Over the course of last year whilst I was indoctrinating George into the ways of Buffy (an experience he is unlikely to get over), I was simultaneously being drip-fed The X-Files. So imagine my delight when I found that box-sets of videos were being made available through The Works (remainder bookstore chain) as just £9.99 GBP each... I got S5-7 cos they aren't out on the cheaper DVD sets for ages yet. I got S1 on the cheaper DVD sets... and over Christmas I found the video box sets were now just £4.99
...so I got S2 and S8.
Now I just need to get S3 and S4 on DVD and I will be a happy bunny.
Yes, I know, there were NINE seasons of The X-Files, but Season 9 only has some highlight stand-out episodes and as I have G's old taped-off-the-TV tapes that will do for me. Season 8 has the fantastic episodes where Billy Miles comes back and those have GOT to be worth a season of interest ...we'll just gloss over Moronica [TM TelevisionWithoutPity] though if you don't mind...
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Ultimate films - more of the listing!
Yes folks, as we make our gradual way through the mire of new releases, it can be fun to look back on what has previously captured the public imagination...
Seen
69 Live And Let Die 1973 - Hmm, the Roger Moore Bond films. Fab theme tune though, and what's not to love about that funeral sequence at the start!
68 Saturday Night Fever 1978 - At the time this came out I recall many many people from school bunking in to see it... because what is often forgotten by those who just knew the soundtrack is that it was an adult film (X? AA? these were pre-"18" days) with class consciousness, gang violence and some rather dodgy sexual politics.
67 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 1980 - The absolute best of the Star Wars trilogy (I spit on the offenses that are the recent releases). Dark and bleak, I cried when Han Solo was frozen. Pleaded with my dad to let me skip homework to be able to go to the afternoon showing straight after school!
66 One Hundred And One Dalmatians 1961 - Disney! Dogs! Nasty villainess! Hopeless hencemen! The Windmill!
62 I'm All Right Jack 1959 - Not half as funny now that the unions are all but decimated by successive governments, but nevertheless an amusing period period with some hilarious work by the British actors of its day
61 Moonraker 1979 - It's a Bond film; of course we've all blooming well seen it!
60 High Society 1956 - One of the few remakes to really work, this musical interpretation of The Philadelphia Story remains a treat. Okay, so neither Bing Crosby nor even Frank are any match for Cary Grant and James Stewart, but the songs are fun, Grace K is a dream and Celeste Holm, as always, is fantastic.
Not sure
64 Lost Horizon 1937 - One of the films I know a lot about but not sure if I have seen it or not!
63 49th Parallel 1941 - I think this was another of my Sunday afternoon films, but my memory is too hazy to even try and claim this as a definate!
Unseen
65 Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones 2002 - waste of celluloid...
Seen
69 Live And Let Die 1973 - Hmm, the Roger Moore Bond films. Fab theme tune though, and what's not to love about that funeral sequence at the start!
68 Saturday Night Fever 1978 - At the time this came out I recall many many people from school bunking in to see it... because what is often forgotten by those who just knew the soundtrack is that it was an adult film (X? AA? these were pre-"18" days) with class consciousness, gang violence and some rather dodgy sexual politics.
67 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 1980 - The absolute best of the Star Wars trilogy (I spit on the offenses that are the recent releases). Dark and bleak, I cried when Han Solo was frozen. Pleaded with my dad to let me skip homework to be able to go to the afternoon showing straight after school!
66 One Hundred And One Dalmatians 1961 - Disney! Dogs! Nasty villainess! Hopeless hencemen! The Windmill!
62 I'm All Right Jack 1959 - Not half as funny now that the unions are all but decimated by successive governments, but nevertheless an amusing period period with some hilarious work by the British actors of its day
61 Moonraker 1979 - It's a Bond film; of course we've all blooming well seen it!
60 High Society 1956 - One of the few remakes to really work, this musical interpretation of The Philadelphia Story remains a treat. Okay, so neither Bing Crosby nor even Frank are any match for Cary Grant and James Stewart, but the songs are fun, Grace K is a dream and Celeste Holm, as always, is fantastic.
Not sure
64 Lost Horizon 1937 - One of the films I know a lot about but not sure if I have seen it or not!
63 49th Parallel 1941 - I think this was another of my Sunday afternoon films, but my memory is too hazy to even try and claim this as a definate!
