Midnight Cowboy

Off message but "lock down" for me has meant more time for watching classic films on Netflix.

Last week I watched film noir thriller "Vertigo" directed by Hitchcock, which I think I have seen before but no idea when.

Tonight I watched "Midnight Cowboy" which I sort remember but I don't think I have watched in the last 20 years or so.

Both films are dated and show their age but they are just far much better than the majority of new films.  So I suggest type in the name of film classics in your subscription search engine and see what comes up.

1917 - A film review

Excellent film and glad I saw it yesterday evening in the Stratford East Picturehouse and not waited until on TV/Netflix. Pretty shocking and graphic (not eating any cheese tonight). Not glorifying war in the slightest.

Story line a little unbelievable but in war people did do incredible things against all odds. Some of the dialogue between the "tommies" was just a little Mary Poppins but that is probably me being a little over critical.

Nice to see recognition that Black and Asian soldiers also fought in this war.

My Mum's Dad, Fred Matthews fought in the trenches 1915-1918 and won a MC in 1917. Watching the film made me once again be grateful that my generation has never faced total war. 

Controversially, I wish this film had been made and shown on eve of Brexit vote in 2016. I am the first Gray/Matthews male in 100 years who Germans have not tried to kill (so far)

Farmer Hogget Sings To Babe - If I had words.mp4

Off message. Netflix movie. Love it. Great film. Farmer Hogget sketch is amongst my all time favourite. 

A Day in the Life (of Newham Youth)

This is an excellent snapshot of a day in the life of young people in our borough.  Made by members of Newham Youth Council and introduced by film director Danny Boyle. Very professional looking production with sharp observations, some great shots of Newham and a thoughtful twist at the end.

Watch something different this Christmas

An excellent guide to films about trade unions - by the CWU. Go down to your local video store and watch something different this Christmas!

"Fed up with the usual Christmas films? How about watching a modern classic, comedy or blockbuster film with a trade union-angle? Over the years, trade unions have featured on the big screen and the latest is Made In Dagenham. CWU Head of Communications Kevin Slocombe reviews a group of films looking at how trade unions have been portrayed over the years and how it can affect the work place, including Made In Dagenham, Billy Elliot, Hoffa, On the Waterfront, Brassed Off, Wall Street, and even a Carry On film".