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Earlier this week Edith Bowman hosted a post screening QA with Director / Writer / Producer Todd Phillips to discuss the making of Joker, his take on DC's comic villain. Growing up the Batman was one of my favourite comic characters but I have always thought a Joker film would be overly derivative as a concept and whilst Todd Phillips' film wasn't one of my favourite viewing experiences of last year - I fully appreciated his nuanced and timely character study of a vulnerable individual, trapped in a system that can seemingly only corrupt. More than that I absolutely loved the brave independent spirit behind bringing Joker to the screen. More than a thematic throwback to the 70s Joker is a nod to bold creative filmmaking of the late 70s where ideas and challenging thought wee more important than posing leading questions. This is the origin of the creation of the Joker and as thematically the Joker is the opposite of Batman, Phillip's film is the opposite of the big budget, clinical, FX laden interpretations of comics we have come to expect on the big screen. Something that has paid off in spades for Phillips. As an unfair comparison, Avengers: Endgame (the culmination of the last 8 years of the Marvel Universe films) was nominated for an Oscar & BAFTA Awards for it's Effects and to date has made it's production budget back almost 8 times. Joker has been nominated for 11 Oscars & 11 BAFTAS (not 1 of them being for FX) and has to date made back it's production budget almost 20 times over AND that's before it's home release. This is a prime example of someone This was an exceptional QA session with some great questions asked and Phillips seemed to be open and more than happy to impart insight into the making of his films and I got the chance to chat with him afterwards ansd ask him some burning questions I had. I'll hopefully have some time to get highlights from the session online shortly. The QA was held at the ODEON's flagship Luxe Leicester Square cinema, this was my first visit since it's refurbishment and I have to say their Dolby Atmos System promises and delivers a lot for discerning fidelity fans. (at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tO9Oipodf/?igshid=a4cdpm9k3f2b

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Last week, the always chic, Edith Bowman hosted a chat about the making of  Sam Mendes' 1917 with Director/ Writer Sam Mendes, Writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, Producer Pippa Harris and cast that included: leads George MacKay & Dean-Charles Chapman and Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Danny Mays and Claire Duburcq. What a lineup! and 1917 was one of my favourite viewing experiences of the year (I saw it at the Dolby's London Screening Room so Thomas Newman's Score was in full effect along with Roger Deakins masterful Cinematography) so I was keen to hear from the team about the genesis of 1917, how the tale made it's way to the screen, how they brought it's unique quasi one shot and immersive surreal flowing effect to life, as well as hear the Legendary Cinematographer Mr. Roger Deakins talk about, well anything really, but hopefully glean some insight into his art and science. And find out what is happening with Penny Dreadful from Krysty Wilson-Cairns. And what we can expect from Andrew Scott's Ripley. Fortunately Deakins was happy to answer my questions about how many shots were actually involved in the "one long shot" and some of the challenges shooting this must see film, a full write up will be up soon. The conference took place at the Imperial War Museum, one of my favourite buildings in London as it retains it's quintessential Britishness on the exterior, but inside, it is a quite a modern world class affair with a spectacular use of space, housing the pieces that remind us of the all too real horrors of war. We were on the Foster designed, suspended roof terrace, in the shadow of the green copper? dome of the former Bethlem Hospital Chapel. I have been to the IMW a number of times but never been up to the Roof Terrace so that was quite an experience. Photo taken with my Sony Xperia XZ1. (at Imperial War Museum London) https://www.instagram.com/p/B55hm89Jl7x/?igshid=1ovncb112iuwj

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So earlier this week I was fortunate to see an early screening of Paul Downs Colaizzo's marvellous Brittany Runs A Marathon. In all honesty I had little expectation, but was hopeful that lead Jillian Bell brought the lols of comedy gold, as she does. However Brittany Runs A Marathon turned out to be a satisfying experience way beyond it's word of mouth buzz as a chick flick. It's a real gem, with the whole cast bringing perfectly pitched performances, especially Jillian Bell who brings a range of credible personality to her character, past playing it just for laughs. Whilst first time director Paul Downs Colaizzo clearly put a lot of work into making the story of his friend, the real Brittany, as engaging as possible whilst staying true to the gritty spirit of her inspirational real life journey. For sure the whole experience was enhanced by the swish decor and architecture, super fun pre-screening marathon themed party with health canapes, health sea salt mocktails (OK! electrolyte drinks if you are a stickler for accuracy) and health beers, the intimate screening space , as well both Jillian Bell (@jillianbell) and Paul Downs Colaizzo (@pdcnyc) popping in to hilariously introduce Brittany Runs A Marathon but the film itself has more than enough charm and soul to cross the finish line without all of that. Brittany Runs A Marathon is a winner and my film of the week. (at HKX Platform) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4APVHoF-NA/?igshid=1qnitomu98prx

