Now Screening - What Are You Watching Right Now?

[struth]

The Black Windmill, 1974..




The windmills seen in the film are "The Clayton Windmills". Wikipedia states that they are "known locally as Jack and Jill, (and) stand on the South Downs above the village of Clayton, West Sussex, England. They comprise a post mill and a tower mill, and the roundhouse of a former post mill. All three are "Grade II listed buildings."

The machine guns used by Major John Tarrant (Sir Michael Caine) and McKee (John Vernon) at the end are Ingram MAC-10s, probably 9mm. The guns were known for their high rate of fire, making them popular for movie work in the early 1970s.

In one scene, Cedric Harper (Donald Pleasence) declines the offer of an alcoholic drink, saying he doesn't enjoy it. In real life, Donald Pleasence was consuming more than his fair share of alcohol, according to his stepdaughter.

[Barry]

Not a bad film.

[Pigmy Pony]

Showing on Sky Documentaries


Covering the late 60s/early 70s in this small part of Hollywood and the many musicians who lived there. Covers Woodstock, Altamont, features stories of Cass Elliot, Roger McGuinn, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Jackson Browne, The Byrds, Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, Charles Manson(!) to name a few. Watching this was 3 hours well spent.

[struth]

Witness for the Prosecution, 1957





Charles Laughton, who could be moody and difficult, was apparently a dream to work with, throwing himself into the role with dedication and delight. Billy Wilder later recalled a day that was set aside just for shooting reaction shots of the jury and courtroom crowd (composed of extras hired only for the day). Normally, the assistant director would read the actors' lines, and the extras would react. However, Laughton, who was fascinated with the whole process of filmmaking, begged to help. So he came in on his day off and read all of the off-camera speeches for the jury members. He not only read his part but also the judge's, the prosecutor's, and even Marlene Dietrich's. According to biographer Maurice Zolotow in his book "Billy Wilder in Hollywood", "it was an exhibition of craftsmanship such as Wilder had never seen. He believes that Charles Laughton had the greatest technical range and power of any actor, man or woman, whom he has known."

When the film was released, Agatha Christie said it was the only movie she liked based on one of her stories. Later, after Murder on the Orient Express (1974) was filmed, she said she liked that one too.

Harry Kurnitz found Billy Wilder an exhausting collaborator. He once described the director at work as "actually two people - Mr. Hyde and Mr. Hyde". He never worked with Billy Wilder again after this film and explained why in 1964, saying the typical Wilder collaborators "have a hunted look, shuffle nervously, and have been known to break into tears if a door slams anywhere in the same building. ... (Wilder) is a fiend at work."

[Barry]

Don't Look Now



Nicolas Roeg's chilling film, based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier, follows a married couple as they attempt to recover from the death of their young daughter. John Baxter (Donald Sutherland) and his wife, Laura (Julie Christie), are staying in Venice in an attempt to find relief after the drowning of their daughter, Christine (Sharon Williams), in a tragic accident. However, the city appears to have an unfortunate effect upon the grieving John, who begins seeing a red-coated figure who resembles the dead child flitting around the local canals. The couple also happen across a pair of sisters who claim to have had visions of their daughter. According to the sisters, the child has been trying to contact John in an attempt to warn him that something terrible is about to happen...

[struth]

Don't Look Now



Nicolas Roeg's chilling film, based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier, follows a married couple as they attempt to recover from the death of their young daughter. John Baxter (Donald Sutherland) and his wife, Laura (Julie Christie), are staying in Venice in an attempt to find relief after the drowning of their daughter, Christine (Sharon Williams), in a tragic accident. However, the city appears to have an unfortunate effect upon the grieving John, who begins seeing a red-coated figure who resembles the dead child flitting around the local canals. The couple also happen across a pair of sisters who claim to have had visions of their daughter. According to the sisters, the child has been trying to contact John in an attempt to warn him that something terrible is about to happen...

a film i never could get much enjoyment from. good story and acting so it must be that i dont like this type of film much

[Macca]

'The Six Million Dollar Man'

First ever episode - it's a two-part episode starting with his days as an astronaut and his moon shots. Ep 1 ends with him crashing an experimental rocket plane and losing his legs, arm and eye.

I'm only half way through part two. My god it's slow. It takes padding to a whole new level.

I don't know how they got away with it, even back in the 1970s.

[Barry]

a film i never could get much enjoyment from. good story and acting so it must be that i dont like this type of film much

I can understand that - it's not a feel good film in any way

Another film that is well acted and directed is 'The Shining', yet like 'Don't Look Now ', is not a fun film; and the plot is even more complicated and enigmatic - especially the final minute of the film.

[struth]

I can understand that - it's not a feel good film in any way

Another film that is well acted and directed is 'The Shining', yet like 'Don't Look Now ', is not a fun film; and the plot is even more complicated and enigmatic - especially the final minute of the film.

another i dont like

[Macca]

another i dont like

'The Shining' was a film I was disappointed with originally, but it is a lot more interesting when watched with 'The Wendy Theory' in mind:

https://nofilmschool.com/Wendy-theory