I love movies. I live in east London, England and go to art galleries, opera, theatre and all kinds of music, but the thing I do most is go to movies, mostly at the truly wonderful Stratford Picture House but I am also very fond of the Vue in Romford and the Cineworld in West India Quay, Canary Wharf.
I have started to get to the other cinemas in the Picture House chain and they all have charm. Oxford’s is an old favourite of mine. My top five films ever are “Lost Horizon” (the original, not the remake), “Local Hero”, “The Last Wave”, “Flashback” and “Bladerunner”. “Laura” and “All About Eve” are always up there, on my list of favourites. I also have a very soft spot for “Gone With The Wind”, although I know it’s like candy and not good for me.
Film matters because it reflects the time and shows us ourselves. I never get the same buzz from any other art form. I don’t blog on every movie I see, as I work and have a busy life, but I continue to believe that movies change the world and that’s a very good thing.
Any day is improved by having Clint Eastwood or Lauren Bacall pop up on screen. I love all the classics and adore a lot of non-English language movies, especially French films (anything by Godard or Tati). As an unabashed populist, I have wide-ranging tastes, but things blowing up, chases and 3D will pull me into a film.
This entire blog is dedicated to the memory of Ken d’Albenas, who showed me how to do this blog and formed me, as I formed him, from 1972 when we met until 2010, when we last met. Rest in great peace, Ken, as that is what you brought me. K E d’Albenas, 1952-2010, computer guru and dearest friend.
great site.
By: dave on December 21, 2009
at 6:48 am
Gawd, I have a lot of blogging to catch up on! I rarely have time to see new films, but I am very keen to check out Creation. Everything you described about it appeals to me, and I would love to find out for myself why friends are puzzled that you would go three times.
Blog is fun and Greerrepressible, not at all Greerritating!
By: michael garmaise on January 6, 2010
at 3:45 pm
Hi i met you recently at the british museum. unfortunately more sophisticated internet use requires assistance from the younger generation. You have led a most interesting and unusual life, my son is a real fan of the Oxford Picture house. Best wishes for the future,
Jocelyn
By: Jocelyn on May 15, 2011
at 8:23 am
Thank you so much for the kind comment, Jocelyn. I remember meeting you and I was most impressed by your specialist knowledge, which enhanced my museum visit. I hope we meet again. The Oxford cinema is one I used to attend and I am glad your son is a fan.
By: greercn on May 15, 2011
at 8:59 am
Hello Greer, nice blog…. My girlfriend Carmel also reviews at http://carmelreviews.wordpress.com/
You should check each other out…
Good luck wrestling the maps,
Pete
By: Pete on June 7, 2011
at 1:53 pm
good luck with your blog. Have fun and enjoy the experience. I read your piece on The Descendants and liked what I read.
jmm
By: JustMeMike on January 28, 2012
at 1:06 am
Hi, Wonder can you help. We’ve just watched Passpot to Pimlico and my partner Brian is insisting that one of the children in the film is non other than George Cole. I can’t find his name listed in the credits and on looking through his filmography this film is not listed as one he appeared in. Can you confirm that one of the children featured is in fact George Cole. Many thanks. Regards, Edna.
By: Edna parkes on March 8, 2012
at 11:18 pm
Hi Edna, He wouldn’t have been a child as George Cole was 27 when the film of “Pimlico” was made. He was in three other films in 1952, but not in that one. There is a BBC Radio 4 radio dramatization of “Pimlico”, which is more recent and, curiously, George Cole does star in that. However, he isn’t in the movie version. Thanks for the comment!
By: greercn on March 9, 2012
at 12:52 pm
Hi Greer, Thank you so much for your help. That definitely solves that problem then! Love the site. Keep up the good work. kind regards, Edna.
By: Edna parkes on March 9, 2012
at 4:35 pm
No problem! And I do agree that one of the kids looks like a young George Cole, so it’s an intelligent thought.
By: greercn on March 9, 2012
at 4:49 pm
And thank you, Edna, for your kind words. They are appreciated.
By: greercn on March 9, 2012
at 4:50 pm
You’re welcome!
By: Edna parkes on March 9, 2012
at 4:53 pm