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The name is Lazenby, George Lazenby.  Last Sunday as part of the BFI's early James Bond Day celebration and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the release of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Mr George Lazenby came along to hold a suprise QA session hosted by David Walliams after a 4K screening of OHMSS. Also making appearances were Bond Director/Editor John Glen (Moonraker, The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Licence to Kill, The Living Daylights, A View to a Kill, Octopussy & For Your Eyes Only), Bond Composer David Arnold (Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, No Time To Die?, Bond actors Martine Beswick (From Russia with Love, Thunderball),  Sylvana Henriquest (On Her Majesty's Secret Service, You Only Live Twice titles), Terence Mountain (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Carole Ashby (Octopussy, A View to a Kill) and I also spotted Sir Roger's son Geoffrey Moore.  Aston Martin brought along a Special Edition On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Aston Martin DBS Superleggera and a Living Daylights Heritage V8 Vantage. (at BFI Southbank) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3FZAOxpMyc/?igshid=bw29m3le13ov

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The legendary Walter Murch introducing Francis Ford Coppola's epic and magnificent Apocalypse Now: Final Cut at The ICA last night. What an absolute pleasure to meet the man and hear some of his thoughts on Editing, Sound Design and the formative experience of making Apocalypse Now. The ICA screening room couldn't have been more suitable - intimate and kitted with excellent sound and projection gear, as the visuals and sound lept out from all sides of the cinema in an phantasmagorical experience. It was like watching Apocalypse Now for the first time, a tale that will take you down the rabbit hole on a horrifying, satirical, suspense laden and constantly surprising ride with unparalleled practical cinematography and sound design.  I got home and had to my Apocalypse Now Redux as I don't remember the quality being anywhere as near as this version. It really is a top notch restoration and remaster, you can actually see the background on most of the darker scenes. My only criticism would be that oddly the jungle greens don't pop as much as much as the rest of the colour spectrum and it was a bittersweet experience as sadly 40 years on, no one has been able to match let alone top Coppola's masterpiece. A sad indication of  the lack of imagination in current filmmaking and our throwaway lack of gravitas culture.  (at ICA) https://www.instagram.com/p/B24WvuLpvme/?igshid=te66it5wv9pm

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Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy The precise location of heaven on earth has never been established but it may very well be right here. - Herb Caen (at Villa d'Este (Cernobbio)) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2g2E0yJw_V/?igshid=17n0thwzr8ewr

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One can't go to Como without visiting the many splendid villas that overlook the lake. High on my list was a visit to the renowned Villa del Balbianello situated on the tip of the Dosso d'Avedo peninsula in the comune of Lenno. Of course, in line with the area, the villa is steeped in history and it & it's terraced gardens are sublimely gorgeous, but in late May 2006 it served as the location of the lake side clinic where James Bond recuperates from his misadventures in Casino Royale. This is the where, at a low point, Bond explains that he has "no armour left" and makes two critical errors in judgement - leading to irrecoverable consequences for himself and others that are finally thread together in Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time To Die. "MATHIS (V. O.) (CONT'D) Any ideas? BOND (V.O.) What? EXT. CLINIC PORCH - - DAY Bond opens his eyes to see himself in a robe, a few days stronger, but still weak, sitting in a wheelchair taking in the breeze from Lake Como. Mathis sits opposite him MATHIS Why they left the two of you alive. BOND Where is she? MATHIS Sleeping. And I'm supposed to get you to drink this He turns pours liquid from a container, stirs...we only glimpse what he is doing, he could be putting anything in this and Bond knows it" - Casino Royale screenplay by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, Second set of revisions by Paul Haggis. The above is owned & © 2005 Danjaq and inserted here under "fair use" for educational purposes only. (at FAI - Villa del Balbianello) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2UIp3bp0ht/?igshid=1oaiveunc63w1

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Magic moonlight nights on Lake Como. Intimate dinner at Grand Hotel Cadenabbia's rooftop restaurant Al Chiaro Di Luna, overlooking the lake, Bellgio & Varenna in the distance. (at Grand Hotel Cadenabbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ANFEMpc7r/?igshid=8r7p75bby47p

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Waking up, first morning on Lake Como. #grandhotelcadenabbia #lagodicomo #lakecomo #comostyle #lakecomostyle #holidayvibes (at Grand Hotel Cadenabbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1zEvj6pA3K/?igshid=1u58193o7e0o4

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Finally Chris cracks a whole room up with his jokes. All his friends were in absolute hysterics. Happy Birthday Christopher! You wear 79 well! (at Bob Bob Cité) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBtebwJW0E/?igshid=1bw4g586zva56

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Patton Oswalt bringing the LOLS of comedy gold to the UK in a rare London stand up performance. Thank you @pattonoswalt for taking the edge off. Looking forward to your return next year. #standup #comedygold #pattonoswalt #london (at O2 Forum Kentish Town) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byv60xdJHRE/?igshid=jvmtiv5ibjf5

