DIAMONDS (1975) - terrific soundtrack, shame about the film

DIAMONDS
(1975, USA/Israel, Yahlumim)

High-calibre cast, rare locations and classy soundtrack all outweigh the movie.

This has so little love on IMDB that I've simply got to write it up, it was entertaining enough back in the seventies, and an enjoyable double-bill with Russian Roulette, which has actually aged far better. Ironically Diamonds has made it to DVD, while Russian Roulette hasn't.

This is the sort of mid-range production that Robert Shaw appeared in, even after excellent work in high-profile American hits as The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) and The Sting (1973). Both had failed to make him a megastar before he lucked into his next role: shark-killer Quint in Steven Spielberg's Jaws propelled him into A-list titles until his untimely death in 1978. He dominated young whippersnapper Nick Nolte in The Deep (author Peter Benchley's follow-up to Jaws), Harrison Ford in Force 10 From Navarone, and battled terrorists in the audacious Black Sunday. But Shaw's most famous role after Quint, is the stone killer 'Red' Grant in From Russia With Love (1963), outwitting the famous James Bond.

Here Shaw plays identical twins, thanks to some very basic split-screen trickery and a rather lumpy wig. One is a successful diamond merchant, the other a manufacturer of uncrackable security systems. Can you see where this is going? The wigless, diamond merchant Shaw hires two young criminals to help him crack his younger brother's most impenetrable safe - in the Tel Aviv Diamond Centre tower...

As the three arrive in Israel, the police are already alert to the fact that an ex-con is in their midst. Unable to shake police surveillance, they have to change the plans quickly and drastically. Plans that will involve national treasure, Mission Impossible tactics and of course a helicopter...

For decades, no heist movie has been able to resist the temptation to include pressure-sensitive floors. At least here we haven't got the cliched light beams as well. It's all gentle afternoon fun with a few minor twists that you'll never second guess.


The cast is constantly enlivened by Richard Roundtree (Shaft, Earthquake, and recently Heroes) who's never had nearly enough starring roles. Because of his character's take-no-shit attitude, and maybe his conspicuous shaggy fleece waistcoat and big hat, Diamonds was pushed on VHS as a fourth Shaft movie (retitled Diamond Shaft) which it most certainly isn't. John Shaft would never be caught dead driving an Austin Morris through London!

The third team member is played by Barbara Hershey, so good at baiting Steve Railsback in The Stuntman (1980). Back in 1975 she still appeared under the name Barbara Seagull, which regularly confused me until IMDB arrived. I thought they were different actresses! She is of course mainly the love interest here.

Shelley Winters is prominently featured in publicity and in many scenes, but is almost completely irrelevant to the story, purely along for some tired comedy relief. Though she looks better here than she does in Tentacles or The Poseidon Adventure. Viewers are of course reminded to check out her performance in Night of the Hunter (1955) for proof of her curvaceous appearance and serious acting abilities two decades earlier.

Another impressive aspect of Diamonds is the extensive filming of locations in Israel. I haven't seen Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Bethlehem (inside the Nativity Church) in any other film.

Best of all, Roy Budd (Get Carter) composed a soundtrack that's more memorable than the film. I bought it on cassette at the time and thankfully it was recently remastered on CD. I must have listened to it over a hundred times, even more than Budd's Fear Is The Key. The main theme is very loungey, with bags of sultry, jazzy sax. The car chase theme is a powerhouse, far more exciting than action on the screen. Then there are the Middle Eastern tracks, a memorable fusion of styles for the Israeli locations. Prince Charles favourites The Three Degrees provide an impeccable vocal to the main theme. Maybe you should listen to Diamonds before watching it?

I've not yet tracked down a copy of the anamorphically presented region 1, 2002 Anchor Bay DVD release, but at least it's out there. Maybe I'll stick with the old Channel 5 VHS...

A squeezed, but original, trailer is here on YouTube...

Hope Your Team Starts with New

If your team starts with New you are doing well. I watched a lot of football this weekend to up my skills for the column. Once again this is just one man's opinions. Enjoy. The teams previous ranking will be displayed now.

1. New York Giants 3-0 (3) - Giants D shut out the Bucs in Tampa. They don't have a true #1 WR but no one seems to notice or care. Manning is spreading around the ball and they have a great one-two RB system with Jacobs and Bradshaw. They haven't played anyone great yet, but they still come in at #1 for me.

