'Close Encounters Of The Third Kind', GFT, 29/7/11

I do adore these late night screenings at the GFT!
Sadly, this one was only half full which is a bit of a shame since this film is classic sci-fi!

The print was the original 1977 version which has never been released on video or DVD (the original theatrical release that has been released has scenes that were actually trimmed by Spielberg) and it's a film I've wanted to see on the big screen for some time.
It all holds up well, even the special effects which, although not as refined as today's standards, lend to the charm of the film. The detail seen in the model work is truly impressive when seen on such a large scale.

Again, what is really evident is how well Spielberg handles the human drama and delicately balances the human story with that of the special effects.
John Williams' music comes across better than before and the whole filmic experience is one to treasure.
I urge anyone who has the chance to go see a classic film, whatever the genre, on the big screen to do so - it is only when you've experienced them in their natural environment (sure, DVD is fine, but come on!) can you truly recapture the wonder and awe that cinema, at its best, can engender.

Bobby Fischer Against The World, 16/7/11, GFT

Last night I saw the documentary film 'Bobby Fischer Against The World' at the GFT.
Primarily focusing on the infamous 1972 Fischer-Spassky world chess championship match in Iceland, the film uses archive footage, old and new interviews to give insight into the turbulent life of the great American chess player.



Informative, moving and humorous the film is well crafted with insightful commentary from the various participants involved. Non-chess players need not worry about being alienated as the film is not overtly concerned with the mechanics of the game, but rather deals with the obsession that overwhelmed Fischer leading to his paranoia and eventual fall from favour.

I first became aware of Fischer due to my interest in 'Chess' the musical where the character of the American player is often cited to be based on Fischer. Whilst aspects of Fischer's personality are clearly visible in the American character this documentary clearly shows how far more extreme, complex and self-destructive the real person was. Tim Rice chose, wisely, to only use the appropriate aspects of Fischer in his creation of the fictional American for the musical, using his own imagination and other sporting figures to round out his creation. Fischer, as shown in this film, was clearly more repulsive a person than Rice could ever wish to create.

My only criticism with the film is that I wish they'd tried to look further into that period of Fischer's life, following his gaining the championship through to his re-emergence for a re-match against Spassky, where he simply vanishes for a decade.
But, regardless, the film is a fascinating look at the man, his life and the lessons to be gained from his failure as a socially productive human being.

If you get a chance go and see this film. There are worse things you can do, after all.

Jurassic Park, 15/7/11, GFT

Another late night screening of a classic movie this past Friday; 'Jurassic Park' - a movie I've not seen for nigh on eight years.
I saw this twice on its original release which would have been when I was about 13 years of age. It was impressive then and it remains impressive today.

The direction, cast, music and effects all hold up well nearly twenty years (!) later. The latter is surprisingly true given the advances in CG technology, but those 'early' effects actually stand up better than most contemporary computer effects. Maybe because they are used only when needed and not, as today, virtually everywhere. But for whatever reason, I am more impressed by them, and how good they are, than I am when I see a recent, special effect-laden film.

Again the GFT screening was pretty near full it's just a shame that the bunch of twatty students who elected to sit behind my party decided that it was a showing of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and could talk (loudly) all the way throughout the film. They evidently thought it was a bring your own booze event too since they went through many a can of beer throughout the screening, leaving an array of litter behind them that I pitied the cleaners having to clear up.
It still puzzles me how people can have such a disregard for the other people that are attending and also for the property within which they sit. I also struggle to appreciate why such idiots would attend a film screening in the first place; they clearly weren't there to watch the film!
Morons!

'Aliens', GFT, 29/4/11

Last night I attended a screening of 'Aliens' at the GFT, the first time that I had seen the film on the big screen.
Before the screening members of the UKCM (United Kingdom Colonial Marines) patrolled the building in full Colonial Marine armour. Quite lucky really as there was also a xenomorph in attendance who scared the odd person.
Fun was in the air as we all piled into the auditorium which was packed ...

The Film began, but with no sound, prompting jeers from some audience members and a mass clapping in objection which led to the jibe 'in space no one can hear you clap' from one viewer.
The sound was quickly restored but later on their would be several interruptions of the film in the first half of the movie. Fortunately the attending audience was in high spirits, cheering when the film returned.

Again I noted detail in the picture that I'd not noticed in home viewings and the sound design was also somethign that came across as far more impressive than ever before.
Viewing such a film with an audience is always a treat as the collective feeds into the sense of dread and expectation that the movie breeds. I would notice my heart begin  to race in the tenser moments and the battle sequences were truly something to witness.
There is, of course, the famous line that 'Ripley' spits as she faces the alien Queen, 'Get Away from her, you Bitch!' which has to be one of the most triumphant lines in cinema history. This line was greeted by cheers from the crowd as the finale began proper ...

So despite the problems with the print (or the staff?) this was another thrilling adventure to the cinema which has reinforced my belief that some things really are better when seen on the big screen, with an appreciative audience. Like live theatre it is that collective experience which informs the pleasure of the viewing, and whilst one can appreciate and enjoy a movie in the privacy of one's own home, that pleasure is enhanced within the appropriate environment and with like-minded people.

I only hope it's not too long before I get to experience this all over again ...

'Alien', GFT, 15/4/11

Last night I saw 'Alien' on the big screen for the first time.
Screened from a 35mm print at the Glasgow Film Theatre the cinema was packed for the late night showing.

I've always been a fan of the 'Alien' series, even if they've declined in quality in the latter half of the episodes. I will say right here and now that I do not count the AvP films as part of saga, but rather as trivial entities based on commercialism and the need for greed.

'Alien' is my favourite of the franchise as it has, in my opinion, the most original materials that create a wonderfully thrilling and satisfying whole. H R Giger's designs are truly exceptional as is the production design as a whole. The cast are excellent, music is atmospheric and chilling, direction first rate and even the special effects, although somewhat dated, hold up pretty well.

Seeing it on the cinema screen, it's original home, was quite an experience; having only seen it on VHS, DVD and television broadcast the scope is increased, the detail in the film is greater, the sound is all encompassing and the shared experience is galvanising. The atmosphere in the auditorium is palpable and I was pleasantly surprised to find the tension built up throughout the film was increased when one views it as a collective experience. Yes, there was the odd laugh at some of the special effects, but there were also still the shocks and awe. Seeing the alien landscapes, the alien derelict and it's pilot, not to mention the titular creature itself enlarged before you was something I'm glad I was able to experience.

I now look forward to seeing 'Aliens' in the same manner ...