Once again, I am a bit late in posting this month with my evenings recently spent glued to the unmissable drama of the presidential election. The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix also provided a welcome distraction as the daylight saving time came to an end.

The premise of an orphaned chess prodigy set in the 50s & 60s did not appeal to me initially but the seven episodes melted away in this beautifully directed and watchable mini-series. The whole feel and detail of the show were spot on.

Glasgow Film Festival recently published great news that their 2021 event is still going ahead but in a slightly different format. Running between 24th February to 7th March, there will still be screenings at the Glasgow Film Theatre but also screenings through an exciting new online streaming platform, Glasgow Film At Home.

My recommendations from October are films I have watched on DVD, subscription-based streaming, and rental streaming for under £5.

My top three films for October are:

The Conversation (1974)

Rating 9.5/10

Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is renowned in the surveillance industry as one of the best. When asked to record a conversation of a couple in San Francisco’s Union Square he begins to find himself fixated with the outcome of the recording.

Sandwiched in between The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II this slow- burn mystery from Francis Ford Coppola was released at the tail end of the Watergate Scandal. Richard Nixon resigned as President 4 months later in August 1974, to say this film is culturally relevant of this period in history would be an understatement.

This was one of three films released by The Directors Company, a short-lived film production company formed by Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich & William Friedkin. With a budget of $3 million per film, they had complete creative control with no studio restrictions. The other two films that were made were Paper Moon and Daisy Miller.

Coppola wanted The Conversation to show the public about eavesdropping/wiretapping, the technology used, and the kind of people involved in it. After looking at photos of Hackman’s character after filming they reminded Coppola of some of the indicted Watergate wiretappers.

This exquisitely crafted film hit the right note on so many levels. The meticulous storytelling, Hackman’s conflicted character, the use of sound and the editing all stood out for me.

You can stream The Conversation on NOW TV.  

What’s Up, Doc? (1972)

Rating 9/10

Still with the 70s and another Peter Bogdanovich film features in my top three, with Paper Moon my favourite film from last month.

Centred around four identical plaid travel bags within a San Francisco hotel, confusion arises when they begin to swap hands unintentionally and ridiculousness ensues in this homage to the screwball comedies of the 30s/40s.  

After the critical success of his coming of age drama The Last Picture Show, Bogdanovich released this hilarious comedy which ended up only behind The Godfather and The Poseidon Adventure in the overall 1972 American box office.

I got caught up in the madness on screen with its fast-paced dialogue and sharp wit. Barbra Streisand and Madeline Khan give stand out performances in a film that includes one of the most outrageous car chase scenes .  Lasting around twelve minutes, the set-piece took four weeks to shoot in its entirety.  

You can rent What’s Up, Doc? on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

Rocks (2019)

Rating 8.5/10

Moving away from San Francisco and over to London with Sarah Gavron’s touching coming of age drama that explores the UK childcare system and friendship.

The film centres on teenager Rocks (Bukky Bakray) who finds herself caring for herself and younger brother Emmanuel (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu) after her Mum leaves unexpectedly. The film mainly focuses on Rocks’ attempts to keep her and her brother out of social services reach.

What makes this film stand out is the unbelievably natural performances of the young cast in their first feature film. Kissiedu is a revelation as young Emmanuel, however the main pulse of the film for me is the chemistry between Bukky Bakray and Kosar Ali who plays Rocks best friend Sumaya.

Hats off to the team effort of director Gavron, associate director Anu Henriques, writers Theresa Ikoko/Claire Wilson and casting director Lucy Pardee. The nine months of acting workshops to find their cast has worked absolute wonders here.

You can stream Rocks on Netflix.

Honourable mentions:  

Thief (1981) Rating 8.5/10

Michael Mann’s directorial crime debut is one to remember. Chicago based Frank (James Caan) is a professional safecracker whose world is turned upside down when approached by the mob to carry out a job. Caan puts in the terrific performance as the complex and interesting anti-hero and the eye-popping night cinematography from Donald E. Thorin adds to the atmosphere.  Tangerine Dream also provide a truly memorable synth score that fans of Drive would appreciate.  

