“All his major works feel as fresh and relevant as when they were made.”
Leading festival heads and UK industry figures have been paying fulsome tribute to Terence Davies, one of the titans of UK cinema who died at the weekend aged 77.
British Film Institute (BFI) chief executive Ben Roberts said that Davies was an inspirational figure to him. He discovered Davies’ work when he was 17 years old and saw a clip of The Long Day Closes on the BBC Film show presented by Barry Norman.
“I was just immediately mesmerised by it. There was something about how his films...
Leading festival heads and UK industry figures have been paying fulsome tribute to Terence Davies, one of the titans of UK cinema who died at the weekend aged 77.
British Film Institute (BFI) chief executive Ben Roberts said that Davies was an inspirational figure to him. He discovered Davies’ work when he was 17 years old and saw a clip of The Long Day Closes on the BBC Film show presented by Barry Norman.
“I was just immediately mesmerised by it. There was something about how his films...
- 10/9/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
BFI’s Ben Roberts and Cannes head Thierry Fremaux among those to praise Davies, who died aged 77 this weekend.
Leading festival heads and UK industry figures have been paying fulsome tribute to Terence Davies, one of the titans of UK cinema who died at the weekend aged 77.
British Film Institute (BFI) chief executive Ben Roberts said that Davies was an inspirational figure to him. He discovered Davies’ work when he was 17 years old and saw a clip of The Long Day Closes on the BBC Film show presented by Barry Norman.
“I was just immediately mesmerised by it. There was...
Leading festival heads and UK industry figures have been paying fulsome tribute to Terence Davies, one of the titans of UK cinema who died at the weekend aged 77.
British Film Institute (BFI) chief executive Ben Roberts said that Davies was an inspirational figure to him. He discovered Davies’ work when he was 17 years old and saw a clip of The Long Day Closes on the BBC Film show presented by Barry Norman.
“I was just immediately mesmerised by it. There was...
- 10/9/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Harrison Ford will once again don the signature leather jacket and fedora of intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones when Disney unveils Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny at Cannes in an out-of-competition slot this year.
Directed by James Mangold, the film marks the fifth time Ford has played Indy and comes 15 years after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull also premiered at the festival. But Ford, who will receive a special tribute at this year’s fest, never expected Indy — nor his other signature character, Star Wars’ Han Solo — to have such longevity.
When the actor visited Cannes in 1985 on behalf of Peter Weir’s crime thriller Witness, in which he played a police detective called upon to protect an Amish woman (Kelly McGillis) and her son, it provided the opportunity to show he was interested in doing more than high-octane blockbusters. Yet when he sat down with British journalist Barry Norman,...
Directed by James Mangold, the film marks the fifth time Ford has played Indy and comes 15 years after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull also premiered at the festival. But Ford, who will receive a special tribute at this year’s fest, never expected Indy — nor his other signature character, Star Wars’ Han Solo — to have such longevity.
When the actor visited Cannes in 1985 on behalf of Peter Weir’s crime thriller Witness, in which he played a police detective called upon to protect an Amish woman (Kelly McGillis) and her son, it provided the opportunity to show he was interested in doing more than high-octane blockbusters. Yet when he sat down with British journalist Barry Norman,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After the long, slow death of the Beeb’s flagship Film show, a radical rethink is needed if the public broadcaster’s claims it takes movies seriously are to be believed
BBC to replace long-running Film review show
For the Film programme, it’s been a long goodbye. The BBC’s flagship film show for TV has been on its deathbed for a long time now. Running for only a few months a year, with a rotating and sometimes rather desultory-looking list of presenters, it has had a variable and very late time slot. Indeed, its own producers were sometimes left in the dark by BBC executives about what exactly was the plan for a programme that still had a devoted following.
Its glory days, by common consent, were in the 70s, 80s and 90s when it was hosted by the avuncular, rumpled, lovable – and extremely knowledgable – Barry Norman, who...
BBC to replace long-running Film review show
For the Film programme, it’s been a long goodbye. The BBC’s flagship film show for TV has been on its deathbed for a long time now. Running for only a few months a year, with a rotating and sometimes rather desultory-looking list of presenters, it has had a variable and very late time slot. Indeed, its own producers were sometimes left in the dark by BBC executives about what exactly was the plan for a programme that still had a devoted following.
Its glory days, by common consent, were in the 70s, 80s and 90s when it was hosted by the avuncular, rumpled, lovable – and extremely knowledgable – Barry Norman, who...
- 12/28/2018
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Emma Hockley, Beth Leigh named as first recipients.
The Barry Norman Bursary, an award launched earlier this year to enable recipients to pursue a career in media, journalism or film, has awarded its first grants to two first-year university students.
The award, created in tribute to film broadcaster and journalist Barry Norman who passed away in June 2017, was given to Emma Hockley, a student in film-making at Bristol, University of the West of England; and to Beth Leigh, who is studying Combined Honours in Japanese and Film Studies at Newcastle University.
Bursary applications were reviewed by a judging panel including...
The Barry Norman Bursary, an award launched earlier this year to enable recipients to pursue a career in media, journalism or film, has awarded its first grants to two first-year university students.
The award, created in tribute to film broadcaster and journalist Barry Norman who passed away in June 2017, was given to Emma Hockley, a student in film-making at Bristol, University of the West of England; and to Beth Leigh, who is studying Combined Honours in Japanese and Film Studies at Newcastle University.
Bursary applications were reviewed by a judging panel including...
- 10/26/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Film critic will be considered for TV awards.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) have explained why critic Barry Norman was omitted from the ’In Memoriam’ segment at last night’s Film Awards ceremony.
Norman passed away aged 83 in July 2017, and presented the BBC’s Film… show from 1972 to 1998. He was the programme’s longest running host.
Responding to a question from film critic Jason Solomons, the official Bafta Twitter account said: “Due to the limited time for the televised obits, unfortunately it isn’t possible to honour all those who have passed away. Barry Norman received a BAFTA Special Award for his contribution to TV & will be considered for inclusion in the Television Awards broadcast later this year.”
The full exchange is below.
Dreadful there was no mention of the late Barry Norman in the #eebaftas in memoriam section #baftafail #RIPBarryNorman #missedcritics
— Jason Solomons (@JasonCritic) February 18, 2018
Due to the limited time for the televised...
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) have explained why critic Barry Norman was omitted from the ’In Memoriam’ segment at last night’s Film Awards ceremony.
Norman passed away aged 83 in July 2017, and presented the BBC’s Film… show from 1972 to 1998. He was the programme’s longest running host.
Responding to a question from film critic Jason Solomons, the official Bafta Twitter account said: “Due to the limited time for the televised obits, unfortunately it isn’t possible to honour all those who have passed away. Barry Norman received a BAFTA Special Award for his contribution to TV & will be considered for inclusion in the Television Awards broadcast later this year.”
The full exchange is below.
Dreadful there was no mention of the late Barry Norman in the #eebaftas in memoriam section #baftafail #RIPBarryNorman #missedcritics
— Jason Solomons (@JasonCritic) February 18, 2018
Due to the limited time for the televised...
- 2/19/2018
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Louisa Mellor Oct 19, 2017
We chatted to actor Paul Kaye about playing wizards, the musical Matilda, and his move from celebrity satire to serious drama…
Main image credit: Jordan Katz-Kaye
“Bitterness, really” is Paul Kaye’s explanation of what drove his satirical red-carpet interviewer Dennis Pennis in the nineties. “I’d hit thirty, I’d sort of failed as a musician, I’d failed as an artist I felt at the time.” Ambushing Hollywood’s elite in the persona of a brash, punk nuisance wasn’t Kaye’s first choice for stardom, he admits. “It wasn’t how I expected to forge a career. Of all the things I thought I’d end up doing, it wasn’t that.”
