Line(s) of the Day #KirkDouglas

“I wanted to be an actor ever since I was a kid in the second grade. I did a play, and my mother made a black apron, and I played a shoemaker. After the performance, [my father] gave me my first Oscar: an ice cream cone.”

Farewell to the Hollywood legend that was Kirk Douglas (1916 – 2020). As well as his acting talents (including starring in of my favourite ever films Paths of Glory), he was also known for his producing, directing and writing talents. The New-York born star was also widely recognised for his philanthropy and for helping end the Hollywood blacklist.

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Things to See: Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition Part 1

Stanley Kubrick was one of the greatest ever directors, so I was never going to miss an exhibition that celebrated his extraordinary vision and the intense attention to detail that helped him make such incredible films. And that was even without the five star reviews from The Guardian, The Times, Time Out, BBC website and The Evening Standard.

Film Quiz: Non-World War II War Films

After doing a quiz based on World War II films, I had to show that there was more to war on film than those that depict the 1939 – 1945 conflict. Covering various different battles, the films below cover a wide range in tone, style and narrative. How many do you have? Do you have a favourite among them? if you can work out mine, feel free to give yourself an extra point.

  Film 1 (1930s)

 Film 2 (1930s)

 Film 3  (1950s)

 Film 4 (1950s)

 Film 5 (1960s)

 Film 6 (1960s)

 Film 7 (1970s)

 Film 8 (1970s)

 Film 9 (1980s)

 Film 10  (1980s)

 Film 11  (1980s)

 Film 12 (1980s)

 Film 13 (1990s)

 Film 14 (2000s)

 Film 15 (2000s)

Answers below

Film Quizzes: My Favourite Films Part 2

There really were too many to fit favourite films into one post. And even then I think of some of the films I had to leave out. Will you do better better than last Part 1? Do you have a favourite among the list here? As always you comments and feedback are more than welcome.

  Film 1

 Film 2

 Film 3

 Film 4

 Film 5

 Film 6

 Film 7

 Film 8

 Film 9

 Film 10

 Film 11

 Film 12

 Film 13

 Film 14

 Film 15

Answers below

Line(s) of the Day #PathsofGlory

If those little sweethearts won’t face German bullets, they’ll face French ones!

General Mireau (George Macready) in the classic anti-war film Paths of Glory (1957).

Film Quizzes: Best Black/White Films Ignored by the Academy

With the release of this year’s nominations, and the undoubted shocks and surprises, it’s worth having a reminder of past films that didn’t even get a nomination. If you can suspend your shock enough to concentrate, below are six superb films that have lasted despite being ignored by the Academy. See if you can work them out. Feel free to try the quiz Modern Films Ignored by the Academy.

 (1930s)

 (1940s)

 (1940s)

 (1940s)

 (1950s)

 (1950s)

Answers below