Unseen
65 Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones 2002 - waste of celluloid...
Transformation Willow
Ah bless my beloved friend Christine - she may have had terrible problems with the ordering process but bless her heart for getting me a Willow figurine for my Christmas present. I now have atop the television a suitably dark-eyed, red-haired Willow in her pentagram with her books.
Of course, a certain someone I know had his eye on a Dark Willow (ah, the veiny one!) but the forces of darkness in Aberdeen appear to have run out (that would be Forbidden Planet). Having sat and watched the end of season 6 with him in December (again), I cannot possibly think why he was so keen to have one...!
Of course, a certain someone I know had his eye on a Dark Willow (ah, the veiny one!) but the forces of darkness in Aberdeen appear to have run out (that would be Forbidden Planet). Having sat and watched the end of season 6 with him in December (again), I cannot possibly think why he was so keen to have one...!
Back to blogging!
Hi there folks and welcome to a new year of blogness. Yes, yes, I know I started the year badly with a complete failure to post, but give me a break huh?!
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Ultimate films - yes I AM that stubborn!
Seen!
I cannot believe this - though my memory is hazy on some I know have seen all these films! and many are real treats. Okay, this was described/warned as being the cheesy fest or sentimentality but who cares!
79 My Fair Lady 1965 - blubbed like a good 'un even though Rex Harrison plays a misogynistic so-and-so. Cos when Audrey walks in at the end of "Accustomed to her face" you can't help but let it all go.
78 Reach For The Sky 1956 - another of the saturday afternoon/sunday tea-time films that parents and nana made me watch (shucks, still enjoyed it!)
77 Love Actually 2003 - I do not care how unfashionable it is to admit it, hormonal or not I sobbed all the way through my first viewing of this and even though it was the night I was truly busted for being cranky Rullsenberg when hungry I still think its good at its job. Effective Xmas rom-com. You will like at least one of the story-lines and that HAS to be value for money.
76 Ghost 1990 - Hilariously, given how unsentimental Cloud and Rullsenberg are, this was our first trip to the movies together (one of our next ones was "Wild At Heart" on Boxing Day at Telford's multiplex - which gives you some idea of our eclectic taste!). Still a good weepy.
75 Four Weddings And A Funeral 1994 - Okay, so I have only seen the last half of this but anything that can get Auden's great poetry to the masses has to be good. Sniff...
74 Oliver! 1968 - the death of Nancy. Need I say more?
73 Rebecca 1940 - Mrs Danvers and her "love" for the first Mrs de Winter, the eponymous Rebecca, still gives me the heebees...
72 Bambi 1942 - Bambi's mother dies. Again, need I say more? A child's first brush with mortality. Can never pass a wooded area without saying "bambis live there".
71 The Big Country 1958 - Epic in every sense.
70 The Great Dictator 1941 - Actually rather dull, but then Cloud is more of a Laurel and Hardy fan... (me, I'm Buster Keaton. Cue link to Buffy... )
I cannot believe this - though my memory is hazy on some I know have seen all these films! and many are real treats. Okay, this was described/warned as being the cheesy fest or sentimentality but who cares!
79 My Fair Lady 1965 - blubbed like a good 'un even though Rex Harrison plays a misogynistic so-and-so. Cos when Audrey walks in at the end of "Accustomed to her face" you can't help but let it all go.
78 Reach For The Sky 1956 - another of the saturday afternoon/sunday tea-time films that parents and nana made me watch (shucks, still enjoyed it!)
77 Love Actually 2003 - I do not care how unfashionable it is to admit it, hormonal or not I sobbed all the way through my first viewing of this and even though it was the night I was truly busted for being cranky Rullsenberg when hungry I still think its good at its job. Effective Xmas rom-com. You will like at least one of the story-lines and that HAS to be value for money.
76 Ghost 1990 - Hilariously, given how unsentimental Cloud and Rullsenberg are, this was our first trip to the movies together (one of our next ones was "Wild At Heart" on Boxing Day at Telford's multiplex - which gives you some idea of our eclectic taste!). Still a good weepy.
75 Four Weddings And A Funeral 1994 - Okay, so I have only seen the last half of this but anything that can get Auden's great poetry to the masses has to be good. Sniff...
74 Oliver! 1968 - the death of Nancy. Need I say more?
73 Rebecca 1940 - Mrs Danvers and her "love" for the first Mrs de Winter, the eponymous Rebecca, still gives me the heebees...