See related 26 new UK TV shows to look out for 50 upcoming comic book TV shows, and when to expect them
Trained in theatre design, in his twenties Kaye worked as an illustrator...
We chatted to actor Paul Kaye about playing wizards, the musical Matilda, and his move from celebrity satire to serious drama…
Main image credit: Jordan Katz-Kaye
“Bitterness, really” is Paul Kaye’s explanation of what drove his satirical red-carpet interviewer Dennis Pennis in the nineties. “I’d hit thirty, I’d sort of failed as a musician, I’d failed as an artist I felt at the time.” Ambushing Hollywood’s elite in the persona of a brash, punk nuisance wasn’t Kaye’s first choice for stardom, he admits. “It wasn’t how I expected to forge a career. Of all the things I thought I’d end up doing, it wasn’t that.”
See related 26 new UK TV shows to look out for 50 upcoming comic book TV shows, and when to expect them
Trained in theatre design, in his twenties Kaye worked as an illustrator...
- 10/18/2017
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Sep 15, 2017
The late Barry Norman's impact on many of us, and our love for film, will be felt for decades.
I struggle a bit sometimes, with writing about someone whose work meant the world to me in the immediate aftermath of their death. For one, I’m no fan of the clickbait culture, whereby as soon as a passing is announced, there’s a seeming compulsion to bash out an accompanying top ten list (that's not a slight against those who wrote terrific, long-form personal pieces). But more than that, I find it hard to concentrate my thoughts.
That was particularly the case with Barry Norman, a man without whom I wouldn’t be doing what I was doing.
Like many of you, I got into film in a serious way in my early teens. I tended – and I had a good home life, so this is...
The late Barry Norman's impact on many of us, and our love for film, will be felt for decades.
I struggle a bit sometimes, with writing about someone whose work meant the world to me in the immediate aftermath of their death. For one, I’m no fan of the clickbait culture, whereby as soon as a passing is announced, there’s a seeming compulsion to bash out an accompanying top ten list (that's not a slight against those who wrote terrific, long-form personal pieces). But more than that, I find it hard to concentrate my thoughts.
That was particularly the case with Barry Norman, a man without whom I wouldn’t be doing what I was doing.
Like many of you, I got into film in a serious way in my early teens. I tended – and I had a good home life, so this is...
- 9/14/2017
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Aug 8, 2017
1991's City Slickers was an Oscar-winning comedy success. It was not without behind the scenes challenges...
Spoilers for City Slickers lie ahead.
Sandwiched between the two big tentpole blockbuster hits of summer 1991 was a genuine sleeper surprise. Whilst it had long been pre-ordained that the Arnold Schwarzenegger-headlined Terminator 2: Judgment Day would rule the summer season with the Kevin Costner-starring Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, what few saw coming was a film called City Slickers.
It came from the pen of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, the comedy-writing team who scripted 1989’s brilliant Parenthood. They co-write the film with Billy Crystal (who didn’t receive credit), who also conceived the idea for the film. And as with most unlikely successes, it had a bit of a history to it.
Crystal came to the idea in the aftermath of his success in When Harry Met Sally,...
1991's City Slickers was an Oscar-winning comedy success. It was not without behind the scenes challenges...
Spoilers for City Slickers lie ahead.
Sandwiched between the two big tentpole blockbuster hits of summer 1991 was a genuine sleeper surprise. Whilst it had long been pre-ordained that the Arnold Schwarzenegger-headlined Terminator 2: Judgment Day would rule the summer season with the Kevin Costner-starring Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, what few saw coming was a film called City Slickers.
It came from the pen of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, the comedy-writing team who scripted 1989’s brilliant Parenthood. They co-write the film with Billy Crystal (who didn’t receive credit), who also conceived the idea for the film. And as with most unlikely successes, it had a bit of a history to it.
Crystal came to the idea in the aftermath of his success in When Harry Met Sally,...
- 7/27/2017
- Den of Geek
American critic and author thinks the internet has “diluted” film criticism.
Us film critic Leonard Maltin has claimed that there is an increasing lack of interest in film criticism due to the emergence of the internet and social media.
Maltin is one of the most well-known critics in the world for his book Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide, which started in 1969 and was published annually from 1986 until 2014.
Speaking to Screen at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Maltin said: “There’s no shortage of good and intelligent film critics. There’s a lack of interest and there’s a dilution of criticism in general because of the internet and social media.”
He added: “On one hand one has to applaud the democratisation of communication. There are no gatekeepers, so everyone can… write as they please. But the flip side of the coin is there are no standards being upheld, that’s risky, that’s dangerous...
Us film critic Leonard Maltin has claimed that there is an increasing lack of interest in film criticism due to the emergence of the internet and social media.
Maltin is one of the most well-known critics in the world for his book Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide, which started in 1969 and was published annually from 1986 until 2014.
Speaking to Screen at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Maltin said: “There’s no shortage of good and intelligent film critics. There’s a lack of interest and there’s a dilution of criticism in general because of the internet and social media.”
He added: “On one hand one has to applaud the democratisation of communication. There are no gatekeepers, so everyone can… write as they please. But the flip side of the coin is there are no standards being upheld, that’s risky, that’s dangerous...
- 7/10/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Author: Cai Ross
With more TV channels then there are bacteria on a lab technician’s wellington boot, and with social media weaponising opinions en masse, these days everyone is a critic. But as far as British TV audiences in the 70s, 80s and 90s were concerned, there was only really one film critic, Barry Norman Cbe, who has sadly passed away this weekend at the age of 83.
Between 1971 and 1998, Norman’s was the positive verdict every studio wanted on their film poster. With a sprightly, conversational style that sounded like audible handwriting, and a dependable selection of comfortable jumpers to hand, Barry Norman was the nation’s film critic: our Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert rolled into one package.
Coming up through the ranks the old fashioned way, Norman ended up at the BBC via early work as a jobbing journalist and a film critic for various national newspapers. He...
With more TV channels then there are bacteria on a lab technician’s wellington boot, and with social media weaponising opinions en masse, these days everyone is a critic. But as far as British TV audiences in the 70s, 80s and 90s were concerned, there was only really one film critic, Barry Norman Cbe, who has sadly passed away this weekend at the age of 83.
Between 1971 and 1998, Norman’s was the positive verdict every studio wanted on their film poster. With a sprightly, conversational style that sounded like audible handwriting, and a dependable selection of comfortable jumpers to hand, Barry Norman was the nation’s film critic: our Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert rolled into one package.
Coming up through the ranks the old fashioned way, Norman ended up at the BBC via early work as a jobbing journalist and a film critic for various national newspapers. He...
- 7/3/2017
- by Cai Ross
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Journalist who became familiar figure as BBC’s film reviewer for 26 years wins warm tributes
The worlds of film and journalism are mourning Barry Norman, the veteran critic and journalist who became a weekly oracle for British cinemagoers in the era before the internet took off.
Norman, who presented the BBC’s film review show for 26 years before leaving for Sky, and wrote for newspapers including the Observer and the Guardian, died in his sleep on Friday night. He was 83.
Continue reading...
The worlds of film and journalism are mourning Barry Norman, the veteran critic and journalist who became a weekly oracle for British cinemagoers in the era before the internet took off.
Norman, who presented the BBC’s film review show for 26 years before leaving for Sky, and wrote for newspapers including the Observer and the Guardian, died in his sleep on Friday night. He was 83.
Continue reading...
