Virtual Methodist

In an attempt to keep to the brief of the 10 Day You Challenge and my own self-imposed 30 Days of Thanksgiving, here are 3 films that I am thankful for having seen, for various reasons: 1) THE SEARCHERS: My mother loved John Wayne, and this, in my humble opinion is the best John Wayne film bar none. He may have got an Oscar for "True Grit", but that was because of his larger than life performance, and if truth be told, the recent Cohen Brothers' version is probably better. But "The Searchers" is a wonderful story with beautiful cinematography. Some have condemned it as racist because of its portrayal of the Native Americans in it, but it was a film of its time and probably reflected real attitudes in the old west... and actually is much more nuanced than many other old westerns. But I'm thankful for this film, not only because of itself, but also because of memories of my mum. 2) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: If you don't like this Frank Capra cl...

Today the plan is that I get all my work done by tea time, then we settle down as a family to watch "Nativity" with Martin Freeman... I think it is my wife's attempt to get this particular Grinch geared up for the coming season. So I thought, given that so many of you loved the recent flurry of memes (yes... with the exception of you Mrs. "I'm too busy for that sort of thing, unlike you boys" Holt), that I would set you another one... Your ten favourite Christmas-related movies... Same rules apply... Post 10 and tag 10 people including me so I can keep track of the fun and games... You can post them as a comment here, on facebook or on your own blog... Here's mine... in no particular order except the first one which is unimpeachably the best Christmas movie ever... and if anyone wants to disagree, its pistols at dawn... 1) It's a Wonderful Life - The piece of Frank Capra magic starring James Stewart which was, mystifyingly, a flop on its cinema rele...

As promised I am returning to the "Top 10" format again... this time my favourite cinema musicals... I know that making such a list immediately casts my masculinity into doubt, but who cares. As with my previous list there's a house rule... no animations, or partial animations (I feel another list coming on), which excludes Mary Poppins (which might have been excluded on the grounds of Dick van Dyke's accent anyway)... But that said here's my choice for what it is worth: 1) Singing in the Rain : It's funny, the dance routines are amazing, the songs are memorable, and it takes a huge rise out of the movie industry. What's not to like? 2) High Society : Take a great film like the Philadelphia Story, add some great songs and a wonderful cast, and you got jazz! 3) West Side Story : The only version of Romeo and Juliet I like (despite being a huge Shakespeare fan)... A superb score and book, great dancing and a grittiness that was unseen in musicals up to that ...

The Radio Times and the BBC, in an exercise in cheap TV have resorted to that old perennial of "Top 10..." in this case the Top 10 Comedy films of all time. First they compiled their top 100 then asked readers/viewers to vote for their favourites... The results can be found here ... But it got me thinking about my top 10, and why. In order to thin them out I imposed a few rules over and above those imposed by the Radio Times list a) No Musicals... even though many of them may be funnier than the others on the list (eg. High Society or Singing in the Rain)... I might do a top 10 musicals when I'm bored some time. b) No Animated Features... as above. c) As few as possible by any one writer/director, leading to the impossible choice between Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and The Producers, or Life of Brian and Holy Grail. d) Nothing with Ben Stiller in it or Judd Apatow directing... like any of them were going to feature anyway! By the way, if you are expecting any perc...

Ben Myers on his Faith and Theology blog has initiated a "One Movie that..." meme... Here is my list, for what it is worth... Draw up your own and pass it on to 5 people to see what they will make of it... 1. Made me laugh: Shrek 2 2. Made me cry: Its a Wonderful Life 3. Loved as a child: The Forbidden Planet 4. Seen more than once: Star Wars (the original) 5. Embarrassed to admit I liked: The Quiet Man 6. Hated: Meet the Fockers 7. Scared me: Jaws (the last time I jumped in a cinema... I just don't go to "horror" films. 8. Bored me: Hoodwinked 9. Made me happy: Singing in the Rain 10. Made me miserable: Presumed Innocent 11. Afraid to see: 3 and Out in case it really was as bad as everyone said. 12. Character fell in love with: Rachel Weisz's character in the Constant Gardner 13. Last movie seen: Iron Man 14. Next movie hope to see: Speed Racer, Prince Caspian or Indy IV (I've got kids) I tag Glenn , Mark , Ross , Gareth , and Jools in anticipation o...