72 Bambi 1942 - Bambi's mother dies. Again, need I say more? A child's first brush with mortality. Can never pass a wooded area without saying "bambis live there".
71 The Big Country 1958 - Epic in every sense.
70 The Great Dictator 1941 - Actually rather dull, but then Cloud is more of a Laurel and Hardy fan... (me, I'm Buster Keaton. Cue link to Buffy... )
Final episode of Blackpool tonight
Am very excited. As my friend Helen remarked, David Morissey does angst and death so well you just know it cannot end entirely happily...
Although media interest trailed pretty quickly (too much emphasis on reading it as Potter-lite) it has been a real treat for Thursdays. Good job its Xmas next week! (erm, of course that would make sense if the schedules are any good - I feel heavy amounts of X-files and Buffys being pulled to assist our amusement!)
Although media interest trailed pretty quickly (too much emphasis on reading it as Potter-lite) it has been a real treat for Thursdays. Good job its Xmas next week! (erm, of course that would make sense if the schedules are any good - I feel heavy amounts of X-files and Buffys being pulled to assist our amusement!)
Current favourite Xmas song...
http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/
Not often that I would promote a product, but Word magazine this month (Morrissey on the front cover) is worth purchasing just for the Tom McCrae track on the CD.
Of course our very special "George" compilation from Xmas 04 has some of the best ever Xmas songs on it, but this is well up there and I wish had been available sooner!
Not often that I would promote a product, but Word magazine this month (Morrissey on the front cover) is worth purchasing just for the Tom McCrae track on the CD.
Of course our very special "George" compilation from Xmas 04 has some of the best ever Xmas songs on it, but this is well up there and I wish had been available sooner!
I am the crappest blogger ever...
Though in my defence I have no access to blogging efficiently at home; no time to do it at work (what is a lunchbreak?); and very few opinions...
okay, so that last one is a lie.
Mostly I am just lazy.
okay, so that last one is a lie.
Mostly I am just lazy.
Friday, December 03, 2004
I love/heart Huckabees
No idea what the film was about. No idea if I liked it. Except that I did. Well, I think I did but how can we really be sure about anything - even our emotions? What is real? What is life? What is our relationship to each other?
Is this the most pretentious film ever made?
Clearly you have never seen or heard of Russian Ark if you answer "yes" to this rhetorical question.
In summary, besides the fact that I am still struggling with the traumatising image of Jason Schwartzman suckling on the dark hairy breast of a long-haired Jude Law, this was weird enough to be worth seeing; funny enough to be worth staying for; and intellectually stimulating enough to make me want to read existential theory (or at least ask Mr Cloud to explain it).
And as an aside, I was much amused to find that Jason Schwartzman is a cousin to Nicolas Cage (that's a shout-out to you, Christine!), since Talia Shire - of Godfather fame - is JS's mother. That Coppola clan gets everywhere...
Is this the most pretentious film ever made?
Clearly you have never seen or heard of Russian Ark if you answer "yes" to this rhetorical question.
In summary, besides the fact that I am still struggling with the traumatising image of Jason Schwartzman suckling on the dark hairy breast of a long-haired Jude Law, this was weird enough to be worth seeing; funny enough to be worth staying for; and intellectually stimulating enough to make me want to read existential theory (or at least ask Mr Cloud to explain it).
And as an aside, I was much amused to find that Jason Schwartzman is a cousin to Nicolas Cage (that's a shout-out to you, Christine!), since Talia Shire - of Godfather fame - is JS's mother. That Coppola clan gets everywhere...
Counting down the Ultimate Films: seen and unseen
Call me a pedant (or pendant as I just mistyped) but I like to try and complete tasks set even when they are patently beyond my capabilities... so...
Seen
87 Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi 1983 - yep, certainly did see this one, though whether this was at the time of release...? Mr Cloud takes much pleasure in having not seen any of the Star Wars trilogy when they were originally released, but instead only saw them during a marathon home-viewing group-drinking session in the 1980s (we do not talk about those later made travesties... I'm with Tim Beasley on this one
85 Lawrence Of Arabia 1962 - just 'cos I have seen it, doesn't make it good. It's visually stunning, but rather like spending too much time in the sun. You could be doing better things.
