LesSmarberry
@lessmarberry.bsky.social
Random movie reckons. Mostly genre pictures, Gialli, French and Italian crime movies, horror from '30s-'60s
Known in the business as the Whispering Giant, but my eyes are quite hard
Known in the business as the Whispering Giant, but my eyes are quite hard
Pinned
LesSmarberry
@lessmarberry.bsky.social
· Apr 15
Going to make this an ongoing thread on old TV movies, a form which I think is ripe for resurrection in the age of streaming
Starting off with 2 favorites, Murder Once Removed(1971) & Murder By Natural Causes(1979)
Both twisty thrillers featuring rich husbands, adulterous wives, & murderous lovers
Starting off with 2 favorites, Murder Once Removed(1971) & Murder By Natural Causes(1979)
Both twisty thrillers featuring rich husbands, adulterous wives, & murderous lovers
That canceled TV show you'll never stop thinking about
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
That canceled TV show you'll never stop thinking about
Is buying a Peavey Rage a good idea in this the year of our Lord 2025?
Possible alternatives are either a slightly beat up Fender Princeton 65 solid state, or waiting a while & getting a Roland Jazz Chorus 22
Possible alternatives are either a slightly beat up Fender Princeton 65 solid state, or waiting a while & getting a Roland Jazz Chorus 22
December 1, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Is buying a Peavey Rage a good idea in this the year of our Lord 2025?
Possible alternatives are either a slightly beat up Fender Princeton 65 solid state, or waiting a while & getting a Roland Jazz Chorus 22
Possible alternatives are either a slightly beat up Fender Princeton 65 solid state, or waiting a while & getting a Roland Jazz Chorus 22
Reposted by LesSmarberry
OK so it's dark and rainy and I feel like this story should be shared. The movie Grace Of My Heart is a sort of 'film á clef' loosely based on Carole King's life, interpolating a fictional romance with a character based on Brian Wilson. Musical director J Mascis said they HAD TO use a theremin...
Allison also told an absolutely fucking great Beach Boys anecdote (from Grace Of My Heart soundtrack recording sessions) which would on its own make this one of the great Q&As
December 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
OK so it's dark and rainy and I feel like this story should be shared. The movie Grace Of My Heart is a sort of 'film á clef' loosely based on Carole King's life, interpolating a fictional romance with a character based on Brian Wilson. Musical director J Mascis said they HAD TO use a theremin...
Bunny & the Bull (2009) One for fans of The Mighty Boosh, as a host of Boosh regulars craft a sweet & funny tale out of a man (struggling with grief & agoraphobia) remembering a disastrous roadtrip. It's funny, I promise
'Craft' is the right word here for a beautifully handmade film
'Craft' is the right word here for a beautifully handmade film
December 1, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Bunny & the Bull (2009) One for fans of The Mighty Boosh, as a host of Boosh regulars craft a sweet & funny tale out of a man (struggling with grief & agoraphobia) remembering a disastrous roadtrip. It's funny, I promise
'Craft' is the right word here for a beautifully handmade film
'Craft' is the right word here for a beautifully handmade film
"Our Party's values.."
"Your Party!"
"Your Party's values.."
"Splitter!!"
"Your Party!"
"Your Party's values.."
"Splitter!!"
November 30, 2025 at 9:11 PM
"Our Party's values.."
"Your Party!"
"Your Party's values.."
"Splitter!!"
"Your Party!"
"Your Party's values.."
"Splitter!!"
Ok, so The Iguana With The Tongue of Fire is by no means a great movie
I don't care
The State could build a whole Garda recruitment campaign around Luigi Pistilli's An Harry Salach character
I don't care
The State could build a whole Garda recruitment campaign around Luigi Pistilli's An Harry Salach character
November 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Ok, so The Iguana With The Tongue of Fire is by no means a great movie
I don't care
The State could build a whole Garda recruitment campaign around Luigi Pistilli's An Harry Salach character
I don't care
The State could build a whole Garda recruitment campaign around Luigi Pistilli's An Harry Salach character
Currently watching a giallo that was filmed & set in Ireland. Splendid days!
Even better it features a detective who looks not unlike famed Irish civil servant T.K. Whitaker in middle age
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._K._W...
Even better it features a detective who looks not unlike famed Irish civil servant T.K. Whitaker in middle age
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._K._W...
T. K. Whitaker - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Currently watching a giallo that was filmed & set in Ireland. Splendid days!
Even better it features a detective who looks not unlike famed Irish civil servant T.K. Whitaker in middle age
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._K._W...
Even better it features a detective who looks not unlike famed Irish civil servant T.K. Whitaker in middle age
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._K._W...
