 mins | DVD | 18 / R

These days perhaps even more praised than Taxi Driver, Goodfellas tells the true story of Henry Hill’s 25-year career as a gangster.

It’s certainly a notable achievement on virtually every level, which are too numerous to list here. The use of popular music struck me especially though, creating a sense of time (and never too obviously) while also complementing the visuals in its own right.

In the lead role, Ray Liotta seems to have been underrated, lost behind the top billing of De Niro and the award-winning craziness of Joe Pesci. He carries the film, with a performance that isn’t showy but is perfectly pitched.

I didn’t fall in love with the film as so many seem to have, but I also don’t think there’s really any denying its worthiness for full marks.

A new, restored Blu-ray of Goodfellas is released in the UK today, 25th May 2015.

The King of Comedy (1983)

Posted on December 4, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #121
Martin Scorsese | 104 mins | TV | PG / PG

Underrated black comedy from the prolific partnership of director Scorsese and star De Niro.

De Niro gives an excellent performance as an obsessive wannabe comedian, stalking the host of a popular talk show in his desperation for a guest spot. The depth of his delusion is both hilariously funny and deeply unsettling; subtly woven between the laughs is the impression that this sort of behaviour must be all-too-real among those over-obsessed with celebrity culture. Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard are also worthy of note in their supporting roles.

Rarely mentioned when it comes to discussions of Scorsese’s work, I think it’s the best film I’ve seen from him. (This closing comment is subject to the fact that I’ve only seen The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York and Bringing Out the Dead, a list clearly missing most of his highly-praised work.)

Citizen Kane (1941)

Posted on September 9, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #100
1941 | Orson Welles | 114 mins | DVD | U / PG

As of 1st August 2012, Citizen Kane is no longer the greatest film of all time. Here are some brief, aimless thoughts I had about it when I saw it for the first time, almost exactly five years ago…

Yes, that’s right: I’m a film buff and I’ve never seen Citizen Kane. I think this is a good occasion to have saved it for though. But I digress — what of the film itself; the film often voted Best Ever in countless polls?

Certainly, a lot of its fame rests on its innovations — the frequently ambitious camera work, the non-linear narrative, the multiple perspectives, the ‘trick’ beginnings, the dramatic lighting, the expansive sets… Not all of these are truly new (European art cinema and silent movies generally got to some first), but Welles can be credited for bringing some of it to the Hollywood mainstream; and even then, there’s enough truly new to justify the praise. A lot of it may be commonplace now, or at least widely imitated, but viewed in light of the limitations of the time it is frequently breathtaking.

It isn’t just technically marvellous though: the story is moderately complex, telling and re-telling itself from various perspectives, framing recollections of Kane’s life within a ‘present day’ quest to find the meaning behind his final words. The jumps demand the viewer’s attention even today, the full story slowly coming together… even though it’s almost all given to you in a 10-minute fake newsreel at the start! Welles’ performance is exceptional, depicting Kane as he grows from a young reckless newspaper editor into an aged recluse. He’s aided by effective make-up (looking remarkably like Welles himself would later in life), but it’s his performance from under it that shows the real differences.

There’s a lot more to be said about Kane (much of it already has, of course), and you don’t need me to tell you that if you’re a film fan this is required viewing. But even if you’re a ‘Normal Person’ I’d recommend it — I can’t guarantee you’ll like it, but you might well be surprised.

Citizen Kane placed 7th on my list of The Ten Best Films I Saw For the First Time in 2007, which can be read in full here.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

Posted on August 23, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #93a
Victor Fleming | 224 mins | DVD | PG / G

I thought I’d seen Gone With the Wind but, watching it again, it’s clear I hadn’t properly.

This is partly because I first saw it on TV, in two halves, a week apart, each starting at 1am. I just about managed to follow the story, in between drifting off for whole chunks. Another reason is the quality of the restored print on the DVD: it looks stunning, every frame is beautiful; it’s a shame no films look like this today.

The performances are uniformly excellent, especially (of course) Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable; though special mention must be made of the fantastic Oscar-winning Hattie McDaniel as Mammy (the first African-American to be nominated for and win an Oscar, and deservedly so). The direction is brilliant, displaying styles you think weren’t invented for another 20 years; all of the design work is gorgeous; and the story is epic and expertly told, moving across genres (romance, war, melodrama, comedy) with ease.