83 Pinocchio 1940 - still freaking out about turning into a donkey...
81 Close Encounters Of The Third Kind 1978 - I like mashed potatoes... but The X-files were better.
Not sure
88 Mr Deeds Goes To Town 1936 - in the distant past I watched many, many black and white movies. The likelihood is that this was one of them
86 The Dambusters 1955 - Darn, I guess we have all subconsciously seen this, but not being a war-loving boy it's repressed from my active memory
84 A Bug's Life 1999 - seen it in parts, would like to see more
82 The Citadel 1939 - another of those "reckon I must have" or "only got a partial memory" films
Unseen
89 The Swiss Family Robinson 1960 - Nah, nadda memory of even knowing about this one
80 Die Another Day 2002 - I gave up on Bond movies as a good investment of my time ages ago. If they get onto TV, generally I see them. Last one I really enjoyed was the Jonathan Pryce one (quelle surprise) Tomorrow Never Dies
More on my movie history next week folks!
Seen
87 Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi 1983 - yep, certainly did see this one, though whether this was at the time of release...? Mr Cloud takes much pleasure in having not seen any of the Star Wars trilogy when they were originally released, but instead only saw them during a marathon home-viewing group-drinking session in the 1980s (we do not talk about those later made travesties... I'm with Tim Beasley on this one
You weren't there at the beginning, you don't know what it was like!
85 Lawrence Of Arabia 1962 - just 'cos I have seen it, doesn't make it good. It's visually stunning, but rather like spending too much time in the sun. You could be doing better things.
83 Pinocchio 1940 - still freaking out about turning into a donkey...
81 Close Encounters Of The Third Kind 1978 - I like mashed potatoes... but The X-files were better.
Not sure
88 Mr Deeds Goes To Town 1936 - in the distant past I watched many, many black and white movies. The likelihood is that this was one of them
86 The Dambusters 1955 - Darn, I guess we have all subconsciously seen this, but not being a war-loving boy it's repressed from my active memory
84 A Bug's Life 1999 - seen it in parts, would like to see more
82 The Citadel 1939 - another of those "reckon I must have" or "only got a partial memory" films
Unseen
89 The Swiss Family Robinson 1960 - Nah, nadda memory of even knowing about this one
80 Die Another Day 2002 - I gave up on Bond movies as a good investment of my time ages ago. If they get onto TV, generally I see them. Last one I really enjoyed was the Jonathan Pryce one (quelle surprise) Tomorrow Never Dies
More on my movie history next week folks!
Monday, November 29, 2004
"Ultimate Film": those seen, vaguely recalled and unseen
Phew! Can I just add a note that it's rather pleasing to note just how many of these films I have actually seen (and can remember seeing).
Seen
100 The Magnificent Seven 1960 (every blooming year when growing up!)
99 Gladiator 2000 (several times, including on the big screen - obviously though I cannot beat Lisette's big screen experiences with Mr Crowe... ahem)
98 Cinderella 1951 (Ah the Disney visits to the Odeon and Futurist cinemas in Nottingham!)
97 The Private Life Of Henry VIII 1934 (TV - a Sunday afternoon... bit boring actually)
93 Chicken Run 2000 (went to the pictures to see this; no shame in being one of the oldest in the audience without children)
92 The King And I 1956 (my mum was an enormous fan of mid-century musical theatre and movies, so you can imagine how well I knew this stuff. What's not to love about Yul Brynner stomping around in big pantaloons?!)
91 The Exorcist 1974 (Mark Kermode's fetishisation of this film aside, it IS a freaky and unnerving film. Should be on every Catholic's favourite film list - no irony intended)
90 You Only Live Twice 1967 (bizarrely, because I loved the theme song, one of my favourite Bond movies. Mr Cloud, yes, I hear ya: I have now learnt you do not need to worry about missing the start of a Bond film to pick up the storyline...)
Unseen
95 Notting Hill 1999 (Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts --- you would have thought I'd have seen this by now wouldn't you?)
94 The Lion King 1994 (Somehow this never appealed to me; it now being a stage musical doesn't exactly encourage me to do so either)
Seen
100 The Magnificent Seven 1960 (every blooming year when growing up!)
99 Gladiator 2000 (several times, including on the big screen - obviously though I cannot beat Lisette's big screen experiences with Mr Crowe... ahem)
98 Cinderella 1951 (Ah the Disney visits to the Odeon and Futurist cinemas in Nottingham!)
97 The Private Life Of Henry VIII 1934 (TV - a Sunday afternoon... bit boring actually)
93 Chicken Run 2000 (went to the pictures to see this; no shame in being one of the oldest in the audience without children)
92 The King And I 1956 (my mum was an enormous fan of mid-century musical theatre and movies, so you can imagine how well I knew this stuff. What's not to love about Yul Brynner stomping around in big pantaloons?!)
