JANUARY 2005 MOVIE VIEWING #684 - #697.

25 Tuesday
Guns of Navarone (J. Lee Thompson 1961 157mins) 2/5
[DVD - Video Ezy ] 1st viewing. Film #697
Film appears dated, however nice performance by Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn and David Niven. Certain scenes once on the island are quite suspenseful.

23 Sunday
Ray (Taylor Hackford 2004 152mins) 2/5
[ Rivoli Cinema 8 6pm Advance Screening ] 1st viewing. Film #696
Too long. Some lip synch was off . Film ended in mid sixties with just a brief screen credit as to what happened for next 40 years. Jamie Foxx was convincing, but the film did not grab as it should have.

22 Saturday
M*A*S*H (Robert Altman 1970 116mins) 2/5
[ DVD – Video Ezy ] 1st viewing. Reissue 1973 111 minutes. Film #695
Nice ending and use of ongoing voice over joke. Not as much Army related storyline as expected with last quarter or film taken up by a Football match. All character were strong, in particular Donald Sutherland.

21 Friday
Kinsey (Bill Condon 2004) 2.5 / 5
[ 35mm Rivoli Cinema 5. 4.15pm ] 1st viewing. Film #694
Liam Neeson , Timothy Hutton and Peter Skargaand highlights of film. Film is too long, and required further information as to what happened to the characters.

20 Thursday
Curse of the Cat People (Gunther Von Fritsche, Robert Wise 1944 70mins) 1.5/ 5
[ VHS, Channel 2 ] 1st viewing. Film #693
Weak film. Child actor's performance was unconvincing. Whilst the mood of the film was well created- the acting and in particular the story was weak.

16 Sunday
Sideways (Alexander Payne 2004) 3/5
[35mm Rivoli Cinema 7. 4.40pm] 1st viewing. Film #692
Nice slow moving film with several hilarious scenes. Not as great as everyone said, but still an impressive film.

Anastasia (Anatole Livtak 1956 105mins) 3/5
[ FOX 8 Bill Collins ] 1st viewing. Film #691
Very enjoyable. Helen Hayes performance outstanding. Bergman and Brenner were a perfect match. Quality acting all round. Lovely ending. The film that gave Bergman an Oscar.

14 Friday
LifeBoat (Alfred Hitchcock 1944 96mins) 2/5
[ VHS- Video Ezy ] 1st viewing. Film #690
Better than I had ever hoped. Maintained my interest regardless of set restrictions. All cast were impressive.

Lady from Shanghai (Orson Welles 1948 87mins) 2/5
[ VHS- Video Ezy ] 1st viewing. Film #689
Nice cinematography and some interesting scenes. But the film felt muddled and lost its way.

Cat People (Jacques Tourner 1942 73mins) 2/5
[ VHS LP, Channel 2 ] 1st viewing. Film #688
Watched on advice of Martin Scorsese in his documentary 'A Century of Cinema'. B grade film creates nice moody atmosphere. Is famous amongst cine-philes for being the ultimate B Grade film

11 Tuesday
Odd Man Out (Carol Reed 1947 115mins) 2/5
[ VHS- Video Ezy ] 1st viewing Film #687
Some lovely philosophical lines. The character of the 'Artist' in particular was impressive. James Mason portrayal was honest and emotional. Carol Reed, famous for the 'Third Man' and 'Oliver' directed this film.

06 Thursday
Ladder 49 (Jay Russell 2004 135mins) 2/5
[35mm Hoyts Cinema 8 Highpoint 2.00pm] 1st viewing. Film #686
Enjoyable film - better than expected. Both Travolta and Phoenix were believable thanks to some handy flashbacks. Sentimental and predictable in places, but overall a genuinely good attempt.

05 Wednesday
Finding Neverland (Marc Forster 2004) 2/5 Film #685
[35mm Rivoli Cinema 2. 2.50pm] 1st viewing.
Not very strong –a lack of character information made Depp's character uninteresting. Film went for too long. The story of J. R Barrie and how the ideas for Peter Pan came to fruition. Julie Christie was the highlight of this film.

03 Monday
Witness to Murder (Roy Roland 1954) 2/5
[ VHS LP – FOX Classics Bill Collins ] 1st viewing. #684
Short sharp enjoyable film – made same year as Rear Window. George Sanders in particular was impressive. Barbara Stanwyck believe she witnesses a murder across from her apartment- but has difficult convincing anyone. I suggest watching this as a double with 'Rear Window' for comparison in direction and style.