Dirk is participating in My Film Reviews blogathon to reveal my Movie Confessions.

Which classic movie don’t you like/can’t enjoy and why?

One of the reasons that I created this site was in response to some of the selections of classic films made by Derek Malcolm. There are many in his list that I can’t warm to. BRIEF ENCOUNTER (Lean, 1945) a classic British film that everyone loves. An unconsummated affair between two of the most irritating people ever committed to celluloid.

Which ten classic movies haven’t you seen yet? 

In 2008 and 2009 I set out on a mission to watch all of the films in Derek Malcolm’s top 100 movies from the first century of film. It was a mission that I didn’t quite complete (I’ve watched 85 of them). 10 of the films that I am yet to see are:

The Music Room (Satyajit Ray, 1958)

Madame De (Max Ophuls, 1953)

Viridiana (Bunuel, 1961)

La Femme Infidele (Claude Chabrol, 1968)

LBJ (Santiago Alvarez, 1968)

Pakeezah (Karmai Amrohi, 1971)

La Collectionneuse (Eric Rohmer, 1967)

Cuba Si! (Chris Marker, 1961)

Day of Wrath (Carl Dreyer, 1943)

Nanook of the North (Robert Flaherty, 1921)

It has to be said that Roof-Dirk is capable of throwing light on some of my cinematic blind spots too.

Have you ever sneaked into another movie at the cinema?

When I was a student, we would spend all day in Liverpool’s 051 cinema on a single ticket. I would sit for hours working through the New Hollywood canon. I stayed and watched TAXI DRIVER twice on the bounce.

Which actor/actress do you think is overrated?

Jeremy Irons. That’s not acting, its talking. Just because you have perfect diction doesn’t make you good (cf Michael Gove).

From which big director have you never seen any movie (and why)?

I am presenting working my way through the brilliantly executed STORY OF FILM with the hypnotic voice of Mark Cousins. I have been struck by how important Jacques Tati is in the development of French cinema. I have never seen any of his films and I don’t intend to. Comedy doesn’t travel well and it becomes dated and his stuff suffers from being both French and old.

Which movie do you love, but is generally hated?

I love Albert Pyon’s THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER (1982) which was released as a spoiler to Milius’ CONAN which was released in the same year. I think it is much better, despite its smaller budget.

Talon is a fast-talking warrior with a three bladed sword who takes on a tyrant. Half the time its unclear why things are happening, but its great fun!

Have you ever been “one of those annoying people” at the cinema?

When I went to see SPECIES with my friend Duncan, we got the giggles and began to laugh like drains every time Forest Whitaker made an appearance. Especially when he sniffed the air and said, “she’s been here.”

I think we may have spoiled it for those people sat near us. I am sorry.

Did you ever watch a movie, which you knew in advance would be bad, just because of a specific actor/actress was in it? Which one and why?

I have seen plenty of rubbish Patrick Dempsey films because I liked him when he started out as an awkward but charming dork. He has latterly reinvented himself, but I was there for HUGO POOL (1997).

Did you ever not watch a specific movie because it had subtitles? 

No, however …

I am a Love Film subscriber and I have to admit that the subtitled DVDs seem to stay around a little longer as Mrs Dirk is a classic DS viewer: she functions on watching at least two screens at a time, sometimes three, so reading subtitles are difficult when you have Facebook and E-bay to contend with.

Are there any movies in your collection that you have had for more than five years and never watched?

Yes. I have never got round to watching KINGDOM Lars Von Trier’s mini-series. The plastic wrapper is still on it.
Which are the worst movies in your collection and why do you still own them?

I have some real corkers. I never get rid of anything, even those that came free with the newspapers. The worse film that comes to mind is CITY OF ANGELS a terrible remake of WINGS OF DESIRE with Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan. I got it free with the first DVD player I bought.
Do you have any confessions about your movie watching setup at home?

My TV is far too big for the room. I don’t care.

Its mounted on the wall above the fireplace. I can’t use the gas fire in case it damages the TV. I don’t care, I maybe cold but it looks great.

Any other confessions you want to make?

I have 100s of films on VHS that I never really watch.

Related articles

• Starburst Memories: The Sight & Sound Greatest Films Poll (dirkmalcolm.wordpress.com)
• Movie Confessions Blogathon (myfilmviews.com)
• Movie Confessions Blogathon (journeysinclassicfilm.com)
• STARBURST MEMORIES – Rob Reiner’s EMPIRE ‘Classic Scenes’ (dirkmalcolm.wordpress.com)
• Jarv’s movie confessions (moonwolves.wordpress.com)
• The Movie Confession Blogathon (peedeejay.wordpress.com)