OFFICE SPACED
Chatter ‘gems’ overheard in the Total Film office this month…
* “Seriously, I’m never taking the sober beauty of the BBFC certificate for granted ever again.”
* “Or the mobilephone ads. Each one seems like a lost Kubrick.”
Deliberate? Um, yeah, let’s go with that… no, alas, we got our Jennifer-Connelly-standing-on-a-pier movies mixed up. Though to be fair, she has done a boxset’s worth (see also House Of Sand And Fog). Here’s a pic (fingers crossed) from the actual Requiem pier scene. And yes, you win this month’s Blu-ray, which we promise not to confuse with Duty Free.
WHAT THE ZEUS?
Your wonderful nostalgia trip down VHS memory lane [TF312] brought back an amusing childhood story. The day after our family viewing of 1981 classic Clash Of The Titans, I asked Dad if he’d returned the tape to the video shop. “Yes, but it took ages to rewind it.” Rather than stopping/rewinding, he’d pressed the ‘reverse search’ function. Yes, after watching Clash Of The Titans, Mum and Dad promptly watched the whole film again, backwards… EDDIE MCINTYRE, WIRRAL
Brilliant – the Kraken de-unleashed; Medusa growing her head back; that alarming bit where mother and baby are slung in a sea chest having a nicer, more al fresco outcome. Did your folks do the same with other tapes? Imagine a new spin on Chariots Of Fire, as plucky Brits moonwalk over the starting line.
PARADISO FOUND
In response to last month’s letter lamenting the loss of LoveFilm, I’d like to add that I don’t like having to subscribe to a zillion different places either. Two years ago I looked around for another DVD rental service and found Cinema Paradiso, where I can find obscure ’80s films, world-cinema gems and the latest releases. True, some films these days won’t bless a physical format, but at least we can make our own unpopular choices and ignore what’s trending/avoid consumer algorithms. Dust off your DVD players and bring back free will (or at least the illusion of such).
ALAN EDWARD ROBERTS, BIDEFORD
We received several letters recommending this service; either you’re all on commission, or this is something we need to check out. ‘Obscure ’80s films’ is possibly our favourite genre; if it’s an E.T. knock-off with Button Moon-level FX, stars Yahoo Serious or is a completely unrelated sequel to No Retreat, No Surrender, it’s going on our watch list.
SURVIVAL ILLS
Just wanted to point out a damned if you do/don’t issue with your review of A Quiet Place Part II: “...the theme of survivors turned bad is a little underdeveloped”. Surely if the story had leaned more into this, we would’ve got every post-apocalyptic/disaster trope going? I think the film dealt with things intelligently, allowing viewers to fill in the gaps having seen the theme (over) played so many times previously (Apes, Walking Dead, 28 Days/Weeks Later). Bravo, I say, for accepting ‘people go bad’ as a given and getting on with the story. PHILIP LAWRENCE, STEVENAGE
We respect your point; but couldn’t we also have a story where the trend’s reversed and people fall victim to their nicest impulses? As the zom-baboon apocalypse goes nuclear, folks flee across the country… to return lost property, offer everyone they meet a second biscuit and stuff the nation’s library books with inspirational Post-Its.
BARD RAP
Ewan McGregor says that the prequels are “not Shakespeare”. I beg to differ. Who can forget Anakin’s turmoil (“2D or not 2D… R2, that is the question”)? Then there’s the balcony scene (“What light through Yoda’s window breaks”) and of course the desperate battle cry: “The Force, the Force, my kingdom for the Force!” JACK H, ADDINGHAM
Verily. And let’s not forget some of the errors of comedy along the way…