TV review - "Upstart Crow"

 Ben Elton returns to the world of historical sitcom, though while this has some of the rhythms of Blackadder it is more warm hearted being a family/work sitcom. It's about Shakespeare the working writer, with a family in Stratford (good to see Pauline from Man about the House  as his mum), and associates in London.

David Mitchell is superb as the Bard. The other actors are fine too though no one quite hits the heights of say Tony Robinson. Some of it is very funny. Other times it gets repetitive. The episode where Hamnet dies - the second last one apart from the locked in special - is very moving. I wish they'd done another season where Will has a lot of success behind him but has to deal with getting old. Hilarious take on Ricky Gervais.tv

Book review - "Son of Any Wednesday" by Muriel Resnick

 William Goldman alluded to this book in The Season though he didn't name names - he quoted the comment about all English directors being called Peter and the quote that the author had never read an Ibsen play. It was a little mean.

This is an entertaining book. I had a lot of fun reading it. Resnick decided to write a play after the failure of her last novel, feeling that it at least would get reviewed. She joins the Group Theatre writers workshop of Molly Kazan, writes something that she is told will be sellable (part for a star, one set, small cast)... pitches it to Greer Garson who turns it down, but it gets optioned quite quickly, money is raised quite quickly.

But then the troubles start. There's never enough money so more producers have to be brought in. They have troubles getting directors then when they geet them have trouble keeping them. George Morrison for instance keeps wanting changes and things added, and slows the play down. They keep getting people as they go before eventually getting Henry Kaplan.

They get a cast, after a lot of rejection but have trouble holding on to it. Sandy Dennis doesn't want Gene Hackman because he's not hot enough so they get Dick York who quits so they get Gene Hackman who does so well that Michael Rennie, the big star attached, gets jealous and quits so they bring in Don Porter.

There are nice reviews but a bad one from Eliot Norton makes everyone panic. They have trouble getting a theatre. Trouble with balloons the author wrote in. Mike Nichols pops in periodically and assures her its fine but people still panic. Opening night goes terrifically well, the piee runs and runs and sells for a huge amount to the movies.

Triumph. Although exhausted.

Resnick lists the short runs of the next shows her cast and crew did which is a little mean, as it the appendix of all the people who turned down the play, but I guess she's entitled to.

This is like a season arc of Mrs Maisel where she wrote a play. She gets married to some dude during it too. I really enjoyed it.

Book review - "The Devil's Advocate" by Morris West (warning: spoilers)

 West's big international best seller. You can see its appeal - international subject matter, British lead, World War Two, sex, big issues. A terminally ill British priest is sent to a small Italian town to be devil's advocate in an investigation as to whether a man executed by commies in the war should be a saint.

The dead man was a British deserter - because when killing a sniper in Sicily he threw in a grenade, also killed a mum and baby. He roots a horny Italian woman, conceived a child, befriended a Jewish doctor, was lusted after by a richer hornier Italian woman... gets killed by the commies because he refused to leave the town. I mean the Commie partisan leader is reasonable, gives him a chance to go, says he wants to control the town and the Englishman hurts that... why not just go? Why be a matyr? He could just go away and come back? It didn't make sense to me. Maybe it did for Catholics.

I did enjoy the book. There's a different world - investigating whether to be a saint, but in post ww2 Italy. It poesn't shy away from the problems of the Catholic Church - the greed of the Vatican, the weird dogma, the poverty of the priests.  Doesn't shy away from sex - the women want dick, there's an English painter character who is gay and grooming a kid basically (the son of the dead man)... and while he is Bad he's also given a speech that is quite sympathetic.

I kept thinking the final miracle would be the hero priest would recover, but no he dies. I didn't quite believe the dead man's conversion to God or why he didn't leave but the novel is thought provking and readable. It embraces all the contradictions of the church while then coming down on the side of God

Movie review - "Love Story" (1970) ****

 Why did it work when so many other sobby movies don't? This is all hindsight of course. It had a memorable music score, came along when death was on the mind I guess (Vietnam, all that), used two very pretty stars, Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw, Ali had a new look (haircut, glasses), it was visually different (Harvard, snow), had some different things (frolicing in snow, ice skating), was about the generation gap, has some pre marital sex and glimpses of nudity (bare shoulders) and a few four letter words... these help it age.