- 7/1/2017
- by Ben Quinn
- The Guardian - Film News
Journalist and film critic with a beguiling ability to reach a mass television audience
• Peter Bradshaw on Barry Norman: ‘His enthusiasm and love for film always shone through’
•A life in pictures
During a long journalistic career Barry Norman, who has died aged 83, perfected a flair for talking beguilingly about cinema to a mass television audience but in a way that did not make aficionados wince. As the presenter and critic of BBC TV’s original Film 72 through to Film 98, he was knowledgeable without affectation, and he did not seem overawed by the industry’s leading lights.
Outside the BBC, his baggy-eyed good looks led to him being called by some “the thinking woman’s crumpet”. Within it, he was “Breezy Bazza”, and once, by John Wayne, he was labelled “a goddam liberal pinko faggot” – after Norman had laughed out loud at Wayne’s suggestion during a press conference...
• Peter Bradshaw on Barry Norman: ‘His enthusiasm and love for film always shone through’
•A life in pictures
During a long journalistic career Barry Norman, who has died aged 83, perfected a flair for talking beguilingly about cinema to a mass television audience but in a way that did not make aficionados wince. As the presenter and critic of BBC TV’s original Film 72 through to Film 98, he was knowledgeable without affectation, and he did not seem overawed by the industry’s leading lights.
Outside the BBC, his baggy-eyed good looks led to him being called by some “the thinking woman’s crumpet”. Within it, he was “Breezy Bazza”, and once, by John Wayne, he was labelled “a goddam liberal pinko faggot” – after Norman had laughed out loud at Wayne’s suggestion during a press conference...
- 7/1/2017
- by Dennis Barker and Derek Malcolm
- The Guardian - Film News
British film critic and television personality Barry Norman has died aged 83. From his own brand of pickled onions to meeting Darth Vader, we’ve gathered some of the best images through the years
• Peter Bradshaw on Barry Norman: ‘His enthusiasm and love for film always shone through’
•A delightful and intelligent critic: Barry Norman obituary
Continue reading...
• Peter Bradshaw on Barry Norman: ‘His enthusiasm and love for film always shone through’
•A delightful and intelligent critic: Barry Norman obituary
Continue reading...
- 7/1/2017
- by Josy Forsdike
- The Guardian - Film News
Norman hosted the BBC’s Film… show for 26 years.
Film critic and TV presenter Barry Norman has died aged 83, according to his family.
He died in his sleep on Friday night (June 30). His daughters Samantha and Emma said in a statement: “He had a great life, a wonderful marriage, and an enviable career.”
“He leaves behind a family who adore him and a great roster of friends who love him too. We will miss him more than we can say.”
Norman presented the BBC’s Film… show from 1972 to 1998. He was the programme’s longest running host.
Son of director Leslie Norman, Barry Norman started out as a journalist, working for The Daily Mail, The Observer and The Guardian.
He became the host of the BBC’s Film… show in 1972, presenting it for 26 years (he briefly left to present Omnibus in 1982 but returned the following year).
Norman quit the programme for good in 1998, defecting to Sky. His...
Film critic and TV presenter Barry Norman has died aged 83, according to his family.
He died in his sleep on Friday night (June 30). His daughters Samantha and Emma said in a statement: “He had a great life, a wonderful marriage, and an enviable career.”
“He leaves behind a family who adore him and a great roster of friends who love him too. We will miss him more than we can say.”
Norman presented the BBC’s Film… show from 1972 to 1998. He was the programme’s longest running host.
Son of director Leslie Norman, Barry Norman started out as a journalist, working for The Daily Mail, The Observer and The Guardian.
He became the host of the BBC’s Film… show in 1972, presenting it for 26 years (he briefly left to present Omnibus in 1982 but returned the following year).
Norman quit the programme for good in 1998, defecting to Sky. His...
- 7/1/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Journalist who presented BBC Film show for 26 years was known for diplomatic and friendly on-screen approach
• Peter Bradshaw on Barry Norman: ‘His love for film always shone through’
• A life in pictures
The film critic Barry Norman has died at the age of 83.
The journalist and former BBC presenter died in his sleep on Friday night.
Continue reading...
• Peter Bradshaw on Barry Norman: ‘His love for film always shone through’
• A life in pictures
The film critic Barry Norman has died at the age of 83.
The journalist and former BBC presenter died in his sleep on Friday night.
Continue reading...
- 7/1/2017
- by Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Nicola Slawson
- The Guardian - Film News
The face of the BBC’s Film programme for almost three decades was an accessible, unpretentious surveyor of cinema
•A delightful and intelligent critic: Barry Norman obituary
•A life in pictures
As a professional journalist, Barry Norman had paid his dues long before becoming a celebrity and a much-impersonated national icon – complete with a catchphrase that he never actually said: “And why not?”
He had been a reporter at the Daily Mail, show business editor, and then a columnist and leader writer on the Guardian. He then got the gig that made him a legend: presenter on BBC1’s Film programme from 1972 to 1998.
Continue reading...
•A delightful and intelligent critic: Barry Norman obituary
•A life in pictures
As a professional journalist, Barry Norman had paid his dues long before becoming a celebrity and a much-impersonated national icon – complete with a catchphrase that he never actually said: “And why not?”
He had been a reporter at the Daily Mail, show business editor, and then a columnist and leader writer on the Guardian. He then got the gig that made him a legend: presenter on BBC1’s Film programme from 1972 to 1998.
Continue reading...
- 7/1/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
He was Britain's most successful and popular film critic, hosting the BBC's flagship film review for 26 years. Now Barry Norman has died at the age of 83.
"He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career," said his daughters, Samantha and Emma, in a statement. "We will miss him more than we can say."
Norman, who had a passion for cricket and liberal politics, wrote on film for numerous national newspapers and was a Cbe and the proud owner of a Richard Dimbleby Award from BAFTA. Throughout his life he was committed to supporting the British film industry. For the past year he had suffered from lung cancer, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
"A film critic and a provider of fine pickled onions. That’s a good life," tweeted Stephen Fry, referring to Norman's sideline as the owner of a brand of pickled onions based on an.
"He had a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career," said his daughters, Samantha and Emma, in a statement. "We will miss him more than we can say."
Norman, who had a passion for cricket and liberal politics, wrote on film for numerous national newspapers and was a Cbe and the proud owner of a Richard Dimbleby Award from BAFTA. Throughout his life he was committed to supporting the British film industry. For the past year he had suffered from lung cancer, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
"A film critic and a provider of fine pickled onions. That’s a good life," tweeted Stephen Fry, referring to Norman's sideline as the owner of a brand of pickled onions based on an.
- 7/1/2017
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Simon Brew Jul 1, 2017
Sad news. The iconic Barry Norman has left us, at the age of 83.
Aw, this is really, really sad news. I’m one of the many who grew up in an era where if you wanted to watch somebody talk and enthuse about films on the television, Barry Norman was your man. His Film programmes were a huge part of my growing up (the one he did just after the loss of his father remains etched in my memory), and it makes it extra sad that we have to report he’s died, at the age of 83.
Norman’s body of work is far broader than he was often given credit for. He was a journalist, a novelist, a film critic and television presenter, amongst many other things, and his last book, 2013’s See You In The Morning, was a moving account of the loss of his beloved Diana.
Sad news. The iconic Barry Norman has left us, at the age of 83.
Aw, this is really, really sad news. I’m one of the many who grew up in an era where if you wanted to watch somebody talk and enthuse about films on the television, Barry Norman was your man. His Film programmes were a huge part of my growing up (the one he did just after the loss of his father remains etched in my memory), and it makes it extra sad that we have to report he’s died, at the age of 83.
Norman’s body of work is far broader than he was often given credit for. He was a journalist, a novelist, a film critic and television presenter, amongst many other things, and his last book, 2013’s See You In The Morning, was a moving account of the loss of his beloved Diana.
- 7/1/2017
- Den of Geek
Carley Tauchert Sep 5, 2017
From video shops to the corner fleapit, our kids are going to miss out on some of the movie rites of passage we got to enjoy...