91 The Exorcist 1974 (Mark Kermode's fetishisation of this film aside, it IS a freaky and unnerving film. Should be on every Catholic's favourite film list - no irony intended)
90 You Only Live Twice 1967 (bizarrely, because I loved the theme song, one of my favourite Bond movies. Mr Cloud, yes, I hear ya: I have now learnt you do not need to worry about missing the start of a Bond film to pick up the storyline...)
Unseen
95 Notting Hill 1999 (Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts --- you would have thought I'd have seen this by now wouldn't you?)
94 The Lion King 1994 (Somehow this never appealed to me; it now being a stage musical doesn't exactly encourage me to do so either)
The "not just the films I saw last week" list: Channel 4's Ultimate Film List
Between marking assignments and fending of cough, colds, and hiccups (the last was our beloved Mr Cloud's problem of the weekend), I did manage to sneak a view of some of the C4 list "Ultimate Film".
What a refreshing change! A list that was not already selective before starting to gather votes (from a goldfish-brained amnesiac public). It was actually rather thrilling to not be able to predict the entire list. Let alone to see the power once wrought by the "genius" that was Anna Neagle... okay so on that last point even my nan would have groaned slightly (now Ronald Coleman, I know she had a thing for him!)
Just to draw a few general points from the list, its interesting to note the presence of musicals, romances and romantic dramas / comedies, family action films, and animation.
In other words, despite all pursuit of the contrary, boys aged 18-25 are not a sufficiently dedicated cinema attending demographic to really 'break the box office'.
More musings on this fascinating list through the week (subject as always to the pesky intervention of work...)
100 The Magnificent Seven 1960 - Estimated Admissions 7.7m
99 Gladiator 2000 - Estimated Admissions 7.8m
98 Cinderella 1951 - Estimated Admissions 7.9m
97 The Private Life Of Henry VIII 1934 - Estimated Admissions 7.9m
96 The Matrix Reloaded 2003 - Estimated Admissions 7.96m
95 Notting Hill 1999 - Estimated Admissions 8.05m
94 The Lion King 1994 - Estimated Admissions 8.08m
93 Chicken Run 2000 - Estimated Admissions 8.12m
92 The King And I 1956 - Estimated Admissions 8.2m
91 The Exorcist 1974 - Estimated Admissions 8.3m
90 You Only Live Twice 1967 - Estimated Admissions 8.3m
89 The Swiss Family Robinson 1960 - Estimated Admissions 8.3m
88 Mr Deeds Goes To Town 1936 - Estimated Admissions 8.3m
87 Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi 1983 - Estimated Admissions 8.35m
86 The Dambusters 1955 - Estimated Admissions 8.4m
85 Lawrence Of Arabia 1962 - Estimated Admissions 8.4m
84 A Bug's Life 1999 - Estimated Admissions 8.41m
83 Pinocchio 1940 - Estimated Admissions 8.5m
82 The Citadel 1939 - Estimated Admissions 8.5m
81 Close Encounters Of The Third Kind 1978 - Estimated Admissions 8.54m
80 Die Another Day 2002 - Estimated Admissions 8.58m
79 My Fair Lady 1965 - Estimated Admissions 8.6m
78 Reach For The Sky 1956 - Estimated Admissions 8.7m
77 Love Actually 2003 - Estimated Admissions 8.76m
76 Ghost 1990 - Estimated Admissions 8.78m
75 Four Weddings And A Funeral 1994 - Estimated Admissions 8.81m
74 Oliver! 1968 - Estimated Admissions 8.9m
73 Rebecca 1940 - Estimated Admissions 8.9m
72 Bambi 1942 - Estimated Admissions 9m
71 The Big Country 1958 - Estimated Admissions 9m
70 The Great Dictator 1941 - Estimated Admissions 9m
69 Live And Let Die 1973 - Estimated Admissions 9m
68 Saturday Night Fever 1978 - Estimated Admissions 9.02m
67 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 1980 - Estimated Admissions 9.09m
66 One Hundred And One Dalmatians 1961 - Estimated Admissions 9.1m
65 Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones 2002 - Estimated Admissions 9.16m
64 Lost Horizon 1937 - Estimated Admissions 9.2m
63 49th Parallel 1941 - Estimated Admissions 9.3m
62 I'm All Right Jack 1959 - Estimated Admissions 9.4m
61 Moonraker 1979 - Estimated Admissions 9.41m