It's extremely well done. The dialogue has genuine zip. 

We don't find out Ali is terminally ill until something like 70 minutes in. That's very late in the day. But it packs a wallop because by then we care about them. Up until then they have believable clashes - he's rich, she's poor, she loves her dad, he fights with his, his dad cuts him off because of her, they struggle for money, she gives up her dreams to support him.

The final scene between them in bed is terrific. Ryan O'Neal is a great reactor, as Bob Evans said. MacGraw is very beautiful and effective. The lush music works. Arthur Hiller's direction was spot on - he kept the pace up, but knew when to slow down.

This movies are not easy to do. Nastily criticised by critics embarassed by emotion.

Movie review - "Fever Pitch" (1985) **

 Richard Brooks' last film as a director is an odd duck, about a sports jouno who investigates gambling and bcomes addicted. It's filmed in a short of campy film noir style, I'm not sure it's unintentionally campy, sort of like Sam Fuller/Russ Meyer even, with voice over and some over the top acting.

It feels like it needs to be shot in black and white. Or directed by someone else. Or... just better. I don't know. It's a weird film. Doesn't work. But it is interesting.  It's not a dumb movie.

There's a lot of spouting of facts and figures which might've been better to cut out. Maybe Brooks needed a co writer.

Ryan O'Neal is actually very good in the role as a tormented journo. I'm sorry for him it didn't work out.

Play review - "Any Wednesday" by Muriel Resnick

 Huge hit at the time. Not known much now. The film version flopped I think or underperformed. The film felt too late - the play must've been at just the right time. Just the right amount of sexiness.

It's in the vein of Norman Krasna or Voice of the Turtle - some misunderstandings but not a farce more a serious light comedy. Strong central situation - woman who is a mistress is turning 30, she sees her dude every Wednesday, she wants more. Two other characters come along - young man having a business dispute with her man, and the wife of the man.

It's handled with empathy and kindness. Unshowy, effective structure. Quite good. Not super funny but that' fine.

Movie review - "Irreconciliable Differences" (1984) ****

 Really excellent comedy-drama (you can't call it a rom com) which was Charles Shyer's debut as director although Nancy Meyers' influence is all over it, with a strong female voice. The first half is a brilliant take off of Bogdanovich and Polly Platt and Cybill Shepherd (though Bogdanovich didn't invent the dumping the wife and taking up with the starlet, the film nails its colours to the mast with Ryan O'Neal playing a film academic, and Sam Wanamaker as a cultured Roger Corman type - though clearly dealing with bigger budgets than Corman).

People who "discovered" Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct clearly hadn't seen this - she's brilliant as the gorgeous, manic, vulnerable girl; great funny nude scene where she takes her top off easily, but the highlight is her singing in the Civil War epic (I did wish her character had given evidence at the trial... I guess she didn't have to story wise I just wanted to see more of her).

Ryan O'Neal is simply terrific, one of his best performances. He always does best against strong women and here he's got Sharon Stone and Shelley Long (Drew Barrymore doesn't give him a hard time). Long is fabulous too, likeable but not afraid to go for the self obsession.

Like Shyer-Meyer's earlier Private Benjamin the last third is actually quite serious. Ryan O'Neal and Shelley Long are such narcissists they parcel their kid off to the housekeeper (who doesn't have much personality in the film it must be said), using her as a weapon in their fights against each other, ear bashing their kid about the other, basically not caring for being so self absorbed. This is very well done - I mean it's still funny but also grounded in reality and pain. (I could see Bogdanovich and Platt being upset by this bit - I don't think they'd ever been accused of dreadful parenting.)

The pain and seriousness (it ends with them getting along not getting back together) are probably what held this back from being a big hit; maybe also it was too "in". But it's a great movie.

Movie review - "Wish" (2023) **

 Some nice animation and tunes. The tunes don't seem to quite fir in the story. Maybe they did - I had trouble following the story. It's about a wizard/king (voiced by Chris Pine) who sets up an island kingdom where he grants people's wishes. I think he does when he can but when he can't he steals their wishes which is not nice but kind of minor league villainy. And the island people seem whiny because of they just want wishes.

