Gremlins is one of my favourite Christmas movies…if indeed it can be classed as a Christmas movie at all. It is set during holidays, with snow, carols and decorations all prominent.The action kicks off when the hero is given a cute, cuddly creature called a ‘mogwai’ as a present. Unfortunately, if the mogwai is fed…
Roman Holiday
When you need cheering up, you can’t go wrong with a little Audrey in your life! Here is Ms Hepburn resplendent on this undated Japanese chirashi for the 1953 classic Roman Holiday, the movie that did for Vespas what James Bond did for Aston Martin. This was Hepburn’s first major movie role, and it won…
The Killing Fields
Uniquely, I saw The Killing Fields in the presence of the producer, director and writer! Back when I was reviewing movies for my university newspaper, the producers of The Killing Fields hit upon what I still think was a clever marketing ploy: they invited student journalists from universities and colleges around the country to a…
Film Review / Photoplay
I used to collect both of these UK movie magazines back in the 70s. I may be wrong, but my vague recollection is these were for sale both in newsagents and in cinema lobbies. In the pre-internet days, these were the best way of keeping track of upcoming releases and figuring out which movies I…
Love in the afternoon
Who doesn’t love Audrey Hepburn? My wife certainly does, which is why we have ended up with various pieces of Audrey memorabilia around our house. This is a Japanese ‘chirashi’ flyer for Billy Wilder’s 1957 romantic comedy Love In The Afternoon. I must admit, i like the flyer rather more than I liked the movie. …
Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
This is the UK press-kit for the third movie in George Miller’s original (Mel Gibson-starring) Mad Max series. I was never much of a fan of the first movie (although it did give us a terrific French poster, which I am still trying to track down for a reasonable price). Mad Max 2 (aka The Road…
Risky Business
f you can get past the very dubious morality of its story, Risky Business is a lot of fun. Basically, the plot has a teen over-achiever fall for a hooker and turn his parents’ house into a brothel (the ‘risky business’ of the title). But this satire is delivered with a lot of charm, thanks…
The Woman In Red / Weird Science
Kelly Le Brock had limited acting talents but was one of those classic 80s pin-up who became the stuff of schoolboy fantasies. LeBrock started out as a model. (She was the Pantene girl who memorably implored “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful” in a famous TV commercial). As an actress, she is remembered for…
Desperately Seeking Susan
Madonna’s leading role debut is still for me the high-point of her acting career. Given she essentially plays herself in this movie, the role perhaps wasn’t too much of a stretch for her. She is out-acted anyway by Rosanna Arquette (one of those 80s stars who burned brightly for awhile then pretty much disappeared) in…
Purple Rain
I saw Purple Rain at the press screening in Norwich before anyone other than diehard fans had ever hear of Prince. I thought his acting was quite dreadful, and the plot is pure cliche, but it was apparent that he had a charisma about him. Plus, of course, all the songs and stage performances were…