The Mark Kermode 'It's Only A Movie' Book Tour

After bravely/foolishly (delete as applicable) staying up till 3.00am to watch the New Orleans Saints deservedly win the Superbowl, I managed to get up and grab a train down to Edinburgh and our sister cinema, The Cameo (voted one of the best independent cinemas in the UK although I’m sure that if The Guardian had visited The Belmont then we would have made the list too!).

The reason for my visit was that The Cameo was playing host to the UK’s most infamously coiffured film critic, Mark Kermode to promote his new autobiography IT’S ONLY A MOVIE. What followed was an entertaining one man show as DrK revisited a few of the stories and anecdotes from his years in the film critiquing business.

Yes, many of us familiar with Mark Kermode over the years had probably heard some of the famous stories before, like Herzog getting shot and the obligatory mention of THE EXORCIST as “The Greatest Movie Ever Made”TM but it really didn’t matter when they were told with an infectious enthusiasm that made it very apparent that he still has the same love for the world of cinema as he had when he saw his first film some thirty plus years ago.

Fans of the Mayo and Kermode podcast would have been delighted to see the talk come to a close with him pulling out his stylophone for a musical tribute to Duncan Jones’s MOON to make up for its shocking Oscar snub.

A short Q&A followed with almost everyone in the audience having two questions instead of one but we found out that the Film 2010 rumours are sadly false (for the time being anyway) and that someone in the audience was sitting behind Mark when he had to remove someone who fainted during a screening of IRREVERSIBLE at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh.

Finally Mark finished the evening by doing a book signing where he showed that he was a true gentleman by taking the time to speak to every person individually and his encyclopaedic knowledge came to the fore as he rattled off details about cult films, recognised people by their twitter/email names from the podcasts and even a guy’s short film that he’d judged in a competition several years ago.

They say that you should never meet your heroes but after last night I’m glad that I’ve met one of mine.

Mark Kermode will be appearing at several Picturehouse cinemas over the next few weeks so if you can beg, borrow or steal a ticket it is worth it because even if you have seen AVATAR in 3D (and I saw it on IMAX), you haven’t seen AVATAR until you’ve seen Mark Kermode’s AVATAR!

Dallas King, "better than Megan Fox" - Mark Kermode

(500) Films of Empire - Day 144

312 - Suspiria - 4 stars
I must give a special "shout out" to the team behind the Blu Ray transfer because the results are absolutely beautiful. I watched Suspiria a few years ago on DVD and it was grainy and dull, but seeing it after it had gone through this high definition restoration it was like watching an entirely new film.
The first thing that you notice are the colours. They are so intense and vivid, particularly the colours red, blue and green. This was the last film shot on Technicolour and a fitting tribute to this bold, vibrant film format although at times the colour scheme is so intense that it could threaten to overwhelm what is happening on screen.
This horror film based around an American student discovering her ballet school is run by a coven of witches is most famous for its series of elaborate murder sequences. You have the opening murder through the glass window, the death where a girl falls into a room that for some reason is filled with nothing but barbed wire, and the highlight of the film, the death of the blind piano player. Now I've seen this film before but I was still fooled by the fabulous bait-and-switch of the death (I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet).
The other highlight of the film is the soundtrack by Goblin and Dario Argento. This was their second collaboration following the success of Profondo Rosso (aka Deep Red) and they would go onto do the soundtrack for Romero's Dawn Of The Dead. It's a fantastic blend of synth and funk that is as seminal a work within the horror genre as the soundtracks to Halloween and Psycho, even to the point where Hans Zimmer has referenced this heavily when scoring the soundtrack to The Ring remake in 2002 (something I only noticed during this viewing).
Whilst the film is a tremendous fun and a landmark within the horror genre, it is not immune from criticism as some of the acting is shockingly bad, particularly the lead actress Jennifer Harper; although this might be in part to the fact that the film was entirely redubbed in post production and she was acting opposite Italian actors.
If you liked/loved this film then I must recommend Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) which I believe is even better than Suspiria and has fantastic use of the archetypal black leather murdering gloves!

Days remaining - 221 Films remaining - 288

(500) Films of Empire - Day 143

408 - Zelig - 2 stars

A so-so effort from Woody Allen and a little bemused by its inclusion on the list as Allen has made many better films (many of which are also on, and much higher up, the list).

