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This was today's episode -Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
The Battle-Ax And The Exploding Cigar [513] Miss Hollroy, City Federal. Your lost check still hasn't arrived. It's impossible for us to lose checks, so unless we receive full payment by noon today we'll foreclose.
Cool car as well. Pontiac Firebird. Cool, but not over the top like Magnum's Ferrari. A classy show and they never did a bad one.
This from IMDb -
Jim Rockford's license plate number, 853-OKG, was created by his agent, Meta Rosenberg (who was a producer and sometime director of the series), at the start of the show and stands for August, 1953, when Garner got his first acting job, and OKG which stands for Oklahoma, his home state, and his own last name, Garner, thereby making "August 1953 Oklahoma Garner" the full meaning of the Firebird license plate.
Tonight it's Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) starring Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon and Teri Garr. This $18 mil sifi classic has earned well over $300mil for Columbia and won Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond an Oscar and Frank E. Warner a special achievement award for sound effects editing.
There are a number of Spielberg in joke cuts in this film, including his dog appearing again as it did in Jaws, R2D2 is in there as is the shark. The Jaws theme can be heard when the mother ship is communicating with the base at the end of the movie, right before the release of the human prisoners. The list goes n.
Interestingly, the synthesizer technician/performer was the actual engineer sent by ARP Instruments to install the synthesizer equipment (ARP 2500) on the set. Steven Spielberg watched his expert playing of the equipment and immediately cast him for the role. The name of the ARP engineer is Philip Dodds and he is actually mentioned in the credits. The John Williams score was created before the film was edited. Steven Spielberg edited the film to match the music, a reverse of what is usually done in film scoring. Both Spielberg and Williams felt that it ultimately gave the film a lyrical feel.
.... I don't think we could have asked for a more beautiful evening, do you? Okay, watch the skies please...:eyebrows:
Tonight I am going to watch the 1948 Film Noir "The Naked City" which has just been released on Bluray today. William Daniels deservedly won an Oscar for cinematography, as did Paul Weatherwax for film editing. Directed by Julius Dassin and starring Barry Fitzgerald as Detective Lt. Dan Muldoon and Frank Conroy as Captain Donahue.
Most of the street scenes were shot on location in New York without the public's knowledge. Photographer William H. Daniels and his uncredited assistant Roy Tripp filmed people on the streets using a hidden camera from the back of an old moving van. Occasionally, a fake newsstand with a hidden camera inside was also set up on the sidewalk to secretly film the actors. Director Jules Dassin hired a juggler to distract the crowds, and also hired a man to occasionally climb up on a light post and give a patriotic speech, while waving an American flag to get the crowd's attention.
Producer Mark Hellinger, who narrates the movie, died of a heart attack before the film was released into theatres. Following Hellinger's death, executives at Universal Studios were ready to scrap the movie. They had no idea how to market it, and feared it would be a box office failure. But Hellinger's family reminded the studio that Hellinger's contract for the film included a "guarantee of release" clause from Universal. Having no choice, Universal released the film in theatres, and were surprised when it became a hit, and received two Oscars.
Based on real events, the film was the inspiration for a half-hour television series, also called Naked City, which used the film's famous concluding line. The series ran for a single season in 1958 to 1959, earning an Emmy Award nomination as Best Drama. It was resurrected in the fall of 1959 as an hour-long drama, which ran from 1959 to 1963.
The basic plot of the film was the basis of a case players can solve in the video game, L.A. Noire, released on May 17, 2011 by Rockstar Games. In the game, the story is moved to 1940's Los Angeles.
good film, and well restored. now watching the extras.
Witchfinder General on BBC2, Vincent Price at his best
Just watched: Dad's Army, The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Knowing me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, Yes Minister (2 episodes), Nazi Megastructures (giant tanks this time) and Classic Albums: Black Sabbath Paranoid.
Not a bad evenings viewing and all pre-taped so no adverts :)
Horrible movie, if even a smidge of truth in it what a truly vile individual.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy S
Don't recall seeing it although probably have.
"Witchfinder General on BBC2, Vincent Price at his best
Horrible movie, if even a smidge of truth in it what a truly vile individual."
.....Been watching some "Porridge" with Ronnie Barker....still as good today as it ever was.
