| Title |
Director
/ Actors / Writer / Producer |
Description |
Buy
at Amazon USA or UK
|
Suggested
By
|
| An
Affair to Remember (1957) |
d.Leo
McCarey
a.
Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr
|
The
mother of all pink champagne movies. Weepy. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| aThe
Accidental Tourist (1988) |
d.
Lawrence Kasdan
a.
William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Geena Davies
|
Trapped
between his own uncomfortable routine, a chaotic relationship
or a sideways exit into a new life, Hurt must tread his path carefully
- a particularly poignant challenge because of a broken leg. This,
with a constant recall of the memory of his son murdered a year
before, an estranged wife and a new oddball attraction in the
form of Geena Davies. A beautifully paced and endearing film. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| aThe
Age of Innocence (1993) |
d.
Martin Scorsese
a.
Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel Day-Lewis
|
Another
"lost" recent classic?... just see for yourself! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| aThe
Apartment (1960) |
d.
Billy Wilder
a.
Jack Lemon, Shirley MacLaine
|
As
the title suggests, all the action takes place in Lemon's humble
abode as he unwittingly lends it out for his slimy boss' sexual
pleasures. Another watch over-and-over classic. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Being
There (1979) |
d.
Hal Ashby
a.
Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine
|
Ironically,
Sellers last film before he died. So simple yet so brilliant. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Blow
Up (1966) |
d.
Michelangelo
Antonioni
a.
David Hemmings, Jane Birkin, Vanessa Redgrave
|
For someone starting a cultural
collection of British swinging 60's Arthouse movies this classic
combined with other titles such as The Prisoner, Up the Junction
and If, would be a good start.... The memorable atmosphere of
the eerie wind blown park scenes linger forever.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
|
d$ (The Heist) (1972) |
d.
Richard Brooks a.Warren Beatty, Goldie
Hawn |
The
best thing about this movie is the Quincy
Jones soundtrack... retro heaven! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Doctor
Zhivago (1965) |
d.
David Lean
a.
Omar Sharif, Julie Christie
|
A
movie classic which never fails to keep one attached to their
seat whenever it's shown... therefore thoroughly recommended as
a DVD purchase to keep forever... Beautifully filmed. |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
|
Doctor Strangelove
(1963)
|
d.
Stanley Kubrick
a.
Peter Sellers, George C. Scott
w.Peter
George
|
Starring Peter Sellers in three
completely contrasting rolls. This father of all black comedies
parodies the nuclear arms race to insane, epic proportions.
As usual Kubrick's directorial technique is far ahead of it's
time. Hilariously dark masterpiece.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| e84
Charing Cross Road (1986) |
d.
David Hugh Jones
a.
Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench
|
Marks and Co., 84 Charing Cross Road, London is a bookshop and
the focus of this pleasant, enchanting little film about a growing
relationship between a New Yorker and Frank Doel the bookseller.
However, I don't know from which pleasant, enchanting little dimension
this films Charing Cross Road is in, cos it sure ain't the Charing
Cross Road I was in yesterday... unfortunately! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Father
Goose (1964) |
d.
Ralph Nelson
a.
Cary Grant, Leslie Caron, Trevor Howard
|
A
delightful and repeatedly enjoyable matinee romp with Walter Eckland,
(played by Grant), Caron and her sprinkling of charges... seven
schoolgirls... all of them stranded on a pacific island during
WWII. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
Friends
(the complete
TV Series) (1994-2004)
|
a.
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew
Perry, David Schwimmer, |
One of the slickest, finely tuned
American comedies in recent years. From the sublime to the ridiculous,
a magnetic TV choice for anyone who doesn't take life too seriously.
And you can simply watch them over and over. Great blues lifters.
Here we list only the new DVD
versions. Every series is now available in this format in complete
volumes
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
gThe
Graduate (1968)
|
d.
Mike
Nichols
a.
Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross
p.
Lawrence Turman
|
Mike
Nichols' coolest of period pieces which became a template for
modern teen genre movies (and ads). The inclusion of the Simon
and Garfunkel soundtrack was an added masterstroke. Here's to
you Mrs Robinson. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| gThe
Great Race (1965) |
d.
Blake
Edwards
a.
Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Peter Falk
|
Wacky Races on speed and obviously
the movie that inspired the cartoons. Completely potty from
start to finishing post. They don't make 'em like this anymore,
etc. etc.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Head
(1968) |
d.
Bob Rafelson
a.
The Monkees
p.
Jack Nicholson
|
The
Monkees parody their own manufactured image in this popadelic
rarity. The soundtrack
album is a lost classic (which became trendy again in the
early 90's). It highlights a hidden emotion and melancholy which
obviously bubbled under the foursomes comic shells. The film and
particularly it's music confirms that deeper artistic talents
were present in some guise or another (particularly Mike Nesmith).
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| How
To Steal A Million (1966) |
d.
William
Wyler
a.
Audrey Hepburn, Peter O'Toole
w.
Harry Kurnitz
|
Starring
the jet set princess of Pink Champagne comedy. Some nice lines
and subtle comic character studies. Set in a Paris we all like
to imagine still exists. (Particularly when viewed from behind
the wheel of a primrose coloured E-type convertible). |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Lost
In Translation (2003) |
d.