It takes the form of a fake documentary looking at the life of Leonard Zelig (played by Woody himself) during the 1920's and 30's who was dubbed the human chameleon because he would mimic the physical and mental characteristics of those he comes into social contact with. This can range from mimicing mannerisms to drastic physical changes even body weight and colour.

Zelig's case becomes big news and he becomes a celebrity in the early quarter of the century and Allen inserts himself into footage from the era to make it look like Zelig was interacting with some of the stars of the day, even putting himself into a Nazi party rally.

A curiosity more than anything for the techniques used and evidence that Allen might have invented the 'mockumentary' before Spinal Tap.

Days remaining - 222 Films remaining - 289

(500) Films of Empire - Day 142

191 - Brokeback Mountain - 5 stars

So much more than just "that gay cowboy movie", this was one of those times when everything seems to come together to create a truly beautiful film.

As I tried to explain to a few customers when this film came out (no pun intended), this is not a gay film but in fact it is simply a love story, as the central relationship between Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist transcends any boundaries of sexuality.

The performances of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal show amazing depth and maturity from the young actors.  Ledger in particular finally showed what a truly great actor he was and it is a terrible shame that he died before really being able to fulfill his potential.

Ang Lee's understated direction allows the action to unfold at its own pace and is beautifully underscored by Gustavo Santaolalla.

234 - The Bourne Ultimatum - 5 stars
The culmination of one of the very best film trilogies of all time.
While you could complain that they are all very similar in terms of the storyline and action, they are all excellent films in their own right. And Ultimatum is the best of the bunch.
The first half hour is almost a horror movie in that it is terrifying to realise how plausible the speed and precision that government agency can invade our privacy and track our every move. The scene where Paddy Considine is being chased through Waterloo station is the standout set piece of the series. Now every time I walk through the station I am constantly checking the movements of the CCTV cameras!
The bonus of this film is that Bourne is finally up against a worthy adversary in the form of David Strathairn's slimy Noah Vosel.  A man who is very quick to eliminate civilians or even members of his own department if they are perceived to be a threat to him.

The only minor annoyance with the film was for some reason the screenwriters tried to shoehorn in some hint at a previous romance between Matt Damon and Julia Stiles.  It wasn't mentioned in the first two and just seemed forced in order to bring her back, which wasn't necessary.

I fully agree with Damon's decision to only return if Greengrass directs, but after three films treading familiar waters they would have to do something very different to make it a success... which they have, its called Green Zone and looks like Bourne in Iraq being chased by Jason Isaacs with a handlebar moustache!


Days remaining - 223 Films remaining - 290

(500) Films of Empire - Day 141

458 - Ikiru - 3 stars
A word of warning to film fans out there. Try not to read too much about a film before viewing as it could seriously impact your enjoyment.
This was the mini review in the Empire 500 list:
A dying man tries to get a playground built, and Akira Kurosawa demonstrates his range by segueing from acidic dissection of Japanese office workaholism to understated, uplifting tragedy. If you don't cry at the end, you need a new heart.
Issue number one. From reading this description I assumed that this was the main plot of the movie but this does not kick in until two thirds of the way in, after he goes through one of those 'trying to enjoy life' phases of drinking, partying and romancing of younger ladies. So he decides to turn an abandoned cesspit into a playground and suddenly we cut to his wake! WTF? I thought that this was the end of the film and felt totally jipped.
However it turns out that we get to see his struggle to get the playground built through flashbacks as his fellow employees remember him, culminating in his death on the swings in the completed park. I think my enjoyment wouldn't have been spoiled if I hadn't been continually waiting for the playground aspect to appear.