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) Chapter 7 of Dracula expanded to feature length
For most of this, it was fine, disappointingly fine, but fine. It only has the ingredients of atmosphere rather than an actual atmosphere, but whatever
But the ending is so egregiously stupid I want to punch it
For most of this, it was fine, disappointingly fine, but fine. It only has the ingredients of atmosphere rather than an actual atmosphere, but whatever
But the ending is so egregiously stupid I want to punch it
November 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) Chapter 7 of Dracula expanded to feature length
For most of this, it was fine, disappointingly fine, but fine. It only has the ingredients of atmosphere rather than an actual atmosphere, but whatever
But the ending is so egregiously stupid I want to punch it
For most of this, it was fine, disappointingly fine, but fine. It only has the ingredients of atmosphere rather than an actual atmosphere, but whatever
But the ending is so egregiously stupid I want to punch it
Reposted by LesSmarberry
so my journal article on Mike Leigh's Mr Turner has been published
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
Spitting Image: Authenticity, Embodiment and Self-reflexivity in Mi...
The turn of the century has seen a boom in cultural production looking back to the 19th century and particularly the Victorian era. Yet, many scholars have been keen to distinguish between those no...
journals.openedition.org
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
so my journal article on Mike Leigh's Mr Turner has been published
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
Klaus (2019) Cartoon about a spoiled trainee postman, a feuding town & an intimidating recluse, that gradually becomes a charming origin story for Santa Claus
Holds a very special place for me as I first saw it when my daughter was a tiny baby & a few years later she fell in love with it herself
Holds a very special place for me as I first saw it when my daughter was a tiny baby & a few years later she fell in love with it herself
November 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Klaus (2019) Cartoon about a spoiled trainee postman, a feuding town & an intimidating recluse, that gradually becomes a charming origin story for Santa Claus
Holds a very special place for me as I first saw it when my daughter was a tiny baby & a few years later she fell in love with it herself
Holds a very special place for me as I first saw it when my daughter was a tiny baby & a few years later she fell in love with it herself
Reposted by LesSmarberry
Just watched SHOOT (1976), a slice of post-Deliverance drive through exploitation at the centre of a recent plagiarism scandal… and which actually rocks
A group of NRA-nut hunters bite off more than they can chew when they unwittingly become prey of a rival group of hunters. SIGN ME UP
#filmsky 🧵
A group of NRA-nut hunters bite off more than they can chew when they unwittingly become prey of a rival group of hunters. SIGN ME UP
#filmsky 🧵
Apple TV series The Hunt postponed due to plagiarism allegations
Apple TV series The Hunt postponed due to plagiarism allegations
French thriller starring Benoît Magimel has been accused of stealing its story from a 1976 action film
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Just watched SHOOT (1976), a slice of post-Deliverance drive through exploitation at the centre of a recent plagiarism scandal… and which actually rocks
A group of NRA-nut hunters bite off more than they can chew when they unwittingly become prey of a rival group of hunters. SIGN ME UP
#filmsky 🧵
A group of NRA-nut hunters bite off more than they can chew when they unwittingly become prey of a rival group of hunters. SIGN ME UP
#filmsky 🧵
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) Benoit Blanc gets up close to the oligarch class & isn't very impressed
This holds up so much better on re-watch than I would have ever expected. Delightful
Daniel Craig is such a capital M, capital S, Movie Star
This holds up so much better on re-watch than I would have ever expected. Delightful
Daniel Craig is such a capital M, capital S, Movie Star
November 28, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) Benoit Blanc gets up close to the oligarch class & isn't very impressed
This holds up so much better on re-watch than I would have ever expected. Delightful
Daniel Craig is such a capital M, capital S, Movie Star
This holds up so much better on re-watch than I would have ever expected. Delightful
Daniel Craig is such a capital M, capital S, Movie Star
Reposted by LesSmarberry
First watch: Umberto D. (1952, dir. Vittorio de Sica). Eschewing a straightforward narrative about poverty for one about a middle-class pensioner who has fallen into debt, the film was not well received at the time and considered to have marked the beginning of the end for Italian neo-realism. 1/4
November 28, 2025 at 10:16 AM
First watch: Umberto D. (1952, dir. Vittorio de Sica). Eschewing a straightforward narrative about poverty for one about a middle-class pensioner who has fallen into debt, the film was not well received at the time and considered to have marked the beginning of the end for Italian neo-realism. 1/4
Not one for me I think, bad sign when you keep hoping Nicol Williamson will suddenly burst in & strike a movie on its backside with the flat of his sword while shouting "Put some life into it!"
But we'll persevere
But we'll persevere
November 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Not one for me I think, bad sign when you keep hoping Nicol Williamson will suddenly burst in & strike a movie on its backside with the flat of his sword while shouting "Put some life into it!"
But we'll persevere
But we'll persevere
This may be an issue of watching on TV vs seeing in cinema, or a case of middle-aged man yells at clouds, but would it kill The Green Knight if we, the viewer, could actually see what's happening onscreen?
November 26, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This may be an issue of watching on TV vs seeing in cinema, or a case of middle-aged man yells at clouds, but would it kill The Green Knight if we, the viewer, could actually see what's happening onscreen?