Just over a year and a half ago I had a baby, and my son is a beautiful bundle of joy who is growing rapidly by the day. One of the many things I look forward to as he grows up is introducing him to new and exciting experiences, and the one I actually cannot wait for is the world of film as it was such an important thing to me growing up. But we live in a different age now, and although we have a huge cinematic adventure ahead of us, there are some things I’m quite sad about that he is going to miss out on in this digital age, starting with...
Fleapit cinemas
This actually is the...
From video shops to the corner fleapit, our kids are going to miss out on some of the movie rites of passage we got to enjoy...
Just over a year and a half ago I had a baby, and my son is a beautiful bundle of joy who is growing rapidly by the day. One of the many things I look forward to as he grows up is introducing him to new and exciting experiences, and the one I actually cannot wait for is the world of film as it was such an important thing to me growing up. But we live in a different age now, and although we have a huge cinematic adventure ahead of us, there are some things I’m quite sad about that he is going to miss out on in this digital age, starting with...
Fleapit cinemas
This actually is the...
- 6/23/2017
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Mar 21, 2017
How many of us revisit a film, if it didn't work for us first time around?
A bit of clickbait avoidance. The answer to the question posed in the title is: it clearly depends on the film. But I think there’s a bit more to it than that. Hence this article.
Let’s start, then, with Stephen Fry. In his relatively recent memoir More Fool Me, he spends a welcome chunk of the opening section discussing books, and how memories of books can leak over time. He ties it into Guy Pearce’s character in Memento, thus earning a few extra geek points from the jar.
But there’s a sentence he writes, on page 15, that struck me at the time, and has struck me regularly since. For he simply recalls that “A friend of mine pointed out recently how absurd it was that people reread...
How many of us revisit a film, if it didn't work for us first time around?
A bit of clickbait avoidance. The answer to the question posed in the title is: it clearly depends on the film. But I think there’s a bit more to it than that. Hence this article.
Let’s start, then, with Stephen Fry. In his relatively recent memoir More Fool Me, he spends a welcome chunk of the opening section discussing books, and how memories of books can leak over time. He ties it into Guy Pearce’s character in Memento, thus earning a few extra geek points from the jar.
But there’s a sentence he writes, on page 15, that struck me at the time, and has struck me regularly since. For he simply recalls that “A friend of mine pointed out recently how absurd it was that people reread...
- 3/20/2017
- Den of Geek
Author: Cai Ross
Christmastime is here. Presumably you already have chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a turkey and some mistletoe, and your first screaming argument about who’s cooking for who and where. ’Tis the season for such timeless traditions, and along with a collective craving for manifestly ill-judged food combinations and a moratorium on our disapproval of comedy knitwear, classic Christmas movies are now a vital part of the great yuletide experience.
But what precisely is a classic Christmas movie? Timeless vintage offerings like Holiday Inn and Miracle on 34th Street are stuffed from titles to credits with all things Christmassy, yet you’ll also find films like Casablanca and The Great Escape on many festive film lists, which have nothing more to do with Christmas than Cannibal Holocaust.
Even the single greatest ‘Christmas Movie’ of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life has a pretty tenuous connection with the Holiday Season,...
Christmastime is here. Presumably you already have chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a turkey and some mistletoe, and your first screaming argument about who’s cooking for who and where. ’Tis the season for such timeless traditions, and along with a collective craving for manifestly ill-judged food combinations and a moratorium on our disapproval of comedy knitwear, classic Christmas movies are now a vital part of the great yuletide experience.
But what precisely is a classic Christmas movie? Timeless vintage offerings like Holiday Inn and Miracle on 34th Street are stuffed from titles to credits with all things Christmassy, yet you’ll also find films like Casablanca and The Great Escape on many festive film lists, which have nothing more to do with Christmas than Cannibal Holocaust.
Even the single greatest ‘Christmas Movie’ of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life has a pretty tenuous connection with the Holiday Season,...
- 12/13/2016
- by Cai Ross
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Simon Brew Nov 28, 2016
When was the last time you saw a major blockbuster and felt real concern for the fate of the main characters?
This feature contains spoilers for Executive Decision, Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Mission: Impossible and, er, Dad’s Army.
In the mid-1990s, before the internet could spoil it for them, people piled in to see the still very enjoyable thank you very much Executive Decision. It’s a fun action movie, with Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal getting top billing in the movie. But there’s little suggestion that anything particularly radical was lying ahead. Yet in hindsight, there’s something far more surprising than perhaps it was given credit for even then.
For, surprisingly early in the film, Executive Decision is one of those rare films that’s willing to kill off one of its stars, Mr Seagal in this case (something he...
When was the last time you saw a major blockbuster and felt real concern for the fate of the main characters?
This feature contains spoilers for Executive Decision, Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Mission: Impossible and, er, Dad’s Army.
In the mid-1990s, before the internet could spoil it for them, people piled in to see the still very enjoyable thank you very much Executive Decision. It’s a fun action movie, with Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal getting top billing in the movie. But there’s little suggestion that anything particularly radical was lying ahead. Yet in hindsight, there’s something far more surprising than perhaps it was given credit for even then.
For, surprisingly early in the film, Executive Decision is one of those rare films that’s willing to kill off one of its stars, Mr Seagal in this case (something he...
- 11/23/2016
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Nov 2, 2016
Film 2016 returns tonight with a new guest presenter approach. Full details lie within...
Tonight marks the return to our screens of the BBC’s one-time flagship film programme, Film 2016. And following the announcement at the end of the summer that Claudia Winkleman was standing down as co-host of the show, the BBC has finally announced her replacement.
Or replacements.
For the BBC has opted to go with a rotation of guest presenters for the new series, who in turn will accompany the returning resident critic Danny Leigh. There’s precedence for this in film programmes, I should note. Following the death of Gene Siskel, the late Roger Ebert continued to present a television film review programme with guest presenters for a while after. And that was deemed quite successful, if not quite - inevitably - up to majesty of seeing the original duo together.
The...
Film 2016 returns tonight with a new guest presenter approach. Full details lie within...
Tonight marks the return to our screens of the BBC’s one-time flagship film programme, Film 2016. And following the announcement at the end of the summer that Claudia Winkleman was standing down as co-host of the show, the BBC has finally announced her replacement.
Or replacements.
For the BBC has opted to go with a rotation of guest presenters for the new series, who in turn will accompany the returning resident critic Danny Leigh. There’s precedence for this in film programmes, I should note. Following the death of Gene Siskel, the late Roger Ebert continued to present a television film review programme with guest presenters for a while after. And that was deemed quite successful, if not quite - inevitably - up to majesty of seeing the original duo together.
The...
- 11/2/2016
- Den of Geek
Ceri Thomas Nov 8, 2016
Flicks magazine used to be available free of charge at cinemas across the land. One of its former employees tells its story...
If you were growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, your cinema-going ritual was written in stone. Tickets were bought face-to-face in the foyer after queuing outside (sometimes for hours). You grabbed your wine gums, Maltesers and butterscotch from the concession stand (popcorn? What’s that?). You took your (unreserved) seat in the non-smoking section and settled down to wait for the pa-pah pa-pah Pa-pah of the Pearl & Dean ads ahead of a promo film for a local Indian restaurant and Kia-ora's latest attempt to flog you a glow-in-the-dark blend of E-numbers and sugar.
Oh, and you always – always! – had your free copy of Flicks clutched in your hand.
Free copy of what now?
It’s just a fond memory these days, but for 15 years,...
Flicks magazine used to be available free of charge at cinemas across the land. One of its former employees tells its story...