Tonight its "Murder My Sweet", which was released originally here as "Farewell My Lovely". Made in 1944 by Edward Dmytryk who later gave us the Caine Mutiny, The Carpetbaggers and Shalako, and starring Dick Powell and Claire Trevor. The film is based on Raymond Chandler's 1940 novel Farewell, My Lovely. A second film adaptation of the novel was made in 1975 and released under Chandler's title.
Dick Powell was previously known (1930s and early 1940s) for light comedies and musicals, so the casting of him as Chandler's hard-boiled private detective anti hero was a surprise to audiences. The studio executives changed the title from Farewell, My Lovely because they believed audiences would think the film was a musical. Powell's performance is much debated by fans of Chandler and film noir; some think it too light and comic; others consider it the best interpretation of Philip Marlowe on film.
Some great Chandler lines here like "I caught the blackjack right behind my ear. A black pool opened up at my feet. I dived in. It had no bottom. I felt pretty good - like an amputated leg", and "Okay Marlowe, I said to myself. You're a tough guy. You've been sapped twice, choked, beaten silly with a gun, shot in the arm until you're crazy as a couple of waltzing mice. Now let's see you do something really tough - like putting your pants on."
Powell, the light Musical star engineered himself into the role, and Director Dymtryk was less than happy about it, but I have to say Dickie Boy did real good.;)
Top class Movie that.
....now got on the first disc of Prof Aubrey Manning's Earth Story.
Bought the alien anthology blu ray box. The first movie had sound issues as in the sound went totally for 10 seconds or so. The second film did the same but more often. Totally ruined my enjoyment so much I put it off after an hour. Anyone got this 2010 release have any issues?
Have the anthology but not the bluray version..It might be a problem with the firmware on your machine; may be worth seeing if there is an update John.
Currently still watching the wonderful documentary "Earth Story". One of the BBC's best imo and always informative as often as Ive watched it I always get a little more out of re-watching it. Aubrey Manning is very good at helping you get to the crux.
Walking Dead 'on demand', it's grabbed my attention :)
Blackadder series 3............MACBETH!!!!:eyebrows:
Ended up watching all of season one, toddled off to bed at 5:30. Daren't put season two on tonight, got an early start tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy S
Just put the first 3 seasons on my watch list with Prime
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy S View Post
Walking Dead 'on demand', it's grabbed my attention
Ended up watching all of season one, toddled off to bed at 5:30. Daren't put season two on tonight, got an early start tomorrow.
I'm working my way through the Sons Of Anarchy box set on Netflix, as an ex biker this series is right up my street. Season 3's finale is epic :)
Just finished watching Batman Begins. Great fun!
Currently, A Matter Of Life And Death with David Niven
Good film that. Kim Hunter was a very attractive lass.
Think I'll watch some Dwarf now.:eyebrows:
Another excellent Powell/Pressberger film. Their depiction of Heaven is very believable, and created long before CGI!Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
watching an excellent program on the Vimy Ridge assault by the Royal Canadian Corps
was a toss up between shaving ryan's ******** and a comedy, so decided on a Jimmy Cagney film :lol: ......and a comedy taboot. "One Two Three (1961) Starring Cagney and Horst Buchholz (one of the mighty 7). Directed by the one and only Billy Wilder, and shot in Berlin, and in the end Munich as the Ruskies put a wall up during the filming.:doh:
Cagney really hated Horst, and said "I got riled at S.Z. Sakall," he once said, "in Yankee Doodle Dandy for trying to steal a scene, but he was an incorrigible old ham who was quietly and respectfully put in his place by Michael Curtiz. No harm in the old boy. But this Horst Buchholz character I truly loathed. Had he kept on with his little scene-stealing didoes, I would have been forced to knock him on his ass, which I would have very much enjoyed doing."
We knew that we were going to have a comedy, we [were] not going to be waiting for the laughs. But we had to go with Cagney, because Cagney was the whole picture. He really had the rhythm, and that was very good. It was not funny. But just the speed was funny...The general idea was, let's make the fastest picture in the world...And yeah, we did not wait, for once, for the big laughs. ”
—From Conversations with Wilder (1999).