My second problem is that I didn't cry at the end, therefore apparently I need a new heart. Who am I? The Tin Man from the freaking Wizard of Oz?
425 - Wonder Boys - 4 stars
One of the most underrated films of the last decade, if only for the fact that hardly anyone saw it on its original release!
Curtis Hanson is like Danny Boyle in that as a director he refuses to become pigeonholed into one particular genre, instead producing films as diverse as this, L.A. Confidential, In Her Shoes and 8 Mile.
Here he directs an excellent cast in this tale of a burnt out English tutor having the weekend from hell as his wife leaves him, his mistress tells him she's pregnant, one of his pupils is acting rather oddly and topped off by his editor wanting to see his unfinished second book!
Michael Douglas's finest performance since Wall Street and the character of Grady Tripp is Douglas's The Dude, if nothing else for the fact he smokes a lot of pot and wears a dressing gown!
This film is probably unique in the fact that this is the only film in which you will see Iron Man and Spider-Man in the same bed together, as Robert Downey Jr's editor seduces the young impressionable student played by Tobey Maguire!


Days remaining - 224 Films remaining - 292

(500) Films of Empire - Day 140 - It's Groundhog Day... again

259 - Groundhog Day - 4 stars

One of the most original and greatest comedies of the nineties with Bill Murray in the role of a lifetime, or should that a lifetime in a role, as Phil Connors who is stuck within his own personal hell of Groundhog Day in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania.

There is a hint of It's A Wonderful Life to this story of a grouchy weatherman who is forced to relive the same day over and over in order to learn one of those Hollywood style "life lessons" and become a better person who has that one perfect day.

Normally this is achieved in a neat 100 minutes but for Phil the process takes years and years.  It is never explicitly said how long Phil is stuck in the time loop but director Harold Ramis said it would have probably been over 10 years (I think the screenwriter wanted it to have been thousands of years.

One of the great things about the film is that it never explains why or how this is happening to Phil, it just is.  We see Phil go through various stages during his many experiences in Groundhog Day; initial bewilderment, enjoyment, manipulation, despair and suicide, before finally attempting to better himself.  

Yet due to it's comedic tone, unable to explore the darker side of what someone could and probably would do if stuck in a time loop with no consequences to their actions i.e. torture, rape, murder, etc

It needed an actor like Bill Murray who could easily have the nasty attitude at the beginning yet convince the audience of his ability to change over the course of the film.

A special mention must go to Stephen Tobolowsky's Ned Ryerson. One of those truly great supporting characters, with what would have been very little on the page Tobolowsky creates a lasting impression. "Bing, watch out for that first step, it's a doozy!"

Would have received the rare honour of the five star review if it wasn't for the personality and talent vacuum that is Andie Macdowell!

Days remaining - 225 Films remaining - 294

(500) Films of Empire - Day 139

454 - The Bourne Supremacy - 4 stars
Paul Greengrass took over the franchise and delivered an even leaner, meaner sequel that quickly dropped the romance subplot (quite literally by *spoilers* shooting it in the back of the head), and Bourne is back being tracked by a bunch of suits looking at computer monitors who are terrified because they are now the target of Bourne's anger.
This was the moment that Damon turned into a A-List megastar, carrying a film with a magnetic ans physical screen presence yet not saying much at all. After all, actions speak louder than words, and they certainly do when you are kicking somebody's ass with a rolled up copy of Heat magazine!
The film, in my humble opinion, was responsible for the new direction and success of the James Bond reboot. Gone were the gadgets, romancing and witty quips and replaced with a grittier, more realistic feel in keeping with the Bourne films. Even the ending of Quantum of Solace is a rip-off of the ending of Bourne Supremacy with a confrontation/confession in a snowy apartment block.
The other major influence on filmmaking in the last few years, arguably for better or worse, is the super fast, even dizzying, editing style that is used during the movie-defining car chase. In this MTV generation, a lot of young filmmakers think that by editing a sequence so that you squeeze in 100 shots within 30 seconds means that you can place emphasis on style over substance. This isn't a criticism of this film but on the copycats that followed.

389 - Election - 3 stars
A witty social and political satire about a teacher who rigs a student council election due to a vendetta with a pupil.
I know I'm not alone in finding Reese Witherspoon intensely irritating but I guess that works very well for this film when she is supposed to be annoying.
Matthew Broderick was very good as the teacher whose simple life spirals out of control, all due to complications in what should have been a simple election. Often forget that Broderick can be a good actor and not just Ferris Bueller.
Just wondering if Jim McAllister was working in Florida in 2000 during the Bush/Gore election?

Days remaining - 226 Films remaining - 295