🍿#7: News of the World

The best trailers, my favourite film fact of all time and the films I've been dodging for a decade.

“Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!”

~ Dr. Strangelove, 1964

Read all about it!

When I was at uni, I remember how excited I was to find out that the library had a load of films available to rent for free. Yes, FREE! This was perfect as that same year I was given 1001 Films to Watch Before You Die for my 18th birthday - a list I’m still working my way through.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, was the first film I checked out. I must admit I can’t remember much about it now, but I do know that Peter Sellers made me laugh more than once. Other parts of the film seemed to drag on, but I was 18, what did I know? I’m sure I’d enjoy it more if I watched it now, just as I enjoyed The Godfather films a lot more at almost-30 than I did at 16 - even Part III!

Whilst I might not have had the same appreciation for film back then, I was more open to watching something I might not enjoy. Now, however, it’s rare that I’ll give anything a go if I think there’s a chance I won’t like it (excluding Bliss).

This even extends to films I want to watch because I know they won’t they won’t be ‘easy’ - such as Federico Fellini’s Satyricon, Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker and Matteo Garrone’s Gomorrah. These films have been on my to-watch list since I was given 1001 Films to Watch Before You Die. The stills and descriptions have always intrigued me and whenever I flick through that book now I still hover over their pages. But it’s been more than 10 years and I’ve still not watched them.

So now, with you as my witness, I am going to regain the courage I had for delving into the unknown and watch these films before the end of the year. That’s a promise.

Tell me, are there any films that you’ve been putting off for as long as I have? Really, I’d love to know.

---

Do you know someone who’d like a taste of Salty Popcorn? Feel free to send it on.

---

Upcoming Releases

Six Minutes to Midnight

UK: 26 March // USA: 26 March

Based on true events, Six Minutes to Midnight focuses on a Nazi finishing school based in Sussex and stars Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent and Eddie Izzard (who co-wrote the script).

In the UK, you’ll be able to watch Six Minutes to Midnight via Sky Cinema.

Black Bear

UK: 23 April // USA: 24 January

Whilst staying in a remote lakehouse, a filmmaker (Aubrey Plaza) plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention.

---

Fact of the week

This is possibly my favourite film fact of all time…

The Great Train Robbery (1903) was one of the first Westerns ever made. For the final shot, Justus D. Barnes points his gun directly at the camera and shoots the audience.

As cinema was still very much in its infancy, it’s reported that many audiences thought there were really being shot at and jumped out of their seats to dodge the bullets. Imagine!

In homage to The Great Train Robbery, Martin Scorsese uses the same shot to end Goodfellas - but with Joe Pesci shooting the camera. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the same effect.

---

Review: News of the World

Star rating:

3 (out of 5)

Worth a watch? 

Yes

Where to watch: 

USA: Amazon Prime Video ($19.99)

UK: Netflix

Blurb: 

Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) travels across the Wild West reading newspapers to congregations of townsfolk. Whilst travelling from one town to the next, Kidd meets a young girl (Helena Zengel) who had been abducted by Native Americans.

Responsibility for the girl falls on Kidd’s shoulders as he’s tasked with escorting her across Texas to unite her with her only known relatives. However, their journey soon becomes a fight for survival.

The review (NO spoilers):

Despite being nominated for no less than four Academy Awards (Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Sound), News of the World lacks any true grit.

Whilst Hanks does a fine job of portraying an ageing man on the dawn of a new world, his performance is the only thing about the character of considerable note. In fact, there are few actors other than Hanks that could lift this film above its mediocrity.

Meanwhile, Zengel's nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards were wholly deserved. If you scroll to the Critic’s Cut, I’ll tell you why - there aren’t really any spoilers this week, just hints at Johanna’s character (that you may have picked up on in the trailer).

However, there too few emotional anchors for the audience to hold on to, which is disappointing. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is that’s missing but I just didn’t really care about the characters, their stories or their fates. That said, if you’re looking for an easy watch then this film is enjoyable enough without trying to be anything it isn’t.

Scroll down for what’s coming in the next issue and the Critic’s Cut.

—The Critic’s Cut has been moved to the very, very bottom of Salty Popcorn. Now you can see what’s coming up in the next issue without risking spoilers—

---

If you liked News of the World…

3:10 to Yuma

2007 | UK: Netflix // US: Peacock

Starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, this 2007 remake of the 1957 classic is without a doubt one of the greatest modern Westerns. With plenty of action, a decent script and fantastic performances all round.

---

In the next issue:

The Mauritanian

UK: 1 April // USA: 12 February | Watch the Trailer

---

If you enjoyed this week’s Salty Popcorn, then don’t keep it for yourself - there’s plenty to share.

---

The Critic’s Cut 🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨:

I’m no actor, but it stands to reason that it’s easier to put on a good performance if you actually have something to say and do, as opposed to being centre-stage with nothing to say.

If you’re the actor with nothing to do, then what do you do? You still have to be present in the scene, you have to react to what’s happening around you and you have to do it without actually doing anything - that takes talent.

With this in mind, and considering that Johanna is pretty much silent throughout the film, I think we can expect great things to come from Helena Zengel…

You heard it here first! 😉