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (2023) A reconstruction of notorious porn epic Caligula, removing the hardcore sex spliced in by producer Bob Guccione without the knowledge of director Tinto Brass.
With no input from Brass, the project tries to get as close as possible to Gore Vidal's original script
With no input from Brass, the project tries to get as close as possible to Gore Vidal's original script
November 25, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (2023) A reconstruction of notorious porn epic Caligula, removing the hardcore sex spliced in by producer Bob Guccione without the knowledge of director Tinto Brass.
With no input from Brass, the project tries to get as close as possible to Gore Vidal's original script
With no input from Brass, the project tries to get as close as possible to Gore Vidal's original script
A multi-part adaptation of the Anno Dracula series by Kim Newman, in its entirety, with full practical effects & sets the size of a medium-sized urban center
If you were a despotic president, what movie would you force Hollywood to make? I want to see Quentin's Star Trek movie or maybe Kill Bill Vol 3.
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A multi-part adaptation of the Anno Dracula series by Kim Newman, in its entirety, with full practical effects & sets the size of a medium-sized urban center
Reposted by LesSmarberry
First watch: Soylent Green (1973, dir. Richard Fleischer). Dystopian sci-fi that should probably be congratulated for putting global warming on the Hollywood big screen, after breakthroughs in climate science of the 1960s. 1/3
November 25, 2025 at 7:24 AM
First watch: Soylent Green (1973, dir. Richard Fleischer). Dystopian sci-fi that should probably be congratulated for putting global warming on the Hollywood big screen, after breakthroughs in climate science of the 1960s. 1/3
The title cards for the restoration of Caligula are quite the journey aren't they?
Yes I am immediately following up Excalibur with Caligula
Very normal Monday evening
Yes I am immediately following up Excalibur with Caligula
Very normal Monday evening
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The title cards for the restoration of Caligula are quite the journey aren't they?
Yes I am immediately following up Excalibur with Caligula
Very normal Monday evening
Yes I am immediately following up Excalibur with Caligula
Very normal Monday evening
Reposted by LesSmarberry
This is John Boorman's brain.
This is TH White.
This is John Boorman's brain on TH White.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
This is TH White.
This is John Boorman's brain on TH White.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
November 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
This is John Boorman's brain.
This is TH White.
This is John Boorman's brain on TH White.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
This is TH White.
This is John Boorman's brain on TH White.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Have we considered the possibility that Boorman was playing the long game & made Zardoz with the sole intention of Excalibur then seeming less bonkers in comparison?
I love you John Boorman's Excalibur but why are you like this?
November 24, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Have we considered the possibility that Boorman was playing the long game & made Zardoz with the sole intention of Excalibur then seeming less bonkers in comparison?
I love you John Boorman's Excalibur but why are you like this?
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I love you John Boorman's Excalibur but why are you like this?
Reposted by LesSmarberry
Guilty Bystander (1950) is a Criterion Blackout Noir, and you do wonder how much of it Zachary Scott will remember when it’s all over. He’s after his missing son, but still on a right old bender, stoically declining drinks here, greedily chugging them there, fumes coming off him through the screen
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Guilty Bystander (1950) is a Criterion Blackout Noir, and you do wonder how much of it Zachary Scott will remember when it’s all over. He’s after his missing son, but still on a right old bender, stoically declining drinks here, greedily chugging them there, fumes coming off him through the screen
Both of us, I am sure, have experienced ad nauseam the technical satisfactions of this wretched war. But now your own side is going to shoot you. Don't you think it's time to recognise that there is as little worth on your side as there is on mine, Charlie Brown?
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
all those moments will be lost in time. like tears in rain.
time to die, Charlie Brown
all those moments will be lost in time. like tears in rain.
time to die, Charlie Brown
I’m not the guy you kill, Charlie Brown. I’m the guy you buy!
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Both of us, I am sure, have experienced ad nauseam the technical satisfactions of this wretched war. But now your own side is going to shoot you. Don't you think it's time to recognise that there is as little worth on your side as there is on mine, Charlie Brown?
Bad Day At Black Rock (1955) A train stops in a podunk town & a stranger steps off. They don't care too much for strangers round there
Spencer Tracy is the one-armed man who, almost despite himself, is going to get to the bottom of things, assuming that he doesn't get killed in the process
1/11
Spencer Tracy is the one-armed man who, almost despite himself, is going to get to the bottom of things, assuming that he doesn't get killed in the process
1/11
November 24, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Bad Day At Black Rock (1955) A train stops in a podunk town & a stranger steps off. They don't care too much for strangers round there
Spencer Tracy is the one-armed man who, almost despite himself, is going to get to the bottom of things, assuming that he doesn't get killed in the process
1/11
Spencer Tracy is the one-armed man who, almost despite himself, is going to get to the bottom of things, assuming that he doesn't get killed in the process
1/11