It’s easy to see why this is the most popular film ever made. First time round I just thought it was very good; now it’s firmly one of my favourites.

Educating Rita (1983)

Posted on August 6, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #77
Lewis Gilbert | 106 mins | TV | 15 / PG

Julie Walters makes her big screen debut opposite Michael Caine in this British comedy drama about a 26-year-old University student and her disenchanted drink-sodden tutor, adapted by Willy Russell from his own play and directed by the man behind Alfie and three Bond films.

For a comedy drama (which usually fail to do either successfully) it’s genuinely very funny, but maintains an appropriate weight in the dramatic moments. The script is full of great lines, beautifully delivered by the two leads; Walters is especially excellent.

If you haven’t seen it it might not be what you expect, but that’s no bad thing. Recommended.

Brief Encounter (1945)

Posted on August 6, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #76
David Lean | 83 mins | DVD | PG

Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard star in the classic romantic drama from highly acclaimed writer Noel Coward and highly acclaimed director David Lean.

The central character’s relationship is, famously, a very British affair — all awkwardly repressed emotions, discussion of the weather, fear of society’s opinions, stolen passionate kisses, guilt, indecision, true love and endless cups of tea. The witty screenplay, direction, and lead and supporting performances are all excellent.

Undoubtedly and deservedly a true British classic.

Brief Encounter is on Film4 tomorrow, Friday 31st October 2014, at 5:20pm.

It placed 6th on my list of The Ten Best Films I Saw For the First Time in 2007, which can be read in full here.

Mean Creek (2004)

Posted on July 30, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #69
Jacob Aaron Estes | 86 mins | DVD | 15 / R

A group of teenagers concoct a plan for revenge on a bully in this drama from first-time writer/director Estes. Whilst the premise might sound straightforward and liable to be morally simplistic, the writing, acting and direction combine to make a film that is complex, tense, tragic and ultimately believable.

Some might argue it loses its way a little towards the end, almost struggling to find a suitable conclusion, but it doesn’t do so enough to make it anything less than an excellent film.

Highly recommended.

Mean Creek placed 3rd on my list of The Ten Best Films I Saw For the First Time in 2007, which can be read in full here.

Heat (1995)

Posted on July 30, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #68
Michael Mann | 164 mins | DVD | 15 / R

Heat will probably always be best remembered for two things: the excellent running shoot out on the streets of L.A., and De Niro and Pacino on screen together for the first (and, so far, last) time.

There’s a lot more to it than that, of course: ostensibly a cops-and-robbers crime drama, the film follows the personal lives of each side as well as the usual professional actions. The cop-with-failed-marriage / criminal-with-successful-relationship juxtaposition may already feel clichéd, but it works well enough here, and is well executed without distracting from the meat of the plot — which is, still, the crime and justice.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Posted on July 4, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #60
Robert Benton | 100 mins | TV | PG

The acting is what shines in this multiple-Oscar-winning custody drama. Troubled wife Meryl Streep leaves husband Dustin Hoffman within the first five or so minutes (today she probably wouldn’t leave ’til the end of the first act) and suddenly busy, work-driven daddy has to look after their young son all on his lonesome.

I personally didn’t find the later courtroom scenes quite as edge-of-your-seat intense as some have, but you can’t fault the abilities of the actors. Perhaps particularly noteworthy is the kid, played by Justin Henry, though clearly it wasn’t good enough to launch a decent career for him.

Chinatown (1974)

Posted on June 11, 2007 by badblokebob

2007 #55
Roman Polanski | 131 mins | download | 15 / R

Polanski’s post-noir thriller follows J.J. Gittes, a private eye who begins investigating another cheating husband case but ends up drawn into a conspiracy that he can’t hope to beat.

It’s often held up as an example of a perfectly structured screenplay, and the carefully considered reveal of character and plot throughout makes it easy to see why. It’s also packed with imagery and subtext for those who want it, but if that’s not your thing it still makes for a darn good thriller with a few neat twists.

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