2. New England Patriots 2-1 (10) - Patriots beat out good Atlanta team 26-10 at home. Is Fred Taylor the feature back now? The team still has a lot of questions but they still just win. Should be a good test coming up at home vs. Baltimore.

3. New York Jets 3-0 (6) - Jets keep proving that they can win. The really remind me of last years Ravens team. Ravens ran, had a rookie QB, and a great D, hmmmm sound like the Jets? They were down against Tennessee and came back for a win. SO far they have played the hardest teams. Great game coming up against New Orleans. What wins out Jets D or Saints O?

4. Baltimore Ravens 3-0 (9) - Ravens beat up on the Browns to a tune of 34-3. When did this team get an amazing offense!? Could be a surprise (yet way early) AFC champs. Next week @ Patriots will show us how far they really have come.

5. Minnesota Vikings 3-0 (1) - Took a miracle last second catch to beat a 49ers team that was minus Frank Gore, yet they did win. Favre looked pretty weak unless you count his masterful skill at throwing 2 yards and having his teammate make it a big play. Watching them this week made me less impressed. Up next at home vs. Green Bay. Hey didn't Favre used to play for them?

6. New Orleans Saints 3-0 (2) - They drop with a win because why they beat a pretty good team on the road, the offense stalled a tad. Pierre Thomas showed he was still a RB and had a monster game. The D was pretty impressive and if they handle the Jets next week they are sure to be higher on the next list.

7. Indianapolis Colts 3-0 (4) - Peyton Manning and company go into Arizona and just crushed the Cardinals. There defense was getting to Warner on just about every play. Any team that has Peyton Manning is sure to be pretty good.

8. Philadelphia Eagles 2-1 (7) - Getting a win against Kansas City wasn't huge but a much needed win. They team was without McNabb and Westbrook yet still put up 34 points. An early bye week coming up could be just what the doctor ordered.

9. San Francisco 49ers 2-1 (11) - Excuses can be made for that last second loss, but it happened. Something tells me the 49ers will go against Singeltary's wishes and use this one as a moral victory. If they could just get a tad better on offense...look out. Should bounce back (even without Gore) next week at home vs. St Louis.

10. San Diego Chargers 2-1 (12) - Nice win at home over the Dolphins. Something tells me if this team can put it all together they could be really good.

11. Atlanta Falcons 2-1 (5) - Big drop here, they didn't hang with the Pats as long as I thought. They are still a good team. They have a bye week then visit San Francisco.

12. Chicago Bears 2-1 (15) - Nice road win for Cutler and the Bears. Having to travel all the way to Seattle and beat the Seahawks in a close game feels pretty good.

13. Denver Broncos 3-0 (14) - You beat the Raiders you only get to move up one spot, its the rules! But there D is still holding up. Have only given up 16 points the entire year!

14. Cincinnati Bengals 2-1 (22) - Huge jump up for the Bengals! Way to go! You guys beat the Steelers at home, not bad guys! I was pretty shocked that they won. If you take away the one play this team is 3-0, wow.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-2 (8) - A last second loss on the road drops them quite a bit. Never thought they would have a losing record this year...but stranger things have happened. It doesn't get easier with the Chargers coming into town next weekend. They still have too much talent to be bad for long.

16. Dallas Cowboys 2-1 (16) - No move this week Cowboys. You beat the Panthers at home but it wasn't pretty. Romo looks average so far.

17. Green Bay Packers 2-1 (18) - At least you guys could beat the Rams! I have a feeling they will be one of those teams that makes most games close every week. They can beat up on their former legend QB next game.

18. Buffalo Bills 1-2 (13) - The offense couldn't get much going against the Saints vaunted D, oh wait nevermind. Did TO complain yet? Come on, we all know it will happen.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-2 (27) - They had a close, high scoring victory, over the Texans this week. Next up they play Tennessee, it should show a better measure of their skills.

20. Houston Texans 1-2 (20) - This team still scores a lot, Matt Schaub can put up some good numbers. Oh yeah that D? Giving up an average of 28 points a game. Might need to address that.

21. Tennessee Titans 0-3 (21) - Suffered a tough loss on the road vs a good Jets team. I am still not sure how they can be 0-3. I still think they will bounce back. Does Collins need to be benched in favor of the younger Young?

22. Arizona Cardinals 1-2 (17) - Were those fans in Arizona wanting Mr. Leinart to play? Is Warner looking as old as he should? Didn't they have an offense line last year?

