by Oscar O’Sullivan

Short ones this week. I don’t have to justify myself. But I will because I’m just so darn nice. I’ve been on the go lately, especially over the weekend, with election coverage. I was actually out in the count centre with Cork City Community Radio, where I do the Saturday news bulletins and and read the Sunday papers. We’re off the air at the moment, but will be streaming regularly online starting the week after next. And if you’re here because you like movies (and I don’t know why else you would be), the station does a film music show on Sundays. Go check it out or else. And watch my video. I know you’ve got three minutes spare.

Monday – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

The one and only Bond film to star George Lazenby, it makes a concerted effort to differentiate itself from the Connery instalments in a number of ways – more realistic stakes, a more off-kilter visual style and a welcome focus on Bond’s inner life. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to avoid the elephant in the room – Lazenby is no Connery. It’s not that he’s too different, but that he’s too similar, playing the same beats in almost the exact same way as his predecessor. He has his moments of brilliance, like when he improvises a charming quip or gets genuinely emotional, but we’ll never know if he could have made the character his own if he stayed on. Perhaps it’s unfair to dock the film marks based on who it could have starred rather than who it does, but after five outings with Connery, it’s impossible not to imagine what he could have done with this material, which is otherwise one of the best-written and most unique Bond films so far. 8/10.

Tuesday – Singin’ in the Rain

An undeniably top-shelf musical, catchy songs elevated by incredible choreography, wonderfully crafted images and a laugh-a-minute script with a surprisingly modern sensibility. I sometimes can’t believe that there are people in this world who have never watched Singin’ in the Rain. Don’t let yourself miss out on this one minute longer. 10/10.

Wednesday – The People’s Picturehouse

I wasn’t just at the People’s Picturehouse last week – I was in it. I was the Picturehouse. Or the host, anyway. This event is only getting better and better each month – see you all at the Christmas challenge.

Thursday – I Love You, Man

While rewatching this film, I was immediately struck by how unusually cinematic it looked for a 2000s comedy. Not that films like these normally look bad, but there isn’t normally much depth to the images they create. So it made sense when I saw that this was shot by Lawrence Sher, best known-for being DOP on the similarly good-looking Hangover films and the Oscar-nominated Joker. While this isn’t a film that needed to look gorgeous to achieve it’s goals, it adds another layer of enjoyment. And what a cast, all on top form, inhabiting a story that is at once sweet and kind of outrageous. I know these 2000s comedies aren’t to everyone’s taste, but if you’re insane like me, check this one out – kind of underrated. 10/10.

Saturday – Frances Ha

Now I’m not someone who avoids long films, but sometimes you just don’t have the time. What I’ll always have the time for is 86 minutes of Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig. I watched Frances Ha just under two months ago, and when I finished this viewing I went to add it to my list of favourite films only to discover it was already on there. And I’ll probably watch it again soon too. 10/10.