You can buy Thief on DVD.

Carrie (1976) Rating 8.5/10

Brian De Palma’s iconic adaptation of Stephen King’s novel was by far my favourite horror film of Halloween this year. Sissy Spacek is memorable as the bullied high school student with telekinesis powers, her performance makes you feel for the character. Another highlight would have to be the noteworthy camera techniques employed by cinematographer Mario Tosi.

You can rent Carrie on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

In the Mood for Love (2000) Rating 8.5/10

Two neighbours learn of their well-travelled partner’s affair with one another and their relationship blossoms as a result. I loved the slow-burn story, the vibrancy of the colours and the score which got stuck in my head for days. Wong Kar-wai’s 60s melancholic romance unsurprisingly sits high on many lists as one of the best films of the noughties as it is indeed a truly unique experience.

You can stream In the Mood for Love on Sundance Now Prime Video Channels.    

Moonstruck (1987) Rating 8.5/10

This Italian American romantic comedy from Norman Jewison is full of life and fun performances. Recently widowed New Yorker Loretta (Cher) has some choices to make after she finds herself falling for her new fiancés younger brother Ronny (Nicolas Cage). Olympia Dukakis & Cher were awarded Oscars for their performances as mother and daughter in this warm and watchable film.

You can stream Moonstruck on MGM Prime Video Channels.   

Ordinary People (1980) Rating 8/10

The Jarrett family are at different stages in their grief at the loss of their son/older brother. The film centres primarily on youngest son Conrad (Timothy Hutton) who is in therapy.  He has the support of his warm and approachable father Calvin (Donald Sutherland), but he is having trouble connecting with his distant mother Beth (Mary Tyler Moore). Robert Redford’s delicate family drama exploring mental illness and grief is strengthened by a trio of outstanding performances.

You can rent Ordinary People on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

The Vanishing (1988) Rating 8/10

This Dutch abduction thriller packs a real punch. A couple is travelling through France when the woman goes missing at a busy service station. We follow the subsequent years of the man’s attempts to find out what happened. What makes this film stand out is director George Sluizer’s plot structure and the early introduction to the haunting Raymond Lemorne played by Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu.

You can rent The Vanishing on Google Play & YouTube.

The Karate Kid (1984) Rating 8/10

I would have to say this is by far the most famous 80s film that I was yet to watch. Ridiculous really but I guess there is always one of those films sitting in everyone’s watchlist. I could not care less of its predictable outcome, this film had real heart and I loved Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Mr Miyagi’s (Pat Morita) chemistry throughout. I enjoyed it so much I binged the two seasons of the cheesy Cobra Kai on Netflix.

You can stream The Karate Kid on Netflix.

Candyman (1992) Rating 7.5/10

This was the horror film that everybody talked about in school that I never had the minerals to watch. Helen Lyle, a Chicago student, is putting together her thesis on the urban myth of The Candyman when she accidentally summons the spirit.  

I found myself pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere built throughout this psychological slasher with the exploration of systemic racism at the heart of it. Virginia Madsen is notable as Helen, but it is Tony Todd’s vocal delivery of The Candyman that is nerve-shredding. What a voice that man has. A “spiritual sequel” will be with us in 2021 with Jordan Peele having a hand in the screenplay.

You can stream Candyman on NOW TV

Pusher (1996) Rating 7.5/10

Notable debuts all round in this pulsating and gritty Danish crime film. This was Nicolas Winding Refn’s directorial debut along with Mads Mikkelsen’s first feature film. Kim Bodnia does a fantastic job as the lead drug pusher Frank in this anxiety-ridden tale.

You can stream Pusher on Prime Video

You can find all my film ratings on my Letterboxd account.

See you next month with my November recommendations!