Now Screening - What Are You Watching Right Now?

[Macca]

I don't get this thing about not watching black and white films. All of Bogart's best films are in black and white. And Cagney's. 'The Hill' is in B&W even though it was made well into the colour era. Then you've got 'Raging Bull', 'I Was a Fugitive From A Chain Gang', 'Scarface', 'Seven Samurai', 'Throne Of Blood'...it's a long list.

You're going to deny yourself the pleasure of those films which are all way better than the tat made today just because of the lack of colour? That's daft. After a bit you forget that there's no colour anyway.

[Marco]

Yeah I know where you're coming from, and you're right. Don't get me wrong, I'd still watch those old films (and indeed have done in the past) and enjoy them, if I was forced to but these days that's not what really floats my boat.

It's a bit like playing a great piece of music, which has been recorded badly, through a revealing hi-fi system... Yes, the music's still great, but the overall listening experience is rather disappointing. That's how I feel with watching old movies on a modern home-cinema system.

Do you see what I mean?

Marco.

[Macca]

I do but I still don't get it. Would I not listen to Sam and Dave just because they don't have a slick modern production? I don't think so! I just accept that aspect of it for what it is.

You'll get bored with the multi channel sound and all that business eventually, everyone does.

[Marco]

Who knows, but I suspect not, as there's more than enough suitable material to keep me occupied for the foreseeable future, especially as I don't watch films that often.

In any case, I didn't say that I wouldn't ever watch classic old films and not enjoy them, just that they aren't my 'go to' genre... Perhaps to appreciate them properly, what I need to do is set up a new system with an old CRT television and VCR, find the films in question on VHS tape, and enjoy them all in glorious mono!

Marco.

[Macca]

I still have all the equipment and the videotapes to do that! Sony Trinitron monitor too, none of yer rubbish.

[walpurgis]

Lol, I like the sound of that, too! I need plenty of ACTION in a film, to hold my interest [shootings, crazy car chases, BIG explosions, special effects and shit], and lots of stuff happening, preferably some downright nastiness and violence...

Best I don't recommend 'Waiting For Godot' then.

[Marco]

I still have all the equipment and the videotapes to do that! Sony Trinitron monitor too, none of yer rubbish.

Now *that* would be cool, your gaff being 70s retro and all that... Just DO it, dude

Marco.

[Marco]

Best I don't recommend 'Waiting For Godot' then.

Never heard of it.

Is that some evil shit, then? Or do you mean a pretentious bore fest that purports to be 'arty' or intellectual, for film snobs with no lives?

Marco.

[walpurgis]

Never heard of it.

Is that some evil shit, then? Or do you mean a pretentious bore fest that purports to be 'arty' or intellectual, for movie snobs with no lives?

Marco.

The latter I think.

[Marco]

Tristan has watched it many times with his friends who read The Guardian, and marvels at its high-brow complexity...



Marco.