Christopher Fowler's Blog, page 485

Re:View – 'Kick-Ass'

I'd like to think it's a generational thing. Naughty young people annoy middle-aged man shock! But sadly, that's not the problem with 'Kick-Ass'.

It took me ages to get around to seeing it because the trailers were so unappealing. It had rave reviews from Comic Book Guy-style critics and boasts crackerjack direction from Matthew Vaughan, but [...]

Stay Away From Venice

Venice is on everyone's itinerary of Europe. I remember arriving there after midnight on a rainswept November night, dragging luggage across a partially flooded St Mark's Square and trying to find a tiny hotel in the backstreets, and being thrilled by the looming, darkened architecture.

But that wouldn't happen now. A group of the world's [...]

Re:View – 'Another Year'

I think it's time for director Mike Leigh to get out there and reconnection with audiences. He makes a few too many films for the festival circuit, and when he does it shows. His best films, like 'Naked', 'Secrets & Lies' and 'Topsy Turvey' are sensational, but in between we get actors' exercises masquerading as [...]

Listening To The Paperboy

Very weird, this. The charming Gordon Griffin, who narrates the new unabridged audio version of 'Paperboy', rang me to get the voice right. Having someone impersonate you is a bit like looking in a mirror and finding someone slightly different staring back. Anyway, it's out in a four-disc set from Magna Story Sound, obtainable by [...]

Re:View – 'The Secret In Their Eyes'

It came out of left field to win an Oscar over 'White Ribbon' and 'A Prophet', and deservedly so, because this is a legal thriller that outperforms in every way. In a way, the award was a cheat, because Juan Jose Campanella has been honing his directing abilities in US television for years, but here [...]

That's So 1888

Yesterday, while wandering around Soho with my trusty iPhone camera, I espied a typically gracious London street sign attached to the door of a private residence in raucous Rupert Street, W1. Suddenly it feels like Jack the Ripper's back…

Shiver Me Timbers In South London!

What does that mean, 'Shiver me timbers?' Is it like 'Shake my wooden legs'? Anyway, pirates are ahoy in Greenwich, Sarf London as 'Pirates Of The Caribbean 4′ films there this month.

My mate John is a pirate. I mean he actually looks like one. He's large and beardy and beringed and tattooed, and tends toward [...]

Farewell To The Great Leslie

Bernard Schwartz, aka Tony Curtis, has died peacefully at home aged 85 – possibly the last of the great charming heroes. Curtis starred in more than 140 major movies and was nominated as for an Oscar for his performance in 1958′s "The Defiant Ones" with Sidney Poitier.

A witty, self-deprecating man, I remember him best [...]

Let's Do The Time Warp Again (And Again!)

I have a long and happy history with The Rocky Horror Show – I went to the very first night ever, and attended the opening of the sequel in 'Denton – Home Of Happiness' fancy dress that won first prize. I got to meet the cast then, and now my whacky pal the genius artist [...]

A Writer's Glamorous Life

It's not all premieres and parties, oh no. I'm tired, I haven't spent an evening home in about a month, and tonight I remember I've agreed to go and speak to The Write Stuff, a writer's group in Dartford.

I think it's fair to say that Dartford would not easily spring to mind if you [...]