Spider-Man 3

Watched it at last. Good blend of comedy and excitement - though perhaps a tad OTT on the action. You start to wonder how many times a guy can get thrown against a wall before he gets fed up with the whole thing and goes home. Good to see Stan Lee again. And I preferred this version's Goblin uniform than Willem Dafoe's. Admittedly the film could have had a good 15 minutes cut out of it, but we couldn't quite see where from. At least he didn't lose his aunt's engagement ring.

Flying Down To Rio, Sleepless In Seattle and Casablanca

Another film night chez Peter and Maggie - the theme was cities. Flying Down To Rio was bizarre - in terms of the somewhat naive acting, direction, effects etc (it was 1933 after all) but when Fred and Ginger danced together, wow! Sleepless In Seattle was a bit of a struggle, especially if you don't like Tom Hanks (but probably great if you don't like Bill Pullman!) Casablanca was - Casablanca. Funnily enough I watched a lot of the early part of the film not remembering it, so finding it interesting - and then slept through the last half hour. Mea culpa etc.

Oh! What A Lovely War

Watched it on DVD the night before Remembrance Day because I thought I should watch something meaningful and pertinent. Wasn't disappointed. A bit slow to start with but interesting use of the old Brighton Pier and once the songs began I was swept away. Couldn't remember anything of the stage show we put on at Tiffins - just after the Falklands War broke out, causing the audience, sadly, to stay away.

Miscellany

Have been enjoying Jamie Oliver's and Gordon Ramsey's series. Stopped watching Nigella Lawson's after the first programme. More on that another time.

Watched the first hour of Children Of The Damned the other night before falling asleep. Life is too short to have another go. Afraid all it taught me was that Ian Hendry (a genius - God rest his soul) couldn't do a Welsh accent.

On a more positive note, watched the best ever Criminal Minds the other night - guest starring Jeannetta Arnette, whose scenes opposite Mandy Patinkin were phenomenal. And I got to cry again! The plot - unlike any other CM I have watched - and the way it unravelled really made you think. About marrying the wrong man, about motherhood, about police work... Special mention also for her husband (Michael Massee) and for the warden (Roger Aaron Brown). Excellent. It was Series One Episode 14 and it is going on my letter to Santa.

ET

Watched this a couple of weeks ago - at 4 in the morning because I couldn't sleep! Brilliant! I'd forgotten just how good it is. Watched the original theatrical release with the intention of watching the recut version soon. Stunning the way Spielberg tells it all from the kids' perspective. Until an hour and ten minutes into the movie, the only adult you see the face of is Dee Stone's. High spot - crying at the end of the movie. How does he do that?