chrismorrell Blog

 I've linked a post to the Simon Mayo podcast page before,and i probably will again. This friday, "Happy Go Lucky", Mike Leigh's latest materpiece is out on DVD over here (U.K.) ..and in cinemas in the U.S. i  believe.. Eddie Marsan plays the dysfunctional driving instructor "Scott". You will know this guy's face so well,and his American accents are pretty good. He gets a lot of work as a "lived-in" "face of the world" ..(in other words an ugly sod). He is a fantastic actor.Literally a day after finishing filming with Mike Liegh on "Happy Go Lucky" ,the epitome of the ensemble piece improvised and naturalistic ...he stepped on to set with Will Smith in "Hancock" ..he really has got one of the best jobs in the world.I get a name check in the first minute or so of the podcast..i "mis-remembered " the comic mantra that the character uses for "mirror signal manouevre". Simon Mayo obviously did aswell,as he reads my text with alacrity to introduce the clip. Just a little geeky pleasure,interacting with the top weekly movie review.This week it was the excellent Andrew Collins . Usual co-host is the now ,almost legendary Mark"Exorcist"Kermode...

Under discussion:

Grizzly Man  (2005)

 This material in another film-makers hands could well have seemed crass and exploitative.. Werner Herzog manages to make something special ..whilst his opinions are voiced over the images,somehow he allows you to reach your own conclusions about Timothy Treadwell's story.   As Herzog acknowledges,sound, Music in particular plays a huge part in the artistic success  of a film.  In just a few days Richard Thompson and a few other select musicians created a fabulous soundscape.  It's also great to see Werner Herzog,sitting in the studio,taking immense pleasure from witnessing his ideas being brought to fruition so expertly.

Under discussion:

Vanishing Point  (1971)

I always think of this as one of my "stoner classics"..as in getting high whilst watching. (early eighties for me)..putting it in a portfolio along with "Escape from NewYork", "Assault on Precinct 13","Stir Crazy" and "The Warriors"...Years later ,re-watching reveals that the images remain Iconic,without the altered state of brain chemistry. What you thought was enhancing your appreciation of things was really just taking the edges off.

 Interest in "Vanishing Point" was of course revived big time by "Primal Scream"  in 1997..Not sure if the same happened for "Petrocelli",the sub-Perry mason/Rockford files, tv series ,that is the only other thing i can remember Barry Newman in.