If you were growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, your cinema-going ritual was written in stone. Tickets were bought face-to-face in the foyer after queuing outside (sometimes for hours). You grabbed your wine gums, Maltesers and butterscotch from the concession stand (popcorn? What’s that?). You took your (unreserved) seat in the non-smoking section and settled down to wait for the pa-pah pa-pah Pa-pah of the Pearl & Dean ads ahead of a promo film for a local Indian restaurant and Kia-ora's latest attempt to flog you a glow-in-the-dark blend of E-numbers and sugar.
Oh, and you always – always! – had your free copy of Flicks clutched in your hand.
Free copy of what now?
It’s just a fond memory these days, but for 15 years,...
- 10/25/2016
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Oct 10, 2016
There’s little sign of a new James Bond film yet, and Spectre has left lots of questions behind. So what now, 007?
Update: here's a story that landed this morning, of relevance to this article.
This article contains light spoilers for Spectre.
At the end of October 2015, the 24th James Bond film, Spectre, enjoyed its global premiere. Following the massive success of Skyfall, hopes were understandably high for Spectre, and it quickly notched up some strong – and not so strong – reviews. Originally rumoured to be the first of a two part story (with a suggestion that it be filmed back to back with James Bond 25), Spectre would prove to be a big box office hit too. As Bond drove off into the sunset at the end of the film, the next adventure was surely an inevitability.
But something wasn’t quite right. And one year later,...
There’s little sign of a new James Bond film yet, and Spectre has left lots of questions behind. So what now, 007?
Update: here's a story that landed this morning, of relevance to this article.
This article contains light spoilers for Spectre.
At the end of October 2015, the 24th James Bond film, Spectre, enjoyed its global premiere. Following the massive success of Skyfall, hopes were understandably high for Spectre, and it quickly notched up some strong – and not so strong – reviews. Originally rumoured to be the first of a two part story (with a suggestion that it be filmed back to back with James Bond 25), Spectre would prove to be a big box office hit too. As Bond drove off into the sunset at the end of the film, the next adventure was surely an inevitability.
But something wasn’t quite right. And one year later,...
- 9/29/2016
- Den of Geek
Guy Buckland Aug 18, 2016
Guy has a few words for critics who spoil movies in their reviews - and asks them to put a bit of extra work in...
Two topics that frequently bubble to the surface when stirring the movie-web pot: critics and spoilers. We question the relevance of the former when they lambast a film we like, and we direct our bile at the latter when they diminish the joy of discovery in that hallowed darkened room with the big screen on the wall and the stains on the carpet (I’m talking about the cinema there, but actually that’s a pretty accurate description of my lounge).
However, there is a very specific area I’d like to focus on, and a very particular grievance I wish to air. And it involves the unholy alliance of the two.
Firstly, let me be abundantly clear: I think professional film...
Guy has a few words for critics who spoil movies in their reviews - and asks them to put a bit of extra work in...
Two topics that frequently bubble to the surface when stirring the movie-web pot: critics and spoilers. We question the relevance of the former when they lambast a film we like, and we direct our bile at the latter when they diminish the joy of discovery in that hallowed darkened room with the big screen on the wall and the stains on the carpet (I’m talking about the cinema there, but actually that’s a pretty accurate description of my lounge).
However, there is a very specific area I’d like to focus on, and a very particular grievance I wish to air. And it involves the unholy alliance of the two.
Firstly, let me be abundantly clear: I think professional film...
- 8/17/2016
- Den of Geek
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When was the last time you went into the final act of a big blockbuster and didn't have any idea how things would turn out?
This article contains spoilers for:
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (major)
Super 8 (middling)
Back To The Future (mild)
Next week’s National Lottery numbers * (mild)
Toy Story 3 (mild)
Skyfall (mildish)
The Fugitive (middling)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (middling)
* Just seeing if anyone reads this bit
It’s an oft-quoted example, granted, but in the midst of Back To The Future’s time travel, and the rush to get the DeLorean up to 88mph and to put the world right, the motivation of the lead character was a simple one: to make sure his parents stayed together.
No matter what Doc Brown said, it wasn’t about the end of the world or a paradox bringing everything crashing down.
google+
When was the last time you went into the final act of a big blockbuster and didn't have any idea how things would turn out?
This article contains spoilers for:
Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (major)
Super 8 (middling)
Back To The Future (mild)
Next week’s National Lottery numbers * (mild)
Toy Story 3 (mild)
Skyfall (mildish)
The Fugitive (middling)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (middling)
* Just seeing if anyone reads this bit
It’s an oft-quoted example, granted, but in the midst of Back To The Future’s time travel, and the rush to get the DeLorean up to 88mph and to put the world right, the motivation of the lead character was a simple one: to make sure his parents stayed together.
No matter what Doc Brown said, it wasn’t about the end of the world or a paradox bringing everything crashing down.
- 3/29/2016
- Den of Geek
Former BBC film critic says actor's enormous talent 'could sometimes be spread so thinly as to be almost invisible'
The film critic Barry Norman has accused the late actor Robin Williams of an addiction to "saccharine, tooth-rotting sentimentality" which he said would sully the Oscar-winner's legacy as a film actor.
In a no-holds-barred column for the Radio Times, 80-year-old Norman said Williams's CV featured a "plenitude" of bad films among the actor's critically acclaimed movies.
Continue reading...
The film critic Barry Norman has accused the late actor Robin Williams of an addiction to "saccharine, tooth-rotting sentimentality" which he said would sully the Oscar-winner's legacy as a film actor.
In a no-holds-barred column for the Radio Times, 80-year-old Norman said Williams's CV featured a "plenitude" of bad films among the actor's critically acclaimed movies.
Continue reading...
- 8/19/2014
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Film critic Barry Norman has spoken about Robin Williams's career, saying that he had an "addiction" to "saccharine, tooth-rotting sentimentality".
The 80-year-old added that this would have an impact on the late actor's career legacy.
Writing in the Radio Times, Norman said that Williams's talent "could sometimes be spread so thinly".
The columnist also stated that Williams's CV featured a "plenitude" of bad films.
"It's hard to know what to make of Robin Williams," wrote Norman. "Admiration is called for, but also sadness, not just for his tragic death but for an enormous talent which, if not exactly unfulfilled, could sometimes be spread so thinly as to be almost invisible."
On Williams's "bad" movies, Norman added: "Every actor makes bad films occasionally but what was remarkable about Williams was not that he was so good in the good ones but that he was so very bad in the bad ones.
The 80-year-old added that this would have an impact on the late actor's career legacy.
Writing in the Radio Times, Norman said that Williams's talent "could sometimes be spread so thinly".
The columnist also stated that Williams's CV featured a "plenitude" of bad films.
"It's hard to know what to make of Robin Williams," wrote Norman. "Admiration is called for, but also sadness, not just for his tragic death but for an enormous talent which, if not exactly unfulfilled, could sometimes be spread so thinly as to be almost invisible."
On Williams's "bad" movies, Norman added: "Every actor makes bad films occasionally but what was remarkable about Williams was not that he was so good in the good ones but that he was so very bad in the bad ones.
- 8/19/2014
- Digital Spy
A nuclear-powered bus packed with misfit passengers and with a dodgy driver at the wheel is speeding across America ... It's going to be a bumpy ride in one of the best 70s spoofs
More from the My Guilty Pleasure series
When Airplane! stormed cinemas in 1980, it was hailed as the perfect spoof of transport disaster movies and a useful coda to a decade that had been obsessed with them: Airport, The Poseidon Adventure, The Hindenburg, Airport 1975, Airport '77, Airport 80 The Concorde etc.
But before Airplane! there was The Big Bus. I recall as a teenager watching Barry Norman review the film on what must have been Film 76 (note again the decade's zeitgeisty use of years in titles). It looked funny, but I was too young to see it at the cinema. So I put all childish thoughts of buses aside
Continue reading...