The film impoves when Pine goes full villain. It lacks realised support characters - the most interesting thing about the lead is she looks like Meaghan Markle, but I had trouble telling the human characters apart (Pine's wife, lead girl's group of friends, lead girl's mum and grandad). It was hard to care.

The animated animals though had real spark - donkey, bear, rabbits, etc. The script needed a few more drafts - I felt that of Frozen 2 and Wrinkle in Time.

Movie review - "Partners" (1982) **

 The US success of La Cage Aux Follies prompted a brief boom in Hollywood gay themeed films of which this was one, probably the least remembered today. It's high concept - straight cop and gay cop team up to find gay killer in San Franscisco - sunk by its casting. The straight cop needed to be Clint Eastwood or Nick Nolte or someone so OTT macho that he is a fish out of water but instead there's pretty boy Ryan O'Neal who while IRL was a womaniser and boxer and man's man was also a pretty boy film star fave of the ladies who co starred twice against Barbara Streisand.  So it would've have been funnier watching Clint in leather trying to pick up, Ryan's not that funny.

Okay maybe O'Neal's casting could have worked if played off against a really strong gay character - a big drag queen say, someone unapologetically flamboyant. O'Neal did a great slow burn against Barbara Streisand. But John Hurt is meek, mild and sad, so it's not fun when O'Neal yells at him.

Maybe a more visusally impressive setting too might've helped like Miami or something. 

Support cast includes James Remar, Robyn Douglass (reminding us Galactica 1980 fans that she was beautiful and could act), Kenneth MacMillan.

Best scene is when homophobic cops arrest O'Neal, Hurt and skinny dippying gay. The murder mystery itself, involving Douglass, isn't bad.

Movie review - "Battle Beyond the Stars" (1980) **** (re-watching)

 Rousing score. Excellent script. Big heart. The other New World space flixs didn't have this heart. Richard Thomas' nerdiness is well used. Darlene F is adorable. Robert Vaughan is touching - great resentful death. All the mercenaries die so it has even more kick than The Magnificent Seven.

Just a great fast paced well written film.

TV review - "Fisk Season Two" (2022) ****

 Even better. Tightly plotted. More warm. Occasionally still prone to go OTT eg the current affairs plot I didn't like. But a real family feel.

Top Ten New World Pictures

(When Under Roger Corman)
(Have limited to films actually produced by New World)

1. Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
2. Piranha (1978)
3. Hollywood Boulevard (1976)
4. Rock n Roll Nigh School (1979)
5. The Student Nurses (1971)
6. The Big Doll House (1961)
7. Summer School Teachers (1974)
8. Death Race 2000 (1975)
9. Saint Jack (1979)
10. Big Bad Mama (1974)

Yes I know there are no Jonathan Demmes on this list I just think other films are better.

Movie review - "Fast X" (2023) ***

 So... now Charlize Theron is good (or at least an ally), John Cena is good, Vin Diesel looks out of shape and bored, Michelle Rodgriguez looks bored, Ludacris and Tyrese look old, as does Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmanuel is... there, Jordana Brewster pops in. They have a return from Helen Mirren and Brie Larson comes along in as a bad ass female. Oh Scott Eastwood is in it briefly. Oh and Daniela Melchor is hot girl racer.

Film is saved and stolen by Jason Mamoa in a fabulously over the top, campy villain performance. It starts off slowly with too much Vin Diesel but gets better as it goes along. The film has a Mad Mad Mad Mad World quality about it with its sprawling cast, some funny lines and clever choreography. Total lack of realism.

It loses points fot being the first of a two parter. I think that hurt word of mouth.

Book review - "Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created "Sunday in the Park with George"" by James Lapine

 Done in the form of memoir and interviews so there's a lot of "you're great" "no you're great". The inception of the musical was relatively easy - Lapine was new but had some track record, met Sondheim, they got along, both clicked with the idea, they put on a workshop, which was picked up for Broadway. To be honest I was finding the book boring around this point but then previews went very badly as audiences did not like it, and there was pressure to change the show, but Sondheim and Lapine held the course. Mandy Patinkin was a bit of a sook, the work was difficult to pull off. Michael Bennett came along to give some useful technical pointers as opposed to anything philosophical (eg "Give the audience a chance to applaud after Patinkin's big song so they can show their approval").