I love this film, and Cagney who was very underrated. he could do everything, and was as tough as nails too.
The whole scene stealing thing is interesting. I read that Meryl Streep would always find something to do with her hands in a scene where she did not have much dialogue. Peeling an orange, for example.
in her pocket I hope........Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
now watching Blackadder's christmas carol
:lol:Quote:
Mrs Scratchett, tiny Tom is 15 stone and built like a brick privvy
Watched 'Back & forth' yesterday where Baldrick's pants were responsible for the demise of the DinosaursQuote:
Originally Posted by struth
Thats next up :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Roy S
due to the the anniversary i'm watching goes forth....i'm sure the fallen would have approved
American Gangster. With Denzil W. I know I have seen this before but I can't recall any of it. Having said that it does jump around a lot and you need to pay attention to what is going on or you lose the plot. Don't know about anyone else but I get a bit irritated if a film is made in such a manner that I can't follow what is happening without really concentrating. None of the great films of all time are like that.
Agreed....Ive seen it and it irritated me too....Too much phaffing about
watching the 2002 version of the hound of the baskervilles on the drama channel. Richard Roxburgh and Richard E Grant star.
I dunno. 'The Big Sleep' is incomprehensible in plot terms because the studio insisted that the ending be changed. Still a great film though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
It is great and I have watched it too many times. The book is a top read as well. As for the convoluted plot even with the original story Chandler confessed even he did not really know who murdered the chauffer.
BBC FourHD - NOW - The Day After Tomorrow ..... into Infinity.
A rare chance to see this only shown once (when originally transmitted) Gerry Anderson pilot for a show that was never commissioned. The light ship Altares sets out to explore the mysteries of the universe.
This show was science heavy and very much a vehicle to present science in a fiction context. Very much the same look and vibe as Space 1999, with actors from that show. Brian Blessed, Joanna Dunham and Nick Tate.
Can't believe this is on, as I have long wanted to see it again.
More here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day...w_(TV_special)
Regards Neil
missed half of it but watching now.....never seen it
I missed the first 5 minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by struth
Very enjoyable but a bit light as it was aimed at a young audience. I recall it being shown in an early evening slot. Can't believe it was 1975.
Regards Neil
Series could have been the British 'Lost in Space' (without the dodgy robot & pantomime villain)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L
Indeed but Gerry decided not to run with it. Nice of the BBC to show it again as up till now it was only available to buy direct from Gerry Anderson's fan club and one had to be a member to get to buy it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy S
Regards Neil
I've never seen Brian Blessed that reserved.
Think I missed too much to have much of an opinion, but what I saw never floated my boat.
stayed on Beeb 4 and am watching and enjoying the heart of country... how nashville became music city usa.
Tonights Movie will be Chris Gerolmo's 1995 film version of Robert Cullen's The Killer Department. CITIZEN X, Starring Stephen Rea, Donald Sutherland, Joss Ackland and Max Von Sydow, and filmed in Hungary, focusses on the chase for a serial killer in Russia during the communist era. Made by HBO for Cable TV this is still one powerful film and proved that serial killings are nothing to do with decadence and capitalism .... Donald Sutherland won a couple of awards I believe playing the boss of the investigator (Rea).
'The Station Agent' is now on Film4. Not been on long. Marvellous, understated US drama. One of my favourites!!
Now got Pimpernel Smith on, with Leslie Howard
Tonight is gonna be Gangster night so am going to find "Things to do in Denver when your dead" (1995) directed by Gary Fleder (recently did Homefront) and stars Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Lloyd and Treat Williams.
Andy Garcia plays Jimmy the Saint (a name that comes from a Springsteen song) who's debt gets picked up by the extremely evil Walken. Walken really does ooze nastiness allows Jimmy to live but sentences his "crew" to "Buckwheats" IE shot up the ass type execution.(Very Nasty that is):eyebrows: Buscemi is the man for that job:lol:
The film was a bit of a disaster at the box office returning only 5% of its outlay, but I like it. Sometimes the flops are some of the best.
As Jimmy says, "Are you in love? Because if you are, then I won't waste your time anymore :eek: ...constantly, coz he was.
Off to see Interstellar tonight...3 hours long, got the nappy ready. :)
I expect a write up Gaz