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Circa 1930s Racing Green Bentley 4.5 litre Blower as can currently be seen at Jack Barclay Bentley Mayfair, London. In 1953 Ian Fleming introduced the world to James Bond with his first novel - Casino Royale. The story of a brooding British agent in the throes of a thrilling tale encompassing international intrigue, trust, treachery, seduction and one-up manship. On the surface Bond is hard to read but Fleming sheds some light on the stoic man when he reveals Bond has a hobby. "Chapter 5 ... Bond's car was his only personal hobby. One of the last of the 4½-litre Bentleys with the supercharger by Amherst Villiers, he had bought it almost new in 1933 and had kept it in careful storage through the war. It was still serviced every year and, in London, a former Bentley mechanic, who worked in a garage near Bond's Chelsea flat, tended it with jealous care. Bond drove it hard and well and with an almost sensual pleasure. It was a battleship-grey convertible coupe, which really did convert, and it was capable of touring at ninety with thirty miles an hour in reserve." - Ian Fleming, Casino Royale 1953. Only 720 4½ Litre Bentleys were ever produced, all between 1927 through 1931 and Bond's 1930 Coupé would have been 1 of only 55 supercharged Blower Bentleys ever created and they were made for racing. Fleming had said he liked Bond to use "dashing, interesting things", an ethos that is still part of the Bond character, it's worth noting master engineer Amherst Villiers and Fleming were very good mates, a portrait he painted of Fleming still hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. From his first appearance in Casino Royale till the very last Ian Fleming Bond book published, Bond only ever owned Bentleys. Fleming wrote 12 James Bond novels and 2 short story compendiums. Bond drives a Bentley in 7 of Ian Fleming's books in the remainder he drives; rented, "loaned" or company cars. "Jack Barclay Bentley, the world’s oldest Bentley dealership, is hosting a free James Bond exhibition from 11-16 June with Peter Harrington Rare Books" #bentley #ianfleming #jamesbond #007 #theestablishingshot #literarybond #jackbarclay #bondcar #jamesbondcar #jamesbondcars https://www.instagram.com/p/BysAnq0J6f0/?igshid=172kf912esulf

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@silkeschild exploring the eerie Japanese WW2 wreck Tirukaze Maru (Falling Wind Circle - Circle beng a traditional naming convention believed to be a wish for a protecrted return). The wreck is located on the South East side of Tangat/Sangat Island in northern Coron Bay, Phillipines and is one of the smaller wrecks from the the Battle of the Philippine Sea more specifically the Busuanga Island Raid, 24. September 1944*. Thanks to Solomon & Skipper from @Busuangabaylodge for the exceptional adventure :) The Tirukaze Maru also known locally as Teru Kaze, The Tamakaze, The East Tangat or Sangat Gun Boat. It is a 35m x 7m Japanese Submarine Hunter Ship sunk by US aircraft from Task Force 38 and rests at an incline on a coral reef running into the deep to it's Stern (back). Tom Bennett's 2018 book "World War II Wrecks of the Philippines: WWII Shipwrecks of the Philippines" explains that this wreck was identified in 2002 by by Dutch divers in February 2002. An earlier version of Bennett's book lists the East Tangat Gunboat as Bombed. #solomonistheman #phillipines #palawan #coron #busuangabaylodge #whereluxurymeetsadventure #TirukazeMaru #Tirukaze #terukazemaru #terukaze #TamakazeMaru #Tamakaze #shipwrecks #ww2 #girlswhodive #freedive #freediving #freediver #freediverlife #easttangatgunboat #taskforce38 #meikon #meikonhousing #sonynex6 #nex6 #wreck #getwrecked #padi (at Tangat Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2L60bJ1yE/?igshid=grjptaz0gupe

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Just got my #rage2 haircut at @hucklethebarber, wife relieved it didn't involve my proposed mohucan cut. (at Huckle The Barber) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxe4adLpICh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t1mr6koiptr3

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Feeling like a million bucks. Thank you Chris from @hucklethebarber for my #rage2 hair style. (at Huckle The Barber) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxe4EmYJ5IA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1buu1sehe3gvw

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In deep space, one of Discovery One's EVA Pods (EVA = Extra-Vehicular Activity) retrieves astronaut  Dr. Francis “Frank” Poole.  Models on display from 2001 at Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition.  Yesterday I was incredibly fortunate to pop up to The Design Museum for a viewing of Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition. This time as part of a much smaller group allowing for a more intimate and special experience.  Another visit will be needed to process the massive amount of sensory data from the multi media exhibition that offers the rare chance to discover Stanley Kubrick the man, his working processes and each of his films.  I'll be posting thoughts and imagery from Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition soon. #StanleyKubrick #discoverkubrick #DesignMuseum #2001 #filmmaking #filmexhibition #visitlondon (at Design Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxenUsXp6Pj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o4vckjcsjwrq

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Shante. Our Matinloc Island Palawan hideaway for the last week. (at Shante Island) https://www.instagram.com/theestablishingshot/p/BxJ94dCpWyf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2gaaxo1dybuq