Wall Street

Posted on March 22, 2015 by jaycluitt

It’s New York in the mid-80s. Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) is a young stockbroker on a permanent high from having the coolest name ever, or at least he would be if he weren’t up to his armpits in debt and trying to make it big whilst stuck cold-calling on a low rung in an average firm. Bud, however, is determined, persistent and ambitious, and he ceaselessly badgers the secretary of Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), one of the big names amongst the stockbroker game. Bud’s determination pays off, eventually meeting Gekko and, with the help of some tips provided by his airplane mechanic father (Martin Sheen), Bud impresses, and is brought into the fold. But at what cost? This film was recommended for me to watch by Dylan Fields, creator of Man I Love Films, the LAMB and my predecessor as host of the Lambcast.
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A Hard Day’s Night

Posted on March 19, 2015 by jaycluitt

John, Paul, George and Ringo, otherwise known as The Rutles, spend their lives fleeing from screaming fans, aggravating their tour manager and generally larking about without a care in the world in this weekend-in-the-life snapshot as they prepare for a live show whilst looking after Paul’s grandfather (Wilfrid Brambell) along the way. Continue reading →

My Week in Movies, 2015 Week 11

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jaycluitt

This week has had a shadow looming over it for me, in the form of the passing of Terry Pratchett, my favourite author. His death on Thursday wasn’t a shock, considering he’s been very public with his health issues for the past few years, but it left me in a kind of fugue state for a good while. Also, Mother’s Day ate into my weekend quite a bit this year (love you Mum, so I don’t mind that much) so I didn’t watch/write as much as I’d have liked. Hence, last week’s mission to get at least one green mark on the tally below wasn’t overly successful. I’m also going to change one of my aims for the year. I’d initially aimed to see 25 movies in the cinema this year, averaging a little less than one a fortnight. For reasons of both availability and finance, I’m going to change that to watching a quantity of 2015 movies, but not necessarily in theatres. Last year I saw 58 movies from 2014, so this year I’m aiming to watch at least 59 movies from 2015. This actually puts me even further behind than I was, but is somehow a more manageable target, or at least it will be once movies from this year start hitting DVD and I can rent them through LoveFilm. Anyway. here’s what I watched this week:
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The Outlaw Josey Wales

Posted on March 15, 2015 by jaycluitt

This review was originally written as part of my USA Road Trip series over at French Toast Sunday. It was also a suggestion for something I should watch from the 1001 Movies list from fellow French Toast Sunday member Nick “The Rehak” Rehak.
Josey Wales (Eastwood) is a small time farmer with his wife and young son, living a peaceful existence in their Missouri home. That is until one day when, whilst Josey is out ploughing the field, he hears a ruckus at his house and arrives to find a gang of hoodlums attacking the place. Josey is knocked out in the fray, and awakes to a destroyed home, a pair of bodies in need of burying and a mighty case of desired vengeance, prompting him to learn how to shoot and head off in search of the red-booted gang who took everything he loved in the world. Continue reading →

R.I.P. Terry Pratchett

Posted on March 12, 2015 by jaycluitt

Please allow me to take a moment to mark the passing of someone who has had a tremendous impact upon my life.

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My Week in Movies, 2015 Week 10

Posted on March 9, 2015 by jaycluitt

First off, hurrah I survived skiing. I didn’t die, so yay for me. I also had a pretty great time in Switzerland, so extra bonus. Also, somewhat surprisingly, I watched a fair few films this past week, courtesy of the modest selection of DVDs in the Swiss apartment, and being too tired most evenings to do anything other than collapse in front of either the television or a deck of cards. That being said, very few of the films watched were from any actual list, so whilst I’ve got a bit to write about tonight, I didn’t make a lot of progress on any of my goals. So, basically, this is a momentous week in that I’m now behind on every single one of my goals. Bad times. My aim is to claw my way back one goal at a time, so hopefully this time next week I’ll have one glowing green YES! down there somewhere. Anyway, lets get on with business shall we? Here’s what I watched this week:
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Bad Timing

Posted on March 5, 2015 by jaycluitt

This review was originally written for Blueprint: Review.

A girl is rushed to hospital in Vienna after an apparent suicide attempt. Accompanying her is a man whose relationship with her is unclear, and is unaided by his standoffish demeanour towards the police. Through flashbacks, it becomes clear that the man, named Alex (Art Garfunkel) is in a relationship with the woman, Milena (Theresa Russell), but that their relationship is strained by her marriage to an older man (Denholm Elliott) who may be a spy Alex is investigating. It is up to Inspector Netusil (Harvey Keitel) to try and sort the whole mess out, and ascertain whether Alex had a hand in Milena’s predicament.

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Splendor in the Grass

Posted on March 4, 2015 by jaycluitt

This review was originally written for French Toast Sunday as part of my USA Road Trip series.

Wilma Loomis and Bud Stamper (Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty) are high school sweethearts. Wilma is from a low-key family, with a father described as lacking in ambition, and a domineering mother who seems intent on trying to keep her daughter as young as possible. Bud, on the other hand, is son to the richest man in town, who has big plans for his son to mark his name on the world. These varying parenting styles have some pretty intense effects on their children’s livelihoods.
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Predestination

Posted on March 3, 2015 by jaycluitt

This review was originally written for Blueprint: Review.

In 1981 time travel was created, allowing specially recruited agents to travel up to 53 years into the past. One such agent, known as The Barkeep (Ethan Hawke), is trying to catch a terrorist, “The Fizzle Bomber”, and is sent to recruit a newcomer to the ranks to assist, but they turn out to have a very unique story to tell. Continue reading →

My Week in Movies, 2015 Week 9

Posted on March 2, 2015 by jaycluitt

This week has basically been a write-off, and spoiler alert, but next week will be too. The reason being is that I’m currently on holiday. Or at least, I will be when this gets posted, because I’m writing this in the past, like usual, but this week even more so. Right now I’m probably flailing wildly as I fall down a mountain backwards in Switzerland attempting what I think is known as skiing, but which will be more readily identified as some kind of downhill breakdancing with planks tied to my feet. Basically, there’s a strong chance this post could be the last I ever do, and my quest through the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die will be cut short, and I’ll have failed. Let’s hope not, ey? Either way, here’s potentially the last things I ever saw:
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