23. Detroit Lions 1-2 (30) - THEY WON!!! I wouldn't say it was the best win ever, but a win is a win especially when you didn't win at all last year. Good job Lions. I think they might at least win a few more this year.

24. Seattle Seahawks 1-2 (24) - Those jerseys! Oh my god, I thought the tv was off when I saw those. They were two missed field goals away from having a tie. Maybe those jerseys screwed up Mare, who was called out by his coach on national television. Did I mention the jerseys???

25. Miami Dolphins 0-3 (23) - I just heard they lost Chad Pennington for the year. They still have some talent but something tells me they won't be coming close to last years record.

26. Washington Redskins 1-2 (19) You drop when you lose to the Lions, that's just the way it goes. I didn't know things were going this bad in Washington. Playing the Bucs next week will get them back on track for 8-8, I can feel it.

27. Carolina Panthers 0-3 (25) - This was the team that won 12 games last year? They scored just one TD against the Cowboys D. I did see AJ Feely roaming the sidelines, I would look into that.

28. Oakland Raiders 1-2 (26) - I was looking to place them lower after a beating by the Broncos, but the teams below them are much worse off. So you got that going for you Raider fans! Russell has a 22.9 QB rating, I think if I went out there a threw an incomplete pass I would have a higher ranking. Think they should have held onto Jeff Garcia?

29. Kansas City Chiefs 0-3 (28) - Matt Cassell, this isn't New England. I feel scared for them next week vs. NY Giants.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-3 (29) - Well you got shut out at home against the Giants. I cant find any positives, I tried.

31. St Louis Rams 0-3 (32) - Good job Rams! No longer the worst team in my rankings and you more then doubled your total points on the year from 7 to 24! Holy cow! Marc Bulger got banged up and Kyle Boller came in and threw two touchdowns.

32. Cleveland Browns 0-3 (31) - True they have played some good teams...Vikings, Denver, and Baltimore who are all 3-0. I would cut them some slack but they seem to lack any direction. They bench Brady Quinn so Derek Anderson comes in and throws 3 INT. I say go with the 3rd string QB Brett Ratliff.

This one hurt

Frank Gore goes out on the first play of the game....just before half time the 49ers are showing nothing on offense and Minnesota is about to kick a field goal to go up 16-7....but then the 2009 Niners showed up, Singeltary's 9ers. We then blocked the field goal and get the game back for us. Vernon Davis and Shaun Hill stepped up. Glen Coffee did all he could with what he had to work with.

At the end I wanted to scream, I wanted to break something, I cursed Farve for not retiring and choosing whatever team he wanted to come back with (again). But after I calmed down I realized that we just almost beat one of the best teams in the NFC, possibly the NFL and this was in Minnesota, a tough place to play. Farve for all his dump off passes is still an all time great QB and I guess if we had to get beat at least we left it all out there, we lost with 2 seconds left, some sort of miracle catch, and its over....we lost.

I am realizing that this is not the end of the world because we now play with some purpose, look out St Louis...this team is going to be angry next week, but more so hungry for their next win, their next mission, this year is going to be special. GO NINERS!!!!

THE CASSANDRA CROSSING (1976) - outbreak on a train

THE CASSANDRA CROSSING

(1976, West Germany, Italy, UK)

This just beat Silver Streak to being the first seventies disaster movie on a train, but the accent here was on suspense and doom, rather than comedy. Back then it certainly delivered, though the posters and publicity made me expect something more sci-fi, like The Andromeda Strain. I re-watched this just before a recent trip to Geneva, where the journey begins.

The opening titles lead into a spectacular helicopter shot descending from the clouds, swooping low over Lake Geneva (when the huge fountain was unfortunately switched off), down over the United Nations European Headquarters and up to the World Health Organisation building. Inside, several terrorists force their way into top secret laboratories and during a shoot-out with the guards, one gets splashed with a nasty virus...

This leads neatly to a simple movie premise - hundreds of passengers trapped on a train with a killer virus. Luckily there's an action-hero scientist onboard, his ex-wife and a host of disposal disaster movie stereotypes. There's an early lowpoint with a singsong in one compartment, but after the silly soap-opera interlude, it turns back into a tight thriller as the nightmare deepens.

