A break from our normal reviews this week as our movie guy, James Finnegan, shares his favourite movies, guilty pleasures and much more…
What was the first film you watched?
I was brought to see The Sound of Music (1965) at the Dominion Tottenham Court Road around May 1968 and I have kept going since.
What’s your favourite film and why?
The Godfather (1972), the start of a trilogy of a simple family with anger management issues, going about their business with a wonderful cast, director and script.
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What’s your favourite line or quote from a film?
There was a great Irish Actor, Patrick Magee, who appeared in films like Zulu, A Clockwork Orange and who won a Tony award on Broadway for Marat/Sade.
He told me he had just done a film where he had one line “On my day, it was King first, God second”.
About a year later, I was watching the scene in Chariots of Fire where Eric Liddell was in front of the British Olympic Committee for refusing to run on the Sabbath.
I suddenly heard Pat’s unique tone saying that wonderful line.
What’s your favourite movie scene?
In Superman the Movie (1978), Clark Kent sees Lois Lane’s hat on the pavement, looks up, runs into a revolving door, changes into Superman, flies up, catches Lois with one hand and a helicopter with the other and tells her “Statistically speaking, flying is still the safest way to travel”.
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How do you choose which film to watch? By genre, director, star or cast?
I try not to prejudge films, so I can see them fresh and without expectations so I can be surprised
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure film to watch and why?
I love the Bank Holiday classic films of derring-do and baddies that can’t shoot straight such as The Magnificent Seven (1960) The Great Escape (1963) and Where Eagles Dare (1968) – and I don’t feel guilty at all.
What popular film do you just don’t rate and why?
Grease (1978). I like musicals and can suspend my belief as well as the next person, but it was just too much to believe these actors were High School students.
Who’s your favourite actor, actress and movie couple and why?
I admire all actors and actresses in all media, but my favourite movie couple are the brilliant Laurel and Hardy.
I have a particular fondness for ‘The Music Box’ (1932) where they are trying to deliver a piano up steps.
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What was the worst film you ever saw?
Pokemon the Movie (1998) I should have noted the inherent threat in the title.
What was the last film you saw and would you recommend it?
The Banshees of Iniserin and would recommend it for the Acting, Cinematography and Music. Others seem to agree.
Have you any film connection or experience you would like to share?
My greatest film experience was working on The Lobster (2015) with the best of Irish and International talent in front and behind the camera.
James (seated second from left) in a scene from The Lobster.
That it won and received Oscar and BAFTA nominations was additional confirmation of the quality of the whole production – despite me!
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