Just one of those films.

There are certain films I'll never, ever tire of; Before Sunrise, Casablanca, and High Fidelity to name but a few. I came to To Kill A Mockingbird relatively late - I never studied it in school, so didn't read the book until I was 17. After reading it three or four times since, I'd hazard to say it's my favourite book; the characters, the story, and Harper Lee's timeless writing make it something you can go back to again and again, without it ever losing its impact.

The 1963 film version of the book is of the same breed; filmed in black and white, it depicts the American South of Lee's childhood and story beautifully. Gregory Peck's performance as Atticus Finch is one of the greatest, perfectly capturing the grace and morality of the character and the child actors who play Jem, Scout and Dil are wonderful, bringing pathos and brightness to the screen.When thinking of To Kill A Mockingbird, most people think of the story as a court-room drama, which it is; the moment when Tom Robinson admits to pitying the white woman he is wrongly accused of raping is one of the most painful. But it's also about a summer of playing games and growing up, for both the children and the society around them. The final scene, where Jem and Scout finally meet Boo Radley, is tender and human, miles away from their vision of years of obsession and dreaming.

It's just one of those films.

Humanahumana.

I'm thinking of turning this blog into an Ode to Ryan Gosling. Everything he's doing at the moment seems to be ten kinds of awesome - Drive and Crazy Stupid Love couldn't be further apart, but he's in both and he  looks FABULOUS in them. Especially the latter, where his skill for comedy and perfect abs are displayed for all of women-dom to drool over.

I seriously think a blog dedicated to Ryan Gosling would be a perfect outlet for my journalistic skills...but then I would have to make one for Michael Fassbender too... 

That isn't a bad idea...

PHWOAR.

Gosling, Mulligan, sexy broodiness and awesome retro 80s font on the poster. So hyped for Drive.

...Hm? What?

Sorry, I got hit over the head by the "can't keep my eyes open cos this trailer is so fudging dull" stick just then. I could make a more tense trailer with some finger puppets and a Coco Pops box, and it would look  a lot less ridiculous that Zachary Qunito's eyebrows to boot. Just sayin'.

p.s. Demi Moore hasn't made a good film since A Few Good Men. Fact.

Sigh.

Until the October 23, the National Portrait Gallery are housing Glamour of The Gods - an exhibition of Hollywood portraits from 1920-1960. For anybody who loves film, photography or vintage glamour with a touch a nostalgia for the Golden Era of cinema, this is a must-see. In fact, it's must-see for anyone.

Liam Neeson needs an intervention.

WHY Liam?! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY?

The Ides of March

George Clooney has become synonymous will excellent films centred on politics and its murky surroundings; Good Night, and Good Luck, Syriana, Michael Clayton. In The Ides of March, Clooney both writes, directs and stars as a governor on the campaign trail to the White House. 

Whilst Clooney's last dual role as writer-director Good Night, and Good Luck was set in 1950's McCarthyism, this is a present day political thriller with everything that comes with present day politics.

As in the former, Ides of March has an excellent supporting cast including Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti and Marisa Tomei. Ryan Gosling has turned into one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood - an indie darling and a bankable leading man all at the same time. His charisma and good looks are punctuated with an air of knowing and intelligence in every role he plays, so he's perfect as a leading political mind whose ideals are questioned by the dirty nature of politics and the people who populate it.

With references to Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in the title alone, The Ides of March looks set to be one of the best post-Aaron Sorkin political thrillers yet.