Remember Armchair Cinema? No, me neither. I'm sure it was a pretty good series, but even if it wasn't, it spawned one classic episode and one classic TV series which is still on the box right now, The Sweeney. That episode was called Regan and it's just been issued by Network on Blu-ray for the very first time.
Continue reading "Blu-ray review: Regan - the original pilot for The Sweeney (1974)" »
Rushing in where angels fear to tread, I found myself in the lobby of the Curzon Soho, awaiting the arrival of Mme. Scenester for an appointment with what may be this year's most anticipated film. Almost 65 years have elapsed since Graham Greene's masterly novel Brighton Rock was made into an excellent film, and where the action was set firmly in the inter-war years the book was set in.
It was therefore with some trepidation that I greeted the news trailed throughout the latter part of last year, that the action had been advanced to the 1960s, although I can report that the setting is secondary to the plot here, with a few omissions and some liberties being taken here and there, it remains largely intact.
I find it strange at times, when, despite all the component parts being in place, a film never quite comes together. Deadfall is a great example.
Directed by Bryan Forbes, a soundtrack by the late John Barry, Shirley Bassey belting out the theme tune and a cast headed up by Michael Caine at his most dapper. Oh yes - some nice Spanish scenery to enjoy too. What could possibly go wrong?
Heard of Don Sharp? He directed one of our favourite cult classics, Psychomania. So when I saw his name attached to a new DVD from Odeon called A Taste Of Excitement...well..I made a point of getting a copy pretty sharpish. After all, it starred everyone's favourite moustache man, Peter Bowles, had a Keith Mansfield soundtrack and a South of France setting (in the days when it was the swingin' place to be). What could possibly go wrong...? After watching the opening scenes, I suspected very little could go wrong to be honest.
That scene shows and unknown assailant trying to ram Jane Kerrell (Eva Renzi) and her Mini off a particularly dangerous road somewhere in the French Riviera. She survives (just), but she's shaken enough to go to the police about it. But the threats don't end there, continuing in her hotel and as she drives around the area, not that the police seem interested. She's eventually befriended by a rather menacing psychiatrist, Dr. Forla (George Pravda) and a British artist by the name of Paul Hedley (David Buck), as well as being continually pursued by the villainous Alfredo Guardi (Peter Bowles).
Continue reading "DVD Review: A Taste Of Excitement (1970)" »
Some good independent cinema clubs springing up, with Cigarette Burns being one such group. If you want to get acquainted, you might want to check out its screening of Danger: Diabolik, taking place on Saturday 11th September at the Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2PB.
From the producers of Barbarella and directed by the Legendary master Mario Bava, not to mention complete with a soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, it's a typically silly sixties crime flick that's a positive feast for your eyes.
See what we mean by the trailer below. You can find out more about the event at the Cigarette Burns website. £7 gets you in, with DJs and drinks taking you through 'til 2am.
