Feedback on Previous Films

In 1970, at the beginning of our second season, it was decided that it would be a good idea to ask our members to comment, at the end of a show, on the film they had just seen and award it a mark out of ten. This has been done ever since, except for two seasons, 1980-1982, when it was felt that these reactions had little value, but the system was then restored due to popular request. The marks may be somewhat arbitrary and often vary wildly for the same film, probably saying more about the audience than they do about the picture, but the comments are always interesting and sometimes surprising. The lowest average mark for a complete season was 6·66 in 1988-89 and the highest was 8·06 in 2004-05. The highest mark for an individual film was 9·46 for Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” shown in 1995 and the lowest was 1·95 for Derek Jarman’s “Caravaggio” in 1988.

“THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN” (9th April 2008) 9.30

A good membership turnout of 70 enjoyed a fine end to our season with this high scoring film. The feel good story of one man’s triumph over the odds to achieve his ambition produced the highest score (9.30) since “Hotel Rwanda” (9.13), two years ago. No score below 8 was recorded so everyone seemed to have enjoyed it.

Œ A lovely, heart-warming, feel good movie to end the season on. Anthony Hopkins

excellent as ever.

Œ A most enjoyable film which was exciting and moving.

Œ Excellent film - hooray for Hopkins.

Œ Lovely film, enjoyed every moment. Thought good films were a thing of the past.

Œ One of the best!

Œ A superb film and a lovely story. Great to be able to hear and understand every word!

“CAPOTE” (12th March 2008) 6.52

A rather small audience of less than 50 gave scores ranging from 0 to 9, with an average of 6.52. A lot of people had difficulty understanding Truman Capote’s extraordinary accent although the depiction was, reputedly, very accurate. A letter printed in a recent Daily Telegraph bemoaned the prevalence of indistinct dialogue in modern films, finishing with a comment “overheard” at a cinema: “Thank goodness the film next week is Japanese - at least there will be subtitles!”

N Strangely engrossing. Hoffman gave a great performance of a very flawed character.

N A thought provoking film, very well produced.

N Hypnotic film marred by poor sound, partly due to Hoffman’s assumed accent.

N Hoffman is brilliant as Truman Capote. Film very good but dialogue difficult to hear.

N A very interesting story. Unfortunately the dialogue was often impossible to understand.

N Powerful and beautifully filmed, but it was hard to get past the unappealing and

unintelligible Capote character.

“HIDDEN” (6th February 2008) 6.16

Scores ranged from 0 to 10, with an average of 6.16. Many of the audience were puzzled by the abrupt and inconclusive ending; some even expressed a hope that “Hidden 2” would be made, to provide an explanation.

¹ A total mix up - the meaning of the film was Hidden from me.

¹ Is the ending next time? Such a shame as, if the plot had developed, it could have been a good film.

¹ Good - clever and effective, though I might have preferred a more conclusive ending!

¹ Intriguing and gripping - very surprising and disappointing end.

¹ Excellent, convincingly frightening.

¹ Various interpretations from those around me. The producer certainly obtained the sense of unease he was after!!

“CHILDREN OF MEN” (16th January 2008) 5.92

This futuristic tale divided our audience, with scores ranging from 10 to zero, with the majority between 5 and 8. The average was one of the lowest in recent years, at 5.92.

Some of your comments:

[ Great.

[ Absolutely awful. What rubbish.

[ Moving but very depressing and frightening. Very sad. The end gives hope.

[ Awful!

[ Stark and gritty, thought provoking - a good film!

[ Funny, harrowing, sad, uplifting, smalzy and predictable. Made me cry, loved it.

“THE PRESTIGE” (5th December 2007) 7.19

This tale of rivalry in the world of magicians pleased many but puzzled quite a few. This time no one gave the film a 10 but there were several of 8 and 9 and, at the lower end, one 2 and one 3 - the average was 7.19. We received 33 comment slips from an audience of 66 - a good return but we would like it to be higher. If you do not wish to write a comment please, at least, insert a score out of 10 and hand in the slip - it all helps in our deliberations about future film programmes.

~ For the first time ever I could find no redeeming features in this film!

~ So many twists and turns! Very watchable, very clever.

~ Cleverly constructed and entertaining. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale were perfect foils for each other.

~ Convincing portrayal of seedy theatrical world and of the bitterness of the rivalry between the magicians.

~ Intriguing but confusing.

~ Got sillier and sillier and how wooden was the acting - thank goodness for Michael Caine.

“THE NEW WORLD” (14th. November 2007) 6.16

The slow pace and indistinct dialogue were reasons given for the rather low scores this film recorded. We had a good audience of 75 and were pleased with over 50% comment slip returns. The scores ranged from 2 to 9 and the average was 6.16.

Q Wonderful, really took me back to the period. Music and cinematography great.

Q Most enjoyable. Some beautiful scenery.

Q A beautiful film. I’m pleased to have seen it.

Q An overlong film not helped by atrocious diction. It was an ordeal!

Q Beautiful scenery and convincing reconstruction of the situation of early settlers.

Q Dialogue difficult to understand. Not my favourite film

“MILLION DOLLAR BABY” (17th. October 2007) 7.00

The absence of those who do not like boxing and a clash with an event in Barnston led to a rather low turnout for this powerful and disturbing film. Most of those who saw it appreciated it and gave scores of 4 to 10 with an average of 7.00.

æ Slow - gripping at the end, then very sad.

æ Awful.

æ There were times when sub-titles would have been useful! Slow start- good development

- by the end, quite impressive.

æ Much better than anticipated. A very moving ending.

æ A beautiful and moving film, which touched us deeply.

æ Powerful performances from three powerful actors.

æ Excellent - rather sad ending to a poignant story.

“THE PAGE TURNER” (26th. September 2007) 7.85

We had a rather low turnout for this film - was it the A.G.M.? the subtitles? French films? the weather? However, the audience of 55 must be some of our most dedicated followers as they produced 46 comment slips - over 80%. This must be our best ever slip return. Scores ranged from 4 to 10.

¯ Very, very good. La manipulatrix in action.

¯ .........low on dialogue, strong on looks and heavy breathing.

¯ Sensitively acted with well developed plot and emotionally involving characters combined with a chilling atmosphere.

¯ Slow start. A woman scorned - very dangerous.

¯ Not Hitchcockian or edge of the seat but a good lesson in slow, deliberate, psychological movie making.

¯ An interesting film with an unusual idea for the story - very well acted, filmed and directed.

We were pleased that most thought that this was a good start to the new season and the average score of 7.63 reflects this. Scores ranged from 10 to 3, with most being above 7 and we had a very healthy return of comment slips including some from new members - we are delighted to welcome you to the Society.

· Excellent film. Atmosphere, acting, photography and directing all first class.

· Wonderful portrayal of family and relationships against the backdrop of history and politics.

· Overly leisurely with weak, clichéd dialogue and Fiennes’s usual low-key unempathetic style.