Eventually the American military find out about the missing terrorist potentially infecting everyone on the train. The Colonel in charge orders the train not to stop and that no-one gets off. Just to make sure, the train takes on armed guards and has its windows boarded up, in an eerie nighttime scene with the soldiers dressed in bio-hazard suits. Anyone who tries to escape will be shot. The all-white outfits might be accurate, but they also reminded me of George Romero's own 'outbreak' horror The Crazies (1973). The following year, there was a similar-looking clean-up squad in David Cronenberg's Rabid (1977).

In these contagion movies the symptoms can go two ways - if it's a thriller then the virus simply kills, like The Andromeda Strain (1971) or Outbreak (1995). If it's a horror film then the infected turn into mindless killers, as in The Crazies, Rabid, right upto 28 Days Later.

Besides the spreading virus, there's the lengths the army will go to prevent the secret of their bio-weapon getting out. Either way, time is running out for the passengers as the train nears the end of the line, the rickety Cassandra Crossing...

With a simple premise, mounting complications and a memorably callous climax, this is also a movie full of familiar faces.Sharing top-billing are Burt Lancaster, Sophia Loren and Richard Harris, all bringing glamour to an endless string of seventies thrillers. Harris was an unlikely, thoughtful action hero throughout the seventies in Juggernaut, Orca - The Killer Whale and Golden Rendezvous... though today he seems mainly remembered for his curtain-call as Dumbledore. Personally, I'd rather see him battle Orca...
Ava Gardner bounces back from her disaster movie experience of Earthquake (1974), invigorated here by toyboy Martin Sheen, who's still in a rut of greasy villains, looking exactly as he does as the predatory paedo in The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane (also 1976). If you ever wanted to see more of Martin doing half-naked yoga, like the opening of Apocalypse Now, this movie is for you...

In the tradition of disaster movies, there's too many characters set up, so that later they can be cruelly cut down... including a host of actors more famous from their European cult movies - John Philip Law (Barbarella), Alida Valli (Suspiria), Ingrid Thulin (Salon Kitty). Not to mention OJ Simpson (The Towering Inferno) as a priest!

Ann Turkel is presumably here because her husband was Richard Harris. She's paired onscreen with Italian actor Ray Lovelock - yes, the star of Living Dead At The Manchester Morgue (1975), but without his beard! I didn't recognise him without the facial hair, wearing a woolly ski sweater!
Last but not least is the father of method acting, Lee Strasberg. His skimpy watch salesman character gains dramatic weight when he realises that the train is taking him back to the internment camp he was imprisoned in during the war. For a major proponent of stage acting, this is a rare movie role, his most acclaimed screen appearance being in The Godfather. Heaven only knows what made him do a European disaster movie.

The Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack certainly helps. He uses a few creepy virus sounds that he first used for The Satan Bug (1965).

All in all, a fast-paced thriller blended into the disaster movie genre.

I've been watching a VHS all this time and am looking for a decent version on DVD. I've got the Carlton DVD - it's widescreen but letterboxed, non-anamorphic, and the negative needs a little restoration work for dirt and scratches - but at least it's available. I'll keep lhoping for an anamorphic remastered version...

A widescreen YouTube trailer from TCM...

NFL Week 3 Power Rankings

I sort of inherited this column from my brother, I will try to do him justice because I really enjoyed his rankings. I will try to keep it up every three weeks or so but alas no guarantees on that. So here is one guys thoughts on the rankings.

1. Minnesota Vikings (2-0): I know they have only played the Browns and Lions but both on the road and they have all the tools to be a great team this year. Next up, home opener against the 49ers. It will determine for both teams how good they really are.

2. New Orleans Saints (2-0): Saints can score some touchdowns if you haven't heard! Brees looks like he will set some sort of QB record this year. Mike Bell came out of nowhere to be the starting RB. They have handled Detroit and Philly (on the road). Up next a tougher match up against the Bills.

3. New York Giants (2-0) Plaxico who? This team is rolling on just fine and finding they have some talented WR in the wings. The D is still one of the best, and some clutch play by Manning against Dallas makes them 2-0. Up next is @ Tampa Bay, look for 3-0.

4. Indianapolis Colts (2-0) Two close games the loss of their second WR and yet the Colts sit pretty at 2-0. Well not too pretty, both games they won were close but they still managed to win them both. Plus they have that Manning guy, he is kinda good. Up next they are @ Arizona, should be a fun game.

5. Atlanta Falcons (2-0) Something tells me Atlanta will be atop this division come the end of the year. Matt Ryan looks for real and adding the best TE in the game helps! Big game up next @ New England will show me how for real this team really is.

