By the time that you read this, the Max West Movies 2019 Season will have started. January 11th’s screening was “Waking Ned Devine”, an Irish whimsical comedy, with the musical “7 Brides for 7 Brothers” being shown on February 8th.
“The Italian Job”, that famous 1969 British comedy caper, well known and loved in the U.K., will be the film for Friday March 8th at 7 p.m. Pizza and Italian ice cream will be on offer to add to the ambience. The film features a host of well-known stars, some of whom are still in the business: Michael Caine, Noel Coward, Benny Hill(!), Irene Handl, John le Mesurier, Fred Emny and Robert Powell in his first film role. In 2004, “Total Film” named “The Italian Job” the 27th greatest film of all time, and Caine’s line, “You’re only supposed to blow the blxxdy doors off!” was voted the No1 favourite film one-liner. But for me, it’s the soundtrack score composed by the great Quincy Jones that makes this film. Sit back and enjoy the unforgettable “On days like these” sung by Matt Monro over the opening credits, as Rossano Brazzi as Roger Beckermann, drives his Lamborghini Muira over the Great Saint Bernard Pass. “Divertiti!”
The April film, to be shown on Friday April 5th at 7 p.m., is the 2018 biblical drama “Mary Magdalene” about the woman of the same name, starring Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix and Chiwetel Ejiofor. In the year 33 A.D. when Judea was under the control of the Roman Empire, a woman named Mary from the small town of Magdala begins to follow Jesus of Nazareth. This causes conflict with the other male disciples. Mary follows Jesus all the way to His Resurrection. “Mary Magdalene”, with its stylish high-art look has a timely feminist angle and sets out to right historical wrongs and put Jesus of Nazareth’s most famous female follower back at the heart of His story.
A big vote of thanks is due to Mike our projectionist and “brains” behind Max West Movies, without whom none of this would be possible. Many thanks, Mike! D J