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SMB Film Thread 2025

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Fletch73 said:
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover [1989] 8/10
The wife (Helen Mirren) of an abusive criminal (Michael Gambon) finds solace in the arms of a kind regular guest in her husband’s restaurant.

Visually stunning. Gambon's performance is as big as anything Nic Cage has ever done.

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I've told this story dozens of times but Michael Gambon recounted going to meet Olivier at his house in about 1987. This wasn't long before Olivier passed away, he was really not well and using a wheelchair because he couldn't walk that well. Gambon is obviously starstruck meeting one of his heroes, Olivier is a bit grumpy but trying to make conversation.

Olivier says "What are you working on?" And Gambon explains that he's just been cast in The Cook The Thief His Wife And Her Lover, and how he's going to play this psychotic gangster who beats up a bloke, ties him up and pisses on him.

Olivier suddenly gets really animated and says "No you're not, you ****! I've been waiting all my f***ing life to play a part like that!" Olivier proceeds to get up out of his wheelchair and storm over the the phone where he rings his agent and berates him for not getting him an audition for this role of a lifetime.
 
SPUFF said:
Was telling my son of the ordeal of putting your name down ffor the big films at video shops n begging for the poster once theyre done with it.
Think every big film you got an old free one to hire too so you’d watch a blockbuster then any old shite 😂

This was the same time a kid with cable would tape the wrestling then it was passed around the class for a fortnight.

Different times! 😂
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Use to love the video shop trip out on the Friday, pick 2 or 3 videos for the weekend, put your name down for the big releases coming up, see what old film posters he is getting rid of, then next door to the newsagent come sweat shop. Once we were old enough (Which was around 12yo or so) we'd walk over the shop on our own and pick up the videos ourselves, me and my sister, regardless of age category videos, then 50p each to buy whatever sweets and drink we wanted.
 
Cockney Mackem said:
I've told this story dozens of times but Michael Gambon recounted going to meet Olivier at his house in about 1987. This wasn't long before Olivier passed away, he was really not well and using a wheelchair because he couldn't walk that well. Gambon is obviously starstruck meeting one of his heroes, Olivier is a bit grumpy but trying to make conversation.

Olivier says "What are you working on?" And Gambon explains that he's just been cast in The Cook The Thief His Wife And Her Lover, and how he's going to play this psychotic gangster who beats up a bloke, ties him up and pisses on him.

Olivier suddenly gets really animated and says "No you're not, you ****! I've been waiting all my f***ing life to play a part like that!" Olivier proceeds to get up out of his wheelchair and storm over the the phone where he rings his agent and berates him for not getting him an audition for this role of a lifetime.
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Another anecdote:

When I was a teen in Africa, I was in the amateur dramatic group. One of the stalwarts was the local vet. He was originally from Brighton, and had to return there briefly for his mother's funeral. Walking along the street, he saw an old man who looked familiar.

Vet: "Oh, hello. It's been a long time."
Old man: "It has, it has. How've you been keeping?"
Vet: "Well, you know. I'm still working as a vet in Africa."
Old man: "Oh yes, yes. I remember. And how are your family?"
Vet: "My mother died. I'm here for the funeral."
Old man: "I was so sad to hear about her. Please pass on my condolences."
...and so on.

All the while the vet was trying to remember who the old man was. Finally they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. A couple of blocks later, the vet suddenly realised that the old man was Laurence Olivier - who he'd never met in his life.
 
Revelations (2025). Korean thriller on Netflix. What happened to great Korean films like Oldboy and The Chaser? This is awful, bad wigs (lead actress) and bad performances (everybody). 3/10
 
Decided to fill in some of my gaps re Sight and Sound's Greatest Films of All Time list, starting with the Top 20. There were three I hadn't seen.