6. New York Jets (2-0) Jets have beat Houston on the road and New England at home, is Mark Sanchez the next Big Ben? So far so good. Jets D is coming alive so far and they control the clock and run a lot. I am skeptical of how good they really are but so far they look really good.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) I still think this team has way too much talent not to win a lot of games. Right now having your #1 QB and RB being hurt doesn't help! When McNabb gets back they should start rolling again. Oh and if you haven't watched sportscenter in the last few seconds Michael Vick is back. They should get a W this week against the Eagles.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) A tough loss last week in Chicago puts them in the loss column early on, I think they still have a lot going for them. I do wonder about their RB situation though, but they also had troubles there last year and still won it all.

9. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) Nice win at San Diego, but aren't they suppose to be a defensive team? They are averaging 25 points against in two games so far. Flaco looks like he could be something special but they should establish who the #1 RB is, they have like 3 guys who could start (McGahee, Rice, and McClain). At home against Cleveland looks like a 3-0 start.

10. New England Patriots (1-1) I know they have struggled early on, a miracle fumble lead them to beat the Bills and they lost out bad against the Jets in NY. But why do I have them high? Because they are still the Pats and I think they have way too much talent. Brady is still getting used to playing with pads on, it may take a while to get started but once they do, watch out!

11. San Francisco 49ers (2-0) Beating the NFC champs on the road was nice and showing everyone that the Seahawks looked good because they played the Rams was nice. The teams D is looking like it could be the best they have had in years. I think Singletary will be coach of the year if he keeps the team up.

12. San Diego Chargers (1-1) What happened to their D last week? They still have a ton of weapons and are showing they can score with out or without LT, who is looking much older. They almost lost to the Raiders, I think there coach is what brings down this team. I say he will not last very much longer. Up next is the Dolphins at home.

13. Buffalo Bills (1-1) They could be one fumble away from 2-0 but it didn't happen. They can score a lot and all this without Lynch at RB. Maybe they found a new RB in Fred Jackson? This team seems like they can beat anyone if they wanted to, but they also lack something.

14. Denver Broncos (2-0) Sean, you say...this team is 2-0! Why so low? Well yes they have only let up 13 points so far. They have also only played the Browns and Bengals, and they won on some miracle catch. Buuuut the the defense looks good and they play the Raiders next so it is possible they go 3-0, I just do not think they are all that good..yet.

15. Chicago Bears (1-1) DA BEARS! They beat the super champs at home and looked good. Still not sure how good they really are. Forte is struggling so far.

16. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) An easy win in Tampa and a last second loss against the Giants. This team could be really good, its really hard to tell. I think Tampa is pretty bad. They should shoot up in the rankings if they can handle the Panthers, but Marion Barber could be out.

17. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) They looked pretty bad in week 1 and then bounced back in Jacksonville and Kurt Warner set the record for passing completion %. I am not sure what to make of this team yet, they still are working to see if they are anything like last year.

18. Green Bay Packers (1-1) So they beat Chicago and then lose to the Bengals, at home? WTF? I have no idea if this team is good or not yet.

19. Washington Redskins (1-1) Oh Redskins can we just end the season and say 8-8 right now? Wow you handled the Rams @ home 9-7, up next the Lions. Think you can get double digits?

20. Houston Texans (1-1) I never realized how much talent this team has on offense until I watched the highlights last week. Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton, Owen Daniels, Schaub...they can sure put up some points. So why only 1 TD in week one?

21. Tennesse Titans (0-2) But they don't even have a win! Why did you rank them so high? Because they lost to the Steelers and were like a Collins fumble from coming back on Houston. Not sure what is going on with this team but coach Fisher will have them back and winning soon.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) This team could be one deflection away from 2-0! So they beat Green Bay in Lambeau, wow that's pretty impressive. Antwan Odom has 7 sacks in two games, he had 5 against the Packers alone! Wow who is this guy? Did anyone else know they have S Roy Williams (former Cowboy Pro Bowler) ? I just found out. Lets see how they do against the Steelers this week.

23. Miami Dolphins (0-2) This team can run that wildcat to perfection. They still have loads of talent on D and Ronnie Brown has pretty much returned to form. So why 0-2? They played Atlanta and Indy for one reason. Up next they play in San Diego. I bet they wish they could get that last place schedule they has last year back!

24. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) They looked pretty bad last week in San Francisco. It doesn't help that they lost Matt Hasselback to an injury and let Frank Gore go off for two runs of 80 yards.