More from the My Guilty Pleasure series
When Airplane! stormed cinemas in 1980, it was hailed as the perfect spoof of transport disaster movies and a useful coda to a decade that had been obsessed with them: Airport, The Poseidon Adventure, The Hindenburg, Airport 1975, Airport '77, Airport 80 The Concorde etc.
But before Airplane! there was The Big Bus. I recall as a teenager watching Barry Norman review the film on what must have been Film 76 (note again the decade's zeitgeisty use of years in titles). It looked funny, but I was too young to see it at the cinema. So I put all childish thoughts of buses aside
Continue reading...
- 4/25/2014
- by Paul Simon
- The Guardian - Film News
The Film programme. That theme tune. This 48-minute podcast. And why not? The movie journalist legend that is Barry Norman stopped by the Empire Podcast booth to talk about his new book, his extraordinary career and just how close he came to punching Robert De Niro.P.S. You can check out our podcast photo gallery here and subscribe to the Empire Podcast via our iTunes page or this handy RSS feed. You can subscribe to the magazine here if you like it in paper form, or here if you prefer things digitally.
- 4/14/2014
- EmpireOnline
John Travolta, who just turned 60, recently spoke about the loss of his son, Jett, who died when he was only 16-years-old.
John Travolta Remembers The Loss Of His Son
Travolta sat down for a 90-minute interview with the BBC’s Barry Norman recently at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, where he answered questions on a whole range of topics – including Jett’s death in 2009 from a seizure.
"[It was] the worst thing that's ever happened in my life,” Travolta revealed. "The truth is, I didn't know if I was going to make it. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better,” the Pulp Fiction star added. “I didn't want to wake up."
Travolta On Scientology, James Gandolfini
As he has in the past, Travolta credited Scientology with helping him through the tragic loss of his eldest son, who’d had a history...
John Travolta Remembers The Loss Of His Son
Travolta sat down for a 90-minute interview with the BBC’s Barry Norman recently at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, where he answered questions on a whole range of topics – including Jett’s death in 2009 from a seizure.
"[It was] the worst thing that's ever happened in my life,” Travolta revealed. "The truth is, I didn't know if I was going to make it. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better,” the Pulp Fiction star added. “I didn't want to wake up."
Travolta On Scientology, James Gandolfini
As he has in the past, Travolta credited Scientology with helping him through the tragic loss of his eldest son, who’d had a history...
- 2/19/2014
- Uinterview
John Travolta has opened up about the 2009 death of his son Jett, calling the loss the "worst thing that's ever happened in my life." "The truth is, I didn't know if I was going to make it," the actor, who turns 60 today, said while participating in a recent on-stage interview with the BBC's Barry Norman at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. "Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better." It was in January 2009 when 16-year-old Jett died following a seizure during a family vacation in the Bahamas. The family's attorney revealed at the time that the son of Travolta and wife Kelly Preston had a history of seizures. Travolta went on to...
- 2/18/2014
- E! Online
Global movie icon John Travolta, one of Hollywood's biggest and best-loved stars, just got up close and personal on stage in London's West End in A Conversation with John Travolta. Travolta, who was first catapulted to international stardom in the blockbuster Saturday Night Fever, which launched the disco phenomenon in the 1970s, treated the audience to an intimate evening of anecdotes about his illustrious career, private insights from his life as one of the world's most admired screen idols as well as taking part in a special question and answer session with audience members. The on stage interview was conducted by film critic, Barry Norman.
- 2/17/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Feature Simon Brew 11 Feb 2014 - 06:32
How do we decide what's a four star movie? Are all five star movies made equal? Simon explains the issues with star ratings
A pair of reviews went up on this site last week, for films that - for differing reasons - we rated at four stars apiece. Above the four stars, in both cases, were many hundreds of words discussing the films in question. Yet both, in different ways, continued to fuel the ongoing, interesting debate about the star rating system, and its suitability.
Because in the comments below our reviews of both RoboCop (2014) and The Lego Movie were some pertinent, constructive questions. We're not going to name the commenters, as the aim isn't to expose them to flaming or such like. Yet they raise some interesting questions and points - which we've quoted directly - that in many ways frame the ongoing star rating debate.
How do we decide what's a four star movie? Are all five star movies made equal? Simon explains the issues with star ratings
A pair of reviews went up on this site last week, for films that - for differing reasons - we rated at four stars apiece. Above the four stars, in both cases, were many hundreds of words discussing the films in question. Yet both, in different ways, continued to fuel the ongoing, interesting debate about the star rating system, and its suitability.
Because in the comments below our reviews of both RoboCop (2014) and The Lego Movie were some pertinent, constructive questions. We're not going to name the commenters, as the aim isn't to expose them to flaming or such like. Yet they raise some interesting questions and points - which we've quoted directly - that in many ways frame the ongoing star rating debate.
- 2/10/2014
- by sarahd
- Den of Geek
Citizen Kane may have been dethroned by Vertigo in the 2012 Sight & Sound poll but it’s still…you know…Citizen Kane. Here at The Film Stage we’ll take any opportunity to further study Orson Welles‘ American masterpiece and today we have two extensive documentaries that chronicle Kane’s production. The first documentary, narrated by film critic Barry Norman, traces the rise of [...]...
- 2/6/2014
- by Zade Constantine
- The Film Stage
Frank Capra's 1946 black-and-white film starring James Stewart as a suicidal bank manager beats modern fare to first place
The Frank Capra festive favourite It's a Wonderful Life has been named Britain's favourite Christmas film in a poll for the Radio Times.
The 1946 film beat the Richard Curtis romantic comedy Love Actually and Will Ferrell festive caper Elf to the top spot in the survey of just over 2,000 people. The Muppet Christmas Carol, from 1992, and 1990's Home Alone rounded out the top five.
It's a Wonderful Life is the story of downcast bank manager George Bailey, played memorably by the late, great James Stewart, who sets out to kill himself on Christmas Eve but changes his mind when a guardian angel helps him realise he has made a difference in the world. The film was recently in the news after a pair of Hollywood producers who were not involved in...
The Frank Capra festive favourite It's a Wonderful Life has been named Britain's favourite Christmas film in a poll for the Radio Times.
The 1946 film beat the Richard Curtis romantic comedy Love Actually and Will Ferrell festive caper Elf to the top spot in the survey of just over 2,000 people. The Muppet Christmas Carol, from 1992, and 1990's Home Alone rounded out the top five.
It's a Wonderful Life is the story of downcast bank manager George Bailey, played memorably by the late, great James Stewart, who sets out to kill himself on Christmas Eve but changes his mind when a guardian angel helps him realise he has made a difference in the world. The film was recently in the news after a pair of Hollywood producers who were not involved in...
- 12/23/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Directors: Joey Figueroa, Zak Knutson; Starring: John Milius, George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, George Hamilton, Paul Schrader, Sam Elliott, Francis Ford Coppola, Richard Dreyfuss; Running time: 103 mins; Certificate: 15
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning..."
With a ferocious demeanor as sharp as the iconic movie lines he wrote, John Milius became an 'enfant terrible' amongst studio executives despite his credits including Apocalypse Now, Dirty Harry, Jaws and Conan The Barbarian. The rise and fall of the legendary scribe and script doctor is a narrative worthy of Hollywood itself, laden with potent twists and superbly conveyed in this fascinating documentary.
Milius unfolds chronologically and fuses classic footage from movies alongside archival and newly-recorded interviews with key players, interspersed with candid behind-the-scenes audio and visual recordings. These all combine...
"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning..."