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Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) 9/10
Only 14 minutes long, shot in 16mm, with no sound. Clearly a massive influence on the likes of David Lynch and even Kate Bush. Lots of invention, but not sure it deserves to be ranked as the 16th greatest film of all time. Entire film here:
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Close-Up (1990) 9/10
Iranian film directed by Abbas Kiarostami blurring the line between fact and fiction. The real-life case of a man who duped a Tehran family into believing he was a famous film director, with a mix of actual footage and recreations featuring the real people. Sags a bit during the extended court sequence, but still a phenomenal piece of filmmaking.
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Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962) 10/10
A famous singer roams around Paris while waiting for the results of a biopsy. Inspired direction from Agnes Varda. Lots of scenes shot within various modes of transport. Outstanding use of reflections.
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Went to see ‘The Alto Knights’ tonight, which is based on a true story. Was a bit sceptical given I don’t like Robert De Niro, these days, and he plays both lead roles.

Alas, I enjoyed it. It’s a breezy take on the Mafia in late 1950’s New York.

For Frank Costello, he basically plays his character from ‘Casino,’ and his Vito Genovese is just f***ing hilarious. An unhinged lunatic against the more diplomatic, politicking Costello who just wants out of the mob life.

His best performance in a while.
 
Convicted (1950)

Glenn Ford is an ex-army, clean-cut broker. A bloke on a night out hassles him so Ford punches him. The bloke hits his head and dies the next day. DA Broderick Crawford prosecutes for manslaughter, knowing that the victim is the son of a political big shot. Ford gets 1-10 for his crime. After a 6 month parole hearing, he gets a full 5 years when the board realise who his father is. Ford becomes loyal to his cell mates who look after him, in contrast to the system of authority that shafted him.

Very well acted prison drama. Ford is quietly decent, although Crawford is a more potent character. Nice to see Ed Begley and Whit Bissell crop up in smaller roles. It’s a fascinating film about how society treats crime, although I will say that I was very unclear about what the overall message was. There are lots of lines that highlight problems and attitudes, but as a whole, it’s just a collection of events without a clear narrative thrust. That’s ok, though, it asks the viewer to interpret things how they see them, rather than sermonise at them.

Good, though occasionally frustratingly bleak. 7/10
 
Monty Pigeon said:
Another anecdote:

When I was a teen in Africa, I was in the amateur dramatic group. One of the stalwarts was the local vet. He was originally from Brighton, and had to return there briefly for his mother's funeral. Walking along the street, he saw an old man who looked familiar.

Vet: "Oh, hello. It's been a long time."
Old man: "It has, it has. How've you been keeping?"
Vet: "Well, you know. I'm still working as a vet in Africa."
Old man: "Oh yes, yes. I remember. And how are your family?"
Vet: "My mother died. I'm here for the funeral."
Old man: "I was so sad to hear about her. Please pass on my condolences."
...and so on.

All the while the vet was trying to remember who the old man was. Finally they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. A couple of blocks later, the vet suddenly realised that the old man was Laurence Olivier - who he'd never met in his life.
Click to expand...

Back when I worked in Whitehall I was walking along Horseguards parade with my sister going for Christmas drinks after work

We were waiting at a pedestrian crossing, and there was a little bald man stood next to me. He looked a bit familiar, and he was looking at me as if maybe he knew me, so I said hello, and had a brief chat while we waited for the lights to go green. Said our goodbyes and walked off. I'm not great remembering people so if someone looks familiar I assume I know then and say hi.

My sister asked "How long have you known Ian Hislop from Have I Got News For You"
 
Lankester Merrin said:
Back when I worked in Whitehall I was walking along Horseguards parade with my sister going for Christmas drinks after work

We were waiting at a pedestrian crossing, and there was a little bald man stood next to me. He looked a bit familiar, and he was looking at me as if maybe he knew me, so I said hello, and had a brief chat while we waited for the lights to go green. Said our goodbyes and walked off. I'm not great remembering people so if someone looks familiar I assume I know then and say hi.

My sister asked "How long have you known Ian Hislop from Have I Got News For You"
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Are you sure it wasn't Jimmy Somerville?
 
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