At the movies · Catchphrases · Notes from West London

That Steve McQueen quote from “The Magnificent Seven”

An Irish bar in West London. Early evening. We have just heard that Shane McGowan (singer, songwriter, founder of The Pogues) has died. A friend wants to raise a glass to him. My son and I meet him, and one of his neighbours. We have met before, many times, here and in places like this.… Continue reading That Steve McQueen quote from “The Magnificent Seven”

At the movies · Notes from West London

A 12th Oscar Winner on the London stage

Earlier this year I wrote a piece about the Oscar winners that I have seen on the London stage. I counted up a dozen, 11 I had seen in London and one more (Jeremy Irons) in Stratford-on-Avon. Since writing those words I have found another theatre programme: “Antigone” at the Barbican, a production I saw… Continue reading A 12th Oscar Winner on the London stage

At the movies · Catchphrases · Home life

“Sometimes people just die”

I return to the subject of favourite lines from the movies, and am surprised to find that I have not written about this for over two years. The most recent piece, “Get this boy a bib”, was about “Westworld” (the original 1973 release). Last night my children and I watched “Groundhog Day” again. It’s a… Continue reading “Sometimes people just die”

At the movies · Notes from West London

11 Oscar winners on the London stage, and one in Stratford-on-Avon

During the Christmas holidays, prompted by nothing in particular, I was thinking of three productions of “Richard II” that I have seen here in London over the last 20 years, and the actors who played the title role. The first production, at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2003, starred Mark Rylance. The second, in 2005, featured Kevin… Continue reading 11 Oscar winners on the London stage, and one in Stratford-on-Avon