Invaluable if you like this musical - the book includes a book of the musical, which is perhaps the best ever musical depiction of being an artist. Leonard Bernstein greeted people by French kissing them. I don't think Jerry Herman's acceptance speech at the Tonys about making hummable musicals was a big dig at Sondheim I think it was a defencsive call. Theatre people can be too touchy.

TV review - "Fisk - Season One" (2021) ***1/2

 Very, warm, accurate look at life in a suburban probate firm. In hindsight a great ABC show because it's about older people and dying. Kitty Flanagan is an engaging lead. Occasionally the playing of the guests is a little broad and there's a few too many unresolved plot strands - the latter issue would be fixed for the second season.

Movie review - "Trolls Band Together" (2023) ***

 Big fun psychedlic visuals. Some very, very funny gags and there's a lot of them. Enjoyable manufactured pop star villains with Amy Schumer stealing the show. Justin Timberlake embraces his past. The plot is very traumatic when you think about it (TImberlake has all these brothers who abandoned him, Anna Kendrik's father didn't tell her about the existence of a sister - to be fair this plot was clearly thrown in to give her something to do).  Good fun,

Possible hit movies Ryan O'Neal might've been good for 1980-85

 He was still a notable star from, lets say, 1980 until 1985, the period of So Fine, Partners, Irreconciliable Differences and Fever Pitch. He walked away from The Champ, was in line for The Thorn Birds and didn't do Frst Blood. What could he have been?

I went through the list of top box office films from 1980 to 1985. It was a period of franchises (Bond, Burt in a car), comedies

1980 - don't laugh but American Gigolo, Flash Gordon.Definitely Somewhere in Time, Altered States. 

1981 - Body Heat 

1982 - An Officer and a Gentleman, Night Shift, Best Friends

1983 - Trading Places, The Big Chill, High Road to China

1984 - Romancing the Stone

1985 - Jagged Edge

There were a number of movies with roles that would've suited a young Ryan O'Neal type - Ordinary People, Caddyshack, Endless Love, Young Doctors in Love, Taps,  Splash, Police Academy

Okay so there is my take out: there simply weren't as many star parts going that O'Neal would've been good for. Young O'Neal type roles, yes, plenty - that's what Tim Hutton, Tom Hanks, Steve Guttenberg got famous on. Young, funny handsome types. But leads in comedies went to more aggressive TV comedians like the SNL crowd, Richard Pryor, Michael Keaton and Steve Martin. 

There was also a sharp drop in female driven comedies/ melodramas. These were strong in the 70s still with Jane Fonda, Babs, etc. But in the 80s it was fairly grim.

Some actors did have careers that might've suited O'Neal. William Hurt roles - especially Body Heat - would've suited him to a T. Ditto Richard Gere. He could've easily played Tom Selleck parts.

But the biggest problem... I think he just didn't appear in enough quality productions. And it does tell. Like look at Jeff Bridges - flop after flop but he keeps appearing in good things whjch mitigates. So he remained a kind-of star.

I think that's the trick if a star - you won't be one forever, so just try to make as much quality stuff as you can.

Similarities between Ryan O'Neal and Burt Reynolds

 1. Both genuine athletes. Burt was a college football star. Ryan boxed most of his life.

2. Both became famous quite quick although only for a short time. Within a few years, Burt had Riverboat, Ryan had Empire.

3. Both became famous on TV shows. Burt on Gunsmoke, Ryan on Peyton Place.

4. Both had leads in a series of flops. Burt had more, a decade's worth, but Ryan had The Big Bounce and The Game.

5. Overnight success. Ryan first in Love Story but in Deliverance and White Lightning.

6. Peter Bogdanovich. Ryan had a strong association - three films plus playing the director in Irreconciliable Differences. But Burt had two, one with Ryan.

7. Made "safe" movies that backfired. Ryan had his early 80s dud streak of comedies. Burt had one a few years later with his flop 80s car films.

8. Late 80s unsuccessful attempt to change image. Ryan O'Neal tried and failed with Fever Pitch adn Tough Guys Don't Dance. Burt tried it with Heat, Malone, etc.