60 High Society 1956 - Estimated Admissions 9.6m
59 One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest 1976 - Estimated Admissions 9.65m
58 For Whom The Bell Tolls 1944 - Estimated Admissions 9.7m
57 Men In Black 1997 - Estimated Admissions 9.73m
56 Finding Nemo 2003 - Estimated Admissions 9.79m
55 Crocodile Dundee 1987 - Estimated Admissions 9.8m
54 A Clockwork Orange 1972 - Estimated Admissions 9.9m
53 Monsters, Inc. 2002 - Estimated Admissions 9.93m
52 Bridget Jones's Diary 2001 - Estimated Admissions 10.15m
51 Superman The Movie 1979 - Estimated Admissions 10.19m
50 Mrs Miniver 1942 - Estimated Admissions 10.2m
49 I Live In Grosvenor Square 1945 - Estimated Admissions 10.3m
48 Carry on Nurse 1959 - Estimated Admissions 10.4m
47 Independence Day 1996 - Estimated Admissions 10.79m
46 The Godfather 1972 - Estimated Admissions 11m
45 The Sting 1974 - Estimated Admissions 11.08m
44 Doctor Zhivago 1967 - Estimated Admissions 11.2m
43 The Guns Of Navarone 1961 - Estimated Admissions 11.4m
42 Piccadilly Incident 1946 - Estimated Admissions 11.5m
41 The Jolson Story 1947 - Estimated Admissions 11.6m
40 Fanny By Gaslight 1944 - Estimated Admissions 11.7m
39 The Towering Inferno 1975 - Estimated Admissions 11.78m
38 Random Harvest 1943 - Estimated Admissions 12m
37 Toy Story 2 2000 - Estimated Admissions 12.18m
36 Doctor In The House 1954 - Estimated Admissions 12.2m
35 The Great Caruso 1951 - Estimated Admissions 12.4m
34 The Spy Who Loved Me 1977 - Estimated Admissions 12.46m
33 The Bridge On The River Kwai 1957 - Estimated Admissions 12.6m
32 The Greatest Show On Earth 1952 - Estimated Admissions 13m
31 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 1983 - Estimated Admissions 13.13m
30 Ben Hur 1959 - Estimated Admissions 13.2m
29 The Blue Lamp 1950 - Estimated Admissions 13.3m
28 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 1999 - Estimated Admissions 13.59m
27 Goldfinger 1964 - Estimated Admissions 13.9m
26 The Third Man 1949 - Estimated Admissions 14m
25 Mary Poppins 1964 - Estimated Admissions 14m
24 Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets 2002 - Estimated Admissions 14.18m
23 The Full Monty 1997 - Estimated Admissions 14.19m
22 Lord Of The Rings The Two Towers 2002 - Estimated Admissions 14.4m
21 The Ten Commandments 1957 - Estimated Admissions 15m
20 The Bells Of St.Mary's 1946 - Estimated Admissions 15.2m
19 The Lord Of The Rings The Return Of The King 2003 - Estimated Admissions 15.22m
18 Thunderball 1966 - Estimated Admissions 15.6m
17 The Courtneys Of Curzon Street 1947 - Estimated Admissions 15.9m
16 Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Ring 2001 - Estimated Admissions 15.98m
15 Jurassic Park 1993 - Estimated Admissions 16.17m
14 Jaws 1976 - Estimated Admissions 16.2m
13 South Pacific 1958 - Estimated Admissions 16.5m
12 Grease 1978 - Estimated Admissions 17.2m
11 Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone 2001 - Estimated Admissions 17.56m
10 The Seventh Veil 1945 - Estimated Admissions 17.9m
9 The Wicked Lady 1946 - Estimated Admissions 18.4m
8 Titanic 1998 - Estimated Admissions 18.91m
7 The Jungle Book 1968 - Estimated Admissions 19.8m
6 The Best Years Of Our Lives 1947 - Estimated Admissions 20.4m
5 Spring In Park Lane 1948 - Estimated Admissions 20.5m
4 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 1978 - Estimated Admissions 20.76m
3 Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs 1938 - Estimated Admissions 28m
2 The Sound Of Music 1965 - Estimated Admissions 30m
1 Gone with The Wind 1940 - Estimated Admissions 35m
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Roots in Nottingham: a fine gig
The Roots are one of the most exciting acts in hip-hop, mostly because unlike many acts they are not insular to hip-hop music. Amongst the musical reference points in last night's breathtaking non-stop 2hour performance were the Shadows, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, funkadelia and hefty chunks of soul, as well as some fantastic inclusions from the history of hip-hop (including grandmaster flash and tribe called quest).