25. Carolina Panthers (0-2) Starting off against Philly and Atlanta wasn't very nice. The talk of the town is how they should have addressed the QB need in the off season, possibly will in next years draft. I would have gone after Jeff Garcia or Vick if I was them. Next week they play Dallas.

26. Oakland Raiders (1-1) Yep, you are reading this correctly the Raiders are 1-1! Good for them. I actually think their head coach is pretty good (when is not punching out his assistant coaches). Russell looks like a bust..but he still has some talent, where did it go?

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) They played Arizona and Indy so they have at least played some good teams. I guess they are still in a funk from last year. I am not sure why this team is bad yet I haven't looked too much at the team yet.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) Losing at home against the Raiders had to hurt. They stuck around with Baltimore for the first week but it all went downhill after that. I still think Thigpen is a good QB. Not sure how the Matt Cassell experiment will go.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) Something tells me this will be a long season for rookie head coach Raheem Morris, who is younger than half his team.

30. Detroit Lions (0-2) Lions are not on the bottom of this list! Woo hoo, its a moral victory for them. Kind of a tough start to the year for a team who didn't win a GAME last year. New Orleans and Minnesota, ouchbay! They have average 20 points a game though and Stafford can throw. They have more upside this year.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-2) Maybe I am being hard on the Browns. They did give up 37 points to the Vikings and 27 to the Broncos. Those teams are not too bad. I think Brady Quinn is not the answer.

32. St Louis Rams (0-2) They have one touchdown in two games. Yes one. They have been outscored 37-7 in two games and they play Green Bay next. It could be a long year for you guys in St. Louis, at least you have the Cardinals...go Pujols!!!

London Film Festival 2009 preview

Some suggestions from the forthcoming London Film Festival (14th to 29th October) and the BFI South Bank programme for November...



The 2009 London Film Festival includes some rare chances to see international cinema on the big screen and previews of forthcoming hits.

The new big budget CGI Astro Boy (Oct 17). This international production is looking good from the trailers I've seen. The characters don't look much like the manga or anime, but this movie could revive the character outside Japan for the first time since Astro's success on US TV in the sixties. The character has been regularly updated as an anime in Japan (most recently in 2003).

The new 3-D edition of the Pixar classic Toy Story 2 (Oct 25) is a ten year anniversary revival, this time re-rendered for 3-D presentation. It should later appear in local cinemas on a double-bill with Toy Story, also in 3D.

There's the new Japanese live-action ninja epic, a manga adaption called Kamui (Oct 22/23).

A new British documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story (Oct 23/26). I never tire of the comedy of the late Bill Hicks and miss his acidic attacks more than ever.

The City of Life and Death (Oct 28) - the latest dramatisation of the Nanking massacre - the worst atrocity during the 1937 Japanese invasion of China. This is a Hong Kong/Chinese co-production, focusing on three characters' stories within the six week 'Rape of Nanking'.

From the BFI archives there's a screening of J'Accuse (Oct 24). This is a full-length print of the silent 1919 version. A plea for peace from director Abel Gance, who remade the film under the same name just before World War 2. A soldier who narrowly avoids death in the trenches, pleas with politicians not to go to war again. As a last resort, he summons up the war dead, and they rise from their graves to march in protest and warn the living.

A restored print of Topper (Oct 15) is the 1937 Cary Grant comedy about two ghosts pestering a timid salaryman (Roland Young). It spawned two movie sequels and a TV series.



After the festival, the BFI Southbank continues with its November programme.

There's all the films of South Korean director Bong Joon-Ho. From his early short films to his latest release. There's a rare screening of his first feature Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000), the marvelous mystery Memories of Murder (2003), and of course the movie that made him internationally famous The Host (2006). He contributed one third of the segments of Tokyo (2008) and there's a preview of his new film Mother (2009). Hopefully it won't be long before we get to see The Host 2...

There's also a Michael Haneke season, including both versions of his brutal Funny Games, which I reviewed here.

Dear Frank Gore

You basically won the game for us today. Thanks for showing me and all the other fans around me in Candlestick Park today that the niners have changed somewhat and are now being lead by a coach who knows what he wants and will stick too it. Oh and the 207 on 16 carriers was pretty bad ass!!!

Also glad to see Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, Eddie DeBartolo Jr, Joe Montana, and Roger Craig around the stadium to honor DeBartolo at halftime. All in all thanks for the great game and proving me right (so far!).