With a ferocious demeanor as sharp as the iconic movie lines he wrote, John Milius became an 'enfant terrible' amongst studio executives despite his credits including Apocalypse Now, Dirty Harry, Jaws and Conan The Barbarian. The rise and fall of the legendary scribe and script doctor is a narrative worthy of Hollywood itself, laden with potent twists and superbly conveyed in this fascinating documentary.
Milius unfolds chronologically and fuses classic footage from movies alongside archival and newly-recorded interviews with key players, interspersed with candid behind-the-scenes audio and visual recordings. These all combine...
- 10/30/2013
- Digital Spy
Interview Simon Brew 11 Oct 2013 - 04:26
Mark Kermode talks to us about his new book, the current state of film criticism, and a little film he wants the world to know about...
Mark Kermode's new book, Hatchet Job, is a dissection of the current state of film criticism. It's a fascinating read, and he settled down for half an hour of solid chat about it in London with us last week. Here's how it went...
Your book raises a lot of interesting points about movie critics, but also hinted widely at the ecosystem around them. In your earlier book, It's Only A Movie, you recount the story of you going on radio on Lbc for your on-air movie reviewing debut. And both you and your mother do not recall that it was your finest hour.
But when you first broadcast a review, and put your name to it, that...
Mark Kermode talks to us about his new book, the current state of film criticism, and a little film he wants the world to know about...
Mark Kermode's new book, Hatchet Job, is a dissection of the current state of film criticism. It's a fascinating read, and he settled down for half an hour of solid chat about it in London with us last week. Here's how it went...
Your book raises a lot of interesting points about movie critics, but also hinted widely at the ecosystem around them. In your earlier book, It's Only A Movie, you recount the story of you going on radio on Lbc for your on-air movie reviewing debut. And both you and your mother do not recall that it was your finest hour.
But when you first broadcast a review, and put your name to it, that...
- 10/10/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Today's film news, crushed mercilessly down to the size of one article
On the site today
Here's what's in the news ...
- Mamma Mia! (sorry): Joseph Gordon-Levitt faces criticism over his 'racist' portrayal of Italian-Americans in Don Jon.
- Saoirse Ronan has said she has auditioned for Star Wars VII, "but so has everyone else".
- Orc to be good: Duncan Jones' World of Warcraft movie will be released in 2015.
- Director Mark Basseley Youssef, the man behind the Youtube video that was blamed of inciting the Benghazi attack, has a new film on the way.
- Angelina Jolie will shoot Unbroken down under.
- Here no gore: Eli Roth's Las Vegas haunted house has shut its (creaky) doors.
And elsewhere on the site ...
- Nell Frizzell will tell us why she loves how Rambo took down a helicopter with a rock.
- Ben Child takes a...
On the site today
Here's what's in the news ...
- Mamma Mia! (sorry): Joseph Gordon-Levitt faces criticism over his 'racist' portrayal of Italian-Americans in Don Jon.
- Saoirse Ronan has said she has auditioned for Star Wars VII, "but so has everyone else".
- Orc to be good: Duncan Jones' World of Warcraft movie will be released in 2015.
- Director Mark Basseley Youssef, the man behind the Youtube video that was blamed of inciting the Benghazi attack, has a new film on the way.
- Angelina Jolie will shoot Unbroken down under.
- Here no gore: Eli Roth's Las Vegas haunted house has shut its (creaky) doors.
And elsewhere on the site ...
- Nell Frizzell will tell us why she loves how Rambo took down a helicopter with a rock.
- Ben Child takes a...
- 10/2/2013
- by Henry Barnes
- The Guardian - Film News
As Barry Norman compares today's cinema audiences to fruit flies, we bring you a bite-sized precis of the day's news and more
Coming up today
In the headlines, we've news that …
• Brian Epstein biopic is to be first to use original Beatles songs and Paul McCartney's High in the Clouds to be a movie.
• James McAvoy "would play Jimmy Savile on film," says Irvine Welsh, as Filth is reported widespread in Scotland.
• Diana poster removed from site of fatal car crash
• Ben Affleck's Batcave "cost £50,000"
• Blockbuster audiences have "attention of fruit flies", says Barry Norman
• Waterworld director to document resurrection of Jesus
• Residents of Oxfordshire village told to ignore explosions from Brad Pitt film
Also on the site today …
• We did a swapsie on Why I Love, so we'll have Why I Love … watching movies on VHS today instead.
• Test your lightsaber know-how with our Star Wars weaponry quiz.
Coming up today
In the headlines, we've news that …
• Brian Epstein biopic is to be first to use original Beatles songs and Paul McCartney's High in the Clouds to be a movie.
• James McAvoy "would play Jimmy Savile on film," says Irvine Welsh, as Filth is reported widespread in Scotland.
• Diana poster removed from site of fatal car crash
• Ben Affleck's Batcave "cost £50,000"
• Blockbuster audiences have "attention of fruit flies", says Barry Norman
• Waterworld director to document resurrection of Jesus
• Residents of Oxfordshire village told to ignore explosions from Brad Pitt film
Also on the site today …
• We did a swapsie on Why I Love, so we'll have Why I Love … watching movies on VHS today instead.
• Test your lightsaber know-how with our Star Wars weaponry quiz.
- 10/1/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Former BBC TV presenter complains most films are aimed at teenagers with no interest in dialogue or character
Barry Norman may have left the BBC's Film show 15 years ago, but he's still an influential voice of cinema opinion, as his waspish comments at the Henley literary festival proved over the weekend.
According to the Mail Online, Norman told his audience "Too many films are made for a generation with the attention span of fruit flies ... I heard a depressing fact that films today are made for the 15 year-old to 18 year-old audience, who are there for the quick thrill and the fast effects."
Continue reading...
Barry Norman may have left the BBC's Film show 15 years ago, but he's still an influential voice of cinema opinion, as his waspish comments at the Henley literary festival proved over the weekend.
According to the Mail Online, Norman told his audience "Too many films are made for a generation with the attention span of fruit flies ... I heard a depressing fact that films today are made for the 15 year-old to 18 year-old audience, who are there for the quick thrill and the fast effects."
Continue reading...
- 10/1/2013
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Former BBC TV presenter complains most films are aimed at teenagers with no interest in dialogue or character
Barry Norman may have left the BBC's Film show 15 years ago, but he's still an influential voice of cinema opinion, as his waspish comments at the Henley literary festival proved over the weekend.
According to the Mail Online, Norman told his audience "Too many films are made for a generation with the attention span of fruit flies ... I heard a depressing fact that films today are made for the 15 year-old to 18 year-old audience, who are there for the quick thrill and the fast effects."
Norman, 80, went on to complain that cinema failed to serve his generation. "You can't make a film on an idea you need a great story but sadly a lot of films today are made on special effects and the 'crash, bang, wallop' effect. We are at an age...
Barry Norman may have left the BBC's Film show 15 years ago, but he's still an influential voice of cinema opinion, as his waspish comments at the Henley literary festival proved over the weekend.
According to the Mail Online, Norman told his audience "Too many films are made for a generation with the attention span of fruit flies ... I heard a depressing fact that films today are made for the 15 year-old to 18 year-old audience, who are there for the quick thrill and the fast effects."
Norman, 80, went on to complain that cinema failed to serve his generation. "You can't make a film on an idea you need a great story but sadly a lot of films today are made on special effects and the 'crash, bang, wallop' effect. We are at an age...
- 10/1/2013
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
The film critic and author, 80, on perfectionism, being in love with Michelle Pfeiffer, and not bouncing any more
I've probably seen 15,000 films. Since giving up the day job [presenting Film 72 to Film 98] I've seen fewer and fewer – it's a relief to not have to watch so much crap, to be honest. I watch what I want, and a little bit of crap, to get a picture of what's going on.