9. A long period as a non star. Ryan's was longer but then Burt was a bigger star and would've hurt more.

10. Never really came back. Burt Reynolds threatened to more often with Evening Shade and Boodie Nights but could never consolidate. Neither coul Ryan O'Neal despite Bones.

The two men were different in a lot of ways of course - Burt was a bigger star, Ryan never had a Hal Needham or turned director.But still thought was worth noting.

Movie review - "Candy Cane Lane" (2023) **1/2

 Combination of family Christmas movie and fantasty. Once the fantasy kicks in it's a lot of fun and Eddie Murphy is always a pleasure. There's a lot of plot.

Movie review - "Love Hate Love" (1971) **

 An ABC Movie of the Week from Aaron Spelling it gets off to an intriguing start by throwing us into the story - Lesley Anne Warren has dumped Ryan O'Neal for another dude, but then goes back to him when dude is revealed to be a creep. Then it shifts into woman and stalker story.

Downe is pretty and O'Neal's soulful good looks make him ideal for a thankless part.

Produced by Joan Harrison and written by Eric Ambler - it lacks the depth/flair of their features. It needs another twist or dimension or something.  Like to have Warren be into game playing, or have O'Neal be revealed to be a psycho or something.

Decent car chase at the end.

Movie review - "The Main Event" (1979) ***

 This film doesn't get a good wrap, unlike say What's Up Doc? with its non-auterist director (Howard Zieff) - as if Barbra Streisand isn't an auteur regardless of credit, and the basic plot was ripped off for Moonlighting and she and Ryan O'Neal are marvelous together.

O'Neal was at hs best with a strong female to bounce off against. He's great here. Believable as a boxer. Relaxed, Handsome. Does a fabulous slow burn. I don't think he had enough charisma on his own to hold the audience he needed someone to play off against.

Babs is funny. Frizzy hair, aerobics gear. They could've done a lot more with the character of her ex husband Paul Sand. And with the embezzling accoutant. Actually they could've done a lot more with the premise. The film was rewritten a lot and it shows. But the concept is there. The stars are there. They have fun. There's scenes in camp in the snow. The two have sexual chemistry. There's no dodgy power imbalance becanse she's so strong.

Patti d'Arbaville has some fun as O'Neal's girlfriend but really no one gets much of a look in.

Movie review - "Bootleg" (1985) **

 Queensland oddity. Low budget film from John Prescott who made a successful short. At heart this is a short film, or a fringe play - an undergraduate-esque experimental thing about a private eye (John Flaus) coming up to Queensland to find a missing girl, getting involved in hookers (including Carmen Duncan), corrupt cops (Ray Meagher, excellent), anti nuclear demonstrators (John Gregg) and various others. It grabs at various themes and ideas, never seems to develop any of them. But it is of interest.

Movie review - "Maestro" (2023) **1/2

 It looks gorgous. You can't fault the superb cinematography or design or costumes. The acting is very good - yes there are funny accents but that's how the real people talked. Of course the music is splendid.

The problem is, I think, this: Bernstein's life wasn't that interesting. He was queer, but the wife knew that, he took drugs and boozed, but that feels familiar. He wasn't, I don't know, blacklisted or shot or something.  He didn't feel worth of a two hour biopic. To me, at least, I totally recognise others will think differently.

Movie review - "Migration" (2023) **1/2

 Absolutely fine. Some really funny gags, like Awkwafina (who must have the record for appearances in animated films) getting run over. For all its admirable diversity behind the mike I note that the dad still seems to make all the decisions. Decent animation and colour. Story a little iffy. It seems to lack subtext. Why did they bother bringing Danny de Vito's character along he doesn't do anything?

Movie review - "What's Love Got to To with It" (2022) **1/2

 Jemima Khan has had a glamorous life - daughter of James Goldsmith, beautiful, married to Imran Khan, dated Hugh Grant, now screnwriter. Those things all would've been more interesting than this.

It's not bad. She provides an emphathetic view of Pakistani life, and sensitively handles arranged marriages verus Western love. Not a lot of romance - the two leads have no chemistry, the pakistan guy is a handsome lout but Lily James doesn't have a twinkle in her eye to make it work. Emma Thompson sparks itn up as do the older Pakistan actors, who are terrific - I didn't know these faces I'm sure they're experienced, they were great. The old ladies scolding modern ways was hilarious I would've liked more of that. It's not very funny.