The place was heaving and they rocked big style: extended solos aside, nothing ever sagged and when the musicianship is as fine as theirs, you can hardly blame them for grandstanding with their solos!
Awesome experience!
The place was heaving and they rocked big style: extended solos aside, nothing ever sagged and when the musicianship is as fine as theirs, you can hardly blame them for grandstanding with their solos!
Awesome experience!
Monday, November 22, 2004
Incredible Incredibles!
I SOOO want to be Elastigirl (okay, without the kids obviously! But Holly Hunter is SO cool!)
I can thoroughly recommend the latest venture from Pixar to hit the movie screens.... with one proviso. Ignore the certificate: it is NOT a "U", but rather a very sharp "PG" movie which will mostly bore or baffle anyone under the age of about 8 years old. The violence is quite dramatic and there are some quite adult issues being dealt with here: depression, alienation, self-esteem. I know these can affect children as well, but I suspect that slightly older children will appreciate this more.
These adult themes means it lacks the immediacy of appeal demonstrated by the "Toy Story" movies, but in some respects it is far superior to those. It's very smart, very funny, often quite scary, frequently moving, and ultimately a good thrill: a bit like a James Bond film (from which genre it liberally steals set scenes!)
Craig T. Nelson (who is obviously a major "Who's That Guy?" from his extensive resume) lends a great sense of gravitas to the lead role of Mr. Incredible that certainly deserves some plaudits, but all the cast admirably bring their characters to life through their vocal talents.
Go, enjoy - you do not need to take the kids!
I can thoroughly recommend the latest venture from Pixar to hit the movie screens.... with one proviso. Ignore the certificate: it is NOT a "U", but rather a very sharp "PG" movie which will mostly bore or baffle anyone under the age of about 8 years old. The violence is quite dramatic and there are some quite adult issues being dealt with here: depression, alienation, self-esteem. I know these can affect children as well, but I suspect that slightly older children will appreciate this more.
These adult themes means it lacks the immediacy of appeal demonstrated by the "Toy Story" movies, but in some respects it is far superior to those. It's very smart, very funny, often quite scary, frequently moving, and ultimately a good thrill: a bit like a James Bond film (from which genre it liberally steals set scenes!)
Craig T. Nelson (who is obviously a major "Who's That Guy?" from his extensive resume) lends a great sense of gravitas to the lead role of Mr. Incredible that certainly deserves some plaudits, but all the cast admirably bring their characters to life through their vocal talents.
Go, enjoy - you do not need to take the kids!
Blog Absence: the intervention of life and death
Dear blog readers - hey, I know its mostly me talking to me but I may as well be polite.
It was probably no great loss to your lief functions but you may have spotted that old Rullsenberg has neither been setting forth her rules or rants recently. Apologies to all who sail on her wings.
Things have been a tad chaotic in my life thanks to the very unmetaphorical intervention of some real life experiences, most of them centred on death. Shucks folks: I appreciate the sympathy you're giving out, but I know life has to go on.
Thanks to all who helped through the process whether through phone calls, texts, emails, physical labour, loans and feeding: you were stars in your own ways.
It was probably no great loss to your lief functions but you may have spotted that old Rullsenberg has neither been setting forth her rules or rants recently. Apologies to all who sail on her wings.
Things have been a tad chaotic in my life thanks to the very unmetaphorical intervention of some real life experiences, most of them centred on death. Shucks folks: I appreciate the sympathy you're giving out, but I know life has to go on.
Thanks to all who helped through the process whether through phone calls, texts, emails, physical labour, loans and feeding: you were stars in your own ways.
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