Most days I feel 35 or 40. Then I step off the train to the platform and realise my limbs have lost all elasticity. I don't bounce any more. Old people just hit the floor.
I'm a perfectionist. I think there were quite a few people I worked with on television who were terrified of me, actually. I didn't have time for cocky kids coming in trying to cut corners on things, so every now and then I'd fly off the handle and frighten the shit...
I've probably seen 15,000 films. Since giving up the day job [presenting Film 72 to Film 98] I've seen fewer and fewer – it's a relief to not have to watch so much crap, to be honest. I watch what I want, and a little bit of crap, to get a picture of what's going on.
Most days I feel 35 or 40. Then I step off the train to the platform and realise my limbs have lost all elasticity. I don't bounce any more. Old people just hit the floor.
I'm a perfectionist. I think there were quite a few people I worked with on television who were terrified of me, actually. I didn't have time for cocky kids coming in trying to cut corners on things, so every now and then I'd fly off the handle and frighten the shit...
- 9/28/2013
- by Megan Conner
- The Guardian - Film News
Interview Simon Brew 30 Sep 2013 - 06:03
With his new book See You In The Morning out now, Simon chats to Barry Norman about his writing, his BBC Film programme, writing and more...
There's a bit in his new book, See You In The Morning, where Barry Norman relates his frustration with movie stars being late for interviews, to the point where George Clooney was once kept waiting because Norman had gone off to the loo, so convinced was he that Clooney wouldn't be on time.
Let us tell you: the man practices what he preaches. Three minutes early, the phone rang, and we started talking to the man that so many of us grew up watching, thanks to his near two-decades of work on the Film programme on BBC One.
Barry Norman was talking to us about his new book, See You In The Morning, where he relates the story...
With his new book See You In The Morning out now, Simon chats to Barry Norman about his writing, his BBC Film programme, writing and more...
There's a bit in his new book, See You In The Morning, where Barry Norman relates his frustration with movie stars being late for interviews, to the point where George Clooney was once kept waiting because Norman had gone off to the loo, so convinced was he that Clooney wouldn't be on time.
Let us tell you: the man practices what he preaches. Three minutes early, the phone rang, and we started talking to the man that so many of us grew up watching, thanks to his near two-decades of work on the Film programme on BBC One.
Barry Norman was talking to us about his new book, See You In The Morning, where he relates the story...
- 9/27/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Film critic describes what happened when the Hollywood star challenged him over who was the taller
The broadcaster and film critic Barry Norman has told of a spat with Mel Gibson over the Hollywood star's height. In his new book See You In The Morning, out later this month, Norman describes meeting Robert De Niro, John Wayne and Braveheart star Gibson .
In the Radio Times, he writes: "There was the occasion at a private dinner in Hollywood when Mel Gibson insisted he was as tall as I was. I disagreed politely on the grounds that I was just over 6ft and he most certainly wasn't.
"But then he grew quite angry about it, until some diplomatic soul suggested we should settle the argument by standing back to back. This we did, and I could feel him going up on tiptoe behind me so that the top of his head would...
The broadcaster and film critic Barry Norman has told of a spat with Mel Gibson over the Hollywood star's height. In his new book See You In The Morning, out later this month, Norman describes meeting Robert De Niro, John Wayne and Braveheart star Gibson .
In the Radio Times, he writes: "There was the occasion at a private dinner in Hollywood when Mel Gibson insisted he was as tall as I was. I disagreed politely on the grounds that I was just over 6ft and he most certainly wasn't.
"But then he grew quite angry about it, until some diplomatic soul suggested we should settle the argument by standing back to back. This we did, and I could feel him going up on tiptoe behind me so that the top of his head would...
- 9/23/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Film critic describes what happened when the Hollywood star challenged him over who was the taller
The broadcaster and film critic Barry Norman has told of a spat with Mel Gibson over the Hollywood star's height. In his new book See You In The Morning, out later this month, Norman describes meeting Robert De Niro, John Wayne and Braveheart star Gibson .
In the Radio Times, he writes: "There was the occasion at a private dinner in Hollywood when Mel Gibson insisted he was as tall as I was. I disagreed politely on the grounds that I was just over 6ft and he most certainly wasn't.
Continue reading...
The broadcaster and film critic Barry Norman has told of a spat with Mel Gibson over the Hollywood star's height. In his new book See You In The Morning, out later this month, Norman describes meeting Robert De Niro, John Wayne and Braveheart star Gibson .
In the Radio Times, he writes: "There was the occasion at a private dinner in Hollywood when Mel Gibson insisted he was as tall as I was. I disagreed politely on the grounds that I was just over 6ft and he most certainly wasn't.
Continue reading...
- 9/23/2013
- by Press Association
- The Guardian - Film News
Sir David Frost's final BBC project is to be made, it has been announced.
The broadcaster - who died aged 74 earlier this month - was said to be "extremely excited" to be working on a new programme entitled That Was the Year That Was before he passed away.
Lord Michael Grade will step in to present the show in his memory, the BBC has confirmed.
Guests including Ronnie Corbett, Barry Norman and Dame Joan Bakewell will join Grade for the three-part project.
Broadcast on BBC Radio 2, the programme will focus on 1963, the year Frost presented That Was the Week That Was.
It will look back at news stories that took place during his early career, including the Profumo affair, the Great Train Robbery, James Bond's launch and the assassination of JFK.
The programme will begin recording this week, and will be broadcast later in 2013.
BBC Radio 2's Bob Shennan...
The broadcaster - who died aged 74 earlier this month - was said to be "extremely excited" to be working on a new programme entitled That Was the Year That Was before he passed away.
Lord Michael Grade will step in to present the show in his memory, the BBC has confirmed.
Guests including Ronnie Corbett, Barry Norman and Dame Joan Bakewell will join Grade for the three-part project.
Broadcast on BBC Radio 2, the programme will focus on 1963, the year Frost presented That Was the Week That Was.
It will look back at news stories that took place during his early career, including the Profumo affair, the Great Train Robbery, James Bond's launch and the assassination of JFK.
The programme will begin recording this week, and will be broadcast later in 2013.
BBC Radio 2's Bob Shennan...
- 9/18/2013
- Digital Spy
Dummy Jim
Directed by Matt Hulse
UK, 2013
Based on James Duthie’s “I Cycled into the Arctic Circle”, a first-person literary account by a man who accomplished a brave feat in spite of his disability – yet sadly ended his days in an unmarked grave – the quasi-adaptation Dummy Jim pays tribute to not just this mortal man, but also the natural world exalted by his words. The film tells the story of a deaf-mute cyclist with the same name, who travels along the Continent while a group of schoolchildren stage a retelling of his journey for a village fete. Director Matt Hulse’s work sits halfway between a narrative feature and filmic essay, a committedly visual hymn of praise for the minute and grandiose marvels of Earth. Here is an unsentimental eye and ear pressed to all things that impact upon our senses, no matter their size, importance or status.
On paper,...
Directed by Matt Hulse
UK, 2013
Based on James Duthie’s “I Cycled into the Arctic Circle”, a first-person literary account by a man who accomplished a brave feat in spite of his disability – yet sadly ended his days in an unmarked grave – the quasi-adaptation Dummy Jim pays tribute to not just this mortal man, but also the natural world exalted by his words. The film tells the story of a deaf-mute cyclist with the same name, who travels along the Continent while a group of schoolchildren stage a retelling of his journey for a village fete. Director Matt Hulse’s work sits halfway between a narrative feature and filmic essay, a committedly visual hymn of praise for the minute and grandiose marvels of Earth. Here is an unsentimental eye and ear pressed to all things that impact upon our senses, no matter their size, importance or status.
On paper,...
- 6/30/2013
- by Ed Doyle
- SoundOnSight
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