Works best as a light drama, really. I mean, it's fine. I just would've preferred the story of marrying the captain of the Pakistan cricket team!

Movie review - "Final Cut" (1980) *

I can see why the Queensland Film Corp made it. It was genre. The makers had a track record from Crawfords. They would've hoped for something like Patrick.

But there's no Vince Monton, no Everett de Roche, no Richard Franklin. There's some good ideas - a couple film a mystery record producer who may be a killer. But it's confusing.

The film actually could have done with more sex and violence to liven it up.

It felt like those Robert Bruning TV thrillers of the late 70s.

There aren't even that many good views of Brisbane/Gold Coast.

Movie review - Crosstalk (1982) *1/2 (re-watching)

 Photography great. Nothing wrong with ripping off Rear Window. But they throw in 2001 with a computer becoming sentinent, and also I think a sort of conspiracy thriller about how to use the computer. So it becomes confusing. 

No sense of character differentiation between the girlfriend, nurse and even Gary Day. The others ham it up but at least they're different.

John Ewart is homicidal and also involved in the conspiracy for the computer? Does it tie together? I get lose.

Vince Monton must've wept when he saw his good work go to waste.

Movie review - "Bootleg" (1985) **

 Ah look good on them for having a go. It's not a feature, it's a smart arse short film in its heart of hearts. John Flaus is a PI looking into a missing girl up north. There's funny tunrs from Ray Meagher as a Queensland copper -  I thought his part would be bigger - and Carmen Duncan as a hooker. I could have sworn the guy at the end was Ian Skippen.

The film outstages its welcome pretty quickly but the fact it was a Brisbane shot film from the mid 80s is interesting.

Movie review - "Father of the Bride" (1991) **1/2

 Sweet. Very white. Lots of decor. Martin Short funny as is Kieran Culkin. Everyone charming. Maybe a little creepy viewed through a modern lens but Steve Martin is well cast. Diane Keaton doesn't do much I guess she was glad to be in a hit.

Movie review - "Ford versus Ferrari" (2019) ***

 Solid dad movie given intelligent treatment and first rate driving sequences. A bit annoying with its good ole boy hero and plucky millionaire underdogs, but it did happen, I guess.

Movie review - "Hamilton" (2020) ****

 Filmed theatre, but it's a grand show, lots of fun, very moving. I've got no fresh take on this. Daveed Diggs and Jonathan Groff steal the show but then they have the showiest parts.

Movie review - "Murder on the Orient Express" (2017) **1/2 (warning: spoilers)

 It's got that great title, setting and denoument. Ken Branagh directs in hyperactive mode. It's over the top. Some genuine stars (Johnny Depp, I guess Ken, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz) mixed in with the next level down (Daisy Ridley) and some unknowns. The ending is emotional.

Movie review - "Father Goose" (1964) ***

 Cary Grant having fun as a boozy coastwatcher. It starts in Northern PNG, so I think Trevor Howard's naval captain is meant to be Australian but he's very British as are his offsiders.

Peter Stone worked on the script, which won an Oscar. Competently directed by Ralph Nelson. I always forget he directed it. 

I think Cary Grant wanted an Oscar, so channelled Humphrey Bogart in African Queen. He didn't get there. He's a little gruff, and boozy, but not that much - still tanned, and he gets pretty at the end. I didn't quite buy the romance with Leslie Caron other than they were film stars.

The girl characters could have been differentiated more. 

It's entertaining. Location filming in Jamaica but let down by crappy Universal studio scenes. Peter Stone worked on the script.

Movie review - "Kiss of the Vampire" (1963) ***1/2 (rewatching)

 Has its own magic. The lovely photography and art design despite the low budget. The Val Lewton shots of wind in the trees. The slow, but deliberate pace. The fact the cast is without stars. Who are these people?

There's a cult, witchcraft, a missing girl. The ingredients were fresher then. This was Hammer at its peak.

Movie review - "Wonka" (2023) ***1/2

 My expectations were low and it does drag but it goes off it its own direction, doesn't over do fan service, and carves out its own world, a combination of Cameron Mackintosh and Dickens. Timothee Chamalet is fine - not Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp but his own fresh faced creation.