Sofia Coppola
a. Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
|
A subtle drama set in Tokyo and
expertly directed by Sofia Coppola. Lost In Translation stars
the hugely talented Scarlett Johansson and a surprise change
of acting style by Bill Murray. Highly thought provoking.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Mon
Oncle (1958) |
d.a.
Jacques Tati |
For further details on Mon Oncle
see Monsieur
Hulot's Holiday.... since the next paragraph is just an
L-G ed letting of a little well deserved steam regarding some
of the dead wood he has dragged behind him in the past....!
One incredibly self righteous,
English, ex-colleague of mine would mock my interests in "foreign
films with subtitles"... (she would rather watch Brookside)...
Well.... perhaps Jacques Tati is a painlessly simple introduction
to fun foreign film culture for you...!!! (Oh, isn't it nice
how the web allows one to let off a little anonymous steam.
I could go on but... tut tut... unprofessional!
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Monsieur
Hulot's Holiday (1953) |
d.a.
Jacques Tati,
a.
Nathalie Pascaud
|
The
film that introduced Tati's gauche character Monsieur Hulot, whose
increasingly surreal adventures continued up until 1970 with Mon
Oncle, Playtime, and Traffic (all listed here). Tati's films define
a European style which one loves or snubs. The comedies of errors...
funny or sad. Tati was both... and brilliant at it. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| oThe
Odd Couple (1968) |
d.
Gene Saks
a.
Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
w.
Neil Simon
|
The
coolest film theme music ever and a most memorable movie vehicle
to introduce the Lemmon and Matthau screen partnership. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Performance
(1970) |
d.
Nicholas Roeg
a.
Mick Jagger, James Fox
|
A
Roeg creation which, along with Easy Rider is a must for arty
40 and 50 something's gauging their own increasingly exaggerated
reminiscences of that patchouli drenched period.... Alternatively
it's a prime reference movie for '60's / '70's culture historians.
Jagger at his prettiest..... Pass the joint.... and the lipstick. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Playtime
(1967) |
d.a.
Jacques Tati |
see
Monsieur Hulot's Holiday |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| pThe
Prisoner (1967) |
d.
Robert Asher, Don Chaffey
a.
Patrick McGoohan
|
All
episodes of this classic cult 60's TV drama are available in the
UK. In two volumes at a very reasonable price. It would be a pointless
and confusing exercise to describe the surreal and bizarre plot
here in a couple of paragraphs. Therefore all we can say is...
"Strongly recommended". |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| rA
Room With a View (1985) |
d.
James Ivory
a.
Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith
|
Lucy
Honeychurch's encounters and subsequent dilemmas involving two
potential Edwardian suitors. This beautifully filmed, sophisticated
comedy of manners was drenched with well deserved Oscars. No film
collection is complete without this Merchant Ivory jewel. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Rear
Window (1954) |
d.
Alfred Hitchcock
a.
James Stewart, Grace Kelly
|
As
with Vertigo this fascinating piece wears slightly better than
some of Hitchcock's other equally compelling masterworks.... But
then trying to be subjective about individual Hitchcock movies
over time is like comparing Beethoven's 9 symphonies |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| rThe
Remains of the Day (1993) |
d.
James Ivory
a.
Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson
|
Life inside a country house from pre war to near present day is
impeccably played by both stars and supporting cast. Sir Anthony
as the repressed butler and Ms Thompson the house keeper. Subtleties,
elegance and melancholy prevail in this, another Merchant Ivory
jewel. Outstanding. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Sabrina
(1995) |
d.
Sydney Pollack
a.
Harrison Ford, Julia Ormand
|
Although
a 1990's remake of the Bogart original, this version stands on
its own by reflecting colorful feel-good factors of '50's pink
champagne classics and done with authentic charm. A chauffeur's
daughter falls in love with the son of the wealthy Larrabee household....
Take it from here Harrison! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Serenade
(1956) |
d.
Anthony Mann
a.
Mario Lanza, Vincent Price
|
Cheesy
testosterone filled melodrama. Starring Mario Lanza's hair as
the Shape Shifter... no not really... (but check out Lanza's hair
arrangement, which, in some scenes looks like a plastic moulding).
Lanza, by the way, was the "godfather" of the three
tenors. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| sThe
Shop Around The Corner (1940) |
d.
Samson Raphaelson
a.
James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan
|
A
somehow forgotten James Stewart classic of endearing charm, wit
and emotion. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| To
Catch a Thief (1955) |
d.
Alfred Hitchcock
a.
Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
|
Not
a Cary Grant, or Hitchcock classic but non the less a stylish
overspill of pink champagne. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Trafic
(1971) |
d.a.
Jacques Tati |
see
Monsieur
Hulot's Holiday |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Vanishing
Point (1971) |
d.
Richard C. Sarafian
a.
Barry Newman, Cleavon Little
|
Across
America car chase with surreal twist... and soul... with the help
of Super Soul! Not at all to be categorized with red neckish Smokey
and The Bandit stuff but perhaps more in tune with the "Fear
and Loathing" genre. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Vertigo
(1958) |
d.
Alfred Hitchcock
a.
James Stewart, Kim Novak
|
Paced
to unexpecting perfection whereby the most unexpected twists seems
to happen... at the most... unexpected times!... feeling giddy?! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
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