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Niam

Niam

@niamsuggitt.bsky.social

60 followers 130 following 1.5K posts

The burden of cold and ever-recurring existence weighed down his spirit. Here he was again.

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Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 6h

HPPH is playing ‘It’s A Sin’ before Frankenstein, lovely stuff.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

Also very much enjoying 'The Glass Pearls', Emeric Pressburger's second novel. A really fascinating little thriller about a Nazi hiding out in 1960s London. How it was never made into a movie is beyond me.

Also, why is Pressburger's first novel OOP? Someone help me find 'Killing a Mouse on Sunday'!

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

The jazzy score is great, the supporting cast, including Alana Haim (who belongs in the 1970s doesn't she), Hope Davis, Bill Camp, Gaby Hoffman and John Magaro are all excellent. Just an excellent film.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

Interestingly, I think the Louvre heist happening last week probably aids the movie, as without that, I may have found the way the robbery happens (they basically just walk in!) unrealistic but now... we know it can happen.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

The structure of the film is surprising, it really subverts your expectations of a heist movie. The crime happens early on and is relatively simple to pull off. The real rub of the drama comes after.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

The 1970s vibes of this thing are impeccable, I'm already a sucker for this setting but it really worked well, and Reichardt weaves in the political climate into the background of the film expertly.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

As a huge fan of La Chimera this is Josh O'Connor in a similar mode, that rogueish charm, though I think JB Mooney is probably a more unlikeable character.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 7h

I was in need of a distraction last night so I turned to the cinema, and saw 'The Mastermind' which I really loved, I'm ashamed to admit that this was my first ever Kelly Reichardt film! I need to delve into the rest of work soon.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 14h

So Charlie?

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 1d

Working on it, working on it!

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 1d

Probably this reversible Japanese Fleece Vest from South2 West8. Very versatile and makes me feel like I'm in 'Evil Does Not Exist'.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

I generally say I prefer the Coens in comedic mode, but watching this... maybe I don't? This is one of the best crime movies of all time after all.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

Deakins' cinematography is of course excellent too, the vistas of Texas are incredibly cinematic anyway but rarely have they looked better.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

All of the minor background faces are amazing as well, so many superb faces in one scene characters.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

All of the performances here are amazing, Bardem has become a bit of a meme (FRIEND-O) but Chigurh is brilliantly terrifying. Brolin, MacDonald and Woody Harrelson (I forgot he was in this!) are also great, but it's Tommy Lee Jones who steals it for me, just so good.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

But it's still surprising, the way Josh Brolin's character is killed is so shocking, and then the fact that we never really find out what happens to Kelly MacDonald or Bardem. The ambiguity of it is great, and it fits with Tommy Lee Jones' existential questioning.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

But overall I think I liked this more on second viewing, I think on first watch I was a bit annoyed by the deliberate deflation of the ending, how it never actually pays off. But now I see that it's all incredibly intentional and serves the wider, more important theme.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

My main memory of that viewing was my two female friends making fun of me for wincing so much at the scene where Chigurh performs surgery on himself... and I must admit I winced again this time!

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

After filling in all my Coen Brothers gaps earlier this year, I was still left with a few I'd not seen in ages and wanted to re-watch, one of which is 'No Country For Old Men' which I watched tonight for the first time since seeing it in the cinema when it came out.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

Flawless Victory; I thought I’d missed out on Geese tickets but they moved it to a different venue and ladies and gentlemen… we got ‘em

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

In the middle of the most recent LRB right now, but controversially I might pop out for a little coffee afterwards.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 2d

Nope, I need to see her those, and her documentary as well.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 3d

Listening to Operation: Doomsday and like I assume everyone from Leeds, can't shake the feeling that I probably walked past MF Doom in the street and never even knew.

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 3d

So overall whilst this is by no means essential it's still good fun for this LOTR fan. Just hearing some of those Howard Shore themes again got me going... I've not watched the series since seeing them in the cinema last year... could it be time again soon?

Niam @niamsuggitt.bsky.social · 3d

The voice acting was solid, Brian Cox of course the standout, but it was also cool that Lorraine Ashbourne had a sizeable role, what with her being married to someone... precious to the series.