It's got a good heart, a plucky orphan (that storyline worked for me esp reuniting with mum), people in prison basically doing washing, villains who are real threats, chocolate is amusingly swapped for drugs, Hugh Grant again steals every scene he's in.

Movie review - "So Fine" (1981) **1/2

 One of those movies I think people assumed would be a hit - Ryan O'Neal had just been in The Main Event, director Andrew Bergman was making his debut but had written Blazing Saddles and The In Laws. It has a sexy concept - academic dragged into the world of fashion via loan sharks, academic falls in love with wife of gangster (Richard Kiel).

There's a bunch of elements - O'Neal develops jeans that show the bum which are a sensation, then Kiel finds out his wife is cheating, they wind up crashing an opera. It's spread out over months when a more compressed time frame might be more suitable. Also it felt as though it was missing a character or two - a stuffy fiance for O'Neal, say, or for there to be more meat in the Warden-O'Neal relationship, or for Warden to be Barbara Streisand.

A funny ad, some funny moments. It doesn't quite jell. A young John Stockwell is a college student. Kiel gets to have fun, be cuckolded, go to the baths, sing opera. He would've loved this.

Movie review - "Waterloo" (1970) ***

 Expensive, full of detail for the military nerd. The spectacle impresses. I actually felt this might've been better in a longer version - you would've gotten to know the characters more. Mistake I think to start with Napoleon abdicating - better to start with him coming from Elba. 

Rod Steiger hams it up as Napoleon. Hell, why not. Chris Plummer has dry fun as Wellington. They look at each other through glasses. We hear their thoughts - I've never liked that method.

Best bit apart from the spectacular stuff: death of Michael Wilding. That of Jack Hawkins would mean more if we'd gotten to know him. Dan O'Herily yells entertainingly as Ney. Ian Ogilvy gets quite a number of close ups.

Ryan O'Neal Top Ten

In honour of his passing

1) Love Story - schmaltz, yes, but done with freshness, and he and Ali have genuine chemistry... he should've done The Champ

2) What's Up Doc? - channelling Cary Grant very well, he should've done it more often (Rob Lowe in Illegally Yours channelled Ryan in this)

3) Paper Moon - probably his best film and performance

4) Barry Lyndon - not an easy role, his contribution is often forgotten but at least the film has had a long tail

5) The Driver - nothing wrong with his performance at all I think audiences just didn't like him in these sort of roles

6)  Irreconciliably Yours - he's an absolute delight playing Peter Bogdanovich

7) The Main Event - very funny, he teamed marvellously well with Babs

8) Chances Are - a self effacing lovely support performance in a sweet film

9) The Thief Who Came to Dinner -the film isn't as pretty as it needed to be but O'Neal's work as fine

10) So Fine - as with The Driver his performance is actually fine, I think he was just miscast

Movie review - "Napoleon" (2023) **1/2

 It's good where you would expect - the battle sequences: siege of Toulon, grapeshot, Austerlitz, Moscow, Waterloo, Pyramids. It's weak where you would expect as well - exposition being doled out, Napoleon and Josephine. The acting isn't great - Joaquin Phoenix is.. fine, Vanessa Kirky does great pout but that's it, Rupert Everett seems all wrong as Wellington. I liked the guy who played Alexanda.

It looks terrific, the story is a littie monotonous, it focuses on the lead couple but doesnt give us much insight. The historical inaccuracies are fine.

Movie review - "Babylon" (2022) ***

 Not hard in a way to see why it wasn't a hit - it's long, there's no real access point character (the lead, Diego Calva, should be this but he never seems to genuinely love Margot Robbie), there's things you could cut out, it is indulgent, things like elephant poo and Phoebe Tonkin peeing on a guy won't go down well...

But it is a valentine to cinema, Jean Smart's lovely speech to Pitt, very well acted, gorgeous to look at, lovely montage at the end, fantastic turns from Spike Jonze as the Curtiz like director, the first AD, the Dorothy Arzner type, the thumping music score.

Sometimes you feel a co writer would've helped - why make Li Jun Li a cabaret artist and title writer? - but it is definitely bold and interesting.